Gil Linder (pictured with no tie in the center) very successful president at the Temple Israel Men's Club in Silver Spring, MD. That congregation later merged to form what is now Tikvat Israel in Rockville. He became Seaboard Region Treasurer in 1985 and ascended to the Vice Presidency in 1987. Gil was always in the forefront of FJMC and regional activities and received an award for his work on behalf of the FJMC's Burning Bush Fund. He was in line to become regional president when his sudden death occurred. He was survived by his widow Rahlene.

Stephen (receiving an FJMC award on the left) in started his volunteering in the religious sector by becoming an officer of his Men’s Club at B’nai Shalom of Olney. After one year, he became the President and served for six years. He then moved on to the Seaboard Region FJMC and, after holding several positions, he became president in 1993. At the same time he also was President of his congregation. These two positions pushed Stephen forward to the international level of the FJMC, where he held all positions, except president, while serving as its Treasurer for four years.

He became involved with MERCAZ USA, The Movement to Reaffirm Conservative Zionism. Again, he held all offices except president while serving as the Treasurer for four years. As an officer of MERCAZ, he was placed on the board of the Jewish National Fund and the American Zionist Movement. Stephen was elected as a delegate from MERCAZ to the World Zionist Congress and attended eight sets of meetings in Jerusalem over a period of nine years. After a hiatus of two years of no activities, Stephen was nominated and elected to Treasurer of Mercaz and will be attending the October 2020 the World Zionist Congress.

Jack Lish was active in his congregation, Men’s Club, and the Jewish community for more than half a century until his death in 2012 at age 92. In 1955 he was elected First Vice President of the Adas Israel Men’s Club and became club president two years later. In 1957 he became president of the Seaboard Region and then moved on to become international president in 1981. Actually, he was the last president of the National Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (NFJMC).

During his presidency the international breadth of the organization was recognized and the “National” was dropped from the name. His presidency also marked the first time the organization took an active role in supporting other Conservative Movement programs, when several regions undertook efforts to support their Camp Ramahs. Jack served four years as president of Adas Israel Congregation, from 1983-87 and was later a trustee of the congregation. Jack was also honored with the FJMC’s Presidential Award, which recognizes past FJMC international president who continued their contributions after their terms of office. For years Jack was an attorney in Montgomery County and was survived by his wife Fran.

Jake Kopelove

Jake was inducted into the FJMC Lifetime Achievement Society at the 2019 Blue Yarmulka award brunch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Freilich

 

Michael Freilich has a long résumé of service to FJMC. He has been a regional vice president, a Brotherhood President, and is currently an advisor to the Seaboard Region and a trusted advisor to international presidents.

 

Years ago, he instituted biennial Seaboard regional seminars to train brotherhood and regional leaders. As an FJMC Consultant, Michael is known for his contributions in teaching using open-ended questions to assess values and issues and to develop programming.  In his heart, Michael is a teacher. His teaching at the International level, particularly the yearly FJMC Foundation for Jewish Life Leadership Development Institute (LDI) is legendary. His knowledge of the often-hidden meaning of prayers has enriched many a Shabbat service during those LDIs.

 

He has been active as a Keruv advisor and has advised the innovative morning learners’ service at several International Conventions. He has been a national and regional leader in the Minyan of Comfort program. He was one of the editors for the FJMC portion of CJ Magazine and is a member of the International Board of FJMC.  He has been tasked by International President Stan Greenspan to develop an electronic publication for the FJMC contain articles of interest and importance to all Jewish men. In 2015, he was honored with the region’s Maasim Tovim award.

 

Michael’s undergraduate degree is from Columbia University while he also studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary. He then pursued graduate degrees in philosophy at The Ohio State University.  While at Ohio State, Michael was a Melton Research Fellow and taught at the Melton School in Columbus, Ohio. After completing his graduate work, Michael pursued his J.D. at the Case Western Reserve University. Michael has taught philosophy at The Ohio State University and at John Carroll University. For many summers, Michael was on staff at Ramah camps.  

 

Michael practices law in Baltimore. He is considered a tough trial lawyer and a strong capable transactional attorney. Michael and his wife Barbara recently celebrated their 50th anniversary and have two children - son David, who resides with his family in Austin, Texas, and daughter Honey, who resides with her family in Rockville, Maryland.