Why I'm INvolvEDed
When I was asked to consider being a Fellow to the FJMC Foundation for Jewish Life (hereinafter FJL), my answer became a question. I asked what does the FJL actually do? What I was told was quite an eye-opener.
• I found that the FJL supports programs that serve the changing needs of the Jewish communities.
• I found that the FJL supports Health & Wellness.
• I found that the FJL supports education on becoming a better leader, a better husband, a better worker, a better man.
• I found that the FJL supports FJMC’s biennial convention to further educate its members and bring them together for fellowship.
• I found that the FJL supports local programming through its grant program.
I joined FJMC almost 17 years ago when my club affiliated with the NY Metropolitan Region and became connected immediately.
I learned that through camaraderie, fellowship and friendship, I can be a better person. I started in my club as just a “member”, but shortly became involved with the executive board as an officer. I worked my way to becoming president of my club and was educated at the Rabbi Joel S. Geffen Leadership Development Institute, better known as LDI, just prior to becoming president. I learned how to be a leader, an administrator, deal with challenges and most importantly, how to be a good listener. That education supplied me with the tools needed to eventually become the NY Metro Region president.
The Foundation is a staunch supporter of LDI and I am grateful for that.
I have always been a proponent of supporting an organization that I pay dues to, to be a member. I continue to support the Foundation with annual donations to help their legacy going forward and subsequently helping FJMC with their initiatives and programming.
Jay Steinmetz
When Tom Sudow asked me to join the Foundation for Jewish Life of the FJMC some twentty years ago, I proudly said “Yes,” as I understood the vital need to support the good works of the FJMC. As I looked back at my years of affiliation with FJMC, I recalled the invaluable help of Rabbi Simon in the re-creation of my own club in the West End Synagogue in Nashville, Tennessee.
We recreated our Men’s Club after an absence of over three decades. As we reached out to our congregation with the gift of a Yellow Yom HaShoah candle for all congregants, we began to appreciate the value of the FJMC, and it has continued to support our club and the Anshei Darom Region with valuable programs that enhance our Jewish lives and make us proud to carry on the traditions of the Jewish people. I felt very honored to be a member of the Foundation for Jewish Life, and when the opportunity to help create the Legacy Society was presented, I jumped in with both feet.
Both Ruthi and I recognized that to maintain the good works of the FJMC in perpetuity, the Foundation needed a long-term fundraising vehicle to help establish an endowment that would grow, and at the same time, support the many initiatives of the FJMC.
I am proud to be a founding member of the Legacy Society and to have made a lifetime gift to ensure that the great works of the FJMC continue into the future.
Dr. Eugene and Ruthi Sacks
