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.

Aloha Means "Good Shabbos" this Friday night

This Friday night, June 18, the CAI Men's Club will be leading Shabbat services in the main sanctuary, starting at 8 pm. Being this is a Men's Club event we have decided to start a new tradition in our unique and inimitable style.

We will be wearing Hawaiian shirts.

Those interested in joining us for services are more than welcome. Just make sure your shirt has sunset, seagulls or swaying palm trees...or the rabbi may ask you to leave for not following halacha.

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 to Attend Calendar Meeting June 22nd

Members of the CAI Men's Club will be present at the June 22nd calendar meeting at Agudath Israel. The meeting will begin at 7:45 pm.

At the Men's Club General Meeting held on June 9th, which was the last of the 2008-09 programming year, the club agreed on hosting some of its traditionally strong events for 2009-10, but will also be experimenting with some new programming. At the June 22nd meeting the Men's Club will schedule its twice-annual Texas Hold 'Em Tournament, Annual Blood Drive, Torah on Tap events and Men's Club Shabbat, among others. New for upcoming year will be Scotch Tasting in the Sukkah, a possible tour of the new Giants/Jets Stadium and a Hanukkah Party-Networking Night combo at Mr. Chu's Vegetarian Cuisine.

If you would like to join the Men's Club at this meeting, or would like to contribute an idea, contact club president Adam Shandler: adshandler@gmail.com

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