Ha D’var

Film at 11!

First FJMC International Film Festival FJMC International will be holding its first-ever Film Festival this month, offering a three-week online festival featuring powerful, thought-provoking films from around the world. The festival will present three films on Feb. 15, Feb. 22 and March 1. Each film will be available to watch the night it premieres or …

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Are you a Mama’s Boy?

We all are! Have YOU caught the cool “Mamas’ Boys” FJMC Podcast!? Mamas’ Boys is a smart, funny and thoughtful podcast exploring what it means to be a Jewish man today. The show’s hosts – FJMC International Executive Director Rabbi Noam Raucher and writer-comedian Rob Kutner – bring spiritual and showbiz credibility, curiosity and compassion …

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The Mamas’ Boys are Coming!

Check out our podcasts   By Rabbi Noam Raucher Mamas’ Boys began as a stubborn question I couldn’t shake: in a world that keeps rewriting the rules — politically, economically, spiritually, socially – what does it mean to be a Jewish man today? For years, I’ve watched men try to answer that question alone. Some …

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The strength of mentorship

Provide a teacher, get a friend   By Bruce Tomar Mentorship – a relationship where a more experienced person(mentor) guides the personal and professional growth of a less experienced person (mentee) through advice, support, and role modeling, and by fostering skill development, career progression, and confidence. In Jewish tradition, mentorship is viewed as a sacred, …

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Achieving peace through dialogue

FJMC’s new Darchei Shalom Initiative   By Norm Kurtz At its last biennial convention, FJMC International introduced a new and exciting initiative – “Darchei Shalom, Pathways to Peace.” This initiative seeks to promote interfaith and multi-cultural dialogue. FJMC has been collaborating with several Turkish Muslim communities throughout North America.  These communities follow the global Islam-inspired Hizmet …

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Celebrating our common bonds

Jews and Blacks in America   By Johnny Parker Shalom Chaverim! February is Black History Month in the United States of America. I am both Black and Jewish. I’m Black because of the label placed on People of Color during the slave trade and subsequent Jim Crow laws. I’m Jewish because I chose to belong …

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“I’ve had this New Yorker cover on my wall for years”

Two sides, but one and the same   By Dan Rickman Editor’s note: Dan Rickman is one of three new International Region members from the United Kingdom who attended FJMC’s Leadership Development Institute in Baltimore early this month as part of an effort to launch a men’s retreat in the UK in 2027. These are …

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Small Palm Coast shul joins “big leagues” of FJMC ranks

Marks revival from small workforce auxiliary to full Men’s Club   By Jay Givarz Temple Beth Shalom in Palm Coast, Fla., was originally part of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in 1973 – but drifted to being independent over the past 50 years, with a mix of Conservative, Reform and unaffiliated rabbis. Suffice to say, …

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Rebuilding Brotherhood in Northeast Florida

A Success Story in the Making   By Mark Givarz When my wife, Alyce, and I retired from our full-time positions and moved from St. Louis to northeast Florida in 2021, we began searching for a spiritual home. We found it at Congregation B’nai Torah in Ormond Beach, a warm and welcoming community of about …

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Welcome to the Sunshine State of Florida!

A profile of FJMC’s Florida Region   By Norwin Merens Long recognized for its beach resorts, theme parks, vast coastline and sunny climate – despite the occasional hurricane – Florida is a popular destination for retirees and seasonal vacations, while offering a rich history. Part of that history focuses on the impact that a group …

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