Berman Named Jewish HomeLife Board Chair
Candy Berman previously served as Board Vice Chair and Resource Development Committee Chair for Jewish HomeLife.
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Candy Berman has a long history of making a difference with laser-focused goals. Her passion has always been fueled by helping non-profits thrive. Her clear vision continues with a long history of volunteerism and built on a deeply personal mission.
Recently, Berman accepted a beloved endeavor and was officially welcomed at Jewish HomeLife’s annual community meeting as the organization’s new Board Chair for the next two years. She previously served as Board Vice Chair and Resource Development Committee Chair and her devotion comes as no surprise. Across her decades of service, Berman’s involvement with Jewish HomeLife is marked by her significant contributions to the organization’s mission. The installment as the organization’s Board Chair marks a new chapter in Berman’s Jewish HomeLife journey.
She shared, “When my mother got dementia, I saw, firsthand, how isolating it was for her, but also for my dad, her primary caregiver. Berman Commons was built, Deborah Maslia got me involved.”
At the recent Jewish HomeLife meeting, Berman’s acceptance speech focused on the aging landscape, her gratitude to those who have supported it and shared her husband, Steve’s, devoted decades of impact on the Jewish Home. An action-driven philanthropic power couple by all definitions, the Bermans have always had a mission driven perspective with a strong sense of values. Now, Candy has exciting plans as she continues that mission.
She commented, “I grew up in a family where leadership and involvement were practiced daily. It wasn’t only through philanthropy, but a commitment to leave the world a better place. My parents inspired me and their grandchildren, my children. And, I might add, at 97 years old, my father is still doing it.” Berman emphasized, “We are commanded to honor our fathers and our mothers and not just those with means. We need to provide a great quality of life for all — regardless of their ability to pay.” Berman’s motives are well-defined as she is focused on fundraising, a transformation with capital improvements, services, scholarships, staff, emergencies and a list of goals.
To know Berman is to also know she deflects credit though credit is well-deserved. She has skillfully blended her love of community with a keen focus for non-profit growth. Her professional business, Alloy Fundraising (appropriately named as when two metals are put together, they become stronger) is a labor of love and her volunteerism is built on vast experience. Helping nonprofits succeed feeds her soul professionally and she stated, “That’s how important my company was to me. I learned about the issues and priorities needed by non-profits to succeed and have dedicated my life to creatively and purposefully moving things forward.”
Jewish HomeLife President & CEO Jeff Gopen added, “Candy is poised to elevate the organization’s reputation as a premier provider of senior care services. Together, we are embarking on a new strategic plan focused on growth, innovation and collaboration, creating a palpable sense of excitement and momentum. Candy’s unwavering commitment to the residents and staff of Jewish HomeLife has been a beacon of inspiration and support from senior leadership to the day-to-day care team. Her dedication to our mission and her tireless pursuit of excellence and innovation makes her ideally suited for this new leadership role.”
Under Berman’s leadership, “The board will embark on a new strategic plan and is eager to explore new initiatives that will address the rapid growth of Atlanta’s aging population. In her role as Board Vice Chair, Candy helped create a new Board of Community Advocates to engage and inspire civic and community leaders throughout the Atlanta area. From engaging young leaders in technological advancements to fostering community partnerships and creative fundraising initiatives, Candy is well-positioned to usher in a new era of growth for the organization.”
Also acknowledged for her volunteerism nationally, The Association of Jewish Aging Services recently awarded Berman their 2024 Trustee of the Year from the Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS). Berman has served in leadership roles with United Way, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, the Atlanta Chapter of the American Jewish Committee Atlanta as President, chair of their Leadership Atlanta Class of 2004, and board member for the International Women’s Forum Georgia.
As Board Chair, Berman is excited to engage the community in Jewish HomeLife’s ongoing evolution. For more than 70 years, the organization has cared for Atlanta’s aging population. Rooted in Jewish values and supported by local philanthropists, Jewish HomeLife offers unparalleled continuum of care services for diverse aging needs. Candy Berman’s commitment to civic engagement is more than a passion—it’s a defining element of her personal identity.
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