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Cliff Fishman & Robert Katz Advance in Toastmasters' Contest.........posted Sep 27, 2006

Tikvat Israel congregant Cliff Fishman qualified for the third round of a Toastmasters International speech contest, winning both the humor speech and extemporaneous speech categories in the Toastmasters Area 53 competition on Sept. 26.

"Not only did he win, he won hands down and made us all proud," said John Melmed, chair of the TI chapter, known as the Hopeful Talkers.

By winning the area competition (after previously winning the synagogue's contest in both categories), Fishman qualified for the third level, the division tournament. Unfortunately, when those contests are held on Oct. 22 in Rockville, Fishman, a law professor at Catholic University, will be lecturing in Poland.

However, TI's Robert Katz, who came in second to Fishman in the Hopeful Talkers' humorous speech contest, won the contest at another club he belongs to in Rockville and went on to win the Area 52 Humorous Speech Contest. He now moves forward to compete in the same Division Contest on Oct. 22, where he would have squared off against Fishman again.

"Cliff's double win and Robert's win at high levels of competition showcases the strength of our public speakers in this toastmasters club as they join illustrious speakers such as Jeff Smith and Hal Diamond, who have preceded them with similar success," Melmed said.

Hopeful Talkers, the Toastmasters International chapter at Tikvat Israel, holds regular club meetings every second and fourth Thursday at 8 p.m. in the synagogue library. All are welcome.

Further details about the club are available from Melmed at jrmelmed@comcast.net.