North American Federation of Temple Brotherhoods -- About NFTB

Hinei Matov - 'How good it is' when brothers come together and celebrate! It was in this spirit that on January 23, 1923, sixty five Reform Jewish brotherhoods and men's clubs came together at the Hotel Astor in New York City to form The North American Federation of Temple Brotherhoods. The mission of MRJ was the same then as it is today: to encourage local brotherhoods to engage in projects and activities that provide meaningful services to their congregation; to sponsor and promote vitally important nationwide community-building projects; and to give local brotherhood members the opportunity to explore and celebrate their male Jewish spirit.

In light of this, let us share with you a statement of purpose:

"to arouse the appreciation for and understanding of our religion among the young men of Jewish faith in this country, and to translate this appreciation and this understanding into action, by being loyal to the best traditions of our faith and alive to the needs of the modern day. This means humility before God; self-respect before man; readiness to eternally serve the weak, the downtrodden, the sick, regardless of race, creed or color; regard for our fellowman, respect for his feelings and beliefs, and finally willingness to battle against wrong and for the right, to battle fearlessly, fairly and effectively. …

These are our aims and objects of our organization. We must study how best we can serve these ends. We must act as a supplementing force with our leaders and our rabbis to bring back to the Synagogue those of our brothers who have for a time forgotten their religion, and to strengthen others, as well as ourselves, to be inspired by and to carry on the eternal truths of Judaism. "

These words were spoken by Roger Strauss, MRJ's first president, as part of his welcoming address at the opening convention of MRJ. Over 75 years have passed, and MRJ stands tall, many decades of proud accomplishment behind it, and looks forward to the future determined to fulfill its renewed and enduring mission. Our members - our fathers, our uncles, our grandfathers - have quietly served as temple ushers, shiva corps members, new member greeters, sukkah builders, Purim carnival workers, chicken-flickers, blood drive workers, kiddush cup presenters, and scholarship donators. Truly, a versatile group of builders, repairers, painters, gardeners, lightbulb-replacers, and yes, extraordinary hosts of Sunday morning bagel noshes! Our men of brotherhood have toiled in a spirit of extraordinary fellowship, striving to make our congregations warm and caring communities.

MRJ's mission has been to encourage local brotherhoods to engage in projects and activities that will provide meaningful services to their congregation. From the outset, our goal has been to increase the participation and involvement of Jewish men in the Reform movement.

For over 75 years, our members have been dedicated to tikkun olam, repair of this world, through active involvement in youth education, adult education, social action and yes, fellowship activities - all of which contribute to the enrichment of our synagogue communities.

Perhaps the most important and effective of MRJ's national programs has been its sponsorship of the Jewish Chautauqua Society (JCS). Adopted as MRJ's interfaith education arm in 1939, The Jewish Chautauqua Society was originally founded in 1893 by Rabbi Henry Berkowitz. Founded on the principles of the Chautauqua Institution of upstate New York, which sought to spread education and values, the Jewish Chautauqua Society built its image on the dissemination of Judaism and Jewish history. Over the years it moved from the education of Jews about Judaism to the interfaith work it is now famous for. JCS continues today to educate the non-Jewish public about Jews and Judaism. By employing the knowledge and teaching skills of Jewish clergy, JCS has found its way into many of America's educational institutions and religious organizations. Through a variety of lectureships, book grants, and films, JCS has earned its place among the many tried and true interfaith organizations.

In the early 1990s, JCS became a founding partner in the Dillard Center for Black- Jewish relations. Recently, JCS provided funding to the Thomas More Project, which is conducting a pilot interfaith project at an inner city school in Baltimore, Maryland. Now in its 106th year, JCS continues to battle anti-Semitism, racism, and ignorance through its strong claim of "Understanding Through Education."

Continuing in the spirit of education, MRJ has been the forerunner to Jewish education on the college level. MRJ's Sambatyon (College Youth Program), initiated in the 1960's, became the predecessor to the UAHC Youth Commission and provided Reform Jewish college students the opportunity to remain Jews while away at school. This program, which offered funding for lecturers, programs, retreats, and spiritual concerns became a major force in keeping Judaism part of college life. Reinventing itself in the 1990's as the Reform On Campus (ROC) program, ROC, has opened doors to the Reform Jewish college youth of America. Through the continued funding of programs and other activities such as Shabbat Dinners and weekend retreats with Jewish clergy, ROC has successfully kept Reform Jewish college students in touch.

For over seventy-five years, MRJ has also sought to educate its members of other larger societal issues and concerns that have affected the Jewish community. Its two main channels for communications were MRJ's national resolutions and the Brotherhood publication. The national resolutions, voted upon at each MRJ Biennial National Convention, has often been a reflection of the times. Keeping in mind the ethics of Judaism and upholding the rights of free people, MRJ has fought hard for various causes and done so in the spirit of Brotherhood. Whether it be speaking out against anti-Semitism in the 1930's, the support of Europe's Jews during WWII, support for Israel beginning in 1948, the fight against the persecution of Soviet Jews in the 1970's, historically, MRJ has made it clear that it would get involved in the world of international Jewry.

Brotherhood publications have evolved through the years and in turn have become an outlet and information source for Reform Jewish men. Beginning as The Jewish Layman in 1923-1951, the official publication of MRJ has had three reincarnations : The Brotherhood Section in American Judaism (1951-1966), Brotherhood Magazine (1967-1999), and in its newest incarnation, ACHIM magazine (1999). With each renaming of the magazine has come a greater need for informing brotherhood members. While addressing issues of national, international, and Jewish concern, MRJ's publication has also found time to address men's concerns. Whether it be advice on how to run an effective program, or more recently offering articles on prostate cancer and stress, MRJ's publication has always kept the well being of its members in mind. By addressing such subjects as "Jews and Masculinity", "Is Judaism Being Feminized ", and "Jewish Men's Spirituality", ACHIM provides provocative and controversial articles that question the roles, identities, and problems that Jewish men face. By acting as house organ and now as the only Jewish Men's Magazine in North America, ACHIM proves to be an important component for communication, education, and the promotion of brotherhood.

MRJ has also provided its local brotherhoods with materials that help to bolster and renew their programming, membership, and fundraising within their temple community. MRJ's BOLD Leadership Training Program provides both speakers, often from the National Board of MRJ, and accessible material that motivates and revitalizes both new and old brotherhoods. BOLD's success is based on the concept of shared experience and willingness to listen. By allowing brotherhoods to express their concerns, problems, and fears, a dialogue is created where advice can be given and real strategies employed. In order to build a better Brotherhood, BOLD argues, all the members must agree to take action and engage the community.. Through this, brotherhood flourishes. Today, our members - our brothers, our sons, our grandsons - find greater meaning in their lives through their involvement with brotherhood; Men just as committed to their brotherhoods and to their congregations as were their fathers.

Today, MRJ does not take the participation of adult Jewish men in temple life for granted. Today's Jewish males must be encouraged to learn, to feel, and to appreciate the gift of being Jewish. Recently MRJ initiated a new series of projects that are collectively called the ACHIM CORPS Projects. Achim is Hebrew for "brothers" and it refers to the programs and resources we are producing that give our brotherhood members - and all the men in our temple communities - the opportunity to explore and celebrate issues of concern to Jewish men, through study, worship and service. Our goal is to increase our ranks with men ready to transform their renewed links to Reform Judaism into an active expression of commitment to perform mitzvot for their temple and their community.

By confronting various issues, The ACHIM CORPS attempts to create spaces and a language through which Jewish men can share, grow and succeed. Currently, the ACHIM CORPS produces materials for three different areas of concern : Men's Health, Men's Spirituality, and Jewish Men's issues.

The ACHIM CORPS Men's Health Initiative is the most successful of these programs and has produced materials which provides information and education on Prostate Cancer Stress, and Heart Disease. These three programs, each with its own set of information kits and program guidelines, enables a local Brotherhood to engage the health concerns of Jewish men and bring to light the danger of ignoring a health problem. By allowing each local brotherhood to develop and execute their own health program around the national guidelines, success often occurs.

The Men's Spirituality Program actively engages the spiritual and religious wants of the Reform Jewish Man. Through the resource guide Men and Shabbat and the upcoming Men and the Holidays, MRJ has established a space for men's observance and teaches them how to participate in and understand the Jewish Life Cycle in their own lives. Through prayer, discussion, and practice, men are given the opportunity to claim the Jewish calendar and celebrate it as fathers, sons, and brothers.

And most recently, continuing the long tradition of disseminating interfaith and Jewish education throughout America, MRJ became the national sponsor of Walking Together, a new nationwide program designed for Jewish, Christian, and Muslim 4th-6th grade school children and their parents, teaching religious diversity through a variety of innovative and educational sessions. These sessions are lead by trained lay facilitators with the help of local community clergy. Walking Together is broken into three, three hour sessions where participants discuss, explore, and question their religious traditions, misunderstandings, and commonalties. They utilize a variety of ritual objects and sources, games and texts, and are given the opportunity to understand the meanings behind the faiths being examined. MRJ will be supporting and sponsoring at six different pilot locations around the country with the blessing of various national religious organizations and institutions.

MRJ is resolved to ensure that local brotherhoods are the temple address for ALL MEN. MRJ and its members are working to improve the quality of life for their families, for their congregations, and our society. We look forward to being partners with other arms of the Reform Movement in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

About MRJ
History | Message from the President | Staff | Site Map

Copyright © 2004, North American Federation of Temple Brotherhoods


	Hinei Matov - 'How good it is' when brothers come together and celebrate! It was in this spirit that on January 23, 1923, sixty five Reform Jewish brotherhoods and men's clubs came together at the Hotel Astor in New York City to form The North American Federation of Temple Brotherhoods. The mission of MRJ was the same then as it is today: to encourage local brotherhoods to engage in projects and activities that provide meaningful services to their congregation; to sponsor and promote vitally important nationwide community-building projects; and to give local brotherhood members the opportunity to explore and celebrate their male Jewish spirit. In light of this, let us share with you a statement of purpose: "to arouse the appreciation for and understanding of our religion among the young men of Jewish faith in this country, and to translate this appreciation and this understanding into action, by being loyal to the best traditions of our faith and alive to the needs of the modern day. This means humility before God; self-respect before man; readiness to eternally serve the weak, the downtrodden, the sick, regardless of race, creed or color; regard for our fellowman, respect for his feelings and beliefs, and finally willingness to battle against wrong and for the right, to battle fearlessly, fairly and effectively. … These are our aims and objects of our organization. We must study how best we can serve these ends. We must act as a supplementing force with our leaders and our rabbis to bring back to the Synagogue those of our brothers who have for a time forgotten their religion, and to strengthen others, as well as ourselves, to be inspired by and to carry on the eternal truths of Judaism. " These words were spoken by Roger Strauss, MRJ's first president, as part of his welcoming address at the opening convention of MRJ. Over 75 years have passed, and MRJ stands tall, many decades of proud accomplishment behind it, and looks forward to the future determined to fulfill its renewed and enduring mission. Our members - our fathers, our uncles, our grandfathers - have quietly served as temple ushers, shiva corps members, new member greeters, sukkah builders, Purim carnival workers, chicken-flickers, blood drive workers, kiddush cup presenters, and scholarship donators. Truly, a versatile group of builders, repairers, painters, gardeners, lightbulb-replacers, and yes, extraordinary hosts of Sunday morning bagel noshes! Our men of brotherhood have toiled in a spirit of extraordinary fellowship, striving to make our congregations warm and caring communities. MRJ's mission has been to encourage local brotherhoods to engage in projects and activities that will provide meaningful services to their congregation. From the outset, our goal has been to increase the participation and involvement of Jewish men in the Reform movement. For over 75 years, our members have been dedicated to tikkun olam, repair of this world, through active involvement in youth education, adult education, social action and yes, fellowship activities - all of which contribute to the enrichment of our synagogue communities. Perhaps the most important and effective of MRJ's national programs has been its sponsorship of the Jewish Chautauqua Society (JCS). Adopted as MRJ's interfaith education arm in 1939, The Jewish Chautauqua Society was originally founded in 1893 by Rabbi Henry Berkowitz. Founded on the principles of the Chautauqua Institution of upstate New York, which sought to spread education and values, the Jewish Chautauqua Society built its image on the dissemination of Judaism and Jewish history. Over the years it moved from the education of Jews about Judaism to the interfaith work it is now famous for. JCS continues today to educate the non-Jewish public about Jews and Judaism. By employing the knowledge and teaching skills of Jewish clergy, JCS has found its way into many of America's educational institutions and religious organizations. Through a variety of lectureships, book grants, and films, JCS has earned its place among the many tried and true interfaith organizations. In the early 1990s, JCS became a founding partner in the Dillard Center for Black- Jewish relations. Recently, JCS provided funding to the Thomas More Project, which is conducting a pilot interfaith project at an inner city school in Baltimore, Maryland. Now in its 106th year, JCS continues to battle anti-Semitism, racism, and ignorance through its strong claim of "Understanding Through Education." Continuing in the spirit of education, MRJ has been the forerunner to Jewish education on the college level. MRJ's Sambatyon (College Youth Program), initiated in the 1960's, became the predecessor to the UAHC Youth Commission and provided Reform Jewish college students the opportunity to remain Jews while away at school. This program, which offered funding for lecturers, programs, retreats, and spiritual concerns became a major force in keeping Judaism part of college life. Reinventing itself in the 1990's as the Reform On Campus (ROC) program, ROC, has opened doors to the Reform Jewish college youth of America. Through the continued funding of programs and other activities such as Shabbat Dinners and weekend retreats with Jewish clergy, ROC has successfully kept Reform Jewish college students in touch. For over seventy-five years, MRJ has also sought to educate its members of other larger societal issues and concerns that have affected the Jewish community. Its two main channels for communications were MRJ's national resolutions and the Brotherhood publication. The national resolutions, voted upon at each MRJ Biennial National Convention, has often been a reflection of the times. Keeping in mind the ethics of Judaism and upholding the rights of free people, MRJ has fought hard for various causes and done so in the spirit of Brotherhood. Whether it be speaking out against anti-Semitism in the 1930's, the support of Europe's Jews during WWII, support for Israel beginning in 1948, the fight against the persecution of Soviet Jews in the 1970's, historically, MRJ has made it clear that it would get involved in the world of international Jewry. Brotherhood publications have evolved through the years and in turn have become an outlet and information source for Reform Jewish men. Beginning as The Jewish Layman in 1923-1951, the official publication of MRJ has had three reincarnations : The Brotherhood Section in American Judaism (1951-1966), Brotherhood Magazine (1967-1999), and in its newest incarnation, ACHIM magazine (1999). With each renaming of the magazine has come a greater need for informing brotherhood members. While addressing issues of national, international, and Jewish concern, MRJ's publication has also found time to address men's concerns. Whether it be advice on how to run an effective program, or more recently offering articles on prostate cancer and stress, MRJ's publication has always kept the well being of its members in mind. By addressing such subjects as "Jews and Masculinity", "Is Judaism Being Feminized ", and "Jewish Men's Spirituality", *ACHIM* provides provocative and controversial articles that question the roles, identities, and problems that Jewish men face. By acting as house organ and now as the only Jewish Men's Magazine in North America, *ACHIM* proves to be an important component for communication, education, and the promotion of brotherhood. MRJ has also provided its local brotherhoods with materials that help to bolster and renew their programming, membership, and fundraising within their temple community. MRJ's BOLD Leadership Training Program provides both speakers, often from the National Board of MRJ, and accessible material that motivates and revitalizes both new and old brotherhoods. BOLD's success is based on the concept of shared experience and willingness to listen. By allowing brotherhoods to express their concerns, problems, and fears, a dialogue is created where advice can be given and real strategies employed. In order to build a better Brotherhood, BOLD argues, all the members must agree to take action and engage the community.. Through this, brotherhood flourishes. Today, our members - our brothers, our sons, our grandsons - find greater meaning in their lives through their involvement with brotherhood; Men just as committed to their brotherhoods and to their congregations as were their fathers. Today, MRJ does not take the participation of adult Jewish men in temple life for granted. Today's Jewish males must be encouraged to learn, to feel, and to appreciate the gift of being Jewish. Recently MRJ initiated a new series of projects that are collectively called the ACHIM CORPS Projects. Achim is Hebrew for "brothers" and it refers to the programs and resources we are producing that give our brotherhood members - and all the men in our temple communities - the opportunity to explore and celebrate issues of concern to Jewish men, through study, worship and service. Our goal is to increase our ranks with men ready to transform their renewed links to Reform Judaism into an active expression of commitment to perform mitzvot for their temple and their community. By confronting various issues, The ACHIM CORPS attempts to create spaces and a language through which Jewish men can share, grow and succeed. Currently, the ACHIM CORPS produces materials for three different areas of concern : Men's Health, Men's Spirituality, and Jewish Men's issues. The ACHIM CORPS Men's Health Initiative is the most successful of these programs and has produced materials which provides information and education on Prostate Cancer Stress, and Heart Disease. These three programs, each with its own set of information kits and program guidelines, enables a local Brotherhood to engage the health concerns of Jewish men and bring to light the danger of ignoring a health problem. By allowing each local brotherhood to develop and execute their own health program around the national guidelines, success often occurs. The Men's Spirituality Program actively engages the spiritual and religious wants of the Reform Jewish Man. Through the resource guide Men and Shabbat and the upcoming Men and the Holidays, MRJ has established a space for men's observance and teaches them how to participate in and understand the Jewish Life Cycle in their own lives. Through prayer, discussion, and practice, men are given the opportunity to claim the Jewish calendar and celebrate it as fathers, sons, and brothers. And most recently, continuing the long tradition of disseminating interfaith and Jewish education throughout America, MRJ became the national sponsor of Walking Together, a new nationwide program designed for Jewish, Christian, and Muslim 4th-6th grade school children and their parents, teaching religious diversity through a variety of innovative and educational sessions. These sessions are lead by trained lay facilitators with the help of local community clergy. Walking Together is broken into three, three hour sessions where participants discuss, explore, and question their religious traditions, misunderstandings, and commonalties. They utilize a variety of ritual objects and sources, games and texts, and are given the opportunity to understand the meanings behind the faiths being examined. MRJ will be supporting and sponsoring at six different pilot locations around the country with the blessing of various national religious organizations and institutions. MRJ is resolved to ensure that local brotherhoods are the temple address for ALL MEN. MRJ and its members are working to improve the quality of life for their families, for their congregations, and our society. We look forward to being partners with other arms of the Reform Movement in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
	About MRJ History \| Message from the President \| Staff \| Site Map
	Copyright © 2004, North American Federation of Temple Brotherhoods