Rabbi Howard A. Berman's Obituary
Rabbi Howard A. Berman, a visionary leader and advocate for Classical Reform Judaism, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2024 in Coral Gables, FL, surrounded by his beloved husband, Steven Littlehale, and close family and friends. Born in Fair Lawn, NJ, Rabbi Berman dedicated his life to the preservation and renewal of Reform Judaism's rich spiritual traditions and to advocating for social justice.
Rabbi Berman’s illustrious career spanned over 50 years, beginning with his ordination in 1974 from Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) as one of their youngest graduates at the time. His first position was as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in New York, where he served from 1974 to 1979. His path led him to Chicago Sinai Congregation, where he became Senior Rabbi in 1982. One of his proudest achievements there was overseeing the design and construction of a new home for the congregation in 1997, merging his passion for architecture with his deep commitment to Reform Judaism, creating a space that embodied the movement’s universal ideals.
Throughout his career, Rabbi Berman remained a resolute advocate for interfaith dialogue and the full pastoral support of interfaith families, recognizing these as central to the evolving landscape of Jewish life. Despite considerable resistance, he passionately embraced these efforts from the beginning of his career, ensuring that interfaith couples found a spiritual home within the Jewish community. His pioneering view of interfaith marriage as a sacred Jewish value, central to the community’s inclusiveness and growth, exemplified his deep understanding of the Prophetic tradition in Reform Judaism.
Rabbi Berman’s advocacy for equality extended to the realm of LGBTQ+ rights. In 1997, he co-founded the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry (RCFM), and he played a pivotal role in advancing marriage equality in Massachusetts. His work with the RCFM contributed to Massachusetts becoming the first state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004. Rabbi Berman was personally part of this historic moment, becoming the first rabbi to be married legally and with federal recognition to his husband, Steven Littlehale.
Rabbi Berman was also a devoted scholar of Classical Reform Jewish music, bringing historic liturgical traditions into contemporary settings, and contemporary music into historic liturgy. His love for history extended beyond traditional Jewish study and he delighted in finding a Jewish spiritual connection in just about anything, including the Pilgrim’s struggle for religious freedom, the life of Princess Diana, and most recently, George Merrick, the founder of Coral Gables, Florida.
Friends and family will always remember his annual reading of the Declaration of Independence, and his love for the United States of America. He created the “Chanukah Cantata” fashioned after Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” which recounted the festival of lights throughout the ages in story and song.
A prolific author and editor, Rabbi Berman was instrumental in the publication of several significant Jewish texts, including “The New Union Haggadah, Revised Edition” and “The Union Prayer Book, Sinai Edition.” His scholarship provided a contemporary voice to timeless traditions, bridging the old and the new for generations of Reform Jews.
In retirement, Rabbi Berman continued to aspire to shape the Jewish and spiritual world. He brought his unique Jewish experience to Boston by establishing Boston Jewish Spirit in 2004 which later became Central Reform Temple Boston. He served as rabbinic advisor to The Shalom Collaborative in 2021 and supported Classical Reform congregations around the world. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of leadership, scholarship, and advocacy.
In Memoriam
Our congregation extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of: Rabbi Howard A. Berman,
Rabbi Emeritus, Husband of: Steven Littlehale.
Memorial Service Monday, November 11th, 11:00 AM (CT) at
Chicago Sinai Congregation
15 W. Delaware Pl., Chicago, IL 60610
The service will be livestreamed here.
Meeting ID: 864 2580 1132
Password: sinai
Reception to follow
Memorial Contributions
We are grateful for expressions of generosity that honor Rabbi Howard Berman's life, work and memory. We've chosen the organizations below because of their respective commitments to Classical Reform Jewish tradition (Kehilat Har-El); LGBTQ inclusion in the Jewish community and beyond (Keshet); and support for interfaith families (18 Doors) -- causes that embody the spirit and content of Rabbi Berman's lifelong efforts.
Kehilat Har-El: Kehilat Har-El, established in 1958, is the founding congregation of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism. Kehilat Har-El, Jerusalem (for its general fund): please contact Cantor Evan Cohen at [email protected] for details.
Keshet: Keshet works for the full equality of LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life, and advances LGBTQ rights throughout the United States.
18Doors: Formerly Interfaithfamily.com, 18 Doors supports interfaith families who are seeking inclusive Jewish life, and helps Jewish communities welcome and support interfaith families' Jewish journeys.
May his memory be for a blessing.
Chicago Sinai Congregation | 15 W. Delaware | 312-867-7000
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