[1] He was known for his liberal political activism, his support of interfaith dialogue, and his advocacy of peace and a two-state solution in the Middle East.

[2][5] After receiving his rabbinical ordination and a master's degree from Hebrew Union College, he and his wife moved west in 1949 to take the pulpit at Leo Baeck Temple, which was then a new congregation with 28 families.

As the temple grew in size and influence, and ultimately moved to a campus in Bel Air, Beerman became known for his political activism, his opposition to the Vietnam War, his support for interfaith dialogue with Christians and Muslims, and his willingness to criticize actions of the Israeli government and its defense forces.

After living in Israel for a short time they moved to Los Angeles where Leonard was hired to lead Temple Beth Aaron.

His time of death is said to be fitting, as it was the early hours of Christmas Eve, while that evening would also be the eighth and final night of Hanukkah.

Civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis was the inaugural recipient of the Leonard I. Beerman Award for Social Justice in Action in the summer of 2017.