The Berman Family: Generations of Young Judaeans
An interview with Steve Berman, TY 1969, 70 and 1972 YC/Machon 1973-74, TY Madrich 1974, YJ Florida Director 1977-79, TY Head Counselor TY 1979, YJG Board member 2012-2022
How many generations of your family have been involved in Young Judaea?
Three!
How has Young Judaea shaped your family’s connection to Israel and the Jewish community?
Starting in 1969, because of Young Judaea, our family has had a meaningful relationship with Israel with numerous family members living in Israel over the years including now.
Are there any lasting friendships or relationships your family made through YJ?
Some of our closest friendships have been established through YJ. We have had YJ friends by our sides at weddings, funerals, ski trips, milestone birthdays, b’nai mitzvah and beyond. We all feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to forge these meaningful friendships from such a young age. These are friends for life!
Do you have a favorite YJ story, memory, or anecdote from your family’s experience?
There are too many stories to list here. In the Berman second generation (of three) a Berman daughter from Atlanta married a a wonderful guy who grew up in Texas Young Judaea. The family jokingly calls this “a mixed marriage”!
What inspires your family to stay connected to Young Judaea today?
Young Judaea is still a relevant forum for American Jewish youth after all these years. Our five camps and our incredible and durable Israel programs offers a unique way to establish lifelong friendship and a lifelong relationship with Israel.
Can you list out which of your families members have participated in Young Judaea?
Steve Berman: TY 1969, 70 and 1972 YC/Machon 1973-74 TY Madrich 1974 YJ Florida Director 1977-79 TY Head Counselor TY 1979 YJG Board member 2012-2022, married to Gita Berman
Gita Berman: TY Sgan Merakezet 1979, married to Steve Berman
Michael Berman : TY 1971-4. YC/Machon 1975-6. TY Madrich 1977. TY Merakez 1978. YJG Board 2012-2026 (Chair from 2014-2022)
Lauren Berman: TY 1975, 1976, 1977. YC 1978-1979.
Daniel Berman: TY 1975, 1976, 1978, Kitchen 1979-1980, YC/Machon 1979-80 Rosh Machaneh TY 1985
Michael Maze: CYJ Texas 1993-96 TY 1997,99 Machon 1998 YC 2000-01 TY staff 2001-03 Summer programs staff 05 IDF 2008-09 Marriage to Mara Berman 2011- Current Parent of one (soon two!!!) CJ campers
Mara Berman: CJ 1994-1999, 2002-2004 Machon 2000 TY 99, 2001, 2004 YC 2002-2003 Staffed Israel Programs 2005, 2006 Staffed YC 2007-2008 Married to Michael Maze Parent of one (soon two!!!) CJ campers
Oren Berman: CYJ Midwest 1998-99 CIT at CYJ Midwest 2002 YC 2003-4 CYJ West in Oregon 2006
Aviva Berman: CJ 1996-2000 TY 2000-2002 Machon 2003 Year Course 2004-05 TY staff 2004-05 CJ staff 2005-06 Lev HaDarom Regional Mazkirut 2002-03 National Mazkirut 2003-04 Parent of CJ camper 2024-present
Eitan Berman: CJ 1999-2005 TY 2005-2006 Lev HaDarom Regional/Merchav Boom Boom Mazkirut 2005-2008 Machon 2007 YC 2008-2009 CJ Staff 2008-2009 Israel Army 2009-2012
Noah Berman: CYJ Midwest 2000-07 TY 05-07 Regional Mazkirut 05-08 National Mazkirut 08-09 YC 2009-10 TY Staff 2009-11 Midwest Staff 13 YJ Israel Staff 13-14 IDF 2014-2015 Married to Naama Dahari
Naama Dahari Berman TY 2009-2011 CYJ Midwest 2013 Married to Noah Berman
Shira Berman: CJ camper 2001-2006 TY camper 2007-2008 Machon 2009 Year course 2010-2011 CJ staff 2010-2013
Matan Berman: CJ Camper 2008-2015 TY Camper 2015-16 TY Staff 2018-2019 YC 2018-2019 National Maz 2018
