2026 — Jackie Berney
Mazel Tov to Jackie Berney, recipient of The Robert Hersh Professional Excellence Award, presented at the Congregational Annual Meeting on May 31, 2026.
It has been an incredible fifty years since I began my journey as a lifelong learner and lover of all things Judaic and musical. My story began long ago when Rabbi Morrie and Lenore Kipper helped me write the first pages. Today, after five decades of teaching, mentoring, singing, and serving this community, I have the joy of still being here at Temple Beth Am with my extended family, and thank all of you for this honor.
Over these fifty years, I have been blessed to wear many hats: teacher, Cantorial Soloist, B’nai Mitzvah mentor, minyan leader, and for fifty years, director and soloist for our High Holy Day Youth Choir. Each role has allowed me to share my love for Judaism, my love for music, and my love for our children and families.
I have truly been fortunate to teach, mentor, and nourish generations of students. It is even more amazing to now teach the children of my original students. Every day, I have the privilege of welcoming children into my magical music room, where learning and joy go hand in hand. Barbara Walters once said, “Few people will find the children of others as enchanting as their parents do…” Well, I am one of those people!
Along the way, I have gained wisdom and inspiration from so many rabbis, cantors, scholars, and extraordinary colleagues who have enriched both my mind and my heart. My own children grew up on the bimah beside me as I taught and sang, and now they stand on their own bimas, allowing me the greatest privilege of all—to kvell as a parent.
As I look ahead, I remain excited to continue growing, learning, inspiring, and nurturing others on their individual journeys. I am deeply grateful for the love, laughter, friendships, and opportunities that have filled these years, and for the blessing of sharing this wonderful world with my children and grandchildren.
Just as Honi planted trees for future generations, so too will I continue planting seeds for those who come after us—through music, learning, community, and love.
The award was created in 2019 to honor Robert Hersh, in recognition of his consistent pursuit of excellence over 15 years as Executive Director of Temple Beth Am (2004–2019).