About
Meet Rabbi Allison Berry
Makom Mediation and Pastoral Care grows out of my work as a rabbi, mediator, and pastoral caregiver accompanying individuals and families through conflict, grief, illness, aging, and periods of transition. Makom—the Hebrew word for “place”—names the grounded, sacred space I seek to create: one where people are met with dignity, listened to with care, and supported in moving toward clarity and repair. My approach is shaped by Jewish values and a deep respect for each person’s lived experience.
My Current Work: Jewish Healing, Community Leadership, and Accompaniment
In addition to my work with Makom, I currently serve as the Director of the Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for Jewish Healing at Jewish Family & Children’s Services (JF&CS). In this role, I provide spiritual and strategic leadership for programs that help people find meaning and resilience through Jewish tradition during illness, loss, and isolation.
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I lead a dedicated team of clergy, chaplains, and social workers offering compassionate care across Greater Boston, oversee bereavement and suicide-loss groups, and provide end-of-life support and pastoral care to families. I also work closely with synagogues and clergy—advising congregational leaders, mentoring early-career rabbis, and supporting clergy wellness.
My Rabbinic Journey: Eighteen Years of Community Leadership
Before joining JF&CS, I spent eighteen years as a congregational rabbi, most recently at Temple Shalom of Newton, where I served as Co-Senior Rabbi as part of the first all-female senior rabbinic leadership team in the U.S. My leadership included guiding the congregation through demographic and cultural change, expanding inclusion and mental-health initiatives, leading a multimillion-dollar capital campaign, and overseeing a transition to a fair-share dues model. My work also extended beyond the congregation into the wider community through roles in interfaith collaboration, Jewish communal leadership, and local social-justice organizations.
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Mediation: A Natural Extension of My Pastoral Work
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My mediation work is grounded in the same principles that guide my approach to pastoral care: deep listening, clarity, compassion, and respect for each person’s voice. As a trained court and family mediator with Metrowest Mediation Services and a member of the Massachusetts Council of Family Mediation, I support families through sensitive conversations about caregiving, communication challenges, aging, and major life transitions.
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I have completed 40 hours of basic mediation training with Metrowest Mediation Services and an additional 60 hours of training in Family and Older Adult Mediation with Elder Decisions, deepening my ability to help families navigate complex dynamics with clarity and dignity. I create a neutral, structured environment where people can speak openly, understand one another more fully, and move toward decisions rooted in shared purpose and respect.
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Teaching, Writing & Professional Background
Throughout my rabbinic career, my teaching and writing have focused on grief, healing, inclusion, and the evolving landscape of Jewish communal life. I am honored to contribute to the forthcoming volume A Different Spirit: Creating Meaningful B’nei Mitzvah for Children with Disabilities (February 2026).
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I was ordained at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and hold a Master of Arts in Hebrew Literature. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Music from Brandeis University. My training includes Clinical Pastoral Education at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital and mediation certification through Metrowest Mediation Services.
