[2] The three Friedlander children: Albert, his twin Charles, and their sister Dorrit, were sent to separate foster homes in Mississippi.
[2] Friedlander graduated from Carr Central High School, Vicksburg in 1944 at the age of 16, and was accepted immediately by the University of Chicago.
[3] The U of C coach suggested that he try out for the 1948 Olympic team, but he decided to concentrate on his studies instead, having made up his mind to enter rabbinic school upon gaining his bachelor's degree.
He then left for a position as advisor to Jewish students at Columbia University in New York City, where he gained a Ph.D. in theology, writing on the work of Rabbi Leo Baeck.
[6][7] He also became very involved in the fight for civil rights, taking his students down to Memphis to march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.[8][9] In 1966, he moved with his family to London, to become the rabbi of Wembley Liberal Synagogue, and teach at the Leo Baeck College.
He was chairman of the British branch of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (1990–94), committed to the Three Faiths Forum, and a president of the Council of Christians and Jews.