Over the weekend of February 20 to 22, 2026, members of Jewish Men’s Club’s and Brotherhoods from across the Sunshine State gathered at Temple Beth Shalom Palm Coast for a weekend of ruach, brotherhood and networking. Florida Region FJMC President Jon Zimmer reports:
“The Florida Region of FJMC was privileged to have its spring 2026 regional retreat/Shabbaton in lovely Palm Coast, FL at Temple Beth Shalom, led by their Men’s Club President Jay Givarz. Seven different synagogues were represented, mostly from the Tampa/Orlando areas. We were fortunate to have special guests, FJMC Executive Director Rabbi Noam Raucher and Executive Vice President/President Elect Gary Katz, both from California. In all, 22 members from various clubs attended.
On Friday, we got there mid-afternoon, introduced ourselves andourselves to those we didn’t know, and had ice breakers led by Jay and Mark Givarz to get us more familiar with people we met for the very first time! We went either to our guest’s house (Jay and Mark both housed some guests) or the Hilton Garden Inn to change for Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Karen Tashman. After a spiritually rewarding service, we had a delicious meal cooked by the Sisterhoods of Temple Beth Shalom and B’Nai Torah of Ormond Beach. We heard from Gary Katz and Jon Zimmer after dinner, and went back to get some rest.
Shabbos morning we were led very capably by Alan Borden from Kol Ami. The service had great ruach, and we heard an intriguing D’Var Torah by Rabbi Noam Raucher. After a tasty lunch of delicious deli sandwiches, Rabbi Raucher led a interesting discussion w/ some great conversation about the Joseph story from Genesis, how he was sold and betrayed by his brothers, was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and more. We related it to modern times, sibling relationships, false accusations by women against men, and how both sexes can exhibit toxic behavior. Kudos to Rabbi Raucher for leading such a spirited and lively discussion! We then broke up into 3 groups for a Hearing Men’s Voices session, which we discussed the role of friendship in our lives, issues we’ve had with friends, how it can relate to relationships with our spouses and family, and the value and necessity of friends in our lives. We then went home to change and drove to Jay’s neighborhood clubhouse for Havdallah and a great shish kebob dinner. Some poker was played, schmoozing was had, and a few beverages were enjoyed, along with lots of bonding.
Sunday morning, we davened, had a guest speaker talk to us about the importance of exercising as seniors, and then did a wrap up with brief talks by Gary Katz, Jon Zimmer, Rabbi Raucher, and former Florida Regional President Blake Lenett. Many thanks again and Yasher Koach to the host shul and rabbi, the sisterhoods for the great meals, our out-of-state guests Rabbi Raucher and Gary Katz, Jay and Mark Givarz, and all for attending! It was a successful retreat and we are already talking about another one!“
Yasher Koach to Rabbis Raucher and Tashman along with Gary Katz, Mark and Jay Givarz Jon Zimmer, Blake Lenett and the entire Florida Region FJMC leadership team for an outstanding Spring 2026 Shabbaton Retreat weekend.
This message is brought to you by 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 at: www.floridaregionfjmc.org and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
FJMC International is a confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing members throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond. Learn how YOUR Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate with the FJMC at: https://fjmc.org/for-clubs/affiliating-with-the-fjmc/.
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