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Lawrence Berry
follows in father's and
grandfather's footsteps as
president of Shaarey Zedek.
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Reaching out to the family and building on social action are two of
Lawrence Berry's key goals as congregational president.
LISA FEIN
Special to the Jewish News
he new president of Congregation
Shan rey Zedek says what's most
important to him is enriching the
synagogue's family atmosphere.
"By making our theology, rituals, history
and culture relevant and accessible to our
family of members, we not only ensure the
future of our congregation, but also the
future of the Jewish community — locally,
nationally and internationally," says Lawrence
Berry. He's the third generation of his family
to hold the Conservative synagogue's top lay
position.
"It is just a series of coincidences that I
became president behind my father Harold
(1975-77) and grandfather Louis (1958-59
and 1965-67). It was not a choreographed
event," Lawrence Berry said.
"The three of us are but convenient and
visible symbols of the true strength of this
congregation," he said. "I want to celebrate
the achievements of a collective past and the
opportunity of shaping together the future
generation of this congregation."
Louis Berry's first stint as president of the
congregation was when Shaarey Zedek was
located at Chicago Boulevard and Lawton in
Detroit. "He was on the bima and I was 12
years old," recalled Lawrence Berry. "I have
fond memories of the time we spent together,
wrence Berry
e: 52
Residence: Bloomfield Hills
Family: wife Sharon; son Matthew,
27, an attorney in Washington, D.C.,
and in position to become a U.S.
Supreme Court clerk, and daughter
Katherine, 24, a law student at
Widener University in Wilmington,
Del.
Pastime: playing golf
Military infantry officer, Fort
Benning, U.S. Army, 1972-1974
Occupation: president, Michigan
Mortgage Lenders
Corporation, a Bloomfield Hills-
based residential-mortgage company
doing business in Michigan and
Indiana
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going to shul regularly."
Shaarey Zedek moved to Southfield in
1962. B'nai Israel in West Bloomfield merged
with Shaarey Zedek in 1990.
Congregants interested in the synagogue's
presidency first must serve as secretary, trea-
surer, second vice president and first vice pres-
ident. It's a 10-year commitment overall
because of the five two-year terms.
Lawrence Berry's motivation? "I believe
in leaving society a better place than what
you found it. I have a civic commitment to
the community and to the Jewish people.
How well we do at maintaining programs
and membership at our congregation will
determine the future of Judaism and the
diaspora."
People To People
Increasing congregants' involvement in social-
action programs is one of Berry's priorities.
He's interested in programs with a human
touch, not just those requiring financial sup-
port. An example of such chesed (act of lov-
ingkindness) is Habitat for Humanity, a ser-
vice that helps the less fortunate in urban
areas learn skills and build housing en route
to becoming self-sufficient.
Other priorities of his include maintaining
"the great 140-year tradition of excellence at
Shaarey Zedek" and "committing the finances
and human resources to keep improving the
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