Two of the highlights of the FJMC International Biennial Convention are the presentation of FJMC Torch Awards to recognize Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods that develop quality programming, build community and support the growth and development of their clubs and the FJMC Club Program Fair, showcasing the programming efforts and creativity of Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods from throughout North America.
The FJMC Program Fair is an opportunity for Convention delegates to learn about outstanding, award winning programming initiatives and interact one-on-one with the FJMC club leaders who designed and championed those very programs. In the spirit of the Biennial FJMC Programming Fair, this post is part of a continuing “Spotlight On” series that will share information about creative, engaging, low-cost and highly effective programming ideas that can easily be easily replicated by any Florida Region Men’s Club or Brotherhood.
The Olam Tikvah Men’s Club of Fairfax, VA was recently presented a SILVER FJMC Torch Award at the 2025 FJMC International Biennial Convention in Chicago for their informative program, “The Jewish experience in the US Military: History and Personal Reflections”. Olam Tikvah 2023/2025 Men’s Club President Barry Hemmerdinger explains the program:
“The program objective was to have two respected members the US military and of the our synagogue a share history and personal stories of Jewish life in the US military. The program was incorporated into a Sunday brunch menu modeled after a military chow hall. The program drew over 70 people, the largest attended men’s club in person event since the pandemic. Our event opened with a military chow hall inspired buffet style brunch – eggs, kosher sausage, potatoes accompanied by the men’s club standards of bagels and lox. Once served, our first speaker Captain Marc Herwitz gave a 40-minute presentation that he compiled on Jews in the US military – beginning from the French and Indian War in 1754 to the present day. Captain Herwitz fielded a short round of questions. Following this Ret Captain Rosalind Sloan shared her personal experiences for 20 minutes of being Jewish in the US military contrasting situations of being stationed domestically and internationally. Captain Sloan then fielded questions along with further questions for Captain Herwitz. Our program charged $12 for Men’s club members and $18 for non-members. Probably about half were non-members (many spouses). By holding the educational session as a Sunday brunch, we maximized likelihood of attendance by starting just after Sunday morning minyan and Sunday school drop off. We had many walk-ins to the invite, more than anticipated. We had no speaker fees as the presenters were synagogue members and happy to volunteer their knowledge and experiences; that enabled us to keep the costs down. We also had a table with materials on Jewish Veteran support agencies for attendees to learn more and contribute to these worthwhile charities. We had approximately 70 attendees out of our (of our 600 Olam Tikvah families and 120 men’s club members). For a comparison attendance at the earlier in the year brunch focused on the election and candidate Q&A drew about 55. Election brunch is usually the largest, so besting that is good sign of building back the interest for in-person educational events.”
Kol HaKavod and Yasher Koach to the Olam Tikvah Men’s Club for creating and sharing the details of their Torch Award winning “Jewish experience in the US Military: History and Personal Reflections” program with other Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods. For more information about the Olam Tikvah Men’s Club visit: https://www.olamtikvah.org/mensclub or email 2023/2025 Men’s Club President Barry Hemmerdinger at: behemmer@gmail.com or mensclub@olamtikvah.org.
This message is brought to you in solidarity by of the Florida Region of FJMC International (FJMC) . We serve the needs of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. Learn more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing network of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at: www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit & LIKE our Facebook Group at: www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
The FJMC is a confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond. Learn how YOUR Jewish Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate with the FJMC at: https://fjmc.org/for-clubs/affiliating-with-the-fjmc/.
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