This post is part of a series highlighting the events and activities that took place from July 1 to July 6, 2025 at the FJMC Biennial Convention in Chicago, Illinois
Greetings from the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, the host venue of the 2025 FJMC Biennial Convention. Today was the first full day of business for the FJMC Convention, starting with Shacharit at 7:30am and video recording sessions from various Regional Ma’asim Tovim award honorees continued.
After Shacharit, Thursday morning’s pre-convention and family programming included an early morning Wendella “Architectural Boat Tour” of the Chicago River, offering the full picture (and then some) of the Windy City’s world-famous skyline. Our docent led cruise circumnavigated all three branches of the Chicago River, including stretches to Goose Island and Chinatown, with insider facts, bold opinions and a few classic Chicago jokes. The experience included a deep dive into how Chicago rose from the ashes of the great Chicago fire to reinvent the modern urban skyline and included interesting facts about more than 50 architectural icons like the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, Tribune Tower and Marina City, to name a few.
The pre-Convention morning program included multiple thought provoking and educational opportunities. The FJMC Committee to Combat Antisemitism & Spertus Institute presented “Equipping Jewish Leaders to Tackle Antisemitism Education” facilitated by Dana Kresel and Dean Bell, CEO, Spertus Institute; as an opportunity to learn about new tactics, gain knowledge, skills, insight and an overview on Combating Antisemitism. The FJMC Israel Affairs Committee introduced Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, to discuss what is happening in Israel, U.S.-Israel relations, recent regional developments, anti-semitism and its local impact. In addition, FJMC Fundraising Consultant Noah Saposnik was on site offering free one-on-one fundraising consultations with Club and Regional leaders.
The afternoon began with a series of Regional Caucuses, including the historic moment when Florida Region FJMC Ma’asim Tovim honoree Jon Zimmer from the Brotherhood of Kol Ami (Tampa) was installed as the 2025/2027 President of the FJMC Florida Region. Florida Region FJMC 2019/2023 Past President Blake Lenett welcomed all delegees and offered a 12 year aged scotch toast to Jon Zimmer’s success. After a few sips of the amber nectar, our incoming President introduced the official Florida Region FJMC Cheer, to be chanted loud and proud when the Florida Region delegation is introduced at the official Convention opening ceremony.
The official FJMC Convention 2025 Opening Ceremony began at 2:30pm. The overarching theme of this year’s convention was “Change.” Part of that change is to acknowledge that it is not healthy or beneficial for any community to live in isolation from other communities. Intercultural and interfaith dialogue which leads to mutual trust and reciprocal respect is the path forward. With this in mind, incoming FJMC International President Bruce Tomar discussed the topic of ATID, offered an overview of changes to FJMC and introduced Keynote Speaker Tami Arnowitz, Founder of Good Questions Coaching & Teaching, to discuss how we can steward change within the FJMC. Following a discussion of the seven Elements of Change Stewardship, the afternoon continued with twelve separately facilitated breakout sessions featuring discussions and actionable ways our Clubs and Synagogues can change Stewardship.
The afternoon continued with three distinct opportunities for prayer and personal growth. First up, a traditional Mincha prayer service. In the alternative, Josh Lisman facilitated a spiritual based discussion of selected topics, offering participants the opportunity to comment and share thoughts and feelings about important issues with your Convention compadres in a non-ritual setting. Orin Rotman offerd a third alternative, a discussion of the Week’s Torah Portion including all the knowledge with none of the Hebrew.
Thursday evening dinner was followed by presentations of Ma’asim Tovim and Presidential awards and Ma’ariv services. The Ma’asim Tovim Award is the highest recognition a Region can give to one of its members, usually given to individuals who have worked on behalf of the region for many years. The Presidential Award recognizes the recipient for vision and leadership skills that have advanced the FJMC as a leading organization in Conservative Masorti Judaism worldwide. Late night festivities included The Big Quiz Thing (a fun, interactive live Trivia Game show), a Charity Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament, Mah Jongg and Bridge Game meetups and an endless corridor of happy hour hospitality suites to schmooze with friends .
Looking ahead, Friday’s agenda highlights include an early spirited walk through downtown Chicago, multiple Power Breakfasts incoming and outgoing regional presidents, club presidents, individual members and emerging leaders, a guided tour of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (one of the largest science museums in the world), Hearing Men’s Voices (and Hearing Women’s Voices) session, a myriad of breakout sessions and keynote speakers, Torch Award presentations, FJMC Officer Installations, Kabbalat Shabbat and the long awaited biennial meeting of the International Kiddush Club.
This message is brought to you by the Florida Region of FJMC International (FJMC). We are part of a confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing almost 20,000 members from 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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