Submission #28290 by Anshe Emet Men'S Club - Chicago, IL (608)

Submission information
Submitted by gpollack
Fri, 2023-04-21 18:34
67.199.210.113
2023
I have read the 2023 Torch Awards Program Guidelines.
Club Name
Anshe Emet Men'S Club - Chicago, IL (608)
Steak and Shots
Club Representative
Person completing form
Dr. Jeff Shore
Gregg
Pollack
Club President at time of convention if known at this time
Alan
Mintz
Club President Now
Alan
Mintz
Fundraising

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Annual event drawing 75-80 attendees (after pandemic hiatus in 2020), we provide a steak and potatoes BBQ dinner in the Sukkah along with a master Scotchologist to lead a tasting of fine Scotch and/or Bourbon. We have an honoree each year who also designates the beneficiary charity for the bulk of our profits. For this event, our honoree was a past Men's Club President and Man of the Year, Neil Schwartz, and he designated Wilderness Torah as the charity. We also have our annual installation of club officers at this event, which is a great opportunity to introduce our leadership to the broader synagogue community.
This was the perfect program coming out of the pandemic in Sept 2021, being an outdoor event in the Sukkah and honoring one of much deserving club and shul leaders, Neil Schwartz. Our grill master pulled off the Kosher steak dinner for 80 people (plus staff) without a hitch, and Monique Huston, our guest Scotch expert (back by popular demand), led a highly acclaimed tasting. Neil designated Wilderness Torah to receive most of the profits from the event which turned out to be ~$500: "Wilderness Torah promotes healing, belonging, and resilience. We awaken and celebrate earth-based Jewish traditions through inclusive and intergenerational village-building. Our innovative community-building and education programs create transformative experiences for participants. We welcome folks from across the country and internationally to join our retreats, festivals, and online programs."
Attachments
Self Assessment
Our members, their spouses, and clergy all appreciated the planning and execution of our signature annual program. This is always our most popular program and we put significant effort into planning and execution to maximize turnout, which also drives the profit for our fundraising component. Attendees always appreciate the comraderie, outdoor setting and charitable component of this event.
We observe the holiday of Sukkot while honoring our leadership and raising funds for worthy causes in the broader Jewish community.
Turning Steak and Shots in the Sukkah into a fundraiser is very easy to do! Just designate a charity and attendees will be willing to pay a bit more to support a worthy cause.

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Original Program
Previous Submission
Yes