June 2020

The Voice of Greater Rhode Island’s Jewish Community

JEWISH RHODE ISLAND

JUNE 2020 | SIVAN | TAMMUZ 5780

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Signs of the times Dr. Michael Fine discusses COVID-19

Grieving and moving on

New group connects RI Jewish women

Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island 9th Annual Meeting Wednesday, June 17 7:00pm Join us for our first ever VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING! Board Installations: Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island Jewish Federation Foundation Alliance Realty, Inc. Installing Officer: Rabbi Michael Fel Special Presentation: “Coping with Adversity: Lessons Learned During Challenging Times� with Frederic G. Reamer, Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rhode Island College 2020 - 2021 Proposed Slate of Officers and Board Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island Chair James Pious Vice Chairs Rabbi Barry Dolinger, Governance Richard Glucksman, Philanthropy Janet Goldman, Community Development Sara Miller-Paul, Communications Mara Ostro, Jewish Life & Learning Treasurer Harris Chorney Secretary Oswald Schwartz Board of Directors Jason Bazarsky Adam Cable Susan Leach DeBlasio Michael Eides Ryan Forman Harold Foster, Chair Appointee Susan Froehlich, Leadership Development Sharon Gaines Marisa Garber Marc Gertsacov William Krieger Robert Landau

Sara Meirowitz Cara Mitnick, Community Relations Council Jeffrey Padwa Andrew Palan Tiferet Sassona Rose Judy Rosenstein Eric Shorr Richard Silverman Miriam Esther Weiner Rabbi Rachel Zerin, Rabbinical Representative Honorary Directors Melvin G. Alperin Alan G. Hassenfeld Mitzi Berkelhammer, Immediate Past Chair Adam Greenman, President and CEO

To access the Zoom link, please visit

jewishallianceri.org/AnnualMeeting

2020 - 2021 Proposed Jewish Federation Foundation of Greater Rhode Island Board Mitzi Berkelhammer, Chair Melvin G. Alperin Susan Leach DeBlasio Diane Ducoff Robin Engle Mark R. Feinstein Sharon Gaines David M. Hirsch Marilyn Kaplan, Treasurer Richard A. Licht Michael B. Nulman James Pious, ex officio Ralph Posner Jay Rosenstein Robert Sherwin, Vice Chair Barbara Sokoloff Herbert B. Stern Cheryl Greenfeld Teverow, Secretary Mindy Wachtenheim 2020 - 2021 Proposed Alliance Realty, Inc. Board Ronald C. Markoff, Chair Robert Stolzman, Vice Chair Sharon Gaines, Secretary/Treasurer Adam Greenman, President and CEO

JUNE 2020 | 3

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JEWISH RHODE ISL AND

EDITOR Fran Ostendorf DESIGN & LAYOUT Leah Camara ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Peter Zeldin pzeldin@jewishallianceri.org 401-421-4111, ext. 160 Karen Borger ksborger@gmail.com 401-529-2538 CONTRIBUTORS Cynthia Benjamin, Larry Kessler, Michael Schemaille COLUMNISTS Michael Fink, Geraldine Foster, Patricia Raskin, Rabbi James Rosenberg, Daniel Stieglitz

VOLUME XXVII, ISSUE VI JEWISH RHODE ISLAND

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Hope amid the horrors WHAT A MONTH IT’S BEEN. In Rhode Island and Massachusetts, we continued to stay home to help flatten the curve during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a community, we tried to stay connected online via Zoom and other platforms.

Virtual programming has attracted many to learning and worship – more than anyone would have imagined. We have learned how to have Zoom meetings, and Teams meetings, along with all types of virtual book groups, classes and “get-togethers.”

We marveled at how the environment has rebounded thanks to a lack of pollution, bringing cleaner ON THE COVER: air and water Sign, East Side, around the world.

Providence.

We were excited PHOTO BY GEORGE GOODWIN by the launch of astronauts from the U.S. for the first time in nine years.

It looked like we were at last climbing out of a dark time, with the promise of warmer weather, the joyous holiday of Shavuot to look forward to, and the slow but steady reopening of the nation and the world.

Until May 25, the date when the senseless and tragic death of George Floyd brought so many simmering racial issues to a head and rioting spread across the country almost overnight.

I don’t think any of us can come away from seeing the video and pictures of Floyd’s death without feeling deeply disturbed. As Jews, we are called to stand up for the oppressed, to come to the aid of the needy, to help the less fortunate and shelter the stranger no matter who they are.

It is very difficult to watch what’s happening and not feel the need to act – to express solidarity in a peaceful way with all the victims of injustice and all the oppressed people in our country and around the world.

To do otherwise would fly in the face of Jewish tradition and teachings, to say nothing of how a lack of action on our part dishonors the memory of Floyd and others who have died at the hands of those in authority.

That’s why the needless destruction taking place alongside the peaceful protests is so horrifying.

Random destruction is never the path to improvement. Violence often leads to more of the same. And we shouldn’t conflate people legitimately protesting for civil rights with those who take advantage of the situation to destroy and hurt others.

A lot of big things are going wrong at the moment. Riots, coronavirus, economic decline and political polarization. It can be seen as a very dark time. But when things seem overwhelming, keep in mind that we each can make a difference.

So, take action by learning what you do not know. Take action by listening. Take action by speaking out peacefully and with compassion and forgiveness. Take action by volunteering to promote causes you believe in and helping in places where you are needed. Take action by voting. Take action with small

acts of kindness for those around you.

It’s the little things that go right that give us hope. These are the moments – and the people – that can inspire us. Like the student in St. Louis who pleaded with protesters to go home and be safe and not violate curfews; the woman in Phoenix who urged looters to stop; the father who brought his son to the scene of violence to show him that peace is a better path; the volunteers in Providence and elsewhere who appeared after the riots to help clean up and restore their neighborhoods; the police who marched and knelt with protesters; the protesters who hugged and shook hands with police officers.

And let’s not forget the doctors and nurses still struggling to save coronavirus patients; first responders and essential employees doing everything they can to keep us safe and fed; teachers who are still finding new and creative ways to educate our children at home; the businesspeople who are keeping their staffs paid and working, even at their own expense; and the astronauts who risked their lives to return America to space travel. All that is still going on.

The good things aren’t going to stop. They will keep happening. And they are everywhere. Good things are happening on every street in America – and any of us can be part of that.

It gives me hope that there is a chance we can emerge from all of this turmoil as better people, as a better community, as a better country. All we have to do is take the small steps that lead us all in the right direction.

Fran Ostendorf, Editor

STATEMENT

The Jewish Alliance and the Board of Rabbis Stand with the Black Community The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island are heartbroken and angered by the death of George Floyd at the hands of four police officers in Minneapolis last week.

We stand with the Black community and all communities in mourning the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmed Aubrey, Breonna Taylor and countless others

who have lost their lives simply because of the pervasive racism in our nation. We are committed to standing together with them to fight against unequal justice in our country and state.

Manifestations of racism are sometimes intentional though they are often systemic and disguised. From housing availability and practices, access, and quality of education, to health

outcomes, sentencing practices, and other policies, our state is not immune to the institutional racism and disparate opportunities for White people and people of color.

We support the Black community and will follow their lead in joining the fight against institutional and individual racism, which continue to traumatize and devalue the lives of people of color in

America. While we abhor the violence we have seen at some protests — both by protestors and by those with other agendas — we will not let that distract us from the fact that systemic racism is the true issue at hand.

We commit to addressing racism within ourselves, our institutions, and our communities. We commit to strengthening our rela-

BUSINESS 21 | COMMUNITY 18-25 | D’VAR TORAH 6 | FOOD 13 OBITUARIES 22-24 | OPINION 7-8 | THE CONVERSATION 9

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

UP FRONT What does this mean in regard to passing legislation?

Right now, everything is on hold; we’re not working to pass any legislation at this moment.

The biggest responsibility that the General Assembly has is to enact the budget every [fiscal] year, which begins on July 1st. The House Finance Committee is going to start meeting … to start putting together a budget; members will vote on it in June.

How did you come to this position?

I spent 17 years covering politics and writing a political column for the Woonsocket Call, and in 1994 I was approached by Patrick Kennedy, who was running for Congress in the 1st District of Rhode Island. He knew that I had knowledge of the Blackstone Valley, which was the heart of the district, so he offered me a job as his communications director. He won, and I stayed with him for eight years. I was offered my current job in 2002.

What are the greatest rewards and challenges of your work?

When you work for the speaker of the [Rhode Island] House, you’re also working with the 75 members of the House of Representatives. You need to work with people from various backgrounds, who have divergent viewpoints. It becomes very challenging, because there are people from all walks of life; it’s very much a people’s legislature.

It can be very rewarding to see representatives get reelected, and do good work.

Are there many Jews in the General Assembly?

There are three in the House and two in the Senate. In the House, there’s Rebecca Kislak, Mia Ackerman and Jason Knight. In the Senate, there’s Gayle Goldin and Josh Miller. We’ve had others come and go.

Is there a sense of Jewish camaraderie?

Larry Berman speaks for the R.I. House’s leadership

BY MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE

L

arry Berman is the communications director for the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Raised in Woonsocket, he now lives in Cumberland with Beth a preschool teacher at Providence Hebrew Day

School and his wife of 42 years. The couple have two adult daughters and three grandchildren. Berman is also president of the Touro Fraternal Association’s Harmony Lodge.

Jewish Rhode Island conducted the following interview with Berman on May 8.

Tell us about your job.

My title is communications director, but I act as the spokesman for the House of Representatives. I do communications for Speaker [Nicholas] Mattiello and the House leadership, and I answer questions from the media.

What’s changed since the beginning of the pandemic?

I’ve been in this job for 18 years, and this is by far the most challenging time that we’ve ever faced. We normally know the rhythm of when we pass bills, and when we put the budget together, which is right around now. Everything was turned on its head in the middle of March, when we stopped having sessions. We haven’t met in session in the House or the Senate in [several] months.

Almost everyone is working from home. I don’t know what would have happened 10 or 15 years ago if this had occurred, because we certainly didn’t have the technology then to conduct our business the way we do now.

I think there is, especially at times of celebration. We always have an Israel Independence Day celebration in the House. We invite the Israeli consul general from Boston, and we sing “Hatikvah” to start the session. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do it this year.

At Hanukkah, the Jewish members get together for a menorah-lighting ceremony, and we invite all the reps.

Each year for Holocaust Remembrance Day, we do a resolution and say some prayers on the House floor.

Does Judaism play a role in your work?

Yes. About three years ago, Speaker Mattiello went on a trip to Israel. He came back enlightened to the culture, traditions and heritage of the Jewish people. I think it opened his eyes to the Jewish connections Rhode Island has to Israel, and we passed some pro-Israel legislation because of it. We did an anti-BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] law, and one mandating that Holocaust education be taught in middle and high schools throughout Rhode Island. I think some of that is a direct result of Jewish members and staff encouraging our leaders to do the right things when it comes to taking care of the less-fortunate; those Jewish ideals that are taught to you when you’re very young.

As a lodge president of Touro [Fraternal Association], I’m fortunate to have connections at the State House. I make sure political leaders come and speak to us; the general officers have all come and spoken to Touro members and gotten a sense of Judaism that way. I try to make sure that they come and listen to the concerns of the Jewish community.

What’s Touro been doing during the pandemic?

It’s awful. We had a whole calendar of events and some excellent speakers, and everything is canceled right through summer. We’ve been holding board meetings and committee meetings via Zoom, so, you know, we’re trying.

Has Touro done anything more social with Zoom?

We met virtually to start planning a game night, trivia contests, things like that. We want to involve people that CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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CORONAVIRUS: IN OUR COMMUNITY Dr. Michael Fine: ‘This is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their country’

BY MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE “HOW CAN I HELP?” Those are the words Dr. Michael Fine used to open a recent telephone interview – words that he thinks many of us should be saying.

Fine, previously the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health and now chief health strategist for the city of Central Falls, is one of the state’s foremost public-health experts.

Most recently, he has been working to address the need for improved public health care in Central Falls and Pawtucket, two cities hit hard by COVID-19.

I offered a thought on the hubris that led to humans being caught off guard by something as tiny as a virus, to which Fine responded, “We’ve become narcissistic in our culture and think we’re at the top of the food chain, but how stiff-necked and haughty is that? To me, this [the pandemic] seems like kind of a message, and we either pay attention to it, or don’t, at our peril.

“I think the message is, ‘you are not in control, and if you don’t develop a little bit of humility, your problems

are going to get worse.’ I mean, look at the United States – we’re in a place where we are as polarized as ever.

Because we were fighting with each other, we didn’t do what we needed to slow [COVID-19’s] progression.

“If we had really kept our eye on the ball and had been one people, focused on taking care of each other, then we wouldn’t be looking at 80,000 deaths right now [as of early May] as a result of our inability to stand up to this thing together…. The question is whether we have the ability and wisdom to recognize what needs to change and how to change it. How can we have the kind of inequalities by race and culture that let some communities be slammed by this and other communities be barely touched? “[There’s] that beautiful piece from Isaiah that we read on Yom Kippur: ‘You are not doing the fast that I desire. The fast I desire is the one where we release people from the ties that bind them. Where we feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, and heal the sick, and care for the poor.’ To me, this is the message of this, and I’m not convinced that we’re really hearing it, and that’s scary.”

Asked about the country’s current

political divisions, Fine said, “This is exactly what the prophets were talking about. It’s time to change, to turn, and I don’t know what it will take, but I think that framing it as a message that we’d better pay attention to is part of that change.

“How do we get ready? How do we change? This is a plague, but there’s no guarantee it’s the only plague that’s going to hit us this year. Have we unified ourselves for the next one?

There are people at the CDC [Centers for Disease Control] who are very worried that we will have an outbreak of COVID-19 and a bad flu year together.”

Speaking about the anti-vaccine movement and recent opposition to wearing protective face masks, Fine said, “There are things that are fundamental about our ability to live together; they aren’t really about individual freedoms. Sometimes you have to compromise a little on absolute individual freedom to protect the community as a whole, but will we get there? Or will we be so insistent … that we may compromise CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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D’VAR TORAH

Grieving our losses – and envisioning the next chapter of Jewish life

D’ VA

IT NOW SEEMS LIKE YEARS AGO life meaningful, grounded in that we were grieving not tradition and relevant. While being in-person for our Passwe Jews have disagreed over seders, and dreaming up about the best ways to make creative, safer alternatives this happen (think: denomto large gatherings of family inations), we have all been and friends. Now, engaged in this project for many of us millennia. have already Parashat Naso offers started us a surprising way conversainto this process. In it, tions about we read the instrucwhat the tions for the strange High Holy and unusual sotah Days will ritual, which a huslook like in band does with the fall. his wife if she has RABBI What will be ALEX WEISSMAN either committed different? What will adultery or he stay the same? suspects her of We approach these quesadultery. The ritual itself is tions with anxiety, exciterather disturbing to modern ment and our continued sensibilities. In the Mishnah, commitment to shaping our earliest codified rabbinic Jewish life so that it remains law, the rabbis dedicate a relevant, meaningful and whole tractate to this ritulivable. al – and render it even more For the thousands of years disturbing than the original that the Jewish people have Torah text. been around, we have always I will spare you the gory asked these questions and details (and they are gory) struggled to do the work of and instead will jump to the continuing to make Jewish end of Mishnah Sotah.

R

TO R A H

After eight and a half chapters of instructions on the sotah ritual and a few other topics, the Mishnah begins to list things that came to an end around the time of the rabbis. The list includes when the Sanhedrin ceased to function and when songs ceased from places of feasting; when Rabbi Meir died, composers of fables ceased; when murder increased; the end of the ritual of breaking a calf’s neck (described in Deuteronomy); and many more items.

Amid the long list of tragic changes and their impact on Jewish life, the Mishnah also mentions that the sotah ritual had ceased when adulterers increased in the world.

While all of the sources of the changes are tragic – i.e., increased murder and adultery, the deaths of great rabbis and scholars – the outcomes are not equally tragic.

While I am not glad that adultery increased, I am glad that we no longer conduct the sotah ritual. While I am not glad that the Temple was

destroyed, I am glad that we no longer have animal sacrifices.

These moments of tragedy and rupture in Jewish life bring about change. How Judaism changes and the direction that it needs to go is ultimately in our hands as the practitioners of Jewish life. Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the father of a Reconstructionist approach to Judaism, wrote, “A people can live as long as it can reconstruct its life to meet changing conditions.”

We have been reconstructing Jewish life for millennia.

Each attempt is always an experiment. Some of the experiments have lasted until this day, like making Torah study a central part of Jewish life, and others have fallen by the wayside, like putting magic bowls under our homes to keep demons away!

Most of our Jewish experiments over the millennia have been lost, and we will never know about them. The celebration of the Bat Mitzvah, a more recent experiment that was pioneered by Kaplan and his daughter Judith, seems to be one that is sticking around.

So why did the rabbis of the Mishnah spend close to nine chapters going into detail about the sotah ritual only to tell us that there was too much adultery for it to be practiced?

I think one reason is that the Mishnah is a container for their mourning. While much of Mishnah speaks to practices that are still in place today, like when to say the Shema and what constitutes a sukkah, much of it is about practices that ceased when the Temple was destroyed. To move on to the newly developing forms of Jewish life championed by the rabbis, they needed to tell the story of what had been.

They recorded the lost practices in the annals of Jewish memory, and not only that, but they called these memories “Torah.”

As my teacher Rabbi Benay Lappe says, one of the most radical moves the rabbis made was to articulate a new vision of Jewish life through the Mishnah and Talmud and call it Oral Torah, or, as she playfully likes to call it, Torah 2.0. In doing so, the ancient rabbis offer us a model for how we can continue to reshape Jewish life to this day.

Oral Torah contains both a vision for the future and the story of the past. Right now, we are in need of Torah 3.0.

Again, we need to tell the story of all the Jewish practices that have come to an end, without knowing when they will return.

Like the ancient rabbis, we are in a moment of rapid change in Jewish life. There are some things, like the sotah ritual, that we may be happy to leave behind, and there are other things, like communal songs in places of feasting, that have been harder to let go of.

As we explore both the gifts and limitations of digital Jewish life, and the risks and benefits of “reopening,” may we be guided by the wisdom of Mishnah Sotah. Let us name the changes, each and every one of them, so that we can grieve the losses and let our imaginations run free as we continue to envision the next chapter in our collective Torah – the story of Jewish life.

ALEX WEISSMAN is the incoming rabbi at Congregation Agudas Achim, in Attleboro, and is the rabbinic organizer at T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights.

Candle lighting times Greater Rhode Island June 2020 June 5 7:57 p.m.

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OPINION

MANY, IF NOT MOST, of us American Jews carry in our heads and hearts a sense of three separate but interrelated Israels: Am Yisrael, the people of Israel – that is, all Jews everywhere; Eretz Yisrael, the land of Israel; and Medinat Yisrael, the State of Israel as represented by its government.

Part of the complexity of our Jewish identity results from the interplay of these three Israels in shaping who we are.

Speaking RABBI JAMES personally, as ROSENBERG a teenager in the late ’50s and early ’60s, I immersed myself in Conservative Judaism’s United Synagogue Youth (USY) on both a local and regional level. As young American Jews, we were inspired by the accumulating achievements of our fellow Jews in Israel, 6,000 miles from the U.S., on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. We celebrated our sense of unity with young Israelis by singing such Hebrew folk songs as “Am Yisrael Chai,” (“The Jewish People Lives”) and “Eretz Zavat Chalav u’Dvash” (“A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey”).

But more than anything else, what connected us as American Jewish teenagers with the land of Israel and the people of Israel was the attendance of shlichim and shlichot – young Israeli men and women trained to serve as emissaries to diaspora communities – at our regional conventions, for which we used the Hebrew word kinusim.

Three years after leaving USY, during the summer of 1965, I worked for 10 weeks at Kfar Menachem, a

EM

S TO M

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IT S E

Our three Israels left-wing Mapam kibbutz located more or less in the center of a triangle formed by Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba. I spent most of my working hours there in the mishchatah, where I assisted the Orthodox shochet in the Kosher dispatching of thousands of chickens.

In the middle of my stay at Kfar Menachem, I took 10 days off to tour the land along with two British co-workers. It was during this journey by foot and by bus that I developed a deep and abiding love for Eretz Yisrael, the land of Israel. I was particularly taken by the Negev, the desert wilderness that comprises roughly the southern half of Israel – a largely barren land of sand and magical formations of rock suggestive of parts of our American Southwest. In 1965, Eilat, at the Negev’s southern tip, was largely empty; my travel companions and I spent a night of uneasy sleep on Eilat’s deserted beach on the northern lip of the Red Sea. My first trip to Israel was followed by a visit with my wife in February 1972, and then a visit in November 1995 to Jerusalem, where my son was spending the first semester of his junior year in high school.

During that 1995 visit, the whole world was shocked by the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

My last visit to Jerusalem was in March 2002, during an especially violent phase of the Second Intifada; I was attending, under heavy security, a convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

In addition to bringing home a treasure trove of memories from my four visits to Israel, I brought back with me tangible pieces of the land: two Jerusalem stones that will one day be placed beside me in my

casket. In the words of one of Israel’s greatest Hebrew poets, Yehuda Amichai (1924-2000), “Jerusalem stone is the only stone/that feels pain. There is in it a web of nerves.”

Throughout my life, I have often applauded actions taken by the government of Medinat Yisrael, the State of Israel: in particular, its protecting her citizens from Arab attackers during the wars of 1967 and 1973, as well as planning and executing the heroic Entebbe hostage rescue on July 4, 1976. On the other hand, along with the majority of American Jews, I have been deeply disappointed by the government’s policies regarding the settlements in the West Bank.

I would be the first to admit that the Arab-Israeli conflict teems with moral ambiguity; one of the saddest and most bitter paradoxes of 20th-century history is that a burgeoning Jewish nationalism has kindled the flames of Palestinian nationalism. None of us can emerge morally pure in word or deed from the witches’ brew of past and current events.

During these troubled days, Israel has been forced to choose from among the least bad options. And so it is that the State of Israel, Medinat Yisrael, continues to confront excruciatingly painful choices as it attempts to safeguard its citizens from hostile attacks and at the very same time address the legitimate demands of an angry and dissatisfied Palestinian population.

It follows, then, that Am Yisrael, the Jewish people the world over, are deeply divided over the recent decision of the Netanyahu/Gantz government to annex portions of the West Bank beginning July 1. It should come as no surprise that the liberal majority of the American

Jewish community condemns this decision – with many arguing that it is crass political opportunism to move to annex disputed territory now, during a pandemic, when the entire world is focusing on defeating the coronavirus and avoiding a worldwide economic catastrophe.

What has raised more than a few eyebrows, however, is that Daniel Pipes, the well-regarded conservative president of the Middle East Forum, penned an op-ed piece in The New York Times on May 8, under the title “Annexation would hurt Israel,” in which he writes: “I don’t fret over the Israeli ‘occupation’ of the West Bank: in my view, the Palestinians long ago would have enjoyed self-rule had they stopped murdering Israelis. Contrarily, I do encourage Israeli steps that signal the Palestinians that the conflict is over, and they lost.

“Despite these views, I strongly oppose Israel annexing any of the West Bank.”

While I, along with the majority of American Jews, strongly disapprove of Medinat Yisrael’s decision to begin unilateral annexation of parts of the West Bank, it is not my intention to disparage those in Am Yisrael who happen to disagree with me.

Neither they nor I are in possession of the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So, I invite all of us who care about Israel to engage in a mamlochet l’shem Shamayim, a controversy for the sake of heaven.

It is time for us to take seriously the oft-repeated Talmudic adage: “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh. All Israel is responsible for one another.”

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

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 way at least through the summer, because so many of our activities bring people together – and we can’t do that right now.

Did you grow up in Woonsocket?

Yes. I got Bar Mitzvahed at Congregation B’nai Israel, in the ’60s. There were a lot of Jewish mill owners in Woonsocket who had invested in building a beautiful synagogue there. Unfortunately, most of those people are no longer active, so it’s a very small congregation [now].

How has the Rhode Island Jewish community changed since the ’60s?

I think the Jewish community in general is becoming a much older group. It’s hard to get younger people active and involved because there are so many demands on their time. A lot of people have left Rhode Island for work, so it’s hard to

keep the community together. We’ve [Touro] been trying to gear events to younger folks; the racing event we did was a big success. It was great! But getting younger people to join any organization is challenging because of how society has changed – there are so many choices these days.

Favorite Jewish holiday?

Your favorite Jewish food?

My favorite word would be mensch. That’s a description to aspire to in living your life.

Lox and bagels, with cream cheese. Gotta have the cream cheese.

What kind of bagel?

Cinnamon raisin.

With lox?

Yeah. Any kind of bagel with lox!

Fruit and fish together?

Actually, when I think about that, say sesame – that would be better!

It has to be Hanukkah. We had a great event at Touro this year with the kids. They made menorahs and dreidels, and it was a lot of fun. And I love latkes.

Favorite Hebrew or Yiddish word?

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Treat people the way that you want to be treated.

MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE (mschemaille@ jewishallianceri.org) writes for Jewish Rhode Island and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

OPINION

Reopening slowly and safely

BY ADAM GREENMAN ON MARCH 14, the day we announced the temporary closure of the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center and that the Alliance’s operations would move online, I was speaking to a close friend and fellow nonprofit CEO. I shared with him that we would be closing and that I was relieved we had made the decision. He said something in that moment that has stuck with me throughout the last two-and-a-half months.

“This was the easy decision,” he said. “Reopening is going to be so much harder.”

At the time, closing felt like “Like all major a monumental decision as there decisions, I try to base was no clarity about what the my thinking on data future would look like. We now know and research. But that is what happened next: The govparticularly challenging ernor ordered nonessential with COVID-19…” businesses to close the next day, and Rhode Islanders began a prolonged period of staying at home, preparing for a surge in COVID-19 cases, flattening the curve and shifting our lives online.

I am so proud of our staff at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, and of all the Jewish professionals throughout our strong, vibrant community. Seemingly overnight, they have all put aside their personal anxiety and concerns about the virus, and have found creative ways to preserve the rituals, routines and connections that make our community special.

As the state and region begin the process of reopening, our community must do so as well. We

must do so, however, with one guiding principle in mind. Pikuah nefesh, preserving human life above all else, must drive our decision-making now, and into the future.

At the Alliance, this value has been our North Star in our own reopening preparations, and in our collaborative work with Rabbi Sarah Mack, the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island, and our agencies during community-reopening discussions. We have done research, consulted with experts in a variety of medical fields, learned from other communities and countries what practices work best for minimizing risk, and, most importantly, worked with R.I. Gov. Gina Raimondo and state health officials to ensure our standards and guidance meet or exceed state recommendations.

Like the state, our community must approach reopening slowly. We need not rush back.

Frankly, what we have learned over the last few months is that we can creatively come together in many ways, and we should not simply go back to what existed prior to COVID-19.

At the Alliance, we’re planning a slow, steady reopening that protects our staff, our Dwares JCC families and members, and, ultimately, our entire community. I encourage you to look at the details of our plans, at jewishallianceri.org/ reopening.

So why are we beginning to reopen now, in early June? Why not wait a little longer? It is a fair question, and one that I have wrestled with these last few weeks.

Like all major decisions, I try to base my thinking on data and research. But that is particularly challenging with COVID-19, which is still new; there is still much we do not know.

The research on preventive measures has guided me. Mask wearing, social distancing, limiting crowds and frequent handwashing provide people with a reasonable amount of protection from the virus. Trust has also guided me. Trust

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

that our governor and state health officials would not allow us to emerge from the stay-at-home order if it wasn’t safe. And trust in our community, that everyone will follow the guidelines so that we all protect each other.

When you come to the Dwares JCC, you can expect to be asked a series of screening questions and have your temperature taken before you enter. Everyone will be required to wear masks and to practice social distancing and frequent handwashing.

Our maintenance staff has been busy during the closure keeping the building clean and sanitized. We have new cleaning equipment, including an electrostatic machine, that will ensure the building is as clean as possible.

Signs are posted throughout the building reminding people of the new rules and providing them with markers for social distancing. Additionally, our staff will work on staggered schedules, and the building will be open limited hours at first. More hours will be added in the summer should conditions in greater Rhode Island allow.

The health and safety of our community remains our top priority. I am confident that the Alliance and other organizations can open in a smart and safe way. In doing so, we can continue to provide opportunities for the community to build and to celebrate what makes our community so special.

In the end, my friend was correct – deciding when to reopen was the harder of the two decisions. But the care, compassion and thoughtfulness I have seen from our staff, and community members who helped in the decision-making process, gives me confidence that we’ve made the right decision. Slowly and safely we will come together again.

ADAM GREENMAN (agreenman@jewishallianceri. org) is president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, the publisher of Jewish Rhode Island.

STATEMENT

The Jewish Alliance and the Board of Rabbis Stand with the Black Community tionships with other communities.

We commit to following the lead of communities directly affected. We commit to examining and processing our own histories and actions around racism and inclusion. We commit to continuing the fight for justice and to collaborate to ensure it is justice for all.

As Pirkei Avot teaches, “The day is short, the work is great. You are not expected to finish the work, but you are not free to desist.” Now is not the time to sit idly by. We will provide updates in the coming days on activities we are undertaking and those our

partners are requesting our support in.

Educate yourselves (see below); show support for those communities directly affected; most importantly, stand up and commit to change.

Learn more:

While there are a multitude of powerful resources, we want to lift up some recommended places to begin:

•

The 1619 Project (The New York Times)

• How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

• How to Raise a Black Son in

America by Clint Smith (TED Talk)

• Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson • The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander (and Study Guide and Call to Action)

• Film: 13th (Ava DuVernay) – Netflix • The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein

• Underneath the Melting Pot: On the tragic disposability of black life and the need for a new American metaphor by Jason Purnell

We stand together against hatred and violence in all of its forms; we are drawn together for the purpose of peace.

Adam Greenman President & CEO, Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island

Rabbi Barry Dolinger President, Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island

James Pious Chair of the Board, Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island

Jewish Rhode Island publishes thoughtful and informative contributors’ columns (op-eds of 500 – 800 words) and letters to the editor (300 words, maximum) on issues of interest to our

Jewish community. At our discretion, we may edit pieces for publication or refuse publication. Letters and columns, whether from our regular contributors or from guest columnists, represent the views of the authors; they do not represent the views of Jewish Rhode Island or the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

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

JUNE 2020 | 9

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

COMMUNITY VOICES | THE CONVERSATION IN APRIL, WE ASKED SEVERAL PEOPLE to reflect on the impact of coronavirus on their lives. As part of our ongoing coverage of COVID-19 in our community, this month we invited two recent college graduates to continue the conversation by reflecting on the same question. We welcome your comments and personal stories. Please email or comment online on these articles.

While we work remotely, these are the best ways to reach us.

How is the coronavirus impacting your life?

Setting goals instead of wallowing in despair

BY DEBBIE GREEN “DO YOU HAVE A JOB LINED UP?” is probably the most common question a new college graduate hears, regardless of what is going on in the world.

Earlier this month, I graduated from the University of Rhode Island – with magna cum laude honors and a degree in ocean engineering – and I’d DEBBIE GREEN have to say no, I have absolutely no job prospects in sight.

Have I been interviewed? Yes. Have I been offered? Yes. Has anything stuck?

No. Many would think that I am simply not qualified, or there was a better candidate, and I had the same mindset for a little while. But it turns out that the coronavirus is my competitor. I was denied budding opportunities as a result of the pandemic. It has caused many engineering companies to remove job postings, cut jobs and rescind job offers.

Some may choose to wallow in the quickly diminishing opportunities, but I choose to challenge myself and take an alternative route. Instead of wallowing, I ask myself: How can I improve myself during these times of uncertainty?

First, I challenge myself to grow professionally. I am using the increased time I have to prepare for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, a formidable six-hour endeavor that is the first step that promising young engineers must take to become professional engineers. I utilize online textbooks, notes and tutoring sources to safely study from home, and I have created a set schedule for myself.

Passing the FE exam is an accomplishment for any engineer and can be helpful when applying for jobs. I feel my confidence building every day.

Second, I challenge myself to continue mitzvot. I am currently a vol-

unteer puppy raiser for the Guide Dog Foundation, in Smithtown, New York.

The nonprofit foundation pairs guide and service dogs with the visually impaired to increase their mobility and independence, and my involvement with the foundation began well before the pandemic.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has also diminished opportunities for the puppies, which in turn hurts the people who need them the most. Before coronavirus, the puppy I am raising was able to attend classes with me and entered a variety of stores to experience different smells and surfaces. These exposure opportunities are invaluable to the puppies and their eventual partners. But because so many places remain closed, the puppies can no longer have these training experiences.

Fortunately, though, the added time at home has created other developmental opportunities. Obedience and exposure to loud noises, skills my pup can learn at home, have become a training priority. We also go on many walks a day to practice loose-leash walking and walking without – pulling – which my trainee has begun to excel.

Third, I challenge myself to learn about my community. With all the added time at home and the walks my puppy and I are taking, I have seen more of my neighborhood on foot than ever before. I have picked up trash found on the side of local roads. I have found new walking paths. And, most importantly, I have met new neighbors, both young and old. As a community, we have begun to discover one another as we smile, wave and talk from a distance.

Fourth, I challenge myself to connect. I have connected with my family more than ever. Every day, we go for a walk together, we eat together and we exercise together. We even learn about one another while playing games. And these enhanced connections are not limited to family.

I connect with my peers by talking on the phone, playing online games and video chatting. Although I may not be physically with all the people I care about, I feel just as connected to them, if not more.

Fifth, and finally, I challenge myself to be proud. The past few months have felt like a series of tests with GREEN CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Making the most of the gift of time

BY IAN WEINER IT’S NO SECRET that life presents a fair share of challenges. I also think it’s safe to say that we are in the middle of a pretty big challenge.

However, life is also full of hope, and full of ambition, and it’s a good thing that there is plenty of both going around right now as well.

I am a recent graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a dual IAN WEINER bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism and communication studies. I like to hike, and to take photos with my Nikon camera, and there are two words that I consistently use to describe how I am feeling right now: defeated and terrified.

My relationship with COVID-19 probably began earlier than most.

This past semester, I had the opportunity to intern in the Department of Communications and External Relations at URI. Just one week after my internship began, URI was forced to bring students home from their study abroad experience because of the virus.

As time went on, it seemed that every day was “Coronavirus Day,” because the administration was constantly having to bring more and more students back home.

It was scary, and I didn’t even know then that the worst was yet to come.

Almost overnight it seemed like the world fell apart. First, our classes were moved online for two weeks.

Then, we were told that the remainder of our school year would be online and commencement was canceled, which meant that I would never get to say goodbye or thank you to so many of the friends and professors who had shaped my college journey. And to top it all off, the economy came crashing down, eliminating almost all of my job prospects, with no strong return in sight.

Now, I’ve come to realize that there are two ways I could write this piece, with one focusing on the difficulties I am facing. But stories like that are already all over the news every day.

Instead, I’ll go in another direction.

Without a doubt, COVID-19 has given me hope and it’s given me ambition. It’s given me time to sit and really reflect on myself and who I am, and it’s given me time to think about where I want to go in my career. (It has also definitely increased the number of tech-support calls I get from my grandparents about how to get their audio and video to work on Zoom!)

All of my friends from college can easily attest that I was a very busy person. I wanted to be as involved as possible, and was constantly running from one activity to the next, trying to make the most of it. I sacrificed a lot of sleep over the years, but it was well worth it.

Now I have that time to focus on myself. I’ve learned just about all the ins and outs of my camera, I’ve had the time to take a lot more photos and practice my skills, and I’ve even learned new photo-editing software.

I’ve had time to watch movies and TV shows with my parents and brother, even if we laugh at the shows and talk the entire way through.

I’ve had time to read some inspiring books, and I’ve been able to touch up my resume, my LinkedIn profile and my professional portfolio. Best of all, I get to eat dinner with my family every night, which is something that I didn’t realize I had missed so much.

Don’t get me wrong, it is absolutely defeating to search job-posting boards every day only to find no opportunities available, and it is scary thinking about the student loans I will have to start paying back soon. In journalism, opportunities are being cut left and right as news outlets suffer from the disappearance of ad revenue and as they give out content for free to help people stay informed. It’s a daunting time to break into the field.

Nonetheless, stay-at-home time has given me the ability to appreciate what I have and to recognize how fortunate I am to have my friends and family. While we may not be able to see each other in person, we do quite literally spend hours on Zoom and other video-call platforms talking WEINER CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY VOICES

AS WE HEAD INTO A SUMMER without many of our favorite activities and events, it might seem a strange time to count our blessings – but it’s worth doing as we strive to maintain a sense of perspective and a thread of hopefulness in the midst of a pandemic that won’t loosen its grip.

Chief among my blessings is trying to turn at least some of the negatives that we’ve been facing into positives. That came to mind as I recalled LARRY KESSLER my good fortune at being able to attend, over the last two years, the graduation ceremonies of both of my daughters: my oldest, Arianna, in 2018, from Bridgewater State University, and my youngest, Alana, in 2019, from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, in Franklin, Massachusetts.

As I thought of the joy that those two milestones gave me, I now realize that I should not have taken either commencement ceremony for granted.

This year, for the Class of 2020, a virtual ceremony was the norm more often than not.

Some schools have postponed commencement to late summer – even though there’s no

K IN

G OU

T

SPE A

Keeping the faith in better times ahead guarantee that it will take place.

Canceled or postponed graduations are, of course, just one sign of this Lost Spring. But we have a choice: We can either lament our losses or we can be thankful for some of the alternatives being held in their place, no matter how unfulfilling.

That’s how I approached a “virtual 5K” that I participated in to benefit the music program in North Attleboro’s schools. The last several years, the race has been a favorite spring tradition of mine because it features about 200 runners and walkers dressed in costumes representing different musical eras – the ’60s, for instance – as well as high school students playing some of each era’s iconic tunes along the 3.1-mile route. The music, which would get your adrenaline going, was a nice way to psyche up the runners.

This year’s race was markedly different, like everything else during our now-solitary existence. Running on my own was tough because no one was pushing me. But, determined not to let the pandemic end this tradition, I decided it was better to run alone than to pass up the race, as I had originally intended. (I was also inspired by my daughter, who ran the race as part of her training for her college cross-country team. I’m impressed that she’s sticking with her training despite the uncertainty over whether Johnson & Wales, like many

MAZEL TOV!

L'CHAIM! OUR THEATER MAY BE DARK RIGHT NOW, BUT OUR MARQUEE ISN’T!

universities, will actually let students live on campus in the fall, or even allow sports.)

I had a similar decision to make about whether to participate in a virtual version of a large charitable event after its in-person fundraisers became a casualty of COVID-19. My initial reaction to the Greater Attleboro Relay For Life being forced online was deep disappointment, because I’ve been a part of this benefit for the American Cancer Society for 20 years, including the last three on the volunteer organizing committee.

For several days, I viewed the cancellation of the brick-and-mortar event as one more thing that has been snatched from us by the deadly pandemic.

But after sulking for a while, I eventually let Chief among my go of my funk. Instead of dwelling on what was lost, I blessings is trying to remembered what had been accomplished over the last turn at least some of two decades: hundreds of thousands of dollars raised the negatives that to help cancer patients. I also remembered how inwe’ve been facing spiring it was to see cancer survivors walk around a into positives. track.

Those memories restored my faith in what people can accomplish when they work together, and convinced me to dedicate myself to raising money for the virtual events, which take place June 7 and June 12. I’ve since been pleasantly surprised by the support of so many donors, whose generous contributions have been uplifting.

As for the things that we’ll all be missing this summer – travel to popular vacation spots, the Boston Pops and the Newport jazz and folk festivals, July 4th fireworks and parades, and relaxing afternoons and evenings watching baseball at McCoy Stadium – there will be no replacing them, except, perhaps, online.

The only way we’ll be able to get through these difficult times is to keep the faith that eventually the pandemic – and the draconian restrictions that have accompanied it – will go away, and that a vaccine will be created sooner rather than later.

Without that belief, it would be impossible for us to cling to the one thing that we’ll all need the most this summer and beyond: hope.

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

MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Rhode Island area schools seek part-time Hebrew and/or Judaica teachers, youth advisors and specialists for the 2020 - 2021 academic year.

RENT OUR MARQUEE TO CELEBRATE THOSE YOU LOVE!

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CONTACT US TO INQUIRE

ABOUT AVAILABILITY AS SPACES ARE FILLING UP! VISIT GREENWICHODEUM .COM FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information contact Larry Katz at the Jewish Alliance at 401.421.4111 ext. 179 or lkatz@jewishallianceri.org

JUNE 2020 | 11

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COMMUNITY VOICES

Congratulations to Anna Prager on her noble and honest autobiography CH

BOOK

SKE

T

SHE LIVES NEAR ME IN SUMMERTIME, along Narrow portrait on the wall?”

River in South Kingstown. I would read her name He refuses to give it to her, but years later, she as a board member of Save the Bay and always receives a letter in her American house, asking for thought, “I should meet up with Anna ... she’s of my penicillin as a cure for whatever was ailing them in generation, I could have dated her decades ago!” the postwar period. He promises to send the picture And now, I finally got to know her, through in return. She ignores the plea – properly so! Easy her splendid autobiography, titled forgiveness would be a falsehood and a betrayal.

“I Remember.” It’s rich in family Anna’s story is inspiring without ever a fake photographs and multilayered note or a concession to the convention of the memories, and I read the whole proverbial American happy ending. Yes, volume in one eventful evening, she discovers the joy of learning, especially with total admiration – for evchemistry, and the wisdom of science. And ery chapter, paragraph, word. makes a commitment to the arts of peace “At the outbreak of the War, – better communication with public transmy father was in the Polish portation and more respect for the freedoms Army: not many Jewish men of nature, the rights of one and all, and the served in the Army.” I was hooked pursuit of happiness for the diverse inhabiMIKE FINK tants of our shared Earth planet. from the very first page ... until the last page: “No one close to me shares any How did this superb story get written, of my early memories.” published and distributed? Anna Prager thanks And her very last sentence reads, “I remember in print all who collaborated with her or encourthe family I lost and I rejoice in the family I have.” aged her project, but she did not seek established, In between, Anna F. Prager recounts experiences grand, profit-driven industries that edit, print and of the bitterest pain and the most remarkable victopublicize books that appeal to mass audiences, like ries. Not a single syllable rings false, or evasive! how-to-do-it texts and handbooks, or the bios of Now, I have my English teacher resistance celebrities, or the adventures of athletes and the to easy sentimentality, or even too much moral careers of political climbers. oversimplification, but “I Remember” strikes with Self-published memoirs rarely get acknowledged clarity, dignity, the proper kind of pride and a kind on the book pages of major newspapers – although of existential solitude mixed with society. With The Providence Journal, to its credit, reviewed responsibility to tell the truth. the book in 2019 – nor do they add luster to an acaAfter surviving numerous escapes from death, demic curriculum vitae. And yet, for this reviewAnna returns to her roots and her property in er, they are the very best of literature nowadays!

Poland. The new homeowner threatens her with a The noblest, truest and most reliable tales ... like gun. “Get out or I’ll shoot you dead!” he declares. documentary movies instead of the mob-pleasing Unfazed, she asks, “Can I at least have the family over-produced products of Hollywood.

Anna Prager I congratulate Anna Prager and whoever finds a way to access her book.

“I Remember” is available for purchase at Amazon.com, and all proceeds are donated to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, in Washington, D.C. MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol.com) teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 our fundamental freedom, from which all other freedoms flow?

“That fundamental freedom comes directly from our ability to function together as one people and take care of each other. I hate wearing a mask, but if I have to wear one for six months, it’s not going to kill me. To defend

the greater good, that’s what we all just ought to do. I don’t know what it will take to get people on both sides feeling comfortable with each other.

This is not just a conservative thing; people on the more progressive side of things don’t hear their own arrogance … it’s both sides.”

Continuing that thought,

Fine said, “I think we’re better people than this and I keep hoping that we find the angels of our better nature, because most people are not like that; most people are way better than that. This is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their country – and not just their country, the aid of the human

species, to stand up together and take care of each other, because that’s who we really are.”

Fine also spoke to the idea of reconciliation from a Judaic perspective. He said, “That’s what we work toward on every Yom Kippur. A little atonement goes a long way.

We’re never as good at it as

we want, but that’s one of the great strengths of our tradition, that it hammers at our arrogance, if we listen.

The challenge is to take the moment to listen.”

MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE (mschemaille@jewishallianceri.org) writes for Jewish Rhode Island and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY VOICES

Remembrances of lost pleasures

BY GERALDINE S. FOSTER A FEW MONTHS AGO, I began this column with a lament for some of the pleasures of life that are now gone, like rolled beef and Benny’s, and with happy memories of some of the good in the old days. Today, I am adding more laments to that list.

Have you tried to purchase needles and thread lately – a small packet of sharps and a spool or two of mercerized cotton thread in the colors you want? Or even needles and thread packaged in plastic containers with colors that you don’t need? Back in the day, such a purchase was easy at 5-and-10-cents stores.

But it’s not really the Woolworth’s or Kresge’s or Grant’s that I miss. These big chain stores did business in downtown Providence. What I miss are the family-owned 5 and 10s that furnished a neighborhood with the small necessities of life, like needles and thread, inexpensive fabrics, Simplicity patterns for doll clothes, Purim costumes, and puzzles, simple toys and craft items to keep children occupied on a rainy afternoon. Not to mention shelf paper and oil cloth, birthday party needs, bags of valentine cards for distribution to all classmates, and cosmetics like Tangee lipstick and Cutex nail polish, which were often a teen’s introduction to beauty aids.

All of this and more was housed in a store within walking distance or a very short drive.

There was no need for a trip downcity or to a mall.

Once, prominently placed in libraries large and small, was a group of cabinets, usually made of wood. In these cabinets were drawers upon drawers holding cards 3 inches high by 5 inches wide with information about authors and books. It was the library card catalog, a treasure trove of information – and the bane and blessing of my searches of its contents.

Now, the card catalog is either absent altogether or relegated to an obscure place as a secondary resource. It is no longer kept up to date.

Mainly, historical associations and libraries, the keepers of manuscripts and print treasures from the past, maintain them as a key to their older holdings. The library cooperative that printed and distributed the cards has ended operations and been replaced by the Online Public Access Catalog. Information about authors, subjects and the location of books is now stored in “the cloud.”

I miss the card catalog. I miss checking the little white cards attached to the front of each drawer that indicated the range of its alphabetical contents. I miss sifting through the individual cards – impaled on a rod to hold them in place – to find what I wanted. Herein lies the bane as well as the blessing. A word on a card, a name, a glimpse of information previously unknown and an unusual title, were byways waiting to be explored, paths tempting me away from the task at hand. My planned search was often put on hold.

Today, a computer immediately pulls up the exact information needed; efficient, but gone is

the pleasure of serendipity.

I’m also missing the hot, freshly baked bagels from Frager’s, the 5-cent Milky Way and Rigney’s ice cream.

Of greater importance is the loss of the freedom and independence tweens used to enjoy: walking to school with a friend or a cluster of classmates, walking to the home of a friend or a relative several blocks away, or simply hanging out with other tweens in impromptu get-togethers. These once essential pleasures have long since been replaced by the formality of a scheduled play date – and are now being replaced by yet another new “normal.”

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.

GREEN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 no standard measure of success. Coronavirus has not tested my math skills or my literary skills, but it has tested my drive. I feel proud to have risen to the challenge of continuous uncertainty and change.

I challenge you to grow academically, professionally

and socially in our changed world. Above all, I challenge you to grow as a person and feel proud of your small accomplishments.

DEBBIE GREEN is from Long Island, New York. At URI, she was involved with Hillel, serving as a student intern and board member.

WEINER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 to each other. Whether it’s chatting about a movie or TV series we watched, or a new dinner recipe someone tried, there is always plenty of laughter and jokes.

I am truly amazed at how we have all grown closer, despite the lack of physical connection.

Believe me, I am just as ready as the next person to be able to get out of my house and get back to normal life. But, for just a couple of hours each day, I take the time to reinvest in myself, easing the worries and the fears, and I’m much

better off because of it.

This break has helped me realize just how much I want to get back out into the world and excel in my career, and it has helped me learn about a couple of volunteer opportunities I want to start participating in. I hope it can do the same for you.

IAN WEINER is from Severna Park Maryland. At URI, he was news editor and editor-in-chief of the weekly, student-run campus newspaper, and an active participant at Hillel.

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jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

FOOD

Sloppy Yossels and other goodies from quarantine

BY LISA MAYBRUCH This is an excerpt from Lisa Maybruch’s blog, Cooking with Lisa. It appears regularly on the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s website and occasionally here.

BACK IN THE DAY, LIKE, 2 MONTHS AGO, dinner was always something quick and easy. I tried to find hearty recipes that could be made in advance or that I could whip up in a few minutes after work. With more time to cook, I’ve been experimenting with new ingredients and more-complicated dishes, but I recognize that not everyone has that luxury, even in isolation when we think there’s more time. Many of my friends and family members have been trying to find a balance between working, teaching, and entertaining their kids. I wanted to dedicate this blog to all you hardworking caretakers and hope you become inspired to cook with your kids and find it fun!

What’s simple, easy and tastes delicious? No, this isn’t a riddle, and I promise it’s not another cheesy joke. Seriously, what comes to mind?! For me, it’s pasta and meat sauce. Growing up, my family called this dish “Sloppy Yossels.” My mom, I mean my research partner, explained that Yossel is one of few Hebrew derivatives of the name Joe. Instead of the infamous dish called Sloppy Joe, we kept it more traditionally Jewish and thus the Sloppy Yossel was born! Sometimes we would get a little fancy and make some garlic knots to go along with it, but even then it was still semi-homemade. You just have to brown the ground beef over the stovetop, mix in a can of tomato sauce, and then throw it over a bowl of pasta. For the side dish you take some pizza dough, roll it, knot it, bake it, then cover it with butter and garlic, and…voila! There’s really nothing complicated about it unless you wanted to make the sauce and dough from scratch. I was making Sloppy Yossels the other night; when I wanted to zhuzh it up, I turned to Miriam Pascal.

To refresh your memory, Miriam’s criteria for a good recipe are “simple, easy and accessible.” For me, the emphasis is on simple, and recreating familiar dishes in a unique way. Cue Miriam’s recipe for Meat-Stuffed Garlic Bread. I thought this was the perfect combination of my favorite dish, but with an alternative flavor. So, grab yourself some pizza dough, a package of ground beef, pesto sauce (homemade or canned), and the kids for some extra hands!

I started by cooking the ground beef on the stove, mixing in my pesto sauce once the meat was completely browned. I used some canned pesto I found in the back of my refrigerator, but I’m sure fresh herbs would be fabulous! If you don’t have either, tomato sauce would also be great. While that was cooking, I rolled out the pizza dough and cut circles with the top of a drinking glass. You could also use a cookie cutter, or just roll the dough into balls and flatten them between your hands.

I usually find pizza dough in the refrigerated aisle of the grocery store, but if you prefer homemade dough I say go for it!

If you find your pizza dough is hard to work with, let it sit for a few minutes to let the gluten relax.

Once all of these components are complete, you’re ready to assemble. Place a small amount of meat in the middle of your

Remember your Nana’s Rugelah?

dough, then pinch the dough together to seal in the meat filling.

Place your dough pinched-side down on a baking sheet, then bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. About halfway through I brushed extra pesto sauce over the top of my dough.

When it’s done, let it cool – the center will be hot! Then, enjoy! Miriam Pascal placed this recipe in the appetizer section of her book, “More Real Life Kosher Cooking.” But, if you eat four of them, does it count as a main meal?

I think this is a great recipe to try at home with your kids. They will have so much fun with the assembly and baking, and then dunking their delicious creations in some tomato sauce!

LISA MAYBRUCH (lmaybruch@jewishallianceri.org) is manager of adult programs at the Jewish Alliance. This blog originally appeared April 30 at jewishallianceri.org During her time at home, Lisa has been cooking through Miriam Pascal’s book, “More Real Life Kosher Cooking.”

Sloppy Yossels A Maybruch Family Staple

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Saute pepper and onion on medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until soft. Add in garlic and cook for another minute. Add ground beef and cook until completely brown (approximately 7-10 minutes). While meat is browning, start to cook your pasta according to the directions on the box.

Once the meat is completely browned, drain the fat in the pan if desired and add in your favorite sauce! Depending on how saucy you like it, you may add more sauce.

Simmer on low until your pasta is finished cooking and meat is cooked through. Place a heaping spoonful of meat mixture onto your pasta and enjoy!

This recipe is so versatile. You can replace the green peppers with any color pepper, use homemade sauce or diced tomatoes and add in any seasoning you desire!

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14 | JUNE 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

Signs of the Times: A Str

W

henever and wherever I travel, I enjoy walking and taking photos. The past few months have allowed me to see my own neighborhood in a new light. I now appreciate it more than ever. Friends and neighbors, be well.

George M. Goodwin

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

JUNE 2020 | 15

roll around the East Side

16 | JUNE 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

FOOD

Kosher meals available for children under 18

BY JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF ON FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2000 local children began receiving Kosher Grab-and-Go breakfasts and lunches from Ahava Catering, at Congregation Beth Sholom, in Providence through a program of the Providence Parks Department.

This was the result of hours of work by local Jewish groups, including the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Providence Hebrew Day School, Congregation Beth Sholom, Ahava Catering and Rhode Island Kosher.

The free meals program is equivalent to that of the Providence public schools. Each week, on Friday, parents pick up meals for four days

and on Tuesday for three days resulting in seven days of Kosher meals for all children ages 18 and under regardless of need. The boxed meals are distributed at Congregation Beth Shalom on Camp Street. The meals are certified by Rhode Island Kosher.

This is a first for the Kosher community in Providence. The hope is that the free meals program, which is due to expire at the end of June, will continue at least through the summer. For more information, contact Ahava Catering, 401-272-4835 or ahavacatering@ gmail.com.

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On a recent Friday, above left, cars line up outside of Congregation Beth Sholom in Providence for a free Kosher food program aimed at feeding children under age 18 while volunteers bring out milk and boxed meals. Volunteer Mike Forstadt, of Providence, takes information, top left, at one of several cars waiting on Camp Street. Above, Beth Abrahim, of Pawtucket, picks up milk and the Kosher boxed lunch and breakfast for her five children.

JUNE 2020 | 17

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

FOOD

Touro Fraternal Association provides meal for Miriam front-line workers PHOTO | TOURO FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION

Touro Fraternal Association Community Involvement Committee Chairman Bob Miller and Harmony Lodge President Larry Berman present meals for front-line doctors, nurses and staff at the Miriam Hospital. The donation was accepted by Emergency Room nurses.

In the garden at Tamarisk: Looking forward to a plentiful harvest THE TAMARISK FARM TO TABLE Garden has been planted!

Residents of the assisted living community in Warwick are looking forward to fresh, healthful vegetables and fruits all summer.

PHOTOS | TAMARISK

CRANSTON – TOURO FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION recently delivered a catered dinner for 140 front-line workers fighting the COVID-19 battle daily at The Miriam Hospital, in Providence.

The dinner was one of several efforts being made by Touro, the region’s largest Jewish men’s fraternal organization, to offer assistance during the pandemic.

“As today’s events in the world change our society, Touro continues its century-long support of the community,” said Robert Miller, chairman of Touro’s Community Involvement Committee. “This donation of 140 meals to the emergency room staff at Miriam Hospital is the least we can do to show our support.”

With families throughout the state struggling during the COVID-19 crisis, Touro has also made significant donations to the Louis & Goldie Chester Kosher Food Pantry, operated by Jewish Collaborative Services; the Rhode Island Community Food Bank; and the Ronald McDonald House, which assists families of hospitalized children.

Although regular in-person social events have been postponed during the pandemic, Touro is continuing to meet on a virtual basis. More information about the organization is available on its website, www.tourofraternal.org, or by calling 401-785-0066.

18 | JUNE 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY

OBITUARIES 22 | BUSINESS 21

HEA

ELISSA FELDER IS THE FOUNDER of Core Connects RI, a new organization whose goal is to support, educate and inspire Jewish women.

Felder of Providence, gave PATRICIA details about RASKIN the group and its mission in the following interview.

Rosh Hodesh dinners for local women and putting together other inspiring, fun and meaningful gatherings. The response has been overwhelming, and women of all ages and affiliations have enjoyed getting together in these various ways.

The obvious next steps were to become a nonprofit organization, to create a board, and to develop a website, thereby providing a “home” for the variety of programs we were offering.

How did Core Connects RI evolve?

Core Connects RI is a grassroots community whose aim is to inspire, connect, empower and honor Jewish women of all ages and affiliations.

TH

Y L I VI

NG

L

Core Connects RI brings Jewish women together for inspiring events

Core Connects RI is an organization that was started formally just a few months ago. It evolved after many years of hosting Shabbat and holiday meals in my home and gathering women together for learning, conversation and connection.

In the summer of 2016, I was honored to be one of the leaders chaperoning a group of local women on an inspirational trip to Israel with an international organization called Momentum. I have continued to be a community leader bringing local women on that trip every summer since then. After each phenomenal experience in Israel, I have worked to keep the relationships with the participants alive and thriving.

Last June, I started hosting

What is the mission of Core Connects RI?

What is the goal of Core Connects?

Our goal is to deepen women’s connections to one another, to Jewish wisdom and values, and to empower each other to find greater meaning, purpose and possibilities in life by cultivating unity without uniformity.

How did you come up with the name?

Core Connects RI is loosely affiliated with an international organization called “Core,” which also looks to empower and strengthen Jewish communities by engaging the women.

However, Core Connects RI

The Great Pink RI Challah Bake is an independent organization [that seeks] to connect women with each other in meaningful, inspiring and joyful ways.

We believe that the “core” of the Jewish people is the women. Our voice is unique and we are committed to strengthening and empowering women so they can shine.

What are some of the events that you sponsor?

So far, since we formally began, we have hosted a wide array of programs, including: Rosh Hodesh dinners with inspiring programs; a conversation about the use and power of the mikveh, with an opportunity for women to experience going themselves;

a spa night with hand treatments, chair massages, reflexology, yoga, jewelry-making and more; and a glass-blowing demonstration and Kabbalistic teachings by an artist from Tzefat, Israel.

Also, presentations on becoming your best self; on being resilient; on using CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

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JUNE 2020 | 19

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

Israeli emissary to R.I. named an iFellow

BY LARRY KATZ OR COHEN, the Jewish Agency’s shlichah (emissary) to the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island for the past year, has been selected to join the iFellows, a program for Israeli educators in North America.

The iFellows Master’s Concentration in Israel Education nurtures and challenges the next generation of knowledgeable and passionate educational leaders committed to the integral role of Israel in contemporary Jewish life. iFellows is a project of The iCenter, a nonprofit organization established in 2008 by The Jim Joseph and Schusterman Foundations in order to build and shape robust Israel education in the North American Jewish community. The goal of the iFellows initiative is to create systemic change in how education about Israel is defined, approached and integrated into every area of Jewish education throughout North America.

The program convenes students studying across a broad spectrum of graduate institutions to train Jewish communal leaders in education, nonprofit management, rabbinical studies and allied fields. This year, a select

group of 57 shlichim will begin the program virtually in June, including nine shlichim currently working in diverse settings across North America.

Cohen will participate in three Chicago-based intensive seminars facilitated by an eclectic faculty comprised of leading Israel educators from around the world. Due to the pandemic, the initial seminar will be virtual. As part of her participation, she will eventually create a program to be implemented in Rhode Island to bring to life what she has learned.

Cohen’s expenses in the iFellows program will be covered by The Marcus Foundation, a family foundation based in Atlanta.

As the shlichah in Rhode Island, Cohen has been teaching, speaking and facilitating programs throughout the state and at the Alliance’s

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During the pandemic, she has worked with other to create the Israel in the Box project, which was delivered to homes from Barrington to East Greenwich, and Cumberland to Middletown, as well as in the New Bedford area. In April, she also spearheaded virtual programs about Israel, one of which attracted over 500 viewers.

And, with Tslil Reichman, a former shlichah, she created a virtual escape room about Tel Aviv.

Currently, among other programs, Cohen is working with author Daniel Chertoff to present a virtual multimedia program on June 10 about the birth of the state of Israel.

For more information about the programs that Cohen facilitates in Rhode Island, please contact her at ocohen@jewishallianceri.org.

LARRY KATZ is the director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Jewish Alliance of Greater R.I.

No Camp JORI this summer

BY FRAN OSTENDORF THE LEADERSHIP OF CAMP JORI announced on May 27 that after careful consideration, the Jewish overnight camp will not open for the 2020 season.

“We worked really hard to make it work; we tried,” camp co-director Kara Liberman told Jewish Rhode Island. “There just wasn’t a way to open camp safely.”

In a message to the community, Liberman and codirector Alicia McGee wrote, “Our camp runs on our value of TaCEO (taking care of each other), and we feel that by not opening we are simply doing our best to take care of one another. Our community feels this loss deeply and will continue to find ways to be together until we open the gates in 2021.

“As we process this reality we are hopeful and excited to be together in 2021. We will continue to plan for the return of campers on Worden’s Pond in 2021!”

In an interview, Liberman said, “We waited longer than most camps. We tried to find a good solution. Camp is all about hugging and smiling, especially for our younger campers. Not to be able to sit close to someone would have been tough. I think this is the right thing to do.

“Ironically, [the] camp looks better than it has in years.

There is construction on a new security building next to the visitor’s center. We will be back better than ever next year.”

Camp JORI is located on Worden’s Pond in Wakefield.

The Jewish camp has been in business since 1937.

FRAN OSTENDORF is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.

20 | JUNE 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY

Program will bring viewers into the 1948 siege of Jerusalem highway, attempts to break the siege of Jerusalem, the bombing of the Palestine Post, the declaration of the State of Israel, and, inevitably, the loss of friends. The correspondence, filled with details of everyday life in Jerusalem and encounters with famous and soon-tobe famous people, includes historical information never before disclosed and ranges from passionate discussions about Zionism to the more personal drama of Mordecai’s search for a mate.

Daniel Chertoff has worked in the investment industry in both the United States and Israel as an analyst, financial communications counsel and venture capitalist, and as a senior executive in a large Israeli high-tech company. Before discovering the cache of letters, he was writing his doctoral dissertation in English literature at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is now an associate editor of Partial Answers, an academic journal of literature and the history of ideas. Chertoff and his wife, Arlene, live in Jerusalem.

The June 10 presentation is this year’s culmination of both the Israel Culture Series and Behind the Book: A Visiting Author Series. To reserve and receive a link to Zoom, please visit jewishallianceri.org/chertoff. The program will also be live on the Jewish Alliance Facebook page.

The program will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. For a link to the recording, or for questions, please contact Or Cohen at ocohen@jewishallianceri.org or 401-864-3786.

This event is made possible by a partnership with the Jewish Book Council and support from TW Financial Group.

LARRY KATZ (lkatz@jewishallianceri.org) is the director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

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WHAT WOULD ISRAEL BE without Jerusalem? Until June 10, 1948, it seemed that Israel would not have possession of the Holy City. That is the date when the months-long siege of Jerusalem was lifted.

On the same date, 72 years later, Daniel Chertoff, the son of a journalist who was an eyewitness to the event, will present an illustrated program, “Palestine Posts: Episodes from the Birth of Israel,” using his father’s letters, photos and newspaper articles as the source material about the struggle to create a Jewish state.

Chertoff’s multimedia program will be on Zoom on Wednesday, June 10, at 4 p.m. Viewers will be able to write in questions at any point during the program, which is hosted by Or Cohen, the Rhode Island Jewish community’s shlichah (Israeli emissary).

The presentation invites the viewer to experience historical events from Israel’s war of independence, 1947-1949. It includes images, documents, videos and excerpts from letters written

by Mordecai Chertoff, who at

the time was an editor of the Palestine Post (forerunner of today’s Jerusalem Post) and a soldier in the Haganah, Israel’s leading paramilitary organization at the time, which formed the nucleus of its army.

Chertoff’s presentation will be based on his book, “Palestine Posts: An Eyewitness Account of the Birth of Israel,” which Israeli author and journalist Yossi Klein Halevi has called “History at its most compelling – vivid, detailed, immediate. This book is a gift to the Jewish people.”

The book details how a young American lived day to day in a Jerusalem under siege, as well as what one would expect from a journalist – interviews with leaders and those impacted by their decisions, historical analysis as events unfold, and observations about the beginnings of a split between American and Israeli Jewry.

In vivid and often moving letters to his family back in the United States (annotated and contextualized by his son), Mordecai Chertoff describes the United Nations’ vote for partition, the ongoing battles along the dangerous Jerusalem-Tel Aviv

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY | OBITUARIES Charles Leon Baker, 78 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Charles Leon Baker died April 26 at the Miriam Hospital. He was the son of the late Isadore and Jean Baker. He graduated from Hope High School in Providence and received an associate’s degree from the Community College of Rhode Island. He served in the U.S. Air Force in the Vietnam era. He worked for many years at the former Osram Sylvania Plant in Central Falls. He enjoyed relaxing with television, especially the SciFi channel.

He is survived by a sister, Marilyn Baker, of Warwick, and a friend, Dolores Gomes, of Central Falls.

Contributions may be made to an organization or program that is fighting the coronavirus pandemic or to a charity of your choice.

Alfred Blank, 85 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Alfred E. Blank died May 11 at home. He was the husband of Arline (Riddell) Blank. Born in Taunton, Massachusetts, a son of the late Bernard and Anna (Bloom) Blank, he had lived in Providence for 64 years, previously living in Taunton. He was the owner of the former Children’s Shop, retiring in 1985.

Alfred was an Army veteran, serving during peacetime. Alfred was a member of Temple Emanu-El, Jewish War Veterans, American

Legion, Redwood Masonic Lodge, Shriners and James L. Maher Center.

He was the father of Richard Blank and his wife, Lauren Inker, of Needham, Massachusetts, and David Blank of Bristol. He was the brother of Mark Blank of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He was the grandfather of Sam and Margo. He was the uncle of Audrey Licht and Mitchell Resnick.

Contributions may be made to Al’s Fund for David, a charity for his son’s group home, Jenny Lane, at: https:// www.gofundme.com/f/ al039s-fund-for-david?utm_ source=customer&utm_medium=more&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1 or Temple Emanu-El, Minyan Fund, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

Irwin Chase, 93 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Irwin J. Chase passed away May 5. He was the husband of Phyllis (Freeman) Chase; they were married for 59 years.

Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Martin and Helen (Newburger) Chase.

A graduate of Brown University, he was on the board of directors of Rhode Island Hospital Trust bank and the International Mass Retail Association. He was also a Rhode Island Commodore.

He was inducted into the

Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 2009, and was co-founder of Ann & Hope, the first discount department store in America. In its heyday, Ann & Hope employed 3,000 associates across Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Irwin was a U.S. Army infantry veteran. He served during WWII and was awarded the Bronze Star. He fought in Germany and Austria in General Patton’s Third Army. His company was involved in the liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his son Michael Chase; son Bradley Chase and his wife, Rebecca; brother Samuel Chase and his wife, Eszter; sister Marjorie Torgan and her husband, Philip; sister-in-law Ruthie Steinberg; and granddaughters Lauren, Madeline, Hannah and Julia. He was predeceased by brothers-in-law L. Saul Alpert and Edward Steinberg.

Contributions may be made to the Irwin J. Chase College Scholarship Fund at Temple Beth-El, or a charity of your choice.

Norma Cohen, 89 WARWICK, R.I. – Norma Cohen died of natural causes on April 27, hopefully dreaming of her grandchildren, Sadie, Jake, and twins Carlie and Kendall playing in the living room, or watching a great Red Sox game on TV with her son Scott (Cohen), or making her amazing chicken soup for her daughter Susan

(Cohen) and son-in-law Gary (Biale), and her daughter Stacie and son-in-law Timmy (Williams), or eating a delicious Thanksgiving family dinner.

She was born Norma Ludman and grew up in Providence, the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Ludman. She graduated from Hope High School and then earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in social work from Boston University. She spent her entire career working as a geriatric social worker in various nursing home settings, with a number of years spent as director of social services at the Jewish Home for the Aged in Providence.

She raised her family and lived most of her life in Cranston. She was the sister of the late Harold Ludman and his wife, Joan, and Nathan Ludman and his wife, Sally.

Family was everything and when she was with them she thought life was perfect.

Not liking to be the center of attention, she wanted to avoid both a 90th birthday celebration this June, and a large funeral; both wishes granted.

She is now reunited with her loving husband of many years, Carl Cohen.

Donations can be made to Meals on Wheels RI at www. rimeals.org.

Alan Courtney, 91 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Alan Courtney, of Providence, passed away May 5 in the Miriam Hospital. He was the husband of the late Barbara “Bobbie” (Gordon) Courtney to whom he had been married for 41 years.

Born and raised in New York City, New York, a son

of the late Max and Rose (Heller) Courtney, he lived in Palm Beach, Florida, for over 20 years before returning to Providence in 2004.

A graduate of Bronx High School, class of 1945, he received a Bachelor of Arts from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

He worked in the garment industry for several years before working in real estate until retiring.

He is survived by two children, Kerri Courtney and Michael Courtney; granddaughter, Lacey Zavelovich and great-grandchildren, Lily and Zoey. Bobbie’s two daughters, Susan Hamin and Deborah Hamin; Bobbie’s grandchildren, Lily Hamin and Scott Lilienthal. He was the brother of the late Helen Michaels.

Contributions may be made to Jewish Collaborative Services of RI, 1165 North Main St. Providence, RI 02904 or to HopeHealth Hospice and Palliative Care of RI, 1085 North Main St. Providence, RI 02904.

Barbara Courtney, 81 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Barbara L. (Gordon) Courtney, “Bobbie,” of Providence, passed away May 2 in the Miriam Hospital.

She was the wife of the late Alan J. Courtney, to whom she had been married for 41 years.

Born and raised in Providence, a daughter of the late Harry and Lillian (Berlin) Gordon, she lived in Palm Beach, Florida, for over 20 years before returning to Providence in 2004.

A graduate of Hope High School’s class of 1956, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Boston University. She began her career as a teacher and while living in Florida worked in real estate. Her passions were art and design.

She is survived by two daughters, Susan Hamin of Cranston; Deborah Hamin of North Kingstown; two grandchildren, Lily Hamin and Scott Lilienthal; Alan’s children, Kerri Courtney and Michael Courtney; granddaughter Lacey and great-grandchildren Lily and Zoey. She was the mother of the late Leslie Martha Hamin and sister of the late Miriam Feldman.

Contributions may be made

JUNE 2020 | 23

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

OBITUARIES to the Jewish Collaborative Services of RI, 1165 North Main St. Providence, RI 02904 or to HopeHealth Hospice and Palliative Care of RI, 1085 North Main St. Providence, RI 02904.

Frances Gladstone, 77 NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Frances B. Gladstone died May 10 at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Al and Sarah (Cohen) Rosen, she was a longtime resident of North Providence.

Frannie was a medical secretary for Rhode Island Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and North Main Radiation Oncology, retiring in 1995. She attended Mt. Sinai Hospital School of Nursing and graduated from Sawyer School. Frannie was a member of Temple Beth-El in Providence.

She was the sister of the late Judith Rosen Medwin.

She was the cousin of Carol Cohen and Susan DeRita.

She was the friend of Vi McKenna and her husband, Jerry, Rosemary Hunlock and the late Betty Lizotte.

Contributions may be made to The National Fibromyalgia Association, 3857 Birch St., Ste. 312, Newport Beach, CA 92660 or The Tomorrow Fund, Rhode Island Hospital Campus, 593 Eddy St., Providence, RI 02903.

Deborah Horovitz, 83 WARWICK, R.I. – Debbie “Marnie” Horovitz passed away May 15 at Sunnyview Nursing Home. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Deborah was the daughter of Benjamin and Lena (Edison) Berman. Her sister Edna (Berman) Burack predeceased her in 2018. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Adrian Horovitz, who she met at a party hosted by his fraternity at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1952 and instantly fell in love.

She pointed him out to her friends that evening and told them she was going to marry him ... and she did four years later.

Debbie is also survived by two children, Amy (Horovitz) Panzer and her husband Andrew, and Jeffrey Horovitz and his wife, Kathleen (McHugh). She is also survived by four grandchildren: Melissa, Jarett, Jacob and Joshua who affectionately

called her Marnie perhaps because her hair color in those years leaned a little bit too close to a “Barney” purple spectrum.

Debbie was all about accessorizing and adding a creative spin to everything she touched. She was a master at needlework and hosted evening classes for over two decades, teaching fellow crafters to incorporate over 50 different types of stitches on needlepoint canvases. Her business “Mrs. Nedlpt” was aptly named for a woman whose 3-dimensional needlework was nothing less than spectacular.

Debbie served as Sisterhood president at Temple Sinai in Cranston in the early 1970s and for many years after that managed the gift shop. Dubbed by her family, “Mrs. Hallmark”, she was truly a people person who never missed an opportunity to commemorate a birthday, anniversary or milestone in the lives of anyone whom she cared about.

Contributions may be made to Temple Sinai Horovitz-Wexler minyan fund.

Marilyn Kabalkin, 89 CRANSTON, R.I. – Marilyn J. Kabalkin died May 9. She was the wife of the late Everett Kabalkin. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Samuel and Pauline (Locke) Bell, she was a longtime resident of Cranston. She was a graduate of Hope High School in Providence. Marilyn was an active member of the Yiddish Club at Temple Emanu-El for many years.

She was the mother of Stephen Kabalkin of Warwick; Barry Kabalkin and his wife, Rochelle Gunner, of Bethesda, Maryland; and Cheryl Kabalkin and her husband, Michael Greenstein, of Chappaqua, New York. She was the sister of the late Nathan and John Bell. She was the grandmother of Margot, Nicole, Emily, Ali, Zachary, Chloe, Brennan and Rylan. She was the great-grandmother of Emery.

Contributions may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02115.

Erma Leavitt, 97 BARRINGTON, R.I. – Erma Leavitt passed away May 5.

She was the beloved wife of the late Harold Leavitt. Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late Leo and Pauline (Aronovitz) Weiner.

Erma graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1944 with a bachelor of

fine arts degree. She continued to be involved with RISD for most of her life. She was a docent at the RISD Museum of Art, and served as president of the museum board and then served as a trustee on RISD board.

She was very active at Temple Beth-El, serving on the art committee, which was responsible for much of the art and decorative Judaica in the synagogue.

She is survived by her son Robert Leavitt and his wife, Susan; grandchildren Andrew and his wife, Liz, Laura and her husband, Matt, and Julia and her partner, Roxy; and daughter-in-law Gretchen Leavitt. She was the mother of the late Laurance Leavitt and sister of the late Edward Weiner and Roslyn Colson.

Contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 70 Walnut St., Suite 301, Wellesley, MA 02481 or www.lls.org/newengland.

Sol Levine, 93 SOMERSET, N.J. – Sol D. Levine, of Somerset, passed away on May 23 after four weeks of remarkable care provided by the staff of Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Although his loving family were only able to visit him by virtual means during this time, the isolation Sol experienced during his stay while fighting COVID-19 and dementia is in contrast to the warm, sensitive, modest and compassionate personality that drew people near him throughout his life.

Sol is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley, enjoying over 70 years of marriage. He leaves behind daughter Mona Scheraga (Bill) of Warwick, son Robert Levine of Somerset, grandchildren Nancy Scheraga (Adam) of Califon, New Jersey, and David Scheraga (Rachel) and two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Sophie of Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Son of the late Morris and Ethel (Bloch) Levine, Sol grew up in the Bronx and Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He served in the Navy Reserve for 17 months. He graduated from City College of New York with a degree in electrical engineering and worked for Western Electric and AT&T for 35 years, serving as an instructor and manager.

He was an active member of Temple Beth El in Somerset for many years, serving as “gabbai.” Sol did volunteer work for many organizations.

He was always ready to help

those in need.

Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.

Sheila Miller, 94 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Sheila G. Miller died May 8 at Highlands on the East Side.

She was the wife of the late Albert Miller. Born in Detroit, Michigan, a daughter of the late Samuel and Jenny (Gold) Shore, she was a longtime resident of Providence, also living in Warwick and Florida before returning to Providence 12 years ago.

She was a graduate of Hope High School. Sheila worked at various polling stations throughout her life. She was a life member of Hadassah, a member of Cranston Senior Guild and a former member of Temple Emanu-El. She was the mother of David Miller and his wife, Linda Glazer, of Great Neck, New York; and Cheryl Zimmerman and her husband, Mike, of Providence. She was the sister of Anita Chorney of Narragansett and Boynton Beach, Florida; and the late Herbert Shore. She was the grandmother of Matthew and his wife, Katie, Jessica, Jackie and her husband, Dan

and Jamie and her husband, Chris. She was great-grandmother of Charlotte, Kai, Ali and James.

Contributions may be made to Hadassah, 17 Pocahontas Dr., Middletown, RI 02842; Planned Parenthood, 175 Broad St., Providence, RI 02903; or Anti-Defamation League, 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158.

Dorothy Moss, 98 WARWICK, R.I. – Dorothy (Dotty) Moss passed away on May 9 at West View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Warwick.

She was the wife of Martin Moss, deceased in 1997, and the mother of Laurence Moss, Ph.D., deceased in 2009. She is survived by her daughter Vicki Moss and son-in-law, Bob Raphael, of Wakefield; grandchildren Joshua Moss and his wife Melissa Moss, of Los Angeles, California; Ariana Resende and her husband, Alvaro Resende, of West Warwick; and Daniel Raphael and his wife, Courtney Tobin, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Also, her two greatgranddaughters, Shira and Leah Moss in Los Angeles.

Dorothy was born in New York City, where she lived CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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OBITUARIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 and raised her family and then worked as a school secretary for the New York City school system. Once her children were successfully launched, she and Marty became snowbirds, living in Margate, Florida for several months of the year. Eventually they moved to Margate where, surrounded by friends and family, they enjoyed shopping, entertaining and hosting their children and grandchildren.

Following Marty’s death Dotty remained in Margate, where she utilized her secretarial skills to volunteer at a local hospital.

In 2008, while visiting her children in New England, she broke her hip and was unable to return to her home. She became a resident of Tamarisk in Warwick, where she lived until 2015.

She was loving, feisty, proud and enjoyed talking to everyone.

Donations may be made to the Kosher Food Pantry in Providence.

Albert Resnick, 92 WARWICK, R.I. – Albert S. Resnick died May 16 at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center. He was the husband of Corinne (Newman) Resnick for 60 years. Born in Providence, a son of the late Samuel and Edith (Silberman) Resnick, he was a longtime resident of Warwick. He worked at various companies in Rhode Island.

Albert was a WWII Army veteran, serving in occupied Japan.

He graduated from Hope High School, class of ’46 and attended Bryant College. Albert was a member of Touro Fraternal Association and was a former member of Temple Am David and Torat Yisrael.

He was the father of Samuel Resnick and his wife, Lynn, of Woodstock, Connecticut, and the late Paula Torrico.

He was the brother Frank Resnick of Cranston, Leon Resnick of Quechee, Vermont, and the late Helen Lehrer and Anne Steingold. He was the grandfather of Cody, Joshua and Lily.

Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Michael Saltzman, 75 COLUMBIA, MD. – Michael Saltzman died May 9 at home.

Born in Providence, a son of the late Arthur and Sally (Gellerman) Saltzman, he was a longtime resident of

Columbia, previously living in Cranston.

He was a graduate of Cranston East High School and graduated with a bachelor of science in mathematics from University of Rhode Island in 1967. He earned his first master’s degree in computer science/operations research from American University in 1974 and his second master’s degree in computer science from John Hopkins University in 1987.

Michael worked for National Security Agency (NSA) Department of Defense (DOD) at Fort Meade, Maryland, from 1967-90. After resigning from NSA, he was the founder and Chief Technology Officer of Training Etc. in Columbia until 2015, at which time Training Etc. was acquired

by University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Training Centers. Michael remained with the UMBC organization until retiring in June 2018. He developed extensive course materials in various computer languages, which DOD, National Training Vendors, colleges and universities have used as instructional materials. In 2002, Prentice Hall published his two books, “Modern Perl Programing” and “Perl NET.” He was an avid golfer, a sports enthusiast, enjoyed reading and loved watching his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox. He was the brother of Judy Bergel and her husband, Arthur, of Cranston and the late Joel Saltzman. He was the uncle of Steven Bergel, Lori Kreidberg, Rhonda Ward, Brian Saltzman, Lisa Love and Jodi Siegel. He was the companion of Nancy Valley.

Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Kenneth Silverbush, 85 NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Kenneth Silverbush, a resident of North Providence but a New Yorker at heart, passed away on the morning of April 25.

Ken was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 14, 1934, to the late David and Gladys Silverbush. He cared deeply for his family, though there was no one closer to him than his wife, Carol. Together for 65 years and married for 63, Ken and Carol shared a life filled with unconditional love. He is survived by Carol, his daughter Stacey, sons-in-law Gene and Lou, and grandchildren Stephanie, Andrew, Lauren and Alexa, as well as great-grandson Jonathan.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Jody, and his broth-

er, Herb.

Ken, an accomplished ad man and storyteller, spent his early career in and out of show business and ad agencies as an award-winning copywriter through the 1960s-80s. In the late 1980s, Ken and Carol moved from New York to Rhode Island, where he began a long career writing fundraising appeals, raising millions of dollars for hunger, healthcare, and human rights organizations nationally. Ken, or Kenny to those closest to him, cared passionately about the greater good and gave generously of his time, talent and treasure. In his spare time he was an avid model airplane builder and NY Yankees fan.

Donations to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, or the charity of your choice, would be appreciated.

Stephen Solinger, 78 LINCOLN, R.I. – Stephen Richard Solinger, born in Providence, died on May 11.

He was the beloved son of Joseph and Sally (Haft) Solinger; brother of Jeffrey Solinger (Paula), Kohler, Wisconsin; uncle of Dr. Stephanie Solinger (Marijan Kostrun), Rowley, Massachusetts; and great-uncle to Daniel and Tomislav Kostrun.

Stephen reached his fullest potential through the love and support of family, friends and most notably, the developmental programs and residential care provided by the John E. Fogarty Center, founded in 1952.

Contributions may be made to The Fogarty Center in memory of Stephen Solinger; John E. Fogarty Center, 220 Woonasquatucket Ave., N. Providence, RI 02911.

Sylvia Weinstein, 96 NAPLES, FLA. – Sylvia Weinstein died June 1 at Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh.Born in Providence on May 20, 1924, she was the wife of the late Irwin Weinstein, daughter of the late Morris and Sophie (Prebluder) Shore and sister of the late Claire Shore, Edward Shore, Blanche Shore, Rose Berlin and Shirley Weisman.

Previously living in Highland Beach, Florida, Houston, Texas, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey and Cranston, Sylvia was a graduate of Hope High School and was a former longtime member of the

Temple Emanu-El choir in Providence.

She was the mother of Mark Weinstein (Linda) of Bonita Springs, Florida, Debbie Levin of Boca Raton, Florida, Marjorie Olerio (Matthew) of North Kingstown, and Tamara Cannon (Jim) of New Hope, Pennsylvania.

She was the grandmother of Michael, Nikki, Danni, Matthew, James and Shayna and great-grandmother of 10, Sylvia loved to sing, loved to dance and had a special zest for life throughout all of her 96 years.

Contributions may be made to Hospice Foundation of America www.hospicefoundation.org.

Evgeniya Zarankina, 90 PAWTUCKET, R.I. – Evgeniya Zarankina passed away suddenly on April 27. She was born on Aug. 23, 1929, in Artemovsk, Ukraine, and lived there with her parents until WWII began.

In 1941 Evgeniya, her mother and younger brother Oleg fled the advancing Nazi troops, and after months of difficult wandering reached Uzbekistan. At the end of the war her father found them and brought them to Khimki, where his artillery battery was protecting Moscow from Nazi air raids.

In Khimki, Evgeniya graduated from the Institute of Culture. She met Fim Zarankin and married him in 1952, and gave birth to a daughter, Irina. Evgeniya and Fim worked and lived in Khimki until retirement. Ev-

geniya worked at the library and later as a bookstore manager.

In 1995, Evgeniya and Fim immigrated to Pawtucket.

After learning English and passing the citizenship exam, Evgeniya proudly became an American citizen. Her professional knowledge came in handy as she volunteered at Rochambeau Library’s Russian department. Evgeniya and Fim traveled around America. She was always positive and looked on the bright side. She read a lot, knew literature and poetry well, cooked perfectly and shared delicious food generously. She leaves her husband Fim, daughter Irina, sonin-law Boris and grandson Alexander.

David Zemel, 97 CRANSTON, R.I. – David Zemel died May 19 at Scandinavian Home. He was the husband of the late Rifka (Zislis) Zemel. Born in Brichane, Romania, a son of the late Yisrael and Ruchel Zemel, he had lived in Cranston for 29 years, previously living in New York. David was a member of the former Congregation Shaare Zedek.

David moved to New York from Thernovtsy, Ukraine. David had a full life, and he was a decorated WWII veteran.

He was the father of Raisa Shayevich and her husband, Ervin, of Cranston and the late Sonya Peker. He was the grandfather of Albina, Marina, Evelyn and Bella. He was the great-grandfather of Kiva, Dino and Armand.

Contributions may be made to Scandinavian Home, 1811 Broad St., Cranston, RI 02905.

AIPAC cancels next year’s policy conference

BY MARCY OSTER (JTA) – AIPAC has canceled its 2021 policy conference, citing the “continued uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Betsy Korn, the president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, made the announcement Sunday [May 31].

The annual conference had been scheduled for March 7-9 in Washington, D.C. One of the first signs that the deadly virus had hit American shores earlier this year was AIPAC’s announcement im-

mediately following this year’s conference that two of those in attendance were infected.

“While we will sorely miss seeing our AIPAC family in Washington and connecting in person as a pro-Israel community, what truly binds us together is our shared commitment to ensuring the safety and security of America and Israel,” Korn said. “AIPAC will continue to find new and creative ways over the coming year for us to connect online and in person. .

“The impact of COVID-19 will make this a different and challenging year.”

JUNE 2020 | 25

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

COMMUNITY

PHOTO | GLENN OSMUNDSON

Beth Sholom selling synagogue building

BY FRAN OSTENDORF USUALLY A “FOR SALE” SIGN garners little more than a passing notice, but the one on the grounds of Congregation Beth Sholom has raised more than a few eyebrows. The building, at the corner of Camp Street and Rochambeau Avenue, on Providence’s East Side, has been home to the modern Orthodox congregation for many years.

According to Rabbi Barry Dolinger, the building is indeed for sale – and that’s a good thing for the congregation.

“People would be wrong to think this is us closing down in any way,” he said recently, explaining that the congregation is a lively place with a diverse group of engaged congregants.

In fact, the membership has grown from 50 to 60 member units in 2011 to just over 100 today, according to Dolinger.

The old building is expensive to maintain and is not configured for the kind of community that Beth Sholom aspires to, he said.

For example, the main sanctuary, designed in another era, holds 300-400 people. Even when the full congregation worships together, they are dwarfed by the room.

“Prayer thrives in intimate settings,” Dolinger said.

And the three weekly Shabbat children’s groups don’t have the right type of spaces to meet.

“The space is no longer flexible enough for CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 portrait photography to tell personal stories of people struggling with mentalhealth challenges; on how the current pandemic is affecting the Jews in Cuba, Israel and the former Soviet Union; and on how to cope with loss in these trying times.

Also, book group gatherings, discussing books including those authored by Brene Brown, Rabbi Naomi Levy, Sara Hurwitz, Devorah Feldman and Dr. Edith Ever Eger.

We also put together this year’s Great Pink RI Challah Bake, with breast-cancer screenings before the main event.

We are continually looking to find new ways to engage and bring Jewish women together.

What things do you do in the community?

We were excited to use

us,” he said. Add to that an air conditioning system that only partially works and other capital repairs that are sure to come up in the near future, and the decision was made to sell the building and look for a more modern space.

“Because we are growing,” Dolinger said, “it’s a good time for strategic thinking and fiscal responsibility.”

What happens next depends on the sale of the building and a congregational committee that has been meeting to research possible future spaces.

“We are only looking for spaces as convenient – or more convenient – for our members mobility-wise. The committee charted where current members live. We know members don’t mind walking,” he said.

The coronavirus will have an impact; as the congregation looks for new space, they will take into consideration the guidance of the Orthodox Union, the national Orthodox group to which they belong.

“We may be praying outside” or in smaller groups, said Dolinger.

He said the Talmud offers guidance on selling a synagogue building, including engaging with the membership on the sale and not disrespecting the site of the old synagogue.

It’s important, he said, that under the new ownership, the building continues to be an asset for the neighborhood.

some of our extra money to provide dinners and seder plates for those celebrating Passover alone this year.

What feedback are you hearing from those involved?

Women stay in touch through our Facebook page, our website, www.CoreConnectsRI.com, and by being on our email list. We have more than 200 FB members and close to 300 on our email list.

The feedback we are receiving is phenomenal and empowering. Women of all ages are loving what we are offering.

Currently, we have moved all our programs to Zoom, though not ideal, is keeping us and our programming alive and thriving.

Do you have to be a member, and is there a cost?

What makes this organization unique?

How do people get involved?

There is no [formal] membership. We ask for payment for select events to cover our costs: for Rosh Hodesh dinners, for art projects, for spa services, for challah-bake expenses, speakers, hall rentals, etc. Our goal is connection. We don’t want money to be an issue for anyone. Donations are always welcome and sponsorships are always available.

We are always looking to redefine ourselves and what we can be. I believe that we are [also] unique in that our goal is to provide a “home” for those looking for ways to interact, socialize, converse and enjoy women from all parts of the Jewish world. We are thrilled that many of our programs have in attendance women who identify as Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and unaffiliated. In addition,

PHOTO | GLENN OSMUNDSON

Fire closes Davis Dairy for now ON THE NIGHT OF MAY 19, a fire of unknown origin in the building housing Davis Dairy Products caused significant damage to the business, forcing its closure for the foreseeable future. The store, located on Hope Street in Providence, was Rhode Island’s only Kosher grocery and a supplier of wholesale Kosher goods to local nursing homes and restaurants.

The store’s owners released a statement acknowledging the outpouring of support and concern that they have received from members of the community and thanking the

community for that support.

The statement also indicated that the owners have been working with their insurance company to “plan [their] road ahead.” In the meantime, other businesses have stepped in to fill the void.

Ahava Catering in Providence is now stocking meat and dairy items for sale to the community with the promise of more items to come.

Zayde’s Market in Canton, Massachusetts, is offering home delivery as well as a weekly drop off at Temple Emanu-El in Providence.

we have enjoyed the fact that our programs attract all ages: young women in high school, women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and even in their 80s. We recognize the wisdom and life experience of all who choose to join us.

In addition, the fact that we are not synagogue-based is attractive and has the potential for us to reach a huge swath of the R.I. Jewish world.

I would love to bring women on a Core Connects RI trip to Poland and Israel. I would love for our numbers, and reach, to grow and for there to be Core Connects RI subgroups around the state that are tailored for the needs and demographics of their local members. I would like to have a physical place, a home, for our programs that is not located in a synagogue.

I would love to be able to devote myself full time to empowering other Jewish women to take up leadership roles and start their own Core Connects RI groups in other parts of the state.

Why does this have so much meaning to you personally?

I love bringing women together, and the fact that we were able to create a community which encompasses everyone, independent of age, Jewish affiliation and knowledge level, shows that there is a need for an organization like Core Connects RI. I’m excited for the future and how it will evolve moving forward.

What is your vision for the next five years?

PATRICIA RASKIN, owner of Raskin Resources Productions, is a media host, coach and award-winning radio producer and business owner. She has served on the board of directors of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence.

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