Shalom, Toastmasters!

By Franklin Felber

Toastmasters International has arrived at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla. And you don’t have to be a member of the JCC to join, though JCC membership is encouraged.

The newly chartered Shalom Speakers Toastmasters club at the JCC has some unique attractions and advantages over the other 14,000 Toastmasters clubs worldwide.

“There’s something special about being in a Jewish setting like the JCC,” says Diana Lerner, the new President. “Many Shalom Speakers members share common cultural background, values, and language references. Speeches might include Hebrew phrases, Jewish humor, Yiddish expressions, or insights from Jewish texts, like Ethics of the Fathers or the Talmud, and speeches might align with seasonal themes, like spring cleaning around Passover.”

“Meetings typically avoid scheduling conflicts with Jewish holidays. And of course, we share the benefits of the top-rated security system and all the other amenities of the JCC, including the glatt kosher Harissa Mediterranean Kitchen,” added Ms. Lerner.

In Shalom Speakers, experienced speakers are paired as mentors with new members, who are encouraged from their first meeting to participate at the edge of their comfort zone. There are many speaking roles at each weekly one-hour meeting, including functionaries, evaluators, and impromptu and prepared speakers, giving just about everyone a chance to speak at each meeting.

The Shalom Speakers Toastmasters club is unusual in having a high ratio of those who have transformed themselves into speakers at the highest levels to those who are just starting their public-speaking journey. The highest level of speaking proficiency in Toastmasters is Distinguished Toastmaster. Attaining this DTM level typically takes years in Toastmasters and involves completing numerous speeches and projects, according to Margarita Pinhas, Founder of Shalom Speakers Toastmasters and a DTM herself.

The idea to found Shalom Speakers came to Ms. Pinhas after October 7th, she says. Despite English not being her first language, Ms. Pinhas has won many international speech contests. “When I became a Professional Speaker, Wellness Success Coach, and TEDx Coach, I realized how powerful Toastmasters could be. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned speaker, this is where your voice becomes your power. And whether you attend in person or virtually, you’ll be met with warmth, encouragement, and the space to grow.”

Now Ms. Pinhas is an active mentor of new members along with Distinguished Toastmaster Jon Berman, who took the lead with Ms. Pinhas in growing the new club. Other highly experienced DTMs supporting the club are Megan Hurley, who helps train Toastmaster officers throughout San Diego, and Richard Jennings and Peter Merrick.

Richard Jennings, a DTM with decades of Toastmaster experience, joined Shalom Speakers mainly because the relatively small size of this new club offered more opportunities for speaking than the larger, older clubs in San Diego. He says the role of DTMs, such as himself, is to move the club from good to great.

Peter Merrick, TEP, is a professional speaker who has published several textbooks and whose work, articles, and interviews have been published over 800 times in national media. Mr. Merrick joined Shalom Speakers because he likes to mentor new clubs.

“Guests are welcome to attend meetings of Shalom Speakers Toastmasters, which are held every Monday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 in the JCC library or a nearby room,” says Frank Felber, VP of Public Relations.

Among the many benefits of joining Shalom Speakers, according to Ms. Lerner, are overcoming a fear of public speaking, improving leadership and presentation skills, networking, and simply learning new things. “Shalom Speakers is just a great way to improve speaking skills, make new friends, and be inspired by others. Come join us for a meeting where you will be warmly welcomed and genuinely entertained.”

For further information about Shalom Speakers Toastmasters, contact Margarita Pinhas at MargaritaPinhas@gmail.com or (760) 405-7077.