Fort Lauderdale High School has facilitated an up-and-coming club, the Mensch Club, started by FLHS student Trevor Regli (11), and sponsored by Ms. Segal. The Mensch Club welcomes the Jewish students of FLHS to celebrate their heritage.

When asked what prompted Regli to start up this club he said, “My Rabbi Mendel-Chabbad Luba (from the Synagogue Chabad Lubavitch of Fort Lauderdale) approached me during service and suggested that I lead a club to promote Jewish pride among Jewish teens.” 

In 2022, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported a rise of 61% in antisemitic-fueled hate crimes. Segal knew that with these increasing numbers she had to step in and provide support for the Jewish community where she could.

“I decided to step in and assist Trevor and his team to bring awareness to our fellow FLHS students that Jews are caring ‘mensch’ people who love our school and our country too,” Segal said. 

Club member Sophia Pollock (12) also shared her experience at one of the club meetings during Chanukah, “We learned about Chanukah’s history, about the dreidel, got into small groups and I won the game of dreidel, and then we got jelly donuts because it is a Chanukah tradition.”

Pollock also shared an intimate detail about why she finds this club to be particularly important to her and other Jewish students at FLHS. 

“I love it because I’ve never felt a sense of belonging in any club, and I was so happy when I found out they were going to start a Jewish club because I knew I’d find people like me, a community!”

Overall, the meeting was a very positive experience for her and she would encourage others to join even if they’re not Jewish.

The Mensch Club currently meets monthly on Fridays during both A and B lunches in the Lecture Hall. If you would like to partake in the informative learning about Jewish culture and customs, then this is the club for you!