Men’s Club
Tu B’Shevat, the 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar—is celebrated this year on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. It is the day that marks the beginning of a “New Year for Trees.” This is the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. On this day, we remember that “man is a tree of the field” (Deuteronomy 20:19) and reflect on the lessons we can derive from our botanical analogue.
A man was travelling through the desert, hungry, thirsty, and tired, when he came upon a tree bearing luscious fruit and affording plenty of shade, underneath which ran a spring of water. He ate of the fruit, drank of the water, and rested beneath the shade. When he was about to leave, he turned to the tree and said:
“Tree, oh tree, with what should I bless you?”
“Should I bless you that your fruit be sweet? Your fruit is already sweet.”
“Should I bless you that your shade be plentiful? Your shade is plentiful. That a spring of water should run beneath you? A
spring of water runs beneath you.”
“There is one thing with which I can bless you: May it be G-d’s will that all the trees planted from your seed should be like you…”
During this Tu B’Shevat, 2012, I reflect upon the past 15 Years that we have been in our home at 8600 Jog Road.
15 years ago, I, Bob Young and Sam Shefts, among others, were running around a then-unpaved parking lot trying to park cars in
spots that did not exist, and pull them out of mud when the congregants were trying to get home after services. A younger Cheri Deutch, Shari Young and Beth Bates were figuring out ways to have children’s services in spaces that did not exist. Shimon Adler and Sam Shefts were outside PLANTING TREES and making our wonderful New Home a warm and welcoming place to come to. The Men’s Club of Temple Torah was just being formed…Look at how far we have come.
Over the past two years, Steve Hyman and Abe Banke have become Regional Vice Presidents of our region for the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. How appropriate that on March 4, 2012, Sam Shefts will be named our Temple Torah Men’s Club “Man of the Year;” the man who helped plant the “First Tree”, here at our Home, Temple Torah.
February 5, 2012 will bring the World Wide Wrap (See below for more information). How far have we come to see all of our children learning how to Lay Tefillin. What a wonderful sight that is. Yes, Tu B’Shevat, we have seen and will see more of
what this means to us…The planting of the Trees, the wonderment of seeing our growth, the Men’s Club growth…and as with every tree, we are still in our infancy and have so much more to bring to the table.
Always remember that as with Judaism, the Men’s Club of Temple Torah is a Journey and NOT a Destination…We cannot wait to take this Journey together with you.
Charlie Deutch, Men’s Club President
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WE NEED YOUR HELP!
For a mere $36.00, you too, can become a part of this extended Temple Torah Family (click here for Membership Form).
We have so many things to offer, but just to name a few:
Speakers and a bagel breakfast one Sunday a month. Soon we will add Bagel and Schmooze for our fathers who take their children to Religious School so they can meet other fathers that may never cross paths.
Men’s Club Shabbat, building the Temple Torah Sukkah and having the Religious School children help out and adopt a Grandfather for the day.
The World Wide Wrap (See below for more information)
Men’s Club Convention
This year, we will be adding a few new events that will be announced in the near future. Let me just say that it involves Sporting Events, Wine and Beer Tastings (spouses, and/or significant others are welcome), Whisky Tastings and a whole lot more.
I cannot tell you what an honor it is to have the trust of an organization, such as the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. On a personal note, it is an honor and a privilege to be the first family in the history of Temple Torah to have three Presidents serve
the Congregation at the same time. I am so proud of my wife Cheri, who is the Temple Torah President, and elected for 2012 President of USY is our youngest daughter Elana.
Temple Torah has been in our family for 18 years and we cannot wait for the next 100…….
Thank you so much for your support, past, present and future, and please remember that as with Judaism, the Men’s Club is a Journey and NOT a Destination. We cannot wait to take this Journey together with you.
Charlie Deutch, President, charlesd@cheneybrothers.com, 561-371-1254 (cell number)
Gary Dalin, Executive Vice President
For more information about the Federation of Jewish Men’s clubs, please click the link below: