Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs
From the Office of the President
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Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs
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Now You Know
By Alan Budman, FJMC International President
February 1, 2025
Big changes are planned for FJMC! For 96 years, we have relied on a club model that revolves around synagogue life, which was effective for decades. Now the dynamic has changed - Gen X and Gen Y (approximately 30-50 years old) are not joining synagogues as generations did before them and consequently, synagogues and therefore our clubs, are shrinking. We have been successful at attracting new clubs (12 in the last year and a half) and Individual Members, but we’ve lost several clubs, too.
We could bury our heads in the sand and continue as before, but we know that that’s not sustainable over the long haul. So, inspired by the work of our Executive Director, Noam Raucher, we have embarked on a modernization of FJMC, known as Atid (future). Please click here to read a summary of Rabbi Raucher’s ideas.
The first step in making our hopes a reality is to amend the FJMC Bylaws to reflect our new name, mission and vision statements. The most important, which have been overwhelmingly approved by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, are below. Please note that the explanatory notes in red are not part of the Bylaws.
Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be FJMC International (hereinafter “FJMC”).
Why we chose this new name: Two factors came into play as we worked through the ATID report and asked members for their thoughts on a rebranding of our name.
Article II – Mission Statement
FJMC provides men opportunities for personal growth and to build strong relationships. We accomplish this through: celebrating Jewish learning, traditions and culture; gathering for social events and retreats; performing service projects; engaging over Israel; combating hate and antisemitism; mentoring the current and next generation of leaders; prioritizing our health and wellness; and supporting one another in safe and nonjudgmental communities.
Article III - Vision Statement
Men will cultivate physical, emotional and spiritual health, meaningful relationships, and purpose through communities rooted in Jewish values and brotherhood.
Why we are proposing new Vision and Mission Statements:
As we look back over the last 96 years, and our original Mission Statement – Involving Jewish Men in Jewish Life, while still true, we must also look to the future. Our research via the ATID committee, surveys and just what we see today in what men want and need in not only our organization but as relevant to our society and the Jewish community, is outlined here as a dynamic plan for the near as well as the future of FJMC.
These amendments, and others, will be voted on at the Plenary Session of the Convention on July 3, 2025. So, make sure you register for Convention here, so you will be part of FJMC history!
Thank you.
In Brotherhood,
Alan Budman
International President, 2023 - 2025
abudman@fjmc.org
FJMC provides opportunities to learn and exercise life/leadership skills which you may not have the opportunity to either learn or use in your work. (Such skills relate to working constructively with a group to accomplish something more than one person alone could not accomplish.)
FJMC
c/o Officense, Inc.,
300 East Lombard Street, Suite 840
Baltimore, MD 21202
United States
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