As you read this, we are in the midst of the High Holiday season. Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot give us a moment to reflect on ourselves, think about the past year and ponder the future.
Speaking of the future, now is the time to start thinking about an experience like none you have had before. Of course I am talking about LDI – The FJMC Foundation for Jewish Life Rabbi Joel S. Geffen Leadership Development Institute. This year’s event will take place the weekend of Jan. 30, 2026, in Baltimore, and we are now seeking to identify a select group of FJMC members who might be interested in participating in this deeply subsidized opportunity.
LDI is an annual international Shabbaton program designed to cultivate and strengthen not only our current leaders but also those for our future. It involves some training, but it’s really about introducing our club leaders and rising members to the culture, camaraderie and relationships that truly make FJMC so special and so important. All that, and a memorable Shabbat experience with more than 80 guys from across North America and beyond.
Over the course of my career in men’s club, it was LDI that taught me the true meaning of brotherhood, working with others and leadership.
So what does this have to do with the High Holidays? The insight of this season, according to the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, is this: In order to remember the past, we must secure the future. Never in the history of our people have we let grief, or even thinking about what was, stop us from looking to and working to make our future goals a reality.
For FJMC, the future is our ability to nurture, teach and mentor the younger generation in our community. For this year’s LDI, we are looking forward to welcoming both our emerging club leaders and a new cadre of our younger men, Hador Habah. If you are interested, talk to your club or region president.
From all of us at FJMC International – Shana Tova u’Metukah – may you have a sweet, meaningful and inspiring new year.
Yours in brotherhood,
Bruce Tomar
Bruce Tomar is the international president of FJMC International for 2025-2027.
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