Maurice Berkowitz

Maurice Berkowitz was born July 19, 1935 in Queens New York, and passed away peacefully with his wife, Rachel, and sons, Ian and David, by his side at his home in Plantation Florida on September 30, 2021. Maurice was the son of Hilda and Harry Berkowitz. He also leaves behind 3 grandchildren, Joshua Berkowitz, Hannah Berkowitz and Yonah Berkowitz.
Maurice spent his career as a highly skilled trial attorney and loved the law. He was also passionate about his love of Judaism and was studying Torah from his early days growing up in South Ozone Park, New York through the last days of his life. Maurice was an avid reader on many subjects such as politics, personal investing, and Jewish continuity. His reading led to action as he was very involved in politics and Jewish philanthropy, both locally and nationally. Maurice was on National and International Boards of B'nai B'rith International, American Defamation League as well as the Republican Party.

During Maurice's legal career, he served the community in almost every type of legal capacity. He was a prosecutor, public defender, special magistrate, special counsel, general counsel, city attorney, law professor and legislative aide. He was a veteran, serving in the US Army as a Sergeant in the Military Police. He was appointed by multiple US Presidents to many National Advisory Councils and by multiple State Governors to Commissions and Boards. Maurice was known for his honesty, trustworthiness, dedication to the mission and ability to engage others toward the goal. He was also active in providing legal services to the community through multiple Legal Aid organizations as well as offering Pro Bono services when asked directly by individuals.

When Maurice saw a problem or a gap, he acted and was a formidable leader in any organization he was a part of. If there wasn't an organization in existence, he created one. Maurice established the B'nai B'rith Justice Unit, a Jewish organization for lawyers and judges, based upon the need for the Jewish attorney to interact with one other during a time period when Jewish lawyers were not included in mainstream bar associations. When cults were growing in the US, Maurice worked to help parents find their kids and return them to their homes. Maurice also strongly believed in a dialogue with people of all faiths and cultures and was on the National Board of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He was also instrumental in the creation and building of many synagogues both in New York and Florida.

Maurice was also one who loved to give back by teaching and mentoring others. During his legal career, he mentored many men and women and provided them guidance on their legal careers and personal goals. He assisted many in seeking public service as a judge or political office as well as philanthropic and charitable boards. One thing he truly enjoyed was to teach young students. He was known as "Berkie" by his students and colleagues as Broward Community College and was the recipient of teacher of the year multiple times. He often spoke about how he loved to see his students faces being engaged in class and the discussions and often taught his students by sharing his war stories.

More than anything, Maurice cherished and lived for his family. He sacrificed his own needs and prioritized his family's needs. He deeply loved and cared for his wife Rachel, during their 55 years of marriage. He often spoke about their love story and how lucky he was as she was beautiful, on the inside as well as the outside. He gave his sons decades of guidance, advice, love and support and taught them the importance of possessing a reputation of the highest standard. Maurice was totally mesmerized and in love with his 3 grandchildren. He had such enjoyment simply watching and interacting with them and was always beaming with pride. He truly loved his grandchildren and wished for them a happy and long healthy life.