Dr. Bertram Barer
Baruch Dayan HaEmet
Dr. Bertram Barer, of Canton, Massachusetts, from Tarzana California, born and raised in East New York, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on February 2, 2026.
He leaves behind a living legacy as the beloved patriarch of his family. A devoted father to Leslie Russell and Mark Barer and his wife Shanna Shulman, he was the cherished grandfather of Shira, Malka, Alexander, Yehuda, and Menachem Russell, and Caleb, Jonah, and Gideon Barer, and the proud great-grandfather of Aziel and Eva Giller, and Shiloh and Gaia Luna Russell. He was the loving brother of the late David, Seymour, and Malvin Barer.
Known to many simply as Bert, he stood at the center of his family as a steady and grounding presence across generations. He carried the weight of responsibility with quiet determination, believing deeply in showing up for one’s children, protecting one’s own, and doing whatever was necessary to provide stability and continuity.
A distinguished United States military veteran, Bert served overseas just after World War II as a newscaster, witnessing the liberation of the concentration camps — bearing witness to history at one of humanity’s most pivotal moments. This experience shaped his worldview, instilling in him a profound sense of truth, responsibility, and service.
Following his military service, Bert built a respected professional life in education and media. He founded and chaired the Radio, Television, and Film Department at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), and was instrumental in bringing Southern California’s first public radio license to the university. Deeply committed to mentoring young minds, he encouraged excellence and prepared students for meaningful careers in broadcasting and storytelling.
In his later professional years, Dr. Barer worked with numerous media companies as a communications management consultant. He also worked with the American military in Japan where he continued to offer his expertise and leadership internationally for over 20 years.
Above all, Bert embodied the role of patriarch in the truest sense: anchoring his family through changing seasons, offering practical support, and holding space for the generations that followed. He took immense pride in watching his family grow, seeing his lineage extend forward in strength and vitality.
Always ready with a joke or a clever quip, Bert loved to laugh and brought humor wherever he went. His warmth, wit, and unmistakable personality left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He also had a deep love of adventure and the outdoors, instilling in his children an enduring appreciation for nature.
His neshamah departed gently, held by love and surrounded by family, returning to its Source.
Funeral services will be held at Montefiore Cemetery, Springfield Gardens, NY, on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bert’s memory may be made to Jewish War Veterans or Hebrew SeniorLife.
May HaKadosh Baruch Hu grant his neshamah an aliyah. May his memory be for a blessing, and may the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.