Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/767445
14 December 29 • 2016 continued on page 16 the mining of data. How do you make policy for a community if you don't know what's happening?" During his term as president of the Council of Jewish Federations (now Jewish Federations of North America) from 1987-1990, Bill helped to fund the landmark 1990 National Jewish Population Survey; he later funded the 2000-2001 survey as well. In 1987, he founded the Mandell L. Berman Institute North American Jewish DataBank housed at JFNA, which stores the Jewish population studies as well as approximately 200 local Jewish community studies, including the two Detroit studies done in 1989 and 2005. In 2009, he founded the Berman Jewish Policy Archive at New York University Wagner; the archive now is housed at Stanford University. Bjpa. org, its online portal, offers free access to a library of policy-relevant publica- tions from leading Jewish journals and organizations. This archive goes hand in hand with the Berman Jewish DataBank, a reposi- tory for raw data funded largely by the Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Foundation as well as the Charles H. Revson Foundation. "Bill Berman was a philanthropic visionary and genius who recognized needs and filled them," Lynda Giles said. "In a time when data was lacking, Bill created the Jewish DataBank. This data gave credibility and validity to our national and local efforts at fundraising within the Jewish community as well as highlighting areas of need." continued from page 12 Mandell "Bill" Berman » 1 9 1 7 - 2 0 1 6 "The board and staff of the William Davidson Foundation mourn the loss of an exceptional man, Mandell 'Bill' Berman. He was a close and lifelong friend of both William Davidson and his sister, Dorothy Gerson, and he served as a director of Guardian Industries, the corporation formerly owned by Mr. Davidson. His leadership of the Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Foundation has — and always will — inspire us. The Berman Foundation's singular commitment to the research and study of the American Jewish community and support of Jewish education will serve as his enduring legacy. Our deepest sympathies are with his beloved wife, Madge, and his children, Ann and Jon, and their families." — William Davidson Foundation My Mentor, My Friend Hy Safran Special to the Jewish News B ill Berman was the closest indi- vidual I had to a grandfather as well as my primary mentor, adviser, supporter, synagogue seat-mate, politi- cal guide, philanthropic teacher and — perhaps most importantly of all — friend. Outside of my immediate family, there is no one who knew me better or counseled me more wisely. I cannot think of a major personal or profes- sional decision I made over the past decade in which I did not consult Bill for his advice. Exchanging sto- ries, learning lessons, sharing laughs (he was absolutely hilari- ous), confronting the challenges facing the Jewish people, analyz- ing politics, admir- ing art, enjoying the beach, studying Torah, teaching me about my namesake and late grandfather — his mentor, Hyman Safran — all of these anecdotes occurred regularly, whether in Detroit, Florida or anywhere. Bill was my go-to source for all things wise and meaningful, and I am grateful for every moment I had with him. I am stunned and heartbroken at this mon- umental loss, but feel so fortunate to have had this gentle titan in my life. He impacted my life in countless ways. Losing him is a devastating blow, but an immediate clarion call — like the shofar he loved — for me, and indeed all of us, to do more to help our fellow human beings. * Hy Safran and Bill Berman, August 2016 CLOCKWISE: Bill Berman visits Tamarack's new Julius Berman Village, named after his father, this summer. Bill Berman speaks to students at Hillel Day School about his military service. Tamarack campers from the new Julius Berman Village interact with Bill Berman. ROBIN TREPECK ROBIN TREPECK