Bruce Fagan – Middle Atlantic Region

Bruce Fagan blames it all on his brother-in-law for inviting him to help in the kitchen at a Sunday breakfast. He found his place in Temple Sinai Men’s Club of Dresher, PA, moving up the ranks to President from 2005-2007. Bruce sought younger members through parent/child programs such as the Wacky Menorah Contest and a wrestling demonstration. He encouraged support for Israel with Roses from Israel and greater minyan participation with reward-based Frequent Davener Cards. The club’s biggest initiative, “Men in the Kitchen” catering, proved to be both a great service for congregants and a way to build community. Despite the pandemic, MITK is now in its eighteenth year. He was the club’s Man of the Year in 2010.

On the regional level, Bruce helped run the Tour de Shuls bike ride for Camp Ramah in the Poconos for several years and became the region’s webmaster. As president from 2015-2017, he visited and brought meetings to clubs around the region, ran the first “Drink Tank” think tank for club presidents and ran an Israel Advocacy Program with Women’s League. He is still webmaster plus does art and video production for Man of the Year.

In 2006, Bruce was trained as an FJMC Keruv Consultant to help families and communities welcome intermarried couples, later co-chairing a national training weekend. He is an FJMC Board Member, serves as advisor to two regions, runs the Zoom and web presence for FJMC Webinars and Affinity Groups and has contributed numerous logo designs – including the convention logo and promo video – to FJMC. Bruce is part of the FJMC Inclusion Initiative to help our synagogues embrace underserved community members and still works to embrace intermarried families on the local level. A glutton for punishment, he is also Marketing Co-Chair and a webmaster for the 2023 FJMC Convention.

Bruce considers his greatest accomplishments to be getting younger men involved in Men's Club and working to change synagogue culture through Keruv.

In his spare time, Bruce performs with his band for social events and dances plus does hundreds of shows each year for audiences ranging from preschoolers to senior adults. He also provides marketing clients with promotional advertising specialties, graphic design, and video production.

Bruce and his wife, Nancy are most proud of their children and grandchildren: Andrew and Robin with Lucy, Annika and Emmett, and Gina and Matt with Evelyn and Carsyn.