Mandell “Bill” Berman » 1917-2016

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May the lights of Chanukah usher in a better
world for all humankind and may love and light
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On behalf of Hadassah Greater Detroit,
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Carol Ogusky

President

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American Friends of The Hebrew University
and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

was the incredible positive energy he
brought to his philanthropy and involve-
ment.
“At dinner last month, Bill told me
how excited he was about all of the
‘young people’ he met at our major fun-
draiser a few weeks before and just how
proud he was of our community.”
Ralph Gerson of Bloomfield said, “Bill
and Madge Berman have been among
my parents’ closest friends my entire
life. Our families have enjoyed many
happy times together and have also been
together at difficult times.
“I have never known anyone except
my uncle, Bill Davidson, who was as
optimistic and as productive in his life
as Bill Berman. He had a great love and
devotion to the Jewish community, both
in Detroit and around the world, and
will leave an enduring legacy from all his
accomplishments.
“The Gerson family’s hearts go out to
Madge, Ann and Jon and their families
at this sad time.”
Speaking for herself and her brother,
Jon, Ann Berman Feld had these
thoughts about her father: “Dad never
had to tell us how to be a good person
… he showed us. It was one of his great
strengths as a parent.
“From an early age, we understood it
was important to give back, to repair the
world, to be honest, to follow through
on commitments. He made it all seem
second nature and easy.

“We will miss his enthusiasm, his
smile, his patience, his intellect. He is
irreplaceable.”
A devoted husband, father and grand-
father, Bill Berman leaves behind his wife
of 66 years, Madeleine “Madge” Berman;
his children, Ann Berman (Daniel) Feld
and Dr. Jon (Nicky) Berman; and three
grandchildren, Laurence Freedman, Sara
Feld and Max Berman.
He was the beloved son of Julius and
Esther Anna Berman; dear brother of
the late Sara Pregerson, the late Toba
Smokler and the late Irving Berman;
cherished brother-in-law of the late
Milford Pregerson and the late Bert
Smokler.
Contributions may be made to the
Congregation Shaarey Zedek Berman
Center for Jewish Education, 27375 Bell
Road, Southfield, MI 48034 or call (248)
357-5544, or visit shaareyzedek.org; or
to the Berman Center for the Performing
Arts, Jewish Community Center, 6600 W.
Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322,
or call (248) 432-5530 or visit www.
jccdet.org/donation.
The funeral was held at Shaarey Zedek
on Tuesday, Dec. 27. Arrangements by
Ira Kaufman Chapel.

*

Look for video excerpts from a recent interview with
Bill Berman, done in preparation for the JN’s
upcoming 75th anniversary, at thejewishnews.com.
Also, more personal recollections will appear in
the June 5 issue.

Note with sorrow the passing of

Shared Loves — Jewish Education And Pickles

- Mandell Berman -

Lisa Soble Siegmann | Special to the Jewish News

Mandell (Bill) Berman’s life was distinguished by his devotion to the Jewish
community and the State of Israel. Bill and his beloved wife Madeleine propelled
the academic success of students at The Hebrew University, while helping to build
bridges to peace within a multicultural student body. Together, they supported the
pursuit of knowledge at Hebrew University and other leading universities, often
focusing on the role of worldwide Jewry in improving our world.

I

We express our condolences to Madeleine Berman and the entire family.
May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson
President, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Good friends Bill Berman
and Lisa Soble Siegmann

American Friends of The Hebrew University

Daniel I. Schlessinger
National President

Beth Asnien McCoy
National Executive Director

Judith Shenkman
Executive Director, Midwest Region

met Bill through our passion for Jewish family edu-
cation, which he funded so generously throughout
the years. But I had the privilege of calling him a dear
friend to me and my family. When my children were
born, he was there. At their b’nai mitzvot, he came.
When my father-in-law died, he checked in.
Bill always made me laugh — and what a huge
laugh (and smile) he had.
“Are you coming to hear me speak, Lisa? You have to
come — not for my brilliant words — no, come for the
Kiddush lunch after! Oh yeah, I got the good lox – the
Nova!”
Bill loved dill pickles and had them in his office a
lot. One day he told me about how his father used
to make them in a big vat, and how he loved them.
So, I told him that my dad made them, but in jars.
So, I brought him a jar at the end of last summer,
with instructions to open in the sink. Later that day,
I got a call from him that he had opened the jar
— which I can’t even do! — at his desk, and there
was pickle juice everywhere. Could I please buy
him a new desk — and perhaps bring over some
air freshener?
How I loved and adored “my” Bill. How I will
miss him.

*

Lisa Soble-Siegmann is director of Federation’s
JFamily.

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20 December 29 • 2016

