Thccnk
ouJ

Madeleine & Bill Berman

For your generosity and support of our community

Yasher koach!

Bill Berman and his father, Julius, 1951

But he's most proud of his accom-
plishments in and around Detroit,
such as a new scholarship program at
Wayne State University "I've rounded
up 11 local Jewish donors so far to
contribute $8,000 a year each to sup-
port and mentor a student," he said.
Past state positions include presi-
dent of the Southeastern Michigan
Builders Association; representing the
building industry as a board member
on New Detroit; board chairman of
the Michigan State Housing Finance
Authority; president of United Hebrew
Schools; board member of the United
Way, and others.

Shaarey Zedek Influence

"But one of my biggest regrets is not
being president of Shaarey Zedek,"
said Berman, who spent 14 years as
an officer at the 147-year-old syna-
gogue.
He had risen to the vice presidency
in 1961 under his mentor, Louis Berry,
when Shaarey Zedek broke ground
for the new Southfield location. "I was
building committee chairman and Lou
was development fund chairman; and
we felt we had to concentrate on those
important jobs, so we relinquished
our officer positions. Lou resumed his
presidency later, but, for one reason or
another, I never got the title
Shaarey Zedek first purchased 15
acres near Northwestern Highway
and 10 Mile Road for the new edifice,
"but we quickly realized that wouldn't
be large enough, so we bought nine
holes of a Southfield golf course on
the current site [at 11 Mile], and we
had a real tough battle getting the land
rezoned," Berman recalled.
The stumbling block was blatant
anti-Semitism by Southfield city offi-
cials, Berman remembers.
"There really were no Jews living in
the city at the time, and it was made
clear to us that the city didn't want us

there he said. "Then I got a call late
one night from the council president,
who was probably the most-powerful
city official at the time, asking me to
come right over and discuss the situ-
ation. I don't know what changed his
mind, but he said he would make sure
we got the rezoning."
Alluding to the Ira Kaufman
Chapel's presence in Southfield, the
council president told Berman: "If
we can bury 'em here, I guess we can
marry 'em here
Shaarey Zedek has benefited greatly
from Berman's philanthropies over
the years, even to the extent of his
sponsorship of positions like a full-
time family educator who coordinates
both senior and youth educational
programs. The synagogue recognized
Berman's generosity by honoring him
at a major event in 2005, raising sev-
eral million dollars.
Harold Berry of Bloomfield Hills,
Berman's friend since their days as
members of Shaarey Zedek's former
junior congregation, points out that
Berman "contributes greatly to the
social infrastructure of the communi-
ty, making contributions to causes and
things that are generally unknown to
the public, but have to get done
"Sometimes," Berry said,"philan-
thropists become well known then go
on to the national and international
scenes. That's not the case with Bill.
He has remained true to his strong
roots in the local community"
Rabbi Joseph H. Krakoff said, "Bill
Berman is still the heart and soul
of Shaarey Zedek. His love for the
synagogue is expressed in his contin-
ued generosity and thoughtfulness.
He's always available for advice and
consultation; he's a real visionary,
very insightful and gets to the main
essence of an issue right away. We're
fortunate to have him as a member."

Philanthropy on page A18

Fall
" rip3

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