December 2020 by Jewish Rhode Island

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

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DECEMBER 2020 | KISLEV/TEVET 5781

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RHODE ISLAND

Celebrating Light The gift of giving this year

Jewish Rhody in review

Harp offers sounds of healing

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

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The year 5780 was certainly a wild ride; we had to find new and creative ways of meeting people’s needs in an ever changing landscape. In these uncertain times when so many people are finding themselves in need of assistance – many of them for the first time – we are providing programs that help the most vulnerable among us, both locally and globally. With your support, we keep people safe and cared for. With your increased commitment to the Annual Community Campaign, you will provide continuity and the expanded services that people so desperately need right now. We appreciate your past support and hope you’ll consider increasing your gift.

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HERE FOR GOOD. 401 Elmgrove Avenue • Providence, RI 02906 • 401.421.4111 • jewishallianceri.org

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JEWISH RHODE ISL AND

EDITOR Fran Ostendorf DESIGN & LAYOUT Alex Foster ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Peter Zeldin pzeldin@jewishallianceri.org 401-421-4111, ext. 160 CONTRIBUTORS Hannah Altman, Cynthia Benjamin, Larry Kessler COLUMNISTS Michael Fink, Geraldine Foster, Patricia Raskin, Rabbi James Rosenberg, Daniel Stieglitz

VOLUME XXVII, ISSUE XIV 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 James Pious, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. 401-421-4111; Fax 401-331-7961 MEMBER of the

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Ending a dark year with the Festival of Lights PUTTING TOGETHER the annual “Year in Review” article every December is like taking a short trip down memory lane. It’s always an interesting exercise to take a look back at a year, to think about where you have been and where you may be going, whether you do this at the end of the Hebrew calendar or the secular calendar. As editor of a Jewish paper, I have the opportunity to do both! Last month, I wrote about all the things in my life that make me grateful. And my look back reinforced the notion that in the face of a very difficult year, we can still look forward ON THE COVER: with positivity. Celebrating the Many print newspapers continued Festival of Lights in to struggle in 2020 as the pandemic the age of COVID. forced some businesses to close, PHOTO BY HANNAH ALTMAN resulting in fewer advertisers. But you are holding this newspaper in your hands and reading it, aren’t you? Folks who subscribed to the Boston Advocate and the Los Angeles Jewish Journal aren’t as lucky. Both papers suspended their print editions this year. The Advocate plans to return digitally, but so far hasn’t raised the funds to do so. The Jewish Journal chose to devote its resources to an upgraded, more robust online presence. The paper will return in print when its chief points of distribution – community synagogues – reopen. As members of the Jewish press, we wish them well. We have not been without struggle here at Jewish Rhode Island. July saw our smallest paper in recent years, due to light news and advertising. But we turned it around with a robust High Holy Days edition in September and a strong Hanukkah edition, which you are now reading. While we no longer distribute the paper to local synagogues and businesses that have closed, we will again when they reopen. In the meantime,

we really appreciate everyone’s support – advertisers and readers alike. We hope we are bringing some light into our readers’ lives. At this time of year, as the days grow shorter and shorter, we all need more light. That’s just one of many reasons that Hanukkah is one of my favorite holidays. I’ve written about this in the past. Between the brightly burning candles and the family traditions, Hanukkah brightens the darkest days of the year. And this year, with COVID-19 surging again, along with renewed calls for hunkering down in our homes, that light will be even more important: The hanukkiah in your window will be a reminder to everyone that miracles can happen. Even if we’re celebrating at home with just members of our household, we can still fry those latkes, make those sufganiyot and taste the sweetness of family although we may not be able to reach out and touch each other. For Thanksgiving, I made sure to mail my family’s traditional homemade turkey cookies to relatives who usually attend our dinner. In return, we received photos of each person’s loaded Thanksgiving plate, with the cookie beside the plate (except for the one family member who ate the cookie the minute he opened his box). Perhaps I’ll do something similar for Hanukkah. I don’t think latkes will travel well, so it might have to be cookies this year. Here at Jewish Rhode Island, we’d love to know how your family celebrates Hanukkah, especially this year, when we all have to get creative with our celebrations. Please send your stories and photos to editor@jewishallianceri.org or to Jewish Rhode Island, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. You can post your stories online at JewishRhody.org. Follow the instructions to post your news. We will be back Jan. 8. See you next year! Fran Ostendorf, Editor

D'VAR TORAH 5 | CALENDAR 6 | FOOD 8 | OPINION 14 | HANUKKAH 16 YEAR IN REVIEW 20 | COMMUNITY 22 | OBITUARIES 33 | BUSINESS 36 THE MISSION OF JEWISH RHODE ISLAND is to communicate Jewish news, ideas and ideals by connecting and giving voice to the diverse views of the Jewish community in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, while adhering to Jewish values and the professional standards of journalism. ALL SUBMITTED CONTENT becomes the property of Jewish Rhode Island. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of Jewish Rhode Island or its publisher, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. We reserve the right to refuse publication and edit submitted content.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

UP FRONT

The journey of environmental activist Tzeporah Berman She’s pushed Facebook, Victoria’s Secret and more companies to go green BY HADAS RAGOLSKY CHRISSY

zeporah Berman did not set out to be an environmental activist. Raised in a Jewish family outside Toronto, she dreamed of becoming a fashion designer and after high school moved into the city to enroll in a fashion arts design program at Ryerson University. Fast forward three decades and Berman, 51, is one of Canada’s leading environmental activists. She is credited with helping protect some 100 million acres of old-growth forests and helped get Facebook to adopt renewable energy to power its data centers as part of a campaign against fossil fuel consumption. She also makes energy-related recommendations for Canadian government task forces. In 2019, she was awarded the Climate Breakthrough Project Award, the environmental equivalent of the Nobel Prize. She has been hailed in a permanent exhibit at the BC Royal Museum as one of 150 people who have changed the face of British Columbia. Berman’s environmental activism was awakened in the summer of 1991, on a trip

(JTA) to explore the rainforests near Vancouver, between her freshman and sophomore years of college. “I was a naive 23-year-old girl. I bought a pair of hiking shoes and spent the rest of my money on a backpack and a plane ticket, then set out to explore the Canadian rainforests,” Berman recalled. She arrived in Vancouver not knowing anybody, stayed at a youth hostel and searched the Yellow Pages for groups of environmental activists. She found the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, dropped by their offices and introduced herself. They took her to their research camp on the west coast of Vancouver Island, where Berman helped cut trails and cook. “I was a good Jewish girl, so I knew how to cook,” Berman said. “I didn’t really know anything else.” Excited by her experience, she made plans to go back the next summer. But when she returned, she was astonished to find that the trees she had researched had been cut down by loggers. “Hundreds of thousand-year-old trees simply disappeared from a vast area,”

PHOTO | NIALL CARSON/PA IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES

Climate activist Tzeporah Berman leads Irish Greenpeace volunteers in a protest outside Facebook's Dublin office calling on them to change the type of energy they use. Berman said. “I heard the vultures above screeching in pain as they searched for their nests, and I just felt this terrible despair.” When a group of people passed through the area to support residents who had set up a blockade against deforestation, Berman joined them. It was her first time ever at a demonstration. The protests at Clayoquot Sound, an area along the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island made up of islands, peninsulas and lakes (and which had one of the biggest rainforests in the country) continued throughout the following year. When Canada’s government decided in mid-1993 to allow deforestation in most of the area, Berman returned. “On the first day, when the police arrived, we had no one delivering any speeches,” she said. “Someone from the community gave me the megaphone and asked me to explain to everyone else what’s supposed to happen at the demonstration, so I just climbed onto the roof of the van, took the megaphone and started talking – and seems like I haven’t stopped since.” That early fight in the mid-90s to protect the rainforests in British Columbia was transformative not just for Berman, but for Canada. Demonstrations lasted for months, becoming a de facto blockade of logging. Some 800 protesters were arrested. Their actions generated headlines across Canada. Very quickly, public sentiment turned against the idea of destroying the area’s forests to make money. The protests led to a series of agreements that stipulated which trees would be cut down and how, how forest CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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IN THE NEWS

ONCE UPON A TIME, in a faraway land, a man decided to take a hike through some hills. He had planned a 25-mile hike. When he reached the 24-mile mark, he got very tired and wished a car would come by and take him the rest of the way, but there were no cars in sight. Not being able to go the one additional mile, he decided to take a rest under a tree just off the road. Just then, he saw a sign hanging on a tree that said, “There is some really fresh spring water just inside the fence. Drink if you are thirsty.” So inviting was this sign that the man helped himself to a drink. And as he drank, he noticed another sign on a nearby bench. It said, “Sit down and rest if you are tired.” Then he saw another sign, on a basket of apples, that said, “If you like apples, help yourself,” which he was happy to do. As the man enjoyed the fresh spring water and the crisp apples while sitting on the extremely comfortable bench, an elderly man, using a walker, slowly approached. They engaged in conversation. Soon the hiker asked the elderly man, “What’s with the signs?” “Well,” the elderly man said, “we have more water than we can ever use, so we thought it would be a good thing

to share it with those who need it. And, as you can clearly see, this is a very pleasant spot to rest. “Mother reminded me that we had this old bench sitting in our attic that was doing nobody any good, so I brought it down here. Not only that, but our apple tree also gives us more apples than we can ever eat, so we are happy to share them. RABBI “So, we put up the RICHARD signs, and they seem to be doing some good. PERLMAN From the look on your face, it sure looks as if we have brought some light into your life.” Soon we will be enjoying Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. We often think of lights being the candles on the Hanukkah menorah, but perhaps we should be thinking about how we can bring a more lasting light into the lives of others. For eight nights we light the candles, and they very quickly burn out. When we add real light to the lives of others, that light burns for a much longer time, maybe even for a lifetime. Maybe, this year, especially this year, as we are mostly confined to our homes due to the pandemic, we could look around and find things we have in our own homes that we really do not need or

use anymore but might do others considerable good. Maybe we have canned foods that are getting ready to expire? Giving to others, especially food, is especially important during this time of year because, when the winter weather hits, some people get shut in. Because of the pandemic, it has become even harder for caretakers to get in to see people in need this year. And because of the pandemic, many of us are finding it more difficult to get out to shop in the “normal” way. This Hanukkah let us all do things that bring some “real light” into the lives of those who so desperately need it. Let us share with each other each day of the holiday like we have never done before. People need people now more than ever, and the gift of sharing is something we all can benefit from. Giving this year will have so much more meaning, because if it is to be, it’s up to me. Wishing all a healthy and joyous Chag Urim Sameach!

22% of hate crimes in Europe in 2019 were against Jews, report shows

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

unchecked. “This was the moment I realized that one needs to consider not only who has the power to make the decisions, but also what influences decision makers,” Berman recalled. “What influenced the government at that time were the logging corporations, and what influenced those corporations were their customers, so we decided to turn to the customers.” Berman sent information about deforestation to the corporate consumers of those trees — companies like Home Depot, Office Depot, Staples, Lowe’s and publishers of various magazines. Some of their products were being manufactured from 800-year-old trees and destroying the lands of poor, indigenous people, Berman argued. Often, the companies were surprised to learn this information, and canceled their contracts with the wood companies, according to Berman. The campaign moved Berman from the tree-cutting centers to the executive rooms, where the real power lay. In 2000, Berman co-founded ForestEthics, which was devoted to convincing companies to change their way (or threatening them with loss of sales if they wouldn’t). The next target of Berman’s efforts became the company she determined was Canada’s biggest consumer of paper made from old-growth trees: Victoria’s Secret, which printed millions of catalogs made with paper from Canadian timber. The lingerie company was not responsive to Berman. So she decided to focus on Victoria’s Secret’s customers. “We started organizing student demonstrations near Victoria’s Secret stores. There were many students eager

to wear underwear and hold paper saws on Main Street,” she said. The campaign included hundreds of demonstrations and full-page ad in The New York Times featuring a woman wearing Victoria’s Secret lingerie and holding a saw with a caption reading, “Victoria has a dirty secret.” Soon, the company made an abrupt change. They canceled their pulp mill contract and joined with Berman’s group in demanding that the Canadian government take action to protect endangered Canadian trees. “This whole thing sent a shock wave through the industry, and caused a large increase in demand for regulated products,” Berman said. “Thanks to this campaign, we brought about a change in the way paper is produced in North America. I would say it is one of the moments I am most proud of in my career.”

D' VA

The gift of giving at this time of the year R

TO R A H

regeneration would be supported, and how the local economy would be boosted to help the mostly poor and indigenous local population. Berman was one of the lead negotiators of what became known as the Great Bear Rainforest agreement and the Canadian Boreal Forest Initiative. Berman grew up in what she describes as a devout Jewish home in London, Ontario, not far from Toronto. Her mother was the president of the local Hadassah chapter, and her father was the president of the local B’nai B’rith. The family went to synagogue every Saturday and Berman went to a Jewish school three times a week. Berman was very active in United Synagogue Youth, the Conservative movement’s youth organization. She worked after high school at the local Jewish community center. The family also traveled together to Israel, which Berman says was central to their lives. Because of her concern for the environment, Berman does not fly on airplanes unless she must do so for work, so she hasn’t been to Israel since she was 16. Berman lives in Western Canada with her spouse and two children. She works as the international program director at the environmental group Stand.Earth, teaches environmental studies at York University and serves as a consultant for a number of Canadian First Nations. Lingerie and paper saws After her initial success in the Clayoquot Sound protests, Berman moved on to a campaign to save the rainforests in another Pacific coastal area called Great Bear, where logging continued

RICHARD E. PERLMAN is the senior rabbi at Temple Ner Tamid, in Peabody, Massachusetts, a member of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island, and co-president of the North Shore Rabbis and Cantors Association.

Taking on Facebook With each activist success, Berman gained greater renown. She was appointed to more than a dozen Canadian and international advisory committees on climate and environmental issues. She was interviewed in Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2007 environmental documentary, “The 11th Hour.” Berman’s focus widened to climate change, and as co-director of Greenpeace International’s Climate and Energy program, Berman brought her activist tactics to the fight against energy consumption. She quickly zeroed in on the big tech companies, which need a tremendous amount of energy to run their server centers. When she contacted Facebook, CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

BY CNAAN LIPHSHIZ (JTA) – Anti-Semitic incidents accounted for 22% of hate crimes recorded last year in the pan-European region, though Jews comprise less than 1% of the population there. The data on hate crimes comes from a report about 5,954 incidents recorded in Europe, Russia and Central Asia by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODHIR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) ODHIR said in its annual report published last week. The report is based on data transmitted by governments and watchdog groups. Of the total incidents, 1,311 were anti-Semitic, according to the report titled “2019 Hate Crime Data.” Anti-Semitism was the category with the second-largest number of incidents after the 2,371 incidents in the more general Racism and Xenophobia category. Those targeted for their gender or sexual orientation (1,277 cases) made up the third-highest group, followed by Christians (573) and Muslims (507). In one anti-Semitic incident recorded in the report, a woman had her hair and hat pulled violently from behind while speaking Hebrew on the bus in Berlin, Germany. In another, an Iraqi Muslim man wearing a kippah and carrying several concealed knives was intercepted by guards attempting to enter an Antwerp synagogue in June. The man had used anti-Semitic insults at Jews before the incident. The report said its figures are not definitive and may in fact be lower than the number of hate crimes committed or recorded in Europe.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

Happy Hanukkah — Gina Raimondo

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS FOR COMPLETE MONTHLY LISTINGS, VISIT JEWISHRHODY.ORG

Ongoing

Kosher Senior Café and online programming. Cold box lunch home delivery upon request while meal sites are closed due to COVID-19. Two lunches delivered on Mondays and Wednesdays; one lunch delivered on Fridays. Zoom programming includes yoga on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m.-noon followed by lunch and a guest or discussion from noon-1 p.m. The second Thursday of the month is “Susie’s corner” with Susie Adler from noon-1 p.m. The third Thursday of the month is a book chat with Neal Drobnis from noon-1 p.m. Suggested donation: $3 per lunch. Information, Neal Drobnis at neal@jfsri.org or 401-678-6464 or 401-331-1244. Core Connects RI and the Sisterhood of Temple Beth-El: Torah Yoga with Diane Bloomfield via Zoom. Sundays 10-11:15 a.m. thru 12/13. Diane is a certified Junior level Iyengar Yoga instructor and a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist. No experience in Torah study or yoga practice necessary. Cost: $60 for 4 sessions. Information, Elissa Felder at CoreConnectsRI@gmail.com or 401-241-9631.

PA I D FO R A N D AU T H O R I Z E D BY G I N A PAC

Best wishes for a Happy Chanukah. The Executive Committee, Staff and parents of the Providence Hebrew Day School

RABBI PERETZ SCHEINERMAN DEAN PROVIDENCE HEBREW DAY SCHOOL 401-331-5327 EXT 21 450 ELMGROVE AVE. PROVIDENCE RI 02906 PSCHEINERMAN@PHDSCHOOL.ORG

Project Shoresh Partners in Torah. Sundays 7:45-8:30 p.m. thru 12/27. Partner-based study. Choice of texts, English or Hebrew, ancient or modern; facilitators available via Zoom or phone. "Study-buddy" available. Free. Information, Naftali Karp at naftalikarp@gmail.com or 401-632-3165. Project Shoresh Little Live Lunch Loshon Hora Learning. 12:35 p.m. Monday-Friday thru 12/18. Learn how to protect your relationships and those around you when you “watch ya mouth.” Information, Naftali Karp at naftalikarp@gmail. com or 401-632-3165. Music with Raymond Buttero via Zoom. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 3-4 p.m. Temple Sinai's pianist performs. Link on homepage of templesinairi.org. Information, Dottie at 401-942-8350. Conversational Hebrew via Zoom Winter Session. Mondays 7-8:15 p.m. 12/14/20 thru 2/22/21. Three levels offered. Partnership of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and Temple Emanu-El. No classes 12/28/20, 2/15/21. $100 for 8 sessions. Information, Toby Liebowitz at TobyAane@gmail.com. Temple Emanu-El Delve Deeper: "The Lost Books of the Bible." Tuesdays 7:30-9 p.m. thru 12/15. Brown University Prof. Michael Satlow teaches Zoom course on the relevancy of certain books that

did not make it into the Bible. $250 per person | scholarships available. Information, Rabbi Rachel Zerin at rzerin@teprov.org or 401-331-1616. Temple Emanu-El “iEngage: Together and Apart: The Future of Jewish Peoplehood.” Offered Tuesdays 7:30-9 p.m. thru 12/15 or Wednesdays noon-1:30 p.m. thru 12/16. Zoom course from the Shalom Hartman Institute addresses the complex features of Jewish peoplehood and examines the forces dividing Jews today. $36/$25 students and seniors. Register, teprov. org/form/adultedfall20. Information, Rabbi Fel at mfel@teprov.org or 401-331-1616. Project Shoresh “48 Ways to Wisdom” with Rabbi Naftali Karp. Tuesdays 7:45-8:45 p.m. thru 12/22. The Mishnah describes 48 essential tools to acquire Torah. Rav Noach Weinberg taught these as guidelines to success in every facet of life. Free. Each class self-contained. Information or RSVP, Naftali Karp at naftalikarp@gmail.com or 401-6323165. Project Shoresh Jewish Young Professionals Shmooze. Wednesdays 7:15-8:15 p.m. thru 12/23. Mishkon Tfiloh, 203 Summit Ave., Providence. Shmooze, snack and have a beer. Free. Information, Naftali Karp at naftalikarp@gmail. com or 401-632-3165. Temple Emanu-El Mishnah Beit Midrash – Massekhet Pesahim. Wednesdays 7:30-9 p.m. thru 12/16. In partnership with Shel Maala, an internet-based grassroots beit midrash, this course will guide you through learning selections of Mishnah Pesahim. Open to anyone who can read Hebrew. $36/$25 students and seniors. Register, teprov.org/ form/adultedfall20. Information, Rabbi Zerin at rzerin@teprov.org or 401-331-1616. Temple Habonim Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman via Zoom. Thursdays noon-1 p.m. Torah Study of Pirke Avot: A Modern Commentary on Jewish Ethics. Information, Adina Davies at office@ templehabonim.org or 401-2456536. Project Shoresh Parsha Powwow with Rabbi Naftali Karp. Sundays 7:30-8:15 p.m. thru 12/24. Discover via Zoom sessions how topical and relevant the Parsha’s ideas and concepts are. Free. Information, Naftali Karp at naftalikarp@gmail.com or 401-632-3165. Temple Emanu-El Parashah HaShavua. Fridays 8:30-9 a.m. (after Z'man Kodesh: Daily Minyan

DECEMBER 2020 | 7

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island Alternative Experience). Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer leads this study session on highlights from the weekly Torah portion. All welcome. Information and Zoom link, Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer at akaunfer@cox.net or 401-3311616. Temple Sinai Morning Meditation via Zoom. Fridays 10-10:30 a.m. Rabbi Goldwasser leads meditation that includes reflections on Jewish wisdom and mindfulness. No prior experience required. Information, templesinairi.org or Dottie at 401942-8350. Temple Sinai Shabbat Services via Zoom. Fridays 6-7:15 p.m. With Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser and Cantor Deborah Johnson. Link on homepage of templesinairi.org. Information, Dottie at 401-942-8350. Temple Beth-El Remote Torah Study. Saturdays 9-10 a.m. Zoom meeting led by one of Beth-El's clergy. No Torah study on 12/5, 1/9. Information, Jenn Thomas at jthomas@temple-beth-el.org or 401331-6070. Temple Habonim Torah Study via Zoom. Saturdays 10-11 a.m. Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman leads weekly Torah study on current portion. Information, Adina Davies at office@ templehabonim.org or 401-2456536. Temple Sinai Torah Study via Zoom. Saturdays 10-11:15 a.m. Interactive discussion with Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser. Zoom link at templesinairi.org. Information, Dottie at 401-942-8350.

Sunday | December 6

Super Sunday. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jewish Alliance virtual fundraising phone-a-thon to impact lives locally and globally. Volunteer to make calls from home; answer the calls; write thank you notes to donors. Information, Abi Weiner at aweiner@ jewishallianceri.org. Core Connects RI and Reading with Robin: "Conversation with Dr. Edith Eger." 2-3 p.m. Conversation via Zoom with the author of the award-winning book "The Choice" and newly released "The Gift." Dr. Eger, a psychologist, is a Holocaust survivor who remembers life in the camps. $18 donation. Information, Elissa Felder at CoreConnectsRI@ gmail.com or 401-241-9631.

Tuesday | December 8

Little States, Big Innovation, Rhode Island X Israel Monthly Webinar Series. Noon-1 p.m. Interactive session with some of Israel’s startup entrepreneurs. A collaboration of Rhode Island - Israel Collaborative (RIIC), District Hall HAVE AN EVENT? Go to jewishrhody.org, click on the calendar button and go to "post your event."

Providence and RIHub. Information, info@districthallprovidence.org. Temple Beth-El: "Defining Our Universe of Moral Concern." 4-5 p.m. Explore the factors that shape our personal universe of moral obligation with Joseph Gindi from American Jewish World Service via Zoom. How and why do we prioritize certain people, communities or issues over others? Information, Kim Campbell at kcampbell@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070.

Wednesday | December 9

Israeli Culture Night via Zoom: Eyal Dror – The Story behind the "Good Neighbor” Program for Syrian Refugees. 5 p.m. Eyal Dror, a former IDF officer, established and commanded an operational unit that managed humanitarian assistance to Syrian civilians on the Israeli-Syrian border, at that time home to terrorist organizations such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah. Information, Or Cohen at ocohen@jewishallianceri. org or 401-421-4111, ext. 121.

Thursday | December 10

Friday | December 11

Saturday | December 12

Temple Sinai: Hanukkah Celebration on Zoom. 6-7 p.m. Rabbi Goldwasser and Cantor Johnson will celebrate Hanukkah each night with a different and exciting event. There will be music, stories, candle lighting, cooking demonstrations and Hanukkah karaoke. Information, templesinairi.org or Dottie at 401942-8350. Project Shoresh Virtual Havdalah, Candle Lighting and Rugrats Chanukah Edition Film. 6-8 p.m. Get your doughnuts, latkes and popcorn ready for an evening filled with Hanukkah joy over Zoom. Free. Information, Noach Karp at rnoachkarp@gmail.com. Temple Emanu-El: Hanukkah Lights and Laughs. 8 p.m. Join your friends on Zoom as we light the candles, sing Hanukkah songs and laugh with the hilarious and nationally recognized Jewish comedians

Pamela Schuller, Robyn Schall and Gianmarco Soresi. Learn about and celebrate the success of the Second Century Capital Campaign. Free. Information, Sharon Sock at sharon@teprov.org or 401-331-1616.

Sunday | December 13

Temple Sinai: Hanukkah Celebration on Zoom. 6-7 p.m. Rabbi Goldwasser and Cantor Johnson will celebrate Hanukkah each night with a different and exciting event. There will be music, stories, candle lighting, cooking demonstrations and Hanukkah karaoke. Information, templesinairi.org or Dottie at 401942-8350. Project Shoresh: Community Hanukkah Celebration: Delicacies and Inspiration. 8-9 p.m. Enjoy a Shoresh Hanukkah package with goodies for the whole family. Hear inspirational thoughts relevant to 2020. $8 Adult | $5 Student and YP. Information, Naftali Karp at naftalikarp@gmail.com or 401-632-3165.

Monday | December 14

Behind the Book: “The Ninth Night of Hanukkah." 4 p.m. With author Erica Perl. Interactive storytelling of her new book about celebrating Shamash Night, an extra night of Hanukkah. For children ages 3-8 years old. PJ Library in partnership with the Jewish Book Council. Free. Information, Lyndsey Ursillo at lursillo@jewishallianceri.org. Temple Beth-El: "Remembering the Temple's 135th Anniversary: A Documentary Video." 4-5 p.m. Instructed by historian Dr. George Goodwin. Free. Advance registration required. Information, Kim Campbell at kcampbell@temple-beth-el.org. Temple Sinai: Hanukkah Celebration on Zoom. 6-7 p.m. Rabbi Goldwasser and Cantor Johnson will celebrate Hanukkah each night with a different and exciting event. There will be music, stories, candle lighting, cooking demonstrations and Hanukkah karaoke. Information, templesinairi.org or Dottie at 401942-8350.

Tuesday | December 15

Temple Sinai: Hanukkah Celebration on Zoom. 6-7 p.m. Rabbi Goldwasser and Cantor Johnson will celebrate Hanukkah each night with a different and exciting event. There will be music, stories, candle lighting, cooking demonstrations and Hanukkah karaoke. Information, templesinairi.org or Dottie at 401942-8350. Temple Habonim: Hanukkah Celebration and Candle lighting via Zoom. 6:15-7:15 p.m. Community candle lighting followed by The Bible Players Interactive Family Program. Retelling of the Festival of Light featuring Milton the Menorah, an insecure menorah who finds the spirit to shine. Free. Information,

Adina Davies at office@templehabonim.org or 401-245-6536.

Wednesday | December 16

Thursday | December 17

Sunday | December 20

Jewish Young Professionals Virtual Speed Dating. 8-9 p.m. Project Shoresh is partnering with Jewish young professional groups from around the country to help you find your bashert. Free. Information, Naftali Karp at naftalikarp@gmail. com or 401-632-3165.

Tuesday | December 22

Core Connects RI Book Group: "The Wisdom of Not Knowing: Discovering a Life of Wonder by Embracing Uncertainty." 7:308:30 p.m. Psychotherapist Estelle Frankel’s book offers an exploration of the challenges and possibilities of the unknown with meditations and exercises that can help transform the fear and uncertainty of "not knowing." Information, Elissa Felder at CoreConnectsRI@gmail.com or 401-241-9631.

8 | DECEMBER 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

FOOD

HAPPY HANUKKAH!

Add some color to your Hanukkah menu with these savory beet latkes DIRECTIONS

BY ELISA SPUNGEN BILDNER This recipe originally appeared on The Nosher. THESE BEET PANCAKES are great for using up a variety of other root vegetables. Using a food processor will make quick work of the shredding aspect of the preparation. With a nice browned crust, the latkes are delicious served with applesauce or sour cream and chives, and offer a good alternative to hash browns at breakfast or brunch.

Beet Latkes INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (about 2 large) 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, or more to taste 2 cups peeled and shredded red beets (about 11 ounces, 2 to 3 medium beets) 1 cup peeled and shredded carrots (about 6 ounces, 2 to 3 medium carrots) 1 cup peeled and shredded celery root (about 8 ounces, 1/2 small celery root) 1 cup peeled and shredded Idaho or russet potato (about 12 ounces, 1 large potato) 1/4 cup rye or whole wheat flour, or more as needed to hold the raw latkes together 1 cup soft goat cheese (about 5 ounces) 1 large egg, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola, plus more as needed, for frying Sour cream and chopped chives, or applesauce for garnish (optional)

Prepare a plate with layers of paper towels to drain the pancakes. Place the scallions, thyme, salt, beets, carrots, celery root and potatoes in a large bowl and mix well. Use a paper towel to gently squeeze out any excess moisture. Scatter the flour on top of the shredded vegetables and mix until well incorporated. Combine the cheese and egg in a small bowl. Fold into the vegetable mixture until well coated. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Working in batches so as not to crowd the pancakes, use a 1/4-cup measure to scoop the vegetable mixture into the skillet. Flatten the mixture gently, using the back of the measuring cup or a spatula, making sure the pancakes do not touch each other. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes on one side, until browned and crisp, and then flip to fry the other side for the same amount of time, or until browned and crisp. Transfer the latkes to the lined plate to drain. Repeat until the entire vegetable mixture has been used. If more oil is needed for frying subsequent batches, add as necessary. Serve the beet latkes warm with sour cream and chives or with applesauce as a garnish. This recipe is reprinted with permission from “The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook,” by Elisa Spungen Bildner and Rob Bildner, Countryman Press (May 2020).

5 Hanukkah food hacks to make your holiday dinner easy and delicious BY LAUREN MANAKER This article originally appeared on Kveller. AS THE FESTIVAL of Lights approaches, you might be frying latkes and making applesauce in your dreams. The food is delicious and everyone is content and full, and above all, the meal is mess and stress-free. Then reality sets in: You are seriously so busy this time of year! While you may want to

instill some tasty Jewish traditions in your family, do you really have time to shred a few bags of potatoes, or knead some finicky sufganiyot dough? Thankfully, this is 2020 and not 1920. These days, our grocery store shelves are stocked with convenience foods, so use them to your advantage! If you know what to do, it’s super easy to make a delicious, “semi-homemade” Hanukkah meal that will still create lasting memories. Read on for our top Hanukkah food hacks – they’re kind

of like having your sufganiyot and eating it, too.

For easy latkes, use pre-shredded hash brown potatoes. No Hanukkah celebration is complete without latkes, but the prep work can be extremely time consuming, tedious, and possibly a bit dangerous (especially if you have little helpers in the kitchen). Here’s some good news: It’s possible to have tasty latkes and not have bloody knuckles.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

DECEMBER 2020 | 9

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

FOOD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 Refrigerated and bagged shredded potatoes make frying up latkes a snap! Just swap out fresh taters with the bagged alternative in whatever recipe you use, and most people won’t even taste the difference. PRO TIP: If you are trying

to sneak in more veggies and/or have low-carb guests to entertain, try making Cauliflower Latkes using pre-riced cauliflower instead of potatoes.

Make zero-effort homemade applesauce in an Instant.

Yes, you could just buy some jarred applesauce. But does anyone with teeth (and, um, taste buds) actually like the stuff? If you have an Instant Pot – or any pressure cooker – you can make homemade applesauce in a flash! Just toss 8 peeled, cored, and chopped apples into the pressure cooker with 1 cup of water, juice from 1/2 a lemon, and cinnamon to taste. After the lid is secure and the mixture is cooked on high pressure for 8 minutes, mash up your apples to desired consistency. Of course, you have to then make the most important decision: chunky or smooth? PRO TIP: Put a Johnny Apple

Peeler on your Hanukkah wish list to help make the prep even easier! If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you can still make easy homemade applesauce.

Use pre-packaged biscuit dough for the easiest sufganiyot ever. Kids generally love making treats like sufganiyot in the kitchen with their family. But if you’re having guests over, or if you’re generally not the type who enjoys

baking, there’s a hack for that freshly made dough: Use refrigerated biscuit dough – the kind that comes in a tube – instead. (Just don’t tell Bubbie!) Simply break apart the pre-portioned dough and fry the biscuits in heated oil until golden on both sides. Amazingly, you don’t even have to cut circles. The biscuits come pre-sliced! How perfect is that? If you happen to have a pastry bag in your kitchen, fill it with your favorite jarred jelly and push the tip into the middle of the donut. Squeeze the jelly into the doughnut until it is filled with enough sweetness to make your dentist cringe. If you don’t have a pastry bag, you have a couple of options: You can cut your donuts in half and put some jelly in the middle of the pastry, like a sandwich, or simply serve jelly as an accompaniment to the fried biscuit for dipping. PRO TIP: Not sweet enough

for you? You can also sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon on top of the warm doughnut to add a little more oomph if you wish!

Let your slow cooker make the main dish.

How exactly do you cook a brisket dinner for a crowd while also fulfilling all of your daily (as well as holiday-specific) obligations? By using a slow cooker, of course! This ultimate “set it and forget it” tool allows

you to cook, slow and low, tough cuts of meat like brisket without any worries about overcooking. Even better? About 10 minutes of effort will reward you with a super-tasty result. Just toss a brisket (fat side up) in a slow cooker with some cans of broth, sliced onions, carrots, garlic and spices. Cook the dish on the high setting of the cooker for about 6 hours, or until tender. That’s it! Serve your brisket with latkes and a salad, and your dinner is complete. PRO-TIP: For an easy-peasy

but delightful serving option, slice up the cooked brisket and make it fancy-looking with some sprigs of fresh parsley.

Fancy up store-bought hummus for an effortless appetizer.

First things first: You can absolutely take a package of store-bought hummus, serve it in its original packaging with some store-bought crackers, and that’s that. We won’t judge! But why not add some color and flavor to an otherwise standard app? Take your container of ho-hum hummus and spread it onto a shallow bowl. Scoop a small space into the middle of the hummus, and top the dip with extra virgin olive oil, fresh rosemary leaves, crushed pistachios, and pomegranate arils. If you have the time or inclination, you can include some roasted, diced butternut squash as a topping for some extra color. Or add whatever floats your boat! The decorative additions will hide the fact that you didn’t make the hummus from scratch. PRO-TIP: Think beyond

pita! Try serving the hummus with fresh veggies or pretzels. Anything dippable will do!

From the Quality Fruitland Family to Yours…

We Wish You a Safe, Healthy,

Happy Hanukah We’re here for you in these trying times. Complimentary Contactless Curbside Pickup is available Tuesday–Friday. For Details, visit QualityFruitland.com

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Jelly doughnuts are a tasty Hanukkah treat.

10 | DECEMBER 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

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Happy Holidays!

TWELVE HAS ALWAYS been my lucky number. I was born on the 12th of the 12th, and I live at number 12 in the winter and in my summer cabin as well. Among the dozen tribes of Israel, I named my son for the one who begot the “lost tribe,” the wandering and wondering one, and I asked a rabbi the Shakespearean question, “What’s in a name?” He answered, “Nobody’s perfect.” I beg to differ! Actually, I named him, in Hebrew, “Reuel” – friend of God – but even in English it means, “Hey look, a boy!” Well, now Reuben, or Reuel, has a son, born during this year of widespread worries, and the lad’s label is Noah – Noah Charles – and I offer this (to me) reassuring portrait of the pair of them, father and son, pere et fils. When I teach a Bible course at the Rhode Island School of Design, I show a wonderful Depression-era movie from the Warner Brothers studio titled “Green Pastures.” On the DVD, there is an apology prelude, pleading pardon for anything not now politically correct. “Green Pastures” was based on a play with an allBlack cast, a “Negro” – you should excuse the expression –God, and a Noah played by “Rochester,” the rasping, scene-stealing valet on the Jack Benny show. I love this flick! It’s respectful, but also fanciful. A pastor of color reads the Torah to little kids, who picture his words in their fantasies. The angels are cleaning ladies and they spank their beloved babies. But back to Noah. He is gracious to God, but pleads for permission to take two, not one, kegs of booze for the long journey. The Creator, a kindly but also anxious and distressed personality, turns him down. The humor is not broad, but subtle and strangely accurate. “And then he died,” reads the pastor as he narrates the whole list of biblical names ... which brings me back to my Reuben (or Reuel) and my Noah. The biblical Noah, of course, is charged with

SKE

Where RI seniors come first

Like Noah before him, my baby grandson faces a big job CH

saving not merely his own family and kith and kin, but the entire world of Genesis, everything blessed by ha-Shem in Bereshit. Nobody lives forever, but life goes on. If you look carefully at the photograph accompanying this column, you’ll see the MIKE FINK caps my son and grandson are wearing, knit by my wife, lady Michael. And instead of wearing big broad grins, father and son look thoughtful and straightforward, the kind of picture I very much prefer to the big-smile stereotype. For me, this hasn’t been a bad year: Noah entered the world and blessed it by being here. He will have a big job ahead: to save the world! And that’s what I want to do as well: to do with words whatever I can to emphasize that the planet wasn’t given to us alone, and we were given a responsibility for appreciating the sacred souls of all living and remembered fellow citizens, of whatever species, in sea or sky or soil, all of which is holy and a holistic part of the plan of the planet.

BOOK

PHOTO | FINK FAMILY

Reuben and Noah Fink

I hereby pledge to join our efforts to save the world, not only for ourselves but for the Promised Land and the fine firmament above us all, protozoa and humans alike. MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol.com) teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.

DECEMBER 2020 | 11

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12 | DECEMBER 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

proclaim miracle the

From all of us at the Jewish Alliance− we wish you a season filled with warmth, light, and miracles.

James Pious Chair of the Board

Adam Greenman President & CEO

DECEMBER 2020 | 13

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COMMUNITY VOICES

Our best news from 2020: We’re alive!

SPE A

K IN

GREETINGS FROM ‘THE TWILIGHT ZONE’ As I wrote recently about this altered coronavirus pandemic reality, even Rod Serling, the creator of that classic sci-fi show, would have been hard-pressed to write a script based on the twists, turns and tragedies of 2020. That’s something to consider as you critique this edition of the Cains-Kessler Chronicle, which – despite your expectations that the pandemic would have been

reason enough to cancel it – the publisher and your loyal friend (aka nudge) is pressing ahead with. So, here’s what passes for our “news” from 2020, done in a Top 10 countdown, with apologies to David Letterman:

See how a Quaker education can make a difference for you.

Overwhelmingly, my teachers have been obviously enthusiastic about sharing their expertise, incredibly thoughtful in their interactions with students, and excellent role models for others in our community.”

10. Miscellany department: Larry is still

freelancing and Lynne continues to work part time. … Larry finally threw out his old and tattered Patriots sweatshirt and tossed out dozens of decades-old receipts. … Lynne has become adept at trimming Larry’s beard and mustache.

G OU

IT’S BECOME A Thanksgiving tradition in my family in recent years to write our annual end-of-the-year newsletter while the turkey is roasting in the oven. Dubbed the “Cains-Kessler Chronicle” – a combination of my wife’s and my last names and the newspaper where I worked for almost 30 years – the holiday letter is limited to one page and tries to give an overview of our past year. I sprinkle it with humor and self-deprecation in a lame attempt to avoid being boring. But, as has become commonplace during this – pick your adjective: agonizing, challenging, depressing, anxiety-producing – year of 2020, nothing is “normal.” That forced me to think about the contents of our missive earlier than usual. So, written well before Thanksgiving, here’s what I’ll tell my friends about a year that most of us wish we’d wake up from and learn that it was only the plot of a very bad episode of “The Outer Limits” or “The Invaders.”

For more than two centuries, Moses Brown has fostered personal excellence and integrity in students who aim to make a positive difference in the world.

9. Trips we didn’t take:

Our plan to visit our older daughter Arianna in Ecuador in April, during her teaching stint there, was scrubbed by COVID-19, as was our plan to spend LARRY KESSLER a few weeks during this upcoming winter in Florida. We also didn’t get into Boston or take our annual Labor Day weekend jaunt to Gloucester.

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8. A lone dinner out: Shhh, don’t tell

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, but we snuck over the Rhode Island border in August for our only family dinner of the year to celebrate my birthday outside at a restaurant in Providence.

7. Sports shutout: Ari had bought roof box

seats in Fenway Park for a Yankee game in CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

A Hanukkah present for you BY GERALDINE S. FOSTER I was born on the first night of Hanukkah. So you may understand why I have a special affinity for this holiday, my other birthday, which we celebrated with songs and stories and dreidel games after lighting the orange Hanukkah candles. (Back then, orange was the only color available.) Our decorations were homemade and our gift was “Hanukkah gelt,” a small amount of money to spend or save. In honor of the holiday and the stories we tell, here is a favorite of mine. It was written by my father, Beryl Segal, some 60 years ago and published by the Bureau of Jewish Education of Rhode Island, in a longer form, in a booklet for schoolchildren. Enjoy.

The Neon Man and The Chanukah Lights Sometimes the smallest lights are the brightest The man on the neon sign was always busy. Every thirty seconds he appeared tall and slim and green on the sign by the side of the road. He wore a top hat and he held a cane under his arm. He stood still only for the twinkling of an eye. Quickly and suddenly, the green neon man leaned forward, bowed low, tipped his hat and held out his cane. Then the cane began to twirl, and behold! It turned into an arrow pointing to the entrance of the building at his side. Then the green man disappeared and in his place, the sign spelled out in big red letters the word R-E-S-T-AU-R-A-N-T.

On and off, all through the day and all through the long night. On and off, up and down, busy, busy, busy. One winter’s evening, soon after the stars came out, the green neon man noticed little candle flames in a window of the house across the street. He was leaning forward then, ready to tip his hat, when his green eye caught the gleam of a small light and another light standing higher. But he was too busy to stop and look any longer than it took him to wave his cane in the air. No time. Up and down. On and off. A restless neon man by the side of the road. The next evening, soon after the stars came out, once again the gleam of candlelight caught the eye of the neon man. Was it the same as the night before? No! This CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Wishing You & Yours A Happy Hanukkah!

14 | DECEMBER 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY VOICES | OPINION

David M. Hirsch Providence, R.I.

IN THE NEWS Israeli gymnast wins gold at European championships BY GABE FRIEDMAN (JTA) – Israeli gymnast Linoy Ashram won a gold medal in the individual rhythmic category at the European Championships Nov. 29, becoming the first athlete to win the prize in decades who was not from a former Soviet country or Bulgaria. Ashram edged out Alina Harnasko of Bulgaria in a nearly unprecedentedly close tiebreaker. Israel also won the group rhythmic gymnastics gold at the competition in Kyiv, Ukraine. Several highly rated teams from Russia, Bulgaria and Italy did not participate this year due to the logistical complications of the coronavirus pandemic. Ashram, a 21-year-old Israeli defense forces veteran born to Mizrahi and Sephardic parents, will represent Israel at the Tokyo Olympics, which has been rescheduled to summer 2021.

An unquenchable and enduring love for America “These are the times that try men’s souls,” wrote Thomas Paine in December 1776, during the dark days of our Revolutionary War, our fragile nation only 6 months old. Today, 244 years later, we are yet again feeling our fragility. Though Joe Biden is our president-elect, and will take office on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump seems intent upon insisting, without a shred of evidence, that he is the “true” winner of the Nov. 3 election. Moreover, Trump continues to sow seeds of doubt, division and discontent about the very legitimacy of our electoral process – and, as a result, millions of his followers will continue to shake the foundations of our democracy by affirming that the Democrats stole the election. Have we become ungovernable? Can our house divided remain standing? During these past weeks and months of sorrow and pain, I have found some measure of reassurance and hope in the words of Walt Whitman (1819-1892), one of our nation’s greatest poets. His long lines of verse overflow with his love for America. As he wrote in 1860, “I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear” – songs of the carpenter, mason, boatman, deckhand, shoemaker, hatter, wood-cutter, ploughboy. “The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the little girl sewing or washing. … Singing

with open mouths their strong melodious songs.” Like so many others of Whitman’s more than 400 poems, “I Hear America Singing” celebrates his embrace of his fellow Americans, his feeling of “We’re all in this together.” In his earlier, much longer, and far more complex poem “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” (1856), Whitman went even further by embracing his fellow Americans who had not yet been born. As he crosses the East River from Manhattan back to Brooklyn late in the day – “Clouds in the west – sun there half an hour high” – he projects himself 50 years, 100 years into the future: “I am with you, you men and women of a RABBI JAMES generation, or even of ROSENBERG so many generations hence,/Just as you feel when you look at the river and sky, so I felt,/ Just as any of you is one of a living crowd, I was one of a crowd,/ Just as you are refreshed by the gladness of the river and the bright flow, I was refresh’d .…”

S TO M

The headline at the bottom of the November [2020] “Jewish Rhode Island” issue – “American Jews grapple with profound political shifts” – reminded me of a concern I have with the placement of noun and adjective when referring to our community. The Jewish community in the United States is predominantly referred to as “American Jews.” Other communities are predominantly referred to as Catholic Americans, French Americans, Irish Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, etc., but not our community. I have believed for some time that this reverse phrasing promotes and supports a subtle, nuanced and subliminal way that we may be viewed as “the other” by our fellow Americans. We are the Jewish American community and should be referred to in that way. But maybe is just my mishegas.

IT S E

LETTER

Just as Whitman sang songs to America, his fellow Americans sang songs back to him, reinforcing his identity as “Walt Whitman, an American, one of the roughs, a kosmos …” (“Song of Myself,” section 24). It is no accident that “an American” are the first two words that Whitman uses to describe himself in the very first poem of his collection called “Leaves of Grass.” As he

states in “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” it is his fellow Americans who guarantee both his mortality and his immortality: “The others that are to follow me, the ties between me and them,/The certainty of others, the life, love, sight, hearing of others.” I have never taken any of the ferries that continue to cross the East River in New York City, between Manhattan and Brooklyn, but I have taken the Staten Island Ferry many times, for just a nickel a ride, between South Ferry on the southern tip of Manhattan and St. George on the northeast corner of Staten Island – 5.2 miles and about half an hour of breathing in the salt air of Upper New York Bay. At times, the western sun there is “half an hour high,” and one of my fellow passengers, standing nearby on the windswept deck, is an old man with a flowing white beard who still calls himself Walt Whitman, an American. As we continue to struggle through these uncertain times that try our souls, we would do well to capture something of Whitman’s largeness of spirit, something of his capacity to imagine himself into the future, something of his unquenchable love for the America that once was, for the America that we are today, and for the more perfect union we are yet to be. JAMES B. ROSENBERG is a rabbi emeritus at Temple Habonim, in Barrington. Contact him at rabbiemeritus@templehabonim.org.

Israel looks headed for more elections as Gantz backs bill to dissolve parliament BY GABE FRIEDMAN (JTA) – Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Dec. 1 that his party will back a bill crafted by the opposition in parliament to dissolve the government, likely sending Israel to its fourth election in two years. The votes from Gantz’s Blue and White would provide the needed votes for the measure to pass in the Knesset. Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, formed a unity government earlier this year by agreeing to rotate the premiership after 18 months, but the two have been at odds from the outset of the partnership. Their latest logjam involves a two-year national budget

that both said they would finance in their coalition agreement. But Netanyahu’s Likud party has agreed to pass only a one-year budget; the twoyear agreement would set in motion Gantz’s transition to power next year. In a statement, Gantz blamed Netanyahu for the situation. “Netanyahu has decided to dissolve the government and drag Israel into an election” by refusing to pass the budget, Gantz said, according to Haaretz. Gantz had recently launched a commission to investigate a corruption scandal known as “the Submarine Affair,” which involves several people close to Netanyahu, further eroding their relationship. “All of this is happening for a

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.

single reason … Netanyahu is only working to save himself from his trial,” Gantz said, referencing the other scandals for which Netanyahu was indicted last year. Gantz left open the possibility of passing the budget by its Dec. 23 deadline and avoiding an election that would take place next year. His powerful coalition of parties splintered when Gantz joined forces with Netanyahu. Recent polling projects 31 Knesset seats for Likud, 21 for Naftali Bennet’s right-wing Yamina party, 17 for Yair Lapid’s centrist Yesh Atid, 11 for the predominantly Arab Joint List group of parties and nine for Blue and White.

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

DECEMBER 2020 | 15

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COMMUNITY VOICES | OPINION

COVID-19 knocks out jiu-jitsu students and their instructor later, Walther offers beginner and advanced classes for men, women and children. He also gives private lessons. So, in 2019, I gave in to my friend Ari’s encouragement and tried out Walther’s two free classes. Each class includes a warmup, practice with a partner, lessons on the maneuvers that Walther DANIEL teaches, and STIEGLITZ sparring. The maneuvers can be used for competition, self-defense or both. For lack of a better term, suffice it to say that at the beginning, I got my butt kicked. What impressed me, however, was how kind and patient the other students were with me. No one was there to hurt or beat up each other – we were there to support one another and help one another become better and stronger. Still, I was uncertain if this was for me. While Ari was the one who encouraged me to give it a try, it was my friend Witty who convinced me to sign

S HOM R E

Growing up, I never liked playing sports. Activities such as running and pushups seemed like the only way I could keep in shape. And although these activities felt good, nothing I tried was really enjoyable. In the spring of 2019, my friend Ari told me that he had started taking jiu-jitsu – a martial art developed in Brazil by the Gracie family. Ari encouraged me to give it a try, saying that I could take two classes for free before signing up. At first, I hemmed and hawed at the idea. But Ari kept insisting, so I decided to at least give it a shot. The classes are led by Roi Walther, who grew up in Kiryat Tiv’on, a town in Israel near Haifa. At the age of 4, his parents enrolled him in karate classes, which he stuck with until joining the Israeli army 15 years later. He won several Israeli competitions, including the Aluf Hatzafon (Northern Israel Championship). While in college, after his army service, Walther wanted to further develop his martial arts skills. Near his college he discovered a Gra-

cie Jiu Jitsu academy. The fact that he – a then 23-yearold who had been studying martial arts since the age of 4 – kept getting bested by a 16-year-old, showed him how effective it was. He loved it. After five years of training, Walther moved to Jerusalem for a job. There was no place in the city for him to practice Gracie Jiu Jitsu at the time. His instructor, David Binyamin, encouraged Walther to become a certified instructor himself. Walther worked hard and received his certification at Israel’s famous Wingate Institute, a sports training facility. Although he began teaching jiu-jitsu just so he’d have someone to practice with, his lessons became popular and people began asking him to give classes for women and children. Then, without warning after four years of employment, Walther got laid-off from his regular job. He knew he could either look for a new job or start teaching jiu-jitsu full time. He decided on the latter. Now, six years

LE T T

BY DANIEL STIEGLITZ

up. At a barbecue, Witty, who attends the women’s classes, spent 30 minutes convincing me that I had to enroll. She said that sometimes “adults just need to play” and that jiu-jitsu is like chess – with the various parts of you being the pieces. So, thanks to Ari and Witty, I caved in and signed up. And I don’t regret it for a moment. It took a lot of work, but I could see myself becoming stronger and better. I was taking on people bigger and smaller. Some people had more experience, some less. Sometimes I even found myself as the translator for those whose Hebrew wasn’t that great. And an added bonus that I had not expected was the friendships and camaraderie that developed; I found a group of people to have fun with, and who helped make me stronger, and vice versa. The experience peaked for me when attending practice became like an addiction, and the only people I invited to my birthday meal were my roommates and my jiu-jitsu friends. Then, just a few days after that meal this past March, the first COVID-19 lockdown began in Israel.

Walther, a husband and the father of two young boys, was forced to cancel our practices, his only source of income, for an indefinite period of time. It is just one example of how COVID-19 has not only disrupted our lives, but has harmed small businesses. If not for the virus, I, a man in his late 30s, would have competed in my very first tournament and become a blue belt by now. Now, more than ever, we should make sure not to take small business owners such as Walther for granted. He not only provides an incredible, fun workout that teaches valuable skills, but he also provides an environment where men, women and children can come together and strengthen one another. If there was ever a time we need experiences such as this one, it is now. I can’t wait to go back! DANIEL STIEGLITZ (dstieglitz@ gmail.com) lives in Jerusalem, where he works as a Life Coach. His collection of short stories, “Tavern of the Mind,” is available for paperback and Kindle purchase on Amazon at www.amzn.to/2Izssrz.

In the teeth of an accident, laughter BY SHAI AFSAI We had a teacher in the 10th grade named Mr. Shekel. He was our history, Prophets and Psalms teacher at our school in Israel, and also our mechanech: the educator who oversaw our class of about 30 religious boys. Since he was our mechanech, and also due to his exceedingly advanced age, we very much respected him. Mr. Shekel shared his surname with Israeli money. A few years before, to counter inflation, the country’s currency had been changed to the new shekel. Earlier coins and bills became the old shekel. To us, our teacher was “Old Shekel.” Old Shekel would chain-smoke leisurely in the schoolyard. This was in the early ’90s. Decades

older than all our other teachers, he puffed away undisturbed. We sat two at a table in the classroom. My table was front-row center, abutting Old Shekel’s desk. He seated me there since I was the only non-native Hebrew speaker in the class. One day, while Old Shekel was making an emphatic point in a lesson on Psalms, his false teeth fell out. Because I sat front-row center, the false teeth fell near me, but I failed to catch them. They dropped to the floor. The room was silent. Old Shekel bent down, picked up the teeth, and placed them in his mouth without dusting them off. A boy at the back of the classroom called out, “Teacher, at least clean them first!” Old Shekel waved away the suggestion. Apparently, you don’t last

so many decades in the teaching profession if you worry about your false teeth falling out in front of your students – or how clean they are when you put them back in. “Lah. Lo Chashuv. It doesn’t matter,” Old Shekel said, and continued with the lesson. I, though, started laughing. It was a lengthy laugh; a laugh I didn’t want and couldn’t stop; a painful laugh; a laugh that hurt my stomach and caused my eyes to tear; a laugh that made me ashamed. I turned around, so at least I wouldn’t be laughing in Old Shekel’s face, and saw that all my classmates were calm and composed. Old Shekel went on teaching and I went on laughing, and the room was otherwise silent. I lacked the words to apologize to Old Shekel. Later, my class-

mates asked how I could have laughed. “How could you laugh?” they asked. “How could you not laugh?” I replied. And so it is with so much of life: We find humor where we can, despite ourselves.

PHOTO | EMMA DUNLOP

Shai Afsai SHAI AFSAI (shaiafsai.com) is a Providence-based writer. This essay aired on Nov. 25 on “This I Believe New England” and can be heard at https:// thepublicsradio.org/ episode/this-i-believenew-england-findinghumor.

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HANUKKAH Where: Wingate Residences on the East Side, 1 Butler Ave., Providence, RI 02906 Who: Temple Sinai, Cranston What: “8 Nights of Zoomunity Menorah Lighting”; eight nights of Hanukkah candle-lighting on Zoom, and more! When: Thursday, Dec. 10-Thursday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m. Where: Zoom information at templesinairi.org or call Dottie in the temple office at 401-942-8350 Who: Chabad of West Bay, Chabad of

Providence, Chabad of Northern R.I.

Hanukkah activities across R.I. PHOTO | ISTOCK

BY JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF

While much of our lives will be paused in the coming weeks, Hanukkah is a reminder that the Jewish community is strong and resilient, despite often trying circumstances. The candles we light on each night of Hanukkah are a reminder of our miraculous ability to carry on and stay kindled with the resources at hand. Though many gatherings will look different this year, there are still many ways to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Below is a resource for virtual and/or COVID-19-safe Hanukkah activities hosted by synagogues and congregations in the greater Rhode Island area. FOR MORE EVENTS and updates to these listings, check the calendar at JewishRhody.org and your synagogue’s website. Events subject to change due to COVID-19 government restrictions. Who: Temple Beth-El, Providence What: Hanukkah Sing Along When: Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. Where: Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/83215508772 (Passcode: call Temple Beth-El office; members, check your email)

Who: Temple Beth-El, Providence What: Outdoor Candle Lighting, a Temple Beth-El tradition on the eight nights of Hanukkah. When: Thursday, Dec. 10-Thursday, Dec. 17, at 5 p.m. Where: Zoom or Facebook Live. Zoom link: HTTPS://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/J/84644420488 (Passcode: call Temple Beth-El office; members, check your email), or, for Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/TempleBethEl Who: Temple Beth-El, BUNS Bakery, Providence What: Drive through to pick up your rugelach for the holidays. Place your order in advance: call 401-275-0682 or email vmessina@wingatesrc.com When: Preorder by Dec. 4, pick up on Friday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-noon.

What: Car Menorah Parade to Celebrate 2020 Hanukkah Season, featuring the first menorah-topped car to parade through Rhode Island. Participants will gather at their closest participating Chabad center and then meet up in Providence. The event will culminate with the lighting of a giant Hanukkah menorah on the grounds of the State House, a ceremony honoring first responders and essential workers, and a live juggling performance. All participants must remain in their vehicles. When: Sunday, Dec. 13, 4:30 p.m. Where: For more details and to reserve your spot and menorah, contact your local Chabad: Providence, 401-273-7238; Warwick, 401-884-7888; Lincoln, 401-499-2574 Who: United Brothers Synagogue, Bristol What: Hanukkah Service When: Friday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Where: For online link, email ubsbristol@ gmail.com; congregation members will get a link in their email Who: Project Shoresh, Providence What: Community Hanukkah Celebration: Delicacies and Inspiration with Rabbi Tzvi Gluckin When: Sunday, Dec. 13, 8-9 p.m. Where: Register for the online event at https:// form.jotform.com/203173541040138 Who: Temple Emanu-El, Providence What: Hanukkah Lights & Laughs: Virtual Hanukkah Celebration. Join us on Zoom as we light the candles, sing Hanukkah songs, hear an update about our capital campaign, and laugh with hilarious and nationally recognized Jewish comedians. When: Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. Where: RSVP to register and receive a link, www.teprov.org Who: Temple Habonim, Barrington What: The Bible Players: Celebrate Hanukkah with a community candle-lighting and interactive family program When: Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 6:15 p.m. Where: Register on Zoom at https://bit. ly/3q8k84c Who: Hadassah Rhode Island What: Hadassah Celebrates Hanukkah: Virtual Celebration of The Festival of Lights When: Monday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. Where: To register, RSVP to the Hadassah Rhode Island email: chapri@hadassah.org, or call 463-3636 to receive the Zoom link or a dial-in number.

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HANUKKAH

The miracles in our lives

FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE, WHO DO ISRAELIS DEPEND ON? THEY DEPEND ON YOU.

Hanukkah is the holiday of miracles – but what exactly is a miracle?

HEA

I have a personal story to share from my book, “Pathfinding: Seven Principles for Positive Living.” This is in my chapter on miracles: “I was living in the Boston area, and my daughter Laura, now an adult, was about three years old. Our steady babysitter was a family friend. One day PATRICIA I let her borrow my car to run RASKIN an errand. She came from a large family, and when she stopped at her house, one of her older brothers ‘took’ the car. “I spent the whole next

Y L I VI

RABBI BENJAMIN BLECH, author of the article “Miracles, Human and Divine,” at Aish.com, writes, “It is very instructive that the Hebrew word for miracle, nes, is at the root of the word nisayon, which means test. It is the same word that appears in the Torah when we are told that God tested Abraham. “Miracles are nothing less than tests of our Divine potential. It is when human beings pass Divine challenges with honor and distinction that we are witness to what is worthy of being proclaimed a true miracle.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Magen David Adom is Israel’s official ambulance, blood-services, and disaster-relief organization. MDA has been on the front lines in the fight against coronavirus while also contending with terrorist attacks, car accidents, and other threats to Israeli lives. But Magen David Adom is not government-funded. Its 25,000 EMTs and paramedics, most of them volunteers, rely on support from people like you for the supplies and equipment they need to perform their lifesaving work. There are many ways to support Israel, but none that has a greater impact on its people than a gift to Magen David Adom. Your support isn’t just changing lives — it’s literally saving them. Support Magen David Adom at afmda.org/chanukah afmda.org

18 | DECEMBER 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

HANUKKAH

8 children’s books that bring new characters into the Hanukkah story BY PENNY SCHWARTZ

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(JTA) – Move over, Maccabees. This season’s crop of seven new Hanukkah books for kids puts the spotlight on new heroes, from playful llamas to brave and kind knights on horseback. An eighth book, “Honey on the Page,” that shines light on Yiddish children’s stories in new translation, makes a perfect family gift. Among this year’s highlights is Arthur A. Levine’s “The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol,” a superhero story that comes to life with Kevin Hawkes’ sparkling illustrations. Over the years, as a leading children’s book editor, scores of Hanukkah books crossed Levine’s desk, but many were retellings of the same story. “Only a few writers … were telling imaginary tales that took Hanukkah as a jumping-off point,” he wrote in an email. Nate Gadol is the kind of story he longed for, which enhances the cherished Hanukkah traditions with an aura of magic. This year, as the COVID-19 pandemic prevents families from celebrating Hanukkah with large festive gatherings, round up the cousins on Zoom, light the menorah, nibble on sufganiyot and share in the joy of a new book.

Visit one of our showrooms in Fall River or Plainville, MA or Cranston, RI, and to keep everyone safe, we ask that masks are worn at all times.

It II

warm-hearted tale, embellished with Hawkes’ glorious art, the larger-than-life Nate Gadol swoops in to brighten the lives of the Glaser family, poor but kind new immigrants. In the cold winter of 1881 in their urban American apartment, the Glasers stretch what they have to help their neighbors, the O’Malleys. When Hanukkah and Christmas coincide, Nate and Santa help each other out and surprise both families with gifts. The hero’s name is a play on the phrase represented with the four letters on the dreidel, Nes Gadol Haya Sham (“A great miracle happened there”).

“Happy Llamakkah!”

Laura Gehl; illustrated by Lydia Nichols Abrams Appleseed; ages 3-5 How does a family of llamas celebrate Hanukkah? With llamakkah, of course! Laura Gehl’s tender rhyming verse is perfect for cozying up with the endearing little llamas as they light the Hanukkah menorah, play dreidel and build a snow-llama. Lydia Nichols’ cheerful illustrations brighten the pages.

“The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol”

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Arthur A. Levine; illustrated by Kevin Hawkes Candlewick Press; ages 5-8 Just when the world needs a dose of magic, along comes Nate Gadol, a Jewish mythical superhero who sparks joy for those in need. In Levine’s

“Kayla and Kugel’s Happy Hanukkah”

Ann D. Koffsky Apples & Honey Press; ages 3 -8

The happy pair of Kayla and her rambunctious dog Kugel are back in Ann Koffsky’s latest title in the delightful series. As Kayla gets ready to celebrate Hanukkah, she and Kugel are searching for the family’s Hanukkah box. In Koffsky’s clear verse, the spunky Kayla explains the origins and traditions of the holiday to Kugel. Koffsky’s color-rich, lively illustrations, including many of the mischievous Kugel, are sure to spark smiles.

“The Littlest Candle: A Hanukkah Story”

Rabbis Kerry and Jesse Olitzky; illustrated by Jen Kostman Kalaniot Books; ages 4-8 On the eve of Hanukkah, a box of colorful candles tucked away in a drawer comes to life in this sweet story. While the big candles bicker about who will be chosen to light the first candle on the menorah, the wise candle notices that it’s the littlest, Flicker, who is always helping others. When Flicker is chosen as the shamash, or the helper, the small purplish candle humbly shines in the highest place on the menorah. The book pairs noted Jewish educator Rabbi Kerry Olitzky with his son, Rabbi Jesse Olitzky. Jen Kostman’s cartoon-style illustrations are as colorful as the bright boxes of Hanukkah candles.

“The Eight Knights of Hanukkah”

Leslie Kimmelman; illustrated by Galia Bernstein Holiday House; ages 3-8

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jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

Hark! In this playful tale, Lady Sadie challenges her eight young knights to save their kingdom’s Hanukkah celebration from a dragon who’s wreaking havoc on the villagers. She sends them out trotting on horseback to make things right with kind deeds and bravery. Kids will chuckle when Sir Isabella and Sir Rugelach discover that behind the dragon’s plume of smoke is a young creature who joins them in the grand Hanukkah celebration. Leslie Kimmelman and Galia Bernstein have created a lively, off-beat story that tickles the funny bone. (Added bonus: the cast of characters is very diverse.)

All of us at Eastside Marketplace wish you and your family a safe, happy, and healthy is nowhere to be found. The inventive siblings craft their own menorah and knock on the door of a neighbor who comes to the rescue with birthday candles. For eight nights, a multicultural array of neighbors helps the kids improvise – a hula hoop transforms into a perfect dreidel, for instance. As the holiday ends, Max and Rachel invite their new friends to a Hanukkah celebration. Israeli illustrator Shahar Kober’s animated illustrations add to the humor.

Hanukkah!

“There Was a Young Rabbi: A Hanukkah Tale”

Suzanne Wolf; illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler Kar-Ben; ages 4-8 In this playful, rhyming story, Hanukkah meets “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” On the first night of Hanukkah a rabbi reads from the Torah and lights the menorah. Each night, she adds something new – cooking applesauce, playing dreidel with her family and enjoying chocolate coins. Young kids will join the chorus in this rollicking read-aloud.

“The Ninth Night of Hanukkah”

Erica S. Perl; illustrated by Shahar Kober Sterling Children’s Books; ages 3-8 Oy vey. When Max and Rachel move into a new apartment on the first night of Hanukkah, their special Hanukkah box

“Honey on the Page: A Treasury of Yiddish Children’s Literature” Edited and translated by Miriam Udel New York University Press; ages 10-adult Miriam Udel, a scholar of German and Jewish studies at Emory University, has gifted the world with a treasure of a book that introduces readers of all ages to the wealth of little-known Jewish children’s stories by more than 25 early 20th century Yiddish writers, including Sholem Asch, Zina Rabinowitz and Mordkhe Spektor. The rich anthology, perfect for reading aloud, is a keeper to return to over the years.

165 Pitman Street, Providence , RI 02906 Phone (401)831-7771 Fax (401)831-7815

20 | DECEMBER 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

2020 in review: A year like no other BY FRAN OSTENDORF

PHOTOS | GLENN OSMUNDSON

Temple Sinai congregants gathered at Goddard Park to castaway their sins during Tashlikh in September. The photo ran in October.

he year 2020 will certainly go down as memorable – and not necessarily in a good way. We started out the new decade full of promise in the Rhode Island Jewish community, in the United States and around the

world. Nobody could imagine then that a coronavirus would create such difficult and deadly times, that an election would cause bitter strife, that anti-Semi-

January

AT THE START of the month, faith leaders from across Rhode Island brought the fight against poverty to the Rhode Island State House during their annual vigil to inspire state legislators to work on an anti-poverty agenda. RHODE ISLANDERS were among the many thousands of people who traveled to New York for a huge march against anti-Semitism. OUR “UP FRONT” interview featured Providence Hebrew Day School principal Miriam Esther Weiner.

tism would continue to rear its ugly head.

February

Before we usher in what we sincerely hope will be a brighter 2021, let’s take a

MEMORIES FROM SUMMER CAMP highlighted our annual camp issue. Little did we know then that the COVID-19 pandemic would force most camps to cancel their 2020 summer sessions.

look back at 2020 in the Rhode Island Jewish community.

DECEMBER 2020 | 21

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island IN “THE CONVERSATION” feature, members of the community discussed feeling judged about the way they celebrate Judaism. THE ANNUAL community Challah Bake, held at the end of January, turned pink to fight cancer; coverage was in the February paper. A CONTINGENT of Rhode Islanders attended the Global Siyum in New York.

March AS WINTER WOUND DOWN, we looked forward to spring – but the virus arrived along with the blooming flowers and bright sunshine (and got its first mention in Jewish Rhode Island). ANOTHER ELECTION took place in Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to form a government. MICHAEL FEL was installed as senior rabbi at Temple Emanu-El, in Providence. Sarah Mack, rabbi at Providence’s Temple Beth-El, shared reflections from her trip to Guatemala. Temple Habonim, in Barrington, shared a photo from a congregational trip to Cuba. RABBI BARRY DOLINGER’S nonprofit Mitzvah Matzos baked matzot for Passover and was featured in a photo story.

April THE PASSOVER issue ushered in full coronavirus coverage and a new vocabulary for us, including phrases such as “social distancing” and “flatten the curve.” The Conversation featured essays on “How Coronavirus Impacted Your Life,” and we reported on how agencies were serving the community. PHOTOS FROM the annual community Purim Parade showed the last large gathering of the spring. ALLIANCE EMPLOYEE Lisa Maybruch reviewed the “More Real Life Kosher Cooking” cookbook, which led to her creating a food blog.

May OUR FURRY FRIENDS were a great source of companionship and comfort during lockdowns, quarantines and other orders forcing us to stay home. These beloved fur-babies filled our pages, along with stories on how to care for them during all those long hours at home – and after we finally stop working from home. WE TALKED to local business owners about the impact of COVID-19, and featured Mark Glazer of Davis Dairy, in Providence, on our cover. Sadly, on May 19, the building housing Davis Dairy was damaged in a fire and the business has yet to reopen. TEMPLE HABONIM’S Rabbi Andrew Klein reflected on his retirement after 13 years leading the Barrington congregation.

June COVID-19 showed no signs of slowing down and Dr. Michael Fine gave us an update on the pandemic.

THE JEWISH ALLIANCE of Greater Rhode Island began the process of safely reopening the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence. THE BOARD OF RABBIS of Greater Rhode Island issued a statement in support of the Black community, following more shootings. CONGREGATION Beth Sholom, in Providence, announced the sale of its building.

July A SUMMER like no other. That’s what we featured in the July issue as we reported on the June reopening of J-Camp at the Dwares JCC. Most programming across the community remained online. BETH SHOLOM announced that its new home would be the Dwares JCC and made plans to worship outside.

August “THE NEW NORMAL” became a phrase we love to hate as we all started to “take it outside” in these “challenging times.” COMMUNITY schools began talking about reopening, with rules about masks and social distancing. WE REPORTED on the change of leadership at the R.I. Board of Rabbis: Rabbi Dolinger, of Beth Sholom, took over as president, and Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, of Temple Sinai, in Cranston, became vice president. TOURO FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION also announced leadership changes: Stevan Labush was elected board chairman and Jeffrey Davis became board vice chairman.

September THE HIGH HOLY DAYS issue featured synagogues’ plans for worship, including online, outdoor and a few in-person indoor services. UP FRONT had an interview with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi of Great Britain, who later revealed that he was battling cancer. Sacks died in early November.

October IN THIS ISSUE, we reminded readers of the importance of voting (the November issue would publish after the elections). DANI STIEGLITZ wrote from Israel about voting as an ex-pat. THE CEREMONY of casting away sins, tashlikh, became a perfect outdoor experience during the pandemic. We featured photos taken in late September.

November THE PAPER continued to be filled with listings and stories about online programming and outdoor activities. Zoom continued as our new best friend for worship, commentary, learning, meetings and Thanksgiving. JEWISH RHODE ISLAND reported on the

national election, but results were not complete as the paper went to press.

December IF YOU’VE made it to the end of this roundup, you know that we’ve made it to the Hanukkah issue, and that this year we will mostly celebrate the holiday online or just with members of our household. But our lights will burn bright for each of the eight nights as we anticipate a return to in-person parties and celebrations in the next year. FRAN OSTENDORF (fostendorf@ jewishallianceri.org) is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.

PHOTOS | GLENN OSMUNDSON

(TOP) The Purim parade was the last large community gathering before COVID closures. This photo ran in April. (MIDDLE) Voting in the 2020 election was a different experience. This photo ran in November. (BOTTOM) Mark Glazer talked about Davis Dairy and business during COVID. His photo ran on the May cover.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY

OBITUARIES 33 | BUSINESS 36

Master Harp Therapist Laura Cole’s soothing sounds promote calm, healing PHOTOS | HANNAH ALTMAN

Laura Cole

BY HANNAH ALTMAN ON A RECENT afternoon, I visited Laura Cole’s mellow apartment on the East Side of Providence just as it stopped raining. I listened to her playing her harp as the sun moved from behind a lingering cloud and illuminated the multicolored strings. She played a tune I did not recognize, but in which I found great comfort as I watched her hands lightly move down the strings like a sigh. Cole, Jewish Collaborative Services’ development associate, is new to Rhode Island; the New Jersey native moved here after living in Florida. But she is not new to the soothing effects of harp therapy. Cole has been playing the harp for 27 years. In 2004, she met Bedside Harp Founder and President Edie Elkan, which led her to embark on intense training at Bedside Harp, in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, to become a Hospital-Certified Master Harp Therapist. “Hearing about the Harp Therapy Certification programs opened my eyes, and ears, to a potential career in health care,” Cole said. “Indeed, playing harp

for patients and staff has been far more rewarding than anything else I have ever done. “After several years of training and an intensive internship at the Valley Hospital, in Ridgewood, New Jersey, I received both my Hospital-Certified Harp Therapist and Hospital-Certified Master Harp Therapist certifications in 2007.” A discipline that differs from a traditional music-therapy degree, Bedside Harp therapy takes special note of the environment in which one plays. The classes are closely monitored and progress is recorded and treated as a dress rehearsal for the real thing. “Harp therapy is modules, books, papers, practicum projects, but most importantly the experience, the 120 hours to 240 hours of actually doing the harp therapy. It’s not just playing the harp, it’s also taking the notes of the surroundings: what you played, the disposition of the patient before you started, during and after.” Under the moniker Cloud Nine Harp, Cole uses these skills to create a calm, welcoming atmosphere in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other

settings. She recently played for Kosher Senior Café regulars during a COVID-19-safe luncheon in Lippitt Park in Providence. During performances, Cole uses various harp equipment, including a mobile harp that is worn around the shoulders, to connect sound and memory – which resonates with dementia patients in particular. As part of her harp-therapy practice, she frequently learns new songs at the request of individuals, who are often inspired by her renditions to share their memories associated with the music. Cole says that during her sessions she has met “all these great people who served in World War II or met in World War II.” “I met this one couple who always asked for ‘Anchors Aweigh’ [by the Glenn Miller Orchestra] because this guy was

in the Navy, and that was how he met his future wife,” she said. “The ship he was on blew up, he was one of the few to make it out, and he swam to shore, and that’s where he met his wife.” In addition to bringing clouded memories back into light, Cole is making new memories for Rhode Islanders during the pandemic, bringing calming and healing music when it is sorely needed. For more information on Laura Cole and Cloud Nine Harp, go to www.cloudnineharp.com; call 561-249-1176; or e-mail laura@ cloudnineharp.com. HANNAH ALTMAN (haltman@ jewishallianceri.org) is the content producer for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

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jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

Happy Hanukkah!

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Happy Hanukkah Congressman

David N. Cicilline

Happy Hanukkah!

THE ODEUM WOULD LIKE TO WISH THE HAPPIEST OF HANUKKAHS TO YOU AND YOURS THIS SEASON!

from Temple Emanu-El!

ODEUM MERCHANDISE MAKES Join us on Zoom, as we light the candles, sing some Hanukkah songs, hear an update about our capital campaign, and laugh with hilarious and nationally recognized Jewish comedians.

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DECEMBER 2020 | 25

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COMMUNITY

Second session of Hebrew conversation begins Dec. 14 IF YOU MISSED the successful first session of virtual Hebrew conversation for adults, offered by Temple Emanu-El and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, you now have another opportunity to hone your language skills. A second session begins Dec. 14. Three levels were offered the first time: Beginners for those with basic Hebrew reading and writing knowledge. Some vocabulary knowledge is a plus. Participants have basic conversations in the present tense, watch videos in Hebrew and learn some songs. Intermediate for those with

knowledge of the present tense. This level is for people who are comfortable speaking in short sentences. Emphasis is placed on adding new vocabulary and becoming more fluent in conversational Hebrew. Advanced is for Hebrew speakers who can use both present and past tense and can participate in ongoing discussions of news articles, songs, poetry and timely topics. The goal for those who can already speak and understand Hebrew is to improve vocabulary and to practice speaking with others. Depending on the number of registrants per level, a level between Intermediate

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missing. We eventually got it all worked out, but what makes this story so amazing is that my father was able to find my car 250 miles from home in a city of tens of millions of people. The chances of coincidentally finding his daughter’s stolen car were miraculous.” During COVID-19, we are creating and realizing our own miracles. We are making our own “limited supply of oil” last eight days by working with what we have – even though it’s less than we had to work with before the pandemic. As we watch thousands line up in their cars at food banks, we realize that being healthy, having food and shelter – which we often take for granted – are miracles in themselves. Revisiting the Hanukkah story of celebrating the victory of the Maccabees speaks to the meaning of the word Hanukkah, rededication. During this COVID-19 Hanukkah, let’s all think about how we have been rededicating ourselves and acknowledging the miracles in our lives.

day on the phone with the police, frantically trying to locate my car. In desperation, I called my father, who was working in New York City. He reassured me that no matter how things turned out, everything was going to be okay. “The day after we spoke, in the late afternoon, my father called me and said, ‘You are not going to believe what I’m about to tell you. Today, instead of walking my usual route to the parking lot, I walked down a different street and there was your car on this side street in the middle of downtown Manhattan!’ “This was a ‘one in a million shot,’ to use my father’s words at the time, and I was stunned but also thrilled that my father found my car. He immediately called the police. When the officers got there, they decided to remove the distributor so no one could start the car. My father took the distributor with him and called me as soon as he got home. Since my father worked in New York City, he said he would go back the next morning to make arrangements to get my car back home. “The next morning, when my father went to the street where the car had been parked, the car was gone. When he called to tell me the bad news, I told him the good news! My babysitter’s older brother, after taking my car on a joyride, realized his mistake and returned it to me in Boston. “She told me later how panicked he was when he realized the distributor was

Happy Hanukkah! PATRICIA RASKIN, owner of Raskin Resources Productions, is a media host, coach and award-winning radio producer and business owner. She is on the board of directors of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence. She is a recipient of the Providence Business News 2020 Leaders and Achievers award.

and advanced may be added. The teachers from our first session are: Or Cohen, Israeli shlichah (emissary); Yuval GalOr, who is studying for a master’s in Hebrew Education and has been teaching Hebrew privately; and Toby

Liebowitz, who has taught Hebrew to adults for many years, including adults in Poland. We meet using Zoom on Monday evenings from 7-8:15 p.m. The cost is $100 per person for 8 sessions. To register,

go to www.teprov.org/form/ hebrewconversationW21 If you have any questions, email Toby Liebowitz at: tobyaane@gmail.com

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3. Relatives: We saw none of you; if you

August for Lynne and me and for a game against the Tampa Bay Rays in September for a father-daughter outing. Neither happened, of course, but she did get two Red Sox masks along with her refund. I also had 30 flex tickets for the final season of the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium, but didn’t get a free mask with my refund. Hope springs eternal for 2021, 2022 or the 22nd century.

6. Zoomed out of our minds: All of us

discovered that the PBS children’s series “Zoom” was reincarnated as a ubiquitous, and occasionally nefarious, social media platform. Like millions of Americans, we’re praying that we don’t have to “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom” as often in 2021.

5. Virtual purgatory: For the first time

in 45 years, I didn’t run any actual races with other runners, but did do a pair of virtual charity races, which is a COVID-era way of saying that they were two more opportunities to run alone. My annual Relay For Life for the American Cancer Society also went virtual, which was yet another big 2020 letdown.

4. You’ve got a friend: We sent lots of

emails and texts to our friends, but sadly saw precious few of them in socially-distanced settings.

consider that good news, then we may not see you in 2021, either. (Only kidding.)

2. Our kids: If you thought you were

going to escape news of our kids, you’re wrong. Ari came home early from Ecuador, landed a teaching job and moved into her own apartment. Alana, a sophomore at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, continues her culinary studies and labs; per JWU, she moved back home before Thanksgiving, and after finishing her first semester remotely, will return in January for lab classes and more remote learning. May the latter be among the things that largely disappear in 2021.

1. Staying healthy: To paraphrase one of the great lines from Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein,” we’re alive! Sure, Larry has more aches and pains than the Red Sox had in 2020, but he’s always been an accomplished kvetcher. Now the good news: You’ve reached the end. Mazal tov. Sip some wine or schnapps and wish for a better 2021, which, as low as the bar was set in 2020, won’t take much improvement. L’chaim, my friends!

Shabbos Project was a virtual success On the weekend of Nov. 6 and 7, Project Shoresh of Rhode Island, hosted the annual Shabbos Project which was virtual this year. It began with a Shabbos Box offered for delivery or pick-up and continued with a challah bake via Zoom and wrapped up with a Zoom Havdalah. THE SHABBOS BOX included tealights, grape juice, ingredients to bake challah at home, some Shabbos treats and materials for Havdalah. To be eligible to receive a Shabbos Box, participants must have committed to doing something to make the Shabbos special by choosing at least one option from a list of suggestions on the Project Shoresh website. On Wednesday evening, Nov. 4, Miriam Karp led a virtual Challah Bake, and demonstrated challah-baking

over Zoom while discussing the significance of baking challah. Rabbi Noach Karp recited Havdalah via Zoom with a few guests in attendance, masked and socially distanced. What a different kind of weekend when compared with years past, but worth it nonetheless! As Rabbi Karp said, “Shabbos has always ‘kept’ the Jewish People. Let’s keep the Shabbos!” Submitted by Project Shoresh

LARRY KESSLER (larrythek65@gmail. com) is a freelance writer based in North Attleboro. He blogs at https://larrytheklineup.blogspot.com.

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Noticing the unnoticed ALMOST ALL OF US just celebrated Thanksgiving. Some may ask what there was to be thankful for, as we are now experiencing what appears to be the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many believe that it is precisely at a time like this that we should count our blessings and express our gratitude. Last May, many in the Rhode Island Jewish community participated in the first Ten Days of Gratitude program, based on a similar program in Israel. This year, the program will begin in December as the Jewish Alliance partners with Days of Gratitude to help focus our blessings and build our resilience in the face of the current challenges. Days of Gratitude is a free, six-month journey that helps us notice – and be grateful for – the blessings in our lives, thereby increasing our resilience and hope at a time when we need them most.

Every month from December 2020 to April 2021, participants will receive a set of activities, prompts and inspiration to guide them through a threeday gratitude journey, helping them notice and celebrate life’s blessings. These will take place around the Jewish holiday of each month – Hanukkah, Tu b’Shevat, Purim, Passover and Yom ha’Atzmaut. Days of Gratitude will culminate in May with a worldwide celebration of gratitude in the seven days leading up to Shavuot. You can sign up to join the global Days of Gratitude program at its website, gratitudedays.com, where you can also explore other activities and all that the program has to offer. LARRY KATZ (lkatz@jewishallianceri.org) is director of Jewish life and learning at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

The Miriam still needs volunteers for vaccine testing BY FRAN OSTENDORF PROVIDENCE – With the news that COVID-19 vaccines will begin to be dispensed in just a few weeks, you may wonder whether you can still volunteer to participate in a vaccine trial – and if you should. The answer to both questions is “Yes!” says Dr. Karen Tashima, an infectious diseases physician and director of clinical trials at The Immunology Center of The Miriam Hospital. There are still plenty of trials going on. Six vaccines are in development, each using slightly different technology. Five of those are part of the government’s Operation Warp Speed. The drug-makers that have applied for emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration are only the first to get to the point where their vaccine is ready for deployment. “We need all of them because we need to know which ones are going to work, and if we have several that are FDA-approved, it will make it that much easier to get the vaccines to the public,” Tashima said. She also pointed out that the manufacturers aren’t just supplying vaccines for the United States, but for other nations as well. Massive numbers of vac-

cines will be needed, and no one manufacturer could supply all of them. At The Miriam, Tashima hopes they will soon be testing one of the modified protein-based vaccines. They already have more than 5,000 people in the volunteer registry. But Tashima says a bigger pool of volunteers is needed to enable researchers to test a wide variety of people from communities across the state – from women in their 20s to men over 80, along with different races and people with some preexisting conditions. Not every volunteer will qualify for the trial. Tashima’s study at The Miriam will involve about 400 people. It will be conducted elsewhere as well. She said she hopes the study will begin in January. It’s a Phase 3 study, meaning that the vaccine has already gone through Phase 1 and 2 trials on smaller groups of people. Those phases look for vaccine reactions and side effects in a concentrated group. Of the two vaccines that have been sent to the FDA for emergency approval, Tashima, who is also a professor of medicine at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, said “they look really effective early on.”

How to Celebrate Hanukkah Kindle the Menorah on each of the eight nights of Chanukah. See below for the times, number of lights and the order of kindling. The Chanukah lights are kindled in the front window or by a doorway. You may use olive oil or paraffin candles which are large enough to burn until half an hour after nightfall. Use the shamash (service candle) to kindle the lights and place it in its special place on the Menorah. All members of the family should be present at the kindling of the Chanukah lights. Students and singles who live in a dormitory or in their own apartments, should kindle in their own rooms.

Friday afternoon, the Chanukah lights (which will burn until 1/2 hour after nightfall) are kindled before the Shabbat candles. The Menorah should not be relit, moved or prepared, from the time Shabbat candles are lit, until Shabbat ends and the Havdalah prayer is recited. After this time the Chanukah lights for Saturday are kindled.

Menorah Kindling Blessings Before kindling the lights, recite:

1. Bo-ruch A-toh A-do-noi E- lo-hey-nu Me-lech Ha-o-lom A-sher Ki-di -sha-nu Bi- mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-va-nu Li-had-lik Ner Cha-nu-kah. Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Chanukah.

2. Bo-ruch A-toh A-do-noi E-lohey-nu Me-lech Ha-o-lam She- a-sa Ni-sim La-a-vo-sey-nu Ba-ya-mim Ha-heim Bi-z’man Ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season. The following blessing is recited on the first evening or on the first time one kindles the Chanukah lights this year:

3. Bo-ruch A-toh A-do-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-o-lom She-he-chi-ya -nu Vi-ki-yi-ma-nu Vi-hi-gi-ya-nu Li-z’man Ha-zeh. Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.

2020 Menorah Kindling Calendar for Rhode Island Fri. Dec. 11, light before 3:55 pm Shabbat Dec. 12, light after 5:02

Other nights any time after nightfall approx. 4:50 pm Thursday, Dec. 10 After Nightfall Friday, Dec. 11 Light Before Lighting the Shabbat Candle 3:55 pm Saturday, Dec. 12 After Shabbat 5:02 pm

Sunday, Dec. 13 After Nightfall Monday, Dec. 14 After Nightfall Tuesday, Dec. 15 After Nightfall Wednesday, Dec. 16 After Nightfall Thursday, Dec. 17 After Nightfall

Provided as a public service by The Jewish Voice & Herald. Compiled by Chabad of RI

Provided as a public service by Jewish Rhode Island. Compiled by Chabad or RI.

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COMMUNITY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 time there were two candles in a row and a taller one watching over them. The neon man looked again at the window. Yes, there they were. A strange sight. Tiny lights in a window on a winter night, on a window sill in the midst of so many other brighter lights. But who has time to wonder about the little candles? A neon man is always busy. Up and down. On and off. Green and red. The next night there were three little candles in the row and the taller one watching over them. The mystery of the candles became even greater when, on the next night, the neon man counted four little flames and the raised candle. Each night there was one more candle in the row. If he were not so busy, he would stop to find out the meaning of those little candles, but time counts. No time to stop. On the night when the neon man counted eight candles in the window of the house across the street, something happened to the sign by the side of the road. Suddenly the lights went out. The neon man was making his graceful bow just then, tipping his top hat with one hand and with the other twirling his cane in mid-air when all the life went out of him. He remained half bent over, a very embarrassing position for a neon man – busy, brilliantly green one minute and the next a bent down skeleton of dark glass tubes. Nothing to do but wait until something happens to bring life back to the busy neon man. In his bent over position, the neon man was very close to the lamp on the corner. This was a good time to talk of many things. “Did you notice the new little lights in the window over there?” the neon man asked.

The street lamp kept watching the street below and answered slowly, “Yes I did. They are not new lights.” “Not new? I never saw them here before.” “I did last year, and years before that. They were here before you came to this street and before I came to this corner,” the lamp replied. “Why then didn’t I see them last week or last month or any time I can remember?” “Those little candles don’t light up every week of the year. Only eight days each year, when the season comes around, do we see them. You will not see them again until one year from now, if you are still here twirling your cane.” “What is their use? What do they advertise?” asked the neon man. “They do nothing. They advertise nothing. They just tell a story.” “I don’t understand this at all. They do nothing, advertise nothing. Tiny flames that can hardly light up a window, only one week a year and not all at once but one by one? What are they for? And why all the mystery?” Slowly and calmly the street lamp began his story. “These little lights have come up every year ever since I can remember and long before that, I was told. When I first saw the little candles in the window I began to laugh. I was very proud of myself and the light I threw to the street below. How tiny they appeared beside me. And I told them there is no need for you here. From now on I

shall light up this corner. After eight days they disappeared. I was sure that I had chased them away. “But as the months passed and the season of snow returned, they showed up again, one by one, until there were eight lights in the row, as they do every year. Now I know they will return to shine in the window of this house and many other houses long after I am replaced. They will return to tell their story year in and year out.” “But what is the story?” the neon man asked. Before the lamp could say another word, the neon man turned green again. Up he jumped. Hat over his head, cane twirling in the air, then turning into an arrow showing the way to the restaurant below. The busy life of a neon man. On and off. Up and down. Busy, busy. No time to hear the story told by the eight little candles. But the street lamp knows the story. And so do you. Don’t you? Chag sameach, zayt gezunt, shalom. GERALDINE S. FOSTER is a past president of the R.I. Jewish Historical Association. To comment about this or any RIJHA article, contact the RIJHA office at info@rijha.org or 401-331-1360.

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You can help create the ‘Jewish Roots’ art installation from home BY HANNAH ALTMAN

In the “new normal,” when we have to be physically apart from one another more than we would like, the message of artist Nancy Katz’s “Jewish Roots” community art project is clear: We have to find creative ways to be together. PHOTO | HANNAH ALTMAN

Some of the gems designed by community members

KATZ’S ART project was conceived as a way to grow the Jewish community’s sense of physical togetherness during

from home, learn or teach from home, shop from home and visit with friends and family virtually. The book is also an intriguing read in the run-up to The National Day of Unplugging, March 5-6. Shlain is an Internet pioneer who founded the Webby Awards in the mid-1990s to celebrate outstanding Internet videos, and a leading promoter of unplugging. In her book, she takes readers on a provocative and entertaining journey through Tiffany Shlain the past, present and future of ideas about time and technology. She explains how being completely off-line one day each week for 10 years, along with her husband and two daughters, has transformed their lives, freeing up time and enhancing connection and presence. Though “24/6” is not directed specifically to the Jewish community, and Shlain herself is not a religious Jew, she advocates for what she calls “Technology Shabbat.” Shlain will be interviewed by Robin Kall (known to many Rhode Islanders for her radio program, “Reading with Robin”) on Thursday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. as part of the Behind the Book series, sponsored by the Alliance. Books on the

Upcoming community read focuses on unplugging BY JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF

The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island has chosen Tiffany Shlain’s book, “24/6: Giving Up Screens One Day a Week to Get More Time, Creativity, and Connection,” for the next community read, which will culminate with a Zoom discussion with Shlain on Feb. 4. As part of the community read, the Alliance will also participate virtually in a Zoom challah bake, on Dec. 18, and host Dr. Justin J. Schleifer, a local child and adolescent psychiatrist, who will make a Zoom presentation for parents,

on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m., on the intersection between mental health and technology. Shlain’s book is particularly timely during the pandemic, which has seen many of us spending increased time online as we work

a time of remote working, online learning and Zoom happy hours. Commissioned by the Jewish Alliance

of Greater Rhode Island, the project’s framework is an 11-foot-tall, 8-foot-wide wooden board shaped like a tree, which will soon be installed in the lobby of the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence. The tree is waiting to be filled with personalized mosaic “tiles” created by CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Square, in Providence, is offering a discount on “24/6.” Honored by Newsweek as one of the “Women Shaping the 21st Century,” Shlain is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker. Her films and other works have received more than 80 awards and distinctions, including being selected for the Albert Einstein Foundation’s Genius: 100 Visions of the Future. “24/6” has also garnered many honors. People Magazine, for example, called it a “New Book Worth Reading” and Book Authority rated it No. 1 in “Best New High-Tech Books to Read in 2020.” In addition, Michael Rich, an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, writes that, “I, as a pediatrician, live it and recommend it as a best-parenting and best-living practice to the families I serve.” For more information on the Behind the Book event, go to https://www.jewishallianceri.org/ behind-the-book/ Shlain is also known for her Zoom challah bakes, which have a worldwide following. She started #ZoomChallahBakes at the beginning of the pandemic as a way to bring people together during lockdown. They quickly turned into a powerful and grounding ritual, with people from all over the country and globe coming together each week to talk about the pandemic, the movements for racial justice, elections and everything else happening in our world ... all while baking challah together. On Friday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m., Shlain will host a special holiday edition, when she will make babka. Register at zoomchallahbake.com. LARRY KATZ (lkatz@jewishallianceri.org) is director of Jewish life and learning at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

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CREDIT

Caption Caption Caption Caption

something bigger than ourselves from the comfort of our respective ‘safe’ zones. All this with the recognition that some day, hopefully in the not-so-distant future, we will be able to join together in person with visible smiles, rubbing shoulders and noshing on yummy treats, to celebrate the fruits of our collective creativity.” Years from now, when we walk sans masks into the lobby of the JCC, perhaps arm in arm with a dear friend, we will gaze up at the gem-embellished tree and be reminded not of loneliness, but of a time when the community came together to build something beautiful.

members of the Rhode Island Jewish community in the comfort and safety of their homes, and then turned into “gems” to decorate the tree. Your role in this collaborative process is beautifully simple: decorate a template and send it to the Alliance online. What you do with the template is up to you. For example, you could print it out and paint it, fill it in digitally, place a quote inside the round- and leaf-shaped contours, or place a photograph inside the outline. The Alliance, and Katz, welcomes whatever feels meaningful to you. You can download the template and upload your EDITOR’S NOTE: For more on decorated version at the Nancy Katz, go to https://bit. same place, at https://www. ly/2KrxOHr. jewishallianceri.org/jewishroots-register. HANNAH ALTMAN (haltman@ Katz, who works out of jewishallianceri.org) is the the Nancy Katz | Wilmark content producer for the JewStudio, in Pawtucket, takes ish Alliance of Greater Rhode it from there. She will turn Island. your creation into a glass “gem” that will live on the walls of the Jewish Community Center, adding to its beauty. So far, close to 600 decorated templates have been contributed; the goal is 1,000. “I see ‘Jewish Roots’ as a physical representation of our interconnectedness as a community, a way of reaching out and reaching back,” Katz said. “It is designed to serve as a reflection of the mix of what makes this community one, regardless of geographic location, age and religious affiliation. “The project, given these crazy times we are living through, is an invitation PHOTO | HANNAH ALTMAN to engage, through simple Nancy Katz with the outline of the creative expression, with tree.

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COMMUNITY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 company executives claimed their sources were green, but Berman discovered that most of the company’s energy came from coal consumption. To get Facebook’s attention, she targeted their employees. “Facebook employees are progressive; they believe in climate change and want to be green,” Berman said. “We ran our campaign on Facebook itself, and I think it affected them psychologically. The logo for the campaign was a thumbs down, with a picture of a small coal factory in front of a raised thumb and a picture of a windmill. As simple as possible. The headline was: ‘I love Facebook. I wish they were green.’” The campaign quickly went viral. Media attention and in-person demonstrations near Facebook offices in California, Turkey and Ireland followed. In the end, Facebook complied, adopting a renewable energy-based policy. “The campaign not only reversed the decision of the social network, it also changed the policies of countries that wanted Facebook to build its headquarters on their territory, as well as companies similar to Facebook, such as Google and Twitter,” Berman said. “They even started competing among themselves – who would use more renewable energy, who would develop better policies. I think the campaign has led to a demand for renewable energy, and it has also moved the red line for many corporations in terms of their attitude to climate change.” After Berman was awarded the Climate Breakthrough Project award in 2019, she used her prize money to fund global campaigns against polluting fossil fuels, which contribute to global warming. “With the money I received, I built a coalition of lawyers, diplomats, academics and

activists from all over the world,” Berman said. “Just as the world united around the notion that nuclear weapons were a global threat, it is time for the world to unite and recognize that the proliferation and accumulation of fossil fuels is also a global threat. No country can do this alone.” Berman has been meeting with governments around the world and encouraging cities and individuals to commit to meaningful fossil fuel reduction. “This is not an environmental or economic issue, this is an issue of human rights and the future of our children,” Berman said. “The Torah says that we are all Earth keepers, and from the Midrash it is clear that we are guardians of the world, not its owners. Our sacred responsibility is not only to protect but also to fix the world. Every person should scrutinize their actions at this moment in history.” The clock is ticking, Berman says, estimating that only 10 more years remain to take action sufficient to avoid a future in which climate change throws the world into chaos. In that scenario, she said, “we will experience loss of food sources, loss of crops, floods, fires – on a much larger scale than now. Most river estuaries in Southeast Asia, and elsewhere in the world, where the largest concentration of humans lives today, will be totally flooded, resulting in a massive migration of millions of people in times of crisis. That is one of my biggest fears, and the responsibility is all ours.” SHANI TSUR contributed to this report. This article is part of a joint project of Onlife, the Gesher Leadership Institute and JTA, featuring some of the most influential Jewish women from around the world.

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Award-winning short film is a timely look at friendship BY SETH CHITWOOD Earlier this year, Aaron Goldenberg’s short film “Til Life Do Us Part” was a semifinalist at the Oscarqualifying Rhode Island International Film Festival. Goldenberg’s “Jewish identity” is evident in the film, which is about Barnaby (G.W. Bailey, of “The Closer”) and Timothy (Miles Anderson, of “La La Land”), 70-yearold best friends who make a suicide pact to spite the world and end it all before a disease does. When Timothy unexpectedly chooses to live instead, Barnaby accuses him of betraying the sacred suicide pact, corrupting their friendship. Goldenberg was born in South Africa and raised Conservative in Orlando, Florida, by religious parents. He said the film is “100% rooted in who I am as a Jew and based on religion, and lack thereof.” The film’s main theme is about friendship. It’s about the limits between two friends, and delves into how both life and death threaten to tear them apart. However, it could instead prove to be the glue that will keep them together. “Life is worth living with a good friend, even though there is no guarantee you’ll be together forever,” Goldenberg said. “As Jews, we have such a deep sense of community … being part of something greater than yourself; with what friendship truly is.” Goldenberg said that although his film was completed just before the COVID19 pandemic began, he thinks now is the perfect time for this type of story. “In this whole lockdown …,” he said, “being isolated is awful ... friends are such a wonderful rich part of being alive.” Goldenberg wants the audience to take away from his short film, which was co-written with American Film Institute Conservatory screenwriting alum Ariane Hahusseau, the idea that “life is worth living” and how, ironically, through death, these two may find a reason to live after all.

Aaron Goldenberg “I want people to leave this film thinking about it, and I want them to revel in the fact that they enjoyed a film about suicide … we want people to feel more comfortable talking about suicide,” he said. The film was Goldenberg’s thesis for the American Film Institute Conservatory, in Los Angeles, which he attended after he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant after three years in the Israel Defense Forces. The film has won numerous awards, including an Honorable Mention at the prestigious Prague International Indie Film Festival for Best Student Male Director, and Best Short Film at the Andromeda Film Festival in Istanbul. The film premiered in October at the AFI Fest. “I hear all the time that the film has a lot of heart in it,” Goldenberg said, “one of the highest forms of a compliment to me!” To learn more about “Til Life Do Us Part,” including upcoming online screenings, go to www.lifedouspart.com. SETH CHITWOOD is a freelance writer from Barrington. He recently graduated from the American Film Institute with a Master’s Degree in Screenwriting. He is the creative director of the production company Angelwood Pictures. Reach him at his website, www.sethchitwood.com.

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COMMUNITY | OBITUARIES Dorothy Barry, 102 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Dorothy Lippman Barry died Nov. 25 after a full and long life, at age 102. She was born and spent virtually her entire in Providence, and will be sadly missed by those who knew her. At Hope High School she met her future husband Fred Barry, whom she married in 1941, a year after graduating from Simmons College. They remained together until Fred's death in 1996. Her moral clarity, intelligence and courage made her a force, yet she also always exhibited tolerance, irony, humor and playfulness. She had fun. She spent most of her professional career as a case worker for the state of Rhode Island and then as a supervisor of case workers, and she co-founded the union representing the state’s social workers, which was organized in a series of meetings in her East Side home. After retiring she volunteered as a counselor at Planned Parenthood, for political campaigns, and was involved with the National Council of Jewish Women, Temple Emanu-El, The Miriam Hospital Women's Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Society, and the Simmons Club of Rhode Island. She proudly voted in the 2020 election, and celebrated the result. Even after turning 100, she continued playing bridge, and friends and family proudly wore sweaters and scarfs she knitted. She always remembered her friendships with friends who had passed away. To the end she celebrated Happy Hours with wine and new friends. Predeceased by her sisters Alice, Frieda, and Ethel, she is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Phil and Bobbie in Evanston, Illinois, and John and Anne in New Orleans, her brother Bill Lippman in Los Angeles, and her grandson Eric and great-grandson Louis in New York, niece and nephew Judy and David Ullman, and her niece Joyce Tesler. Contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, 345 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511 or RI Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Ave., Providence, RI 02907.

Laura Bell, 90 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Laura S. Bell died on Nov. 20 at home in Providence. She was the

wife of the late M. David Bell. In 1967, she became the first female graduate of the Computer Science department at Brown University. She was instrumental in the protests that led to the desegregation of the Providence Public Schools in the early 1970s. She taught English as a Second Language for many years in Providence and was still teaching ESL at International House in Providence as recently as February. She was passionate about our natural environment and devoted to her cottage on an island in the St. Lawrence River. She is survived by three sons, Joshua of Wakefield, Jonathan of Newport and Michael of Madison, Wisconsin, as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Contributions may be made to International House of Rhode Island 7 Stimson Ave., Providence, RI 02906 (ihouseri.org/donate-1).

Elaine Buckler, 91 WARWICK, R.I. – Elaine Buckler passed away peacefully on Nov. 23, on what would have been her 73rd anniversary. She was predeceased by her husband Martin. Elaine was born and raised in Providence, the daughter of Peter and Clara Botvin, the sister of George Botvin and Ina Rosenthal. A lifelong resident of Rhode Island, Elaine was an active member of B’nai Brith for many years. Elaine was a commercial real estate broker and a mortgage originator. When driving around Rhode Island, she enjoyed pointing out the buildings she had sold. Very family oriented, she felt enormous joy when with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren or talking about them. Elaine was a passionate admirer of Eleanor Roosevelt, with an extensive book collection and always ready to share her knowledge with others. Elaine is survived by her sister Ina, sister-in-law Evi Sheffres, her children Susan Buckler and her husband, Alan Carey, her son Steven Buckler and his wife, Wendy, her daughter Patti Garriepy and her husband, Ken, her grandchildren Lucas Carey and his wife Xiaoyun Wu; Jeffrey Buckler and his wife, Natasha; Rebecca Buckler, Colin Carey, Jesse Gar-

riepy, and Jamie Garriepy. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Sammy Buckler, Ethan Buckler and Manu Carey and many nieces and nephews. Her last years were spent at Tamarisk Assisted Living in Warwick where a staff of dedicated professionals took great care of her. Donations in her memory can be made to The Center for Spectrum Services, 70 Kukuk Lane, Kingston, NY 12401, a center for the education of children with autism spectrum disorders founded and run by her daughter Susan.

Dr. Martin Feldman, 90 CRANSTON, R.I. – Dr. Martin P. Feldman passed on Nov. 18 at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was the husband of Natalie (Young) Feldman of 51 years. He was the father of Ilene Feldman, Wendy Feldman, Julie Andoscia (Terry), Amy Pressman (Robert), Andrew J. Feldman (Kristen) and Nancy Wallent. He was the brother of the late Stephen Feldman. He was the grandfather of Marisa, Madison, Ava and Lily. Born in New York City, a son of the late Morris and Mildred (Preville) Feldman, he had lived in Cranston for five years, previously living in Barrington. Martin was a general surgeon for over 40 years, practicing in Providence and noted for his later interest in parathyroid surgery. He graduate summa cum laude from the University of Rochester, where he was a member of Delta Upsilon and Phi Beta Kappa and where, after three years, had early acceptance to Harvard Medical School, where he obtained a MD degree. Following a surgical residency at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Coral Gables, Florida, he entered the US Air Force as a Captain and became Chief Surgeon at Offutt Air Force Base (Strategic Air Command) Hospital in NE. Following discharge from the Air Force with commendation, he entered practice in Providence. Martin was on the staff of Roger Williams Medical Center, The Miriam Hospital, Saint Josephs and Our Lady of Fatima Hospitals and Women & Infants Hospital. His main focus was at Roger Williams Hospital where he formed and served as president of the Physician Hospital Organization and served on many committees including the Executive Eth-

ics Chairman and as president of the Medical Staff. Throughout his career, Martin served as an instructor in Surgery at Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University. He was also on the teaching staff of Boston University School of Medicine and Tufts University School of Medicine and served for a year as a Teaching Fellow in Surgery at Harvard Medical School. In retirement, Martin maintained his art, music, stamp and coin collections and enjoyed landscaping. Contributions may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 20 Hemmingway Dr., Riverside, RI 02915 or the charity of your choice.

Tess Hassenfeld, 98 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Tess Hassenfeld, of Providence, died Nov. 24. She was the wife of the late David Hassenfeld. Born in Poland and raised in Germany, she was a daughter of the late Leon and Molly (Feiden) Zwiebel. She left Germany for America in 1938. She received a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College. Mrs. Hassenfeld assisted in her husband’s law practice and was active as a volunteer in the Congregation Shaarei Zedek sisterhood, the local chapter of Pioneer Women (the Zionist organization known today as Na’amat), and the Providence Hebrew Day School. She later taught English and French at the Hebrew Day School, and English to Russian immigrants. With her knowledge of German, she helped Holocaust survivors apply for German reparations. She leaves her children, Daniel Hassenfeld, Brenda Abramovich and Joyce Gomolin; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Burial was in Lincoln Park Cemetery, Warwick.

Keith Kopel, 59 CRANSTON, R.I. – Keith J. Kopel died Nov. 24 at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the husband of Denise (Rondeau) Kopel for 38 years. Keith is also survived by his mother, Sandra Kopel; siblings, Eric Kopel (Peggy), Sheryl Kopel (Andrew Bell) and Lisa Kopel, and brother-in-law, Charles Rondeau. Born in Providence, a son of Samuel and Sandra (Mendelson) Kopel, he was a longtime resident of Cranston. He attended Hope High School, Class of ’79, and worked at

Microfibers in Pawtucket for a number of years. Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Maureen Krasnow, 75 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Maureen Levy Krasnow passed away after a sudden illness on Nov. 4 at her home in downtown Providence, surrounded by her two daughters. Maureen was the devoted wife for 45 years of the late Howard Jay Krasnow and the beloved partner of Stanley Bleecker (her “BEFFL”) for the last seven years. Born in Providence to the late Edward and late Betty (Roy) Levy, Maureen lived in Providence and Warwick for her entire life. A 1962 graduate of Classical High School and a 1966 graduate of Pembroke College (Brown University), she was an active, proud alumna of both schools and even served as a grand marshal during her 25th Brown reunion. She earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Rhode Island in 1985. A passionate and talented fundraising professional for more than 30 years, Maureen helped ensure financial support for Meeting Street Center in Providence and for the Providence Public Library. After retirement in 2010, she continued to share this passion and talent with Hamilton House, in Providence, of which Maureen was an active member and volunteer, and with Temple Sinai in Cranston, where Maureen had been a board member and active in membership and engagement. Maureen was also an alumna of Leadership RI. Maureen will be sorely missed by her two daughters, Donna (Krasnow) Evans of East Greenwich and Lauren Krasnow of West Hartford, Connecticut, as well as by Donna’s husband Joel Evans and Lauren’s husband Kenneth Horenstein. Maureen was the grandmother (nicknamed “Big G”) of her four grandchildren Jake, Josh, Ryan and Rachel, as well as her favorite “grand-dog” Abby. Maureen was the sister and sister-in-law, respectively, of Kenneth and Paulette Levy of Warwick and the sister-in-law of Carol and Ronald Schwartz of Tiverton. She leaves many dear cousins, nieces, lifelong friends and newer friends.

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COMMUNITY | OBITUARIES Contributions may be made to Temple Sinai, The Maureen and Howard Krasnow Fund for Accessibility, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston, RI 02920 or to Hamilton House, The Maureen Krasnow Fund, 276 Angell St., Providence, RI 02906.

Edward Kudish, 84 CRANSTON, R.I. – Edward Kudish died Nov. 9 at home. He was the husband of Lois (Zitkin) Kudish for 57 years. Born in Havana, Cuba, a son of the late Boris and Mary (Elbein) Kudish, he was a longtime resident of Cranston. Edward was a Vietnam era

Coast Guard veteran. He was the father of Susan Brennan and her husband, Matthew, of Coventry and Richard Kudish and his wife, Kerri, of North Providence. He was the brother of Henry Kudish of Hartford, Connecticut and the late Bob Kudish. He was the grandfather of Ryan, Jason, Jared and Alyssa. Contributions may be made to Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st St., Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.

Carol Miller, 90 JOHNSTON, R.I. – Carol S. Miller passed away on Nov. 20 at home. She was the wife

of the late Charles D. Miller. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, a daughter of the late Louis and Beatriz (Felsenthal) Segar, she had lived in Johnston for six years, previously living in Providence. Carol's greatest joys were traveling, watching the Celtics win, bird watching and collecting bird ornaments, picking up shells on the many beaches she visited, and spending time among friends and with family. She was living independently as she chose to when she passed peacefully with family at her side. She was the mother of Jonathan Miller of Brooklyn, New York and Elisabeth Miller of Johnston. She was the grandmother of Sophie and Willy. She was the great-grandmother of Alily Yunnely. Contributions may be made to Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.

Howard Nachbar, 91 CRANSTON, R.I. – Howard “Howie” Nachbar died Nov. 22 at Rhode Island Veterans Home. Born in Providence, a son of the late Nathan and Bessie (Arons) Nachbar, he lived in Bristol, previously a longtime resident of Cranston. He was the brother of Milton Nachbar and his wife, Rona, of North Providence, and the late Leon, Isadore and Robert Nachbar, Evelyn Rose and Sylvia Penn. He was a graduate of Cranston High School. Howie was a Korean Conflict Army veteran, serving in France and Germany. He was a cartographer for Army Map and worked for the RI Department of Navy and RI Department of Administration. Howie enjoyed bowling in his spare time. Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Lois Silver, 82 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Lois F. Silver died Nov. 11 at HopeHealth Hospice in Providence. She was the wife of Irwin Silver of Providence for 61 years. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, a daughter

of the late Philip and Freda (Brickman) Freedberg, she had lived in Providence for five years, previously living in Framingham, Massachusetts for 54 years. She was a teacher and vice principal at Maimonides School in Brookline, Massachusetts for 40 years, retiring in 2000. Lois was a graduate of Clark University, earning a bachelor’s degree. She loved to cook, to travel and to spend time with her grandchildren. She was the mother of Jeffrey Silver and his wife, Alesa, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, Robert Silver and his wife, Sherry, of Concord, North Carolina, and Allyson Antin and her husband, Frank, of Cranston. She was the sister of Lawrence Freedberg and his wife, Pauline, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She was the grandmother of Lauren Pless and her husband, Matt, Rachel Silver, Anna Silver, Benjamin Silver, Phoebe Silver and Jacob Antin. Contributions may be made to Maimonides School, 34 Philbrick Road, Brookline, MA 02445 or Michael J. Fox Fdn., P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.

Rena Stern, 88 BOCA RATON, FLA. – Rena K. Stern of Boca Raton, formerly of East Greenwich, died peacefully at home on Nov. 18. Mrs. Stern was born in Aschenhausen, Germany to Julius and Sophie (Schoen) Katzenstein. Rena, her parents and brother, Jerry Katzenstein, escaped Nazi Germany in 1937 and lived in Washington Heights in Manhattan. She attended Hunter High School and Hunter College and was the first person in her family to graduate college. Rena married Henry Stern when she was barely 18. They enjoyed almost 70 years of marriage. She worked as an elementary school teacher before her children were born. She later worked with her husband in the jewelry company he started, Renclif, before retiring to Florida in 1998. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her three sons, Cliff and his wife, Karen of Pawtucket; Ken and his wife, Michele, of Newton, Massachusetts, and Gordon and his wife, Barbara, of Rockville Center, New York, and four grandchildren: Jonathan, Laura, William and Gabriel. She is also survived by her nephew, Randy Katzenstein of

New Rochelle, New York. Contributions in her memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

Ann Taubman, 75 SHARON, MASS. – Ann F. Taubman died Nov. 7 at Newbridge on the Charles in Dedham, Massachusetts. She was the wife of the late Stephen E. Kolitz for 10 years. Born in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of Marcia (Mutchnick) Gerstein and the late Harold Gerstein, she had lived in Sharon. Ann was a physical therapist at Norwood Hospital for over 35 years, retiring seven years ago. She was a member of Temple Emanu-El and a former member of Temple Israel. She was the mother of Andrew Taubman and his wife, Jenny, of Westport, Connecticut, Lisa Blount and her husband, Jason, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Sarah Kolitz and her partner, Jonathan Mintz, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was the sister of Bernice Weiner of Providence and Arthur Gerstein of Norwalk, Connecticut. She was the grandmother of Ethan, Zachary and Rachel Lily. Contributions may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02115.

Irving Troob, 97 VERO BEACH, FLA. – Irving A. Troob passed away on Nov. 5 at home. He was the husband of Sheila (Cohen) Troob for 71 years. Born in Providence, son of the late Hyman and Ida (Gordon) Troob, he lived in Vero Beach for 21 years, previously residing in Warwick for 20 years and Rehoboth, Massachusetts for 30 years. He was a jewelry maker at Little Folks Jewelry Co. in Providence for 15 years and co-owner and CEO of Supreme Manufacturing Co. in Pawtucket, retiring in 1985. Irving was a WWII Army veteran, serving as a 5th Grade Technician in the 96th Signal Battalion in Northern Africa, Italy, India, Burma and China. Irving was a member of Temple Beth-El, Temple Beth Sholom and the Overseas Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of Quidnessett,

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COMMUNITY | OBITUARIES Ledgemont and Grand Harbor Country Clubs and the Indian River Trap and Skeet Club. Irving sailed aboard his 34-ft. Cris-Craft named “How Jolly” and was a pilot of a Cessna Skylane. He enjoyed oil painting and was an avid reader and motorcycle rider. When he was not traveling, Irving raised a variety of livestock including peacocks, pheasants, Suffolk and Columbia sheep, Hereford cows, pygmy goats, horses, pigs and Vizslas. He was the father of Dr. Howard Troob (Patricia) of Wakefield and Jolie Shushansky (Larry) of Lincoln. He was the brother of the late Joyce Gloria Rogers. He was the grandfather of Renan Ozturk, Nathan and Ilana Shushansky, and Marc, Scott, Eric and Joshua Troob. He

was the great-grandfather of Amelia and Annie Shushansky and Emery Troob. He was the uncle of Suzan Beardsley (Daniel) of Cranston. Contributions may be made to VNA & Hospice Foundation of Vero Beach, 920 37th Place, Ste. 101, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

Edythe Wittes, 98 WOONSOCKET, R.I. – Edythe M. Wittes (“Gram”/”Gram-Gram”) died on Nov. 1 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Edythe graced the world on May 23, 1922, and spent her early childhood in Franklin, Massachusetts, where she

was raised with her brother Bob (predeceased) and sister Lois (Warwick), graduating as salutatorian of her Franklin High School class of 1940, who voted her Most Likely to Succeed. She later attended Framingham State Teacher’s College. Married to her beloved Sherwood Sadwin on Feb. 8, 1942, they moved their family to Woonsocket in 1946, where Sherwood ran the Sadwin Curtain Manufacturing Company until his untimely death in 1964. Edythe assumed the role of president of Sadwin Curtain, remaining in that position until succeeded by her son. Edythe married Dr. Saul Wittes in 1965 and was blessed with a second loving marriage that lasted 20 years until Saul’s death in 1985. During her many years

in Woonsocket, Edythe also gave back to the community with tireless volunteer work on behalf of (among others) the Woonsocket Hospital Aid Association, Red Cross, Congregation B’nai Israel (serving as president first of the synagogue’s Sisterhood organization, receiving its Person of Valor award in 1975, and later serving as the first female president of the Congregation in 1987) and the Stadium Theatre. Edythe served as the first president of the Stadium Theatre Foundation, leading the extensive restoration that was completed in 2001, and also served as chairwoman of the board of directors of the Northern R.I. Council on the Arts. Edythe also made time for another great passion – travel – visiting much of the United

States, Europe, Australia, Israel and her most happy place in Eastham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. Her greatest joy was her family, including son Larry Sadwin and daughter-inlaw Joan Sadwin; daughter Darlene Goryl; grandchildren, Stephanie (Sadwin) and Tom Masiello, Todd and Bernadine Sadwin, Stacey (Goryl) and Brendan Harty, and David and Alyson Goryl; and four great-grandchildren, Max and Zoe Sadwin and A.J. and Michael Masiello. Contributions may be made to Friends of B’nai Israel Cemetery, P.O. Box 250, Slatersville, RI 02876 or to the Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket, RI 02895

JCS annual meeting goes virtual

PHOTO | JCS

Appreciation bags stand ready for delivery.

DUE TO THE COVID-19 pandemic, Jewish Collaborative Services (JCS) held its Third Annual Meeting via Zoom on Thursday, Oct. 22. Over 70 people attended, including board members, staff, donors and community friends. Erin Minior, president and CEO, and Marisa Garber, board chair, led the meeting, which lasted about an hour. Before the meeting, JCS staff went above and beyond to make local Zoom registrants feel connected by safely delivering an “appreciation bag” with celebratory items, JCS face masks and annual meeting information. The meeting began with

a d’var Torah from Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer followed by messages from the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s Adam Greenman, president and CEO, and James Pious, board chair. During the meeting, committee chairs, as well as past presidents, presented their annual reports and installed new and returning board members. JCS’ year-in-review video highlighted a successful year spent minimizing the impact of COVID-19 and insecurities. JCS served the Jewish community and the community-at-large, serving 4,000 individuals through 14

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BUSINESS

Transitioning your money – and mindset – to retirement The transition to retirement after years in the workplace, as welcome as it may be, can also be jolting and even downright daunting because of all the changes it brings to a person’s day-to-day lifestyle, state of mind and the handling of finances.

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A key part of the shift into retirement is adjusting from a growth-focused approach to asset-management and investing toward an approach that recognizes that protecting assets from downside risk and volatility is as important as growing them, if not more so. Successfully transitioning to retirement involves not only a shift in investing mindset, but also an actual shift in how assets are invested. And that may raise some potentially unsettling questions: Will the assets I’ve worked so hard to build last as long as I need them to? Are they adequately protected from potentially damaging swings in the financial markets? Will the sources I’m relying on for income provide enough to live the lifestyle I desire? One way to find answers to these questions, and defuse some of the anxiety that often accompanies retirement, is by planning in advance for how to execute the shift from accumulation mode to a distribution or decumulation mode, where the focus is on balancing growth with protection to ensure an adequate amount of income throughout retirement. Here’s a look at some of the key steps involved in the accumulation-to-distribution transition and planning process: ● Figure out the “when.” Financial professionals suggest starting the transition process five years before your projected retirement date. So an important first step for a person considering retirement is to pick a target retirement date. ● Adjust how assets are allocated to reflect changing risk tolerance. A person for whom retirement is looming has less time to recover from a sharp downturn in the value of their assets. For them, a sharp dip in asset value just prior to retirement can be particularly devastating, since they’ll be drawing from these assets for income during retirement. The less valuable their assets, the less its income-producing capability. So, to address this risk – in financial circles, it’s known as sequence of returns risk – it often makes sense for people whose assets are heavily weighted toward stocks to shift a portion of their money out of the stock market, into bonds and other more conservative fixed investments. ● Take steps to manage tax exposure. Because taxes can have a particularly neg-

become more of a factor. So while it may make sense for a person heading toward retirement to move some assets out of the stock market, keeping a substantial chunk in equities is a good idea for many retirees. ● Review retirement accounts, including 401(k)s, 403(b)s and IRAs, with an eye toward potentially consolidating them to make eventual distributions (withdrawals) from these accounts easier to manage, and, perhaps, to reduce investment fees and costs, which can free up additional money. ative impact on retirees living on a fixed ● Take stock of income sources. It’s importincome, financial experts recommend taking ant to gain a clear picture of your retirement steps before and during retirement to manage income well before retirement hits. That and mitigate potential tax exposure. That can means looking at both the supply and demand mean phasing in the reallocation of assets sides of the equation: on the supply side, the over a period of years to spread out sources you expect to provide income during potential capital-gains tax liabilities. retirement, how much they will supply, when It also can mean taking steps to they’ll supply it, for how long and in what diversify assets in terms of their form (lump sum or in a series of payments); on tax treatment. Distributions from the demand side, projecting how much income pretax accounts such as a 401(k) or you expect to need to cover your expenses and traditional IRA are taxed as ordisupport your retirement lifestyle. This way, if nary income, unlike distributions there’s an apparent income shortfall, you can from a Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA, start addressing it now, before it becomes a which aren’t taxed. Converting pressing problem. JASON E. a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA In the context of income planning, it’s also SIPERSTEIN prior to retirement gives people important to consider when to start taking access to a tax-free source of Social Security benefits. People have options income. While they are likely to incur taxes as to when they can begin drawing benefits on the conversion, gaining access to that tax– early, at age 62, at retirement age (65 to 67), free income source later can make the move or later, up until age 70. Waiting can substanworthwhile. tially increase the monthly benefit a person ● Build a cash reserve. Having access to a receives. pool of readily available cash, stowed some● Revisit your asset mix and recalibrate, if place like in a money market account or CD, necessary, to maintain an optimal allocation. is vital for retirees. Say a person is planning As financial markets move, the percentages to sell investments from their stock portfolio of stocks and bonds in your portfolio probato provide income during the early years of bly will fluctuate, sometimes substantially retirement, only to see the stock market – and enough to warrant a process called rebalancthe value of their portfolio – drop precipiing, which entails moving money out of one tously. Instead of being forced to sell stocks class of assets in the portfolio when their value is down, to another class. Financial people with a substantial professionals recommend It’s important to gain cash reserve can start revisiting asset allocation at drawing from that reserve annually – and as cira clear picture of your least for income while holding cumstances dictate. onto their stock invest● Turn to a financial proments – hopefully until retirement income well fessional for guidance. The they regain their value. transition from the working They also can use money before retirement hits. world to retirement, and from from that reserve to puraccumulation mode to dischase stock-based investments when the price is relatively low. All this leads back to the fun- tribution mode, involves a variety of moving damental “buy low, sell high” investing credo. parts and a series of critical decisions. One misstep can prove costly, so consider enlistHow much cash should you keep in reserve? ing the services of a financial planner to help Some financial professionals recommend make the transition as smooth as possible. To stashing enough to cover one or two years’ find one in your area, check out the Financial worth of retirement income. Others suggest Planning Association’s searchable national more, in case the stock market downturn database of personal finance experts, at www. lasts longer. PlannerSearch.org. ● Keep assets in the stock market. Equity investments such as stocks and stock-based funds can serve as the main growth engine of a portfolio, even in retirement. Indeed, with people living longer, they need their assets to keep growing so they last as long as they’re needed. Equities also are proven to help investors keep up with inflation, should that

JASON E. SIPERSTEIN, CFA, CFP, is the president of the Financial Planning Association of Rhode Island and president of Eliot Rose Wealth Management. He can be reached by email, at jes@eliotrose.com.

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Behind the Book

a virtual visiting author series

To learn more about the books and authors featured in this series, and to sign up, visit jewishallianceri.org/behind-the-book/

This book has been selected as a “COMMUNITY READ.” More information coming soon!

*The Ninth Night of Hanukkah with Erica S. Perl December 14, 4:00pm

The Last Train to London with Meg Waite Clayton January 26, 7:00pm

24/6 with Tiffany Shlain February 4, 7:00pm

**Going Rogue (At Hebrew School) with Casey Breton February 17, 5:00pm

We Saw Scenery:The Early Diaries of Merrill Markoe with Merrill Markoe February 18, 7:00pm

We Walk: Life with Severe Autism with Amy S.F. Lutz February 23, 7:00pm

In 24/6, Tiffany Shlain explains how turning off screens one day a week can work wonders on your brain, body, and soul. Shlain is an internet pioneer and renowned filmmaker who will take us on a provocative and entertaining journey through time and technology, introducing a strategy for living in our 24/7 world. With humor and wisdom, Shlain shares her story, offers lessons she has learned, and provides a blueprint for how to do it yourself.

*Such a Library!: A Yiddish Folktale Re-Imagined with Jill Ross Nadler May 2, 4:00pm

The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook with Elisa Spungen Bildner & Robert Bildner May 9, 7:00pm

This series is in partnership with the Jewish Book Council, with select events sponsored by PJ Library* & PJ Our Way**

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SIMCHAS

Happy Hanukkah from Jewish Rhode Island, the voice of greater Rhode Island's Jewish community

RIC artist-in-residence nets top prize for a Holocaust-inspired video CONGRATULATIONS TO Rhode Island College (RIC) artist in residence Judith Lynn Stillman for winning accolades while in lockdown due to COVID-19. Her production, “Beneath A Silent Blue Sky,” brought together a team of opera singers virtually in an interfaith Holocaust commemoration set to the words of Elie Wiesel. It won the 2020 Artisan Festival International World Peace Initiative Cannes, and also received the Karl Bardosh Humanitarian Award from the World Peace and Tolerance Institute. In addition, she received first place in a global competition, sponsored by OperaVision, the digital platform for the international opera organization Opera Europa. The winning production is a gospel/ jazz-crossover opera called “Essential Business.” Stillman collaborated with Chicago-based Metropolitan Opera baritone Will Liverman and partners from the United Kingdom. Also, she worked as the lyricist and director for the timely get out the vote rap musical film, “A Woman’s Place Is in the House.” The joint venture with a Caribbean singer-rap artist, Liberian rappers, an Armenian opera singer, and Rhode Island College students and alumni picked up the Anaheim International Film Festival’s gold award for Best Political Issue Film. It netted Silver in the Global Music Awards for Outstanding Achievement and Listener Impact.

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