This post is part of a series highlighting the events and activities that took place at the FJMC Biennial Convention in Philadelphia, PA.
Good Shabbos. The joy of Shabbat is multiplied at FJMC Convention in ways that can defy the imagination. Saturday morning in Philadelphia began with a sunrise health walk followed by breakfast and five, count them, FIVE different Shabbat morning service experiences, a traditional “Full Torah” prayer service, a “Triennial” service, an alternative study session, an interpretive service and a meditative service. The 400+ Convention delegates then merged together as one Kehillah for Haftorah and Musaf, followed by a delicious Shabbos lunch.
The afternoon presented a myriad of choices. For those that connect to Shabbos through fresh air and sunshine, FJMC arranged for a guided historical walking tour through the cradle of American democracy, following in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers. Participants enjoyed a leisurely, afternoon walk through the city, passing President’s House, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the 1st and 2nd Banks of the US, City Tavern, Christ Church, Elfreth’s Alley, Ben Franklin Burial Site, Franklin Court, Carpenter’s Hall, Betsy Ross House and more.
Back at the Marriott, Convention delegates were given a choice of multiple Leadership and Training workshops developed by the FJMC Foundation for Jewish Life Rabbi Joel S. Geffen Leadership Development Institute (LDI), including “How Men’s clubs can Engage Jews on Campus”, “How the Siddur Grew and Developed from Memory to Printed Text”, “Maximizing FJMC Leadership Skills Outside of FJMC”, “The Gentle Wisdom of Fred Rogers: Torah for Every Day”, “Progress through Uncertainty: The Abayudaya Jewish Community of Uganda”, “The FJMC Young Family Initiative”, “2025 and Beyond”, “The Masorti Movements Success”, “Stories of Struggle in Jerusalem”, “Connecting the Dots: Maximizing FJMC Leadership Skills for incoming Region and Club Presidents”, “Building and Egalitarian State” and “Israel’s Declaration of Independence: What Does it Say?”. There was a breakout session on mental health and a series of panel discussions and breakout sessions as part of the FJMC Inclusion Initiative on topics such as Jews of Color, LGBTQTIA+ issues, Inclusion Initiative marketing successes, fighting closed mindedness and how we can do more. Hearing Men’s Voices offered attendees an opportunity to engage in a discussion on the topic Israel: Your Relationship – Heart and Head to the Holy Land, a non-political discussion.
The afternoon included a “live and in person” meeting of the FJMC Sports Affinity group featuring renowned author and sports promoter Steve Rosenberg. He literally wrote the book “Make Bold Things Happen: Inspirational stories from Sports, Business and Life”. Steve has had an extensive career in sports and entertainment. Beginning with the Washington Bullets and then the Philadelphia Flyers, he marketed and managed some of the largest events, venues and properties across the United States.
Nu? Would you like some more? Al Davis facilitated a live meeting of the FJMC Yiddish Affinity Group, spreading the love of Yiddish one mensch at a time. Yiddish has been the language of Ashkenazi Jews for over a thousand years; was used by writers and artists to create great works of fiction, plays, and music. Yiddish words are everywhere in popular culture and it would be meshuggenah to imagine that anyone hasn’t heard or said at least one Yiddish word. Yiddish is a living language, full of spiel and shtick, irony and humor, expressing all of the subtle distinctions of human character. Everyone in attendance was qvelling.
Mike Mills, Richard Gray and Steve Pilchik facilitated a meeting of the FJMC Genealogy Affinity Group, helping to teach how to research and understand our ancestor’s lives, entwined in Jewish History. Norm Kurtz led a “Torah Talks” Affinity Group study session about Parshat Pinchas.
Shabbat afternoon concluded with a memorial service to honor the memory of FJMC International Past Presidents Harold Nissen and Danny Stern, along with Bart Kogan and all those who we have lost since we last gathered as an organization, followed by a traditional Mincha service as well as an alternative Mincha HMV program, ” Humor in Today’s Jewish World: Bring your Best Joke”, followed by dinner and Birkat.
Following Maariv and Havdalah, convention delegates were entertained by Mike Miller, internationally known master magician and illusionist, combining magical effects with his imaginative sense of humor. The evening concluded with a Cantorial concert gala followed by a seemingly endless chorus of late night hospitality suites and snacks.
FJMC Convention is pure delight – Good Shabbos to all and to all a good night.
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 Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing over 20,000 members across the United States, Canada, Latin America and beyond. Learn more about how your Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate 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. Our mission is to involve Jewish Men in Jewish Life by fostering fellowship and camaraderie between Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods in the Florida Region, inspiring interest and involvement in Jewish worship, Jewish studies, Tikkun Olam and ensuring the success of new and existing leaders of our Florida Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods.
If you are not yet affiliated with the Federation, then today is the day to join us. Get to know more about the Florida Region of FJMC and our growing network of dynamic Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods on our website www.FloridaRegionFJMC.org and please visit and LIKE our Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
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