From the Office of the New York Metropolitan Region FJMC President

Hello Hal,

There is no such thing as the “Summer Time Blues” in regards to the Metro NY Region of FJMC. As a matter of fact, our list of programs and activities Increase, especially with our “brothers” in the neighboring regions. This past weekend alone, Metro NY joined with the Middle Atlantic, Northern New Jersey and Hudson Valley regions for the 12th Quad-Region Biennial Retreat; a weekend of camaraderie, sports, learning, eating, leadership development and most of all, FUN. It was another great opportunity to engage with our FJMC brothers in the beautiful Pocono Mountains. Special kudos to past Metro President Jay Steinmetz, for chairing and coordinating this wonderful event.

I hope you all had the opportunity to show your support for the State of Israel by marching in the annual Salute to Israel Day parade on June 2nd. Our regional clubs, and affiliated synagogues came out in full force highlighting our pride and solidarity with our brethren in Israel. As you scroll thru this edition of Gesher, I have taken the liberty to editorialize why we as Jews must support Israel during this latest crisis.

Finally, June is Pride Month in solidarity with our fellow Jews in the LGBTQ community. Please check our club and synagogue listings for commemorative events in your community. FJMC does not endorse or favor any one group in particular, nor does it “patronize” anyone for who and what they are. Rather, we welcome all people of all backgrounds in an atmosphere of inclusion and respect. Friendship, leadership, engagement, advocacy, support of Jewish causes espouses Klal Yisrael, Jewish unity and solidarity with Israel.

Wishing everyone who celebrates, a Happy Father’s Day!

Yasher Koach, may we all go from Strength to Strength.

Please allow me this opportunity to qvell for a few moments before focusing in on the topic for this edition of Gesher. A publishing of this magnitude; one whose circulation grows with each new addition, takes a core team of committed individuals to produce such a high-quality platform. I would be remiss, not to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of NY Metro Region’s, Marketing/Public Relations/Website consultant, Lisa Pollack, for elevating the stature of FJMC in the Metropolitan area. Since coming on board, there has been no task too difficult or any program that has not been positively impacted by her knowledge, expertise and efforts. We are all grateful.

Explore our website: www.newyorkmetrofjmc.org for the comprehensive listing of affiliated clubs, latest news, and upcoming programming across the region.

Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable; feel free to reach out to me at szlerner@optonline.net or 516-840-5464.

In Friendship,

Shea Z. Lerner

New York Metropolitan Region President

Temple Beth El of Patchogue

45 Oak Street

Patchogue, NY 11772

www.patchoguejewishcenter.com

Phone: (631) 475-1882

Temple Beth El Men's Club New York Mets Game

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Midway Jewish Center

330 S. Oyster Bay Road

Syosset, NY 11791

www.mjc.org

Phone: (516) 938-8390

Midway Jewish Center

Men's Club 2024 Annual Golf Outing Monday, July 29, 2024 1 Clubhouse Drive, Mount Sinai, New York

Dear Dr. Steven Mandel,

Thank you so much for joining ADL and marching in Sunday's Israel Day on Fifth Parade! It was an amazing day, starting off with a special breakfast with ADL Deputy National Director Ken Jacobson. It was so meaningful to show up strongly with ADL's largest delegation. As we marched through the streets of New York, it was incredible to hear the cheers and beeps of support for ADL. Thanks for joining with thousands of others to show your solidarity with the hostages and support for Israel. Am Yisrael Chai!

Sincerely,

Scott Richman

Regional Director

ADL New York/New Jersey

Israel On My Mind

by Shea Lerner

Israel must win and we as Jews must support this unconditionally. It is imperative that American Jews insist to all of our political leaders that Israel has the right to proceed into Rafah, that we articulate the necessity of finishing the job that was started.

More and more, we are starting to hear from influential people in America, even Jews, that Israel's time in Gaza is effectively expired. This has started to go beyond the usual anti-Zionist Jews to those who are historically and politically ignorant. It is victory over Hamas – the terror organization that Mosab Hassan Yousef recently called "the devil who uses Palestinian children as human shields" – that is the moral imperative.

As is well known by now, on October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists broke through the barrier between Israel and Gaza to torture, rape, and kill 1200 men, women, and children, and take another 240 back to Gaza as hostages. Much has been made about the fact that by October 8, before Israel had even completely repelled this barbaric attack, anti-Israel protesters were marching by the hundreds in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta, and elsewhere. But few have articulated the real reason behind these protests. The immediate increase in security presence at Jewish institutions, beginning at the Simchat Torah observances on the night of October 7 in the US, demonstrated what we all understood instinctively – that the Hamas attack on Israel was a signal to antisemites everywhere: It's open season on the Jews...

Read the insightful article in its entirety!

Conversations That Matter. Understanding and Discussing Antisemitism with Young People

All young people have the right to feel safe, supported, and welcomed in school. Many do not.    

In recent years, antisemitism has surged in the U.S and around the world. Young people are increasingly experiencing, witnessing, watching and, in some cases, perpetrating antisemitism at school. Many students who are Jewish, targeted by antisemitism, feel unsafe, afraid, vulnerable, excluded and isolated in school. They may feel powerless that there’s anything they can do about it.   

Acknowledging that K-12 schools need to do more to educate all students about and address antisemitism, this resource is intended to help parents, families and other trusted adults in young people’s lives. 

Download the guide and resource!

North Shore Jewish Center

385 Old Town Road

Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776

www.northshorejewishcenter.org

Phone: (631) 928-3737

NSJC Softball League

North Shore Jewish Center Men's Club

hopes to revive our softball league this spring.

We hope to begin on or around May.

Download the flyer for further details and fill out the contact form.

If you are interested please send your contact information to Hillel Krieger at 917-703-4696 or Eric Kutnowsky at 631-831-9452 or email us at NSJCsoftball@gmail.com and let us know your name, phone and email address.

June 10 - June 16, 2024. International Men's Health Week is a global initiative to increase awareness of male health issues and encourage institutions to develop health policies and services that meet the specific needs of men, boys, and their families.

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - June Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and there’s a renewed push to raise awareness about mental health resources available. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men die by suicide at a rate nearly four times higher than women. They also represent 80% of suicide deaths which comes out to more than 100 every day. Suicide is the second most common cause of death for men under the age of 45, and it’s something that’s preventable. Experts suggest men seek help if something doesn’t feel right.

Climate Change is a Public Health Crisis

by Steven Mandel MD

3.6 billion people are exposed to climate change. Over 1 billion workers are exposed to high heat and one third may have adverse health outcomes. Between 2023 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress alone. The UN reports in the last half of the century, there were 2 million deaths and 4.3 trillion economic damage.

Climate changes can have profound effects on our quality of life. There is a high morbidity from heat stress. There is an increase in mortality from severe weather conditions. There is an increase in vector born diseases. There is food insecurity with a decline in agricultural output, resulting in higher prices. Work capacity is reduced with a reduced production of goods. There is an increase in maternal deaths, adverse pregnancy outcomes and mental health.

Read Dr. Mandel's article in its entirety!

Register for the June 18th webinar "Climate Change and Health" where Dr. Mandel is a Moderator.

The New York County Medical Society

cordially invites to you to:

a CME event

Climate Change and Health

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

6pm to 7pm

Register here!

June 3, 2024

As we enter Pride Month, the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC) reaffirms its commitment to creating safe and welcoming spaces for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We celebrate the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ individuals within our community and beyond, recognizing the vital contributions they make to our shared culture and society.

At FJMC, we believe that inclusivity and respect are fundamental values that strengthen our clubs and the broader Jewish community. We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feels valued, respected, and supported.

Throughout Pride Month, and every month, we pledge to:

• Advocate for the rights and dignity of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
• Provide educational resources and programs to foster understanding and acceptance.
• Promote policies and practices within our clubs that ensure safe, inclusive, and affirming environments.
• Celebrate the unique identities and experiences of our LGBTQIA+ members and allies.

We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, honoring the courage and strength it takes to live authentically. Together, we strive to build a world where love, acceptance, and equality prevail.

We are justly proud of our Inclusion Initiative, which we introduced over 2 years ago in partnership with Women’s League. Since then, it has proven to be a model for other faith-based organizations to follow to make themselves more welcoming to underserved communities.

Happy Pride Month!

In Brotherhood,

Alan Budman

International President, 2023 - 2025

AN FJMC INCLUSION COMMITTEE INITIATIVE

The FJMC Inclusion Initiative urgently seeks your support to create the Lev Shalem Mahzor in braille, produced by the Jewish Braille Institute (JBI).

Your gift will make a real impact!!! 

• Empower Inclusion: Your contribution will directly fund this braille project, enabling sight impaired individuals to fully participate in Jewish communal life.
• Enhance Accessibility: Your contribution will maximize participation across communities.
• Global Impact: With plans to extend reach to 70 countries.

This link will take you to the FJMC sponsored donation page of JBI.

Your support can make a tangible difference!!! 

Contribute NOW!!!

Thanks in advance, for your support of this worthwhile project www.jbilibrary.org/fjmc

In Brotherhood,

Stephe Sturman

FJMC Inclusion Initiative Chair

stephesturman@gmail.com

Join the Leadership of the

American Friends of Neve Hanna

on a special Israel Tour

March 9-21, 2025

Celebrate Purim in Israel

with the children at Neve Hanna Children's Home,

a unique children's village and magical jewel in Kiryat Gat.

Experience Israel like you've never seen it before!

Space is limited. Accepting expressions of interest. No deposits necessary at this time. The trip is being coordinated by ITC and a highly respected tour operator. Five-star accommodations and travel arrangements.

Questions, contact the chairs:

Lisa Pollack, Executive Director

lpollack@afnevehanna.org

Tom Sudow, Board of Directors

tsudow@fjmc.org

www.afnevehanna.org/celebrate-purim-in-israel

Phone: 347.836.8118 

Chicago Convention on your mind!?

Get a head start by enrolling in the

convenient FJMC Installment plan!

Up to 12 convenient monthly payments from your credit card, and refundable if you change your mind. Click here to enroll and sign-up now!

In Brotherhood,

Mark Givarz

Jay Steinmetz

Rick Wronzberg

Danny Mandeau

Mitch Ross

and the rest of the Convention Team!

Reaching over 25,000 Families

New York Metro Region Newsletter

We are now accepting ads beginning January 2024.

For further information and rates, email Lisa Pollack at assistant@fjmc.org

Reaching over 25,000 Families

New York Metro Region Newsletter

We are now accepting ads beginning January 2024.

• Control Circulation of over 25,000
• Covers entire NY Metro Region Area - LI & NYC
• 26X Issues
• Very Competitive Rates

For further information and rates, email Lisa Pollack at assistant@fjmc.org

Reaching over 25,000 Families

New York Metro Region GESHER Newsletter

FJMC is the choice of Jewish Men!

Be a part of tomorrow’s future...TODAY!

FJMC has been a progressive, vocal leader in the Jewish world for many years and we want to keep it as a reliable voice for years to come. 

"FJMC has taught me leadership skills that I've been able to use in my job, relationship skills I use in my family, and organizational skills that I use in every part of my life."

- a current donor

Our donors are united in our desire to support FJMC on an ongoing, monthly basis.

We ask for a small gift each month to help us provide training for our Club and Regional Leadership, to continue our outreach to all Jewish men and our great programs. Your unwavering support makes a tremendous difference.

Without the FJMC, valuable Jewish programming might never occur. FJMC needs your financial support.