October 30, 2015

Volume XXI, Issue XX | www.thejewishvoice.org Serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts

TRAVEL

17 Heshvan 5776 | October 30, 2015

National JCPA resolutions impact Rhode Island

BY MARTY COOPER mcooper@jewishallianceri.org Each year the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) hosts a national conference called a plenum to discuss issues important to local communities. This year the “Town Hall” plenum, held in Washington, D.C., mirrored the important issues of the day: anti-Semitism, the refugee problem in the Middle East and Europe, income inequality, race relations and all things related to Israel.

It was no accident these issues were front and center of the program. Besides being timely, most were brought up as resolutions for the JCPA to consider.

If passed, resolutions become a policy position and focus for the JCPA and its partners, including more than 125 Jewish Community Relations Councils (JCRC/CRC) as well as over a dozen national organizations including the National Council of Women, ADL, Reform Action Center, Orthodox Union and Hadassah.

The resolution with the most impact on the Rhode Island

community was one calling for the United States to officially recognize as genocide the atrocities that took place in Armenia over a hundred years ago.

It was overwhelmingly passed.

Written and sponsored by the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, the resolution asks for member organizations of the JCPA to call on their congressional delegations to support a resolution to fi nally recognize the Armenian Genocide with the president’s signature.

The resolution was co-sponsored by the Boston and Palm Beach JCRCs as well as the Jewish Labor Committee and the Reform Action Committee.

With a significant Armenian population in Rhode Island, it was important the CRC take the initiative by creating a strong resolution on this issue. Currently the CRC, with the Holocaust Education and Resource Center and members of the Armenian, Cambodian, African American and Christian comJCPA | 9

PHOTO | JOHN TAVARES

The Temple Beth-El “World Series of Treasured Jewish Family Recipes” winners proudly display their trophies. (Left to right): Lisa Brosofsky, winner of the People’s Choice Award; Rep. Aaron Regunberg, first runner-up for Best Recipe; Emily Torgan Shalansky, second runnerup for Best Recipe; and Bob Sandy, winner of Best Recipe. Over 200 people tasted 27 recipes and raised over $6,000 to benefit the Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman Religious School.

Home run for these all-star cooks

Fifth annual event features treasured Jewish family recipes

BY ARIEL BROTHMAN

On Oct. 25, Temple Beth-El, in Providence, held the World Series of Treasured Jewish Family Recipes. Affectionately called simply “the World Series” by many entrants, the fi fth annual culinary event attracted chefs

of all ages and included first-to sixth-generation family recipes.

The five judges sampled 27 recipes, each of which had its own story. Photos of family members involved in creating the dishes were propped up alongside printouts of the recipes

and their origins.

Violet Orth, and her 8-yearold daughter Amy handed out cups of “152 Cucumber Salad,” named for the address of the diner where Amy’s greatgrandparents regularly ate an WORLD SERIES | 14

Billboard is turning drivers’ heads

BY FRAN OSTENDORF fostendorf@jewishallianceri.org

Have you seen the new billboard next to I-95 northbound near the Thurbers Avenue curve in Providence?

“Too Jewish?” it says. Exactly what does that mean?

Go to the Web address on the billboard – TooJewish. info – and you’ll learn that it’s the work of the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island (JCDSRI). And it’s meant to, as the billboard says, “challenge your assumptions” about Judaism and the Jewish day school ex-

perience, according to Adam Tilove, head of the school.

High profile? Yes. Provocative? Yes. Controversial?

Maybe.

Why choose a billboard? And why this particular question?

“We’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” Tilove said. “We hope it’s going to help the school.” He wants the message to be in the minds of everyone. “It’s easier to remember ‘Too Jewish’ than JCDSRI,” he says.

According to Tilove, a Jewish day school imparts

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COMMUNITY

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Three artists, 30 works at temple gallery

INSIDE Business 26-27 Calendar 11 Community 2-6, 10, 12-13, 1617, 20, 24-25, 28, 32, 34-35 D’Var Torah 7 Food 14-15 Kids 34 Obituaries 30 Opinion 8-9 Seniors 28-29 Travel 21-23 World 31

THIS ISSUE’S QUOTABLE QUOTE “The welcoming of guests take precedence over the house of study.”

The Gallery at Habonim is featuring three artists in the November/December exhibit.

Joan Boghossian is one of New England’s major talents and art educators. She has won many national and regional awards for her expertise in a wide variety of mediums.

This show features watercolors, oils, etchings and monotypes.

Eileen Horwitz works in many mediums as well. For this exhibit, she is showing her recent series of limited pallet monotypes, printed directly from plate to paper. They are spontaneous and demonstrate a sense of pure freedom.

Elizabeth Bonner Zimmerman is a master of printing techniques. She is an award winner and a teacher. On exhibit is her work from a trip to Guatemala that features Mayan women and children in monotype and intaglio print, some hand colored or with collage elements.

The exhibit is on view from Oct. 30 through Jan. 7, 2016, with an artists’ reception Nov. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. The Gallery at Temple Habonim is at 165 New Meadow Road in Barrington. Gallery hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and by appointment.

For information, call 401-245-6536 or email galEileen Horwitz, lery@templehabonim.org.

“Abstract #1,” monotype.

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Elizabeth Bonner Zimmerman, “Good Listener,” monotype collage.

Joan Boghossian, “A River Runs Through It,” oil.

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October 30, 2015 |

As Veterans Day, November 11th, approaches we ask that you reflect on the way of life that you enjoy and ask yourself if it would have been possible without the efforts of the countless American Veterans who stood at the ready.

Thank you Jewish Veterans We thank all Veterans for their service What is a veteran?

A Grunt, Coastie, Jarhead, Swabbie, Flyboy, WAVE, WAF, WASP, or WAC in service to our country What is JWV? Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active Veterans group in the country, established in 1896.

Why should you be a member of Jewish War Veterans?

To be heard. Do you want to have a voice?

What does JWV do?

We are the patriotic voice of American Jewry. We honor Jewish Veterans.

We remember Jewish Veterans.

We want you to be part of us.

For information contact: Jewish War Veterans Department of Rhode Island PO Box 100064 | Cranston, RI 02910 by email to: JWV.RI.DEPARTMENT@gmail.com

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4 | October 30, 2015

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Temple Emanu-El’s contingent at the Rosh Hodesh event.

Rosh Hodesh program celebrates strong women in the Bible

PHOTOS | HILLARY SCHULMAN

Rabbi Goldwasser with the Rosh Hodesh committee (left to right): Cheryl Teverow, Rosh Hodesh chair Maybeth Lichaa, Judy Robbins, Toby London, Sherry Cohen and Barbara Sheer. Not pictured: Kit Haspel, Judy Levitt and Marcia Hirsch.

BY HILLARY SCHULMAN

Tuesday, November 10th at 7:00 pm RACE, RELIGION, CLASS AND GENDER COLLIDE IN THE RIVETING COURTROOM DRAMA WHERE THE AUDIENCE IS THE JURY This program is free and open to the community.

165 New Meadow Road . Barrington . RI

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Tricia Stearly tstearly@jewishallianceri.org 401-421-4111, ext. 160 EDITOR Fran Ostendorf CONTRIBUTING WRITER Irina Missiuro EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Irina Missiuro | Judith Romney Wegner DESIGN & LAYOUT Leah Camara

Karen Borger ksborger@gmail.com 401-529-2538 VOICE ADVISORY GROUP Melanie Coon, Douglas Emanuel, Stacy Emanuel, Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, John Landry, Mindy Stone COLUMNISTS Michael Fink, Rabbi James Rosenberg and Daniel Stieglitz

CRANSTON – On Oct. 15, community members gathered at Temple Sinai for a Women’s Alliance Rosh Hodesh luncheon presentation by Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser. The topic was: strong women in the Bible.

Maybeth Lichaa, chair of the Rosh Hodesh series, welcomed the audience with reminders of the impact of the Jewish Alliance Annual Campaign. She described how the Alliance’s Living on the Edge team is responding to critical needs in the community, such as helping an ailing elderly woman move into a more affordable apartment and buying her an air conditioner. Lichaa also reflected on her years of involvement in the Jewish Alliance, and how the Jewish community has positively impacted her life.

Rabbi Goldwasser, of Temple Sinai, began his talk by discussing how women are portrayed in the Bible versus how they should be viewed, and nuances that we miss. He spoke first about Rebekah, saying that there are many ways to view her, but many scholars choose to portray her as a strong, independent woman, determined to live her own life.

Second, he spoke about Devorah – a woman whom many people seem to overlook. She is first described as wily and cunning, but a closer look at the

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PERIODICALS Postage paid at Providence, R.I. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Jewish Voice, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

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Phone: 401-421-4111 • Fax 401-331-7961 MEMBER of the Rhode Island Press Association

text reveals that in her position as the head of a fighting force, her strategies were always in the best interest of her people.

The story also demonstrates a viewpoint that men are weak - the men in this story are dependent on the leading women for their survival.

Last, Goldwasser spoke of Esther, who at first is described as an obedient, shy woman. However, he shows Esther is the strong, silent type - one who keeps her ear to the ground, gathering all the information she needs before taking logical action. Her decisions are also unwavering when it comes to Judaism.

In today’s world, women are still sometimes seen as second-class citizens. Goldwasser squashed that concept with these three women of the Bible, demonstrating how women as leaders is not a new concept, and that the glass ceiling should already be broken.

For more information about Rosh Hodesh, or to RSVP for the next program, on March 31, contact Danielle Germanowski at 401-421-4111, ext. 109, or dgermanowski@jewishallianceri. org.

HILLARY SCHULMAN is a development associate at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

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

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

All submitted content becomes the property of The Voice. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of The Voice or its publisher, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

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October 30, 2015 |

Cohen School students explore the meaning of tzedakah

BY DORI ADLER Giving tzedakah is a major component of many spiritual and religious belief systems and can provide inner peace and contentment: Helping others often creates an improved sense of well-being and a sense of purpose in life or work.

Performing acts of charity and giving to others is something that many communities around the world try to accomplish – so what makes it a Jewish experience? What is the Jewish perspective and why is it just as important how we give as the actual act of charity?

Students at the Cohen School at Torat Yisrael, in East Greenwich, have kick-started their 2015–2016 community tzedakah program by exploring the Jewish perspective on charitable acts and giving. Throughout the year, the students, in grades K-7, will participate in various tzedakah programs that will benefit Rhode Islanders.

Led by the program’s facilitator, Barbara Dwares, the school focused its fi rst lesson on Maimonides’ eight levels of charity.

Maimonides, a 12th-century Jewish scholar, created an eight-rung ladder of giving, offering a Jewish lens through

PHOTOS | TORAT YISRAEL

Seventh-graders Jennifer Berman and Stella Mayo. which to view charity. Each rung represents a different degree of virtue: 8. (The lowest) Giving grudgingly and making the recipient feel disgraced or embarrassed.

7. Giving cheerfully but giving too little.

6. Giving cheerfully and adequately but only after being asked.

5. Giving before being asked.

4. Giving when you do not know who is the individual benefiting, but the recipient knows your identity.

3. Giving when you know who is the individual benefiting, but the recipient does not know your identity.

2. Giving when neither the donor nor the recipient is aware of the other’s identity.

1. Giving money, a loan, your time or whatever else it takes to enable an individual to become self-reliant.

The students were then provided with a box fi lled with arts and crafts materials and were encouraged to use their imagination to create a visual of their vision of Maimonides’ eight rungs. Working in small teams, visual art was created from Popsicle sticks, ropes, straws, foam, tape, colored construction paper and other recycled materials, and then proudly shared during all-school tefilah at the end of the school day.

Fourth-graders Laina Weisbord and Max Silverman.

Moving forward, the students will make tie-fleece blankets for a local animal shelter for National Animal Shelter Week in November, collect gloves and other warm clothes to be distributed throughout the winter, and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and soup for local food cupboards and family shelters.

DORI ADLER is education director at Temple Torat Yisrael.

If your organization is interested in partnering with the school on future community tzedakah projects, contact her at school@ templetoratyisrael.org.

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6 | October 30, 2015

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Of noses and mensches and diversity: Short films at the Jewish Renaissance ism and the challenges and rewards of diversity and pluralism. The discussion will be enhanced with short films created by and clips assembled by people he works with at the Center for Jewish Peoplehood

BY LARRY KATZ Some of you may remember a feature film shown at the Rhode Island Film Festival about an E m my-w i n n i n g f i l m m a ker whose mother objected to her frizzy hair and kept telling her to get a nose job if she hoped to find a husband. That film, “Look at Us Now, Mother,” will NOT be shown at An Evening of Jewish Renaissance on Nov. 14.

Instead, the original short film that inspired it, “My Nose,” will be shown and the filmmaker, Gayle Kirschenbaum, will speak.

In “My Nose,” you can see how a feud begins, with the mom telling her 4 year old that she needs a nose job. Some might think this is a tragicomedy, but others might see the short film as about how one woman learns to accept a critical parent, even if it takes decades. Or perhaps the film is about the struggle some Jews have to fit into American society and avoid stereotypes. Come to see what it is like to visit plastic surgeons

“This film [‘My Nose’] is funny, sad, candid and insightful. A film for anyone who ever had a mother or ever had a nose.”

Frazier Moore Associated Press TV Writer

Mother and Daughter in a therapy session with a woman whom Psychology Today labels a “geriatric shock jock.”

We are also not showing “The Science of Character,” which explores the neuroscience and social science that proves that we can shape who we are and

who we want to be. However, that film inspired another by the same Emmy-nominated filmmaker and Webby Awards founder, Tiffany Shlain. As a follow-up, Shlain recently released another short film, “The Making of a Mensch.” This film

explores the great Jewish teachings of Mussar, which explores character development as far back as the 10th century. Rabbi Marc Mandel of Touro Synagogue will lead a discussion of the film following its screening.

In addition, Danny Olson, a Cranston resident who is studying for a Ph.D. at New York University, will explore sticky issues that arise in various themes of Jewish peoplehood, such as the tension between universalism and particular-

Education.

All of these short film sessions and many more will be part of An Evening of Jewish Renaissance: Redesigned, brought to you by the Judge Marjorie Yashar and Dr. James Yashar Fund of the Jewish Federation Foundation. The program will take place at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14, at the Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit the Jewish Alliance’s website, w w w.jew isha l l ia ncer i. org, or contact Jana Brenman at jbrenman@jewishallianceri. org or 401-421-4111, ext. 181.

Food in the spotlight at Jewish Renaissance

BY LARRY KATZ Jews raising chickens, building relationships with other foodies and sampling Israeli wines are all part of An Evening of Jewish Renaissance.

My own cousins and an uncle owned three or four egg farms when I was growing up, and we would stop at a couple of them whenever we traveled through New Jersey. Shortly after I got married, we lived in Vineland, N.J., where even neighborhoods near downtown were dotted with chicken coops, many owned by survivors of the Holocaust.

Rabbi Aaron Philmus continues this Jewish tradition in East Greenwich and will offer a session at An Evening of Jewish Renaissance, on Nov. 14, titled, “Rabbi! Your Chickens are Loose at the Shul Again!”

Louis Raymond, of the South Side Land Trust, and Rob Yaffe, owner of local vegetarian restaurants, will, together, offer a program, “The Eating is just the beginning.” They will explain how healthy food expands your options far beyond what’s on your plate: Making healthy choices can create new friendships and new connections with your neighbors and your local shopkeepers.

Shaul Katz, of the Brookline

Liquor Mart, a four-generation family business, will discuss the amazing improvements that have taken place in Israeli wine in the last decade, resulting in a much higher-quality product at a more reasonable price. Several wines will be sampled.

Stephen Sherman, who is returning to his Rhode Island roots, will present “Ancient Agriculture and the New Jewish Food Movement.” He is a Jewish farm educator and an alumnus of the Adamah Jewish Farming Fellowship, in Falls Village, Connecticut. Sherman will discuss how we can use the lessons of our agrarian heritage to give fresh responses to the social and environmental problems of our time.

All of these sessions and many more will be part of An Evening of Jewish Renaissance: Redesigned, brought to you by the Judge Marjorie Yashar and Dr. James Yashar Fund of the Jewish Federation Foundation.

The evening begins at 7 on Nov. 14, at the Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit the Jewish Alliance’s website, www.jewishallianceri.org or contact Jana Brenman at jbrenman@jewishallianceri. org or 401-421-4111, ext. 181.

thejewishvoice.org

Parashat Vayera One of the central and fundamental Jewish values is known as Hachnasat Orchim, (HO) meaning “Welcoming Guests.”

This concept is accepted as one of the most essential mitzvot – commandments. As a matter of fact, our tradition teaches us via t he Ta l mud, that HO can be considered a RABBI higher mitzvah ETHAN t h a n p r a y e r ; ADLER that it stands on the same level as welcoming the Shechinah, God’s presence, into our homes.

In addition, since we were all created Betzelem Elohim, in God’s image, and since God provides food for the needy and the hungry, we can emulate God by doing the same thing. Rav Dimi of Nehardea once said: “The welcoming of guests takes precedence over the house of study.” Sounds pretty important and it is! So, we better know how to perform this mitzvah, and for the best source on how to carry out HO in a proper and meaningful way, we turn to the opening verses of this week’s Torah portion, Vayera. Within a few sentences and some key words and phrases, we learn so much about what HO is all about and how we need to behave to take HO to its ultimate mitzvah-ness. (Made up word,

D’VAR TORAH

The importance of welcoming guests

I think.) Chapter 18 in Bereishit (Genesis) illustrates Abraham’s “Open Tent Policy.” As we understand it, Abraham’s tent remained open on all four sides to invite strangers in, regardless of which direction they approached.

Here then, are selections from the opening verses and what they teach us about HO. (Underlines and boldface are mine.)

• “The Lord appeared to Abraham while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.” Even when it was most inconvenient for him, even just a few days after he and his household were circumcised.

•“Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.

When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.” Notice that he “hurried” to fulfill the mitvzah, and “bowed” so he should not appear to be more important then they.

•“He said, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, do not pass your servant by. Let some water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way – now that you have come to your servant.’” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

Abraham accepted the onus of HO upon himself, and reiterated that at this juncture, he was

“their” servant.

•“So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

Abraham was very eager to fulfill the mitzvah, and wanted only the best for his guests.

•“Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.” We sense a consistent theme of serving his guests as quickly as possible, so as not to detract them from their journey – even though Abraham was giving “them” food and shelter.

•“He then brought … (the food)… that had been prepared, and set these before them.” Once again, Abraham did the setting, not someone else.

•“While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.” After all that he had done, probably above and beyond what his guests, or anyone, would expect, he stood by them just in case they required something else.

I get tired just from reading these verses! Thus, Abraham’s intent and actions formulated a framework upon which others have embellished the importance of HO. Here is an example: “When a poor man visits you at home, receive him cordially and serve him at once, for he may not have eaten for some time, and may be too ashamed to ask for food. Console and encourage him. Attend to the poor man’s needs yourself – even if

you have many servants. Be like Abraham.” (R. Yonah) A proper procedure has been developed that serves as a guide for HO. The five steps include: greeting guests at the door and escorting them inside; making an effort to remain cheerful during the visit; offering food and drink; asking guests questions about their interests and activities; and escorting them to the door when they leave.

Sounds very much like what Abraham did so many years ago.

The following illustrates an important ingredient of HO – doing it all for the sake of the guests. A story is told about a couple who were going to another city on Friday afternoon, Erev Shabbos. They were very tired and wished to rest somewhere but did not want to pay a huge sum of money. They came to a house and asked if they could spend the night. The owner, who happened to be Rav Yeshaya, told them the room rate

October 30, 2015 |

was five rubles (a significant sum), but that they could eat as much as they wanted. They agreed to his price, rationalizing that they could at least eat as heartily as they desired. As a result, they enjoyed their Shabbos meals very much and slept quite peacefully. When Shabbos was over, they said to the Rav, “You said we should give you five rubles, but you treated us so much better than the worth of the rubles.” The Rav replied, “I never really intended to take your money; I wanted to fulfill the mitzvah of HO. And I also wanted you to enjoy Shabbos as you did, and that is payment enough.”

At the seder we proclaim, “All who are hungry, let them come and eat.” Let us remember to make this proclamation year round. Shabbat Shalom.

ETHAN ADLER is rabbi of Congregation Beth David in Narragansett.

Candle Lighting Times Greater Rhode Island October 30 November 6 November 13 November 20

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OPINION

8 | October 30, 2015

Don’t let the haters have the last word Hate is a horrible thing.

It touches all communities – anywhere that there are people who are perceived as “different.” It’s been around for as long as there have been people who think that theirs is the only way of thinking.

Throughout history it has touched every people, religion and nationalEDITOR ity, gender and race.

FRAN Since this is a OSTENDORF Jewish newspaper, we tend to focus on the hate we as a people have endured. The Spanish Inquisition. The pograms in Russia. Unrest in Vilna. The Holocaust.

We have been discriminated against in jobs, schools, health care, housing, socially and politically.

Sometimes it is a subtle hate, but we see hate that’s not subtle at all on a daily basis in Israel as violence swirls there. No one is exempt. There is an extremist Jewish element in Israel that demonstrates hate against the LGBT community, against peace-loving Israeli-Arabs and Palestinians.

Here in our little corner of the world, we don’t expect to see the kind of hate that was evident on Oct. 15 on Methyl Street as well as on Ogden Street and Lorimer Avenue. Somebody (or maybe a group) tossed bags filled with rice and a disturbing message seemingly randomly in front of houses up and down the streets.

Twenty-two bags in all. Four different messages, some antiSemitic and some racist.

The response by Providence city officials was swift and definitive. The special hazards team arrived to test the rice.

Mayor Jorge Elorza came by and talked to responders as well as area residents. Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare was there as were police and fire officials.

Every bag was checked on the

scene. Initial tests showed that the rice was simply rice. I’m sure that was a relief for the residents and anyone who might have opened a bag to check it out before realizing just how serious it was – and how much more serious it could become.

Later in the day, a news conference was held in front of the Dwares Jewish Community Center with city leaders on hand to reassure the community that this incident was being taken seriously and wouldn’t be forgotten. Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith leaders stood side by side in a show of support for all.

Elorza emphasized that Providence is a place for all people – and they should all feel safe in the city.

This is an important message because hate starts to eat at our sense of safety and security. Look at France after the Charlie Hebdo and the Kosher supermarket shootings in January: There was a marked increase in the number of French Jews exploring the possibility of aliyah. Those who know told me that French Jews had by and large always felt safe, but that sense of safety had been shaken.

In Israel, the media reports that after days of intense attacks, there weren’t quite as many people in the cafes and malls. Those feelings of safety were a little shaky.

We cannot live our lives fearing other people. So programs like the recent Sing Out for Peace Concert and upcoming Holocaust commemorations and interfaith Thanksgiving programs deserve our enthusiastic support. We need to learn about our neighbors. We are taught “you should not hate your brothers in your heart.”

The more our communities work together, the less hate there will be.

We’re not so different from one another. We all want peace and opportunity and success for everyone. May there be enough of all of that to share so we don’t have to turn against each other.

“We have been discriminated against in jobs, schools, health care, housing, socially and politically.”

The Jewish Voice

God is the question I have read “Googling for God” over and over again, and I still can’t figure out whether or not Seth Stephens-Davidowitz’s front page opinion piece in the Sept. 20 issue of “The New York Times Sunday Review” is meant to be taken seriously.

Consider his IT SEEMS opening paragraph: “It has TO ME been a bad decade for God, RABBI JIM at least so far.

ROSENBERG D e s p i t e t h e rising popularity of Pope Francis, who was elected in 2013, Google searches for churches are 15 percent lower in the first half of this decade than they were during the last half of the previous one. Searches questioning God’s existence are up. Many behaviors that he supposedly abhors have skyrocketed. Porn searches are up 83 percent. For heroin, it’s 32 percent.”

Could this be tongue-incheek?

How do these Google search results support the contention that this “has been a bad decade for God”? What notion of God is behind these socalled proofs of His increasing unpopularity? Googling for churches down? Is God to be found only in approved houses of worship? Searching for porn way up? Does the author believe that God monitors our computers? Really?

Moreover, why should Ste-

phens-Davidowitz conclude that an increase of “searches questioning God’s existence” is bad for God? I would argue that the questioning of God’s existence is at the very root of our deepening relationship with God. The mature religious life is very much a pilgrim’s progress, a lifelong journey, a quest with each question leading to a more profound question.

Stephens-Davidowitz admits that he comes from a family that for generations has been dogmatically secular, a family that has not found a need to make room for God in their lives: “At the age of 11, my father’s father asked his rabbi, ‘If God is so special, why does he need so much praise?’ Disappointed with the answer, he stood up, walked out of the shul and never returned.”

I would suggest that the actions of an 11-year-old boy, no matter how precocious, might not reflect the pinnacle of religious sophistication. Were you to ask me why God needs so much praise, I would answer that God does not require any praise. Nevertheless, I need to praise God as my way of saying YES to the universe despite all the reasons I can find to say NO: war, intractable poverty, disease, inscrutable unfairness.

To be fair to Stephens-Davidowitz, the first sentence of his third paragraph does read: “Of course, we should be careful not to draw overarching conclusions about religion from what people search for on Google.” He comes close to

contradicting this statement in the very next paragraph: “That said, search data is illuminating. In fact, the patterns we see reflected there are much stronger than just about anybody expected when researchers first started looking into it.”

What I find so misguided about Stephens-Davidowitz’s approach is his application of quantitative measures to qualitative experiences. He never bothers to define such richly complex terms as “God” or “religion,” whose nuanced meanings vary greatly from person to person. He seems to assume that every one of his readers understands “God” and “religion” in the same superficial way that he does. Why else would he include such a ridiculous numerical comparison as the following? “There are 4.7 million searches every year for Jesus Christ. The pope gets 2.95 million. There are 49 million for Kim Kardashian.” Is the reader supposed to laugh or to cry?

It seems to me that the quality of an individual’s evolving relationship with God is not susceptible to a quantitative analysis of Google searches.

As for me, God remains, and always will remain, an unanswerable question – more precisely, the unanswerable question.

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

LETTER Re: CRC gets national recognition (Oct. 16)

Thank you for the front page article about the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) Program Excellence Award given to the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island (CRC) for being instrumental in founding and supporting our R.I. Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty.

As I accepted the award on behalf of our CRC, it was incredibly gratifying to be recognized and applaud-

ed for our coalition’s important work by our social justice peers across the country at the JCPA’s national meeting in Washington, D.C. I accepted the award with the vision of our interfaith coalition’s steering committee – 25 inspiring multi-faith leaders and directors of advocacy organizations on the full range of poverty issues who are deeply committed to creating pathways out of poverty to economic security for all Rhode Islanders.

We welcome all communities to join us in this important mission. Many thanks to the Jewish Alliance and the Community Relations Council for the incredible support you have given the R.I. Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty.

Maxine Richman Co-Chair, R.I. Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty Former Chair, Community Relations Council

Errata In Rabbi Rosenberg’s Oct. 16 column about “My So-Called Enemy,” about one-third of the film was shot not in Israel but at a camp in Bridgeton, N.J. Originally, it was incorrectly stated that more than half the film was shot at the camp.

In the Oct. 16 article, “CRC works gets national recognition,” it should be noted that Maxine Richman and Rev. Betsey Garland are co-chairs of the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty.

On the front page of the Oct. 16 paper, the photo of knives confiscated at a security checkpoint was from a reliable source who assured us it was authentic. In fact, it is a photo from 2010 of weapons found aboard the ship Mavi Marmara.

The Voice regrets these errors.

COLUMNS | LETTERS POLICY The Jewish Voice publishes thoughtful and informative contributors’ columns (opeds of 500 – 800 words) and letters to the editor (250 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 The Jewish Voice or the Alliance.

Send letters and op-eds to: The Jewish Voice, 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).

OPINION

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October 30, 2015 |

9

Freedom to vote

BY ARTHUR FIXLER As an American and a Jew, I am outraged and insulted that someone would tell me what party not to vote for as a result of a single issue. There are many issues for which Republicans have either voted no or not allowed a vote to take place.

Where do they stand on health care, vote no or repeal the Affordable Care Act without having a fair and just replacement.

The same is true for investment in infrastructure, (roads, bridges, etc.), climate change, women’s health issues (defunding Planned Parenthood), voters’ rights, immigration, fair tax policy, regulations, (cars, food and financial institutions).

There are many other issues FROM PAGE 1

| JCPA

munities are working on state legislation calling for mandatory Holocaust-Genocide education in the our middle and high schools. When passed, Rhode Island will most likely be the sixth state to have this education required in the schools. An official recognition of the genocide that took place in Armenia by the U.S. will certainly bring this to the attention of all states to teach this in their schools.

In all, five resolutions, including the Armenian Genocide resolution, were scheduled for discussion and a vote. An emergency resolution on the Syrian refugee crisis was added. All six were adopted with minor changes. The resolutions included one that confronts criminal justice reform by urging a shift from punitive prohibition-

where the Republicans vote on the side of the billionaires instead of voting for what the other 99 percent favor. We vote for individuals with whom we agree on a number of issues, not just one issue. The main theme of the Republican Party now and in past years is to cut taxes and cut spending and everything will be fine. Right now they don’t even know how to manage their own party. How will they be able to govern our country?

As far as the Iran deal is concerned, the naysayers never came up with an alternative other than to use force to compel Iran to stop their nuclear program. Because I am Jewish, do I have to go in lockstep

with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s direction? Am I not allowed to review the Iran deal and form my own opinion that no deal is much worse than the deal the United States and five other nations have entered into? We saw what happened when President George Bush forced us to go to war with Iraq.

Do we need to have our brave soldiers killed at this time when there is a possibility that the nuclear issue could be resolved peaceably? The United States is strong enough to choose diplomacy at this time instead of war.

There is no one party more favorable to Israel than the other party. Some argue that the Republicans are Israel’s saviors,

ist polices to sensible policies that advance public safety and health. Also passed was a resolution on paid sick leave and early childhood education.

A resolution on anti-Semitism passed after much discussion: “Anti-Semitism is a continuing problem in communities all over the world, and as Jews, we must oppose it wherever and whenever it occurs. To truly understand anti-Semitism and to fight it effectively, we must recognize that criticism of Israel can be anti-Semitic in certain circumstances. At the same time, we must recognize that not all criticism of Israel or its government’s policies constitutes anti-Semitism.”

Over the next year the JCPA will convene a committee to develop or identify a shared definition of anti-Semitism for the community relations field.

The resolution calls for CRCs to provide a vehicle for Jewish and other organizations to work with campus groups for the development of coordinated strategies for protecting Jewish students from what can be hostile environments. It further calls for support initiatives that promote Israel and the wellbeing of students, faculty and staff while fostering Jewish life on campus that is inclusive and diverse in opinions and activities related to the Jewish community. The resolution urges an international call on governments to reassess their legislation, law enforcement and education approaches to denounce and reduce anti-Semitic acts.

MARTY COOPER is Community Relations director of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

but they forget the amount of military aid, weapons, intelligence and millions of dollars that have been given to Israel

by Democrats legislators.

I am aghast at the millions of dollars spent by AIPAC, J Street and affiliated organizations and Jewish individuals, both supporters and the opponents of the Iran deal. The money would have been better spent on Jewish education in the United States. I think that all those organizations and individuals should match the funds they have spent and donate them to Jewish educational organizations.

I want to state my resentment of Netanyahu’s appearance before our Congress without

receiving an invitation by our president. How would the Israelis feel if President Barack Obama spoke to the Israeli parliament regarding how they should vote for a particular policy? The actions of Netanyahu are unforgivable when he pokes his nose into American politics. What country will he run to when he needs help for the safety of Israel? It will be all of the United States and not just the Republican Party and don’t let the no-deal people and Netanyahu forget that.

ARTHUR I. FIXLER is past president of the Holocaust Education and Research Center of Rhode Island and a member of Temple Emanuel.

LETTER Re: No American Jew should vote Democratic (Oct. 2) As an American citizen, I’m proud to be able to vote for whomever I choose on Election Day. I also defend Jerry Fogel’s right to urge people to vote for the party of his choice. But I object to his chutzpah that he has to tell me what to do.

When I vote, I take many factors into consideration, including the fact that I do not know everything that is going on behind the scenes; that simplistic arguments are insufficient for decision making; and that Jewish values, including but not limited to the welfare of Is-

rael, are relevant in assessing the situation. I cannot make a decision based on a single action without considering alternative scenarios (e.g., what does the Republican party offer as an alternative to the Iran deal) or other actions that have been taken in conjunction with the deal (military support to Israel from the U.S.). The best support of Israel is not always agreeing with Israel’s politicians and policies.

Alice Goldstein Warwick, R.I.

Reminiscences of Liz Hollander

BY ELEANOR LEWIS AND JUDY KAYE Liz Hollander was an extraordinary human being.

“She was a truly righteous person,” wrote one member of the J Street RI steering committee. Others described Liz as “warm,” “insightful,” “feisty,” “generous” and “smart.”

As her obituary shows (see page 31), Liz had a lifelong commitment to social justice, equality and service; her professional career was long and distinguished. Her energy and skills enhanced the life of our community. A gentle but determined leader (“pleasingly dogged,” according to one colleague), Liz was able to talk to people across the political spectrum, always conveying interest and respect. She was open-minded, practical, diplomatic, humble and had excellent political instincts.

Liz worked tirelessly for peace and democracy in Israel, first through Brit

Tzedek v’Shalom (The Jewish Alliance for Justice & Peace), and later through J Street RI,

Liz Hollander where she served as co-chair for more than five years. She brought J Street’s voice to the Israel Task Force of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, earning the admiration and affection of its director and chair because she was “always a voice of reason and compassion.”

Liz was a leader of Community MusicWorks, whose mis-

sion it is to foster a cohesive urban community through music education and performance.

Sebastian Ruth, artistic director of CMW, summed it up.

“Liz ‘got it,’ ” as she would say, and helped other people ‘get it’ too. At one point we were sitting with a potential supporter who didn’t seem to understand that CMW was about students and professional chamber musicians, and didn’t understand how the two groups were related. She said, “think of it as socially responsible chamber music. Right?!”

Sebastian Ruth had another wonderful story to tell.

“One of the many people who thought of Liz as a central mentor was Michelle Obama.

Liz served on her board when Michelle was running the Chicago Public Allies office.

When the Obamas won the election, Liz served on a transition committee for service and helped write plans for the first administration. After Liz came to Providence, CMW

won the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from the first lady in 2010. We were instructed in the protocols meetings before going to the White House that we were not to speak to the first lady, but just to shake her hand, say thank you, and accept the award. However, when shaking her hand I said that Liz Hollander sent her greetings, and that she was our board president. The first lady smiled a huge smile and said, “I should have known Liz was behind this! Send her my love!”

Liz’s devotion to Judaism was revealed in her ongoing efforts to study and to share her knowledge. She was a regular at the parashah classes at both Temple Beth-El and Temple Emanu-El; she gave divrei Torah talks at Beth-El and her congregation in the Berkshires; she leyned – chanted Torah portions; she took great pleasure in her weekly Torah study in hevruta with a friend.

It wasn’t all work and no

play. Liz loved her second home in the Berkshires where she relaxed and grew beautiful flowers in the garden. She was known for the intricacy of the needlepoint she fashioned over the years. Of course, her life was enriched by the love of her husband, children and four grandchildren.

The direct and candid way she processed her illness with her family and friends, knowing the end was near, was truly extraordinary. Liz battled cancer for more than two years and showed herself to be brave and not self-pitying. This past Rosh Hashanah, when she knew she had run out of treatment options and would likely die in a few weeks, she told a sister congregant, “I feel OK today, and that’s the way I’ll feel until I don’t; and, by the way, I highly recommend Torah study with the new rabbi.”

Her death is a huge loss for us personally, our local Jewish community and the Rhode Island community at large.

10 | October 30, 2015

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

An evening of film and music honoring Poland’s Jewish reawakening

BY LINDA SHAMOON In 2009, the world-renowned American violinist Joshua Bell stood on a stage in Czestochowa, Poland, to play Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D on a Stradivarius violin, the very same violin that had been owned and played in the same town by the Polish Jewish violin prodigy Bronislaw Huberman. Not only that, but in 1894, the 12-yearold Huberman played the same concerto on that same violin in front of its composer, Johannes Brahms. He continued to play that same violin for the next 42 years, only to have it stolen during a concert at Carnegie Hall, in New York City, in 1936.

The mystery of how that Stradivarius – the “ex-Huberman” Stradivarius – wound up on stage with Joshua Bell back in Czestochowa is revealed in the documentary film “The Return of the Violin,” which will be shown at Temple Emanu-El, in Providence, on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Bronislaw Huberman

"More worthy is he who gives a loan than he who gives charity"

‫גמילת חסד‬ South Providence Hebrew Free Loan Association Now CELEBRATING 110 years THANKS TO YOU! Your faithful and most generous financial support through the years has kept us viable and active throughout this period of our existence.

South Providence Hebrew Free Loan Association is seeking new members so that we may continue our efforts to bring much needed assistance with dignity to our many Jewish brethren in financial distress.

Respectfully, Your Board of Directors Stevan Labush – President Robert Diner – Vice President Stephen Tragar – Treasurer Herman Wallock – Secretary

Board Members Michael Diner Harvey Michaels Samuel Buckler

"I want to become a member" Name: Address: Please enclose $10 for 2016 dues ($100 for life membership)

Carl Lefkowitz Bruce Torman David Weiss

CLIP AND MAIL TO: South Providence Hebrew Free Loan Association 400 Reservoir Ave., Suite LL-A Providence, RI 02907

The amazing stories of Huberman and the journeys of the exHuberman Strad defy a simple summary. For example, young Bronislaw grew up to become one of the leading international soloists of his day, but he spent much of his time during the late 1930s helping German Jewish musicians escape to Palestine and then forming what would eventually become the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Many years earlier, in Vienna, Huberman’s precious Strad had been stolen by a hotel-room thief. Luckily, it was found within a few hours when the thief tried to sell it. It was then returned. The mystery of the Carnegie Hall theft took 50 years to solve.

During that time, World War II and the Holocaust engulfed all of Polish Jewry, but how that played out in Czestochowa and eventually led to the return of the ex-Huberman Strad is the other intricate storyline in “The Return of the Violin.”

Some critics have claimed that the film is a Holocaust film, but this is a distortion. It is impossible to tell the story of Czestochowa’s Jews without telling about the Holocaust, but in this telling, the focus is on Sigmund Rolat, a survivor who became a successful businessman in the U.S. and who devoted an enormous amount of energy, time and resources to bringing recognition to Polish Jewry’s invaluable role in Polish and world history.

Rolat is an activist for the promotion of the culture and history of Czestochowa, an editor of history books, and an organizer and founder of numerous cultural events, including concerts. His positivity and passions are part of the film, and they are intricately woven into

the concert, the orchestra and the occasion that brought Bell and the ex-Huberman Strad back to Czestochowa.

Throughout the film, Bell plays snippets of Brahms’ beautiful Violin Concerto in D, but viewers never get to hear the full concerto. At Temple Emanu-El, after the film and a short break for light refreshments, violinist Maya Ramchandran, of the New England Conservatory of Music, will play the second and third movements of that beautiful and technically difficult concerto. She will be accompanied by pianist Ben Nacar, from Brown University, who will play a piano reduction of the full orchestral score.

The screening is the second event in Arts Emanu-El’s 20152016 season of Jewish arts and culture. Four events are scheduled for next year: “Singing the Dream,” a concert honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; a coffee house on March 12 with lively entertainment and light refreshments; an art exhibit on April 3; and a Holocaust memorial concert on May 4, “Phoenix from the Ashes: Terezin in Words and Music” by Judith Lynn Stillman. Tickets for each event go on sale three weeks prior to the event date.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS for the Nov. 21 screening of “The Return of the Violin” and the recital at Temple Emanu-El, go to TEProv.org or send a check to: Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, RI 02906 (with note: Return-Violin). Tickets include the film, light refreshments and the recital. Early purchase, $15; at the door, $18.

LINDA SHAMOON is co-chair of Arts Emanu-El at Temple Emanu-El.

Youth group plans exciting events

BY JEWISH VOICE STAFF CRAFTY (Cranston Area Federation of Temple Youth) at Temple Sinai in Cra nston is excited to share n e w s a b o u t plans for this year.

N e w l y elected student leaders, Emma Rosenfield and Jack Gabrilowitz, say they look forward to planning more events than ever, putting together a special CRAFTY service and traveling to NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) events.

On Nov. 15, from 2-4 p.m., join the group at Mission Combat Laser Tag in West Warwick.

Pizza, snacks and laser tag are included. Everyone is welcome.

Bring your friends from BBYO or summer camp.

A n d m a r k your calendar for a spring murder myster y e v e n t April 9 at Temple Sinai. Help solve a crime with your table as you are immersed in the act of the Murder Mystery Company of Boston.

CRAFTY is open to all Jewish teens in grades 9 to 12. For more information, contact Adam Cohen, CRAFTY adviser, at CRAFTYRHODEISLAND@ gmail.com.

thejewishvoice.org

Ongoing Alliance Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Noon lunch; 1 p.m. program. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities. Neal or Elaine, 401421-4111, ext. 107.

West Bay Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every weekday.

Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston.

11:15 a.m. program; Noon lunch. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities. Steve, 401743-0009.

Friday | October 30 Temple Sinai New Member Shabbat.

7:30 p.m. Shireinu will participate, and a new member meet-and-greet will follow the service during a special Oneg Shabbat.

Saturday | October 31 Sharsheret Pink Shabbat. Tifereth Israel Congregation, New Bedford. Part of Breast Cancer Awareness month. In the morning the congregation will delve into the subject of breast and ovarian cancer in Jews from a genetic standpoint. Cindy Benson, a genetic counselor, will lead a discussion during services. Benson has a master’s degree and has worked in the field for more than 20 years.

She currently works at Rhode Island Hospital and SouthCoast Health System Hospitals. She also teaches medical residents at Rhode Island Hospital and the medical students at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine of Brown University.

All are invited to attend the service and discussion.

Sunday | November 1 Rhode Island Wind Ensemble. 2 p.m.

Temple Sinai. Third annual concert features classical and popular music. Open to the public. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston.

What You Don’t Know about Israel, But Should. 4-6 p.m. The first of a two-part Israel advocacy seminar for teens to prepare them for the anti-Semitism and anti-Israel rhetoric they may encounter in college. Sponsored by StandWithUs RI. Free, but registration required. More information or to register, israelteens. eventbrite.com or call Roberta Schneider, 401-369-0045. Congregation Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence.

Torah Sprouts Preschool Program at Torat Yisrael. 9-10 a.m. Preschool program filled with stories, food, music and crafts, for children ages 3-5 and their families. Cost: $10 per session.

Registration is required. 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Information at toratyisrael.org. Call the Torat Yisrael office at 401-885-6600 to register.

Calendar Submissions NOV. 13 issue, THANKSGIVING must be received by NOV. 4 NOV. 27 issue, HANUKKAH PLANNING must be received by NOV. 18 SEND ALL CALENDAR ITEMS TO: editor@jewishallianceri.org with the subject line “CALENDAR.” Calendar entries may be edited for content, length and relevance.

An Evening with Deborah Lipstadt.

7 p.m. Temple Beth-El. 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence. Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt is Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish and Holocaust Studies at Emory University in Atlanta. Her most recent book “The Eichmann Trial,” published by Nextbook and Schocken Books, received excellent reviews. Her earlier book “History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier” (Ecco/HarperCollins, 2005) is the story of her libel trial in London against David Irving who sued her for calling him a Holocaust denier and right-wing extremist. Lipstadt was also an historical consultant to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and helped design the section of the Museum dedicated to the American Response to the Holocaust.

Free with a donation of any amount to the Alliance 2016 Annual Campaign.

Dessert reception follows. Dietary laws observed. For more information or to RSVP, contact Michele Gallagher at 401-421-4111, ext. 165 or mgallagher@jewishallianceri.org.

Tuesday | November 3 Secrets of the Garden. 7 p.m. Discover the three essential relationship principles from the story of Life in the Garden of Eden that will enhance your marriage. Guest speaker Chana Weisberg, author and editor of TheJewishWoman.org. Dessert buffet served.

Donations $10. Sponsored by Chabad of West Bay at Chabad Chai Center, 3871 Post Road, Warwick. RSVP by email or call 401-884-7888.

Wednesday | November 4 Panel discussion for caregivers of individuals with special needs regarding planning for their futures. 7-8:30 p.m.

Topics include employment transitions, living options and legal concerns.

Temple Emanu-El Vestry. Free and open to the public. For more information contact Tara Watkins, JFS Kesher social worker at 401-527-7772 or tara@ jfsri.org.

Saturday | November 7 Temple Sinai Goods and Services Auction. 5:30 p.m. Annual event includes a full dinner along with a fun evening at the auction. Advance tickets, $25; at the door, $30. Contact Dottie in the office, 401-942-8350

Sunday | November 8 Chai Luncheon. Noon. Hadassah Rhode Island hosts second annual luncheon to support the national initiative, Every Beat Counts. Dr. Marcy Feibelman, naturopathic physician, will speak.

Donation in increments of $36. RiverFarms Condominium Complex, West Warwick. Reservations and information, Renee Fullerton, 401-461-8282 or Joyce Rose, 401-952-5510.

Tuesday | November 10 Temple Torat Yisrael’s Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Philmus. Noon. T’s Restaurant. Each participant orders from the menu and the group studies Jewish sources addressing current issues. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend. 5600 Post Road, East Greenwich.

Friday | November 13 Friday Night Live Honors Torat Yisrael Veterans. 6 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael.

A musical celebration of Shabbat with a chicken dinner that follows. Cost: Adults

and Children over 12 years of age, $20, Children 12 years and younger, Free, Family max., $60. 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. RSVP to the Torat Yisrael office at 401-885-6600 by Nov. 9. toratyisrael.org.

Saturday | November 14 Evening of Jewish Renaissance: Redesigned. 7 p.m. Dwares JCC. A night of diverse learning opportunities, discussions, workshops and interactive experiences that will expose you to the many facets of Jewish culture. Free.

Ages: 18+ (certain workshops 21+). To learn more, contact Jana Brenman at 401-421-4111, ext. 181 or jbrenman@jewishallianceri.org. Brought to you by the Judge Marjorie Yashar and Dr. James Yashar Fund at the Jewish Federation Foundation.

Sunday | November 15 The 2015 Joseph and Leba Zelniker Educators Conference: Telling Jewish Stories. With Rabbi Goldie Milgram.

8:30 a.m.-noon. Dwares JCC. A conference for teachers in schools affiliated with the Jewish Alliance. Story telling is one of the most basic skills in a Jewish classroom across all content areas: Israel, history, Hebrew, holidays, values, etc., and not just Bible and Midrash. Learn how to choose and tell stories, involve the listeners, make the stories meaningful to them and check for understanding. From Cape Town to Seattle, Sarasota to Moscow, across the full spectrum of Jewish life and practice, audiences love the invitation to interactive learning with Covenant Foundation Award finalist Rabbi Goldie Milgram. Her vibrant stories and experiential teaching methods nurture joyful and deep Jewishing for all ages.

Among her many award-winning books are Mitzvah Stories: Seeds for Inspiration and Learning, honored Seeking and Soaring: Jewish Approaches to Spiritual Guidance and Development, and Reclaiming Bar/Bat Mitzvah as a Spiritual Practice. Rabbi Milgram also founded and serves as dean of the three-year Maggid-Educator ordination program, a first in the emerging field of Jewish Spiritual Education (JSE).

ReclaimingJudaism.org. For more information, contact Larry Katz at lkatz@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 179.

Reclaiming Bar/Bat Mitzvah as a Spiritual Practice: A workshop for b’nai mitzvah educators. 1:30-3 p.m.

Dwares JCC. Please RSVP for this special session. For more information and to RSVP, contact Larry Katz at lkatz@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 179.

Family Day-at-the-J! 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Dwares JCC. Looking for something to do on the weekend? Join us for a day of fun or a place to relax with friends. Programming will include Meditation with Rabbi Barry Dolinger (sessions at both 10 a.m. and at 11 a.m.), Storytelling with Corey Finkle (from 12-2 p.m.) and the movie “Shrek” (continuous viewing from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.). All ages. Price: $5 drop-in fee | Members: Free. For more information, contact Seth Finkle at 401-421-4111, ext. 146 or sfinkle@ jewishallianceri.org.

Family Paint and Popcorn. 2-4 p.m.

Dwares JCC. Bring the whole family together to paint a Thanksgiving-themed picture in a class led by famous Rhode Islander Charlie Hall, owner and

CALENDAR experienced art instructor from Drink and Dabble. Family Paint and Popcorn is for ages 6 and up, and is a fun, creative way to spend quality time with kids, parents and grandparents. Charlie is experienced in teaching all ages and skill levels. All materials are included, and pre-registration is required. Absolutely no experience is necessary! At the end of the session, you’ll be amazed at the artwork you’ve created with your family, working together on one canvas. Sign up early to reserve your spot. Ages: 6+.

Price: $40 per family canvas | Dwares JCC Members: $30 per family canvas ($15/additional family canvas). For more information, please contact Erin Moseley at 401-421-4111 ext. 108 or emoseley@jewishallianceri.org.

Laser Tag Event. 2-4 p.m. CRAFTY youth group of Temple Sinai invites all Jewish teens in grades 8-12 to attend a Laser Tag event at Mission Combat Laser Tag, 3 Bridal Avenue, West Warwick,.

Admission is $10 at the door on that day.

Temple Sinai Sisterhood Fundraiser.

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Shoppers will be able to purchase a voucher from members of the Sisterhood at the bookstore and a portion of the net sale will be contributed to Temple Sinai. 1350 Bald Hill Road, Warwick

Wednesday | November 18

Jewish Culture through Film: “The Outrageous Sophie Tucker” with guest speakers Susan and Lloyd Ecker (producers). 7 p.m. Dwares JCC. Sophie Tucker, born in an Orthodox Jewish family, was not what you would expect for a star. Yet this film depicts the ragsto-riches story of how Sophie Tucker became an iconic superstar who ruled the worlds of Vaudeville, Broadway, radio, television and Hollywood throughout the 20th century. She inspired stars like Bette Midler and Judy Garland.

More than 400 recently discovered scrapbooks of Tucker’s are documented through authors and producers Susan and Lloyd Ecker’s seven-year journey retracing Tucker’s sixty-year career in show business. A discussion led by the film’s producers, Susan and Lloyd Ecker, will follow the screening. Ages: 18+. Space is limited, and pre-registration is encouraged. Admission: $9 | Members: $7. For more information, contact Erin Moseley, Director of Arts & Culture, at emoseley@jewishallianceri. org or 401-421-4111, ext. 108.

Sisterhood Dinner. 6:30 p.m. Temple Sinai’s Sisterhood paid-up dinner in the social hall.

October 30, 2015 |

11

Thursday | November 19 Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island Phone-a-thon. 6:30-8:30 p.m. URI Hillel, 6 Fraternity Circle, Kingston. Join the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island at the University of Rhode Island Hillel for a phone-a-thon to help support our Jewish community. Contact Michele Gallagher at mgallagher@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 165 to RSVP or for more information.

Friday | November 20 PJ Library Storytime with Bubbie Sara.

10-11 a.m. Dwares JCC. Join us for a storytime, with PJ Library books, songs and movement, crafts and snack.

All children ages 5 and under are welcome. For more information, contact Sara Foster at 401-421-4111, ext.

184.

TGIF: Thank G!D It’s Friday! Family Shabbat Jam and Dinner. Temple Torat Yisrael. 5:45 pm Shabbat songs and story with Rabbi Aaron. 6:15 pm kiddush and free kid-friendly Shabbat dinner (donations welcome). Open to all (non-members welcome). 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. 401-885-6600, toratyisrael.org

Saturday | November 21 Kids’ Night Out: Food Frenzy. 5-10 p.m.

Dwares JCC. Kids’ Night Out is a chance for children to spend the evening with their friends in a fun and safe environment. Kids’ Night Out runs once a month on Saturday evenings. Each month, children will be entertained with a variety of themed activities ranging from sports, crafts, swimming and more. A pizza dinner and snacks will be served, and the evening will end with a movie.

This is also a great opportunity for parents to have a night out “kid free!”

Ages: 5 – 12. Price: $35 | Dwares JCC Members: $25 | Siblings: $15. For more information or to register, contact Shannon Boucher at 401-421-4111, ext. 147.

Monte Carlo Night at Torat Yisrael. 7 p.m. $50 per person (includes $30 worth of gaming chips). Redeem chips for raffle tickets to win prizes. Dinner, drinks and merriment. 1251 Middle Road, East GreenwichPlease call the Torat Yisrael office at 401-885-6600

by Nov. 16 to RSVP. toratyisraelorg.

Sunday | November 22 Humongous Hanukkah Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Temple Beth-El Sisterhood. Everything you need at great prices. Also Dec. 6. Temple lobby. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence.

Tuesday | November 24 PJ Library Storytime with Bubbie Sara. 3-4 p.m. Dwares JCC. Join us for a storytime, with PJ Library books, songs and movement, crafts and snack.

All children ages 5 and under are welcome. For more information, contact Sara Foster at 401-421-4111, ext.

184.

Sunday | November 29 Ocean State Clarinet group. 2 p.m.

Temple Sinai. This group, which includes 8-10 musicians playing clarinets of all sizes, will perform light classical music.

This event is free and open to the public.

30 Hagen Ave., Cranston.

12 | October 30, 2015

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

On Block Island, a congregation is born

BY GLORIA S. REDLICH BLOCK ISLAND, R.I. – Though it seems unlikely that a Jewish community took root on this very small island 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, many years ago it did. A uniquely beautiful oasis that calls to travelers, Block Island has been a mecca for tourists – Jews and others – from the latter half of the 19th century.

The Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes states, “It is of interest that a Jewish family resided on Block Island as early as 1893.” The same source also notes that “two days before [his] 21st birthday,” Peter Marcus, a Providence jeweler and watchmaker, and his wife Anna, who married on June 2, 1882, honeymooned on the island.”

What those newlyweds would have found as they entered Old Harbor on the ferry is pretty much what we see today – a series of Victorian hotels and buildings, striking with their Mansard roof lines and hints of a more elegant age.

We’re told the couple fell in love with the island and subsequently returned summers, with Peter eventually establishing a branch of his employer’s jewelry business on the island.

Though not a blood relative, Peter Marcus became indirectly connected with longtime island resident Shirley Kessler, current vice president of Congregation Sons and Daughters of Ruth. Of Marcus, Kessler says, “One of his sons, Joseph, married my mother’s sister Julia.”

Kessler’s mother and her sister “were inseparable,” and when her aunt and uncle had two children, Kessler says, “I became like a third daughter to [them].”

Part of the package

Kessler was just an infant when her parents first came to the island, staying in the home left to the family by Peter Marcus.

“Aunt Julia and Uncle Joe had the house for the summers, and I was part of the package,” Kessler recalls.

She feels she was privileged to spend her summers on the island, while her working parents returned to the mainland.

Many years later, she introduced her future husband, Sanford Kessler, to the island, and in the 1950s they took up residence each summer. In the ’70s, they bought the building that previously housed the Primitive Methodist Church.

In the 1990s, when they both retired, they moved to the island permanently.

On the way to the island

Longtime congregant Bobbi Maxman recalls that she and her husband Al first came to the island in 1976 as guests of Marvin and Joan Salzburg. As a fellowship student at Bank Street College of Education, in New York City, Bobbi had met Joan, and later Marvin, who was a composer and music professor.

Bobbi notes that the Salzburg home was “a little, tiny house without running water and with an outside toilet.”

The Maxmans found that first trip to the island memorable. Reaching the airport in Waterford, Conn., five minutes late, the attendant announced, “We’re not flying.” Bobbi laughingly says, “We didn’t get it. Al said, ‘We’re only five minutes late!’ But it was the weather, and we didn’t get it.

They weren’t flying.”

So there they stood, she adds, “loaded with bagels, lox and cream cheese” for their island friends until a “short woman with a shopping cart” tried to get them a private boat, which didn’t work either.

The Block Island factor

When they finally arrived on the island, Bobbi recalls that Marvin quipped, “Oh, you’ve met up with the Block Island factor,” referring to the weather. She adds, “I im-

COURTESY | RHODE ISLAND JEWISH HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Joseph Marcus, far right, and family on Block Island. mediately loved it [because] it reminded me of [parts of] Israel,” from which she had emigrated in 1952.

The Maxmans soon learned that Marvin was determined to find them a house, but they were surprised when he asked them back to look at one. “It had tiny rooms and a foyer, and it was then I learned I was claustrophobic – it was left over from a long time I spent in hiding during the Holocaust,” Bobbi says.

She adds, “The idea that we were buying a house on an island was a joke” because they frankly couldn’t afford it.

However, against the advice of their accountant, the couple soon found themselves with a house on the island.

An eclectic congregation emerges

Soon after they took occupancy, Bobbi says, “We were greeted by a Jewish delegation: Herbie, Robbie and Rose Marks, and Haida Ginsberg stood at our door.” Haida’s husband, Harry, was a fisherman and gardener who owned a hardware and tackle shop in the heart of the Wall Street financial district in New York City.

Harry, who was also a pilot, often flew to the island. Many years before the Maxmans arrived, a real estate agent showed him an old farmhouse on a hill and Harry bought it on the spot – then phoned his wife to let her know.

The Ginsbergs’ home would later become the site of the earliest services held by the yet-to-be-formed congregation.

Of the Marks family, Kessler recalls that Robbie was a horticulturalist able to “identify every plant and growth on the island.” His brother Herbie collected historical artifacts and documents, and both were on friendly terms with old island families.

Herbie contributed generously to the local Historical Society, in exchange for which “they often gave him a room,” Kessler says. The Marks’ father had run a tailor shop on Dodge Street on the island during the early 20th century.

The Salzburgs were also instrumental in bringing Richard and Micheline Weisbroat to the island in 1972. Richard, a lawyer, notes, “I closed title for Marvin on his island house.”

The Weisbroats’ introduction to the Jewish community on the island was through Haida, Herbie and Robbie. Accomplished at davening and leading services, Richard was

asked to hold a yahrtzeit service for someone needing to say Kaddish, which he did, meeting at the Ginsbergs’ home.

An ecumenical environment

Weisbroat found the island community welcoming to Jews and an ecumenical spirit among the clergy, especially the Rev. Rick Lanz of the Harbor Baptist Church and Father Ray Keough of St. Andrew Catholic Church.

Once, when Rosh Hashanah began on a Sunday evening, Weisbroat recalls chanting Jewish melodies and prayers with Reverend Lanz’ congregation. He sang “Yerushalayim Shel Za-hav”, “Ma-Tovu,” and “Mi Chamocha” at a morning service.

Weisbroat officiated at services here and there, including some Bar Mitzvahs and weddings. When the congregation materialized, he alternated with Elliot Taubman to lead Friday evening Shabbat services during the summer.

Arriving in rain and 5-foot seas

Taubman, a lawyer, and his wife, Jennifer, first came to the island in 1973, from New London, Conn., on a small sailboat “in rain and 4-to-5foot seas.” Elliot says, “We fell in love with the island in the rain.”

While they never got to the B.I. | 13

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thejewishvoice.org

October 30, 2015 |

COURTESY | RHODE ISLAND JEWISH HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Joseph Marcus with a friend on Block Island.

GLORIA REDLICH, a fulltime resident of Block Island, is a reporter for The Block Island Times. She can be reached at gloryb311@gmail. com.

Jennifer and Elliot Taubman.

FROM PAGE 12

| B.I.

beach that rainy fi rst visit, he says they discovered four acres “high and dry, with a small water view” that were for sale and reasonable. Though quite young, they were so drawn to the island that they bought the land.

A decade later, they settled on the island full time, bringing with them their young daughter, Becca, who grew up on the island and attended the Block Island School. The Taubmans felt very comfortable on Block Island and found strong ecumenical bonds between people and groups. Taubman has long been a member of the Ecumenical Council and Choir.

As the Jewish community emerged, so too did the notion of forming a congregation.

Bobbi says, “At the time, most of our friends out here were intermarried,” and they wanted a congregation that would welcome their partners.

In 1987, Congregation Sons and Daughters of Ruth was conceived, drawing on the story of “The Book of Ruth”– a tale of emotional and spiritual

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM

PHOTO | GLORIA REDLICH

bonding between Naomi and her widowed Moabite daughter-in-law.

If you ask the Taubmans, the congregation’s name aptly reflects its membership and their devotion to an ideal of welcoming all. Taubman explains that the Biblical story is one of a voluntary conversion, with the spiritual conversion taking place before there is even a future spouse for Ruth in the picture.

To Jennifer, the emphasis on sons and daughters is very important as well, since it underscores the valued status of both men and women in the life of the congregation.

Clearly, the history of the island’s Jewish community is rich, if at times idiosyncratic.

While some of it is archived, we are fortunate that much of it is stored in the very vivid memories of congregants. In sharing their stories, they testify to the vitality of Jewish tradition on the island and the ongoing desire to embrace it.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in an occasional series on the Jewish community of Block Island.

November 12 - March 17 Thursday Evening 7:00 - 9:00 PM The Reform Temples of Rhode Island Present an Introduction to Judaism COST: $160 per person $225 per couple SEATING IS LIMITED.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. (Fee includes all materials and the Joint Shabbat Dinner on March 18, 2016 at Temple Habonim)

Learn the fundamentals of Jewish thought and practice in 18 weeks through a mix of study, discussion and practical experiences. This course is perfect for interfaith couples, non-Jews considering conversion, and Jews looking for an adult-level introduction.

The Faculty will include: Rabbis Goldwasser, Klein, Mack and Voss-Altman & Cantor Seplowin.

For more information on class dates, and how to register: contact Judith Gilson JGilson@Temple-Beth-El.org | www.Temple-Beth-El.org | 401-331-6070 CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT TEMPLE BETH-EL | 70 ORCHARD AVE | PROVIDENCE, RI 02906

13

14 | October 30, 2015

FOOD

The Jewish Voice

FROM PAGE 1

WORLD SERIES earlier version of the salad.

There was also “Grandma Yetta’s Jell-O Mold,” submitted

by Kim Zwetchkenbaum, whose family has made it a tradition to parade around the room with the jiggling Jell-O before sitting down to eat it.

“The art is in the flip,” she explained, laughing.

Recipes also included Michael Chazan’s “Swarthmore tuna salad,” named for the birthplace of the recipe, Lynn Pohl’s healthier version of her mother’s polenta, and carrot and coconut cupcakes whose origins are debatable – while the Barefoot Contessa may have popularized the cupcakes, Zoey Finkelstein’s mother may have made them first.

While attendees crunched Mun cake cookies and slurped pumpkin soup, a warm community feeling grew in a way that only food can achieve.

People were still squeezing by each other to grab the last slice of cake or kugel when Beth-El’s Senior Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman took the stage to announce the winners.

Lisa Brosofsky’s “Aunt Shirley’s Noodle Pudding” received the People’s Choice Award. Emily Shalansky’s pumpkin soup took second runner-up for Best Recipe, and Aaron Regunberg’s “Uncle Eitan’s Shakshuka” took first. Bob Sandy’s pumpernickel bread and körözöt spread won Best Recipe. Prizes included a copy of “The Community Table” and a stylish chef’s hat.

Sandy’s recipe had a poignant back story. His parents survived the Holocaust by living in a place called The Glass House, where many Jews lived and were issued proof of Swiss citizenship, thus avoiding capture. There, his father baked for his fellow Jews.

This year’s event was judged

by Katja Goldman, Lisa Rotmil and Judy Bernstein Bunzl, all of New York City, as well as Alison Bologna and Gail Solomon of Providence. Goldman, Rotmil and Bernstein authored the new cookbook, “The Community Ta-

PHOTO | REPRESENTATION ONLY NOT EMILY TORGAN SHALANSKY’S SOUP

Emily Torgan Shalansky’s Pumpkin Soup in a Pumpkin For Serving Pumpkin:

PHOTO | KAREN BORGER

Bob Sandy took home the Best Recipe trophy not only for his delicious pumpernickel bread and sheep’s cheese dip but for his inspiring and thoughtful historical perspective of their genesis. ble: Recipes & Stories from the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan & Beyond.”

They assert that Jewish cuisine and Kosher cooking are not necessarily the main point of the cookbook.

“It’s about community building and bringing everyone around the table,” Rotmil explains. Goldman added that the diverse and eclectic nature of the recipes is what gives the cookbook its community feel.

Some entrants had somewhat unconventional hopes: Frank Birch, who along with his wife, Lillian, concocted a gefilte fish dish with carrots, came hoping to win best-dressed.

“I’d just like to get the prize for best apron!” he exclaimed, standing up to show off an apron featuring a photograph of his grandson Aidan – who now sometimes cooks with his grandparents – as a 1-year-old with a pot and wooden spoon.

ARIEL BROTHMAN is a freelance writer who lives in Wrentham, Mass. She was the summer intern at The Jewish Voice in 2012.

Elizabeth Sandy’s Sheep’s Cheese Dip (Körözött) Variants of this spread are found in Austria, Bavaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Albania and the Province of Trieste in Northern Italy. Its original home, however, is Hungary. The migration of Körözött across the Austro-Hungarian Empire and beyond is due to how wonderfully it goes with bread, especially pumpernickel. In Hungary Körözött is based on a fresh sheep’s milk cheese from the province of Liptó.

Liptó túró cheese and Hungarian paprika are the key ingredients. Growing up in Detroit Körözött was always on the table from breakfast to latenight snacks. It was as ubiquitous as hummus is in Israel.

The problem with making authentic Körözött is that Liptó túró cheese is unobtainable.

Feta, another soft sheep’s milk cheese, is normally too salty to be used in Körözött. Many recipes on the web just give up on the sheep’s milk cheese taste and use cream cheese or cottage cheese. When my mother visited Providence this summer, we experimented with the recipe, trying for something

more authentic. The Eastside Marketplace has a U.S.-made feta with much less salt than other feta cheeses. In terms of its salt content its name, Narragansett Creamery Salty Sea Feta, is misleading. The result with this cheese isn’t quite as ethereal as a Körözött using Liptó túró, but it is really good.

Perhaps this spread will spread across the USA.

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package of Narragansett Creamery Salty Sea Feta Green parts of 10 scallions 5 (8 ounce) packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard 5 tablespoons of Hungarian Paprika (avoid hot or smoked paprika)

Directions

Put the feta into a food processor with a regular blade and process until it is finely crumbled. Add the scallions and process in bursts until finely chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and process in bursts until the spread is smooth.

Use 1 large pumpkin, cut off the top and reserve.

Remove pulp and seeds.

Before putting the soup inside, rinse the inside of the pumpkin with a few cups of boiling water.

Pour in finished soup, then replace the top.

For Soup:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups chopped onions 1 15-ounce can pumpkin purée 1 1/2 pounds peeled butternut squash, cut into chunks 3 cups broth (chicken for a meat meal, Osem Parve consommé prepared according to package directions for dairy) 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup half-and-half 1 tablespoon unsalted butter Creme fraiche or Latin crema (a sour-cream like product available in specialty food stores), grated Gruyere, and croutons for serving.

Method

Heat the butter and oil in a stockpot, add the chopped onions, and cook for about 10 minutes.

Add the pumpkin purée, butternut squash, stock, salt and pepper.

Cover and simmer about 30-35 minutes, until the squash is very tender.

Blend the mixture to a medium texture.

Return to the pot, add half-and-half, and heat slowly.

Add remaining tablespoon of butter.

Adjust seasoning to taste and serve with garnishes.

thejewishvoice.org

FROM PAGE 14

FOOD

October 30, 2015 |

15

| WORLD SERIES

Lisa Brosofsky’s Aunt Shirley’s Noodle Pudding/Kugel Ingredients

1/2 pound fine egg noodles (I use a whole bag of wide noodles) 2 cups milk 1 cup cottage cheese 1 cup sour cream 1 cup sugar (I use some cinnamon sugar as part of the sugar) 4 eggs slightly beaten 1/2 cup golden raisins (optional) 4 ounces softened cream cheese (I use the whipped cream cheese) 1/2 stick unsalted melted butter 2 tablespoons vanilla 1 teaspoon salt

Method

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

PHOTO | REPRESENTATION ONLY NOT AUNT SHIRLEY’S KUGEL

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except egg noodles.

Cook noodles for 5 minutes in boiling water, drain and combine with milk mixture.

Pour into 13-x9-x2-inch greased baking dish.

Drizzle 1/4 cup of melted butter over the top and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Serve hot or cold, with or without thawed frozen fruit.

PHOTOS | JOHN TAVARES

The World Series Judges, (left to right) Lisa Rotmil, Katja Goldman, Judy Bernstein Bunzl, Alison Bologna and Gail Solomon, tally their score sheets to determine the winners.

Aaron Regunberg’s Uncle (Dodo) Eitan’s Shakshuka Recipe Ingredients 2 white onions 2 cloves garlic 2 bell peppers 1 jalepeno pepper (adjust to taste) 1 Large can diced tomatoes 1/2 small can of tomato paste 6 eggs Fresh parsley Paprika, salt, pepper

Method

Saute chopped onion in a large pan with olive oil over low heat.

Add minced garlic.

Add chopped peppers (some people include diced carrots or mushrooms, which you would add at this point).

Once vegetables have begun to cook down, add diced tomatoes and tomato paste.

PHOTO | REPRESENTATION ONLY NOT UNCLE DODO’S SHAKSHUKA PHOTO | REPRESENTATION ONLY NOT UNCLE EITAN’S SHAKSHUKA

Mix in paprika, salt, and pepper to taste, as well as half of the fresh parsley.

Allow the sauce to slightly reduce, then crack eggs directly into the mixture.

Simmer over low heat until the eggs are cooked, then add the rest of the parsley and enjoy!

Temple Beth-El’s Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman, who was officially installed Oct. 23, enjoys one of the recipes with his mother Helen from Westbury, N.Y.

Judging the apple cake.

PHOTOS | JOHN TAVARES

16 | October 30, 2015

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Provocative play raises questions about race, class, anti-Semitism

BY LEAH C. BOURAMIA

Race. Class. Religion. Assumptions. These are the overarching themes in “Defamation,” a play that will be performed on Nov. 10 at Temple Habonim, in Barrington.

Most recently on a national tour, “Defamation” offers audience members an opportunity to act as the jury in a civil court case where a female AfricanAmerican lawyer is accused of stealing an heirloom watch that goes missing while she is staying with a male colleague’s family that is … you guessed it, Jewish.

Playwright Todd Logan told Chicago NPR station WBEZ there’s a reason that he’s trying to bring “Defamation” to uncommon venues, such as houses of worship.

“When you walk into a church or a synagogue, you bring a greater sense of purpose,” he said. “It’s a feeling I have, and that people take the play more seriously than if it were just part of a subscription series.”

However, while “Defamation” has been performed 47 times this fall, only two houses of worship have hosted the production and Temple Habonim is the only synagogue. The vast majority of venues are colleges, universities, private high schools and professional associations.

So, why Temple Habonim?

According to Rabbi Andrew

Klein, he heard about this show through the grapevine. “Colleagues of mine had seen it and recommended it. When I hear of something I think will be of interest to the community, I bring it, and when people have ideas, they bring them … it is a big issue we want our community to be aware of.”

So, one can’t help but wonder, how does this production speak to the modern context of injustice, particularly the Black Lives Matter movement?

Klein says, “… the interesting thing is, every place they put it on is going to have a different outcome. The jury, as they speak and deliberate, is going to have a different solution. …

I think reading about the Black Lives Matter movement or see-

ing it on TV is one thing, and talking about it and dealing with it is another thing entirely.

“My colleagues have told me it is really inspired conversation, a great way to get the conversation going, so we can address issues of race, class and anti-Semitism.”

“Defamation” is free and open to the public, on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., at Temple Habonim. A discussion with the actors about the “jury deliberations” follows the play, and audience members are encouraged to participate.

LEAH C. BOURAMIA is an educator, wife and the mother of two rambunctious boys. She lives in Warwick.

Camp JORI announces new director The board of Camp JORI, a nonprofit residential children’s summer camp dedicated to providing high-quality programming to every child who wants a Jewish camping experience regardless of ability to pay, announces the selection of Deborah Salinger as its new director.

Salinger will fill the vacancy created by Ronni Saltzman Guttin’s departure in October after 20 years. The selection was made after a national search and selection process that attracted more than 30 applicants. Salinger had previously served as president of the board for the organization.

“We are delighted to announce this appointment,” reported Robert Stolzman, Camp JORI acting board co-chair and immediate past chair. “Deb brings to Camp JORI administrative experience, leadership, creativity and a deep understanding and passion for our mission, our families and our camp. She has articulated a clear and persuasive vision for advancing JORI in enrollment, programming, facilities and mission fulfillment so we can secure a stronger future for our next generation.”

Salinger’s resume includes more than 30 years of finance and administration, program planning, customer service and Jewish communal leadership and education. She has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in religion and political science from Colgate University. She had served as board president of Camp JORI for two years and as camping committee chair for the preceding six years. She also continues to serve on the board of Temple Beth-El in Providence where

Deborah Salinger she has served in many leadership positions and was a teacher in the religious school. Professionally, Salinger has worked in residential mortgage financing and as a business strategy consultant.

“I look forward to building on Camp JORI’s success with a range of innovative programming for our campers and counselors and through collaboration with other nonprofits, universities, foundations and corporations,” said Salinger.

“I am dedicated to this work because a fun and safe Jewish camping experience makes a powerful impact in the lives of children and provides vital human services and cultural enrichment to our community.

Camp JORI plays a key role in enhancing our community’s quality of life and in engaging and developing our future leaders.”

Established in 1937 by the Jewish Children’s Home of Rhode Island, Camp JORI is located on Worden’s Pond in southern Rhode Island. The camp fosters connections across congregations, movements and organizations for nearly 400 children and their families each year.

FROM PAGE 1

BILLBOARD

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Super Sunday is coming...

December 13, 2015

#answerthecall

values students can’t get anywhere else, with a joyous, innovative, creative and ethical curriculum. He hopes people will go to the website and consider learning more about day schools in general and JCDSRI in particular.

“We bring a lot to our community and a lot is based in Judaism,” he said. But many people assume that a day school is just “too Jewish,” as someone once said to him.

Tilove says he wants people to know that day schools have turned what some people perceive as a weakness – being “too Jewish” – into a strength.

The curriculum is enriched

by Jewish values, history, ethics and community. “Those things are critical to human values and life,” he said.

The billboard is not meant to be threatening and shouldn’t be misinterpreted. It’s a good

conversation starter, not only about the JCDSRI, but about Judaism in general, Tilove said.

“We’re challenging Jewish sensibility,” he said. “We want people to think about the way our community lives Judaism. We want to use this to begin a meaningful conversation about the Jewish community.”

On Nov. 19, JCDSRI is sponsoring a community meeting at Brown RISD Hillel that Tilove said he hopes will open that meaningful conversation about Judaism and how it fits into everyone’s lives. The conversation starts at 7 p.m. All opinions are welcome.

The billboard was paid for by a designated gift. It will be up for four weeks.

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice.

COMMUNITY

thejewishvoice.org

October 30, 2015 |

‘The Outrageous Sophie Tucker’ comes to the JCC

BY SETH CHITWOOD The Dwares Jewish Community Center will host an exclusive Rhode Island screening of “The Outrageous Sophie Tucker,” a documentary about the comedic genius who charmed and delighted audiences in the early half of the 20th century. The event, which features a talk-back session with the producers, takes place on Nov. 18.

Tucker, nicknamed “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas,” was wildly popular for her risqué and wacky songs in the fi rst half of the 20th century.

“I was in bed last night with my boyfriend Ernie, and he said to me ‘Soph, you got [a fl at chest].’ I said to him, ‘Ernie get off my back!’.” This is the type of joke Bette Midler would tell as she imitated the legendary Tucker, a singer, actress and comedian who heavily influenced Midler and is compared to Lady Gaga and Mae West.

However, the word “legendary” is used loosely because while Tucker is a legend to those who know her work, she is not all that well-known.

“She was unfortunately ahead of her time,” Lloyd Ecker remarked during an interview with him and his wife, Susan. The Eckers, who live in New York, are behind a “Sophie Tucker Movement” to make her a well-known name once again in America.

“We want billions of people to know her name,” Ecker said.

In 1973, while on their fi rst date, Susan and Lloyd attended a Bette Midler concert at Cornell University. Afterward, they had dinner with Midler and learned about Tucker’s influence on the Broadway diva. They became fascinated about this revered but relatively unknown entertainer.

After the Eckers retired, in 2006, they decided it was time to research Tucker. They were able to locate 400 scrapbooks she left behind upon her death in 1966. Each book was fi lled with letters, programs and documentation about her life and career.

Since then, they have published the fictional memoir “I am Sophie Tucker,” and have two other books on the way.

They are also the producers of the documentary. They are currently shopping Tucker’s story around, hoping it will be made into a Broadway musical and/or a movie.

“Lady Gaga is interested in playing her,” Ecker stated. He compared Tucker to a combination of Lady Gaga – for her musical talent, and sense of fashion and publicity – and Amy Schumer, for her comedic brilliance.

Tucker was the “queen” of

publicity, according to Susan Ecker.

“Before Facebook there was Tuckerbook,” Ecker said.

The scrapbooks provided letter after letter from fans.

Tucker was passionate about her fans and would even send them money or clothing.

“One letter said ‘Dear Sophie, thank you for giving us the money to pay for our heat …’,” Susan Ecker said.

Tucker was also very close to her Jewish faith. Born in Ukraine, she moved to the

to the stage, performing in nightclubs and any venue that would have her.

The Eckers’ mission is to make Sophie Tucker a household name, which is why they are touring the U.S. presenting their documentary.

The 90-minute movie features many celebrities reminiscing about Tucker, including Barbara Walters, Tony Bennett and Carol Channing.

Admission to the screening, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18, is $9 or $7 for JCC members. The Eckers will lead a discussion about Tucker at the event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact Erin Moseley at emoseley@jewishallianceri. org or 401-421-4111, ext. 108.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Sophie Tucker, go to www.sophietucker.com.

SETH CHITWOOD is a graduate of Rhode Island College, where he majored in Theater Performance and Film Studies.

The Jewish Community Chorus of Rhode Island At Temple Sinai

presents...

“Using all of “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas” personal scrapbooks, Susan and Lloyd Ecker take you on their sevenyear journey retracting Tucker’s 60-year career.”

United States as a young girl, where she was raised Orthodox. As an adult, she continued to attend services and was often a guest at a fan’s home for Shabbat or holidays.

She gave money to many Jewish organizations and even worked to fi nd Americans to sponsor Jews who wanted to immigrate during and after the Holocaust.

“At one point, she became the symbol of hope to many Jews,” Susan Ecker said, noting that Tucker even recorded a performance of the Jewish national anthem.

The Eckers said celebrities such as Sarah Silverman and the late Joan Rivers owe Tucker a debt for her “what you see is exactly what you get” persona.

By the time moving pictures became popular, Tucker was too old to play a female ingénue. Instead, she would be cast as the mother – which did not interest her. So she took

We Remember Them Featuring Chorus, Soloists, and Orchestra

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Brian Mayer

Cantor, Temple Emanu-El

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Richard Perlman Rabbi, WBCJC

HaZamir Providence

30 HAGEN AVENUE CRANSTON, RI 02920 FOR INFORMATION CALL: 401-942-8350

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18 | October 30, 2015

The Jewish Voice

Brought to you by the Judge

at the Jew

Experience an evening of Je

Saturday, November 14

Dwares JCC | 401 Elmgrove No cost to attend

From local speakers to field experts diverse learning opportunities, discu will expose you to the many facets

Session 1 1A/2A Hanukkah Card Making Workshop: Create Your Own Design Using unique paper art tools and instruction from the designer of Wish Big by Kim Z, you can quickly learn about rubber stamping, embossing and designer papers to create unique cards. Materials and supplies are included.

Presenter: Kim Zwetchkenbaum Artist & Owner of Wish Big by Kim Z 1B Twilight Between the Worlds: Tales of Ancestral Guides, Wandering Spirits & Reincarnating Souls Through the story-telling traditions of Jewish folk religion we shall enter the invisible worlds populated by ghosts, lost souls, haunting spirits, dybbukim, and heavenly angelic guides.

Presenter: Simcha Raphael, Ph. D. Author & Founding Director, DA’AT 1C/2D Understanding Krav Maga (Israeli Martial Arts) from an Historical & Practical Perspective Learn the history of Krav Maga (the hand to hand close combat system of the IDF). Hear about Gershon’s training experiences in Israel, and explore a selection of simple self defense techniques/solutions.

Presenter: Gershon Ben Keren Head Instructor, Krav Maga Yashir, Boston 1D Ready, Set, Breathe: Practicing Mindfulness With Your Children for Fewer Meltdowns and a More Peaceful Family We’ll explore what mindfulness is, how it can help you feel calmer and happier, and how you can integrate it into your daily life at home.You’ll leave with a number of specific and fun ideas for practicing mindfulness with your children and family.

Presenter: Carla Naumberg, Ph. D. Jewish Book Council Author 1E/2C The Journey of My Nose: Learning How to Accept and Love a Critical Parent In Gayle Kirschenbaum’s award winning short film “My Nose,” she shares her story and how she learned to forgive and even love her abuser, her mother. She will discuss tips on how to regain your self-confidence, turn around negative thoughts, live with (and accept) critical people, and open yourself to more joy and love.

Presenter: Gayle Kirschenbaum Emmy Award Winning Filmmaker 1F Jewish Burial Rituals Hear a compelling presentation as to why Jews of all backgrounds and affiliations should embrace Jewish burial procedures.

Presenters: Rabbi Yechezkel Yudkowsky Congregation MishkonTfiloh & Elissa Felder

1G Healthy Food:The Eating is Just the Beginning Expand your options far beyond what’s on your plate.

Making healthy choices can involve new circles, new friendships, and new connections with your neighbors and your local shop keepers. And a new understanding of how your choices can help your entire community’s health, not just yours. Meet two local food activists who are changing our community every day.

Presenters: Rob Yaffe, Owner of The Garden Grill, The Grange, & Wildflower Vegan Bakery Louis Raymond, Landscape Designer & President, Southside Community Land Trust 1H/2F Kosher & Israeli Wine Tasting (ages 21+) Learn about the amazing improvements that have taken place in Israeli wine making in the last 5-10 years. This includes the first female wine maker, a much higher quality wine at more reasonable costs, and Israeli Malbec.

Presenter: Shaul Katz 4th Generation Owner, Brookline Liquor Mart 1I Animal Care in Jewish Tradition “Rabbi! Your Chickens are Loose at the Schul Again!”

The adventures and misadventures of one Rabbi and his family raising very free range chickens at the shul parsonage. Learn about the rich history and tradition of Jewish flocksters. Hear how raising chickens and other animals strengthens empathy, responsibility, gratitude, wonder, and love. And how it can teach children about life’s greatest mysteries: birth, reproduction, and death.

At the end of the workshop participants will taste eggs from the rabbi’s chickens!

Presenter: Rabbi Aaron Philmus Temple Torat Yisrael 1J From Maimonides to Mindfulness: How Ancient Wisdom Can Help Us Flourish Today (and Every Day!) We will explore some ancient texts that offer guideposts of living – specific, concrete, daily actions that can help us lead fuller, happier, and more meaningful lives.

Presenter: Rabbi Elan Babchuck Temple Emanu-El 1K What’s In a Name?

Do you have a Jewish sacred name? Wish for one? Have trouble relating to the one(s) you were given? Seeking a Jewish name for yourself or another? This interactive class is for those who want to better appreciate the relevance and power of having or choosing a Jewish sacred name.

Presenter: Goldie Milgram Jewish Book Council Author

1L/2J Could This 300-yard Dead-End Jerusalem Street Become the Border of Israel & Palestine?

Ever since Israel was created, this one-time border that divided East and West Jerusalem has served as the psychological, cultural, political and demographic dividing line between Arab and Jew. This new book, “A Street Divided: Stories from Jerusalem’s Alley of God,” looks at the rich history of the families living on this dividing line and explores its unique role in the history of Jerusalem.

Presenter: Dion Nissenbaum Jewish Book Council Author 1M The Future is About to Get Better We are assaulted from every side by harsh and pessimist predictions about the future: from oncoming famines and global hunger, to future scarcity in water and dwindling of energy resources. And yet, year after year and decade after decade, humanity’s situation is improving. In this lecture Roey will show the data that supports the last sentence and talk about the optimistic and benevolent future that is in store for us.

Presenter: Dr. Roey Tzezana Lecturer, Innovator & International Presenter 1N Exploring the Power of Forgiveness The art of forgiveness has the potential to be a healing force in our lives. Learning how to forgive others, forgive ourselves, and accept forgiveness from others can help us leave our “narrow places” and change our lives for the better.

Presenter: Rabbi Andrew Klein Temple Habonim 1O Maimonides and Levinas on God: How Philosophy Can Help Us Understand Ourselves Examine texts from these two Jewish philosophers, then explore your own assumptions about God. Presenter: Chumie Juni Ph.D. Student, Brown University, Philosophy of Religion & Religious Ethics 1P/2O Medical Ethics Panel Discussion How do patients, families, and health care professionals manage very difficult ethical decisions? These might involve end-of-life care, informed consent, termination of care, allocating limited resources (e.g., organs), among others, all with a Jewish perspective.

Panel: Dr. Michael Felder, Dr. Bret Ancowitz & Dr. Frederic G. Reamer, Ph. D. Moderator: Dr. Steven Schechter 1Q Sepharim (Books), Authors, and Their Times A brief encounter with the Jewish world of the 16th century as it comes alive through a selection of antiquarian books from that tumultuous period.

Presenter: Rabbi Eliezer Gibber Rosh HaYeshiva/Dean of the Yeshiva

October 30, 2015 |

thejewishvoice.org

Marjorie Yashar and Dr. James Yashar Fund

wish Federation Foundation

ewish Renaissance like never before!

4 | 7:00pm

Avenue, Providence

s from around the country: Join us for a night of ussions, workshops, and interactive experiences that of Jewish culture.

Session 2 2A/1A Hanukkah Card Making Workshop: Create Your Own Design See 1A for full description.

Presenter: Kim Zwetchkenbaum 2B Rare Gems of Jewish Music Acclaimed for the verve, high spirits, and technical brilliance of their performances, “Brez & Pez” bring a refined appreciation for the deeper side of various Jewish music traditions.

Presenters: Fishel Bresler & Cory Pesaturo 2C/1E The Journey of My Nose: Learning How to Accept and Love a Critical Parent See 1E for full description.

Presenter: Gayle Kirschenbaum Emmy Award Winning Filmmaker 2D/1C Understanding Krav Maga (Israeli Martial Arts) from an Historical & Practical Perspective See 1C for full description.

Presenter: Gershon Ben Keren 2E God in the Garden: Ancient Agriculture and the New Jewish Food Movement Judaism is the indigenous, nature-based, farming religion of our ancestors. We’ll enter their agricultural world, get our hands dirty with the new movement of Jewish farmers, and find ways to bring a nature consciousness to our own Jewish practices.

Presenter: Steve Sherman Jewish Farm Educator 2F/1H Kosher & Israeli Wine Tasting (ages 21+) See 1H for full description.

Presenter: Shaul Katz

(401) J

Schedule of the evening: 6:30 Registration 7:00 Welcome, Havdallah, and Opening Remarks 7:30 - 8:20 Session One 8:20 - 8:50 Break & Refreshments 8:50 - 9:40 Session Two Bus transportation from Middletown/Newport, South County, Tamarisk, and Brown University Campus may be provided if there is sufficient pre-registration by November 10.

Refreshments and a pop-up book store will be available as well as music

by Fishel Bresler & Cory Pesaturo.

2G Jewish Meditation—More Than a Fad Meditative and contemplative practices exist across cultures and traditions. Come learn what Jewish meditation is really about, and try out a short exercise to experience the power and beauty of this part of your tradition.

Presenter: Rabbi Barry Dolinger Congregation Beth Sholom 2H Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom: Building Bridges between Muslim & Jewish Women in RI With the founding of a Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom (SOSS) group in RI, exciting interfaith and cross-cultural relationships are being forged by women. How can Muslims and Jews connect with and understand each other better, dispel stereotypes, and be allies in reducing and responding to bigotry?

Presenter: Judy Kaye, Lawyer & Diversity Consultant & Aisha Manzoor,Youth Events Coordinator, Mosque Masjid Al-Islam 2I Reclaiming Judaism as a Spiritual Practice Come try out a remarkable tool “Reb Goldie” has created to rapidly introduce a wide array of Jewish spiritual practices that support happiness and wellbeing for the incredible journey called life.

Presenter: Goldie Milgram Jewish Book Council Author 2J/1L Could This 300-yard Dead-End Jerusalem Street Become the Border of Israel & Palestine?

See 1L for full description.

Presenter: Dion Nissenbaum Jewish Book Council Author 2K Social Entrepreneurship In Israel Hear ‘behind the scenes’ stories about foundation processes of innovative social initiatives in three different fields: Education, Aviation and Politics. In order to reform and make change in society, we must understand the DNA of that society.

Presenter: Alon Futterman Entrepreneur, & Founding CEO of TALMA 2L Choices of Courage (Women Only) How people transcended human limitations in the face of cataclysmic adversity as exemplified by individuals caught in the maelstrom of the Holocaust.

Presenter: Marsha Gibber New England Academy of Torah

culture

1R The Six Themes of Jewish Peoplehood Learn about the resources available in the Center for Jewish Peoplehood Education’s online toolkit, and explore the six sub-themes of Jewish Peoplehood, including the tension between universalism and particularism and the challenge and rewards of diversity and pluralism.

Presenter: Daniel Olson Ph.D. Student, New York University, Education & Jewish Studies

Participants will be able to select one class from each of the two sessions and are encouraged to pre-register online at jewishallianceri.org.

arts&

2M Did We Get It Wrong?

Jewish tradition claims the second temple stood in Jerusalem for 420 years. Based on archeological and astronomical evidence, historians say it was closer to 600 years. When was the Purim story and who was Ahasuerus? Can we explain the century and half that’s not accounted for?

Presenter: Rabbi Raphie Schochet Kollel: Center for Jewish Studies 2N Hassidic Stories: Healing for the Soul Throughout history, stories of the Hassidic masters have given hope and guidance and have been a source for uplifting trust in the God almighty.

Presenter: Rabbi Yehoshua Laufer Chabad of Rhode Island 2O/1P Medical Ethics Panel Discussion See 1P for full description.

Panel: Dr. Michael Felder, Dr. Bret Ancowitz & Frederic G. Reamer, Ph. D. Moderator: Dr. Steven Schechter 2P Teaching for Jewish Civilization Learn about the resources available in the Center for Jewish Peoplehood Education’s online toolkit, and explore one of the themes first articulated by Mordecai Kaplan: Judaism as a Civilization.

Presenter: Daniel Olson Ph.D. Student, New York University, Education & Jewish Studies 2Q The Making of a Mensch The short film, “The Making of a Mensch,” explores the science of character and reframes it through the lens of the ancient Jewish teachings of Mussar (Jewish ethics). A discussion following the film will engage us in how these Jewish tools are applicable to our 21st century lives.

Presenter: Rabbi Marc Mandel Touro Synagogue

For more information about classes and presenters or to register, visit jewishallianceri.org.

Or contact Jana Brenman at 401.421.4111 ext. 181 or jbrenman@jewishallianceri.org.

19

20 | October 30, 2015

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Friendship, spirituality and ritual explored in ‘A Remarkable Kindness’

BY STEPHANIE ROSS

E R U T L U C H S I W M JE L I F H G U THRO

The Outrageous Sophie Tucker

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 @ 7:00pm Dwares JCC | 401 Elmgrove Avenue

This film depicts the rags-to-riches story of how Sophie Tucker became an iconic superstar who ruled the worlds of Vaudeville, Broadway, radio, television, and Hollywood throughout the 20th century. More than 400 recently discovered scrapbooks of Tucker’s are documented through authors and producers Susan and Lloyd Ecker’s seven-year journey retracing Tucker’s sixty-year career in show business. A discussion led by the film’s producers, Susan and Lloyd Ecker, will follow the screening. Space is limited, and pre-registration is encouraged.

Admission: $9 | Members $7 For more information, contact Erin Moseley, Director of Arts & Culture at emoseley@jewishallianceri.org or 401.421.4111 ext. 108.

401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 | 401.421.4111 | jewishallianceri.org

Diana Bletter’s third book, “A Remarkable Kindness,” follows four American women who have moved to a seaside village in northern Israel for different reasons.

Her fi rst novel, which celebrates the positive power of friendship and fi nding inspiration and deeper meaning through spirituality and ritual, intertwines her personal experiences and illuminates a mostly unknown ritual.

“I’m a member of the hevrah kadishah [the burial circle] in a small beach village in northern Israel,” Bletter said. “I help prepare and dress dead women for their burial. We are the very last people to be with the dead.”

Although few Jews outside of the Orthodox community are aware of hevrah kadishah (translated as “holy society”), the group exists in every Jewish community. These groups of volunteers are on-call to prepare a deceased person for burial according to Jewish tradition.

“One time after performing a burial rite, I stepped out of the burial house and thought ‘this would make a great story,’” Bletter said.

“Nobody had ever written a novel about members who perform this mostly-hidden, ancient, beautiful rite.”

The story, which features Lauren, Emily, Aviva and Rachel, focuses on the strengthening of their intimate bond through their participation in the burial circle. As their lives slowly transform, each woman fi nds unexpected strength and resilience through times of love and loss, and the outbreak of war.

“I want my readers to make sure they appreciate every day of life that they are given,” Bletter said, “to learn about a ritual that honors the dead, and to come away with the joy and wonder of being alive.”

Bletter, a native New Yorker, grew up hearing about the sacrifices her relatives made to live in Israel and was inspired by their courage. She moved with her family to Israel where she worked as a freelance journalist, reporting on untold stories behind headlines in the news.

“I wanted to give up so often,”

Diana Bletter Bletter said referring to writing this book. “Writing is very difficult and very lonely. My husband, Jonny, always told me, ‘Anyone can give up. If you give up, you will never forgive yourself.’ And he was right. No matter what you are trying to do, you cannot – under any circumstances – give up. The miracle can be just around the corner.”

Ble t t e r ’s love for writing began in the sixth grade, when she wrote a poem, which was published, about the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. “I loved the idea that I could transform my feelings into words and then turn those words into art,” Bletter said. “I was hooked.”

Since then, her work has appeared in a wide variety of publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Commentary, The Huffington Post, The Forward, Kveller, Glamour and The North American Review.

“I would tell aspiring writers to keep writing,” Bletter said.

“Keep reading. Do not give up.

Set aside time each day, even if it’s for 10 minutes, to write.

Always carry around a book.

Carry around a pen and paper to take notes on things you see, hear, smell and experience.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bletter will speak about “A Remarkable Kindness” at Books on the Square in Providence on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 4 p.m. Learn more about Bletter’s work at her website, dianabletter.com.

STEPHANIE ROSS is a freelance writer and marketing coordinator in Boston.

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October 30, 2015 |

21

Visiting family in Israel – King Herod and his father

BY GILOR MESHULAM Some of us, like me, have immediate family in Israel. Some of us have a bit more distant relatives – and they give us a really good reason to visit.

At this time of year, I would like to recommend visiting a fortress that was built by an even more distant relative: King Herod.

A bit about King Herod’s background – He was a grandson of Edomite converts to Judaism. A very harsh and strict king, some of his deeds got him the reputation of an evil and merciless ruler. Herod was a dictator who was afraid of free-thinking, progressive thought by his citizens and the scholars in Jerusalem. He limited the academic institutions, such as the Knesset-G’dola, (the Sanhedrin) up to the point where he lost the support of the people and the sages.

Eventually, he decided to repent, and upgrade the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

His work was so magnificent that it created a great impression on our sages, who wrote in the Talmud, “He who has not seen the Temple in its full construction, has never seen a glorious building in his life.”

(Sukkah 51b) This conflicted, controversial king from our past also built many, many palaces and fortresses in Israel – Masada, arguably, is the most famous among them.

One of the fortresses is named Antipatris, after Herod’s father, Antipater.

Yes, the vicious (and some say great) King Herod was a “daddy’s boy.”

The fortress is near the Yarkon river, and very close to the city of Rosh Ha’Ayin. The hill that it’s built on is a historically strategic point on the path to ancient Samaria, and close to many sources of water. Because of its strategic importance, this land was conquered by almost everyone in the last 2,000 years, including the Romans, Egyptians, Crusaders and eventually the Ottomans.

So what is there to see on this visit to the home of our ancestors? We have the Yarkon sources – where the famous river begins – and a lot of pools, fountains and streams to swim in. During the winter, it’s an awesome place to rent an off-road vehicle and really see the countryside. During the summer, it’s a beautiful place to just chill.

And, of course, don’t miss

The Yarkon River sources is an awesome place to rent a buggy for an off-road adventure. the fortress, in Antipatris national park. From the hill you can see Rosh Ha’Ayin, Petach Tikva, Horashim forest and even Tel Aviv, if the visibility is good.

But, more than that, the park is an amazing example of modern Israel. When we go, we visit our roots – a place where our ancestors lived 2,000 years ago. Today, at this ancientbut-new place where people lived, we see our ancestors’ descendants’ having a cook-out on national holidays.

We see concerts being held where the king used to sit. We see people bicycling, hiking, swimming and just enjoying the view – right next to the remains of the ancient market where people used to shop for their food thousands of years ago. We see our nation alive once again, in its natural habitat, after 2,000 years.

“From the hill you can see Rosh Ha’Ayin, Petach Tikva, Horashim forest and even Tel Aviv, if the visibility is good.”

PHOTO | GILOR MESHULAM

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GILOR MESHULAM is the Israeli shaliach (emissary) at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

T r u s t e d

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22 | October 30, 2015

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The Jewish Voice

How to make business travel less turbulent

BY PAULA FLEMING Despite much of today’s marketplace being well-suited for virtual management, in-person meetings and off-site events continue to be a component of maintaining and growing your business. Out-of-town team gatherings as well as conferences or conventions are an opportunity for both personnel and brand strengthening.

Before you check your bags, here are some items to check off the “travel to-do” list plus ideas for making your business travel less turbulent.

BEFORE YOU GO Plan ahead

Research hotels in your destination city before committing to a stay for your business. Utilize online reviews to get a grasp on their reliability and learn past experiences of other guests who have stayed. Plus, plans can change. It’s always wise to understand a hotel or resort’s policies regarding length-of-stay – make sure to ask questions on topics like cancellation and penalty fees before you book.

Using a travel agent? Agencies can be helpful for package deals and learning about hidden gems but it’s crucial to do your due diligence before hiring an agency to avoid scams and misleading fine print.

Ask away

Your lodging is in the business of hospitality. When you book your reservation, make

requests that might make your stay more enjoyable. Traveling for work – especially if across different time zones or jampacked with obligations – can be exhausting.

Inquire about early and/or late check-in and if your routine includes regular exercise, ask for details on the gym. Does your room have a kitchenette?

That’s a score, if so. On a recent trip, mine did, and I brought along the ingredients to make my daily smoothie. It allowed me to maintain my morning routine despite not being in my own kitchen.

It’s all in the details

Make sure you know them.

Are there multiple team members in the mix? Confirm who will be attending which session /d i n ner/cl ient meet i ng ahead of time. It also can’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the layout of the event space and/or area you’ll be staying in. If traveling alone, you could reach out to clients or colleagues in the area for tips and suggestions for staying there.

Oh, and cell phone numbers – you’d be surprised how many employees don’t communicate outside of work. Get co-workers’ digits before you hit the road so you can keep in touch if edits and or issues arise.

Pack it up, pack it in

Do you literally sit on your suitcase before dragging it down two flights of stairs? Are

you pulling things out of your bag at airport check-in because it’s overweight? Avoid the hassle and pack smart. Try not to (I admittedly find it hard to resist) bring too many options. It’s helpful to bring an extra outfit or two in case plans change, but bringing three dresses or shirt/ tie combos to choose between for that client dinner will only add to frustration courtesy of extra decision-making. The time you spend deciding on what to wear subtracts time from something else you could be doing (i.e., networking, sightseeing or taking a nap). Try on and coordinate clothes before you include them in your “necessities” for the trip. With versatility in mind, take into consideration your

to save pounds on the luggage scale.

Communicate

Regardless of the role you play for your business, you’re important. An out-of-office signature on your email is the best way to spread the word with external contacts and a direct email and/or in-person conversation is probably best for communicating travel plans with your colleagues.

WHILE YOU’RE AWAY Organize from the start

Allow yourself time at the train station/airport to get organized. Separate out items you’d like to work on while in transit. This will alleviate the need to repeatedly access the overhead bin.

you belong to their rewards program, you’re considered a preferred customer. If you don’t already belong to their program, ask to join with the caveat that you’d like a perk during your stay. A suite sounds nice.

Or maybe it’s a noontime check out in advance of a late departing flight.

Sleep soundly

You are where you are for a reason. You won’t be the same or nearly as productive without good sleep. What works when you’re at home? I sleep with a sound machine. When I travel, I use a free smartphone app that replicates it. It kind of feels like home and helps filter out other hotel noises in the night (also, see ear plugs above).

UPON YOUR RETURN Pay it forward

color palette. Neutrals are your best travel friend. For example, bringing mostly black pieces of your wardrobe could allow you to get away with one pair of business-ready shoes and leaves room for a more casual or cocktail appropriate pair.

Think about wearing the heaviest pair of shoes on the plane

Sounds good

Once back in the office, submit an online review for each of the businesses you interacted with. The hotel, convention center and restaurants you enjoyed during your trip will appreciate the feedback on their performance. These reviews allow other travelers to learn from your experience in preparation for their own. You benefited from someone’s feedback, and they’ll benefit from yours. In addition, it gives the business you review a leg up on their competition and a stronger presence online.

More than you paid for

PAULA FLEMING is vice president of Communications & Marketing for Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont.

You fully-charged your devices before you left home so you can use them during travel, right? Don’t forget your headphones so you can work without the background noise and/ or listen to music to politely drown out that Chatty Cathy sitting behind you. Looking to catch up on sleep? I never (ever) leave home without earplugs.

Upon check-in at your destination, why not ask if there are any free upgrades available?

All they can say is “no” and if

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thejewishvoice.org

October 30, 2015 |

23

Grants, scholarships available for travel, study in Israel Grants and scholarships for travel and study in Israel are available to members of the greater Rhode Island community.

The generosity of several local families allows many area high school, college and graduate students, and some educators, to study in Israel in a recognized study/travel program. The Rhode Island Jewish community supports an Israel experience as an integral part of a student’s education and growing Jewish identity.

The Leonard I. Salmanson Fund of the Jewish Federation Foundation pro-

vides both non-needs-based grants and some needs-based funds, without full fi nancial disclosure. The Graubart Irving Scholarship Fund, the Lillian and Sidney Ross Fund and The Marochnack Zionist Memorial Fund all provide needs-based grants, with full fi nancial disclosure. The latter fund provides special consideration to recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union.

The Alperin-Hirsch Family funds the Joel H. Zaiman Fund. An award is granted annually to one participant, who must demonstrate academic achievement and

Camp grants available for day-school students

Day-school students whose families have participated in the PJ Library program are eligible to participate in the One Happy Camper program by entering a drawing no later than Nov. 8.

The PJ Goes to Camp/One Happy Camper program is designed to reward PJ Library recipients, alumni or their siblings with an incentive grant of up to $1,000 to attend a Jewish overnight camp for the fi rst time.

Families should go to pjlibrary.org/about-pj-library/pjgoes-to-camp/pj-library-referral-code-request.aspx for more information. Information can also be accessed via pull-down menus at pjlibrary.org. These funds are provided by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Incentive grants are available to residents of the United States and Canada who meet all other eligibility requirements. Families may enroll more than one child if each is attending a Jewish overnight camp for the fi rst time. Each child must be separately entered into the lottery for dayschool students.

Those who are interested in participating in PJ Library, which provides free books with Jewish content each month to children between the ages of six months and 8 years, should contact Michelle Cicchitelli at mcicchitelli@jewishallianceri.org or 401-4214111. PJ Library is available to all families that identify as Jewish, regardless of whether they attend Jewish schools or synagogues. PJ Library is partially supported by the Jewish Alliance and local donors.

Those who are not day-school families may seek similar $700 or $1,000 incentive grants, depending on the length of the camp session, for fi rst-timers in overnight Jewish camps by completing the application at onehappycamper.org. Funds for local campers are provided by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. There is no deadline for applying for these funds, but the money available is limited and is awarded on a fi rst-come, fi rstserved basis. These are not needs-based grants.

Camp JORI, in Wakefield, is among the more than 150 Jew-

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commitment to community service.

Limited funds are available for educators in affiliated Jewish schools to participate in conferences, workshops, courses and travel in Israel that will improve their teaching skills and background knowledge. Programs considered for grant funds must be relevant to the participant’s present and future goals in education and evidence a high level of quality.

Teens, twenty-somethings and Jewish educators who would like to explore opportunities to visit and study in Israel or

ish overnight camps that participate in One Happy Camper.

These camps include both the various standard camp formats as well as special-interest camps, such as those that specialize in sports, science, wellness, art, outdoor adventure and travel. Elementary, middle and high school students are all welcome to apply, assuming they are fi rst-time campers. Information to help families select summer camps is available at www.onehappycamper.org, and there is a guide for parents on the website of the Jewish Alliance, jewishallianceri.org.

For more information, please contact Larry Katz at lkatz@ jewishallianceri.org or 401421-4111, ext 179. Needs-based scholarships are available at many of these camps, as well; families should apply directly to the camps.

to apply for any of these grants and scholarships may obtain applications from the Israel Desk section of the Jewish Alliance’s website, www.jewishallianceri. org. If you have questions, please contact Jana Brenman at the Jewish Alliance, 401-421-4111, ext. 181, or jbrenman@jewishallianceri.org.

Submission deadlines are the end of October for winter programs; the end of November for spring programs; and mid-March for summer, fall and yearlong programs.

Tips for successful outdoor adventures this season

StatePoint – The great outdoors do not hibernate in the cooler months, and neither should you. Consider the following.

Stay warm

Don’t ignore your comfort or health when hitting the trail or pushing off from shore. Your regular weight clothing may not provide sufficient thermal protection, depending on your surroundings. Look for outerwear designed for the temperatures and wind-chill you will be encountering.

Keep time

Whether you are hiking, fishing or rappelling, stay one step ahead of Mother Nature with information.

“Your cell phone may not be working well enough to give you the hour or your location – which is important to know when you are wonder-

ing whether it’s time to head back home,” says Landon R. Mayer, a fly fishing guide and author. “However, a tough solar powered timepiece that’s both rugged and resistant to low temperatures will keep you upto-date.”

Stay hydrated

It may be cool, but that doesn’t mean your risk for dehydration disappears. When you are active, you need to replenish your body with fluids to stay healthy.

Pack more than enough water for the length of your journey.

Likewise, stock up on nutritionally dense snacks.

Tell someone

Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return home.

Even if you are a novice to the outdoor lifestyle, there’s no better time of year to go on an adventure than now.

24 | October 30, 2015

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

PHOTO | URI

Tamir Goodman, back row, third from right, with University of Rhode Island students at the Norman M. Fain Hillel Center on Oct. 14.

Basketball was no slam dunk for ‘the Jewish Jordan’

BY JOSEPHINE MAIDA KINGSTON, R.I. – Students walking into the Norman M. Fain Hillel Center at the University of Rhode Island to hear Tamir Goodman speak on Oct. 14 might not have immediately noticed the man once dubbed “the Jewish Jordan” by Sports Illustrated. And it’s not because the 6-foot-3 redhead cannot command a room, but because he was surrounded by students, Hillel staff and community members who had come to hear the former basketball superstar speak.

But once Goodman, 33, began his presentation, his presence was certainly known. Everyone in the room, regardless of sports appreciation or religious background, became caught up in his history.

Goodman first spoke about growing up in Maryland in an Orthodox Jewish home. From the start, he had a passion for basketball, but his peers cautioned him that success would be difficult due to his inability

to practice and play the sport on Shabbat. Goodman never let the negative remarks deter him and, with the strength of his faith and the support of his family, he reached heights his peers never dreamed possible.

During his junior year in high school, Goodman was one of the top 25 high school players in the United States, which got the attention of the University of Maryland basketball program.

He was offered a full scholarship to the university but, due to his religious constraints, he turned it down.

The attention he received from major college sports programs created national interest in Goodman. Overnight, he became a star, receiving more than 700 requests from local and national media outlets.

The most notable came from Sports Illustrated, which published an article and photos of the 17-year-old and dubbed him “the Jewish Jordan.” During his senior year of high school, Goodman accepted a scholarship from Towson University,

which promised to accommodate his religious needs.

Goodman flourished his freshman year, despite the intensity of the Towson basketball program. But the coach was fired at the end of his freshman year and the new coach did not give Goodman the flexibility he needed to respect his religious beliefs.

Goodman’s lifelong dream was in jeopardy. He said that when he left the team, and basketball, he didn’t feel like himself. He eventually started practicing again and it was not long before opportunity struck.

In 2002, Goodman was invited to play professional basketball in Israel, and he jumped at the chance. While visiting children at an Israeli hospital, he met a woman who would become his wife. He played successfully for a few years, but in 2004 he had a string of injuries that forced him to retire at age 27.

Goodman says his injuries helped him redefine success.

After his professional basketball career ended, he would invent sports-friendly tzitzit, volunteer with children at basketball camps around the world, write a book,and invent a National Basketball Association-accredited training product, the Zone 190.

“That’s the beauty of sport, the beauty of basketball – it brings everyone together more than anything else in the world,” Goodman said during his speech, adding that the sport has connected him to many others around the world and allowed him to share his story of perseverance and faith.

JOSEPHINE MAIDA a junior at URI. She is the vice president of PRSSA and the public relations intern at the URI Hillel Center.

thejewishvoice.org

COMMUNITY

October 30, 2015 |

25

URI Hillel meet and greet

Members of the URI Hillel Board and staff and members of the URI AEPi chapter mingled at the Norman M. Fain Hillel Center before their meetings on Oct. 19.

Attending the meeting are: (seated left to right) Louis Kirschenbaum Seth Finkle, Arthur Norman, Naomi Baine, Jayne Richmond. (Standing front row left to right) Yaniv Havusha, Fran Shocket, Ruth Jarrett, Andy Heinz, Michael Bennett, Spencer Kaplan, Susan Leach DeBlasio, Lauren Cohen, Rebecca Schiff. (Standing rear left to right): Ron Freeman, David Talan, Adam Roth, Sam Zabronsky, Mitch Malkin, Chad Wiener, Adam Reinstein, Ben Reich, Joseph Rivelli, Claire Perlman, Mark Ross, Alex Goldman, Jared Zeitlin.

PHOTO | AMY OLSON

Touro Fraternal Association and The Jewish Voice

Professor to speak at Beth Sholom on academic freedom

BY SHAI AFSAI Professor Richard Landes will speak about “Threats to Academic Freedom and the Jewish Community in the Early 21st Century: Case Study of Connecticut College, Spring 2015” on Nov. 12 at Providence’s Congregation Beth Sholom.

As reported in a series of articles by David Bernstein of “The Washington Post,” Dr. Andrew Pessin, professor of philosophy at Connecticut College, was accused in the spring of 2015 of expressing racist or genocidal ideas toward Palestinians. The stress of the concerted campaign against Pessin drove him off campus and, as of now, has put an end to his teaching there.

“Campus activists circulated a Facebook post he wrote in which he denounced Hamas … cut off the comment section to the post where he removed any ambiguity that he was referring to Hamas and not Palestinians in general, and, with the complicity of the school newspaper, made Pessin the subject of a campuswide and ultimately national campaign of vilification,” Bernstein explained. “This included various academic departments in the university and even the university president denouncing Pessin’s alleged ‘hateful’ rhetoric, and a campus-wide forum in which Pessin’s few defenders were heckled.”

Congregation Beth Sholom will host Landes in an effort to better understand the context in which the Pessin affair occurred, the campus trends it exemplifies and their ramifications for academic freedom as well as what can be done to counter them. Pessin, a member of the R.I. Jewish community, lives in Providence.

Landes taught medieval his-

tory at Boston University and has researched messianic and millennial movements, honorshame culture and communications revolutions. His works include “The Paranoid Apocalypse: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion One Hundred Years Later” (NYU Press, 2011). He has compiled an archive of material related to Pessin’s case and made it available at his website, “The Augean Stables,” and in July published an article on the case in “The American Interest,” called “Salem on the Thames.”

“The events of last spring semester at Connecticut College raise key issues surrounding the issue of academic freedom in the early 21st century,” Landes argues. “The campaign waged against Andrew Pessin for his Facebook post of the summer of 2014, which effectively drove him from campus and bullied anyone who might defend him into silence for fear of being called a racist, embody one of the most dangerous trends imperiling academic freedom in the United States today.”

According to Landes, “An examination of what happened at Connecticut College last semester suggests ways to both identify the dynamics of this attack on academic freedom and how to deal with such attacks in the future.” In his talk, he hopes to draw attention to the difficulties involved for Jews on campus during the Pessin affair, and to how Jews off campus can contribute in the future.

The program is free and open to the public. It will take place in the social hall of Congregation Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence, 401-621-9393, from 8-9:30 p.m. For more information, contact Office@BethSholom-RI.org.

announce the

Art & Writing Contest ENTRY FORM Name of Student ________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________ Phone Number__________________________ Email Adress ____________________________ School Attending ________________________________________________________________ Grade_________

Completed Entry Forms and Essays/Art Work should be mailed to: Subject: Hanukkah Contest The Jewish Voice 401 Elmgrove Avenue Providence, RI 02906 Entries must be postmarked no later than December 4, 2015.

For more information please email to info@tourofraternal.org or TStearly@JewishAllianceRI.org

26 | October 30, 2015

BUSINESS

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Monuments Men Foundation to close JTA – A foundation established to honor the hundreds of “Monuments Men” who saved more than 5 million artworks stolen by the Nazis is closing for fi nancial reasons.

The Dallas-based Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art announced last week that it will cease operations at the end of October due to a lack of funds, The Associated Press reported.

Robert Edsel, whose 2009 book about the Monuments Men was made into a 2014 movie starring George Clooney, established the foundation in 2007.

The foundation has spent more than $7 million but raised only $3.5 million, Edsel told the Dallas Morning News, saying he made up for the deficit with his own money.

“Our commitment was to make sure they were honored, make sure their legacy was preserved and that the world knew not only what they’ve done but also what was possible, in regards to the protection of cultural treasures,” Edsel said.

“We’ve certainly done that.”

The Monuments Men were

October 30, 2015 |

27

Local business people chair Bradley event

PHOTO | LM OTERO/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Robert Edsel, founder of the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art. honored Oct. 22 in Washington, D.C., with a Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony to include four of the surviving treasure hunters.

Harry Ettlinger, a member of the Monuments Men whose Jewish family fled Germany in 1983, was scheduled to speak at the ceremony.

Rick Granoff and Lawrence Sadwin co-chaired the recent Bradley Hospital Play4Bradley Kids Golf Tournament at Ledgemont Country Club. On Sept. 21, 120 golfers raised more than $91,000 to support the hospital’s most pressing needs and underwrite its Healing Arts program. Bradley Hospital is New England’s only psychiatric hospital devoted to children.

“The success of this year’s golf tournament highlights the commitment that our donors and sponsors have made to fi ght the stigma of mental illness and help children receive the treatment they need to escape its painful grip,” said Daniel J. Wall, president of Bradley Hospital. “Our special thanks to everyone who supported the event—it was truly a great day for a great cause.”

Granoff and his wife Marcy have also been named Bravo Bradley Gala Event chairs.

That event will be held in the spring. Granoff is a co-chair of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s annual spring golf tournament.

PHOTO | PAMELA BHATIA, ARTISTIC IMAGES-RI.COM

Rick Granoff, left, and Lawrence B. Sadwin, right co-chairs for the event.

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28 | October 30, 2015

COMMUNITY | SENIORS

The Jewish Voice

Seniors enjoy music, meet the mayor

The Providence Civic Orchestra of Senior Citizens headlined a Kosher Senior Café get-together Oct. 23 at the Dwares JCC. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza introduced the orchestra, made up of about 25 older and retired musicians. About 60 people enjoyed the music, lunch and a little shmoozing.

New Bedford ICC honors Rabbi Kanter

PHOTOS | FRAN OSTENDORF

Rabbi Raphael Kanter will be honored by The Inter-ChurchCouncil (ICC) of Greater New Bedford on Nov. 1 with the Sydney Adams Award for Clergy. The award, named for the longest-serving minister of the ICC, honors those members of the clergy who have exemplified the willingness and desire to work for the good of the community, in cooperation with other faiths and organizations.

The honor will be awarded to Kanter as part of the program, “Bringing Community Together,” at White’s of Westport, at 5 p.m.

Kanter has served as the spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Congregation since 1997. He is a 1992 graduate of the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and he also holds a Master of Arts degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a Master of Education degree in

Rabbi Raphael Kanter psychological counseling from Columbia University.

In August, Tifereth Israel Congregation celebrated his 18year anniversary at the synagogue with a gala reception.

TO PARTICIPATE in the celebration, contact Connie@ iccgnb.org or call Rev. David A. Lima at 508-951-4347.

Don’t miss the Cranston Senior Guild party The Cranston Senior Guild’s annual holiday party will be held Dec. 2 at the West Valley Inn, 4 Blossom St., West Warwick, at noon. The cost of the lunch is $21, which includes soup, salad, pasta, entree and dessert.

Following lunch, there will be entertainment by Stan

Freedman and Sounds of Simcha. A raffle will be held.

Men and women 55 plus are welcome to join the guild.

Reservations for the lunch must be made by Nov. 20. For information call Natalie at 401615-9483.

thejewishvoice.org

SENIORS

October 30, 2015 |

29

Classic movies portrayed the Arab world in a benign light As a teacher of film history, I show “classic” movies of yore and compare them to recent

SKETCHBOOK MIKE FINK

fare, adding commentary about their contexts. Here is such a comparison between then and now on-screen.

Sabu, the Indian stable boy who was the “Elephant Boy” as well as the “Thief of Baghdad,” continued to appear in exotic movie roles taken from the tales of “The Arabian Nights.”

It was Alexander Korda who cast him as Abu, the free spirit in the 1940 version of the tale of an honorable robber who saves a blind prince from an evil wizard-vizier. Sabu is magically transformed into a dog, and later both man (the prince) and beast (the dog) are restored, but the boy prefers his freedom and his naughty life of playful crime to the respectability of the realm he has redeemed.

Why am I summing up this colorful, even magnificent, movie of yore?

Well, I have been musing on the images of Islam of long ago, and how they fit into the current concept of Muslem culture.

Korda, known as the savior of British cinema and knighted to become “Sir Alexander,” found

‘Walk with the Enemy’ a haunting Holocaust movie “Walk with the Enemy” has not, as of this writing, come to our town. I found it in North Attleboro and read the reviews on Google. The critics panned it as trite and naïve. I beg to differ! I found this strange and haunting visual version of an actual event a remarkable reminder of 1944, when Eichmann, in the last season of World War II, in Budapest, Hungary, intensified the mass murder of half a million Jews.

At the time, there was a young man, Elek, who saved his romantic friend from rape by murdering a Gestapo officer.

He buries his victim under the floor of his apartment, but then digs up the corpse and dons the Nazi uniform. In this disguise, he is able to stop the deportations and rescue and redeem many, many, otherwise doomed fellow Jews.

But it is never enough: his family members are gassed or shot, and although he protected some of his friends, he suffers from guilt about the loss of others.

The movie ends on a poignant note. He marries the girl he saved, they adopt one of the orphans of the tragedy, and later celebrate their wedding in postwar New York.

Elek tells us the story, but

the director, story-teller, Mark Schmidt, has already depicted it with vigor but also with restraint.

I wrote this salute to “Walk with the Enemy” because it is an admirable, effective effort, forceful and sincere, and, in the best and highest sense, “amateur.” The film is made with thoughtful artistry and honest commitment and without unnecessary or arbitrary violence.

The virtues of this film are many, and it is vulgar of movie critics to write it off with condescension and disdain. They missed the point: The Nazis and the Arrow Cross collaborators were unbelievably cruel, while the heroes of the era were equally unbelievably humane and brave.

This critic prides himself on being an anti-sentimentalist, and yet I was genuinely moved by the authentic skill of all who participated in this underrated production. This includes actor Ben Kingley, who brings to a cameo role of the Regent Horthy just the right note of stiff pride, a sense of proportion, and personal agony.

MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol. com) teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.

a fellow refugee from Nazi Europe, Conrad Veidt, and dressed him up in a turban and flowing robes to play the oppressor and plotter (the wizard-vizier) in the film. So we have a Jewish producer/director who is Hungarian, English and American – a wandering Jew. The Baghdad bad-guy villain (Veidt) is also a survivor and an artist.

Far from making the Arab world look tyrannical, this Jewish film portrays the beggars as poignant and poetic, the lovers as lost idealists, the reigning rulers as a generation of the desperate, the usurper a hypnotic monster. In short, this cinematic children’s story, illustrated and dramatized, projects a Jewish vision upon a work of literature.

There were quite a number of hopeful narratives about the plight of the caliphate corners of the world. There was, for example, “The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam”: “The moving finger writes and having writ moves on. Nor all your piety nor wit will lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it.” Something like that, words to suggest the bleakly beautiful desert sands.

Marlene Dietrich wore a veil, a kind of burka, in several exotic motion pictures, from “Morocco” to “Kismet.”

The Jewish gesture was not to insult, diminish, or mock other faiths and cultures, but rather to share the Jewish plight with

all humanity, with all the powers of their talents. That is how and why I watch with endless and eager interest the movies, and read and reread the po-

“The Jews are basically a gentle people who love to laugh and to remember and to hope.” etry that presents the Mideast past generously and genially.

There is almost no difference between “children’s” fare and the grown-up arts: Just bring to

bear the same search and quest upon the stories you read to yourself or your grandchildren.

I write this rhapsody to the old-fashioned fables because from the actual, real region of the area of Baghdad and all its neighboring nations, we meet nothing but words of hatred aimed at the Jews and their land and lore. The Jews are basically a gentle people who love to laugh and to remember and to hope. Sadly, tragically, it is impossible to have a conversation with people who haul stones and abuse instead of celebrating freedom, friendship and folklore.

MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol. com) teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.

30 | October 30, 2015 Sidney E. Berger, 94 PORT CHARLOTTE, FLA. – Sidney E. Berger, 94, died Oct. 15 at Harbor Terrace (Southport Square) in Port Charlotte.

He was the husband of the late Josephine (Berns) Berger. Born in Roselle Park, N.J., a son of the late Maurice and Rose (Superior) Berger, he had lived in Port Charlotte since 2008, previously living in Warwick. He was a chemical engineer with Dow Chemical for 28 years. He was a WWII and Korean Conflict Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific Theatre and Kodiac Island, Alaska.

He was a graduate of Clarkson College of Technology in Potsdam, N.Y., a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, and was active in the Coast Guard Aux. in New York. Devoted father of Franklin G. Berger and his wife, Josanne, of Columbia, S.C., and Harris S. Berger of Westboro, Mass. Loving grandfather of Melissa Ann Nesbitt and her husband, Peter, and Erica Ann DiGrazia and her husband, Justin. Cherished great grandfather of Riley, Molly, Barrett and Ethan.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 245 Waterman Ave., Providence, R.I. 02906.

Edward S. Feldman, 92 EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Edward S. Feldman died Oct. 23 at Tockwotton on the Waterfront.

He was the beloved husband of Zelda (Banks) Feldman. Born in Providence, a son of the late Reuben and Augusta (Rothman) Feldman, he had lived in Cranston and Warwick before moving to East Providence. Edward was a production manager and product designer for Charles Rothman Mfg. Co. for many years, retiring in 1989.

He was a WWII Navy veteran serving as a lieutenant in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of Temple Beth-El. Devoted father of Peter Feldman and his wife, Ritu Schroff, of Seattle, Wash., and Howard L. Feldman, Esq. and his wife, Susan, of Warwick. Brother of Muriel Bedoll of Cleveland, Ohio. Grandfather of Meera, Lauren, Lana, Leslie and Andrew. Great-grandfather of Talia, Madalyn, Rylan and Caroline.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, R.I. 02904.

Daniel Reid Fogelson, 56 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Daniel Reid Fogelson died peacefully on Oct. 17 at his home in Providence after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was the husband of Debra Reid Gordon and son of Dr. M. Harold Fogelson and Dr. Nancy (Schwalb) Fogelson of Naples, Fla. He attended Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was active in theater productions. He

OBITUARIES graduated from Pratt Institute of Design in 1981 with a BFA in interior design and later attended Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies. After college, Daniel began working at Knoll International in New York City, where he met Debra Gordon. They were married in 1986. He had a successful career in interior design and later in sales and marketing for several furniture and textile manufacturers. Most recently, he was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for DatesWeiser Furniture Corporation in New York. He will be remembered as an industry leader, strategist and respected marketing mind.

He enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and internationally.

He will be missed by friends and colleagues around the world.

In addition to his wife of 29 years, Daniel is survived by his daughter Dr. Margaret GordonFogelson and her husband, Dr. Ashley Miller of Cincinnati, Ohio, and son Robert GordonFogelson of Los Angeles, Calif.

He is also survived by his brothers Alex Fogelson of Leesburg, Va., and Stephen Fogelson of Deering, N.H. Contributions in his memory may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, Mass. 02284.

Elizabeth L. Hollander, 75 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Elizabeth L. Hollander, a city planner and leader in service learning, died of cancer Oct. 14.

Liz Hollander, as she was known to her friends and colleagues, had a long and distinguished professional career, first in Chicago and later in Providence. In the former, she was Planning Commissioner under the city’s first African-American mayor, Harold Washington, from 1983 to 1989. The first woman to hold that position, Hollander was a champion of city life, both through increased neighborhood development and the enlivening and reactivation of the downtown. During her tenure, the city adopted its first comprehensive homeless shelter laws and achieved the long-delayed completion of a new central public library. She first came to prominence in Chicago as director of the Metropolitan Planning Council. After her time in city government, she founded the Egan Urban Center at DePaul University.

She came to Providence from Chicago in 1997 to become executive director of Campus Compact, a national organization that promotes civic engagement in higher education. Her later focus on service learning also led to a position at Tufts University, and she published numerous articles in the field. After retiring from Campus Compact in 2006, Hollander became a

The Jewish Voice leader in civic and religious organizations in Providence. She served as president of the board of directors of Community MusicWorks, a prize-winning afterschool music program. She was also a co-chair of J Street in Rhode Island, an organization devoted to promoting peace between Israel and Palestine, and served on the Israel Task Force of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance.

In addition, she created and led the Arts Allies, a nonprofit group that advocated for greater resources and commitment to the arts in Providence public schools. She was a member of many national boards, including the National Civic League and Public Allies, and received numerous awards for both her professional and volunteer activities, including honorary doctoral degrees from DePaul University and Milikin University, the Lambda Alpha International Public Official Award, and the Women Who Make a Difference Award, from the Chicago Network.

She grew up in New York City.

Her father, Russell Lynes, was a writer and managing editor of Harper’s Magazine, and her paternal uncle, George Platt Lynes, was a highly regarded photog rapher. She attended Friends Seminary in New York and went on to earn a B.A. in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. There, she first demonstrated her lifelong commitment to social justice and equality by leading the civil rights organization on campus. In her adult life, she converted to Judaism and was an active member of KAM Isiah Israel Congregation in Chicago, Temple Beth-El in Providence and Hevreh in Great Barrington, Mass.. She is survived by her husband, Carl Kaestle, her children, Daniel Hollander and Rachel Hollander, and her grandchildren, Edith Hollander, Emily Hollander, Jane Hollander and Sebastian Holst.

A memorial service will be held Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. at Temple Beth-El. Donations may be made to Community Music Works (communitymusicworks. org).

David Harris Meltzer, 89 After a lifetime of world travel, exotic adventures, good food and a life well lived, David H. Meltzer passed away peacefully on Oct. 22. He was a resident of both Winter Park, Fla., and North Dartmouth, Mass. He traveled extensively throughout the four corners of the world including the Amazon rainforest, the Seychelles Islands, Bangkok and Montana.

Son of the late Eli and Bessie Meltzer; brother of the late Dr. Morton F. Meltzer; husband of the late Barbara Shuster Meltzer for 22 years until her death in 1983; devoted father to Norman E. Meltzer and Elisabeth Meltzer Zimmerman, and grandfather of Zachary B. Zimmerman.

He attended UMass Amherst for his bachelor’s degree and Boston College for his MBA. He had numerous memberships and board affiliations including Rotary Club, Junior Achievement of New Bedford, Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College and the Marion Mallet Club.

He had many vocations including manager of WNBH AM-FM, New Bedford, Mass., sales manager with Muzak Corp., Providence and Boston, visiting lecturer at Providence College and Brown University (Human Factors), and training programs with Rhode Island DPT Community Development (Motivation).

He was a former member of the Mass Commission of Tourism under Governor Foster; a 32nd degree Mason – Aleppo Temple Shriner; and he was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Wallace Wilkinson.

David proudly served his country in World War II as a

sargent in the 69th Infantry Div. ETO Rhineland Campaign. He was awarded with Bronze Battle Star, Combat Infantry’s Badge, and Croix de Guerre.

He was a lover of music, theater and history. He was one of a kind, fearless and will be deeply missed.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Jewish War Veterans of the United States, 1811 R Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009 or jwv@jwv.org.

Priscilla Nitkin, 89 PROVIDENCE – Priscilla Nitkin passed away Oct. 6. She was the wife of the late Nathaniel Nitkin. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., a daughter of the late Solomon and Harriet (Estrin) Salzberg.

She was a member of the Pythian Sisters.

She is survived by her children Neil Nitkin and Barbara Japhet; her brother Michael Salzberg; and grandchildren Beth Japhet, Nathan Japhet and Nathaniel Nitkin. She was the sister of the late Carolyn Brown.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

Charlotte Weinbaum, 90 CHICAGO, ILL. – Charlotte (Shlevin) Weinbaum, formerly of Cranston, died Oct. 25.

Beloved wife of the late David Weinbaum; mother of Dale (Michael) Solow and the late Robert (Caryl) Weinbaum; loving Nana of Corey and Drew Solow, Jamie, Doug, and Eric Weinbaum; sister of the late Sam (late Irene) Shlevin and the late Rose (late Ernie) Cohen; will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She will be remembered as a strong woman who lived each day with gratitude and love.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, www.melanoma.org.

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WORLD

October 30, 2015 |

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The Beta Israel religious leadership believes the Sigd holiday is a gift its community can share

BY SHAI AFSAI The annual Sigd holiday is one of the many unique religious traditions developed and preserved by the Jews of Ethiopia (the Beta Israel/House of Israel). Occurring 50 days after Yom Kippur, on the 29th of the Hebrew month of Heshvan, it falls on Nov. 11 this year. Since 2008, the Sigd has been an official Israeli state holiday, though it continues to be celebrated mainly by the country’s Jewish community from Ethiopia, which numbers about 130,000.

The religious leadership of the Beta Israel believes that the Sigd is a significant gift that its community can share with other Jews, and hopes more Jews will come to learn about and celebrate the holiday. According to Qes Semai Elias, the director of the Council of kohanim of the Ethiopian Jews in Israel, the organization that represents the priests who are the traditional religious leaders of Jews from Ethiopia, “Our next ambition in connection with the holiday is to claim a worthy place for it among the Jewish holidays of the Hebrew calendar, and to thus impart to the month of Heshvan, which is otherwise devoid of holidays, our own festive contribution.”

Sigd means “prostration” or “bowing down” in Ge’ez, an ancient Ethiopian liturgical language. The holiday commemorates and is patterned after the events described in the Book of Nehemiah. It is related there that following the return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile to the Land of Israel, in the 6th century B.C.E, they gathered in Jerusalem on the first day of the

Qes Semai Elias.

Hebrew month of Tishrei (Rosh Hashanah) and requested that Ezra the Scribe read to them from the Torah: “So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Torah before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand … Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people lifted their hands and responded, ‘Amen! Amen!’ Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.” (Nehemiah 8:2-6) In addition to that Rosh Hashanah gathering, the Book of Nehemiah recounts another Jerusalem assembly that took place several weeks later, on the 24th of Tishrei. That second assembly culminated in

the Judean community publicly recommitting itself to the covenant between God and the Jewish people: “On the 24th day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners.

They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Torah of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.” (Nehemiah 9:1-3) Those two ancient Jerusalem assemblies, on Rosh Hashanah and on the 24th of Tishrei, are the Sigd holiday’s blueprint.

During the Sigd, the priests publicly read, translate and expound upon portions of the Bible, and the day involves fasting and a communal confessing of sins, as well as reacceptance of the Torah.

Qes Mula Zerihoon, a 41-yearold Ethiopian-born priest ordained in Israel, explains that one of the Sigd’s central themes is also the Jewish longing for an end to exile and a return to Jerusalem. In Ethiopia, he recalls, the Sigd was celebrated atop mountains: “When we climbed the mountain, we felt Jerusalem in our heart of hearts. This deeply impacted our Judaism.

Jews came from afar, two or three days on foot, on horses, and on mules, in order to have the chance to hear Torah from the priests. The people learned and were strengthened.”

In Israel, thousands of Ethiopian Jews from across Israel ascend to Jerusalem on the day of the Sigd, primarily to the Armon Hanatziv Promenade that overlooks the Old City. From atop a platform adorned with

Qes Mula Zerihoon

PHOTOS | SHAI AFSAI

Two priests in Israel read a Jewish Voice article about the Sigd. the flags of Israel and Jerusalem, the priests chant prayers in the ancient Ethiopian languages of Ge’ez and Agaw, praising God and beseeching forgiveness and blessings for the Jewish people. Biblical passages describing the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai and the return of the Jews to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile are read to the congregation in Ge’ez, and then translated into Amharic, the first language of many members of the Jewish community from Ethiopia.

When the priests descend from the platform at the conclusion of the services, they are quickly surrounded by hundreds of congregants, who escort them with ululation, applause, trumpet blasts, and dancing to a nearby tent, there

to communally break the fast following the day’s repentance and renewal of the covenant.

Having twice traveled to Israel to experience the Sigd, I can attest that the holiday’s theme of Jewish unity persists and that Jews from other communities are welcomed to this Beta Israel celebration. Its religious leadership hopes more Jews will embrace the holiday.

SHAI AFSAI (ggbi@juno.com) lives in Providence. His article “A small window between two distant worlds: Qes Efraim’s visit to Rhode Island,” will appear in the upcoming issue of the Notes of the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association.

Afsai’s photo exhibit on the priests of the Beta Israel will open at Barrington’s Temple Habonim in May, accompanied by a talk on Ethiopian Judaism.

32 | October 30, 2015

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Temple Habonim concert attracts a full house

PHOTOS | TIM BARMANN, BARMANNPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Andrew Klein, left, rabbi of Temple Habonim in Barrington, speaks at the conclusion of the Sing Out for Peace event at the temple on the evening, of Oct. 26. The sold-out event raised money for Rhode Island For Community and Justice, which seeks to fight bias, bigotry and racism.

The multicultural interfaith celebration featured four groups representing a variety of backgrounds. On the stage with Klein are some of the dancers and singers who performed for the benefit. To Klein’s right, wearing a red sweater,

is Diane Minasian, a Temple Habonim member who organized the event.

Members of the Ruach Singers and Prism of Praise Community Gospel Choir perform together, above, during the benefit.

In the photo, from left, are John Rossheim and Jennifer Levy of Ruach; and Alisha Thounsavath and Agnes Teclar of Prism of Praise. The other groups performing were Prafulla Velury and her students and Waleed Muhammad.

Your life is rooted in Jewish experiences

your legacy can be too.

When you leave a bequest or planned gift, you ensure that the traditions and institutions that mean so much to you today will be there for future generations tomorrow.You leave your children, grandchildren, and the community a precious inheritance and a lasting testimony to your love and values.

Honor Build

your Jewish past.

For more information on ways to create your Jewish legacy, contact Trine Lustig, Vice President of Philanthropy, at 401.421.4111 ext. 223 or tlustig@jewishallianceri.org.

your future.

Create

your legacy.

October 30, 2015 |

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Jewish Life:

Find resources that connect you to the Jewish community, education, fitness, and more.

Help is only a click or call away.

“Where can I learn more about increasing my connection to the Jewish community?”

“Where can I find local options to further my Jewish education?”

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A Living on the Edge Initiative • Providing a Safety Net • Promoting Self-sufficiency • Increasing Access to Jewish Life

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Welcome to AccessJewishRI.org—an Information & Referral website that brings people and services together, combined with personalized, confidential phone assistance. It is a single point of contact to access the multitude of services, activities, and resources provided by the Jewish community as well as social services, health care, and government agencies in greater Rhode Island.

We are the friendly voice at the end of the phone, a loving embrace, and a helping hand.

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COMMUNITY | KIDS

The Jewish Voice

Welcoming Shabbat at Temple Sinai On Oct. 9, families gathered for the first Shabbat Shaboom! The monthly program for families with Jewish babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and kindergarteners

meets on the second Friday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Temple’s Chapel. Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser leads a half hour of singing songs, telling stories, lighting candles,

PHOTO | HARRIET WASSER

making blessings over challah and juice and having fun. The program is free and open to all. Challah is provided by Temple Sinai Sisterhood.

FUN AND FACTS FOR KIDS Sponsored by the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association | info@rijha.com | Written by Ruth L. Breindel

Did you know: COMING TO AMERICA (and Rhode Island) Jewish families have come to America from the very beginning, escaping persecution and economic hardship in Europe. In fact, Newport, R.I. was one of the first Jewish settlements. These Jews were mostly Sephardim (Jews who come from Portugal and Spain), and they established Touro Synagogue.

When the British occupied Newport during the Revolutionary War, the Jewish community left Newport.

MAP COURTESY OF WIKICOMMONS

Where did your ancestors come from?

On this map, mark where your family originated and where they came when first arriving in the Americas. Borders of countries in Europe have changed over the centuries; look for the general area.

The next group to come to America and Rhode Island were those from Europe, first the German Jews beginning around 1840, and then those from Eastern Europe, who came in the mid to late 1800s; these are known as Ashkenazi Jews. East European immigration, which began in the late 1800s, brought Jews who were usually poorer and less educated than the German Jews. They often lived in south Providence, and there were thriving communities there. By the 1920s and 1930s, many had moved to other parts of Providence and Rhode Island.

The final chapter, Jews who have come here since the 1950s, has yet to be written. Jews from Russia, Egypt and other countries are still coming to America. Maybe you can write this next chapter!

Do you have any relatives still in that first country?

Do you have any relatives in that first place in the Americas?

“What would I pack in my trunk?” A Memory Game 1. Play this game with at least one other person.

2. The first person says, “In my trunk I would put …”

3. The next person says, “In my trunk I would put … (what the first person had said), and ***” 4. The next person (or back to the first person) says, “In my trunk I would put …, *** and ###.”

5. Continue the game until one person can’t remember one of the items.

If you were coming from Europe to America in one of the waves of immigrants (before 1776, mid 1800s-early 1900s, today), think about what you would bring with you. Keep in mind what would NOT be available, depending on the era: electricity, cars, planes, phones, even many books.

Make a list of what you could have, and what you couldn’t. Mark those things you think are most important.

COMMUNITY

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October 30, 2015 |

35

Rhode Island Challah Bake attracts all ages

About 100 people turned out Oct. 22 to learn about mixing and braiding and the importance of challah. Everyone took home a beautiful challah or two to bake for Shabbat. Part of the worldwide 2015 Shabbos Project, the Great R.I.

Challah Bake was held for the second year at the Dwares JCC. Planners are already looking forward to next year.

PHOTOS | FRAN OSTENDORF

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36 | October 30, 2015

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