Brotherhood of Temple Israel
Join the Brotherhood of Temple Israel of Sharon on a journey of strengthening Jewish values, fostering communal bonds, and making a meaningful impact. Our mission is clear: to support Temple Israel, nurture fellowship, and uphold the principles of tikkun olam through social engagement, education, and acts of kindness.
Recognized as one of North America’s most celebrated men’s clubs by the International Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, our Brotherhood has earned acclaim for its diverse programming. From the insightful discussions of Hearing Men’s Voices to the health and wellness initiatives of “To Life!” and the impactful efforts of “The Mitzvah Men,” we strive to make a difference in our community and beyond.
Each year, our Mitzvah Men dedicate themselves to meaningful projects, whether it’s walking for hunger, building Habitat for Humanity houses, or delivering meals to those in need. We take pride in our ability to support the community in times of need, all while fostering camaraderie and having a great time together.
Join us in making a difference and building lasting connections within our vibrant community. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and uphold the values that define us.
The Brotherhood of Temple Israel of Sharon is affiliated with the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs and the New England Region of the FJMC.
Membership
Our membership supports and sustains our programming. Brotherhood dues are $36 per year ($10.00 per year for 18-25 years old). First-year membership for anyone, regardless of age, is free!
Click here for an online membership application form (or download a printable form).
Upcoming Programs
Stay tuned for flyers and announcements about our upcoming programs!
Calendar
Click here for a calendar of all the upcoming Brotherhood programs and events throughout the year!
Brotherhood Officers, Directors & Past Presidents
Officers
Gary Keimach
President
Morey Waltuck
President Emeritus
Brian Silver
1st Vice President
Andy Fandel
2nd Vice President
Alan Kritz
3rd Vice President
Norm Tabroff
4th Vice President
Steve Rafsky
Treasurer
Jimmy Slovin
Assistant Treasurer
David Zimbalist
Recording Secretary
Directors
Rob Carver
Seth Stollman
Matt Zinno
Howard Rothberg
Josh Olshin
Mark Popovsky
Ernie Rotman
Sonny Michelson
Jeff Stoloff
Ron Rogers
Larry Sandberg
Committee Chairs
Alan Kritz
Programming Committee
Irv Kempner
Tikkun Olam
Noah Horowitz
Hesed
David Fixler
Finance Committee
Michael Getz
Marketing Committee
Seth Stollman
Membership Committee
Past Presidents
Robert Zeitsiff z”l
1978-1980
Al Hoffman z”l
1980-1982
Edward Morris z”l
1982-1984
Morey Waltuck, President Emeritus
1984-1986
Elliot Feldman
1986-1988
Michael Flatto
1988-1990
Arthur Spar
1990-1992
David Grossman
1992-1993
Paul Abrams
1993-1995
Steven Bergel
1995-1997
David Beckman
1997-1999
Harvey Wolf
1999-2001
Motti Pupkin
2001-2003
Neal Fineman
2003-2005
David Arons
2005-2007
Henry Katz
2007-2008
Paul Davidson
2008-2010
Brian Brenner
2010-2012
Ron Czik
2012-2014
Noah Horowitz
2014-2015
Stephen Shrago
2015-2017
Harold Waisel
2017-2019
Scott Shikora
2019-2021
Michael Getz
2021-2023
Brotherhood Honors & Awards
Keepers of the Flame
Men honored by the New England Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their Men’s Club, Synagogue and Community.
About our 2023 Temple Israel Brotherhood Keeper of the Flame
Earlier this year, a committee of past Temple Israel Brotherhood Keeper of the Flame honorees chose Harold Waisel as the Brotherhood of Temple Israel’s 2023-2024 Recipient of the New England Region Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC) Keeper of the Flame Award.
Harold was recognized for his many years of service, support, and giving to our Brotherhood, to Temple Israel, to the New England Region FJMC, and to the greater Jewish community.
Harold is a past President of our Brotherhood. He has co-chaired our annual auction as has continually stepped up as a leader and volunteer in so many of our programs. Harold was a founder of our annual charity golf tournament, and he has been instrumental in helping our club achieve many of our annual Torch Awards. Harold has worked diligently to document our program playbooks, event menus, and in coordinating our kitchen crews. In addition, Harold has been active at the Regional FJMC level and at International FJMC Convention.
This year’s New England Regional Keeper of the Flame event – celebrating Harold along with all the honorees from the Region’s other men’s clubs – was hosted right here at Temple Israel of Sharon.
Past Keepers of the Flame
Bob Zeitsiff z”l
2001
Art Spar
2002
Motti Pupkin
2003
Morey Waltuck
2004
Elliot Feldman
2005
Sam Hurvitz z”l
2006
Harvey Wolf
2007
Neal Fineman
2008
David Arons
2009
Larry Lencz
2010
Irv Kempner
2011
Paul Davidson
2012
Alan Kritz
2013
Michael Getz
2014
Noah Horowitz
2015
Andy Fandel
2016
Ron Czik
2017
Stephen Shrago
2018
Mark Popovsky
2019
Aaron Kischel
2020
Larry Sandberg
2021
Sonny Michelson
2022
Harold Waisel
2023
Man of the Year
Men honored by the Brotherhood in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Brotherhood and Temple Israel
About our 2023 Temple Israel Brotherhood Man of the Year
Past Temple Israel Brotherhood Men of the Year
Bob Zeitsiff z”l
Founder
Sidney Smith z”l
1982
Al Rudner z”l
1983
George Small z”l
1984
Edward Morris z”l
985
Sam Natansohn z”l
1985
Joseph Walter z”l
1986
Al Hoffman z”l
1987
Motti Pupkin
1988
Elliot Feldman
1989
Morey Waltuck
1990
Sidney Hentoff z”l
1991
Phill Chapman z”l
1992
Michael Flatto
1993
Arthur Spar
1994
Sam Hurvitz z”l
1995
Paul Abrams
1996
Henry Katz
1997
Jay Schwab z”l
1998
David Beckman
1999
Steve Bergel
2000
Paul Bettan
2001
Roy Klein z”l
2002
Harvey Wolf
2003
Larry Lencz
2004
Hy Lamb z”l
2005
Neal Fineman
2006
Marty Grandberg
2007
David Arons
2008
Rob Carver
2009
Irv Kempner
2010
Paul Davidson
2011
Jerry Wine
2012
Brian Brenner
2013
Ron Czik
2015
Cantor Steven Dress
2016
Gary Keimach
2017
Jimmy Slovin
2018
Michael Getz
2019
Harold Waisel
2020-2021
Scott Shikora
2022
Howard Rothberg
2023
Stephen Shrago
2024
Awards
The Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, FJMC, has honored our Brotherhood with the title of Quality Club at the highest level, Super Club! Only one other club has achieved this level worldwide!
At the 2023 Biennial FJMC Brotherhood Convention in Philadelphia, we were awarded five Gold Torch Awards for Hearing Men’s Voices (Yasher Koach Norm & Matt), Education (Routes with Rabbi Fineberg), ‘Other’ (Cause Without Applause), Overall Club Administration, and BEST Overall Activities. We earned a Silver Award for Brotherhood Shabbat and a Bronze award for Fundraising (The Combined Charities Golf Tournament).
And of course, we also received the Quality Club award.
These awards reflect the passion of so many in our Brotherhood who continually step up as volunteers to help run these programs as well as administer our activities and finances. I want to particularly call out our immediate Past President Michael Getz. His tireless dedication and determination was clearly evident to the committee who evaluated all of the submissions from across the U.S. and Canada and selected Temple Israel’s Brotherhood as The Best!
Yasher Koach!!
– Gary Keimach, President
Temple Israel Brotherhood Wins 2 Torch Awards at the 2021 FJMC International Convention
- Bronze Award Best Overall Programming
- Silver Award Best Program “Paid Up Movie Night 2020”
Temple Israel Brotherhood wins 6 Quality Awards at the 2019 FJMC International Convention
- Gold Award Best Overall Programming, “Celebrity Speaker Series”
- Gold Award Other Programs, “Improv Brotherhood – A Night of Laughter”
- Silver Award Youth Programming, “March of the Living”
- Bronze Award Best Overall Programming, “Overall Programming 2017-2019”
- Bronze Award Hearing Men’s Voices, “Hearing Men’s Voices”
- Bronze Award Israel / Masorti Programs, “Peace of Mind”
Temple Israel Brotherhood Wins 8 Quality Awards at the 2017 FJMC Convention, including Silver Award for Best Overall Club
13 Brotherhood members attended the FJMC Convention in July in the Washington DC area. We came home with our luggage a little heavier thanks to the recognition our club received.
- Gold Award Club Administration – Strategic Planning Offsite
- Gold Award Joint Programming – The Combined Temples Charity Golf Tournament
- Gold Award Programming for Younger Men – Dad’s Day Out
- Gold Award Fundraising – Comedy Night / Auction Kickoff
- Silver Award Best Overall Club
- Silver Award Fundraising – Lift Your Spirits
- Silver Award Hearing Men’s Voices
- Bronze Award Israel/Masorti – Search for D’or Hadash Rabbi