Men's Club Shabbat - Friday, June 18th

We welcome all members of Congregation Agudath Israel, and the North Jersey Jewish Community at large, to join the Men's Club of CAI as they lead Friday night Shabbat services. The Men's Club receives this annual honor on Friday night, June 18, 8 pm.

In addition to the prayer service, there will be some additional pomp and circumstance. We will be awarding the Jack Lippe Scholarship to a deserving, graduating high school senior. We will also be honoring the Men's Club Man of the Year, Larry Dodyk, pictured second from right. The evening will wrap with the induction of the new Men's Club board. Oneg and schnapps following services.

Come out and support this award winning Men's Club and contact Scott Kopen if you would like to volunteer to take on a part: scottkopen@comcast.net

Recap: Men's Club Shabbat

On Friday night, June 19, the CAI Men's Club closed out its 2008-09 programming year with its annual Men's Club Shabbat. A Men's Club-Style Shabbat meal preceded the service complete with sloppy joe platters, chicken tenders and hot dogs. The latter two items were for the kids but a President's audit of the dinner plates showed that many adults had dipped into the kids' trays.

The service itself was a remarkable affair. The Cantor Caplan-led Neshama Choir gave the evening a real feeling of Shabbat...and drowned out the Men's Club's less-than-stellar voices! Jack Greene, Froman Mehl, Harvey Hershkowitz, Lee Gladstein, Ken Levitt, Mel Berkowitz, Steve Jacobs, Jay Baranker, Steve Eitman, Scott Kopen, Gary Kabler and Adam Shandler read parts during the Mincha service and Larry Dodyk, as always, did an exceptional job leading the evening minyan.

Shortly after the Kiddush, led by Michael Chaiet, the Men's Club board members were reinstalled for the second year of their two-year term. Mel Berkowitz handled the installation with dignity and a prominence only Mel can bring. This was followed by the President's speech which was delivered by Adam Shandler. Adam focused on the theme of bridging the generational divide and being a stronger club for it.

Michael Simon, the 2007 Frank Nathanson Man of the Year recipient, introduced the 2008 winner, Scott Kopen, pictured. Scott, who was a recent past-president with Larry Dodyk, helped keep the club running for two years while CAI underwent its renovation project. Finally, Randy Kanter, chair of the Jack Lippe Memorial Scholarship, presented Allison Eitman with the honor this year. Allison, who spoke about her service to the Jewish and Caldwell communities, met all four of the criteria for the scholarship: strong academic performance, community service, involvement in the Jewish community and demonstration of superior character. We wish her the best of luck in her studies at Michigan.

The CAI Men's Club takes a summer hiatus but contact us if you'd like to get more involved. Our 2009-10 season opens on September 15, 2009 at 8 pm and will feature either a guest speaker or a session of our award-winning Torah on Tap program.

Men's Club General Meeting - Tuesday, May 12

The CAI Men's Club will hold its general, monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 12 at 8 pm in the CAI conference rooms. On the agenda:

*Recap of Gloriously Green Event and Garage Sale

*Yom Hashoah Yellow Candle Fundraising

*Preparation for the Rabbinic Intern Jeremy Gerber Send-Off Party

*Judging for the Jack Lippe Scholarship

*Preparation for the Men's Club Shabbat on June 12

We will also be getting a special visit from Eric Weis, President of the Northern New Jersey Region of Jewish Men's Clubs. Eric will speak about the upcoming National FJMC Convention in Philadelphia over July 4th weekend. Eric is pictured, far right, with our own Harvey Hershkowitz, VP of the NNJR (second from right), presenting a check to David Lissy, Executive Director of Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism. They are joined by Stuart Millstein, (far left) President of the Shomrei Torah Men's Club of Wayne, NJ. (Photo courtesy of the NNJR.org website.)

All male members of Agudath Israel are welcome to join this meeting. We welcome your presence and your new ideas. For more information contact club president Adam Shandler at adshandler@gmail.com

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