Dear Chaverim,

As we all wake up from our turkey-induced comas, and enter the final month of the year, I want to take a moment to express how proud I am of the energy, dedication, and spirit that continues to define NNJR-FJMC. December is always a month filled with light—both in our tradition and in our Men’s Club community—and this year is no exception.

We begin the month by honoring the exceptional leaders in our region with two Man of the Year / Youth of the Year celebrations, taking place on December 7 and December 14. These events are among the most meaningful in our calendar, as they give us the opportunity to recognize the men and young people whose commitment, service, and passion strengthen our clubs and inspire all of us.

On December 11, we gather once again at the Prudential Center for NJ Devils Jewish Community Night. This has become a signature regional outing—an evening of hockey, heritage, and camaraderie. I encourage you to join us, bring your families, and help us fill the arena with NNJR pride.

And of course, on the evening of December 14, we usher in Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Whether you celebrate with a public menorah lighting, at home with family, or with your Men’s Club community, I hope the glow of the candles brings warmth, joy, and renewed hope. May the story of the Maccabees inspire us to continue bringing light into the world through our leadership and our actions.

Thank you for all you do to make NNJR such a vibrant and engaged region. I look forward to seeing many of you at our December events and to sharing many more moments of community in the year ahead.

Wishing you and your families a joyous and bright Chanukah season.

B’Shalom,

Larry Klioze

President, NNJR-FJMC

president@nnjr.org

Join NNJR for Jewish Community Night with the NJ Devils

Once again NNJR has reserved a block of tickets for the NJ Devils 11th Annual Jewish Community Night on Thursday, December 11, 2025 versus Tampa Bay Lightning. Game time is 7:00 pm, but join us at 6:00 pm for a pre-game meetup at the concession stands near our sections 122-123. Our discounted rate ($39+fees = $45.26) includes:

• Drawstring bag (only for kids 18 years and under)
• Special one-night only Kosher food options at concessions
• Special Devils Jewish Community Night T-shirt for anyone who buys through this link (available at table on concourse upon entry) 
• Block seating with the rest of the group
• Access to postgame Maccabeats concert!

Tickets in our block of 60 are available for purchase on a first-come first-served basis directly at https://www.gofevo.com/event/JCNNNJR25.

LET'S GO DEVILS!

The Northern New Jersey Region of FJMC presents:

2025 Man of the Year Celebration

Honoring each Men's Club

"Man of the Year" and "Youth of the Year"

Northern New Jersey Region of FJMC International Announces Brian Frisch as 2025 Regional Man of the Year

Annual Gala to Celebrate Community Leadership; Ad Journal Now Open

Cranford, NJ – October 29, 2025 – NNJR - FJMC is proud to announce that Brian Frisch has been selected as its 2025 Regional Man of the Year. A pillar of the community and a dedicated supporter of our organization's mission, Mr. Frisch will be honored at the annual Man of the Year Gala for his outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment.

Celebrations will take place on December 7th in North Brunswick at Congregation B’nai Tikvah and on December 14th in Springfield at Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael. Both events start at 1 pm. The events will pay tribute to both Mr. Frisch as the Regional MOY as well as member club’s Man of the Year and Youth of the Year honorees.

Ad Journal Now Open to Celebrate All

In conjunction with the gala, NNJR - FJMC invites friends, family, and community businesses to pay tribute to their favorite honoree by placing a congratulatory message in the 2025 Man of the Year Ad Journal. This journal is a vital fundraiser supporting our organization's programs throughout the year and sends your message to the honorees.

To purchase an ad click this link to our Google Form. The deadline for ad submission is December 1st 2025. 

Event Attendance and Information

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of celebration and community spirit. For all attendance information, and to RSVP, please contact your Club President. 

Contact: co-chairs Len Whitman, lenwhitman@gmail.com and 

                                Steve Harkavy, harkavyfam@aol.com 

Or check our website NNJR.org for more information

Gentlemen,

I am the FJMC Northern New Jersey regional representative of the FJMC 2026 Yom HaShoah Yellow Candle program. The Yellow Candles are a tangible reminder of the Holocaust and a way to make sure that all generations of Jews - young and old - maintain a close connection with that terrible time in our history. And with antisemitism sadly on the rise globally, it's more important than ever that we come together on the solemn occasion of Yom HaShoah to reaffirm our pledge of "Never Again." Additionally, the Shoah Yellow Candles are an essential fundraiser for FJMC and can be used as the basis for charitable programs in our clubs. 

Alongside ordering candles for our own synagogues and organizing Yom HaShoah programs, we are continuing our outreach to all regional Conservative and Reform organizations to try and inspire them to start or expand their Yellow Candle programs. If you have ideas about some of these organizations, please feel free to contact them directly or send me your suggestions. 

The FJMC Yellow Candle store is now open for orders. All of the details are included below. Please note the various deadlines for orders and early bird discounts, especially if you would like the candles early enough to pack with Purim mishloach manot baskets if your synagogue delivers them together, as mine does. 

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please feel free to reach out to me at jseliber001@yahoo.com or 908-581-2759. 

Jay Seliber

Northern New Jersey Yellow Candle regional representative

Light your Shoah Yellow Candles

on Monday evening, April 13, 2026

The Yellow Candle Store will be open for Yom HaShoah 2026 from November 13, 2025, through March 10, 2026.

1. To place your order, please use the following link on and after November 13, 2025: https://yellowcandle.fjmc.org 
2. After opening the link, scroll down to the “Place Your Order” section, which is located below the photo of candle tins and above the brief “Sharing Light for Remembrance” video.

Important Dates

• November 13, 2025: The candle store opens for candle sales and supplies, accepting payment by check or credit card.
• Thursday, January 15, 2026: Early Bird Discount ENDS
• Thursday, February 5, 2026: Last day to order Candles for Direct-Mail Shipment
• Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Last day to order Bulk Candle Cases and Supplies
• Friday, March 27, 2026: Last day to order single candles
• Monday, April 13, 2026: Light the candle at sundown

Minimal Candle Price Increase - Since 2010, FJMC has maintained the same candle price. However, with rising material costs, all candle manufacturers are facing higher expenses for the same products. As a result, for Yom HaShoah 2026, FJMC has increased the price of each candle case by $2. This increase is necessary to cover the rising production, labor, and transportation costs incurred by our candle manufacturer in Israel. The price of shipping to customers (UPS and FedEx) will remain the same as last year – $17 per candle case, and no shipping costs for polyurethane bags or bubble mailer envelopes.

You may access THE YELLOW CANDLE GUIDE, an indispensable resource, which has been updated to provide the most current and relevant information, including links to the FJMC Yellow Candle webpages. Please review the 2026 prices on the Guide for the Bulk Mail Program (page 11) and Direct Mail Program (pages 9 and 10). 

CANDLE DELIVERY SCHEDULE:

• Candle orders received by January 15, 2026, will be delivered the second week of February 2026.
• Candle orders received between January 16 and February 17 will be delivered during the first week of March 2026.
• Candle orders received between February 18 and March 10 will be delivered during the last week of March 2026.

It is important to note that FJMC cannot control UPS or FedEx delivery schedules or winter weather challenges. If your Rabbi permits you to distribute candles in Purim Mishloach Manot baskets, you must place your candle order by January 15 to guarantee delivery before Purim (March 2, 2026).

Important Message for FJMC Northern New Jersey region clubs in good standing regarding delivery charge rebates after picking up candles at the NJ warehouse in February 

To qualify for FJMC delivery rebates, the club must meet the following criteria:

• The club must be in good standing with FJMC.
• The club must place its candle order on or before the early bird discount deadline of January 15, 2026.
• The club must pick up the candles at the warehouse on the date chosen by the warehouse management. The warehouse is located in Piscataway, NJ. I will provide more details as we get closer. 
• When ordering on the website, you will need to pay for shipping, but note on the order if you want it shipped to the warehouse. If your club qualifies based on the above criteria, you will subsequently receive a rebate for the shipping costs directly from the region and/or FJMC. 

Orders received by FJMC on January 16, 2026, or later, will not be eligible for the rebate, and clubs that are not current with their dues payments will also be ineligible. The only exception to this rule is if the club has entered into an approved repayment plan with FJMC.

As the Shoah Yellow Candle coordinator for the Northern New Jersey region of FJMC, I am here to support you every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or for assistance. Let’s come together to remember and honor the victims of the Holocaust as well as October 7. Your club’s participation makes a difference. 

Thanks in advance for your efforts. 

Best wishes. 

Jay Seliber

Phone: 908-581-2759

Email: jseliber001@yahoo.com

For activity from July 6, 2025 through May 22, 2026

The FJMC 2025-26 Quality Club Award Criteria is now available on the website!

The FJMC Quality Club Award is given each year to member clubs who meet established criteria. The Award was developed to encourage clubs to offer specific types of activities at the local, regional, and international level. The criteria may also be used as a blueprint for a club to follow in planning its yearly programming. The award plate (tag), to be added to your club’s plaque, is presented in even-numbered years at a regional event and in odd-numbered years at the FJMC International convention.

The Quality Club Award represents excellence and shows it to your club members and congregation; few clubs meet these high standards.

New this season: 

There is now one additional requirement in the Mandatory category: 

Combating Antisemitism

1. Participate in a club or regional workshop focused on opposing antisemitism 
2. The club may form an Antisemitism Committee or select an officer to coordinate this program 
3. Participate in a local or regional conference with any Jewish betterment organizations on the topic of antisemitism  
4. Respond to a call for action from ADL or another organization to reach out to elected officials, asking for their support to resolve antisemitic threats 
5. Support a local Hillel college chapter; support local Holocaust programs or museums 
6. Host a film, speaker, or social media session on antisemitism. 

Additional information and resources may be found at the FJMC Combating Antisemitism Initiative webpage.

There is also one additional choice in the Optional category: 

Supporting Israel

Develop a club project/program that supports Israel or provides information to the congregation and community on how to support Israel.

For questions, email qualityclubawards@fjmc.org

Neve Shalom Men's Club donates Hannukiah to the Borough of Metuchen 

This is the Hannukiah which the Neve Shalom Men's Club donated to the Borough of Metuchen and which is lit in the Plaza Town wide candle lighting on Wednesday, December 17, 6:00-6:30pm. Rain Date December 18th. The Plaza of Metuchen 33 Pearl ST.

EBJC's Men's Club hosted a Tricky Tray fundraiser

EBJC's Men's Club hosted a Tricky Tray fundraiser that is expected to net our synagogue approximately $15,000.

Northern District

Caldwell

Closter

Fair Lawn

Livingston

Montville

Ridgewood

Wayne

West Orange