What Men Carry

International Men’s Day Gathering 2026

Sunday, November 15 | 11:30 AM–7:30 PM ET | Online

 

By Noam Raucher

What does it mean to be a man today? What burdens do men carry silently? Where do they turn when they need support, connection or simply someone willing to listen?

This International Men’s Day, FJMC International invites you to What Men Carry, a free, virtual gathering dedicated to men’s mental health, relationships, fatherhood, friendship, grief and belonging.

Too often, conversations about men focus exclusively on their problems or problematic behavior. While accountability matters, we must also create opportunities for men to be heard, supported, challenged and connected.

Throughout the day, we’ll bring together respected experts, mental health professionals and community leaders for honest conversations about what men experience, what they hide and what they need from one another.

Our featured speakers include:

• Assael Romanelli, LCSW, LMFT, co-founder of The Potential State, exploring relationships, fatherhood and emotional connection.
• Galit Romanelli, PhD candidate and co-founder of The Potential State, examining intimacy, friendship and belonging.
• Dan Rickman, founder of Get Men Talking in the United Kingdom, encouraging men to break through silence and build meaningful connections.
• Darby Saxbe, PhD, psychologist and author of Dad Brain, discussing how fatherhood transforms men’s minds, identities and relationships.
• Deb Brous, facilitating a meaningful conversation about grief, loss and moving forward.
• Rabbi Noam Raucher, Executive Director of FJMC International, leading our closing conversations about what men need now.

The day’s conversations:

• 11:30 AM ET — Meeting in Truth: What We Carry, What We Hide and What We Need

Opening international panel with Galit and Dr. Assael Romanelli.

• 1:00 PM ET — Get Men Talking

With Dan Rickman.

• 2:15 PM ET — Dad Brain: How Fatherhood Transforms Men

With Dr. Darby Saxbe.

• 3:15 PM ET — Around the Fire: Fathers, Sons & Family

With Dr. Assael Romanelli.

• 4:15 PM ET — Around the Fire: Grief, Loss & Moving Forward

With Deb Brous.

• 5:30 PM ET — Around the Fire: Loneliness, Friendship & Belonging

With Galit Romanelli.

• 6:45 PM ET — Closing Men’s Groups: What Do I Need Now?

With Rabbi Noam Raucher.

Join the conversation.

Whether you’re a father, son, partner, friend, community leader or simply someone who cares about the well-being of men, there’s a place for you in this gathering.

Sunday, November 15, 2026

11:30 AM–7:30 PM Eastern | Virtual | Free

REGISTER NOW

You are welcome to attend one session, several conversations or the entire gathering.

We hope you’ll join us and share this invitation with the men, families and communities in your life.

Rabbi Noam Raucher is executive director of FJMC International.