By Stan Hurwitz

Rabbi Jim Rosen of Beth El Temple in West Hartford, Connecticut, is one of two spiritual leaders chosen to serve as scholars-in-residence at the 75th annual Retreat of the New England Region (NER) of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC), to be held June 9 – 12 at Camp Ramah in Palmer, Massachusetts.

 Rabbi Rosen has written and spoken extensively on disability and Judaism, conversion, and modern Israel. He served on the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly and on the Chancellor’s Cabinet of the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is a past president of the Connecticut Valley Region of the Rabbinical Assembly.

In addition to Rosen, Rabbi Jeffrey S. Summit will serve as scholar-in-residence. Summit’s CD, Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of Uganda, was nominated for a Grammy award; and his CD, Delicious Peace: Coffee, Music and Interfaith Harmony in Uganda, won Best World Music CD by the Independent Music Awards. He is a research professor in the Department of Music and Judaic Studies at Tufts University and is a senior consultant for Hillel International directing the project “Living Our Values.”

The Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs is the international umbrella organization for some 200 men’s groups serving 20,000 men across the U. S. and Canada. Their mission is to involve Jewish men in Jewish life.

Three-time Retreat co-chair Dr. Steve Broder looks forward to the annual get-together: “It’s like being back at summer camp – informal, friendly, totally immersed in nature. The experience reduces your blood pressure. Speakers are engaging and each day provides opportunities to discuss important topics with others related to family, health, work, retirement. It’s like a three-day Kiddush.”

It is expected that many congregations from the New England states will be represented at the Retreat. Members and guests are welcome. For more information, visit http://www.nerfjmc.org/regional-programs/theretreat2022 or contact Rick Kramer as (781) 718-3067 or president@nerfjmc.org.

Main Photo: Rabbi Jim Rosen