Congregation Ohev Shalom (COS) Men’s Club of Maitland, Florida supports our synagogue and its membership through fundraising for our youth programs, synagogue service projects and various social functions. Recurring Men’s Club programs and activities include monthly bike rides, an annual Super Bowl Raffle; Men’s Club funds transportation costs for USY and Kadima programs and conventions, hosts Sunday morning breakfast and speaker events, organizes the annual World Wide Wrap and Men’s Club Shabbat programs and distributes Yom Hashoah candles to synagogue members. Men’s Club are always present, ushering for High Holiday and weekly Shabbat services, cooking and serving food for the synagogue’s Chanukah Party and Purim Carnival, providing gifts to our B’nai Mitzvot celebrants that foster their continued involvement, actively participating in Ma’asim Tovim (our synagogue’s social action organization for feeding the homeless).
The Ohev Shalom Men’s Club is ahead of the curve on creating unique and innovative ways to engage their members. They actually bottled the formula in their very own “Congregation Ohev Shalom Private Selection Spirit of Shalom Straight Bourbon Whiskey”, as chosen by congregants at a recent Bourbon and Banter event. For a limited time, you have the opportunity to obtain a bottle of this delightful, palate pleasing adult beverage and $15 from every bottle goes toward the FIDF. Order yours today at: https://www.ohevshalom.org/form/bourbon.
Recent Congregation Ohev Shalom Men’s Club programs and events include participation in the 5785 FJMC World Wide Wrap and distribution of FJMC Shoah Yellow Candles™. Other recent programs of note included the annual COS Men’s Club Superbowl Raffle fundraiser, Jewish Heritage Day with the Orlando Solar Bears and the ever popular Congregation Ohev Shalom Men’s Club Shabbat, featuring COS Men’s Club members participating in Torah reading and Aliyot followed by an expanded Kiddush and a spirited L’chayim with your Men’s Club brothers from other mothers.
Summer 2025 began on a high note when Florida Region FJMC Past President Blake Lenett of CBS Brotherhood took the main stage at the 2025 FJMC International Biennial Convention in Chicago with COS Men’s Club President Mark Berkowitz and Florida Region FJMC Webmaster Rich Nebb of Temple Torat Emet (Boynton Beach) as The Congregation Ohev Shalom received an FJMC Bronze Torch Award for outstanding fundraising programming.
Looking ahead, the Congregation Ohev Shalom (COS) Men’s Club of Maitland, Florida will host a Blood Drive on Sunday, August 17th, 2025, from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. The BIG RED BUS will be in the rear of the COS parking lot. When you drop your kids off at Hebrew School – don’t leave – come over to the bus to donate. You could even attend the 9:00 am Minyan and then hop on the bus. Everyone who contributes will receive a $20.00 eGift card and a special gift from OneBlood. It’s not about the gift received for donating blood that matters, it’s about donating the gift of life-Blood. Help keep Blood Bank shelves full. You may need blood someday. Every pint of blood given can save up to three lives. YOUR DONATION REALLY MATTERS. To set an appointment-please call Ohev Shalom Men’s Club President Mark Berkowitz at 732-522-2900 or email VMDBerkowitz@gmail.com.
SAVE THE DATE: Men’s Club’s and Brotherhoods of Congregation Ohev Shalom (Maitland), Temple Israel (Winter Springs), the Congregation of Reform Judaism (Orlando) and the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation (SOJC) in conjunction with Shalom Orlando cordially invite you to SAVE THE DATE for the 9th Annual Orlando Jewish Community “Men’s Night Out” on Thursday November 6, 2025. This annual gala unites greater Orlando’s Jewish men from all walks of life for an evening filled with entertainment, cocktails, Brotherhood and great Kosher food; proceeds from this event will benefit Jewish Youth Education Programs. All Florida Region FJMC Men’s Club and Brotherhood members and guests are invited to take part in the 2025 Men’s Night Out. This year’s event will be hosted at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland, Florida; more details coming soon.
The Congregation Ohev Shalom Men’s Club sponsors, plans and presents “Men’s Night Out“— an annual community event bringing together affiliated and unaffiliated Jewish men to network, forge new friendships and celebrate our common bond, all while benefiting local Jewish education.
The Ohev Shalom Men’s Club President Mark Berkowitz is seeking a few good men to join the COS Men’s Club board as they plan programming for the coming year. Men’s Club holds a monthly breakfast meeting; please join us when we next meet and eat on Sunday morning August 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM and please make note of recurring monthly meeting dates on Sunday, September 21, October 19, November 23 and December 21, 2025). Please email VMDBerkowitz@gmail.com to join the team and be part of the future of COS Men’s Club.
Learn more about the Congregation Ohev Shalom Men’s Club at www.ohevshalom.org/organizations/mens-club/, or on their Facebook Group www.facebook.com/COSMensClub/. For more information, email Men’s Club President Mark Berkowitz at VMDBerkowitz@gmail.com, Immediate Past President Neal Blaher at NJBlaher@yahoo.com or Ohev Shalom Membership Vice President Elliott Davis at elliottdavis613@gmail.com.
The Congregation Ohev Shalom Men’s Club of Maitland, Florida is a proud member of the Florida Region of the 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 representing nearly 20,000 members across 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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