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 Shabbat Now June 19

The CAI Men's Club will be leading Friday Night Shabbat Services at Agudath Israel on June 19th. The original date for Men's Club Shabbat was Friday, June 12. Please make note of the scheduling change.

There will be an informal "Sloppy Joe's" dinner prior to the service at 6:30 pm. The cost is $18 for adults, $10 for children. (Historically the adults end up eating the kid meals, comprised of the more fun chicken fingers and hot dogs.) Services will start at 8 pm.

In addition to the service, the Men's Club will be awarding its annual Jack Lippe Scholarship to one deserving graduating high school senior and will reinstall its current board for a second year of leadership.

To participate in our service and to RSVP please contact Scott Kopen at scottkopen@comcast.net

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)

NNJR Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament Winners

On Sunday, May 3rd, poker players representing chapters of the Northern NJ Region of Jewish Men's Clubs descended upon Clark, NJ to vie for the NNJR Texas Hold 'Em Poker Championship.

Steve Solomon of the Marlboro Jewish Center took home the top prize. Doug Jacobs of Beth Shalom, Livingston, and Barry Blecherman of Wayne's Shomrei Torah, finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Other clubs that participated included Temple Beth O'r/Beth Torah of Clark, which hosted the event, East Brunswick Jewish Center, and Temple Israel of Ridgewood. Representing Agudath Israel were Scott Kopen, Harvey Hershkowitz and Arthur Bocian.

Congrats to all the winners and to the region for sponsoring another successful event!

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

Men's Club Members "Glorious" at Gloriously Green Festival

The Men's Club salutes members of its club who participated in the May 3rd Gloriously Green Eco-Fair at Agudath Israel. Steve Jacobs did a tremendous job running the Polar Bear Photo Booth; Scott Kopen manned the Do-It-Yourself Seltzer Making table (before hustling to make the NNJR Poker Tournament in Clark!); Adam Shandler checked in volunteers at the registration table, and Ed Finkel helped clean up and break down booths. Thanks also to Gary Kabler who sponsored a video demonstration on how his company PolarTec makes its fleece materials.

Special yasher koachs go out to the Sisterhood and Environmental Committee for staging a powerful event that served the whole community. Edie Davidson should be particularly proud for leading the organization of this event.

Men's Club Helps Out at CAI Garage Sale

The Agudath Israel Garage Sale, held at Justus Buick on Bloomfield Avenue, was a huge success, as it raised close to $5,000 for special needs B'nai Mitvot in Israel. Several Men's Club members played a big role in this Israel Committee event, including lead representative Harvey Hershkowitz. Club members, pictured, along with other CAI congregants, shlepped, sold and counted the many generously donated items at the April 26th event.

Much of the effort was put forth last Sunday. On April 19th, our group, in conjunction with the Israel Committee, picked up goods from thirty houses in the Caldwell area.

Special thanks to all the Men's Clubbers and CAI members at-large who volunteered their time and energy to this very worthwhile cause.

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At right, Lee Gladstein asks, "Do you know of anyone who could use a perfectly good pew?"