Through Their Centennial Fund Gift, Debbie and Michael 
Berger Demonstrate the Power of Vision in Action

A 
s longtime donors, volunteers and leaders, Debbie and 

 
Michael Berger represent the full range of involvement and 

impact in our Jewish community. Debbie is the consummate 

grassroots volunteer, always willing to roll up her sleeves to do 

essential ‘on-the-ground’ work, whether it be programming, 

fundraising for the Annual Campaign or helping others in need, 

such as delivering Meals on Wheels or participating in Mitzvah 

Day. Michael is an active Federation and Foundation leader 

and board member who currently serves as President of the 

JCC, and he is often engaged in complex problem-solving 

around the community’s most urgent challenges. Together 

they share a deep connection and commitment to Jewish life in 

Detroit—values they learned from their parents and have 

actively instilled in their own children, Samantha, Jeremy and 

Victor. “We’re extremely proud to be a part of the Detroit 

community,” notes Michael, “Detroit has been a leader for 

communities of our size in the development of new ideas, the 

creation of programs, and the ability to garner significant 

financial support.”

Now, with their gift to the Centennial Fund, the Bergers are 

helping to promote the strength and vitality of the community 

long into the future. The Centennial Fund is the central 

endowment campaign to ensure the long-term security of 

Jewish Detroit. For their commitment, Debbie and Michael 

have chosen to create a Perpetual Annual Campaign 

Endowment (PACE). While they may later designate some of 

the gift to one of their many areas of interest in Jewish life and 

welfare, the PACE fund will provide a legacy of ongoing support 

for the community, year in and year out. “The Centennial Fund 

is really about the future of Jewish Detroit,” they say. “It’s not 

about today; it’s about tomorrow.” In this way, the Bergers’ 

commitment demonstrates both of the fundamental qualities 

that characterize them as leaders: Thoughtful and wise vision 

as well as active participation. “Our family has felt privileged 

and fortunate to be in the Detroit Jewish community,” they say. 

“It’s been very good to us, and we want it to be good for those 

that come after. The only way to make sure of that is to invest 

in the future and continue to give back.”

