Latest News

The future of FJMC

How do we engage the next generation?   By Jonathan D. Epstein How do we get younger men to join? Sound familiar? That’s because it’s a challenge that has bedeviled most North American synagogues and men’s clubs for years. Look around. Men’s clubs, and synagogues in general, are facing a potential long-term existential crisis, as …

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Little Bros

A spirited drink leads to new opportunity   By Jonathan D. Epstein As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we recall the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. But we also recall the battles that came before, at Lexington and Concord outside of Boston – the “shot heard ‘round the world.” Much more recently, …

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The J-Men

Testing the waters by the lake By Jonathan D. Epstein It’s the birthplace of rock ‘n roll, and home to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. It’s a city of sports fans, for the Browns, Guardians and Cavaliers, as well as a host of minor-league and collegiate teams for ice hockey, arena football and …

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Tzedek, tzedek tirdof

Rabbinical Assembly’s Tzedek Center marks America’s 250th   The Rabbinical Assembly’s public policy and social justice division is hosting a series of webinars to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. The Tzedek Center’s Summer Series will feature speakers talking about faith, democracy and civil life, highlighting the Jewish values, civic skills and practical actions needed to sustain …

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Guarding the flame of international ideals

Why nuclear proliferation is an FJMC imperative   By Dr. Steven Mandel “We may be the generation that destroys itself.” – J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb.” What type of world would we be leaving for the next generation, if we do nothing about nuclear proliferation, terrorism, instability and global conflicts that …

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A time to lead, a time to shine

FJMC’s Leadership Development Institute   By Jonathan D. Epstein Planning has begun for next year’s Rabbi Joel S. Geffen Leadership Development Institute in Baltimore, FJMC International’s annual Shabbaton gathering to train our regional leaders, cultivate our emerging club leaders and build the next generation of younger men to take the reins in the future. Scheduled …

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Going global for High Holy Days

FJMC launches new Yizkor Book, promotes streaming services   By Jerry Brodsky FJMC’s International Region – our newest effort to expand our reach around the globe – is proud to introduce a pair of new initiatives for the High Holy Days intended to bring our worldwide community closer together as one. High Holiday services around …

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From the Pacific Northwest to sun-drenched L.A. and AZ

Greetings from Western Region!   By Mitch Elovitz With eight states from Hawaii to Colorado, the Western Region is, by far, the most spread-out region within FJMC International. So bringing us together for a Regional Retreat is no small feat! We held our 2026 retreat in the Simi Valley/Los Angeles area in mid-May. We hadn’t …

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A bilingual blessing for America

“God Bless America” in Yiddish, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in Hebrew   By Jason Hecht In Israel, Independence Day is celebrated on Yom Ha’atzmaut, a holiday filled with music, dancing and blue‑and‑white pride. Here in the United States, July brings its own celebration of freedom — but unlike Israel, there aren’t many songs …

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Pro-Semitism: Making a clean break

The story of Purell   By Jerry Brodsky What got you through the Covid-19 pandemic? What product did you purchase so much more during Covid than you’d ever purchased before, besides masks? That’s right – hand sanitizer. And what’s one of the best-known brands? Purell! So here’s the story: In 1946, Jewish-Americans Goldie and Jerry …

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