Guys Night Out for the NCAA Tournament - March 19

All this BracketBuster action this weekend is getting the Men's Club excited about our upcoming Guys Night Out event on Thursday, March 19th. This event, now in its third year, brings male CAI members together to watch the first night of NCAA Basketball Tournament games over bar food and beer. (Both are courtesy of the Men's Club and there is no cover fee for this event.)

Join us at 7 pm at Miami Mike's Sports Zone on Route 10 West in East Hanover. This is the sports bar located at the Ramada Inn. Historically, this has been a great way for both new and engaged members of Agudath Israel to get to know one another and share their passion for college hoops. If you'd like more information, contact club president Adam Shandler at adam@adshandler.com or 917-620-2127.

JCC Team Hands CAI 69-51 Loss

Is the CAI Men's Club Basketball team in danger of becoming the 2008 Detroit Lions of the JCC Temple League? After coming off a 69-51 loss to the JCC Team and falling to 0-7 on the year, all signs are pointing in that direction. Tonight, CAI put forth one of its best efforts of the year, and were only down by six points at the half. But the JCC Team was able to overcome strong efforts by Steve Eitman and David Kerner to keep Agudath winless.


CAI will have a chance to go 1-7 (and become the 2007 Miami Dolphins of the JCC League) next Thursday, February 26 at 8:15 pm. The team will face Temple Ner Tamid of Bloomfield in a make-up game originally scheduled for January 22nd. Regardless of the outcome of next week's game, it appears CAI will miss the playoffs for the first time in its three year membership in the league. At least we get the #1 draft pick!

World Wide Wrap Recap

On Sunday, February 1st, Congregation Agudath Israel, along with Masorti congregations from around the world, took part in one of Judaism's great rituals: The World Wide Wrap. It's a wonderfully informative and spiritual day for synagogue congregants, most notably Hebrew School students and Men's Clubs. The morning was spent learning about the reasons behind tefillin wrapping, its symbolism and its construction. The lessons dovetailed nicely with morning minyan, which occured right before this event. Following the World Wide Wrap, participants dined on, what else? Wraps!

And you thought the first Sunday in February was all about the Super Bowl.

A hearty Yasher Koach and thanks to our resident tefillin expert, Gerry Shapiro (pictured).

Jack Lippe Schloarship Applications Available

The Men's Club sponsors the annual Jack Lippe Scholarship Fund in honor and memory of one of the great contributors to Congregation Agudath Israel. Interested high school seniors should visit their guidance departments to pick up an application, available at Caldwell-area high schools.

The criteria for applying: Students (or their families) must be Agudath Israel members; demonstration of strong academic standing, extra-curricular activities and involvement in the Jewish community. Last year's scholarship recipient was Sarah Roth of West Essex High School, pictured. Sarah is enjoying a gap year in Israel, which will be followed by four years at Barnard College. Good luck, Sarah!

For more information contact scholarship chair Randy Kanter at RandyKan@aol.com

Men's Club Hoops Falls to Etz Chaim, 0-6

The CAI Men's Club Basketball Team matched it's season-high in points with 63. Unfortunately, they let up 87, to Etz Chaim, in their February 12 match-up. CAI falls to 0-6 on the season, and with two games left, is in danger of missing the Jersualem Division playoffs. Steve Eitman (right) led CAI with 25 points.

On a bright note, each one of the seven players got in the scorebook and logged significant minutes. A great hustle by everyone on the team! We just ran into a buzzsaw in Etz Chaim. Our next game is Thursday night, February 19, 7 pm against the JCC Team. Come on out and root us to a victory at the JCC in West Orange!

David Schenker Talk RESCHEDULED - MARCH 17

The CAI Men's Club has rescheduled its David Schenker speaking event for Tuesday, March 17, 2009. The visit will commence at 8 pm in the Adult Lounge. There is a $5.00 speaking fee for this event.

In light of a very tight race for Prime Minister in Israel, complicated by corruption charges and a suffering economy, this should be a very enlightening talk! Mr. Schenker, who is the Director on Arab Politics at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, will also reflect on Israel's conflict in Gaza and the impact of a nuclear Iran.

For more information on this event or to RSVP, contact Marty Schenker at 973-439-1699.

David Schenker Talk POSTPONED

Due to a death in David Schenker's family, his February 10th talk at Congregation Agudath Israel will be postponed. We offer our sincerest sympathies to David and wish his family nothing but simchas going forward.

Details about a "make-up" date, likely to be sometime in March, will be publicized soon. We appreciate everyone's understanding in our cancelling this event.

Schenker Talk Previewed in New Jersey Jewish News

The Men's Club's February 10th program featuring David Schenker of the Washington Institute was previewed in the latest edition of the New Jersey Jewish News. Reporter Johanna Ginsburg interviewed David, with a focus on Tuesday's elections in Israel. You can view the article here: http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/020509/njIsraelsWarOnHamas.html

David Schenker, Director on Arab Politics at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, joins us on Tuesday night, February 10th, 8 pm. $5.00 admission, payable at the door.

CAI Hoops Falls to Temple Shalom

Well, the good news is our team reached a new season high in points. Bad news? We still lost, 68-63 to Temple Shalom of Succasunna, and fall to 0-5 on the year. Steve Eitman led all Agudath scorers with 21 points, David Kerner followed with 14. Perhaps we could have used a little help from Tamir Goodman (pictured.)


The Men's Club Basketball Team guns for its first win of the year next Thursday, February 12, 7:00 pm, when it takes on Etz Chaim at the West Orange JCC. Come on out and root us on!