Elihu H. BERMAN

BERMAN, Elihu H.

95, of Clearwater, passed away January 8, 2018. Elihu was born July 20, 1922 to Saul and Emma Berman in Hartford, CT. He enjoyed his childhood with his 'gang' in Hartford. He was a graduate of Harvard College, class of 1944 and Harvard Law School, class of 1948. He served in the United States Navy from 1943 through 1946. Elihu started his career in Connecticut as an associate for Abraham Ribicoff, who served as a U.S. Senator, a Governor, and later as Secretary for the Department of Health Education and Welfare under President John F. Kennedy. This fueled his passion for the law. Elihu practiced law in Hartford, CT, from 1948 through 1971, where he also served as editor-in chief of the Connecticut Bar Journal from 1954-1956. In 1972, Elihu moved to Tel Aviv Israel where he immediately passed the bar. He worked as general counsel for the Eisenberg Group of companies through 1973. Upon returning from Israel, Elihu relocated to Clearwater, Florida, where he practiced law from 1977-2013. During this time, he was a member of the Hartford County, Connecticut State, Clearwater, and Florida Bar Associations. In addition to being Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in civil trial law, he was also an Associate Professor at Stetson Law School from 1975-1977. While in Connecticut, Elihu was President of the Connecticut Zionist Region, and of the Jewish National Fund Counsel of greater Hartford. In Clearwater, he served on the Board of Directors of the Pinellas County Jewish Federation for many years. Elihu was very proud of his time serving as President of the Anti-Defamation League in Hartford. Elihu is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Susan Berman; his son, Jonathan (Myra) Berman; his daughter, Rachel Rabinovitz; his stepson, Adam (Tiffanie) Lopatin; his stepdaughter, Heidi (Curtis) Kitzmiller; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his loving parents; his brother, Harold Berman; and his sister, Ruth Hurwitz. A memorial service and celebration of life honoring Elihu will be at 3 pm, Wednesday, January 17, at Temple B'nai Israel, 1685 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Elihu's memory to Temple B'nai Israel. Guestbook at davidcgross.com

David C. Gross Funeral Homes, 830 N. Belcher Rd., (727) 446-2222