Dear Chaverim,

As we welcome the New Year, I hope this message finds you and your families healthy, hopeful, and inspired. A new year offers us the opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been, appreciate what we’ve accomplished together, and look ahead with renewed energy to what lies ahead for NNJR. Personally, I am reflecting on our recent Man of the Year/Youth of the Year celebrations as well as recalling the warm glow of the Chanukah candles.

Our region continues to thrive because of the strength of our community and the dedication of our members. Whether through social connection, meaningful programming, or acts of service, NNJR remains committed to bringing Jewish men together in ways that matter.

The coming weeks and months are filled with exciting opportunities to engage. We have a full calendar of upcoming events designed to build camaraderie, celebrate our shared values, and support our broader community. I encourage you to mark your calendars and participate whenever you can—your presence truly makes a difference.

In particular, I want to highlight our upcoming blood drives. Several of our clubs, my own included, are hosting blood drives during January and beyond. Several of our Men’s Club brothers and their family members have received blood transfusions. You never know when you or a loved one will need one. These drives are a powerful reminder that even a small act can have a life-saving impact. Giving blood is one of the most direct ways we can fulfill our responsibility to help others, and NNJR is proud to continue supporting this vital cause. If you are able, I urge you to please consider donating and encouraging friends, family, and fellow NNJR members to do the same.

As we begin this new year together, I am grateful for your ongoing support, involvement, and commitment to NNJR. With your participation, we will continue to grow, strengthen our bonds, and make a positive impact—both within our organization and beyond.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and meaningful New Year. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and working together in the months ahead.

B’Shalom,

Larry Klioze

President, NNJR-FJMC International

president@nnjr.org

CLICK HERE

to View the

2025/5786

Man of the Year & Youth of the Year

36th Annual Celebration

Tribute Program

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

Northern District

Caldwell

Closter

Fair Lawn

Livingston

Montville

Ridgewood

Wayne

West Orange