The only thing I know is that the moon is glowing and nearly full. So is my heart.
I have just emerged from two cocoons. One was the space of Shabbat. The other was the space of Jewish manhood. One week ago, I entered the world of FJMC Convention. It was my sixth time at the biennial gathering of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs.
Over the years, many have asked what this is all about. First timers often make remarks about bottling up the experience and taking it back home. Most men say that once they attend, they will always come back. Some have been at this for over 50 years.
I have said before that FJMC Convention is the next best thing to being in Israel. This time, I can answer that it is the state of being at one with halev yehudit, the Jewish heart. It is the embodiment the words of Shema, “Ashrei ish sheyishma l’mitzvotecha” – happy is the man who listens to/fulfills the commandments”.
Like the mythical Scottish hamlet Brigadoon, FJMC Convention-world sleeps and is hidden most of the time. It awakens only once every two years. People can enter it only during these brief periods. The rest of the time, one simply longs to return.
The ache of missing this camaraderie of brotherhood comes and goes. Each time one leaves the village, the afterglow is strong. Those who are fortunate enough to have visited, radiate the glory of God’s light. They are the rays of “Or l’goyim”, the light unto the nations.
The space of Shabbat comes once a week. Some are able to experience it in the world outside “FJMC Brigadoon”. When entering the village created by FJMC Convention, the beauty and majesty of Shabbat are revealed in a way that deeply touches the Jewish soul. Entering and keeping Shabbat every week is enhanced by the memories of what happens when the beauty of Brigadoon is revealed.
Gillian Kaplin, President of Masorti Europe, was with FJMC as we gathered in Costa Mesa California over the past five days. She addressed the crowd on Friday night, looked around and proclaimed, “I’ve been to many conferences all over the world, but THIS ONE IS DIFFERENT”.
She said that after experiencing our unbridled ruach of Kabbalat Shabbat, the joy of welcoming Shabbat among hundreds of men and their spouses. She said that after being in the midst of an international gathering of passionate Jewish people, who have all come on separate journeys to this place of deep belief and commitment. She said this after seeing the incredible variety of programs which emerge from the army of FJMC volunteers. She said this in the midst of the Shabbat which we are commanded to feel, to live and to know. This time, this place, this Shabbat was the essence of kadosh, differentness.
Aside from Shabbat, FJMC’s gathering exposed a plethora of programming and speakers from all over the world to a global Jewish audience. From India to South America, men came from far and wide. We return to our communities enriched with ideas and ruach.
In 730 days, the next Convention will emerge from the mist. Another 26 moons will pass before the gates open again. What shall we do in the meantime? The answer is simple.
The rays of FJMC light are reflected by the men of FJMC, the lenses through which this light passes. We focus the light and spread the mitzvot contained in FJMC programs. We will serve as deugmot, examples, in our communities. We will be mentschen. We will involve other Jewish men in Jewish life. And we will count the days, so we can attain a heart of wisdom until the mists disperse and the gates open again.
The tzipporot, birds, of the real world are singing songs on this new Monday morning. It is good to welcome another shachar, another dawn with the beauty of God’s never-ending creation. Ashrei ish she-gara l’olam FJMC. Happy is the man who lives in FJMC.
