Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome. William Shakespheare once said, “Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people” (The Life of King Henry the Eighth). Guns N’ Roses sang “Welcome to the Jungle” and John Sebastian “Welcome Back”.
Each of us may consider our Men’s Club’s and Brotherhoods a welcoming place, however there are many things that your Men’s Club or Brotherhood can do to become more welcoming. Here are a few ideas:
- Be inclusive. Make sure that all members of your Men’s Club feel welcome, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, level of religious observance or any other personal characteristics. The FJMC Inclusion Initiative offers many programming resources to help make your Men’s Club or Brotherhood become more inclusive.
- Promote diversity. Encourage members of different backgrounds to participate in Brotherhood activities and events. This will help to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment.
- Be respectful. Create a culture of respect within your Men’s Club. This means being mindful of others’ feelings and beliefs and avoiding any discriminatory or offensive language or behavior.
- Be welcoming. Make sure that new members feel welcome and comfortable when they join the Brotherhood. This could involve introducing them to other members, helping them to get involved in activities or simply being friendly and welcoming.
- Be visible. Make sure that your Men’s Club or Brotherhood is visible to the greater Jewish community. This could involve advertising in local social media, participating in community events or opening your membership to non-Temple members.
Here are some additional tips that may be helpful:
- Create a welcoming physical space. The physical space where your Men’s Club or Brotherhood meets should be welcoming and inviting. This could mean making sure that the space is clean and well-maintained, there is comfortable seating and decorations that reflect the Jewish culture.
- Offer a variety of activities and events. The more activities and events that you offer, the more likely it is that people will find something that interests them. This could include anything from social events to educational programs to religious services.
- Make it easy for people to get involved. The more easy it is for people to get involved, the more likely they are to do so. This could mean having clear and easy-to-follow instructions, providing childcare or transportation assistance, or simply being friendly and welcoming.
- Be patient. It takes time to build a welcoming and inclusive community. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep working at it, and eventually you will achieve your goal.
An open door can turn a stranger into a friend. By following these tips, you can help open the door to make your Jewish Men’s Club or Brotherhood a more welcoming and inclusive space for all.
This message is brought to you by the Florida Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC). We are part of a global confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing over 20,000 members across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond. Learn more about how your Jewish Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate with the FJMC at: https://www.fjmc.org/content/affiliating-fjmc.
The Florida Region of FJMC serves the needs of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. Get to know more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing 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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