Rabbi Julius Berman, the former head of the Orthodox Union and a graduate of Yeshiva University who used his expertise to help lead other Jewish organizations in America and beyond, died on Dec. 30. He was 90 years old.
According to the OU, Berman served as president of the organization from 1978 to 1984. The organization stated that under his leadership, “the OU started a number of important initiatives and founded Yachad, a groundbreaking organization to enhance the lives of Jews with developmental disabilities.”
Berman founded the OU Press and the Toras Horav Foundation, which have published “dozens” of works by Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, whom the OU described as Berman’s teacher and mentor.
Since 2014, he served as president of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany and previously chairman of its board.
Berman served in leadership positions for numerous Jewish organizations outside the OU, including the American Zionist Youth Foundation and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, as well as chairing the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. He sat on the board of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University, known as RIETS, in New York City, later becoming chairman emeritus.
Rabbi Josh Joseph, executive vice president and COO of the Orthodox Union, stated that he “can’t imagine an American Jewish world without the impact and influence of Rabbi Julie Berman.”
Joseph stated that “his contribution as a builder and leader was one of creativity, energy and support to so many institutions. At each stage of my Jewish education and professional career, I have seen how his work directly touched me and thousands of others. As we mourn his loss, we are left with the gifts that he bestowed upon us.”
Yeshiva University stated that Berman “will be remembered by the entire YU community with gratitude, profound respect and affection.” His nephew, Dr. Rabbi Ari Berman, is president of YU.
The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany stated that Berman had served as its president and chair of the board, and that Berman’s “legacy shaped more than the mission of the Claims Conference.”
It added that “his commitment to providing aid to Holocaust survivors and to educating future generations continues to be the foundation for many of our initiatives and programs.”
He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Dorothy (“Dotty”) Berman, a graduate of Stern College for Women and the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, a division of Yeshiva University; their children, Zev Berman, Myra Aminsky and Eli Berman; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
