August 2019 by Jewish Rhode Island

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AUGUST 2019 | AV 5779

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R H O DE I S L A ND

How is your summer? Area campers are having lots of fun Judaism and mindfulness have many links

Help finish the Holocaust Memorial project

Fink: Ties that bind RI to a Caribbean Island

PAIR SW WIT ELL TUIT H ION

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When we come together our capacity for a stronger, more vibrant community is limitless. Whether you volunteer with us or you answer the call, you are impacting lives here at home, in Israel, and around the world. Make your gift ahead of Super Sunday: Visit jewishallianceri.org or call 401.421.4111 ext. 165.

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EDITOR Fran Ostendorf DESIGN & LAYOUT Leah Camara ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Peter Zeldin pzeldin@jewishallianceri.org 401-421-4111, ext. 160 Karen Borger ksborger@gmail.com 401-529-2538 CONTRIBUTORS Cynthia Benjamin, Larry Kessler, Michael Schemaille COLUMNISTS Michael Fink, Geraldine Foster, Patricia Raskin, Rabbi James Rosenberg, Daniel Stieglitz

VOLUME XXVI, ISSUE VIII JEWISH RHODE ISLAND (ISSN number 1539-2104, USPS #465-710) is published monthly. PERIODICALS Postage paid at Providence, R.I. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Jewish Rhode Island, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. PUBLISHER

The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, President/CEO Adam Greenman, Chair James Pious, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. 401-421-4111; Fax 401-331-7961 MEMBER of the Rhode Island Press As-

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Learning opportunities are all around us YOU ARE NEVER OLD ENOUGH, or wise enough, to stop learning. No matter what I do or where I go, I pick up some tidbit of information that causes me to stop and think, “Hmmm. I didn’t know that.” Nobody who knows me would ever call me a know-it-all. But you’d think that by a certain age, you’d have picked up quite a bit of knowledge. And that may be true. But I’m here to tell you that my 90-year-old mother will pass along some bit of information she’s picked up from a book, or from the daily newspaper, or online at one of the many websites she visits, and it will be news to me. She’s even learned a few things from Jewish Rhode Island. I’ve always believed in the joy of learning, but it has been brought home to me a number of times this summer as I’ve spent time with family and friends. And you really come to appreciate how magical it is to experience this joy when you spend time with the youngest members of your family. One of the joys of parenting is how much your children can teach you about yourself and the world around you. Watching my baby granddaughter, I realize how much there is to learn and how fast it all gets absorbed at that age. We went to the New England Aquarium a few weeks back. And while I learned a few fun penguin facts that I couldn’t believe I’d missed in my years-long penguin obsession (did you know that molt-

ing penguins don’t eat?), my granddaughter learned that there’s such a thing as penguins. Imagine that. I wish I could remember learning big things for the first time – language, walking, throwing a ball. Imagine what babies must experience and how joyful their learning must be! And the ongoing aspect of learning was further reinforced during a recent interview with Michael Fel, Temple Emanu-El’s new rabbi. He said he loves to learn with congregants and members of the community. It’s one of the joys of his job, he told me. That got me thinking about all the ways we continue to learn in the course of our daily lives. Something as simple as reading the newspaper can add to your knowledge. Of course you should read Jewish Rhode Island, but we can’t be your source for national and international news. Institutions like newspapers are suffering because people aren’t willing to pay for them, even though they are so valuable. Can you imagine our world without them? So, please try to support a wide range of media. You will learn a lot every day just by doing that. Ask yourself: How much is that worth? For many, the start of the school year is just a month away. This is always a time of anticipation

and renewal for students, parents and teachers – all excited to learn new things. But whether you are involved in formal education or not, it’s always time to think about learning and renewal for yourself. There are plenty of learning opportunities in our community. We are fortunate to have synagogues with active adult education programs. Check Jewish Rhode Island’s community calendar for some of their offerings. And our local universities have continuing education programs that are open to all. In addition, museums, zoos, aquariums, bookstores, arboretums, theaters and more are out there waiting for you. ON THE COVER: Fun And don’t forget the robust on the water at Camp programming JORI in Wakefield. at the Alliance’s PHOTO BY GLENN OSMUNDSON Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence. Throughout the year there are films, classes and programs for all ages; a program guide will be online later in August, and the activities are also listed in our community calendar. But there are also a thousand little ways to learn, and those moments are sometimes the most basic – watching a child play, listening to a senior (or even a teenager), watching a wild animal or a bird in a tree. Take a few moments today to put yourself – or catch yourself – in a moment of learning. It’s a wonderful part of life!

Fran Ostendorf, Editor COPY DEADLINES: All news releases, photographs, etc., must be received on the Wednesday 10 days prior to publication. Submissions may be sent to: editor@ jewishallianceri.org. ADVERTISING: We do not accept adver-

tisements for pork or shellfish. We do not attest to the kashrut of any product or the legitimacy of advertisers’ claims.

THE MISSION OF JEWISH RHODE ISLAND is to communicate Jewish news, ideas and ideals by connecting and giving voice to the diverse views of the Jewish community in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, while adhering to Jewish values and the professional standards of journalism. ALL SUBMITTED CONTENT becomes the property of Jewish Rhode Island. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of Jewish Rhode Island or its publisher, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. We reserve the right to refuse publication and edit submitted content.

IN THE NEWS

Legislation would help care for Holocaust survivors JTA – Bipartisan legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives July 30 that will prioritize health care and nutrition services for Holocaust survivors. The bill, the Trauma-Informed Modernization of Eldercare for Holocaust Survivors Act or “TIME for Holocaust Survivors Act,” was introduced earlier in July in the Senate. It increases the chances that survivors could age in their own homes. It was introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who is Jewish, and

Reps. Donna Shalala, D-Fla. and Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. The bill incorporates several provisions into the Older Americans Act to ensure that Holocaust survivors have care and services. “My district has among the largest populations of survivors in the country. The trauma and grief that these survivors endured is unimaginable. The TIME for Holocaust Survivors Act can tend to that unique pain in this closing chapter of their lives,” Wasserman Schultz said in a statement. The Senate bill was introduced by Sens. Ben Cardin,

D-Md., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev. “Holocaust survivors came to the United States seeking refuge from unimaginable horrors. They have lived their lives here and enriched our nation. With an average age of 85, we have an obligation to provide Holocaust survivors the community support and special services they need to live out their final days,” Cardin said in a statement at the time. More than 300 national, state and local organizations – most Jewish orga-

nizations including Jewish federations, Holocaust education organizations and synagogues – signed a letter of support for the Senate legislation There are about 80,000 Holocaust survivors living in the United States, with one-third of them living at or below the poverty line. Aging Holocaust survivors have needs similar to other older Americans, but institutionalized settings, with confined spaces or restrictions on food, can induce panic, anxiety and trauma due to their Holocaust experiences, the bill notes.

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UP FRONT You’ve spent your career as a champion of social justice. What pointed you in that direction? It has always been a part of my life. I went to Jesuit law school [at Georgetown University] and was also very active in the Jewish community, and I think those two things came together to form my sense of social justice and faith-based social justice, underpinning almost everything I’ve been doing. I was president of my youth group when I was in high school, and I have always been active in the Jewish community. When you entered law school, did you know that you wanted to specialize in advocacy and community work? No, I don’t think so. I just really believe that part of our rent for being here on this beautiful planet is that we have to give back to our community and the world…I have always been involved in some sort of community service, community organizing, community building activities. What inspired you to run for office? I was the president of the Rhode Island chapter of the National Organization of Women [and] I started getting phone calls from women who wanted to run for office. I learned that the seat I’m now in was going to be open, and I decided it was time for me to step forward and run.

Rebecca Kislak: community building is part of giving back BY MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE

oday Rebecca Kislak runs Kislak Consulting, a company that provides policy advice and strategic planning to healthcare, nonprofit and government agencies. In November 2018, she was elected to represent Rhode Island District 4, which covers a portion of Providence’s East Side. Kislak, is a native of Miami, Florida, and a graduate of Brown University. She returned to Providence in 2002 with her spouse, Dr. Joanna Brown; the couple has two children: Ezra and Simon. She recently sat down to answer a few questions for Jewish Rhode Island.

How do you feel about your connection to Judaism? What does it mean to you? I’m very observant. I would describe myself as an observant, egalitarian Jew. I belong to Temple Emanu-El, and I’ve been on the board. Does your practice and observance match the way that you grew up? Yes and no. We’re all evolving human beings, and I observe the Sabbath differently than when I was growing up in a Reform Jewish household, but I go to synagogue and I went to synagogue when I was

growing up. I’m involved in the Jewish community, and in social justice; all things that I did when I was a kid. How has your experience in the State House been different from working with community organizations? Well, I want to talk about how it’s been the same. To get things done at the State House it’s important to develop personal relationships, and to really get to know your colleagues and build community within the State House, which I can do differently now as an elected official than I could before as an advocate. What do you think are the greatest challenges that face Rhode Island today? I think that our schools are incredibly important and need to be a lot better. I have a rising eighth grader at Nathan Bishop, and I understand very directly how our schools can and need to be better. I also see some really great and special things happening in all of our schools…all of our schools need to be better, and I think that if we can focus on that as a state, we’ll be in good shape. What about five or 10 years from now? [There’s] a need for affordable housing, and actually more housing at most income levels. There’s a housing crunch here, and it’s not just in Providence, but I know that we’re seeing it a lot here, and I would love to see more housing that’s accessible to people at different income levels. In terms of education and housing, what can the average Rhode Islander do to improve these things? I think it’s very important to make sure that our government is more accessible and more responsive to all Rhode Islanders. [There are] some barriers to participating in our government, and I want to make it easier for folks to participate, to have their voices heard. The more that we participate in forums that we CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

REBECCA KISLAK is an attorney with years of experience in social services and healthcare policy. She has advocated for children through Rhode Island Legal Services and was Policy Director at the Rhode Island Health Center Association.

Kislak has also been the President of the Rhode Island chapter of the National Organization for Women, Vice President of Membership and Outreach at Temple Emanu-El, and ViceChair of Rhode Island Parent Information Network’s Board of Directors.

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Exploring the Connection between Judaism and Mindfulness “Drink tea and nourish life; with the first sip, joy; with the second sip, satisfaction; with the third sip, peace; with the fourth, a Danish.” “If there is no self, whose arthritis is this?” – Rabbi Michael Lerner BY MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE

UDAISM AND BUDDHISM IN THE SAME JOKE? Nu! After all, both traditions share the idea that looking inward is a key to improving one’s interactions with the world outside. In the case of Judaism, there’s Yom Kippur: it’s a deeply introspective observance, focusing on assessing our own behaviors and feelings. It’s meant to help us improve as people, and to move forward in a way that allows us to be kinder in our interactions with the world around us. In Buddhism, this ethos is echoed by the core teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, which emphasize self-awareness as a way to alleviate suffering. This sort of active self-awareness has in recent years become popularized as “mindfulness.” Rooted in Buddhist tradition, mindfulness is a philosophical, non-religious practice turning up in boardrooms, prisons, and public schools across America. Mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn, who was raised

CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE create, opportunities that we and…I think that we all have demand, [the more] our voices to do this together. I think are heard. Everything gets a this is some of the stuff that I little better, and that’s what I learned growing up active in want to help work on. the Jewish community, that it’s our responsibility to help You were an undergraduate build the world that we want at Brown, and moved back to to live in. Rhode Island when your spouse took a job in Providence. What are your feelings about Rhode Island? I love Rhode Island; there are some things here that are very, very special, and we keep making choices that keep us here. I like the walkability and the size of Rhode Island, and of Providence, and I love the community. I love our summers, I love our beaches, I love my street, and my neighbors. I joke that I have the best block in the city, but I think a lot of us have the best block! Can you share a recent, impactful experience? The recent immigration protest outside Wyatt [Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center, in Central Falls] was incredibly moving, and…a real reminder that coming together and speaking out has tremendous value. I am really impressed with the next generation of community organizers in our Jewish community; I think that they are learning that they can make demands and organize effectively. I feel like we’re at this liminal moment,

How can people get more involved in politics? You can volunteer on a campaign, or pick an issue and work on that. I’m really passionate about playing matchmaker and helping connect people to ways to take the next step, or two, or 10, to being more involved. I would love to help make those connections throughout the state, because I think the world’s a better place when we all do just a little bit more, or even a lot more; I welcome folks to come visit the State House.

Do you have any final comments? I’m available for folks to contact me about what’s important to them. I think that our government is better when people are participating, and I’d love to help that happen even more. MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE (mschemaille@ jewishallianceri.org) writes for Jewish Rhode Island and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

in a secular Jewish family, described mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” It is a form of meditation that emphasizes the conscious awareness of one’s thoughts and feelings, something that meshes neatly with the Jewish concept of kavanah (“directed intention”), which carries the idea that one should daven attentively and with presence of mind, and not merely by thoughtless repetition. This connection to Judaism may account for the phenomenon of “Jubus,” Jews who practice Buddhist-style meditation. American Jews even had a large part in introducing mindfulness to a modern audience (see sidebar). But, just how compatible are mindfulness and Juda-

ism? The Jewish concepts of kavanah and tefillah (joining mind and spirit through prayerful self-assessment) have close parallels in Buddhism, but they predate that philosophy by centuries or even millennia. To provide another important example of mindfulness within Judaism, consider the observance of Shabbat and its role as a centerpiece of Jewish life: lighting candles, singing and saying brachot are meant to be done with care and conscious intent, while the acts of “unplugging” and abstaining from labor encourage an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. I spoke with four local rabbis about their individual approaches to kavanah, tefillah and mindfulness, and how they bring these concepts to a larger audience; their remarks follow:

RABBI ALAN FLAM, leader of the Soulful Shabbat Project. In 2000, Rabbi Flam left his position as Executive Director of Brown RISD Hillel to renew his spirituality, which he felt had become “parched.” He found his renewal at the Institute of Jewish Spirituality (IJS) in New York, describing it as “a formative experience” and his inspiration for creating the Soulful Shabbat Project. Flam conducts Soulful Shabbat services in the spirit of renewing tradition and practice, and with a focus on deeper spiritual practices and inclusivity. Participants sit in circles rather than rows, which allows everyone to be both teacher and student. Flam explained that the circle allows people to connect with each other and take turns leading services, CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Three Rhode Island Film Festival films at the JCC BY JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF THE FLICKERS’ RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (RIIFF), now in its 23rd year, will take place in venues across Rhode Island from Aug. 6-11, 2019. The festival has become a leading juried competition showcase for international independent filmmakers and their work. In 2018, Flickers screened 295 cinematic works sourced from 48 nations and selected from more than 6,500 submissions. This year, Flickers has partnered with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island to present three new films of Jewish interest. These films will be screened at the Dwares JCC at 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Tickets are $10 each and available at the door.

Thursday, Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Tevye’s Daughters | Directed by Vladimir Lert | Ukraine, 2019. It is the early 20th century. Tevye the Dairyman lives in a small village in Ukraine. He is poor and believes that his daughters have one chance to escape poverty – a successful marriage. Tevye accepts a profitable proposition from a matchmaker, but his beautiful daughters have a different plan. This film is in Russian.

Sunday, Aug. 11, noon

Dave Grusin: Not Enough Time | Directed by Barbara Bentree | United States, 2019. Millions of people all over the world love

the music of Dave Grusin. “Dave Grusin: Not Enough Time,” is a full length documentary about the legendary award-winning music producer, composer and pianist. The filmmaker is expected to attend.

Sunday, Aug. 11, 2:30 p.m.

Eva |Directed by Ted Green | United States, 2018. As a 10-year-old “Mengele Twin,” Eva Kor suffered the worst of the Holocaust: being experimented on by the Auschwitz “Angel of Death.” At 50, she launched the biggest international manhunt in history. Now 84, she urgently circles the globe in failing health to promote the controversial lesson her journey has taught: healing through forgiveness. In addition to these screenings, director and Rhode Island native Joseph Lovett will present his film, “Children of the Inquisition,” at RISD Museum’s Metcalf Auditorium on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 5 p.m. Lovett’s film explores the consequences of the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions, and the ramifications of those events on “openly Catholic and inwardly Jewish” families across the Americas today. Lovett is a graduate of Moses Brown School. His collaborators on this project include other Rhode Island natives, including producer Hilary Klotz Steinman and URI Professor Emeritus of Hispanic Studies, David Gitlitz.

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15 R E B M E T SEP FORMERLY OF THE EAGLES

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The power of memories on Tisha B’Av

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OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENTS. trying to answer this quesNeighbors turning innocent tion: “How?” It is a story that neighbors in to the authoriI believe carries both a cauties. The most revered place tion and a glimmer of hope desecrated. People exiled, that it is just as relevant for fleeing a home that us today as it was thousands can no longer of years ago. be home. The story goes like this: Parents Once there was a cerweeping tain man who had a for their friend named Kamtza children. and an enemy named Walls Bar-Kamtza. He made being a feast, and said to his breached. servant: “go and bring A city me Kamtza!” But burning, and RABBI RACHEL the servant made a sanctuary ZERIN a small mistake; destroyed. he went and These are the things brought him Bar-Kamtwe remember on Tisha B’Av, za. the day on which we comWhen the host found memorate the destruction of Bar-Kamtza sitting there, the First and Second Temples he said to him, “Since you in Jerusalem, as well as many are my enemy, what are other tragedies that have you doing here? Stand up befallen the Jewish people on and get out!” Bar-Kamtza this day. said to him, “Since I have Next Saturday night, Aug. come, let it be, and I will 10, as we remember these give you money for whatthings, Jewish communities ever I eat and drink.” He across the world will sit down said to Bar-Kamtza, “no.” to chant the Book of LamentaBar-Kamtza said to him, tions – a book whose English “I will give you money name is not inaccurate, but for half of your feast.” He whose Hebrew name is much said “no.” Bar-Kamtza more stirring: Eicha, which said to him, “I will give literally translates to: “How?” you money for the entire “How?”, each chapter feast!” He said “no!” He begins. How have we fallen grabbed Bar-Kamtza by so far, this city that was once the hand and picked him great among the nations? up and threw him out. (Eicha 1:1) How have such terrible things come to befall Bar-Kamtza said, “since us? (Eicha 2:1) How have the rabbis were sitting we become so cruel, or so there and did not protest apathetic? (Eicha 4:3) Eicha? against him, it must be How? that they agreed with The Book of Lamentations him. I will go and inform offers no answers, only the against them to the wailing questions of someone government.” He went in shock and disbelief. Centuand said to the emperor, ries later, however, the rabbis “the Jews are rebelling of the Talmud tried to wrap against you.” He said, their heads around the very “how can I tell?” He said same questions: How could to him, “send them an this have happened? Why offering and see if they was our Temple destroyed; offer it. If they refuse why were our people exiled? to offer your offering, They offer several different you will know they are answers, each of which is rebelling.” So the emperor interesting in its own right. sent Bar-Kamtza off with One passage suggests that a calf to bring as an offerthe First Temple was deing to the Temple. stroyed because of rampant While Bar-Kamtza was acts of murder, idol worship on his way, he blemished and incest, while the Second the calf in such a way Temple was destroyed not that it would still be conbecause people were breaking sidered an acceptable ofthe law, but because people fering by the emperor, but were filled with baseless it would not be considered hatred toward each other. an acceptable offering by Another passage holds that the Jews. the Temple was destroyed because the people would When Bar-Kamtza technically follow the letter arrived with the calf, the of the law, but would manipurabbis saw that it was late the laws or find loopholes blemished and could not around them in order to act decide what to do. They completely immorally. considered offering it for There is one story, however, the sake of peace with the that really stands out when

TO R A H

government, but Rabbi Zechariyah ben Avkulas said, “we can’t do that, because they will say that we sacrifice blemished animals upon the altar!” They considered killing Bar-Kamtza so that he would not go and inform, but Rabbi Zechariyah said to them, “we can’t do that! They will say that one who makes a blemish on an offering should be killed!” And so they did not offer the calf. The emperor concluded from this that the Jews were rebelling. Because of these events, the Temple was destroyed, the city was burned and we were exiled from our land. (Babylonian Talmud, Gittin 55b-56a) This story offers us a reason for the destruction of the Temple. But what exactly was that reason? Was the Temple destroyed because a servant made a simple mistake? Or because a host couldn’t be kind to his enemy and allow him to save face? Was it because a group of rabbis looked on as a man was publicly humiliated and did not intervene? Or perhaps all this destruction was because Bar-Kamtza completely over-reacted, and in return for being publicly humiliated he informed against the Jews to the emperor? Was it because Rabbi Zechariyah was too attached to following the letter of the law and refused to make an exception for the sake of peace? Was it because his colleagues allowed him to silence their conversation? Or was it because the emperor took one man’s word, and overreacted? No, it wasn’t any one of these things: it was all of them combined. If you read the story carefully, it portrays dozens of people as each being partly responsible for the destruction. Collectively, all of their missteps led to the greatest calamity the Jewish people had ever known. While this may be a depressing picture, there is a flip side that is incredibly empowering. If you read this passage again and look for all the points at which the story could have been reversed, you will find dozens of moments when one thing could have been done differently to change the ending of the story; dozens of people, any one of whom could have spoken up or responded differently in order to avert the the tragic ending.

That is the caution and the glimmer of hope that I see in this story. When things go catastrophically wrong, there is rarely only one person responsible, only one person capable of turning things around. When a city is destroyed, it is rarely destroyed in one instant; instead, destruction is a slow, unfolding process. Yes, in real life there may be one primary catalyst, more so than in this story; this story reminds us that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of moments to change the ending of our story, and that any one of us has the ability to speak up or respond differently to avert a tragic ending. It is no mistake that the host, the servant and the rabbis at the feast are all unnamed in this story. Their anonymity is an indication that any one of us could start or stop a cascade of terrible events. In Judaism, remembering is not merely a mental act. Remembering is something we engage in because it leads to action. On Tisha B’Av, we do not remember simply for the sake of mourning, lamenting, calling out, “How?” We know that destruction, cruelty and the banishment of holiness are not limited to the destruction of the Temples in ancient Jerusalem. They can happen in any time and place. We remember because we want these memories of destruction to serve as a call to action to avoid repeating such tragedies. And we tell stories like that of Kamtza and Bar-Kamtza to remind ourselves that we all have the ability, perhaps even the obligation, to speak up, to change our behavior, to seek justice rather than revenge, and to act with kindness rather than hate. Any one of us has the power to stop the chain of events that leads to destruction. Any one of us has the power to change the end of our story. RABBI RACHEL ZERIN is a rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Providence.

IN THE NEWS Manischewitz is selling all of its kosher food business JTA – The Manischewitz Co. will sell all of its kosher food business to Kenover Marketing Corp., the companies announced. The companies “have reached an understanding for a transaction whereby Kenover Marketing Corp. will acquire all of the kosher food business of Manischewitz,” according to reports. Kenover is part of Kayco, located in Bayonne, New Jersey, which formed after a merger between Kedem Foods, Kenover Marketing and B&W Foods. Manischewitz is based in Newark, New Jersey. The sale reportedly will not include Manischewitz’s Season brand. The companies stated July 29 that they will conclude the transaction “in the near future” and will then announce the details and that meanwhile the two companies will operate business as usual. The B. Manischewitz Co. LLC was founded by Rabbi Dov Behr Manischewitz in 1888 in Cincinnati and is known for its machine-made matzah and its line of Passover products, as well as its wines and Tam Tam crackers. Manischewitz remained a public corporation under control of the family until it was taken private in a 1990 management buyout for $42.5 million. No members of the Manischewitz family are now involved in the company, according to Kosher Today.

Candle lighting times in Greater Rhode Island Aug. 2

7:44 p.m.

Aug. 9 7:36 p.m. Aug. 16 7:26 p.m. Aug. 23 7:15 p.m. Aug. 30 7:04 p.m.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

LETTER

COMMUNITY VOICES | OPINION

Remembering the Kofflers

Rape and rape myth in Jewish tradition

Esther Koffler Kaplan New York

Cranston Senior Guild plans fun afternoon Cranston Senior Guild’s next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence, 3 Shalom Drive, Warwick. After a short meeting, The Chateaus will entertain with music and songs from show tunes, oldies and pop favorites. All men and women age 55 years and older are welcome to join. Membership is $12 for the year. Cranston residency is not required. Lois Cohen Cranston, R.I.

Rabbi’s new book explores biblical attitudes toward women

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RABBI GAVI S. RUIT, a valued member of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island, teaches adult education classes here in southern New England. Her forthcoming book, “The Story of Dinah: Rape and Rape Myth in Jewish Tradition,” to be published later this month by Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, is certain to ruffle more than a few feathers – for, as Ruit states in her introductory chapter, her objective is “to understand not only the beliefs and attitudes that underlie rape culture, but also to what extent Judaism has been complicit in fostering such beliefs, and, more generally, to gain insight as to where and how women have fit in Jewish tradition across time.” At the core of Ruit’s book lies the story of Dinah as told in Genesis, chapter 34. Ruit translates the Hebrew of the opening four verses as follows: “Then Dinah, daughter of Leah who was born to Jacob, went out to see among the daughters of the land. And Shechem – son of Hamor the Hivite, ruler of the land – saw her, and took her, and laid her, and violated her. And his soul clung to Dinah daughter of Jacob, and he loved the maiden and he spoke tenderly to the girl. And so Shechem said to Hamor his father, ‘take for me that child as wife!’ ” Hamor visits Jacob to begin to negotiate a wedding, but soon two of Jacob’s sons, Simon and Levi, take over. They state that the wedding can only go forward if Shechem and all

the other men in his town undergo circumcision. That demand is met. When the men are weak and in pain as they recover from their circumcisions, Simon and Levi attack them with their swords, slaying every single one of them. They justify their violence with the words, “Should our sister be made like a prostitute?” Ruit’s central argument is that “the Dinah story can serve as a kind of ‘Biblical Rorschach Test,’ in that it RABBI JAMES serves ROSENBERG to reflect the commentator’s own attitudes, concerns, or anxieties, including those regarding women … the primary focus of ‘The Story of Dinah’ is to ascertain the attitudes and anxieties that later commentators project upon the text regarding the sexual violation of women and of women more generally.” Dinah’s story leads to a wide range of interpretation because of the many ambiguities in the text of Genesis 34. To begin with, while we do learn something about how the men in the story feel – Shechem, Hamor, Jacob, Simon, Levi – we know nothing about Dinah’s feelings; she doesn’t speak a single word. All we can say about Dinah is that “she went out to see among the daughters of the land.” While many label the story of Dinah “the rape of Dinah,” it is possible to argue that Dinah came to love Shechem, the man whose soul “clung” to her, the man who “spoke ten-

S TO M

Jewish Rhode Island sparked my gratitude wherein the paper made mention of my parents, Charles and Sarah Koffler, whose summer home on Central Street in Narragansett Pier hosted weekly Sabbath services during the summer seasons, beginning about 1948, on Friday night and Saturday morning. My folks took great pleasure in the gathering of summer residents who might have Yahrzeits to keep during the summer months and for those who were accustomed to attending weekly synagogue or Temple services. At the outset, my mother, of blessed memory, would prepare a Kiddush that was on the house for Saturday mornings. As time went on, the daveners had Kiddush refreshments sent in each week. The congregation felt so “at home” they brought their “little ones,” who took advantage of our landscape areas that allowed their daddies free to daven. I am one of three Koffler daughters, the middle one, who married the rabbi, Rabbi Philip Kaplan, who conveniently officiated and read the Torah each Sabbath service while he and I were on vacation each year for six weeks. My mom passed away in 1960. My dad and two sisters, sad to say, have passed on. My husband, of blessed memory, died in January of 2006. I am now 95 years of age and live in assisted living. I was not aware that Congregation Beth David owns their property at Narragansett Pier. My very best regards to Rabbi Adler and members of Congregation Beth David.

derly” to her. Indeed, Anita Diamant, in her 1997 novel “The Red Tent,” treats Genesis 34 not as a tale of rape but rather as a story of mutual, passionate love. “The Story of Dinah” is a challenging and often provocative book. And no chapter is more challenging and more provocative than Chapter Four, “Rabbinic Period: Introduction of Rape Myth.” Here, Ruit argues and documents that, in marked contrast to the Intertestamental epoch that preceded it and the Middle Ages that followed, the Rabbinic period (approximately 100-600 C.E.) was a particularly misogynistic time in Jewish history. Bolstering her position by citing several passages of rabbinical midrash about Dinah’s story in Genesis 34, taken primarily from collections known as “Genesis Rabbah” and “Tanhuma,” Ruit makes the audacious claim that it was the ancient rabbis who introduced reflection of rape myths into Jewish tradition: “Rape myth ideology clearly enters Jewish tradition during this period. In addition to several comments that are dismissive of women, or debase them generally, the midrashim reflect three distinct types of rape myth. They include suggestions that: Dinah deserved to be violated, that she wanted her encounter with Shechem, and that her encounter with Shechem was nothing more than normative sex.” Why did the ancient rabbis hold such misogynistic views? Why did they introduce “negative portrayals of women as inherently immoral”? In her concluding sum-

mary chapter, Ruit, though admittedly tentatively, suggests two possible answers. In the first place, the rabbis are “particularly concerned with issues of control in relationships with gentiles. Rabbi Huna’s anxiety (see Genesis Rabbah 80.11) that women cannot tear themselves away after sleeping with gentiles reflects this concern over locus of control.” Second, the rabbis are “particularly concerned with the potentially negative consequences of women asserting too much personal or economic power.” Ruit’s condemnation of the ancient rabbis’ misogyny is profoundly disturbing to the large number of contemporary Jews who uncritically venerate these men who have given us our Talmud, our midrash and so much of the ritual structure of Judaism that we practice to this very day. Nevertheless, Ruit’s scholarship is formidable and her arguments are difficult to refute. As a result of her groundbreaking work, we Jews – of every denomination and non-denomination – will have a better understanding of where we have come from, and therefore a better understanding of who we are today. Rabbi Ruit will launch her book at Temple BethEl in Providence, on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m., at which time you will be able to explore these significant issues in conversation with the author. JAMES B. ROSENBERG is rabbi emeritus at Temple Habonim, in Barrington. Contact him at rabbiemeritus@templehabonim.org.

Jewish Rhode Island publishes thoughtful and informative contributors’ columns (op-eds of 500 – 800 words) and letters to the editor (300 words, maximum) on issues of interest to our Jewish community. At our discretion, we may edit pieces for publication or refuse publication. Letters and columns, whether from our regular contributors or from guest columnists, represent the views of the authors; they do not represent the views of Jewish Rhode Island or the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

Send letters and op-eds to: Jewish Rhode Island, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906 or editor@jewishallianceri.org. Include name, city of residence and a contact phone number or email (not for publication).

AUGUST 2019 | 9

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Alliance CEO: Working toward a stronger, more vibrant Jewish community BY ADAM GREENMAN These remarks were presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. They have been edited for Jewish Rhode Island. FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS I have had the incredible privilege to serve this community and this organization. I am so grateful for how you made my family and me a part of this community, and how you have made us all feel welcome. This year was a year where much work got done and much happened. This year we cemented our relationship with the Rhode Island Foundation. Together we are offering our donors better service. And we are allowing the Alliance to focus on what we do best, all while engaging with a tremendous partner and advocate for change in the state. We launched our new Community Relations Council, focused on spreading justice throughout Rhode Island and throughout the world. That work will allow us to tackle big issues like climate change, poverty, combating hatred and supporting immigrants and refugees. We are finding ways to leverage the collective power of our community to meet new goals. We have convened agencies and synagogues from across the Jewish community and at least 10 are exploring the idea with the Alliance of getting 100% of our energy from renewable sources. Together, we raised over $3 million to support Jewish agencies throughout Rhode Island and around the world. Together, we have made sure that those in need locally have a place to get support in Jewish Collaborative Services. Together, we support communities in crisis in all corners of the world, where they struggle with great unrest and uncertainty. While most of this year was incredibly positive at the Alliance, it was not so across the country and world. Together we mourned the loss of life after shootings at synagogues in Pittsburgh and Poway. We mourned the horrific shootings at mosques and the attacks

LETTER Saying “Never Again” is not enough!

Bringing people together is what we do. Building community is what we do. Building bridges is what we do. on churches around the world. This year we saw the rise of anti-Semitism in our society. But even with these horrific events, even in these troubled times, together we saw the beauty of what comes after. More than 1,000 people came out to mourn and to declare that anti-Semitism and hatred have no place in Rhode Island. Jews, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, young, old, people from all walks of life joined us in solidarity right outside our building. And it was then that I knew that together, we are making this community stronger and more vibrant. Because the best antidote to anti-Semitism is not retreat, but engagement, and we are going to continue to engage. We will continue to invest in education, so that people of all ages can experience Jewish values and culture throughout their life. We will continue to create thriving Jewish life in the state so we can celebrate our heritage with each other and with our fellow Rhode Islanders. We will continue to seek justice for all by teaching tolerance, by protecting our planet, by supporting immigrants and refugees. And we will continue to give people hope by helping those in need. Bringing people together is what we do. Building community is what we do. Building bridges is what we do. It’s not just what we do though, it’s how we do it. There are Jewish texts that state that “Derech eretz kadmah l’Torah.” That decency, kindness and respect come before Torah in importance. At the Alliance, we act with decency, kindness and respect. We focus on honesty and being trustworthy. We are compassionate and altruistic. In

short, if the Alliance were a person, it would be a mensch. A mensch leaves a positive imprint on every life that he or she touches, and that is what we strive to do at the Alliance. Over the next year, you will see this more and more as we strive as an organization to live into that distinction. I know firsthand that as an organization, the Alliance is a mensch, because I’ve seen it through the eyes of my family. I’ve seen how our staff showed kindness and respect to my wife. It didn’t matter how she identified. What mattered was that she wanted to be part of this community, and because of that she was welcomed with open arms. I’ve seen the decency and compassion the Alliance has shown my daughters. Because of that embrace, my girls have embraced their Jewish roots, and more than ever, it is a core part of who they are. And our staff and Board is always honest with me about where we are, and where we need to be. So, I know the Alliance is a mensch, and a mensch is exactly what this community needs in these times. It can feel like a scary world out there. And when things get scary, it can be tempting to retreat into our own community, and to yearn for the days that were easier, that seemed better. It can be tempting to ask for what the community was, not what it is or what it could be. But doing so would be a mistake. Communities are constantly evolving. That is why the work of building a strong, vibrant community is never finished. And that is our challenge and our charge here today. The Alliance is where all those who want to see a strong, vibrant Jewish community can come together. Those who know that a strong, vibrant Jewish community means a stronger Rhode Island, a stronger country and a stronger world. So let’s pledge to come together, right here, right now, and let’s create the stronger, more vibrant Jewish community we seek. ADAM GREENMAN is president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. .

Recently, a news report on TV showed Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officers going on a raid and rounding up illegal immigrants. This was all too reminiscent of Hitler sending out storm troopers to round up the Jews. The fate of these immigrants is either they will be deported to Guatemala or placed in US Detention Centers (aka concentration camps). Separating children from their parents is something only the Nazis did. However, not even the Nazis made the Jews sleep on concrete floors in cages with the lights on all night long. Recently a federal judge ruled this action as “torture.” Jewish people are taught to bring light to dark places (i.e., bring justice where there is injustice). We know better than anyone, what it is like to be persecuted and lose freedom and human rights. It is time for Jews to put aside their political differences and fight for human rights. Many liberal Jews are highly critical of President Trump and that is their right (so far). But the government has awesome powers with the National Security Act and Patriot Act and the day could come, G-d forbid, when the government decides that liberal Jews are a threat and decides to round them up and place them in detention centers or military prisons. Impossible, you say? Well, two years ago who would have thought that we’d be separating children from their parents and placing them in cages! Remember the saying: First they came for one group and I did nothing. Then they came for another group and I did nothing. Then they came for me and there was no one to help. We keep saying “Never Again,” but history does repeat itself! Bob Schoenberg Cranston, R.I.

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10 | AUGUST 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

UP FRONT | CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS FOR COMPLETE MONTHLY LISTINGS, VISIT JEWISHRHODY.ORG

Ongoing

Alliance Kosher Senior Café. Monday-Friday. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Noon lunch; 1 p.m. program. Information or RSVP, 401-421-4111, ext. 107. West Bay Kosher Senior Café. Friday. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. 11:15 a.m. program; noon lunch. Information or RSVP, 401421-4111, ext. 107. Duplicate Bridge. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Monday noon-2 p.m.: 0-20 masterpoint game for less-experienced players. $5. Tuesday and Friday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: open stratified game, all levels. $7. Thursday 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Guided play. $6. Information, abarton295@ aol.com or 401-390-9244. Blackstone Boulevard Walk. Wednesday 9:30-11 a.m. Thru 8/28. Meet at Three Sisters, 1074 Hope St., Providence. Stroll with Temple Emanu-El clergy and staff. Information, Sharon Sock at sharon@teprov. org or 401-331-1616. Game Night: Mah Jongg. Wednesday 6:30-8:30 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Lessons available. Free. Information, office at 401-885-6600. Children’s Shabbat Programs and Kiddush. Shabbat morning 10-11:30 a.m. Congregation Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence. For ages 2 to 12. Free. Information, office@ bethsholom-ri.org.

Friday | August 2

Temple Emanu-El Shabbat in the Park. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Gladys Potter Park (Humboldt Park), 92 Elton St., Providence. Welcome Shabbat with songs, story and bring-your-own picnic. Gather by the Temple Emanu-El flag in the park. Information, Sharon Sock at sharon@teprov.org or 401-331-1616. Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 7:30-9 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Service followed by Oneg. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Saturday | August 3

Sunday | August 4

Temple Emanu-El Hike with Us! 10 a.m.-noon. Rome Point, John H. Chafee Nature Preserve, Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown. Easy hike for all ages. RSVP at summer@ teprov.org.

Monday | August 5

Rebuilding the Temple One Cake at a Time. 7:15-8:45 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Study the destruction of the Temple and how to rebuild it using cake-decorating lessons. Take home your masterpiece. For females 8 and up. (13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.) Cost: $5 per person (suggested), $10 family max. RSVP (required) at sangrianschmoozeri@gmail.com.

Tuesday | August 6

Books on the Beach Author Luncheon. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. OceanCliff, 66 Ridge Road, Newport. Hadassah Rhode Island’s ninth annual luncheon and fundraiser features bestselling author of “Another Side of Paradise” Sally Koslow and award-winning author of “Gateway to the Moon,” Mary Morris. Benefits Hadassah’s 360 Degrees of Healing Campaign to renovate and rebuild Hadassah Hospital’s Round Building. Also speaking is Nancy Falchuk, past president of Hadassah National. Information, call 401-463-3636 or email rhodeislandchapter@hadassah.org

Wednesday | August 7

Mussar Living with Rabbi Gavi Ruit. 7-8:30 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Mussar sages believed that in order to achieve greater Shalom (peace) in life, we must strive for greater Sh’lemut (wholeness). Thru 8/14. Information, Jenn Thomas at jthomas@temple-beth-el.org or 401331-6070.

Thursday | August 8

Film: “Tevye’s Daughters.” 7:30 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Story page 6. Admission: $10. Information, 401861-4445, info@film-festival.org or www.rifilmfest.org.

Friday | August 9

Temple Emanu-El Rabbi Talk. 2-3 p.m. Wingate Residences on the East Side, One Butler Ave., Providence. Meet, learn and nosh with Rabbi Michael Fel. Information, Sharon Sock at sharon@teprov.org or 401331-1616. T.G.I.F. – Thank G-D It’s Friday. 5:45-7 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Shabbat songs and story with Rabbi Aaron Philmus followed by a potluck dairy meal. Information or RSVP, office at 401-885-6600. Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 7:30-9 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Service followed by Oneg. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Saturday | August 10

Sunday | August 11

Film: “Dave Grusin: Not Enough Time.” Noon. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Story page 6. Admission: $10. Information, 401-861-4445, info@film-festival.org or www.rifilmfest.org. Film: “Eva.” 2:30 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Story page 6. Admission: $10. Information, 401-861-4445, info@ film-festival.org or www.rifilmfest. org.

Monday | August 12

Temple Emanu-El Stroller Walk. 9:30-11 a.m. Garden City, Cranston. Meet at the gazebo. Information, Sharon Sock at sharon@teprov.org or 401-331-1616. Temple Beth-El Summer Night at The Guild Brewery. 5-8 p.m. The Guild Brewery, 461 Main St., Pawtucket. Dinner, one beer or one flight for tasting and ice cream. Cost: $25 per person. Information, Judy Moseley at jmoseley@temple-beth-el.org.

Wednesday | August 14

Temple Emanu-El Teen Ice Cream Party. 7-8 p.m. Ben & Jerry’s, 224 Thayer St., Providence. Celebrate summer with ice cream on us. Information, Sharon Sock at sharon@ teprov.org or 401-331-1616. Mussar Living with Rabbi Gavi Ruit. 7-8:30 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Mussar sages believed that in order to achieve greater Shalom (peace) in life, we must strive for greater Sh’lemut (wholeness). Last in series. Information, Jenn Thomas at jthomas@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070.

Thursday | August 15

Temple Emanu-El Beach Day. 10 a.m.-noon. Narragansett Town Beach. Join the Temple Emanu-El staff at the beach. Look for our Temple Emanu-El flag and staff in aqua “On the Rhode” t-shirts! Beach fee applies. Information, Sharon Sock at sharon@teprov.org or 401331-1616.

Friday | August 16

Temple Torat Yisrael Beach Shabbat. 6-8 p.m. Goddard Park, 1095 Ives Road, Warwick. Informal, interactive family service with lots of singing. Potluck dairy picnic to follow service. Bring a beach chair. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael. org or 401-885-6600. Temple Habonim Erev Shabbat Beach Service. 6:15-7:30 p.m.

Barrington Beach, 87 Bay Road, Barrington. Bring a chair. Families and children welcome. Information, Jodi Sullivan at office@templehabonim.org or 401-245-6536.

Saturday | August 17

Taste of Shabbat. 9-11 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. 9 a.m. Torah discussion; 9:45 a.m. service and light Kiddush. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael. org or 401-885-6600. Congregation Beth David 40th Anniversary Concert by Roomful of Blues. 7:30 p.m. Gamm Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. Purchase tickets ($40/person) at the Gamm box office or online at www. gammtheatre.org. Information, Jerry Kasten at 401-885-1296

Monday | August 19

Four Faiths Four Landmarks Walking Tour. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Touro Synagogue, 52 Spring St., Newport. Tour Touro Synagogue, United Baptist Church, Newport Congregational Church and Channing Memorial Church that symbolize Newport’s commitment to freedom of religion and religious diversity. Cost: $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students. Information, 4faiths.org.

Tuesday | August 20

Temple Emanu-El RISD Museum Tour. 10:30 a.m.-noon. RISD Museum, 20 N. Main St., Providence. For admission details, visit RISD’s website. Information, Sharon Sock at sharon@teprov.org or 401-331-1616.

Thursday | August 22

Temple Emanu-El Toddler Time at Sky Zone. 10-11:30 a.m. Sky Zone, 70 Pawtucket Ave., East Providence. Kids ages 5 and under are welcome. Cost: $10 per child, $5 per sibling, plus cost of socks. Information, Sharon Sock at sharon@teprov.org or 401-331-1616.

Friday | August 23

Information, stephanie@toratyisrael. org or 401-885-6600.

Tuesday | August 27

Temple Emanu-El Teen Ice Cream Party. 1-2 p.m. Location TBD. Celebrate summer, and meet Rabbi Michael Fel. Check teprov.org/ summer for location. Information, Sharon Sock at sharon@teprov.org or 401-331-1616.

Wednesday | August 28

Temple Emanu-El Splash Pad & Picnic in the Park. 10:30-11:30 a.m. WWII Veterans Memorial Park & Splash Pad, Social St., Woonsocket. Join Rabbi Rachel Zerin. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen and a picnic lunch. RSVP at summer@ teprov.org.

Thursday | August 29

Kindergarten “Sneak Peek.” 2-3 p.m. Jewish Community Day School of RI. 85 Taft Ave., Providence. Kindergarten students and their parents can visit with teachers, socialize and have fun in the kindergarten classroom and on the playground. Information, Eileen Ellis at eellis@ jcdsri.com or 401-751-2470. PreKindergarten “Sneak Peek.” 2:30-3:30 p.m. Jewish Community Day School of RI. 85 Taft Ave., Providence. Parents and pre-K students are invited for a brief look into the pre-K classroom, a visit with the teachers and a visit to the school playground. Information, Eileen Ellis at eellis@jcdsri.com or 401-7512470. Rosh Chodesh Women’s Gathering. 7-9 p.m. Congregation Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence. Core Connects RI invites you to the next Rosh Chodesh dinner and gathering to celebrate the month of Elul. Limited to first 100 respondents. Information or to RSVP, elissa felder at efelder@jewishallianceri.org or 401-241-9631.

Friday | August 30

Shabbat Picnic and Worship Service. 5:30-8 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Family barbecue followed by outdoor Shabbat service. Rain or shine. For current, new and prospective members. Cost: Temple members $12, Non-member guests free. Information, Jenn Thomas at jthomas@ temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070. Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 7:30-9 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Service followed by Oneg. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Congregation Beth David Shabbat Services on the Beach. 6:15 p.m. Narragansett Town Beach. Services are held between the town beach cabanas, located to the left of the North Beach Club House. Bring family and friends and beach chairs. Information, Jerry Kasten at 401885-1296. Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 7:30-9 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Service followed by Oneg. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Saturday | August 24

Taste of Shabbat. 9-11 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. 9 a.m. Torah discussion; 9:45 a.m. service and light Kiddush.

Saturday | August 31

AUGUST 2019 | 11

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

COMMUNITY VOICES

From a Caribbean island to Rhode Island, ties that bind

SKE

I’D BEEN PLANNING my pilgrimage to the place where patriotism was born and bred: the bleak, black isle of Sint Eustatius. “Don’t go there, there’s nowhere to swim, nothing to see, nothing to do,” advised a pair of sophisticated travelers I sometimes see at the pool at the local Marriott. “Cruise ships avoid it altogether,” they claimed. The ruined pirates’ hidden rocky retreat held no charm for such summer seekers of surf and sunbeams. Of course, that is precisely what appealed to me. I call my trip “patriotic” because this tiny island in the windward zone of the Caribbean, once renowned as “The Golden Rock,” was also once a treasure chest of goods to be imported and then exported to the New World: ours. Gen. George Washington needed gunpowder in 1776 to win the war for our independence. Sint Eustatius, which is often called Statia, had been colonized by Holland and France, England and Spain, and had a jargon that worked like a code. The island, and its Jewish merchants in particular, supplied the

The ancient mikvah.

Yankees with the weapons necessary to win the war for freedom and liberty from the authoritarian crown of England. Sint Eustatius was the first nation to salute the flag of the brand-spanking-new United States of America. Indeed, it says so on signs all over this strangely haunted place that few people besides me seem to care to visit. By a series of MIKE FINK perhaps coincidences, I have met most of the scholars, diplomats and prizewinning authors who have preceded me in researching this intriguing island. I hoard letters from Harry Ezratty, writer of “500 Years in the Jewish Caribbean,” which I read and reread with pleasure and intellectual profit. And one Derek Miller became a Touro National Heritage Trust Fellow at the John Carter Brown Library, at Brown University, which has led excavations in the synagogue compound on

BOOK

Sint Eustatius. The Dutch government supports the restoration of the ancient synagogue and mikveh, and the explanatory plaques narrating the nostalgic, challenging, confrontational chapters of the island. Mostly, for my June sojourn in Statia, I relied on the superb Pulitzer Prize-winning book “The First Salute,” written by the renowned Barbara W. Tuchman. I found it at the Rochambeau Library, in Providence, and took it with me as my guidebook, not only for its information but also for its moral, political and philosophical interpretation of the facts of the American Revolution. With its broken binding, this copy is as neglected yet precious as the relics to be discovered on the island. The book also features color photographs of paintings of the important personages in the history of Sint Eustatius, especially the English Adm. George Rodney, who, enraged at his defeat, commanded the total destruction of the glamorous Golden Rock and the exile of its leaders. He even executed a Jewish octogenarian who represented the economy and its martial value. Tuchman’s book is a quite remarkable, almost overwhelmingly wise and astute close study of the circumstances by which “we” won the Revolutionary War (like our victory in World War II, it was not an inevitable triumph, but an earned and almost divinely-inspired one). I read every rich paragraph, some of them aloud to my wife and travel companion, and many to myself, sighing in admiration over Tuchman’s eloquence and depth. I enjoyed her dedications and asides, but it is her final concluding statement I must choose to cite here: “The free and equal new human in a new world would be realized only in spots, although conditions would come nearer to being realized in America than they would ever come in the other overturns of society. “Revolutions produce other people, not new ones. Halfway ‘between truth and endless error’ the mold of the species is

A detail at the entrance to the Jewish cemetery, above, and one of the gravestones, below. permanent. That is earth’s burden.” This mix of patriotism and philosophy is most impressive. I had made up my mind to learn from the experience of being in this tragic place where Jews first came to escape the Spanish Inquisition, established the very concept of religious liberty, overcame their separation from Ashkenazic fellow Jews during World War II, and even, in certain ways, experienced an “assimilation” not entirely separate from the mixing of Jewish immigrants into the economy and culture of North America. And so, race and religion, despite their distinct distances from each other, shared many struggles in common and together. I have a very personal theory about what motivated the

Sint Eustatius was the first nation to salute the flag of the brand-spanking new United States of America.

inhabitants of Statia: I like to believe that the Sephardim had heard about our Newport and its Touro Synagogue, that lamp unto the nations. They supplied weapons to George Washington precisely because he had quoted an official of Touro’s congregation in saying that the new nation would give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” Wherever I go, after some hesitation and with some courage, I feel that I have not truly left miniature Rhode Island. MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol.com) teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.

12 | AUGUST 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

Immortal words from an overlooked poet

IN THE NEWS

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to live free.” from “The New Colossus,” by Emma Lazarus BY GERALDINE S. FOSTER THE SONNET “The New Colossus” is inscribed on the bronze plaque affixed to the pedestal on which the Statue of Liberty stands. Today, this poem is once again being recognized and celebrated – opponents of our current immigration policies invoke its words as a cardinal tenet and affirmation of the United States’ true character. Back in the day, we studied the poem in civics class and heard it set to music by Irving Berlin. The words had a special resonance for me and for many of my classmates: we were first-generation Americans, the children of immigrants. Then, just as now, the poet, even when she is identified, is considered just someone who lived at some time in the past. She is seldom, if ever, included among the pantheon of esteemed 19th-century American writers, though she was acclaimed in her own time. Emma Lazarus was the middle child of seven siblings born into a Sephardic family in New York City. She spent summers in Newport after her father purchased a “summer cottage” next to Belcourt mansion. During her early years, she developed a love of poetry. Lazarus had an important tie to Rhode Island history. Touro Synagogue was the subject of one of her poems. One of her great-great-uncles was Moses Seixas, gabbai of Touro’s Congregation Jeshuat Israel. Seixas’ letter to President George Washington regarding religious liberty brought Washington’s historic response, which is still read every year in ceremonies at the synagogue. At an early age, Lazarus began writing verse. Her first book of poetry and translations of German works was privately published by her father in 1866, but then was given to a commercial publisher. She was 17. Two years later, she met Ralph Waldo Emerson, who took an interest in her poetry and encouraged her to continue. They began a long correspondence. By the end of the next decade, Lazarus had gained international recognition for her poetry, translations and plays. She used her status to take up the cause of the poor and oppressed. After the repressive laws and pogroms in Russia brought waves of Jewish immigrants to this country, their plight became the focus of her attention.

She advocated on their behalf in both word and deed. She wrote articles and dedicated poems to them. She funded vocational training programs. She visited New York’s Ward’s Island, where immigrants were packed into barracks by immigration officials. She gave free English lessons through the Jewish American nonprofit organization, HIAS. She translated, from the German, Hebrew poetry from medieval Spain to make the verses accessible to American readers. Thirteen years before Theodor Herzl, she promoted the idea of a Jewish homeland. In elementary school, we learned that the Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States to commemorate the close friendship between the two countries. The story behind its origins is a bit more complex (as history usually is). Suffice it to say, the gift was a joint project: France would pay for Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s statue, while the U.S. would pay for the pedestal, or base, partly through public subscription. The target date for the statue’s delivery was the centennial of the Declaration of Independence. Miss Liberty’s head and torch arm were completed by the scheduled date. The torch arm was displayed in Philadelphia in 1876 and in Madison Square Park, in New York, from 1876 to 1882, before it was installed on Bedloe’s Island (now Liberty Island) in New

York Harbor. To raise funds for the base, prominent writers and artists were asked to provide works for an auction. Among the writers asked were Mark Twain and Walt Whitman, who agreed, and Emma Lazarus, who did not. In her reply to the request, she said she did not write verse to order. Writer Constance Cary Harrison, one of the chairwomen of the effort, persuaded Lazarus to change her mind by appealing to her heart. Think, she suggested, of Miss Liberty standing in the harbor, her torch a beacon for the refugees of whom you are so fond. Two days later, the poem “The New Colossus” was completed. It brought in $1,500 in donations and was published in a souvenir booklet of works created for the auction. Despite an initial positive reception, the poem might have passed into obscurity were it not for the efforts of Lazarus’ friend Georgina Schuyler (a direct descendant of Alexander Hamilton). After two years of lobbying, Schuyler succeeded in having the sonnet engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty. Emma Lazarus did not live to see this event. She died one year before, at age 37, in 1887, without knowing that her words had become this country’s moral vision, an immortal affirmation of its promise. GERALDINE S. FOSTER is a past president of the R.I. Jewish Historical Association. To comment about this or any RIJHA article, contact the RIJHA office at info@rijha. org or 401-331-1360.

More than a rabbi BY CARLOS SPINOLA NO ONE HAS IMPACTED MY LIFE more than Rabbi Wayne Franklin of Temple Emanu-El. He has not only been my rabbi, but also a teacher, a counselor, a mentor, the father I never had, and, most importantly, a friend I can count on whenever I need one. I met Rabbi Franklin two years before my formal conversion to Judaism, which took place on Sept. 1, 2016 (accompanied by another good friend, Rabbi Ethan Adler). From the moment that Rabbi Franklin first spoke with me, I knew that this would be the man who would transform and impact my life – the man I needed to follow. Rabbi Franklin always pays attention to my needs and wants. He has helped me in every possible way so that I could feel at home at Temple Emanu-El, where he retired as senior rabbi after 38 years of serving the community. After I completed my training to convert to Judaism, I needed to be circumcised. During the procedure, Rabbi Franklin was at my side at The Miriam Hospital. Rabbi Franklin has even helped me out financially. When I received a Community Interpreter certificate (for Portuguese) and was ready to start a job interpreting in Rhode Island courts and hospitals, following a period of unemployment, I did not have a working cellphone that would allow me to receive work assignments, nor cash to pay for transportation to the translation sites. Rabbi Franklin generously helped me to purchase to materials I needed to work. He also helped me when I was unable to pay for classes at Temple Emanu-El. But Rabbi Franklin’s support has taken many other forms beyond financial. I will never forgot how, when I came back from Puerto Rico, where I was volunteering in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Rabbi Franklin called me to the bimah to CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

AUGUST 2019

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A soldier’s story: Turning the negative into a positive

LE T T

reinforcements. They did this for five days, while wearing heavy bulletproof vests, without showering, and while barely even getting out of the cramped APC. On day five, there was a whistle and a boom, followed by an impact on Yadid’s left leg. His group was under mortar fire from Hamas. One mortar had fallen near him, and the shrapnel hit his leg. Yadid says he had never felt anything like it before, and there was lots of blood. Despite the hole DANNY in his leg, STEIGLITZ Yadid ran faster than he’d ever run before, to a nearby APC. Certain that he was going to die, he thought about his mother and the suffering this would cause her. The APC Yadid ran to got him to a meeting point, where a doctor examined him. The shrapnel had missed his artery. Yadid was unable to move his knee as the doctor instructed, but was able to move his ankle. At a nearby hospital, doctors removed the shrapnel, and Yadid was back home by the next day. Meanwhile, Israelis far and wide joined Yadid’s family and friends in an outpouring of love and support for the wounded soldier. A bride and groom Yadid had never met came to visit him in the hospital on their wedding day, the bride still in her wedding dress. As per procedure, Yadid’s phone had been locked away on a base before he entered Gaza. His carrier service then shut down one of its branches, but not before its employees brought Yadid a new Galaxy S4, an iPad Mini and gift baskets. The head of his division at Bezalel called him and offered him anything that he needed. Candy, cards and visitors arrived – all from the love of strangers who consider the entirety of Israel to be their family.

S HOM

EVERYONE HAS A STORY. Take a young man from Jerusalem named Yadid Akerman, for example. Born in Israel, he’s the son of two immigrants – an American mother and a Canadian father. He has two older brothers, a twin brother, and a younger brother. Yadid and I would occasionally bump into each other at Shabbat meals, but I didn’t really get to know him until we started taking jiujitsu classes together. Eventually, of course, I sent Yadid a Facebook friend request. At first, I saw images on Facebook that painted a picture of a perfectly ordinary guy. Yadid, a graduate of the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, is a 3D artist who creates Jurassic Park-worthy models of dinosaurs. Then I scrolled a little bit further – and saw images that were out of context for me: pictures of Yadid in the hospital, with descriptions and comments that referenced one of the conflicts in Gaza and a wounded soldier. I asked Yadid about this, and he shared his story. It was July 2014, and following the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers (later found murdered) by Hamas, Israel entered Gaza in what was called “Operation Protective Edge.” Yadid was finishing up his first year of studies at Bezalel Academy. Sitting in the library with one exam left before the end of the semester, he was informed that he was being called up as a reserve-duty soldier. He immediately retrieved his belongings and reported to his base. Tension was constant as the Israeli soldiers waited to go in. Eventually, he and a group of soldiers loaded into an armored personnel carrier and headed into Gaza. His squad’s specialty was to rescue wounded soldiers under fire. Until that service was required, they brought equipment to the battalion and accompanied those that needed

Then Yadid’s recovery began. First there was the physical, but within two weeks, Yadid was running again. At that point, he said, the mental trauma kicked in. He realized what could have happened, that he had been sure he was going to die. He began to sleep a lot. But in retrospect, he says, all of this was the best gift that he ever got – because in time he got his life back. Yadid says his brush with death broke any and all self-imposed barriers that had held him back from believing he could succeed. It gave him the confidence he needed to,

among other things, become the 3D artist that he wanted to be. Instead of believing that high-level animation was out of his league, he changed his mind-set to, “I’ll try, and the worst case is, I’ll fail.” His final presentation at Bezalel Academy, in 2018, was dubbed “flawless.” On top of that, he even broke the school’s pull-up record! Yadid said that before his injury, he was barely surviving in school. Afterward, he wasn’t scared to dare. These days, besides the jiujitsu lessons and creating dinosaur models, Yadid is the head of 3D in a studio that

makes schools a better place to learn. Yadid’s story is just one of many in Israel’s military history. But what Yadid took from the experience is perhaps the most important story of all – life is a gift, and we can choose to either let our negative experiences hold us back or propel us forward. DANIEL STIEGLITZ (dstieglitz@ gmail.com) lives in Jerusalem, where he works as a life coach. His collection of short stories, “Tavern of the Mind,” is available for paperback and Kindle purchase on Amazon at www. amzn.to/2Izssrz.

14 | AUGUST 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

FOOD & DINING

Here are 6 favorite Jewish foods you should stop eating BY ALIX WALL With summer barbecue season here, Americans everywhere will be firing up their grills and feasting on their favorite foods. But many of our culinary indulgences come with a cost. We’re not just talking about foods that are overly salty, fatty and sugary. There are foods that actually raise your risk for developing cancer – including some much-loved American Jewish classics. “You want to have a diet of mostly healthy whole foods, and you want to proceed with caution and have a smaller portion of these Jewish delicacies that do not promote health,” says nutritionist and author Lisa R. Young. It may be hard to avoid such foods entirely, Young says, but exercising portion control is essential. Here are some classic favorites you might want to think twice about due to their potential to increase the risk of cancer.

PHOTO VITPHO/GETTY IMAGES

Liver and other organ meats, sauteed or chopped, are extremely high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which are associated with a variety of cancers. Charred barbecue

It doesn’t matter what kind of meat you’re barbecuing, or whether you’re doing it over wood, charcoal or gas. Overly blackened or burn marks on most foods cause heterocylic amines, or HCAs, which have been proven to cause cancer in studies on animals. HCAs form when amino acids and creatine, a chemical found in animal muscles, react at high cooking temperatures. Fire from wood, charcoal or gas also emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known as PAHs. According to the National Cancer Institute, both

HCAs and PAHs can be mutagenic, which means they cause changes in DNA that may increase one’s cancer risk. Marinating foods bound for the grill can alleviate this somewhat, but the best remedy is to keep careful watch to make sure your food cooks evenly but doesn’t burn.

Processed meats

Pastrami, salami, hot dogs – there’s so much unhealthy stuff here it’s hard to know where to start. These foods all contain nitrates or nitrites, preservatives used to cure meats that prevent them from spoiling and give them that rosy color. But nitrates and nitrites are known carcinogens, occurring both naturally in some foods and as an additive in others. Nitrites can damage cells and react with other molecules found in food to create an enhanced cancer risk. For this reason, these Jewish delicacies top the list of foods to avoid when thinking about optimizing one’s diet.

Organ meats

Jews have a long tradition of consuming organ meats, from the Ashkenazi Jewish favorites chopped liver and kishke (cow intestine stuffed with gizzards, shmaltz and vegetables) to the Sephardic dish known as Jerusalem mixed grill, which consists of spicy sautéed chicken hearts, spleens and liver, often served with warm hummus or in a pita. Organ meats are a mixed bag: On one hand, they are packed with nutrients like vitamin A and folic acid, both of which are good for the heart. On the other hand, they are extremely high in saturated fat and cholesterol. While a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet is bad for the heart, studies show such diets are also associated with colorectal, breast, ovarian and prostate cancer.

Fried foods

Sadly, it’s best if latkes and other fried foods are kept to a minimum. When food is cooked at very high heat, an amino acid called asparagine can react with sugars to produce acrylamide. This happens especially with latkes, since potatoes are high in sugar content. The chemical acrylamide is used in all kinds of industries to make dyes and plas-

PHOTO | FUDIO/GETTY IMAGES

A bagel with lox and cream cheese is supremely unhealthy. The bagel alone has the nutritional equivalent of five slices of white bread. tics. When consumed by the human body, acrylamide is converted into a compound called glycidamide, which can cause DNA mutations that may lead to cancer.

Farmed salmon

This one is a real heartbreaker, because what Jewish occasion doesn’t call for a nice salmon, fresh, smoked or poached? Unfortunately, experts say, farmed salmon has on occasion been contaminated with chemicals that could be carcinogenic. Don’t let fish labeled “Atlantic salmon” fool you — there are large salmon farming operations in the Atlantic Ocean, where most salmon is farmed in this country. When buying fresh fish, always try to go with wild.

Bagels, lox and cream cheese

Lox, that Jewish favorite, is not as healthy as we would hope. If it’s farmed, it could have those dangerous chemicals that sometimes are associated with farm-raised fish. Even if it’s wild, smoking the lox often leads to the presence of nitrates, and the smoking process itself can add additional carcinogens. With bagels, lox and cream cheese, the whole package is unhealthy, according to Young. “A bagel is the equivalent of about five pieces of white bread,” Young says, and cream cheese is essentially a combination of cream and milk that gives it a high fat content. Young spoke about nutrition at a recent Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) event where she stressed that moderation is the key to healthy eating. Young advocates for a diet low

in calories that includes a variety of foods focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and vegetable oils. Hold the pastrami and knishes. “While most causes of cancer are unknown, reducing environmental factors like unhealthy diets is important,” according to Dr. Mark Israel, the former director of Dartmouth College’s National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and now the national executive director of the Israel Cancer Research Fund, the largest nonprofit organization dedicated solely to funding cancer research in Israel. “Environmental exposures that impact on cancer risk, such as known carcinogens that are present in trace amounts in certain foodstuffs, can provide opportunities for individuals to decrease their risk of cancer by modifying their exposure to known hazards,” Israel comments. ICRF funds scientific research that helps us understand cancer risks. “Further understanding of how such exposures contribute to the development of cancer can provide opportunities to interrupt those processes,” Israel says. “That’s another key area in which we are focused.” This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with the Israel Cancer Research Fund, whose ongoing support of these and other Israeli scientists’ work goes a long way toward ensuring that their efforts will have important and lasting impact in the global fight against cancer. This article was produced by JTA’s native content team.

AUGUST 2019

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

Zucchini Baba Ganoush: Use all that summer squash for a rich dip

Once the zucchini is cooked, blend it with tahini, garlic, salt, lemon juice and a little olive oil.

BY SONYA SANFORD BY THE END OF THE SUMMER, I’m always looking for ways to use up all the summer squash that is inevitably overgrowing in my garden. Making a baba ganoush-like dip with zucchini is my favorite way to use up this versatile vegetable. Like eggplant, the traditional baba ganoush base, zucchini will easily blend up into a creamy dip. Unlike eggplant, it makes for a lighter, airier and softer-textured baba ganoush. Whether you’re using eggplant or zucchini, the vegetables benefit from being blackened. You can achieve a smoky char by broiling the zucchini in the oven, or for an even deeper flavor, throw it onto the grill. The skin will get black and papery as it roasts. Once cooled, the inside of the zucchini is easy to scoop out. I don’t worry too much about getting every inch of skin off the zucchini; a few flecks of char add to the smokiness I want from any good baba ganoush. Once the zucchini is cooked, you blend it with tahini, garlic, salt, lemon juice and a little olive oil. This is your standard Middle Eastern dip with all the familiar ingredients. I’ve included a recipe, but

baba ganoush is all about personal preferences. Taste and modify the dip to your own liking. Especially with zucchini’s lightness, I do suggest being generous with good quality tahini, which will add necessary richness, creaminess and a slightly nutty flavor. The zucchini’s neutral taste lends itself to ample doctoring. I often add chopped parsley to this baba ganoush. I’ll also top it with smoked paprika, za’atar, olive oil or all three. The best part is that baba ganoush always tastes better the longer it sits. I love to make it a day ahead of serving, although it rarely lasts long after that.

Zucchini Baba Ganoush Ingredients 2 pounds (3 large) zucchini 1/3 cup tahini 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 clove garlic, grated or minced very fine 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste Freshly ground pepper, to taste Smoked paprika, for garnish (optional) Parsley, for garnish (optional)

THIS IS MY VERSION of the classic beet, walnut, and goat cheese salad. Everyone I’ve served it to has loved it, and my kids even ask for seconds and thirds! I haven’t included specific ingredient measurements. This is a very flexible recipe, and I encourage you to adapt measurements to your taste. Serving this dish in a glass bowl will highlight its layered colors and textures.

Beet Salad

Ingredients Beets Beet greens (can substitute spinach or chard) Soft goat cheese (preferably chèvre) Walnuts or pecans (shelled) Brown sugar Cooking oil (preferably olive)

Instructions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse beets under water, removing greens and any stringy roots. Wrap beets in foil and place in preheated oven.

This recipe originally appeared on the Nosher.

Roast for 45-60 minutes, or until tender. (You’ll know the beets are done when a skewer easily pierces the largest beet to its center.) Let beets cool until they can be handled. Remove foil and run beets under warm water to rinse away juices and help remove outer skins. Cut beets into roughly 1/2-inch dice.

Chop leaves and stalks into bite-sized pieces. Sauté in a lightly-oiled pan over medium-high heat until wilted/ tender. Stalks take longer to cook, so cook these separately from the leave. Set cooked greens aside.

Tip: Using beets of different colors will enhance your salad’s visual appeal.

Add nuts and a little more oil to your pan. Sprinkle liberally with brown sugar and sauté until nuts are covered in sugar and their edges have just started to brown/ blacken. Remove from heat.

While beets are roasting: Wash greens and pat dry.

PHOTO | SONYA SANFORD

Directions Set the oven to broil. Place the zucchini on a baking sheet and line with foil, if desired. Poke a few holes into each zucchini with a fork. Broil the zucchini until blackened and soft on one side, about 10 minutes. Flip the zucchini over and blacken on the opposite side for another 10-15 minutes. Zucchini should feel soft when pierced with a knife or fork. Allow the zucchini to cool, then remove the blackened peel. Place the cooked and peeled zucchini into a colander and allow it to drain for 15 minutes. In a food processor or blender, add the drained zucchini. (You can also do this by hand by mashing the zucchini with a fork for a chunkier texture.) Add the tahini, olive oil and grated/minced garlic. Pulse until mostly smooth. Blend less if you prefer it chunky and more if you prefer it very smooth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and mix in the lemon juice, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings according to your liking. Serve topped with more olive oil, spice or fresh herbs. Keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days.

A classic salad by any other name BY MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE

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Tip: Rainbow chard can add even more color to your salad.

Assembly Place diced, still-warm beets in the bottom of a serving bowl and crumble goat cheese on top. Cover goat cheese with a layer of wilted greens and stalks, followed by a liberal sprinkling of candied nuts. Serve and enjoy! Optional: Saute strips of boneless chicken breast in mango chutney and distribute over top of salad. To keep the recipe kosher, replace the goat cheese with small dollops of non-dairy yogurt.

16 | AUGUST 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

Summer fun at camp

onder what some of our younger community members are doing this summer? Many of them are at camp. There are many fun options in Rhode Is-

land, and photographer Glenn Osmundson recently visited two of them: J-Camp, a day camp at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center in Providence; and Camp JORI, an overnight camp in Wakefield. He captured these campers having fun and staying cool during this summer’s heat.

PHOTOS | GLENN OSMUNDSON

There’s nothing like a game in J-Camp’s gaga pit. Gaga is an Israeli game that all the campers enjoy.

Arts and crafts are fun at J-Camp.

Campers cool off at the Camp JORI pool.

Setting the table in the dining hall at Camp JORI.

Arts and crafts take a lot of concentration at J-Camp.

Time for tennis at J-Camp.

Jewish Rhode Island 2019 Patron Honor Roll Debra B. Abeshaus Beverly Abowitt Marsha Addessi Ruth (Jaffa) Albert Cecilia Alkalay William Allen Allan & Herma Altman Paul & Esta Avedisian in memory of Ben & Hannah Rabinowitz M. Charles & Elizabeth Bakst Ms. Joyce Ball Esta Barcohana Dr. Joseph Baruch Jerry & Gloria Baskin Ann Bazar Karen Wasser Beraha & Nathan Beraha Francine and Stephen Beranbaum Judy Berg Judith & Arthur Bergel Moshe and Ilona Berman Peter & Hana Berman Arnold & Ruth Blasbalg Mrs. Sylvia Blazar Dr. Neil L. Blitz & Roslyn Birke Roz Bolski Larry Bonoff Ilene Borr Rich Brandt Bart & Elise Bresnik Drs. Karl H. Breuing & Heidi B. Kummer Brier & Brier Neal Bromley Seymour & Marsha Brooks Rhoda Broomfield Dan & Lisa Brosofsky Ida and Tom Brown Jeffrey and Barbara Horovitz Brown Cantor Remmie & Marjorie Brown Sandra & Fred Brown Michael Burk and Seena Franklin Edward & Maureen Canner Deborah Josephson Catone Philip Charis and Leslie Stern-Charis Judy Chorney Dr. Elie J. (z”l) & Mrs. Marcia Cohen Lenore & Richard Cohen Lois Cohen Dr. & Mrs. Martin L. Cohen Bryan Conti and Everett Studley III Franklin Curhan Dr. Robert (z”l) & Mrs. Adele Curhan Arline Cusick, in memory of my grandparents, Lillian and Charles Bresler Howard Custis Eleanor & Professor Joel A. Dain Barry and Rosanne Dana Jaffa & David Davies David & Karen DeForest Jane A. Desforges and Michael White Dr. Stephan D. & Mrs. Judy Deutsch Ms. Elaine Dickstein Sandra Bresler Dolan Sally T. Dowling, Esq. Cantor Steven & Myrna Dress Rona & Max Dressler

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Thank Todah Gracias You Rabah Spasibo

Toby & David London Louis & Valerie Long Ellie Lupo Andrea & Alan Lury Jerome (z”l) & Frances Magner Marilyn Malina Alison & David Mandelbaum Leon Mann (z”l) Sandra Marcowitz Dr. Ronald Margolin Mr. & Mrs. Ronald C. Markoff Eugenia Marks Ivy and Daniel Marwil Sara Meirowitz and Daniel Herchenroether Barbara & Benjamin Mer Michele Mericle and Richard Wiebe Lewis & Janet Miller Sanford & Joyce Miller Philip Mintz, Esq. Michael & Judy Mintzer Ms. Elayne Moe Marion Myers Dianne & Martin Newman Linda Baer Nieberg C. Nobile & J. Goodman John Notarianni Grace Beiser Novick Paula Olivieri Ruth Oppenheim Ronna Orleck Tillie Orleck Tom Padwa and Joanne Devoe Dr. Lawrence & Ruth Page Beverly Paris Laura Freedman Pedrick & David Pedrick Andrew Pessin & Gabriella Rothman Miriam and Arthur Plitt Annette Port Dr. Roy M. & June Poses Esther Preiss Dr. Lawrence H. Price & Ann Back Price Ellen & Lloyd Rabinowitz Ried and Mindy Redlich Leon A. Resnick in loving memory of Beverly S. Resnick Marcia S. Riesman, in loving memory of Robert A. Riesman Audrey Robbins, in memory of Sylvia Forman Judy & Arthur Robbins Susan and Michael Rodrigues Peter and Beverly Rosedale Beverly Rosen (z”l) Rabbi James Rosenberg & Sandra Mattison Rosenberg Mindy Rosenbloom, M.D. & Stuart Schwartz, M.D. Fred & Marcia Rosenzweig Eleanor Ross Dr. Fred & Sally Rotenberg Leonard and Ruth Rotenberg Mark Rotenberg Mr. & Mrs. Edward D. Rotmer Sherry Royall Noel and Amy Rubinton Sylvia Safferson Alan & Laurie Salk Richard A. Saltzman Bernice F. Salzberg Alan & Sandra Samdperil

A Danke

n behalf of the Jewish Rhode Island team, I want to thank every contributor to the annual Patron Campaign. We are grateful for your generosity. Jewish Rhode Island relies on advertising revenue and an allocation from the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, as well as your support, to stay strong and viable. This year, 456 donors gave $23,440. We hope you like what you are reading. If you do, please tell your friends and relatives. If you have ideas and suggestions, let us know. Fran Ostendorf, Editor

Elaine and Robert Sandy David P. Sugarman Ruth & Howard Schachter Brian Sullivan & Justin Foster Dr. & Mrs. Sanford Schatz Marcia Szymanski & Dr. Steven & Mrs. Naomi Schechter Sharon Friedman Ellen & Harold Schein David Talan Barry Schiller Herchell & Patricia Talan Ken & Roberta Schneider Mrs. Rey Tejada Shirley Schreiber Temple Beth El of Fall River, MA Harold (z”l) & Lillian N. Schwartz Jerome Tesler Dr. Ronald & Carol Schwartz Joyce Schreiber Tesler Paul & Roberta Segal Cheryl Greenfeld Teverow Betty & Michael Seidman Joshua & Cindy Teverow Mr. and Mrs. M. David Seidman & Jill & Michael Thaler Renee Seidman Petrone Tifereth Israel Congregation Mr. & Mrs. Yehudah Selinger Jill & James Tobak Shalom Memorial Chapel, Michael Rabbi Herb and Suzy Tobin Smith, Adam Smith, & Families Mel A. Topf In Loving Memory of Laura Fixman, Deborah Trust MD by Kenath J. Shamir, MD Susan & Irwin Vederman Dr. Aaron J. Shatkin Lynn & Bruce Vinacco Myra B. Shays Ilya & Irena (z”l) Vinarskiy Marilyn Friedman Shealey Randy & Jane Vogenberg Neil & Charlotte Sheer Joyce & Larry Wacks Ellen & Barry Shepard Ruth & Irving Weinreich Anne & Gerald Sherman Morris Weintraub A. Harvey & Jane (z”l) Silverman David & Jing Weisberg Rabbi Lawrence Silverman & Howard & Judy Weiser Meredith Hoffman Amy L. Weiss Linda & Richard Silverman Ms. Robin Weiss Max & Ida Silverman Beverly Wexler Dora & Gregory Sirota Jean A. Wexler Leon Sloane Phyllis G. & James Williams Rita Slom Jerrold and Rita Winer Marcia Smith Henry and Arlene Winkleman Ronda & Robert Smith Dorothy R. Winn Edwin S. Soforenko Foundation Carol Yarnel Ronald & Marcia Sohn Professor Mel and Phyllis B. Solod Mrs. Cindy Yoken Selma Stanzler Rhoda Zaidman Joyce & Bob Starr May-Ronny Zeidman Dr. Penney Stein Shirley Zier Cliff Stern and Karen Drucker-Stern Dr. Steven and Beth Zipin Dr. Ezra & Varda Stieglitz Daniel Zollo Jeff Stoloff Robert & Carol Zurier Justin & Sandra Strauss Morrisa & Joseph Zwetchkenbaum Marie & Arthur Strauss Anonymous (102) Sylvia Strauss z”l – of blessed memory Leonid & Faina Stukalov Contributions received after July 12, 2019, will be Daniel & Rose Subotnik listed in next year‘s Patron Honor Roll.

18 | AUGUST 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

EDUC ATION

Smack in the middle of senior discounts and college tuition

K IN

taking the necessary steps to adopt two girls from China, a process that put us on the path to the lifelong commitment that parenthood entails. Back then, life was always a juggling act as we tried to tend to our work lives and our parents’ needs (we each had one parent die before we adopted our first child), while simultaneously raising two active youngsters who were involved in a lot of activities. The challenges of being older parents LARRY are many, KESSLER including, in my case, that several of my daughters’ camp counselors, teachers and friends assumed that, with my thick white-grayish beard and hair, I was their grandfather. But years later, it was all

G OU

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LATER THIS MONTH, my wife, Lynne, and I will officially become empty nesters, for the most part, as the younger of our two daughters heads off to Johnson & Wales University. The next few years will be a little challenging as we – like many Americans – pay for some of her college education while simultaneously taking the next steps toward retirement and dealing with the typical expenses that older Americans face. It’s a bit ironic that we will again be, in essence, part of the so-called “sandwich generation.” We were first members of that goup in our 40s and early 50s, when we were dealing with the failing health of our parents (now long deceased) while also

worth it. Our oldest daughter, Arianna, has been on her own for a while. After graduating high school in 2014, she spent four years at Bridgewater State University, in Massachusetts, and now she’s working

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abroad as a teacher, just finishing up the first of a twoyear commitment. Her sister Alana, five years younger, followed her own path through school, graduating from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, in Franklin, Massachusetts. She learned culinary skills, worked a co-op job in her field, and played soccer all four years in high school. She’s wasted little time getting into the college mode, finding her two roommates even before high school graduation. At J&W, in Providence, she’ll be studying sports nutrition, as well as playing soccer. Although all of this certainly qualifies us as soon-to-be empty nesters, we won’t be completely without kids, as our independent-minded Alana has already told her mother that she’ll most likely be bringing laundry home from time to time – instead of tossing coins into the washers and dryers available in her dorm building. Becoming empty nesters – not counting our feisty, barkstoo-much dog, Buddy, and our calm feline, Cooper, – will, of course, make us reflect on our life’s journey (translation: it will make us feel a tad older). But the new designation won’t be without its benefits. It will, for example, allow us the chance to get away for long weekends and vacations without being overly concerned with our kids’ schedules. Of course, there will still be times when we plan a family vacation, as we’re doing later this month, but it will give Mom and Dad more flexibility

to schedule getaways. So why are we members of the so-called sandwich generation for a second time? That’s an inevitable consequence of being old enough to qualify for both Medicare and an array of senior discounts while simultaneously putting our second child through college. The challenge moving forward is how to cover the expenses of being a homeowner while still being responsible for covering some of our daughter’s college expenses and without tapping too heavily into our retirement accounts. (I’ve been basically retired since March of 2017, while my wife continues to work.) There will be no easy answers, but worrying about such issues is tempered by the knowledge that we survived being full-fledged sandwich generation members 15-20 years ago, which gives us hope that we should be able to do so again. We’re optimistic that we’ll be up to the challenge, because the ultimate reward of being empty nesters – being free to travel more frequently – will be well worth whatever issues must be faced. Indeed, the chance to see other places – and to escape the harsh New England winters – will be, we hope, one of the distinct benefits of our newfound status. Or at least that’s the hope; check back in a couple of years to see whether it all worked out. LARRY KESSLER (lkessler1@ comcast.net) is a freelance writer based in North Attleboro.

AUGUST 2019

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

| 19

The world would benefit from Jewish teachings

HEA

IN THE ARTICLE “WHY JEWISH EDUCATION MATTERS,” published in the Jewish Standard newspaper, Rabbi David J. Fine writes, “Jewish and American cultures share this essential value of education as a virtue, as a means of improving our basic humanity, and of making us better Jews or PATRICIA Americans …. “In AmerRASKIN ican culture, education was at first considered critical in order to prepare a populace to assume sovereignty as a democracy. In Jewish tradition, education is, at its highest form, a means of worship, an opportunity to engage with and celebrate Torah.” In his article “Why the World Depends on Jewish Education in 2017,” published in the Jerusalem Post, Michael Laitman, founder and president of Bnei Baruch Kabbalah Education & Research Institute, writes, “For centuries,

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The values and tenets of Judaism are inspiring for all mankind.

•

the best possible way for the benefit of the whole. We are connected “as one man with one heart,” and care for one another in mutual guaranty. This method of connection helps humanity make the evolutionary leaps it must make. These principles demand practice, which often begins at a very young age and lasts throughout our lifetime. Foundations and practices of Torah that we maintain allow us to survive even the most difficult hardships. The path to actualize positive change must come through education and our willingness to grasp where our natural evolution is leading us.

•

PATRICIA RASKIN, owner of Raskin Resources Productions, is a media host, coach and award-winning radio producer and business owner. She has served on the board of directors of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence.

Jews have focused on education that would create thriving societies that contain mutual support, trust, and positive development.” The following points from Laitman’s article are educational principles of Judaism that we can all incorporate into our daily lives:

• Unity and love are at the core of Judaism. • People of different opinions can integrate together in love, unity and peace. Judaism is the study of how to “love others as yourself.” The people of Israel thrived in an atmosphere of mutual care. Judaism is steeped in teachings of how to treat each other, how to treat nature, animals and the world around us. Judaism teaches us to avoid criticism of others, and to help others through example, without coercion, as it is written: “Do not judge your fellow man until you have been in his position” (Pirkei Avot 2:5). Teachings are unique to each individual; every person should be allowed to fulfill their potential in

• •

• • • • •

Unity and love are at the core of Judaism

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20 | AUGUST 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 which include poetry, drumming and chanting selected prayer passages. A Soulful Shabbat service moves slowly, allowing time for quiet contemplation. Flam said that these services came from “an understanding that Shabbat was created to be, rather than do or create. It builds on that human need to have opportunities to be more aware and quiet, and to bring attention to who we want to be.” Describing prayer as a way of making a commitment to oneself, he explained that “making habits of practice…can add so much to our lives. Mindfulness is one of those things, and it can take many forms.” RABBI JEFFREY GOLDWASSER Temple Sinai Rabbi Goldwasser’s interest in mindfulness started in rabbinical school, when he joined a colleague’s meditation group. The group prayed slowly, sometimes spending 45 minutes reflecting on a single verse. Goldwasser says that asking himself, “Am I trying to get through the words, or get the words through to the people?,” changed his relationship to prayer and informed his role and leadership as a rabbi. Goldwasser says that “prayer is the instrument by which you open yourself to self-revelation,” and that it allows “God to speak to us and hear from us; the challenge is to listen.” Continuing, he said that “mindfulness is about revelation. It allows us to slow down, notice what’s inside, and hear our own wisdom about what God wants from us.” Goldwasser holds a twice-yearly “contemplative service” at Temple Sinai, in which prayer and worship are slowed down. With a quiet focus on just a few words, he said, “[we] allow the prayers to enter into us and give them the time they need.” He said that mindfulness practice “may only cause minute differences, but those few degrees can be life-altering. They can change entire relationships, entire attitudes, make suffering much less intense, and make you a nicer person to be around.” Goldwasser is also involved with the IJS, and he acknowledges that “we need to be modest in our claims. [Mindfulness] isn’t going to reopen the government, but it has the potential to make people more self-aware,

more joyful, and able to live with more wisdom. When people discover and engage with it, it’s worth the time it takes, and more.” RABBI BARRY DOLINGER Congregation Beth Sholom Rabbi Dolinger discovered mindfulness during his childhood jiujitsu classes. He recalled sitting in meditation and paying attention to his breathing before sparring, and said that he “found great comfort or solace in the familiarity of my breath.” He also spoke about experiencing depression during his teen years, and how sitting with pain and discomfort provided another introduction to mindfulness. This was idea echoed by Goldwasser, who explained that “sometimes people in crisis are the most mindful, because it causes them to slow down and question their lives and choices.” Dolinger emphasized the importance of gratitude as part of mindfulness practice, explaining that it “is fundamentally a recognition of the things you appreciate,” and that the “recognition of others’ roles brings agency to your own life.” Dolinger also participates in the IJS and is a co-founder of Thrive, a local spiritual retreat. He described his involvement in these organizations by saying that “we want to bring instruction and mindfulness to rabbis to bring back to their communities. The best way to bring mindfulness to the Jewish world is through its leaders.” In discussing the ways he brings mindfulness to his own congregation, Dolinger said that he encourages worshippers to sit in quiet mindfulness prior to prayer, and that “any Jewish ritual, big or small, needs to have a container of mindfulness in order to have its effect.” He described a “scarcity mindset” rooted in fears about the survival of the Jewish people and the fear of lost traditions, but challenged this by saying that “Jewish life should be rooted. Mindfulness allows awareness, honesty and the recognition of fears and anxieties, and gives us the ability to ask, ‘What is this?’” RABBI RAPHIE SCHOCHET, Rosh Kollel (Center for Jewish Studies) Rabbi Schochet described mindfulness in terms of

tefillah, explaining that prayer is about “recognizing our relationship with God,” and is “not about understanding Him, but about connecting to a higher spiritual dimension.” Finding this connection, Schochet said, requires an awareness of one’s own growth and change. He said that this awareness comes from daily renewal and spiritual accounting, explaining the need to ask how we’ve changed ourselves and our relationships to God. “We need to continuously reassess who we are and what we’re doing,” he said, stressing that “living is about continuously changing” and that seeing Rabbi Jeffrey things differently allows Goldwasser us to gain deeper understanding. He explained that changing in this way allows us to come closer to the divine ideal. Schochet emphasized the importance of introspection, explaining that we build barriers for ourselves when “we’re just reacting to stimulation and not taking the time to reflect.” When asked how to bring such mindfulness to one’s prayers, Schochet answered, “Focus not on everything, but on small parts. Make it personal. The words simply Rabbi Raphie Schochet are, but the message is your own.”

Rabbi Alan Flam

Rabbi Barry Dolinger

MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE (mschemaille@jewishallianceri.org) writes for Jewish Rhode Island and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

Mindfulness in the U.S. 1969: Sam Bercholz and Michael Fagan found Shambhala Publications, now the world’s largest publisher of English-language books on mindfulness and meditation. 1974: Beat poet Allen Ginsberg co-founds Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Naropa claims the distinction of being “the birthplace of the modern mindfulness movement.” 1975: Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi joins Naropa as the University’s first teacher of Jewish mysticism, later becoming the school’s World Wisdom Chair. SchachterShalomi is credited as a founder of the Jewish renewal movement. 1976: Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, and Sharon Salzberg open the Insight Meditation Center in Barre, Massachusetts. Today, the IMS is one of the largest meditation centers in the Western world. 1979: Jon Kabat-Zinn founds the mindfulness-inspired Stress Reduction Clinic at UMASS Medical School and goes on to develop the MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) program, which frames mindfulness in a scientific context. 1994: Rodger Kamenetz writes international best-seller “The Jew in the Lotus,” which introduces the term “Jubu” and presents the first major dialogue between experts in Judaism and Buddhism. The book contains interviews with Ginsberg and Goldstein, as well as Schachter-Shalomi’s response to Eastern spirituality within the Jewish renewal movement.

AUGUST 2019

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

COMMUNITY

| 21

OBITUARIES 25-26 | BUSINESS 23-24 | SIMCHAS & WE ARE READ 31

Help complete Holocaust Memorial inscriptions BY LEV POPLOW THE RHODE ISLAND HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL, nestled on the banks of the Providence River, has a dual purpose. It stands in honor to, and as a reminder of, the 6 million Jews who were murdered at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. At the same, time the memorial also serves as a tribute to those who survived the Holocaust, made their way to Rhode Island, and built new lives, families and businesses while contributing to the cultural landscape of our state. The Memorial is a tribute to all we have lost, all we have learned and serves as a hope for the future. Its creation was a collaboration between the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center (SBHEC), under the guidance of the Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial committee. By sharing a place for meaningful reflection, they hoped that the Memorial would help to create a kinder world where all can live together with dignity in peace. It was designed by Rhode Island School of Design-based sculptor Jonathan Bonner. He designed it to be a stark reminder of the cruel realities of the Holocaust as well as a beacon of hope and renewal for the the lives that were built here in Rhode Island. The Memorial itself is a sculpture garden with a winding stone path engraved with railroad tracks, an outer curb with the names of the most notorious and wellknown concentration camps, an inner curb with names of many of the survivors who came to Rhode Island, six conical stone pillars, and at its center a smooth elliptical “Life” stone. Woven together the parts reverently trace the journey of those who perished and those who survived.

To some, the Memorial appears to be complete. But it is not. The inner curb inscribed with the names of those who survived and came to Rhode Island is not complete. The SBHEC and the Alliance need your help to finish the project. SBHEC and the Alliance will soon start a second round of inscriptions of names of Holocaust survivors, and they need your help to ensure that all the names will be there. The Memorial must represent all of the survivors who came to Rhode Island so this mission to collect all of the names is of paramount importance. Please reach out to family and friends who might have names of survivors who settled in Rhode Island that were not included in the first inscription. If you, or anyone you know, can help please contact SBHEC Executive Director May-Ronny Zeidman. She can be reached at 401-453-7860 or may@bornsteinholocaustcenter.org. Thousands of people, including student groups, community groups and WaterFire attendees, walk through the Memorial every year. With your help, those visitors will have the fullest experience possible. LEV POPLOW is a communications consultant writing on behalf of the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center. He can be reached at levpoplow@gmail.com.

The Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial. Bottom right, is a portion of the inner curb with names of many of the survivors who came to R.I.

Mark your calendar for the return of

KOSHER RHODE ISLAND

CHILI

COOK-OFF June 7, 2020

22 | AUGUST 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

SBHEC book club kicks off year with page-turner BY LEV POPLOW

Mazel tov on a milestone! NEAL DROBNIS, coordinator of kosher nutrition, recently celebrated 10 years with the Kosher Senior Cafés. He received kudos from visitors and café participants and cake was served at the Dwares Jewish Community Center site. The Kosher Senior Cafes in Providence and Cranston are part of Jewish Collaborative Services’ kosher nutrition program. Above (left to right): Drobnis; Erin Minior, CEO of JCS; and Adam Greenman, president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

"Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away." is a groundbreaking exhibition that brings together more than 700 original objects and 400 photographs from more than 20 institutions and museums around the world. It is the most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the history of Auschwitz and its role in the Holocaust ever presented in North America. On September 22, 2019, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Temple Beth-El, North East Action Sports, and the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center will host a bus trip to Manhattan’s Museum of Jewish Heritage. Participants will receive guided tours of this landmark exhibition, followed by some time to explore Battery Park and the surrounding neighborhood. Seating is limited; ticket price of $62 includes transportation and tour. The bus will depart the Jewish Alliance at 7:45am. To register online, please visit jewishallianceri.org/auschwitz-exhibit/. For additional information or to register by phone, please call Paula Olivieri at 401.453.7860.

“THE WEIGHT OF INK,” by Rachel Kadish, is the first book of 2019-2020 for the “Not Your Average Book Club” at the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center (SBHEC). The book club will meet on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. SBHEC, inside of the Dwares Jewish Community Center, at 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. One of the unique aspects of this book club is that it is designed so everyone can participate, whether or not you are able to read the book prior to meeting. “The Weight of Ink” is a winner of the National Jewish Book Award and an Amazon Best Book of the Year. An intellectual, suspenseful and entertaining page-turner, Kadish’s book tells the story of two remarkable women separated by three centuries, the ambition that connects them and the power of the written word. Set in London of the 1660s and of the early 21st century, “The Weight of Ink” is the interwoven tale of two women of remarkable intellect: Ester Velasquez, an emigrant from Amsterdam who is permitted to scribe for a blind rabbi just before the plague hits the city; and Helen Watt, an ailing historian with a love of Jewish history. As the novel opens, Helen has been summoned by a former student to view a cache of 17th-century Jewish documents discovered in his home during a renovation. Enlist-

ing the help of an American graduate student as impatient as he is charming, and in a race with another fast-moving team of historians, Helen embarks on one last project: to determine the identity of the documents’ scribe, the elusive “Aleph.” Electrifying and ambitious, sweeping in scope and intimate in tone, “The Weight of Ink” is a sophisticated work of historical fiction about two women and the choices and sacrifices they must make in order reconcile the life of the heart and mind. The “Not Your Average Book Club” is free and open to all. RSVP to May-Ronny Zeidman at may@bornsteinholocaustcenter.org. Refreshments will be served. LEV POPLOW is a communications consultant writing on behalf of the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center. He can be reached at levpoplow@gmail.com.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

BUSINESS

IN MAY, I SAT DOWN with Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner to discuss the student debt crisis in Rhode Island. Here is some of that interview. JASON SIPERSTEIN: Can you give me some background on the student loan environment in the nation and in Rhode Island? SETH MAGAZINER: There is a real student loan crisis in this country that is having a negative impact on millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of JASON E. SIPERSTEIN Rhode Islanders. There is more student loan debt than credit card debt. Rhode Island has the second highest average loan burden in the country and research shows that this is having a large negative impact on people’s lives. This generation is less likely to engage in entrepreneurship than previous generations, and this is a

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Rhode Island State Treasurer Seth Magaziner talks about the student debt crisis problem. This country was built on the spirit of entrepreneurship and risk-taking. And it’s not just a problem for young people. There are 16,000 senior citizens in Rhode Island with student loans according to AARP. These seniors have either taken out loans themselves or have taken them out on behalf of family members. Seniors are the fastest-growing segment of student loan borrowers. SIPERSTEIN: Talk to me about student loan servicers. What role do they play? MAGAZINER: Servicers are not lenders. They are the debt collectors, and it is a very poorly regulated industry.

Seniors are the fastest-growing segment of student loan borrowers.

We don’t have this problem with mortgages. Since the 2008 financial crisis, a lot of attention has been paid to mortgages. Student loan debt is still so new and is still largely unregulated. In fact, it is very common for students to have the wrong amounts drawn from their bank accounts at the wrong times. It is still common for the servicer to mistime a payment or misprice a payment, and this can ruin a student’s credit score. SIPERSTEIN: Can you explain the student loan assistance programs? MAGAZINER: If you have a public loan and have worked for 10 years in the public sector, under federal law, the balance of the loan is supposed to be forgiven. Think police officers, teachers, public employees.… However, the rejection rate for loan forgiveness is 99% because the servicer messed something up. Some cases involve technical glitches or honest mistakes, but at 99% you wonder if a large portion of these mistakes were purposeful. The servicers are not getting paid when the loan is forgiven.

Chace Ruttenberg & Freedman, LLP is pleased to announce the opening of our Westerly office and that

Matthew L. Mercer has become a Partner. 15 Franklin Street Westerly • Rhode Island • 02891 Tel. 401.315.2702 • Fax 401.315.2703 Robert B. Berkelhammer Bret W. Jedele Nathan W. Chace Drew P. Kaplan Andre S. Digou Richard J. Land Douglas J. Emanuel Matthew L. Mercer Robert D. Fine Andrew W. Sbordone Carl I. Freedman Allan M. Shine Macrina G. Hjerpe Zachary H. Valentine Don E. Wineberg

Chace Ruttenberg & Freedman, LLP Attorneys at Law One Park Row • Suite 300 Providence • Rhode Island • 02903 Tel. 401.453.6400 • Fax 401.453.6411 www.crfllp.com The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers in the general practice of law. The court does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any particular field of practice.

SIPERSTEIN: Are there any consequences or repercussions for the servicers? MAGAZINER: Currently, there are no consequences for servicers giving incorrect information or omitting information. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under the Trump administration shut down this unit two years ago. So, there is no federal oversight and only six states have regulation. If the federal government is not doing anything, the state needs to do something. We recently introduced legislation so that Rhode Island can regulate student loan serving. EDITOR’S NOTE: Since this interview took place, lawmakers passed a Student Loan Bill of Rights that offers Rhode Islanders new consumer protections and oversight of student loan servicing practices. JASON E. SIPERSTEIN, CFA, CFP, is the president-elect of the Financial Planning Association of Rhode Island and president of Eliot Rose Wealth Management. He can be reached at jes@eliotrose.com.

RI Jewish Museum hosts visits, tours in Providence The Torah study class, led by Rabbi Alvin Kaunfer of Temple Emanu-El in Providence, visited The Rhode Island Jewish Museum, housed at Sons of Jacob Synagogue, for their annual end-of-year field trip on June 18. The attendees enjoyed a presentation by docent Clary Healy as she explained The cornerstone at Congregation Sons of the history of the Jacob, Newly arrived immigrants of 1896 building, showed were able to build this in 1922 and the artifacts and vid- building houses the Rhode Island Jewish eos, and escorted Museum. the group to the second floor to view the splendor of the sanctuary below. Many in attendance discovered names of beloved relatives memorialized on plaques in the building. Personal anecdotes triggered cherished memories and all agreed that this treasure should be saved. The building at 24 Douglas Ave., Providence, is the last of dozens of chartered immigrant places of worship. It is on the National Registry of Historic buildings, listed on the 2016 Providence Preservation Society’s endangered spaces, and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Open houses are scheduled from 1-3 p.m. on Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Oct. 27. For more information go to rhodeislandjewishmuseum.org Submitted by RI Jewish Museum.

AUGUST 2019 | 25

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

COMMUNITY | OBITUARIES Dr. Joseph Baruch, 95 EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Dr. Joseph Baruch died July 7. He was the beloved husband of the late Ernestine Baruch. Born in Hungary, he was the son of the late Bela and Jolan Baruch. Dr. Baruch was a Holocaust survivor. After WWII, he lived in Austria, then moved to Israel. In 1954, he moved to the United States. From 1955 until his death, he was a resident of Rhode Island. He worked as a psychiatrist for the state of Rhode Island until his retirement in 1984. He is survived by son Benjamin Baruch and his wife, Elizabeth, son Michael Baruch and two grandchildren, one nephew and two cousins. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

Gerald Brenner, 80 WOONSOCKET, R.I. – Gerald M. Brenner, of Woonsocket, died July 15 in Landmark Medical Center after battling Parkinson’s disease for over a decade. He was the husband of Marjory (Miller) Brenner whom he married on June 23, 1963. Born in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late Morris and Sylvia (Pullman) Brenner. Mr. Brenner was a graduate of Woonsocket High School, class of 1956, received a B.A. from the University of Rhode Island in 1960 where he was a member of the Golden Grads committee and received a law degree from Suffolk University in 1965. He was an attorney and partner for many years with the firm Zimmerman, Roszkowski & Brenner. In 2015, he was honored for being admitted to the R.I. Bar Association for 50 years. He was proud to have represented many clients in both state and federal courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In 1984, he was admitted to appear before the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Brenner was a life member of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. He was past president of the former Woonsocket lodge B’nai B’rith and

a current board member of Congregation B’nai Israel. Mr. Brenner was honored for his learn-to-swim program through the YMCA in Woonsocket. He was recently honored for 52 years of community service to the Woonsocket Rotary Club, where he served as past president and Paul Harris Fellow. He played tennis at Fore Court Tennis Club for over 40 years. He also skied for over 25 years, beginning at age 47. Traveling with family and friends was a joy of his, especially trips to the national parks, cruises and throughout Europe. He enjoyed photography and making family picture calendars from 2000 to 2018. Along with his wife Marjory, he is survived by four sons, Jeffrey Brenner, Esq. and his wife, Elizabeth Brenner, Esq., of Barrington, Dr. Richard Brenner and his wife, Dr. Andrea Brenner, of Bethesda, Maryland, Todd Brenner and his wife, Dr. Lauren Brenner, of Waltham, Massachusetts, and Dr. Jay Brenner and his wife, Larissa of Manlius, New York; his brother, Henry Brenner of Fargo, North Dakota; his sister, Zita Kaplan of Delray Beach, Florida; and eight grandchildren, Rebecca, Matthew, Alexis, Talia, Caleb, Jared, Hudson and Skylar. His family greatly appreciates the care and compassion of the staff at Oakland Grove Health Center, Woonsocket, where he resided for the past two years.

Diane Goldman, 74 PROVIDENCE R.I. – Diane Goldman passed away July 23. She was the beloved wife of the late Claude Goldman. She was born in Brooklyn, New

York, a daughter to the late Harry and Lillian Mandel. Diane was a compassionate, kindhearted, and giving person, who spread joy and comfort wherever she went. Diane grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where she met her husband of 47 years, Claude, and received a bachelor’s of science in biology from Stony Brook University. Diane, Claude and their two children settled in Providence, where she lived for 45 years. After spending a number of years as a biochemist at Brown University, Diane received a nursing degree from the University of Rhode Island. As a visiting hospice nurse, Diane was able to put her passion for helping people into practice for over 25 years. Diane found pleasure in traveling, telling stories, cooking and playing the violin with the Providence Adult String Ensemble and the Blackstone River Theatre. Diane immersed herself in the community, and was a devoted member of Temple Emanu-El. Most of all, Diane loved to volunteer her time helping people wherever there was an opportunity, large or small. Her volunteer work included organizations such as Camp Angel Wings and the Providence Village, and personal volunteer work, such as acting as a companion or helper to people in need, or being part of support groups. Diane never wavered in her generous and loving attitude toward those in need. She is survived by her children, Andrew Goldman and his wife, Debora, and Rachel Goldman; her twin sister, Barbara Caspy; brother, Conrad Mandel; and sister, Janice Mandel.

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on to build two homes for his family. Eventually he followed his entrepreneurial spirit and established an executive recruiting firm, the Holland Legal Group, which he presided over as president and legal executive recruiter for more than 25 years. He was deeply involved with Temple Emanu-El in Atlanta. He served as president of the brotherhood, was a member of committees, a participant in religious and social functions and was a pitcher for the softball team. He was an avid fan of all Atlanta sporting teams, enjoyed traveling, concerts and attending sporting events. His world revolved around his family: son Scott Holland and wife, Darlene, daughter Traci Loeser and husband, Marc, and son Mark Holland; his six grandchildren Leah, Rebecca, Noah, Emma, Nathan and Sofia; and brothers Glenn and Ron Holland. He was warm, loving and caring to all who knew him. Richard will be remembered for his integrity, his smile, laughter, sense of humor and his devotion to his family. Contributions in his memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, or Temple Emanu-El of Sandy Springs, Georgia.

Contributions may be made to HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, Temple Emanu-El, Providence Village, RI Community Food Bank, Crossroads RI or Friends Way..

Richard Holland, 71 ATLANTA, GA. – Richard Holland passed away on June 21 surrounded by family, following a battle with cancer. Born and raised in Pawtucket, Richard was the son of Maj. Gen. Leonard and Bernice Holland, also deceased. He graduated from Suffolk University, and followed in his father’s footsteps by serving in the Army National Guard, and later earned his law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta. Richard married Terry Spitz, but endured her untimely passing due to cancer. In her memory, he was associated with the American Cancer Society, and received several awards for his contributions. Richard then met and married his Pamela, and moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He built a distinguished career in real estate where he developed several subdivisions and went

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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Barbara Kates, 96 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Barbara E. Kates died July 8. She was the beloved wife of the late Leonard William Kates. She was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of the late George and Charlotte (Friedman) Fine. For most of her life, she resided in Fall River, Massachusetts, Providence and Boynton Beach, Florida, recently moving to Charlottesville, Virginia. She is survived by her children, Joan A. Ross, Jonathan A. Kates and Henry R. Kates, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Contributions in her memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

Marilyn Levine, 88 CRANSTON, R.I. – Marilyn Levine died July 29 at Cedar Crest. She was the beloved wife of Julius Levine for 69 years. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Albert and Fannie (Konovsky) Friedlander, she had lived in Cranston for 55 years. She was a broadcaster for a news radio program for Insight for 30 years and was a docent at the RISD Museum. She was a lifelong member of Hadassah. Marilyn was also an artist and wrote and illustrated a book for each of

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org her grandchildren when they were born. She was the mother of Leslie Levine of Warwick, Dianne Gens and her husband, Barry, of Newton, Massachusetts, and Andrea Couch and her husband, Deryl, of Orlando, Florida. She was the sister of the late Wilbert Friedlander and Gloria Dressler. She was the grandmother of Matthew, Robert, Jason, Savannah, Sydney and Brooke. She was the great grandmother of Lily. Contributions may be made to Insight, 43 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI 02888.

Joel Medwin, 81 CRANSTON, R.I. – Joel M. Medwin died July 10 at Steere House. He was the beloved husband of Sondra (Alberts) Medwin for 54 years. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Benjamin and Dorothy (Weiner) Medwin, he had lived in Cranston for 51 years, before moving back to Providence three years ago. Joel was a graduate of Classical High School, Providence College and the University of Connecticut. He was a marriage and family counselor and former executive administrator of Pawtucket Community Mental Health Clinic, retiring in 2008. He was a former member of Temple Sinai and Temple Beth-El. He was the devoted father

of Lauri Fine and her husband, Keith, of East Greenwich and Steven Medwin of Miami, Florida. He was the brother of Enid Stewart of Lincoln and the loving grandfather of Madelyn, Bennett, Jessica and Scott. Contributions in his memory may be made to Steere House, 100 Borden St., Providence, RI 02903 or your favorite charity.

Herbert Mershon, 86 CUMBERLAND, R.I. – Herbert B. Mershon died July 17, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center. He was the beloved husband of Irma (Lefkoff) Mershon for 60 years. Born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, a son of the late Ben and Mollie (Elfenbein) Mershon, he had lived in Cumberland for 30 years, previously living in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was the owner and founder of ArtVac Corporation. Herbert was an Army veteran, serving stateside. He was a graduate of Tilton Academy and Tufts University. Herbert was on the board of directors of New Hampton School. He was also actively involved with the Two-Ten Foundation. He was the devoted father of Jeffrey Mershon (Elaine) of Medway, Massachusetts, Rusty Mershon (Susan) of Lincoln, Rhode Island, and Faith Goldberg of Atlanta, Georgia. He was the brother of J. Robert Mershon (Helene) of Alpharetta, Georgia, and the late Solomon and Sylvia Mershon. He was the grandfather of Matthew (Jared), Jillian (Stephen), Blaire, Reed, Abby, Ben and Sara, and the uncle of several nieces and nephews. Contributions in Herbert’s memory may be made to the American Parkinson Disease

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Lois Seidenberg, 86 EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Lois Mayberg Seidenberg passed away on July 22 after a sudden illness. She was the daughter of the late Abraham and Lillian Mayberg. Lois was a graduate of Hope High School. She and her family enjoyed many visits to family in Rhode Island and vacations on Cape Cod. Lois enjoyed traveling the world with her late husband Joel. She loved the ocean and was an avid swimmer at the gym, where she worked out daily. She had a way of listening and helped many in need. She was friendly and effervescent and had many friends. She was the kind, loving and devoted mother of Carla and husband, John Lomeo in East Brunswick, and grandson Brandon now living in California. She is also survived by her sisters Arlene Young of Cranston and Joyce Miller (Sanford) of Warwick. A celebration of life with family members will be held at a future date.

praise me and give a special blessing. On another occasion, speaking on behalf of a Boston-based group of which I am a member, the Jewish-Cabo Verdean Seder, I asked Rabbi Franklin if he could be a keynote speaker for an upcoming seder that would gather some 200 Jews and Cabo Verdeans. Despite his busy schedule, he accepted the invitation with-

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Judith Silverman died July 12. Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Lillian Hyzen. Judith grew up in South Brookline, Massachusetts. She was a graduate of Brookline High School. She then worked many years as a successful sales representative for cosmetic companies. Years later, she found a passion for home decorating and became an accomplished interior decorator. She is survived by her nieces, Susan Lubets and her husband, Bob, of Framingham, Massachusetts and Shari Berman, of North Easton, Massachusetts; her great nieces, Gabriella and Maya, and her sister-in-law, Helaine Hyzen of Framingham, Massachusetts. She is also survived by many lifelong friends. She was preceded in passing by her brother, Robert Hyzen. Contributions in her honor may be made to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

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out hesitation. Rabbi Franklin has always promptly responded to my e-mails, he always picks up the phone when I call, and, most importantly, if I do not show up for Shabbat service any week, he calls me to see if everything is okay. In a word, Rabbi Wayne Franklin CARES. In short, I am so very deeply indebted to Rabbi Franklin. How can I ever repay him for the many gifts he has given me, from financial to emotional to spiritual? I thank you, God, for having put Rabbi Wayne Franklin in my life. At this important moment of his transition, I wish him a long life. May he enjoy his years of retirement! Thank you, Rabbi. Muito obrigado! CARLOS SPINOLA is a member of Temple Emanu-El in Providence.

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jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

COMMUNITY

Debra Mann we’ll miss you BY BEN SHAW IN THE RI JAZZ COMMUNITY, connections run deep, so with a loss comes profound sorrow. Recently, the jazz community lost one of its most cherished souls, Debra Mann, and the outpouring of both grief and love toward her from across the state has been inspiring to see. Debra Mann graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston where she studied jazz and classical piano and voice with such incredible musicians as Charlie Banacos, Hall Crook and Jeannie LoVetri. She performed around New England for many years as a soloist and as part of many different ensembles, playing jazz clubs, festivals and concert halls, including Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops. Throughout her career, she played with local icons such as Greg Abate, Dave Zinno, Dino Govoni, Jay Azzolina, John Lockwood, Marty Richards, Marty Ballou, Dan Moretti, Ed Tomassi, Bob Gullotti and John Allmark, among countless others.She eventually established a set trio, which grew into a quintet that became her main performing group. Besides performing, she was a revered educator, teaching both privately and as a faculty member at Brown University and Wheaton College. She was also a member of The Jazz Education Network and The Providence Musicians Union, and recorded for New Bedford’s Whaling City Sound.

I reached out to a friend and long-time collaborator of hers, bass player Dave Zinno, to ask him for some insight into who she was. As we began talking about Debra, the first thing Zinno said to me was that she was “filled with good will.” He said that more than any musician he has met, she was “super supportive of live music … she would turn up everywhere, across genres. Didn’t matter if it was a folk artist or whatever, she and her husband would come out and support everything. And she always had something good to say.” Dave went on to tell me about her exquisite ability and her influences, her love for the American songbook, Brazilian music and the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. Her top influence, however, was Joni Mitchell, and Dave said that for years she wanted to do a project that would honor Joni’s music. She arranged and performed many of Joni’s tunes for several concerts and they became Debra’s phenomenal final album, “Full Circle: The Music Of Joni Mitchell,” which was released last year through Whaling City Sound. Listening to this gorgeous album, you can hear not only the reverence Debra felt for Joni’s music, but how Debra took up that spirit and imbued each song with her own unique essence. And as Dave put it to me, because Joni was the spark that began Debra’s musical journey, it’s “poetic that it came out when it did, the whole notion of ‘Full Circle’ is really beautiful.” The beauty of musicians is

that although we eventually will lose them, we still have their recordings, their songs and the stories they leave behind with those they shared the bandstand with; including the many stories Dave shared with me, his voice filled with the same joy she brought into so many lives. To end, here are some of Debra’s own words from her song “Lessons of the Heart” off her album, “Home”: “Now it’s time to say goodbye/And greet the dawn with joy not mournful sighs/My heart wants to sing of gladness not of bitterness or sadness/My heart wants to sing a song of loveliness not lonely madness… I’ll make a brand new start/Learning once again the lessons of the heart.” To listen to Debra’s albums, purchase music and learn more about her, visit debramann.com. Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Motif Magazine at http://motifri. com/debramann/ BEN SHAW is a local composer, performer, and writer. Find him at benjaminshawmusic. com.

Debra Mann

28 | AUGUST 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY

Jewish Alliance joins interfaith community to highlight Rhode Island housing crisis BY STEPHANIE HAGUE DID YOU KNOW THAT RHODE ISLAND has the highest number of cost-burdened households in New England? According to federal and state standards, a household spending more than 30 percent of its income on housing, including utilities, is categorized as “housing cost burdened.” As of 2015, half of all Rhode Island renters were cost burdened. This can impact an individual’s or a family’s ability to afford other basic necessities, such as food, transportation and childcare. The Jewish Alliance Community Relations Council, in partnership with the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty, provided education and advocacy opportunities this spring and summer to help with this pervasive issue. On May 21, over 50 faith leaders, community members and advocates from across the state joined together for the first Faith in Action Interfaith Advocacy Day. The program began with Advocacy 101 training, facilitated by Kristina Contreras Fox, of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. Following her training, the group walked to the State House for a news conference before meeting with legislators in support of House Bill 5137, known as the “Source of Income” bill. This bill would end discriminatory housing practices that allow landlords to refuse to rent to individuals/families based on the source of income for

their rent, which might include housing vouchers, veterans benefits and Social Security. Despite significant community efforts and organizing for the bill, it did not make it out of the House Judiciary Committee. After the large turnout and mobilization on Advocacy Day, the Alliance, Interfaith Coalition and Rhode Island State Council of Churches joined together to share a heartbreaking local story that gives a personal narrative to this crisis. On July 11, 75 people gathered at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence, to watch a locally made film, “Providence Lost,” and hear from panelists about the housing crisis in Rhode Island. “Providence Lost,” a short documentary by Oscar Dupuy d’Angeac, follows the Trottiers, a family that is being evicted and their subsequent search for a new home. In 2018, the Trottiers were one of more than 13,000 Rhode Island households to be evicted. Their struggle in the face of soaring rents and a dysfunctional safety net is shared by a majority of renters across the state. Adam Cable, a member of the Community Relations Council and Alliance board shared, “I particularly appreciated how the filmmaker humanized the family and showed the connection between their story and those of too many other Rhode Islanders. I truly appreciate that the Alliance helped make this event happen so that our community could

Mike Klein and Rabbi Rachel Zerin at the Rhode Island State House. take part.” After the film, Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island Bishop Nicholas Knisely facilitated a panel with the filmmaker; Madonna Trottier; Stephen Tobin, the son of the family featured in the film; Brenda Clements, director of Housing Works RI; and Michelle Brophy of the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals. D’Angeac, in his remarks, emphasized the importance of these

stories and their policy implications. “We need to affirm and codify that housing is a human right,” he said. STEPHANIE HAGUE (shague@jewishallianceri.org) is director of community relations at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. For more information on these initiatives or to get involved in the work of the Community Relations Council, please contact her.

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Chesed Shel Amess Association installs new officers and board BY GERALD SHERMAN WARWICK – Chesed Shel Amess Association of Lincoln Park Cemetery held its 107th annual election and installation brunch on June 2, at the Phyllis Siperstein Tamerisk Assisted Living Residence. Murray Gereboff gave the invocation. Outgoing President David Weiss, in his closing remarks, thanked Executive Director Beth Veltri, staff, officers and board of directors for their hard work and dedication for the past two years. Murray Gereboff installed the newly elected officers and board members. Shown in the photo above are: front row, Arlene Elman; Susan Veder-

man, Financial Secretary; Aaron Weintraub, Second Vice President; Fred Raisner, President; Ronald Freeman, First Vice President; Susan Feldman and Mona Scheraga. Shown in the back row: left to right, Steven Sholes; Marvin Stark; David Bojar; Lowell Lisker; Bruce Wasser; David Mossberg; Gerald Sherman, Treasurer; Edward Fink; Ralph Rottenberg; David Weiss; Marc Gertsacov; Ried Redlich; Murray Gereboff; Michael Penn; and Sam Mendolowitz. Past presidents not shown: Sidney Goldman, Michael Glucksman, Joel Gerstenbladt, Sanford Reich and Barry Rose. Honorary Board Member not shown: Remmie Brown.

Returning board members not shown: Rabbi Aaron Philmus, Michael Weiner, Joel Harrison, Steven Hershey, Linda Weisman, Jeffery Salk, Andrew Gilstein and Charles Blackman. Appointed to the Board of Directors as representatives and delegates from member organizations not shown: Harold Silverman, Sanford Gorodetsky, Michael Sugarman, Mark Adler, Gerry Freidman and Barry Ackerman. Fred Raisner was then sworn in as president. In his short speech he outlined his plans and goals for the next two years. GERALD SHERMAN is publicity chairman and treasurer of Chesed Shel Amess.

A month of peace, remembrance and hope IN SEPTEMBER, the Artists Cooperative Gallery of Westerly (ACGOW), 14 Railroad Ave., will celebrate peace, and honor those who experienced World War II, under the banner of “Peace, Remembrance, Hope.” A special afternoon of remembrance is planned for Sept. 15, from 1-5 p.m. Alice Eichenbaum, a survivor of the Holocaust, will recount her story as well as that of her husband, Ray. The afternoon will also feature live music and a poetry reading. The public is invited to memorialize loved ones on a Tree of Life; Congregation Sharah Zedek will supply refreshments. The day will conclude with a special menorah lighting, and Rabbi Ethan Adler will recite Kaddish in memory of the 80 million lives lost worldwide during the war. “Peace, Remembrance, Hope” is free and open to the public. September marks the 80th anniversary of the start of WWII. ACGOW invites the public to participate in making peace cranes and peace flags on Sept. 1 and Sept. 21

(the International Day of Peace), from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a Japanese tradition that says that a person who folds 1,000 origami cranes will have their wish granted. Visitors’ peace cranes will become an installation exhibit in ACGOW’s gallery, reflecting a wish for world peace; peace flags are related to the 2,000-year-old Tibetan prayer flag tradition. Supplies and instructions for making peace cranes and flags will be available for participants to take home; these workshops are free and open to the public. The gallery will host a special peace-themed show, with works created specifically for the month’s events. All are invited to visit the Gallery between Sept. 4 and 15 and vote for their favorite piece. Visitors are also invited to walk the gallery’s Path of Peace labyrinth, which is modeled after the ancient labyrinth in Chartres, France. Submitted by the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center

THE PHYLLIS SIPERSTEIN

ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE

30 | AUGUST 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

Serving as members of the Board of Directors and Officers of Touro Fraternal Association for 2019-2020 are, front row from left, Ried Redlich, Lester Nathan, David Altman, Bruce Wasser, Larry Berman, Richard Levenson, Max Guarino and Barry Schiff. Middle row, Peter Silverman, Mitchell Cohen, Jed Brandes, Stevan Labush, Alan Lury, Robert Miller, James Sinman and Jeffrey Harpel. Back row, David Weisman, Adam Halpern, Barry Ackerman, Andrew Gilstein, Jeffrey Davis, Bruce Weisman and Andrew Lamchick. Absent for photo were Jeffrey Stoloff, Michael Smith, Richard Glucksman, James Goldman and Jonathan Finkle.

Touro Fraternal Association installs new officers CRANSTON – Jeffrey Stoloff and Larry Berman were installed as lodge presidents of Touro Fraternal Association, and seven members of the Board of Directors took the oath of office during the

recent installation ceremonies in Touro Hall. Stoloff, the Friendship Lodge vice president, ascended to president of that lodge, succeeding Max Guarino. Berman, a member of the

Board of Directors, is the new president of Harmony Lodge, succeeding Richard Levenson. Guarino and Levenson were two of the five members installed for three-year terms on the Board of Directors. The

others are returning board members Barry Ackerman, Stevan Labush and Ried Redlich. Elected to one-year board terms were Richard Glucksman and James Sinman. The two new vice presidents for 2019-20 are Adam Halpern, Friendship Lodge, and Jeffrey Harpel, Harmony Lodge. Rounding out the slate of officers installed for Friendship Lodge were Lester Nathan, secretary; and Peter Silverman, treasurer; and for Harmony Lodge, David Altman, secretary; and Jonathan Finkle, treasurer. David Weisman is serving as the inside guard for both lodges. Chairman Emeritus Robert Miller served as the installing officer and highlighted the Touro accomplishments of the new officers. Barry Schiff, the

master of ceremonies, administered the oaths of office. The Board of Directors subsequently met and unanimously re-elected the leadership team of Alan Lury, chairman, and Stevan Labush, vice chairman, for 2019-20. The following association appointments were also made: Bruce Wasser, secretary; James Goldman, treasurer; Barry Schiff, chaplain; Ried Redlich, faithful guide; and Mitchell Cohen, inside guard. Thanked for their service were three retiring members of the Board of Directors: Norman Dinerman, Steven Waldman and Steven White. To learn more about the Touro Fraternal Association, visit www.tourofraternal.org. Submitted by Touro Fraternal Association

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COMMUNITY | SIMCHAS & WE ARE READ

JAY ALEXANDER RODRIGUES AND ANNETTE ARIEL KIVIAT Susan and Michael Rodrigues of Cranston and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are pleased to announce the marriage of their son Jay Alexander Rodrigues to Annette Ariel Kiviat on June 15 at The Pine Hollow Country Club in East Norwich, New York. Rabbi Ethan Adler officiated. Annette is the daughter of MJ and Douglas Kiviat of Jericho, New York. The groom is a graduate of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is employed as an analyst at Makaira Partners, LLC. The bride graduated from Emory University and Stony Brook University, and is a physician assistant at Senta Clinic. The couple honeymooned in Italy and live in La Jolla, California.

WE ARE READ ON THE MISSISSIPPI – Mel and Cindy Yoken stand in front of the steamboat, The American Queen, during a recent cruise on the Mississippi.

WE ARE READ IN KRAKOW – Toby Liebowitz is pictured holding Jewish Rhode Island with students in a three-week evening Hebrew Ulpan class she teaches at the Krakow Jewish Community Center. On July 16, they met at the Galicia Museum.

MAZEL TOV! Ida and Tom Brown of Hopatcong, New Jersey (Ida is from Rhode Island) celebrated their 28th anniversary on a 32day trip to New Zealand and Australia. They say that visiting Sydney and seeing the Harbor Bridge and Opera House in the background is a memory they will treasure forever. Jewish Rhode Island always enjoys traveling as well.

Share your simchas or vacation We Are Reads send them to: editor@ jewishallianceri.org We love hearing from you.

Thank

YOU for making a difference

‫תודה רבה‬ todah rabbah

Because of YOU, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island raised $3.1M for the 2019 Annual Campaign from 1,582 gifts. These funds support 70 local and global partners and 300 programs and initiatives worldwide. A full donor report will be available at jewishallianceri.org starting September 6, with excerpts published in the next issue of Jewish Rhode Island.

For more information about the Alliance Annual Campaign, contact Sara Masri at 401.421.4111 ext. 223 or smasri@jewishallianceri.org.

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