February 14, 2014 by Jewish Rhode Island

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

14 Adar I 5774 | February 14, 2014

SENIOR LIVING Watercolors by Mrs. Winograd A Renaissance Woman By IRINa MISSIuRO imissiuro@jewishallianceri.org Lila Winograd was my math teacher twenty-four years ago. Observing her coiffed hair, stockings, heels, and lipstick, I thought she was highly elegant. Back then, I was a new immigrant and wore the same light blue tracksuit, with a pink stripe across the chest, nearly every day. She, on the other hand, looked like she had just stepped out of the fashion spread pages. Precisely because of her great sense of style and refinement, it’s not surprising that Winograd developed an interest in art. The story of how she stumbled onto the hobby is telling. What Winograd really wanted to do was learn how to play bridge. She planned to take lessons with a couple of friends. When her sister bowed out, the group couldn’t find a fourth per-

Quinn ROOney/GeTTy imaGeS

The Israeli team in Sochi, Russia Short track speed skater Vladislav Bykanov of the Israel Olympic team carries his country’s ﬂag during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics on Feb. 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

eRin mOSeley

wateRCOlORS | 23

Remembering the Holocaust By MIChelle CICChItellI mcicchiteli@jewishallianceri.org So much comes to mind when teaching the next generation about the Holocaust. When do you start the conversation with your children, and how much detail should you give? How do you explain the reasons why the horrific events occurred? Considering that the witnesses are beginning to die and that genocide still takes place today, it’s more important than ever to teach our children about the Holocaust.

Ensuring that our society never forgets the Holocaust legacy is the very reason education is at the heart of the matter. Only five states in our country mandate Holocaust education in school, and R.I. is not one of them. Jews can tell personal stories to their children at home, and youngsters can learn about Jewish oppression in religious schools. However, as a community, how do we ensure that children are really learning the details of the Holocaust? What hOlOCauSt | 36

cOuRTeSy | JeWiSh alliance GReaTeR RhOde iSland

Your guide to what’s happening in Jewish Rhode Island between Purim and Passover: see pages 19 - 22.

Brought to you by the Synagogue Initiative of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

March 2 - April 22, 2014

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More Than Eat, Drink, and Be Merry... INSIDE Books 17 Business 32-33 Calendar 8-9 Community 2-6, 8-9, 12-14, 30, 35-37 D’var Torah 7 Food 15-16 Obituaries 34 Opinion 10-11 Senior Living 23-33, 35 Technology 38 We Are Read 37

THIS ISSUE’S QUOTABLE QUOTE “You can’t turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again.”

By Ruth Page The festival of Purim is one of the most beloved Jewish holidays, in part because of the customs surrounding its observance: raucous, noisy behavior; dressing in costume; and drinking to excess... and all this can happen within the confines of a synagogue! Loosely described as the Jewish answer to Mardi Gras or Carnival, Purim comes at the same time of the year as those holidays. Other cultures, likewise, have bacchanalian festivals at similar times – to welcome spring by releasing curbed energy after a long, cold winter. However, the theological foundation of Purim differs radically from its Christian and pagan counterparts. In actual fact, the historicity of Purim is somewhat lacking in support. The events that inspired the holiday are recounted in Megillat Esther – one of only two books of the Bible that never mention God’s name (the other being Song of Songs). The story of Esther, Mordechai, Ahashverosh, and the villainous Haman is well known to all. It recounts the deliverance of the Jews in the kingdom of Persia from the annihilation Haman planned for them. Yet there is no corroboration of the events

from any other source, so the book’s historical accuracy has been questioned. That, coupled with the absence of God’s name from the account, provoked great controversy among the rabbis; and Esther was included in the biblical canon only after much debate. Unlike the other four scrolls read liturgically in the synagogue (Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, and Ecclesiastes), the Book of Esther must be read from a parchment scroll; and the rules governing the reading of this megillah are contained in the Talmudic tractate Megillah. In the Diaspora, Megillat Esther became popular for its message of the triumph of justice; and it encouraged reflection on the duties of a Jew towards his/her community. Two primary obligations of Purim, beyond the revelry, are donating to the needy (mattanot la-evyonim), and the sending of gifts to friends (mishloah manot – better known in Yiddish as shlach-monos). The Book of Esther has inspired many commentaries and been the subject of much Jewish folk art. The scroll pictured here, printed on leather with hand-painted wooden rollers, is from the collection of the Abraham and Natalie Percelay

Temple Emanu-El

Museum of Temple EmanuEl. Artistically decorated, it was donated to the museum by friends, in memory of Dora Rosenthal and Joseph Rosenthal, mother and brother of Mrs. Eli A. Bohnen. Ruth Page (rpage55@cox. net) is the Chair for the Museum Committee at Temple Emanu-El. This article first appeared in Temple Emanu-El’s newsletter, The Kol, in the Museum Musings column, February 2010. EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is the first in a series about Hiddur Mitzvah (enhancement or beautification of the divine commandment). Jewish Tradi-

tion reminds us to perform each mitzvah in the most beautiful manner. What better way to enhance the mitzvah than with art or aesthetics? Decorative candlesticks, Kiddush cups, velvet-covered Torah all add to the delight of religious acts. In appreciation of Hiddur Mitzvah, The Jewish Voice will highlight Judaica collections and treasures in our synagogues and museums throughout the state. “This is my God, and I will glorify Him.” Exodus/Shmot 15:2

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February 14, 2014 |

Jake Wallack celebrates his bar mitzvah at United Brothers Synagogue A special day in a unique place of worship Jake Wallack of Little Compton became a bar mitzvah on January 11, 2014, in a joyous celebration at United Brothers Synagogue (UBS) in Bristol. The occasion was noteworthy for several reasons. First, Jake completed his bar mitzvah training with tutor Sandra Freedman via Skype, allowing him to remain in the comfort of his home while focusing on his Jewish learning. This cyber-method of studying the Torah and prayers accommodates learners in the digital age. The second reason Jake’s bar mitzvah was significant is because his was the first bar mitzvah performed and celebrated at UBS in recent years. When Jake’s parents, Stan and Anya Wallack, joined UBS in 2001, its historic significance, tolerant philosophy and warm community attracted them. Founded by factory workers and tradesmen, UBS is the second oldest synagogue in Rhode Island, the first being Touro Synagogue in Newport. Eastern European immigrants, who fled anti-Semitism prevalent in their homelands, founded the

Anya Rader Wallach

Jake Wallack Jewish community in Bristol. Orthodox Jews who could not travel during Sabbath needed a synagogue within walking distance of the two communities. One was comprised of blue-collar workers from Long Island who moved to Bristol between 1897 and 1907 to work for National India Rubber Company; the other – of members

of the Young Men’s Hebrew Association. They came together to form United Brothers Synagogue in 1900. According to the UBS website, “The Bristol town directory of 1905 listed 36 Jews. Twelve were merchants, two were laborers and the others shopkeepers and peddlers. Warren’s town register listed three Jewish residents – a doctor, a grocer and a tailor. The Jewish men and women at this time had already become a part of the Bristol economy in sales professions. In 1908, a house on John Street was purchased for services and then they moved to a site on Richmond Street. The present location at 205 High Street was built in 1916. The new synagogue with its stained-glass Star of David facing the morning sun was the culmination of a dream for the congregants.” UBS closed in 1966 due to low membership, but several local families took care of the building until it reopened in 1975. UBS holds Shabbat services on the first Friday of the month. You can visit their site at unitedbrotherssynagogue.org.

Logan Green with Betty Adler Betty Adler has been volunteering at the Alliance JCC Early Childhood Center for over a year. Known for her patience and kindness, Betty interacts with all of the children (infants, toddlers and preschoolers), reads to them, plays games, shares stories and serves them lunch

Brian Sullivan

and snacks. “Betty knows all of the children by name and greets them with hugs every day,” says Nicole Katzman, Director of the ECC. “Betty is loved by all of the staff and children. She is an inspiration to us all and has boundless energy!”

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Workshop at the Alliance on one of the four mitzvot of Purim Create containers for gifts of food By IRINa MISSIuRO imissiuro@jewishallianceri.org Make your own unique Mishloach Manot containers to fulfi ll one of the four essential customs for the celebration of the Purim. An adult workshop will be held in the Alliance Creativity Center on Monday, March 3, 2014, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Come for an hour or stay the entire time, but please RSVP with the time you will arrive to ensure that enough space and materials will be available. Respond by Monday, February 24, 2014, to Diane Cerep at dcerep@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-4214111, ext. 182. Read on to learn about the mitzvot in more detail. Purim is celebrated on Sunday, March 16, 2014 (beginning at sunset on March 15). Some may wonder why Purim seems relatively late even though Rosh Hashanah was so early this year. In order to keep the Jewish holidays in their proper seasons, the Jewish lunar calendar adds a second month of Adar seven times every 19 years. This is one of those Jewish leap years. The four mitzvot associated with the holiday are: Megillah reading, gifts to the poor, festive meal and gifts of food.

diane ceRep

Megillah reading from the Book of Esther occurs twice on Purim – at night and during the day. Proper mitzvah fulfi llment involves hearing every word during the reading. Of course, we make a lot of noise at each mention of Haman’s name.

Gifts to the poor (Matanot La’evyonim) – While tzedakah is a mitzvah we do all year long, helping the poor during Purim is an additional good deed that entails providing a meal for two individuals. You may do so by donating to an organization

that will distribute the money on the holiday. Seudah – festive meal – Taking part, at minimum, requires that one ritually wash (netillat yadayim), eat bread and then recite the Birkat Hamazon, the grace after meals. The Purim

feast, during which we drink wine and eat krepchen, usually follows the study of Torah. The passage “Ve’al Hanissim” should be said after meals because the feast was begun during the day. Gifts of food – Mishloach Manot requires us to send at least two ready-to-eat foods to someone. Many see this mitzvah as an opportunity to send gifts to friends, relatives and acquaintances. Megillah reveals Mordechai as the source of this custom – he encouraged the Jews to offer gifts on the 14th day of Adar. Friendship and unity are the underlying themes of Purim. When Haman asked King Ahasuerus for permission to destroy the Jews, he described them as scattered and separate. In contrast, Queen Esther knew that Jewish unity was essential when praying for God’s help. She instructed Mordechai to unite the Jews for fasting and prayer, thus earning God’s blessing and salvation. We send gifts of food to strengthen our bonds of friendship with our fellow Jews. tO RSvP, contact Diane Cerep at dcerep@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 182.

Program Spotlight: where you can learn more about exciting programs the Jewish Alliance offers the Greater Rhode Island community.

Are you raising Jewish children... But you’re not Jewish? Don’t do it alone!

The Mothers Circle is a free education and support program for women of other religious backgrounds seeking to raise Jewish children within the context of an interfaith marriage or a committed relationship. The Mothers Circle provides a warm and welcoming environment that encourages non-Jewish moms to talk with one another and navigate life as a mother in a Jewish family. Save the Date! 3rd Annual Passover Seder Survival Guide | Thursday, April 3 | 7pm A free holiday preparation workshop to help you celebrate Passover in an enjoyable, meaningful way. For more information visit jewishallianceri.org, or contact Kit Haspel at khaspel@jewishallianceri.org or 401.421.4111 ext. 184. 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence RI 02906

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Our Fortunate Eyes “Life In Stills,” winner of Israel’s 2012 Ophir Award, returned for encore presentations in Rhode Island and Cape Cod By Kara Marziali kmarziali@jewishallianceri.org This month the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Cape Cod (JFCC), presented the documentary “Life in Stills” at Newport Public Library (hosted by Touro Synagogue), Falmouth Jewish Congregation and the Dwares JCC. The three events generated nearly two hundred community members in attendance. Ben Peter, grandson of the late Rudi Weissenstein, introduced the film at each location and answered questions after each screening. Some attendees asked about the making of the documentary while others focused on questions about Miriam Weissenstein, Rudi’s wife and Ben’s grandmother. “She and I had a very special relationship,” said Peter. In the film, Miriam’s feisty nature comes through loud and clear; at 96 years old, she tells it like it is. Viewers laughed at her one-liners—barbs usually directed toward Ben—and reacted emotionally when the story’s plot revealed family misfortunes. But the universal take-home message was one of familial bonds, especially the grandparent/grandchild relationship. “What I found most moving was the way audience members,

young and old, connected to the story,” said Erin Moseley, Director of Arts & Culture at the Alliance. “I spoke with several individuals at each location who through tears told me stories of their own relationship with a beloved grandparent or grandchild.” Terry Smily, JFCC President, was particularly pleased with the program in Falmouth and the collaboration with the Alliance “I have nothing but great things to say. Thanks to the Alliance for bringing ‘Life in Stills’ back to New England, and thank you to Ben for having such an inspirational story.” In addition, the exhibit “Your Fortunate Eyes–Photographs by Rudy Weissenstein” is on display at gallery(401) at the Dwares JCC through February 28. These images showcase a mere sample of Weissenstein’s one million photographs and the exhibit is curated by Ben Peter, Michal Amran and Andreas Grau-Fuchs, Pri-Or PhotoHouse Tel Aviv. Free programs such as these are made possible by the generosity of donors to the Jewish Alliance who deeply believe that there should be community places, spaces and experiences that are accessible to everyone.

Ben Peter took the time to talk about his grandfather’s photography with guests during the opening reception of “Your Fortunate Eyes” at gallery(401).

Kara Marziali is the Director of Communications at the Alliance.

Attendees in Newport were enthralled with the documentary “Life In Stills.” Many asked provocative and thoughtful questions during the Q&A.

Books, postcards, DVDs, and posters were available for sale after each event. In Falmouth, more than 50 people viewed “Life in Stills” and waited to speak to Ben after the screening.

COLUMNISTS Dr. Stanley Aronson, Michael Fink, Rabbi James Rosenberg and Daniel Stieglitz

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Kara Marziali, Alliance Director of Communications Brian Sullivan, Alliance Director of Marketing

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Irina Missiuro Editorial ConsultantS Irina Missiuro | Judith Romney Wegner CALENDAR COORDINATOR Toby London

Advertising representatives Tricia Stearly • tstearly@jewishal- MEMBER of the Rhode Island Press lianceri.org 421-4111, ext. 160 Association Karen Borger • ksborger@gmail. com 529-2538

Copy Deadlines All news releases, THE JEWISH VOICE (ISSN number 1539- photographs, etc., must be received 2104, USPS #465-710) is published bi-week- on the Wednesday two weeks prior to ly, except in July, when it does not publish. publication. Submissions may be sent to: editor@jewishallianceri.org. PERIODICALS Postage paid at Providence, R.I. Advertising We do not accept advertisements for pork or shellfish. We do POSTMASTER Send address changes to: not attest to the kashrut of any product The Jewish Voice, 401 Elmgrove Ave., or the legitimacy of our advertisers’ Providence, RI 02906. claims. PUBLISHER The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Chair Sharon Gaines, President/CEO Jeffrey K. Savit, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. Phone: 401-421-4111 • Fax 401-331-7961

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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PHDS supports School Choice at State House rally On Thursday, January 31, Rabbi Peretz Scheinerman and a large group of Providence Hebrew Day School (PHDS) parents, joined many other private and faith-based schools in Rhode Island at a special rally at the State House to encourage legislators to pass a voucher bill in Rhode Island. “School choice is nothing new,” said guest speaker Derrell Bradford, Executive Director of Better Education for Kids. Bradford recently served as the Executive Director and Director of Communications for Excellent Education for Everyone (E3), New Jersey’s largest school choice advocacy group. Bradford enthralled the audience with his personal story about how his life was shaped by a scholarship he received. Bradford said that school choice exists today, but only for the rich who can choose to live in wealthy, upscale public school districts. He stated that President Barack Obama was the recipient of a scholarship that allowed him to attend private school in Hawaii. Pointing to the dismal scores and performance in many urban schools, Mr. Bradford said that status

The Providence Hebrew Day School Band performed at the rally. quo is simply not acceptable. Rabbi Peretz Scheinerman, Dean of PHDS, was selected to present the School Choice Award to two private school recipients. In his brief address, Rabbi Scheinerman mentioned “that there are already 13 states that have enacted school voucher laws, and, God willing, Rhode Island will be number 14.” Rhode Island already has a small scholarship tax credit program which has helped many parents afford PHDS, [Jewish Community Day School] and other private schools. However, due to the nature of the program, it is not a stable source of scholarship

funding for families. “Jewish day school affordability is a system-wide problem for families,” said Rabbi Scheinerman, a strong advocate for school choice. “Regardless of income level, families seeking to educate their children are struggling. States where school choice initiatives have been enacted have been successful in recruiting new families to their communities, since tuition payments are either free or greatly reduced. We appreciate Agudath Israel of America, which has been especially supportive of this initiative; the organization sent Rabbi A.D. Motzen to visit Providence, meet with a group

of school choice advocates, and offer his services and expertise to help us get a voucher law passed. His help has been invaluable.” Attendees also heard remarks from Edward Bastia, Business Administrator for Catholic Education in Rhode Island. “The Catholic schools of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island are proud to join with Providence Hebrew Day School and other school communities of Rhode Island Families for School Choice in bringing expanded parental choice in education into focus at the Rhode Island State House. We no longer subscribe to the con-

Tzippy Scheinerman

ventional mindset that educational opportunities should be limited by one’s street address. The time has come to empower parents to choose the best educational environment for their sons and daughters. Give parents credit, because they know best.” Note: The issue of vouchers and scholarship tax credits are not without controversy nationwide and locally. At this time the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the Jewish Community Relations Council have not taken a position due to the sensitivity of the issue.

D’VAR TORAH

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When do you have the “lead” and when are you a “bit player”? Dear director – what’s my motivation? Parashat Ki Tissa Exodus 30:11 – 34:35 By Rabbi Cantor Anne Heath Special to The JewishVoice “Whoever sought God would go out to the Tent of Meeting.” (Exodus 33:7) “God would speak to Moses face to face, as one person speaks to another.” (Exodus 33:11) At the foot of Mount Sinai, things aren’t going particularly well for Moses and the Israelites, as the incident of the golden calf clearly illustrates. Moses has convinced God to stick with the Israelites despite their grave shortcomings, but Moses could really use some additional support from his senior partner God. Time to “take a meeting,” and what better place than in the “Tent of Meeting?” Hitherto unmentioned in the Torah, Moses would take “the Tent” outside the Israelite camp and, anyone who wanted to ask something of God, went there – Moses included. Torah doesn’t recount how others’ visits transpired, but Moses’ visits to this Tent of Meeting were fully evident to the people: “all the community would rise and stand, at the entrance of each tent, and gaze af-

ter Moses until he had entered the Tent.” (Exodus 33:10). The pillar of cloud then descended and all became aware that Moses and God were conversing. Let’s observe the “players” in this Torah episode to see what’s happening and who’s

“… there are seventy faces to the Torah: turn it around and around, for everything is in it.” involved? We see that there are “parts” for God, for Moses, for Joshua and for the people. Focusing on Exodus 33:7-15, pick a part, find some friends, and . . . discuss amongst yourselves! Read through these nine verses. Then, when you think you have a sense for how the “story flows,” pick one sphere of your life – your immediate family, your work situation, your volunteer/community situation, or a public position, and then continue with your part (God, Moses, Joshua, or the people) and let the following deepen your study. You have the part of God.

What is it like having to be “on the ready?” Remember, “everyone who sought the Lord went out to the Tent of Meeting.” People were coming to m’vakeish – to ask, to seek, to inquire. Wow!! 24/7 customer service. And, then, there’s your “main man” Moses and his demands. Whew! This is a big job!! How is this happening to you? Or, you have the part of Moses and are “living in the breech.” You’re a junior partner to God but a senior partner to the people. Oy! This might be the toughest spot of all. Where is this happening for you? Where is everyone watching what you do, looking up to you, and where is someone “above” you asking you to take the lead while you’re uncertain that they’re going to stick around to help? Or, you have the part of Joshua. A small part, it looks like, so far. You’re the understudy. You hang out at the Tent, apparently around the clock. People, Moses, God – they all come and go. What do you know about “waiting in the wings?” Finally, you have the part of the people. There are lots of you. Some are ready to seek

God and go out to the Tent of Meeting. All rise and stand at their own tent doors whenever Moses enters the Tent and then bow in worshipful awe as the pillar of cloud representing God’s presence descends. What do you know about being on the outside when “big things” are going on about which you’re not privy? You know they’re important. You’re . . . well, what are you? Hopeful? Scared? Bored? Tired? Interested? Envious? Just what’s going on? Most likely you’ve learned somewhere that “there are seventy faces to the Torah: turn it around and around, for everything is in it.” (Bemidbar Rabba 13:15). Now that you’ve explored several faces of one small set of Torah verses, what difference will it make in your life? Sticking with the “part” you played in this Torah study for one sphere of your life and considering what you learned about yourself from your study and discussion, how might this Torah episode offer you answers to a situation that might be occurring in this sphere of your life? Will Torah be your motivation? I hope so. Each week we

bring ourselves to Torah and pray for the discernment to have our lives shaped by the truths Torah teaches. Let this week be among them. Kein yehi ratzon – thus may it be so. Shalom. RABBI CANTOR ANNE HEATH (rabbi.taunton@verizon.net), spiritual leader of Congregation Agudath Achim and the Jewish Community House, a 100-year old progressive, independent congregation in Taunton, Mass., is a member of the Greater Rhode Island and the Massachusetts Boards of Rabbis.

Candle Lighting Times Greater Rhode Island Feb. 14.......................4:59 Feb. 21.......................5:07 Feb. 28.......................5:16 March 7.....................5:24

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calendar | COMMUNITY

CALENDAR Ongoing

Friday | Feb. 14

Alliance Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. 12:00 p.m. lunch; 12:45 p.m. program. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities. Neal or Elaine, 401-421-4111, ext. 107.

Shabbat Chai Shabbat Alive. Lively singing, musicians and a warm welcome for Shabbat, followed by dinner. Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence. 5:45 p.m. www.teprov.org/shabbat_alive or bjmayer@teprov.org

Am David Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every weekday. Temple Am David, 40 Gardiner St., Warwick. 11:15 a.m. program; 12:00 p.m. lunch. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities. Elaine or Steve 401-732-0047.

Beth Sholom Shabbaton. Congregation Beth Sholom, 275 Camp St., Providence. 9 a.m. – Services with sermon by Rabbi Citron, followed by kiddush; 4:30 p.m. - Afternoon services and Seudah Shlishit/Talk. 401-621-9393 or officebethsholom@yahoo.com.

Continuing Through Feb. 27

Family First Shabbat Morning Service. Educational, interactive and entertaining service led by Rabbi Elan Babchuck intended for families of all ages; followed by lunch. Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence. 10:30 a.m. Rabbi Babchuck at ebabchuck@teprov.org.

Group Show at Habonim. 36 works by 21 artists, members of Lifelong Learning Collaborative Plein Air class. Temple Habonim, 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington. Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Fridays 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., by appointment. 401245-6536 or gallery@templehabonim. org.

Continuing Through Feb. 28 “Your Fortunate Eyes.” Exhibit of photographs from 1930s – ’50s by Rudi Weissenstein, curated by Ben Peter, Michal Amran and Andreas Grau-Fuchs, Pri-Or PhotoHouse, Tel Aviv. gallery(401), Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 pm; Sundays by appointment. Erin Moseley 401- or emoseley@ jewishallianceri.org

Continuing Through March 10 Suitcase Biography. Collection of objects that depict Holocaust experiences displayed in a suitcase accompanied by a written description of why each object was included and its significance. This project will be on display in gallery(401) at the Dwares JCC from March 3. Scituate High School Students will be presenting their projects on Monday, March 3.

Continuing Through April 1

Getting Started, Alzheimer’s Education Series, four parts, 6:30 p.m. each week. Memory Loss & Dementia: March 11. Understanding Challenging Behaviors and Communication Skills: March 18. Caregiver Wellness Program: March 25. Legal and Financial Considerations: April 1. Series to be held at Tamarisk Assisted Living, 3 Shalom Dr., Warwick, RI. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required. Call Donna Gilroy at 800-272-3900 to reserve a seat. RSVP by March 4.

Saturday | Feb. 15

Koleinu Our Voices. Shabbat morning service open to children and young adults with special needs and their families who choose to pray in an intimate and welcoming setting. Followed by kiddush lunch. Temple Emanu-El Chapel, 99 Taft Ave. Providence. 10:30 a.m. – noon. Carol Gualtieri at cgualtieri@ teprov.org or 401-331-1616. Scout Shabbat Havdalah Service. Led by Camp Yawgoog’s Rabbi Goodman for all Jewish Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, leaders and their families. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Curt Abbott at curtistabbott@gmail.com.

Sunday | Feb. 16 PJ Library Story Hour. Story and craft to celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions for youngsters ages 2-7. Congregation Beth David, 102 Kingstown Rd, Narragansett. 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Stephanie at sjmalinow@gmail.com.

Monday | Feb. 17 Animals. Looking for something fun to do during February break? “Farm Visit” will be at Striar Hebrew Academy, 100 Ames Street, Sharon, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Children of all ages are invited to learn about and hold baby animals. There will be goats, piglets, bunnies, puppies, hens and chicks. The event is $5 per child, with a $15 family max. The event is open to the public. 781-7848724.

Wednesday | Feb. 19 PJ Library Storytime. Early Childhood Center @ Temple Habonim, 165 New Meadow Rd., Barrington, RI, 02806, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Sara Foster 401-440-4376 or sfoster@jewishallianceri.org. calendar | 9

Calendar Submissions Feb. 28 issue, PETS/CAMPING – must be received by Feb. 19. March 14 issue, SPRING HOME & GARDEN – must be received by March 5. March 28 issue, PASSOVER PLANNING – must be received by March 19

Send all calendar items to editor@jewishallianceri.org with the subject line “CALENDAR.”

The Jewish Voice

“A Cause for Applause” celebrates Meredith E. Drench, PhD, PT, Hadassah leader “Come on along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway....” By Irina Missiuro imissiuro@jewishallianceri.org It’s only fitting that the Rhode Island Chapter and the Western New England Region of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, have selected “42nd Street” as the choice of entertainment for the fundraiser honoring the memory and the scholarship of Meredith E. Drench, PhD, PT, organization’s past president. Based on Drench’s friends’ descriptions of her, it’s safe to say that the late leader would have found the musical choice appropriate. After all, the story is a razzle-dazzle number about a plucky chorus girl who saves the show. It’s hard not to notice the parallels here – Drench herself was a vivacious speaker who knew how to get her message across while entertaining the public with wit and humor. Reminiscing about her friend and colleague, Monika Curnett, cochair of the event, says, “Merry was one of the funniest people. No matter what the subject, she made sure that everybody was laughing as well as getting the very important information that she wanted to put forth.” Drench was a second-generation Life Member of Hadassah, a Founder and a Keeper of the Gate. Besides her role as president, Drench’s positions at the

organization included membership on the National Board of Directors of Hadassah. Her pursuits outside of Hadassah were filled with meaning as well. A lecturer in physical therapy, Drench worked with healthcare facilities, associations, agencies and universities. Author of numerous articles and co-author of three editions of “Psychosocial Aspects of Health Care,” she also wrote “Red Ribbons Are Not Enough” – a book about health professionals who care for people with AIDS.

“It is our great privilege to honor her memory.” With Drench’s approval, the Western New England Region of Hadassah has established a Merry Drench scholarship at Hadassah Academic College to honor her commitment to Zionism and to celebrate her achievements. Describing Drench as the smartest and most giving woman she’s ever known, Curnett says, “What she’s given not only to the Jewish community, but nationally and internationally, is extremely impressive. It is our great privilege to be able to honor her memory and what we hope will be an ongoing theatrical event because Merry absolutely loved the theater, espe-

cially musicals.” Curnett’s co-chair, Barbara Portney, echoes those sentiments, “When she died, I knew I wanted to do something special that included three important things to her – Hadassah, education and musical theater. She knew every song from almost any play.” When Portney visited the Ocean State Theatre Company, she knew right away that it was the perfect place for “A Cause for Applause,” the musical fundraiser for the scholarship fund. Curnett is certain that the event will be successful because Drench was very well known in the Jewish, the medical and the intellectual communities. She says, “I hope this will be our first of many yearly theatrical events to honor my friend Merry Drench.” The show will take place on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Ocean State Theatre in Warwick. A reception will follow the performance. Those who would like to make sure that Drench’s cause stays “in the money” can send a donation to The Meredith Drench Scholarship Fund at Hadassah Academic College. The organizers ask that you make checks payable to Hadassah and mail them to Rhode Island Hadassah, 122 Nanci Karen Drive, Warwick, R.I. 02886-8627.

thejewishvoice.org

from page 8

calendar | COMMUNITY

CALENDAR

Thursday | Feb. 20 Am David Lunch & Learn. Join Rabbi Perlman for a kosher deli lunch and discussion of the weekly Torah portion. Temple Am David, 40 Gardiner Street, Warwick. 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. $10. Rabbi Perlman 401-463-7944 or rabbiperlman@cox.net. Financial Workshop: Tax Planning. Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Erin Moseley 401-421-4111, ext. 108 or emoseley@jewishallianceri.org. Adoption Options Informational Meeting. Open to anyone interested in exploring adoption choices. Providence Adoption Options, 959 North Main St., Providence. 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Peg Boyle at 331-5437, ext. 331 or peg@ jfsri.org.

Friday | Feb. 21 Shabbat Chai Shabbat Alive. Lively singing, musicians and a warm welcome for Shabbat, followed by dinner. Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence. 5:45 p.m. www.teprov.org/shabbat_alive or bjmayer@teprov.org

Saturday | Feb. 22 Scout Shabbat Havdalah Service. Led by Camp Yawgoog’s Rabbi Goodman for all Jewish Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, leaders and their families. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Curt Abbott at curtistabbott@gmail.com.

Sunday | Feb. 23 27th Annual Dinner. The New England Rabbinical College, Blackstone Blvd, Providence. For more information, contact Chana Faiga Twersky 401-2741361 or cftwersky.nerc@gmail.com. Temple Habonim Adult Education. 9:30 a.m. “Time for Me” series presents “Sundays with Andy,” “Israel: Why Should I Care?” and “Finding Middle Ground Between Love It or Leave It.” Call 401-245-6536 for more information. Congressonal Breakfast. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, 10:30 a.m., Marty Cooper 401-421-4111, ext 171 or mcooper@jewishallianceri.org.

Monday | Feb. 24 Jewish Alliance “Luau” Phone-a-thon. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Michele Gallagher, mgallagher@jewishallianceri. org

Wednesday | Feb. 26 Have a Healthy Heart. Senor Café Lunch at 12:00 noon; program with at 1:00 p.m. Dwares JCC. Neal or Elaine at 401-861-8800, ext. 107.

Saturday | March 1

An evening of eclectic Jewish learning. Join the members of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island. 7:30 p.m. Havdalah and Niggunim (singing for all); 8:15 p.m. Study Sessions; 9:00 p.m. Dessert Reception. Jewish Community Day School, 85 Taft Avenue, Providence. rabbisofgreaterrhodeisland. org.

Family First Shabbat Morning Service. Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, 10:30 a.m. teprov.org/Shabbat_ Family_First, ebabchuck@teprov.org.

Sunday | March 2 Honoring Jewish Identity. Joanne Forman Film Festival. Temple Beth-El Meeting Hall, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence. Enjoy our films, moderators and refreshments. Admission is free, 2 p.m., “The Orchestra of Exiles.” In the 1930s, Polish violinist, Bronislav Huberman, rescues hundreds of Jewish musicians, brings them to Palestine and forms a symphony that evolves into the Israel Philharmonic. Discussion with Mike Fink of RISD. 100 Days Til Summer Celebration. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Rachel Mersky Woda at rachel@campjori.com. Oils and Watercolors. Armstrong and Masten. Featured in March/April Show at the Gallery at Temple Habonim, 165 New Meadow Rd., Barrington, RI, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., office@templehabonim.org Purim Mitzvah Day. The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence, 3 Shalom Dr., Warwick, RI, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m., Michelle Cicchitelli, mcicchitelli@jewishallianceri.org

Tuesday | March 4 HERCRI Executive Committee Meeting. Holocaust Education & Resource Center of RI, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., infohercri@gmail.com

Wednesday | March 5 Cranston Senior Guild Meeting. Tamarisk Assisted Living, 3 Shalom Dr., Warwick, 1 p.m. Author Carol Desforges will read humorous excerpts from her first novel “The Pinning.” She will also give a preview of the soon-to-bereleased second novel “Behind Closed Doors.” Mrs. Desforges will be available to answer questions and sign books.

Thursday | March 6 Healthcare questions answered. Join the Temple Am David Kesher Program at 11a.m. for a presentation by Linda Amore, RN, about healthcare and a discussion afterwards led by Andrea Epstein, LICSW. Your questions about preventative care, healthcare, hospital care, home care and caregiver concerns will be addressed. Send questions in advance; we will be sure to cover them. RSVP by Monday, March 3, to andrea@jfsri.org or 401-331-1244, ext. 317. Am David Lunch & Learn. Join Rabbi Perlman for a kosher deli lunch and discussion of the weekly Torah portion. Temple Am David, 40 Gardiner Street, Warwick. 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. $10. Rabbi Perlman 401-463-7944 or rabbiperlman@cox.net. Theological Exchange between Catholics and Jews. Lecture featuring Sr. Dianne Bergant, CSA and Rabbi David Sandmel who will dialogue on the topic: Images of God in the Hebrew Bible. 7:00 p.m., Providence College, Aquinas Lounge.

February 14, 2014 |

The New England Rabbinical College celebrates award recipients Yeshiva Gedolah to hold its 27th annual dinner By Chana Faiga Twersky The New England Rabbinical College, located in the heart of the east side of Providence on Blackstone Blvd., will host its 27th annual dinner on Sunday, February 23, 2014. The college is geared for high school graduates pursuing Talmudic studies and is New England’s premier institution dedicated to this endeavor. Students engage in the study of the Talmud and classical commentaries in their original text. At the same time, they pursue secular degrees at the local colleges. The college’s annual dinner draws wide attendance both from within the community as well as outside of it. We gather to celebrate the accomplishments of a select group of honorees – individuals who have earned their respective awards because they exemplify the teaching of the Mishna (Pirkei Avos 1:2) and represent “the three pillars upon which the world stands.” The New England Rabbinical College is privileged to honor Mr. and Mrs. Shammai Weiner, of Providence. The Weiners are a team whose dedication to the dissemination of Torah extends far beyond the requirements of their job descriptions in the professional and lay leadership arenas. Mr. Weiner’s commitment to PHDS and Shaarei Tefilah (as well as the former PHDS Minyan) is legendary. His own consistent involvement in Torah study as well as his support and encouragement for those who teach and learn Torah serve as bedrock of our community. In addition, Miriam Esther Weiner, in her role as principal of PHDS, is responsible for the school’s seamless functioning. Miriam Esther Weiner’s concern and involvement with the education of each student is unparalleled. Truly, the Weiners’ efforts in Torah, Avoda, and Chesed greatly impact the larger Jewish community in Providence. With pride, the New England Rabbinical College recognizes Mr. and Mrs. Aron Pfefer

Yeshiva Gedolah of Providence, New England Rabbinical College

as the Alumni Achievement Awardees. Aron’s career path has always been governed by his recognition of the centrality of Torah study in the life of a committed Jew. After spending four years here and earning a bachelor’s in accounting, he furthered his studies in the largest Yeshiva in the country, Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, NJ. Aron currently works in the family business, located in Pittsburgh, PA, where he is actively involved in communal affairs. The Yeshiva family rejoices with him on his recent marriage and on his success building upon the heritage and legacy of his family. Mr. and Mrs. Yirmiyahu Zoberman of Toronto, Ontario, will receive the Parents of the Year award. The administration takes much pride in the knowledge that this award is

being presented to an alumnus! The Zobermans’ inside knowledge of the Yeshiva’s impact on its students was responsible for their decision to send their son, Shlomo, to study here. Mr. and Mrs. Zoberman have earned stellar reputations as paragons of community service who extend themselves for the Jewish people. Mr. Zoberman’s efforts in helping others enter the job market and Mrs. Zoberman’s work with children with special needs are examples of their devotion and dedication to the klal. A commemorative journal expressing good wishes and appreciation to the honorees will be presented at the dinner. Chana Faiga Twersky (cftwersky.nerc@gmail.com) is Administrative Director at Yeshiva Gedolah of Providence.

HERCRI receives generous donation for Holocaust education The Holocaust Education & Resource Center of Rhode Island President, Judith Jamieson is pleased to announce a gift of stock to the Education Center valued at of $93,000 from Myrna and David Leven formerly of Providence.

The Levens want the yearly dividends of the stock to be used for student Holocaust education. Myrna and David although not born in R.I., resided here for most of their adult life until moving permanently to Fla.

Mr. Leven was the owner of Major Electric in Pawtucket until its sale last year. This gift by the Levens represents a lasting legacy which honors the memory of Holocaust victims and the endurance of Holocaust Survivors.

10 | February 14, 2014

opinion

The Jewish Voice

Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Beethoven and God

from Publisher | EDITOR

Growing old gracefully

By Kara Marziali I’m older than I ever planned to be. Growing up, I thought most elderly were feeble, sick, pathetic, depressed or lonely. Many children’s books depicted apron-clad, grey-haired grannies hunched over ovens, while television commercials often showed bald, wrinkly men advertising denture creams and arthritis rubs. If this is what life held in store after 60, I did not want any part of it. I made up my mind that I would “live fast and die young” just like 1950s cinema idol James Dean, and I assumed (erroneously) that the best of my years would be over once I turned 24. That is, until I saw an episode of “The Golden Girls.” The popular sitcom, which aired from 1985-1992, made television history. Based on the lives and interactions of four older, single women—three widows and one divorcée —who shared a home, the show portrayed seniors in a positive, energetic light. Watching “The Golden Girls” became a ritual for me on Saturday nights. I’d look forward to the weekly antics of Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur), Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan), Rose Nylund (Betty White) and Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty). Each episode, these feisty femmes would gather around their kitchen table to tackle some tribulation in one or more of the women’s lives. With humor, the foursome dealt with significant and continuously relevant issues such as family relationships, elder care, sexuality, AIDS, immigration and death. The loveable Betty White, at age 92, is the only “Golden Girls” cast member still liv-

ing. In a 2012 interview with People Magazine she’s quoted as saying, “…I’m active all the time. I think that forces you to stay well.” Perhaps activity – both mental and physical – is the key to longevity. I delight when I see a 30-second spot on TV that features an older couple holding hands, dancing, laughing with silver-haired friends or playing on the floor with their grandchildren. It reminds me the best is yet to come—that my golden years also could be marked with adventure, joy and love. I am decades older than my miscalculated, projected lifespan, and I view aging as a privilege. (The other alternative—the untimely demise— doesn’t sound nearly as attractive!) Today I can scoff at our youth-obsessed culture. At present, I have a bit of grey around my temples, noticeable laugh lines when I grin and some delicate crow’s-feet around my eyes, and gravity has begun to disturb the skin along my jawline. But middle age is not something I dread. It means I have acquired a great deal of wisdom thanks, in part, to my chronological age and my life experiences thus far. Aging is not a malady; it is simply a normal and natural part of human growth and development and should be treated as such. The prime of life is right where I am, whether my age is 45, 65 or 95. The fountain of youth is far deeper than I originally thought, and growing old gracefully simply means being my authentic self regardless of the number of birthday candles that adorn my cake this year. When I look in the mirror, I may not recognize the girl I once was, but I love the woman I’ve become.

ERRATA We apologize for the inaccurate information about BunkConnect (BunkConnect.org) that was printed in the Jan. 31 issue [“Making Jewish Life Affordable”]. Launching in February 2014, BunkConnect is an online tool that offers nonprofit Jewish overnight camp experiences experiences for first-time campers at special introductory rates (40-80% off). In this pilot year,

BunkConnect is available to families in the Northeast, New England, and Mid-Atlantic regions with 35 participating camps, representing various movements and denominations. Eligibility is based on a family’s income, with consideration given to the number of dependent children and place of legal residency. Jewish day school families welcome.

our mission The mission of The Jewish Voice is to communicate Jewish news, ideas and ideals by connecting and giving voice to the diverse views of the Jewish community in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, while adhering to Jewish values and the professional standards of journalism.

I found my way via a footnote in the Jan. 9, 2014, issue of “The New York Review of Books” to an essay by jazz pianist Brad Mehldau, “Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Beethoven and God.” With a title like that, how could I not read it? The essay, which first appeared in the 2010 IT SEEMS August issue of “The TO ME Scope Magazine,” is every bit as challengRabbi Jim Rosenberg ing and provocative as its title; for Mehldau has taken upon himself the difficult task of exploring the complex interrelationship between art – in particular music – and religion. He begins by suggesting that music and religious experience are, at their most authentic, infused with a sense of the sublime. Describing his first exposure to Coltrane and Hendrix as a preteen at a music camp not far from Tanglewood, Mehldau writes: “It was destabilizing. It felt like there was something dangerous about their music. … This was the confrontation with the sublime. … You confront something that is greater than you and greater than what has until that point been safely contained in your worldview. This new greatness is unfamiliar, and your initial reaction is fear – fear of what is unknown, and also fear of something that is bigger and more powerful than you, something that could crush you. … That suggests a religious feeling. When the writers of the bible [sic] wrote about ‘fear of God,’ I think they were trying to sketch out the nature of this confrontation with the sublime.” Although both music and religion are – or at least can be – infused with a sense of the sublime, Mehldau is careful to point out a major distinction between music and religion: “Religion implies a moral direction,” whereas there is “the vague and … ambivalent relationship between art and morality that is part and parcel with modernity.” That is to say, art – especially music – is morally neutral; it can be either a force for good or a force for evil, pushing

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us to follow our own inclinations – “more towards peace and love, more towards death and destruction,” as Mehldau puts it, “more towards rational thought and orderly behavior, more towards lustful urges and bacchanalian fests.” When artists plunge into the

“… art – especially music – is morally neutral; it can be either a force for a good or a force for evil, pushing us to follow our own inclinations.” dimension of the sublime, perhaps the greatest threat to their emotional stability and their moral compass is the ever so seductive temptation to play God; for just as God can be viewed as the Creator with a capital C, every artist must come to terms with the power, the glory and the human – all too human – limitations of what it means to be a creator with a small c. Towards the end of his essay, Mehldau warns his readers, and especially his fellows musicians, of the need to maintain perspective on one’s God-given creative gifts: “The relationship between any creative mind and the citadels of religious devotion is fraught, and this troubled mix of [expletive deleted] swagger and piety is the history of modern music – it’s Beethoven, it’s Coltrane, it’s Hendrix, it’s everything you want to hear. The composer, the improviser, the singer, the guitar player – they all say, ‘Look at me. …’ And at the very same

time, they say, ‘I am in the service of something higher and greater than myself, it is not corporeal, and I am humbly transmitting that to you.’” I take Mehlbau’s words on an intimately personal level. To begin with, for almost my entire adult life, I have struggled to make peace between the artist and the religious person within me. In addition, over the past several decades, in different but interrelated ways, John Coltrane (1926-1967), Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970), Beethoven (1770-1827) and God have all played major melodies in the music of my life, defining in large part who I am today. I began listening to John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix back in the 1960s. I took to Coltrane immediately – intoxicated by the fierce imperatives, the audacious artistry of his saxophone riffs, his soaring prayers without words – what cultural critic Nat Hentoff called “a brave new universe of sound and feeling.” It was not until the early 90s that my teenage children taught me to appreciate Jimi Hendrix, whose music has outlived him, Hendrix having died tragically at an early age. When I listen to a Hendrix recording, I am renewed by his energy, his intensity, his technical mastery and musical inventiveness on the electric guitar. Beethoven, of course, has been a different story. Along with “First Lessons in Bach,” Beethoven’s “Für Elise” and, somewhat later, the first relatively easy movement of the “Moonlight Sonata” were among the first of “serious” pieces of music that I learned to play as a grade school pianist. As I have matured, I have come to drink from the depths of Beethoven’s symphonies – especially his Fifth and his Ninth; at times, I find myself lost in the infinity of his artistic genius. John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Beethoven: as all true artists, they never stopped surprising themselves. In the sublime ways in which God has played hideand-seek within the measures of their melodies – and within the ever-expanding symphony of sound which defines our universe – God has never stopped surprising me. James B. Rosenberg (rabbiemeritus@templehabonim. org) is rabbi emeritus at Temple Habonim in Barrington.

columns | letters policy The Jewish Voice publishes thoughtful and informative contributors’ columns (op-eds 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, repre-

sent 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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February 14, 2014 |

Boycotting Israeli companies is anti-Israel  By Lawrence Grossman The hostile intentions of the international boycott, divestment and sanctions movement toward Israel are clear. But some believe it is possible to be pro-Israel while supporting just a little BDS – boycotting Israeli businesses located on the West Bank but not those within pre1967 Israel. The issue has attracted international attention because actress Scarlett Johansson, the telegenic public face of SodaStream, refused to bow to pressure from the BDS establishment and sever ties with the West Bank-headquartered Israeli soda company. SodaStream’s owner disclaims any political motivation But Oxfam, the well-regarded organization dedicated to fighting poverty around the world, strongly criticized Johansson for her SodaStream connection, leading the award-winning actress to end her role as an international Oxfam “ambassador.” Oxfam and like-minded

groups – some of them Jewish – sincerely but naively believe that boycotting only across the Green Line enables them to issue a moral protest against Israeli settlement policy without being against Israel itself. Some consider their boycott as being in the best interests of the Jewish state. Unfortunately, they seem unaware of whom they are getting into bed with or the consequences of the association. The BDS movement was founded in 2005 to delegitimize and ultimately destroy the State of Israel by falsely charging it with racism and apartheid, and orchestrating an international economic and cultural boycott against it. BDS finds its model in the campaign that managed to bring down white-supremacist South Africa, where apartheid was real enough. U.S. Secretary of State Kerry has for some time been engaged in difficult negotiations to get Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a framework for a two-

letters Re: Jewish Music for Weddings (Jan. 17) I was delighted to come across your mention of my book Kol Dodi: Jewish Music for Weddings, which contains the music scores for the vocal music on the corresponding 2-CD set. In response to the many queries I received about where to get the scores for the instrumental music on the CDs (which do not appear in the original book), I subsequently published a companion volume:

Jewish Wedding Music: Processionals and Recessionals: Kol Dodi Vol. II: Instrumental Music for the Jewish Wedding Service. As far as I know, there is no similar collection of fully arranged authentic processional and recessional music which can be used in place of the ubiquitous Wagner, Pachelbel and other “non-Jewish” melodies. — Mary Feinsinger

Re: Jack Feibelman (Jan. 31) Jack Feibelman. I make a point of reading your name on the plaque at Miriam every time I frequent Fain Center. I’ve been doing that for sixteen years. I’ve worked for you & Jeff for 37 years. You are a fine man & I appreciate having been a part of your manufacturing creation. You once asked me how I found time to do my photography...well I have to ask you now that I’ve read this article... How do you have time to do all of what you do? Heartfelt congratulations from Dawn & me! — Ralph Palmer I have had the pleasure of working with Jack for over 20 years at A and H Mfg. Co. He is an inspiration and mentor to many. He has my most sincere admiration and respect. Kudos to Miriam Hospital for recognizing this wonder man and congratulations to Jack. — Diane Middlemiss Jack is a true gentleman who inspires others to be and do better in all parts of their life. I consider it a privilege to have him in my life. Jack, I am so very proud and happy for you! Congratulations as you are so very deserving of recognition. — Susan J. Carr

Re: Mike Fink (Jan. 31) Thank you [to Mike Fink] for sharing your wonderful memories of your Aunt Becky. To me, she was Grandma Becky, my Great Grandmother and my granddaughter’s namesake. I have very strong memories of her and of my Grandpa Zelig. Thank you for keeping their memories alive. — Ellen Eisenberg Shafner, Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel

Nati Shohat/Flash90

Palestinians and Jews work at a SodaStream factory in the Mishor Adumim industrial park in the West Bank.

state solution that would see Jewish and Palestinian states living side-by-side in peace. According to recent reports from Ramallah, the Palestinian leadership, buoyed by the rising BDS tide, is sorely tempted to back out of a deal yet again. An end-run around the negotiation track and an appeal to the United Nations for recognition as a state – and to the international courts in The Hague to

put Israel in the dock – would eliminate the need for the Palestinians to make any concessions at all. They would have all their work done for them by the international community, leaving Israel isolated. That is exactly the kind of international isolation that the BDS movement has advocated from the start – the worldwide demonization of Israel as the new South Africa. And those

morally fastidious boycotters of SodaStream and other West Bank companies who consider their version of BDS to be proIsrael will realize too late that they have been used.

LAWRENCE GROSSMAN is a contributing writer to JTA, and the American Jewish Committee’s director of publications. This article was excerpted from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).

Let’s bet on peace

By Sharon Brous John Kerry is not a naive man. While deeply aware of the complexities and obstacles to peace, Kerry is undeterred by the acrimony and intransigence that imprison Israelis and Palestinians in a devastating and soulcorrupting status quo even as the Middle East shakes around them. “At some point,” he said, “you just have to bet on peace.” There are many legitimate reasons to be skeptical of this latest round of peace talks. To reach a lasting, negotiated two-state solution, both sides will have to make excruciating choices on core issues from refugees to security to settlements to Jerusalem. This is a rare moment – a precious opportunity for the American Jewish leadership to improve the prospects for lasting peace and security by providing the principled support that can embolden Israel to take the necessary steps to achieve both goals. Instead, too many leaders have opted for muted support of these efforts, shying away from the type of fullthroated, ardent, sustained and public backing that will tap into our community’s desire for a negotiated two-state solution – offering instead quiet criticism, muttered cynicism or silence. Driven by fear, distrust and even disdain, some in the Jewish community see the quest for peace – that is, an independent and viable state of Palestine alongside a secure and Jewish state of Israel – as driven by a reckless combination of naivete and arrogance. I don’t see it that way, nor do

most American Jews. They – we – love the State of Israel, believe that peace is possible and see its pursuit not as a sign of weakness but rather as an expression of courage, compassion and faith. More and more young people identify with this camp. These young people are rightly convinced that a two-state solution is the only way Israel can live up to its own greatest aspirations as a Jewish and democratic state, end the corrosive occupation and have their Israeli counterparts grow up free from war and terrorism. If Kerry succeeds, it will be because his plan honors the narratives, agonies and legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. It will be because his tireless and seasoned envoy, Martin Indyk, cares deeply and passionately about the security and dignity of Israelis and Palestinians alike. It will be because the bipartisan vision of a negotiated two-state solution – hailed by both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama – serves the national interests of Israelis and Palestinians far better than the tragic deadlock that leaves Israel marginalized and besieged and leaves the Palestinians stateless and resentful. Kerry has demonstrated that he will not veer off course when critics snipe or cynics carp. He will not be deterred by those who will never be satisfied with anything short of everything, those who prefer land to peace, stasis to security, resentment to resolution. If Kerry succeeds, it will be because Israelis and

Palestinians recognize that he has staked out a position that is firm, fair and, ultimately, sustainable – everything that today’s worrisome status quo is notIf Kerry fails, it will be because the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships could not summon the courage to take the painful steps required for peace, security and dignity. And it will also be because those of us who so deeply want peace did not do enough to change the political climate in which the leaders are making their decisions. Failure will be, in part, because we have allowed a small minority of oppositional voices to be heard over those in the United States who support the president, the secretary of state and the majority of Israelis and Palestinians who polls show support a two-state solution. If the silent majority remains quiet now, it will implicitly allow a short-sighted and self-defeating rejectionism to rule the day. Let us not let that happen. This opportunity may not come again in our lifetimes, and the cost of failure will be unfathomably high, for both Israelis and Palestinians. Let’s help John Kerry succeed – let’s help Israelis and Palestinians succeed – by amplifying the voices of hope and possibility. Let them hear our cry and our call in Washington, Jerusalem and Ramallah: We stand with you in the fight for peace. Rabbi Sharon Brous is a contributing writer to JTA and the founding rabbi of IKAR. This article was excerpted from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).

12 | February 14, 2014

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Bill hikes funding for community senior centers, programs STATE HOUSE – Rhode Island Statewide Planning population projections estimate that the number of older persons in Rhode Island will increase by 46 percent between now and 2025. “It is in the state’s best interest, and that of our elderly population, that we promote and support local programs providing services to senior citizens, such as community senior centers,” said Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). “These agencies provide outstanding services to our seniors, running meals programs, providing nutritional and health information, and generally helping older Rhode Islanders remain self-sufficient and able to stay in their own homes in their own communities.” Unfortunately, said Representative Shekarchi, state budget cuts during the past few years have slashed funding for the grants that are distributed to these community senior centers by the Division of Elderly Affairs. In fiscal year 2006, more than $900,000 was appropriated for the community senior services grants. By FY2014, that figured had been cut to about $364,000. Representative Shekarchi has introduced legislation, 2014-H 7236, to establish a program of basic community senior services grants to equitably fund community senior centers and other local programs, based on the municipality’s population of noninstitutionalized persons 65 and older. The funding would begin at $5 per senior and gradually increasing to $10 per senior by 2020. The formula replaces the current method of distribution of grants,

which are basically historically allocated amounts not tied to numbers of older persons in the communities. If approved, the budget appropriation for the grant program this year would increase by about $400,000, more than doubling the figure contained in the current budget. “The community senior service grant program provides financial assistance and incentives to local governments and other nonprofit agencies that help our state’s older residents to age in their communities,” said Representative Shekarchi. “From outreach to social services, from health promotion and physical fitness to life-long learning programs, transportation and caregiver support services, these programs are essential to the well-being of our aging population.” As proposed in the Shekarchi bill, if a municipality does not directly operate a local senior center or program, funds would be awarded, in consultation with municipal officials, to nonprofit community agencies operating senior programs. The legislation includes a hold harmless provision so that no municipality would receive less funding than it received in FY2014. Under the formula, several communities, such as Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket and Bristol, would actually receive additional funding. To be eligible to participate in the funding formula program, municipalities or nonprofits would need to provide an equal amount of funds or in-kind resources for the programs; submit plans for how the funds would be used and how the local share would be

met; demonstrate the existence of a local senior advisory committee, and show how the spending plan related to the State Plan on Aging and local planning for senior services. Maureen Maigret, former director of the Division of Elderly Affairs and currently the policy consultant to the Senior Agenda Coalition, commended legislators promoting the bill “for their commitment to address the needs of our senior citizens. At a time when our older population is growing so rapidly, community programs that help them maintain their independence are more important than ever. For a modest cost, this bill provides for a fair and dependable source of funds.” In praising the legislation, Maigret said funding these programs is especially important to older women in the state, who make up a majority of the over-65 population and will account for about 7 of 10 Rhode Island senior citizens over the age of 80. The Shekarchi legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Finance. The bill has about two dozen co-sponsors, including Rep. Mia A. Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln), Rep. Elaine A. Coderre (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket), Rep. Eileen S. Naughton (D-Dist. 21, Warwick) and Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence). Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (DDist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton). That bill, 2014-S 2194, is currently before the Senate Committee on Finance.

Rep. Langevin Praises Free Tax Prep Program Program will allow Rhode Island Residents To Keep Their Money At Tax Time Rep. Jim Langevin urged Rhode Island residents to use the IRS and Rhode Island Free File programs to save money at tax time. These programs allow roughly 70 percent of all taxpayers to use name-brand tax preparation software to prepare and fi le their federal and state returns online for free. Rhode Island is one of 22 states plus the District of Columbia that sponsors a State Free File program, allowing residents to easily and accurately complete both their federal and state taxes with trusted name-brand tax preparation software of their choice. Free File empowers taxpayers to claim every single deduction and credit they are entitled to, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). “Today we are seeing a great example of how government, the private sector and community organizations all play a role in helping families and individuals save more of their money during tax season,” said Rep. Langevin. “This program, which doesn’t cost the government a dime, also takes the confusion out of tax preparation and keeps money in the pockets of people who need it most. I strongly urge eligible Rhode Island residents to use this easy and convenient program.” “Free File not only helps save taxpayers’ time and money, but also provides savings to Rhode Island’s government in the form of lower processing costs and fewer errors as compared to paper

returns,” said David Sullivan, Tax Administrator for Rhode Island Division of Taxation. “E-fi ling is the fastest, safest and easiest way to fi le your taxes, and the Rhode Island Free File program makes it even easier.” “Filing taxes is a lot simpler than you think, with the help of the tax preparation software products made available through Free File. If you send text messages and email or surf the Internet, chances are you will have no trouble fi ling your taxes through the Free File program,” said David Macklin of the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), the organization sponsoring today’s event.

According to the IRS, 40 million taxpayers have prepared their federal returns through Free File since the program began more than a decade ago. fOR MORe INfORMatION on Free File, visit www. FreeFile.IRS.gov or www.tax. ri.gov.

COMMUNITY

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Tifereth Israel nonagenarians share their tips on longevity By IRINa MISSIuRO imissiuro@jewishallianceri.org When you were in your teens, you probably thought that life’s all about freedom from rules. In your 20s, you might have moved on to valuing adventure above all else. In your 30s, relationships and family took precedence. Once you reached your 40s, you might have found satisfaction in stability. The pattern is clear – as we age, our priorities shift. What we once saw as essential becomes less so. Often, we think to ourselves, wouldn’t it have been great to have known back then what I know now! Well, some folks in the the community did the legwork for you. The Voice asked five nonagenarian members of Tifereth Israel, a New Bedford egalitarian congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, to share their reflections on what keeps them going. While the replies we received were different in their particulars, they contained some general similarities. Each person mentioned exercise, family, keeping busy and partaking in spiritual activities. Dr. William Abesh, a 92-year-old retired dentist, who served in Korea and in the Army Air Force, plays golf three times a week. He has been married for 62 years and says, “My goal is to stay healthy with my wife and

keep running!” Anyone who still runs at 92 is defi nitely on the right track. Florence Novick also credits exercise as a tool to help her “hang in there.” She says, “[Going to] the gym…has had me walking safely, several days a week for years. Eight times around the track is half a mile.” Bud Bier is 90 now but, three years ago, he found himself unable to do much except stare at the TV due to a debilitating illness. It wasn’t until he fi nally gathered up the courage to do something he’s always found “difficult and even hateful” – begin a daily exercise routine – that he was able to get moving again. Exercise allows seniors to stay in shape and to partake in activities they would otherwise not be able to engage in. For instance, Bier’s motivation was to be agile enough to renew his lifelong interest in building and flying radio-controlled aircraft. He fi rst fell in love with airplanes at the age of seven. Later, Bier shared that passion with his son Jon. While recovering from his illness, Bier practiced flying with a computerized fl ight simulator – an activity that refreshed his longforgotten reflexes. Bier says, “Through constant exercise I became stronger and gained much more coordination.”

The activity also served as an excuse to spend more time with his son, who brought him out to their flying field and helped him fly again, a pastime he considers to be “a very important part of [his] renewed interest and satisfaction with [his] daily activities.”

Resuming the old interest sparked participation in other social activities. He also built an actual model and now fi nds himself “up to [his] ears in balsa wood and glue and having a very good time.” Biers believes that his dedication to physical exercise and eagerness to try new challenges are keeping him feeling young. He has just learned to fly miniature helicopters, explaining, “Whatever

keeps you active and laughing is great.” Mary Schwartz concurs. This 93-year-old can’t pinpoint one item that keeps her going. She says, “To me, the answer is quite clear – a lot of things.” Schwartz elaborates that it’s not the activity itself but the essence behind it that “ignites the running or, at this stage, walking, from one project to the next.” She believes that moving is essential to living a long life and that “it’s the root of every move that matters.” Schwartz feels that it’s how she lives her life that makes living worthwhile to her. She is spurred by her zeal to experience all there is to know, a desire she calls a “restless urge to try to encompass the world in all its glory and to prove myself to myself and to that world.” Abesh can relate to Schwartz’ inability to choose just one activity that’s vital to longevity. Besides golf, he enjoys spending time with his wife – sharing pursuits such as bridge, attending lectures, reading newspapers, watching TV and following the paths of their five grandchildren. In addition, Abesh serves on the boards of the local Jewish Federation and New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home. Novick also enjoys multiple activities. They include attending a weekly class taught by

Rabbi Raphael Kanter at Tifereth Israel. She says, “It keeps me mentally stimulated.” Furthermore, she participates with The Friends of Buttonwood Park. These pursuits, thanks to her good health and ability to live in her own home, keep her busy and keep her going. Edith Pliskin also treasures being able to remain home at the young age of 94. She says that it wasn’t until she recovered from a vestibular episode and was able to return to living independently that she “started living again.” Pliskin resumed playing her trumpet. She became “a valued member of the Tri-County Symphonic Band, UMass Dartmouth and Marion, Mattapoisett, Dartmouth summer bands.” She entertained at nursing homes and celebrated Shabbat with her shul family, rabbi and cantor. Pliskin elaborates, “Kiddush was always great. Education classes with my rabbi and cantor were inspiring.” To brighten her days, she liked to volunteer weekly at a hospital, play Scrabble and visit her family. Now, with the help of hearing aids, eye injections, a nebulizer, inhalers, a cane, vestibular exercises, physical therapy and massage, she looks forward to each day so that she could “Keep on doing what [she’s] doing!” What are you waiting for? Get going!

14 | February 14, 2014

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Remember The Past

From the Archives of the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association

A Tale of Two Synagogues By Geraldine S. Foster If you enter Eldridge Street in New York City from Division, you feel as though you had entered a foreign country. The cars parked nearby or trying to navigate its narrow confines bear New York license plates, but the language you hear on the crowded street and see emblazoned on storefronts is Chinese. Then you see #12 Eldridge Street, a large, red brick, “Moorish style” building, it is the Eldridge Street Synagogue, Kahal Adath Jeshurun. An anomaly now in the midst of Chinatown, it was once the centerpiece of a large, thriving Jewish community in the Lower East Side. The synagogue, completed and dedicated in 1887, opened its doors in time for Rosh Hashanah that year. It was the first Ashkenazi shul built exclusively as a house of worship. The imposing size, the Stars of David decorating its façade announced to the world We are here. We have arrived. Light, diffused by the many stained glass windows patterned with Stars of David and circles, poured into the sanctuary, whose vaulted ceiling rose to a height of 50 feet. A huge brass chandelier and intricately carved woodwork added to the decorations, while gold five-

Eldridge Street Synagogue pointed stars gleamed on the dark blue ceiling. By the 1940’s membership had dropped, and the synagogue fell into decline. Other immigrants now crowded the street. A rescue effort began in 1986. Twenty years and 18.5 million dollars later, the synagogue was lovingly and authentically restored to its former ostentation

and beauty in every detail save one. The original rose window over the Ark, broken 40 years earlier, could not be replicated, as its design plan was lost. Its replacement, however, is stunning. Eldridge Street Synagogue is now home to a museum and a small congregation. It is also a venue for concerts and cultural programs. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, 1911, the Congregation Sons of Israel and David, the first Jewish congregation in Providence, dedicated their new synagogue. Known as Temple Beth-El, the

building was located at the corner of Broad and Glenham Streets, away from the bustling area of South Providence where immigrants were settling. The Providence Journal hailed it as “…a notable step in the development of the Jewish community..” and referred to its beauty and elegance. The building’s new-classical design had nothing in common with the “Moorish Style” of much synagogue architecture of the times. A single Magen David placed on the pediment above the two columns in front of the grey brick building

Courtesy | R.I. Jewish Historical Assoc.

marked it as a synagogue, and a flight of ten steps led up to the entrance. On a personal note, going up the steps in spike heels was negotiable; coming down could be treacherous. The interior was simple. Stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes cast a warm glow on the white walls; the bimah and the Ark were the focus of your attention and eyes. The only touch of gold was the organ pipes. It was a serene, welcoming space that did not proclaim, but stated quite clearly: We are here. We are no longer newcomers. By the 1940’s the burgeoning membership and the changing demographics made a change of address necessary. And so, a new Temple Beth-El replaced the original. The building name was changed to Congregation Shaare Zedek, and it became home to an orthodox congregation. Once again time and demographics took their toll. An anomaly in an area where few, if any, Jews still live, it stands empty, ravaged by neglect. It is now the foc us of the Broad Street Synagogue Project, a group interested in preserving the building, its history and artifacts. Will its path parallel that of the Eldridge St. Synagogue or perhaps become a community center or a venue for the arts? Perhaps. The enthusiasm is there. Will the funding follow? Geraldine Foster is a past president of the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association. To comment about this or any Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association article, email info@rijha.org.

FOOD

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February 14, 2014 |

For the Love of Food - at any age and wherever you live By vINCeNt MeSSINa Contrary to popular belief and from my experience, seniors don’t love buffets and they aren’t very interested in sandwiches and newfangled wraps. But they will save space for dessert, and they can teach a seasoned chef a thing or two in the kitchen. These are nuggets of wisdom I’ve learned in the last 11 years as the Director of Food & Dining at EPOCH Assisted Living on Blackstone Blvd. Blackstone residents dine with us three times a day, and we take that responsibility seriously. We talk

with them about their experiences as well as what they like or don’t like. I often visit with our diners while they eat to get their feedback on the meal, and I encourage our other chefs to do the same. We have a monthly food meeting where residents offer their favorite recipes, and more than a few times I’ve had people donate their cookbooks. With residents’ input, we change our menu, which includes 20 selections of entrees, accompaniments and sides, every three months. I’ve learned a lot about the food habits and palates

of seniors, including how life changes can alter their tastes, such as when they have to take medications. At EPOCH, I think about our residents’ favorite foods and their nutritional needs. Seniors require fewer calories per meal but more nutrients, for example. They also hate to waste, so the trick is fi nding the right portions of nutritionally-dense foods they will recognize and enjoy. Moving to a senior living community is a big transition overall, and for most of us, food is an important part of our daily lives. We want to make it

easy for residents to transition into their new home by incorporating their traditions. For this reason, we offer lox and bagels every Sunday, Gefi lte fish and even Kosher options from a local vendor. We engage residents in cooking classes and wine tastings, we’ve hosted Kosher chili cook-offs and pie bakeoffs. I’m pleased to report that a resident won a pie contest, beating one of our chefs in a blind taste test! Personally, I have benefited from listening to our seniors and prioritizing food variety at Blackstone. I have learned how

to prepare meals from different cultures and eras, which has added to my creativity. Food should enrich our bodies and our communities, no matter what your age. Our kitchen staff doesn’t just consider the end goal—to feed our diners— but the importance of breaking bread together. vINCeNt MeSSINa is a graduate of Johnson and Wales Culinary College in Providence, Executive Chef at EPOCH on Blackstone Boulevard and owner of Gianfranco’s Ristorante.

Winter Fruit Salad

with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice 1 teaspoon diced onion 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Salt & pepper to taste 2/3 cup vegetable oil 1 tablespoon poppy seeds 1 head romaine lettuce torn to bite size pieces 4 ounces shredded Swiss che ese 1 cup cashews 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1 apple peeled and diced 1 pear peeled and diced

METHOD

In a blender, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Process until well blended. While machine is still running, stream in oil. Add poppy seeds and process a bit longer to mix. In a large serving bowl, toss lettuce, cheese, cashews, dried cranberries, and fresh fruit. Pour dressing over salad just before serving and toss to coat. deBORah haRROun | TaSTe and Tell

Whole Wheat Pita Bread This simple, yet wholesome flatbread complements any soup or salad. Also, try adding some of your favorite herbs while you’re kneading the dough for a more flavorful option.

INGREDIENTS 4 cups whole wheat flour (or 2 cups whole wheat flour and 2 cups all-purpose flour) 1 tablespoon dry yeast 1 1/4 cups warm water(120130F degrees) 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional

METHOD

Preheat oven to 500°F. Sift together 2 cups of flour and the yeast. Add water and salt and mix well. Gradually add in the remaining flour just until the dough begins to clean the sides of the bowl. Once this happens, stop adding flour. (You might not use all

the flour the recipe calls for.) Knead the dough for about 4 or 5 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic. Being careful not to over-knead the dough. Form dough into 10 balls. On a floured surface, roll each ball into a 5-6 inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick. (Be sure to sprinkle a little flour on both sides to prevent sticking). Place on a non-stick baking sheet and allow to rise 30 minutes, or until slightly raised. Just before you place the pan in the oven, fl ip each pita over on its other side. Bake on the bottom rack of the oven for 5 minutes. (The instant hot heat will help them puff up). When the pitas

come out of the oven they will be hard, but they will soften as they cool. Store them, while they’re still warm, in plastic baggies or an airtight container. Should you choose to use the bread for sandwiches, cut the pitas in half crosswise and stuff with your favorite fi llings. Pitas can be reheated in a 350°F oven or in the microwave.

The Ziskind School of Judaism is looking for a new Education Director. Candidates must have a Bachelor's Degree in Jewish studies or equivalent, experience in program/curriculum development, as well as an established background in school administration. The new director will be responsible for complete oversight of the Religious School two day-a-week program, including staff and enrichment activities. For further information, please contact Missy Zeitz at melissazeitz@gmail.com GOOGle imaGeS

Tifereth Israel Congregation ∙ New Bedford, MA

16 | February 14, 2014

The Jewish Voice

FOOD

Waﬄes à la Challah By MOlly yeh May I toot my own horn for one tiny second to say that when I make challah, there is never any left the next morning for French toast? Ok really, the credit should go to my all-time favorite recipe. It’s unstoppable. But my point is: how do people let challah go stale in the name of French toast? And is there another way to experience brunch time challah that doesn’t require selfrestraint every time you walk into the kitchen and see half a loaf of challah just sitting there, saying “Eat me! Eat me!”? The answer is waﬄes. The quirky brunch middle child

that requires its own appliance — an appliance that can also handle a fresh ball of challah dough. Yup. No stale bread needed, and waffles à la challah are so mind-blowingly tasty that challah French toast better watch its back. These waffles take a hint from the Belgian Liège waffle, which is made using yeast-risen dough that’s flecked with large crystals of sugar called pearl sugar. It’s also doughier and chewier than what most Americans think of when they order a Belgian waffle. When I lived in New York, I drove myself crazy trying to fi nd pearl sugar. I looked in so

mOlly yeh

many grocery stores before paying way too much for an itsy bitsy bag of it at Kalustyan’s. When I moved to North Dakota, on my fi rst trip to the regular old local grocery store, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Swedish pearl sugar sitting so innocently on the shelf. A perk of living in a sea of Scandinavians! I’ve since heard that you can purchase pearl sugar at Sur La Table, IKEA, and of course online. Belgian pearl sugar is larger than Swedish pearl sugar, but both will work for this recipe. I suggest that the next time you make a loaf of challah, you also whip up some of this dough

Congressional Breakfast Sunday, February 23 | 10:30am Dwares JCC | Social Hall 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence The Community Relations Council will be hosting a delegation-breakfast with our elected officials: Senator Jack Reed | Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Congressman James Langevin | Congressman David Cicilline

This program will include comments from our congressional delegation concerning important issues. Moderated by Jeffrey Padwa. $25 per person: includes breakfast $100 Sponsor: includes breakfast, preferential seating, and program recognition To register or for more information visit jewishallianceri.org. Questions? Contact Marty Cooper at 401.421.4111 ext. 171 or mcooper@jewishallianceri.org. The CRC strives to preserve the rights of people worldwide, by protecting the liberties of all. We are guided by Jewish ideals and values including the commitment to tikkun olam, the repair of the world.

(it has just about the same ingredients but in slightly different ratios), and then stick it in the fridge overnight. The next morning, get out your waﬄe maker and embrace the beauty of the challah waﬄe.

Challah Waﬄes

1 packet or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon white sugar 3/4 cup warm water 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons honey 1/2 cup canola oil, plus more for greasing your waﬄe iron 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup pearl sugar 1) In a small bowl or measuring cup, proof the yeast with 1 teaspoon of white sugar in 1/2 cup of the water. 2) While it’s proofi ng, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, the flour, and the salt in a large bowl. 3) In a separate bowl, whisk

together the remaining 1/4 cup of water, the honey, 1/2 cup of canola oil, eggs, and vanilla. Once the yeast has proofed, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the egg mixture and the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine. It will be a very sticky dough. Resist the urge to add more flour. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size either at room temperature for 2 hours, or in the refrigerator overnight. 4) Gently stir or kneed in the pearl sugar. 5) Heat your waﬄe iron, brush it with oil, and then cook a ball of dough (the size will vary based on the size of your waﬄe iron, I use about 1/3 cup of dough) until browned and cooked through. Enjoy! Makes 6-8 servings t h I S a R t I C l e ORIgINally appeared in the Forward, January 31, 2013 and is reprinted with permission.

BOOKS

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February 14, 2014 |

The role of grandparents and a book that deﬁnes them Sonja and Jonah Ellison, ages 4 years and 14 months respectively. “So many of my contemporaries are caring for their children’s children in order to alleviate the burden of childcare. However, 60 is the new 40, and more grandparents are doing lots of things with their grandkids.” Some of the things might include the activities depicted in “A Grandma/Grandpa Like Yours” such as dancing the horah, visiting the sick or attending shul. Another tradition of Jewish living one may choose

whose mission is “to educate and engage seniors to do social action, to empower grandchildren to improve the world, and to create a legacy from one generation to another.” Morton says the motivation to create GSA was her questioning what legacy she would leave for her grandchildren. “I decided I wanted [my grandchildren] to know more about how they can live as philanthropists and social action activists.” Any mitzvah that unites families and embraces l’dor v’dor, (from generation to generation) is a loving deed. The Rhode Island Jewish community and beyond are rich with opportunities for young and old to connect, share, relate, participate and enjoy. Find your own unique intergenerational Jewish activities and invite your bubbe along for the ride! KaRa MaRzIalI is the Director of Communications at the Alliance.

Kids’ Tickets Half-Price! Ages 2-12. Limit of four (4) kids’ tickets with purchase of a full-price adult ticket. Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. No double discounts. Subject to availability. Tickets $2 more day of show. Excludes premium seats.

FEB. 21 – 23

DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER to share with his or her grandchildren is social action. Sharon Morton is the founder and executive director of Grandparents for Social Action (GSA), a nonprofit

Fri. 7:30 PM • Sat. 2:00 & 7:30 PM • Sun. 2:00 PM Pit Party: Fri. 5:30 – 6:15 PM & Sat. 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM

Buy Tickets: Ticketmaster.com • 800-745-3000 Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office

267526

By KaRa MaRzIalI Whether they’re called grandma and grandpa, bubbe and zayde or savta and saba, it’s never too early to teach children about v’hadarta p’nei zaken, the Jewish tenet of respecting and caring for the elderly. “A Grandma/Grandpa Like Yours,” written by Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum and illustrated by Barb Björnson, provides that learning opportunity. The book is fl ipbook, designed to be read in one direction for the story on grandmas and the other for the story on grandpas. The whimsical, colorful and cheery illu st rat ion s make this an ideal book for children ages 2-6. Readers will delight in a nana chimpanzee baking challah, a saba llama blowing the shofar, and a grandmother bunny preparing a Seder meal for 23 cousins. Filled with rhyming text, significant Jewish ritual and joyful ways for families to connect, the book depicts lovable animals setting an example of tradition to share with their grandchildren. In addition, children will learn about the various names for grandparents in English, Hebrew and Yiddish. What a perfect book for Jewish grandparents to share with their grandchildren! “The role of grandparents has evolved,” says Minna Ellison, Senior Vice President for Community Planning & Programming and a grandmother to

#MonsterJam

18 | February 14, 2014

The Jewish Voice

Woman Year of the

Who inspires you?

What do you admire?

Our community is filled with remarkable women! Nominate a special woman in your life —your wife, mother, daughter, sister, partner, colleague or friend— for The Jewish Voice Woman of the Year. In 300 words or less tell us why your nominee is deserving of the recognition. The lucky winner will win a myriad of prizes.

Deadline for submissions is April 10, 2014. The Jewish Voice Woman of the Year will be announced in the April 25, Mother’s Day issue. Mail nominations to: Woman of the Year The Jewish Voice 401 Elmgrove Avenue Providence, RI 02906 Or email editor@jewishallianceri.org; subject line should read: Woman of the Year Look for The Jewish Voice Man of the Year call for nominees in a future issue.

thejewishvoice.org

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20 | February 14, 2014

The Jewish Voice

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22 | February 14, 2014

The Jewish Voice

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from page 1

SENIOr LIVING

watercolors

son because “nobody wanted to play with such novices.” Instead of sitting around and waiting for someone to show up, Winograd decided to add to her palette when she saw a story about a watercolor class taught by Carolyn Simon. That was more than twenty years ago and she has been going to the East Side Art Center in Providence ever since. Simon shares, “Lila has been my student for almost 24 years and one that I admire greatly. Her perseverance to develop her art was and is outstanding. Her motto has always been ‘I don’t give up.’ Not only has she developed a style and an assurance with her work, but she has sold pieces in various shows and fairs.” A woman of many interests, Winograd downplays her dedication to art, “If I don’t go, I don’t paint. There are too many other things I’m doing.” Marcia Blacher, a friend who plays mahjong with Winograd, supports that notion. Blacher lists Winograd’s numerous talents, “She paints beautifully. She knits beautifully. She’s a fantastic cook and baker.” Simon reiterates Blacher’s compliments regarding Winograd’s effort and willingness to devote herself fully, “Art, in spite of its carefree reputation, is 99% perspiration, and Lila’s art is a shining example of its true spirit.” When, toward the end of our

conversation, Winograd shares that she is inspired by the Renaissance, it all falls into place. Not because her watercolor paintings are highly realistic, but because she herself is a Renaissance woman, in a sense. A polymath, Winograd is no stranger to the idea of rebirth. When she broke her back a couple of years ago, she couldn’t go to class and was frustrated by her forced imprisonment. To alleviate boredom, she took her teacher’s suggestion and tried a new medium. Winograd began cutting up her old paintings and making collages out of them. The results were so successful that most of them are now hanging on the walls of her friends’ and family’s houses. She has only one collage left for herself. Besides giving away her works to loved ones as presents, Winograd sells her art. Simon understands the appeal, “She has an open and relaxed style that has charmed the people that both look at and purchase her work.” Often, guests buy paintings right off Winograd’s walls. They come to her house, see something they like and leave with it. Also, she sells many artworks during her grandson’s school’s annual holiday program. In addition, her paintings sometimes hang in restaurants, such as Amy’s Place on Wickenden Street in Providence, where she currently has two paintings on display. Howev-

er, selling art is not Winograd’s intention. She emphasizes that, when she paints, she does it because she enjoys it. She also likes to be able to do something for people she cares about, saying, “When somebody’s nice to me, I just give them a painting.” Blacher is one of the lucky recipients. She admits, “I’m very proud to own a Lila Winograd painting.” Blacher describes her friend as “an unusually lovely person – warm and kind,” saying that Winograd’s inner and outer beauty is reflected in her art, which she feels is magnificent. Blacher says, “I’ve been to so many art galleries, and I’ve always felt that her watercolors were among the very best I’ve ever seen.” Winograd favors nature – she likes painting flowers, landscapes, grass, water and beach scenes. Sometimes, she uses photographs, holding the picture in her hand as she paints. She doesn’t make any drawings, preferring to launch into painting right away. Admitting that she doesn’t always approve of the finished look, Winograd shares that, on occasion, she struggles with perspective. The constructive criticism offered in class usually helps to correct any awkwardness she might notice. When asked about oil paints, she says that she did try them many years ago, but preferred the appearance of watercolors, “I like the looseness and the way the colors meld into one another.”

If you would like to see Winograd’s work for yourself, you are in luck. In May, some of her paintings, among those of other local artists, will be displayed in gallery (401) at the Dwares JCC in

February 14, 2014 |

Providence. Contact Erin Moseley, Director of Arts and Culture and Next Generation Engagement, at 401-421-4111, ext. 108, or at emoseley@jewishallianceri. org for more information.

erin moseley

24 | February 14, 2014

SENIOR LIVING

The Jewish Voice

Coping with Caregiving: Sara’s Story By eRIN gISheRMaN MINIOR, lICSw

Sara’s Story “My mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago. At fi rst she was determined to beat the disease and remain independent, but unfortunately, the disease has taken over her life and now mine. I have moved her into my home to make the responsibilities of caregiving easier, but with each passing day, I feel it is harder and harder for me to keep up with her needs. I am exhausted trying to keep up with her care, the needs of my family and my job. I have little patience at home, my job performance is suffering, and I barely have time to even sleep.”

Caregiving Facts Sara is one of the 65 million caregivers of older relatives in the U.S. She, like over 37 million caregivers, continues to work while assuming these additional responsibilities for a loved one. Nearly half of caregivers have children under the age of 18 and more than 40% have their own chronic health conditions that require ongoing medical care. Additionally, the stress of family caregiving increases the risk of infectious and chronic diseases.

Tapping into Services

So, how will Sara do it all? First, she will try and achieve greater balance in managing her responsibilities. Realizing that she cannot deal with all of these responsibilities on her own will open the door to other

resources that help her ease the caregiving burden. Case management or care coordination are valuable services that can assist in making referrals for and setting up transportation, additional inhome services, financial resource counseling, and access to private or public benefits.

It is also necessary for Sara to take time to look after her own health. Eating well and getting adequate rest and exercise will help her maintain a sense of humor to get through the difficult times. Accepting help from others and not being afraid or ashamed to ask others for help will be important for Sara.

It is just as important for Sara to take care of her own needs as it is to care for her loved one. Joining a caregiver support group is an invaluable opportunity to share similar experiences and feelings with others who are in similar situations. While it is always a challenge to take precious time away from her many other responsibilities, in the long run it is well worth the effort.

The additional time that Sara spends with her mother in the caregiving role also brings opportunities to talk with her about things, some important and others not so important. This will create a greater intimacy in their relationship. Sara will think about the good times that she has shared with her mother and how she feels about having her mother in her life. New memories will be created

Caring for the Caregiver

Focusing on the Rewards

through the caregiving experience.

Keeping the Faith

Sara can look for solace through meditation or prayer. She can talk with her rabbi or spiritual leader. She may fi nd that sharing any spiritual doubts can transform her perspective. She can use her faith to help cope with difficulties along the way. Sara will experience both personal and spiritual growth through her experience with her mother that will enable her to better plan for her own future care needs. eRIN gISheRMaN MINIOR is a licensed clinical social worker and the CEO of Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island.

Tax Facts for Seniors with a Change in Marital Status What is my ﬁling status now? Do I even have to ﬁle? Your tax fi ling status is a category that identifies you, based on your marital situation on the last day of the year. Whether you have to fi le a tax return depends on your fi ling status, age, and gross income. When your fi ling status changes, the level of income that requires you to fi le an income tax return also changes.

What counts as income?

Generally income is taxable unless specifically exempted by law. While life insurance proceeds are rarely taxable, part of your Social Security benefits and IRA distributions may count as income.

Should I pay estimated taxes?

Changes in your fi ling status and income may mean that you

Death, Divorce, Marriage…the tax rules you thought you knew may change owe taxes. You may need to pay amounts throughout the year if you will owe $1,000 or more when you fi le your tax return. By using IRS Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, you can pay your tax in four payments during the year.

How do I deduct medical expenses?

If you are able to itemize your deductions, you may be able to deduct amounts you paid for certain medical and dental expenses that were not covered by insurance. These expenses include amounts you paid for doctors, hospitals, and prescription drugs.

What if I sell my house?

If you had a gain from the sale of your main home, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 (or $500,000 on a joint return) in

most cases.

Do I qualify for any special tax credits?

Generally tax credits reduce the amount of tax you owe. Some credits may create a refund, even if you paid little or no tax. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) may be available if you are working and your earnings are low. The credit may be larger if you have a qualifying child (including a grandchild). If you do not have a qualifying child, you must be under age 65 to qualify for the EITC. The Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled may reduce your tax under certain conditions if your income is very low.

What income tax issues do I need to know about the year my spouse dies?

If your spouse died during

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the past year and you have not remarried, you may still fi le a joint return. A joint return will generally result in less tax. IRS Publication 559, Survivors, Executors and Administrators, is designed to show you how to complete and fi le federal in-

come tax returns and point out your responsibility to pay any taxes due. eXCeRPteD fROM Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Publication 3864.

Preparing for Your Next Doctor’s Visit By lINDa aMORe, RN The average length of time your doctor is likely to visit with you at a regular check-up is about seven minutes. Physicians feel pressure to see more patients each hour of their day. To make the most of the time you have with your doctor you need to prepare before going in to see him/her. Here are a few suggestions to help you prepare for your next doctor’s appointment: • Several days before the scheduled appointment, start to jot down questions or concerns that you have. • Bring a current medication list or the actual bottles – include meds fi lled at all pharmacies and those ordered by all physicians. In addition, include any over-the-counter or “natural” supplements that you are taking. • Keep a log of your medical history, including all operations and hospitalizations. Also, know the medical history of close family members, as physicians frequently ask about this. • If you have a new physical complaint or symptom, be prepared to answer these questions: when did it begin, how often, how long, what relieves or worsens it?

• Inform your primary care physician if you have seen a new doctor, had any tests or visited the ER since your last visit. • Be prepared to ask questions about health topics you may have heard about in the news that you think may pertain to you. • Confi rm how to contact your doctor between visits. Give feedback about office policies and interactions with office personnel. • Before you leave, ask if you need to obtain a slip for blood work. Being prepared for your doctor’s appointments will help you make the most of the time spent with your physician. Take the time before your visit to write down questions you have and information you want to share with the doctor. Also, take notes during your appointment to help you remember what was said and any next steps for you. Your doctor can help you if you help him/her by being prepared for your appointment. lINDa aMORe, RN is the Director of Nursing for Home Care Solutions at Jewish Family Service.

SENIOR LIVING

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February 14, 2014 |

Bubbie and Zaydie in the Social Media Cloud By RaBBI JaSON MIlleR

Dina Melnikova and Dennis Byrnes

SuSan adleR

A little TLC By SuSaN aDleR How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. – Anne Frank. At the To Life Center Adult Day Services, our participants are privileged to have volunteers who share their expertise with them. One such story is of Dina Melnikova and volunteer Dennis Byrnes. Dina has been a part of the To Life Center Adult Day Services (TLC) family for the past several years. While participating at TLC, she has truly found her place and peace by painting. Dennis Byrnes, who is an artist, has a long history of being a volunteer and giving back to the Jewish community. He is extremely active at Temple Sinai and even though he is busy in many different aspects of his life, he takes time twice a month to meet with Dina and give her one-on-one lessons. While I pass through the room they are meeting in, it is my deep pleasure to watch the pure delight between Dina and Dennis. I am convinced that these two were meant to be friends. While they both take art seriously, it is attention-grabbing watching the two of them interact. Dina concentrates and listens intently as Dennis gives her direction, while he does the same as she shares what her life was like growing up in Russia. The quote from Anne Frank applies to the relationship between student and volunteer. Dennis did not wait a single moment to improve Dina’s artistic life and she to him with open-

ing his heart to her stories and talent. Dennis reflects on the following with regard to Dina, “It is always a pleasure teaching at the To Life Center Adult Day services, particularly when I have the opportunity of tutoring someone as talented as Dina.” The value of getting TLC is important to keeping one young as a volunteer or participant. Imagine your days being home alone with only the four walls to look at. At the To Life Center Adult Day Services we have opportunities that could help you. Everyone knows someone who would benefit from social interaction, cognitive stimulation, art classes, exercise, field trips, hot kosher lunch, physical, occupational and speech therapy. At the TLC we also have podiatry services, computer learning, and medication management from our registered nurse and much more. We are located at 100 Niantic Avenue in Providence. If you would like information or a tour please contact Susan Adler, Director at (401) 621-5374 or sadler-jeri@jsari. org. The To Life Center Adult Day Services is a program of Jewish Seniors Agency and is a partner agency with the Jewish Alliance. Everyone deserves a little TLC in their lives, they have earned it. SuSaN aDleR (sadler-jeri@ jsari.org) is the Director of Jewish Eldercare of Rhode Island and To Life Center Adult Day Services, as well as the coordinator of The Louis and Goldie Chester Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry.

When I fi rst logged on to Facebook in 2004 none of my real life friends had accounts yet. At that stage in the social networking site’s development, a Facebook account was only for university students (or at least anyone with a university email account). I was working at a campus Hillel and my .edu email address gave me access to Facebook so I could interface with the Jewish students on campus. At that time it was mostly undergrads who were poking each other, updating their status, and uploading photos to Facebook. As the years went by, Facebook welcomed young adults and then high school students. The non-student users seemed to get older and older until one Baby Boomer must have fi nally unlocked the Facebook door and told a few friends about it. Before you knew it -- urgh! -- Mom and Dad were uploading profi le pics and stalking the neighbors’ pages. You can’t blame Mark Zuckerberg for transitioning the site from Ivy Leaguer college kids to anyone in the free world with a pulse. After all, you can’t get to 550 million users without welcoming the Gen X’ers, emptynesters, and Medicare recipients, right? So, it was only a matter of time until the generation that actually remembers Prohibition started getting Facebook accounts. Over the past few years I’ve gotten used to the “friend” requests from my parents’ cadre of friends. But when I was “friended” by my wife’s 90-year-old grandmother’s friend last week, I did a double-take. This 80-year-old woman didn’t just set up a Facebook page; she’s a power user. She’s uploaded dozens of photo albums (something my parents’ friends haven’t figured out yet), joined groups,

JeWiSh vOice STaFF

Many seniors enjoy Facebook as a way to connect with the community. and commented on everything. She’s even got a blog and a website (“The Bubbinator. com” – I’m not kidding!) with embedded YouTube videos of her telling Jewish jokes. Based on the latest stats, I shouldn’t be surprised about this. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project “Generations 2010” study, the fastest growth in social networking usage “has come from internet users 74 and older: social network site usage for this oldest cohort has quadrupled since 2008, from 4% to 16%.” These great-grandparents, many of whom spent the majority of their lives without a home computer, are now using the Internet to seek health information, reconnect with friends and family, and purchase products. Facebook has even had to adjust to this new demographic storming the site. “Widowed” was certainly not a relationship option when Facebook fi rst launched; and “It’s Complicated” just doesn’t fully describe when your husband of 55 years has passed away. It could be that Granny realized the best way to stay connected to her children,

grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren was to meet them where they are -- in Cyberspace. So don’t be surprised if your News Feed lets you know that Zaydie likes Big Band Music or your Bubbie just blogged her favorite quiche recipe. The senior citizens have entered the cloud! JaSON MIlleR is an ordained Conservative rabbi. The Detroit Free Press called him “the most tech-savvy Jewish leader” and the Huffington Post ranked him among the top Jewish Twitter users in the world. A social media expert, Rabbi Jason is a popular speaker and writer on technology and its global effect on the Jewish world. He writes the “Jewish Techs” blog for The Jewish Week, the monthly “Jews in the Digital Age” column for the Detroit Jewish News and is a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), the Jewish Daily Forward, the Times of Israel and Technorati. This article fi rst appeared in The Jewish Week and was reprinted with permission from Rabbi Miller.

26 | February 14, 2014

The Jewish Voice

SENIOR LIVING

Neal Drobnis

(Right to left) Molly O’Connell, Rosalie Gilstein, Mildred Handel

The Kosher Senior Café at the Dwares JCC has expanded Since September, seniors coming to 401 Elmgrove Avenue have been able enjoy a kosher lunch and entertainment three days a week instead of just two. The Senior Café, offered by Jewish Family Service Kosher Nutrition Program, expanded to a third day in order to meet the needs of the aging community. For a suggested donation of $3, older adults and people with disabilities can enjoy a healthy meal, companionship and amusement. Meals are provided by Accounting for Taste, a local kosher catering company. At the Dwares JCC, lunch starts at noon followed by an appealing program, including lectures, music, games and more. Mondays at 1:00 p.m., seniors are invited to join the fun dur-

ing Game Day. Participants can bring one of their own or play one of the games on hand. Many have been enjoying a lively game of Scrabble. On Wednesdays and Fridays, a speaker or activity is offered after lunch and on the third Friday of the month, a musical show follows the meal. Seniors can also arrive before lunch for some free enrichment programs at the Dwares JCC. On the first Friday of each month from 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Donna Christafulli guides participants in dance movement therapy. On the second Wednesday of each month from 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. fitness professional Jodie Thompson, teaches a balance and movement class for seniors.

One senior commented, “I look forward to seeing my friends at the Kosher Senior Café every chance I get. The food is great and the company is even better.” JFS also provides Kosher meals five days a week, Monday through Friday, at Temple Am David in Warwick. A variety of programming is offered from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. daily, with a meal served at noon. Programs include lectures and films, music, bingo, dance therapy, blood pressure screening, and kibbitz groups led by JFS. For more information on either of these meal sites or to make a reservation, contact Neal Drobnis at ndrobnis@ jewishallianceri.org or call 401421-4111 ext. 107.

Notable Quotables The problem with getting older is you still remember how things used to be. • Paul Newman How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were? • SatchelPaige You can’t turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again. • Bonnie Prudden The best part of growing older? You can flirt all you like since you’ve become harmless. • Liz Smith

Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough. • Groucho Marx How pleasant is the day when we give up striving to be young—or slender. • William James The key to successful aging is to pay as little attention to it as possible. • Judith Regan Old age is fifteen years older than I am. • Oliver Wendell Holmes

The hardest years in life are those between ten and seventy. • Helen Hayes When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. • Victor Hugo Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. • Franz Kafka Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life. • Kitty O’Neill Collins

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SENIOR LIVING

jewish voice staff

Treat your body right â&#x20AC;&#x201C; exercise! By Angela Sullivan asullivan@jewishallianceri.org You have probably heard that physical activity and exercise are the best things you can do for your body. Being active has countless benefits and can allow you to lead a healthy life. Starting young is extremely important but continuing as you age is imperative. Even participating in moderate exercise a few times a week can improve the health of elders who are frail or have diseases that are common among the aging. Being physically active at an older age includes many benefits such as improved mood, increased strength and balance, better flexibility, stronger endurance and enhanced quality of life. As we age, our bone mass slightly decreases. Incorporating more movement and activity, including light weights, can prevent this loss of bone mass. Maintaining independence and capability to carry on daily activities is vital as we age. Some people may wonder if there is a difference between physical activity and exercise.

Physical activities are those that get your body moving. They include gardening, basic household chores and taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Exercise is a form of physical activity that is specifically planned and consistent; examples include weight training and group fitness classes. By incorporating both of these active habits in your life, you will gain health benefits that help you feel better and enjoy life more as you age. At J-Fitness, there is something for all age groups and fitness levels. For senior members, there are Group Exercise classes that are geared specifically for the aging population. The Fit Forever classes include Strength, Stretch & Range of Motion, Iyengar Yoga and Movement and Balance. All of these emphasize light movement, stretching, range of motion and posture alignment. Water Walking, a low-impact water fitness class, is an effective workout to get your muscles and heart rate going. Whether you enjoy being in the water or need an exercise that

eases stress on your muscles and joints, water fitness classes are the way to go. J-Fitness also offers free consultations to help you start new regimens, review your goals and get the end result you desire. Before you begin any new exercise routine, medical clearance from your doctor is highly recommended. Consider current health concerns, if any, and start your exercise routine slowly to allow your body to adapt to the new movements. Angela Sullivan is a Fitness Professional at the Dwares JCC.

February 14, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201A;|

28 | February 14, 2014

The Jewish Voice

Senior LIVING

Borsht Belt Two weeks in the country The Catskill Mountains first appeared on European maps in the early years of the 17 century as maritime nations aggressively sought mercantile bases in the Western hemisphere. The merch a nt s of Amsterdam, in 1602, were granted a charter for a transnational orga n i zat ion called the Dutch West ComOf Science India pany. The & Society charter gave these entrepreneurs a Stanley m. monopoly Aronson, M.D. over trade with the islands of the West Indies (Caribbean) but also rights to seek a northwest passage to Asia – and to exercise regional control of the slave traffic. One such exploratory voyage in 1609, led by Hendrick Hudson, ventured north into what is now New York Harbor. He sailed his vessel, The Half Moon, on a navigable waterway that he named Montaigne River (Verrazano, who had previously navigated these waters in 1524 had named it the North River. The Native American villagers, living along its shores, however, recognized that much of the river was a tidal estuary;

accordingly they named it, as translated, the coming-and-going river.) Over the next three centuries, vast numbers of immigrants from many nations populated the southern stretches of the Hudson Valley and its environs, transforming the area into a melting pot of diverse ethnicities. The great majority of immigrant Jews arriving in America between 1870 and 1910 sought work in the large cities; a small number from Ukraine, with prior experience as farmers, traveled north and found arable land in Sullivan, Orange and Ulster counties west of the upper Hudson River. And from such modest – and largely unheralded – beginnings arose a major component of Jewish life in these United States. The region, variously called The Catskills or the Borscht Belt, took on a somewhat Semitic flavor in the 1920s when a few Jewish farmers of the region confronted some grim realities – that their land was suboptimal for effective farming and that the majority of New York City’s adult Jews were still employees dependent upon the largesse of their employers for such benefits as a paid vacation. In the urban shops making women’s garments, early unionization had led to a newly established annual benefit then called: “52 weeks of sweat: 50 in the workplace, and two in the

Mah Jong Night at Ethel Bubinsky’s Catskill Borscht Belt Bungalow Catskills sun.” It was the beginning of a new era where leisure was the mother of both needed diversion and a quirky kind of ethnic humor. Jewish farms amid the Catskills slowly enlarged their porches for the weary visitors, adding rocking chairs and small cottages called kuchaleyns (Yiddish for cook-alones, meaning that a kitchen alcove had been added to the small cottage). Beach chairs were placed on the lawns as well as outdoor tables for the pinochle players. Private bathrooms in the bun-

8tracks radio

galows? Those came later. Very few summer guests in the 1920s owned autos and, therefore, riverboats and the railroads were used to bring the tenement-dwelling Jewish families to their two weeks in Eden. By tradition, the newly arrived were greeted with cups of hot tea to be consumed slowly on the front porch. And then, after the luggage was stowed in the assigned bungalow and the children told not to wander afar, the couple found two beach chairs, quietly gazed in wonderment at the abundance of greenery, the distant mountains in varying shades of grey and blue, and murmured in Yiddish about their newly arisen sense of peace. Neither sunrises nor sunsets were visible in the inner cities and so they vowed to view that day’s sunset. In the early years of the Catskill resorts, entertainment was self-generated and meals

were assembled in the cottages. Gradually, by the 1930s, the farm houses had been replaced by small hotels with dining rooms providing all meals in what was then called “The American Plan,” thus finally giving the wives a vacation as well. Perennial visitors to the Catskills will tell you that there were two levels of accommodation: first class or with children. The Catskills, called by the awed visitors “mountains,” were modest in stature, the highest mount being a mere 4,180 feet. And when compared with the neighboring ranges, such as the Adirondacks or the northern Appalachians, the Catskills and neighboring Poconos were little more than clusters of verdant hills. Yet, to a generation of working-class families, the Jewish Alps provided a needed interval of peace and maybe a bit of entertainment. The entertainment? The Catskills were an incubator where a generation of hyperbolic, standup entertainers learned their hazardous trade. There was hardly a successful comic in the U.S. who did not do an apprenticeship in these resorts. The big hotels of the Catskill region have now gone bankrupt, but this hallowed vacation territory has joined such iconic places as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Lower East Side as way-stations in the progress and assimilation of American Jewry. STANLEY M. ARONSON, M.D. (smamd@cox.net), a weekly contributor, is dean of medicine emeritus at Brown University.

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SENIOR LIVING

February 14, 2014 |

Revisiting the past

Teatime with Judy It was such a long time ago on the Benefit Street trail. It was Judy Beckman, with her skills and interests in genealogical trees, who found the addresses of my grandfather and great uncle and their wives. “The

sketchbook mike fink

ghosts, the phantoms, of the lives of our forebears, our ancestors, ancient or even quite recent, they vanish into vapor so quickly, their footsteps erased by the passage of a few years.” Anyway, I think she said something like that as she handed me, among the fine tea and slices of apple, the 1917 papers filed as the nation entered World War I. Harry Harris Fink was then 37 and dwelt with his new, second wife Clara at 65 Bowen Street. His younger brother Zelig Hyman Fink, 30, lived around the corner with his wife Rebecca and their four children at 14 Benefit Street. I drove my very familiar route from Prospect to Con-

gdon and Bowen and down to Pratt, hunting for evidence of the homesteads first established as the Rumanian brothers, both registered as “upholsterers,” must have gotten off the ships moored at India Point and made their way thence northward toward Main Street, seeking places for their mutual business and for their families. Sixty-five Bowen Street no longer exists as such. There is a gap from the site of the statue of Roger Williams downhill, and it is nicely overgrown with trees and a crooked pathway of accidental stepping stones, just rocks half sunk into the ground. I climbed upward and downward in quest of the tenement, but alas, it was quite gone into history. Zelig’s residence, however, still stands. It is a double building, rather like the houses in Montreal, and it looms over the steep Moshassuk valley and river. It was a mild late winter morning, and my tiny twisty trek made me feel like an explorer in another land, a voyage not across a distance or ahead into the future, but merely into the past, nearly a full century ago. I told Judy Beckman as much as I could muster, by the

Courtesy | mike fink

Zelig Fink and family at 14 Benefit Street big window overlooking her small, neat, shady garden,

about the lost branches of my family. Both grandmothers

had died before I was born. I don’t know where they are buried. I don’t know for certain the last names of their birth families. I grew up with the remnants of a patrimony. My brothers and I were named for these lost grandmothers. Charles for Charna, Michael (me) for Mira, and Edward, the first-born, for an aunt in New York who took our dad in when his mother died ... in London? Over the decades, a cousin may send a letter, attend a wedding or a funeral, and then go back ... to Detroit, to Toronto, to Montreal. Mostly, I find the facts and the fable intimately and locally. Thank you, Judy, for your efforts, your words, and the lovely teatime in the cordial and pleasant company of your white French poodle, Frances, age 12. “I am not Jewish, but nevertheless I have picked up my husband Ralph’s Jewish custom of lighting yahrzeit candles to entertain the spirits of our loved ones. It’s a superb custom. I find it not only comforting, but a perfect metaphor for what we have been doing over our cups of Earl Grey!” MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol. com) teaches at RISD.

30 | February 14, 2014

COMMUNITY | SENIOR LIVING

The Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island Presents Drash and Dessert Saturday evening, March 1, 2014 7:30 pm - Havdalah and Niggunim (singing for all!) 8:15 pm - Study Sessions 9:00 pm - Dessert Reception Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island, 85 Taft Avenue, Providence

Study Sessions

Rabbi Elan Babchuck, Temple Emanu-El, Providence Rabbi Barry Dolinger, Congregation Beth Sholom, Providence, Rabbi Sarah Mack, Temple Beth-El, Providence Prayer for Pragmatists: An interactive session taught by the rabbis of (401)j.

Rabbi Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus, Wheaton College, Norton, MA Eating and Reading: Eating and reading at the table (Passover and Tu Bishvat Haggadot, bentschers, “words of Torah over the table”) are ways we Jews encourage the old to inform the new, and the new to inform the old, creating a fruitful interaction between theory and practice, to produce new, vital Torah that is grounded both in tradition and our current experience.

Rabbi Alan Flam, Brown University, Providence

Renewing Jewish Prayer: Are new prayer books the answer to reviving synagogue life in our communities or do we need new approaches to the practice of prayer? This session will try out some new expressions of Jewish prayer and consider the challenges of liturgical innovation.

Rabbi Wayne Franklin, Temple Emanu-El, Providence

Mitzvah Banks, Miracle Making and Rabbinic Economics: Rabbinic Biographies and Value Education in Tractate Ta’anit.

Rabbi Andrea Gouze, Temple Shaare Tefilah, Norwood, MA.

Nu, You Want to Hear a Joke? Jews have used humor throughout the centuries as ways of coping, critiquing and honing the skill of laughing. In this session, I will explore the relationship between Jews and humor through jokes and historical context.

Rabbi/Cantor Anne Heath, Congregation Agudath Achim, Taunton, MA

Magen David in Text, Art and Craft: A Hands-On Workshop. Discover the richness of the Star/Shield of David: text references from Jewish tradition, artistic representations from public and private art, craft and architecture and contemporary needlework. Develop your own.

Rabbi Amy Levin, Temple Torat Yisrael, East Greenwich

A Page of Talmud: An introduction to the Talmud as a representation of a discussion ranging over several centuries and several locales around the Jewish world. And most of all, what’s to love about rabbinic free association and creative contemplation of Jewish law and lore.

Rabbi Marc Mandel, Touro Synagogue, Newport

Esther As Strategic Planner: Just in time for Purim, we will explore how Esther utilized strategic planning to help save the Jewish community of her time. What lessons in planning can our communities learn from Esther?

Rabbi Richard Perlman, Temple Am David, Warwick

Moshe Kibel Torah MiSinai and then came the “Telephone Game”. Today, we study online, in synagogues, and classrooms all over the world while the Torah is interpreted by all of us. When Moshe received the Torah at Sinai, after generations of playing the “telephone game” if Moshe was at the end of the circle listening to the repetition of the original message, how would he react?

Rabbi James Rosenberg, Emeritus, Temple Habonim, Barrington

The Sefirot — The Inner Life Of God, An introductory look at the core of Kabbalah: The mystical symbol system that points to the interrelationship of God’s inner life and our own inner lives.

drash & dessertr | 35

The Jewish Voice

Lifelong learning, individual growth, and social connection for mature adults A curious mind and a keen interest in expanding intellectual horizons is all it takes By Mary Keane Even on a snowy day in February, the office at The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Rhode Island (URI) is busy with activity. Members are arriving for a course on Lincoln, or The Guided Autobiography, asking questions about an upcoming trip to Cape May, or just stopping by to say “Hi.” They are all part of a vibrant community of older learners who participate for the joy of learning without tests, grades, and papers to write or degree requirements. They are members of OLLI, where the only requirements are that students are all over the age of 50, they are curious, and they love

“We live life forward but make sense of life backward.” to learn. Established in 2009, OLLI at URI enjoys a rich relationship with the University, offering diversified courses and activities. Whether teaching, learning, playing, or exploring, OLLI members constitute an enthusiastic, lifelong-learning community. “OLLI members are essential in shaping, managing, and leading the organization,” says Beth Leconte, Executive Director of OLLI at URI. “We are a community offering a sense of belonging, building new friendships as we are learning. For faculty, we seek out people who want to impart their background, people who have a passion for a subject, great for members who want to expand their learning beyond their comfort zone, and enjoy new experiences as they take that next step.” OLLI is part of a national network of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, now numbering 117 in all fifty states. It was founded in 2001at the University of Maine by Bernard Osher, a successful businessman. Soon The Bernard Osher Foundation was pro-

courtesy | olli, uri

viding startup funding to universities around the country. Five years ago, when OLLI at URI began with an idea from Don Wilson, a local visionary, and the support and leadership of Phillip Clark, Director of URI Program in Gerontology and Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center, it offered five courses per semester. Today, with over 730 members, 38 courses are being offered this spring and numerous one-time lectures. That is in addition to six special interest groups including Storytelling, Travel Club, Great Decisions: Foreign Policy Discussion, a Writers Group, and even a Walking Club. According to active OLLI member and volunteer Lois Cuddy, “I feel as though I am reliving college – but without the pressure and stress of homework, exams, papers, grades, emotional issues of youth, etc., just sheer enjoyment in the wonderful lectures and class discussions with people who are knowledgeable, traveled, curious, and interesting.” Her opinions are echoed by Julie Yingling, who after joining OLLI in 2009 says, “I quickly found myself teaching a class, serving on a volunteer committee, and attending many enriching classes and joyful social events.” Lloyd Kaplan,

an OLLI faculty member wrote, “I have taught music since 1960 and have enjoyed every year, but none as much as the three years of teaching for OLLI at URI.” Most of our faculty has expressed the same sentiment. “The pursuit of scholarship, discovery, and understanding does not stop upon the attainment of a degree,” according to URI President David Dooley. Provost Donald DeHayes echoed these sentiments at last year’s annual meeting when he said, “OLLI is an essential piece of who we are, as our students seek their pathways to their continuous pursuit of learning….We are a society gaining in wisdom all the time.” This is now being borne out as OLLI offers intergenerational activities and classes with traditional college-age students — all looking forward to a rich set of programs. According to OLLI member Phil Clark “We live life forward but make sense of life backward. The annual fee for membership at OLLI is just $50. Courses are scheduled year round and fees range from $10 for a one-time lecture to up to $45 for an eight-week course. The OLLI facility is located on the URI campus, 210 Flagg Rd., and is handicapped accessible. Best of all, parking is not a problem, because membership includes a campus parking permit for OLLI programs. For more information on the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, visit uri.edu/olli or call 401-874-4197. Roberta Palmer, Membership Services Director, can be reached at roberta_palmer@ uri.edu.

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February 14, 2014 |

New Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention Trial about to Start By Stephen Salloway, M.D., M.S. Have you ever experienced a “senior moment” when you cannot remember someone’s name or a word when you need it and wonder if this could be an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease? Well, if so, you are not alone. Recalling names or words, occasionally misplacing items and having more difficulty learning new information are common mild problems as we get older. By and large, these symptoms are not progressive, and people can learn and recall new information and carry out their normal daily activities. It is a worrisome sign when the problems start occurring more frequently; the person becomes repetitive – they fail to recall whole events and not just details and lack awareness of these cognitive problems. People are often confused about the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Dementia is a general term that means there is cognitive impairment that significantly interferes with day-to-day functioning. Alzheimer’s is a disease that is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the buildup of plaques in the brain composed of amyloid protein and neurofibrillary tangles made up of tau protein. Amyloid and tau are proteins normally found in the brain but they become twisted and deposit clumps as Alzheimer’s disease progresses.

Dr. Stephen Salloway The amyloid deposits stimulate the development of tau tangles, which eventually lead to the breakdown of connections or synapses between nerve cells. The major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is advancing age followed by a history of dementia in first-degree relatives. There is growing evidence that Alzheimer’s takes place over many years in the brain. The first stage begins with a silent build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain 10-15 years before the onset of cognitive symptoms. The next stage referred to as mild cognitive impairment is associated with mild memory loss but fairly normal activities of daily living. Dementia occurs in later stages and can be mild, moderate, or severe. The medications currently available for dementia provide a modest benefit but do not slow down the dis-

Amyloid plaque (center) outside nerve cells and dark staining tangles inside neurons in a microscopic brain section from a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. ease process. Early intervention with disease-modifying medications that decrease amyloid and tau deposits may help delay memory loss and other cognitive symptoms. Early intervention has been successful in other major diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Fortunately, a new FDA-approved brain scan is now available to safely determine who is building up amyloid plaques in the brain and is, thus, at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Soon, we will also be testing a new tau PET tracer to detect the build-up of tau tangles. These are major advances, because, previously, we had to wait until an autopsy to see the amyloid plaques and tau tangles under a microscope. We will be using the amyloid PET scan in a new study to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The study is called the anti-amyloid

courtesy | Stephen Salloway, M.D., M.S.

Amyloid PET scan showing normal uptake in an older person without cognitive impairment and prominent uptake in a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. in asymptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (A4) trial and is funded by the National Institute of Health, Lilly Pharm aceuticals and private foundations. The study will enroll people age 6585 without significant cognitive impairment. Participants will have an amyloid PET scan to see who is building up amyloid plaques (approximately 33% of normal people in this age range). Those with a positive amyloid scan will receive a vaccine that binds to amyloid or a placebo infusion each month for 39 months to try and delay the onset of cognitive symptoms. Those who do not meet the amyloid cut-off may be followed in an observational group, but will not receive medication. The vaccine was selected by a panel of dementia experts based on the safety profile and potential benefit seen in in more than two thousand people with

Alzheimer’s disease. These studies are being conducted at the Butler Hospital Memory and Aging Program. There is no charge for any of the procedures or medications involved in this study. For more information about this study contact Diane Monast, RN, MSN at Butler Hospital at 455-6403. stephen Salloway, M.D., M.S. is Director of Neurology and the Memory and Aging Program at Butler Hospital and Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He is an internationally recognized expert on Alzheimer’s disease and the first author of a large phase 3 trial of an antiamyloid vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease in a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Planning for retirement

The sooner you start to plan, the easier those golden years will be By Jeffrey A. Brown and Grant E. Brown With people living 20 and 30 years into retirement, planning for retirement has become far more important than it was for your grandparents. Retirement planning can be a daunting task. For many, it is something given far too little consideration. People will spend more time planning for a vacation than they will spend planning for their future. Retirement planning connotes different things to different people. It is an exercise that has two phases: the accumulation phase and the disposition phase. Both of these disciplines focus on asset allocation and the tax efficient use of assets. The best retirement plan is started when one is 20 or 30 years old. Many years of consistent saving and planning will enable one to accumulate a comfortable nest egg for retirement. Regardless of how early or late when one starts saving and whenever one decides to retire, there are many different topics that need to be addressed leading up to

and through retirement. Social Security is an important asset for retirees. Social security planning is not as straightforward as it might appear. Should one apply for benefits early and incur a reduction in normal benefits? Should one take benefits at normal retirement? Or might it be even better to delay social security and get an increase in monthly benefits? Of course each strategy depends on myriad factors including health, family history, and current financial resources. A married person approaching retirement needs to know what social security benefits a spouse might be entitled to. Thoughtful Social Security planning can create significant additional lifetime income for a couple, if they can wend their way through the various rules and regulations. Distribution Planning helps create the greatest chance that you won’t outlive your money or ensure assets are preserved to be passed to heirs, if desired. With greater life expectancy today, retirees have to meet the challenge of creating adequate income for 20 to 30 years. Too

often, the cash needed in retirement is underestimated. Unexpected health expenses may destroy a retirement plan budget. Inflation can wreak havoc with the best intentioned plans. Monte Carlo simulations have proven that limiting distributions to 3.5% to 4% of assets creates a very high likelihood of not outliving one’s assets. Spending above this threshold will most likely involve invading principal over time. This may not be a bad thing, but retirees need to be aware of a diminishing estate throwing off less income. Annuities can be one successful strategy to provide certainty of income during retirement years. An annuity can reduce investment risk for a portion of one’s estate, but often such vehicles do not address the issue of inflation. However, a steady stream of income that will return some of the principal over time can boost retirement revenue. For people who may have a charitable purpose, charitable gift annuities might fit quite nicely into retirement planning, particularly if an estate includes highly appreciated as-

sets that do not currently generate income. Using such assets for charitable annuities can escape capital gains tax and also provide a tax deduction. Because such strategies can be complicated, it is best to consult an expert. Such a strategy should only be considered for a portion of one’s assets. Creating a budget and limiting expenses can help stretch the dollar you have worked hard to save. Know what your expenses are and strive to live within those limits. Modest savings habits can create additional savings. If you are lucky enough to have paid off your mortgage, you won’t have that monthly expense hanging over your head. One might consider downsizing. Reverse mortgages have created additional cash flow for retirees. This strategy requires careful investigation, as there are some pitfalls that one needs to be wary of. Estate Planning is not only for the rich and famous. Retirement planning should not be done without including a will and durable power of attorney. Having a well-constructed will is not enough. Assets and ben-

eficiary designation must be properly titled, executed, and coordinated. This is an important planning element that is often left incomplete. If the assets do not mesh with a carefully crafted plan, the plan is of little utility. Even the simple task of creating and providing a list of all your accounts and assets for a spouse or child will save countless hours and headaches for your heirs. Retirement planning is not a one size fits all exercise. Although there are some general rules and principals, each situation stands on its own. The ultimate plan depends on many individual factors that all need to be assessed. The best plans are started early and reviewed periodically. Jeffrey A. Brown JD, LLM, QPA, ChFC, ERPA and Grant E. Brown ERPA, QPA, TGPC, CFP® are owners of Compensation Planning Inc., a Warwick based firm focusing on the design and administration of 401(k), 403(b), and defined benefit plans for small business.

32 | February 14, 2014

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Preventing Falls in Older Adults By Patricia Harwood, LICSW The statistics on falls among older adults are alarming. Approximately two-thirds of accidental deaths of older adults living in Rhode Island are due to injuries sustained from a fall. Falls are also the most common cause of non-fatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma among people over age 65, according to the CDC. The medical treatment of injuries related to falls account for 80% of medical costs of people age 65 and older. Hip fractures are one of the most concerning fallrelated injuries, causing the greatest number of deaths and resulting in highest rate of seniors requiring nursing home placement. Only 25% of seniors who have suffered a hip fracture will make a full recovery; 40% will require nursing home care, 50% will lose their ability to walk, and 20% will die within a year. These statistics report the magnitude of the issue, but do not illustrate the emotional suffering seniors and their loved ones experience following a devastating fall. Not only is their health at risk, but their independence and quality of life becomes jeopardized as well. Knowing the risk factors for falls helps in determining prevention measures. Over the past two decades, researchers have studied why falls occur and have identified the most significant risk factors. These risk factors can be grouped into three categories: biological, behavioral, and environmental. Biological risk factors include a person’s vision; chronic medical conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular issues, and dementia; mobility problems due

to muscle weakness or balance issues; and neuropathy or loss of sensation in the feet. Behavioral risk factors include inactivity, medication side effects and/or interactions, and alcohol use. Environmental risk factors include hazards in the home or environment, such as poor lighting, lack of railings, and clutter; incorrect size, type, or use of walkers and canes; and poorly designed public spaces. Studies have shown that decreasing these risk factors significantly reduces falls among people living independently in the community. Educating older adults and their loved ones about fall risk factors on an ongoing basis is the most effective way to reduce the number of falls nationwide. Because Rhode Island has a high percentage of older adults living in our community, fall prevention is an area of great concern to public health and safety. Community-based fall prevention programs target five main areas to reduce the risk of falls to seniors: 1. Education of seniors and their loved ones about why falls occur and how to reduce risk factors. 2. Exercise to improve strength, balance, and mobility. This can include simple activities like walking or modest home exercise programs (with the appropriate supervision level determined by one’s physician) or more advanced programs such as Tai Chi, which can improve balance and strength. Tai Chi and other advanced programs should

be taught by trained, certified instructors or physical therapists. 3. Medication review by a pharmacist or health care provider to identify possible side effects or drug interactions that may increase fall risk. A physician needs to authorize any change to a prescription medication. 4. Vision exams should be conducted at least annually by a trained professional. 5. Home safety assessment by an occupational therapist or health care professional can identify hazards in the home and measures to correct any issues. Simple changes, such as remov i ng scatter rugs and clutter or using nightlights, can have a big impact on home safety. More expensive upgrades

in the bathroom can be worthwhile if the senior plans to stay in the home long term. Addressing the risk factors before a fall occurs is essential to preventing a devastating incident and can help older adults live longer, more independent lives. Patricia Harwood is a licensed clinical social worker at Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island.

February 14, 2014 |

Eight Tips for Safe Snow Shoveling Shoveling out? Here are some tips on how to shovel snow safely from the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA). TIP #1: Stay on top of the snow. No we aren’t suggesting that you make snow angels but when there’s a heavy snow, the best advice is to stay ahead of the storm. SIMA recommends that to prevent snow and ice from adhering to the sidewalk or street, clear the snow every few inches instead of waiting for the snow to stop falling before you head outdoors. TIP #2: Wear breathable layers. Layering is typical cold winter weather advice. We suggest wearing layers of loose clothing so you can peal a layer off if you get hot. Avoid wearing heavy wools, manmade materials or other materials that don’t allow perspiration to evaporate. Better choices are cotton and silk. TIP #3: Watch your feet. No you aren’t on Dancing with the Stars, but nonetheless, you need to pay attention to what’s on your feet when heading outdoors to shovel snow. SIMA suggests wearing quality outdoor winter wear such as waterproof boots with good traction. Good traction is critical to ensuring that you don’t slip and fall. TIP #4: Take a few minutes to stretch. Shoveling snow is a workout so you

need to stretch to warm up your muscles particularly because you are shoveling snow in the cold weather. Stretching before you start shoveling will help prevent injury and fatigue. TIP #5: Push don’t lift. Sounds like something a high school wrestling coach may say but if you push the snow to the side rather than trying to lift the snow to remove it, you exert less energy thereby placing less stress on your body. TIP #6: Drink up! Water that is. SIMA recommends taking frequent breaks and staying hydrated. You should drink water as if you were enduring a tough workout at the gym or running five miles. TIP #7: Don’t play in traffic. Sometimes people get so focused on the task at hand they don’t pay attention to their surroundings. When shoveling snow near streets, pay attention to the traffic since vehicles may not have good traction in the snow and ice. TIP #8: Call and text. We’re not suggesting that you make calls and text while shoveling snow, but it is important to have your cell phone on you so you can make a call in event of an emergency. Following these tips will help ensure that you survive and thrive through winter 2014.

34 | February 14, 2014 ARLEEN BARBER, 86 Warwick, RI – Arleen Barber, 86, of Warwick, died February 8, 2014, at Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center, Providence. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Samuel and Mollie (Bazar) Falcofsky, she had lived in Warwick for over 25 years. She was a member of Temple Sinai, a former member of Temple Torat Yisrael and its Sisterhood and a life member of Hadassah. She was an avid bridge and canasta player and loved to read. Mother of Robert (Sandy) Barber of Cranston, Marcia McGovern of West Warwick and Carol (Abbott) Wolfe of Highland Park, Ill. Twin sister of Beverly Schafer of Dedham, Mass. Grandmother of Lauren (Chad), Eric (Merrilees), Kelly-May, Drew, Ricky and Sarah. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Home & Hospice Care of R.I.

LEWIS J. DITTELMAN, 64 Grafton, Mass. – Lewis J. Dittelman, 64, of Grafton, Mass., died Wednesday, January 2 9 , 2 0 1 4 , at UMass Memorial Med ic a l C ent er. He w a s t h e husband of Catherine ( H e r r ) Dittelman, for 35 years. Born in Providence, R.I., son of the late Elliott and Eleanor (Copelof) Dittelman, he had lived in Grafton, previously residing in Westborough, Mass. for 21 years. He was a recruiter for business and finance companies for over 30 years. He was a graduate of Bentley College. He was heavily involved with the Westborough Players Club, Westborough Community Chorus and was a Westborough Cultural Council volunteer. Father of Mark

OBITUARIES Dittelman and his wife Hilary of Shrewsbury and Eric Dittelman of Astoria, N.Y. Brother of Irene Sacks of Las Vegas, Nev. and Helen Dittelman-Dolan of No. Attleboro, Mass. Uncle of Rachael Dolan and Joe Herr. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

BARBARA (GOLDSTEIN) DURAND, 69 Providence, RI – Barbara (Goldstein) Durand, 69, passed away Saturday, February 8, 2014. Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Frank and the late Marion (Cohen) Goldstein. She is survived by her nieces, Rabbah Arlene Berger and her husband Warren, Jill Goldstein, Debra Baril and her husband David, and Robin Jones and her husband Tripp; great nieces and nephews, Jennie, Alex, Hugh, Tucker and Eden; and sister-inlaw, Harriet Goldstein. She was the sister of the late Dr. George Goldstein. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Jewish Elder Care of R.I., 100 Niantic Ave., Cranston, RI 02907.

BEATRICE WATTMAN MILLER, 101 Providence, RI – Beatrice Wattman Miller, 101, died on January 30 at home. A lifelong resident of Providence and Barrington Beach, she was the daughter of Lewis and Betty Wartman, and the wife of the late Meyer S. Miller. An honors graduate of Hope High School at the age of 15, her father thought her too young to go to college immediately, so had her go for a year to Bryant. There she learned secretarial, bookkeeping and financial skills, immediately becoming the bookkeeper for many years of the family business, W & W Jewelry Company.

The Jewish Voice At Pembroke College in Brown University, she majored in the newly formed Department of Sociology and became a Social Worker in Apponaug upon graduation. She was active in alumni affairs at both Hope and Brown, serving on reunion committees, and she was the Secretary/Archivist of her Pembroke Class of 1935. In 1968, she received a Master’s Degree in Library Science with Distinction from the University of Rhode Island and later pursued further graduate studies at Rhode Island College and Brown University, earning her a R.I. State Teaching Certificate. She was the Librarian/Media Specialist at Nathan Bishop Middle School for 15 years. Brown named her a Class Marshal for their 2005 Commencement exercises in honor of her 70th Reunion, and this year they sent her a formal Certificate acknowledging her loyalty as a Brown Centenarian. In honor of her 100th birthday, the Pembroke Center for Women posted her oral history on their website. A member of Temple EmanuEl, she was a life member of the Brandeis Women’s Committee, the Women’s Association of the former Jewish Home for the Aged, and the Rhode lsland Jewish Historical Society. She was a Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League, once winning the Providence City-Wide Duplicate Bridge Championship. She was also a member of the Brown Faculty Club, and Ledgemont Country Club for over 60 years. She is survived by her daughter, Caryl-Ann Miller Nieforth, and her son, Donald E. Miller, Esq.; three grandchildren, Deborah L. Bloomberg, R.N., Andrew L. Feldman, M.D., and Emily M. Miller; and three greatgrandchildren, Lindsey, Matthew and Alma. She was the sister of the late Irving

Wattman and Edwin (Bunty) Z. Wattman, D.D.S.

NATHAN “NAT” SAFFERSON, 89 Warwick, RI – Nathan “Nat” Safferson, 89, of Warwick, died February 5, 2014, at Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center, Providence. He was the husband of Sylvia (Barr) Safferson for 55 years. Born in Boston, Mass., a son of the late Paul and Anna (Glickman) Safferson, he had lived in Warwick since 1958. He was a manager for the former Virginia Dare and Peerless Stores for 50 years, retiring in 1993. He was a WW-II Army veteran serving in the European Theater. He was with General Patton and the 188th Engineering Unit liberating the prisoners in Buchenwald. He was a member of Touro Fraternal Association, Temple Torat Yisrael and its Men’s Club, Jewish War Veterans Post 23 and volunteered for the Jewish Seniors Agency, delivering gifts. Father of Paul Safferson and his wife Rivka of Oakton, Va. and Rona Stein and her husband Michael of Framingham, Mass. Brother of Sylvia Terban of Randolph, MA. Grandfather of Alan, Ben, Jessica and Danielle. In lieu of flowers, contribu-

tions in his memory may be made to Home & Hospice Care of R.I. or Temple Torat Yisrael.

ROSALINE C. STERN, 90 Prescott, Ariz. – Rosaline C. Stern, of Prescott, Ariz., died, February 10, 2014 at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Prescott, Ariz. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles Stern. Born in Providence, R.I., a daughter of the late Albert and Nellie (Levine) Cherniack, she had lived in Prescott, Ariz., previously living in Cranston and Warwick, R.I. She was an office clerk for many different manufacturing companies in Cranston and Providence for several years. She was a life member of Hadassah, a member of Social Seniors of Warwick and the Cranston Senior Center. She volunteered for many years helping young children to learn to read and she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, also for many years. Mother of Marsha Stern and her husband, Danney Cox, of Prescott, Ariz. Sister of Gerald Cherniack and his wife, Marsha, of Milwaukee, Wis. and the late Selma Nasberg. Aunt of several nieces and nephews. She also leaves her granddog, Mandy. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to your favorite charity.

Obituaries may be sent to: editor@jewishallianceri.org or mail to: 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906

February 14, 2014 |

SENIOR LIVING | COMMUNITY

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Advance directives: your life, your voice, your choice. By Jay M. Elias, Esq. and Judith Lynn Gordon, RN, BSN

What is an Advance Directive?

“Advance” refers to a time in the future when your physician has determined you are no longer able to participate actively in your health care decisions. “Directive” refers to your ability to direct certain health care decisions about yourself, whether to another person your “Agent” - or to your health care providers. An Advance Directive allows you to make decisions affecting your health care in advance of a time when you are no longer able to do so.

Who can complete an Advance Directive?

Anyone over 18 years of age who is competent (someone who is legally able to make their own decisions) may complete an Advance Directive.

Is a “Living Will” the same as a “Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care”?

No. Although both are “Advance Directives”, there is a significant difference. A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care allows you to appoint an “Agent” to make health care decisions for you when your physician has determined you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Many think of this as a “dying form” when for some the document may be used for many years because of mental illness or disability, not because they are dying. A Living Will directs your physician to withhold or stop life-sustaining medical treatments that merely prolong the dying process and are not necessary to your comfort or to alleviate pain, but only if you have an incurable or irreversible condition that will cause your death, and you become unable to make decisions regard-

from page 30

and even in the glove box of your car.

ing your medical treatment. You do not appoint an Agent. You create your own directive to your physicians about your wishes for your future medical treatment.

If I do not have an Advance Directive, who will make my health care decisions?

With A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, can my Agent override my wishes?

No. Your health care Agent has no power to make decisions about your treatment as long as you are able to make and communicate your own decisions.

Who do I appoint as my Health Care Agent?

Are there people who cannot be my Health Care Agent? Select one person as your primary Agent and another person as Alternative Agent if your primary Agent cannot serve; your Alternative Agent should be equally as qualified. Your Agents must act consistently with your desires as you have made them known. Choose someone who knows you very well, would know what you would want in a medical crisis, and would tell your physician what you have told them. Your Agent will be asked to use your values, not theirs, to make medical decisions. They should speak as if they were you. Choose someone who will not fall apart in a crisis and who will do right by you even if it is the most difficult thing they have ever had to do. Your Agent cannot be: (1) your health care provider; (2) an employee of your health care provider, unless it is your relative; (3) your residential care provider; or (4) an employee of your residential care provider, unless it is your relative.

Is this the same as a financial Power of Attorney?

No. Financial Powers of Attorney do not apply to health care decisions.

drash & dessert

Rabbi Peter Stein, Temple Sinai, Cranston

Living with Memory — A Report on Today’s German Jewish Community: In November 2013, Rabbi Stein traveled as part of a rabbinic delegation to participate in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht and to engage in dialogue with the Jewish community of Berlin and various leadership groups in the general population. He will offer a description and analysis of his experience, and will include a number of photographs and written materials collected during the trip.

Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, Congregation Agudas Achim, Attleboro, MA

Sci-Fi and the Jewish Mind—Artificial Intelligence, Cyborgs, and more: What Jewish tradition has to teach us (warn us?) about the coming Robot Revolution! Using film clips, stories from the Kabbalah and more we will explore the Golem myth and its impact on contemporary culture. We will also discuss the ethical and moral implications of human-created artificial life.

Also teaching:

Rabbi Michelle Dardashti, Brown-RISDI Hillel, Providence For information: www.rabbisofgreaterrhodeisland.org

For how long is my Advance Directive valid?

Unless you state otherwise, these documents exist until they are revoked. They can easily be revoked.

Do I have to use a specific form?

No. There are suggested forms for both documents, but the law does not require the use of any specific one. It is critical that certain steps be followed.

Where should I keep my Advance Directive?

An Advance Directive is only useful if it is known to exist. Do not hide your Advance Directive or lock it away. Make multiple copies. Keep them in many places. Give them to your physicians, your Agent, family members, close friends, clergy, and your family attorney. Keep a copy in your wallet or purse

Your attending physici a n exerjewish voice staff will cise their professional medical judgment in making decisions. They may speak with your spouse, if you have one, or with other close relatives and family members

What if my Health Care Agent makes decisions that are not in my best interest?

A court can take away the power of your Agent to make health care decisions for you if your Agent: (1) authorizes anything that is illegal; (2) acts contrary to your known desires; or (3) where your desires are not known, by your Agent does anything that is clearly contrary to your best interests.

Must I use a lawyer?

No. Although you may wish to consult one if you have questions about Advance Directives,

1 2

one is not required. You can obtain approved forms by contacting either the Rhode Island Department of Health or the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office, or by contacting your attorney. Jay M. Elias, Esq. is an attorney who has spent most of his professional career in the field of health care law. Judith Lynn Gordon, RN, BSN, has long been involved in nursing and hospice care, including as a former Director of the Philip Hulitar In-Patient Unit of Hospice Care of Rhode Island. Jay currently serves as General Counsel, and Judith Lynn as Community Outreach Manager, at DYERLAKE Funeral Home in North Attleboro, Mass. Note: This article is offered solely for informational purposes. Nothing contained herein is intended to provide, or to be relied upon as, legal advice concerning any individual situation. Only an experienced attorney giving individual attention to the specific facts of your circumstances is in a position to provide you with reliable legal advice. The authors and DYER-LAKE disclaim any liability for any actions taken or not taken in reliance upon this article.

the class size the tuition

When classes average half the size of those in the public schools, students average twice as much teacher attention. They clearly learn more than average, according to NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program) test results. By developing enhanced critical thinking and analytic skills and learning Jewish values like kindness and morality, they also get off to a better than average start in life. We’d love to help your child beat the averages – and give you half off the tuition for his or her first year. So please take an hour to check us out. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or unaffiliated. All you need to believe in is the value of a great education.

PROVIDENCE

HEBREW DAY SCHOOL 450 Elmgrove Ave. | 401-331-5327 | www.PHDSchool.org Ad made possible through a grant from Torah Umesorah.

36 | February 14, 2014

The Jewish Voice

COMMUNITY

JeWiSh vOice STaFF

PEGASUS students from La Salle Academy created Holocaust-inspired poetry on paper butterﬂies.

fROM Page 1

hOlOCauSt

lessons, programs and curricula can the R.I. Jewish community impart on future generations? Providence is fortunate to have the Holocaust Education Resource Center of R.I. (HERCRI), housed at the Dwares JCC. The mission of HERCRI is “to teach the history of the Holocaust in order to promote human dignity and justice, and to serve as a memorial to its victims.” More than 6,000 local students, ranging in age from middle school to college level, visit HERCRI every year. This valuable resource helps schools start the conversation and learning in the classroom. In a recent Boston Globe travel article, correspondent Paul E. Kandarian noted, “Of the many holders of history on the East Side, one of the most compelling is The Holocaust Education and Resource Center of R.I., housing a library, some artifacts from the era, an audio-visual collection and memorial garden, and which arranges for Holocaust survivors to speak to local students or groups. On January 14, eighth graders from La Salle Academy’s PEGASUS (Program to Enhance the Gifts, Aptitudes and Skills of Unique Students) visited HERCRI to learn more about the Holocaust and listen to Al Silverstein, a speaker who was part of the kindertransport. As a follow up, a class was taught at La Salle about children’s poetry from the ghetto of Terezín. Using the poem “The Butterfly” by Pavel Friedmann as inspiration, the students were asked to create their own six-word poems on brightly colored paper butterflies. It’s worth noting that, in 2012, Bob Lisi, PEGASUS principal, was recognized by HERCRI for his outstanding work on Holocaust education and received the Starr Teacher Award, sponsored by Bob and Joyce Starr. Maryann Ragno, of Scituate High School, is another local teacher who takes on the responsibility of teaching Holocaust

education in the classroom to ensure that future generations continue to remember. Ragno said, “I began teaching a unit on the Holocaust because I was in very inspired by my own children’s [learning] experience. … I was surprised at how little many of my students knew about the Holocaust, and wanted to do something about that.” Maryann has been teaching the history of the Holocaust to her ninth grade honors English classes for the past six years. Throughout the four-week curriculum, students learn the history through books, videos, discussion, personal essays and reflections and testimony from Holocaust survivors. They even plan to visit the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City on Feb. 28. As a culminating project, students are assigned the “suitcase biography,” which asks them to read the story of a Holocaust victim and choose at least ten objects that will depict the essence of their experience. The collection will be displayed in a suitcase accompanied by a written description of why each object was included and its significance. This project will be on display in gallery (401) March 3 - 10. Students will be presenting their projects on Monday, March 3, and all are welcome to attend. Local teens are also given an opportunity to participate in the March of the Living (MOL) program, and lead the New England delegation under the direction of Jana Brenman, Director of Teen Engagement. MOL is a two-week educational mission conducted every year for high school juniors and seniors. This experience attracts between 9,000 and 10,000 Jewish youth from around the world. They unite to spend a week in Poland, where they visit places that were once filled with Jewish life and learning. They also visit historical sites, including numerous concentration camps. On Yom Ha’Shoah,

BRian Sullivan

Ninth grade honor students from Scituate High School collected significant items that represent Holocaust victims’ experiences for the “Suitcase Biography,” a special exhibit on display at gallery(401) from March 3-10. Holocaust Memorial Day, all participants of MOL bear witness to the past by walking the three kilometers (1.8 miles) from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest concentration camp complex built by the Nazis during World War II. They spend the second week of the trip in Israel, celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day, as well as visiting a variety of exciting and ancient places. Leading up to the trip, students are required to take a weekly class in preparation for this extraordinary experience. The trip is made possible by the Jewish Alliance of Greater R.I. in partnership with the Touro Fraternal Association, HERCRI, local synagogues and private donors. Brenman states, “This trip is life-changing for the participants, as they develop a strong Jewish identity, enabling them to become change agents for the future by standing up as leaders to injustice.” Rhode Island is not unique in its quest to educate future generations through many avenues. One such way to further educate, inform and inspire is the construction of a Holocaust Memorial. In The Times of Israel,

Gil Shefler reports that, even “though precise numbers are difficult to come by, Holocaust studies experts say museums and monuments dedicated to the genocide have proliferated across the United States over the past two decades.” As the September 27, 2013 issue of The Jewish Voice reported, Rhode Island endeavors to create a memorial dedicated to the Holocaust. The anticipated memorial will give the community and future generations a permanent place on Providence’s River Walk to reflect and learn. The memorial committee (led by Herb Stern, Committee Chair and past federation president; Jeffrey Savit, President and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island; and HERCRI) has also continued collaborating with Johnson & Wales University to create a technological component of the R.I. Holocaust Memorial. Through a Directed Work Experience class, led by Jeffrey Teagen, Coordinator of Academic Innovation for the School of Technology, a group of four students has taken on all the research, development and, ultimately, implantation of an in-

novative way to give life to the memorial. Eric Beltram, Hayward Gatch, Wil Hall and Brandon Sciancalepore are developing a smart phone application that will provide visitors with information about the memorial and the history of the Holocaust. The addition of this innovative feature with the memorial design, created by artist Jonathan Boner, will be among the first of its kind. Teaching our children is our only hope to ensure that history does not repeat itself. And, in our community, through these many different avenues, there does seem to be hope. fOR MORe INfORMatION, contact May-Ronny Zeidman, Executive Director, at mzeidman@ hercri.org or 401-453-7860. For information about MOL, contact Jana Brenman at jbrenman@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-4214111, ext. 181. For information about the R.I. Holocaust Memorial, contact Michelle Cicchitelli at mcicchitelli@jewishallianceri. org or 401-421-4111, ext. 178. MIChelle CICChItellI is the Director of Jewish Life at the Alliance.

cOuRTeSy | JeWiSh alliance OF GReaTeR RhOde iSland

Architect’s rendering of the proposed memorial

thejewishvoice.org

FROM ISRAEL – Ken Schneider recently returned from a three-week trip in Israel. While there, Schneider worked with Volunteers for Israel (VFI), an international organization that connects Americans to Israel through volunteer service. By collaborating with military and civilian organiza-

WE ARE READ | COMMUNITY

tions, volunteers like Ken are able to work side-by-side with Israelis. “This was my eighth time volunteering with them. I was placed on a logistics base in northern Israel. It is always a great and fulfi lling experience,” said Schneider about his involvement with VFI, which promotes solidarity and

SuSan SuGeRman

Sharing our voices in song makes the community strong

Zimriyah (songfest), an annual choral festival, is a beloved tradition for Jewish Community Day School (JCDS). During rehearsals Ruti Adler, Hebrew Language Consultant (right), encouraged students to showcase their vocal talents. The program was held on Thursday, February 13 at Temple Emanu-El and celebrated Israel.

February 14, 2014 |

Ken SchneideR

goodwill among Israelis, American Jews and other friends of Israel. “It is a great program for anybody that thinks Israel needs to stay strong in order to survive.” If yOu aRe INteReSteD in volunteering with VFI, contact Ken Schneider at kenschneider33@cox.net

E ST AT E SAL E FURNITURE FOR SALE

Nice couch with matching chair, perfect condition! Dining room set with 4 chairs & buffet. Large dresser with mirror. Call for details. Andy 617-‐877-‐8049 or Kim 401-‐808-‐7612

38 | February 14, 2014

TECHNOLOGY

The Jewish Voice

CathMaps+ homescreen

Israeli company introduces GPS-based mobile app By KaRa MaRzIalI kmarziali@jewishallianceri.org

gallery (401)

MY 6

word memoir.

Everyone has a story to tell...

To communicate something meaningful in exactly six words might seem preposterous, if not impossible. However, six-word memoirs are a profound and creative way to think about our lives, our surroundings, our reality, and ultimately ourselves. gallery (401) is offering a simple platform to share the short, sharp story of your life. We hope you’ll give six a try—and make your words count.

Visit jewishallianceri.org before February 28 to submit your six-word story and become part of the Jewish storytelling tradition. Submissions will be used to create the exhibit “Everyone Has a Story to Tell” on view in gallery (401) at the Dwares JCC from March 13 through April 11.

...and everyone should have a place to tell it. 401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 | jewishallianceri.org

According to the CDC, each year more than 700,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, nearly 200,000 occur in people who have already had heart failure. In June 2013, Danny Oberman, an Israeli originally from Australia who made Aliyah in 1975, went into cardiac arrest. At the emergency room, a stent was inserted, and within 48 hours he was discharged. During a follow-up visit with his cardiologist, he was asked what type of stent was inserted, but Oberman could not give his doctor an answer. He had no idea. His doctor informed him that if another incident occurred, he should go immediately to the nearest hospital with a catheterization laboratory or cath lab, which uses diagnostic imaging equipment to view the arteries of the heart. The cardiologist also recommended that Oberman carry the details of his cardiac history on a piece of paper in the event that he should end up at a different hospital, thus not having access to Oberman’s medical history “Piece of paper? Surely there must be an app for that!” thought Oberman. Unfortunately there was not. That is until Oberman envisioned it. Inspired by his personal history with heart disease and years of relevant management experience, Oberman founded CathMaps, an Israelibased technology company. Together with a small team of talented technical and marketing professionals, and in consultation with some Cardiologists (who then became investors), the CathMaps+ App was developed and launched for the U.S.

market on February 11, 2014. CathMaps+ is the world’s fi rst HIPAA-compliant mobile application for cardiac patients and people living with elevated risk of a cardiac incident. It integrates a patient’s cardiac history with an interactive map of Cath Labs throughout most of the world. CathMaps+ uses mobile technology to provide peace of mind and emergency assistance to hundreds of thousands of Americans in their most urgent time of need. It also allows cardiologists fast access to critical medical history in an emergency, ensuring more informed, personalized and effective treatment. As a cardiac patient, Oberman knows how useful this app can be in saving precious time, making treatment quicker and more efficient for the physician, and even saving lives. “By creating and launching the CathMaps+ app, it is my hope that heart disease patients and their families will be equipped with a sense of normalcy and peace of mind as they go about their daily lives, and even travel” says Oberman. “As a life or death condition, the idea of suffering a repeat incident can be an almost constant concern. This app will help offset patient anxiety while also serving as a valuable tool for cardiologists and the medical community overall.” Owned by Kickstart LLC, CathMaps+ is available for most Android and iOS users and is available on the App Store and Google Store for $4.99. fOR MORe INfORMatION, visit www.cathmaps.com. KaRa MaRzIalI is the Director of Communications at the Alliance.

February 14, 2014 |

thejewishvoice.org

Jewish Peoplehood: Supporting Judaism and Jewish People

with your help, we can do more. Millions of people live in places where being Jewish can still mean economic hardship or the threat of physical harm. Our Jewish Peoplehood initiative is helping them to recover their culture – and sometimes their health, dignity, and sense of belonging to a global Jewish community that cares. Our three initiatives, Jewish Life & Learning, Caring & Social Responsibility, and Jewish Peoplehood work in harmony to help people – here in Rhode Island, in Israel, and around the world. Being aware of the growing and changing needs in our community and creating solutions to meet them is something in which we take great pride. This is all possible because of the generosity of people like you.

Please support our 2014 Annual Campaign.

THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY. 401 Elmgrove Avenue Providence, RI 02906 401.421.4111 jewishallianceri.org

Last year’s Annual Campaign $854,355 donor dollars helped support Jewish people globally including Diagnosis and treatment for 50 Israeli children requiring special needs intervention Educational and enrichment activities for 140 Ethiopian-Israeli teens

people are exploring Judaism for the first time more than 1,000 people attend Limmud-Keshet, a 3 day study-fest in Poland that helps construct a modern Polish-Jewish identity

with your help, we can do more.

40 | February 14, 2014

The Jewish Voice

Considering hiring a private in-home caregiver?

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, Bureau of Justice Statistics there were 5,961,568 cases of abuse reported in 2010. Personal caregivers were responsible in many of those cases. Private hire caregivers can be found advertising their services in classified ads in newspapers, on-line websites such as Craigslist, and even through word-of-mouth from a “friend of a friend”. But are you willing to risk your safety to a stranger? What do you really know about them?

We can put your mind at rest

Concord Home Health and Wellness Services employs the industry’s most qualified and highly trained caregivers. In addition to having previous experience in caring for seniors, all of our caregivers receive: • Background evaluation • Bonding against theft • Certification (required for home health aides)

All 200 staff members are direct employees of Concord. Each staff member receives ongoing training and evaluations and are regularly supervised on-site. Our nursing staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

C O NC OR D

HOME HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES

Call today to schedule a free in-home consultation

(401) 725-8400

• CPR Certification • Immigration certification • Worker’s compensation insurance