In the middle of the century plans were promulgated for Jewish agricultural colonies in America. In New York, Cincinnati and St. Louis he pursued his life's passion, the colonization of Jews on the soil. His infectious enthusiasm and vision won adherents to his cause, but he lacked the organizational skills to turn plans into reality. A dozen years after his first attempt to organize an agricultural society, he still had not succeeded. The purpose of the Society was to direct the Jews' attention toward farming and to provide the indigent among them with an opportunity to find independence on the land through cooperative efforts and with minimal expenses.
Cities are to be laid out, ten lots to an acre.
Nor will the Jewish cultural and spiritual needs be neglected. The staff of the colony's school should consist of two Hebrew, two German and two English teachers, with a rabbi as Superintendent. What remains of the plan is an exceedingly rare German pamphlet recently acquired by the Rare Book and Special Collections Division. Unsuccessful in the New World, in 1870 Berman left for Palestine, where he spent the last fourteen years of his life in colonization efforts. With the aid of the American consul, Berman persuaded the Ottoman government to grant his request to be allowed to purchase land.