From Leadership to Stewardship in a Men’s Club

By Steven Mandel MD
NY Metro Region VP of Community Outreach

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Judaism defines stewardship ( s’mirah), as being reasonable to others, and the environment, as it is the belief that the world and everything belongs to G-d . In Genesis 2;15 , it states ,“ work it and keep it” , beyond the Garden of Eden, but to be service to others.

Stewardship is a concept within the Judeo- Christian tradition. It has a strong religious foundation but also reflects responsible management of resources entrusted to one’s care. Stewardship refers to us as being faith managers to use the gifts of G-d given to us to be accountable, responsible and generously to serve others.

ELEMENTS OF STEWARDSHIP

Environmental Stewardship ( Shomrei ha’aretz), stewards of the land, Mitzvah Days, a time to serve others, Combatting Antisemitism and advocating for Israel, support synagogue life- all national, personal, and communal, to fulfil our sacred obligation.

The Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, will now be known as FJMC International:
Friendship – lifelong rooted meaningful experiences
Judaism– pluralistic and joyful
Mentorship– loving and wise
Community– inclusive and supportive

When we transition from traditional leadership, we can find a powerful way to build a thriving Men’s club.

Stewardship is a shared responsibility that emphasizes service, a shared responsibility for leadership, and long term growth over authority and control.

This follows the following Jewish Principals :
Achrayut- We are responsible to the community for supporting events, and
volunteering, It’s an obligation to other and the consequences of one’s actions. There is also a responsibility to G-d and one’s family. From focusing to direct others, stewardship focuses on serving others. It is a shared responsibility among all members of the club. Every one is expected to contribute, to their assignments as a positive reflection of our club. Stewardship becomes a community wide activity. People will then feel as sense of belonging, personal fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment, leaving a legacy for future members. The collaborative impact can lead people to initiate new ideas for higher ambitions and goals.

Masoret– It can be interpreted as a bond and preserving tradition. It is our multigenerational responsibility to mentor those of all ages, to carry out the duties that Judaism strives to continue.

Avodah and Chessed– With humility, leadership is service and not status. This also implies generosity and a willingness to serve to community and G-d. Moses led with humility, with a perseverance and a deep sense for his people.

Yashrut– All actions are carried out with an ethical integrity. There should be consistency between one’s actions, beliefs and principals, demonstrating a commitment to moral and ethical standards. True righteousness involves consistency between one’s inner beliefs and outer actions. When individuals interact with each other’s, it encourages inclusivity, compassion and kindness.

Tzedakah is the concept of charitable giving and caring for the needy. This can include financial support, helping others who may have a disability with dignity and respect.

Stewardship also relates to equity. All people have the ability to strive in their own way. When resources are properly distributed, and inclusivity is recognized, everyone in society gains.

Using the principal’s pf stewardship, we build bridges in the wider community with acts of kindness ( g’milut hasadim ), and TIKUN OLAM, with service and leadership. We learn to adapt to new initiatives in a changing world, that may be unpredictable. This can include breakfast programs, blood drives, ushering, and being present for life cycle events. We build camaraderie among our members and foster our Jewish identity.

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Leadership is about guiding inspiring and influencing others to achieve specific goals and visions. Stewardship is about responsible management and care of resources. For the well-being of the organization. Leadership drives ambitious targets, but without stewardship, they may not be sustainable or ethically grounded. Stewardship cultivates trust and empowers others in a culture of responsibility and ethical growth.

BARRIERS

We also need to be aware of the barriers:
There can be inadequate training, interpersonal tension and resistance to change, lack of available resources, reduced funding and time, limited leadership support, lack of motivation, lack of program longevity and long term commitment, and turnover of leadership. When stewardship fails, it is a lost opportunity, lost trust and responsibility, resulting in chaos. There can be financial loss, safety issues, and loss of reputation. Relationships are diminished, spiritual blindness and self-sabotaging behavior.

It then becomes urgent for corrective action. One needs to start with a root cause analysis, with of the system and not just the person. When implementing corrective actions, there need to be new responsibilities designated to people who will devote their time and effort. There needs to be follow-up assessments to address continuous improvement. Training is required to prevent similar failures.

Stewardship carries weight and a sense of sacred privilege, and to report back to the organization and accept feedback. Each person needs to understand that you need respect and courtesy for people who have different perspectives and opinions. When we can have a successful organization, it needs to have a sense of building trust in others.

Conclusion
L’dor v’dor: Stewardship is a privilege to shape the future, building a legacy of generosity, responsibility and hope for the next generation. With brotherhood and mitzvah, bring to our FJMC Men’s Club, your ideas and energy, and help create new traditions for our long-term success.

Steven Mandel MD
VP of Outreach and Engagement
NY Metro FJMC
July 18th 2025