Is your Men’s Club or Brotherhood always looking for something new, unique or different to engage your members? Would you like to earn an FJMC Torch Award for your Florida Region Men’s Club or Brotherhood’s outstanding programs and activities?
It’s not unusual for Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods from different synagogues to work together in the development of a joint activity to earn an FJMC Torch Award for outstanding programming. The Beth El Temple Men’s Club and Emanuel Synagogue Brotherhood, both of West Hartford, CT did just that with their joint program, “MINYAN ON THE MOUNTAIN”. Meeting at a convenient location on a Sunday morning, they hiked about 30 minutes to a location where they held minyan and then enjoyed breakfast with mountain top view, participated in an important mitzvah, got exercise and enjoyed brotherhood all at the same time. This activity also earned both the Beth El Men’s Club and Emanuel Brotherhood an FJMC Silver Torch Award for outstanding programming.
“This was a collaboration of the Men’s Clubs from the two largest conservative shuls in the Hartford, CT area to offer a meaningful Sunday morning minyan experience in a nontraditional setting, while promoting health and wellness, and a social opportunity“, explained Dave Diamond from Beth El.
“Participants met at a parking area about 15 minutes from each shul on a Sunday morning and took an easy 30 minute hike to an open area where the Executive and Ritual Director of Beth El Temple led an inspiring minyan service. We then hiked several minutes to an area with picnic tables where we enjoyed a full breakfast buffet, and then had the opportunity to walk to the top of a tower with breathtaking views covering over 50 miles.“
Sometimes the path to “unique” is as simple as tweaking what already exists; turn another Club’s Minyan on the Mountain into your “Brotherhood Havdalah Bonfire on the Beach” or a ‘Universal Minion Minyan” at Universal Studios? There is power in numbers and synergy when working cooperatively with strategic partners; hosting a joint program with other nearby Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods can greatly increase your event’s visibility and possibly earn an FJMC Torch Award for your Men’s Club or Brotherhood.
The FJMC Torch Award was created to encourage the development of innovative programming, recognize those clubs that develop quality programming, build community and support the growth and development of their clubs. The FJMC recently posted guidelines and program categories for your Men’s Club or Brotherhood to earn a 2023 Torch Award.
The basic eligibility guidelines to earn a 2023 FJMC Torch Award for your Club or Brotherhood’s outstanding programs and activities are (1) your Men’s Club or Brotherhood must be an FJMC Member in good standing as of March 31, 2023, (2) programs to be considered must take place between April 15, 2021 and May 11, 2023 and (3) you application for a Torch Award must be submitted to FJMC prior to May 18, 2023 with additional “points” awarded for early application submission before March 15, 2023.
FloridaRegionFJMC.org wants YOUR Men’s Club or Brotherhood to achieve the honor of earning an FJMC Torch Award. There is no need to recreate the wheel; you can discover ideas from hundreds of previous Torch Award winners at https://www.fjmc.org/torch-awards-overview. Create your unique and innovative programming either by significantly altering and enhancing a previous program idea or by creating a new novel program. FJMC Torch Awards are granted for innovative, adapted or enhanced program development in many different categories. If you are not sure where to start then Florida Region FJMC has Regional Consultants that can offer assistance to your Men’s Club or Brotherhood.
This message is brought to you by the Florida Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. We serve the needs of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. If you are not yet affiliated with the Federation, then today is the day to join us.
Get to know more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing statewide network of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at www.FloridaRegionFJMC.org and please visit and LIKE our Florida Region FJMC Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
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