FJMC’s Shomrei Ha’Aretz Initiative By Norwin Merens, Dr. Steven Mandel and Bob Watts For nearly 20 years, FJMC International-affiliated clubs have been leading the charge as Shomrei Ha’aretz – “Guardians of the Land.” We’ve been cleaning the beaches, composting waste into natural fertilizer, visiting parks with their families and friends, and growing fruits and …
Michigan rejoins FJMC with CBS Men’s Club of Oak Park By Norwin Merens After many years without having an FJMC International presence in a big Midwest city and a major state, the Detroit community is rejoining the fold. And while Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park, Mich., is the first to do so, as …
The New England Region By Marty Paley The New England Region has been enjoying a very active year thus far. In addition to simply reveling in the camaraderie of our brothers and others in the Jewish community, we have continued to learn and grow together as we seek new experiences and deep connections. At …
The UN and FJMC Against Racial Discrimination By Dr. Steven Mandel A Black Jewish man arrives at his synagogue for Shabbat service, and is stopped by security volunteer, who asks: “Are you here for services?” When he says yes, the volunteer asks for identification, while other congregants enter without being questioned. An interracial couple …
A High Holiday Journey By Jason Hecht As we enter the season of reflection, renewal and heartfelt connection, music becomes one of the most powerful ways to prepare our spirit. This year, we’re taking you on a High Holiday tour through Israeli music videos – a journey filled with soul, prayer and the unmistakable …
Domaine du Castel Grand Vin By Al Davis As previously admitted to, I am not a wine afficionado. My wine tastebuds are perfectly suited to “Blue Bottle.” For the uninitiated, this is Bartenura Moscato, a white fizzy wine, which my father-in-law (alav ha-shalom) referred to as “Seven-Up” – usually with a sneer. If I …
A retrospective By Rabbi Noam Raucher One day, shortly after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and his student, Rabbi Yehoshua, were walking near the ruins. Seeing what remained of the Temple, Rabbi Yehoshua cried out, “This is terrible! This is where our people came to pray and offer …
Being honest with ourselves By Rabbi Noam Raucher Rosh Hashanah is described as the Jewish new year. Yom Kippur is usually explained as a day of repentance. However, ultimately, between both of them we have 10 days to gain perspective on our lives. For 25 hours, Jewish tradition asks us to step outside the …
Reflections on past, present and future “There is no life without a task; no person without a talent; no place without a fragment of God’s light waiting to be discovered and redeemed; no situation without its possibility of sanctification; no moment without its call. It may take a lifetime to learn how to find these …
Emma Lazarus By Jerry Brodsky You’ve heard the words – “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” For many of us, our great-great-grandparents or some level of elders on our family tree passed by those words, found on the base of the Statue of Liberty, as …
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