Rabbi Berger started working at the age of 13 and tried his hand as a caterer, karaoke DJ, lobbyist, journalist, PI and governmental worker before deciding that the best way to impact the world is to start with yourself. 

After graduating from UCLA he decided to take a year off to go backpacking. A student of history, he began in Europe and explored the region's cultures, learning from all the opportunities and experiences he encountered.  Six months into the trip he detoured to Israel for the wedding of a friend. Someone approached him at the Western Wall. "Attend a class?" He had never heard of a yeshiva but why not? That's what this whole experience was about--tasting, trying and learning. The class was intriguing, and was like nothing he had ever experienced before. So he stayed on for a few classes. That detour turned into eight years of study in several yeshivas in Israel where he received rabbinical ordination, met his wife Sarah, from New Zealand, and had 5 wonderful children, including two sets of twins.

Returning to North America Rabbi Berger became a dynamic and energetic educator who strives to connect with and inspire each of his students. He has many years of experience educating Jewish teens in both formal and informal settings and has taught at every Jewish school in Vancouver.  "I am passionate about instilling within students a deep love and appreciation of Torah and Jewish tradition.  I want them to see the beauty, warmth and relevance of the ideas and concepts that I missed growing up and have been fortunate enough to acquire during my time at yeshiva."

Toward this goal, Rabbi Berger served as the NCSY regional director for the northern California area, Long Island region and the northwest region -- covering from Oregon to Alberta.  During his time with NCSY he pioneered new initiatives including the nationally run Friday Night Lights program as well as the western branch of Torah High, a BC accredited after school program for Jewish public or private school teens, where he currently serves as the regional director and principal.  For the past two years he also worked part time for KDHS and this year he was hired as a full-time teacher and Director of Jewish Life. He is currently finishing his Masters in Education degree at Yeshiva University's Azraeli Graduate School of Education and a thesis in affective education.

         

           Rabbi Berger and Eli, Grade 10, deep in discussion.