Submission #308 by Kol Rinah Men'S Club - St. Louis, MO (633)

I have read the General Guidelines, "Nuts and Bolts" and Program Advanced Planning (Excel Spreadsheet) Documents
Club Name
Kol Rinah Men'S Club - St. Louis, MO (633)
Lag B'Omer Bonfire and Archery Extravaganza
Club Representative
Person completing form
Bob
Olshan
Club President at time of Convention
Bob
Olshan
Club President Now
Bob
Olshan
Hebrew Literacy / Ritual Literacy

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The Lag B'Omer Extravaganza is a multi-generational Bonfire event which celebrates the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer. The most well-known custom of Lag B’Omer in Israel is the lighting of bonfires. Every kid in Israel participates in lighting a bonfire and the cities look like they are ablaze. Our celebration involves inter-generational activities including entertainment (fire juggler/eater), carnival booths run by USY, Archery both for youth and adults, Israeli food, music and slideshow and of course a large bonfire accompanied by a fire truck from the local community. This program is sponsored by Men's Club with support by our Religious School, USY, our Young Family group (Dorways) and our Israel Committee. We invite the entire Jewish and Israeli community, and get a great response. We have attracted new young families to join our congregation from this program.
lag_bomer_adv_planning.xlsx
The Lag B'Omer event begins with gathering all the families into one area (preferably outdoors) where we have a fire juggler/fire eater. We then move to a series of events which includes Israeli food (falafel) and Hot dogs with Israeli music and a slideshow going. Around the room or parking lot we have a number of carnival booths (including toy bows and arrows for young children) run by our USY (these vary each year). We then have Archery for 12 and older - 3 bows and 3 targets on bales of hay - with careful consideration for safety. We have a drum circle, which kids participate with their families (large drums and other percussion instruments) - this is optional. The program lasts around 90 minutes and then we have everyone come to a lot where we have a large bonfire and a community firetruck close nearby. The children of course love climbing on the firetruck. We then pass out song sheets and have the Rabbi talk about the meaning of Lag B'Omer (briefly) and then we light the fire, sing songs and if possible dance around the fire. The fire actually burns 30' into the sky! We try to start right after sundown if possible (if it's not too late). Men's club make the hot dogs, falafel, serve the food, run the archery, build the fire (with USY), and oversee the entire event.
lag_b_omer_flier_2013.pdf

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Self Assessment
Shaare Zedek has been doing this program for 15 years. This event has attracted participation of the broad Jewish community, enhanced the spirit of community, and has brought new members to our congregation. It is an event that is enjoyed by young and old. It is one of the major events led by our Men's Club. The combination of Archery, Bon Fire, Hot Dogs and Falafel with a unique connection with the State of Israel, makes this a very special program. We have had up to 200 people at this event, for a congregation of 300 total (half of which are from the community at large). It also is a great collaboration between Men's Club, USY, Religious School, and the Israel Committee.
This program epitomizes FJMC as it is a very "guy" program (archery, bonfire, ...) but is attractive for all, especially young families. It also brings in an important connection with Israel (most US Jewish organizations don't even know about Lag B'Omer). It is an innovative way to involve Jewish Men in Jewish Life with a connection to Israel - which is at the heart of the FJMC mission, and men's club has great fun doing it!
We used this program as leadership for new younger members.
It certainly was an innovative program developing programming that better connects people of all ages to the Jewish community,
Without a doubt this supports the broader Jewish Community - forming meaningful long-lasting relationships based on camaraderie, common interests and core values. We had participation from across the whole community including many Israeli families that are not affiliated with synagogues.
This has been a Shaare Zedek program until this year in which it is a Kol Rinah program. Kol Rinah is the merger between Shaare Zedek and BSKI, which is about to become a legal entity (May 2013). This program has generated a lot of interest from other clubs in the Midwest. We also have good participation from our brother congregation B'nai Amoona. I added a 4th photo montage in video section (if you prefer single photos - let me know). I can put together a video (especially if we're chosen as gold). I know someone was taking a video of the fire-juggler-eater, and I can embellish it with the rest of the program.
Original Program
Previous Submission
Yes