Volume XXI, Issue VIII | www.thejewishvoice.org Serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts
SENIORS
21 Nisan 5775 | April 10, 2015
Independence in a state of dependency BY GILOR MESHULAM gmeshulam@jewishallianceri.org Just a few days ago, we celebrated one of our most important holidays – and arguably the one that kept the Jewish narrative alive for 3,000 years. We celebrated Passover. At Passover, we have two main concerns. One is to make sure that we remember that we were slaves. As a nation that has been through many “Egypts,” Israel remembers how difficult it is to be a “second class citizen.” Therefore, every decision we make and every step we take is in light of our history. Thus, Passover is an opportunity to remind ourselves about compassion, caring and helping the weak. Our other concern is to make sure that the younger generations are able to learn, understand and comprehend the Israelite history. We left Egypt almost 3,000 years ago, and all of our ancestors have witnessed the Sinai revelation. Since that moment to this day, Jews have been telling their children what was witnessed in the Sinai desert. Their children told it to their descendants, and eventually it got to us in 21st century America. Simply amazing. So, celebrating Passover in the ancient kingdom of Israel makes a lot of sense. But why here? Why now? And why “Next year in Jerusalem?” In addition to being one of the most powerful “weapons” in the Jewish arsenal, I believe the haggadah also shows our endless longing for independence. To make our own decisions as
Community Hunger Seder at the State House
Gilor Meshulam, Israeli Shaliach a people, to be independent, to choose where we want to have our home. We look at our past as slaves and we say: never again. We will do anything that’s needed in order to fi nd that independence. For 2,000 years, Jews have lived where circumstances have brought us. Perhaps it was Poland when King Kazimierz III gave a safe haven in the Middle Ages from the increasing anti-Semitism all over western Europe. Or maybe it was the United States, the land of freedom and opportunities, after the May Laws in the late 19th century. Each of these places was great. They made us prosper, grow and develop, but they were always because of the circumstances – never as a real choice. About 118 years ago, a group of Jewish people founded the INDEPENDENCE | 25
On April 7, the interfaith community of Rhode Island held a Hunger Seder at the State House to bring attention to the problem of hunger in our state and country. More than 30 people attended the Seder sponsored by the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance. The Seder was led by Rabbi Sarah Mack who serves as clergy at Temple Beth-El in Providence and as the president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island. She was one of many from the RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty in attendance. Similar Hunger Seders were held in other communities, including a national Seder held at the U.S. Capitol.
IDF invests in new cellular technology to protect Israelis from missiles BY ISRAEL HAYOM STAFF JNS – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has decided to invest some 100 million shekels ($25.4 million) in developing a cellular phone-based alert system for Israeli civilians that will help guide Israeli citizens to safe areas during a missile attack. The system will be developed for use by the Home Front Command and is expected to improve the army’s ability to
direct the public in times of emergency and wartime. The goal of the new system, which has already entered the developmental stage, is to allow the Home Front Command to alert people in a specific area under attack, so as not to “paralyze” an entire city or population unnecessarily. The new alert system, which appears likely to become operational within the
next year and a half to two years, will be predicated on determining the precise location where a missile will hit. Certain aspects of the system were already tried during the fighting in Gaza last summer, when the Home Front Command divided the country into over 200 missile impact areas. The IDF has also finished developing the iOref application, IDF | 32
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ISRAEL
2 | April 10, 2015
The Jewish Voice
Israel’s extraordinary sculpture garden
INSIDE
BY GEORGE M. GOODWIN
Arts 16 Business 26-27 Calendar 10 Classified 27 Community 4-6, 11-13, 15, 17 D’Var Torah 7 Food 14 Israel 2, 24-25, 32 Obituaries 30-31 Opinion 8-9 Seniors 19-23, 28-29 Simchas 33-34 We Are Read 34
THIS ISSUE’S QUOTABLE QUOTE “I live in your heart. Please promise that you will never forget me.”
I love sculpture gardens. America’s best known is the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which has the scale and ambience of a private dwelling. Its sculptures, including textbook examples by Rodin, Matisse and Picasso, and those by more perplexing upstarts, help form an urban sanctuary. Another oasis is found within the sprawling and bustling campus of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Its Franklin Murphy Sculpture Garden more closely resembles a park. Swaying eucalyptus trees and shimmering pines shelter works by European and American masters. Some of my favorites reach skyward, hug the earth or dance in the wind. More profusely than MoMA’s Sculpture Garden, UCLA’s celebrates human strength and sexuality. Southern California, an ideal place for the year-round, outdoor display of sculpture, boasts many other gardens, such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s, the Norton Simon Museum’s and the Getty Center’s. But one surpassing all of these, as well as the Hirshhorn Museum’s in Washington and the Walker Art Center’s in Minneapolis, is Storm King Art Center. Far more than a garden or a park, this former country estate on the east bank of the
PHOTO | GEORGE M. GOODWIN
Henry Moore’s three-piece figure entitled Three Forms: Vertebrae is just one of many sculptures in the Billy Rose Art Garden, designed by the Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Hudson, a few miles north of West Point, can be surveyed from multiple vantage points: across meadows, atop hills or up winding pathways. Many of Storm King’s best sculptures, forged from steel or carved from stone, are monumental in scale, brightly colored and unburdened by representation. Such American masters as Calder, Smith and diSuvero, whose works abound, could not have dreamt of a more heavenly setting. Perhaps.
I believe that the Israel Museum’s Billy Rose Art Garden, in Jerusalem, constitutes an even richer and higher realm. Although I was astonished by it on two previous visits, in 1980 and 1985, I felt enraptured on my visit in March. Indeed, I also felt transported by experiencing portions of the museum’s vast but subdued architectural complex and by savoring a sliver of its 500,000-piece collection. But the garden, buildings and collection, established 50 years ago, form a historical, artistic
and spiritual whole or epicenter, which, I believe, has few counterparts the world over. So what makes the Israel Museum’s sculpture garden so special? Perhaps the most basic explanation is its setting. Only a few paces south of the Knesset, the garden offers sweeping views of Jerusalem’s western hills and valleys from its own ascending and descending elevations. Indeed, the garden’s brilliant stone, gravel and concrete design, by the Japanese-American sculptor GARDEN | 25
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URI Hillel hosts events to commemorate Holocaust and Armenian Genocide In commemoration of the Holocaust and the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Hillel, the Jewish Student Center at the University of Rhode Island, will hosted a presentation and dinner on April 10 at the Norman M. Fain Hillel Center. Guest speakers are Dr. Albert Silverstein, Pauline Getzoyan and Esther Kalajian. Silverstein is a retired professor of psychology at URI. Born in Austria in 1935, he survived the Holocaust by being sent away from his home and parents at age three on the Kindertransport to England, a rescue effort which brought thousands of refugee Jewish children to Great Britain from Nazi Germany between 1938 and 1940. Silverstein was reunited with his parents in November 1940 and later moved to the United States. Many of the extended Silverstein family perished in the Holocaust. Silverstein spoke about his personal experiences and the imperative to work against factors in contem-
65 years later, return to commemorate the anniversary of their liberation. The fi lm tells the story of the effort undertaken by the camp’s Communistled underground to protect and save Jewish children who were arriving in Buchenwald toward the end of the Holocaust. “Kinderblock 66” also tells the story of Antonin Kalina, the head of the block who was personally responsible for saving 904 boys in Buchenwald. The fi lm’s director is a faculty member in the Film/Media Department at URI. He recently had the honor of appearing at the United Nations to discuss his fi lm when “Kinderblock 66” was screened as part of the U.N.’s 2015 Holocaust Remembrance events. The screening is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, Hillel, Film/Media, the Harrington School of Communication and Media, the Office of Community Equity and Diversity, the History Department, and the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Rhode Island.
porary society that make genocide possible. Getzoyan and Kalajian are the co-chairs of the Rhode Island branch of The Genocide Education Project as well as the creators of the current URI honors seminar, “The Armenian Experience: History and Culture.” Experienced and respected educators, they are involved in many philanthropic endeavors, most notably, supporting educators in New England with materials for inclusion of genocide education in school curriculum as outlined by legislation adopted in Rhode Island in 2000. They will speak about how their Armenian identity has been shaped through historical exploration and the personal testimony of their relatives who survived the genocide. This program was made possible in part by Laurie Onanian, a former staff member at the URI Foundation who has admired Hillel’s Holocaust related programming for many
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years. An active member of the Armenian community, Onanian wished to call attention to how the Armenian Genocide paved the way for Hitler and the Nazis to conduct the Holocaust. She recalled seeing a quote of Hitler’s etched in stone at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Preparing for the Nazi invasion of Poland in August 1939, Hitler said, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” Other co-sponsors include the Office of Community, Equity and Diversity; the Harrington School of Communication and Media; and the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Rhode Island.
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‘Kinderblock 66: Return To Buchenwald’
The critically acclaimed documentary “Kinderblock 66: Return to Buchenwald” will be shown at URI on April 16 at 5 p.m. in the Swan Hall Audi-
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Tricia Stearly tstearly@jewishallianceri.org 401-421-4111, ext. 160 EDITOR Fran Ostendorf CONTRIBUTING WRITER Irina Missiuro EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Irina Missiuro | Judith Romney Wegner Kara Marziali, director of communications DESIGN & LAYOUT Leah Camara
Karen Borger ksborger@gmail.com 401-529-2538 VOICE ADVISORY GROUP Elanah Chassen, Melanie Coon, Douglas Emanuel, Stacy Emanuel, Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, John Landry, Toby London, Mindy Stone COLUMNISTS Michael Fink, Rabbi James Rosenberg and Daniel Stieglitz
torium, 60 Upper College Rd., Kingston. A reception will be held at 4:30 p.m. and the fi lm will be followed by a questionand-answer session with director Rob Cohen. This event is free and open to the public. The showing coincides with Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.
In August 1939, Hitler said, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” “Kinderblock 66” is the story of four men who, as young boys, were imprisoned by the Nazis in the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp and who,
THE JEWISH VOICE (ISSN number 15392104, USPS #465-710) is published bi-weekly, except in July, when it does not publish. PERIODICALS Postage paid at Providence, R.I. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Jewish Voice, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. PUBLISHER The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Chair Sharon Gaines, President/CEO Jeffrey K. Savit, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. Phone: 401-421-4111 • Fax 401-331-7961 MEMBER of the Rhode Island Press Association
On April 13 at 11 a.m., URI Hillel students will plant a “Field of Flags” on the walkway from the Multicultural Center to the Carothers Library in memory of the victims of the Nazi Holocaust. In fact, nearly 2,400 small colored flags will be placed in the ground, each representing 5,000 of the 11 million victims of the Holocaust. The flags will remain until April 17. This tradition started in 2006. On April 16 at 12:30 p.m. there will be a Holocaust Memorial Vigil in front of the URI Multicultural Center (74 Lower College Road). This student-led ceremony will include prayers, poetry and songs to honor the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust and will serve as inspiration to recommit ourselves to preventing future atrocities. URI President David Dooley and URI Vice President for Community Equity and Diversity Naomi Thompson will speak. A complete list of Holocaust Remembrance Week events is at www.urihillel.org.
COPY DEADLINES: All news releases, photographs, etc., must be received on the Wednesday two weeks 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 our advertisers’ claims. All submitted content becomes the property of The Voice. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of The Voice or its publisher, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.
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April 10, 2015 |
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Community Holocaust commemoration features Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger BY PATRICIA RASKIN I met Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger about three years ago when I interviewed him on my radio show. I was so struck by his amazing story of courage and resilience, and as a member of the Community Interfaith Commemoration of the Holocaust committee, I suggested him as a speaker this year. Dr. Wollschlaeger accepted our invitation, and I am honored to introduce him as our keynote speaker for the 31st Annual R.I. Interfaith Commemoration of the Holocaust. This year’s community wide event will honor the memory of the six million Jewish victims and millions of others who perished in the darkness of the Shoah. Dr. Wol l sch l aeger ’s book, “A German Life: Against All Odds, Change is Possible” reaffirms our collective responsibility to confront anti-Semitism in every venue. Dr. Wollschlaeger will share his personal struggle growing up in Germany in the shadow of his father, a highly-decorated WWII tank commander and Nazi officer. Driven by curiosity and interest in fi nding the truth about his past and the Holocaust, Dr. Wollschlaeger explored Israel and Judaism through literature, a series of personal encounters with Jews and fi nally a journey to Israel.
31st Annual Rhode Island Interfaith Commemoration of the Holocaust WHAT: “Against All Odds,
Change is Possible” is FREE and all are invited to attend.
WHEN: Wed., April 15, 2015 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger He eventually c o n v e r t e d to Judaism, immigrated to Israel and served in the Israel Defense Forces as a medical officer. In “A German Life,” Dr. Wol l s c h l a e ger, writes, “In the quest to fi nd answers to questions about my parents and my nation’s past, I set out to fi nd the truth and in doing so, I found a new life and separation from family, friends and country. My attraction to Judaism created a turmoil within me that centered somewhere between personal guilt for what had taken place and a true sense of belonging to a people and their beliefs.” Copies of Dr. Wollschlaeger’s book will be for sale at a reception following the commemoration.
Contact Temple Emanu-El at 401-331-1616. The commemoration will include remembrances of survivors in Rhode Island and poignant vignettes of their stories of survival against the odds. Choirs from the community will join together in singing the message of hope from Psalm 133, “How good it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together in harmony.” This event is sponsored by the R.I. State Council of Churches, the Board of Rabbis of Greater R.I,, the Community Relations Council of Jewish Alliance of Greater R.I., and the Holocaust Education Resource Center of R.I. PATRICIA RASKIN, host of the Patricia Raskin Positive Living radio show, is a nationally recognized, multi-media radio talk show host, awardwinning producer, speaker and author.
PHOTO | THE YAD VASHEM ARTIFACTS COLLECTION VIA DONATION FROM FAY (LUSTIGMAN) EICHENBAUM AND ESTHER (LUSTIGMAN) GORDON IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.
Page 49 of Regina Honigman’s diary Ma Nishtanah – “The Four Questions” of the Haggadah and other passages.
Holocaust journal and improvised haggadah spurs Yad Vashem search JNS – The research team of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem is searching for information about the women named in a diary and haggadah that was written during the Holocaust. Regina Honigman, who was imprisoned and forced to work at the Gabersdorf Camp in Czechoslovakia, was the author of the diary, in which she recorded her daily life and listed the names of other female prisoners. The diary also includes some poems, autographs and an
improvised haggadah. Honigman survived the war with her brother, while her parents and sisters died at Auschwitz. She died in 1992 in Australia, and her family donated the diary to Yad Vashem in 2005. Yad Vashem has listed the names of the women mentioned in the journal, and asks that anyone with information contact Yad Vashem’s artifact collection by phone at 972-2-6443598 or by email at museum. artifacts@yadvashem.org.il.
6 | April 10, 2015
COMMUNITY
PHOTOS | BILL OSTENDORF
Judy Nagle and Eva Silver, former director of the ECC.
The Jewish Voice
Adam Tilove browses the many auction items during the event.
ECC honors its heroes
Friends, family and staff of the David C. Isenberg Family Early Childhood Center honored two of their heroes on March 29 at the Dwares JCC. The Social Hall was transformed for the occasion as lead teacher Judy Nagle was recognized for 25 years of teaching, and David C. Isenberg was honored for his philanthropy and vision. The 100 guests enjoyed a Mediterranean buffet by Nara Restaurant of Federal Hill and music from Divas with a Twist. A silent auction included more than 50 items donated by community members and local businesses.
ECC Heroes Donors
David C. Isenberg and Nancy Maloney
Nathaniel & Elnaz Baum-Snow Matthew & Victoria Brier Michael Chesman Gerald & Linda Colvin David & Minna Ellison Marisa Garber & Daniel Gamm Lawrence & Marilyn Katz Doug Knotts Helder & Beatriz Lopes Frank & Nancy Luca Sara Luis Derek & Lisa Merck Ruth Page Glenn & Cynthia Sparr Andrew & Mindy Stone
Let them be the
reason
Joshua & Rebecca Taub Huili Chen & Tianyang Lou Doug & Stacy Emanuel Michael Leighton & Marc Fernandes David McShane Sean Mulholland & Angela Dills Kevin Pearce & Irene Barnett Jamie Pious Keith & Adriane Schoen David Sheer Barbara & Arthur Sheer Alan & Sara Verskin The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service
Some things never change. Like the way each generation plans and builds for the next, ensuring that the foundation of Jewish life remains strong. When you leave a bequest or a planned gift at the Jewish Federation Foundation, you touch each one of us. You leave your children and grandchildren a precious inheritance and a lasting testimony to your love and values.
For more information on establishing your Jewish legacy, please contact Trine Lustig, Vice President of Philanthropy at 401.421.4111 ext. 223 or tlustig@jewishallianceri.org.
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D’VAR TORAH
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April 10, 2015 |
7
Passover and the letter BY RABBI MARC MANDEL As the rabbi at Touro Synagogue, I frequently try to link the Jewish holidays to events in the synagogue’s long history. Passover is the holiday that most closely relates to Touro Synagogue. Passover is referred to as our time of freedom. We are all familiar with the history that is at the center of the text of the haggadah, which describes our exodus
from Egypt. This exodus was the most important event in our history, and it gave birth to the Jews as a nation. Throughout Jewish history, however, freedom was an elusive privilege that often bypassed us and was withheld from us. That’s why it was no surprise when the Jews of Newport had the opportunity to meet the newly elected President George Washington in 1790, they directly asked him if the United States would be dif-
ferent from the countries they left. Would the United States offer them the freedom that they knew from the haggadah, but not the freedom they experienced in real life? How relieved and thrilled they must have been when they read these words in the letter that George Washington sent. “It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of
people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.” This Passover, as we sit at the Seder and think about our
long journey as a nation, let us be grateful for the special letter that George Washington wrote to the Jews of Newport, and let us cherish the freedom that it has blessed us with. Chag Kasher v’sameach! RABBI MARC MANDEL is the rabbi at Touro Synagogue in Newport.
A Reform rabbi learns about the yarmulke in Selma: A memory, a footnote to history BY HERMAN J. BLUMBERG In the early years of his tenure as Temple Beth-El’s senior rabbi, William G. Braude was a hands-on activist in the community. Social action on behalf of those suffering social injustice was a core element of his rabbinate. But by the sixties when I became the associate rabbi and worked closely with him, his robust community involvement had long-since given way to the life of the scholar. Translating classic rabbinic texts – the literature of Midrash – occupied his thoughts, his energy and his time. So his announcement that he was joining a colleague, Rabbi Saul Leeman of Cranston, Rhode Island, to march in Selma, Alabama, was quite surprising. Upon his return he spoke positively of his experience and went back to his translations. Our busy lives turned to other matters and his Selma experience was a past event. Until his sermon remarks the following Rosh Hashanah! He began his talk by relating an incident that had occurred at Beth-El in November 1938. The congregation had organized a service of “grief and sorrow” for the lives that had been lost and the synagogues that had been destroyed by Hitler’s gangs in what came to be known as Kristallnacht. Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany residing in Providence were invited to partici-
pate. Just before the service the president of the congregation, stormed up to Braude, demanding to know if he had given “those people” permission to wear their hats, a practice antithetical to classical Reform Jews and Beth-El. In his sermon, Braude reported that he never found out if the guests had been asked to remove their hats or not. But he always remembered the pain of that inhospitable and insensitive demand. In his sermon remarks, Braude reviewed the history of the yarmulke in Reform Judaism; it had not always been discarded, and there was some new interest in wearing it now. He spoke of Cossack officers and Hitler’s SS forces taunting Jewish men by making them remove their hats. And then he spoke about Selma. He reported – to his amazement – that all the rabbis who had responded to Martin Luther King’s call to march with him were wearing yarmulkes, including Reform Rabbis! “It is our answer to the clerical collar,” declared one rabbi. With the yarmulke identifying the rabbis as Jews, other marchers – Jews and non-Jews, approached, expressing appreciation for their involvement. Men and woman called out, “Shalom, Shalom.” One marcher came up to Braude and said, “We are glad to see rabbis with us.” It was reported that many of the non–Jewish participants, black and white, began to wear the
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skullcaps, imported in wholesale numbers, presumably by a rabbi. They were dubbed “freedom caps;” the segregationists labeled them “Yankee Yarmulkes.” Somewhere between Selma and Montgomery, in April 1965, William Braude concluded that it was time to cover his head in worship. These are the words with which Rabbi Braude concluded his sermon: “On this day I intend to perform a solemn act…To atone for the hurt afflicted on the refugees who innocently came to us as our guests; to atone for the hurt inflicted on many other innocents who were told not too politely to remove their hats; to identify myself with what I consider to be the growing maturity in the Reform movement and above all to identify myself with the spirit of our people
The Dor L'Dor Society celebrates the generosity of donors who have established bequests, planned gifts, or permanent endowment funds to sustain the Jewish community in perpetuity. Martin Greenfield, featured on CNN’s “Remembering Auschwitz, 70 Years Later,” was seized from his Czechoslovakian home at age 13 and sent to Auschwitz, where he was separated forever from his family. Greenfield learned how to sew in the camp and realized that clothes possess power. Now 86, Greenfield’s company is the leading maker of hand-tailored menswear, and has dressed Hollywood’s famous and D.C.’s powerful, including Presidents Eisenhower, Clinton, and Obama. The account of his life inspires hope and renews faith in the resilience of man.
throughout the world who associate worship with the covering of the head….Both as an act of atonement and as a symbol of identification with many Jewish brothers throughout the world, I solemnly place this yarmulke upon my head as I say, [the] Shehecheyanu.” I was present at the talk that Braude titled, “What I Learned in Alabama About Yarmulkes.” I observed – and Braude later reported – that the congregation was stunned. During the sermon some wept. A small number of men – perhaps six or eight – reached into their pockets, pulled out yarmulkes and donned them. The cantor, Norman Gewirtz, did so, too. He later commented that he had never told his father that he davened – worshipped – without his head covered. None of us had advanced notice. These men simply carried their yarmulkes
with them, perhaps out of habit from early experiences in more traditional synagogues. Braude continued to cover his head in worship until his death in 1988. EDITOR’S NOTE: This account, and selected quotes, is based upon the manuscript of the sermon and by remarks recorded in “A Century and A Quarter of Spiritual Leadership. The Story of the Congregation of Sons of Israel and David (Temple Beth-El) Providence, Rhode Island,” by Seebert J. Goldowsky, M.D. (1989) HERMAN J. BLUMBERG is rabbi emeritus, Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland, Mass.; rabbinic director, Hebrew Senior Life, Hospice Care, Boston, Mass.; and was associate rabbi, Temple Beth-El, Providence 1964-1970.
“I did not find the world desolate when I entered it. And as my parents planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me.” —Talmud
Please join us for a special presentation featuring Martin Greenfield, author of Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to Presidents’ Tailor Thursday, April 30, 2015 12:00 - 2:00pm At the home of Ronald Markoff & Karen Triedman This program is open to all donors to the 2015 Jewish Alliance Annual Campaign. Members of the Dor L’Dor Society will be recognized for their commitment to nurturing Jewish life for generations to come. Lunch will be served. Space is limited. For more information or to RSVP, contact Danielle Germanowski at 401.421.4111 ext.109 or dgermanowski@jewishallianceri.org. Kindly RSVP by April 16.
OPINION
8 | April 10, 2015
Inspiration and obligation beyond the Seder The Passover story that we read year after year is an inspirational tale. I was reminded last week that it’s one we should really listen to and not just repeat as if by rote, trying to stay awake until the fish EDITOR is served. That started me thinking FRAN about the varOSTENDORF ious themes, but there’s one that I really want to focus on this year. Social justice. The Passover story is one chock-full of social justice issues. Hunger. Homelessness. Oppression. Discrimination. Redemption. We were slaves in Egypt. We wandered– homeless – in the wilderness for 40 years. We had limited food. And in the end, we came out all right. Now, I admit that’s a bit of an oversimplification. But my thought is that all these recurring themes point to issues that still challenge our society today. And at this time of year, and year-round, we should consider how we are going to help ensure that what happened so long ago doesn’t keep going on and on. Seen in the context of the Passover story, it’s an obligation that we each do our part to help repair the world. Many families have added modern touches to their Seder in an effort to drive home these social justice issues. There are four questions with a modern twist. There are updated versions of the 10 plagues. Many families add an orange or a potato to the Seder plate to symbolize more inclusion. A simple Internet search brings up many more ideas. It’s not difficult to find ways to bring today’s issues into your Passover celebration. Perhaps next year, your family will want to update your Seder traditions. But after the Seder, the challenge and the inspiration remains. There is hunger and homelessness in
our community. Oppression exists in our backyard. Discrimination and victims are here as well. What are we going to do to help with these social justice issues? How are we going to practice tikkun olam? How are we going to work to help repair the world? The range of contribution can be as varied as the contributor. You don’t have to be wealthy to contribute. Working on social justice issues can mean giving of your time. Sure, financial contributions are always welcomed, but time is precious to so many causes. And don’t forget donations of the treasures you don’t need or want anymore. Many of us have enough to share with those who don’t. What is your passion? There are many worthy causes. Are you interested in advocacy? Work with an advocacy agency. Attend meetings. Go to rallies. Follow legislation at the local, state and national levels. Write letters to your congressional delegation, to your local newspaper, to The Jewish Voice. Do you have a garden? Perhaps the fruits of your labors that prove to be more than your family will use can help feed the hungry. This is a perfect way to involve the entire family. Are you involved with your synagogue? Many congregations offer opportunities to prepare food for soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Some have special collections of clothing that is then donated to those who need it most. Many have holiday food collections that go right to a food bank. Turn on your computer and search for opportunities. You can donate to many causes in our community and around the world with a couple of clicks. I hope we will all take inspiration from the season. I know I plan to make a renewed effort to pay more attention and focus some of what little free time I have this year toward repairing the world. Let us know what you’re doing.
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‘Not the death but the life’ Alan Metnick’s photography exhibit, “Silence and Stones/ Captured by Memory,” continues at gallery (401) at the Dwares JCC through Thursday, April 16. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, it is a must-see. If you’ve already been there, it’s worth a secIT SEEMS ond or even a third look. TO ME As you step into the gallery, there RABBI JIM are five phoROSENBERG tog raph s on the wall to your left – each a peaceful forest scene, a picture of tranquility...and then you read where these trees stand: Auschwitz, 2004; Treblinka, 2005; Belzac, 2011; Sobibor, 2011; Chelmno, 2011. Five of Poland’s six major extermination camps; only Majdanek is missing from this notorious lineup. The sublime forest beauty captured in the photographs now seems an obscenity; but Mother Nature – in her amoral, nonjudgmental grandeur – knows nothing of our all-too-human capacity for depravity or of our heroic quest to remake ourselves into the image of God. Many of the remaining 25 or so images are of matzevot, tombstones. Some of the chiseled Hebrew letters are still legible; but in other cases, the letters are worn away by time and circumstance. Nevertheless and paradoxically, these tombstones – in their strange and striking beauty – testify not to the ultimate triumph of death but rather to millions of Polish Jewish lives lived out in all their rich complexity. The photographs in Metnick’s exhibit – along with several others taken over this past decade during his 10 trips to Poland – are due to appear by the end of this year in a book to be both published and printed in Poland. Metnick has been writing an informative and deeply felt commentary to accompany his photographs; a Polish translation will sit alongside Metnick’s English. The book will begin with a long introductory poem written by Daniel Kahn, a songwriter and actor based in Berlin. This is a poem that
closely mirrors Metnick’s complicated relationship to the country in which three million of its Jews were murdered, a country which both Kahn and Metnick view as “that holy of holies/that hole of all holes.” Both poet and photographer affirm that the history of Jews in Poland should emphasize “not the erasure but what was erased/ not the destruction/but what was destroyed/not the death but the life.” Metnick’s book, then, is meant to be a voyage of discovery. Those who open up its pages should “try to see Poland for the first time/see it as a place/as real as any/ unburdened by myth.”
“… Metnick has come to see Poland, unburdened by myth, as a place of possibility, a place of renewed Christian Jewish understanding, a place where Jews may once again have a future.” Metnick’s involvement with Poland is profoundly personal; his maternal grandparents lived in the small village of Slawatycze. When he had the opportunity to visit, he discovered – not to his surprise – that there was scarcely a trace of the thriving Jewish community that had lived there prior to World War II. Enlisting the support of organizations that aim to preserve what remains of a once vibrant Jewish culture, Metnick worked to restore Slawatycze’s Jewish cemetery. While Warsaw is now home to a world-class museum of Jewish heritage, and while the city is once again home to most of Poland’s 20,00025,000 Jews, the vast majority of Poland’s 38.5 million inhabitants have never met a Jew nor have they any sense of the 1,000-year history of Polish Jewry. In an effort to overcome this knowledge void in the far-flung rural villages and to help overcome the still smoldering embers of anti-Semitism, Metnick has formed close ties with the leaders of the Forum for
Dialogue Among Nations and one of its most important projects, School of Dialogue. According to its promotional literature, “The Forum for Dialogue Among Nations is a nonprofit Polish organization whose mission is to foster Polish-Jewish dialogue, eradicate anti-Semitism and teach tolerance through education.” By sheer serendipity Metnick happened to be visiting Slawatycze in October 2011 on the very day that the Forum’s School of Dialogue was holding the first of four intensive workshops for 24 students at the village’s middle school. Taught by two specially trained Forum educators, the students “learned the basics of Jewish history and culture.” More importantly, these students “incorporated their knowledge into the history of their town.” By the conclusion of their special instruction, they were able to conduct walking tours of forgotten Jewish sites in their village, “sharing their findings with schoolmates from other grades.” When Metnick returned to Slawatycze the following October, he met with 18 of the 24 students who were in the School of Dialogue program. Many of them had clearly been transformed by the knowledge that prior to the Second World War, one out of every two students in their school would have been Jewish. Metnick’s photographs of Poland – solemn, stark, spare – reflect the sensitivities of a gifted observer; what he sees is more than a graveyard haunted by the memories of murdered millions. Through his ongoing relationship with the Forum for Dialogue Among Nations and, more particularly, with the School of Dialogue, Metnick has come to see Poland, unburdened by myth, as a place of possibility, a place of renewed Ch r ist ia n- Jew ish u nderstanding, a place where Jews may once again have a future. To find out how you can help Metnick in his ongoing work with the School of Dialogue, email him at alanmetnick@ gmail.com or call him at 401272-9899. JAMES B. ROSENBERG is rabbi emeritus at Temple Habonim in Barrington. Contact him at rabbiemeritus@ templehabonim.org.
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OPINION
thejewishvoice.org
April 10, 2015 |
9
Want to stop Iran’s nukes? Use less oil BY EDWIN BLACK WASHINGTON (JTA) – With the conclusion of a framework agreement over Iran’s nuclear agreement last week, many remain profoundly unsure whether the deal will successfully prevent Tehran’s acquisition of a nuclear weapon. Under the terms of the agreement, much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure will remain in place. Its Shahab-3 missiles are still capable of reaching Tel Aviv. And its capacity to produce enriched uranium, while diminished, would not be erased. The diplomats negotiating with Iran are understandably focused on two key fuels, uranium and plutonium, but they ignore the one ancient fuel driving the entire process: oil. Petrodollars have been financing Iran’s nuclear program for almost two decades. The world powers negotiating with Iran are struggling to establish a robust monitoring system to ensure that Iran cannot break out to build a bomb, but the average person can help slow the centrifuges simply by reducing their household and commercial demand for oil.
Even though Iranian oil has been proscribed by international sanctions, all oil is fungible. When oil consumption is measurably reduced in America and elsewhere, it lowers the value of oil in global markets. That cheapens the value of Iran’s oil, the financial furnace of its nuclear program. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, Iran needs oil to sell at approximately $143 per barrel to maintain its social, governmental and military programs. But the global glut, combined with the recession and some conservation, have driven recent prices into the high $40s and $50s per barrel. This means that even if sanctions are relaxed, Iran will still be hurting at the pump and in the bank. Iran has been storing its unsellable surplus in 13 supertankers parked in the Persian Gulf, Bloomberg reported. Each tanker can carry about 2 million barrels, and estimates based on the depth of their hulls suggest the ships are laden with crude. These ships have floated like seaborne warehouses for more than a year, and many suggest more than two years. In the meantime, Iran has cut its output from a pre-sanctions
PHOTO | SHUTTERSTOCK
Transportation accounts for some 70 percent of American oil consumption. 2012 level of 2.5 million per day to just over 1 million today. Oil impoverishment is the only reason Iran is now negotiating on its uranium enrichment. The two are linked. In any international accord, it would take Iran some time to recover from its oil glut, especially with millions of barrels at sea waiting for customers. The floating oil reserves would likely be sold first. Consumers and businesses can make that recovery more
difficult without buying an electric car, peddling a bicycle to work or canceling a road trip. Transportation accounts for roughly two-thirds of U.S. petroleum imports. Most gasoline today contains 10 percent ethanol, an alcohol fuel derived from corn and other crops. The recent Hollywood documentary “Pump,” in which I made a brief appearance along with numerous other oil addiction experts, revealed that most modern motor vehicles can accept E-85 —
that is, up to 85 percent ethanol with a simple software update, and in some cases a single click, automotive engineers explain. Even more compelling, “Pump” demonstrates how more than 9 million American flex-fuel automobiles, the ones with a yellow gas cap, are already built to accept E-85. This one software update could drastically cut American oil consumption if ethanol supply rose commensurately. The engineers in the “Pump” documentary demonstrated that the software update process takes only a few minutes. If government and commercial fleet managers, as well as ordinary consumers, see how easy it is to switch, America could be swept by a sea-change reduction in our dependence on foreign oil. Regardless of what the nuclear negotiators and inspectors do, average people could help permanently drive the outcome. EDWIN BLACK is the author of “IBM and the Holocaust,” a New York Times best-seller, along with several books on the oil industry.
LETTERS Re: Tannenwald Op Ed (March 27)
Re: Tannenwald Op Ed (March 27) After reading the Op Ed “Elections in Israel: Is Racism a Jewish Value,” by Nina Tannenwald, I am left to wonder at her complete, and no doubt willful, blindness to the reason that the conflict between Israel and the so-called Palestinians cannot be settled. Here is the reason: The Palestinians do not want to live peacefully side-by-side with Israel in their own state. Instead, their goal is to destroy Israel, exterminate its Jews, and create their own Islamic terror-state on its ruins. The charter of Hamas, the elected ruler of Gaza, overtly and proudly calls for the liquidation of all Jews, wherever they may live, and for the destruction of the State of Israel. It indoctrinates its
population, and in particular its children, in its culture of Jew hatred and glorification of death. Is that not racism? The President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, is in the 10th year of his four-year term. He dares not call an election, since Hamas would surely win. Even if he had any real inclination to sign a settlement with Israel, he knows it would amount to signing his own death warrant, since he and his kleptocratic cronies have thoroughly indoctrinated the West Bank population to violently reject any normalization of relations with Israel. What’s more, he is a Holocaust denier who has declared that no Israeli (read: Jew) will be allowed to live in
“Palestine.” Is that not racism? This situation, and not the recent Israeli elections, is the truly “troubling trend” that should lead the Obama administration to chart a “new course of action.” It should begin by making it clear to Hamas and the Palestinian authority that until they are willing to recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people, cease their genocidal incitement of hatred of Jews and renounce their advocacy of the destruction of the State of Israel, there will be no possibility of gaining the support of the United States for the establishment of a State of Palestine. Michael Mellion Pawtucket, R.I.
Re: God is not a man (March 27) I am writing in response to the column “God Is Not A Man” written by Yekaterina GinzburgBram. While I do understand the writer’s overall point, as an Orthodox Jewish woman, I do take issue with the following paragraph in the final column which read, “And to me, this hurts worst of all: to see women so thoroughly taught to accept unfairness that they don’t even feel wronged when it happens.” You are assuming, once again, that traditional Orthodox women are terribly oppressed and are not keen enough to realize this supposed fact. I assure you I have never felt “unfairness”, and have a very strong faith
in God and always have, nor have I ever “pictured” a man or a woman because this is, of course, impossible! Your point reminds me of an incident years ago while waiting at a camp bus stop. When the other mother asked me where my children attend school and I responded “The Providence Hebrew Day School,” she seemed genuinely dismayed and asked me, “Aren’t you worried about your daughters’ self-esteem?” That truly took me by surprise and I can report that my two daughters and son attended strictly Orthodox educational institutions from pre-K through posthigh school and they are just
fine. Perhaps if you purchased one of the many “feminist” haggadot out there you would feel more comfortable at your Seder and as a participant, you have every right to speak up with your views just as all the others do. My sister-in-law places a Cup of Miriam on the table and I find this lovely, not offensive. In closing I just want to assure you I do not feel “wronged” and there is nothing wrong with me. Most of all, we are all Jews and I am wishing you a very happy Pesach and meaningful Seders. Sharon Groh-Mintz Providence, R.I.
It seems that Ms. Tannenwald’s opinions are taking up so much space in The Voice these days that she might as well be considered a permanent columnist. Her latest rant about the elections in Israel takes on the air of what we in the Bronx used to call a ‘sore loser.’ She states that “Israeli democracy is in a steady decline” (meaning her side did not win). She loves to splatter around the term ‘racist’ in Netanyahu’s supposed fear tactics about the Israeli Arab vote, but never mentions
how it shows up in Israeli policies. In reality, when the Knesset voted for the Oslo Agreements, which directly led to Arafat’s Intifadas, it passed by one vote; 23 Israeli Arabs voting for it. She says that Palestinian “lives are entirely controlled by Israel.” (Duh!) If I were chairman of the Palestinian Authority, I would love having Nina Tannenwald as my spokesperson in the U.S. Sy Dill Providence, R.I.
Re: Tannenwald Op Ed (March 27) Contrary to what Ms. Tannenwald wrote, Israel does not rule the Palestinian Arabs, since signing Oslo Accord more than 20 years ago. The Palestinians have their own parliament, two governments (in Ramallah and in Gaza Strip). They have huge budgets (much of which finds its way to private individuals or building tunnels), independent economy, media and an education system that does not recognize Israel as a legitimate entity. They have an army, police and a foreign ministry and pursue public diplomacy efforts; they have an automatic majority in the U.N. and enjoy clear sympathy
from the Obama administration. They are not really interested in a little state to “live in peace alongside Israel.” That option has been available to them for the past 50 years. They fight for a full control of the Jordanian border so they can arm themselves to attack Israel. Netanyahu promised Israelis that he will not allow this to happen. Palestinian Arabs don’t participate in the Israeli elections because they vote in their own national elections. Hamas won when they voted last time. Yuri Japhet Pawtucket, R.I.
10 | April 10, 2015
Ongoing Alliance Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Noon lunch; 1 p.m. program. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities. Neal or Elaine, 401421-4111, ext. 107. Am David Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every weekday. Temple Am David, 40 Gardiner St., Warwick. 11:15 a.m. program; Noon lunch. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities. Elaine or Steve 401-732-0047.
Through | April 16
“Silence and Stones/Captured by Memory: Photographs and Thoughts from Poland” by Alan Metnick. gallery (401) | Dwares JCC. What began as a one-time visit to Auschwitz evolved into a complex relationship with a haunting locale. For 45 years, Alan Metnick has expressed many of his thoughts and feelings through images including drawings, stained glass, quilts and photography. Some of the images in this exhibit are drawn from an upcoming book of photographs and texts to be published later this year. For more information, contact Erin Moseley, director of Arts & Culture, at 401-421-4111, ext. 108 or emoseley@jewishallianceri.org.
Through | April 30
Watercolors and Large Acrylics. Temple Habonim Gallery. Paula Visnoski and Shirley Koller exhibit their works. Visnoski works in watercolor, oil, graphic design and photography. Koller is a sculptor and painter. 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington. Hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and by appointment. For information, call 401-245-6536, or email gallery@ templehabonim.org.
Sunday | April 12 Jewish Meditation. 9:30 a.m. Judaism has a long tradition of meditation and contemplation. Course is geared for beginners looking to try something new. Sessions are 30 minutes and will consist of education, discussion and 10-15 minutes of sitting as we build our practice together. Beth Sholom downstairs chapel. 275 Camp St., Providence. 401-621-9393. Sprouts Preschool Program in Partnership with the PJ Library. Mitzvah Garden, Tikkum Olam. 9:00 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich, R.I. 401-8856600, toratyisrael.org. Yom Hashoah. Kaddish for Six Million sponsored by Congregation Beth David at 102 Kingstown Road, Narragansett, R.I., 1:30 p.m. We will hear from Al Silverstein, who left Austria on the Kindertransport during WWII, and hear a live performance of some of the music written and played in the concentration camps.
CALENDAR
Monday | April 13
Not What You Think: The Role of the Holocaust in the Establishment of Israel. Aviva Halamish, Ph.D., Professor of History at the Open University of Israel & Editor-in-Chief of Open University of the Israel Press. Brown/RISD Hillel Meeting Room., 7 p.m. Presented by Brown’s Program in Judaic Studies, co-sponsored by Brown Students for Israel and Brown RISD Hillel. The lecture will contemplate the widely accepted assumption that the Holocaust had a decisive influence on the establishment of the State of Israel. Dr. Halamish will also present a contrary assertion and “what really happened.” The Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra. Chamber Music Concert, 3 p.m. The Carter Center, 667 Waterman Ave., East Providence. “Sonnets from the Portuguese,” Libby Larsen, “Echoes of a Forgotten Hall,” Adam Kosberg, “Nimrod” from Edward Elgar’s “Enigma Variations Op. 36,” “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3,” Johann Sebastian Bach. Free and open to the public. The Music Center is handicapped accessible. Help support the R.I. Food Bank by bringing a non-perishable food item to the concert. Donations at the door are welcome. For information call 401-274-4578. An Evening with Ambassador Martin S. Indyk. 7 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence, R.I. 401-3316070. Ambassador Indyk will analyze the dramatic developments in the Arab world – from revolution to sectarian warfare. What does it all mean for Israel’s security and hope for peace? Ambassador Indyk plays a leading role in building bridges to peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors. info@temple-beth-el.org.
Tuesday | April 14
TNT! (Tuesday Night Talmud). 8-9 p.m. Open to men, women and teens of all levels and backgrounds. This is a collaborative group study of the first chapter of Masechet Berachot, tractate dealing with blessings. Meets weekly in the rabbi’s study at Congregation Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence. For information, 401-621-9393. “1913: Seeds of Conflict.” 6:30 p.m., at Brown University. This documentary presented by filmmaker Ben Loeterman explores how the seeds of today’s Middle East conflict were sown in Palestine during the latter part of the Ottoman Empire. Combining the perspectives of Arab, Israeli and Christian scholars, the film examines the little-known history when Jews, Christians and Muslims lived side by side in Jerusalem. How did this land of milk and honey become the site of today’s bitter and seemingly intractable struggle?
Wednesday | April 15
A special Holocaust Remembrance Program Featuring Bernd Wollschlaeger, M.D., FAAFP, FASAM. 3:00-4:00 p.m. Rhode Island State House. For information, contact Marty Cooper at 401-421-4111 ext. 171 or mcooper@ jewishallianceri.org.
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The Jewish Voice “Against All Odds, Change Is Possible.” The 31st Annual R.I. Interfaith Commemoration of The Holocaust. 7 p.m. Temple Emanu-El, Providence. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger. Free and open to the public Mothers Circle. 7-9 p.m. Dwares JCC. Join the Mothers Circle to learn about Jewish rituals, holidays, ethics and how to create Jewish family life at home. This free course began in Jan. and runs through May 13. No experience necessary! All are welcome, and participants do not have to be affiliated with a Jewish institution. For more information, contact Sara Foster at 401-421-4111 ext. 184 or sfoster@jewishallianceri.org.
Thursday | April 16 Tamarisk Talk. Alice Goldstein, “Holocaust Remembrance Day” 6:30 p.m. Tamarisk Community Room. The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living, 3 Shalom Drive, Warwick, R.I. Free to the public. RSVP to dianneg@tamariskri.org or call at 401-732-0037. “Kinderblock 66.” 4:30 p.m. reception, 5:00 p.m. screening. Swan Hall, Auditorium, 60 Upper College Road, University of R.I., Kingston, R.I. 02881. This documentary, directed by URI Film Department faculty member Rob Cohen, focuses on the lives of four men, who were imprisoned as boys in the Buchenwald concentration camp, and returned to commemorate the 65th anniversary of their liberation. The film depicts the story of the creation of the children’s block - block 66 - by the camp’s Communist-led underground. Q-and-A with Rob Cohen follows the screening.
Friday | April 17 Shabbat Hallelu. 7 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence, R.I. 401-331-6070. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a musical Shabbat featuring Temple Beth-El musicians and a short D’var Torah. PJ Library Storytime: Israel. 10-11 a.m. Dwares JCC. Join us for an Israelthemed storytime with PJ Library books, songs and movement, crafts and a holiday-themed snack. All children ages 5 and under are welcome. To RSVP or for more information, contact Michelle Cicchitelli at 401-421-4111, ext. 178 or mcicchitelli@jewishallianceri.org. Shalom Friends A Music and Movement Class. 10-11 a.m. Jewish Community Day School of RI Library. Free. Yom HaShoah service. Temple Sinai. 7:30 p.m. Shireinu, the community chorus of Temple Sinai, will participate. This service is open to the public. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston.
Saturday | April 18
Congregation Am David Chavurah Night Out under the Stars. 8 p.m. Astronomer and Director of the Frosty Drew Observatory, Scott MacNeill, has invited us to a free private viewing through the telescopes located in Ninigret Park, at 61 Park Lane, Charlestown, R.I. The moon will be down most of the night, affording dark sky viewing. We will be observing planets and distant galaxies, nebula, star clusters, binary stars, and constellations! We will look at objects tens of thousands of light years away. The Observatory will stay open as long as clouds don’t chase us out, or the last visitor falls to sleep! Dress for winter conditions. Call Mark Sweberg at 401-
248-5010 before traveling out to check on sky conditions and projected closing time. Open to the entire community. Sisterhood Shabbat Service. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich, R.I., toratyisrael.org. 9:15 a.m. Sisterhood will hold their annual Sisterhood Shabbat followed by mimosas and a Shabbat lunch. Sisterhood members will take part in all aspects of the service. RSVP to Temple Torat Yisrael at 401-885-6600 by April 13.
Tuesday | April 21 Tamarisk Talk. Jim Goldman “Daily Money Management Programs” 6:30 p.m. Tamarisk Community Room. The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living, 3 Shalom Dr., Warwick, R.I. Free to the public. Please RSVP to dianneg@ tamariskri.org or call at 401-7320037. Yom HaZikaron/Israel Memorial Day Event. 7:00 p.m. Dwares JCC. Honoring our community members who have served in the IDF throughout the years, and remembering those who have given their lives to protect the State of Israel. For more information, contact Gilor Meshulam at 401-421-4111, ext. 121 or gmeshulam@jewishallianceri.org
Wednesday | April 22
Touro Fraternal Association New Member Open House. 6:30 p.m. Touro Hall, 45 Rolfe Square, Cranston. Attend a brief business meeting, followed by a Membership Committee presentation and a kosher baked chicken dinner. Following dinner, Michaela Johnson (co-host of The Rhode Show) will speak. Open to all Jewish men age 18 and older. Free. RSVP to 401-785-0066 or email info@tourofraternal.org.
Thursday | April 23
Women’s Alliance of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island Rosh Hodesh. “Smyrna Sadie, Synagogue Lady: Did Women Run the Show in Some Ancient Shuls?” 12-1:15 p.m. Dwares JCC. Tradition tells us that Rosh Hodesh (the marking of the new moon) was once celebrated by both Jewish men and women. In later years, Rosh Hodesh became primarily a women’s holiday – Speaker: Ross Kraemer, professor emerita of Religious Studies and Judaic Studies, Brown University. For information or to RSVP, contact Danielle Germanowski at 401-421-4111, ext. 109 or dgermanowski@jewishallianceri.org or visit jewishallianceri.org/ rosh-hodesh/. RSVP by April 15 Mapping Rhode Island Community Art Exhibit Opening Reception. Join us at 7 p.m. for Mapping Rhode Island, a community art exhibit on display in gallery (401) at the Dwares JCC from April 23 – May 28. Maps are more about their makers than the places they describe. So, we invited Rhode Islanders to map who they are and where they are—to map the invisible, map the obvious and map their memories. Inspired by the maps featured in the book, “Mapping Manhattan” by Becky Cooper, this exhibit is sure to put Rode Island on the map! Contact Erin Moseley at 401.421.4111 ext. 108 for more information. Free and open to all. Yom HaAtzma’ut/Israel Independence Day Celebration. 5:30-7:00 p.m. Dwares JCC. Join us at the Jewish Alliance for an amazing all-Israel celebration featuring Kosher Israeli food (The Chubby Chickpea), an Israeli band, pita
baking, a henna artist, workshops and more! For more information, contact Gilor Meshulam at 401-421-4111, ext. 121 or gmeshulam@jewishallianceri. org. Meshuganah for Mah Jongg, Bridge or Canasta? Women’s Association of Jewish Seniors Agency invites you to a series of three game nights. Bring your sets and cards for your favorite game to this fun fundraiser. A membership event to benefit Jewish Seniors Agency. 7 p.m. The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence, 3 Shalom Drive, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886. April 23, May 14, June 4 – attend one, two or the full series of evenings. Mitzvah: One Eve/$36, Mentsch: Two Eves/$54, Mazel Tov: Full Series/$72. Please include contact information, level of play, dates you will attend and (if applicable) a list of registrants with whom you plan to play. Non-Members: Join now to participate: Annual Membership: $15. Lifetime Membership: $200 R.S.V.P. Niecie Weiner: 401-3310971, niecie663@gmail.com. Please make check payable to: WAJSA, 100 Niantic Ave., Providence, R.I. 02907.
Friday | April 24 Yom HaAtzma’ut service. Temple Sinai. 7:30 p.m. Shireinu, the community chorus of Temple Sinai, will participate. This service is open to the public. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. K’tantan Shabbat & Dinner. 5:30 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence, R.I. 401-331-6070. A 45-minute service designed especially for families with very young children. Songs, games and crafts to learn all about Shabbat.
Sunday | April 26
Congregation Am David Chavurah Spring Wonderland Walk. 1:30-3:15 p.m. Spring is calling us outdoors to the R.I. Audubon Society’s Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge in Coventry. This moderate walk is about two miles long, winding past meadows and through the forest to Carr Pond. Bring water. Meet at the Refuge at 1:20 p.m. Walk is limited to 15 people. Contact Mark Sweberg at 401-248-5010 to register or for more information and last minute cancellation. Sisterhood Book Review. 10:00 a.m. Join us as we review “The Boston Girl” by Anita Diamant. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich, R.I. 401-885-6600, www.toratyisrael.org. Mitzvah Day 2015. If you haven’t signed up already, please do so by going to: temple-beth-el.org/MitzvahDay. Temple congregants, young and old, participate in volunteer activities – from planting vegetables or making sandwiches for those in need to participating in fundraising walks, or creating your own mitzvot. It is an opportunity for families to spend time together and for Temple Beth-El members to connect with one another. Mitzvah Day will begin with coffee and bagels from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. At that time, volunteers will check in with their site leaders in the Meeting Hall at Temple Beth-El. We will meet briefly in the sanctuary for a send off by Rabbi Mack. Participants will then proceed to their volunteer sites. Donate sample-sized packages of toiletries, to be given out at Crossroads Rhode Island.
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Congregation Am David looks forward to gala weekend BY MARK SWEBERG From May 15-17, Congregation Am David, in Warwick, will look back and celebrate 60 years in the Rhode Island community. The congregation will remember the beautiful synagogue building, as well as honor Am David member Alice Goldstein, who has been living in the United States for 75 years following her narrow escape from Nazi Germany. Her many contributions to the Rhode Island Jewish community will be recognized. On Jan. 27 the world observed the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Germanoccupied Poland, where an estimated 1.1 million people, most of them Jews, were murdered between 1941 and 1945. Alice, a speaker for the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Rhode Island, was a young girl living in Germany, during the dark years of Nazi tyranny. Her family had deep roots in Germany, going back more than 200 years. As their life eroded at the hands of the Nazis, Alice’s family managed to escape Germany, and sailed to the United States on one of the last boats to arrive from Europe, in August 1939. One week later, World War II began. Alice became a successful research associate at Brown University and eventually settled in Warwick, along with her husband Sid, professor emeritus of sociology at Brown University. As Alice and Sid were joined by other Jews migrating to Providence, the need for a local congregation became apparent. Worshipping at first in private homes and then in a hangar at T.F. Green Airport, the founding members of the Warwick Jewish Community Association, in 1957, began the construction of the present Am David building. Alice has gone on to become a pillar in the Rhode Island
Jewish community, and has been involved in all aspects of Jewish communal life. A passionate educator and firsthand witness to the Holocaust, she has turned around the difficult days of her girlhood, and with a strong voice, has become a forceful advocate for many causes. Her book, “Ordinary People, Turbulent Times,” published in 2008, chronicles her life story in Nazi Germany and the United States, and is available on amazon.com. The gala weekend kicks off on May 15 with Shabbat services at 7:30 p.m., followed by installation of officers for the 20152016 year. An Oneg Shabbat immediately follows services. On May 16, Shabbat morning services will begin at 9:30, followed by a Kiddush luncheon. The weekend’s festivities continue Saturday night at 6:30, with a cocktail hour, followed by a catered dinner at 7:30, for $36. Rhode Island dignitaries, along with many friends and family, will be on hand to celebrate this occasion. RSVP deadline for cocktail hour and dinner is May 1. The weekend concludes May 17, at 2 p.m. with the Cantor Ivan Perlman Memorial Concert, which features Rabbi Richard Perlman and his three brothers, performing together as “The Cantors Perlman Brothers,” along with Temple Sinai’s choral ensemble, Shireinu. This is the first time these two groups have performed together. Admission is $18. Please join congregants of Am David and friends throughout Rhode Island for this festive gala weekend celebration, as we reminisce on the past, honor our beloved member Alice Goldstein and look forward with anticipation to the future. For more information, contact Paula Olivieri at 401-3780719. MARK SWEBERG is a member of Congregation Am David.
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Jews and Muslims in France subject of talk by Brown professor Maud Mandel brings her expertise to Temple Emanu-El’s ‘Tangled Legacy’ series BY LINDA SHAMOON “Historians are storytellers and interpreters.” These are the words of Dr. Maud S. Mandel, dean of the college and professor of History and Judaic Studies at Brown University. The urgent story she shares in her latest book and in a talk to the community on May 3 focuses on relations between Muslims and Jews in France. In the wake of the terrorist attacks Jan. 7 at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and Jan. 9 at the kosher supermarket in Paris, Mandel’s special, insightful and authoritative telling of this story is surely urgent for all American Jews. Mandel has titled her book “Muslims and Jews in France: History of a Conflict.” She argues that to fully understand the alarming events in Paris of today, we must appreciate their beginnings in 20th century French history and the ways they are embedded in French culture and politics. To dramatize these points, Mandel tells about dockworkers and boycotts in Marseille in the 1940s, student radicals in 1960s Paris, North African Jewish communities after decolonization, and the more recent simplifying and polarizing of formerly complex ethnic identities among Muslims and Jews alike. She will share highlights of these places and these episodes during her talk at Temple EmanuEl. As part of the morning’s focus on the Jews of France, the event will start at 10 a.m. with a catered French buffet breakfast. Mandel’s insights into relations between Muslims and Jews in France have gained widespread recognition among scholars of Middle East history and of Judaic Studies as
Dr. Maud S. Mandel well as among a non-scholarly audience. Middle East scholar Arthur Asseraf has written, “‘Muslims and Jews in France’ is a remarkably concise and clear analysis of the complex relationship and mutual constitution of the two communities. Mandel has a knack for making the paradoxes of her subjects accessible, making this book necessary reading for anyone interested in contemporary French history and politics, Jewish history and MuslimJewish relations.” Similarly, a non-scholar, online reader has enthused, “This is a terrific book….Mandel does something that is really hard to do: she peels back layers and layers of contemporary perceptions and gets beneath them to reveal a very complex, perplexing story.” Mandel, who became dean of the college at Brown on July 1, 2014, was formerly director of the Program in Judaic Studies at Brown University. She is an international authority on French Jewish studies since the mid-20th century, and she is delightfully open about the writing of “Muslims and Jews in France.” “This book took me a long time to write. I be-
gan the research when my oldest child was 2 years old and it came out in print just before he turned 14! I wrote most of it in my home office that I share with my husband. Much of the writing happened during a couple of sabbaticals in which we shared that space with several cats. I have fond memories of those long days of writing.” During a book signing after the program at Emanuel-El, Mandel may share even more about her scholarly interests and writing processes. Mandel’s talk is the third in the arts and culture series “The Tangled Legacy: The Jews of France.” The final program in the series, “A Tangled Legacy: 1,000 years of French Jewry in Words and Music,” will focus on the history of French Jewry from the time of Rashi to today, as told through music from every era in an original, historically accurate script. Guest artists will include the worldrenowned pianist Judith Lynn Stillman, instrumental soloists from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, many guest vocal soloists, plus the choir Shir Emanuel with singers from the choirs of Temple Beth-El, West Hartford, and the Central Congregational Church, Providence. For tickets to “Breakfast with Maud” on May 3 at 10 a.m, visit teprov.org or send a check to Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, R.I. 02906. (Include “Breakfast with Maud” on check.) Early registration is from April 12-28 for $10, and just-in-time or at the door is from April 29-May 3 for $15. For tickets to “A Tangled Legacy – A Concert” on May 17 at 7 p.m., visit teprov.org. LINDA SHAMOON is cochair, Arts Emanu-El, at Temple Emanu-El, Providence.
Two opportunities for Jewish educators BY LARRY KATZ lkatz@jewishallianceri.org American Jews have mixed feelings when it comes to Israel, and the same is true for Jewish educators who are responsible for teaching about it. Fortunately, this summer presents two opportunities to find guidance on how to teach about Israel in light of the varied views about the Jewish State. Jewish school and youth group educators who would like to spend a week studying about Israel may do so for $150, room and board included, in Atlanta or in Is-
rael. Transportation to and from the seminars may be subsidized. The World Zionist Organization is offering a professional development program July 8 to 15. Titled “From ALTNEULAND to TEL AVIV. Vision, Reality, Tomorrow,” this eight-day seminar is grounded in a narrative of Israel education that understands the State of Israel as a work in progress. The program is aimed at inspiring our learners to explore today’s realities against the background of the dreams of its visionaries and in light of the efforts of
Travel to Atlanta or Israel those who, today, are striving to fulfill them. Seven nights of accommodations and most meals, as well as all program costs, are included in the $150 fee. Educators in schools and synagogues affiliated with the Jewish Alliance may apply for subsidies toward their flights. For more information about the program, visit WZO.org.il. Once again, Emory University’s Center for Israel Education is offering its Teacher Enrichment Workshop, which will take place from June 21 to 26. This workshop offers a compre-
hensive understanding of modern Israel and provides a wide array of tools for curriculum development and teaching. Workshop sessions are designed to reflect the needs of the attendees. The material includes adding content and providing additional teaching ideas for curriculum and lesson plan development. Experienced curriculum, academic and content specialists from Israel and the United States will lead the workshop under the guidance of Richard Walter, previously on the staff of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Rhode Island. The workshop is geared for
teachers in day, supplemental and congregational schools, teaching 5th through 12th grades. Thanks to subsidies from The Avi Chai Foundation, the cost is $150, including room and board. Transportation subsidies in the sum of $250 may be available. For more information on the program, visit israeled. org. For more information about either program and the transportation subsidies, please contact Larry Katz, director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Alliance, at lkatz@jewishal lianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 179.
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12 | April 10, 2015
The Jewish Voice
Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association’s 61st annual meeting spotlights the Breindel family The Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m. at Temple Beth-El in Providence. All are welcome to enjoy an afternoon of educational enrichment, friendship and light refreshments. The Association’s 18th president, Ruth Breindel, will be installed. Following in Geraldine Foster’s footsteps, she will be the Association’s second woman president since its founding in 1951. A longtime clas-
sics teacher at Moses Brown School, she will bring her love of learning, exceptional energy and enthusiasm, and a fascination with technology to her new position. Ruth has been the Association’s vice president for three years, during Michael Schwartz’s dynamic presidency. Another educator, Prof. Mel Topf of Roger Williams University, will become vice president. He will continue to chair the Association’s publications committee. Maxine Goldin will continue as secretary, and
Rabbi Josh Breindel, guest speaker David Bazar will serve once
again as treasurer. New board members will include Susan Brown, a retired Moses Brown foreign language teacher, and Rabbi Barry Dolinger of Congregation Beth Sholom in Providence. The annual meeting, which is sponsored by the Arline Ruth Weinberg Memorial Fund, will feature a talk by Rabbi Josh Breindel of Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield Massachusetts. A gifted educator, singer and storyteller, he will speak on “All the World’s Stage: The Surpris-
ing History of Jews and the Theatre.” A Moses Brown and Brandeis University alumnus, he was ordained at Hebrew College in 2009. What a thrilling coincidence: the new president is Rabbi Josh’s mother! For more information about the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association and its annual meeting, please contact Anne Sherman, office manager, at 401-331-1360.
Now That’s Cooking with Class! Meet Frank Terranova at Miriam’s Women’s Association evening If you are planning on attending The Miriam Hospital Women’s Association evening with Chef Frank Terranova, go unprepared. Why? Otherwise you might be too intimidated by the main guest’s accomplishments. Make room in your calendar at 6:30 p.m. on April 27 and contact all of your friends and family members who like food. No, that’s everyone. Call only those friends and family members who are trendy. The topic of this soiree will be Food Trends: From Gluten to Ganja to GMOs. Don’t speak Sanskrit? The middle word just means hemp. Now that you’re intrigued, call Mary at 401-793-2520, leave
your name, telephone and the number of guests you will be bringing along. You’ll want to do that because seating is limited. If we tell you why it’s limited, you will no longer be unprepared. Still interested? OK, you asked for it. The chef is kind of a big deal. In fact, he’s a celebrity. Notice that he’s not a “local” celebrity. Just a celebrity. Period. Now, if your closest approximation to a famous person is limited to running into Gregg’s on North Main Street a half an hour after Obama’s aide picked up some cake from the restaurant, you’re in for a real treat. Yes, there’s dinner involved.
Chef Frank Terranova Terranova, the man who epitomizes class (recall his signature line from Cooking with
The Professional Advisory Council of the Jewish Federation Foundation of Greater Rhode Island invites you to attend a breakfast workshop “Charitable Gifts of Complex Assets” with Jere Doyle, Senior Vice President BNY Mellon
Professional Advisory Council Committee: Daniel Gamm, Chair Jerry Dorfman James Goldman Paul Silver
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 8:00-9:30am Marriott Downtown | 1 Orms Street, Providence Registration fee: $25 Continuing Education credits available. Registration and payment will be accepted online and at the door. For more information or to register, contact Jennifer Zwirn at 401.421.4111 ext. 102 or jzwirn@jewishallianceri.org.
Jere Doyle is an estate planning strategist for BNY Mellon Wealth Management and a senior vice president of BNY Mellon. He has been with the firm since 1981. Jere provides wealthy individuals and families throughout the country with integrated wealth management advice on how to hold, manage, and transfer their wealth in a tax efficient manner.
Jeremiah W. Doyle, IV
Speaker courtesy of
Class, the show he hosts?), is more than a handsome face you’ve seen on TV. In addi-
tion to his job as instructor at Johnson & Wales, he’s worn the chef’s hat in various milieus. A schoolteacher, a restaurateur, a caterer, a corporate chef, a multiple award winner and medalist, a prestigious society inductee, a competition judge and a cookbook author – the list goes on. Did we mention that he’s also a grilling and smoking expert? Who knows, maybe some of the skills will rub off on you as you rub shoulders with the great. Don’t miss your chance to meet the man who’s been inducted into the Escoffier Society numerous times.
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April 10, 2015 |
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Rhode Islanders attend J Street national conference BY LIZ HOLLANDER
PHOTO | STEVE KRUBINER, NATIONAL J STREET STAFF
Back (left to right): Dan Kohl (National Board J Street), Zachary Blumenstein (J Street U Brown), Judy Kaye (co-chair), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sam Rubinstein (J Street U Brown), Alan Solomont (National J Street board), Gerry Tyler. Front (left to right) Cantor Elliot Tubman, Doris Donovan, Dana Del Bonis, Liz Hollander(co-chair), Susan Sklar, Bruce Phillips. Not pictured: Sara Rapport. munity in Rhode Island gives voice to diverse perspectives on the Israeli/Palestinian confl ict. In fact, three more groups recently launched in this area– two whose views are to the right of J Street and one whose positions are to the left. This attests to the robustness of the discourse in our small state.” On the last day of the conference we participated in Advocacy Day, visiting with Representative David Cicilline, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and the
legislative assistant for Senator Jack Reed. (Representative James Langevin, who has met with us in the past, was not able to schedule an appointment.) We urged their support for a two-state solution and for limiting the growth of settlements, as well as for continuing the nuclear weapons negotiations with Iran. Many of us were disturbed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s weak commitment to the formation of a Palestinian state, expressed
at the end of Israel’s recent political campaign. But by the end of the conference, we were reenergized to work for a peaceful solution that would secure Israel’s future. LIZ HOLLANDER is co-chair of J Street R.I. , serves on the JCRC and the Israel Task Force of the JCRC. She is also an active member of Temple Beth-El in Providence and Hevreh of the Southern Berkshires.
Mapping Rhode Island a love (sometimes) story in maps
“Maps are more about their makers than the places they describe. Map who you are. Map where you are. Fill the map with a story, or paint your favorite cup of coffee. Map the invisible. Map the obvious. Map your memories.” Submissions will be used to create the exhibit Mapping Rhode Island.
To learn more, and to download your map, visit jewishallianceri.org. To request a printed copy of the map, contact Erin Moseley at 401.421.4111 ext. 108 or emoseley@jewishallianceri.org.
Important Dates for Mapping Rhode Island Submission Deadline: April 13, 2015 Gallery Opening: April 23, 2015 @ 7:00pm The exhibit will be on display in gallery (401) through May 28, 2015
culture
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support their efforts. The other initiative focused on how fi nancial gifts to Israel are allocated. Stav Shaffir, the youngest member to serve in the Israeli Knesset, made headlines when she discovered that the government kept a separate, secret budget funneling taxpayer money to settlements beyond the Green Line without public knowledge or debate. Similarly, U.S. donors to Israel want to know where their funds are going. J Street R.I. and J Street U Brown will be following up with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island to clarify its stance on support for these settlements. The conference also made a point of respecting other viewpoints on these issues. Judy Kaye, co-founder and co-chair of J Street R.I. said she “was proud to tell other conference attendees that the Jewish com-
401 ( y r e l gal
On March 21, nine Rhode Islanders joined more than 3,000 people in Washington, D.C. at the fi fth and largest J Street National Conference. J Street is a pro-peace, pro-Israel organization that supports a two-state solution to the Israel/Palestinian confl ict. J Street U Brown and Brown RISD Hillel also sent a delegation of 11 students. Among the distinguished keynote speakers were former Secretary of State James Baker and current White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough. Both stated clearly and without hesitation their support for a two-state solution, as well as their belief in the possibility of successful Iran negotiations. We Rhode Islanders were impressed by the Israeli Knesset members, seasoned negotiators for the PLO and U.S., and citizens from Gaza and the West Bank talking about the realities of their daily lives and their aspirations for peace. As delegation member Doris Donovan pointed out, “The main theme was that the outlines of a peace plan are clear to everyone, that it is possible to have two states for two peoples, and that if we don’t fi nd the courage to do this soon, Israel will not be able to survive as a Jewish, democratic state.” Two main initiatives came out of the conference, both of which are likely to impact Jewish institutions in R.I. One is a campaign to promote the use of Israel maps that clearly show the location of the Green Line— the 1949 Armistice line dividing Israel from the Palestinian territories—in synagogues, day schools, and other communal organizations. Several speakers from the Knesset talked about the need to provide accurate information about Israel’s occupation of the territories to both Israeli and diaspora Jews, and they explicitly asked us to
arts&
Inspired by the book Mapping Manhattan by Becky Cooper 401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI
FOOD
14 | April 10, 2015
The Jewish Voice
Celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut with homemade pita bread BY DAHLIA ABRAHAM-KLEIN (The Nosher via JTA) – In the ancient world, bread was usually made by using a type of sourdough starter. A little bit of raw dough was set aside, unbaked, in a cool, shaded place. This dough was then used as the leavening agent for the next week’s bake. Preparing leavened bread required the use of old matter; a bacterial culture that was continuously fermenting in an unbroken chain of bread baking with no beginning and no end. Perhaps this is why God demands that our cleansing each spring be total; we need to break all the chains that fetter us to the past. We must clear all the old from the house to make way for the new. The ancient Hebrew word for leaven, or yeast, is se’or. There are no coincidences in the Hebrew language, and often there are multiple meanings within one word. The root of the word lehash’ir, which means to leave behind, is se’or. We can see this as an allusion to the Passover theme of leaving the past behind to start a new beginning. The “chain” of sourdough starter that was used constantly can be seen as a metaphor for the chains of slavery. The plainness and simplicity of matzah can be reinterpreted as a clean slate, the new beginning of the freed slave. Although pita is leavened, as a flatbread, it is similar to the Yemenite and Iraqi matzah, which is soft rather than crisp like typical Ashkenazi and Sephardic matzah. The circular shape can serve as an illustration of renewal, as we move through the cycle of the year to re-enter the spring season once more and, with it, the beginning of the Jewish year. This recipe appears in Dahlia’s new book “Spiritual Kneading Through the Jewish
with a lot of weight behind it, push the newly folded half into itself. Repeat this process for 1015 minutes or until the dough is smooth, silky, elastic and does not stick to the surface. After the dough is thoroughly prepared, grease the large bowl with a fine layer of oil, turning the dough in the oil several times so that the dough is greased lightly on all sides. Cover the bowl with a large plastic garbage bag or kitchen towel and allow it to rise for 40 minutes. Knead the dough again for a few more minutes and then divide the dough into 30 balls. Use the remaining flour for the surface area and hands to prevent sticking. Roll each piece into a 6-inch (15 centimeters) pancake. Cover with kitchen towel and let them rise again in a warm place for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C) with a cookie sheet on the oven’s bot-
HEALTH TIP Months: Building the Sacred Through Challah.”
Homemade Pita Bread Ingredients
4 tablespoons active dry yeast 4 cups (1 liter) warm water 2 tablespoons sugar 5 pounds (2.25 kg) flour 2 tablespoons sea salt 2/3 cup (150 ml) neutral-tasting oil, such as safflower oil
Preparation In a large bowl, combine the yeast with the 2 tablespoons of sugar and the warm water. Cover the bowl and allow the mixture to start activating. Yeast activation should take about 10 minutes; it will be bubbling and foamy. Set 1 cup (125 g) of flour aside.
THE VOICE IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD RECIPES We want your treasured family recipes!
Do you have a recipe that you’ve been preparing for years? Perhaps it’s a kugel that your mother taught you to make because her mother taught her to make it.
Or maybe you have always baked Aunt Hazel’s apple cake
tom rack. The hot cookie sheet will facilitate the pita baking process. Place approximately 6 pitas on the hot cookie sheet, separating each pita by 2 inches (5 centimeters). Bake on the bottom rack for 3-4 minutes, flip over and then bake for another 2 minutes. You want the pitas puffed and lightly colored, not browned. Continue this process in batches until all pitas are baked. If the pita puffs up once out of the oven, gently pierce it with a fork. Wrap the pitas in a towel till they are cool, then store in plastic bags until ready for use. You can store in the freezer for up to 2 months to retain freshness. THE NOSHER food blog offers a dazzling array of new and classic Jewish recipes and food news, from Europe to Yemen, from challah to shakshuka and beyond. Check it out at TheNosher.com.
for the holidays and everyone can’t get enough of it. When you have the family over for dinner, do they always ask for the same roast chicken? We hope you will share these and more with our readers. We are collecting these family gems for future food articles. Please send the recipe and any stories you might have to share with that recipe to editor@ jewishallianceri.org. You can also mail the information to The Jewish Voice, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. Please make sure the ingredients and instructions are clearly written and include your name and phone number.
Sift the remaining flour and salt into the bowl. With a spatula, combine the ingredients. Once the ingredients come together as dough, it is time to knead. At this point, you can remove the dough from the bowl and knead on the kitchen counter if it’s easier for you, or directly in the bowl. To knead the dough: Grab the side of the dough farthest away from you and fold it toward yourself. Fold the dough in half and use your body weight to push the dough into itself. If you find that the dough is sticking too much to the surface and preventing you from kneading properly, dust some flour on the dough. Give the dough a quarter turn (90 degrees). Grab the other side and fold it in half. Again,
Mushrooms make fast and easy sides STATEPOINT – If you have only a few minutes to put together a meal, mushrooms are perfect addition for great flavor and minimal fuss. The key is choosing the right mushrooms and herbs to suit your available time. Only five minutes and no stove? Pair mushrooms like white buttons, cremini or truffles with herbs like parsley, chives, tarragon or cilantro, to create a fresh salad or a relish to top on crostini, soup or baked potatoes. Only 15 minutes and a stovetop? Mix fresh herbs like oregano, marjoram or sage with chanterelles, morels or oyster mushrooms with olive oil. Warm over a stove and in minutes you will have delicious sautéed mushrooms.
Staying active at work Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking and learning skills sharp. It also causes the body to release endorphins; these chemicals can give rise to feelings of pleasure. Staying active at work can be done easily; small changes can make a great impact. Try out some of these strategies: • Park farther from the building and get a nice walk in before work. • Replace a 10-minute coffee break with a 10-minute brisk walk. • Take the stairs. • Walk down the hallway to speak with someone rather than using the phone. • Stand or walk while taking a phone call. • Have “walk-meetings.” EDITOR’S NOTE: A health tip from the employee wellness team at the Jewish Alliance: Angela Sullivan, Andrew McKeon and Caroline Casey.
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April 10, 2015 |
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Mezuzah restrictions, anti-Semitism, and the definition of a doorpost BY KARA MARZIALI kmarziali@jewishallianceri.org Did you know that some condominium associations may have the right to keep a homeowner from posting a mezuzah at the doorway entrance? It happened to Barbara Cadranel of Stratford, CT. In 2012, she received a stern letter from her condo association demanding that she remove the mezuzah from her doorpost or pay a fi ne of $50 per day. According to the rules of the association, residents at this particular condo complex could place anything they wanted on their doors, just not on the doorpost. What the condo association failed to recognize – we’ll blame it on ignorance – is that the Torah specifically states that a mezuzah must be placed on the doorpost (Deuteronomy 6:9, 11:20). In fact, the Hebrew word “mezuzah” means doorpost. Many who sided with Cadranel saw the restriction as antiSemitic, while others saw it as violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. Either way, a lawsuit was fi led and the doorway drama began. This particular condominium association has since reversed its decision to prohibit mezuzot on the doorposts of residents’ units, and the matter has been resolved. However, similar occurrences have led to “mezuzah laws” in Texas, Illinois and
Florida. This is precisely why the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island recently introduced legislation at the General Assembly, where Representative J. Aaron Regunberg is the primary sponsor, and Representatives Mia A. Ackerman and Edith H. Ajello are cosponsors. Marty Cooper, director of the Community Relations Council, said he fi rst heard of this potential problem when a member of the Jewish community brought up the issue. “After considerable research, I discovered that Jews in Illinois, Florida and Texas were forced to seek legislation by their municipalities and states to override condominium bylaws. T h i s was done in each case after lengthy court battles and legal fees. The legislation we are introducing,” said Cooper “is a proactive measure to prevent legal fees, court issues and angst. It will assure Jews the right to hang a mezuzah on their doorpost regardless of where they
Summer J-Camp
live.” Testimony for the bill was heard on April 1 in the Judiciary Committee. Rabbi Barry Dolinger of Congregation Beth Sholom in Providence spoke about the significance of the mez u z a h and the mandate that it be placed directly on a doorpost. Dolinger also mentioned that he personally has heard of 21 reports where condominium owners were not allowed to place a mezuzah on their doorway entrance. In each case, he was able to persuade the management of the condominium association to make an exception. Moreover, he added that legislation would reduce the number of inquiries and significantly reduce anxiety levels of the condominium owner. “This isn’t just a matter of religious freedom,” remarked Cooper. “It’s about preserving our dignity as Jews and educating others about our mitzvot.” A similar bill introduced by Senators Joshua Miller and Gayle L. Goldin will be heard later in the session. Senators Miller and Golden (along with Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis) are also sponsoring anti-Semitism legislation. A similar resolution, sponsored MEZUZAH | 31
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June 22 - August 21 2015
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Suzanne Carcieri, Margherite Garrahy, Andy Moffit, Marjorie Sundlun, Dorothy Licht and Marilyn Almond
First Gentleman Andy Moffit Recognizes Former First Ladies of Rhode Island PROVIDENCE, R.I. – On April 7, 2015, Gina Raimondo’s husband First Gentleman Andy Moffit met with former Rhode Island First Ladies – Marilyn Almond, Suzanne Carcieri, Margherite Garrahy, Dorothy Licht and Marjorie Sundlun to recognize their important roles. “Together, these remarkable women have a combined 32 years of experience in the role of First Lady and they all made a significant mark on Rhode Island,” said Moffit. “I am very pleased that I was able to have the opportunity to learn from them each of them and hear about the distinct opportunities and challenges they faced.” After a conversation with the former First Ladies where they shared their experiences with Moffit, he presented citations in the Governor’s State Room to acknowledge their contributions to Rhode Island.
Mrs. Dorothy (Dottie) Licht, First Lady of Rhode Island 1969 - 1973
Camp K’Ton: ages 2 - 3
Mrs. Licht is a strong supporter of education, the arts, and less fortunate Rhode Islanders. She established a lecture series intended to bring newsmakers and prominent public affairs speakers to Brown University. Mrs. Licht served as an Honorary Board Member of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and is a former member of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and the New England Foundation for the Arts.
Camp Yeladim: ages 3 - 5
Camp Haverim: grades K - 6
Counselors-In-Training (CITs): grades 7 - 10
Visit jewishallianceri.org for more information or contact Member Services at 401.421.4111 or memberservices@jewishallianceri.org.
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401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 | 401.421.4111 | jewishallianceri.org
Mrs. Margherite Garrahy, First Lady of Rhode Island 1977 - 1985
Mrs. Garrahy recognizes the importance of supporting the organizations in our community that we all depend on. Her contributions to the St. Patrick Parish school attended by her
late husband and brother in law led to the development of St. Patrick Academy and have encouraged students to continue a faith-based legacy of service.
Mrs. Marjorie Sundlun, First Lady of Rhode Island 1991 - 1995
Mrs. Sundlun is dedicated to improving the lives of all Rhode Islanders. Her resolve in overcoming personal challenges and fi rm commitment to others has inspired those around her to engage in meaningful public works. Mrs. Sundlun was recognized with the Robert “Cy” Killian Humanitarian Award by the Big Brothers of America.
Mrs. Marilyn Almond, First Lady of Rhode Island 1995 - 2003
Mrs. Almond is a strong advocate for improving the quality of life in Rhode Island. She took an active role in public health policy during her tenure as First Lady. Her commitments to the State were recognized with the creation of a scholarship fund in her name at the University of Rhode Island. Mrs. Almond has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Rhode Island.
Mrs. Suzanne (Sue) Carcieri, First Lady of Rhode Island 2003 - 2011
A former teacher, Mrs. Carcieri has worked to inspire students and expand access to quality education opportunities, especially in scientific fields. She has also worked to promote healthy living in Rhode Island. Mrs. Carcieri has served as a member of the National Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free initiative, an honorary co-chair of the Worksite Wellness Council of Rhode Island and an honorary member of Rhode Island Women in Higher Education.
16 | April 10, 2015
ARTS
The Jewish Voice
An afternoon at the movies BY HOWARD BROWN
Kids’ Tickets $15!
Ages 2-12. Limit of four (4) kids’ tickets with purchase of a full-price adult ticket. Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. Subject to availability. Excludes premium seats.
APR. 30 – MAY 3
DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER PROVIDENCE GOOD ONLY
Fri. MAY 1 H 7:00 PM Sat. MAY 2 H 7:00 PM Sun. MAY 3 H 7:00 PM
313170
Buy Tickets: Ticketmaster.com • 800-745-3000 Venue Box Office #RinglingBros
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On March 22, more than 40 people attended an afternoon of films sponsored by Congregation Beth David (CBD), Narragansett, and pro-Israel StandWithUs/RI. One of the two movies that StandWithUs RI chapter contributed is “Forgotten Refugees.” Originated by The David Project, this film tells the littleknown story of the one million Jewish refugees forced from their homes in Arab lands after the establishment of the Jewish State. These refugees, known as mizrahi, or “from the east,” settled largely in Israel and make
up about one-half of Israel’s population today. The film contains not only many first-hand interviews, but also plentiful historical video footage. Alyse Teitelbaum, StandWithUs/RI, answered the question of numerous attendees – why this story is not more widely known. She explained that Israel has had a history of weak hasbara, or public relations, as discussed at a February public program sponsored by StandWithUs/RI at the Dwares JCC. Following a break, CBD showed “The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life,” the documentary about Holocaust survi-
vor Alice Herz-Sommer. At age 109 in the film, she tells the story of how music saved her life during her time at Theresienstadt concentration camp and in the years afterward. Commenting on the cooperative program, CBD President Harris Chorney said, “Glad we could do it. It was a good afternoon.” StandWithUs/RI chapter is a nonprofit pro-Israel education advocacy organization and can be reached at StandWithUsRI@ gmail.com. HOWARD BROWN is a North Kingstown resident and StandWithUs/RI volunteer organizer.
COMMUNITY
thejewishvoice.org
April 10, 2015 |
17
‘WIESENTHAL’ BY IRINA MISSIURO imissiuro@jewishallianceri.org Can a slim 53-year-old Irish Catholic with a full head of hair convincingly portray a stocky 92-year-old balding Jew? If that seems improbable, add to the challenge an Austro-Hungarian dialect and a shaky tremor. If your answer is “highly unlikely,” think again. Tom Dugan, who wrote and stars in “Wiesenthal,” does just that. He knows that the illusion is successful because, when he returns to the stage for a Q-andA, the audience assumes he’s a janitor. To reach mastery over his character, Dugan not only completely overhauls his appearance – by shaving his head, wearing a padded suit and putting on old-age makeup – but also transforms his speech with the help of a dialect coach. To mirror the Nazi Hunter’s gestures and to illustrate the feebleness of age, Dugan wipes his eyes with a handkerchief, steadies himself by pulling on furniture and struggles to maintain balance. Dugan, who grew up in Winfield Township, New Jersey, and studied theater at Montclair State University, has been acting professionally for a quarter of a century. Having written plays for the past 15 years, he’s known for his six one-man shows, one of which is a onewoman show and the most famous of which is “Wiesenthal.” In fact, it is so popular that PBS is creating a special with the same title. Dugan decided to write the play to honor his father’s participation in World War II. A Langenstein-Zwieberge concentration camp liberator and recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, Dugan’s father served as inspiration. In addition, Dugan says that he wanted to carry on Wiesenthal’s message of tolerance, which hits a strong chord with him. He chose this particular format because of the intimacy which the dialogue creates, stimulating the audience’s imagination. Dugan’s ability to affect is evident in interviews conducted right after the performance. One viewer explains his appreciation of the play by saying that “the show gives words for people who still have a hard time talking about [the Holocaust].” By watching the spectators’ reactions, the actor is able to fi ne-tune his craft, keeping the show fresh. He says that the audience’s response constitutes the most surprising element of the play. Dugan had no idea how potent the piece would turn out. It’s not unusual for him to receive letters from people who saw the show five years ago and now want to share its effect. Dugan sees the sustainability of the message as a measure of success. He is not the only one who recognizes the value of “Wiesenthal.” In March, Dugan
received a letter informing him that he is the newest recipient of Seton Hall University’s Sister Rose Thering Humanitarian Award. While he’s proud of the honor, Dugan didn’t envision the play for the accolades. He is a strong believer in following his parents’ generation in its quest to keep youth informed about the past. Dugan says, “It’s incumbent on us to pass on those lessons.” Of course, the challenge is that his generation didn’t experience the Holocaust. That’s why he wrote the play – to make horrid and foreign stories palatable to young people, who are easily bored. Like Wiesenthal, he uses humor to achieve this feat. Dugan set the show in Wiesenthal’s office on the day of his retirement. Because the survivor was captivating, thousands of teens from around the world visited him to hear the tales. During the play, the audience becomes a fi nal group of visitors, absorbing his knowledge and reacting to his wartime suffering. Dugan hopes that his performance captures Wiesenthal’s skill of keeping youth engaged despite the darkness of his message. So far, this has been the case. Dugan says that the audience doesn’t start out enthusiasticly, given the subject matter, but end up on their feet, cheering, by the end of the performance. He tells about a Goth girl he noticed in the fi rst row during a matinee. Observing her initial negative demeanor, he said to himself, here’s one audience member I’m not going to reach today. To his surprise, the girl came back for the evening show and, this time, brought her family along. Dugan thinks that the topic appeals to those who consider themselves a minority. After all, Wiesenthal’s message was universal. He didn’t just fight for the Jews. He fought for the gypsies, the homosexuals, the mentally ill – all the underdogs. To prepare for writing, Dugan started his research at the Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles in 2007. Just as Wiesenthal spent 60 years gathering evidence of the Nazis’ atrocities, Dugan gathered evidence of Wiesenthal’s heroism. By ’08, he had read enough archives to begin “workshopping” with Jenny Sullivan, the director. The two of them forged a means to bestow hard, essential information in an entertaining manner. Consider what the playwright and the director had to work with: their only character is a man who survived the unthinkable – Hitler’s genocide – and dedicated his life to preventing any future occurrence of it. In an interview, referring to the way the Holocaust changed people, Wiesenthal says, “We [lost] every [belief] in humanity and friendship and justice.” Despite his incarceration in a concentration camp, separation from his wife and loss of 89 fam-
The facts: The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford is presenting “Simon Wiesenthal”on Holocaust Memorial Day There is a free The Z’s preperformance book club discussion of “Branded on My Arm and in My Soul, a Holocaust Memoir” by Abraham W. Landau.
When:
Thursday, April 16 8:00 p.m.
Where: 684 Purchase St., New Bedford, Mass. 508-994-2900 Call Tickets: $20/$25/$29
ily members, Wiesenthal maintained hope and the will to live to correct the injustices. In “Genocide,” a 1982 documentary, he explains his perseverance with his quest. When journalists question him as to why he keeps tracking the Nazis, having discovered 1,100 of them already, Wiesenthal responds that he cannot close the office because it is the last office. Along the same lines are Sir Ben Kingsley’s recollections of his meeting with Wiesenthal in preparation for “Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story.” In an interview, the
actor remembers seeing documents on Wiesenthal’s walls, proof of atrocities about which the survivor said, pointing, “This is blood turned to ink.” To carry on the memory of those lost lives, Dugan continues performing. In doing his research, he found himself having a hard time reading the material. The more he learned about the Jews’ experiences, the more breaks he had to take. The horrors overwhelmed him, forcing him to seek refuge in innocence. Dugan would put the books down to sit on the floor with his two young Jewish sons
(he married a Jewish woman). As he would hold the kids on his lap, he would slowly start to refocus his thoughts on the good – on feeling grateful for the fact that his kids were born now and not then. Yet, after a dose of sunshine, Dugan would go back to the gloom to ensure that it never happens again. A note he reads during the play explains clearly why Wiesenthal continued his search and why Dugan fi nished his play. “Do not pity me. Now that you have read this letter, I am no longer dead. I live in your heart. Please promise that you will never forget me.” IRINA MISSIURO is a writer and editorial consultant for The Jewish Voice.
Classic
30th Annual Dwares JCC
GOLF
Monday, June 8, 2015
Dwares Learn more at jewishallianceri.org.
Rhode Island
Funds raised from this event will: • help support life-enriching programs and services; • ensure strong Jewish identities for the next generation; • provide education and programs for families with young children; • and make scholarships available for our Early Childhood Center, J-Camp, and J-Space after school programs at the Dwares JCC. For information contact Hillary Schulman at 401.421.4111 ext. 127 or hschulman@jewishallianceri.org.
18 | April 10, 2015
The Jewish Voice
NEED A REASON TO RETIRE TO MASSACHUSETTS? ORCHARD COVE CAN GIVE YOU 5 OF THEM.
Comfort is important. That’s why you live in Rhode Island. As you grow older, you may want more in your life. Closer friends. Better health care. A safe and secure environment. Orchard Cove, in nearby Canton, Massachusetts, offers another choice for independent living with everything you want. 3 Welcoming atmosphere just 30 minutes from Providence, featuring amazing, diverse people and a wealth of creative and intellectual activities. 3 Wellness programs, including Vitalize 360, a customized approach to wellness for each resident. SM
3 Maintenance-free lifestyle with no more shoveling, raking or mowing. 3 First-class health care from on-site Harvard Medical School-affiliated geriatricians. 3 The experience of Hebrew SeniorLife, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to redefining the experience of aging.
Join us for lunch at our beautiful community! For details or to arrange a tour, call 781-821-1730 or visit OrchardCoveLife.org.
At Orchard Cove, we celebrate diversity and welcome members of all races, faiths, ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations.
SENIORS
thejewishvoice.org
April 10, 2015 |
19
An active lifestyle means happiness for this senior Phyllis Solod, volunteer extraordinaire BY IRINA MISSIURO imissiuro@jewishallianceri.org Phyllis Solod is happiest when she is keeping busy. Not one to lounge in front of a TV, this senior prefers to be out and about – socializing, helping and volunteering – anything but being sedentary and alone. As of late, however, she has been battling some health issues – an unfortunate circumstance that has somewhat impeded her activity, but has not put a damper on her energy. Luckily, with a little help from her friends, who are happy to lend a hand, Solod has been able to maintain her involved lifestyle. Having had surgery on her rotator cuff in late December – her 17th operation – Solod is currently undergoing occupational therapy to restore full movement to her arm. She’s no stranger to discomfort, having experienced a bone transplant to save a fi nger 40 years ago. An optimist, she says that she’s already observed much improvement in her arm. Solod is impatient to heal because she is an extremely lively senior who is used to helping others, not depending on them. She wants to resume her usual routines that include driving her grandkids to appointments and volunteering wherever she feels she is needed. Two of her grandchildren live in Warwick, and four reside in Tel Aviv. Solod is excited about an upcoming opportunity to see the Israelis, who are arriving in two months to visit for a couple of weeks. Then, in the fall, she will travel to their home. Solod is looking forward to spending time with her family because, after 10 years of cohabitation, her daughter and grandchildren recently moved out of her home to live on their own. All of a sudden, she’s having dinners on her own, and her house is quiet…until the children come to visit. Solod has always loved crowds of relatives. Growing up, she was one of four kids. Now her sister is no longer alive. One brother lives in Massachusetts and another in Chicago. Solod has been a widow for 23 1/2 years. You can tell that Arthur, her husband, meant a lot to her by the way she speaks about him. She emphasizes that “half” even in the number of years they were married – 27 and a half. Solod tells the story of their engagement. When she was 24 and he was 26, she wouldn’t give him her hand in marriage until he made a phone call to her father asking for it. Even though their parents did business together – his family was in cotton batting, and her father was an upholsterer – the kids met on their own at a square dance at the Worcester JCC. When the groom wanted to elope, Solod refused, choosing to move to New York instead and work for
Phyllis Solod Macmillan Publishers. Dissatisfied with sharing a tiny one-bedroom apartment with her sister, Solod returned to Worcester, where she found a job with Corrugated Box Company. After they married, her husband wanted to see what life in California was like, so they moved. Unfortunately, Solod didn’t take to the west coast. In six months, the family relocated to Warwick, where she has lived ever since. Since the move, Solod has worked in various jobs, including an aide at Greenwood Nursing Home and magazine collator at Franklin Graphics. Her last paying job was for TruckAway, where she kept the books. Now retired, Solod recently celebrated her 75th birthday. To mark the occasion, her family took her to a nice dinner at Gregg’s, where she enjoys the salmon. On the topic of food, Solod pointed out that she never overindulges on carbohydrates such as pasta. While she doesn’t diet, she does stick to a healthy regimen, eating nutritious foods in moderation and exercising whenever she gets a chance. This month, the Warwick Beacon wrote an article on Solod’s following of the TOPS program (take off pounds sensibly.) Last year, she went on an all-expenses-paid trip to Milwaukee to represent Rhode Island as the state Queen at the program’s annual conference. The March issue of the TOPS magazine ran her photo – an accomplishment Solod takes pride in. After all, she not only lost 34 pounds, but also was able to go off her diabetes medication. To keep the weight off, Solod makes sure to walk around Wethersfield Commons, where she lives. Other ways in which she keeps busy include volunteering at The Phyllis Siperstein
PHOTO | IRINA MISSIURO
Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence. After teaching the residents mahjong for a couple of years, Solod now visits the facility to take part in its bingo game – a passion of hers for the past eight years. She also keeps young by mentoring children. Overseen by Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership, Solod reads with the kids, solves math problems, throws the ball and does arts and crafts. Because she
cannot drive yet, she has been feeling sad about not being able to spend time with them since her surgery. She also hasn’t been able to visit us here at The Voice, where her organizational skills and assistance have proven indispensible to Tricia Stearly, advertising manager. The fi ling she does at our office probably reminds Solod of her fi rst job at the Worcester Public Library. She fi rst started volunteering for the paper about six years ago, when she asked then-editor Nancy Kirsch if she could use some help. Now Solod relies on Barbara, a friend from TOPS, to bring her to the Dwares JCC, go shopping and run errands. When you help everyone else, people don’t mind helping you. Such is certainly the case with Solod. Always there for her friends and family, she has been on the receiving end lately. Assisting others is one of the reasons she, with Barbara’s help, attends TOPS meetings every Thursday. “If I can help somebody new, I go,” Solod says. “It’s very important to me because, even though I have been able to maintain my weight, it helps me discipline myself.” When asked to offer some advice to those struggling to stay in shape, she suggests eating from the food pyramid and exercising at least every other day. Solod makes it a point to walk for 10 minutes three times a day.
And most importantly, don’t Ilan Davis: deprive yourself – everyone I love J-Camp deserves a treat now and then. because weindulgence get to Solod’s favorite is playcake games! the apple she makes for Ta ma r i sk residents. W hen Ilan is in her injury prevented her from fi rst grade as she baking hamantaschen usually does at Purim, Solod bought three dozen from a local woman to share with her friends, many of whom she met while volunteering. Solod is thankful to them for expressing appreciation for her efforts. Not long ago, the Tamarisk residents enjoyed the interviews that Solod and Florence Katz had conducted with the facility’s staff and shared with everyone. In her free time, Solod likes to be entertained. She loves watching great movies, such as “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” playing cards and board games with her grandson Chris and traveling. Solod has ushered at the Providence Performing Arts Center for more than 20 years. She enjoyed meeting people and seeing musicals, including “South Pacific,” “Mama Mia” and “Carousel.” If you bump into her at the movies, theater or supermarket, take a minute to say thank you to this wonderful woman, who always places the needs of others above her own. IRINA MISSIURO is a writer and editorial consultant for The Jewish Voice.
20 | April 10, 2015
SENIORS
The Jewish Voice
Jewish seniors are not passed over BY RABBI ETHAN ADLER At this time of year, we celebrate Passover, which recalls the exodus out of Egypt and commemorates our freedom from slavery. For those of us who work and volunteer with the elderly population, we have come to understand that in many ways, the struggles of our seniors reflect the struggles of the ancient Israelites in Egypt. How, might you ask, can we compare the journey out of Egypt to the journey of the seniors? Many of our seniors spent years of freedom and independence in their youth, raising a family, working, driving and staying socially connected with their family and friends. However, as the heaviness of aging bears down on them, they experience the plagues of old age – multiple losses, grief overload, loss of independence, loneliness, boredom and helplessness; these are just some of the whipping lashes they receive as they manage their day-to-day living. The bondage they experience as their identity seems to vanish into oblivion, wears them down – no longer do they have the freedom to cook, drive, make independent choices and even perhaps continue to live with the ones they love. Now, while we at JSA do not have a Moses on staff, we do our best to facilitate miracles for our seniors. Our varied and diverse programs open for them a sea of opportunities, as we lead them away from the straights of aging. However, unlike the Angel
of Death that passed over the Israelite homes during the 10th plague, we do our best not to “passover” the needs of our Jewish seniors. We all recognize how vital it is to honor our seniors at this stage in their lives. Jewish Eldercare of Rhode Island (JERI) recognizes the importance of reaching out to our seniors to make sure they remain connected to their traditions and their community. This year, the staff of JERI has conducted nearly 35 mock Seders in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. While we did not walk 40 years in the desert to do these Seders, we did cover the entire state of Rhode Island, all in just under three weeks. And even though the dough did not rise for the Israelites as they left Egypt, our seniors rose to the occasion by singing along, listening to the story, enjoying the familiar Seder foods and even trying gefilte fish for the first time in their lives. Of course, the JERI program is not just about model Seders; it is much more. For members of the Jewish community who are shut-ins, facing hospital stays or residents of secular nursing homes and assisted living residences, remaining connected to the Jewish community can be quite a challenge. Thus, our outreach programs enlist a team of staff members and volunteers who realize that spirituality is critical to the happiness, and even emotional and psychological well-being of our elderly. Accordingly, JERI staff members regularly visit nursing home residents to observe
traditions and holidays, and to conduct religious services and programs. Additionally, JERI introduces nursing home staffs to Jewish observances, traditions and dietary customs so that they can be more responsive to the special needs of their Jewish residents. This is accomplished by both special workshops and holiday FYI distributions. We have worked with the staff at Shalom Housing by providing matzah during Passover for the meal site and connecting residents who need guidance with the rabbis at the JERI program. This is especially critical for unaffiliated members. This represents a true partnership among the agencies. At the To Life Center Adult Day Services, we offer weekly educational sessions along with holiday programming. At Tamarisk, I serve as Jewish spiritual coordinator and work hand in hand with Joanne in activities. Weekly Bible study is conducted along with educational workshops with Judaic themes. In addition, we offer a weekly healing service and oneon-one Hebrew instruction. We conduct High Holy Day services, and Yizkor services during our festival holidays. Several years ago, we even conducted an adult b’nai mitzvah class. One of the most important words in Hebrew is zachor, which means “to remember.” We have honored the memory of seniors from the former Jewish home by saying the Mourner’s Kaddish during the week of their yahrzeit. We also do this for those
Harry Bornstein is a volunteer at the To Life Center Adult Day Services. Tamarisk residents who have passed away as well as those in other facilities who have nobody to say it for them. The JERI program coordinates the names and provides them to Tamarisk each week to be said during the Shabbat services. Our program also is responsible for coordinating the volunteers for their weekly Shabbat services. One of the most productive partnerships that the JERI program has formed is with Jewish Family Service. Susan Adler, JERI director, envisioned that since we were training our volunteers under the CHAVER volunteer program, why not invite the volunteers of JFS to our trainings, as we share similar goals and even some of the same volunteers. Thus, CHAVER College was born. Three times a year we meet as a group – sharing a light breakfast, listening to a guest speaker and sharing volunteer experiences.
Yet, what the JERI program seems to do best is reach out with one-on-one visits. The bonds that are thus created are very special and unique. We send birthday cards, leave Judaica art in rooms, and respond to family visitation requests. In this way, the JERI program truly bridges the gap from the community that the seniors once knew to where they are today. Due to the myriad of services that JSA provides, such as Shalom Housing, the kosher food pantry, Tamarisk, To Life Center and the JERI programs, we honor our seniors. We try to make sure that we decrease the amount of bitter chrain they have to experience, and increase the amount of sweet haroset they can enjoy in their lives. And we didn’t make them look for the afikoman – we brought it right to their rooms. Why? Simply because they deserve it. We open our doors as an agency like we do for Elijah the prophet, and we welcome our Jewish seniors into our programs with an open heart. And so, we say Dayenu… enough already! Dayenu to their loneliness and isolation; Dayenu to their feelings of discontent and disconnection; Dayenu to their notion that life has lost its meaning. That is our haggadah – that is our telling. And may all our seniors go from strength to strength, looking forward to next year’s joyous, sweet and meaningful Passover. RABBI ETHAN ADLER is assistant director of Jewish Eldercare of Rhode Island and rabbi of Congregation Beth David in Narragansett.
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April 10, 2015 |
21
Driving into old age: How to stay safe BY PATRICIA HARWOOD, LICSW As a geriatric social worker, I am often asked how to speak to an aging loved one about driving and when it is time to limit or stop a senior from driving. My great-aunt Mae would have called this a “touchy subject.” When and how we talk to our aging loved ones about their ability to drive may make a big difference in how they respond to our concerns. Mae would say, “If you have concerns about someone who is drinking too much or is ignoring a health concern, you have to approach it from their point of view.” Showing empathy regarding the loss of independence or fear of becoming isolated is very important if you want them to listen to your concerns. Being able to offer alternative ways to get around by using public or senior transportation services, cabs or through friends and family will help to make the decision more palatable.
When is it time to hang up the car keys for good?
Age is certainly not the only indicator. We all know someone in their 90s who is in great health and cognitively sharp. If their vision and reflexes are good, there are no definite reasons for them to stop driving. Conversely, I’ve known folks in their early 70s whose diminished vision, cognitive abilities or mobility put them at much higher risk of having a car accident. Other factors, including medications such as sleeping pills, narcotics and anti-anxiety drugs could impair one’s ability to operate a vehicle.
What are some of the signs that indicate it is no longer safe to drive?
Dr. Gary J. Kennedy, a geriatric psychiatrist and director of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, sites six signs that it is time to stop driving. • Running stop signs or red lights. • Stopping at green lights or when there is no stop sign. • Getting confused at traffic signals. • Getting lost and calling family members for directions.
• Having accidents or sideswiping other cars when parking. • Hearing from friends and family who are concerned about a senior’s driving. If those indicators are not present, but you still have concerns about the senior’s ability to drive, what can you do? A A R P D r i v e r S a f e t y. o r g offers an on-line smart driver refresher cou rse. Topics include the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections, how to maintain proper following distance, why we need to reduce distractions and the effect of medications on driving. Some states offer insurance discounts to those who complete the course. If you feel your loved one needs to have a road assessment, there are many programs offered throughout Rhode Island. The Point, a resource for seniors and adults with disabilities, keeps an updated list of these driver safety programs and can be reached at 401-462-4444.
What are some common sense ways for seniors to limit their risk for accidents?
Kennedy lists the following restrictions as an alternative for those who are still able to drive safely but are at an advanced age. • Drive only in familiar places. • Stay off expressways. • Drive only within a certain radius of home. • Avoid driving at night and in bad weather. • Limit distractions by turning off the radio, avoiding conversations with passengers, and not using cellphones while driving. Finally, what can you do if your loved one is not willing to accept that he/she should limit or give up driving? This is when great-aunt Mae’s “touchy subject” becomes a po-
to our new ADVERTISERS! Orchard Cove Rabbi Franklin
tentially ugly subject. If you have tried to be empathetic to their feelings of loss and isolation and given them resources for alternative ways of getting around, and they still won’t budge, I have suggested that families enlist the help of the primary care physician. Not only could the patient’s driving put the patient’s safety at risk, but it could pose a public safety risk as well. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides reporting procedures for physicians who diagnose a mental or physical condition which will significantly impair the individual’s ability to drive safely. As a last resort, the physician can report the senior’s name and contact information to the medical advisory board within the DMV. This board would then decide whether to revoke the senior’s driver’s license. Transitioning from being the driver to the passenger is not easy, but with the support of family and friends and other transportation options, you will still be able to get out and stay active. To find out more about public transportation options, visit the Division of Elderly Affairs website at dea.ri.gov or call the Point at 401-462-4444. PA T R I C I A H A R W O O D , LICSW, is director of Older Adult Resources at Jewish Family Service. She can reached at patty@jfsri.org.
PHOTO | SUSAN ADLER
Pictured, left to right, Dina Melnikova and Melanie Duhamel.
Community service and so much more Melanie Duhamel, a senior at Hartwick College, in Oneonta, New York, offers the following comments on being a volunteer: “The main reason I started volunteering at the To Life Center Adult Day Services and The Louis and Goldie Chester Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry was because I was trying to fulfill a community service goal for school, but it turned into much more than that for me. It became a positive and enjoyable thing to fill my time with, and I looked forward to it every day. Volunteering has always been important to me and working with the clients, staff and other volunteers at the day center and the pantry opened me up to an entirely new population of people that I had never had the opportunity to work with. Each and every day was filled with laughter, stories, and fun, and I learned so many invaluable life lessons. “Through giving my time, I gained so much more than I ever imagined – friendships, a deeper sense of compassion and a better understanding of
just how much a smile can do for someone else. I’ve never met a group of people that has captured my heart so completely and I will always be grateful to have been a part of some of the amazing things that Jewish Seniors Agency does to give back to the community.” Susan Adler, director of the To Life Center Adult Day Services and the Kosher Food Pantry, commented on her time with Melanie, “Everyone at the To Life Center Adult Day Services and the kosher pantry truly enjoyed getting to know Melanie. She was an amazing asset while she was volunteering. Both the staff and clients truly fell in love with her and admired Melanie’s hard work and dedication. We all look forward to her return after graduation with her cap and gown on so we can kvell over our Melanie.” For information about the To Life Center Adult Day Services or the Kosher Food Pantry contact Susan Adler at 401-6215374 or sadler-jeri@jsari.org. Both programs are a partner agency of the Jewish Alliance.
22 | April 10, 2015
SENIORS
The Jewish Voice
Are you reaching for the right pain medication? STATEPOINT – The use of opioid painkillers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin is on the rise, and this trend is taking its toll. Opioids account for 46 deaths each day in the United States – more than any other drug. Is your pain medication the best option for you? Depending on the type of pain you’re experiencing and the duration of your expected treatment, the answer may be “no.” “Surprisingly, opioids are not very effective pain medications, and they can also have serious side effects,” says Dr. Donald Teater, medical adviser to the National Safety Council. Acute pain includes dental pain, back pain, renal colic pain (kidney stones), sprains and fractures. What may be surprising to some is that studies show a combination of overthe-counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen is more effective at relieving acute pain than opioids. Not only are opioids less effective than NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in particular instances, but they also are associated with more serious side effects. Some lesser-known side effects of opioids include gastrointestinal bleeding (more frequently associated with NSAIDs), rapid development of addiction, changes to the brain and cognitive abilities, driving impairment, increased risk of disability and decreased sex hormones.
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The elderly need to be particularly wary, as elderly adults taking opioids are at greater risk of having a cardiovascular event, have four times as many fractures as their counterparts not taking opioids and have an 87 percent greater risk of dying. If you’re prescribed an opioid pain medication, consider discussing alternatives with your doctor, particularly if you’re treating acute pain. Taking the minimum dose for as short a time period as possible can help reduce your risk. “Since opioids are often abused illicitly, it is good practice to lock your medicine cabinet and dispose of any leftover
medications properly when your course of treatment is over,” says Teater. “Drug takeback programs are the safest, most environmentally friendly way to clean your medicine cabinet.” For the latest information on painkiller efficacy and risks, visit nsc.org/rxpainkillers. The effects of your painkiller medication may be worse than the pain you’re actually treating. Take steps to treat pain as safely and effectively as possible.
There are lots of reasons for seniors to stay physically active, including bodily independence and quality of life. Here’s a list of key tips from the J-Fitness team at the Dwares JCC: • After getting clearance from you doctor, meet with a certified fitness professional to help you build a program for a positive lifestyle change. • Find what works for you, and do your best to stick to it. This could be anything from a Zumba class to working out on one of the various cardio machines or using the free weights. Whichever you choose, don’t hesitate to consult one of the fitness professionals in J-Fitness with any questions. • Consider swimming or taking an aqua aerobics class. The weightlessness of the water helps achieve a great workout while taking unwanted stress off the joints.
• Find a workout buddy. This will help keep you accountable and make your workouts fly by. Whether you’re a regular gym goer or apprehensive participant, fitness with a friend makes it fun! • Once you’ve established a routine, don’t be afraid to try new things. Your body will begin to adapt to the repetitive movements of exercise. This is why it is important to try new exercises or take a different fitness class to switch things up. • It is important to eat before you exercise – just enough to provide your body with energy but not so much to weigh you down or make you sluggish. An example of a pre-exercise snack might be a hard-boiled egg and a piece of fruit. Additionally, eating a well-balanced meal after you exercise will help you recover faster and leave you with a sense of fullness.
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April 10, 2015 |
23
Senior scams 101 Don’t fall prey to con artists BY IRINA MISSIURO imissiuro@jewishallianceri.org Are you over 60? (It’s OK to respond in the affirmative – no one can hear you.) Do you still pay for a landline? (So predictable!) Can you save a small forest by unsubscribing to all the junk catalogs you receive? (Why haven’t you done it yet?) Are your grandkids everything to you? (Obvious question, but there’s a point to be made.) If you fit this profi le, you could be a prime target for scammers. If you have ever fallen prey to a sting, you know how infuriating it is to fi nally learn the truth. However, don’t get upset or angry – educate yourself instead. Those who’ve never been duped might think that they’re too smart to get caught by the scammers’ phishing hook. What they don’t know is that the scammer boasts an advanced degree in crime to keep up with the educated public. Now that information can be easily accessed on the Internet, scammers must invent new ways to appear legitimate. To do that, they take a page out of the salespeople’s book. Crooks employ the same seemingly harmless tactics, including building excitement, creating a sense of urgency, approaching in a kind and friendly manner and being relentless. They just keep calling, don’t they? You’re a nice person, but you’re also prudent. Don’t start feeling bad for the poor telemarketer who is pressuring you to buy. More than likely, you’re dealing with a criminal who is trying to take advantage of you. When you say no, you’re not denying him bread and butter – you are protecting yourself. Scammers are not targeting you because you are part of the chosen people. They’re after your funds, which they suspect adds up to a substantial sum.
Yes, it’s in bad taste to count someone else’s money, but that doesn’t stop these people. Feel relieved that you don’t have much to lose? Not so fast – crooks don’t know that you’re a spender and not a saver – they didn’t do research on you. So even those who are less than well-off get scammed. Dubious? Just take a look at the figures – the older demographic is scammed to the tune of nearly $3 billion per year, according to a 2009 MetLife Mature Market Institute study. Not sure how to tell whether the person on the other end of the line is authentic? Here’s a crash course on battling the bad guys and identifying potential scams. You should always expect the best, but be prepared for the worst, right?
Scenario #1: Internet fraud
You have observed the emergence of some telltale signs that you are no longer 25. You think to yourself, if those housewives can fake it, so can I! Swayed by vanity, you make the impulsive decision to purchase some cheap Botox online. (Who has the funds to pay retail?!) What you don’t know, however, is that it’s a bad batch, and by the time you learn this, you’ll be hoping for droopy skin because what’s in store will be so much worse. Now, you obviously don’t have wrinkles, but the point remains – do not buy treatments and medicines from shady sources. In the best-case scenario, you’ll end up with a placebo; in the worst – you’ll be scarred for life. If you live, that is.
Scenario #2: Funeral/cemetery scam
You have recently lost a dear relative. In addition to mourning, planning the funeral and figuring out how to live, you now have to worry about falling victim to a scam. If you receive
phone calls from individuals claiming that the deceased owed them money, don’t just pay off the stranger – remember, most likely, this person is not tactless but malicious. Demand to see written proof, such as a notarized letter. That’s not all, unfortunately. Besides random people who probably found out about the death through a newspaper notice, beware of those who might try to profit from the expenses surrounding your tragedy.
Scenario #3: Disaster relief scam
A representative from a relief agency is contacting you regarding a donation of funds to help victims of the most recent flood/hurricane/tornado. Don’t worry about being rude or cruel when you say no. If politeness is that important to you, say no, thanks. But do refuse to play along. Donations for the latest natural disaster should not be solicited door-to-door or via a telemarketer. If you d o wish to help, contact the charity in question or the Red Cross directly.
Scenario #4: Grandparent scam
You pick up the phone and are greeted by a friendly voice, “Grandma, guess who?!” Now, your intuition tells you that something is off – don’t your grandkids call you “Bubbe?” But you are too excited that junior called without a reminder and gleefully respond, “Benjie?!” Now that this “grandson” has you by your heartstrings, he’ll proceed to confide in you – another fi rst! You’ll be so thrilled about the sudden intimacy that you’ll promise not only to keep the matter of his fi nancial crisis from his parents, but also to wire him some money right away. After all, who but grandma understands? Scammers,
apparently!
Scenario #5: You’re a winner!
You receive an authenticlooking check. You have won the Peruvian lottery! Finally, all of your prayers have paid off ! And you thought that you never win anything. Remember, that time when Mr. Horowitz next door won the neighborhood raffle? You were bitter and jealous. Well, now you can boast about your win to his face, the way he gloated to you all those years ago. If these are the thoughts running through your mind, stop. Don’t kill the messenger. You didn’t win anything. It’s illegal for Americans to enter a foreign lottery. Two days after you deposit your winnings and wire the amount required to cover duties and taxes, you will receive a notification from your bank that the lucky check was counterfeit. So, don’t rub it in Mr. Horowitz’s face just yet. These imaginary scenarios can go on indefi nitely. They’re fun, but in the interest of saving the environment, here’s the bare-bones essential advice on dealing with con artists.
What not to do:
Don’t give out personal information over the phone. Don’t be afraid to say no. Don’t make any “good faith” payments expecting to split a large sum of money. Don’t download any phony anti-virus programs. Don’t respond to “phishing” emails with updates or verifications of your information. Don’t invest in pyramid schemes. Don’t agree to pay fees to reassess your property value. Don’t expect a free house in
exchange for your property title. Don’t pay for trinkets to enter a contest. Don’t reveal your credit card verification code. Don’t allow anyone to bully you. Don’t forget – there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Don’t be a stranger to the Do Not Call Registry. Call 888-3821222 or log onto donotcall.gov to register your phone number. Don’t forget to edit the mail you receive by logging onto the Direct Marketing Association site, dmachoice.org. Choose to stop receiving mail from an entire category or from specific companies.
Do consult the following resources:
Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov, 202-326-2222 AARP Foundation ElderWatch: aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/income/elderwatch, 877-434-7598 National Consumers League: nclnet.org, 202-835-3323 RI Office of the Attorney General, 150 South Main St., Providence. The Consumer Protection Unit. Consumers@riag. ri.gov or 401-274-4400. IRINA MISSIURO is a writer and editorial consultant for The Jewish Voice.
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24 | April 10, 2015
ISRAEL
The Jewish Voice
The lessons are many as a teacher in Israel BY CHLOE J. NEWMAN From a recent conversation with a group of my fellow teaching volunteers, I have come to the realization that most Israeli teachers, administrators and staff (save for the school guard and ma i ntena nc e man) are female. Though CHLOE the extent of it NEWMAN feels exaggerated here, this cultural influence is not unlike in the United States, where, for example, public education jobs also tend to be low-paying and underappreciated. My other observations of the basic Israeli school framework have revealed many other parallels. But during my time volunteering in an Israeli elementary school, I have gathered quite a few striking differences from my own memories of going to school in the U.S. When I began teaching English here four days a week, I was nervous that my lack of “business casual” attire would be problematic. Luckily, the dress code at my school allows for far more expression than the conservative blouses and half-inch loafers of my memory. I am happy to get away with wearing nice jeans and a simple top, though it also means I am far less fashionable than the Israeli teachers. Flowing shirts
and flashy sweaters with bedazzled jungle cats, shimmering leggings and high-heeled boots are normal statements of our teachers’ wardrobes. Their makeup is equally stellar, with blue eyeliner and red lips – a must. And their hair is dark, thick and long (like all young women in Ashdod). I admire the independent spirit and selfdirected power of these Israeli women and that no one would dare challenge their qualifications as teachers based on their appearance. The kids, on the other hand, must wear shirts with their school insignia as a uniform. Classes of 30 or more sit closely around the tables of small classrooms, the walls of which are decorated with student work, pictures of the current Israeli leaders and Garfield the cat. But don’t let this facade of order fool you. I learned quickly the meaning of the word “balagan,” used to describe the “mess” of yelling, laughing, fighting, crying and overall drama that is the classroom’s natural state. Teachers have to be fierce to control the balagan, and this strict but motherly hard-love approach creates a strong emotional bond with the students. I felt this expectation immediately from many of my students, that we would push and pull in our struggle to teach them English, but always in it together. Between every two 50-minute periods, students charge through the halls and blast through the doors for an outdoor break. I happen to teach
my small group lessons in the hallway, meaning I am bombarded with enthusiastic greetings of my name being yelled, wacky smiles and flailing armwaves, and rushed hugs and high-fives as I bid the running kids off to recess. Since Israeli students don’t have a lunch at school, the first of these hafsekoht breaks also includes a “mid-morning snack.” Most popular, by far, is a homemade chocolate sandwich. Yes, it is exactly as it sounds – two slices of bread united by a generous portion of chocolate spread. Not that American potato chips and Hostess snacks are much healthier options, but the sugar demons still make for a challenging recovery of order. Especially in the city of Ashdod, where there was constant missile fire just last summer, I was surprised to find remarkably few emergency drills. Yet after being here, it somehow makes sense to let these realities vanish from school psychology. Securities like the bomb shelter in the basement of the gym, the locked gate that encloses the grounds and our school guard, who wields both the gate keys and a handgun at his hip, drift casually into the background of the daily noise, drama and overwhelming energy of the students. It is the teachers, however, who provide the greatest reassurance of safety through powerful emotional protection. Their strength, confidence and poise have become essential for the students to feel safe amid any
threatening situation. The Israeli teachers I’ve come to know and work with demonstrate a rare blend of highexpectations and compassion, planning and quick-thinking, while treating their students as both pupils and growing, emotional, individual human beings. It is an incredible task to pass such an abundance of both discipline and knowledge, and I’m impressed day in and out by the teachers’ contributions and dedication. Though my fellowship teaching at Renanim will conclude in June, I feel that I have already learned so much from these remarkable teachers, the staff and the school’s community as a whole. At first I was shy to ask for help, but the teachers were not afraid to make my business their own and encouraged me to feel com-
fortable asserting myself to get what I needed to succeed. I hope that the months to follow will only continue to help me become a more effective teacher as well as a leader…. And maybe someday I, too, can be a master of controlling the balagan. CHLOE J. NEWMAN grew up in Providence, attended The Wheeler School and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. While currently volunteering in Israel, Chloe continues to pursue her career in the arts. Her trip was partially funded with a travel grant from the Salmanson Fund established at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and with funds accrued through the Gift of Israel program.
2015 R.I. Law Day Student Essay Contest Offers $1,000 prize The Rhode Island Bar Association, the Rhode Island Judiciary and the Rhode Island Police Chief’s Association, with support from the Rhode Island Department of Education and Roger Williams University School of Law, are sponsoring the annual, 2015 Hon. Francis J. Darigan, Jr. Rhode Island Law Day Essay Contest open to 10th and 11th grade students in Rhode Island. The winning essay author receives a $1,000 Scholastic Award and an engraved trophy cup. This year’s topic choices are: 1) Children/Minors’ Rights in School;
2) Graffiti: Freedom of Expression or Vandalism; or 3) Bullying: Students’ Social Rights and Responsibilities. Entry forms, guidelines and information are available on the Bar’s website at ribar.com under: For the Public - Law Related Education - 2015 Rhode Island Law Day Information. The entry deadline is Friday, May 15, 2015 at 1 p.m. Direct questions to: Frederick Massie at the Rhode Island Bar Association: telephone: 401-421-5740 email: fmassie@ribar.com
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ISRAEL
thejewishvoice.org
Anish Kapoor’s chrome sculpture reflects its surroundings. FROM PAGE 2
| GARDEN
Isamu Noguchi, may be his finest creation. Nature, however, has been his ideal collaborator. Trees, hedges, vines and flowers abound, as do sweet aromas. Spring felt ever-present. Not only is the Israel Museum’s sculpture collection first-rate, each piece seems perfectly positioned to lead toward or away from its neighbor. Virtually all of my favorite old masters of modernism are well represented, from Rodin and Picasso to Moore and Marini to
FROM PAGE 1
Calder and Smith. Many younger artists have also been selected, including a number of Jews (or artists with Jewish roots), such as di Suvero, Lewitt, Serra and Shapiro. Kadishman, probably my favorite Israeli sculptor, provides a visual fanfare with Suspense, which resembles a precarious Hebrew letter. There may be only a few women artists, but with his portrayal of a mother and a child consumed by agony, Lipchitz has made Jewish experience uni-
April 10, 2015 |
25
PHOTOS | GEORGE GOODWIN
Composed of more than 10,000 bamboo poles and towering more than 50 feet, Big Bambú transformed the landsape of the Billy Rose Art Garden. versal (and vice versa). Far from being pedantic, however, the Billy Rose Art Garden can also be quite hip. Several stars of the international art scene are represented by new purchases and loans. A temporary environmental sculpture, Big Bambú, by Doug and Michael Starn, which had adorned the rooftop sculpture garden of the Metropolitan Museum in 2010, has been reconstructed here. As in New York, visitors are welcome to climb a curvi-
linear, thatched footway to its summit, then somehow find their way back to earth. A new sculpture towering above all others is by Anish Kapoor, an Indian-born and London-based artist. A shimmering, 16-foot stainless steel column resembling an hourglass, it is placed on the museum’s highest and widest plaza, named for Ida Crown. This sculpture, Turning the World Upside Down, is both an ab-
straction and reflection of everything and everybody around it. Through light, it magically embraces, embodies and exemplifies Israel. Amen. GEORGE GOODWIN, a member of Temple Beth-El in Providence, has edited “The Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes” for more than 10 years. An avid photographer, he took about 2,000 photos on his recent trip to Israel.
| INDEPENDENCE
Zionist Congress, led by Benjamin Ze’ev Herzl. And for the first time, we started making decisions as one people. But we were a nation without a land. Eventually, (after a lot of sacrifices, arguments, fights, attempts to annihilate us, and even a few wars) we made it clear to ourselves and to the world that we need our own state. Israel is the Jewish state. It doesn’t mean that all of the Jewish people have to live in the Jewish state, but it means that they can choose whether they want to or not. Sixty-seven years ago, our people, our nation without a land fought for their right to make decisions. During the war of independence, more than 6,000 people made the ultimate sacrifice. Some of them with no families straight from Auschwitz, some of them volunteers with families in the U.S. or Europe, and some of them were Sabras. After fighting against the Arab nations in 1947 and being victorious, we have shown ourselves that we did not forget the lesson of Passover. We will no longer be slaves. We will have the freedom of choice. We will have a place among the nations.
Gilor with his parents Baruh and Yaffa Meshulam. Today, 67 years later, we live with our own contemporary problems – our presidents, prime ministers, US-Israel relations, J-street, Stand with Us, right winged and left winged. Not much is new. Just like the
Shomer Ha’Tzair and the Revisionist party 118 years ago in the Zionist congress. But all of us are united by one important thing: Israel. It doesn’t matter if you agree with the government or not; we all want a better Is-
rael. We all want to see a better future. We all understand how important this piece of land is for us. So wherever we choose to live – the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceana or Israel –
we now know to be grateful for the choice that we have. Having said that, I would like to invite all members of the Jewish community of greater Rhode Island – affiliated and non-affiliated, observant and less-observant, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, J-Street, Stand with Us and anything else that I might have missed – to the Dwares JCC for two events celebrating Israel’s independence. The first event, Yom Ha’Zikaron (also known as Israel’s Memorial Day), will be held in the Board room on April 21 at 7:00 pm. We will offer our respect to the fallen soldiers of Israel who sacrificed their lives in order for us to have a choice. The second event is an Israelthemed celebration for Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Join us in the Social Hall on April 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for Kosher Israeli food, an Israeli band, pita baking, henna art, workshops and more! Wishing us all Yom Atzmaut Sameach, and many more to come, celebrating our freedom whether we are in Jerusalem or in Rhode Island!
26 | April 10, 2015
BUSINESS
The Jewish Voice
BUSINESS
thejewishvoice.org
April 10, 2015 |
Meet Ruth Porat, Google’s new CFO BY ANTHONY WEISS JTA – To the business press, the symbolism of Ruth Porat’s move from her position as chief financial officer of Morgan Stanley to her newly announced perch as Google’s CFO of the future couldn’t be more obvious – it represents a shift in power from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. And there’s no question that it’s a big deal when one of the most powerful women in finance decides that the grass – or at least the money – is greener on the other side of the country. But Porat’s career leap to the Mountain View, California, tech giant, starting May 26, also means that she is moving back home to the Bay Area, where she grew up. And a brief look at her family history reveals that the forces that led them to end up in northern California were nothing less than the defining events of 20th century Jewish history: the Holocaust and the founding of the State of Israel. Porat’s father, Dan, was born in 1922 in what is now Ukraine, and he later moved with his family to a shtetl in the Carpathian Mountains and then to Vienna, which is where they lived when the Anschluss of 1938 brought the Nazis to power. In a written memoir archived by the Center for Jewish History, Dan Porat recalls going to watch Hitler ride triumphantly into
PHOTO | GOOGLEPHOTOS.COM
the Austrian capital. Thanks to his strong grasp of Hebrew learned at cheder, he was able to escape to a kibbutz in British Mandate Palestine; the rest of his family was killed in the Holocaust. Dan Porat volunteered to fight in the British army. Meanwhile, Ruth Porat’s mother, Frieda, was born during her family’s voyage to Palestine and grew up there. She and Dan married in 1946, and he fought in Israel’s War of Independence. In 1954 they moved to England, where Ruth was born, so Dan could pursue his graduate studies in physics. Unwilling to live in England as a noncitizen and fearing that Israel was too dangerous for his family, Dan obtained a joint appointment at Harvard and MIT and moved the family to Boston when Ruth was two. However, the climate did not agree with Frieda.
“Frieda wanted to move back to Israel because she could not physically tolerate the New England climate,” Dan Porat wrote in his memoir. “I saw her suffer in the cold she was not used to and promised to bring her to a climate close to that of Israel.” In 1962, the Porats moved to Portola Valley, California, and Dan Porat went to work for the physics design team at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Frieda, in turn, pursued a career as a psychologist and organizational consultant, founding the Center for Creativity and Growth and writing several books, including “Creative Procrastination,” “Creative Life Management” and “Creative Retirement.” She died in 2012. Ruth Porat attended Stanford University as an undergraduate, as did her two siblings, and currently serves as
the vice-chair of the university’s board of trustees. She has worked at Morgan Stanley since 1987, with one interruption, and during the 1990s she was co-head of the firm’s technology investment banking group. A major Democratic donor, she was considered a potential candidate for deputy Treasury secretary in 2013, but she withdrew her name from consideration. In 2014, Porat and her husband, Anthony Paduano, established a post-doctoral fellowship in her father’s name for the study of physics at Stanford to honor his dogged and ultimately successful efforts over the years to complete his education, even taking correspondence courses while he served in the British army during World War II. While Porat may bring a wealth of experience from Wall Street to one of the world’s richest companies, her father has expressed the hope that his children will never be motivated by money alone. “One of the dangers of our times is materialism that leaves the soul empty and creates an illusion whereby higher consumption is equated with a better life,” Dan Porat, now 91, wrote in his memoir. “I hope my children and their children will not fall prey to this way of thinking.”
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SENIORS
The Jewish Voice
Five Questions about Long-Term Care What is long-term care?
Long-term care refers to the ongoing services and support needed by people who have chronic health conditions or d i s abi l it ie s. There are three levels BARBARA of long-term care: KENERSON • S k i l l e d care: Generally round-the-clock care that’s given by professional healthcare providers such as nurses, therapists or aides under a doctor’s supervision. • Intermediate care: Also provided by professional healthcare providers but on a less frequent basis than skilled care. • Custodial care: Personal care that’s often given by family caregivers, nurses’ aides or home health workers who provide assistance with what are called “activities of daily living” such as bathing, eating and dressing. Long-term care is not provided just in nursing homes – in fact, the most common type of long-term care is home-based care. Long-term care services may also be provided in a variety of other settings, such as assisted living facilities and adult day care centers.
Why is it important to plan for long-term care?
No one expects to need longterm care, but it’s important to plan for it nonetheless. Here are two important reasons: • The odds of needing longterm care are high • Approximately 70 percent of people will need long-term care at some point during their lifetimes after reaching age 65.* • Approximately 8 percent of people between ages 40 and 50 will have a disability that may require long-term care services.*
The cost of long-term care can be expensive:
For many, the cost of longterm care can be expensive,
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absorbing income and depleting savings. Some of the average costs in the United States for long-term care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Dec. 1, 2014, include: • $6,235 per month or $74,820 per year for a semi-private room in a nursing home • $6,965 per month or $83,580 per year for a private room in a nursing home • $3,293 per month for a onebedroom unit in an assisted living facility • $21 per hour for a home health aide
Doesn’t Medicare pay for long-term care?
Many people mistakenly believe that Medicare, the federal health insurance program for older Americans, will pay for long-term care. But Medicare provides only limited coverage for long-term care services such as skilled nursing care or physical therapy. And although Medicare provides some home healthcare benefits, it doesn’t cover custodial care, the type of care older individuals most often need. Medicaid, which is often confused with Medicare, is the joint federal-state program that two-thirds of nursing home residents currently rely on to pay some of their long-term care expenses. But to qualify for Medicaid, you must have limited income and assets, and although Medicaid generally covers nursing home care, it provides only limited coverage for home health care in certain states.
Can’t I pay for care out of pocket?
The major advantage to using income, savings, investments and assets (such as your home) to pay for long-term care is that you have the most control over where and how you receive care. But because the cost of long-term care is high, you may have trouble affording extended care if you need it.
Should I buy long-term care insurance?
Like other types of insurance, long-term care insurance protects you against a specific financial risk – in this case, the chance that long-term care will cost more than you can afford. In exchange for your premium payments, the insurance company promises to cover part of your future long-term care costs. Long-term care insurance can help you preserve your assets and guarantees that you’ll have access to a range of care options. However, it can be expensive, so before you purchase a policy, make sure you can afford the premiums both now and in the future. The cost of a long-term care policy depends primarily on your age (in general, the younger you are when you purchase a policy, the lower your premium will be), but it also depends on the benefits you choose. If you decide to purchase long-term care insurance, here are some of the key features to consider: • Benefit amount: The daily benefit amount is the maximum your policy will pay for your care each day; it generally ranges from $50 to $350. • Benefit period: The length of time your policy will pay benefits (e.g., 2 years, 4 years, lifetime). • Elimination period: The number of days you must pay for your own care before the policy begins paying benefits (e.g., 20 days, 90 days). • Types of facilities included: Many policies cover care in a variety of settings, including your own home, assisted living facilities, adult day care centers and nursing homes. • Inflation protection: With inflation protection, your benefit will increase by a certain percentage each year. It’s an optional feature available at additional cost, but having it will enable your coverage to keep pace with rising prices. Your insurance agent or a financial professional can help you compare long-term care insurance policies and answer any questions you may have.
* U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Dec. 1, 2014 BARBARA KENERSON is First Vice President/Investments at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC and can be reached at BarbaraKenerson.com.
SENIORS
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REMEMBER THE PAST From the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association
A Cantor Who Became a Star BY GERALDINE S. FOSTER A confession. I mourn the demise of the card catalogs, those sturdy oak cabinets once found in libraries large and small. Need to find an author, a book, information on a particular topic? A little white square on the front of each drawer advertised the alphabetical listing of its contents. Pull out the relevant drawer (it came totally out of the cabinet), et voila! The information you sought was there with pertinent data printed on the card. Stubby little pencils and strips of scrap paper were available for jotting down numbers or quick notes, just in case you did not come prepared. There was a bonus as well, an adventure, if you will. Often, while flipping the cards in search of a specific subject, an unfamiliar topic, author or book – an entry not related to your quest – caught your attention. Unexpected new vistas opened, new areas of interest to pursue. Let us also not forget the pleasure of spending time in the library in the company of stacks of books and knowledgeable librarians. Instead of exploring the treasures of the card catalogue, I now surf the web. Not as satisfying, but every so often I turn
up a nugget like this: “A rare, unpublished recording of the unjustly forgotten Ukrainian baritone Igor Gorin…” on you tube. Igor Gorin – a name once very familiar when radio was a main source of family entertainment and television was in its infancy. In those years, hour-long programs featured symphonic pieces and vocalists equally adept in operatic aria and classical song. Igor Gorin was a frequently featured artist. Igor Gorin, originally Ignatz Greenberg, was born in Grodek, Ukraine in 1904. His father, a rabbi, enrolled him in a yeshiva, where he showed an aptitude for liturgical music. The family left Grodek after the Russian Revolution and settled in Vienna, where they knew only hard times. The young man worked at a number of menial, often physically demanding jobs, but it did not diminish his love for music. He was 16 when he auditioned for a synagogue choir. Someone, hearing him sing, recommended him to a renowned teacher of voice. He was assigned to an instructor. After recovering from a bout of tuberculosis, Gorin received further musical training at the Vienna Music Academy and later became the head cantor of
Igor Gorin
Rabbi Jacob Sonderling
the Leopoldstrasse Synagogue. He also appeared in an opera. In 1930 Gorin, his name still Greenberg, was enticed into coming to the United States to serve as a cantor. He remained for two years, returned to Vienna, but left as he realized what the rise of Hitler would mean for the Jews of Austria as well as Germany. In the United States, Gorin began a new career as a soloist, appearing first at Radio City Musical Hall, then on radio, in operatic roles and even in mov-
ies. A bit of irony: he was the first hazzan (cantor) to sing “The Lord’s Prayer” at the request of the composer Albert Hay Malotte. So what was his connection to our history in Rhode Island? In 1929, Rabbi Jacob Sonderling was called to succeed Rabbi Morris Schussheim at Temple Beth Israel in Providence. (Rabbi Schussheim came back in 1933). Congregants remembered Rabbi Sonderling as a colorful, handsome figure, with a flair for the dramatic and an
interest in the role of music in the synagogue service. During a trip to Europe in 1930, Rabbi Sonderling was introduced to a young Viennese hazzan. The Rabbi persuaded the hazzan to accept a position at Temple Beth Israel. His name was Igor Greenberg, later Gorin. Another tie to Rhode Island. At the Temple’s welcoming reception, Gorin found he had an aunt living in Providence, an aunt he never knew existed, who was a member of the congregation. Sadly, though their meeting was recorded, the aunt’s name was not. Igor Gorin retired in the 1960s due to ill health. He died in Arizona in 1982 after a third career as Professor of Music at Arizona State University. Did he ever return to Rhode Island? A good question for which we have no answer. P.S. Happy to say – The Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association still has a card catalog. GERALDINE S. FOSTER is a past president of the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association. To comment about this or any Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association article, email info@rijha.org.
30 | April 10, 2015 Jeanette Bernstein, 93 CRANSTON, R.I. – Jeanette Bernstein, of Steere House, Providence, formerly of Cranston, died March 27. She was the wife of the late Dr. Charles Bernstein. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Abraham and Hattie (Rosen) Edelston, she had lived in Cranston for 50 years before moving to Steere House. She was a sewing teacher and loved to sew. She was a member of Temple Beth-El. She attended RISD and had a passion for art. Devoted mother of John Bernstein of LaGrange Park, Ill., and Hattie Bernstein of Mass.; sister of the late Harold and Marshall Edelston. Contributions in her memory may be made to the R.I. Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Ave., Providence, RI 02907.
Deanna Helen (Paer) Brill, 77 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Deanna Helen (Paer) Brill died April 1. She was the wife of the late Jacob Morris Brill. She was born in Paterson, N.J., the daughter of the late Jacob and Lillian (Rosenberg) Paer. She was loved and will be missed by all. She will be remembered for her brilliant smile and contagious laughter. She was a beloved mother of Michael Brill, Lauri Cohen and Amy Benford; a devoted grandmother of David Benford, Allyson Cohen, Abigail Benford and Jacob Cohen; and sister of William Paer of Costa Rica. Contributions in her memory may be made to KeepSmilin4Abbie.org.
Maurice B. “Moe” Cohen, 93 WARWICK, R.I. – Maurice B. “Moe” Cohen, formerly of East Greenwich, died April 5 at West View Nursing & Rehab Center in West Warwick. He was the
OBITUARIES husband of the late Frances H. (Borod) Cohen. Born in Providence, a son of the late Aaron and Nettie (Paster) Cohen. He had lived in Cranston for more than 60 years before moving to East Greenwich. He was the co-founder, with his twin brother, wife and sister-in-law, of The Twin Florist of Cranston, where he worked for more than 40 years. He was a WWII Army veteran serving stateside. He was a member of the former Temple Beth Israel and of Temple Emanu-El. He was a member and volunteer of the R.I. Jewish Historical Association, a member of Jewish War Veterans Post #23, Redwood Lodge #35 AF & AM and Touro Fraternal Association. He was a member and former officer of FTD and The R.I. Floral Association. He participated in the R.I. Senior Olympics. He was the father of Howard and Patricia of North Kingstown, Steven and Jean of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Stuart and Linda of Coventry. Brother of his late siblings, Gerald and Herbert Cohen. Grandfather of Pamela and Ian, Joshua and Emily, Jacob, Christopher, Craig and Jillian and Ashley and Michael. Great-grandfather of Charlotte, Caleb and Tyler. Contributions in his memory may be made to Special Olympics of R.I., 370 Washington Hwy., Smithfield 02917 or the R.I. Jewish Historical Association, 130 Sessions St., Providence, RI 02906.
Jerome “Jerry” Corwin, 102 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jerome
The Jewish Voice “Jerry” Corwin died April 3 at Laurelmead. He was the husband of the late Phyllis (Littman) Corwin. A lifelong Providence resident, he was a son of the late Sol and Anna (Aaronson) Cohen. He was an executive vice president, creative director and international sales manager for the former Paramount Cards for 40 years, retiring in 1985. He was a WWII Army veteran serving in London. He was a member of Temple Beth-El and the Providence Art Club. Father of Robert Corwin of Philadelphia, Penn., and Stuart Corwin and his wife Susan of Petaluma, Calif.; and brother of the late Sylvia Goldshine. Contributions in his memory may be made to your favorite charity.
Laura B. Fixman, 54 BARRINGTON, R.I. – Dr. Laura B. Fixman died April 1 at home. She was the beloved wife of Dr. Kenath J. Shamir for 20 years. Born in Pittsburgh, Penn., a devoted daughter of Marshall Fixman of Ft. Collins, Col., and the late Marian (Beatman) Fixman, she had lived in Barrington for 19 years, previously residing in Providence. She was a psychiatrist with Family Associates of Warwick and Angel Street Psychiatry of Providence for many years. She was a graduate of Brandeis University, Class of ’82 and Tufts University Medical School, Class of ’88. She was a former Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, a member of the Rhode Island Psychiatric Society and a member of Temple Beth-El. Dear sister of Andrew Fixman of Sammamish, Wash., and Susan Fixman of Greenwood Village, Col.; loving aunt of Janelle, Ryan, Elise, Marisa and Benjamin. Contributions in her memo-
ry may be made to the Jewish Alliance of Greater R.I., 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, R.I. 02906 or the Rhode Island Foundation, One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903.
Estelle M. Churnick, 81 WARWICK, R.I. – Estelle M. Churnick died March 26 at Philip Hulitar Home & Hospice, Providence. She was the wife of the late George “Yussi” Churnick. Born in Brockton, Mass., a daughter of the late Abraham and Vera (Schleiffer) Rubin, she had lived in Warwick, previously living in Cranston. She was a salesperson for Benny’s, Cherry & Webb and Filene’s, retiring 36 years ago. She was a member of the Pythian Sisters and was once voted “Queen for a Day.” Devoted mother of Cheryl (Donald) Berger of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., Vicki Pagliarini (Donald) of Cranston and Amy Warner (William) of Lakewood Ranch, Fla.; sister of the late Shirley Solomon and Martha Cipkin. Cherished grandmother of Adam, Tara, Donald, William and Ashley. Adored great-grandmother of Emma, Ainsley, Zoe, Fiona and John. Contributions in her memory may be made to Philip Hulitar Home & Hospice, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.
Harold Holland, 85 RANCHO MIRAGE CALIF. – Harold Holland died March 27. Born November 4, 1929, in Scranton Penn., to Emanuel and Beatrice Hol l a nd, he moved to New York City in 1943 and then relocated to Rhode Island in 1949. He was the husband of Helene Jewett. He founded his business, had three children, and lived until he and his wife moved to Ran-
cho Mirage. Besides his wife and three children, he had four primary loves: business, golf, traveling and cruising. He served in the US Navy from 1951 to 1954 in the Korean War conflict aboard the USS Stephen Potter. He and his brother Julian founded Art-Mold Products Company, a specialty advertising manufacturing firm, in Cranston, R.I. He was one of four partners of Measured Marketing Services Inc., a specialty advertising, direct mail and marketing firm based in Los Angeles Calif., where he served on the Board of Directors. He helped expand MMS internationally, opening and growing MMS International in Grasse, France, where he served on the Board of Directors. He also was on the Board of Directors for Norwood Promotional Products Company of San Antonio, Tex. and Specialty Advertising Association International. Counselor Magazine named him one of the 50 most influential people of the specialty advertising industry. He was a golf enthusiast; he belonged to, played and participated at several clubs over the years, finally at Morningside Country Club in Rancho Mirage, where he served on and chaired many committees, and served on the Board of Directors. He played in The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic for 15 years, had six holes-in-one in his career, had the wonderful distinction (along with Arnold Palmer) of scoring two holes-in-one on the same hole in consecutive rounds at Ledgemont Country Club in 1994. He volunteered at Eisenhower Medical Center, where he served on several fundraising committees and the EMC Foundation Board of Governors. OBITUARIES | 31
OBITUARIES
thejewishvoice.org FROM PAGE 30
OBITUARIES He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helene (Jewett) Holland; sons, Evan (Neesa) Holland of Warwick and Gary (Autumn) Holland of Fort Worth, Tex.; daughter, Judi Holland of Pasadena, Calif.; grandson, Aaron Holland; and granddaughter Rachel Holland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emanuel and Beatrice Holland; brother and his wife, Julian and Simone Holland; sister and her husband, Wilma and Edward Safire; and his niece, Marilyn Holland. Contributions in his name may be made to Eisenhower Medical Center or to a charity of choice.
Gloria Lee (Cramer) Hurwitz, 85
BARRINGTON, R.I. – Gloria Lee (Cramer) Hurwitz died March 28. She was the wife of Alfred Hurwitz. Born in A msterdam, N.Y., a daughter of the late Samuel and Irene (Morin) Cramer, she had been a lifelong resident of Rhode Island. She was a secretary at Nathan Bishop Junior High School for 21 years. Besides her husband, she is survived by her son Steven Hurwitz of Warren and her sister Lorraine Webber of Warwick. Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Robert H. Jaffe, 76
WOODSTOCK, CONN. – Robert H. Jaffe died April 5 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Priscilla (Guttin) Jaffe for 50 years. Born in Newport, R.I., a son of the late Harry and Sylvia Jaffe, he lived in Woodstock for 30 years, previously residing in Cranston, R.I. He was the owner of the former Garden City Pharmacy in Cranston and Day Drug in Brooklyn, Conn. Most recently, he worked as a pharmacist for Big Y Supermarket for seven years. He was a graduate of UCONN College of Pharmacy, Class of ’60. He was a member of Alpha Zeta Omega Pharmacy Fraternity and a former member of Temple Torat Yisrael. Devoted father of Naomi Williams of Woodstock, CT. and FROM PAGE 15
Jordan Jaffe and his wife Debbi of Barrington, R.I. Dear brother of Jason Jaffe of West Hartford and Martin Jaffe and his wife Diane of Ryebrook, N.Y. Uncle of Rachel Graves and her husband Jeremy of Grafton, Mass.; Grandfather of A.J. Williams, Jacob and Alan Jaffe and Alison and Jackson Graves. Contributions in his memory may be made to Day Kimball Hospital, Cancer Unit, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT. 06260 or Miriam Hospital, Cancer Unit, 164 Summit Ave., Providence, RI 02906.
Rhoda L. Mossberg, 90
WARWICK, R.I. – Rhoda L. Mossberg died March 29 at Rhode Island Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Jack Mossberg. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., a daughter of the late Irving and Freida (Dolisky) Kahn, she had lived in Warwick for 64 years. She was an adjudicator for the Department of Labor & Training for the State of R.I. She was a founding member of Temple Am David, a member of its Sisterhood and a member of Hadassah. Mother of Arthur Mossberg and his wife Frances of Warwick; Walter Mossberg and his wife Edith of Potomac, Md. and Fred Mossberg of Warwick. She was the sister of the late Norman Kahn and Molly Cohen. Loving grandmother of Steven, Jonathan, Marissa and Rachel. Cherished great grandmother of Levia. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Rhode Island, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906.
Thelma Novich, 94
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Thelma Novich died April 2 at Bedford Court Assisted Living in Silver Spring, Md. She was the beloved wife of the late Earl Novich. Born in Providence, R.I., a daughter of the late Abraham and Fanny (Sirota) Reminick, she was a longtime Providence resident. She was a former member of Temple Am David and former president of the Women’s Association of the Providence Hebrew Day School. Mother of Barry Novich and his wife, Reba, of Gaithersburg, Md. and Cheryl Waldman of Bethesda, Md.; Sister of the late Margaret
MEZUZAH
by Representatives Regunberg, Ackerman, Gregg Amore, and K. Joseph Shekarchi, was recently passed in the House. On the same day Cooper and Rabbi Dolinger offered testimony for the “mezuzah law,” they both provided testimony for a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism. Senator Goldin, the primary sponsor of the legislation said that this resolution was important to her because she personally experienced anti-Semitism as a child and that it is, sadly,
on the rise. Rabbi Dolinger reported instances where he has been the object of anti-Semitic attacks. He also spoke of the )rthodox community being particularly vulnerable. Cooper discussed increasing antiSemitism in Europe and in the United States. He cited a 60 page report from Jewish Federations of North America that provided briefings of countless incidents of anti-Semitism worldwide. He pointed out that the majority were in America.
Kosofsky. Grandmother of Lisa, Eric, Eli and Robert. Cherished great-grandmother of Joshua and Owen. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Jewish Social Service Agency, 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD., 20852 or your favorite charity.
Marcia (Ross) Pearlman, 103
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Marcia (Ross) Pearlman died March 27. She was the wife of the late Nathan Pearlman and the late Harry Barenberg. Born in Chelsea, Mass., a daughter of the late David and Rose (Cohen) Ross, she had been a resident of Rhode Island since 2010. She was a member of Temple BethEl. She is survived by her children, Lorraine Kingsbury and her husband Robert of Providence, Helene Kent of Waltham, Mass., and Joel Barenberg and his wife Leslie of Bluffton, S.C.; her grandchildren, Harold, Betsy, Jack, Harry, Karen, David, Mark and Todd; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Josephine Poverman, Anna Appel, Henry Ross and Sumner Ross. Contributions may be made to the Rabbi Gutterman Discretionary Fund at Temple BethEl.
Allan Schweber, 59
BETHESDA, M.D. – Allan Schweber died March 18 at his home. Born in Newport, R.I., he was the son of Saul and Bernice Schweber. He is a graduate of Rogers High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He was a resident in the greater Wash., D.C. area for 35 years, where he worked as a homebuilder in construction development. He was an avid reader, movie lover and a fabulous chef. He is survived by his parents, brother Larry Schweber, sisterin-law Michelle Schweber and niece Lily Schweber of Atlanta, Ga. Contributions in his memory may be made to Touro Synagogue, 85 Touro St., Newport, RI 02840.
“I receive countess calls and letters from the community concerning this issue—from students being bullied to swastikas painted on bus stops,” said Cooper. “Our hope is that by establishing a mezuzah law and legislation against AntiSemitism we will create a safer, more just place to live.” KARA MARZIALI is the director of communications for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.
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Bernice Tannenbaum, longtime Hadassah and Zionist leader, dies at 101 JTA – Bernice Tannenbaum, a former national president of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, who earned the group’s highest honor for her legacy of contributions, has died. Tannenbaum, a former JTA vice president and national secretary, died April 6. She was 101. She joined Hadassah in 1944 and became its national president in 1976, serving until 1980. Tannenbaum initiated the organization’s practice of periodically holding its annual convention in Israel, convening the first such Jerusalem gathering in 1978. She also launched Hadassah’s first strategic planning initiative, resulting in key structural changes. She served as chair of the Hadassah Medical Organization from 1980 to 1984. In 1983, she founded Hadassah-International, which is now represented in 21 countries. As chair of the American Section of the World Zionist Organization, Tannenbaum spearheaded the U.S. campaign for repudiation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379, equating Zionism with racism, which came to a successful conclusion with its repeal in 1991. In 2000, she played a central role as spokeswoman for Hadassah’s successful campaign to achieve NGO consultative status at the U.N. Economic and Social Council. She was co-president of the World Confederation of United Zionists for 15 years, then hon-
Bernice Tannenbaum orary president. She served as vice president and national secretary of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, vice president of the United Israel Appeal and national vice president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. In 2003, Tannenbaum received Hadassah’s highest honor, the Henrietta Szold Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service, and in 2009 the Hadassah Foundation established the Bernice S. Tannenbaum Prize, which recognizes innovative contributions to advance the lives of women and girls in Israel and the United States. “Bernice was one of the most beloved and productive Hadassah figures of the past half century. She was a tower of strength and a fount of wisdom. The legacy of accomplishment and inspiration that she leaves is immeasurable,” said Marcie Natan, Hadassah’s current national president.
Norman Leventhal, philanthropist and leader in Boston’s development, dies BOSTON (JTA) — Norman Leventhal, a major figure in Boston’s development and a visionary leader and philanthropist in Jewish communal life, died on April 5 at age 97. Leventhal, who cofounded Beacon Companies with his brother Robert, is responsible for such Boston landmarks as Center Plaza, Rowes Wharf and South Station. Boston Mayor Martin Walsh called him a “legend” and said in a statement to the Boston Globe that Leventhal “will be remembered for generations to come for his immense contributions to our city.” The son of Jewish immigrants, Leventhal also made a profound mark on Jewish institutions with contributions of millions of dollars that included developing affordable housing for Jewish seniors and, with his relatives, creating the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton, a Boston suburb.
Leventhal, an engineering graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, bridged his involvement in the civic and Jewish worlds seamlessly, according to Mark Sokoll, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston. “He was a role model for his generation, that one could, as a Jew, contribute significantly to both the Jewish community and the civic community,” Sokoll told JTA. His legacy also includes younger generations of his extended family who now serve in local and national Jewish institutions, Sokoll said. Leventhal received honorary degrees from Brandeis University and Hebrew College. He also had a keen eye for antique maps. The author of “Mapping Boston,” Leventhal donated his collection of more than 400 maps to the Boston Public Library, where he endowed the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center.
32 | April 10, 2015
ISRAEL
The Jewish Voice
PHOTO | WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.
A building burning in the southern Israeli city of Sderot after being hit by a rocket from the Gaza Strip in June, 2014.
FROM PAGE 1 |
IDF
which provides alerts based on where the user is located and will allow the user to select three areas for which to receive continuous alerts. It joins another already existing “push” service that notifies smartphone users if they are in an area where a missile alert siren has been activated. This technological development comes in the wake of an announcement last week that Israel’s new U.S.-supported missile defense system David’s Sling has successfully passed several trials on the way to a final test. Meanwhile, for the second time in two weeks, Israeli secu-
rity forces have thwarted an attempt to smuggle unauthorized equipment, including advanced communication gadgets, into the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom crossing. The equipment included infrared cameras, radio communication devices and advanced remote controlled security cameras. It was hidden within an electronics shipment in an Israeli truck destined for Gaza, and was suspected to be en route to terrorist groups. The unauthorized electronic equipment was found in a joint operation carried out by the Israeli Defense Ministry’s border
Falafels, Film and Fun! A teen event to celebrate Israel
Sunday, April 26 | 5:30 - 7:30pm Dwares JCC | 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence $15 per person | $12 if you register by April 23 Hang out with your friends, have fun in the Gaga Pit, enjoy food from The Chubby Chickpea Food Truck! Then watch a screening of the acclaimed new movie “Beneath the Helmet: From High School to the Home Front” Israeli soldiers will be here to answer your questions!
For more information or to register contact Jana Brenman at 401.421.4111 ext. 181 or jbrenman@jewishallianceri.org. This is a music free event due to the counting of the Omer. Created for and by youth groups in greater Rhode Island: USY | BBYO | NCSY | NFTY | CRAFTY | Camp JORI
Save the Date: Sunday, May 3 | Teen Recognition Night Dwares Rhode Island
authorities, the Shin Bet security agency and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. Defense officials will further investigate the incident, but the smuggling attempt follows a similar one about one week ago when border authorities found unauthorized motors hidden in a shipment of refrigerators and washing machines. According to the Defense Ministry, border authorities have thwarted more than 100 smuggling attempts into Gaza with prohibited items suspected of being headed to terrorist organizations. In the meantime, on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza, residents of nearby southern Israeli communities remain concerned, but not surprised, after a Sunday Telegraph report revealed that Iran has provided the Hamas military wing with tens of millions of dollars to rebuild the tunnels that were destroyed by the Israel Defense Forces during Operation Protective Edge last summer. Many residents of Gaza border area communities have sought to remind Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon and senior IDF officers about the dangers posed by crossborder tunnels. During the fighting last summer, terrorists from Gaza used such tunnels to carry out attacks inside Israeli territory on numerous occasions. “Our basic assumption is that, absent a ‘reconstruction for demilitarization’ deal with the Hamas regime, Hamas’ offensive activities are continuing at all levels. The [Israeli] government must commit to two things -- to find a quick technical solution to identify tunnels and to view an agreement on the reconstruction and demilitarization of Gaza as an Israeli interest,” said Alon Shuster, the head of the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. WITH REPORTING by Dan Lavie, Gadi Golan, Shlomi Diaz, and Israel Hayom Staff
SIMCHAS
thejewishvoice.org
April 10, 2015 |
33
Touro Fraternal Association’s
Open HOuse
SIMCHA – This is four generations at the P a s s o v e r S e d e r. Great-grandmother, Miriam Snell, grandmother, Sheryl (Snell) Moran, m o t h e r, R a c h e l LaButti and 3-weekold Olivia LaButti.
welcomes
miCHaela JOHnsOn Wpri - TV, rHOde sHOW CO-HOsT
SIMCHA – Sarah Sidman will celebrate her bat mitzvah on May 2 at Temple Sinai. She is the daughter of Loren and Jim Sidman of Cranston and the granddaughter of Joan and Irwin Sidman of Sharon, Mass. and Marsha and Allen Kirshenbaum of Cranston. As part of this occasion, she made 20 blankets for oncology patients at the breast cancer clinic at Women and Infants Hospital. The nurse manager suggested the blankets as a gift from the heart. This was a very moving experience for Sarah and her parents. Sarah is named for her maternal great-grandmother, Sarah Tishler Rosenfeld, who succumbed to breast cancer in 1974 after a seven-year battle.
Wednesday | 6:30 p.m.
april 22 A Kosher Baked Chicken Dinner is Reason Enough for Joining Touro! Incredible incentives! Reservations required - call or write: (401) 785 - 0066 info@tourofraternal.org
Touro Hall, 45 Rolfe Square, Cranston, RI 02910
Sarah Sidman with nurse managers as she delivered blankets she made to Women and Infants Hospital.
THE HIT NEW YORK COMEDY COMES TO PROVIDENCE!
From the Producers of MY MOTHER’S ITALIAN, MY FATHER’S JEWISH & I’M IN THERAPY! & MY SON THE WAITER, A JEWISH TRAGEDY! Philip Roger Roy and Dana Matthow present
“A Non-Stop Laugh Fest” - Huffington Post
April 15-May 10 • 4 Weeks Only! Like rye bread, kosher pickles and bagels, this show is for everyone! You’ll laugh ‘til you plotz. ADULT HUMOR - RECOMMENDED FOR 17+
“Hilarious! ... Magnificent, Enduring Rhythm of Jewish Humor!” - New York Times
By Daniel Okrent & Peter Gethers
“Chock Full of Laughs!” - Mel Brooks
“Big Laughs!” - CBS TV, Chicago
“The Laughs-Per-Minute Average Is As High As Anything You’ll Find On Stage!” - The New Yorker
SHOWTIMES: Wed 2 & 7:30, Thurs 7:30, Fri 7:30, Sat 2 & 7:30, Sun 2pm TICKETS: $44- $64
TRINITY REP - CHACE THEATER
201 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903 Tickets: 401-351-4242 • Groups (10+): 888-264-1788 Toll Free • www.PlayhouseInfo.com
34 | April 10, 2015
SIMCHAS | WE ARE READ
The Jewish Voice
ZEITERION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER DOWNTOWN NEW BEDFORD
PROVOCATIVE THEATER! MUST-SEE HISTORICAL DRAMA!
SIMON
WIESENTHAL STARRING TOM DUGAN WE ARE READ – Michael Goodwin, son of George and Betsey Goodwin of Providence, is standing at Boudhanath in Kathmandu, Nepal. According to Michael, many say the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. It has been a site of Tibetan pilgrimage for thousands of years. Michael currently lives in Kathmandu.
THURSDAY, 8PM
APRIL 16
JUST PUBLISHED – Rabbi Bernice Weiss and Nancy Kirsch have published their book, “The Secrets of Becoming Jewish,” which portrays the life stories of several individuals who have recently converted to Judaism. Among those individuals are a Lebanese Muslim who moved to Washington, D.C. just days before he began his conversion studies, an African-American woman dedicated to social justice for our nation’s most vulnerable
individuals and a young gay man who fled his fundamentalist Christian upbringing. The soft-bound book, which was published in March 2015, is available on amazon.com.
MAZEL TOV! Paul Phillips, grandson of Ruth B. Phillips of Providence, is one of six outstanding swimmers to be inducted to the R.I. Aquatic Hall of Fame on May 9. Paul was the first All-State swimmer from North Providence High School, earning Journal Bulletin and R.I. Coaches Association honors in the 100 fly in 1991. After high school, Paul attended Brandeis University, where he became a school record holder
and team captain. Since 2004, Paul has been the head coach at Clark University in Worcester, Mass. and Assistant Athletic Director since 2007. Under his direction, the women’s team at Clark recorded two program-best finishes in the NEWMAC conference, and he has coached numerous All-Conference swimmers and NCAA qualifiers. In 2011, Paul was named NEWMAC Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year.
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April 10, 2015 |
thejewishvoice.org
Let’s change the world together.
“I would not be alive without the Rhode Island Jewish community.” —Roberta Fox
To learn more about Roberta and how your generosity through the Alliance Annual Campaign has helped her, scan here or visit jewishallianceri.org/our-impact/2015-annual-campaign/
The Jewish Alliance has been supporting Jewish life for nearly 70 years. Today there’s still vital work to do. And we need your support. Contribute to the Annual Campaign and you’re helping to care for our entire Jewish community—at home, in Israel, and around the world. To learn more or to donate today, visit us at jewishallianceri.org or call 401.421.4111.
Be part of our vibrant and thriving Jewish community by donating to the 2015 Annual Campaign.
Be part of the greater good. 401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 | 401.421.4111 | jewishallianceri.org
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The Jewish Voice