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.

Men's Club General Meeting - Tuesday, January 12

The Men's Club of Congregation Agudath Israel will hold its monthly general meeting on Tuesday, January 12 at 8 pm in the CAI conference rooms.

On the agenda will be:

• A recap of the December Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament and January 10th Blood Drive



• Preparation for the David Schenker (Washington Institute) talk in February



• An update on Men's Club involvement in the Purim Festival



• Discussion of a possible tour of the new Jets/Giants Stadium in the spring



• Jewish Chaplains Monument at Arlington National Cemetery



• Other March events

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

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!

Men's Club Sets Tentative Programming Calendar for 2009-10

At the community-wide calendar meeting on Monday, June 22nd, the CAI Men's Club scheduled a series of events for 2009-10. Among the highlights are the return of two Texas Hold 'Em poker Tournaments, a scotch-tasting in the Sukkah, and another lecture from the Washington Institute's David Schenker. Some of our "old reliables" remain on the calendar, such as our annual blood drive, NCAA Tournament Party at Miami Mike's and Men's Club Shabbat. The calendar of events, as it stands, is listed below. Some events and dates are subject to change.

As always, the Agudath Israel Men's Club will hold its general meetings on the second Tuesday of every month unless it conflicts with a holiday.

Tuesday, September 15, 8 pm - Torah on Tap or Guest Speaker

Sunday, September 27, 12 pm - Sukkah Raising (after High Holiday Appeal)

Thursday, October 8, 7:45 pm - Scotch Tasting in the Sukkah (pictured)

Sunday, October 18, 10:00 am - Sukkah Dismantling

Wednesday, November 11, 8:00 pm - Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament

MAN OF THE YEAR DINNER - NNJR - TBD

Tuesday, December 15, 8:00 pm - TBD (Possible Networking Night or Speaker)

Sunday, January 10, 9:00 am - Annual Blood Drive

Sunday, February 7, 10:00 am - World Wide Wrap

Tuesday, February 9, 8:00 pm - David Schenker Lecture (Tentatively)

Sunday, February 28, 8:00 am - Purm Fest Set-Up, followed by Purim Fest at 12 pm

Thursday, March 18, 7:00 pm - Guys Night Out for the NCAA Tournament

YOM HASHOAH CANDLE PACKING - TBD

Wednesday, April 21, 8:00 pm - Torah/Topics on Tap Discussion

Wednesday, May 5, 8:00 pm - Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament (pictured

Friday, June 18, 6:30/8:00 pm - Men's Club Shabbat Dinner and Service with Neshama Choir

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

Jeremy Gerber Send-Off Party

The crowd was American, the Rabbinic Intern was Swedish and the food was Chinese. This is what you got if you came to the CAI Men's Club's Send-Off Party for Jeremy Gerber at Mr. Chu's Vegetarian Cuisine in West Caldwell on May 14. After two glorious years at CAI, where he overwhelmingly participated in and supported the Men's Club, we said "good-bye" to Jeremy with a (vegetarian) Chinese banquet.

Club President Adam Shandler toasted Jeremy prior to the dinner and presented him with a plaque from the Men's Club. Among Jeremy's contributions to the club were his launch of a liturgical Hebrew class, moderating our Torah on Tap discussions and participating in (and almost winning) our most recent Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament. He also taught Judaism to students at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, according to CAI member and CSE faculty member Harriet Sepinwall. (Harriet, by the way is a FOMC or Friend of Men's Club.)

It's a good thing the crowd of close to thirty people came hungry because Harvey Hershkowitz ordered dishes like this was a competitive eating contest. The crowd raved as we enjoyed "ribs", "beef", "sesame chicken" and "tuna" (or because it was imitation tuna, "tu-no".) Mr. Chu's played excellent hosts to our event, and if you're looking for a vegetarian meal with the authentic taste of the real thing, we recommend you give this restaurant a try. (It's BYO as well. No, that's not a Jewish youth movement, but rather Bring Your Own Wine, Beer, etc.) Special thanks and congrats to club VP Marty Schenker for putting this event together.

We wish Jeremy and his wife Rebecca all the best as they start a new life in Wallingford, PA, where Jeremy will serve as pulpit rabbi for Congregation Ohev Shalom. Thanks for all you've done for CAI and our Men's Club. (And if you would like to make a donation in Jeremy's honor to his new synagogue, contact Adam Shandler at adam@adshandler.com)

Lugashi Takes NNJR District Hold 'Em Title

The winner of the NNJR Jewish Men's Clubs Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament was no man at all. Carol Lugashi (left) of Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston, was the only female participant in the district tournament, and she brought home the trophy with strong play and aggressive betting.

Doug Jacobs, also representing Temple Beth Shalom, took second place. David Kerner, pictured, a regular winner at the CAI Men's Club Tournaments, finished third. All three will compete in the region-wide tournament on Sunday, May 3rd at Beth O'r-Beth Torah in Clark.

Other Agudath Israel members participating in the district tournament included Howie Feiwus, Arthur Bocian, Ken Levitt, Adam Shandler and Harvey Hershkowitz. Harvey was a Top 5 finisher in this event held at Temple Beth Shalom on Sunday, March 22nd, in a joint venture between the Livingston synagogue and Agudath Israel of West Essex.

Good luck to Carol, Doug and David in May!

The CAI Men's Club would like to thank Paul Schaefer and Phil Crystal of Beth Shalom for organizing this event.

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From left to right, David Kerner of Agudath Israel, Caldwell, and Carol Lugashi and Doug Jacobs of Temple Beth Shalom,

Livingston, after securing the top three spots in the NNJR District Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament.

Agudath Israel Men's Clubbers Arthur Bocian and Harvey Hershkowitz contemplate one of many tricky hands at the March 22nd poker tournament held at Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston.