Rabbi Donna Berman
Hartford, Connecticut
Votes for Rabbi Donna Berman: 666
Tell us about your nominee. Why should he or she be recognized as a Jewish Community Hero?
Rabbi Donna Berman should be recognized as a Jewish Community Hero because she truly is one. Her finger is always on the pulse of the community, and her drive and creativity as Executive Director of Charter Oak Cultural Center are an unstoppable force of change for this community, which was in need of something more. Charter Oak Cultural Center is housed in Connecticut's oldest synagogue building. It is a non-profit, multi-cultural arts center committed to preserving the Jewish Heritage of the building, giving access to the arts to all people and doing the work of social justice. This year, Charter Oak was honored by Hartford Business Journal, as the Non-Profit Organization of the Year. This wonderful honor couldn't have been awarded without the vision and influence of Rabbi Berman.
What problem did your nominee identify in the community that needed to be solved? How has your nominee's efforts made a difference for others?
As Director, Donna Berman has created a haven for different kinds of people to come together to enjoy multi-cultural arts and explore contemporary issues. She instituted Charter Oak's policy of never turning anyone away who can't afford the price of a ticket because she believes access to the arts is a human right. She began our free after-school programming because the kids in our neighborhood are in dire need of life-affirming activities. Over 450 kids are enrolled. That's 450 children who have a place to go, to experience the joy of extra-curricular activities that they otherwise wouldn't be able to access. Summer programming at Charter Oak this year included a free, daily organic gardening program for youth. "Putting Down Roots in Hartford" was an ingenious way to both connect the children with the earth and also feed them with the fresh food they harvested themselves! Each year she organizes a Kristallnacht commemoration during which people of all faiths and cultures stand in solidarity to affirm the richness that is diversity. Through Charter Oak, Donna Berman has built community and contributed significantly to the vibrancy of our neighborhood and of our city.
