Beril Berk

Beril Berk is many things: an attorney, director of an area-wide nonprofit, a public speaker, a wife and mother. She excels in each of these roles, but her work as a bridge builder in the community deserves special recognition. Recently, she assumed the position of director at Dialogue Institute Dallas. This international group was founded by Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish Muslim scholar who inspired the Hizmet movement. DI's explanation perfectly describes the ideals of their community advocating "for the ideals of human rights, equal opportunity, democracy, non-violence and the emphatic acceptance of religious and cultural diversity. Efforts of Hizmet participants around the world center on promoting philanthropy and community service, investing in education for cultivating virtuous individuals, and organizing intercultural and interfaith dialogue for peaceful coexistence." Recently, the city of Richardson honored DI as Nonprofit of the Year.

 

My personal story involving Beril’s community happened on a flight from Dallas to Chicago. Members of my family--eight children and four adults--were traveling to celebrate a birthday. Seating was scattered, and one daughter-in-law and I were with a few of the children at the back. Because I was familiar with Dialogue Institute’s many Turkish members, I recognized that a family near us was speaking Turkish. The woman and I struck up a conversation. She and her husband had been in Dallas for a job interview. They were Muslim and had stayed in Richardson near the DI location. We found much to talk about, from children to careers to her interest in the Magnolia Market in Waco. Then, a flight attendant made a chilling announcement: "Is there a doctor on board?" Everyone was immediately silent. I had a feeling it might be for one of my family, so I quietly went forward to ask my son. He said that, yes, it was my other daughter-in-law who had collapsed. I returned to my seat and shared this difficult news. Our new friend asked her name and began to pray. It was spontaneous and sincere; I was deeply moved. My daughter-in-law was fine after being checked out by first responders at the airport.

 

That experience has led me to watch Beril with sympathetic eyes. This year, we met with a cohort of Turkmenistanis visiting the US to learn more about interfaith relationships. She spoke about rearing a child in a school system unfamiliar with Ramadan. We see each other at dinners or events in which other faiths are participating. Beril is always friendly and gracious. She remembers people and finds time to be at places that are important to them. Building bridges is often part of an organizational effort, but, in the end, it has the face of an individual. Beril epitomizes perhaps the most essential element in this process: She comes. She balances all her roles and duties, then makes the effort to represent DI so many times in so many places. In doing this, she builds bridges and blesses the community through strength, continuity, and friendship.