Ha D’var

Religion, Pluralism, and Human Rights

A United Nations conference   By Dr. Steven Mandel The United Nations holds a lot of meetings and conferences, on a wide range of subjects. One such even was the U.S. Conference on Religion, Pluralism and Human Rights, held at U.N. Headquarters in New York City in January, and which I attended. Its mission is …

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The role of community

What does it mean to be a community?   By Bruce Tomar A community is a group of people connected by shared interests, identity, location or purpose, fostering social ties, mutual support and a sense of belonging, often leading to collective action and shared understanding. In Judaism, community is the primary organizing structure of Jewish …

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Building community through Men’s Club

A Feb. 21 sermon at B’nai Jeshurun in Cleveland   By Tom Sudow You’ve been there. Admit it — you’ve been there. You buy the toy, and on the side of the box are those three fateful words: “Some assembly required.” Or someone says, “Let’s buy the bookcase from IKEA. How hard could it be?” …

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Music to your ears!

Echad Mi Yodea – A Nation in Song By Jason Hecht In the spring of 2020, as families across Israel prepared for Passover in isolation, Channel 12 created a powerful musical moment of unity. As part of The Big Israeli Seder, 31 of Israel’s leading artists joined together—each recording from home—to perform the beloved Seder …

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To boldly go where you haven’t ventured before

Visit the Pearl of Africa, and experience the world of the Abayudaya In December 2024, several FJMC members from the Seaboard and Tri-State regions of FJMC journeyed to southeastern Uganda, to visit the Abayudaya Jewish community, which numbers more than 2,500 people in over 29 villages spread across the region. The trip was led by …

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Traditionally radical?

An unorthodox description   Traditional and radical aren’t normally two words used together to describe the same thing. But then you might not have encountered Svara before. Svara, whose tagline is “A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva,” empowers queer and trans people to expand Torah and tradition through the spiritual practice of Talmud study. Through virtual and …

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Coming soon, to a holiday table near you!

Purim & Passover   By Rabbi Noam Raucher It’s February, and Purim and Passover will be here before we know it. But at FJMC International, we haven’t forgotten. Here are two upcoming programs to help you – and us – prepare. Unmasking: A Pre-Purim Men’s Webinar on the Masks We Wear – Wednesday, Feb. 25, …

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Binding us around the world

Making a difference with extra tefillin   Got any tefillin that are gathering dust in a drawer or cabinet? Here’s an opportunity to make sure they are put to good use. Under a special new partnership with our friends at Kulanu Inc., we are collecting tefillin to send to Jewish communities and Jewish men around …

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The Modern Jewish Family

Pride & Prejudice, Winter 2026 Edition: By Jerry Brodsky Pride and Prejudice is a quarterly publication by FJMC International, featuring stories of acceptance and tolerance that remind us of the impact of our efforts – past, present and future. Our mission is to promote inclusion, embrace our differences and create a sense of belonging through activities that welcome everyone. …

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Giving birth to a fight for freedom

The Jewish values around reproductive health and rights   Once again, FJMC International is supporting Repro Shabbat, a special annual Shabbat celebration centered around honoring the Jewish value of reproductive freedom. Sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women, it takes place every year on Parshat Mishpatim, the Torah reading which includes the verses that …

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