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 FJMC Texas Region Monthly Newsletter

First Edition - January 22, 2025  


Welcome Messages

 

Rusty Dworkin – President, FJMC Texas Region


Chevre,


Welcome to the Texas Region of the FJMC! It feels wonderful to type this. For more than 10 years we have been working to re-establish a region for Texas Synagogues and Temples since the Southwest region was deactivated. We are so pleased to welcome and introduce the Texas Region! 


  • Congregation Beth Torah Men’s Club – Richardson, TX
  • Congregation Beth Yeshurun Brotherhood – Houston, TX
  • Congregation Shearith Israel Brotherhood – Dallas, TX
  • Temple Ahavath Sholom Men’s Club – Fort Worth, TX
  • Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood – Dallas, TX


The good news, there are several organizations pending affiliation, and we hope to welcome them soon! Naturally as a new region we will have a few growing pains, so we are asking for everyone’s help and support to thrive. 


FJMC clearly recognizes the need for more inclusivity and has opened membership to those non-affiliated Reform and Conservative Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods organizations. This is very exciting as it recognizes the closer bond between us and helps to grow the mission of the involvement of men in Judaic life in their places of worship, their communities, and their homes. We have many programs that will help you do this and hope you take advantage of those opportunities. 


I would like to introduce your Texas Region Board: 



  • President – Sol “Rusty” Dworkin, Congregation Beth Torah
  • EVP – Baruch Garcia, Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood
  • 2nd VP - Jeff Markowitz, Congregation Beth Torah
  • Treasurer, Steven Zuckerman, Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood
  • Secretary, OPEN
  • At Large Members - All Men’s Club and Brotherhood Presidents are appointed At-Large members to the Texas Region Board. 


Additionally, we are grateful to Alan Koenigsberg, MD, who conducts our Hearing Men’s Voices program and trains your local groups to conduct this program. 


The FJMC international convention will be held in Chicago this year. We encourage all of you to register and attend. It is always an exciting time. Please refer to the FJMC International Convention link in this newsletter for all the details.


Shalom and Welcome to the Texas Region!


Alan Budman, FJMC, International President 


It is my great honor to be able to contribute to the inaugural newsletter of the newest region – Texas!


I know that with great clubs involved, the Texas Region will soon be one of the stellar regions of FJMC. You have outstanding leadership at the Regional and Club levels and your future is limitless.


We at FJMC are thrilled to have you and please know that we are available to help you succeed. We look forward to seeing you at the Leadership Development Institute near Baltimore in a couple of weeks and at the Convention in Chicago in July. 


The Regions give subsidies to their members who attend these events, and we realize that as a new region, your funds are limited. That is why FJMC will provide subsidies for the men who attend LDI and/or Convention. Further, if an individual needs financial assistance, additional funds can be provided on a strictly confidential basis. These are just some of the ways that FJMC supports the region, clubs, and members.


Please visit our website at fjmc.org to sample the great programming, training and support we offer to you. You will find that any help you may need or questions you may have we are readily available, and you can always contact me at

abudman@fjmc.org.


We want you to experience all that we have to offer and to build relationships with men throughout North America. So, welcome to the FJMC Family! 


In Brotherhood,



Alan



Texas Region Board and Region Men’s Clubs & Brotherhoods Contact Information


Texas Region Board


President

Rusty Dworkin

rustydworkin@gmail.com

972-814-2238

Executive VP

Baruch Garcia

baruchgarcia2020@gmail.com

972-261-8454

2nd VP

Jeff Markowitz

Jeff.markowitz@verizon.net

972-989-9688

Treasurer

Steve Zuckerman

Szuckerman1958@gmail.com

404-309-1295

Rusty Dworkin

Rusty Dworkin

Baruch Garcia

Baruch Garcia

Jeff Markowitz

Jeff Markowitz

Steve Zuckerman

Steve Zuckerman

Texas Region Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods Presidents

President

Bill Miller

Congregation Beth Torah Men’s Club

wsm96@me.com

President

Michael Wiesenthal

Congregation Beth Yeshurun Brotherhood

mwiesenthal@aol.com

President

John Ross

Congregation Shearith Israel Brotherhood

jross@jrosslaw.com

President

Dan Sturman

Temple Ahavath Sholom Men’s Club

dsturman@charter.net

President

Andrew Zusman

Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood

UXAndrew@gmail.com

To ensure the Texas Region is maintaining consistent communication and accurate information, we are requesting the Presidents to confirm the information listed above and provide a similar list of their Men’s Club/Brotherhood Board Officers. 


We understand there is a very rich and proud history amongst all our Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods, and many activities planned for 2025. Please provide a brief paragraph of your Men’s Clubs/Brotherhoods history, and a list of your upcoming Men’s Clubs/Brotherhoods events. Hint, if it is easier to provide a link to your events list, please share! 


Our goal is to receive all the above requested information by February 6th, in preparation for the February 16th Online Newsletter. 



Upcoming Texas Region and FJMC Events


FJMC Events

·       Leadership Development Institute – Jan 31st – Feb 2nd, 2025

o   https://fjmc.org/annual-activities/leadership-development-institute/

·       World Wide Wrap – Feb 9th, 2025

o   https://wrap.fjmc.org/

·       FJMC International Convention – July 3rd – 6th 2025

o   https://convention.fjmc.org/


Texas Region Men’s Clubs & Brotherhood Events

·       Congregation Beth Torah Men’s Club

o   2025 World Wide Wrap – Feb 9th, 2025

§  www.cbt.news/2025www

o   Upcoming Events Newsletter

§  Beth Torah jMen's Club Newsletter

·       Dallas – Man of Year Brunch – May 18th, 2025 

o   Note – the website is under construction. More information is coming. 



Texas Region News


Texas Region – Yarmulkes – BIG NEWS!

 

Through the incredible efforts of David Freiman, FJMC Abayudaya Liaison, Texas Region has a Yarmulke

FJMCTXYarmulkeFront

Front

FJMCTX Yarmulke Back

Back

For a decade, FJMC clubs and regions have purchased handmade kippot from the Abayudaya Men’s Club (AMC). Through kippot sales, the AMC provides much needed jobs to members of the community and funds men’s club activities. By wearing these kippot, we affirm the FJMC connection to the Jews of Uganda and to supporting the AMC and its members as they manage through crippling poverty in the Mbale region. The cost of the Yarmulke is $18. 


To order your Yarmulke click below:


Yarmulke Payment


Thank you for purchasing your regional kippot through the Abayudaya. The men in Uganda are ready to fill any future orders, even larger orders for B’nai Mitzvot or for your synagogue membership. 



Texas Region Communications


Texas Region – 2025 Monthly Communication Dates


(Region Meetings – ZOOM – 7 to 8PM CST; Zoom Details – will be provided to the Club Presidents under separate email). 

Newsletter Information Submission Date

Online Newsletter Publication Date

Region Meetings – ZOOM – 7 to 8PM CST

Thursday, Feb 6th

Sunday, Feb 16th

Thursday, Feb 20th

Thursday, Mar 6th

Sunday, Mar 16th

Thursday, Mar 20th

Thursday, Apr 3rd

Sunday, Apr 13th

Thursday, Apr 17th

Thursday, May 1st

Sunday, May 11th

Thursday, May 15th

Thursday, June 5th

Sunday, June 15th

Thursday, June 19th

Thursday, July 3rd

Sunday, July 13th

Thursday, July 17th

Thursday, July 3rd

Sunday, Aug 10th

Thursday, Aug 14th