Sunday, October 25, 2009

CAI Walk for Israel

Once again, the CAI Walk for Israel was a huge success! The annual event brought great awareness to the cause of solidarity for Israel and wonderful visibility to Congregation Agudath Israel. The marchers looked great walking around town in their dark green shirts. Am Yisrael Chai!

The CAI Men's Club would like to acknowledge the following synagogue members for volunteering to be marshals: Larry Dodyk, Avi Eisen, Derek Fields, Alan Gerberg, Asa Gladstein, Mitchell Gladstein, Scott Kopen, Ken Levitt, and Diane Reidenberg. Lee Gladstein and Harvey Hershkowitz should also be commended for leading the Israel Committe and organizing this important project.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Topics on Tap Event, Tuesday, November 10


Rabbinic Intern Michael Jay (pictured at left) will be the new moderator of our Topics on Tap (formerly Torah on Tap) current events discussion series. Michael debuts his skills on Tuesday night, November 10, 8 pm, with the topic "Barak and Bibi: Can We Really Be Friends?"

The format is simple. Michael will "set the table" of the relationship between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu and participants are asked to weigh in. So come with great questions and insights and settle in for a stimulating evening.

There is no admission for this event and pizza, beer and soda will be served. Contact CAI Men's Club President Adam Shandler for more details: adam@adshandler.com

Bringin' Down The Sukkah

It was windy. It was rainy. It was cold. But all of that was not enough to stop the Agudath Israel Men's Club from dismantling the Sukkah on the morning of Sunday, October 18. Under the direction of Gary Kabler, Al Mahler and Mike Chiaet the panels, wood and bamboo schach got stored with east. Thanks to the ten or so men that came up to help with this effort.


It's always a little sad to bring down a festive shelter like the Sukkah. It brought a lot of joy and usefulness to the congregation during Sukkot and we're looking forward to more great events in the Booth in 2010.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

General Men's Club Meeting, Tuesday, October 13

The CAI Men's Club will hold it's October meeting on Tuesday, October 13 at 8 pm. We will meet in the CAI conference rooms. On the agenda:

-Review of Scotch in the Sukkah Event
-Organization of Sukkah dismantling
-Topics on Tap Event for Tuesday, November 10
-Man of the Year Dinner for Wednesday, November 11
-Marshalls and Marchers for the CAI Walk for Israel

All new and prospective members, and their great ideas, are welcome. Contact club president Adam Shandler at mensclubcai@gmail.com for more information.

Scotch in the Sukkah Review

There are many Men's Clubs in the NNJR that host a Scotch Tasting in the Sukkah. But how many of them can say they have the Glenlivet ambassador, straight from Scotland, to provide insights as to how great Scotch is distilled?

On Thursday, October 8th, 35 very thirsty members of CAI made this event a huge success. Upon arrival, participants received a Men's Club branded Scotch glass and listened as Greg Pongracz from Sunrise Cellars discussed the crafting of single malt Scotch. Following Greg's presentation, Rickie Crawford, the Glenlivet Ambassador (pictured, below right) very passionately talked about the qualities in each of the Scotches displayed. Not to get you salivating, but Glenlivet provided a 15-year-old bottle, a 16 Nadurra, an 18 (very popular among the group), a 21 and a 25. No Glenlivet bottles made it out of the Sukkah alive. There were some leftovers of other whiskys which were enjoyed at CAI's Simchat Torah celebration on Saturday, but admittedly, "without Rickie and Greg's insights it just wasn't the same."

Marty Schenker and Mike Chiaet did an exceptional job bringing this event to life and the club would like to extend special thanks to Ned Gladstein, owner of Sunrise Cellars, for donating all the Scotch and for securing our presenters for the evening. Alfie Mahler should also get a pat on the back for donating a box of tasty cigars.

If you missed this event, don't worry. We're already dreaming up ways to make it better next year.
Pictured are CAI Men's Club President Adam Shandler, event co-chair Mike Chaiet, Glenlivet Ambassador Rickie Crawford, Glenlivet Field Sales Manager Fred Fischer, event co-chair Marty Schenker and Sunrise Cellars rep Greg Pongracz.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Thanks to High Holy Day Ushers

The High Holy Day ushers aren't just folks who stand at the sanctuary entrance with a name tag looking authoritative. They keep order and calm on CAI's busiest days and help those in need find seats. We thank all of our volunteers for ushering on Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur:

Jay Baranker; Steve Abrams; Mike Simon; Arthur Franklin; Carol Berman; Mike Chiaet; Howard Burg; Froman Mehl; Arthur Bocian; Mike Berwald; Roy Blank; Gary Kabler; Alan Rein; David Dranikoff and David Lurie.

Harris Nydick; Mel Berkowitz; Harvey Hershkowitz; Sandy Fishman; Adam Shandler; Allen Zacks; Rich Fertel; Mark Goldman; Steve Alberts; Ted Eisenberg; Lori Wolfson; Randy Kanter.; Ira Cohen; Hal Wolfson and Scott Kopen.

Steve Eitman; Mark Berman; Rich Zodikoff; Doug Klein; Steve Sandler; Larry Dodyk; Marty Schenker; Larry Samuels; Garry Botwinick; Elliott Bramnick; Al Mahler; Walter Baumgardt; Charles Lorber; Manny Morman and Jack Plawner.

Eric Edelstein; Len Rudin; Mike Liberman; Harry Kartus; Gary Berger; Stan Blank; Steve Jacobs; Morris Lewis; Alan Bonder; Ken Levitt; David Black; Debbie Lieb; Mitch Broder; Burt Henry; Abe Akselrad; Mark Frank; Arthur Nicholas; Ed Finkel; James Gurland; Howard Feiwus; Rich French; Alan Cooper; Howard Levine; Heather Levitt and Mike Podell.

Special kudos go, as always, to ushering coordinator Ken Levitt. This is one of the most challenging jobs of the year and Ken always comes through.