Submission #28216 by Beth Shalom Men'S Club - Clearwater, FL (1328)

Submission information
Submitted by bflenett
Mon, 2023-04-10 23:00
35.140.120.189
2023
I have read the 2023 Torch Awards Program Guidelines.
Club Name
Beth Shalom Men'S Club - Clearwater, FL (1328)
Mens Study Group
Club Representative
Person completing form
Dr. Jeff Shore
Blake
Lenett
Club President at time of convention if known at this time
Jeff
Brown
Club President Now
Jeff
Brown
Educational Programming

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A men’s only adult Education class focused on the issue of “finding relevancy within Judaism” in the world in which we live.
Our “Mens Study Group” is all about finding “relevancy” within Judaism. Giving men the opportunity to honestly discuss where they stand on basic theological issues such as: God, Prayer, Liturgy, Jewish Identity, Holy Living, Israel, Charity and anything else that the modern Jew is apt to wrestle with. Everything is on the table and the class promotes group participation, it’s not a lecture series followed by Q and A. We discuss in detail, a variety of subjects, which in most Congregations will not generally be addressed from the Bima. While the classes evolve around a text, the sessions are facilitated in such a way as to use the weekly readings as a segue into a variety of related topics. The classes and related questions, target a diverse adult audience with varying Judaic backgrounds.
Attachments
Self Assessment
Anytime you can capture and retain an adult audience willing to invest the time to prepare for and attend classes on Judaic content - it’s clearly a win/win. We have succeeded in building a cadre of students who attend eagerly and with regularity. They actually look forward to the next book and class.
Our class at times calls for “soul searching” on core issues surrounding Jewish theology and identity. Our men at times share personal beliefs, concerns and experiences which serve to bond the participants in ways which was never anticipated when the class was conceived.
The key to the class success hinges on the facilitators, who must be prepared and enthusiastic. They need to guide the session, encourage participation, and create challenging questions based on the designated readings for the week - which in turn stimulates discussion.

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Original Program
Previous Submission
Yes
Honorable Mention