Rabbi Daniel Berman

Rabbi Berman

I was born in Portland, Maine to an Israeli mother and a father from Dorchester. Together with my grandparents they inspired me to love learning, seek meaning, and be deeply grateful for the gifts of our lives.

I spent a gap year in Israel with Young Judaea Year Course, where I met my family of an older generation, who had emigrated from Poland to Palestine in the 1930s, and a future generation: my wife Sarah and I met my first day in Jerusalem.

I received my B.A in Jewish History from Columbia University under the guidance of Professors Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi and Michael Stanislawski, and returned to Israel to study at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. I received my J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and practiced as a trial attorney at Mintz Levin in Boston for several years.

As an attorney, I represented men and women seeking asylum in the United States after suffering persecution and torture in their countries of origin. The relationships I built and the courage I witnessed were central to my decision to lead and serve a spiritual community. In 2005 I began my studies at the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College, where I received my rabbinic ordination in 2010.

My wife Sarah is the Education Program Manager at the Environmental Solution Initiative at MIT. Our children Elie and Mica inspire and humble us daily with their gifts of wisdom, artistry and imagination.

I came to Temple Reyim in the summer of 2013, and am grateful and blessed to serve this loving community. Together we are guided by the teaching of the prophet Micah: What does God demand of us? To act justly, love compassion and walk humbly with our God.

Come visit for Shabbat, holidays, programs and events, or just come in for a conversation. You and your family are always welcome here.

Please be in touch with me anytime at rabbiberman@reyim.org.