From Pulpit To Classroom

The Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit appoints
Rabbi Aaron Bergman as head of Jewish studies.

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Rabbi Aaron Bergman plans to relinquish

the pulpit at Congregation Beth

Abraham Hillel Moses to focus

full time on Jewish education.

DIANA LIEBERMAN
Staff Writer

() ne of the Detroit area's most active corn-
munal rabbis will be leaving the pulpit
June 30 to take a pivotal position at the
Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit.
Rabbi Aaron Bergman, 36, who has served at
Congregation Beth Abraham Hillel Moses since
1991, will head the Jewish Studies Department at
the new transdenominational high school.
Rabbi Bergman said the position with the
Academy will give him the greatest opportunity to
influence the future of the Detroit Jewish commu-
nity — through the education of its children.
However, he said, his departure from BAHM will
be bittersweet.
"I am proud of this congregation, and grateful
for the contributions that I have had the privilege
of making to it," he wrote in a letter to the syna-
gogue's members.
Rabbi Bergman told the Jewish News that his
departure from the synagogue is cordial. Leaders at
BAHM have accepted his resignation in the same
spirit.
"We are sorry that he is moving on," said syna-
gogue president Dr. Harris Mainster. He was a
vital part of our long-term planning and growth.
His enthusiasm and energy were important reasons
we were able to attract nearly 150 new member
families to our shul within the last two years."
The 107-year-old congregation has grown to 620
member families under Rabbi Bergman.
Rabbi Bergman made what he felt was the right
decision for him and his family, and the synagogue
family honors that decision, Dr. Mainster said.
"Obviously we will miss him," Dr. Mainster said.
"but we have already begun to pull together to look
forward to the future. We are attracting a lot of

Diana Lieberman Can be r67ched at (248) -354-6060.
, xt. 247 or by e-mail at cllieberm@theiewishnews.corn

young families who like smaller size in combination
with our egalitarian style of worship. We intend to
build on that and grow in new directions as well.
While Rabbi Bergman's departure is obviously a dis-
appointment to us, we nonetheless are excited
about the future.
A native Detroiter who graduated from the
University of Michigan, Rabbi Bergman lives in
West Bloomfield with his wife, Jewish educator
Ruth Bergman, and their four daughters, Rina, 8;
Shira, 5; Ariel, 3; and Rikki, almost 2.
The Jewish Academy plans to open in September
with an initial enrollment of 30-50 students in
grades nine and 10. Within two years, enrollment is
expected to include all four high school years.
Although he will work with the school's head,
Rabbi Lee Buckman, on developing curriculum,
Rabbi Bergman said he anticipates spending much
of his time in the classroom with young people.
"Rabbi Bergman has a sterling reputation among
children and adults as an engaging and inspiring
teacher," Rabbi Buckman said.
When Bergman first returned to Detroit in
1991, he served as rabbi-in-residence at Hillel Day
School of Metropolitan Detroit, which serves stu-
dents from nursery through eighth grade. He left
the position after four years, but has continued to
teach selected classes once a week.
In addition, he is a popular instructor for Eilu
v'Eilu, a cooperative adult education program spon-
sored by seven area Conservative synagogues.
Hillel teacher Sharon Schwartz said two of her
children studied with Rabbi Bergman, and he was
one of their favorite teachers. His wonderful sense
of humor dominates his teaching style," she said.
Michael HarPaz of Waterford Township
belonged to several Jewish youth groups when he
was a teenager, and he remembers Rabbi Bergman's
,
captivating personality as a teacher at youth group
conclaves.
"it is very hard to keep young, eager minds at
full attention. His approach to Judaism was fully

Rabbi Aaron Bergman

able to keep the kids interested in everything he
had to say," HarPaz said.
"Rabbi Bergman's desire to focus his rabbinate
and move into full-time education is consistent
with his long-standing passion for teaching," Rabbi
Buckman said. It would have been a terrible loss
had the rabbi pursued his interests in another city.
The Academy helps anchor this fine educator in a
community that truly loves him."
For his part, Rabbi Bergman said the Academy
promises to be "the kind of school that Ruth and I
have always wanted for our daughters.
"Without such a school," he said, "we would
probably leave for a community that did have one."
The Academy has not yet completed staffing for
its Jewish studies program. "A second rabbi in the
Detroit area — a popular Orthodox rabbi — will
be teaching part-time for the Academy, but the
details have yet to be finalized," Rabbi Buckman
said.
In addition, the school is searching for someone
to head its Hebrew Language Department.
"Our goal is to build a Jewish studies team that
will establish the Academy as one of the finest coed-
ucational Jewish day high schools reaching students
of all religious and educational backgrounds,"
Rabbi Buckm-m said.

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