Guys Night Out for March Madness

Bring on the Madness! Once again, the CAI Men's Club treks up Route 10 West to Miami Mike's Sports Zone for the first night of NCAA Tourney action! Thursday night, March 15, we'll assemble at this most awesome of East Hanover Sports Bars to dine, drink and root on our favorite teams...and those that we had moving on in our brackets. We gather at 7 pm.

Suggested fee is $20 to offset the cost of the bar tab. Contact club president Marty Schenker for more details: marty-boy@comcast.net

Men's Club Purim Kitchen Patrol - March 4

It's that time of year again. Purim. And that could mean only one thing. Hamantaschen. Okay, two things. Purim Festival at CAI. Come to think of it, three things. CAI Men's Club will be working the kitchen during the festival.

This is a great new member event. Nothing too serious. Just a bunch of guys cooking, laughing and serving good food to the congregation.

It's the most fun you'll have making a burger, dog, or the concotion we call "Haman's Revenge". Not exactly sure what's in it but the FDA has barely approved it for comsuption.

So join us in the kitchen on Sunday, March 4, 10:30 am (first shift). We'll be there till clean up at 3 pm.

New Hawaiian Shirt Tradition a Big Hit at Men's Club Shabbat

Last Friday night, June 18, the Agudath Israel Men's Club introduced a new tradition with resounding applause. We all wore Hawaiian shirts while leading the annual Men's Club Shabbat. "I thought this would be a rather memorable last act of legislation," said outgoing president Adam Shandler. "I checked with Rabbi Hammerman (our executive director) and Cantor Caplan and got both their blessings."

In addition to the vibrant dress code there was also vibrant davening. With the accompaniment of Cantor Caplan and the angelic sounds of the Neshama Choir, the Men's Club came through with another special night. Accentuating the service was the presentation of the Frank Nathanson Man of the Year Award to Larry Dodyk, the Jack Lippe Scholarship to Yotam Tubul and the installation of the new Men's Club Board for 2010-2012. Marty Schenker will serve as the new President, Marc Weinstein is the club's new VP and Steve Eitman and Steve Jacobs retain their roles as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. We wish all our new board members the best of luck in their posts.

Scott Kopen, the man behind the scenes, did another impeccable job chairing this event.

Pictured are some of the Men's Club members prior to the service, showing off their best Hawaiian shirts. Left to right: Lee Gladstein, Mel Berkowitz, Ken Levitt, Mike Chiaet, Harvey Hershkowitz, Scott Kopen, Adam Shandler, Steve Jacobs, Marty Schenker and Marc Weinstein.

Bocian Takes Texas Hold 'Em Crown, May 5th

Art Bocian (pictured, middle) won the Men's Club's Spring 2010 Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament on May 5th, earning his second career title. Newcomer Saul Gutterman (right) came in second and Harriet Sepinwall, (at left) a mainstay at these tournaments, took home her first career trophy with a 3rd place showing.

Always one of our most popular events, the Texas Hold 'Em Tournament brought out a nice crowd. (Could be the free pizza that brings 'em out...or the big deal of winning the coveted Hold 'Em Trophy!) The poker tournament is the last social program of the calendar year. Another tournament will return in the fall.

Special thanks to the event organizers: Harvey Hershkowitz, Larry Dodyk and Adam Shandler, and of course, all the players who came out and enjoyed the game!

Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament - May 5

The Agudath Israel Men's Club will be holding the second and final Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament of its programming calendar on Wednesday, May 5 at 8 pm.




A $20 buy-in gets you poker chips and a pizza and soft drink dinner. Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 finishers and there will be a consolation game with a poker-related prize. All Agudath Israel members, as well as their family members and friends from outside of the community, are welcome. All players must be 18 years of age or older.

In our fall tournament, the Steve Eitman, Carl Schaerf, and Dave Kerner finished 1, 2 and 3. Larry Dodyk was our consolation tournament winner.

For more information contact club president Adam Shandler at adshandler@gmail.com.

Topics on Tap: Pluralism in Israel an eye-opener

On Wednesday, April 21, the Men's Club hosted its second discussion of the season in its Topics on Tap program. The subject was Pluralism in Israel and the discussion centered around Israel's quandary of Who is Jew by way of the legal standards set forth during the Jewish state's inception. Michael Jay, our rabbinic intern and moderator for this event, gave a thorough and astute history of how the Rabbinate came to power as the state of Israel was being formed under David Ben-Gurion. And how not much has changed in the definition of who a Jew is because of the stringent laws governing marriage.

Michael walked us through segments of the acclaimed DVD documentary "Faces of Israel", a mosaic of people representing various levels of observance and their take on the matter. Our participants followed up with comments of their own. Many were in disbelief that a country as progressive as Israel still maintains its 1948 stance with regard to marriage, conversion and matrilineal descent, especially when so many of its citizens - observant or not - want to identify as Jews.

The Men's Club would like to thank Michael for his wonderful insights and smooth handling of such controversial subject matter. Thanks also to the committee that put this program together: Harvey Herskowitz, Ken Levitt, Steve Jacobs, Marty Schenker and Adam Shandler.

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.

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!

Eitman Wins Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament

In a game that raged on till 11:15 pm, Men's Club Treasurer Steve Eitman won his first CAI Men's Club Texas Hold 'Em Poker title. Carl Schaerf took second place and David Kerner, who one has taken first, second or third prize at least once in his storied career, came in third.

The December 15 event, which featured 30 players, started with pizza and schmoozing. After the tables were assigned and money collected it was time to deal. It took almost an hour for the first player to bow out, but soon enough, a consolation table was filled with six players. Larry Dodyk, (pictured above, far left) playing with only one good hand (not a poker hand but his right hand) won first prize in that bracket and a starter poker kit.

We would like to thank Temple Beth Shalom of Livingston members Ira Sessler, Paul Schaeffer and Alan Shandler for participating in our event. We will be holding another Texas Hold 'Em Tournament in May. Stay tuned for details!

Happy Hanukkah From the Men's Club

The Men's Club of Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex wishes you a festive and enjoyable Hanukkah. Whether you've welcomed a new child into the world, got a new job, or did a big mitzvah, we hope you are enjoying your miracles great and small this Hanukkah season. Chag Sameach!

CAI Men's Club Basketball Announces 2009-10 Schedule

The CAI Men's Club begins its 2009-2010 basketball campaign on Monday, December 7th, at 7 pm. The team will take on B'nai Shalom at the JCC of Metrowest in West Orange. Agudath Israel, which went 0-8 last season, is looking for its first win since winning its second straight Jerusalem Division championship in 2008.

CAI will be led on the floor by last year's scoring leaders, center David Kerner and power forward Steve Eitman (pictured). Rich Gilbert returns from a thumb injury to provide depth at both guard and forward and Richie Dicker will run the point for another season. Marc Weinstein will coach this year's team and Adam Shandler will retain general management duties.

Come support your CAI Men's Club Basketball team! All games will be played at the JCC on Northfield Road in West Orange.

Monday, December 7, vs. B'nai Shalom, 7 pm

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Thursday, December 17, vs. JCC-Whippany, 8:15 pm

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Monday, December, 21, vs. JCC-West Orange, 8:15 pm

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Monday, January 4, vs. Temple Emanu-El, 7 pm

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Week of January 11 BYE WEEK

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Monday, January 18, vs. B'nai Shalom, 8:15 pm

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Thursday, January 28, vs. JCC-Whippany, 7 pm

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Monday, February 1, vs. JCC-West Orange, 7 pm

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Thursday, February 11, vs. Temple Emanu-El, 8:15 pm

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Week of February 15 BYE WEEK

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Thursday, February 25 - "B" Division Playoffs (Time TBD)

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Monday, March 1 - Division Final (Time TBD)

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Monday, March 8 - "A" vs. "B" Championship (Time TBD)

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Monday, March 15 - ALL-STAR GAME

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.

David Schenker Talk Recap

On Tuesday, March 17th, the CAI Men's Club hosted David Schenker of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. David, who serves as the Institute's Director on Arab Politics, addressed 70 Agudath Israel members on several topics concerning the Middle East and their impact on the state of Israel and U.S. diplomacy efforts in the region.

Mr. Schenker masterfully intertwined updates about Iran's uranium enrichment efforts with talk of Syria as a nuisance to the region and the challenges and benefits Israel faces with the new U.S. administration. After the lecture, which ran about 45 minutes, David held a Q&A session for another 45 minutes. (The program could have gone longer but the clock was approaching 10 pm.) Congregants asked about the recent resignation of Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, a world without Arafat and the future of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. David did not merely offer broad strokes. Without bias, he offered histories on the matters and information gleaned from his conversations with the leaders of the region.

The CAI Men's Club would like to thank David Schenker for his time and valuable insights into an always eventful part of the world. We look forward to having him back to speak again. "Mazelations" to event chair Marty Schenker for organizing the event and to committee members Ken Levitt and Harvey Hershkowitz.

At left, David Schenker is flanked by CAI Men's Club President Adam Shandler and VP and event chair Marty Schenker.

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.