Submission #16198 by Olam Tikvah Men's Club - Fairfax, VA (1147)
I have read the 2021 Torch Awards Program Guidelines.
FJMC TA 2019_OlamTikvah_CustomAbayudayaMadeKippot_ForRegions&Clubs
Jewish Observance
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After the 2017 Convention where regions from Seaboard, Western, NNJ, MAR, Connecticut Valley, and Hudson Valley all proudly sported their custom kippot handmade by the Abayudaya, other regions and clubs wanted to participate. This entailed fundraising for the Abayudaya as a qualifier for custom kippot. In 2018, KIO Region, Park Synagogue Men's Club, New England Region for Retreat, William and Mary and Caltech Hillels gave their first orders of custom kippot. Seaboard and MAR re-ordered Man of the Year and Region kippots, respectively.
Custom Abayudaya-Made Region and Club Kippot
Goals: In the spirit of supporting the Abayudaya and in building our relationships within the FJMC, regions and clubs continued the ordering of custom kippot. While the kippot are all unique, there are many similar qualities that bind us together when we meet regionally and/or internationally. Each kippah bears is region’s colors, but all contain a reference to the parent organization. Each has a Magen David in the center of the kippah, which also is similar and binding to one another. The club kippot are unique.
Enhancements for Club, Region and FJMC and Value Building: The participants grew closer to the Abayudaya through the process. Gabe and Bruce conducted regular Zoom meetings with the Abayudaya in order to develop the kippot. We used input from the participating region and club customers. This entire process grew friendships across regions and developed our ties to our Ugandan brothers. We met via Zoom every week or other week to develop the kippot. Each meeting lasted about one hour. It was great for developing our friendships with Allan Zilaba and Aaron Moses. It also provided the Abayudaya with an important source of funding for their club operations. In order to qualify for the custom kippot, which we charged $4.00 per unit for the medium size and $5.00 per unit for the large, each participating region or club had to provide funding of no less than $360.00. They did this by selling multicolored kippot, not region specific, to members of their communities for $18 per unit to qualify. Jordan Rosnerm whose children attend William and Mary and Caltech, had already donated well in excess of $5000 to the Abayudaya, which qualified the Hillel organizations.
How Does the Program Support the FJMC’s Mission Involving Jewish Men in Jewish Life? This is a tangible way to show our connection to one another. We share a common goal of supporting the Abayudaya. We have similar yet unique kippot we wear to show our solidarity and shared commitment.
The Source of the Program and Unique Aspects. This was the chair’s brainstorm when he was Seaboard Region FJMC President. What common purpose could bind clubs together? What tangible way could this common purpose appear? Raising money for the Abayudaya and wearing custom kippot proved not only the answer for Seaboard and then the Western Region, but then caught onto the participating regions that followed suit after the 2017 convention.
Goals: In the spirit of supporting the Abayudaya and in building our relationships within the FJMC, regions and clubs continued the ordering of custom kippot. While the kippot are all unique, there are many similar qualities that bind us together when we meet regionally and/or internationally. Each kippah bears is region’s colors, but all contain a reference to the parent organization. Each has a Magen David in the center of the kippah, which also is similar and binding to one another. The club kippot are unique.
Enhancements for Club, Region and FJMC and Value Building: The participants grew closer to the Abayudaya through the process. Gabe and Bruce conducted regular Zoom meetings with the Abayudaya in order to develop the kippot. We used input from the participating region and club customers. This entire process grew friendships across regions and developed our ties to our Ugandan brothers. We met via Zoom every week or other week to develop the kippot. Each meeting lasted about one hour. It was great for developing our friendships with Allan Zilaba and Aaron Moses. It also provided the Abayudaya with an important source of funding for their club operations. In order to qualify for the custom kippot, which we charged $4.00 per unit for the medium size and $5.00 per unit for the large, each participating region or club had to provide funding of no less than $360.00. They did this by selling multicolored kippot, not region specific, to members of their communities for $18 per unit to qualify. Jordan Rosnerm whose children attend William and Mary and Caltech, had already donated well in excess of $5000 to the Abayudaya, which qualified the Hillel organizations.
How Does the Program Support the FJMC’s Mission Involving Jewish Men in Jewish Life? This is a tangible way to show our connection to one another. We share a common goal of supporting the Abayudaya. We have similar yet unique kippot we wear to show our solidarity and shared commitment.
The Source of the Program and Unique Aspects. This was the chair’s brainstorm when he was Seaboard Region FJMC President. What common purpose could bind clubs together? What tangible way could this common purpose appear? Raising money for the Abayudaya and wearing custom kippot proved not only the answer for Seaboard and then the Western Region, but then caught onto the participating regions that followed suit after the 2017 convention.
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Original Program