In Loving Memory of Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman
With deep sorrow and extraordinary gratitude for the gift of an incomparable legacy… we regret to share the news of the death this morning of Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman, our congregation’s Founding Rabbi.
Rabbi Beerman played a big role in BCC’s formation and was a huge supporter of BCC along with his successor, Rabbi Sandy Ragins. As some of you remember, Beerman and Sandy took BCC in for two years after the fire at the building of MCC, the first church with an outreach to gays and lesbians, where our first services were held.
Rabbi Beerman was surrounded by his loved ones and many cherished friends throughout the final days of his life. We offer our deepest sympathies to his wife, Joan Beerman; his children, Judith and Neil O’Hanlon, Eve Beerman, Elizabeth and Lew Rothbart, Elara Willens, and Scott and Marina Willens; his grandchildren, Matthew and Emma O’Hanlon, Emily and Michael Rothbart, and Leo and Evan Willens; his sister, Helene Sternberger; and his brother, Jack Beerman. We also remember with love Rabbi Beerman’s wife, Martha Beerman, and his granddaughter, Kate O’Hanlon.
A funeral service will be held at Leo Baeck Temple this coming Sunday, December 28 at 11:00 am. Burial and shiva plans are still being discussed by the family – we will share further information as it becomes available.
“There are those who rise even higher, uniting themselves with the whole of existence, with all creatures, all worlds. It is of such that the tradition has said that whosoever sings a portion of this universal song each day is assured a life in the world to come.”
– Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman z”l
