About Mentschen

About Us:

An Exodus has begun amongst a new generation of North American Jews. We are leaving synagogues and turning away from institutional infrastructure.    While rabbis and scholars debate legalities, standards and precedents; laymen scratch their heads and wonder where spirituality, empathy and morality reside. Our voices are being lost in the debates among heavyweights.

FJMC has been remarkably successful at involving Jewish men in Jewish life.  “Hearing Men’s Voices” is a groundbreaking initiative that creates conversation amongst men.  We are creating new infrastructure to connect Jewish laymen. Today’s Jewish man needs to be challenged to have their voices heard. “Mentschen” will be our global forum for thoughtful, timely and cutting-edge dialogue about Jewish life.

Let the conversations begin.

Each month “Mentschen” will contain essays and opinions.  A blog will be available for subscribers to weigh-in with reactions and conversation.  The editors will reprint the monthly “Best of the Blog” to summarize and give perspective to the issues discussed.

Articles will include the full range of opinions, commentaries, observations, editorials, satire and humor generally found in the op-ed section of a quality newspaper or magazine, on-line or in print.  The difference is that “Mentschen” will maintain an editorial focus.  The guidelines for content will include relevance to Jewish men’s issues.

We will tap into the rich history of “Hearing Men’s Voices” for a wellspring of themes that resonate with men.  Our essays will be personal pieces designed to invoke empathetic reactions and to induce you to share your stories.  “Mentschen” will create a virtual community where today’s Jewish men can come together.

Some articles will create a forum for opinions and address the shape of Judaism in the 21stCentury.  Rarely does the average Jew get heard in the cacophony of experts.  “Mentschen”will be a forum for laymen to find their voice.  If the answers were easy, our problems would be solved, but the problems are complex and we need to hear from the “Jew in the pew”.  What are the roles of synagogues and men’s clubs?  What are we doing well?  Where do we need to improve?   What is the balance between tradition and modernity?  These discussions are usually led by rabbis and institutional leaders. “Mentschen” will create the forum to insure that our voices will be heard.

Let the conversations begin.

Editors:

Bob Braitman is a Past International President of FJMC, past Chair of the Leadership Council for Conservative Judaism, delegate to the 40th World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem, Editor of the Torchlight, and a founding member of the Editorial Board for CJ: Kolot-Voices of Conservative Judaism.

Bob created the widely acclaimed “Hearing Men’s Voices” series providing opportunities for men to express themselves about issues including fathers and sons, men’s health, work and worth, spirituality and the difficult issue of dealing with intermarriage in our families and communities.

Bob also spearheaded the latest FJMC “signature initiative, “Shomrei HaGuf”-a focus on Men’s Health and Wellness”.  Bob’s fascination with our liturgy has be been demonstrated in creative Havdalah services and his famous “minyan in the grove” which welcomes men into the subtleties of practices and meanings of our daily prayers.

Art Spar is a marketing executive who pioneered the development of on-line consumer communities used by business planners in the fashion industry.  His consumer panels were used by Wal-Mart, Levi Strauss, Gap, Liz Claiborne, JC Penney, Sears, Target, Hanesbrands, Macy’s and others to understand customers and discover opportunities for growth.  Art also launched and edited a monthly on-line magazine, Fashion Trends, for the apparel industry.

Art has served as a men’s club president, synagogue president, FJMC regional vice president, FJMC Keruv consultant, FJMC representative to the JTS chancellor search committee, and he co-chaired a Keruv commission for the Leadership Counsel of Conservative Judaism.