The Ma'asim Tovim Award is the highest recognition a Region can give to one of its members.  It is usually given to individuals who have worked on behalf of the region for many years. The honorees are shown below, as well as short bios and why they have been so honored. Their awards were presented at the Virtual 2021 Convention.  To really understand the impact our past honorees have made on FJMC members in their communities and regions, watch the videos below.  Place an Ad for the 2023 Tribute Journal Watch the 2019 Honorees video (password: fjmc) Watch the 2017 Honorees video Watch the 2015 Honorees video View the tribute journal from the 2015 convention View previous Honorees and videos dating back to 1985

2023 Honorees: 

• Anshei Darom - David Duchin
• Ansh-eh Zafon - Rick Wronzberg
• Connecticut Valley - Glenn Hauer
• Florida - Blake Lenett
• Hudson Valley - Javier Rosenzwaig
• KIO - Daniel Silverstein
• Middle Atlantic - Bruce Fagan
• Midwest - Mark Givarz
• New England - Mo Diamant z''l
• New York Metropolitan - Dr. Steven Mandel
• Northern New Jersey - Elliott Brown
• Seaboard - David Freiman
• Tri-State - Alex Kiderman
• Western - Steve Silverstone
   

Anshei Darom - David Duchin

David Duchin was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas where his family were members of the reform congregation, Temple Beth-El.  As a teen, he was president of the local youth group, SAFTY and vice-president of the region TOFTY.  David attended the University of Texas in Austin where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master of business administration degree.  He met Rhonda in Austin during the fall of 1982 and they married the summer of 1985 in Dallas where they made their home.  They raised three children: Melissa, Steven and Jeremy.  Each have graduated college, reside in Dallas, and belong to Congregation Beth Torah.  In 2021, Melissa married Lance Friedensohn, who has a son from a prior marriage.  Rhonda and David were thrilled to have become instant bonus grandparents to an eight-year-old affectionately named “little” David.

David's career has primarily been in information technology, working as a consultant with a Big Six Accounting firm, and later in industries such as Incentive Travel, Mortgage, Real Estate, and Direct Mail Marketing.  David has enjoyed photography since his teenage years and in 2007 founded an event photography business which provides traditional photography services, as well as a green screen photo booth with instant prints.

David is a member of Congregation Beth Torah in Richardson, Texas – a suburb of Dallas.  He has served on the synagogue board as Publicity co-chair for two years; an At-Large Board member for two years; and Membership Co-Chair for one year.  He is serving in his second year as Development VP, which includes serving on the Executive Team.

He has been an active member of the Men's Club at Beth Torah and served on the Men’s Club board in the roles of Succah Build Chair, At-Large Board member, and Vice President.  David served as President for two years during which time the club experienced over a 20 percent increase in club members.  David continues to serve on the local club as Immediate Past President.  He served seven years as a member of the Dallas Kosher BBQ Championship committee, which earned the Gold Torch Award in the category of Community Outreach and earned the coveted Chairperson’s Torch Award at the 2017 FJMC convention.  David is very proud to be part of a local club with great leaders and mentors.  Beth Torah Richardson has earned the FJMC Quality Club every year except for the very first year it started.

Since David’s attendance at convention, the Southwest region was merged with Anshe Darom.  David has served as one of the two Anshei Darom regional representatives on the FJMC board.  He was one of the founding co-chairs of the FJMC Photography Affinity group and is currently serving in his second year as Vice President of Anshei Darom.

In mid-2021, David was selected as one of two Fellows representing Congregation Beth Torah in a year-long Board Improvement and Leadership Training program through a prominent National Foundation.  This provided his shul with grant funding for a consulting project on board improvement where he subsequently served on the steering committee.  This program also provided his shul access to a dollar-for-dollar matching grant which will run through 2024.  Throughout David’s time at Beth Torah, he has served as the “unofficial” photographer documenting events and getting articles and images published in the Texas Jewish Post.  For many years, his photos of the city-wide World Wide Wrap and his photos of Beth Torah’s Reading of the Names program would grace the front covers of the Texas Jewish Post.  He has twice been honored to receive the Beth Torah Volunteer of the Year Award.

David has also volunteered his time and photography services for many Dallas charity events over the past decade.  Rhonda and David were selected and completed the Federation Young Leadership training program back in the 1990’s.  Currently, Rhonda and David volunteer on a monthly basis at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in their ushering program.  

In addition to his volunteer activities, David enjoys tennis, chess, photography, and computers.  He recently completed his certification in a Continuous Improvement & Six Sigma Green Belt training program.
 

Ansh-eh Zafon - Rick Wronzberg

Rick Wronzberg was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  He had his bar mitzvah at the Hebrew Men of England Synagogue (amalgamated in 1975 with Beth Emeth Synagogue in Toronto).  Rick attended Northview Heights Secondary School and played soccer, was a member of the swim team, and coordinated intramural sports and related programs. 

While in high school he found his passion volunteering at the local Y.M. & Y.W.H.A. - Northern Branch ("Northern Y") where he was a volunteer lifeguard and swim instructor from age of 13 through 19.  At the age of 17, while lifeguarding, he met a young girl named Debbie Greenfield who was hanging out at the pool.  They dated, and married five years later, in 1978, at the Beth David Synagogue in Toronto.  They settled, and remain, in Vaughan, Ontario - a part of the greater Toronto area. 

Rick attended York University in Toronto and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.  He then earned his Chartered Accountant license (CPA) with the accounting firm Deloitte, Haskins and Sells.  After obtaining his professional accounting designation, Rick went to work in various industries, including 14 years as controller for a large gold jewelery manufacturer.  In 2011 he returned to public accounting and is currently working with WRZ LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants. 

Debbie and Rick had two girls, Alexis and Danielle.  Sadly, Alexis ז״ל‎ passed away at age of 27 from leukemia in 2010.  Danielle and her husband Dean Jacobson live nearby in Vaughan with their 2 young children. 

While saying Kaddish for his daughter Alexis ז״ל‎ at Beth David Synagogue, Rick met Stan Greenspan who convinced Rick to get involved in helping to rejuvenate the men’s club and help attract younger men.  Two years later Rick was club president.  While still being an active member of the Beth David Men's Club, he then became involved with FJMC's Lake Ontario Region (now Ansh-eh Zafon Region).  He was elected Regional President in 2017, and continues to be actively involved at all levels in both the Club and Region - including the Region's annual retreats and its other programs.  

Rick was responsible for coordinating the planning and running of the local programming events for the 2019 FJMC Convention in Toronto.  He was then appointed co-chair of the 2021 FJMC Virtual/Chicago Convention.  Rick is the Chair of the 2023 FJMC Bi-annual Convention in Philadelphia. 

Along with helping to create, play, referee, and coordinate the operations of a ten team Men’s Floor Hockey League since 1975 at the Northern Y,  his true passion happens every September.  Since the inception in 2011 of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation's Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer, he brought together friends and family to form Team Lex in memory of his daughter Alexis ז״ל‎.  As one of the original 11 teams that have played since inception (130 teams play each year), Team Lex has raised over $375,000 to "help conquer cancer in our lifetime". 

Rick has a long history of volunteering at his synagogue, with all levels of FJMC, and in the community in the greater Toronto area.  He is currently the Treasurer for both Mercaz and Masorti Canada He is a well deserving honouree as the Ansh-eh Zafon Region Ma’asim Tovim honouree.  Mazel Tov to Rick and his family and we look forward to honouring him at the 2023 FJMC Convention in Philadelphia June 29^th thru July 2^nd.  
 

Connecticut Valley - Glenn Hauer

Glenn Hauer lives in Vernon, CT with his wife Rebecca, sons Alex 19, and Josh 17.  His daughter Kristen 26, lives in Sierra Vista, AZ with her son Kairo.  Glenn recently started as a Branch Manager for Envoy Mortgage where he helps people to fund the home of their dreams.

Glenn’s participation in the Jewish Community started in 6th grade. Glenn was an avid member of Kadima in Orange, CT, and went on to join Hanefesh Region USY. While in USY, Glenn became the Regional VP of Membership and Kadima. Glenn participated on USY Israel Pilgrimage, which
included a week in the Israeli army (Gadna).  Glenn also attended Makom, the Hebrew High School of the community where he grew up from eighth grade through graduation from high school.

Glenn has lived in Vernon, CT since 1998. He moved to Vernon after his mother married the Rabbi of Rockville, CT. Beginning his freshman year of college, Glenn began teaching at the Hebrew School in Longmeadow, MA and was the Kadima advisor for two years. After living in Israel for a year, Glenn began teaching Hebrew School at B’nai Israel Synagogue in Vernon/Rockville, CT. While teaching, Glenn also took on the role of USY advisor for several years.

In 2000 Glenn began working on the synagogue golf tournament as a member of the Board. After two years on the committee, Glenn became one of the tournament Co-chairs, and has remained in this position twenty-two years later. The tournament has raised over 50 thousand dollars to feed the hungry, and most recently 32 thousand dollars for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Oncology Research Department.  

Glenn has served as chapter Board vice president for 10 years, only stepping down when he became Executive Regional Vice President of CT Valley FJMC. From 2017 – 2019 Glenn served as Regional President of CT Valley FJMC.  After serving his term with FJMC, Glenn is now President of the BSBI brotherhood in Manchester, CT.

Glenn volunteers often for Brotherhood events to help with setting up or breaking down. Every Sunday meeting will find Glenn in the kitchen helping to set up for the monthly breakfast. Glenn has chaired several events put on by the Brotherhood of BSBI.
 

Florida - Blake Lenett

Blake was born in Hempstead, NY but spent most of his youth in Houston, TX after his father Stuart Lenett (z”l) joined the NASA Space Program.  During High School, Blake became very active in his synagogue’s youth organizations.  In 1977, he served as Regional President of the National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY).  He learned to play guitar and became the “kumsitz” musical leader at Shabbatons and retreats.  His love of Judaism inspired him to move to Jerusalem to study Torah at Yehiva Ohr Someach.  After two years of intense Jewish learning, Blake moved to Monsey, NY and discovered his passion for solving technical problems and pursued a degree in Engineering.  Blake graduated from Fairleigh Dickenson University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology.  After working as a Navigation Systems Engineering in New Jersey, he moved to Clearwater, Florida in 1989 to work for Honeywell where he’s been employed for the past 33 years and is currently a Principal Project Engineer.  In 2019, Blake received the CEO Chairman’s Award and Team Achievement Award.  

In 1996, Blake joined Congregation Beth Shalom (CBS) in Clearwater where he was hired to be the Kadima Youth Advisor.  In 1998, Blake met his wife Wendy at CBS, and they were married in her hometown of Trumbull, CT in 2000.  They spent the past 22 years in Clearwater raising their family, Michael, Rachel, and Sarah.  Blake became more active at CBS, joining the CBS Brotherhood and serving as VP of Programing and then Club President.  Blake also served as the shul’s VP of Operations for 8 years.  Blake enjoys travel, music, movies, and playing cards with “the Poker Boys”.  He plays guitar at musical services and events and also provides audio/visual support at CBS.

Blake Lenett is currently serving his 2nd term as Florida Regional President of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC) Florida Region.  Blake’s mentor was Ed Margolis, a Past Florida Region President.  Blake enjoys attending FJMC retreats and conventions, and interacting with like-minded people throughout the organization.  Blake’s passion for “Involving Jewish Men in Jewish Life” has helped ensure that the CBS Brotherhood is recognized year after year at the International level.  In 2022, Blake and Wendy were honored at the CBS Purim Gala in recognition for their contributions to their synagogue and the Jewish community.  Blake attributes his commitment to synagogue and Jewish life to his parents who have been his role models throughout his life.  “Religion, family and community are all critical, now more than ever.  We are looking forward to a wonderful future with family and friends!” 
 

Hudson Valley - Javier Rosenzwaig

Javier lives in Tappan, New York with his wife, Rebecca, and children, Joshua and Laila. Having attended Jewish day school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 

Javier has been committed to Jewish learning, continuity, and community his whole life.  Now serving as Secretary of the International FJMC, He previously served as President of the Hudson Valley Region, Co-President of the Men’s Club, VP of Ritual and President of the Nursery School Board at the Orangetown Jewish Center.

Professionally, Javier has a Masters degree in electronics engineering, was trained as a bench jeweller and now does IT consulting.

For fun, Javier likes to “build stuff”, including high-tech toys and woodworking and works every summer at Ramah Day Camp in Nyack as Master woodworker.

 

 

KIO - Daniel Silverstein

Danny was born November 6 1957 to Sol and Lois Silverstein in Cleveland Ohio.

I grew up in the city of Beachwood Ohio and started in kindergarten at Park Synagogue.

I have been a member of Park Synagogue in Cleveland Ohio  all my life. I went to Beachwood schools and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1979. I got a marketing degree but started working as a accountant for four years.

 My Dad and my grandfather were both in the juke box and game business. I liked vending but I saw no future in their business. Too many home video games and cd players. I decided in March of 1983 to buy a soda machine and place it in a law firm my friends were working at. By this time, I had already married my college sweetheart Marlene. We were living in Cleveland.

 My father had just passed away suddenly , and my brother and I were running his business. This gave me the opportunity to find more beverage and snack locations. I started buying soda and snack machines two at a time. After a while I got financial assistance and began soliciting and building this part of the business. I gave my brother my dad’s Business and I have been in my own business almost forty years. 

In 1986 Marlene and I welcomed our first child Michael into the world. Soon after second son  Brian came along. We bought a house in Solon Ohio and raised our kids. I was always the type of person who liked organizations, so as the kids were off to college, I got really involved in Park Men’s Club. I served every office, from secretary to President. I learned how to create programs and use my speaking ability to bring in new members.

Tom Sudow convinced me to go to LDI and I met many guys from all over the country and even started teaching classes on Men’s club activities. Of course, I went to International conventions and became involved in my Region as an officer. Soon I was President of the KIO Region . I was also Man of the year of the Park Men’s Club during that time. I have worked on different committees, but have never held a major office on the International level. I enjoy working for my local club and for KIO. I was very honored to receive this year’s Ma asim Tovim  award.
 

Middle Atlantic - Bruce Fagan

Bruce Fagan blames it all on his brother-in-law for inviting him to help in the kitchen at a Sunday breakfast. He found his place in Temple Sinai Men’s Club of Dresher, PA, moving up the ranks to President from 2005-2007. Bruce sought younger members through parent/child programs such as the Wacky Menorah Contest and a wrestling demonstration. He encouraged support for Israel with Roses from Israel and greater minyan participation with reward-based Frequent Davener Cards. The club’s biggest initiative, “Men in the Kitchen” catering, proved to be both a great service for congregants and a way to build community. Despite the pandemic, MITK is now in its eighteenth year. He was the club’s Man of the Year in 2010.

On the regional level, Bruce helped run the Tour de Shuls bike ride for Camp Ramah in the Poconos for several years and became the region’s webmaster. As president from 2015-2017, he visited and brought meetings to clubs around the region, ran the first “Drink Tank” think tank for club presidents and ran an Israel Advocacy Program with Women’s League. He is still webmaster plus does art and video production for Man of the Year.

In 2006, Bruce was trained as an FJMC Keruv Consultant to help families and communities welcome intermarried couples, later co-chairing a national training weekend. He is an FJMC Board Member, serves as advisor to two regions, runs the Zoom and web presence for FJMC Webinars and Affinity Groups and has contributed numerous logo designs – including the convention logo and promo video – to FJMC. Bruce is part of the FJMC Inclusion Initiative to help our synagogues embrace underserved community members and still works to embrace intermarried families on the local level. A glutton for punishment, he is also Marketing Co-Chair and a webmaster for the 2023 FJMC Convention.

Bruce considers his greatest accomplishments to be getting younger men involved in Men's Club and working to change synagogue culture through Keruv.

In his spare time, Bruce performs with his band for social events and dances plus does hundreds of shows each year for audiences ranging from preschoolers to senior adults. He also provides marketing clients with promotional advertising specialties, graphic design, and video production. 

Bruce and his wife, Nancy are most proud of their children and grandchildren: Andrew and Robin with Lucy, Annika and Emmett, and Gina and Matt with Evelyn and Carsyn.

Bruce firmly believes that the strength and future of men’s club has always been and will continue to be a strong grass roots movement at the club as well as the community level.
 

Midwest - Mark Givarz 

Mark’s FJMC journey began in 2001 when he moved to St. Louis, Missouri from Tampa, Florida after accepting a position as quality assurance team lead with SBC, now AT&T.  The Salisbury, Maryland native is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Once settled in Missouri, Mark, his wife, Alyce (who have now been married 38 years), and their three kids joined Congregation B’nai Amoona in the St. Louis suburb of Creve Coeur.  He affiliated with the synagogue’s men’s club, volunteered to assist with varied projects, and was elected club president in 2007.

His affiliation with men’s group activities expanded as he became engaged in FJMC Midwest Region activities. Mark first served a retreat chair and later as vice president and Region president, 2017-19.

Mark also volunteered and has served FJMC International in numerous capacities. These roles included convention “program fair” chair in 2015; representative of Hearing Men’s Voices and IT committees; chair of the Leadership Development Institute; FJMC secretary, 2019-21 and as FJMC member at-large, 2021-23.  Additionally, he serves on these committees: Future of Conventions, Vision of the Future of FJMC, and the FJMC Executive Search committee.

In 2021, Mark & Alyce retired from their full-time occupations and relocated to Palm Coast, Florida. They now enjoy walking on the beach, getting involved in their new synagogue, Congregation B’nai Torah, Ormond Beach, Florida – where Mark is men’s club president – and traveling to see family and new destinations.

The Givarz are the parents of Erin (married to Lee) of Austin, Texas; Glen of Las Vegas, Nevada and Steve (engaged to Laura) of Sarasota, Florida. They have a wonderful granddaughter, Ari Rose.
 

New England - Mo Diamant z''l

New York Metropolitan - Dr. Steven Mandel

Steven Mandel MD is Clinical Professor of Neurology at Hofstra/Northwell and adjunct Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College.  He is a Member of Park Avenue Synagogue and Sutton Place Synagogue.  His parents immigrated from Hungary and Czechoslovakia in the 1930’s and settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

After graduating City College of New York, he then attended and graduated from The Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He completed his residency in neurology. At Montefiore-Einstein, he did a Jerry Lewis Neuromuscular Disease Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.  Prior to his move to New York, he was Professor of Neurology and Anesthesiology at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa.  Before retiring from clinical practice, he was Director of Neurology Outreach at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.  Steven was chosen among all the graduates of the history of Einstein Medical School to receive the first Alumni Award for Excellence in the Practice of Medicine.

He currently teaches in the areas of traumatic brain injury, voice disorders, Sjogren’s Syndrome, and disability medicine. He has published many books and peer-reviewed Articles.  Currently, he teaches and mentors faculty and student physicians, as well as contributes to committees and medical treatment guidelines.  He serves as an AMA ambassador and the Senior Physician liaison to New York State.

Steven is the Vice President of Outreach and Engagement for the New York- Metro FJMC. He services on multiple committees, including the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) of the FJMC.  He and his wife, Heidi, initiated the Imagine Life Program of the FJMC whose mission was to reduce the stigma of mental illness, suicide and addiction in the Jewish community.  The Tzedek Program was also started by them for Jewish youth to grant awards for projects to support Jewish life.  Steven was FJMC Man of the Year in Philadelphia and New York and in addition, the Regional Man of the Year from the New York Metro FJMC.  He has received the Ernest L. Rothschild Metny Leadership Award.  Steven is a National Commissioner for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and supports programs in education, such as No Place for Hate and A World of Difference.  He has facilitated programs and written articles on addiction in the Jewish community with the T’Shuvah Center.  At Park Avenue Synagogue, he completed the two-year Melton course and has continued his Melton education with other courses.

He is married to his best friend, Heidi, who shared his commitment to Jewish values, family and community.  She has a PhD from Columbia University in medical social work. She writes poetry and facilitates support groups in creative writing and narrative medicine. They have three children and one granddaughter. 
 

Northern New Jersey - Elliott Brown

Elliott was born and raised in Miami, Florida long before it was overrun by millions of new residents from other parts of the U.S. and other countries.  After attending the University of Florida as an undergraduate and law student, Elliott returned to Miami to practice law with a small firm as he planned to fulfill his lifelong dream of making Aliyah, which he did in June, 1982.  To Elliott’s surprise, his girlfriend at the time, Lori, agreed to join him (Lori previously participated in a Young Judea “gap year” in Israel, so she had actually been in Israel longer than Elliott prior to making Aliyah together).  In November, 1983, the young couple briefly returned to Florida to get married in Cocoa Beach, where Lori grew up, and then returned to Israel where they lived until March, 1986.  During those years Elliott practiced law with a Tel Aviv law firm whose clients were primarily U.S. and European clients who were doing business in Israel and Israeli companies doing business in the U.S. and Europe.

Upon informing the partners at the Tel Aviv firm that Lori and Elliott were returning to the U.S. (assuming back to Florida), the partners presented Elliott with a proposal to join a New York law firm that had a close working relationship with the Tel Aviv firm.  That is how a native Floridian ended up in New York, and later New Jersey, living first in Edison, NJ for 11 years and Marlboro, NJ for 23 years.

Elliott stayed with that New York law firm for seven years and then became General Counsel for over 14 years at two different groups of companies.  In 2007, he returned to private practice at two different New York law firms and, in September, 2009, opened his own practice.  In January of this year, Elliott entered into a partnership with his colleague, and Brown & Blaier, PC was born.

Shortly after moving to Marlboro, NJ in 1999, Elliott joined the Men’s Club at Congregation Ohev Shalom-Marlboro Jewish Center.  Elliott quickly became active in the Club and served as President or Co-President of the Club for several years until a successor finally stepped up to the plate.  Elliott also joined the Executive Board of the Northern New Jersey Region and held several positions, eventually becoming President of the Region.  Elliott served for many years as a Trustee on Marlboro Jewish Center’s Board of Trustees.  In addition, Elliott chaired the Marlboro Jewish Center’s Israel Affairs and World Jewry Committee, and was Co-Chairman of the synagogue’s Keruv Committee.

Elliott and Lori have been married for 38 years and are the proud parents of daughters Arielle and Samantha and son-in-law Brian.  Lori and Elliott recently returned to their Florida roots, purchasing a home in Boynton Beach.  As a newly minted “snow bird” (or “snow flake”), Elliott returns to New Jersey often, both for personal and professional purposes.  Elliott remains an active member of the Marlboro Jewish Center Men’s Club and the Northern New Jersey Region, and also supports Temple Torat Emet in Boynton Beach.
 

Seaboard - David Freiman