JEWISH RHODE ISLAND's Kid Stuff

THEY DON’T CALL THEM “Baby Boomers” for nothing. This double spread from 1952 showcases 24 local children, ranging in age from five months to 7 years, under the cheeky headline “Our Younger Set.” Postwar birth rates skyrocketed during this decade: The total number of Jewish-Americans hovered around 5 million in 1950 and climbed to around 5.5 million by 1960, accord-

Rabbi Mandel thanks community at final Shabbat service

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 a service for her at the chapel on Fowler Avenue. We then went, including the Rabbi, to our house in Jamestown where he conducted a shiva service with me and my sister.

“I became involved in Touro, helped with the Hebrew School, and attended services.

“During COVID, I learned about Sefaria, and spoke about several weekly parshas, including Korach (on zoom) which the rabbi ended with last week. I’m a NYC Queens girl who never attended services until I married and had 2 daughters. I never was Bat Mitzvah-ed and I can read a bit of Hebrew because sometime ago Jackie ran a Hebrew Class in their dining room and I attended, most of the time.

“Ralph and I were honored to have Friday night dinners at the Rabbi’s and Jackie's house after services. Wonderful meals and memories…

“I will miss the rabbi. He was always non-judgmental and I have great memories of being upstairs during inspirational evenings and mornings at Touro.”

The rabbi's new position is at Congregation Beth Tikvah Ahavat Shalom Nusach Hoari near Montreal. During the summer Rabbi Stephen Belsky will officiate at Touro.

AARON GINSBURG lives in Stoughton, Massachusetts and blogs at jewishnewport. blogspot.com.