From the Office of the New York Metropolitan Region FJMC President

Hello Hal,

Momentum in the region has picked up at a pace not seen since pre-pandemic days!!!

This past week, NY METRO hosted a gathering of Regional Men’s Club Presidents and their Executive Officers totaling over fifty active and committed leaders. Eighteen of Nineteen total clubs were represented: the largest meeting of its kind in four years. The agenda focused on each clubs’ successes, challenges and goals for the future. Amongst the critical issues faced by our members including -declining synagogue membership - leadership and succession planning - finding the most attractive and relevant programming for all age groups.

It was clear, that the threats facing the Jewish community and Israel finds people wanting to affiliate and support each other and our mission. Sometimes it takes tsuris both within and existential to realize we must join together as one.

I am happy to report once again, that an initiative started ten years ago has been invigorated and resurrected New York City with Men’s Clubs at Park Avenue Synagogue, Sutton Place Synagogue and Temple Emmanuel collaborating to foster Klal Yisrael in the largest city in the world. Following up on an amazing showing and panel discussion of the documentary Exodus 1991: the Airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel, our NYC brethren will be hosting a Financial Seminar with some of the top advisors on Wall Street in person and via Zoom for all to participate. Stay tuned for further details, this is a program no one will want to miss and can enjoy from the comfort of their computer screens.

NYM has published and distributed a programming guide to all affiliated clubs detailing countless events, programs and topics of interest that have been produced by our Clubs. This resource further enables our clubs to expand offerings that attract different segments of our demographic. The only thing missing is your valuable input, participation, and support. Feel free to browse our website; www.newyorkmetrofjmc.org to find a listing of affiliated clubs, latest news, and happenings around the region.

Be on the lookout for further regional activities including our Yom Hashoah Yellow Candle Program, Tzedek Youth Community Service Program, Jewish Disability and Inclusion Month Programs, and our Annual Chaverim Kol Yisrael – Man and Youth of the Year Honoree Recognition Program, to name a few.

The Region is in the preliminary stages of planning our own trip to Israel for members and families. Please feel free to contact me at szlerner@optonline.net or 516.840.5464 with any comments, suggestions, or requests.

Looking forward to your input and participation.

In Friendship,

Shea Z. Lerner

New York Metropolitan Region President

Thank you for your participation in the Build-a-Pair Program this year. This is the 15th year of the program and it is as strong as ever, with over 15 thousand students having participated in learning the mitzvah of tefillin.

Dr. Ira Ungar, creator of the program, has put together an endowment to insure its success into the future. And this year, for the first time ever, we are using the endowment to offer prizes to our participants!

Up to four $125 prizes will be awarded for presentations such as funniest, most serious, largest group, or most creative. 

Note: your submission must be in by March 15th, 2024. Winners will be announced on April 1, 2024. Please see the attached PDF for further details.

Dr. Ungar truly believes in teaching our children about tefillin and hopes you'll submit an entry. 

If you (or someone you know) would like to contribute to the endowment fund, please let us know. In this way, we can honor Dr. Ungar for all of the hard work he's done to teach this important mitzvah to our kids. 

Thank you, in advance!

In Brotherhood,

Warren Sufrin

cell: 412-805-8946

email: warren.sufrin@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE: June 7-9, 2024

Registration Opens Soon!

Please Join us at our Quad Region Retreat as we Celebrate our Brotherhood with the Hudson Valley, Northern New Jersey

and Middle Atlantic Regions!

Camp Zeke 31 Barry Watson Way, Lakewood, PA 18439

Cost to Attend: $400 pp., Dbl. Occ.

Stipends Awarded by NYM Region: $250 pp.

Total Out of Pocket Cost: ONLY $150

Open to all NY Metro affiliated and paid club members!

For more information: JAY STEINMETZ

Cell: 516-435-5278 or JaySteinmetz56@gmail.com

Reaching over 25,000 Families

New York Metro Region Newsletter

We are now accepting ads beginning January 2024.

For further information and rates, email Lisa Pollack at assistant@fjmc.org

SAVE THE DATE to take part in the FJMC 2024 Shabbaton, Thursday May 16 to Sunday May 19, 2024 at the Hilton Chicago Northbrook. Registration coming soon!

Come join all your old friends and make new ones at the beautiful Hilton Chicago/Northbrook. Our jam-packed weekend includes a Chicago Architecture River Cruise, sneak peak tour of the Sheraton Grand Chicago, site of our 2025 Convention, a wonderful Shabbat together again with great guest speakers and a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field (depending on MLB 2024 Schedule)…and loads of fun for everyone!

Loneliness and Social Isolation

by Steven Mandel MD

Clinical Professor of Neurology

Zucker School of Medicine

Hofstra/Northwell

Adjunct Clinical Professor of Medicine

NY Medical College 

“Loneliness is a state of distress or discomfort that results when one perceives a gap between one’s desire for social connection and an actual experience of it “

Vivek Murphy MD, Surgeon General of the United States

The Epidemic of Loneliness

·        52% of Americans feel lonely.

·        47% report their relationship with others are not meaningful.

·        58% of people report that they sometimes or always feel like no one knows them well.

·        30 % of people do not know anyone in their lives that they trust. ·        30% do not know the names of their neighbors. 

Click here to read Dr. Mandel's article.

JDAIM mission statement:

“Unite Jewish Communities worldwide to raise awareness and champion the rights of all Jews to be accepted and included in all aspects of Jewish life like everyone else.”

“Do not separate yourself

from the community”.

Pirkei Avot 25

Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) is an annual observance held in February to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by Jewish people with disabilities and to promote their full inclusion in Jewish communities. The month was first established in 2009 by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and has since been adopted by Jewish communities around the world.

During JDAIM, Jewish communities host a variety of events and programs to educate people about disability awareness and inclusion, and to celebrate the contributions of Jewish people with disabilities. These events may include workshops, lectures, panel discussions, art exhibits, and social gatherings. JDAIM is also a time for Jewish organizations to reflect on their own practices and policies to ensure that they are inclusive of people with disabilities.

JDAIM is an important opportunity to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by Jewish people with disabilities and to promote their full inclusion in Jewish communities. By working together, we can create a more welcoming and inclusive world for all Jews.

Click here to find out what you can do to help make a difference!

A Toolkit for Men's Clubs,

Brotherhoods, and Individual Members

During this Most Challenging Time in Israel

FJMC is creating opportunities to bring people of different opinions together through tough, but loving conversations. 

We are looking for fathers and children who talk about Israel together, and grow together as a result. 

If you are one of these dads, or know a dad like this, please connect with Rabbi Noam Raucher, Executive Director at NRaucher@FJMC.org

Click here for the Toolkit. Click here for further information on our Israel Programming and resources.

Reaching over 25,000 Families

New York Metro Region Newsletter

We are now accepting ads beginning January 2024.

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

Reaching over 25,000 Families

New York Metro Region Newsletter

We are now accepting ads beginning January 2024.

FJMC is the choice of Jewish Men!

Be a part of tomorrow’s future...TODAY!

FJMC has been a progressive, vocal leader in the Jewish world for many years and we want to keep it as a reliable voice for years to come. 

"FJMC has taught me leadership skills that I've been able to use in my job, relationship skills I use in my family, and organizational skills that I use in every part of my life."

- a current donor

Our donors are united in our desire to support FJMC on an ongoing, monthly basis.

We ask for a small gift each month to help us provide training for our Club and Regional Leadership, to continue our outreach to all Jewish men and our great programs. Your unwavering support makes a tremendous difference.

Without the FJMC, valuable Jewish programming might never occur. FJMC needs your financial suppo.