Assemblymember Zbur and Assembly leadership honor Councilmember Lester Friedman on the Assembly Floor, Monday, April 28, 2025. From Left: Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood), Beverly Hills Councilmember Lester Friedman, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister).
Sacramento, CA — Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) presented Beverly Hills Councilmember and former Mayor Lester Friedman as his 2025 Yom HaShoah Honoree Monday, recognizing Friedman's lifelong commitment to public service, Holocaust remembrance, and the fight against antisemitism.
A proud son of Holocaust survivors, Lester Friedman has spent his life carrying forward the lessons of his parents' experiences during one of history's darkest times. Friedman's parents, Saul and Bella, each survived the Radom ghetto, forced labor camps, and Auschwitz before eventually emigrating to the United States, where they built a life of resilience, community, and hope in California. Their story of survival and perseverance profoundly shaped Friedman's dedication to justice and community service.
"Lester Friedman embodies the spirit of resilience, remembrance, and hope that Yom HaShoah calls on all of us to honor," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. "As a son of Holocaust survivors, Lester has carried forward the legacy of his parents — fighting antisemitism, building community, and working tirelessly to make California a better place for all of us. I'm proud to recognize him for his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to never forgetting."
On Monday, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, representing the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, presented ACR 59, recognizing April 28 as California Holocaust Memorial Day in the California State Assembly.
"In passing the bipartisan resolution with each assemblymember being a co-author, the California State Assembly has once again shown that it is a leader in the fight against antisemitism," said Yom HaShoa Honoree, Beverly Hills Councilmember (and Former Mayor 2020-2021, 2024-2025) Lester Friedman. "Thanks to the Legislative Jewish Caucus for raising the awareness of the oldest form of hate in the world — antisemitism.
Lester Friedman has been twice elected to the Beverly Hills City Council, serving two terms as Mayor (2020–2021 and 2024–2025) and continuing today as a Councilmember. Throughout his career, Friedman has been a vocal advocate against antisemitism and a champion for Holocaust education. Following the tragic events of October 7, 2023, Friedman led the City of Beverly Hills in hosting a public Shabbat table, supporting a temporary memorial installation, and initiating plans for a permanent memorial honoring victims of the attack.
Beyond his political service, Friedman is a respected workers' compensation attorney of more than 40 years, a devoted husband, father of four, and grandfather of six. He also holds a longstanding connection to his alma mater, UCLA, serving as the official scorer for the UCLA men's basketball team since 1996.
Lester Friedman's recognition as Assembly District 51's Yom HaShoah Honoree reflects a lifetime of service rooted in history, memory, and the enduring call to action: never again.
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.
CONTACT: Vienna Montague, (916) 319-2051, Vienna.Montague@asm.ca.gov