Obituary of Alan Bennett

Dr. Alan D. Bennett, a leader in Jewish educational and professional organizations on the local, national and international levels, died Dec. 21 at age 83. Dr. Bennett came to Cleveland in 1967 to work as education director at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple. From 1978-93, he was executive vice president of the Cleveland Bureau of Jewish Education, presiding over its transformation into the current Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC). Upon his retirement, he was named executive vice president emeritus, and in 1997, the JECC created the Alan D. Bennett Staff Development Award for Israel Study. A founder of the National Association of Temple Educators (NATE), Dr. Bennett served the organization in every elective capacity, including as a member of NATEâs first executive board and as president. He chaired the Reform Jewish Educator commission from its inception in 1983 until recently. âAlan Bennett was a giant figure during the entire 55 years of NATEâs existence,â says NATE executive director Rabbi Stanley T. Schickler. âMore than anything, he helped create the profession of temple educator while building the NATE conference into a major gathering of Jewish professionals.â When Dr. Bennett received an honorary doctor of letters degree from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2004, NATE recognized him by establishing the Alan D. Bennett Scholar Endowment Fund for a scholar-in-residence at NATE conferences. Union for Reform Judaism president Rabbi Eric Yoffie described him as âone of our movementâs finest educators.â With his wife, Dr. Bennett led Israel study tours for students and teachers from 1968-84. With a group of teens, they helped build Neot Kedumim Biblical Landscape Reserve, which recreates the flora and fauna mentioned in the Bible. During the 1990s, he was director and chair of the Cleveland region of Association of Reform Zionists of America. Dr. Bennett led a Torah study group every Saturday morning at Fairmount Temple, where he served on the board of Jewish education. He was also a docent at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. âAlan Bennett devoted his life to the Jewish people and was an outstanding Jewish educator, continuing to teach and share his knowledge and insights long after he retired as head of the JECC,â says philanthropist Mort Mandel, who funded some of Dr. Bennettâs initiatives. Dr. Bennett was also a prolific author who wrote many journal articles, teacherâs guides and a few books. Known for his signature bow ties, he enjoyed traveling, woodworking, gardening and birdwatching. Born in New York, Dr. Bennett served in the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps from 1944-46. He earned his bachelorâs degree in social science at City College of New York and his masterâs degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Bennett began his career in Jewish education at Mt. Zion Temple in St. Paul and Temple Emanuel in Great Neck, N.Y. During his time in St. Paul, the city honored him for participation in civil rights activities. Dr. Bennett is survived by his wife of 62 years, Florence (née Winter); sons Barry, Daniel (Devorah Uriel) and Michael (Laura); daughter Tema âTammyâ; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother Edwin of New York City. A memorial service will be held Thurs., Dec. 23, at 2 p.m. at Fairmount Temple. The family will receive friends at the Bennett residence, 29250 Jackson Road, Orange Village, immediately following services Thursday until 8 p.m., Fri, from 2-4 p.m., and Sun.-Tues., Dec. 26-28, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Contributions are suggested to Neot Kedumim, www.neot-kedumim.org.il; Hospice of the Western Reserve; or the Alan D. Bennett Scholar Endowment Fund, c/o NATE, 633 Third Ave., 7th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10017 (checks payable to NATE with âADB fund donationâ in the memo).