Big CAI Presence at 2009 Man of the Year Dinner

On Wednesday night, November 11, the Northern New Jersey Region of Jewish Men's Clubs held its annual Man of the Year Dinner at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston. Eight clubs from the Northern sector of the region were represented, and Congregation Agudath Israel of Caldwell was featured prominently.

Our 2009 club honoree was Larry Dodyk. Larry, a recent past co-president now serving as club adviser, partnered with Scott Kopen to keep our club vibrant while CAI went through a two-year building renovation. His enthusiasm with events like the speaker's breakfast, family picnic and participation on our two championship basketball teams was very much needed during our time of diaspora.

Austin Mahler was CAI's Youth of the Year, a new concept for the dinner. Austin could always be counted on to help us put up and take down the Sukkah. As his mitzvah project, Austin catalogued and organized every volume for easy access in the shul library. An imminent Eagle Scout (who had his board review the morning of this blog entry), Austin is a senior at Newark Academy in Livingston. He is the son of Alfie, an active club member, and Jeannette Mahler.

The superstar of the night was Harvey Hershkowitz. Introduced by our own Rabbi Alan Silverstein as a man whose committment to Israeli causes goes unmatched, Harvey accepted his honor with grace, humility - and the best part - a short speech! Especially the last part about eating! Harvey, who was a three-year president of CAI Men's Club from 2004-2007, serves on the NNJR board as its Vice President.

Thirty-seven people from the CAI circle were in attendance, including the family of Austin Mahler and Larry's co-workers from PricewaterhouseCoopers. Congratulations to all of our award recipients!

Men of the Year 2009

The CAI Men's Club has selected it's 2009 Man of the Year, to be honored at the NNJR MOY Dinner at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston on Wednesday, November 11. Larry Dodyk, recent past co-president receives the well-deserved honor this year. Alongside Scott Kopen, Larry led the Men's Club during the synagogue's renovation years. His efforts sustained favorite programs of the past and introduced new events. In addition to his presence in the conference room, he is also a force on the basketball court, serving as power forward on the CAI Men's Club Basketball team. At left, Larry is preparing one of the carnival games for the 2009 Purim Festival.

Also being recognized this year is Harvey Hershkowitz, a past Men's Club president who now serves as Vice President of the NNJR of Jewish Men's Clubs. He is the NNJR Man of the Year for 2009. Harvey's representation on the NNJR board does us proud and his continued participation in many CAI committees is a great inspiration to the shul's many lay leaders. Harvey is pictured, second from right, with NNJR board members, delivering a check to the Worldwide Masorti Movement.

An added feature to the Man of the Year Dinner is the Youth of the Year Award. The club has selected Austin Mahler for this inaugural honor. Austin's mitzvah project of organizing the Agudath Israel library has made the room a better place for learning and meditation. Austin can also be counted on for helping us raise the sukkah every year. An Eagle Scout-to-be, Austin is a senior at Newark Academy in Livingston.

Please help us recognize all three of this outstanding gentlemen by attending the Man of the Year Dinner on November 11th and taking out an ad in the event's ad journal. Please contact Adam Shandler at adam@adshandler.com for more info and pricing.