Alan D. Bennett, a leader in Jewish education on the local, national and international levels, passed away Dec. 21, 2010, at age 83.
He was one of our movements finest educators, Union of Reform Judaism President Rabbi Eric Yoffie told the Cleveland Jewish News.
Born in New York, Mr. Bennett earned a bachelors degree in social science from City College of New York and an MA in psychology from the University of Minnesota.
He moved to Cleveland in 1967 to work as education director at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple.
From 1978-1993, he was executive vice president of the Cleveland Bureau of Jewish Education, now the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC).
In 1997, the JECC established the Alan D. Bennett Staff Development Award for Israel Study.
A founder of the National Association of Temple Educators (NATE), Mr. Bennett served the organization in numerous capacities, including board president.
NATE created the Alan D. Bennett Scholar Endowment for a scholar-in-residence at NATE conferences.
While living in St. Paul, Mr. Bennett was honored by the city for his participation in the civil rights movement.
Mr. Bennett is survived by his wife of 62 years, Florence Bennett; children Barry, Daniel (Devorah Uriel), Michael (Laura), and Tema (Tammy); six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and brother Edwin of New York City.
Contributions may be made to NEOT Kedumim; Hospice of the Western Reserve; or the Alan D. Bennett Scholar Endowment Fund, c/o NATE, 633 Third Ave., 7th floor, New York, NY 10017.
