August 2023

New England summers aren’t what they used to be

GETTING TIRED OF the heat and humidity of this June and July?

Have you changed your routine due to the hottest-ever July?

Are you spending time reminiscing about those New England summers of your youth?

If you’ve seen me lately, you might have noticed that I do a lot of muttering. I’m remem bering the summers of my younger years, when I spent days under a dome of haze, heat and humidity. Yes, the dreaded three Hs were well known to anyone living in the Washington, D.C., metro area. And it wasn’t much better in Pittsburgh, where I visited family. The only respite was at sleepaway camp in Maine.

I vowed I’d never live in hot and sticky conditions again. I can handle the heat, but the humidity and the haze are just debilitating for me.

Enter the summer of 2023.

This year, New England has felt a little like D.C. (while D.C. has felt like Houston). The haze has mostly been from the wildfires in Canada, but the heat and humidity are straight-up weather events. And it has dragged on and on.

And that muttering? I’m ruminating on how I never wanted to live in this kind of weather and I thought New

England wasn’t going to be like this.

When we moved to the area in 1987, we bought a house without air conditioning. Everyone told us we wouldn’t need it. Those same people said there would be a breeze. My husband was skeptical. Maybe those Rhode Islanders were heartier than we were. The lack of air conditioning made summers very uncomfortable. The breezes really didn’t help cut the heat until September.

My husband, a native Chicagoan who has little tolerance for a hot house, bought room air conditioners. And when we decided to do renovations some 15 years later, central air conditioning was near the top of the list.

Overall, this summer is on track to be the hottest on record. And summers have been trending hotter since the 1940s. It’s gotten worse in the last decade. Even the Farmer’s Almanac predicted this summer would have above-normal temperatures throughout most of North America.

Most experts agree that these weather extremes are the result of climate change caused by increased greenhouse-gas emissions from human activities. We are going to see these sizzling temperatures continue, as well as shifting rainfall and

snow patterns, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

There are actions that we can take to do our part to try to slow the warming climate: adjust your thermostat, recycle, learn about climate change and get involved in organizations working to combat climate change. For example, Adamah, a Jewish organization that focuses on connections between people and the planet, has a Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition working to mobilize Jewish organizations to take collective climate action. Did you know that the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island is a member?

During my tenure as editor of this newspaper, I’ve written my fair share of weather-related columns, complaining about snow, lack of snow and cold. Usually, by the time the paper comes out, the weather has changed and I feel a little sheepish. So as I wrote this column while sweltering through late July, I wondered what Sunday would bring.

Sure enough, we awoke to a gorgeous summer day. Nice temperatures, cool breezes and lower humidity.

But I know those hot, sticky days will be back. After all, we still have all of August to get through. And climate change is real.

Fran Ostendorf, Editor

THE MISSION OF JEWISH RHODE ISLAND is to communicate Jewish news, ideas and ideals by connecting and giving voice to the diverse views of the Jewish community in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, while adhering to Jewish values and the professional standards of journalism.

COPY DEADLINES: All news releases, photographs, etc., must be received on the Wednesday 10 days prior to publication. Submissions may be sent to: editor@jewishallianceri.org.

ADVERTISING: We do not accept advertisements for pork or shellfish. We do not attest to the kashrut of any product or the legitimacy of advertisers’ claims.

EDITOR Fran Ostendorf

DESIGN & LAYOUT Alex Foster

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT

Peter Zeldin | 401-421-4111, ext. 160 pzeldin@jewishallianceri.org

CONTRIBUTORS Cynthia Benjamin, Sarah Greenleaf, Robert Isenberg, Emma Newbery

COLUMNISTS Michael Fink, George M. Goodwin, Larry Kessler, Patricia Raskin, Rabbi James Rosenberg, Daniel Stieglitz

VOLUME XXX, ISSUE IX

JEWISH RHODE ISLAND

(ISSN number 1539-2104, USPS #465-710) is published monthly except twice in May, August and September.

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID at Providence, R.I

POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Jewish Rhode Island, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

PUBLISHER

The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, President/CEO Adam Greenman, Chair Harris Chorney, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. 401-421-4111; Fax 401-331-7961

ALL SUBMITTED CONTENT becomes the property of Jewish Rhode Island. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of Jewish Rhode Island or its publisher, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. We reserve the right to refuse publication and edit submitted content.

ON THE COVER : Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial in Providence. PHOTO | GIOVANNA WISEMAN.

UP FRONT

R.I. teen athlete says it loud: She loves volleyball!

BY ROBERT ISENBERG

For Ellie Vest, a big dream is about to come true: The 15-year-old volleyball player will fly to Argentina in December to compete in the Pan American Maccabi Games.

THIS EDITION of the so-called Jewish Olympics is expected to draw 3,500 participants from more than 20 countries. Ellie, who is about to start her sophomore year at East Providence High School, played with several Rhode Island volleyball teams before being invited to compete in the Maccabi Games by the games’ U.S. volleyball coach.

During a recent interview, Ellie spoke about how much volleyball means to her and her plans for Buenos Aires.

How did you first discover volleyball?

I first got into volleyball at the end of quarantine, the summer before eighth grade. I was living on Block Island at the time, and they

have a really big beach volleyball culture. I was on the beach, interacting with a ton of people there, and it seemed really interesting and fun and a great way to meet people, so I decided to start learning. My mom emailed the coach of the women’s volleyball team at the school on Block Island, and he was the first to ever teach me how to play volleyball.

What do you like about the sport?

I think volleyball is a great way to build team culture, and you just get a really unique friendship and a bond with your teammates. Because you have to com-

municate all the time – if you don’t communicate, it’s not going to go well – so you have to build a really strong relationship, which I think with some sports, you’re not really able to do that as much. You can make really great friends just through playing the sport.

How have you evolved as a player?

Being consistent with playing and working out at the JCC [the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center] has just really helped me improve. I think it’s also really easy to improve when you really love what you’re doing. So, usually I would play almost every day or

go work out at the JCC, maybe two or three times a week during the school year. During the summer, I would be playing six days a week, doing camps and just training on my own.

What’s your training regimen?

My training specific to volleyball is kind of a balance between lifting weights and cardio and eating. During most of my workouts, I weight-lift and then I do cardio after, which is definitely a big part of being in shape to play. I would say I don’t have a very strict diet. I am pretty plant-based; I’m not a vegetarian, but I do eat a

PHOTO | ROBERT ISENBERG

Ellie Vest

The power and danger of ‘because’

THIS WEEK’S TORAH portion has an odd name. It is called “Ekev,” a word that in Hebrew means “Because.”

Like all of the Torah portions, Ekev gets its name from the first prominent word in the portion. In this case, the name actually tells us a lot about the portion’s theme and outlook.

our “why?”

’VAR TO RAH

“Because.” This simple conjunction in English is often given as a shorthand answer to the question “Why?” –with the implied meaning being, “Because I said so!” or “Because I want to!” It’s not the kind of answer we hope God will give to our most pressing spiritual questions. It is dissatisfying and disquieting to think that God commands our lives to be as they are for no better reason than “because.”

But “because” is also a word that evokes one of the central reflexes of the human mind: whenever we are presented with a new or surprising situation, our brains are hardwired to seek causality and correlation. When we were children and something bad happened to us, we would instinctively probe recent events to come up with a reason – a “because” to answer

Sometimes we would get it right by surmising, for example, that a parent was angry with us because we had drawn on the wallpaper with crayons. Sometimes we would get it wrong by assuming, for example, that a person we loved had died because we once yelled at them. It’s not hard to see how “because” can be a very powerful – and sometimes a very dangerous – word.

This week’s Torah portion of “because” includes the following important passage, which the ancient rabbis designated as the second paragraph of the Shema:

“If, then, you obey the commandments that I enjoin upon you this day, loving your God Adonai and serving [God] with all your heart and soul, I will grant the rain for your land in season, the early rain and the late. You shall gather in your new grain and wine and oil – I will also provide grass in the fields for your cattle – and thus you shall eat your fill.

“Take care not to be lured away to serve other gods and bow to them. For Adonai’s anger will flare up against you, shutting up the skies so

that there will be no rain and the ground will not yield its produce; and you will soon perish from the good land that Adonai is assigning to you.” (Deuteronomy 11:13-17)

The entire passage, through verse 21, traditionally is called “Kabalat Ol HaMitzvot,” or “The Acceptance of the Yoke of the Commandments.” It was omitted from the liturgy by the early Reform Movement on the grounds that it is theologically unacceptable. Early Reform rabbis asked, in effect, “How can we teach people that those who obey God will be rewarded with food to eat and that the wicked will be punished with starvation? That is clearly not how the world works!”

As a result of the omission from Reform prayer books, there are many Reform Jews who attend synagogue regularly but have no idea that this passage was ever recited prominently, at the center of  every morning and evening service. In truth, there are also plenty of Conservative and Orthodox Jews who never notice the theological problems with the passage that they dutifully recite in their worship.

But who says that we cannot pray with words that are difficult for us to accept?

Who says that the Torah has to conform to philosophical consistency?

The passage is built on the craving of our minds to answer every “why?” with a “because.” We want to know – we need to know – that there is a rule of cause and effect that governs our world and that there are reasons behind the fortunes and misfortunes that befall us in life. The ekev proposed by the passage – the causal relationship between our behavior and divine reward and punishment – teaches us that our actions have consequences and that we must examine our responsibility for shaping the world around us.

But we should not ignore the moral danger of taking the passage too literally. If we were to believe that God always rewards the good and punishes the wicked, we might be tempted to believe that we can determine God’s approval or non-approval of people by looking at the ways that they have been rewarded or punished by God.

If a person lives in poverty, we could conclude that God must have punished that person’s disobedience. If a person lives in affluence and luxury, we might believe that God has favored that person to reward righteousness. The fallacy

and danger of such beliefs is obvious.

And the Hebrew Bible also contains a view of divine causality that directly contradicts the view in this week’s Torah portion. That counterpoint can be found in the Book of Job (Iyov in Hebrew).

Job was a righteous man. Nonetheless, he was punished by God. When Job asked God why he suffered despite all his good behavior, God famously responded with a non-answer: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? Speak if you have understanding.” (Job 38:4)

In contrast to this week’s

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Candle lighting times

August 2023

Greater Rhode Island

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lot of grains, a lot of salad, a lot of fruits. I do have steak and other stuff, on occasion. For me, personally, I haven’t been super-focused on my diet recently – mostly just on improving my play and trying to find more opportunities to play.

Is there a character trait that’s particularly helpful for volleyball players?

It’s really important to be loud. I’m not a very loud person, but on the court, you have to be able to communicate and be loud enough for other players to hear you – especially when you’re at a tournament in a convention center and there are hundreds of teams playing, you have to make sure that everyone can hear you, even the parents on the sidelines or the courts next to you.

What positions do you play?

On my old team, South County, we had a lot of

outside hitters and not a lot of right-side hitters. I would play a lot of right side and a little bit of middle. I didn’t really play a lot of back-row, because we had a lot of great back-row players. I think I’m going to try to be more of an outside, especially for my high school season coming up. I’m going to try and play more outside and right-side and maybe some back-row, if I can. I think outside is just my favorite position.

It’s sometimes challenging for young athletes to balance so many intense, unrelated demands. How do you cope?

Being able to balance school life, regular life and sports can be hard for some people. But I think it comes naturally to me, because I have time for my sport, and then I have other time that I have completely free, when I can do whatever I want.

When I have free time, I’ll either Facetime my friends or try to meet up somewhere.

But I do think balancing homework and studying with sports is more difficult than sports and friendships, because you have to make a very specific schedule that can fit everything in. I think a lot of times I don’t have time for everything I want to do. But I do think athletics and academics come first. What are you most looking forward to about the Maccabi Games?

I’m definitely really excited to be able to travel to Argentina, especially with new people. While playing the sport, I think it’ll be a great opportunity to make friends with the people on the team, and building these friendships will hopefully be lifelong. Traveling to Argentina with people I like to hang out with will be really exciting. I’m also excited to play against hard competition, against other countries. It’ll just be a great opportunity to see new places.

Friendships seem very important to you. Has that always been the case?

It hasn’t always been the case for me to want to meet new people. When I was younger, and pretty recently, I was really shy, and volleyball seemed pretty intimidating. Even just meeting new people seemed intimidating. But I think volleyball has actually helped me get over my shyness, because I realized I really have to interact if I want to be good at my sport.

Building more friendships is going to help me in the long run. The Maccabi Games are a great way to build connection through

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the Jewish community by bringing Jews from all over the world together. They’re able to interact over something they’re interested in.

To see a video version of this interview, go to JewishRhody.com.

ROBERT ISENBERG (risenberg@jewishallianceri. org) is the multimedia producer for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and a writer for Jewish Rhode Island.

Involved with Maccabi USA?

If you know someone from the Jewish Rhode Island area who is participating in the Pan American Maccabi Games, let us know. Send an email to editor@jewishallianceri.org. Be sure to include contact information.

RABBI JEFFREY GOLDWASSER

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

Ongoing

Kosher Senior Café and Programming. In-person lunches 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday – Thursday* at the Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, and Fridays (except 8/4)* at Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. In-person (and on Zoom most Tuesdays and Thursdays) programming from 11 a.m.-noon followed by lunch and a guest speaker or discussion noon-1 p.m. The second Tuesday of the month is “Susie’s Corner” with Susie Adler. Every Wednesday is chair yoga with Neal. The third Thursday of the month is a book chat with Neal Drobnis. *Friday, 8/4, at Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich; Monday, 8/7, and Tuesday, 8/8, are offsite field trips (preregistration required). Suggested donation: $3 per lunch for those age 60 and older as well as for younger adults with a disability. Other adults may purchase a meal for $6.50. The Kosher Senior Café is a program of Jewish Collaborative Services and is supported by the Jewish Alliance of Greater RI and Blackstone Health. Information and RSVP, Neal at neal@jfsri.org, Elaine at elaine@ jfsri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 107.

Project Shoresh Ladies’ Partners in Torah Night. Sundays 7:45-8:45 p.m. Providence Hebrew Day School, 450 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Partner-based study group. On-site facilitators available. Free. Information, projectshoresh. com.

Temple Emanu-El Mahjong. Tuesdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Both new and advanced players are welcome. Drop-ins welcome. Information, Shosh@teprov.org.

Project Shoresh TNT (Tuesday Night Torah). Tuesdays 7:45-8:45 p.m. Ohawe Sholam, 671 East Ave., Pawtucket. Warm yourself up with the flame of Torah. Drop-ins welcome. Refreshments served. Information, projectshoresh.com.

Project Shoresh Lively Kabbalat Shabbat. Fridays. Services will begin at the commencement of Shabbat. Be in touch for exact timing each week. Providence Hebrew Day School (side entrance), 450 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Welcome Shabbat with a few inspiring words, melodious songs and traditional services. Open to all. Information, projectshoresh.com.

Temple Sinai Shabbat Evening Service. Fridays 6 p.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Song, prayer and reflection offered in person or on Zoom. With Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser and Cantor Deborah Johnson.

Zoom link at templesinairi.org. Information, dottie@templesinairi. org or 401-942-8350.

Cape Cod Synagogue Shabbat Services. Fridays 7 p.m., except second Friday of the month 6:30 p.m. when Family Shabbat Services take place. 145 Winter St., Hyannis, Mass. With Rabbi David Freelund. In person and livestreamed on website, Facebook, Cape Media, YouTube and Community Television Comcast channel 99. Information, 508-775-2988 or capecodsynagogue.org.

Temple Beth-El Shabbat Morning Service. Second Saturday of the month 9-10:15 a.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Shabbat morning minyan with lay participation incorporating study, Torah and Haftarah readings. In person or via Zoom. Information, Joie Magnone at jmagnone@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Temple Beth-El Torah Study. Saturdays except second Saturday of the month 9-10:15 a.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Delve into the weekly portion with Rabbi Sarah Mack and Rabbi Preston Neimeiser. In person only. Information, Joie Magnone at jmagnone@ temple-beth-el.org or 401-3316070, ext. 100.

Temple Sinai Shabbat Breakfast & Torah Study. Saturdays 9:30-11 a.m. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Breakfast followed by interactive discussion at 10 a.m. with Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser or others in the community. Information, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350.

Temple Habonim Torah Study. Saturdays (no Torah Study when Bar or Bat Mitzvah) 10-11 a.m. Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman leads weekly Torah study on current portion. Via Zoom. Information, Adina Davies at office@templehabonim.org or 401-245-6536.

Cape Cod Synagogue Shabbat Services. Saturdays 10:30 a.m. 145 Winter St., Hyannis, Mass. With Rabbi David Freelund. In person and livestreamed on website, Facebook and YouTube. Information, Cape Cod Synagogue at 508-7752988 or capecodsynagogue.org.

Temple Sinai Shabbat Morning Service. Saturdays 11 a.m.-noon (10:30 a.m. when celebrating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah). 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. In person and via Zoom. Information, templesinairi.org or Dottie at 401-942-8350.

Friday | August 4

Temple Torat Yisrael Virtual Kabbalat Shabbat Songs & Torah

Services. 5:45-6:30 p.m. Lay-led services via Zoom. Information and Zoom link, Temple@toratyisrael. org.

Temple Beth-El Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 5:45-6:30 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. In person or via Zoom. Information, Joie Magnone at jmagnone@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Congregation Agudas Achim Kabbalat Shabbat. 7-8:30 p.m. 901 N. Main St., Attleboro, Mass. Join us in the sanctuary for Kabbalat Shabbat with singing, readings, a prayer for healing and Mourners’ Kaddish. Information, office@ agudasma.org.

Saturday | August 5

Temple Torat Yisrael Virtual & In-person Shabbat Services. 9:30-10:30 a.m. 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Lay-led, in-person services with Zoom available. Information, Temple@toratyisrael. org.

Sunday | August 6

“Two Paintings at Yale, the Jewish History of Newport” followed by Town Hall. 2 p.m. Newport Historical Society, 82 Touro St., Newport. Lecture by Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, senior Rabbi, Congregation Shearith Israel, of New York, and acting Rabbi, Congregation Ahavath Israel, of Newport. Town Hall led by the two congregations to address their new partnership. Light refreshments. Free. Information, Dr. James Herstoff at bmitu@cox.net.

Tuesday | August 8

“The Power of Hello”: Community Security Training. 3-4:30 p.m. Congregation Beth David, 102 Kingstown Road, Narragansett. Prepare for the upcoming Jewish holidays with Napoleon Brito, manager of community security. Open to all; geared toward those working as greeters or ushers in their synagogue at the High Holy Days. Free. Information and RSVP, Napoleon Brito at nbrito@jewishallianceri.org.

Wednesday | August 9

“The Power of Hello”: Community Security Training. 3-4:30 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Prepare for the upcoming Jewish holidays with Napoleon Brito, manager of community security. Open to all; geared toward those working as greeters or ushers in their synagogue at the High Holy Days. Free. Information and RSVP, Napoleon Brito at nbrito@jewishallianceri.org.

Thursday | August 10

Screen on the Green: “The Princess Bride.” 8 p.m. Field behind Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Watch this PG-rated movie under the stars. Come as early as 7 p.m. to grab a spot and enjoy lawn games and Palagi’s ice cream. Information, Devorah Phillips at dphillips@jewishallianceri. org or 401-421-4111, ext. 163.

Friday | August 11

Temple Beth-El Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 5:45-6:30 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. In person or via Zoom. Information, Joie Magnone at jmagnone@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Temple Torat Yisrael Cookout & Open House and FNL Musical Shabbat Service. 6 p.m. 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Enjoy the cookout, meet Rabbi Ari Saks, and take a tour of the building and grounds. All welcome. Free. At 7 p.m., join Rabbi Saks as he leads his first service with the TTY community at a musical service with the TTY band. Oneg to follow. RSVP (by 8/9) and information, Temple@toratyisrael.org.

Temple Habonim Beach Shabbat. 6:15 p.m. Barrington Beach, 87 Bay Road, Barrington. Bring your own chair or blanket, and welcome Shabbat on the beach. In case of inclement weather, the services will be moved inside to Temple Habonim. Information, office@ templehabonim.org.

Saturday | August 12

Temple Torat Yisrael Virtual & In-person Shabbat Services.

9:30-10:30 a.m. 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Led by Rabbi Ari Saks. In person with Zoom available. Information, Temple@ toratyisrael.org.

Congregation Agudas Achim Shabbat Services. 10 a.m.-noon. 901 N. Main St., Attleboro, Mass. Services will include misheberach l’holim, a prayer for healing, as well as Mourners’ Kaddish. Information, office@agudasma.org.

Tuesday | August 15

District 1 Candidate Forum. 5:30-7 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Join the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island in welcoming candidates in the District 1 congressional special election. Childcare available with preregistration. Preregistration (requested) and information, Stephanie Hague at shague@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 127.

Wednesday | August 16

“The Power of Hello”: Community Security Training. 7:15 p.m. Temple Habonim, 165 New Meadow Drive, Barrington. Prepare for the upcoming Jewish holidays with Napoleon Brito, manager of community security. Open to all; geared toward those working as greeters or ushers in their synagogue at the High Holy Days. Free. Information and RSVP, Napoleon Brito at nbrito@jewishallianceri.org.

Thursday | August 17

Splash into Summer. 4-5 p.m. The Splash Pad at Police Cove Park and Boat Ramp, 100-106 County Road (intersection of County and Matthewson Roads), Barrington. Join Lyndsey from PJ Library and Rabbi Howard from Temple Habonim to meet other families for water play and a frozen treat. Information and RSVP, Adina at office@templehabonim and 401245-6536 or Lyndsey at lursillo@ jewishallianceri.org and 401-4214111, ext. 141.

Friday | August 18

Temple Torat Yisrael Beach Shabbat and Potluck Dairy Picnic. 5:30-8 p.m. Goddard Memorial State Park, 1095 Ives Road, East Greenwich. Welcome Rabbi Ari Saks as he leads his first TTY Beach Shabbat. Informal, interactive family service with lots of singing. Potluck dairy picnic immediately following service. Dessert provided. Bring beach chairs and blankets. Meet under Pavilion Porch. Information, Temple@ toratyisrael.org.

Temple Beth-El Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 5:45-6:30 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. In person or via Zoom. Information, Joie Magnone at jmagnone@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Congregation Agudas Achim Kabbalat Shabbat. 7-8:30 p.m. 901 N. Main St., Attleboro, Mass. Join us in the sanctuary for Kabbalat Shabbat with singing, readings, a prayer for healing and Mourners’ Kaddish. Information, office@ agudasma.org.

Saturday | August 19

Temple Torat Yisrael Virtual & In-person Shabbat Services. 9:30 a.m.-noon. 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Rabbi Ari Saks will officiate his first Bat Mitzvah at TTY during this special service, which will be in person with streaming available. Information, Temple@toratyisrael.org.

Sunday | August 20

Congregation Agudas Achim Open House. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 901 N. Main St., Attleboro, Mass. Food, fun, crafts and live music at our annual Open House. Learn about our vibrant religious and school life. Rain date: 8/27. Information, office@agudasma.org.

76th Annual George Washington Letter Reading Honoring Religious Freedom. 1 p.m. Touro Synagogue, 52 Spring St., Newport. Every summer, Touro Synagogue Foundation partners with Congregation Jeshuat Israel to host this event, including letter reading and keynote address, honoring our nation’s heritage of religious freedom. In person and livestreamed on the Touro Synagogue Facebook page. Information and RSVP (limited seating), meryle@tourosynagogue.org or 401-847-4794, ext. 207.

Friday | August 25

Temple Torat Yisrael Virtual Kabbalat Shabbat Songs & Torah Services. 5:45-6:30 p.m. Lay-led services via Zoom. Information and Zoom link, Temple@ toratyisrael.org.

Temple Beth-El Membership Picnic & Shabbat Under the Stars. 5:45-8:30 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Prospective, new and current members are invited for an end-

of-the-summer dinner followed by a fun, musical outdoor Shabbat service and an ice cream truck oneg. Information and RSVP (by 8/18), Joie Magnone at jmagnone@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Saturday | August 26

Temple Torat Yisrael Virtual & In-person Shabbat Services.

9:30-10:30 a.m. 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Lay-led services both in person and via Zoom. Information, Temple@ toratyisrael.org.

Congregation Agudas Achim Shabbat Morning on Zoom. 10 a.m.-noon. Virtual services will include misheberach l’holim, a prayer for healing, as well as Mourners’ Kaddish. Information, office@agudasma.org.

Monday | August 28

Temple Sinai 8th Annual Golf Classic. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Valley Country Club, 251 New London Ave., Warwick. Enjoy a day of golf while supporting the temple’s educational program, the development of programs to assist low-income and elderly members, and the maintenance of the building. Cost (includes breakfast and lunch): $190 individual player; $760 foursome. $36 lunch only. Information and registration, dottie@templesinairi. org or 401-942-8350.

SEP. 1 | 11AM–2PM

The Jewish Alliance, Dwares JCC & Jewish Collaborative Services cordially invite you to attend our “Senior” Prom. Senior Prom attire encouraged · Please consider a $5 Donation

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Torah portion, the Book of Job acknowledges that good people do suffer, but that it is beyond the ability of human beings to understand why. We were not there at the creation and we are not privy to God’s ways.

The law of “Ekev” says that our suffering is, in part, our own fault. Evil things happen to us when we fail to sanctify God’s presence in our lives. And that is true to some extent.

The Book of Job says that we have no answers to questions about human suffering, and that is also true to some extent. We are left to find truth hovering somewhere between two contradictory statements.

In this world, which is filled with contradictions, we sometimes feel that everything is random and there is no “because,” hidden or knowable, to explain the universe. At other

times, we rebel against this seeming meaninglessness and insist that there is a “because,” even if it lies beyond the grasp of our understanding, that gives our existence purpose and reason.

There is a divinity that shapes our ends, as Shakespeare wrote, and our actions do play some role in hewing them. However, it is not for us to understand exactly how or why some suffer and others enjoy fortune.

We try to make the best choices we can in life, not in order to receive a reward, but because the struggle to find meaning and purpose is itself its own reward.

RABBI JEFFREY GOLDWASSER is

The power and danger of ‘because’

the spiritual leader of Temple Sinai, in Cranston.

ELMGROVE AVENUE, PROVIDENCE RI

Sponsored by Jewish Collaborative Services, City of Providence, Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, Bay State Physical Therapy, Quality Fruitland

Kid-friendly snacks and treats perfect for sharing

Family Features

– When hunger strikes and family fun calls for a snack to keep the excitement going, take your kiddos to the kitchen to whip up a tasty treat for all to enjoy. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or watching favorite movies, turn to an ingredient like popcorn that encourages creativity. Plus, it’s a delicious way for adults to turn back the clock and recreate childhood memories while making new ones with the family.

Consider these popcorn-inspired snacks to serve during your next adventure:

TAKE YOURSELF BACK IN TIME to your own childhood with a classic pairing that never goes out of style: Peanut Butter and Jelly Popcorn. This version offers a fun way to jazz up popcorn for kids and adults alike with a sprinkling of strawberries and dried cranberries on top for added nutrition.

WHEN IT’S TIME FOR a little fun in the sun or a trip to the park, sweeten up the celebration with this Graham Cracker Picnic Mix that’s a flavorful, kid-favorite combination of popcorn, bear-shaped graham crackers, marshmallows, fudge-covered pretzels and miniature cookies.

PIZZA IS HARD TO BEAT as a snacking solution the whole family can enjoy, and this Grab and Go Pizza Popcorn is no exception. Ready in just minutes by mixing popcorn, Parmesan cheese and seasonings, little ones can help prepare a batch quickly before heading out the door.

COLORFUL AND FUN, these Minty Green Popcorn Clusters are simple to make and a perfect treat to share. Just melt together marshmallows, butter, salt, green food coloring and peppermint extract before tossing with popcorn and green candy-coated chocolates.

To find more family-friendly snack time favorites, visit Popcorn.org.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Popcorn

Serves 4-6

8 cups popcorn

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons raspberry jam

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

3 tablespoons smooth natural peanut butter

1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries

1/4 cup dried cranberries

DIRECTIONS

In large bowl, stir popcorn and jam until evenly coated. Transfer to parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

In small heatproof bowl over small saucepan of barely simmering water, add white chocolate chips and peanut butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3-5 minutes, or until smooth and melted.

Drizzle peanut butter mixture over popcorn mixture. Sprinkle with strawberries and cranberries.

Refrigerate 10 minutes, or until peanut butter mixture is set; break into pieces to serve. Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.

Graham Cracker Picnic Mix

Makes about 12 cups

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup sugar

5-6 drops pink neon liquid food color or desired color

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels

1 package mini pastel marshmallows

1 cup bear-shaped graham crackers

1 package white fudge-covered pretzels

1 cup mini cookies

DIRECTIONS

In large pot over medium heat, stir oil, sugar and food coloring. Stir in popcorn kernels; cover. Cook until popcorn begins to pop. Shake pot over heat until popping slows.

Remove pan from heat and pour popcorn into large bowl.

Add marshmallows, graham crackers, pretzels and cookies then toss lightly.

Grab and Go Pizza Popcorn

Makes 6 quarts

INGREDIENTS

6 quarts popped popcorn

Olive oil cooking spray

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons garlic salt

2 teaspoons paprika

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

DIRECTIONS

Place popcorn in large, sealable plastic container or 2

1/2-gallon plastic sealable bag. Spray popcorn lightly with cooking spray.

Sprinkle cheese, garlic salt, paprika and Italian seasoning over popcorn and shake to distribute evenly.

FOOD

Kid-friendly snacks and treats continued

Promote economic policies and give working families a fair shot

Protect Social Security and move toward Medicare For All

Push for immigration reform that creates a path to citizenship

Ensure the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share in taxes

Collaborate with labor unions to pass pro-worker policies like the PRO Act

Fight for a federal ban on assault weapons

Advocate for bold policies to tackle the climate crisis and transition to a green economy

Defend women’s health and reproductive rights

Implement strong protections for LGBTQ+ Americans and pass the Equality Act

Minty Green Popcorn Clusters

Makes 32 clusters

INGREDIENTS

12 cups unsalted, unbuttered, popped popcorn

4 cups mini marshmallows

2 tablespoons butter or light olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon green food coloring

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 cup green candy-coated chocolate candies

DIRECTIONS

Place popcorn in large mixing bowl. In saucepan over

medium heat, melt marshmallows, butter and salt, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in food coloring and peppermint extract.

Toss marshmallow mixture with popcorn; cool 2-3 minutes, or until cool enough to handle. Toss with chocolate candies.

Shape 3 tablespoons of popcorn mixture into small cluster; repeat with remaining popcorn mixture. Place on wax paperlined baking sheet; cool completely.

Be gentle in all your gardens

Ihave a winter garden here in Providence, plus a summer garden in, aptly, South County.

WHAT DOES that mean, “have”? Oh, I pay taxes on each property, and I have the yards, front and back. Here in town, there is primarily a ground cover of ivy, and then later in the warm months, the Rose of Sharon shrub throws off bright crimson blossoms.

I inherited a peony bush, but it produces only one single sweet flower, and is long gone by now, after a brief indoor visit in a vase. Nothing exotic or profoundly “native,” so far. Is your soil “Eden”? I like to pretend that each creature, bird or beast, that visits my front, side or back door is

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a Hasidic guest sent down from the firmament above to check me out. Squirrel, robin, pigeon, mourning dove, rabbit, all welcome ... but how about a mouse in the house?

I did try to use a humane trap, called Mice Cube, and it was a wondrous blessing for me. Clear wee boxes, and you add a dab of peanut butter, then one side door, or wall, would trap it until you turned it over ... and then, unharmed, safe and sound, the prisoner could and would escape into its own Eden of wilderness. But not before cussing me out, as I interpreted its body language.

But they don’t make the trap that way anymore, and I am forced to commit a crime – a serious offense, according to my code.

Years ago, when my son lived with us, he woke me once and said, “Dad, there’s a squirrel in the shower stall.” There was indeed, but I had a humane trap and got it out after an adventurous hunt for both of us, me and the intruder, and plenty of open

But back to the plants, shrubs, small trees: they too pose problems, spiritually and morally. What constitutes a “weed”? I leave this up to my noble wife’s judgment, and her hands and fists to tend, till, take action and determine the destiny of each flower, herb, the ground

I cannot render my mercy as the fate of every leaf, root or seed in my domain. I always liked my dandelions, and welcomed whatever blew in on the flying hope on wings, breezes, or in raindrops perhaps, or even via the droppings of a passing

So, my point is that gardening is a form of prayer, as you try to recover the dream of Eden, that humans can share the humus honorably ... except for the tree of “knowledge,” by which I mean the very concept of “progress.”

Everything we buy, cherish and value is perhaps a sin, an unforgivable crime against Genesis. I vastly prefer the word “regress,” to an imagined time when the human hand could cope charitably with the lifetime requirements of a contemplative citizen.

We have lost our way – although I live not on a “street,” but a “way.” Our “way” blends into a “memorial” road. So, poetically, we might read our Torah as a warning against spellcheck, and an invitation to pen our prayers with our fingers ... and thus win the blessings from the blue sky ....

Quite sincerely and not totally whimsically, I read our Genesis and its forbidden fruit as strangely relevant to the crisis currently facing our globe, when our “intelligence” has poisoned the blessings of the great wide world and closed the gates and posed the problems of our pride and gluttony.

As our Hebrew month of Av, with its memorial destruction and thus its mourning and fasting, brings us pause to ponder, let us rediscover our personal Edens with gentler gardens – privately, politically, philosophically, spiritually, locally.

MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol. com) is a professor emeritus at the Rhode Island School of Design.

PHOTOS MIKE FINK

MIKE FINK

COMMUNITY VOICES

An exhibit every American should see

The June opening of “A Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust” at the American Philatelic Center, featuring the Holocaust Stamps Project’s 11 million stamps and 18 collages made from some of the stamps, is significant in many ways.

ABOVE ALL , the permanent exhibition at the museum in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, run by the American Philatelic Society, preserves the hard work of the students and staff at the Foxboro Regional Charter School, in Foxboro, Massachusetts, where the stamps were collected from 2009 to 2017.

I’ve written extensively about the project, and that’s given me time to reflect on its importance in an era when antisemitism has been sharply increasing.

Here are my top five reasons why the exhibit should be viewed by people of all backgrounds to enhance their knowledge of the Holocaust, so it never happens again.

1. An alarming rise in hate

The ease and speed at which antisemitism is growing is alarming. The Anti-Defamation League’s April report showed a 41% rise in antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts from 2021 to 2022, and a more than 35% spike nationwide over that same period.

That hate has continued in 2023. For example, a swastika and hatefilled words directed at the LGBTQ+ community were recently found spray-painted on the 110-year-old Congregation Agudath Achim, in Taunton, Massachusetts. That vandalism particularly saddened me, because it’s where my wife, Lynne, and I were married almost 35 years ago.

2. Teachers can make a difference

Charlotte Sheer, now retired, showed what could be done to get an elementary-school class to talk about something as ghastly as the Holocaust without frightening the children. The stamps project was an offshoot of a discussion in her fifthgrade class in 2009 about a children’s book on the Holocaust, “Number the Stars,” by Lois Lowry. The book tells the story of a Danish girl who helps smuggle Jewish families out of German-occupied Denmark during World War II.

the K-12 school collecting 11 million stamps? Sheer, in an interview with Josh Moyer of the Centre Daily Times, in Pennsylvania, recalled the project’s genesis: “We came around to the fact that once you use it [a stamp] once, it’s thrown away as having no value – which is exactly what Hitler was doing with human beings, throwing them away as having no value,” Sheer said.

“So, then I took it a step further and I took out a whole bunch of postage stamps for them to look at, and I said, ‘What do you notice about them?’ They said they’re all different. They had different places, different people and different values, even. They represented the diversity of the world, which Hitler was trying to eliminate. So, we had a lot of symbolism attached to the stamps.”

3. A lesson children can grasp

But how did that discussion lead to

LARRY KESSLER

During the exhibition’s dedication, Boaz Dvir, the director of the Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education Initiative at Penn State, spoke about the hands-on benefits of the Holocaust Stamps Project. Dvir told Moyer that this was the type of learning “that can alter the perception of a child and provide that child with something they can carry on beyond just regurgitating knowledge on a test.”

Sheer agreed.

“What we’ve done means other kids are going to learn from it and, hopefully, adults too,” she said. “And in this age of rising antisemitism, it couldn’t happen at a more important time.”

4. The significance of the 11 million

At a time when far too many people seem emboldened by political rhetoric to promote hate against not only American Jews, but other minorities, especially Blacks and members of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s important to stress why 11 million stamps were collected. That figure was chosen to represent both the 6 million Jews slaughtered by the Nazis and the 5 million people of other faiths and backgrounds who were killed.

In addition, with Holocaust survivors dwindling to a precious few, it’s vital to recall that the Holocaust began with hate speech and by dehumanizing Jews, members of the LGBTQ+ community and others who weren’t part of the Aryan majority in Germany. This is why laws passed in some states that aim to take away the rights of minorities are not only morally wrong, but also

dangerous: they promote the first steps toward normalizing hate that could – God forbid – lead to a new Holocaust.

5. Lessons beyond the classroom

Here are two examples of how Holocaust education can connect with people of all ages:

• Stamps were donated from 48 states, the District of Columbia and 29 countries, including from a woman in Vermont who called me in 2015, while I was working at The Sun Chronicle, in Attleboro. Alice Dulude said her husband, Bill, a stamp collector, had bought a box of stamps at a show and wanted to donate it. Their son, Bill Dulude Jr., dropped off the box of 60,000 stamps to me, and I turned it over to Sheer.

• There’s a neat story behind the selfie of Sheer that accompanies this column. It was taken in front of the last collage made by students. Titled “L’Chaim – To Life!,” it celebrates Holocaust survivors Sam and Goldie Weinreb, who immigrated to Pittsburgh before moving to the Boston area. It was created by Sarah Defanti, who was in the Foxboro school’s Class of 2018, Sheer said, and noted that Defanti didn’t stop there. Sheer said that after learning that “his arrest by the Nazis had halted Weinreb’s education, she [Defanti] convinced the school administration to issue him an honorary diploma as a member of her own graduating

class. The special bond that grew between them lasted right up until Weinreb’s passing in 2021.”

That’s the perfect example of a student learning an enduring lesson.

LARRY KESSLER (larrythek65@ gmail.com) is a freelance writer based in North Attleboro.

“German Motors is convenient, reasonably priced, trustworthy and does excellent work. Far and away the best place to have your German car serviced.”

–Charles B., BMW 3 Series

He blogs at larrytheklineup.blogspot.com.

Charlotte Sheer took this selfie in front of one of the 18 collages made from some of the 11 million stamps collected as part of the Holocaust Stamps Project that’s part of the exhibit at the American Philatelic Center called “A Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust.” “L’Chaim – To Life!” celebrates Holocaust survivors Sam and Goldie Weinreb.

Portrait of a portraitist

The distinguished British artist David Hockney began winning acclaim, and notoriety, during the 1960s, at the dawn of his career.

GIVEN HIS SOMEWHAT mundane and irreverent imagery, he was often grouped with other British and American artists associated with the Pop Art movement. But Hockney, who was born in 1937, has not only outlived most of his contemporaries, he has continued to grow in terms of technical skills, points of view and emotional insights.

While renowned as a painter, Hockney has experimented with all kinds of media, including drawing, printmaking, photogra phy, digital imagery and stage design.

Having primarily chal lenged himself, he has in turn attracted legions of admirers. Indeed, Hockney can now be considered a contemporary “old master.”

Thanks to a huge gift of British art in 1996 from Richard Brown Baker (19122002), a Providence native and a brilliant collector, the RISD Museum acquired three works by Hockney.

One is a pen-and-ink portrait, created in 1969, and another is an aquatint of a reclining figure, made six years later. But my favorite

Hockney at the RISD Museum is an acrylic painting on canvas (6 feet tall by 4 feet wide), made in 1964. Titled “Plastic Tree Plus City Hall,” it sardonically portrays the landmark office tower in downtown Los Angeles, my hometown. Hockney grew up in Bradford, England, then studied in London, but began living in L.A. that very same year. After teaching briefly at UCLA, he decided to stay in the city, but he has also traveled widely.

Yes, much of Hockney’s early art portrays swimming pools, palm trees and hillsides, as well as light, glamour and effervescence: a world of pleasure, if not hedonism.

And Hockney has never been shy about portraying gay culture.

Yet a great many of his portraits, especially of friends and lovers, display kindness, charm and intimacy. Among his many portraits of colleagues, including Jews, I especially admire Hockney’s portraits of Henry Geldzahler, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s first curator of modern art – such warmth and dignity.

In 1978, as an interviewer in UCLA’s Oral History Program, I became friendly with two Hockney clients, Fred and Marcia Weisman. In 1968, the couple, having become major collectors of contemporary art, commis -

sioned a double-portrait, an acrylic on canvas, 7 feet tall by 10 feet wide.

After their divorce, Fred established a museum in his new residence, and Marcia, whom I came to know much better, became a key leader and benefactor of L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

By the time I had met the Weismans at their Beverly Hills home, Andy Warhol had already created their portraits, which I saw hanging in their Malibu residence.

One day, Marcia offered to take me to see a new Warhol show at an L.A. gallery. I offered to drive my Toyota, which I thought was apt, because Fred was an East Coast importer and distributor of such vehicles. Marcia decided, however, to drive her Bentley.

No doubt the Weismans had been inspired by a renowned art collector, Norton Simon, who not only built his own fabulous art collection but ultimately installed it in the failed Pasadena Museum of Modern Art. Norton was Marcia’s older brother, and Fred and he had been business partners for decades before their financial separation.

Yes, the Simon-Weisman family were Jews, but, as far as I could gather, they were not major supporters of Jewish causes. However, they did belong to the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, where my family belonged, and Marcia helped Cedars-Sinai Hospital acquire some art.

Fred also helped his alma mater, the University of Min-

nesota, erect an art museum, which was designed by another Angeleno with a rather modest Jewish profile, Frank Gehry. Early in his career, before achieving stardom, Gehry had renovated the Weismans’ kitchen.

Why did Hockney’s haunting portrait of Marcia and Fred, who had posed beside a Henry Moore sculpture and a Native American totem pole in their verdant backyard, end up at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it is quite prominently displayed? Essentially, the Weismans didn’t like it. Marcia looks far from attractive, and Fred resembles a zombie. At the time he posed for the portrait, he was in fact recovering from a beating by Frank Sinatra’s bodyguard. I probably shouldn’t say much more about this bizarre incident, though the perpetrator is also deceased.

I’m not sure what Fred and Marcia had paid Hockney, but their portrait is now probably worth tens of millions of dollars. When I last saw it, in 2018, at the Metropolitan Museum, as part of Hockney’s traveling, international retrospective exhibition, I wanted to tell other visitors that the Weismans were good people – at least to me – and that they had suffered numerous misfortunes. Hockney never knew this, or didn’t much care. Since 1968, however, he has accepted very few portrait commissions.

By the late 1970s, my younger sister, Betty, had become a Hockney fan. A journalist, she once interviewed him at his studio on

Mulholland Drive, atop the Hollywood Hills.

On April 18, 1985, when I saw a major traveling exhibition of Hockney’s theater designs, at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, I happened to recognize Hockney. So I asked him to autograph a copy of the exhibition catalog for Betty. He seemed angered by my request, but also accepted my flattery. So, to be rid of me, he complied.

Betty and her husband, Keith, who became deeply interested in contemporary art, eventually acquired three Hockney prints.

My wife, Betsey, and I recently visited London, primarily to savor its superb art museums. We encountered only one Hockney painting, “A Bigger Splash,” created in 1967. One of 10 Hockneys belonging to Tate Britain, it portrays a backyard swimming pool. There’s a splash, but no people.

Betsey and I almost accidentally encountered a Hockney self-portrait from 2012 in a Mayfair restaurant aglow with contemporary art. I thought that this image was a lithograph, but later learned that it was an iPad drawing printed in an edition of 25.

How this artist continues to challenge and perhaps surpass himself!

The RISD Museum needs an even bigger and better Hockney painting. Perhaps a portrait of Betsey and me?

GEORGE M. GOODWIN , of Providence, is the editor of Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes.

American Jewish groups react to Pittsburgh synagogue shooter’s sentence

BY JTA STAFF

(JTA) – American Jewish organizations reacted to the news that Robert Bowers, the man who murdered 11 Jews at prayer in 2018, has been sentenced to death. Groups stressed in their comments that the memory of the victims should remain paramount. Many also expressed gratitude that the shooter’s devastating crime was treated with the gravity it

deserved.

Below is a rundown of statements, in whole or in part, from Jewish organizations in response to Wednesday’s verdict:

American Jewish Committee: “As we collectively process the jury’s decision today, what should always be top of mind is the memory of the 11 people murdered in a synagogue while at prayer by a cold-blooded hater of Jews. Ultimately what is of most sig-

nificance is not how the shooter will spend the end of his life, but the fact that the U.S. government pursued this case with vigor and demonstrated that such crimes will not be countenanced, excused or minimized.”

Ronald Lauder, World Jewish Congress: “Today’s decision represents a measure of justice for the slaughter of 11 Jewish worshippers on that fateful day in 2018 at the Tree of Life synagogue. Nothing can ever bring

back the people killed in the attack, the deadliest act of antisemitism in the history of the United States. The jury’s decision is a stark reminder to remain vigilant about countering antisemitism, wherever it may hide. I call on American leaders to amplify their efforts to protect Jewish communities across the country so that such a tragedy never again takes place.”

Tips to ease the transition from summer to school

WITH THE LEISURE TIME of summer ending as we head into the fall months, our children might begin to feel anxious about the schedules and pressure of going back to school.

I taught parenting skills decades ago when I was an elementary-school guidance counselor. Some of the key points I stressed are that parents should help children make decisions and understand the consequences of their actions. Here are some steps that helped me as a parent when I was raising my daughter:

• We talked about feelings.

• I listened.

• We discussed why certain decisions were made.

• I followed “say yes to the person, no to the situation.” This means respecting the child and letting them know that they are valued, while saying no to specific situations or behaviors.

Sharon Duke Estroff, an internationally syndicated Jewish parenting columnist, wrote an article for aish.com titled “Back to School Sanity,” in which she emphasizes the importance of study as well as downtime. She wrote:

“ ‘Six days shall you labor and do all your work’ reads the Book of Exodus, ‘and the seventh day is the Sabbath to the Lord your God [on which] you shall not do any work.’

“Our kids desperately need a time to recharge and refuel. And in Shabbat, they have it.”

Another point that Estroff makes is about the joy of learning for its own sake.

“The Mishnah states that Torah should be studied lishmah, for its own sake. In other words, we shouldn’t learn Torah with ulterior motives (i.e. getting

on God’s A-list or wowing others with our biblical mastery). Rather, we should release ourselves to the beauty and majesty of the text – enjoying it in its own right.”

When we approach learning with curiosity, we are motivated learners.

It enriches our life and expands our horizons.

As the school year begins, we can talk to our children and teens about what excites them, what subjects they really enjoy and how they can hone their skills in that area.

As for the subjects that they don’t like or excel at, that is also a learning experience that can instill confidence – if they can accept the challenge and grow from it.

A confidence-building example from my own life was mastering computer skills and technology, which is essential in my media and training work. This is one of my greatest accomplishments because it didn’t come naturally to me, but I have stuck with it. Now, I even try to figure out things on my own before asking for help!

School can be both a learning experience and a personal growth experience, and if we can help our children understand that, we can help them be happier learners.

PATRICIA RASKIN , owner of Raskin Resources Productions, is an awardwinning radio producer, business owner and leader. She is on the board of directors of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence, and is a recipient of the Providence Business News 2020 Leaders and Achievers award. Her “Positive Aging with Patricia Raskin” podcast is broadcast on the Rhode Island PBS website, ripbs.org/positiveaging.

Open

PATRICIA RASKIN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Secure Community Network: “This sentence sends a message to violent extremists, terrorists and antisemites everywhere that the United States will not tolerate hate and violence against the Jewish people, nor any people of faith. Though nothing will replace those taken from us nor ever fully assuage the grief that continues, this sentence is another step on the path to justice… While this event may have stretched the will and spirit of the Jewish community, it never broke it – nor will any act of hate or violence.”

Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence: “The jury today issued its final verdict, ensuring that the perpetrator of the deadliest act of antisemitic violence in American history will never walk free. We thank the many participants in the judicial process, including the jurors, Judge Colville and his staff, the prosecutors and other Justice Department employees who worked long and hard to bring us to this day. We are also grateful to the law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way on October 27, 2018, and saved many lives. And we remember the 11 people murdered that day because they were Jews and because of the easy accessibility of guns in our state and nation.”

Alan Hausman, Tree of Life Congregation: “I am thankful for the thoughtful deliberation and hard work of all who got us to today’s decision. Nothing about this process has been easy. I will forever be grateful for all those who have helped our congregation these past fourplus years: the public safety department and law enforcement officers, our fellow Pittsburghers, and people of all faiths and backgrounds from across the country and around the world. While today’s decision is hard, it also marks the start of a new chapter at Tree of Life, and I find myself hopeful because of the love and support we still receive as we continue to heal and move forward.”

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, Tree of Life Congregation: “Today’s decision and the pending sentences on the non-capital crimes mark the closing chapter of an emotional, months-long trial. In the years we have spent waiting for this trial to take place, many of us have been stuck in neutral. It was a challenge to move forward with the looming specter of a murder trial. Now that the trial is nearly over and the jury has recommended a death sentence, it is my hope that we can begin to heal and move forward. As we do, I have my faith, bolstered by the embrace and respect with which my community has been treated by our government and our fellow citizens. For this and the seriousness with which the jury took its duty, I remain forever grateful.”

Who was the J writer of our Torah?

MY FIRST ENCOUNTER with Harold Bloom (1930-2019), Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale, was in the early ’80s, when I was teaching a seminar-style class in Jewish mysticism at Connecticut College, in New London. I don’t remember how I came across his 1982 book, “The Breaking of the Vessels,” but I do remember how I thrilled to Bloom’s intellectual energy and his passion for literature, which touched both my mind and my heart.

I have been a fan of Bloom ever since, and have benefited from a number of his works, large and small. He has brought his enormous breadth and depth of reading to his comprehensive volume, “The Western Canon: The Books and Schools of the Ages” (1994), which – given his strongly voiced and often idiosyncratic interpretations – has generated an abundance of praise and vigorous disapproval.

I continue to be overwhelmed by Bloom’s “Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human” (1998). Though he is not considered a specialist on The Bard, Bloom’s encyclopedic knowledge of literature enables him to make multiple connections between Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as with both his antecedents and his successors.

It is as if Bloom’s capacious – on occasion, febrile – mind links, either positively or negatively, every significant Western writer with every other major Western writer. One of Bloom’s overriding themes is that our greatest authors learn and grow by “misreading” other great authors.

When Bloom’s “The Book of J” came out in 1990, it raised more than a few eyebrows. In this work, Bloom, a generalist and certainly not an acknowledged biblical scholar, dared to suggest that the author of the J narrative in our Torah was most likely a gifted aristocratic woman living in Jerusalem sometime between 950 and 900 B.C.E., as Solomon’s kingdom was breaking apart under the misrule of his son Rehoboam.

Within the ever-expanding world of biblical scholarship, who or what is J? While traditionalists

continue to hold to their belief that Moses, in receipt of God’s direct words, wrote the entire Torah, non-traditional Jews –including most members of the Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist movements – see our Torah as the composite work of four primary writers: J (Yahwist), E (Elohist), P (Priestly) and D (Deuteronomic).

The details of this putting-together of our Torah over the course of centuries are always subject to debate and revision.

Nevertheless, most liberal Jewish, Protestant and Catholic biblical scholars agree on the general outline of what has been called, since the late 19th century, the Documentary Hypothesis.

Bloom’s primary purpose in “The Book of J” is to expand on the character of the author J and on the character of Yahweh, whom J creates. One does not have to read more than the first four or five chapters of Genesis to discern that there are at least two different authors of the text and two very different versions of the so-called Biblical God.

Many, if not most, of you are familiar with the opening verses of our Torah, Genesis 1.1-3: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth; and the earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the abyss. The spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

The entire first chapter of Genesis and the first four and a half verses of chapter two are written in the formal and elegant style of the P (Priestly) author or authors. The God that P envisions is the king of the universe: majestic, omnipotent, “up there,” remote from humankind.

Now listen to the voice of J’s opening account of creation, as translated from the Hebrew by David Rosenberg, who provides the English text of J from which Bloom develops his extended commentary:

“Before a plant of the field was

in the earth, before a grain of the field sprouted – Yahweh had not yet spilled rain on the earth, nor was there man to work the land – yet from the day Yahweh made earth and sky, a mist from within would rise to moisten the surface. Yahweh shaped an earthling from clay of this earth, blew into its nostrils the wind of life. Now look: man becomes a creature of flesh.” (Genesis 2,4b-7)

It is clear that the style of J’s writing differs markedly from that of the Priestly documents. Even more significant, P’s view of God “up there” is radically different from J’s understanding of Yahweh “down here,” strolling through the Garden of Eden, crying out to Adam, hiding in his nakedness, “Ayeka, Where are you?”

Indeed, J portrays Yahweh as human-all-too-human, perversely trying to keep Adam and Eve from knowing good and evil – that is to say, from developing a moral sense.

Moving on to chapter 18 of Genesis, J depicts Abraham and Yahweh debating almost as equals over the fate of the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah; one could argue that it is Abraham who wins this argument. J’s Yahweh is not only incompatible with P’s God but also incompatible with the God worshipped by the great rabbis, Hillel and Akiba, about whom we read in our Talmud.

In his challenging commentary on the J text of our Torah, Harold Bloom raises far more questions than any of us can answer. He seems to take delight in the multiple ironies he has uncovered:

“… J did not think in terms of sacred texts as she composed the scrolls that constitute her achievement. The stories of the Creation, of the Patriarchs, of Joseph, of Moses, were not for her holy tales, not at all. Of all the extraordinary ironies concerning J, the most remarkable is that this fountainhead of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam simply was not a religious writer.”

JAMES B. ROSENBERG is a rabbi emeritus at Temple Habonim, in Barrington. Contact him at rabbiemeritus@templehabonim. org.

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

RABBI JAMES ROSENBERG

OPINION

BY ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL (JTA)

When Israel’s parliament on July 24 passed the first plank in a series of reform proposals meant to curb the power of Israel’s judiciary, it set off alarms among Israel’s supporters abroad.

LIBERAL AND CENTRIST

Jewish groups said weakening the judiciary would undermine Israeli democracy. Thomas Friedman, the New York Times columnist, wrote an open letter to President Joe Biden saying that he must save Israel “from being destroyed from the inside.” Conservative Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin welcomed news that Israel’s Supreme Court would review the legislation, saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will have endangered the country for nothing.”

Rabbi Donniel Hartman is urging critics of the judicial reforms and Netanyahu’s government to take a deep breath. Not because he supports the proposals – he agrees they would “undermine the systems of checks and balances necessary to protect Israel’s democratic identity.” But he warns that the bill passed on July 24 represents one of the least controversial planks in Netanyahu’s reform plan, and that the massive demonstrations against the proposals have united an Israeli consensus around what he is calling a “new social coalition.”

Hartman is the president, along with Yehuda Kurtzer, of the Shalom Hartman Institute, a Jerusalem-based think tank that promotes pluralism and liberal values in Israel and beyond. Hundreds of North American rabbis and Jewish lay leaders have cycled through Hartman programs, which promote diversity, civil discourse and what it calls the “democratic character of Israel.”

Hartman recently spoke to a group of rabbis about the public backlash to the reform proposals, and

the political implications between now and the next scheduled Israeli elections in 2026. On July 27, he shared some of those same ideas with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, explaining why he thinks Netanyahu is playing a weak hand, why the Palestinian issue is on the back burner and why North American Jews should channel their gloom over the current legislation into support for its opponents.

A note on the judicial proposals: The legislation passed July 24 would end the Israeli Supreme Court’s ability to strike down government decisions and appointments judges deems “unreasonable.” Other proposals include changing the law to allow ministers to install political appointees as legal advisers in their ministries – which critics say would remove an important check on corruption – and one that would give the Knesset the power to override Supreme Court decisions by a simple majority. Another proposal would give more power to politicians in appointing judges.

For now, those proposals are on pause.

Our conversation was edited for length and clarity.

I’ve been thinking of the “day after” fear and anticipation after some recent watershed events – Trump’s election, the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, maybe the Brexit vote. Did Monday’s vote on the “reasonableness” clause mark a before and after?

No. It doesn’t feel like a Brexit moment, because the

vote on the reasonableness clause is not big enough. The election itself was more significant. The proposal of the reform was more significant. The “reasonableness” clause was the perfect issue for Netanyahu to pick, because it’s the most reasonable of the judicial reform proposals. Overall there are five big reform proposals, including the way the Israeli Supreme Court is selected, the power of the attorneys general and the “override” clause. The last is the one the haredi Orthodox want because no matter who is on the Supreme Court or what they decide they could just cancel it out. That’s just the end of democracy.

So Netanyahu pushed the right one for a first victory, but in order to stop the slippery slope process, [the opposition] had to pretend as if this was very big. It was a tactical game, to claim

strange that Netanyahu seems so intimidated by them. Because he holds all the power. They have no power. Where are they going to go? Who are they going to sit with? If they vote against the right-wing government, their careers will be over.

You said the 2022 election was the real watershed moment. In what way?

The consequence of the election was the judicial reform proposals, which raised a fundamental question: What is the nature of our country? Trump wasn’t the end of America, but his election asked the question, What is America?

Can Israelis right the ship as they see it in the next election?

80% of Israelis accept. Then we can win and that’s where 2026 is going to change.

You said “assuming that Netanyahu is not going to be prime minister.” How does he keep this new social coalition from happening?

As long as he runs, the center and the left won’t join a coalition with him. They’re like never-Trumpers. They despise him. They don’t trust him. The Likud kept Netanyahu because he gave them 32 seats [a formidable bloc in the 120-seat Knesset, where 61 seats are needed to form a government]. But if he goes down to 26, there’s a whole bunch of people who are just waiting to replace him.

that the override clause was the end of democracy. Tom Friedman overplayed his cards. Nope. It’s far from the end.

This was just the beginning of a three-year war. This is going to go on until 2026.

Why 2026?

That’s when the next elections are.

Assuming the government doesn’t fall before then.

It can’t fall. Because unless there’s an internal split in Likud [Netanyahu’s party], neither [far-right government ministers Itamar] Ben-Gvir or [Betzalel] Smotrich or the haredim will ever join with the Joint List [an Arab coalition] or Avigdor Lieberman [a nationalist opposition member] to vote this government out. They’ll kvetch, they’ll complain, they’ll threaten, but they can’t leave and that’s what makes it so

I believe this is the last Likud-led government and it certainly is the last right-wing government. That’s assuming that Netanyahu is not going to be prime minister. This whole reform issue has created an awareness that there are different coalitions being formed in Israel, which aren’t being formed around the right-left wing divide. That divide doesn’t really exist anymore. There is a broad centrist camp that agrees on Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] and economic theory. And there is no possibility of a two-state solution anyway – I just don’t know how to implement it. On the fringes, there is a left-wing socialist camp, let’s call it, and there is a right-wing settler group. Other than that, 80% of Israel is not divided under the left wing-right wing categories. You see at the demonstrations and in the polls that 20 to 30% of those who used to be on the right or are still on the right no longer want to vote for Netanyahu, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. They want to find alternative expressions for their identities.

What we need to do over the next three years is to frame a new social coalition in Israel, around internal values of liberal Zionism and liberal Judaism, which

You used the term “liberal Zionist” before. I think you use it differently than an American Jew might. Here it means someone who is proIsrael but is desperate to see a resolution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict.

It’s very interesting how the category of liberalism has been reclaimed in Israeli society. While in America the term is very divisive, actually in Israel it is becoming much more inclusive. It’s the old liberalism of liberties – a belief in Zionism and the right of the Jewish people to a state but one that believes in human rights and a diverse public sphere and that respects law and the Supreme Court. It’s the old Likud. It’s the old [Ze’ev] Jabotinsky [the prestate leader of Revisionist Zionism]. It’s the old [Likud Prime Minister] Menachem Begin. It’s not Smotrich or Ben-Gvir, and it’s not the haredi parties.

But it doesn’t extend to the Palestinian issue.

Liberal Zionism in Israel recognizes that we don’t want to be an occupier of another people. But for the vast majority of Israelis, “the Palestinians want to murder me.” There is no Palestinian Authority today.

‘What we need to do over the next three years is to frame a new social coalition in Israel...’

The Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center

Did you know that the names that are engraved at the Holocaust Memorial in Providence are of survivors who settled in Rhode Island? We are preparing to engrave more names onto the Memorial in August.

If your loved one's name has not been engraved and they are a Holocaust survivor who settled in Rhode Island, please contact us before August 15, 2023.

Contact Us: info@hercri.org 401.453.7860

2023

2021 Patron Honor PATRONRoll HONOR ROLL

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On behalf of the Jewish Rhode Island team, I want to thank every contributor to the annual Patron Campaign. We are grateful for your generosity. Jewish Rhode Island relies on your support, along with advertising revenue and an allocation from the Jewish Federation Foundation, to stay strong and viable.

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Contributions received after July 14, 2023 will be recognized in next year’s Patron Honor Roll.

COMMUNITY Art draws us together

BY ROBERT ISENBERG

couldn’t meet in person, folks were welcome to draw whatever was around them on that rainy day. If they sketched something they liked, they could send me a picture.

I logged off, drove home, and made dinner. I thought: I guess that’s the end of that.

But that wasn’t the end.

BUSINESS 28 | OBITUARIES 29

IT BEGAN as I was backing out of my driveway in Cranston in a torrential downpour. I would brave the rain, I told myself. I would get to Providence, come hell or (literally) high water.

Then it happened: my phone squealed out a message from the National Weather Service: “CodeRED Weather Warning: The NWS has issued a Flash Flood Warning for your location.”

On Reservoir Avenue, the foothigh waters gushed around my wheel wells. Thunder rumbled on the horizon. My wipers squeaked frantically across the windshield. SUVs rumbled out of side streets, raising fins of water.

“There’s no way,” I muttered to myself. “We have to cancel.”

This was the death knell for Community Sketching, a free outdoor art event I had helped organize for July 16. But instead of drawing together in the streets of Providence’s East Side, Community Sketching ended with a dreary phone call to my co-organizer and a last-minute email to the people who had signed up.

All I’d wanted was to spend a summer afternoon drawing some landmarks with new friends. I had even changed the rendezvous point, from outdoors at the Roger Williams Memorial to the indoor lobby of the RISD Museum.

But like the saying goes: man makes plans and the National Weather Service laughs.

I couldn’t even reach the on-ramp to I-95, much less drive downtown.

By this point, most would-be participants had already texted me, explaining that they wouldn’t be able to attend.

“Dear Friends,” I tapped into my phone, once I’d found a dry place to park. “I hope you are all safe and dry. It should come as no surprise ….”

Swallowing my disappointment, I added a final note: even if we

The next day, I received a message from Renee Lipson, one of the people who had signed up for the Community Sketching event.

“I took your suggestion,” she wrote, “and sketched my new neighbors – exemplary models, never complained about being quiet and still. Thanks for advising me to sketch after the cancellation, as it did spur me on.”

Renee wanted to show me her work. She didn’t want to send an email attachment, but rather to meet in person. And she wouldn’t share just that Sunday sketch, but many drawings and paintings she had composed in the past few months. This is how I recently found myself at Borealis Coffee Company, seated across from Renee and flipping through her sketchbooks.

As I soon learned, Renee Lipson spent “the first 91 years” of her life in Fall River, Massachusetts. Two years ago, the nonagenarian widow purchased a house in Riverside with her son and daughter, who had recently moved back to the area. The trio now shares the twostory residence, a few blocks from where we were sipping coffee.

Renee looks far younger than 93, and she’s sharp. In a shaded corner of the patio, she told me about her life.

How her parents immigrated from Russia and Romania. How her late husband, Robert Lipson, used to own a shop in Fall River called Bertha’s Bakery. How, in the 1950s, Renee disapproved of a moody employee at Bertha’s and replaced her as the bakery’s cake decorator – for the next 40 years. How she earned two master’s degrees, including a degree in holistic stress management. How she spent years as a real estate

agent. How she had always dabbled in art, drawing and painting and honing her skills.

“I was always taking classes,” she told me with an impish grin.

I was smitten by Renee’s story, and all the more so when I saw her work. Renee had drawn trees and waterfowl, people lounging in chairs and close-ups of her own left hand. She showed me portraits based on photographs, and floral watercolors.

Renee has a natural talent, and she has practiced a range of techniques, from pencil to pigment. Some of her work has already hung in local galleries, and more has already been earmarked for display.

Renee then invited me over to her house, where she showed off her art supplies and a pile of original pieces. She had created so many pictures that she’d struggled to frame them all. On the walls, I admired Renee’s daughter’s choice

of artworks, from impressionist canvases to vintage travel posters.

I loved this brief window into Renee’s life – how, in less than two hours, we’d gone from complete strangers to good acquaintances.

As I drove away, I reveled in this unexpected consolation prize. No, the Community Sketching event hadn’t taken place, and for reasons beyond our control. But putting ink on paper had never been as important as meeting like-minded people. Renee had done both. One way or another, art draws us together.

ROBERT ISENBERG (risenberg@ jewishallianceri.org) is the multimedia producer for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and a writer for Jewish Rhode Island.

PHOTO | ROBERT ISENBERG

Renee Lipson

‘Renee has a natural talent, and she has practiced a range of techniques ...’

This story starts on a dark and stormy afternoon –and at first I thought it would end with a sinking feeling and a “glug.”

COMMUNITY

Holocaust center plans fall programs for children and adults

BY GIOVANNA WISEMAN

PROVIDENCE –The Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center is bringing back and expanding its programs for children, teens and adults this fall.

The center is expanding its elementary reading program, “Get Up! Stand Up!” The program brings age-appropriate books about kindness and acceptance into K–5 classrooms. After reading five books, students complete a short reflection evaluating the lessons and values they learned.

The inaugural program, held in Scituate earlier this year, was a resounding success, so the center is now planning to expand Get Up! Stand Up! into public libraries across the state.

The program, while not

directly related to Holocaust education, emphasizes the importance of tolerance and the beauty in diverse perspectives. You are never too young to be kind!

The center is also bringing back its Leadership Institute for Teens for a second year. LIFT’s pilot gave teens numerous opportunities to bond with one another and build leadership skills to help their communities. The group was multicultural, with students coming together across geographical, religious and racial lines.

Building a diverse group was intentional; in addition to focusing on the Holocaust, the center is committed to partnerships with all communities.

Highlights from last year’s LIFT program included a visit from the Non-Violence

Institute, a presentation by Holocaust survivor Ada Winsten and Nadia Escalante, a recent refugee from Guatemala, and the composition of a graphic novel that chronicles the life story of Ruth Oppenheim, who experienced firsthand the violence of Kristallnacht.

The teens finished the program with a community-service project, which involved collecting books about empathy and inclusion and distributing them in areas of low-literacy.

If you have a high-school student in your life, please encourage them to visit the center’s website, https:// bornsteinholocaustcenter. org, where they can apply to join LIFT. The free program will meet once or twice each month from October to April. LIFT is partially funded by

the Jordan Tannenbaum and Harold Winsten Family Endowment.

The center’s long-running Speaker’s Bureau is the heart of the organization. As Holocaust survivors age, the bureau increasingly relies on their children and other family members to keep the memory of their loved ones alive by sharing their stories.

While survivor testimony is undoubtedly priceless, hearing from the second generation offers something perhaps even more valuable than history – a sense of continuity.

Second-generation speakers can share the trauma of their parents, but also their own inherited pain. They can explain that antisemitism did not end with the Holocaust, that it is in fact getting worse – this is what motivates many

of them to tell their family stories.

In some ways, learning about the Holocaust through second-generation survivors is just as powerful as hearing from survivors themselves – their mere presence proclaims, “We are still here!” Still dynamic. Still alive.

The center is grateful that our local survivor community is so strong, and looks forward to continuing to work together to fight antisemitism and all forms of hate. We hope you and the young people in your life will join us in our mission.

GIOVANNA WISEMAN is the director of programming and community outreach at the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, in Providence.

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COMMUNITY

76th reading of Washington’s letter to honor religious freedom, public service

NEWPORT — On Aug. 20, the Touro Synagogue Foundation and Congregation Jeshuat Israel will host the George Washington Letter Reading, an annual event honoring our nation’s heritage of religious freedom.

Washington’s August 1790

letter “To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport” was written during his first trip to Rhode Island as president and affirmed the new federal government’s absolute

commitment to the free exercise of religion, which he regarded as an “inherent natural right.” The federal government, Washington wrote, “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

The theme of this year’s event is public service.

The annual event has a long tradition of distinguished keynote speakers and letter readers, including Supreme Court Justices Ruth

Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan.

Nellie Gorbea, former Rhode Island secretary of state and a visiting senior fellow in democracy and cybersecurity at Salve Regina University, has been selected for this honor this year, the 76th reading of the famous letter.

Angela Johnson, a social studies teacher at Rogers High School and the 20212022 Newport Public Schools

Teacher of the Year, will read the letter that Moses Seixas, of Newport’s Hebrew Congregation, sent to President Washington, which inspired Washington’s famous response.

David Cicilline, former longtime U.S. congressman and the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, will deliver the keynote address.

The event will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20, at

Touro Synagogue, 85 Touro St., Newport. While in-person seating is limited, the event will be live-streamed, and all may attend virtually via a link on the Touro Synagogue Facebook page: facebook. com/TouroSynagogue. For more information, email meryle@tourosynagogue.org or call (401) 8474794, ext. 207.

Submitted by the Touro Synagogue Foundation

Co-leaders of Project Shoresh leaving Providence

BY ROBERT ISENBERG

PROVIDENCE – Friends of Rabbis Noach and Naftali Karp are accustomed to receiving frequent emails from the brothers inviting them to community and networking events. But the emails they sent on July 26 came as a surprise to many.

“It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that we will be moving to Memphis, TN on August 6, 2023,” Noach Karp wrote. “This was a very difficult decision, however for personal reasons this is the

best decision for our family right now.”

“In what seems like just a few hours (and in all honesty, not much more than that) my family and I have made the decision to relocate to Waterbury, CT,” Naftali Karp wrote in his email. “This decision was a most difficult one as we have so many close friends here. We love Providence and love all of you.”

The Karp brothers are co-leaders of Project Shoresh, a Jewish education nonprofit based in Providence.

In the fall of 2021, Project

Shoresh hired four additional rabbis, all of whom moved to Rhode Island, with their families, to help with the organization’s mission. In his email, Naftali Karp wrote that one rabbi, Chaim Yehuda Shaps, and his family, will remain in Providence, but the rest will be moving to other states as well.

Naftali Karp declined an interview, but reiterated that the decision was due to “personal reasons” and offered to follow up in September.

“When one is in the position that we are in it is inevi-

table that one may rub someone the wrong way, thus we would like to ask forgiveness from all of you,” Noach Karp said in his farewell email. “Whether we didn’t show enough concern or respect or whatever it may be, we only wanted to help each other grow and to recognize the beauty of our religion. We thank you for this opportunity and hope that we have helped others in this life-long process. We know for certain that we have grown so much from our time here.”

According to its website,

http://www.projectshoresh. com, Project Shoresh was founded in 2001 “to encourage, enable and facilitate Jews to connect to their Judaism.” The future of the organization was unclear at press time.

ROBERT ISENBERG (risenberg@ jewishallianceri.org) is the multimedia producer for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and a writer for Jewish Rhode Island.

Touro Fraternal Association installs new leaders

CRANSTON – Alexander

Leach and Andrew Shuster, both of whom have deep roots in the Touro Fraternal Association, were installed as the presidents of the Harmony and Friendship lodges, respectively, at the association’s recent annual ceremony.

Leach is a third-generation member, following his late grandfather, Oscar “Arnie” Leach, and his father, James Leach. Shuster is the son of brother Steven Shuster. Both proud dads attended the ceremony.

Lodge officers serve one-year terms.

Installed for three-year terms on the Board of Directors were Larry Ber-

man, Jeffrey Davis, Alan Lury, Michael Smith and Stuart Solup.

Joining Leach as Harmony Lodge officers are David Nicolato, vice president; Allen Cowett, secretary; and Michael Frank, treasurer.

Shuster is serving with fellow Friendship Lodge officers Scott Halsband, vice president; Adam Finkelstein, secretary; and David Weisman, treasurer.

Ried Redlich served as the master of ceremonies at the recent event. The installing officer was Board Chairman Emeritus Robert Miller, who set the tone for the evening by emphasizing Touro’s rich 105-year history.

Miller also pointed out that both new presidents are young, and he encouraged them to embrace the traditions of the past while bringing forth new ideas for the future.

Tributes were paid to Andrew Gilstein, who did not seek reelection after 12 years of service on the Board of Directors, and to Barry Schiff and Barry Ackerman, who were lodge presidents for the past year.

At a separate board meeting, Stevan Labush and Jeffrey Davis were elected to their fourth one-year terms as chairman and vice chairman, respectively.

Submitted by Larry Berman

Touro Fraternal Association Directors & Officers 2023-2024

The 2023-24 board of directors and officers for Touro Fraternal Association are, front row from left, Ried Redlich, David Nicolato, Adam Finkelstein, Michael Smith, Allen Cowett, Max Guarino and Barry Schiff. Middle row, Mitchell Cohen, Jed Brandes, Jeffrey Davis, Stevan Labush, Robert Miller, Alexander Leach, Alan Lury and Bruce Wasser. Back row, Peter Hodosh, Andrew Shuster, David Weisman, Michael Frank, Stuart Solup, Andrew Lamchick, Bruce Weisman, Larry Berman and Scott Halsband. Barry Ackerman and Ralph Orleck were absent.

COMMUNITY

Judy Rakowsky’s talk about her book ‘Jews in the Garden’ draws a crowd

BY GIOVANNA WISEMAN

PROVIDENCE – On the evening of July 11, 50 people crowded into Books on the Square to hear from Judy Rakowsky, the author of “Jews in the Garden.”

The book, which is part memoir, part detective story and part family history, explores the true story of Rakowsky’s family members who were sheltered by non-Jewish Poles on a remote farm during World War II but were never heard from after the war.

While reconnecting with her cousin, Holocaust survivor Sam Ron, Rakowsky uncovers the story – which everyone seemed to know about but no one wanted to talk about. The intrepid duo traveled to Poland to find out why.

Through Ron’s eyes, “Jews

in the Garden” explores the complicated relationship that Poland has to Holocaust history. To be sure, the country proudly touts its record of resistance against the Nazis, and Poland has the largest percentage of European “Righteous Gentiles” who are recognized by the Yad Vashem Holocaust remembrance center in Israel. However, in recent years, the Polish government has taken a hard-line approach to free speech, which includes the strict prohibition of any assertion that Poles collaborated with the Nazis, regardless of historical accuracy. Doing so is punishable by imprisonment of up to three years.

As is usually true, reality lies somewhere in the murky middle; while the vast majority of Poles detested Nazi rule, the country has a long-

standing history of antisemitism. Despite individual heroics, the Polish resistance movement was ultimately more focused on achieving self-determination than protecting the Jewish population from genocide. This dichotomy is well represented in Rakowsky’s book when she and Ron encounter locals and former neighbors who view them with a mixture of suspicion and fascination.

During the book talk, Rakowsky answered a variety of questions from the audience, including how she processed these dual reactions to her Jewish identity. She advised audience members to tune out the noise, follow their intuition and never stop trying to find the truth, regardless of the obstacles in their way.

The book talk was a collaboration with the Sandra

Donniel Hartman sees a brighter Israeli future — in 2026

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

The Palestinian Authority controls the Mukata [the P.A. headquarters in Ramallah] and three upper-middle-class towns in Judea and Samaria. Hamas and Islamic Jihad would run away with any election.

It’s very hard to even have a conversation about Palestinian rights in Israel, when you feel you’re talking about a society that wants to kill you.

I just finished a book that is getting published in November, and I have a whole section on it challenging North American liberal Jews to recognize that they have liberal partners in Israel, even though they don’t agree with you on Judea and Samaria, or the West Bank, or what you even call it.

And yet, for a lot of American Jews – as well as for American anti- Zionists and a lot of progressives – Israel is judged only to the degree that it solves the Palestinian problem. Liberal Zionists define themselves around their commitment to a two-state solution, but you’re asking

them to see common ground around other liberal issues.

I distinguish between tolerable occupiers and intolerable occupiers. Intolerable occupiers are those who believe that we have a right to all of Israel, and that Palestinian lives don’t matter. It’s a combination of ultra-nationalism, fascism and messianism. That’s one group. Then there’s a whole massive group for whom the only reason why the occupation continues is that they believe that there is no peace partner and that Israel’s survival is in danger if we do anything.

People think I’m liberal. I’m more or less liberal. I’m for a two-state solution. I just don’t know how to implement it. Tell me what I could do now? I’m willing to stop settlements. I’m willing to curb settlements. I’m willing to do everything. I used to be for unilateral withdrawal. What would happen if you had unilateral withdrawal from Judea and Samaria?

Now, when you have a government that is not willing to admit that Palestinians have rights, or is not yearning for a peaceful solution, then of course we lose. That’s what Netanyahu’s doing since he

sits with these [far-right] people. He has quieted all moral conversation when it comes to Israeli political life. So when that happens, of course, people with a moral voice would say, “What’s going on here?” Because it’s true, as you said, Zionism has ceded the moral conversation to the anti-Zionist camp.

Still, I think we can create a unified liberal Zionist conversation even though North American Jews and Israeli Jews might have a different opinion on what is the most viable solution right now. Since we’re talking on Tisha B’Av, I went to services last night and the person who led the services gave a scorchedearth lament for Israel, basically saying his dreams for Israel are dying and he tied the week’s events, as a lot of people have, to the cataclysms that we acknowledge on the fast day, including the destruction of the First and Second Temples. What are you telling either Israelis or Diaspora supporters of Israel who are talking in apocalyptic terms about this week’s vote

Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, where staff and volunteers work daily to combat Holocaust misinformation, largely through personal testimony like Ron’s.

Like Holocaust education, “Jews in the Garden” shows us that even if all else is lost, we still have the sanctity of fact –and we must insist on it.

“Jews in the Garden” is available for purchase at Books on the Square, 471 Angell St., Providence, or at https://www.judyrakowsky.com.

GIOVANNA WISEMAN is the director of programming and community outreach at the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, in Providence.

and the push for judicial reform by this government?

We mourn the destruction of the Temple. We learn from the destruction of the Temple. But we don’t declare the Temple destroyed before it’s destroyed.

Everything in Jewish history is about hope. It’s about working under impossible conditions. And Israel is now working under impossible conditions. That’s true. There is a government which is advocating for an Israel that half of Israel and 90% of North American Jewry wants nothing to do with. But Israel is not defined by its government alone, as you discovered when it came to Trump. People have a voice. What the demonstrations make clear is that the vast majority of Israelis do not support these proposals.

It’s one thing to turn your back on the Israeli government. But we’re out there marching. We don’t embrace destruction before it happens, but we get to work. There is a blueprint forward. The vast majority of Israelis now are embracing a liberal Zionism of the type I mentioned. North American Jews now have partners. They might

not be perfect partners, but they have partners. Why walk away from Israel, when the majority of Israelis are now saying things they never said before: “I care about the Supreme Court. I care about human rights. I care about the rights of minorities”? This is what they’re talking about at every demonstration. So I would go back to your [prayer leader] and say to him, “We waited 2,000 freaking years to have this country. Could you wait three more years? And could you fight for three years?” Because if you fight and you stand up and you don’t walk away, there are partners in Israel who are looking at you and who feel encouraged by you. We can build it.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA, its parent company, 70 Faces Media, or Jewish Rhode Island.

ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL is editor at large of the New York Jewish Week and managing editor for Ideas for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

BY FRAN OSTENDORF

FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR

John L. Loeb Jr. is a true believer in religious freedom and tolerance: He’s put his name on institutions that promote these values, such as the Loeb Visitors Center at Touro Synagogue, in Newport, the Loeb Institute for Religious Freedom at George Washington University, and a foundation he has established in his name.

Jewish Rhode Island recently interviewed the 93-year-old businessman, public servant, philanthropist, art collector and former U.S. ambassador to Denmark about his early experiences with antisemitism, his family and his thoughts on religious freedom.

“I’m the ninth generation of our family to be in America, which is amazing, particularly if you are Jewish,” Loeb said.

The son of John L. Loeb Sr.

and Frances Lehman Loeb, Loeb said he knows he had a privileged upbringing, but he experienced antisemitism and bullying as a high school student at a New England prep school in the mid-1940s.

Loeb recalled that during a Sunday movie night, he was shocked as he watched a newsreel of German concentration camps with disturbing images of the emaciated men, women and children imprisoned there. His classmates cheered and hooted, he said, and told him that they didn’t like Hitler, but at least he had killed Jews. This experience would influence the rest of his life.

Loeb’s focus on Newport was spurred by his interest in George Washington’s “Letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island,” which he encountered as a college student. He also discovered that some of his ancestors had come to Newport from the Caribbean, he

said, and helped found Touro Synagogue.

Loeb said he felt that the George Washington Letter was so important to the concept of religious freedom and tolerance, that everyone should read it. In 2011, he read the letter aloud at the annual August reading held at Touro Synagogue (this year’s reading takes place Aug. 20 at 1 p.m.).

His interest in his ancestors led to a fascination with the research and work on a book about his grandmother, “An American Experience: Adeline Moses Loeb (18761953) and Her Early American Jewish Ancestors.” (New York: Sons of the Revolution, 2009)

And Loeb, who lives in Purchase, New York, isn’t done with his good works. In May, he was presented with the American-Scandinavian Foundation’s Cultural Award

in recognition of “his outstanding accomplishments as a collector of art and for his decades-long efforts to support and promote awareness and appreciation of Danish art in the U.S.,” according to the ASF website.

Another of his most recent philanthropic projects is adjacent to the Loeb Visitors Center in Newport – he has contributed to the creation of the Spring Park, situated on the site of the natural spring where Newport was founded. The park, which is set to open in the late fall, commemorates the importance of religious tolerance and the separation of church and state.

FRAN OSTENDORF (fostendorf@

jewishallianceri.

org) is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.

PHOTO | ASF

COMMUNITY SCREEN on the GREEN 7:00PM Come early to grab a spot and enjoy lawn games and Palagi’s ice cream. 8:00PM The movie starts at sunset. 401 Elmgrove Avenue Providence, RI

of Greater Rhode Island partnered with Temple Beth-El for this event, and 45 people turned out to connect with community members. Attendees enjoyed appetizers and drinks sponsored by Temple Beth-El and wore name tags that answered the icebreaker question: what is your favorite pizza topping? Community get-together

No cost to attend | On the lawn behind the Dwares JCC IT WAS HAPPY HOUR at the Hot Club in Providence on July 19. The Jewish Alliance

THURS | AUG 10 | 7:00PM JewishAllianceRI.org/events/princess

Congressional District 1 CAND IDATE FORUM

A day in Newport

running for RI Congressional District 1 stand on the issues that matter to you. REGISTER

ON JULY 11, approximately 60 people enjoyed Newport Classical Day. The daylong event culminated with an evening classical music concert by world-famous Israeli-American cellist Amit Peled.

The day started at Temple Shalom in Middletown with a talk “Journeys with My Jewishness,” which included entertaining personal stories interspersed with select pieces of Jewish music, including “Kol Nidre” and the well-known

musical score from “Schindler's List.” There was time afterward for lunch and an optional tour of Touro Synagogue before the evening concert at the Newport Art Museum, where Peled played a selection of American classical pieces, accompanied by a pianist. The day ended at Stoneacre Brasserie with cocktails and appetizers sponsored by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

Birthright: In Israel, ‘you feel like you are home for the first time’

BY BRETT RUBEN

In May, I was granted the gift of taking a Birthright trip to the homeland of Israel.

THE 40 PEOPLE in my Birthright group were other students from the University of Rhode Island, as well as from Penn, Syracuse, American University and Tufts. Eight Israeli soldiers also joined our trip, giving us an understanding of them as people, not just as soldiers.

We explored and experienced Israel over the course of 10 days, starting in the mountains of the north. Seeing the beauty of the Golan Heights and learning the history of its importance to Israel, tasting unique, award-winning wine in the Galilee region, and visiting the mystical city of Tzfat (Safed) all in the first couple of days showed us the diversity in the country. And that was just the northern region!

Arriving in central Israel, we overlooked East and West Jerusalem, identifying the distinctive walls of the Old City – its breathtaking beauty somehow outshone all the newer, modern establishments surrounding it.

We walked through the Old City, seeing the different quarters, hearing its stories, and of course getting the opportunity to pray and simply feel at the Western Wall.

Waking up in Jerusalem was like a dream come true each morning. I would tell my Israeli roommate how lucky he was to wake up in a city we talk about in temple every week.

We also made emotional trips to the Yad Vashem

Holocaust remembrance center and Mount Herzel, where soldiers are buried. Our Israeli soldiers explained what each stone said and signified about the fallen soldiers.

Moving toward the coast, we spent time in Jaffa and at the Mediterranean beaches of Tel Aviv-Yafo. Tel Aviv is a very progressive, modern and vibrant city, rich in shopping, food, drinks and art.

Haggling with the vendors in the shuk is still something I need to work on, but it is all part of the experience!

We also enjoyed the nightlife in the partying city, before heading south toward the Negev Desert.

In the Negev, we met with an Ethiopian Jew, who told us his lost tribe’s story, and we stayed in a Bedouin-style camp.

We ended our trip with a hot hike up Masada, overlooking the arid land and Dead Sea below, then cooled off with a swim in the Dead Sea.

Birthright packs a lot into the 10-day trips, and it went by very quickly.

Between these events, we had meaningful discussions on our relationship with Israel and why it exists as a nation.

During the trip, we all bonded with one another, feeling like a family after just 24 hours. In fact, we called our group Mishpacha, which means family in Hebrew.

Everything we experienced evoked different emo tions, for different reasons, but it was all intense and authentic. Visiting Israel brings you closer to Judaism and gives you a better understanding of the land, the reasons and the necessity for its existence.

You feel safe in Israel, you feel close to your culture and your people, and you feel like you are home for the first time.

I want to go back, and I

will go back.

Every Jew should visit the homeland and walk away with a yearning to go back – maybe permanently someday.

BRETT RUBEN , of Marshalls Creek, Pennsylvania, is a Physics Ph.D. student at the University of Rhode Island.

The group of URI Students on the Birthright trip.

Rachel Cohn is bringing exciting new programs to Emanu-El’s religious school

BY ARLENE S. SIMON

PROVIDENCE – Rachel Cohn became the director of youth education and engagement at Temple Emanu-El a year ago. As she enters her second year at the temple, she is excited about major additions to the Religious School program for the 2023-24 school year.

In a recent interview, Cohn spoke about her background and the programs she is planning.

Please tell us about yourself. I was born in Skokie, Illinois, and grew up attending Tot Shabbat services and listening to the music of Debbie Friedman. During my undergraduate studies at Brown University, I discovered the joys of Providence, and went on to complete a Master of Arts in Teaching in secondary education at Brown.

I accepted a teaching position at a middle school in California after graduation. During that time, I spent a summer in Israel studying at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and totally got hooked on Jewish text study! This eventually led me to the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, in Los Angeles, where I began my rabbinical studies. I am continuing them through the Academy for Jewish Religion.

My passion for Jewish education has been inspired by the many Jewish movements, teachers and orga-

nizations that have shaped me: The Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and the Adamah Farm, Pardes, Wilderness Torah and more. I hope to imbue my students with a love of Torah and passion for social justice; in a nutshell, being a mensch in the world. I strive for each student to feel seen and valued in our community. It’s truly a gift to work with young people!

How does it feel to be back in Providence, and how was your first year at Temple Emanu-El?

I am thrilled to be back in Rhode Island with my husband, Andrew, and my children, Aryeh and Meira. My first year at Temple Emanu-El has been wonderful. People have been so kind and welcoming, and have helped us get settled. I am grateful for the support of the clergy, the board, parents, volunteers and our talented and committed teaching staff. The students are creative, funny, thoughtful and insightful. They are eager learners and great people. I am looking forward to expanding on the program already in place.

What program additions are you planning for the upcoming religious school year?

We are starting a pre-K class so children as young as 4 years can join our program.

I’m so excited for the energy and wonder these young

learners will bring to our community.

We are also excited to offer teen learning past B’nai Mitzvah age. On Tuesday afternoons, we will have a “Lounge & Learn” program, where teens can come to socialize with their friends after school and then have an hour of learning about topics in social justice and Judaism. I hope they will be able to connect real needs and movements for social change in Providence – like food security and homelessness –with the words and values of our tradition.

We are also adjusting the schedule to support our learning goals. To help with B’nai Mitzvah preparation, sixth- and seventh-graders (and third- to fifth-graders who would like to opt in) are learning on Shabbat instead of on Sundays. This change will give them a chance to learn more about Shabbat prayer and community-building in a very hands-on way. By the time they reach B’nai Mitzvah age, we hope these young people will be very comfortable as leaders in our community.

We are continuing to have a full-school Shabbat B’Yahad (Shabbat Together) one Shabbat morning a month. This get-together is a great chance for parents and caregivers to connect with each other and learn together with their children.

Lastly, I’m working on

designing a “maker space” where students will be able to do crafts and movement-based activities related to their learning. For example, they could design the Tower of Babel, as they envision it from the text and see how strong it is. Or students could use recycled materials to design Purim carnival games that are more eco-friendly. The idea is to support their imagination and creativity in making Jewish texts and ideas come alive for them.

Do families have to be Temple Emanu-El members to send their children to the religious school?

No. All children are welcome to join our program.

For families that live outside of Providence, are there ways to connect remotely?

Students in our mid-week Hebrew classes will have an option to learn in small groups on Zoom, facilitated by Online Jewish Learning, an organization that specializes in online Jewish education.

For more information about Temple Emanu-El’s Religious School Program, and to register, contact Rachel Cohn, director of youth education and engagement, at rcohn@ teprov.org, or call the temple office, 401-331-1616.

Rhode Islander hears Herzog’s ‘terrific’ speech in person

BY FRAN OSTENDORF

A REPRESENTATIVE of Rhode Island’s Jewish community was in the visitor’s gallery on July 19, when Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the U.S. Congress.

Harris Chorney, chair of the board of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, attended the speech as a guest of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. Chorney said it was his first experience observing a joint session of Congress and his first trip to the

U.S. Capitol.

“I was really inspired by being at the Capitol,” he said in an interview with Jewish Rhode Island. “We may have issues and challenges, but there is still no better place to be than the United States.”

Chorney called Herzog’s speech “terrific” and said he was gratified to see the bipartisan support for the speech. This was despite a handful of legislators who chose not to attend the evening presentation.

All but a few who attended gave Herzog

more than 25 bipartisan standing ovations.

“His speech brought out the importance of the relationship between the two countries,” Chorney said.

“He emphasized the U.S. and Israel connection.”

And Chorney referenced this quote by Herzog, as reported by the Jewish Telegraphic Association: “Criticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the State of Israel’s right to exist,” Herzog said to cheers.

“Questioning the Jewish people’s right to self-deter-

mination is not legitimate diplomacy, it is antisemitism.”

Chorney said he will never forget the experience of listening to the president of Israel and walking through the Capitol – including passing by the area where the building was breached on Jan. 6, 2021.

FRAN OSTENDORF is

the

editor of Jewish Rhode Island.

ARLENE S. SIMON is a board member of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence.

Rachel Cohn

Harris Chorney and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.

6 District 1 candidates tell why they are running COMMUNITY

JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF

To help our readers make a decision in the upcoming special election to fill the open seat in Congressional District 1, Jewish Rhode Island reached out to all the candidates and asked for a 150-word statement answering the question, “Why are you running for Congress?”

The six candidates who responded are all Democrats. Here are their replies:

Gabe Amo

My name is Gabe Amo, and I am running for Congress because Rhode Islanders deserve a congressperson who can be effective from day one.

I am a Pawtucket native and the son of two West African immigrants. I have had the chance to lead at the heights of government to solve problems in the State House for former Governor Raimondo, and in the White House for Presidents Biden and Obama.

Most recently, I served as Special Assistant to President Biden for Intergovernmental Affairs. I coordinated crisis responses, from mass shootings to extreme weather. I helped communities access funds from President Biden’s historic agenda for infrastructure, climate resilience, and violence prevention.

I want to put my experience to work for Rhode Island to protect Social Security and Medicare, pass common sense gun safety laws, defend reproductive rights, and preserve our

democracy. I would be honored to earn your support.

Stephanie Beauté

Stephanie is a tech professional with a vision for fixing the small business failures that have plagued Rhode Island for over two decades. Her background and dedication to environmental sustainability make her the ideal candidate to work on legislation for a clean blue economy to combat the climate crisis.

Stephanie’s experience as a former social worker for individuals with disabilities has given her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by some of our most vulnerable. She is committed to advocating for policies that will improve their lives and make our society more just and equitable. As a single working mom, she understands how hard it is for families to get by while politicians play the game of rhetoric.

Our opportunity to make history has come by sending Stephanie to Congress. It’s time to stop promoting politicians and start electing candidates like Stephanie, who can truly understand and represent the needs of Rhode Island’s communities.

Walter Berbrick

As a husband, father, veteran, teacher, and Red Cross volunteer, I can no longer watch failed leadership in Washington undermine the very freedoms and democracy I’ve spent the last two decades defending.

We are at a defining moment in our nation’s history. Our economy isn’t working for working families. Women have lost their fundamental right to choose. Our kids and communities are getting gunned down. Our planet is in peril. And we’re one bad decision away from fighting another prevent-

able war. This election provides us an opportunity to change that.

I decided to resign from 15 years of federal service to run for Congress, without a paycheck or political connections, because I fundamentally believe I have an obligation to continue serving and fighting for this country and community I love. It would be my greatest honor to earn your vote and to represent you and your family in Washington.

Sandra Cano

I’m running for Congress because we need to heal the deep division in our country and return to a government that works for the people.

As a working mother of two small children, I worry about the future we’re leaving them. Our democracy is more fragile than ever: voting rights, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, and social safety nets like Medicare and Social Security are under attack. The issues we face are deeply personal to me: rampant gun violence, educational inequities, healthcare injustice, and more. The climate crisis and chaotic weather patterns are threatening our coastline, economy, and public health. Inflation and stagnant wages impact working families like mine – leaving folks to choose between paying their bills or feeding their families.

We have a Congress that no longer talks to each other – and we’re the ones who suffer. It's going to take one of us to make a difference for all of us.

Don Carlson

To put it simply, I love Rhode Island. I’m a product of Warwick Public Schools and firmly believe my formative years scooping ice cream at Newport Creamery and hiking at Camp Yawgoog helped shape me into

the man I am today.

Through my time talking to folks across the district, I know voters have some big issues with the way our government has been run. I’m ready to change that and be a representative Rhode Islanders can be proud of.

My unique experiences in business, education, and government set me apart. As a clean energy investor, I’ve helped develop green-energy technologies that address the climate crisis. I’m the only candidate who’s worked in the House of Representatives for two different members of Congress. I understand what it takes to succeed on day one and fight the extreme agenda of MAGA Republicans. To learn more about my campaign, visit Carlsonforrhodeisland.com.

John Goncalves

As a teacher who was born and raised in Providence by my immigrant single mother, I understand what it’s like to struggle in this economy – but I also know how to get things done. On the Providence City Council, I successfully fought against tax increases that would have hurt working families, and helped bring millions of dollars in investment to our district to improve housing, schools, libraries, and parks.

In Congress, I’ll continue that work by fighting to cut inflation, lower healthcare costs, and pass the Green New Deal. I’ll also fight for better funding for our schools and gun control reform that keeps our kids safe.

I’ll work with President Biden to improve America’s reputation abroad, and I’ll reaffirm our support for a two-state solution, because the United States is stronger when it works alongside Israel to promote security, democracy, personal liberty, and the rule of law.

There are many ways to get information on the candidates who are running to replace former U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, including a candidates’ forum on Aug. 15, at 5:30 p.m., at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with each candidate’s positions, make an informed choice and vote in the primary on Sept. 5. At presstime, there are 12 Democrats and 2 Republicans running. Jewish Rhode Island does not endorse political candidates.

Agudas Achim to host Open House for new members

ARE YOU INTERESTED in learning more about options for Jewish culture, life and education in the Attleboro area? Maybe you’re thinking about joining a synagogue but haven’t found the right one yet. Then come visit Congregation Agudas Achim at its annual Open House and Block Party, on Sunday, Aug. 20, as it welcomes potential members or those seeking to get involved with a Jewish community.

The outdoor get-together, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will offer members and visitors a

chance to relax, share food, play games and enjoy live music from Agudas Achim’s own rock band. Supervision will be provided for children’s activities, including chalk drawing and a craft.

Members and Hebrew school staff will be available to discuss membership opportunities, the school curricula and other synagogue programming, including Friday evening potlucks, arts and music, intergenerational learning, Torah study and special services throughout the year.

“Since becoming the rabbi at Agudas Achim a year ago, I have quickly grown to love and appreciate this warm, intergenerational community,” said Rabbi Talya Shalem. “It seems like everyone I’ve met has a story of finding a home here immediately when they first attended. Come check us out, and perhaps you will too!”

Congregation Agudas Achim offers a welcoming, thoughtful and vibrant community committed to lifelong learning. The community includes many interfaith fam-

ilies and LGBTQ+ members. The Hebrew school offers classes for students from kindergarten through grade 8. Teen programming is offered through high school. The goal is to create a community for members of all ages that provides a gateway to Jewish living and offers a comfortable, warm and inviting experience for all.

Agudas Achim attracts members from southeastern Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island and is affiliated with the Reconstructionist movement. Reconstruction-

ist Judaism is a progressive, contemporary approach to Jewish life that integrates a deep respect for traditional Judaism with the insights and ideas of contemporary social, intellectual and spiritual life.

Synagogue membership and enrollment in the Hebrew school are ongoing. For more information, go to www.agudasma.org.

Congregation Agudas Achim is located at 901 North Main St., Attleboro.

Submitted by Congregation Agudas Achim

OBITUARIES

Debbie Brown, 71 DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. –Daryl “Debbie” E. Brown died July 28, 2023, at the North Broward Health Center in Pompano Beach, Florida. Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late Louis A. and Miriam R. (Smith) Brown, she had lived in Deerfield Beach for many years, previously living in Rhode Island, California and Israel. She performed many odd jobs that made her a jack-of-alltrades, and was a lover of all animals.

One of seven, Debbie was a dear sister to Cantor Remmie Brown, his wife Marjorie, of Rhode Island and Florida; Rabbi Steven Brown, his wife Sheila, of Brooklyn, New York; Betty Kramer, her husband Harvey, of Silver Spring, Maryland; Karen Schneider, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Rabbi George Brown, his wife Tamar, of Israel; and Bonnie White, her husband Tzvi of Israel. She is a cherished aunt and great aunt to many incredible nieces and nephews.

Contributions in her memory may be made to any animal shelter.

Florette Brill, 93 CRANSTON, R.I. – Florette

M. Brill died July 19, 2023, at Steere House, Providence. She was the wife of the late Marvin Brill. Born in Ottawa, Canada, a daughter of the late Lazar and Ruth (Silver) Molot, she had lived in Cranston since 1955, previously living in East Greenwich. She was the librarian at AlperinSchechter School and Temple Israel.

Florette was a life member of Hadassah and a member of The Miriam Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1951 and a master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1972. She loved theater and music.

She was the mother of Elissa Winter and her husband, Michael, of White Plains, New York; Kevin Brill of Newton, Massachusetts; and Carrie Levine and her husband, Marc, of Cranston. She was the sister of Marilyn Goldsmith of Bal Harbor, Florida. She was the grandmother of Jordan; Malcolm and his wife, Aislinn; Travis; Zachary and his partner,

Alie; Griffin and his partner, Raena; and Connor. The family would like to thank Florette’s caregivers at Steere House.

Contributions may be made to Steere House, 100 Borden St., Providence, RI 02903 or Cranston Public Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd., Cranston, RI 02920.

Roslyn Gabrilowitz, 87 NARRAGANSETT, R.I. – Roslyn Gabrilowitz died July 12, 2023, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, Providence. She was the wife of the late Irving Gabrilowitz. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Henry and Ada (Broomfield) Davis, she and her late husband raised their family in Warwick and Narragansett, and later divided their time between Narragansett and Deerfield Beach, Florida. Roslyn was a life member of Hadassah and enjoyed singing in community theater.

Rozzy was happy to be considered matriarch of the family that she was so proud of. She loved her boys, their wives and their children. She never missed an opportunity to babysit every grandchild. Rozzy enjoyed making parties and holiday meals. Cookouts were at her house until she was not able to do the work and even after that. Rozzy made friends easily and enjoyed lasting friendships with people from Canada to Florida. She was blessed with wonderful and caring neighbors and with her Narragansett girlfriends, who all shared many wonderful times.

She was the mother of Alvin Gabrilowitz and his wife, Lauren, of Narragansett; Matthew Gabrilowitz and his wife, Heidi, of Cranston; and Ronald Gabrilowitz and his wife, Diana, of Mansfield, Massachusetts. She was the grandmother of Marcy and her husband, Eugene; Adam; Rachel; Jack; Marissa and her husband, Jordan; Jacob and Jared. She was the great-grandmother of Eliza and Jacob. She was the sister of Maurice Davis, of Warwick, and the late Seymour Davis and Ruth Perlow.

The family extends its gratitude to the home healthcare providers who made it possible for Rozzy to remain at home with dignity sur-

rounded by her family during her illness. We also thank the staff at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice and the doctor who treated our mother with the gentle kindness of a loving son.

Contributions may be made to Magen David Adom at afmda.org or RI Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Ave., Providence, RI 02907.

Elyse Gagnon, 70 SWANSEA, MASS. – Elyse Gagnon died July 9, 2023, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice, Providence. She was the wife of the late Reginald “Reggie” Gagnon. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Jack and Bertha (Salk) Feldman, she had lived in Swansea for over 40 years, previously living in Cranston. She worked in customer service with Ann & Hope in Seekonk, Massachusetts, and also worked with disabled adults for Community Connections in Fall River, Massachusetts, retiring over 15 years ago. Elyse was a graduate of Cranston East, Class of 1971, and earned her associate degree from Community College of Rhode Island.

She was the mother of Gregory Gagnon, of Swansea, and Kevin Gagnon and his wife, Diana, of Riverside. She was the sister of Jacquelyne “Jackie” Lozowski and her companion, Paul, of Cranston. She was the aunt of Brandon Lozowski and grandmother of Caitlin Pari and her husband, Christian.

Contributions may be made to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation at crohnscolitisfoundation.org.

Alan Gandelman, 61 JOHNSTON, R.I. – Alan Marc Gandelman, of Johnston, died on July 27, 2023. He was the husband of Claudia (Pezza) Gandelman for nearly 28 years. He was the brother of Beth I. Gandelman of Salisbury, Massachusetts, and Bruce J. Gandelman, of Newport. Alan is survived by many close in-laws in the Pezza family; his forever sister-in-law Nancy Golub of Pikesville, Maryland; and 14 nieces and nephews who he doted on and were a significant part of his life.

Alan loved to share stories of their successful lives. Born on Dec. 14, 1961, he was the youngest child of the late Doris and Nelson Gandelman.

Alan grew up in Cranston and graduated from Cranston High School West in 1980 and went on to the University of Rhode Island and then graduated from the University of Miami Law School. He worked in the field of real estate and appraisals. He was an avid tennis and basketball player, loved watching sports

and was a trivia buff. His personality and smile could light up a room. With his quick wit and humor, he made friends easily. He loved children and pets and liked to accompany Claudia on school field trips or volunteer for and attend school events in Warwick. In his younger years, he adopted a dog named Huckleberry who he always loved and remembered. He loved following Rhode Island politics, talk radio and learning new things throughout his life. Donations may be made in

Certified by the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island Jacquelyn Aubuchon, Funeral Director

OBITUARIES

his memory to the American Heart Association or your favorite charity.

Sherwin Goodblatt, 87 COHASSET, MASS. –Longtime health-care executive and educator

Sherwin Z. Goodblatt, of Cohasset, died July 12, 2023, at South Shore Hospital. He was the husband of Lois J. Goodblatt for 35 years

During a lengthy corporate career that ended with his retirement in 1985, Sherwin served as administrator of Deborah Hospital, in Brown Mills, New Jersey; first executive director of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, in Boston; executive director of the Rhode Island Group Health Association; and chief executive officer of both Westwood (Mass.) Lodge and Pembroke (Mass.) hospitals. He developed new hospital facilities at his positions in New Jersey, Boston and Pembroke. After retirement, he served as a consultant to several hospitals throughout the U.S.

Sherwin served as a faculty member at Rutgers University, where he was honored by the university as outstanding faculty member, and at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, Teacher’s College and Graduate School of Business. He also spent 20 years as an adjunct professor of health services administration at

Providence College.

He was a founding board member of the Burlington County (N.J.) Community College and its nursing program, and a board member for the New Jersey Hospital Association. Goodblatt also was a member of many national, state and local health-care organizations.

In 1994, Sherwin received the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, where he served on the Board of Overseers for more than 25 years. He was appointed to the Board of Overseers of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in 2017 and continued as an active member.

Sherwin was interested in antiques, especially clocks and pocket watches. He enjoyed traveling, and he visited 48 states, missing only North Dakota and Hawaii. He particularly enjoyed Capitol buildings. He traveled extensively through Canada, visiting all but one of the provinces/territories, and many foreign countries. He enjoyed crossword and similar puzzles, the stock market and classical music.

Born Nov. 22, 1935, Sherwin was the only child of the late Sarah and Alex Goodblatt, of Providence. His early years were spent in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and Providence, where he graduated from Hope High School. After graduating from Providence College, he received a graduate degree in health care administration from Georgia

State University and Columbia University. He served his residency in hospital administration at Maimonides Medical Center, in Brooklyn, New York.

In addition to his wife, Sherwin is survived by two step-children, Diane Seymour, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and Robert Astin and his longtime partner, Alicia Geller, of Falmouth, Massachusetts; two grandsons, Joshua Astin and his wife, Catherine, and Ryan Astin and his wife, Jenn; two great-grandchildren, Oliver and Cameron, with a third great-grandchild on the way; as well as cousin and best friend, Ronald Z. Kaplan, of New Bedford, Massachusetts. He is also survived by two children from an earlier marriage.

Sherwin was a longtime friend and supporter of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Mailman School at Columbia and the Providence Hebrew Day School, which honored him with a dinner for his distinguished service to the school.

Contributions can be made to Providence Hebrew Day School, 450 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

Joyce Hurvitz, 96 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Joyce Rady Hurvitz was born in Bristol, Virginia in 1927. Her family soon moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she grew up and attended Vanderbilt University. Joyce met her future husband, Arthur Hurvitz of New York, on a fortuitous visit: Arthur’s brother had married Joyce’s cousin, and Arthur joined his brother on a trip to see his in-laws in Chattanooga. There, Joyce and Arthur met and fell into a deep love which lasted every day of their 71-year marriage until Arthur died in 2020.

After a brief stint in Atlanta, the couple moved to Rhode Island where Joyce lived in Rhode Island for 72 of her 96 years. But she never lost the charming southern drawl she developed growing up in Tennessee.

Her southern charm was accompanied by a deep thoughtfulness, quick-witted sense of humor, immense care for her community, and true joie de vivre. Her contagious laugh made her a delight to be with in any setting, and she always had

a kind word to say about everyone.

She was an accomplished cook and baker, with a specialty in all things chocolate. She excelled at tennis and bridge though she was not competitive. She and Arthur loved ballroom dancing.

Together, Joyce and Arthur were active philanthropists in Rhode Island. Their causes included The Miriam Hospital, the Jewish Seniors Agency, the Jewish Federation of RI, The Jewish Family Service, Planned Parenthood of RI, Pawtucket Boy’s Club, and Cumberland-Lincoln Boy’s Club. Joyce also chaired fundraisers for Butler on the Green as well as neighborhood fund drives for the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.

The family matriarch, Joyce supported Arthur throughout his career, and for decades presided over weekly family dinners where she consistently set an example of generosity, humility and joy.

Joyce died at home on July 27, 2023 in Providence. She is survived by her brother, Howard Rady of Dallas, Texas; two daughters, Karen Hurvitz of Concord, Massaachusetts, and Ellen Hurvitz of Needham, Massachusetts; four grandchildren Mark Strasnick, Alix Strasnick, Daniel Berke, and Michael Berke; and two great-grandchildren Jacob Strasnick and Julian Strasnick. The family would like to acknowledge the devoted care given to both Joyce and Arthur by Dennene Merola, Nikki Olivier, Pam Remka, Ivonne Visco and Linda St Laurent.

Donations may go to the Hurvitz Nursing Scholarship Endowed Fund, c/o Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, or https://giving.lifespan.org/ The-Miriam/Give-Now

Annette Pomerantz, 93 WARWICK, R.I. – Annette “Honey”

Pomerantz died on July 26, 2023, at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice

Center in Providence. She was the wife of Morton J. Pomerantz for 63 years. Born in Providence, Honey was the daughter of the late Meyer and Fannie (Shulman) Silverman. Honey and Mort raised their family in Cranston before moving to Warwick. Most recently

Honey lived at Tamarisk Assisted Living where she enjoyed painting, reading, playing bingo and mahjong. For over 30 years, she was a devoted elementary school teacher with the Cranston School Department. Honey was a lifetime member of Hadassah and a member of Temple Sinai.

A mother of four, she is survived by her children Lynne Pomerantz, of Warwick, Paul Pomerantz and his wife, Judith, of Sharon, Massachusetts, and Jill Goodman of West Warwick. She was the grandmother of Lindsay and her husband Jason, Reuben and Nathan. She was predeceased by her son, Sheldon Pomerantz, and her brother, Everett Silverman. Contributions may be made to West Bay RI, 158 Knight Street, Warwick, RI 02886.

Deborah Roberts, 73 WARWICK, R.I. – Deborah, F. Roberts died July 17, 2023, at The Cedars RI, in Cranston. She was the wife of the late Stanley Alan Roberts for 45 years. Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Norman M. Kahn and Leona (Kahn) Spilka. She had lived in Warwick for 47 years, previously living in Providence.

She was a proud and dedicated elementary school teacher with the Providence School Department until her retirement in 2001. Deborah was a longtime member of Temple Sinai, and a member of its Sisterhood. She enjoyed bowling and crafting, but treasured the time spent with her loved ones more than anything.

She was the mother of Rachael Kaplan and her husband, Benjamin, of Cranston, and David Roberts and his wife, Molly Bremen, of Urbandale, Iowa. She was the “Sweetheart” of Madelyn, Henry, Simon and Max. She was a sister-in-law of Francey Nathan, of Warwick, and Linda Forman, of Lenox, Massachusetts.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Robert Kahn.

Contributions may be made to Temple Sinai, Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston, RI 02920 or to the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center of Providence, Attn: Philanthropy, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.

OBITUARIES SIMCHA

Harriet Sadow, 93 RYE, N.Y. – Harriet Feinberg Sadow passed away on July 27, 2023, in her home at the Osborne of Rye, New York. Harriet was born on April 21, 1930, to Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Feinberg in Fall River, Massachusetts. After graduating from high school, she attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston where she was groomed in her craft and developed her passion for painting. In 1953, Harriet married Bernard David Sadow, who served in World War II and was the renowned inventor of “wheels on luggage.” They moved to Chappaqua, New York, in 1960 to raise their two children. Both she and her husband became patrons of the New York Metropolitan Opera and the philharmonic and avid members of the museum circuit. Annually, they traveled in Europe on opera and concert tours.

Harriet continued her education at Columbia University, graduating in 1971 with a master’s in art history. For the next 20 years she remained at the helm of the Lakeland High School art department.

Harriet was a prolific painter. Her subject matter

was drawn from personal experiences, ranging from the city’s grit of subway strap hangers to portraits of domesticity. In her mature years, the cycle of the seasons was a recurring theme. Her work was exhibited in group shows and solo at the Lever Gallery in Manhattan, the Katonah Museum, and the Bruce Museum on the Hudson.

Harriet was predeceased by her loving husband of 57 years, Bernard; he passed on in 2011. She is survived by her son Brian Donald Sadow, and his wife, Judy, of Bronxville, New York, her daughter Gail Sadow O’Rourke, and granddaughter Feiyan Ada O’Rourke of New York, New York. Special thanks goes to Adris for her loving care during our mother’s declining years. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Stephen Salk, 85 PROVIDENCE,

R.I. –Stephen D. Salk, of Providence, passed away on July 22, 2023, at his home.

He was the husband of Hilary (Ross) Salk, with

whom he shared 59 years of marriage.

Born in Providence, a son of the late Gabriel and Frances (Shapiro) Salk, he was a lifelong resident of the city.

A graduate of Classical High School, Class of 1956, Steve was known for his love of sports. He played football, basketball and ran track and field. Many of his classmates were lifelong friends.

He graduated from Boston University in 1963. Steve was a partner with his wife in Salk Real Estate. Their love of the Providence and Rhode Island communities was at the heart of their work.

In addition to his wife Hilary, he is survived by: two children, Nicole Salk and Daniel Salk; five granddaughters, Bianca Bevilacqua, Sierra Hubbard-Salk, Cypress Hubbard-Salk, Frances Hurtado and Indigo Hubbard-Salk; great-grandson, Oliver Bevilacqua; nieces, Lori, Shari and Kari; and many cousins and friends.

Contributions may be made to HopeHealth Hospice, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904, https://www.hopehealthco. org/ways-to-give/donatenow/

JEWISH RHODE ISLAND's

Photographer Marshall Cohen recognized for service

THE AMERICAN Scandinavian Association awarded longtime National Press Club photographer Marshall H. Cohen its prestigious Henry Hanson Award on May 22 in recognition of his outstanding service to the association and the Nordic community. The award, named for one of the ASA’s original founders, is presented annually.

Cohen is a past president and vice president of the American Scandinavian Association and serves currently as an ex officio member of its board of directors. Cohen founded the NPC’s Photography Committee in 2001, and has photographed world-class newsmakers for 42 years. He was accredited to the White House for 12 years during both the President George H.W. Bush and the William J. Clinton administrations. He also submitted

newsmaker photographs to a variety of international and national news sources including Jewish Rhode Island. Cohen is a graduate of Pawtucket West High School, Brown University and Georgetown University. He is the son of the late Samuel and Lucy Cohen of Pawtucket.

This Month in History

A New Chapter

In 1966, Congregation Beth David in Narragansett celebrated its new Torah scroll, which has been housed in the synagogue ever since. The ceremony was a landmark one: Congregation Beth David had only moved into its permanent home – at 102 Kingstown Road – two years earlier. To receive “the five books of Moses, hand letter in Hebrew on

a roll of parchment” punctuated the founding of the congregation. The event included a procession, a huppah, a band, a children’s chorus, and a Torah service hosted by Rabbi David Yehuda, then-dean of the Providence Hebrew Day School. The full list of participants reads like a who’s-who of rabbis and community leaders of the time.

Newspaper courtesy Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association