Our congregation's Brotherhood has long been recognized as an organization that constantly evolves to meet the needs of the modern Jewish man. While the Temple and its Sisterhood Arm were founded in 1948, it was not until 1960 that a group of men decided to start our first Men's Club. Consistent with the times, its purpose was to promote fellowship through traditional male comradery. Card nights and political/social discussions dominated the agenda. The group disbanded in 1963, only to be restarted five years later with the added focus of running fundraising events like bingo and bazaar events. That incarnation of the group ended in 1980 and another five years would pass before a new group of temple men came together in 1985 with a new concept of what modern men wanted from a social men's organization.
Out were the old smoked-filled card nights. In was a new view of the value a men's club can have in building relationships among its men and their families. Meetings were moved to Sunday mornings to correspond with the religious school calendar, and there, the men spent the time between drop-off and pickup enjoying coffee and bagels with the guys. Popular Sunday morning events like Champagne Breakfasts honoring various temple men on their achievements, such as the Hon. Leonard Wexler becoming the first Suffolk County resident to be appointed to the Federal District Court, took place during these hours. Our annual Meet the Candidates event become another Sunday morning staple at which Congressmen and County Executives have visited our Temple along with their opponents to discuss the issues of the day.
But not everything can fit into a Sunday morning and in recognition of the modern Jewish man as a family man, Brotherhood created three of its most popular events: the Annual Family Picnic at Belmont Park, the Brotherhood Membership Dinner, and our Man of the Year Dinner, an entertaining Roast of Brotherhood's Man of the Year recipient.
We invite you to become active with us and further the 25 continuous years of service of this Brotherhood to Sinai Reform Temple!
For further information call our Temple office 631-665-5755.
