Club Leadership

Brothers,

I have always said the ‘backbone’ of FJMC International starts at the club level.  That is where all of us started in the organization.  I am starting something new.  Every now and then, I am going to highlight clubs in different regions to tell us what they are doing and what makes them so special and unique.  The best place for me to start is my club – Temple Beth Sholom Men’s Club in Cherry Hill, NJ.  The club under the leadership of Ian Silverman is thriving and has a very diverse age scale. 

There Is a Place for You Here: Yesh Lecha Makom

There is a place for you.  That is how I view our Men’s Club at Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. No matter who you are or what you are looking for, there is a place for you, and you are always welcome.

Looking to gather for good food and a few drinks? There is a place for you.

Want to join a group of guys to cook latkes and raise money for a great cause? There is a place for you.

Seeking a community to daven with or wrap tefillin? There is a place for you.

Want to kick back, watch football, or talk fantasy sports? There is a place for you.

Eager to engage in discussions on current events and compelling topics? There is a place for you.

Have a young family and hoping to connect with dads in the same stage of life? There is a place for you.

Entering retirement with a little extra time and a desire to give back? There is a place for you.

That is what makes our club so special: there truly is a place for everyone.

Eleven years ago, when my family moved to Cherry Hill, we enrolled my son, Mason, in the Eric B. Jacobs Early Childhood Center. Dropping him off and picking him up each day, I realized I did not know many people in the community yet, and I was eager to find my footing. Soon after, another dad invited me to a Men’s Club event at the synagogue, a casual Monday Night Football watch party with chili and beer.

My initial thought was, “Hmm, Men’s Club? That is for my dad’s generation, not mine.”

Boy, was I wrong!

I decided to go and found myself hanging out with nearly 30 guys of all ages in a warm, relaxed environment that immediately felt like home. Over the next few months, I began attending a wide variety of events. Before long, I was fully hooked and helping out in the kitchen. What started as an exploratory visit quickly grew into a true brotherhood, a place where I genuinely belonged.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of chairing some of our signature programs, including our annual “Birds and Bourbon” event. Together, we taste around 20 different bourbons, enjoy a delicious dinner, and learn from our clergy about elevated approaches to our Passover Seders. I have also chaired our end of the year BBQ, where we celebrate our annual successes and present the Oren Klein Man of the Year Award. Named in loving memory of our dear friend Oren, who passed away far too soon, this award honors a member who gives selflessly to our club, always with a smile.

A few years ago, we launched one of our most successful initiatives yet: an annual fundraiser that created a lasting endowment for our synagogue, providing religious school scholarships for families in need. Through incredible teamwork, our men come together every year to make and sell over 200 dozen latkes to our congregants.

Now, serving as Men’s Club President, one of my absolute favorite parts of the role is welcoming new members. I am always energized by the opportunity to talk with guys who walk through our doors for the first time, hear what they are looking for, and help them find their own unique place within our club and synagogue community.

So, what is Men’s Club to you? To me, it is a place to belong, a place to grow, and a place to serve. It is a place for me, a place for you, and a place for everyone.

Yesh Lecha Makom.

Ian Silverman
President
Temple Beth Sholom Men’s Club
Cherry Hill, NJ

Thank you to Ian for letting the FJMC International membership know what you and your club are doing.  If you have any questions or topics, feel free to reach out to me at