Submission #22080 by Temple Israel Men'S Club - Charlotte, NC (1709)

I have read the 2021 Torch Awards Program Guidelines.
Club Name
Temple Israel Men'S Club - Charlotte, NC (1709)
HeBrews Coffee Club
Club Representative
Person completing form
Michael
Eisner
Club President at time of convention if known at this time
Michael
Eisner
Club President Now
Michael
Eisner
Programming for Younger Men, 39 or younger

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Before Covid, we planned to set up an unused room at the religious school with coffee, bagels, and schmear at least once a month to encourage dads to drop in after dropping off their kids at Sunday school for a no agenda, purely relational drop-in event. With Covid, we moved the gathering to the closest coffee shop with outdoor seating.
We let dads know through the school emails, personal phone calls, and word of mouth to come to the local Caribou Coffee the first Sunday of the month for a free cup of coffee with other dads. We hung out our banner, and a different MC Board member volunteered to host each gathering so it wouldn’t be too demanding on any one person. We had Sundays with 2-3 guys all the way up to 12 at the first event. There was general discussion, new introductions, and planning couldn’t have been easier.
Attachments
hebrews_coffee_club.docx
Self Assessment
The dads appreciated the opportunity, and the conversation was enjoyed. Other MC members who happened to visit the coffee shop joined in, which led to inter-generational discussions. We met a dad who joined the club and will lead a HMV program on alternative and holistic medicine, as he leads our region’s largest hospital system’s alternative medicine department.
It may not take much leadership to think of inviting young dads out for a cup of coffee, and the name HeBrews Coffee club may not even be that innovative, but it was a great series of gatherings that built community and stronger relationships in a Jewish context.
We didn't think that themes or formal programs were needed, but other clubs can absolutely use this as a "feeder" step for larger MC breakfasts.

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Original Program
Previous Submission
Yes
Silver