Helene Berger
Helene Berger Presented by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Early in life, Helene was engaged in her community. As a sophomore in a 4,000-student high school, Helene was selected to present Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt the yearly award to the person who did most in America to further brotherhood and tolerance. After her talk, Mrs. Roosevelt informed the principal that she was taking Helene for the rest of the day to the United Nations. In the long limo ride from Brooklyn to the UN, they talked about life, and goals and dreams. As a young mother, Helene was chosen to be the charter president of the new Highland Oaks Elementary School PTA. She served as a member of the first Dade County Commission on the Status of Women and in numerous other capacities.
Helene found her calling when she was asked to serve on the Greater Miami Jewish Federation board in 1972. Helene spent the next forty-plus years serving the Jewish Community in leadership positions, locally and nationally.
In Miami, as President of the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE); Chair of Women’s Philanthropy; and Recipient of the Lion of Judah award.
Nationally, as Chair of Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA); Chair of the women’s department of the Council of Jewish Federations (CJF); and on the Board of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) for more than 35 years. In each of these roles, Helene was called upon to speak at numerous events and became known as an inspiring speaker.
While not abandoning her Jewish commitment or financial support, Helene began a new career as an author. When her husband, Ady, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and began going down the traditional negative path, Helene understood that she had a role to play. All those years of working with people gave her skills that she could harness. Kind, supportive care became her mission. The result was astounding.
Instead of declining, Ady began to improve. In his sixth year of Alzheimer’s, he was able to do and say what was unthinkable in the early years. Close friends repeatedly asked, “Are you sure he has Alzheimer’s”? Many came to Helene for guidance and encouraged her to write a book about her journey. The result was CHOOSING JOY: ALZHEIMER’S: A Book of HOPE . Helene is excited to announce that the Audio edition of her five-star book is being launched Mid-January 2024
“I feel truly blessed to have been married, for almost 56 years to Ady Berger, a kind, gentle, ethical, loving man who encouraged me to do and become what I wanted to be. Our son, Dr. Mark Berger, was Chief of Cardiology at Pennsylvania Hospital for 18
years. Our daughter, Dr. Bonnie Berger Leighton, is a Professor of Mathematics at MIT and the recipient of many prestigious awards. We are the proud grandparents of four college graduates, working towards master’s degrees. I have lived a beautiful life and now in my 80’s, with the publication of Choosing Joy , I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I am still productive, still being asked for speaking engagements, and still doing what I have done all my life: encouraging young women to accept leadership positions and be the best that they can be. I am ever grateful to our Miami Federation for giving me the training and the opportunity to grow in ways that I never dreamed possible. It is very gratifying to know that if I had my life to live over again, I would make the same choices.” The Berger Family created a supporting foundation which was later converted into a donor-advised fund to support their philanthropy. Helene is a Forever Pacesetter and Forever Lion. This forever commitment ensures her generosity and values will continue beyond her lifetime.
More information about Choosing Joy: The publication of Choosing Joy has brought consistently rave reviews beyond Helene’s wildest expectations including every Amazon review to date, a 5 star. An article in the monthly e-newsletter: “The Confident Caregiver” begins: “You know how every once in a great while you read a book that touches something deep inside you and you just know that you’ll never be the same? That is THIS
book. I cannot stop talking about it!”. EXCERPT from Audiobook publicity:
Choosing Joy is a delightful, uplifting, and comprehensive guide, combining the concrete methodologies learned over six years, as a totally unprepared woman became caregiver to her husband of 50 years. It is told through actual stories, as she discovered what worked and what did not. The reader is given constant inspirational examples and a path to follow. Choosing Joy is a rare book of hope, providing practical and emotional support to both the caregiver and the patient. And all the while, it is a beautiful love story, and an honest retelling of a lifetime journey. Website: www.HeleneBerger.com
Ady Berger mid-career
Ady’s last concert at Tanglewood Helene presenting an award to Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt
Temple Beth Am AND Rambam Day School
Presented by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation
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