Barry Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, received the 2025 Dr. Herbert Shore Award of Honor from the Association of Jewish Aging Services. As the highest award given by AJAS, the “Award of Honor” is presented to the outstanding executive professional who best exemplifies the goals and ideals of AJAS as well as service to older adults and severely disabled individuals.

Karen Flam, chair of the AJAS Awards Committee and past recipient of the award, drove to Chelsea from Montreal to surprise Berman with the award. Berman was sitting in the lobby of the Leonard Florence Center with Ruth Katz, president & CEO of AJAS, when Flam suddenly appeared and announced that Berman was this year’s Award of Honor recipient. Flam was surrounded by Chelsea Jewish Lifecare staff, residents and Berman’s family members.

“I am surprised and overwhelmed with gratitude,” said Berman immediately after Flam presented him with the award. “I have known about the AJAS Award of Honor throughout my entire career, but I never imagined I would be the recipient of this important honor. The fact that my peers are the ones who voted for me means more than I can say.”

Berman has devoted his career to building the long-term care community in Chelsea and surrounding areas by developing innovative models of care. He has been the CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare for 47 years. Berman is a past board member of the Chelsea Soldier’s Home and has served on the Massachusetts Governor’s Council of Assisted Living, as well as on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Assisted Living Facilities Association, the Massachusetts Aging Services Association, LeadingAge Massachusetts and the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter.

“I was so happy to be with everyone at Chelsea Jewish Lifecare to honor Barry where he ‘lives,’ said Flam. “Barry exemplifies what it is to lead with a heart and a brain. He so deserves this recognition!”

Berman is also a past recipient of the Leaders of Tomorrow award from McKnight’s Long Term Care News, the Award of Honor from LeadingAge for his work in expanding the world of possibilities for aging services and the Changemaker Award from the Center for Innovation.

“Barry demonstrates for all of us –  every day – that it is possible to bring mission, vision, and humanity together to always do the best for residents,” said Katz. “He supports residents in living their best lives. The Dr. Herbert Shore Award of Honor is AJAS’s most prestigious award and we are thrilled to present it to Barry Berman. It is an honor to count Barry and Chelsea Jewish Lifecare among our members.”

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