May 2019 by Jewish Rhode Island

The Voice of Greater Rhode Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewish Community

JEWISH

MAY 2019 | NISAN | IYAR 5779

JEWISHRHODY.ORG

R H O DE I S L A ND

Combating hatred Community Relations Council 2.0

RI students learn about Holocaust

Our annual parade of pets

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Our annual tribute to our furry friends WE ARE ALL crazy about our pets. I am reminded of that each year when we get ready for our annual Pet Issue, one of our most popular special editions. This year, with the switch to monthly publication, we didn’t remind you about the pet issue as many times as usual. In the April issue, we ran an ad and a little box reminding everyone to send in their photos. Then we tucked another notice into our new monthly newsletter. Then we waited to see what would happen. As you can see, beginning on page 16, we received plenty of photos. Some are repeat pets in new photos and some are pets new to our pages. We can’t seem to get beyond cats and dogs, however. Where are the fish, hamsters, bunnies and horses? I know you are out there! Despite the statistics that show that there are more households with dogs than cats in the U.S., we noticed that there are many more cats this year than in

the past. (Because cat owners more often have multiple cats, however, there are more cats than dogs in the U.S. pet population.) The Jewish Rhode Island staff now seems to favor cats. You’ve read plenty about my cat, who loves to offer her point of view whenever I try to work from home. This year, Charlotte chose a briefcase for her portrait. The briefcase, by the way, is now one of her favorite places to sleep. But don’t try to take her to the office. Despite trying to establish a tradition of “Feline Fridays,” when my husband takes her to his office each week, she seems to prefer to stay at home. She has been ducking him and the carrier of late on Fridays. Meanwhile, ad rep Chris Westerkamp’s cat prefers a classic cat portrait. Can you find Tia? Statistic-gathering agencies differ on what percentage of U.S. households owns pets. In 2016, the American Pet Products Association found that 68 percent of all households surveyed owned some sort of pet. The

American Veterinary Medical Association found 57 percent of households had a pet at the end of 2016. The Simmons National Consumer Survey found that only 53 percent of households owned pets. And the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Housing Survey came in at 49 percent of households with pets. That’s close to 20 percent lower than the APPA! Apparently, the difference is in the details and methodology, according to a January 2019 Washington Post article. Some surveys are mailed, some are online, some ask you to “opt-in” to certain questions. Regardless of the statistics, there’s no doubt that we love our furry (and fishy) friends. We take care of them like all the other members of our family – and we often spoil them. You can even get a subscription toy box for your dog or cat! Sales of pet products rose by 5 percent last year, according to the U.S. Pet Market Outlook 2018-19. It’s all a big business. Because we can’t resist spending on our beloved pet friends. And we at Jewish Rhode Island love to see our little piece of all that pet love, your pet photos!

JEWISH R H OD E I S L AN D

EDITOR Fran Ostendorf DESIGN & LAYOUT Leah Camara ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Chris Westerkamp | cwesterkamp@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 V 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 Mitzi Berkelhammer, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. 401-421-4111; Fax 401-331-7961

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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 advertisements 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.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

UP FRONT Liz: Some of our recipes are new, but many came from our grandmothers and great-grandmothers. It’s very much in the spirit of l’dor v’dor [generation to generation] and continuity.

Would you do it again? Was it fun? Liz: Oh, yeah, we can do that again. Lori: I think so. Some of the women were unable to contribute the first time; we hope they’ll be able to contribute to the next one. Liz: People are proud to have their recipes in the cookbook, and I hope that will encourage others to contribute to the next one. It was fun, but also more work than I thought it would be, with editing and re-editing. Lori: It was fun. Liz and I have a way of complementing how we work, so it was easier than it could have been.

What sort of feedback have you received about the cookbook? Lori Adler and Liz Karp

PHOTO | MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE

Beth David’s cookbook is a delicious community effort BY MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE

recently met with Lori Adler and Liz Karp, the women behind Congregation Beth David’s new “Generations of Cooks” cookbook. Lori is married to Beth David’s rabbi, Ethan Adler, and has been a member of the Narragan-

sett congregation for 34 years. Liz has been a member for four years, having moved to the area from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to be closer to her grandchildren.

What inspired the creation of this cookbook? Lori: Over the years, the women of the congregation have gotten together for “girls’ nights out” and potlucks. They’re all great cooks, each with their own specialties. Liz once brought her apple cake [see recipe, page 13] to a shivah call, and that got us started about putting together a cookbook. Liz: The temple has never done a cookbook before. We put the word out in our e-bulletin and got an amazing response.

How long did it take to complete this project? Lori: We started collecting recipes in November. It took about two months for us to edit, and we rolled it out in February. Liz: We did it as a community event, to bring people together. We didn’t do it as a fundraiser, but it’s turned into that. People have been giving the cookbooks as gifts. Lori: We’ve been getting great feedback, and we have multigenerational contributions from our older and younger members.

Lori: People have enjoyed the recipes. Liz: We forgot to mention, we encouraged people attending dinners and potlucks to bring dishes from the cookbook. Lori: One of our members was saying that she really appreciated that.

How many recipes are in the book? Liz: Eighty? Did we say 80? Lori: We have 93 pages, so there are probably about 85 recipes.

Do you have a favorite recipe from the cookbook? Liz: I have to say that the matzoh crunch is just amazing [see recipe, page 13]. Lori: I want to try that chicken dish from Beth Casagrande. Liz: I want to try that chocolate torte! So many people I’ve talked to have tried so many of the recipes. Every time I go to my daughter’s house, the book is open next to the stove. Lori: Oh, you know what’s good is the chicken Marbella. Liz: Oh, I love that.

What are your favorite Jewish foods?

Liz: Charoset. I eat it by the bowlful; I just adore it. Lori: Roast chicken [see recipe, page 13]. Oh, and babka!

What about your favorite Jewish holiday?

Liz: I’m going to say Passover. I love Passover because we get the family together. It’s always just such a fun holiday. Lori: Rosh Hashanah. Part of it’s the family – we get together, have a big meal, hang out for a few days. It’s also the sense of renewal, and it’s a brisket holiday!

Do you have a favorite Hebrew or Yiddish word or phrase?

Lori: Ongepotchket [overly elaborate, fussy]. That’s my favorite Jewish word. Liz: Oh, shpilkes [restless, agitated]. My entire life, I’ve been accused of shpilkes, and I have two daughters that share that with me. Lori: I have a son like that.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Liz: Be true to yourself. Just don’t ask me to say it in Yiddish! Lori: Mine’s similar: Be a mensch.

Do you have anything else to tell our readers about the cookbook? Liz: It was a multi-leveled concept. First and foremost it was creating continuity between people and their mothers and grandmothers, and a mitzvah for the temple, and as a result, I became closer with Lori. Lori: It was rewarding to ask for recipes and see who sent them back, and it was great to see that many people we don’t see often are still involved with the congregation. Liz: Every recipe has a credit, and many have stories or notes at the bottom; it serves to connect people. Lori: If we know that someone here is ill, we call and offer food and groceries. Liz: Before we even offer a ride, because that’s how we were raised. You need food before you need anything. Lori: For any occasion, the first thing you do is bring food.

How can our readers order copies of the cookbook? Liz: Oh, we’d be so excited to have that happen! Lori: They can email me, at swambo42@cox.net. The cookbook is $18, or $30 with a wooden spoon and matching apron.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

An added measure of holiness at just the right time D’ VA

AS ALWAYS, we ended our sedarim with the words l’shanah haba’ah birushalayim, “Next year in Jerusalem!” For my congregation, Temple Etz Chaim of Franklin, Massachusetts, these words will literally be coming true. We are going to take our first congregational trip to Israel next year at this time in the Hebrew calendar. We will be there for the two holidays that Jews celebrate this week: Yom Ha’Zikaron, Israel Memorial Day, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Independence Day. I have to say that I’m thinking about this trip a lot; I’m excited that we will be able to experience Israel as a congregation. Of course, it’s too early to know who is going on this trip, so I’m not sure if we’ll have participants with mobility challenges. For that reason, I was pleased to see a story about accessibility in the Old City that was reported on the Israel21c.org website (see https://bit. ly/2ZAvFw7).

If you have ever been to the Old City, you’ll notice that it’s a challenge for people who are in wheelchairs, pushing strollers, or just in need of some support while they walk. Now, based on work done by seven government bodies, all the gates of the Old City are accesRABBI THOMAS sible; there is a ALPERT shuttle taking people from one gate to another; and four kilometers (about two-and-a-half miles) of street within the Old City have been made accessible. This work is expected to serve as a model for other historic cities. The Torah portion for this week,

TO R A H

Candle lighting times

in Greater Rhode Island

the week that includes these Israeli-based holidays, is parashat K’doshim. K’doshim is part of what scholars call “the Holiness Code,” a set of instructions about how to live life at its highest level. Included in those mitzvot is this one: “You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind.” While our sages have interpreted this text in various figurative ways, its literal meaning remains powerful: do not mistreat those with disabilities. Jerusalem has found a way to maintain its historic character while removing actual stumbling blocks. In so doing, it has added holiness to the holy city.

May 3

| 7:27 p.m.

May 10 | 7:35 p.m. May 17 | 7:42 p.m. May 24

| 7:49 p.m.

May 31 | 7:55 p.m.

TOM ALPERT is the rabbi at Temple Etz Chaim in Franklin, Massachusetts.

“You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind.” … do not mistreat those with disabilities.

If we don’t take care of our future, who will? When you create a Jewish legacy, you take an important step toward strengthening Jewish life for generations to come. Planning your gift now will help ensure your children and grandchildren can enjoy the same rich traditions and closeness of community that have given your life so much meaning and purpose.

The future starts with you.

Jewish Federation Foundation

OF GREATER RHODE ISLAND

NOW IS THE TIME FOR

WISDOM

For more information about legacy giving, please contact Trine Lustig at 401.421.4111 ext. 223 or tlustig@jewishallianceri.org

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

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

Ongoing

Alliance Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch, program weekdays. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Noon lunch; 1 p.m. program. Information or RSVP, 401421-4111, ext. 107. West Bay Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch, program Fridays. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. 11:15 a.m. program; noon lunch. Information or RSVP, 401-421-4111, ext. 107. Duplicate Bridge. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Mondays noon-2 p.m.: 0-20 masterpoint game for less-experienced players. $5. Tuesdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: open stratified game, all levels. $7. Thursdays 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Guided play. $6. Information, abarton295@aol.com or 401-3909244. Monday Night Meditation. 8-8:45 p.m. Congregation Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence. Meditation instruction for all levels. Spiritual practices to help transform your life. Thru 5/13. Information, office@ bethsholom-ri.org. Game Night: Mah Jongg. 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Lessons available. Free. Information, Torat Yisrael office at 401-8856600. Children’s Shabbat Programs and Kiddush. 10-11:30 a.m. Shabbat mornings. Congregation Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence. For ages 2 to 12. Free. Information, office@bethsholom-ri.org.

Friday | May 3

Pizza Shabbat. 6 p.m. Congregation Beth David, 102 Kingstown Road, Narragansett. Last family event of school year. Information, 401-4860110. Shabbat Chai. 6-7 p.m. Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence. Led by Cantor Brian Mayer and the Shabbat Chai Band. Contemporary and traditional melodies. Services followed by a Shabbat dinner at no cost to service attendees. Information, bjmayer@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 | May 4

Shabbat Service. 9 a.m. Congregation Beth David, 102 Kingstown Road, Narragansett. Light Kiddush follows. Information, 401-486-0110. Men’s Club and Sisterhood 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. Family Shabbat Morning Service. 9:15 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. For children to age 8 and their families. Includes songs, stories and family-friendly Shabbat traditions. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael. org or 401-885-6600.

Sunday | May 5

Torah Sprouts. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Stories, songs, crafts and snack for children ages 3-5. $10. Information or to register, Torat Yisrael office at 401885-6600. Cooking with Valerie. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Make bagels. Cost: $5 members | $10 nonmembers. Information, stephanie@ toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600. Hate/Anti-Semitism/Me Series. 1 p.m. Temple Shalom, 223 Valley Road, Middletown. Author Naomi Zucker presents “20th Century Anti-Semitism: In Print, on the Air and in the Halls of Ivy.” Dessert follows. Information, Temple Shalom at 401-846-9002. RIJHA Annual Meeting. 2-4 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Guest Speaker Dr. George Goodwin, editor of the RIJH Notes. Information, Kate-Lynne Laroche at office@rijha.org or info@ rijha.org. Jewish Collaborative Services (JCS) Past/Present/Future Gala. 5-10 p.m. Marriott Downtown, One Orms St., Providence. Celebrate the marriage of Jewish Seniors Agency and Jewish Family Service to create Jewish Collaborative Services. Information, event@jfsri.org or 401331-1244, ext. 325 (Alma Halsband), ext. 322 (Deb Flitman) or ext. 337 (Sara Goodwin).

Tuesday | May 7

Modern Israeli History. 10-11:30 a.m. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Led by Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser. Last in a series. Information, Dottie@templesinairi.org or 401942-8350. Yom Ha’Zikaron Commemoration. 7 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Honor Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. Led by Nir Cafri, Rabbi Sarah Mack of Temple Beth-El and Cantor Dr. Brian J. Mayer of Temple Emanu-El, with music by Shmuel Gavish. Singalong will follow. Please dress in white. Information or RSVP, Nir Cafri at ncafri@jewishallianceri. org or 401-421-4111, ext. 121.

Wednesday | May 8

11th Annual Interfaith Poverty

Conference. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn about poverty issues in RI and how to make a difference. Keynote speaker Rev. Aundreia Alexander, Associate General Secretary for Joint Action and Advocacy for Justice and Peace for the National Council of Churches. Three workshop choices follow. Tiered ticket pricing. Information, Victoria Strang at riinterfaithcoalition@gmail.com or 401-421-4111, ext. 161. “Indecent” at Boston’s Huntington Theatre. Noon-6 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Chartered motor coach leaves Temple Beth-El at 12:30 p.m. for 2 p.m. show. Box lunch provided. Cost: $75. Information, jthomas@ temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070.

Thursday | May 9

Talmudic Categories of Gender. 7-9 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. The rabbis of the Mishnah and Talmud discussed multiple categories of gender. Explore these primary sources and grapple with rabbinic notions of privilege, commandment and identity as they relate to gender. Sponsored by the LGBTQ committee of TBE. Free. Information, Judith Gilson at jgilson@temple-beth-el.org or 401331-6070. “Hungering for America: Italian, Irish and Jewish Foodways in the Age of Migration.” 7-9 p.m. Touro Synagogue, 72 Touro St., Newport. Lecture featuring Dr. Hasia Diner. Presented by Touro Synagogue Foundation. Sample Kosher food following lecture. Free. Information, Meryle Cawley at tours@tourosynagogue.org or 401-847-4794.

Friday | May 10

PJ Library Challah in the House. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Make challah dough to take home and bake. Enjoy stories and songs. Price: $5 per loaf | Dwares JCC Members: $3 per loaf. Information or RSVP (required), Lyndsey Ursillo at lursillo@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 141. Essen & Lesson. 12:45-1:45 p.m. Bagelz, 90 Pershing Ave., Wakefield. Join Rabbi Ethan Adler of Congregation Beth David for the first in a “Life and Legends Series” discussion: Rabbi Akivah. Information, eadler3@ cox.net. K’tantan. 5:30 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Shabbat and holidays celebration for children ages newborn to 5. Singing and community dinner. Information, Temple Beth-El office at 401-3316070. Friday Night Live Honors Our Volunteers. 6-9 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Musical celebration of

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Celebrate Israel’s Birthday The community is gathering May 9 at 5:30 p.m., behind the Dwares Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Take to the fields to listen to music by Israeli musician Rami Feinstein and dance with Pazit Lahav. The evening will include Kosher food, crafts for the kids and games and activities.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT NIR CAFRI AT NCAFRI@ JEWISHALLIANCERI.ORG OR 401-421-4111, EXT. 121. IN CASE OF RAIN, ACTIVITIES WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE JCC GYM.

Shabbat followed by dinner. Cost: Adults and children over 12 $20 | 12 and younger free | Family Max. $60. Information or RSVP, Torat Yisrael office at 401-885-6600. Shabbat Hallelu. 7 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Music and singing with Cantor Judy Seplowin and the Hallelu Band. Light refreshments and sangria at 6:30 p.m. Services at 7 p.m. Information, Temple Beth-El office at 401-331-6070.

Saturday | May 11

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. The Miriam Hospital Gala & Auction – Grease is the Word! 5:3011:30 p.m. Wheeler School’s Van Norman Fieldhouse, 640 Prospect St., Seekonk, Mass. Enjoy a spread fit for the T-Birds and Pink Ladies; auction by Harry Santa-Olalla; dance to Them Apples. Benefits The Miriam Fund for a New Generation and development of the Colorectal Cancer Program. Cost: $300. Information, 401-793-2062. Youth Group End of Year Party. 8-10 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Food, games and fun. For kids in grades 5-12. Information or RSVP, Torat Yisrael office at 401-885-6600.

Tuesday | May 14

Temple Torat Yisrael’s Lunch and Learn. Noon-1:30 p.m. T’s Restaurant, 5600 Post Road, East Greenwich. Study Jewish sources addressing current issues with Rabbi Aaron Philmus. Information,

stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401885-6600. PJ Library in the Park. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Johnston Memorial Park, 1583 Hartford Ave., Johnston. PJ Library stories, scavenger hunts, outdoor activities and snacks. Ages 5 and under. Free. Information or RSVP, lursillo@jewishallianceri.org or 401421-4111, ext. 141. JWRP Dads Trip to Israel Info Night. 8 p.m. Jewish Community Day School, 85 Taft Ave., Providence. Learn about seven-day, highly subsidized trip to Israel (10/28-11/3) for men who have children (18 and under) at home and are Jewish or raising Jewish children. Refreshments. Information, jwrp.org/mens-trip/ or Noach Karp at rnoachkarp@gmail.com or 401429-8244.

Thursday | May 16

“Unconditional Love: A Guide to Navigating the Joys and Challenges of Being a Grandparent Today.” 7 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Jane Isay will share her extensive research into the psychology of being a grandparent in today’s world. Sponsored by PJ Library/ PJ Our Way, the David C. Isenberg Family Early Childhood Center and the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island. Information or RSVP, Michelle Cicchitelli at mcicchitelli@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 178.

Friday | May 17

T.G.I.F. – Thank G-D It’s Friday. 5:45-7 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

(From left): Meir Dahan, owns a clothing company; Uval Brill, teaches filmmaking at a high school; Orly Sela, teaches dance specializing in patients with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as nursing home residents and Jewish and Arab children; Monica Brustein, works in the marketing department of a jewelry factory; Ora Haviv-Magel, works with people who have handicaps or disabilities.

It’s a party and you are invited BY JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF

Hafla Night brings the tastes, sounds and stories of Israel to Rhode Island at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 20. There will be an opportunity to enjoy Israel though the tastes and smells of the food, and to hear, see and join in Israeli singing and dancing. “Hafla” is the Arabic word (now used in Hebrew, as well) for a party, a gathering focused on food, music, dance, and socializing. This interactive evening

will feature Israeli music, dance, and culinary tastings presented by a delegation of Israeli cooks and musicians from the Afula-Gilboa region. Those who arrive early will be able to cook alongside the Israeli guests as they prepare traditional Israeli foods and desserts – and later share and enjoy the dishes with those who arrive at 7 p.m. The guest cooks, all from the Gilboa region of the Lower Galilee, will be: Monica Brustein from Kibbutz Yizre’el, who came to Israel from

Brazil two decades ago; Meir Dahan of Gan-Ner, a native of Jaffa; Ora Haviv-Magal, who was born in Ram On, where she lives. They will be accompanied by: Yuval Brill, of Kibbutz Ein Harod Ichud, a musician and singer; Orly Sela, a native of the Gilboa region, who teaches dance. As we go to press, the menu includes burnt eggplant with tehina, beetroot kuba, fried pita bread with meat, green rice and sesame cookies. Between courses, the Israelis

will share stories, sing songs and teach Israeli dances. There is space for a few people who want to expand their cooking repertoires by helping out in the kitchen during the afternoon. Local hosts are needed who can provide overnight hospitality for the presenters. Those who are interested in either of these options should contact Nir Cafri, community shaliach (Israeli emissary) at NCafri@ jewishallianceri.org or 401864-3786. The program is sponsored

by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, which has partnered with nearby Jewish communities in the Southern New England Consortium (SNEC), part of the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership Together program. The cost of the evening is $10 a person, $25 limit per family. Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Reserve your spot by calling the Dwares JCC at 401-421-4111, or by signing up online at jewishallianceri.org/hafla-night.

tion and enticing food. Cost: $10 per person | $25 per family. Register at jewishallianceri.org/hafla-night/. Information, Nir Cafri at ncafri@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 121.

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.

Tuesday | May 21

Saturday | May 25

A diverse group of panelists will share perspectives and tools for combating hatred. Sponsored by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. Information, Stephanie Hague at shague@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 127.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Shabbat songs and story with Rabbi Aaron Philmus followed by a free kid-friendly Shabbat dinner. Donations welcome. Information or RSVP, Torat Yisrael office at 401885-6600. 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 | May 18

Classic Shabbat Service and Bar Mitzvah. 9 a.m.-noon. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Followed by Kiddush luncheon. Information, stephanie@ toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600. Shabbat Service. 9 a.m. Congregation Beth David, 102 Kingstown Road, Narragansett. Light Kiddush follows. Information, 401-486-0110. Women’s Shabbat Mincha. Afternoon. Congregation Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence. Women and girls welcome. No charge. Information, office@bethsholom-ri.org or 401-621-9393.

Kids’ Night Out: Harry Potter. Ages 5-11: 5-10 p.m. Ages 2-4: 5-8:30 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Sports, crafts and movie. Pizza and snacks served. Older kids swim. $40 | Dwares JCC Members: $30 | Siblings: $20. Information and registration, skochanek@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 147.

Sunday | May 19

Lag B’Omer Family Event. 4:307:30 p.m. Mulligan’s Island, 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. Mini golf, lawn games and Israeli food. Enter raffles to win prizes. Batting cages and driving range for additional fee. Cost: $8 child | $15 adult | $54 family cap. Information, Seth Finkle at sfinkle@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 146 or Michelle Cicchitelli at mcicchitelli@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111 ext. 178.

Monday | May 20

Hafla Night! 7-9 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. An evening of Israeli food and culture, including live music, dance instruc-

Friends of Jewish Seniors Game Night. 7 p.m. The Phyllis Siperstein Assisted Living Residence, 3 Shalom Drive, Warwick. Play poker, canasta or bridge while raising money for JCS to visit nursing homes. Refreshments. Cost: $18 | Sponsor in Spades $36 | Poker Patron $54 | Diamond Donor $72. Information or RSVP (by 5/15), Friends@jfsri.org or Niecie Weiner at 401-331-1244.

Thursday | May 23

Zimriyah. 6-8 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Annual JCDSRI songfest featuring current students along with parents, alumni, alumni parents and community members. Free. Information, Eileen Ellis at eellis@jcdsri.com or 401-751-2470.

Friday | May 24

Thursday | May 30

3rd Annual Health Fair. 9 a.m.noon. The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence, 3 Shalom Drive, Warwick. Exhibits, presentations and more from an array of health care vendors. Free. Information, Susan Adler at susana@tamariskri.org or 401-7320037, ext. 104. Anti-Semitism: A Community Conversation. 6:30-8:30 pm. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. ADL Regional Director Robert Trestan reflects on the rise of anti-Semitism and hate crimes.

“Encounters with the ‘Holy Land’: Place, Past and Future in American Jewish Culture.” 7-9 p.m. Touro Synagogue, 72 Touro St., Newport. Presentation by Beth Wenger, scholar of the history of Judaism in the United States. Followed by interfaith discussion on what the Holy Land means to each community. Free. Information, Meryle Cawley at tours@tourosynagogue.org or 401-847-4794.

Friday | May 31

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.

8 | MAY 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

NEWS

COMMUNITY VOICES | OPINION

Parish raises Israeli, Sri Lankan flags

An essential difference to life in Israel and the Diaspora

Editor wins award The Rhode Island Press Association April 26 presented 141 awards to journalists throughout the state for writing, design and photography in its editorial contest for 2018. Jewish Rhode Island Editor Fran Ostendorf won third place in the news/features columnist category for three of her editor’s column written during 2018. The columns submitted were “Ode to the Sticky Note,” “The Fowl Adventure and other Seder stories,” and “Roots Forged in Steel.” The Rhode Island Press Association is a nonprofit organization that promotes the interests of newspapers and other publications, and advances journalism standards and educational opportunities, in Rhode Island.

Florida Senate passes anti-Semitism bill JTA – The Florida Senate unanimously passed an anti-Semitism bill. Prior to the discussion and vote April 29, the senators held a moment of silence for the victims of the Poway shooting. Using the State Department definition as its template, the legislation defines as anti-Semitism calls for violence against Jews, advancing conspiracy theories about Jewish control and Holocaust denial. The measure mandates that discrimination against Jewish people be treated the same as acts of racial discrimination in Florida’s public education institutions. The bill moves on to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature. It had been passed unanimously three weeks ago by the state House of Representatives. DeSantis will travel to Israel next month, his first international trip, that will include a Florida Cabinet meeting at the U.S. Embassy.

IT S E

IN THE OPENING PAGES of “Hayim Nahman Bialik: Poet of Hebrew” (Yale University Press, 2017), Israeli scholar Avner Holtzman writes that the life story of Bialik (1873-1934) is “an epic tale of glory and triumph that is at its core tragic; the story of a poetic genius for whom poetry itself became an agonizing burden; a biography for the man who became the symbol of Jewish national revival but kept shrugging off the mantle of leadership placed on his shoulders.” There is a certain irony in the fact that large numbers of Israelis consider Bialik to be their “National Hebrew Poet.” Although he is rightly credited with fashioning a rich and flexible literary Hebrew, based on his profound knowledge of the language of the Bible, Bialik wrote the vast majority of his poems in the Diaspora; he composed most of his cherished works while residing in the Black Sea port city of Odessa during the first decade of the 20th century. For reasons still not understood, in 1911, when he was only 38 years old, Bialik stopped writing poetry on a regular basis. He and his wife, Manya, continued to live in the Diaspora until they finally emigrated to Palestine in 1924, where he spent the last 10 years of his life in Tel Aviv, dying almost 14 years prior to the establishment of the State of Israel. A final irony is that contemporary Israelis, who speak Hebrew with Sephardic rhythms and pronunciation, cannot correctly read out loud the work of their “National Hebrew Poet” because – with few exceptions – Bialik’s writing resounds with the music of the Ashkenazi Hebrew he heard spoken in his native Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, Bialik somehow managed to capture in his poems that elusive spirit of those early Zionists who sought to create a new kind of Hebrew-speaking Jew, secular at root, whose dream – to echo “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem – was to establish a free people in their own land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem. As Holtzman writes in his biography, Bialik “drew a distinct dividing line between Jewish existence in the Diaspora, in which Jewish attributes pertained to very specific aspects of life, and in Palestine, where any

act, however trivial, pertained to an all-encompassing Hebrew culture of a people that dwells in its homeland and speaks its national language.” Land and language: essential aspects of Israeli identity to this very day. Indeed, among the very first Hebrew words spoken to me in the summer of 1965, when I set foot in Israel for the first time, were: “Im atah rotseh l’hiyot Yehudi, atah tsarikh lagur po u’l’daber Ivrit [If you RABBI JAMES really want to ROSENBERG be a Jew, you need to live here and speak Hebrew].” Like many, indeed probably most, early Zionists, Bialik took a negative view of Diaspora Jewry – in particular what he considered to be its long-established passivity, caused by living for two millennia in galut, exile. In “Achen Chatsir Ha’Am” (“Surely the People is Grass”), written in 1897 in response to widespread Jewish indifference to the First Zionist Congress, Bialik, with the fury of a biblical prophet, chastises his fellow Jews: “Thousands of years of a wandering life, exile too great to bear, /Has pushed the heart astray, lost in its own confusion. /Taught by the rod and the lash – can it feel the pain / Of the shame of its constricted soul as well as the thrashing on its back? /Or can it care about more than the worries of the day, /A people rolling in the valley of exile dark as the abyss?” (my translation). Many Israelis consider Bialik’s “B’Ir ha-Haregah” (“In the City of Slaughter”) to be his most consequential poem. He wrote it in response to a savage pogrom that erupted on Easter Sunday in 1903, in Kishinev, then capital of the Russian province of Bessarabia: 49 Jews murdered, 86 Jews wounded, 1,500 Jewish stores and homes gutted. Witnesses supplied grim details: bellies ripped open and stuffed with feathers, splattered brains, tongues ripped out of mouths … and worse, far worse. Bialik visited Kishinev shortly after the pogrom. His first response during a month-long stay was the poignant outburst in the 28 short lines of the Hebrew poem “Al

S TO M

The office of St. Aidan-St. Patrick Parish, in Cumberland, was recently observed to be flying the flags of Israel and Sri Lanka. Asked to comment, Monsignor Jacques L. Plante stated that the church started flying the Israeli flag in honor of Passover, and the Sri Lankan flag in solidarity with the victims of the Easter bombings in Colombo. Plante said that following the shooting in Poway, California, the church will continue to fly the Israeli flag, and that the church usually chooses flags “that signify our own solidarity and prayer and concern for those places that are experiencing violence or unnatural disasters.”

ha-Shechitah” (“On the Slaughter”), which rages against a world that looks the other way when Jewish blood is spilled. Bialik’s second response to Kishinev, “B’Ir ha-Haregah,” took more than two months to complete. In this poem, which approaches 400 lines, he turns his anger from the perpetrators of the pogrom to the victims. With bitter sarcasm, he expresses his contempt, his fury, his despair at the Jewish men who cowered in hiding places as their mothers, their wives, their daughters were raped, defiled and mutilated before their very eyes: “They lay in their shame, and they looked – and they did not move, and they did not stir, /And they did not gouge out their eyes, and they did not go out of their minds” (my translation). Almost 40 years before the Shoah, Bialik’s poem seems to scream out the words NEVER AGAIN! Shortly after “The City of Slaughter” was published in Hebrew, Vladimir Jabotinsky translated it into Russian, while Bialik himself prepared a Yiddish version. In all three languages, the poem sounds a clarion call for Jews to end their self-destructive passivity and to defend themselves. Some scholars have argued that “B’ir ha-Haregah” is the direct stimulus for the formation of Jewish self-defense organizations in both Russia and Palestine. This undeniable need for Israelis to defend themselves in their very tough neighborhood remains embedded in Israel’s collective identity and is a major reason why Israeli and Diaspora Jews have so much difficulty understanding each other. Despite the troubling rise of anti-Semitism here in the United States, we American Jews do not face a consistent and credible threat of violence every day, as do our brothers and sisters in Israel. As we American Jews continue to explore and expand our relationships with our co-religionists in Israel, we must never forget that our two communities are living with different levels of the threat of violence, and that this difference colors our often conflicting perspectives. 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).

MAY 2019 | 9

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COMMUNITY VOICES | OPINION

Our Judaism compels us to fight for divestment and against anti-Semitism EDITOR’S NOTE: In the April 2019 edition of Jewish Rhode Island, “Brown Divest referendum ‘deeply harmful’ ” offered an opinion on the student referendum vote held in March at Brown University. This presents another opinion. BY SAM FROLICHSTEIN-APPEL AND BRIAN SOLOMON IN MARCH, BROWN University students voted to support a referendum calling on the school’s administration to “divest ... from companies complicit in human rights abuses in Palestine.” Sixty-nine percent of those who voted supported the referendum. As members of the Brown University Divest coalition and committed leaders in Brown’s Jewish community, we want to explain why we believe in the campaign, and to clarify some misconceptions about the referendum and campaign. Often, divestment has been described as “bad for the Jews,” as it strengthens the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement and puts economic pressure on Israel. While there are undeniably connections between the Brown University Divest campaign and the BDS call put out by Palestinian civil society in 2005, there are important differences between our campaign and the global BDS platform. Specifically, we named no political solution to the crisis in Israel/Palestine, we made no mention of the Right of Return, and our proposed resolution did not target Israeli companies. Allegations that Brown University

Divest aims to “cripple Israel’s economy” or “take down the one Jewish state” are simply incorrect. The campaign is instead concerned with divesting from companies that profit from human-rights abuses in the Palestinian territories. As American Jews, we constantly make choices. We can choose to wear a kippah regularly, as both of us have at times. We can choose to attend services, to open our hearts to the Shabbat queen, and to include the matriarchs when reciting the Avot v’Imahot. We have each pondered how best to apply our Jewish values to our relationship with Israel/Palestine. How do we understand and respond to stories of demolition in the West Bank or worsening conditions in Gaza? What would it mean to ignore the voices of Palestinians who lack food, water and electricity, who protest and hope for a better future, merely because our leaders deem the situation too complicated? Like many other Jews, we considered these questions – and chose not to support Israel’s occupation of the West Bank or its sequestration of Gaza. When it comes to the question of Brown’s investment in companies like Safariland LLC, an American company that supplies tear gas used to suppress protests at the U.S.-Mexico border; in Ferguson, Missouri; in Standing Rock, in the Dakotas; and in Gaza, we say no. We don’t want institutions in which we are involved to profit from the pain and suffering of oppressed people around the world.

Critics of Brown University Divest claimed it is “divisive, misleading and counterproductive.” While we acknowledge that BDS, and BDS-related campaigns, can bring out intense fear and anger for many Jews, we vehemently disagree with claims that our campaign stifled discourse. Leading up to the vote, Brown University Divest co-sponsored 12 events to discuss the issues at hand in Israel/Palestine, how they relate to other crises around the world, and Brown’s complicity in all of it. Brown Jewish Voice for Peace held a teach-in on anti-Semitism to try to clarify for a predominantly non-Jewish audience how criticism of Israel can and often does overlap with anti-Semitism. Meanwhile, critics of the campaign made vague references to our enabling anti-Semitism on a campus already hostile to Jews, but did not take any visible steps to combat anti-Semitism beyond encouraging students to vote no on a resolution crafted and supported in significant part by members of Brown’s Jewish community. We understand that anti-Semitism exists on our campus, just as it permeates American society, and we believe that it should be called out and fought whenever it shows its face. That said, making false accusations of anti-Semitism against Jews and others organizing for Palestinian rights is dangerous and counterproductive. Campaigning for divestment while continuing to assert ourselves as proud members of Brown’s Jewish

community has been messy and painful. One of us is a member of Towards Liberation Together, a discussion group that Rabbi Michelle Dardashti convened to bring Jewish students together to discuss complicated topics such as anti-Semitism and Israel/ Palestine. At the same time, simplistic and unbalanced responses from Hillel’s professional leadership and Brown’s administration have painted the referendum as counter to both Jewish values and the university’s stated goals without engaging with the campaign. Hillel’s response in particular has been personally hurtful in that it painted opposition to the referendum as the only legitimate response for Jews on campus. We are grateful to members of Brown’s faculty who have come out in support of student activism, and hope that the administration of both Brown and Hillel can follow their lead. We acknowledge that the campaign has been grueling and damaging for many involved, ourselves included, and we want to work within our community to heal the pain felt by all sides and affirm everyone’s sense of being welcome on our campus. SAM FROLICHSTEIN-APPEL (he/him), of Evanston, Illinois, is a senior at Brown University. BRIAN SOLOMON (they/them), of New York City, is a senior at Brown. Both are organizers for Brown University Divest, and are committed to building Jewish communities on campus that are accessible and welcoming to all.

NYT editorial board says publishing cartoon shows ‘numbness to creep’ of anti-Semitism BY MARCY OSTER JTA – THE NEW YORK TIMES editorial board said in an editorial published April 30 that the newspaper’s publishing of “an appalling political cartoon” is “evidence of a profound danger – not only of anti-Semitism but of numbness to its creep.” The newspaper also acknowledged its own historical contributions to the rise of anti-Semitism, saying that: “In the 1930s and the 1940s, The Times was largely silent as anti-Semitism rose up and bathed the world in blood. That failure still haunts this newspaper.” The editorial said that “anti-Semitic imagery is particularly dangerous now,” citing April 27’s attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue and the release April 30 of the Anti-Defamation League’s annual Audit of Anti-Semitic incidents, which shows that the number of assaults against American Jews more than doubled from 2017 to 2018. “Jews face even greater hostility and danger in Europe, where the cartoon was created,” the editorial also said. The editorial also acknowledged that criticism of Israel can be couched in anti-Semitic terms. “This is also a period of rising criticism of Israel, much of it directed at the rightward drift of its own government and some of it even questioning Israel’s very foundation as a Jewish state. We have been and remain stalwart supporters of Israel, and believe that good-faith criticism should work to strengthen it over the long term by helping it stay true to its democratic values. But anti-Zionism can clearly serve as a cover for anti-Semitism – and some criticism of Israel, as

the cartoon demonstrated, is couched openly in anti-Semitic terms,” the editorial said. It also accused President Donald Trump of doing “too little to rouse the national conscience” against anti-Semitism, saying: “Though he condemned the cartoon in The Times, he has failed to speak out against anti-Semitic groups like the white nationalists who marched in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017 chanting, ‘Jews will not replace us.’” The cartoon, which appeared April 25 in the opinion section of the newspaper’s international print edition, depicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a dachshund-breed guide dog wearing a Star of David collar and leading a yarmulke-clad President Donald Trump. The newspaper in a first statement acknowledged that the image was “offensive” and “included anti-Semitic tropes.” A second statement on April 28 said the newspaper was “deeply sorry” and that the decision to publish the image was the product of “a faulty process” resulting in “a single editor working without adequate oversight.”

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.

10 | MAY 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

AFTER POWAY ADL director calls for government action against white supremacists BY BEN SALES JTA – THE HEAD of the Anti-Defamation League said the April 27 synagogue shooting should serve as a “wake-up call” for politicians and business executives to more seriously address anti-Semitism. Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO and national director of the ADL, spoke with reporters on a call from Poway, California, where a gunman entered the Chabad of Poway synagogue April 27 and killed one person and injuring three. Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, was killed while shielding the rabbi from bullets. The rabbi, an 8-year-old girl and another adult were wounded. The shooting took place exactly six months after the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, apparently by design, Greenblatt said. He told reporters on a conference call April 28 that President Donald Trump, other politicians and tech executives need to be more proactive in fighting anti-Semitism on social media and in public discourse. “They need to stand united against hate and address it not only after it happens but by enforcing norms before there is a crisis and by elevating our shared values long before we have to deal with a tragedy,” he said. “And we desperately need our leaders to stop politicizing the issue. Those who dismiss anti-Semitism when it comes

from their side of the aisle are only violence, and vice-versa. minimizing the issue and perpetuat“It’s this vicious cycle,” he said on ing the problem.” the conference call. “This propaganGreenblatt noted, however, that da serves as a round-the-clock white according to ADL statistics, the vast majority of extremist murders in the United States are committed by right-wing extremists like the Poway gunman, who appeared to have written a white supremacist manifesto. The ADL found that in 2018, 49 out of 50 extremist murders were committed BY JOSEFIN DOLSTEN by extreme rightists (including the JTA – Last year saw the Pittsburgh massacre of 11 victims), third-highest number of anti-Seas well as 73 percent of all extremist mitic incidents since 1979, despite murders over the past decade. a decrease from the previous year, “Anti-Semitism is not some abaccording to a new report by the straction,” he said. “Anti-Semitism Anti-Defamation League. is not some idea. Anti-Semitism is a Though the 1,879 incidents in 2018 clear and present danger right now dropped from the 1,986 incidents in in this country. This needs to serve 2017, according to the ADL’s annual as a wake-up call in this country to survey of incidents released Tuesday, deal with this kind of hate… We need the number of anti-Semitic assaults the president and the White House to more than doubled, to 39 from 17. direct [the Department of Homeland The report counts cases of assault, Security] to take deliberate action to harassment and vandalism. The vast devote resources to analyzing domesmajority of the incidents last year tic terror threats. These homegrown were harassment or vandalism – threats are equal if not more danger1,066 and 774, respectively. ous than Islamist” threats. According to the report, the last Oren Segal, the director of the three months of 2018 were “unusuADL’s Center on Extremism, said the ally active” in terms of incidents. Poway gunman, a 19-year-old college The shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of student, participated in an online Life synagogue at the end of October white supremacist ecosystem where “likely drew more attention to ansocial media activity fuels real-world

supremacist rally by amplifying and fulfilling these white supremacist fantasies.”

There were 1,879 anti-Semitic incidents in 2018, ADL finds ti-Semitic activities,” the ADL said. The highest number of anti-Semitic incidents occurred in 1994 and the second highest in 2017. Last year’s number matches the total for 1991, the third most recorded in one year. The organization has been measuring anti-Semitic crimes annually since 1979. The report referenced the shooting at a Chabad synagogue in Poway, California, April 27, in which an assailant killed one and wounded three. “We’ve worked hard to push back against anti-Semitism, and succeeded in improving hate crime laws, and yet we continue to experience an alarmingly high number of anti-Semitic acts,” ADL’s national director, Jonathan Greenblatt, said in a statement Tuesday. “We unfortunately saw this trend continue into 2019 with the tragic shooting at the Chabad synagogue in Poway.”

MAY 2019 | 11

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

COMMUNITY VOICES

Riffing on the natural world with a Jewish zookeeper

BOOK

SKE

I DROVE DOWN Broad Street to the or wrongly, but they get better all the entrance to the Roger Williams Park time,” Goodman said at the start of Zoo to meet up with zookeeper Jereour hour-long portion. “They offer my Goodman, and to discuss Torah children the chance to enjoy the with him, before Shabbat and on the gentle sight of beasts from the jungle, brink of Pesach. creatures other than the raccoon that Goodman wears a knocks over the garbage can or the kippah, a yarmulke, squirrel that knocks acorns on which frees me to your head.” imagine that here, He continued: “No, we among the cheedon’t, and can’t, return these tahs and the elelarge animals into the wild, phants, the birds their original habitat. They and the monkeys, wouldn’t know what to do, we can study and they are bred from generadiscuss the mestions of domesticated families sages contained or MIKE FINK used to safe and rather pleasliberated from these exant confinement. otic, and often endangered, “We tend in the U.S.A. to fellow travelers through time and deal with them as individuals, an space: our cousins, the wildlife. American concept, while in Europe, I heard about Goodman from Debo- the zoos stress the species not the rah Schuss, the daughter of the local, individual. We actually use contrabeloved, late Morris Gastfreund. ception, rather than euthanization.” She thought he and I would have a I responded to Goodman’s logical, valuable (and voluble) chat among earnest and straightforward words the sacred wandering tribes of all of with my usual interest in the child’s life’s citizens. We might even have a viewpoint. lot in common. “Don’t they want the fun, the “Zoos have been maligned, rightly variety and adventure of the forest

(as in a “Fantasia” or a “Snow White” animation?). Don’t they want the meaningful freedom of the woods, divinely designed?” (I knew I was treading on dangerous ground with this sentimental and impractical argument.) “I always wanted to write a children’s book with animals teaching us lessons, as in ‘Aesop’s Fables,’ or even in the Noah’s ark story, which says our survival requires the welfare of every living thing, bird or bat.” Goodman said, “There is no more true wilderness anywhere in the world. Only protected parks and preserves. But we are primarily an educational establishment, not for money but for the future. Torah emphasizes, like Pesach right before us, that we must hand down to future generations what we have inherited. Our traditions are our collective strengths.” Well, we had a lot to say to each other and to hear from each other. I learned from Goodman – whose name suits him, because he is a good man – that, as he proposed, maybe CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Jeremy Goodman

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12 | MAY 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

JCDS celebration was a trip down memory lane Alumni from the early years (left to right): Adam Sinel, David Cutler, Rachel Alexander Levy, Oren Kaunfer, Hilarie Rubin, Rabbi Amiel Hersh, David Miller and Shoshana Jacob. BY JONATHAN RUBIN IN RHODE ISLAND, all things cling to their earliest incarnation. I used to work at Cumberland Farms, not the Gulf Express. I rented movies at Douglas Drug, not Rite Aid. And 36 years ago, I went to a place that I will always call Schechter. It was fun telling friends I was going to a 40th grade school reunion – who gets to say that? Schechter (now The Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island) was a huge part of my childhood and my life in Providence. I was happy and anxious to check out the Gala / Big “C” celebration. It was my first time attending a R.I. Jewish

community function in many years (I moved to Washington, D.C., in 2008). After years of covering events for the Jewish Voice & Herald, I finally got to attend something as a common Joe. No reporter’s notebook needed. First, they threw a good party. Standing room only – tons of people. The four (!) different Kosher food stations were on point. The flawless eight-piece musical act – The Free Download Band – seemingly could play anything under the sun. It was open bar, with the good stuff. And there were mountains of desserts. Inside the smartly renovated Jewish Community Center (thanks, Dwares family!) I looked under the hood of one of Providence’s most import-

ant Jewish institutions. Like Saturday Night Live, Schechter has seen many eras. The earliest ones included close family friends like Marty and Dianne Newman, Dan and Cindy Kaplan, and, oh yeah, my sister, Hilarie. My class and my brother’s, a few years later, came during incredibly historic times – the fall of the Berlin Wall and the waves of Russian Jews our school embraced. And the school expanded into the shiny “new building” built alongside Temple Emanu-El in Providence. And then there were all the classes after mine. Kids I used to babysit are now rabbis and financial investors. They have kids of their own, some of whom are now going to

From left to right: Head of School, Andrea Katzman and the cochairs of the event, Rashmi Licht, Leah Ehrenhaus-Hersh and Marisa Garber. JCDSRI. My friend’s kids made speeches. We did a lot of toasts. The band played the Hora and folks hit the dance floor hard. Oren Kaunfer did some admirable emceeing, and was nicely upstaged by his own mom, the venerated and near-tzaddik Marcia Kaunfer. I got to reconnect with a friend in my class. And I learned who was in the D.C. area that I should look up. While I watched the video tribute, flanked by my mother and sister, it occurred to me what tremendous sacrifices have been made for this school to exist, and persist. Back in the 1980s, the founders of the school were just ordinary people with young kids. They were younger when they did it then I am today. I have created many things in my life, but to create a school is truly next-level difficult. And for parents to take a leap of faith and send their kids to an experimental school – and keep them there – showed the love, trust and

Recent alumni: Ivy Walter and Reese Sock dedication this school rightfully earned. Despite the passing of four decades, The Jewish Community Day School is still able to deliver Schechter’s warmth, community and sense of purpose. May they go from strength to strength. JONATHAN RUBIN, of Arlington Virginia, is a 1992 graduate of the Alperin Schechter Day School, and was editor of the Jewish Voice & Herald from 2002 to 2007.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island (formerly the Alperin Schechter Day School), celebrated 40 years of Jewish education on Sunday, April 7, at the Jewish Alliance of Rhode Island. Almost 200 people came together to reminisce and look forward. Forty years and over 500 graduates later, JCDSRI’s impact reaches communities near and far.

MAY 2019 | 13

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

FOOD & DINING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Apple Bundt Cake Submitted by Liz Karp

Adapted from epicurious. com.

Ingredients 4 medium Golden Delicious apples (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into 1/3-inch pieces. 2 1/2 cups plus 5 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 4 large eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon grated orange peel 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Powdered sugar

Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees F for a dark pan). Oil and flour 12-cup Bundt pan (or use baking spray). Mix apple pieces, 5 tablespoons sugar, and ground cinnamon in medium bowl. Combine 2½ cups sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, orange juice, orange peel, vanilla in large bowl. Whisk to blend. Stir flour, baking powder and salt into egg mixture. Spoon 1 1/2 cups batter into prepared Bundt pan. Top with half of apple mixture. Cover with 1 1/2 cups batter. Top with remaining apples, then batter. Bake cake until top is brown and tester inserted near center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 1 hour, 20 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack,

15 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack. Cool at least 45 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. Freezes well.

Grandma’s Shabbos Chicken Submitted by Lori Adler

Ingredients 8 pieces of chicken (legs, thighs, breasts) 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon paprika 2 celery stalks, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces 3 carrots, sliced into 1/2inch rounds 2 cups cut-up potatoes (optional) Water to cover 1 inch in roasting pan

Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large roasting pan, add chicken. Sprinkle chicken with half the garlic powder and paprika. Add water, remaining garlic powder and paprika to the water. Add celery, carrots, and potatoes (if using). Bake for 1 hour or until thoroughly cooked and almost falling off the bone. If water gets low, add more. Makes a great gravy. My maternal grandmother, Ethel Siegel, was a wonderful cook. She made this dish every Friday night, and it was delicious every time. Great with mashed potatoes, rice or kasha.

Chocolate Caramel Matzoh Crunch

Submitted by Bev Schneider

Ingredients 4-6 unsalted matzohs 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter or unsalted Passover margarine 6 ounces coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate chips (or white chocolate chips) 1/2 - 3/4 cup Heath Bar Crunch* (or crushed Heath Bars) * Heath Bar Crunch is sold near chocolate chips on most grocery shelves; may not be Kosher for Passover. Substitute other Passover candy or chopped toasted almonds.

Directions Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet completely with aluminum foil. Lay baking parchment on top of the foil. Line the bottom of baking sheet with matzohs, cutting extra pieces to fit any spaces. In a 3-quart heavy saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil,

and boil for three minutes. Pour sauce over matzohs and spread evenly. Place baking sheet of matzoh into the oven and immediately reduce heat to 350 degrees F. Bake for 15 minutes, checking every few minutes to be sure mixture isn’t burning. (If it is, remove from oven and reduce heat to 325 degrees, then return baking sheet to the oven.) Remove from the oven and

sprinkle chocolate chips over hot matzohs. Let stand for 5 minutes, then spread melted chocolate over matzoh. Sprinkle Heath Bar Crunch over warm chocolate. Place baking sheet in refrigerator until chocolate hardens. Once cold and hard, break into pieces and serve. Store in airtight container. MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE (mschemaille@jewishallianceri.org) writes for Jewish Rhode Island and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

PETS

Want to teach your dog Yiddish? There’s a class for that. BY JOSEFIN DOLSTEN NEW YORK (JTA) – Dogs and their owners are a common sight in Central Park on the weekend, but there was something different about the group gathered on the grass on one Sunday morning. The approximately 20 people could be seen and heard pointing at the ground while yelling “zits” and “shtai” and urging their dogs to “shpring” over hurdles. A group of befuddled visitors from Canada who stopped by to ask what was going on seemed even more confused when they learned the answer: This was a Yiddish course. For dogs. Sponsored by the Workmen’s Circle, the Jewish cultural society founded in 1900 by Yiddish-speaking immigrants, the workshop was a chance for dog owners to learn a little Yiddish while schmoozing with fellow pet owners. Yiddishist Leyzer Burko taught the course with dog trainer Miguel Rodriguez. The fusion of German, Hebrew and Aramaic – once the language of millions of Jews from Eastern Europe but now mainly spoken by haredi Orthodox Jews – seemed to come easy to some of the canines. Jofi, a 3-year-old brown and white Cavalier King Charles spaniel, took a particular liking to the word “shpring,” happily leaping over hurdles upon command. “She seems to be picking up pretty quickly on the commands,” kvelled Alexandra Straytner, who came to the course from the Morningside Heights section of Manhattan with her fiancé, Zachary Levine. “We’re having a lot of fun,” Levine said. “Jofi has a bit of a barking problem, but I think she’s enjoying it.” Other canines were less eager to follow commands in the mamaloshen. Bibi, a tiny 7-year-old white Shorkie, mostly sat on the grass watching the other dogs respond to commands. “She’s a bit of a Jewish diva,” said her owner, Jo-

anne Freed. The Upper West Side resident wasn’t exactly surprised, since Bibi had yet to master commands in English. Still, Freed was happy the dog got to hear some Yiddish. “She’s adopted, but it’s her heritage,” she said with a laugh. Pairing Yiddish and dogs may seem strange today, but it would have been even more unusual 100 years ago, said Burko, who received a doctorate in modern Jewish history from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Eastern European Jews historically were wary of dogs because they associated them with less-thanfriendly landowners and aristocrats, he said. That gave rise to expressions such as “A hunt iz vert dem shtekn,” meaning a dog deserves (to be beaten with) the stick and “a karger hunt,” which literally PHOTOS | JOSEFIN DOLSTEN translates to “a stingy dog” ANN TOBACK demonstrates the “shpring” command with her dog, Jesse, while trainer Miguel and was used to mean a Rodriguez, left, and Yiddishist Leyzer Burko can be seen looking on. miser. Biblical and rabbinic sources also associate dogs with negative qualities such as uncleanliness and violence. But owners at the Central Park event were quick to praise, telling their canines “Gut” (rhymes with boot) instead of “good” and handing out treats when the dogs did as told. Hannah Raykher was schepping plenty ALEXANDRA STRAYTNER and ZACHARY LEVINE took the course of nachas from her with their dog, Jofi. dog Archie Drucker, a 3-year-old black and white Havanese who Circle, said there are a few seemed to be mastering the other advantages to speak“zits” command. ing to dogs in Yiddish. Raykher, 17, who came Using a language differto the workshop with her ent than the one the dog family, said teaching her hears in everyday speech dog commands in Yiddish makes the command more was both fun and useful. effective, said Toback, who “I kind of like it more than came up with the idea for PARTICIPANTS in the Yiddish class for dogs were given a sheet the English now,” said the course and offered it for that showed commands in the mamaloshen. Raykher, who lives in the the first time last year. Park Slope neighborhood The fact that people love said while standing next to thousand years of high culof Brooklyn. “It’s more speaking in Yiddish also her dog Jesse. ture because of the tragedy of fun. Also, it will probably helps, she said. Beyond dogs, Toback also how Yiddish ended in Eastern be nice in the park when “When most of us are hopes the course can help Europe,” she said, “but reconeverybody is yelling ‘Go! using Yiddish, it makes us encourage people to celebrate necting to that, reconnecting Stay! Stop!’ [to yell] ‘Zits!’” happy, and we’re conveying the language’s rich history. to our heritage, to our hearts, Ann Toback, the executive that to the dogs,” Toback “Too much we forget the is really part of this.” director of the Workmen’s

MAY 2019 | 15

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

My life with cats and a dog BY LARRY KESSLER

here are close to 90 million dogs living in the country’s households, according to a 2017 survey by the

American Pet Products Association, and 86 million domestic cats, according to the Humane Society of the United States. This is a story about two such pets, Buddy and Cooper. Growing up in apartments in Boston in the 1950s and ’60s, the closest thing to a pet that I had was a goldfish, and that barely lasted 24 hours. It’s not that I had anything in particular against dogs and cats, it’s just that a Boston apartment doesn’t make for a good home for them. So it’s not surprising that I remained without a real pet in my life until my wife and I bought our home in North Attleboro 26 years ago. That’s when a domestic short-haired gray tabby named Frisky adopted us. Yes, that’s right; it turned out that she had lived at our place before we moved in and was left behind by the previous owners. Over the years, Frisky was joined by Fluffy, an old Persian cat who also adopted us, after a neigh-

bor added a big dog to his household. After we lost Frisky and Fluffy within two months in the summer of 2001, we adopted another Persian cat, Wally, from a shelter, and soon added Mao-Mao (the Chinese word for cat) from a friend’s litter. After Wally succumbed to a congenital heart condition, we got Mao-Mao a friend, a kitten named Cooper. But Mao wanted little to do with him, and a couple of years later, Cooper was all alone after an illness took Mao-Mao from us. That brings us to today, when Cooper shares our household with Buddy, a feisty shih tzu-Pekingese mix that my wife, Lynne, brought home for our 27th wedding anniversary. Buddy is the first dog that I’ve had as a pet, which

“To this day, I’m not crazy about dogs, but Buddy and I have an arrangement:

likely has a lot to do with me having a history of being bitten by dogs while running. To this day, I’m not crazy about dogs, but Buddy and I have an arrangement: I share my challah and bagel crisps, and matzah during Passover (he’s a Jewish dog, after all), and in exchange he won’t bite me – although I still must refrain from petting him on the head while he’s on his mat, or else he’ll munch away at my fingers. Cooper and Buddy generally coexist, although they like to wrestle with each other, until Buddy gets too rambunctious and forces Cooper to practice his high-jump maneuvers over the kitchen gate that keeps Buddy from roaming all over the house. Over the years, I’ve wondered why Cooper and Buddy do certain things, so I conducted an exclusive “interview” with both pets for this issue of Jewish Rhode Island. A partial transcript follows:

A dog’s life

Me: Why do you bark so much, especially whenever people come over? Buddy: I’m just trying to protect the household; you never can be too careful. Me: That’s what you say! We’re tired of your incessant barking every time

PHOTO | LYNNE CAINS

Cooper and Buddy. friends drop by, and whenever a plumber or an electrician, for instance, has work to do. Buddy: What do you want from me – I’m a dog, I bark. I can’t speak human, after all. Me: Speaking of barking, why do you go crazy whenever there’s thunder?

Buddy: Look, I can’t comment on the day’s events like you can. Instead of saying, “OMG, look at the size of that hail” or “that thunder really shook the house,” all I can do is bark. So lighten up. Me: Why do you try to bite CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

I share my challah and bagel crisps, and matzah during Passover (he’s a Jewish dog, after all) and in exchange he won’t bite me.”

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“Animals are such ag they ask no questi no critici

Jewish Rho Pet P

OCTAVIUS recently celebrated his fourth birthday in style. He belongs to Sally Ostendorf who now lives in Boston. He was “rescued” from Tricia Stearly, former advertising director of Jewish Rhode Island.

CROSBY, a labradoodle, belongs to Karen, Michael, and Samantha Isenberg of Providence.

OTIS lives with Lee Singer. He’s 3 years old, and very lovey!

FINNEGAN belongs to the Stern family of Pawtucket.

ELSIE BORGER belongs to Karen Borger of Pr Island reader and honorary staff member.

greeable friends ions; they pass isms”.

George Eliot

ode Island’s Parade

TRINA is a 5 1/2 year old greyhound... she’s a certified pet therapy dog and visits twice weekly at hopehealth in Providence.

THEO belongs to Jeff Murad of Providence. The “little rascal is an 8-month-old Maine Coon and is expected to grow to 15 pounds!

ovidence. Elsie is an avid Jewish Rhode

MAX belongs to Rhonda Strauss of Warwick.

WHO COULD THIS BE under the blanket? MORE PETS ON PAGE 18

18 | MAY 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

MAURICE is owned by Dave Schwartz and lives in Coventry.

JOJO and CASEY belong to Bruce and Paula Wasser of Warwick. The dogs were rescued from the West Warwick Animal Shelter about five years ago. They are very noisy while protecting the family from squirrels, birds, falling leaves, etc.

CHARLOTTE belongs to Fran and Bill Ostendorf of Seekonk. Charlotte happily plays the role of editor cat when Fran works on Jewish Rhode Island at home.

BRISKET Z. DOG belongs to Deborah Carr and Sam Zwetchkenbaum of Providence and enjoys rooo-ting for the Boston Red Sox.

BROWNIE is the grand-dog of Cantor Deborah Johnson and Dr. Robert Serinsky of Providence. ELISHA RAMONA belongs to Barbara Juriw of Warwick.

FREDERICK belongs to Colleen Juriw of Warwick.

MAY 2019 | 19

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

MIGUEL, belongs to Peter Neivert and Arthur Richter of Barrington, and says, “Please Sir, I want some more.”

BASIL belongs to Lisa and Stephanie Maybruch of Easton, Massachusetts.

LOLA belongs to Leah and Jonathan Cohen of Plainville, Massachusetts.

HAYLEY, JILL and COCOA belong to Neal H. Dwares of East Providence.

TEDDY belongs to Rachel Hurlich of East Greenwich. PUCK belongs to Victoria Strang, director ZIVA belongs to Rusty and Susie Merson of Lincoln. She is 9 years old and a true Red of the RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Sox fan! Poverty, of Providence.

MORE PETS ON PAGE 30

20 | MAY 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

Rabbi Franklin and family savor the joy of standard poodles

HEA

Y L I VI

RABBI WAYNE FRANKLIN grew up with dogs, but his wife, Anne Franklin, never had a dog. When their daughter Batya started asking her parents for a dog, a family discussion ensued. They spent a year researching breeds before choosing a standard poodle because they are highly intelligent, good with children, hypoallergenic and don’t shed. In order for the Franklins to get a standard poodle from the breeder, they had to write an essay about why they would be a good family for one of PATRICIA her dogs. Benjy was their first RASKIN standard poodle. The Franklins discovered that he was a singer on the first night of Hanukkah, a few months after he joined the family. From then on, he would join in the singing of the Hanukkah blessings, and would sing at every Shabbat and holiday. Every night when they recited the Shema and V’ahavta as they put Batya to bed, Benjy would Ziggy come flying up to her bedroom, hop on her bed, stand over her and sing his heart out. When the prayers were done, he would hop down and let her go to sleep. When Rabbi Franklin and Anne were each sitting shivah for a parent, Benjy would join the minyan and sing along, following the cadence of the prayers. When someone offered him a siddur, Anne said, “He doesn’t need it; he knows it by heart!” The Franklins had Benjy 12 1/2 years. They were heartbroken when he died. They contacted the breeder from whom they had gotten Benjy the very day he died. Franklin, who is retiring in June after nearly 40 years at Temple Emanu-El, in Providence, said, “We could not stand the thought of having the house empty.”

Ziggy arrived about three weeks later. The Franklins chose his name before they met him. They settled on Ziggy, a diminutive for Sigmund Freud, since he would be accompanying Anne, who is a psychologist, to her office. Her clients light up as he greets them. “Sometimes, if a client starts to cry, Ziggy senses their emotion and goes over and looks to comfort them. Sometimes they embrace him, and he licks away their tears,” Anne said. She said she considers Ziggy a little person in a dog suit. “We love Ziggy, but still miss Benjy. They each had unique personalities, as we were told by the breeder that they would. We feel that there is something very special about poodles,” she said. Unlike Benjy, Ziggy doesn’t sing. But Anne says, “He is a thinking dog and is very gentle and affectionate. He has a neshamah [soul]. “He also has a special arrangement with the tellers at a bank near my office. When we go for a walk, he puts his face in the window of the drive-through to let the tellers know he’s there – and they send out treats to him in the money drawer. He is like a magnet; people often stop in the middle of the street to admire him, and he runs to greet them.” Rabbi Franklin added, “Ziggy enjoys attention and can be very insistent. Sometimes he will stick his nose under my arm, or use his snout like a battering ram, to get me to stop typing and pay attention to him. Ziggy knows what he wants and is an effective communicator.” In closing, when I asked about the joy that both dogs have given them, Anne said, “Our dogs have enriched our lives. They invite us to play with them, to relax with them and to savor the joy of their presence.” PATRICIA RASKIN, owner of Raskin Resources Productions, is a media host, coach and award-winning radio producer and business owner. She is on the board of directors of Temple Emanu-El.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

HEARING

ONLY HALF of what people say?

me when I lean over to pat you on the head, and why did you bite me last year when I tried to clean your mat? You don’t ever treat Lynne that way. Buddy: First off, you’re a big dude, and given your underlying issues with dogs, I won’t ever trust you. As for the second part, that’s easy: I know Lynne’s the boss and you’re a paper tiger, so I’ll never be afraid of you. Me: What’s your favorite snack? Buddy: Anything that falls on the floor.

A feline’s perspective

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Me: You seem to sleep a lot during the day. You go from hanging out in the basement at night to napping on the master bed. What gives? Cooper: I’m a cat, therefore I nap. Me: It’s nice when you cuddle up on my lap at night, but why do you pace on the couch for five minutes before settling in? Cooper: You’re not the only living thing in the house who’s suffering from restless legs syndrome. I have to move around to feel better, and the last time I checked, there’s no kitty acupuncture. Me: How do you always seem to know when I’m about to take the trash to the garage? You inevitably appear at precisely the right time.

Cooper: I have CESP? Me: Is that a cable network for cats? Cooper: No, dummy, that stands for cat ESP. Me: I know you stalked the bunny before Cookie left us in 2014, but why were you trying to kill Buddy by leaving your metal coil toys near his bed? Cooper: So that’s why you guys took them away while you were on vacation last December, and only recently gave some of them back. But you shouldn’t worry; I wasn’t trying to do away with him, I was just testing him. Me: In that case, you won’t mind if we let Buddy’s wrestling with you get out of hand, will you? Cooper: I’ll ease up on Buddy if you’ll let me outside just once. Me: That’s not happening. You may be annoying at times, but we love you too much to ever let you step one foot outside, because if you did, it could be the last time we see you due to the predators that live in the woods. Cooper: OK, you guys win. I’ll try to be better, but I’ll still jump on the kitchen table whenever I smell food. Me: I wouldn’t expect anything less. LARRY KESSLER (lkessler1@ comcast.net) is a freelance writer based in North Attleboro.

MAY 2019 | 21

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

COMMUNITY

OBITUARIES 24-25 | BUSINESS 26 |

Community Relations Council 2.0 Adds five social justice areas to its platform BY STEPHANIE HAGUE

e just concluded the Pass-

ADDRESSING OUR MODERN-DAY PLAGUES Educate yourself. Mobilize with others. Make an impact.

over season. Many of us gathered together with

family and friends, enjoyed delicious foods and retold the Passover story. The Exodus story is understood by many to be the core narrative of the Jewish people. Although there are many essential lessons in this story, at its essence, is one of redemption and justice. Still, how can we conduct these seders without the reminder of modern-day injustices that we are faced with each day – those occurring right now in our hometowns and cities, our states, our world? Our Jewish community has a long history of engagement in justice-related causes, and our continued and enhanced involvement is more crucial than ever. Standing with others so no one stands alone is a core value of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, and of Rhode Island’s Jewish community. As a community, we believe that social change is possible and that we must play an integral part in this work. With this imperative ringing true, the Jewish Alliance’s Community Relations Council (CRC) will relaunch with a special focus on five social justice issues. The CRC also will continue its work serving with other faith communities, fostering dialogue around Israel and building relationships with elected officials and civic leaders. Jewish Alliance Board Chair Mitzi Berkelhammer said, “I am so thrilled to see the exciting rebirth of the Community Relations Council, and how this work will inspire education, action and community-building in our Jewish community.” Over the summer and in the early fall of 2018, a group of diverse Jewish community members garnered input and reflected together, selecting the five social justice initiatives to mobilize around: combatting anti-Semitism and hatred; immigrant and refugee rights; climate action; racial justice; and housing discrimination. Each of these issue areas offers a range of opportunities for community involvement. The graphic, at right, accompanying this article gives more information on the issues. Rich Glucksman, chair of the Community Relations Council, emphasized the need for this work, “In these challenging times, we can play an important role, mobilizing ourselves and engaging with others, based on our Jewish values and ideals, to protect and promote a fair and just society for Jews and non-Jews.”

Combating Hatred The number of hate crimes reported to the FBI continues to grow, with a 17% increase last year (not including thousands of unreported hate crimes). These numbers reflect dramatic increases in hate crimes against Black, LGBTQ+, Muslim and Jewish Americans. The number of reported anti-Semitic incidents in the United States surged 57% in 2017, according to an annual report by the Anti-Defamation League.

Get involved: •

Join in community building efforts between local faith, minority, and cultural groups. Gather in solidarity with others during times of crisis. Join us on May 30 at 6:30pm at the Jewish Alliance, 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, to hear from Robert Trestan, Regional Director, AntiDefamation League.

• •

Global Migration and Humanitarian Crises

Climate Change

Globally, 68.5 million people, including 25.4 million refugees, have been forced from their homes. Rhode Island welcomes 100 - 300 refugees annually. One in eight Rhode Island residents is an immigrant, while one in seven residents is a native-born U.S. citizen with at least one immigrant parent. Despite a large immigrant population, Rhode Island has the largest Latinx achievement gap in the nation.

The world’s leading climate scientists have warned we have only 12 years to mitigate global warming. Without reversal, the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat, and poverty for hundreds of millions of people will heighten.

Get involved: • • •

Advocate for key bills at the State House. Support local immigrant and refugee organizations through direct service. Build relationships with local immigrant and refugee groups.

Racial Justice Systemic racism can be seen in areas of wealth and income, criminal justice, employment, health care, housing, education, and politics, among others.

Get involved: •

Enroll in a Merciful Conversations on Race course at a local synagogue to explore “White Privilege,” its expressions and impact.

Get involved: • Conduct an environmental audit of your local Jewish institution with Hazon and create tangible upgrades for your space.

Housing Discrimination In Rhode Island, landlords can legally discriminate against prospective tenants based solely on their source of income. For those using vouchers or housing assistance, this discrimination narrows the actual share of housing opportunities to 7%.

Get involved: • •

Advocate on behalf of the Source of Income Discrimination Bill (House Bill 5317). Join us on May 21 at 1:30pm for an Interfaith Advocacy Day to support this bill at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 15 Hayes St., PVD.

Get involved in these initiatives by contacting Stephanie Hague, Director of Community Relations, at shague@jewishallianceri.org or 401.421.4111 ext. 127. We cannot work in a silo. In partnership and in coalition with other local organizations, as well as our robust Jewish institutions and leaders already immersed in social justice projects, the Alliance will be an ally to those spearheading work on these issues. With rising rates of hate-crimes, locally and nationally, and after the horrific events in Pittsburgh, this past October, and the recent synagogue shooting in Poway, north of San Diego, California, the CRC will continue to focus on mitigating hate through part-

nership-building, education and relationships with state leaders. On May 30 at 6:30 p.m., the Jewish Alliance will welcome Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Robert Trestan for a program focused on education and action against anti-Semitism. The program will provide opportunity for reflection, and there will be a panel discussion featuring local leaders who will speak about different types of hate and anti-Semitism. This is only the beginning of exciting opportunities to make a

difference with the Community Relations Council. However, the work will only be successful with the involvement of members of our community. Through advocacy, direct service, education, self-reflection and more, the opportunities are ample. STEPHANIE HAGUE (shague@jewishallianceri.org) is the director of community relations at the Jewish Alliance of Great Rhode Island. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact her.

22 | MAY 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

Congratulations Daniel A. Gamm, CRPC® Danial A. Gamm, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor with Mariner Private Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., has achieved a career milestone through the company’s 2019 Circle of Success program due to his years of consistently high performance. Daniel, one of only 65 advisors nation-wide to have achieved this distinction will be recognized at Ameriprise’s 2020 National Conference in Chicago, Illinois. As a Private Wealth Advisor, Daniel provides financial advice that is anchored in a solid understanding of his clients’ needs, goals and expectations and is delivered in one-on-one relationships. Daniel’s areas of focus: ● retirement income strategies ● wealth preservation strategies ● domestic partner planning

● estate planning strategies ● charitable giving

Daniel has offices at 2155 Diamond Hill Road suite 2 Cumberland, RI 02864 and 150 Midway Road Suite 175 Cranston, RI 02920. He can be reached at 401.681.4999. Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Ameriprise Financial, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult with a tax advisor or attorney. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2019 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. 2502248ACMR0419

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Elder Care Services Providing care all over Rhode Island Call to schedule a free, non-salesy and no obligation family consultation. We’ll help you create a care plan tailored to your unique needs.

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Rabbi Wayne Franklin

PHOTO | SETH JACOBSON

Tribute dinner for Rabbi Franklin planned for June 2 BY NOEL RUBINTON As Rabbi Wayne Franklin prepares to retire as the longestserving rabbi in the history of Temple Emanu-El, a communitywide tribute dinner is planned at the temple on June 2. Rabbi Franklin became the senior rabbi at Emanu-El in 1981. Robert Pelcovits, the current temple president, said Franklin’s many accomplishments during his long tenure include: helping make services egalitarian for women, making interfaith and gay and lesbian couples more welcome, and leading many interfaith dialogues and social justice efforts. He said Franklin was also instrumental in the 2000 renovation of the historic main sanctuary, as well as the construction of a first-floor chapel. Yet Pelcovits said Franklin will probably be most remembered for his deep involvement in the lives of generations of congregants, especially during difficult times such as crises and deaths. “He is always there for people. There’s no such thing as ‘not available,’ ” Pelcovits said. In times when there’s been a loss, he said, Franklin has been “exceptional.” Several hundred people are expected to attend the dinner, – all from the congregation and the wider community are welcome. “We are holding this festive celebration to honor our rabbi and express our appreciation and gratitude for him,” the

three event chairs, Rebecca Brenner, Barbara Feldstein and Bernice Kumins, said in a statement. “He has impacted our community with his insights, wisdom and friendship. Rabbi Franklin has given 38 years of leadership, dedication and passion. This has been a gift to our congregation and the community at large.” The tribute event will include dinner, testimonials and music. Franklin said he is looking forward to the program and seeing “many people I have known for many years.” Franklin, who will step down as rabbi on June 30, said, “It’s a matter of satisfaction that the work I have been doing has been appreciated. That means a lot to me.” Space is limited at the dinner, which begins at 5 p.m. on June 2 at Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence. The reservation deadline is May 13; tickets are $72. For more information or to reserve a seat, call Temple Emanu-El’s main office at 401-331-1616 or go to www.teprov.org/rabbif The June issue of Jewish Rhode Island will include an interview with Rabbi Franklin. NOEL RUBINTON, a member of Temple Emanu-El, is a writer who lives in Providence.

MAY 2019 | 23

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

Expert tells group: Adolescent sleep matters When an adolescent starts his or her day may matter more than most people think. That’s according to Dr. Mary Carskadon. She spoke about adolescent sleep recently to The Miriam Hospital Women’s Association, in a program sponsored with Lifespan and Bradley Hospital. It is a topic of high interest to an increasing number of communities, including in Rhode Island, where Barrington parents are pushing to have bus schedules and school start times pushed back for teens. Carskadon is a professor in Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and director of the Chronobiology and Sleep Research Laboratory at Bradley Hospital, a Lifespan partner. She is an authority on adolescent sleep and circadian rhythms. A major focus of Carskadon’s scientific activities is research examining interrelations between the circadian timing system and the sleep wake patterns of children, adolescents and young adults. Her findings have raised public health issues regarding the consequences of insufficient sleep for adolescents, as well as concerns about the early starting times of schools. Her work has affected education policy and prompted school districts to delay school start times. She discussed sleep biology, a 2-process model of sleep regulation. In Process S, sleep pressure rises with wake and falls with sleep. In Process C, sleep pressure oscillates (circadian rhythm). These processes work together. Both processes favor delay in the timing of sleep across adolescence. What changes in adolescents (at puberty), is the mid-sleep phase, which CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 only humankind has a “neshama,” a soul. But we owe kindness and respect for what God has put into our realms to every thing on earth. “Did you or your children have dogs and cats to care for and learn from?” I asked. “No,” he answered, “but a cockatiel came into our lives on its own, perching on my finger and trusting that we could provide for him.” So I told him a few tales about the birds in my life and among the books I teach in my class at the Rhode Island School of Design, “Birds and Words,” and then he invited me to visit the new open section of our zoo. A pair of wee monkeys greeted the moms and dads carrying very young boys and girls, too little even for kindergarten or pre-K, on shoulders or in strollers, taking in the wonders of brilliant blue parrots flying free, or those tiny

Dr. Mary Carskadon changes/delays from age 10 to 19. Teens’ biology changes and pushes the clock later. Late nights are favored. So too are late mornings. Older kids need the same amount of sleep, but it’s easier to stay up later, pushing the sleep time back. With an early school start time, teens are: getting too little sleep, waking at the “wrong” time, and are sleepy in the classroom (especially in the morning). In the U.S., school start time reform is now seen as a major public health problem, as noted by the Center for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics. One main reason we care about adolescent sleep is that risk taking behavior goes up with sleep deprivation. Put another way, she explained, mood and self-harm – sadness, hopelessness, suicide and driving drowsy, all go up in adolescents with less than six hours of sleep. Also, sleep affects learning. Too little sleep impairs learning acquisition. Too little sleep impairs information retriev-

long-tailed south American primates jumping from ledge to bar, gazing back at the guests with equal curiosity. I took one or two snapshots as evidence of this brief encounter, but mostly I was content to know, and to enjoy, the image of Jeremy Goodman at work. For, as Robert Frost put it, “Only where work and play are one, is the work ever really done, for heaven and the future’s sake.” “Are we all behind bars and glass cases, and have we turned Eden itself into a zoo?” I asked. I imagined it might have been a rude question, but Goodman took it in stride. “Well, yes, with our computers and phones and windows, we are watched by the free wind of outdoors and we hardly notice it!” he said. I have to leave it at that, for now. MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol.com) teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.

al. Too little sleep may impair consolidation of information that happens during sleep. Following is a list of strategies. Carskadon proposed for helping teens get an optimal amount of sleep:

• MAKE A PLAN FOR SLEEP. Set a

bedtime for yourself that will allow enough time to sleep – and keep as close to it as you can.

• GET BRIGHT LIGHT EVERY MORNING to help move your internal clock to an earlier time that can help you fall asleep earlier. • AVOID LIGHT AT NIGHT BEFORE BEDTIME to keep your internal clock from moving later. • AVOID “AROUSING” ACTIVITIES in the evening and give yourself a wind-down time to relax for about 30

minutes before bedtime.

• DON’T SLEEP WITH YOUR CELL PHONE ON, nor the computer, TV, or any other technology (including lights) in your bedroom. • STICK AS CLOSELY AS YOU CAN to your sleep schedule on weekends. • AVOID CAFFEINE after school. • DO NOT NAP after 4 p.m. • HAVE SOME FUN EVERY DAY and enjoy

your life.

For additional information The Miriam Hospital Women’s Association, contact Vickie Scott, Department Assistant, 401-793-2520 or Vickie.Scott@ lifespan.org Submitted by Barbara Brown for The Miriam Hospital Women’s Association

24 | MAY 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY | OBITUARIES Claire Bercovitz, 94

He was co-owner of Genter’s Drugstore with his brother, later changing the name to NDS Pharmacy until his retirement. Joseph was a member of Touro Fraternal Association as well as a Mason, serving as a Past Master of Redwood Lodge. He was the father of Jaime Goodman of East Greenwich and Seth Goodman of Stamford, Connecticut. He was the brother of Gerald Goodman and his wife, Pauline, of East Greenwich and Marshelle Bernado and her husband, Robert, of Cornelius, North Carolina. He was the grandfather of Eliana. Contributions may be made to the RI Transplant Center at RI Hospital, 593 Eddy St., Providence, RI 02903.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Claire E. Bercovitz died April 20 at Hallworth House. She was the wife of the late Henry Bercovitz. A lifelong resident of Providence and longtime resident of Pompano Beach, Florida, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin and Tillie (Richmond) Villany. She was the mother of Alan Bercovitz of Exeter and Nancy Bercovitz of North Providence. She was the sister of Gloria Holland of North Carolina and the late Philander Villany. She was the aunt, grand-aunt and great-grand aunt of many nieces and nephews. She was the cousin of several. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the charity of your choice.

Samuel Green, 84 WARWICK, R.I. – Samuel Green died April 1 at Coventry Center. Born in Providence, a son of the late Abraham and Annie (Tetelbaum) Green, he was a longtime resident of Warwick. He was the co-owner of the former Providence Carpet Company in Cranston with his brother, Bernard. Samuel was an Army veteran, serving during peacetime. He was the brother of Ruth Weinreich and her husband, Irving, of Pawtucket and the late Bernard and Herbert Green. He was the uncle of Audrey and Deborah. He was the great-uncle of Bari. Contributions may be made to Temple Emanu-El Chapel Fund, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

Joseph Goodman, 71 EAST GREENWICH, R.I. – Joseph Goodman died April 7 at Brentwood by the Bay, Warwick. He was the husband of his childhood sweetheart, Rochelle (Cutler) Goodman, for 49 years. Born in Providence, a son of the late Karlman and Claire (Gordon) Goodman, he had lived in East Greenwich for 34 years, previously living in Warwick.

NORTH DARTMOUTH, MASS. – Bertram Elliot Howard, M.D., of North Dartmouth, died April 5. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a son of the late Jacob and Dora (Shill) Horvitz, he is preceded in passing by his wife, Zelda (Krellenstein) Howard and son, Robert J. Howard. Dr. Howard was the founder of The Stroke Program at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. He had a long affiliation with the American Heart Association and served as the president of the Massachusetts chapter. He was a member of Congregation Tifereth Israel, New Bedford. He was a lifetime fan of Boston sports teams. Dr. Howard is survived by his children, Dr. Jack Howard and his wife, Leslie, of Dartmouth, Nora J. Howard-Gitlin and her husband, Louis, of Providence, and Alan Howard and his wife, Patti, of Bedford, New York; and his grandchildren, Alex, Jeremy, Lauren, Zachary, Ariel, Jessie, Nick and Tommy; and his great-grandson, Lior. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Richard Seigle, 70 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Richard S. Seigle died April 5 at Phillip Hulitar Inpatient Center. He was the husband of Evelyn (Gottfried) Seigle for 45 years. He was born in Providence, a son of the late Saul and Natalie (Rosen) Seigle. He was a salesman in the jewelry industry for 43 years. Richard graduated from Syracuse University. He was

a member of Temple Beth-El, Ledgemont Country Club and Gemilah Chesed Hebrew Free Loan. He was the father of Seth Seigle (Lori) of Tennessee and Adam Seigle (Bridget) of Rhode Island. He was the brother of Betsy Elias and the late David Seigle. He was the grandfather of Ari, Sylvie, Sophia, Adrian and Isabella. Contributions may be made to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care 1085 N. Main St., Providence, RI 02904 or The Seigle Religious School Scholarship Fund at Temple Beth-El.

Janet Weissman, 76 FALL RIVER, MASS. – Janet M. Weissman, of Fall River, passed away on April 1. She was born in Fall River to the late Israel and Celia (Davidson) Lipson. She was preceded in passing by her brothers, Richard and Barry Lipson. She graduated from BMC Durfee High School, class of 1960 and Pawtucket Memorial School of Nursing. She worked as a Truesdale Hospital critical care nurse from 1966-1983 and at Charlton Memorial Hospital since 1983. She was a Durfee Band-Aide and was a member of the Oncology Nursing Society. Janet was also a member of Hadassah and Adas Israel Sisterhood. Janet is survived by her husband of 53 years, Jeffrey L. Weissman; her children, Laurie Weissman of Fall River, Brian Weissman of Clermont, Florida, Sara-Anne Hawkins and her husband, Richard, of Dedham, Massachusetts, and Samantha Grajales and her husband,

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Ignacio, of Fall River; her grandchildren, Maya, Joshua, Ian, John, Jonah, Zoe and Megan; and her sister, Barbara Cleinman. Contributions may be made to Buddy Lank Cancer Center of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Needham, MA or Southcoast VNA Hospice in Fall River, MA.

Israel Wiegenfeld, 105 HOLLYWOOD, FLA. – Israel I. Wiegenfeld died April 6. He was the husband of Beatrice “Betty” Wiegenfeld and Frances Fall (both deceased). Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Abraham and Helen Wiegenfeld. Israel Wiegenfeld was a self-made man who started several businesses, which he headed. He also was a volunteer, expert business mentor. He was a member of the Masons for more than six decades. He was devoted to his family. He is survived by two daughters, Carol and Linda Wiegenfeld, and two sons Arthur Wiegenfeld and David Fall. Contributions may be made in his name to the Siamese Cat Rescue Center, a no-kill facility, at 366 Meander Run Road, Locust Dale, VA 22948.

Martin Zawatsky, 89 WAKEFIELD, R.I. – Martin A. “Marty” Zawatsky died April 1. A resident of Wakefield, he spent many years in Longboat Key, Florida. Born Sept. 10, 1929, he was a son of Sarah and Julius Zawatsky of Providence. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Hope Pritsker Zawatsky, three sons, Jay, Paul and Marc, eight grandsons, two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Leona Spilka. Marty attended Hope High School in the 1940s and served as a radio operator (and interservice boxer) in the USAF after WWII. He returned to Rhode Island in the late 1940s, operated Z. Zawatsky and Sons Glass Company in the 1950s and early 1960s, after which he served, for more than 30 years, as the president and CEO of Shoor-Elias Glass Company (later SEGCO, Inc.) as well as Northeast CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

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jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

Over%19%years%of%dedicated%service% Over 20 years of dedicated service

Menachem Mendel Taub, Hasidic dynasty head devoted to Holocaust memory, dies at 96 JERUSALEM (JTA) — Menachem Mendel Taub, the rebbe of the Kaliv Hasidic dynasty in Jerusalem, who devoted his life to memorializing the Holocaust and helping fellow survivors, has died. Taub died April 28 at his home in Jerusalem. He was 96. His health had declined since a fall in his home two weeks ago, according to reports. Born in Transylvania, which was then Romania, Taub was deported with his siblings to Auschwitz, where he was experimented on by the notorious Dr. Josef Mengele – and later was unable to grow facial hair due to

the experiments. His siblings were killed in Auschwitz. Later he was transferred to the Warsaw Ghetto, and then to the Breslau and Bergen Belsen camps. He married his first wife, Chana Sara Shapiro before World War II. They were reunited after the war in Sweden and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. They immigrated to Israel in 1962 and re-established the Kaliv community, first in Rishon Lezion and later in Bnei Brak, where it remains today. She died in 2010. In 2012 he remarried to Sheindel Malnik, 55, of Bnei Brak. Taub frequently spoke about his experiences during

the Holocaust and encouraged the memorialization of Holocaust victims at public events in Israel, including the recitation of the Shema Yisrael prayer. He also was active in Jewish outreach. The rabbi “gave voice to the spiritual heroism of Jews during the Holocaust and did all he could to honor the memory of its victims,” Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said in a statement remembering Taub. “His work has particular resonance at present as we redouble our commitment to remember and never to forget.” Thousands attended his funeral in Jerusalem on Sunday night.

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Remains of Nazi victims studied by German doctor to receive burial JTA – The remains of 300 people killed by the Nazis and used by a German doctor for research will be buried in Berlin in May. The late Hermann Stieve kept tissue samples of the mostly female victims after he dissected their bodies for his research at the University of Berlin. He sometimes received the bodies of resistance fighters minutes after they were

killed at the Berlin-Ploetzensee prison, the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag reported Sunday. The samples were found in small black boxes and some were labelled with the name of the victim, according to the newspaper. Stieve was researching menstruation and the effects of stress on the reproductive system. Stieve died of a stroke

in 1952. The samples were discovered by his heirs and turned over to Berlin’s Charité university hospital. They will be buried on May 13. Although Stieve’s research is widely considered to have violated medical ethics, he was elected to the German Academy of Sciences at Berlin and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.

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QUESTION: My friend is going to a shivah and she said she thinks she’s supposed to bring something, but she doesn’t know what or why. I was hoping you could give me a short explanation to pass on to her, as well as what is done during a shivah visit. A.J., Warwick

Dear A.J., Shivah is from the Hebrew word shevah, which means the number 7. It is the week of deepest mourning after the funeral of an immediate family member. People on a shivah visit extend their condolences to the family, share memories and stories they have about the deceased, and generally don’t stay for more than 10-30 minutes. It’s customary (but certainly not required) to bring food to the house of shivah. This is for at least two reasons:

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HAVE A QUESTION? Email it to ShalomChapel@aol.com, or mail it to Ask the Director, c/o Shalom Memorial Chapel, 1100 New London Ave., Cranston, R.I. 02920. FROM PAGE 24 Glass and Aluminum in New Hampshire. Marty was an innovator in the architectural glazing and aluminum industry who authored a number of technical articles published in industry journals and who built

SEGCO into the 28th largest contract glazing firm in the United States. Marty served as president of the Providence Country Day School Parents Association in 1970–71, member of the Barrington School Building Committee for the high school and served for several years

as a volunteer marine guide for the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Longboat Key. Contributions may be made to Congregation Beth David, 102 Kingstown Road, Narragansett, RI 02882.

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3 Financial distinctions based on gender

R LA

S&S E

DOL

IN A PERFECT WORLD, gender iar role of primary financial distinctions would have little decision-maker. or no bearing on a person’s In that role, there are some financial life. There would decisions that will have to be be no major discrepancy made promptly during and afbetween the earning power ter a divorce, and others that of men and women, and as a could — and perhaps should result, women could go about — be put off until later. the business of managing Some of the biggest detheir financial lives much as cisions have to do with men would. managing Social Security, But we live in as a person is eligible to a world where receive benefits on an gender-based ex-spouse’s record. discrepancies Given the complexin earning ities involved in power, careSocial Security giving roles claiming decisions and other imand other financial portant areas decisions, such as are all too real. what happens with Women must inthe family home JASON E. deed confront finanafter a divorce, the SIPERSTEIN advice and guidcial issues that men may never have to face – money-reance of a finanlated challenges that become cial professional can prove especially evident at certain valuable. pivotal points in life. It is extremely important to The most effective way for have a redesign of your fiwomen to deal with the realinancial plan, since your new ties of these financial gender financial situation may have dynamics is by preparing in radically changed, and your advance, paying attention to initial objectives were deterlife transitions, when these mined with your ex-spouse. dynamics can have a more RETIREMENT PLANNING. pronounced impact. A woman reaching age Here’s a look at three tran65 today can expect to live, sitions that, for women, may on average, until age 86.7, require extra attention and compared to age 84.3 for men, planning: according to the U.S. Social

CARING FOR A LOVED ONE. Providing care to an ailing loved one often entails taking time off from work, setting aside career priorities and, even sacrificing current as well as future earnings, along with workplace benefits and Social Security benefits. Usually it’s women who make these sacrifices, as about 75 percent of caregivers are female, and women are apt to spend as much as 50 percent more time providing care than men. Making consistent contributions to a retirement plan can compensate for the loss of income. Building a cash reserve to draw from can make up for lost income should a woman be drawn into a caregiving situation.

DIVORCE. A 2018 report from UBS found that 56 percent of married women leave investment and longterm financial planning decisions to their husbands. So when divorce strikes — as it does in almost half of all marriages — women may find themselves in the unfamil-

Security Administration. A longer average lifespan means women need to focus on ensuring their financial nest egg lasts as long as they need it to, providing enough cash flow along the way. An estimated 58 percent of women will need nursing home care at or after age 65, compared with 44 percent of men, according to AARP. That makes it important to plan for how to pay for potentially expensive longterm care, whether it’s out of pocket or with some type of insurance, such as a longterm care insurance policy or a life insurance policy with a long-term care feature. Unfortunately, these differences are just the reality of the world we live in, but one can and should plan for them. 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.

May 19th | 4:30-7:30pm | Mulligan’s Island 1000 New London Ave, Cranston We’ll be getting together at Mulligan’s Island for a day of exciting, family-friendly activities. Join new friends in a round of mini-golf, or find out which member of your family is the best at lawn games! Enter raffles for a chance to win great prizes, or help yourself to some delicious Israeli food. Batting cages and driving range will be available for an additional fee. $8 per child | $15 per adult | $54 family maximum

Register by May 10th to receive one free raffle ticket. Visit jewishallianceri.org/lag-bomer-register Thank you to our host committee: Joie Magnone, Tara Pari, Marc and Stephanie Trachtenberg, Adina Davies, Karen Isenberg, Lauri and Michael Friedman

28 | MAY 2019

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY

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SUMMER J-CAMP at the Dwares JCC! June 24 - August 23 Ages 3 - 15 REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Visit jewishallianceri.org for more information. 401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 | 401.421.4111

Shelley Katsh and Fishel Bresler.

PHOTO | IRVING SCHILD

Coming soon: Katsh and Bresler together again On Sunday, June 16, from 1 to 3 p.m., fans will be able to enjoy a sound not heard in years – and new friends will find out what the buzz is all about. Shelley Katsh and Fishel Bresler were a legend among lovers of Jewish music throughout New England for nearly two decades. In particular, their Dec. 24 shows used to draw a large and enthusiastic crowd, first to Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, and later to Congregation Ohawe Shalom in Pawtucket. Those who have never heard them can sample their music on some of the tracks of Bresler’s CD “In Vald,” which can be previewed at no cost at CD Baby. In coffeehouses, concerts, community celebrations, weddings, and other venues, as a duo and as part of a band, Katsh (on piano and accordion) and Bresler (on clarinet, flute, mandolin, harmonica and guitar) created an almost magical atmosphere with their performances of hassidic, klezmer, and original melodies. A typical show might range from deep, quiet nigunim, through raucous uptempo dance tunes, to off-thecuff and often offbeat humor. Their performances have been described as dazzling and memorable. They have not performed together in more than six years. They are reuniting for one concert as a fundraiser for the Danielle Bessler Foundation, a fund created to teach robotics and Artificial Intelligence to disadvantaged children. It was created in memory of Providence native Danielle Bessler, herself a very gifted coder. At this show Bresler and Katsh will be joined by veteran percussionist Michael Goldberg. It promises to be an exciting afternoon. The event will take place at Congregation Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence, and will include food as well as music. This is one instance where the overused phrase, “Not to be missed,” truly applies ... so mark your calendar. Call 401-465-0225 for reservations or details.

MAY 2019 | 29

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

R.I. students delve deep into the Holocaust in ‘The Devil’s Arithmetic’ BY LEV POPLOW On March 26 and 27, some 1,500 Rhode Island students were bused to the Showcase Cinemas Warwick Mall to see “The Devil’s Arithmetic” as part of their studies of the Holocaust. “The Devil’s Arithmetic” tells the story of Hannah Stern, a Jewish American 12-year-old who is not interested in the culture, faith and customs of her relatives. She is bored by her family’s stories about the past, is not looking forward to the Passover seder, and is tired of her religion. In the film, Hannah begins to reevaluate her heritage when she has a supernatural experience, while opening the door for the prophet Elijah, that transports her to a Nazi death camp in 1941. There, she assumed the life of young Chaya and befriends a fellow captive, a girl named Rivkah. As Rivkah and Chaya struggle to survive in the face of daily atrocities, they form an unbreakable bond Ultimately, “The Devil’s Arithmetic” is about remembering. As days pass in the concentration camp, Hannah’s own memory of her past, and the prisoners’ future, fades until she is completely Chaya. Chaya/Hannah’s final sacrifice, and the return of memory, is her victory over the horror. This brave and powerful film’s simplicity is its strength; no comment is needed because the facts speak for themselves. “The Devil’s Arithmetic” was presented by the Holocaust Through the Arts program, one of the many ways that the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, in Providence, partners with Rhode Island schools to educate about the Holocaust and genocides. Many schools participate in HTA every year, but this year was the first time for the Deering Middle School, in West Warwick. According to Kathy Belton, the head of the Social Studies Department and the teacher

who arranged the school’s participation, “The Social Studies teachers do a unit with the 8th grade on the Holocaust every year, culminating with an annual trip to the Holocaust museum in Washington, D.C. ‘The Devil’s Arithmetic’ is one of the books we are reading this year, so this fits very nicely into their curriculum.” Joe Lancelotta teaches the historical aspects of World War II at the school while language arts teachers cover the Holocaust using literature. “The students worked in groups, similar to small book clubs, reading different works of historical fiction about World War II, of which ‘The Devil’s Arithmetic’ was one. They then created projects to illustrate what they were learning,” Lancelotta said. Tracy Enos, a language arts teacher at Deering, added, “Not all the groups read this book, which presented an opportunity for the students to become teachers. The day before the HTA program, the students gathered in the cafeteria to present their projects and answer questions from each other about all the books they had read.” In addition to Holocaust Through the Arts, the Holocaust education center also regularly sends Holocaust survivors to speak at schools and sponsors an annual art and writing contest that invites students to creatively express themselves on a Holocaust-based theme. LEV POPLOW is a communications consultant writing on behalf of the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, in Providence. He can be reached at levpoplow@ gmail.com.

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Ruth and Rosh Hodesh

Ada Winsten studies the text during the program. BY JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF The Book of Ruth took center stage April 11, at the semi-annual Rosh Hodesh program sponsored by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. Rosh Hodesh is a day for women to be together to enjoy meaningful introspection, dialogue and study. About 30 women gathered in the board room of the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center for lunch and a presentation by Rabbi Wayne Franklin of Temple Emanu-El in Providence. During his presentation,

PHOTO | FRAN OSTENDORF

Franklin pointed out that the Book of Ruth is generally a text for Shavuot, the holiday that follows Pesach. But throughout his commentary, he drew parallels to the story of Ruth and Passover themes of redemption. A lively discussion followed. The Rosh Hodesh program is chaired by Maybeth Lichaa and a committee of volunteers. Lichaa spoke about the essential work of the Alliance and the impact made by every donation, regardless of the amount. The next Rosh Hodesh event will be scheduled for the fall. For more information, contact Claire Uziel at cuziel@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 109.

Jewish Rhode Island’s Pet Parade

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

MOOKIE and KOJI belong to Jeff Levy and Sen. Gayle Goldin of Providence.

CHARLOTTE lives with Neal Cerel and Diane Hanke of Warwick and two other cats, Will and Harry. Charlotte reportedly enjoys napping and tormenting her housemates.

DENNY is Esta Rabinowitz Avedisian’s granddog. He is son Rob’s bomb-sniffing K9 partner in Camden County, Georgia.

SOLOMON, at right, is one of three pets living with Steve Kahan of Cranston.

LOOK WHO WE FOUND under the blanket on page 17. This is Tia and she lives with Ann Tetreault and Chris Westerkamp in Warwick.

Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s

Eighth

ANNUAL MEETING SAVE THE DATE:

Wednesday, June 12, 2019 | 7:00pm Dwares JCC | 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence Installation of James Pious, Incoming Chair of the Board Tribute to Mitzi Berkelhammer, Outgoing Chair of the Board Presentation of Leadership Awards Board Installations: Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island Jewish Federation Foundation Alliance Realty, Inc. Rabbi Andrew Klein, Installing Officer Reception to follow JAMES PIOUS Chair-Elect

MITZI BERKELHAMMER Chair of the Board

ADAM GREENMAN President & CEO

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