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
TGIF at FJMC Convention takes on an entirely different meaning when Shabbos is near. Friday morning in Chicago began with three different Shacharit morning experiences; a traditional prayer service, a “spirited” group walk through downtown Chicago and a spiritual based discussion facilitated by Josh Lisman, offering participants the opportunity to comment and share thoughts and feelings about important issues with your Convention compadres in a non-ritual setting. After Shacharit, Convention delegates enjoyed a hearty breakfast with multiple Power Breakfasts for incoming and outgoing regional presidents, club presidents, individual members and emerging leaders. Friday morning’s alternative family programming included a guided tour of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (one of the largest science museums in the world).
Friday morning’s Keynote Speaker was Rabbi Josh Feigelson, President & CEO of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, to discuss the topic “It Is Not Good for Man to Be Alone” and Jewish Spiritual Tools to address a crisis of loneliness. Next came twelve separately facilitated, small group HMV style breakout sessions on the topic combating loneliness. Friday morning concluded with presentations of the 2023-2025 FJMC Torch Awards, Quality Club and Quality Region Awards, followed by a delicious lunch.
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. Quality Club and Quality Region Awards are given to FJMC member Clubs and Regions that meet established criteria.
Convention programming continued with three distinct opportunities for prayer and personal growth; a traditional Mincha prayer service, a discussion of the Week’s Torah Portion facilitated by Orin Rotman and a spiritual based discussion of selected topics facilitated by Josh Lisman, offering participants the opportunity to comment and share thoughts and feelings about important issues with your Convention compadres in a non-ritual setting.
Friday afternoon’s keynote speaker was Rabbi Benay Lappe, President & Rosh Yeshiva, Svara to introduce the topic: “Inclusion: Reimagining Our Personal Responses to Communal Disruption”. In times of profound disruption, how do we find the tools and wisdom to go beyond inclusion to a place where we navigate and make transformational change? In this “CRASH talk”, Rabbi Benay Lappe offered a paradigm-shifting exploration of how the Jewish traditions we recognize today originated from a singular, catastrophic moment of communal upheaval. Using a dynamic and thought-provoking framework, Rabbi Benay challenged us to embrace disruption as an opportunity for transformation and creativity. Participants gained essential insights for seeking new ways to meet moments of great change, whether within our own family structures, our community within the FJMC, and the world at large.
Next came twelve separately facilitated HMV style, small group breakout sessions, “Inclusion Discussions: Crash 2.0”, followed by twelve additional breakouts on the topic: “Love to Love: The Journey”, a unique breakout session designed to allow attendees to hear personal stories about how disruptions have occurred in members’ lives and how they processed those disruptions, hopefully successfully, from love to love, explore more personally one’s own reflections on their life experiences and their journey when disruption occurred, and provide an opportunity to renew one’s sensitivity to others who experience disruption and consider avenues to minimize disruption in one’s love for friends and family members.
Friday’s Convention programming concluded with installation of incoming FJMC International President and Officers, followed by candle lighting and multiple flavors of Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv services, both traditional and musical. After a wonderful Shabbos dinner and spirited Birkat Hamazon, FJMC Executive Director Rabbi Noam Raucher discussed “Building relationships and their importance”, followed by the long awaited meeting of the International Kiddush Club and late night hospitality.
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 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.
About Post Author
