Rabbi Avi Berman- Camp Dror

Rabbi Avi Berman has been a leader in informal education for over 15 years, working to engrain a strong love and connection for Torah, Judiasm, and Eretz Yisrael with youth and adults alike. Rabbi Berman spent 8 years studying at the Hesder yeshiva in Shiloh and, where he studied for his smicha and served in the Artillery Unit of the IDF. It was at this time that Rabbi Berman began his successful journey into the world of Jewish communal work.

After receiving a bracha from his Rav, the former chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Mordechai Eliyahu zt’l, Rabbi Berman and his family moved to Canada, where he brought the light of Torah and achdut of Am Yisrael to the Vancouver Jewish community through NCSY. Rabbi Berman soon became the regional director of the Northwest region of NCSY, and in five short years succeeded in expanding the region from 50 participants to an active 1000! 

Rabbi Berman and his family returned to Eretz Yisrael in July 2006, and was appointed the Executive Director of OU Israel. His strong commitment to the Jewish people and their wellbeing became most apparent only days after he began his new position at the OU. The 2nd Lebanon War broke out soon after Rabbi Berman arrived, and he jumped into action, leading 900 volunteers in a series of efforts to bring aid to the beleaguered people in bomb shelters who were forced to leave their homes.

Today, Rabbi Berman lives with his wife, Pnina, and their seven children in Givat Ze’ev. He continues to serve as the Executive Director of OU Israel, and works tirelessly to address the issues facing Jewish youth and adults in Israel. Together with his staff of close to 200 he guides and conducts the 7 different departments of OU Israel to greater heights and overwhelming successes. His life is committed to the continuation of the Jewish people, and he effectively brings Jewish heritage, pride, and Zionism to thousands of Jews every year.