CAI and NNJR Enjoy Nets' Jewish Family Night

On Wednesday night, March 24 over 100 members and affiliates of the NNJR and Congregation Agudath Israel attended Jewish Family Night at the Izod Center. The crowd was treated to a hotly contested battle between New Jersey's team and the visiting Sacramento Kings. The Kings have several international players on their roster, including Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play in the NBA. While Omri only tallied 2 points on the night - a layup in the closing seconds - the painted faces with Stars of David and waving Israeli flags signaled a great sense of pride for his presence in this truly global league.

Among the highlights of the evening, the HaZamir Choir, led in part by CAI's own Cantor Joel Caplan, sang during halftime. After the game, members of our party shot around on the Izod Center court and took a few pics in the process. Oh, and did we fail to mention that the Nets won - 93-79 - for their 8th win on the year?!

The event was a fundraiser for NOAM, the Masorti Olami's youth progam in Israel. We'd like to thank Abner Neufeld of the Nets for all of his attentive support of our program and the heavy representation of aliterative rabbis from our congregation - Savits, Saltzman and Silverstein. (Yes, rabbis, not a law firm.)

Thanks to the Candle Packers on March 23

The Men's Club of Congregation Agudath Israel would like to thank all of its members who came out to pack the Yom Hashoah yellow remembrance candles for delivery on Tuesday night, March 23. Tasks included assembly of boxes and filling those boxes with the candles themselves, an info card and donation envelope, and labeling for delivery. The candles have been sent out so congregants should be receiving them shortly. Remember to light your Yom Hashoah candle on Sunday, April 11, and say a prayer for the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

This program is organized by the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs. Gary Kabler did us proud as chair of this program for our club for yet another year.

Yom Hashoah Candle Packing Night - Tuesday, March 23

Join the Men's Club on Tuesday night, March 23, as we pack and prepare Yom Hashoah Candles for distribution to our congregation. This program, led by the Northern New Jersey Region of Jewish Men's Clubs, raises funds and awareness of one of the most diabolical periods in Jewish history. Do not let the 6 million be forgotten!

We will assemble in the youth lounge, CAI basement, at 8 pm. Contact Gary Kabler for more information: gkabler@comcast.net

Guys Night Out a Blast on March 18

Ohio's upset of Georgetown was the highlight on the big screen. In the bar, it was the 22 CAI Men's Club members enjoying a night of great food, drink, and of course, college basketball at Miami Mike's in East Hanover. Held on Thursday night, March 24 to watch the first night of NCAA Tourney action, Guys Night Out for March Madness is one of those winning events that we've sponsored four years running.

Agudath Israel had a basketball celebration of its own, honoring members of the 2009-10 team that returned to the playoffs after a winless 2008-2009. Team members in attendance included Israel Mazjner, Greg Adelsberg, Steve Eitman, Adam Shandler and Marc Weinstein.

The Men's Club would like to thank all the guys who came out for the event, with special kudos to Larry Dodyk, pictured with Miami Mike, for his tremendous organization.

Nets-Kings Night Update

We're just a couple weeks away from Jewish Family/Israel Night at the Izod Center when the Nets take on Israeli basketball star Omri Casspi and the Sacramento Kings. In addition to what is sure to be a great night of basketball and tzedekah for Israel, the Nets have informed us of a few new highlights to the evening. At halftime, the world renowned HaZamir Choir wil perform and each fan will receive a Nets t-shirt in Hebrew lettering. Kosher food stands will also be situated throughout the concourse.

The evening is a fun and fundraiser for the state of Israel's Masorti programs. A major portion of all ticket sales will benefit NOAM, the Masorti youth program in Israel that serves all denominations of Jewish youngsters. The evening is being organized by the Northern New Jersey Region of Jewish Men's Clubs (NNJR) and is being chaired by CAI's own Adam Shandler. Contact Adam for a flyer with purchase coupon: adshandler@gmail.com

Guys Night Out for March Madness!

The Men's Club will be hosting one of its most enjoyed annual events on Thursday night, March 18th at 7 pm. Come to Miami Mike's at the Ramada Inn on Route 10 West in East Hanover for "Guys Night Out for March Madness!" Watch the first night of NCAA action with a great group of guys, help the CAI basketball team celebrate a great year in the JCC Temple League and enjoy some great food and drink -- courtesy of the Men's Club! There is no cover for this event. Just show up and have a great time.

To RSVP or for more info contact Larry Dodyk at lawrence.dodyk@us.pwc.com

CAI Hoops Falls to B'Nai Shalom in Playoffs, 61-46

The Agudath Israel Men's Club Basketball Team ended its 2009-10 campaign with a 61-46 loss to B'Nai Shalom in the first round of the B Division Playoffs on March 1st.

CAI, which never led in the game, found itself down 8-0, but put together a 5-0 run early to close the gap to three points. But B'nai Shalom's hot shooting kept CAI at bay, in spite of a 22 point night from David Kerner and a stifling man-to-man defense in the 2nd half. Guard/Forward Greg Adelsberg tore a calf muscle early in the second half. The loss of Greg certainly could have made a difference. We wish him well in his recovery.

The 2009-10 season was a bounce-back year for CAI. The team redeemed itself for last year's 0-8 year and broke a 13 game losing streak by winning its last three games to finish 3-5. "We had to learn how to win again -- with new players and without some of the guys who helped us win the championship the first two years," said general manager Adam Shandler. "Other teams are worried about playing us again, but all the teams in our division have gotten better over the last three years so we need to continue to improve to stay competitive."

Some of those new players included newcomer of the year Greg Adelsberg and backup center Stu Markon. Israel Mazjner, an off-again, on-again player for CAI in the past, made a bigger committment this year and his presence paid off dividends. Congrats to all members of the team on a great season: Greg Adelsberg, Richie Dicker, Steve Eitman, Rich Gilbert, Israel Mazjner, Jay Lubetkin, David Lurie, David Kerner, Stu Markon, Adam Shandler, and Captain Marc Weinstein.

Men's Club Feeds the People at Purim Festival

On Sunday, February 28, the CAI Men's Club kept the burgers, hotdogs, hamantaschen and beverages flowing at the 2010 Purim Festival. The Festival, organized by the Agudath Israel Sisterhood, featured carnival games, arts and crafts, a magic demonstration, beer tasting and ventriloquist show. And with all that entertainment the crowd worked up quite an appetite!

The Men's Club would like to acknowledge Ken Levitt for purchasing all the food, Harvey Hershkowitz and Alan Gerberg for running the cash box, Randy Krasner, Michael Simon, Steve Eitman, Larry Dodyk and Gary Berger for running the grill, and all our volunteers for plating and delivering the food during this very successful event. Happy Purim!