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Quote of the Day

"There always were two ways to live in a world that is often dark and full of tears. 


We can curse the darkness or we can light a light, and as the Chassidim say, a little light drives out much darkness.


May we all help light up the world."


Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

D'var Torah

by Steven Mandel MD

Shabbat Shalom.


This morning, I would like to tell you about the Torah Parshat VAYISHLACH - about Jacob and Esau who were twins, born to Isaac and Rebecca.


I will relate this story to modern times and describe - Brotherhood by choice The SPS Men’s Club


Esau was the 1st born. The 1st born receives a double portion of the family inheritance and is blessed by the father, Isaac. The 1st born is given honor, respect and financial security. Jacob is an obedient Torah scholar, good intentional mind, according to rabbis, Esau is a wild aggressive hunter resourceful and skilled. They were born in the state of competition. Isaac loves Esau and Rebecca loves Jacob.


Read Steven Mandel's meaningful sermon in its entirety.

Save These Dates!

Mark your calendars for June 2024!


The New York Metropolitan Region Honors 

Les Agisim

New York Metro Regional Man of the Year 2024


Les is no stranger to FJMC, having served us diligently in the past and has renewed his activism and enthusiasm by reinvigorating our NYC Chapters and outreaching new ones. 


Les is very involved:

  • Chairman Emeritus of Park Avenue Synagogue Men's Club
  • Former President of the FJMC New York
  • Current head of the NY District of FOMC/MRJ
  • Board of Emeritus of Park Avenue Synagogue
  • Involvement in a variety of local services and community projects

Save The Date!

February 2024

More information to follow

SAVE THE DATE: MAY 16-19, 2024

Registration Opens Soon!


Come join all your old friends and make new ones at the beautiful 

Hilton Chicago/Northbrook.

Our jam-packed weekend includes:

• Chicago Architecture River Cruise

• Sneak peak tour of the Sheraton Grand Chicago, site of our 2025 Convention

• A wonderful Shabbat together again

• Great guest speakers

• Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field (depending on MLB 2024 Schedule)

and loads of fun for everyone!

Special Israeli Film Screening

You are cordially invited to an OpenDor Media

New Israeli film screening

Exodus 91: The Untold Story of Operation Solomon


Film Introduction: 

With Special Guest Speaker, Gideon Naim

 Executive Film Producer and son of Israeli Ambassador Asher Naim


“Exodus 91” tells the remarkable and complex story of the Israeli airlift, in 1991, of 14,000 Ethiopian Jews in to Israel, over 2 days, at a time of dangerous Civil War in Ethiopia.

 

This gripping documentary has received widespread acclaim and has been screened at over 20 prestigious film festivals worldwide. The film’s powerful narrative will captivate the audience, leaving them inspired and moved by the incredible events portrayed on screen.

 

Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 1:30pm

Limited seating so please reserve early. 

Please arrive at 1:00 pm.

No cost to attend event.


For security reasons, in-person attendees,

please RSVP contact information to


Les Agisim at tcrmadv@aol.com

by Friday, December 8 at 4:00 pm.

Call 212-634-6447 x2156 with questions.

  

At Temple Emanu-El

One East 65th Street, 5th Avenue

New York City


Supported By

NYC Metro Group of Synagogues

New York Metropolitan Region, FJMC

Victor Goldsmith

Pamela & Shea Lerner & Family


Click here for the flyer and further info!

Health and Medicine

Addressing Patient

Spirituality

in Medicine


The resolution was sponsored by

Steven Mandel MD, FAAN, AMA Ambassador

Christina Puchalski MD

Rabbi Igael Gurin- Malous


(American Medical Association House of Delegates) Addressing Patient Spirituality in Medicine,” states, “Our AMA recognizes the importance of individual patient spirituality and its impact on health

and encourages patient access to spiritual care services”


The resolution was accepted by the Academic Physician Section of the AMA in November 2023.

Warning: News Media

Beware of the "facts"

Social media is inducing a fog of war surpassing previous clashes in the region — one that’s shaping how panicked citizens and a global public view the conflict. The barrage of false images, memes, videos and posts - mostly generated from within the region itself, is making it difficult to access what is real. A flood of misinformation shapes views of the Israel-Gaza War.


Below are three reputable news sources:

DailyAlert, JBS and the i24News

Israel News Digest - Daily News Alert from Israel


Daily Alert is a digest of news and commentary about Israel and the Middle East, published by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.


Click here to follow the Daily Alert.

Jewish Broadcasting Service


JBS is America's non-profit Jewish television channel

offering 24/7 programming that educates, inspires and connects. Available on TV Providers and Streaming Services nationwide.


Click here to follow JBS.

i24News


i24NEWS is an Israeli-based international 24-hour news television channel located in Jaffa Port, Tel Aviv, Israel. It broadcasts in French, English, and Arabic. English channel offers a weekly magazine in Spanish.


Click here to follow i24News.

Around the World

Hillcrest High School, at Parsons Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Jamaica Hills, Queens. (Creative Commons)

Investigation underway after Queens high school students reportedly riot over a teacher’s support for Israel


(JTA) City officials are investigating after students at a Queens high school reportedly rioted over a teacher’s participation in a pro-Israel rally. “The vile show of antisemitism at Hillcrest High School was motivated by ignorance-fueled hatred, plain and simple, and it will not be tolerated in any of our schools, let alone anywhere else in our city. We are better than this,” Mayor Eric Adams said on Saturday.


Click here to read the article!

The historical American Girl doll Rebecca Rubin is a Russian-Jewish immigrant who lived on the Lower East Side in 1914. (Courtesy Museum of Jewish Heritage)

Holocaust museum celebrates Rebecca Rubin, the Jewish immigrant and American Girl doll


(JTA) For "Rebecca Day" at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, young guests are invited to bring their dolls and dress in costume as they learn about Jewish immigration. Born in 1905, Rebecca Rubin was a Russian-Jewish immigrant who lived on the Lower East Side. Typical of girls her age, she attended public school, lit Shabbat candles with her siblings, watched her father conduct business at his shoe store and loved going to the movies. 


Click here to read the article!

At a rally for Israel in Munich, a participant holds a sign reading "You are not alone. No tolerance for antisemitism," Nov. 26, 2023. (Stefan Puchner/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Antisemitic incidents have surged 320% in Germany since Oct. 7, watchdog finds


(JTA) Germany has seen antisemitic incidents surge 320% since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, according to a federal agency’s report released on Tuesday. The Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism, known in Germany as RIAS, tracked 994 antisemitic incidents between Oct. 7 and Nov. 9. That average of 29 cases per day exceeds last year’s RIAS tally during the same period by more than 300%.


Click here to read the article!

Looking For Ads

Advertise in GESHER!!!

New York Metro Region Newsletter


We are now accepting ads beginning January 2024.


  • Control Circulation of over 25,000
  • Covers entire NY Metro Region Area - LI & NYC
  • 26X Issues
  • Very Competitive Rates


For further information and rates,

email Lisa Pollack at assistant@fjmc.org

World Wide Wrap 2024

WWW2024 will soon be here!

Sunday, February 11, 2024!

Club Registration is now open!


Hoping the WORLD WIDE WRAP will be in-person for many of you. Of course, it can be done virtually if needed, and whether virtual or in person, you need to register!


Please visit www.fjmc.org/wrap for registration and programming ideas!


Register on the website! Be one of the top 50 and register now!


Remember, you must register your club to qualify for a Quality Club Award.


Len Abrams 

leonardabrams@yahoo.com

2024 World Wide Wrap Chair



Bill Becker

wbecker1919@gmail.com

2024 World Wide Wrap Co-Chair

Build-A-Pair

Be a part of Build-A-Pair Program!


Order your kits now!


Your children will learn about

Tefillin, Mitzvot, and Traditions!

Hanukkah

Around the Region

Plainview JC

95 Floral Drive West

Plainview, NY 11803 

www.plainviewjewishcenter.org

Phone: (516) 938-8610

Dix Hills Jewish Center

555 Vanderbilt Pkwy

Dix Hills, NY 11746

www.dhjc.org

Phone: (631) 499-6644

Park Avenue Synagogue

50 E 87th Street

New York, NY 10128

www.pasyn.org

Phone: (212) 369-2600

Communal Hanukkah Candle Lighting

Thursday, December 7 at 6pm

87th Street Lobby


Kick off the eight days of Hanukkah with a festive communal candle lighting, immediately following evening services. Sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) will be served.

Temple Israel of Great Neck

108 Old Mill Road

Great Neck, NY 11023

www.tign.org

Phone: (516) 482-7800

Hanukkah Celebration Saturday, December 9, 2023

At 6pm


We will begin the festive evening with havdalah and menorah lighting followed by party games, latkes, sufganiyot, hot dogs and chicken nuggets, gelt, dreidels, music and dancing. It will be an evening of fun for all ages!


RSVP here

Midway Jewish Center

330 S. Oyster Bay Road

Syosset, NY 11791

www.mjc.org

Phone: (516) 938-8390

Forest Hills JC

106-06 Queens Blvd

Forest Hills, NY 11375

www.fhjc.org

Phone: (718) 263-7000

Congregation L'Dor V'Dor

49-10 Little Neck Pkwy

Little Neck, NY 11362

www.olnjc.org

Phone: (718) 224-0404

Chinese Shabbat Chanukah Dinner Friday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m.


Following our Kabbalat Shabbat Service Beginning at 6:30 p.m.


Adults at $40.00

Children Ages 7-12 at $15.00

Children 6 years and under at no charge


RSVP by clicking here

No Later Than Tuesday, December 5th

Men's Sports

Ryan Braun played 14 seasons in the MLB. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Jewish MLB star Ryan Braun headlines International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame’s 2024 inductees


(JTA) Ryan Braun has no shortage of career accolades. The 14-year MLB veteran, who retired in 2021, won an MVP award and slugged 352 home runs. Now the longtime Milwaukee Brewer and all-time Jewish home run leader can add another accomplishment to his resume: the 39-year-old is among the 15 sports figures in the 2024 induction class of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.


Click here to read the article!

Jewish Culture

Daniella Rabbani with the company of National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s Amid Falling Walls (Tsvishn Falndike Vent). (Jeremy Daniel)

A Yiddish musical about life in Jewish ghettos during WWII carries new resonance since Oct. 7


(New York Jewish Week) — “Humanity’s most true history is written only in blood. How Jews died, the entire world already knows.” So says Broadway star Steven Skybell at the beginning of “Amid Falling Walls,” a new musical from the National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene. “But how Jews resisted against and fought the murderers, we know far, far less.” 



Click here to read the article!

Outsider artist Nathan Hilu, who created thousands of drawings about his time as a young soldier guarding Nazis during the Nuremberg trials, is the subject of a new documentary by Elan Golod, "Nathan-ism." (Courtesy Elan Gold)

A new film unspools the storied life of Jewish outsider artist and Nuremberg trials guard Nathan Hilu


(New York Jewish Week) — In the documentary film “Nathan-ism,” Jewish artist Nathan Hilu is hardly ever without a Sharpie or crayon in his hand, drawing something from his memories. Hilu was a Lower East Side native who, as a U.S. soldier at 19, was assigned to guard Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials.



Click here to read the article!

New York Nosh

From crispy latkes to tangy brisket to jammy sufganiyot.

31 Hanukkah Recipes to Celebrate the Festival of Lights


(bonappetit) — There’s much more to Hanukkah than potato pancakes and sufganiyot. We’re sharing 31 all-star Hanukkah recipes, like juicy brisket, noodle kugel, pillowy challah, and more. Just make sure you save room for dessert.


Click here to read the article!

Historical New York

Phillip Ratner with his sculpture of Emma Lazarus in 2017. (Courtesy of the National Museum of American Jewish Histor)

Phillip Ratner, sculptor whose work tells immigrants’ stories at NYC landmarks, dies at 86


(JTA) — Washington-area artist Phillip Ratner, whose bronze sculptures of immigrants and other historical figures are fixtures at exhibits at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, died Nov. 9 at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. He was 86. Ahead of Lady Liberty’s centennial in the 1980s, the National Park Service commissioned Ratner to create statues representing immigrants who entered the country through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954 as well as figures central to the history of the Statue of Liberty, including the Jewish poet Emma Lazarus.


Click here to read the article!

Affinity Groups & Webinars

FJMC Affinity Groups & Webinars are open to all.

Join us for Israeli & Jewish Music!

Sunday, December 3, 2023

8pm ET

With Jason Hecht

Click here to register!

Join us for Yiddish Lite!

Beginner's Yiddish Group

Alternate Tuesday Evenings

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

at 8pm ET

Hosted by Al Davis

Click here to register!

Join us for Yiddish Alive!

Advanced Yiddish Group

Monday, December 11, 2023

at 8pm ET

Hosted by Jeffrey Newton, Joe Rotstein,

Esther Scheer and Barry Wagner

Click here to register!

Join us for Torah Talks!

Thursday, December 7, 2023

7:30pm ET | 6:30pm CT | 4:30pm PT

With Norm Kurtz and Benny Sommerfeld

Click here to register!

Join us for Sports Affinity!

with Eliza Kanner

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

8pm ET

Affinity Group Leaders:

David Kravitz and Danny Mandeau

Click here to register!

IMPORTANT REQUEST:


At FJMC, we welcome and encourage feedback as to how you, your synagogue, your communal organization, etc. has mobilized to address the events of these past several weeks. We want you to be heard. We would like to share your thoughts and comments through Gesher.


Email: Lisa Pollack at assistant@fjmc.org

We invite you to check out our new website!


  • What's happening around the NY Metro Region
  • Upcoming NY Men's Club events
  • FJMC International Programs
  • NY Metro Fundraisers
  • NY Metro newsletter archives
  • Resources

And much more to come!


Reminder: If your New York FJMC Men's Club would like an event published in the newsletter or on our website, please email it to Lisa Pollack at assistant@fjmc.org


New York Metro Region Newsletter edited by Lisa Pollack.

Without the FJMC, valuable Jewish programming might never occur. FJMC needs your financial support to in order to continue to create the important programs which keeps your Men’s Club vibrant. You can help preserve the significant impact the FJMC and its members have made on behalf of the Jewish men and their families around the world by making a pledge. Our movement depends on you!

Donate: Become a Friend of the FJMC!

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