Berman Hebrew Academy will undergo a renovation to one of its Upper School science labs, with construction expected to be finished for the 2025–26 academic year, according to a letter from Rabbi Dr. Hillel Broder, Berman’s head of school, to the Berman community.
Made possible by a gift from Moshe and Batsheva Broder, the new Upper School science lab will be dedicated to their late grandfather, Sol Broder. Sol Broder was a founding member of Kemp Mill’s Jewish community, dedicating his life to volunteering and working at various Jewish organizations in the Greater Washington area, the letter said.
Many of Sol Broder’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended or currently attend Berman.
One of the first generation of computer scientists, Sol Broder began his career as a mathematician at IBM and the State University of New York and taught at Hofstra University. He went on to contribute to technology development at The Washington Post and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
“[Sol Broder’s] legacy is one of intellectual curiosity, Jewish values, and a commitment to community,” Rabbi Dr. Broder wrote. “It is only fitting that the renovated Upper School Science Lab will reflect these ideals, providing our students with a cutting-edge environment for scientific exploration.”
The redesigned lab will feature more vent hoods, allowing students greater opportunities to engage in advanced biology and chemistry experiments. The lab will also have “modern, flexible seating and workstations,” as well as updated cabinetry and science equipment, to provide students with hands-on science learning, exploration and discovery.
Cabinets along the back wall are spaced out to allow existing windows to naturally light the room, according to a Facebook comment by Chanokh Tyler Berenson, the science department chair at Berman.
The lab will house Berman’s chemistry lab pilot program, where students will design advanced experiments and showcase their findings at science fairs.
“[This is a] very appropriate way to remember such an erudite and nice man!” a former neighbor of Sol Broder commented on the Facebook announcement.
“Thank you for making this dream come true!” Berenson commented.
“We are beyond grateful to my dear siblings, Moshe and Batsheva, for their partnership and in making this vision a reality, and we look forward to further expanding our chemistry and biology offerings in the years to come,” Rabbi Dr. Broder wrote.
