NOVEMBER 25 • 2021 | 7

The Hadas and Dennis Bernard Family Centennial Gift 
Reflects a Lifetime of Leadership and Commitment

“Tzedakah is Judaism’s gift to the world. When we repair 
the world, we are identifying as Jews and as supporters of 
humanity.” These words reflect the profound Jewish values 
that guide the lives of Hadas and Dennis Bernard, two 
of our community’s most committed individuals. Hadas, 
born in Israel and raised in Detroit, was steeped in local 
Jewish life at home, from camps and youth groups to her 
time as a student leader at the U of M Hillel. Since then, 
she has been involved in numerous Jewish and greater 
non-sectarian community organizations, for whom she 
has served in a range of leadership and board member 
roles. Originally from Cleveland, Dennis is also a longtime 
leader in Jewish Detroit, offering his business acumen and 
leadership skills to agencies and organizations across 
the community. Currently, Dennis serves as President of 
the United Jewish Foundation (UJF), the financial arm of 
the Jewish Federation and the central custodian of the 
communities’ resources. In addition to their leadership, 
Hadas and Dennis have established a long legacy of 
support for the Jewish community. “Tzedakah is important 
to us,
” Hadas says, “because it not only lifts whoever 

receives the tzedakah, it also lifts our heart and soul.”
The Hadas and Dennis Bernard Family Centennial Gift 
will support the UJF’s General Fund, often described as 
our community’s rainy-day fund. “The General Fund is 
there for when our community needs it most,
” Dennis 
says, “due to crises, bad economy or urgent needs. It’s 
for times when no one else is willing or able to step up.” 
Over the years, the General Fund has played a critical role 
in Federation’s ability to respond to changing needs in 
the community—as well as emergencies. “I can think of 
nothing more important than continuing to replenish the 
General Fund,
” he adds. “It’s absolutely essential to the 
welfare of the community.” This notion is at the heart of the 
Centennial Fund itself and reflects the insight and vision 
that comes with the couple’s decades of service. “Many 
people have marveled on how Judaism has survived for 
5,782 years,
” the Bernards note. “One of the reasons is 
tzedakah. By giving to Jewish causes, we are supporting 
Jewish identity and values that create a continuum of 
Jewish life.”