Details from our advertising email:

Annual Discussion and Dessert

Keep this date open on your calendar!

Monday, December 3 at 8pm in the Temple Israel Social Hall the Men’s Club will host its annual Discussion and Dessert Speaker program. Alyse Lichtenstein will discuss her trip last summer with the program “One by One”. This is a program where 2nd and 3rd generation Holocaust survivors meet and interact with the children and grandchildren of Nazi perpetrators, for an eye-opening, emotion-filled week in Berlin, Germany. Don’t miss this presentation about an unbelievable meeting and experience.

*****

Last year, as part of our Yom HaShoah candle proceeds, we sponsored the daughter of one of our members to attend a program in Germany where 3rd generation Holocaust survivors meet with 3rd generation Nazi perpertrators. In return she spoke at our annual Men's Club Dessert + Discussion Speaker Series, which we invited the entire Temple, on her experience. It was a moving presentation of meeting the Germans attendees and learning of their impressions and family histories, researching her grandparents history and visiting places together. She is a member of the Boston 3G organization for third generation survivors and a member of her organization would be able to have her speak to any Men's Club in the Boston area. There is also a NY 3G which can speak to Men's Clubs in the New York area as part of their Yom HaShoah candle program.

Step 1 - We knew that this would be our topic/speaker for the 2012/2013 Annual Dessert + Discussion program program.

Step 2 - At our annual planning meeting during the summer, we decided on a program chairman (happened to be the speaker's father who is Secretary of the Men's Club) ; a few dates to hold program on, budget ($50 for dessert items), charge ($5/attendee donation requested for Yom HaShoah Candle program), should we invite entire Temple (Yes) and how to publicize (Flyer, Temple Newsletter, Temple-wide Constant Contact, Men's Club membership emails.)

Step 3 - Confirmed date at the end of August (Date set for December 3rd) ; put on Temple calendar to reserve social hall.

Step 4 - Created Flyer in September

Step 5 - Publicized in the various ways during October and November
Note: Requested RSVPs but many people just show up for a speaker at our Temple, so we bought plenty of desserts just in case)

During October we contacted Boston 3G to discuss other ways we could work together for future programs (i.e. bringing program to Religious school - since they depend on donations we would make a donation for their time)

During November arranged for room setup and audio-visual needs.

Very easy program to plan ; 3G has a number of speakers. Very moving program. Speaking and questions lasted an hour. We allocated 1.5 hours for speaker, dessert and post speaker schmoozing.