OJC Mens Club Monthly Message

Men’s Club Shabbat: Notes from President Bart Bookman

This past month has seen a lot of things happen that reflected positively on the OJC. On April 22, we hosted the Man of the Year Dinner for the Hudson Valley Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. Sixty-five people from OJC (including two from METNY) came to honor Jeff Horowitz. This was a record. In addition, we had a total of 240 people attend, representing 7 other synagogues in the region. This was also a record. The men (and 5 students) we honored reflected the spirit of service, community and commitment that I have been speaking about this year.

Service, community and commitment are also reflected in the Bruce Cowen Memorial Scholarship we award each year. This year we had five outstanding candidates. However two stood above the rest and the committee unanimously decided to make the award to both Sarah Kuttner and Matt Sanders. These young people reflect the purpose of the scholarship and the values they grew up with. Both of them come from families that are active in the OJC and in the wider community. Their parents have a right to be proud. 

We also had a first-time World Wide Wrap with sixty-five of us putting on tefillin with almost 10,000 Jews in the US, Canada, Brazil, Colombia and Australia. We would like to make it 100 next year. 

The cultural events we ran (Jazz Brunch with Jon Weber, Art Brunch with Jennifer Katanic) were well received and we will run similar events beginning in the fall. The Comedy Show, which received rave reviews, will return with new material next year. We are planning some events for fathers and children as well as some new events on more serious matters. 

Sukkah building, Yellow Candle distribution, Men’s Club Shabbat, and Hearing Men’s Voices will all return next year with one difference. Beginning with the Sukkah Palooza we will begin raising funds for a new sukkah. Look for details in the mail this summer.

Finally, we need you—your ideas and your energy to make the Men’s Club and the OJC as great as we believe it can be. 

Have a great summer!

Bart Bookman
Men’s Club President