Hello Anshei Darom!
Yom HaShoah 5871
On the evening of Wednesday, April 7th, 2021 members of the Greater Knoxville Jewish Men’s Club attended the Community-wide Yom HaShoah Observance at the Arnstein Jewish Community Center. For many of us this was the first time we have gathered in person since the pandemic began over a year ago. The club donated FJMC Yellow Candle Program candles to all in attendance, including the 6 candles that were lit in the ceremony.
Local news station WBIR was in attendance and put together a nice video segment.
For more information on the Yellow Candle Program, please visit www.yellowcandles.org
What Does Men’s Club Look Like in 2021?
By Meir Niad, GKJ Men’s Club Co-founder & EVP of the Anshei Darom Region
The pandemic may have limited our activities, but it has not ended our commitment. A men’s club is essentially a community of men who enjoy each other’s company; we have just needed to adapt and find alternate ways of keeping the community engaged. Our Knoxville club started having monthly zoom schmoozes on April 1st of 2020, and they continue to be well-attended to this day. The negative effects of loneliness on men’s health was not born out of the pandemic, but now more than ever we must make the effort to stay connected with each other.
The GKJ Men’s Club is affiliated with the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC). In response to the need of men to stay engaged, the FJMC has provided us with weekly webinars and new affinity groups. Sports, cooking, mental health, finances, Jewish genealogy, and Yiddish are just a few of the topics you will find if you browse the webinar archive on YouTube. FJMC Webinars and Affinity Groups 2020 Watching from the archives is nice, but it can’t compare to being on the live zoom session. Disappointingly, this year’s leadership weekend, region retreat, and biennial convention have all switched to an online format. I look forward to those 3 events each year for the opportunities to reunite with my friends from all over the country and the world, to gather for learning, inspiration, and ruach. Online sessions may not be preferred, but this method may give more people the ability to attend and experience these events who otherwise might not have been able to make those trips.
We may not know where or when, but I know one day we will be together again. Until then, try to remain hopeful. Tune into a schmooze or webinar on zoom. Check in on a friend you haven’t heard from in a while. Take on a new hobby. L’hitraot.
Membership Drive 2020
We’re looking for a few good menschen!
FRIENDSHIP – LEADERSHIP – SOCIALIZING – RITUALS – NETWORKING – COMMUNITY
It’s that time again, to renew your membership or join us for the first time. What’s in it for you? Were the above calls-to-action not enough?
With your membership in the Greater Knoxville Jewish Men’s Club you will claim your seat at the table with some of the friendliest guys in town. We participate in events all year long including but not limited to: dinners, sporting events, ritual observances, regional retreats, national conventions & training, service projects, and more.
Did we mention that we earned the prestigious FJMC Quality Club Award for 2020?
If this is your first time joining the club, you will receive the official club shirt!
Returning members this year will receive the new official club face mask.
What are you waiting for… an engraved invitation? We don’t have the budget for that. This is a non-profit group.
Returning members: just send your check in to the AJCC, you know the drill.
Quality Club Award 2020
We are very pleased to announce that we have been recognized by the FJMC with the prestigious Quality Club Award for 2020. The Quality Club Award is earned by clubs who excel in the areas of Programming, Administration, and Participation at the Regional and International Levels. We will be presented with a plaque at the International Convention in Chicago in July 2021.
Man of the Year 2020
This year we have selected our dearly departed friend Bryan Merrell, of blessed memory. Bryan was one of the most kind, supportive and genuine people we could have ever known, a true mensch. Gone but not forgotten, I would also like to announce that moving forward this award will be known as The Bryan Merrell Man of The Year Award.
