The Segerman Scale
Your Men’s Club makes a science out of frying latkes for the annual Hanukkah Dinner, which arrives Dec. 5.
First, we gather volunteers in the shul kitchen on Thursday night, and Chef Gary Gillett breaks out the provisions and recipes. Then, we start peeling and grating and slicing and dicing potatoes and onions and a little garlic.
We combine the vegetables and add eggs and spices and matzo meal in huge bowls.
Then the cooking teams, led by Michael Miller, heat oil in broad skillets and start frying the latkes.
But, we would have no idea when each latke was ready if it weren’t for the Segerman Scale.
The Segerman Scale was created by our former president, Douglas Segerman, as a way to determine doneness. It consists of five levels: barely warm, rare on the inside, beginning to crisp, crispy and golden, and – Segerman No. 5 – the color and consistency of bronze shavings left out to weather.
Men’s Club cooks work very hard to maintain a consistent Segerman No. 4; we even have a photographic array for comparing the product in the pan with the most desirable level of doneness.
Come out for the Hanukkah Dinner, and see how well we did this year.
As well as the dinner, Men’s Club will sponsor a brunch at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 12 featuring congregant Barry Adelman talking about year-end tax and investment strategies.
Poker night is scheduled for Dec. 9.
Please don’t forget that, cold and gray though it might be, Men’s Club keeps the activities coming in January.
The third annual Men's Club Quiz Night will be Saturday, Jan. 8. Anyone interested in helping to arrange either food or prizes, please let Mike Sobul know.
The Men’s Club Brunch is Jan. 9, and Poker Night is scheduled Jan. 13.
And the Men’s Club/Women of Tifereth Israel Shabbat is coming up Jan. 29. Greg Margulies – even though he won’t be present for the event – will be wrangling volunteers for the various parts, so please get in touch with him or me to line up your piece today.
Always happy to be of service,
Bill Chronister, Men’s Club President
12/6/10
It's been a busy month for Men's Club
We've been involved in a lot of activities in the last few weeks -- you might have seen some of the officers and members in activities ranging from the library book sale to Buil-A-Pair and including the B'nei Mitzvah program and the blood drive.
Here are a few pictures of officers and members in action:
Here are a few pictures of officers and members in action:
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| Dr. Dale Levy and Build-a-Pair |
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| From left, facing camera, Jon Foreman, Douglas Segerman and Matt Marx work the Men's Club Cafe on a Sunday morning. |
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| Bill Chronister shows Dr. Ted Borkan an unusual pamphlet available for purchase at the recent library book sale. |
10/5/10
Ben Marrison visits Tifereth Israel
8/11/10
Dispatch editor to speak at first brunch
From a strictly Men’s Club perspective, September will be quiet. Right now, we have only a Poker Night on the schedule, for Sept. 2. Of course, there are also Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and the start of Sukkot ....
Speaking of Sukkot, we’re thinking of starting a new event, loosely called Steaks in the Sukkot. It would be unusual in that it would be only for members of Men’s Club. Poker Nights currently are the only events exclusively for Men’s Club members or their spouses.
The Steaks in the Sukkah program is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 27 and would take place in one of our members’ backyards. We’d say the blessings in the sukkah, then sit down to a steak dinner. At the same time, we’ll be running a bourbon-tasting. If you think this is a good idea and you’d be interested in participating, let me or one of the officers of Men’s Club know about it. We value your input.
Meanwhile, we’re putting together our lineup of brunch speakers.
Our first will be in the Upper Social Hall beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 3 and will feature Benjamin J. Marrison, editor of The Columbus Dispatch. Marrison has been in charge of the newsroom there since November 1999. He joined the newspaper after nine years at the Plain Dealer in Cleveland, including three years as its Statehouse bureau chief. He also worked at The Blade in Toledo.
At press time, Marrison intended to make a small presentation and then to field questions from those present.
As always, the brunch will be an informal gathering of those congregation members who wish to attend. Men’s Club provides the food, and you enjoy it and the speaker.
Please consider joining us for everything!
Always happy to be of service,
Bill Chronister, Men’s Club President
Speaking of Sukkot, we’re thinking of starting a new event, loosely called Steaks in the Sukkot. It would be unusual in that it would be only for members of Men’s Club. Poker Nights currently are the only events exclusively for Men’s Club members or their spouses.
The Steaks in the Sukkah program is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 27 and would take place in one of our members’ backyards. We’d say the blessings in the sukkah, then sit down to a steak dinner. At the same time, we’ll be running a bourbon-tasting. If you think this is a good idea and you’d be interested in participating, let me or one of the officers of Men’s Club know about it. We value your input.
Meanwhile, we’re putting together our lineup of brunch speakers.
Our first will be in the Upper Social Hall beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 3 and will feature Benjamin J. Marrison, editor of The Columbus Dispatch. Marrison has been in charge of the newsroom there since November 1999. He joined the newspaper after nine years at the Plain Dealer in Cleveland, including three years as its Statehouse bureau chief. He also worked at The Blade in Toledo.
At press time, Marrison intended to make a small presentation and then to field questions from those present.
As always, the brunch will be an informal gathering of those congregation members who wish to attend. Men’s Club provides the food, and you enjoy it and the speaker.
Please consider joining us for everything!
Always happy to be of service,
Bill Chronister, Men’s Club President
7/30/10
ADL director coming to Synagogue
At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, Nina Sundell, director of the Ohio/Kentucky/Allegheny region of the Anti-Defamation League, will speak in the Upper Social Hall about confronting anti-zionism and anti-Semitism on American campuses. The program is sponsored by the Men's Club of Congregation Tifereth Israel. Light refreshments will be provided. A donation of $5 per person is requested. RSVP by Aug. 27 to Men's Club President Bill Chronister at 614-563-3268 or wtchron@gmail.com.
7/2/10
The 36th World Zionist Congress addresses contemporary issues
(A report from FJMC):
In 1897 Theodore Herzl, the founder of the modern Zionist movement, gathered about 200 Jewish leaders from around the world in Basel, Switzerland, to discuss the condition of the Jewish people and to organize towards the creation of the Jewish state. On June 15-17, 2010, 113 years later, the 36th World Zionist Congress met in Jerusalem to renew Herzl’s vision and to address many of the issues facing world Jewry and the State of Israel today. This Congress, which meets in Israel every four years, is the closest thing to a World Jewish Parliament that exists.
One of the major organizations participating at the Congress was Mercaz Olami, the Zionist arm of the worldwide Masorti/Conservative Movement. North American Leaders of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (the parent organization of Congregation Tifereth Israel's Men’s Club), Women’s League, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and the rabbinic and cantors' assemblies were joined by representatives of Masorti/Conservative Movement groups from Israel and 15 other countries at the Congress.
Mercaz joined with the Israeli political party Kadima and other local groups to form a united faction to advocate for pluralism and egalitarianism in Israel, and to promote Zionist education and youth development worldwide.
Many proposed resolutions were reviewed, discussed, debated, argued about, and either approved or rejected. Among the successful resolutions approved at the Congress were:
-- From FJMC Vice President Myles Simpson
In 1897 Theodore Herzl, the founder of the modern Zionist movement, gathered about 200 Jewish leaders from around the world in Basel, Switzerland, to discuss the condition of the Jewish people and to organize towards the creation of the Jewish state. On June 15-17, 2010, 113 years later, the 36th World Zionist Congress met in Jerusalem to renew Herzl’s vision and to address many of the issues facing world Jewry and the State of Israel today. This Congress, which meets in Israel every four years, is the closest thing to a World Jewish Parliament that exists.
One of the major organizations participating at the Congress was Mercaz Olami, the Zionist arm of the worldwide Masorti/Conservative Movement. North American Leaders of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (the parent organization of Congregation Tifereth Israel's Men’s Club), Women’s League, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and the rabbinic and cantors' assemblies were joined by representatives of Masorti/Conservative Movement groups from Israel and 15 other countries at the Congress.
Mercaz joined with the Israeli political party Kadima and other local groups to form a united faction to advocate for pluralism and egalitarianism in Israel, and to promote Zionist education and youth development worldwide.
Many proposed resolutions were reviewed, discussed, debated, argued about, and either approved or rejected. Among the successful resolutions approved at the Congress were:
- To oppose the currently proposed changes in the Israeli conversion law that will both negate the Law of Return and prejudice the rights of Jewish communities to act, each in its own way, regarding the conversion process.
- Equal funding for all Jewish religious streams within the World Zionist Organization budget.
- Encourage the government of Israel to recognize all streams of Judaism and their right to perform marriages and conversion in Israel.
- Require that 30 percent of the membership in all WZO committees, boards and such be women.
- Support funding by the Jewish Agency of all youth streams in Israel.
-- From FJMC Vice President Myles Simpson
6/15/10
Picnics, baseball and serious talk
It’s time to renew your membership in Congregation Tifereth Israel’s Men’s Club. And to help you understand what your annual dues of $36 go for, consider the activities we’ve got for you this summer.
Because the Three Weeks started on June 29 with the Fast of Tammuz (and end with Tisha B’Av on July 20), things will be rather quiet through July.
Not so August, however.
On Sunday, Aug. 1, the annual Men’s Club picnic and afternoon of fun will begin at 3:30 p.m. near the tennis courts behind the Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center on College Avenue south of Bexley. We’ll have hot dogs and hamburgers and, as Dr. Dale Levy likes to say, all the fixin’s for all comers. As always, there is no charge. Please RSVP to me, at wtchron@gmail.com, so we can get a head count and make sure everyone gets food. Also let me know if you require anything special to make your picnic more enjoyable.
On Aug. 15, the KIO Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs will invade our fair city to have a picnic and fill the stands for a Clippers game at Huntington Park. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. at the JCC with a picnic and softball games. The party then will transfer to Huntington Park to see the Clippers against the Louisville Sluggers starting at 5:05 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person; $17 for children under 12 and adults 65 and older. RSVP by Friday, July 9, to Mark Rosenson at mrosen3216@aol.com or (614) 861-3236.
And then on Aug. 22 comes the second annual Columbus Jewish Community Day, starting about 3 p.m. at Huntington Park. Many of the activities are still to be determined, but some things are certain: Ticket price will be $10 per person and will include beverages and two hotdogs, plus all the fixin’s, before the game; children will be allowed on the field before game time; and the opponents will be our Clippers vs. the Toledo Mudhens.
Last year, we sold more than 100 tickets to members of Congregation Tifereth Israel alone, and more than 300 throughout the Jewish community of Columbus and environs. We hope to do even better this year.
Please check with me, at wtchron@gmail.com, for tickets.
Finally, on the last day of the month – at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31 – the Men’s Club is sponsoring a visit from the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, Nina Sundell. Recent years have seen a resurgence of anti-Israel activity on the college campuses. These episodes oftentimes sow intimidation and fear among Jewish members of the university communities. Ms. Sundell will lead a discussion regarding anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activity on the college campuses and offer strategies for responding effectively.
Oh, and don’t forget Poker Night. The games are scheduled on July 8 and Aug. 12. Please check with Douglas Segerman, at djsegerman@earthlink.net, or Mike Sobul at lsobul@wowway.com, for locations and times.
Please consider joining us for everything!
Always happy to be of service,
Bill Chronister, Men’s Club President
Because the Three Weeks started on June 29 with the Fast of Tammuz (and end with Tisha B’Av on July 20), things will be rather quiet through July.
Not so August, however.
On Sunday, Aug. 1, the annual Men’s Club picnic and afternoon of fun will begin at 3:30 p.m. near the tennis courts behind the Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center on College Avenue south of Bexley. We’ll have hot dogs and hamburgers and, as Dr. Dale Levy likes to say, all the fixin’s for all comers. As always, there is no charge. Please RSVP to me, at wtchron@gmail.com, so we can get a head count and make sure everyone gets food. Also let me know if you require anything special to make your picnic more enjoyable.
On Aug. 15, the KIO Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs will invade our fair city to have a picnic and fill the stands for a Clippers game at Huntington Park. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. at the JCC with a picnic and softball games. The party then will transfer to Huntington Park to see the Clippers against the Louisville Sluggers starting at 5:05 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person; $17 for children under 12 and adults 65 and older. RSVP by Friday, July 9, to Mark Rosenson at mrosen3216@aol.com or (614) 861-3236.
And then on Aug. 22 comes the second annual Columbus Jewish Community Day, starting about 3 p.m. at Huntington Park. Many of the activities are still to be determined, but some things are certain: Ticket price will be $10 per person and will include beverages and two hotdogs, plus all the fixin’s, before the game; children will be allowed on the field before game time; and the opponents will be our Clippers vs. the Toledo Mudhens.
Last year, we sold more than 100 tickets to members of Congregation Tifereth Israel alone, and more than 300 throughout the Jewish community of Columbus and environs. We hope to do even better this year.
Please check with me, at wtchron@gmail.com, for tickets.
Finally, on the last day of the month – at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31 – the Men’s Club is sponsoring a visit from the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, Nina Sundell. Recent years have seen a resurgence of anti-Israel activity on the college campuses. These episodes oftentimes sow intimidation and fear among Jewish members of the university communities. Ms. Sundell will lead a discussion regarding anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activity on the college campuses and offer strategies for responding effectively.
Oh, and don’t forget Poker Night. The games are scheduled on July 8 and Aug. 12. Please check with Douglas Segerman, at djsegerman@earthlink.net, or Mike Sobul at lsobul@wowway.com, for locations and times.
Please consider joining us for everything!
Always happy to be of service,
Bill Chronister, Men’s Club President
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