Rabbi Julius Berman: A Legacy of Leadership in Jewish Communal Life

Rabbi Julius Berman, a prominent figure in Jewish communal leadership, passed away at the age of 90. His extensive contributions spanned various organizations within both the Orthodox and secular Jewish communities, marking him as a significant lay leader in 20th-century Orthodoxy.

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Born in Lithuania in 1935, Berman immigrated to Hartford, Connecticut, in 1940. He graduated from the Yeshiva of Hartford and later earned a bachelor's degree from Yeshiva University in 1956, followed by rabbinic ordination in 1959. Berman graduated first in his class from New York University School of Law in 1960 and joined the law firm Kaye Scholer, where he became a pioneer for observant Jews in the legal field.

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Berman's leadership roles included serving as president of the Orthodox Union from 1978 to 1984, where he later became the chairman of the Kashrut Commission. He was also a key figure in the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, known as the Claims Conference. His tenure at the Claims Conference was marked by efforts to expand restitution for Holocaust survivors, although it faced scrutiny following a fraud scandal in 2009.

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Rabbi Josh Joseph, executive vice president and COO of the Orthodox Union, remarked on Berman's profound influence, stating, “I can’t imagine an American Jewish world without the impact and influence of Rabbi Julie Berman.” Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference, described Berman as “a towering moral leader” whose work significantly shaped Holocaust survivor care and Jewish communal life.

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Despite his many accomplishments, Berman's leadership at the Claims Conference was not without controversy. In 2009, a $57 million fraud scheme involving an employee led to criticism regarding the organization's governance, casting a shadow over his legacy in that role.

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• “He was a gracious, generous person,” — Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of the Orthodox Union Kosher Division

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• “God was good to him in terms of his talent, and he used it,” — Dennis Rapps, former executive director of COLPA

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• “A brilliant legal mind and widely respected Torah scholar, he was typically the smartest person in the room, while his sharp intellect was always matched by profound compassion.” — Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference

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Berman is survived by his wife, Dorothy Berman, and their children. His funeral is scheduled to take place at Young Israel of Jamaica Estates in Hollis, New York. The legacy of Rabbi Julius Berman will continue to influence Jewish communal life and leadership for generations to come.

Times of Israel