Rabbi Julius Berman, Influential Jewish Leader, Passes Away at 90

Rabbi Julius Berman, a significant figure in Jewish communal leadership, passed away on January 1, 2024, at the age of 90. His extensive influence spanned both Orthodox and secular Jewish institutions, leaving a lasting legacy in the community. Berman was known for his leadership roles in various organizations, including the Orthodox Union and Yeshiva University.

Born in Lithuania in 1935, Berman immigrated to Hartford, Connecticut, with his family in 1940. He graduated from the Yeshiva of Hartford and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University in 1956. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary in 1959 and graduated first in his class from New York University School of Law the following year. This academic background set the stage for a dual career in law and community leadership.

Shortly after completing his legal education, Berman joined the New York law firm Kaye Scholer in 1959, where he became a trailblazer for observant Jews in the legal field. Despite his professional success, he remained deeply committed to communal work. In a 2006 interview, he reflected, “Though I am not equipped to psychoanalyze myself, it is very possible that my decision to go into a legal career rather than the Rabbinate had a role to play in my decision to immerse myself into Jewish communal matters.”

Berman’s leadership extended to several notable Jewish organizations. He served as president of the Orthodox Union from 1978 to 1984 and held positions in the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. His contributions significantly shaped the American Jewish landscape.

Rabbi Josh Joseph, executive vice president and COO of the Orthodox Union, expressed the profound impact Berman had on the community: “I can’t imagine an American Jewish world without the impact and influence of Rabbi Julie Berman. His contribution as a builder and leader was one of creativity, energy and support to so many institutions.”

Berman’s early career was marked by his presidency of the National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs (COLPA), a group representing the Orthodox Jewish community in legal matters. Dennis Rapps, who became COLPA’s executive director in 1970, described Berman as a respected mentor and an active participant in Jewish life. “The respect that people had for him cut across a broad swath of the Jewish community,” Rapps noted. “He got along with everybody, and people respected him for his intellect and for his selflessness.”

Throughout his career, Berman was recognized for his intellectual contributions and collaborative spirit. He served as chairman of the Orthodox Union’s Kashrut Commission and OU Press, and he was deeply involved with Yeshiva University, where he was influenced by Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, a prominent figure in Modern Orthodoxy. Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of the Orthodox Union Kosher Division, remarked on Berman’s commanding presence in meetings, stating, “Whenever we had a kashrus meeting…everybody ultimately would defer to Julie Berman.”

In 1982, Berman was elected chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and also led the board of Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Rabbi Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University and nephew of Julius Berman, highlighted his uncle’s embodiment of the university’s mission and his impact on the Jewish community: “He was a loving family man whose integrity, wisdom, and devotion to Torah and the Jewish people left an enduring imprint on world Jewry.”

Berman’s tenure as chairman of the Claims Conference was marked by his efforts to expand restitution for Holocaust survivors. His leadership, however, faced scrutiny following a $57 million fraud scheme involving an employee in 2009, raising questions about the organization’s governance. Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference, praised Berman’s moral leadership, stating, “A brilliant legal mind and widely respected Torah scholar, he was typically the smartest person in the room, while his sharp intellect was always matched by profound compassion.”

Berman also held the position of president of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency starting in 1989 and remained active on its board for over two decades. Ami Eden, CEO and executive editor of 70 Faces Media, reflected on his interactions with Berman, describing him as passionate and sharp, always willing to share his opinions.

Berman is survived by his wife, Dorothy Berman, and their children: Zev and Judy Berman, Myra and Simcha Aminsky, and Eli and Miriam Berman. His funeral service was held at Young Israel of Jamaica Estates in Hollis, New York, marking the end of an era for a leader whose influence will resonate within Jewish communities for years to come.