Men Showing Up for Each Other

A look at FJMC International Annual Men’s Day Gathering

By Norwin Merens

Sunday, November 16, 2025 – Wednesday, November 19, 2025

The highly successful FJMC International Annual Men’s Day Gathering staged online last month included conversations about leadership, mental health and evolving expectations for men engaged in discussions about gender roles and partnerships.

During the four-day program, more than 100 FJMC brothers located in regions throughout North America and globally were involved in conversations that focused on brotherhood – what it means to be a man and men showing up for each other, and for those whose voices have been overlooked.

Rabbi Noam Raucher, executive director of FJMC International, who was responsible for developing content and securing guest speakers, moderated the lively panel discussions featured during the weeklong gathering.

“Kudos to Rabbi (Raucher) for his work in prepping the speakers/panels so they would be focused on the topic of the day, and for moderating the discussions so professionally,” said Jerry Brodsky, who chairs FJMC’s International Region and its activities, as well as its Inclusion Committee, and served as a panelist. He adds, “The whole event was very progressive. In our society, men are more than merely poker players, laugh factories and avid football game watchers. They can do several things at once, including being sensitive to others, discussing their own emotions and sharing their personal life skill assets and liabilities.”

From all accounts, the primary takeaway from the FJMC sessions was that additional conversations would follow and address “male centric” topics impacting men of all ages. In considering future approaches for men’s day gatherings, FJMC President Bruce Tomar says the plan is to continue the men’s celebration with a series of timely webinars.

Future programming might be billed “FJMC International Men’s Day: Our Conversation Continues,” and could feature such topics as: health and wellness, fatherhood, retirement, work life balance challenges and intimate personal relationships.

To see the videos of each day’s Zoom program, click here. To read AI-generated summaries that provide highlights of the men’s days programming, click here. Our thanks to Bob Watts, FJMC vice president for men’s life, and Lisa Pollack, FJMC administrator, who produced both the live and recorded presentations.  Additionally, congratulations to President Tomar and the entire FJMC International leadership for supporting this important men’s initiative.

Norwin Merens is a contributor to FJMC International’s HaD’Var.