September 7, 2018

Volume XXIV, Issue XV | www.jvhri.org Serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

27 Elul 5778 | September 7, 2018

PHOTO | YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90

Jared Kushner speaking while U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman looks on at the opening ceremony of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, May 14.

The Jewish year in review: #MeToo, the embassy move and a growing gap between Israel and the Diaspora Part two

BY BEN HARRIS JTA – For North American Jews, the Jewish year 5778 began with tensions between Israel and the Diaspora over egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall and ended with more tension over a controversial nationality law. In between, North American Jews grappled with the impact of the #MeToo movement, the Trump administration relocated the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv and

actress Natalie Portman made headlines for turning down a chance to collect a top prize in Israel.

March 2018

Two senior Jewish members of the Trump administration – Gary Cohen and David Shulkin – leave their posts. Cohen resigns as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. He reportedly had been YEAR IN REVIEW | 18

The Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial.

R.I. Holocaust Memorial ‘speaks’ through a new app

BY LEV POPLOW Situated on the banks of the Providence Riverwalk between the World War I and World War II memorials, the Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial serves a dual purpose: it honors the 6 million Jews who perished at the hands of the Nazis and pays tribute to the survivors who made their

way to Rhode Island and built new lives, families and businesses while contributing to the cultural landscape of our state.

The Holocaust memorial stands in tribute to all we have lost, all we have learned and hope for the future. And now the memorial can literally tell its story to people everywhere

through a new app.

The R.I. Holocaust Memorial is a sculpture garden with a number of symbolic features.

There is a winding stone path engraved with railroad tracks, an outer curb with the names of some of the concentration camps, an inner curb with the names of many of the APP | 5

Postcard from Montreal: Lots of great eating here

BY M. CHARLES BAKST

Schwartz’s is a Montreal institution.

MONTREAL – We are in the celebrated Schwartz’s Charcuterie Hebraique de Montréal, or Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen, renowned for its smoked meat sandwiches. You will love this place.

The restaurant, 90 years old, is narrow and crowded, with well-worn wooden tables and walls festooned with celebrity photos, newspaper articles and posters. It has been the subject of a book, a musical and a documentary.

I am with my granddaughter, Alessia, who is 17 and a certified EMT. On top of her other qualities, this makes her an ideal travel companion.

The restaurant, a miniature version of Katz’s Delicatessen in New York, holds 60 people. Arriving late morning, we snag the last pair of seats. By the time we finish devouring our sandwiches, a long line will be forming outside. On weekends, especially, hungry patrons can wait for over an hour.

Smoked meat (or viande fumée), a Montreal tradition, is similar to pastrami, though the cuts of meat and the seasonings may differ.

At Schwartz’s, the meat is brisket.

Before we eat it on rye bread with mustard, it has been marinated in a dry cure for 10 days, smoked for some eight hours, steamed for another three MONTREAL | 15

2 | September 7, 2018

INSIDE Business 20-21 Calendar 10

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Back to school at Providence Hebrew Day School

Community 2-6, 11, 16-17, 19, 23-24, 26-27 D’var Torah 7 Food 12-13 High Holy Days 14, 26 Israel 7 Obituaries 22 Opinion 8-9 Seniors 25 Travel 15 World 22 Year In Review 18-19

THIS ISSUE’S QUOTABLE QUOTE “We are all in this together.”

PHOTO | PHDS

Shaindel Sarah, Yehuda and Aharon Yitzchok Karp arrive at PHDS for the first day of school escorted by their father, Rabbi Noach Karp.

The Welcome Back bulletin board – with the smiling faces of the 163 students – greeted students, teachers and parents on the first day of school.

Be an

EVERYDAY HERO Join us for our largest fundraising phone-a-thon of the year!

SUPER SUNDAY

September 16 | 9:00am - 1:00pm Dwares JCC | 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence with co-chairs:

ALIZAandWILL KRIEGER When we come together our capacity for a stronger, more vibrant community is limitless. Whether you volunteer with us or you answer the call, you are impacting lives here at home, in Israel, and around the world.

Make your gift ahead of Super Sunday: Visit jewishallianceri.org, call 401.421.4111 ext. 165, or text “Alliance” to 74121.

Learn more at jewishallianceri.org/SuperSunday

COMMUNITY

jvhri.org

September 7, 2018 |

3

For Rabbi Avi Goldstein, repairing the world is the ultimate joy While in Montreal, I was a rabbinic intern and did outreach while in Kollel at Kollel Menachem.

“After our year in Montreal, we journeyed back to Rhode Island with our newborn to work with the Jewish community at URI in Kingston, and we love it here.”

BY BEN GOLDBERG The Voice asked Rabbi Avi Goldstein of Chabad at the University of Rhode Island to give us a little background information, and here’s what he wrote: “I am a native Rhode Islander, having lived in Cranston and South Kingstown. I grew up as a typical American Rhode Island Jew who went to a Conservative synagogue, Hebrew school, Bar Mitzvah, Midrasha and Camp JORI (where I was a camper and counselor).

“After going back and forth philosophically, I concluded that Judaism didn’t have much to offer me, with the exception of some old traditions. I decided that I was agnostic. I felt that there was a higher power and a spiritual aspect to life, but Judaism didn’t seem to have answers to my questions.

“I took a trip to Israel while at college in Amherst, Massachusetts, where I was studying Japanese at the time. (I minored in Japanese.) While there, I spent time exploring in Sefat when a Kabbalah artist spoke with me.

“For the first time, I saw that the Torah and Jewish tradition had a spiritual, mystical aspect to it. It was more than just old stories and laws. It actually had a lot to say about us as souls and spiritual beings, what we are doing here, the purpose of our existence and more.

Rabbi Avi Goldstein “I began doing a lot of learning and reading about kabbalah, though I realized later that not everything with the “kabbalah” label was Kosher, and some of it is distorted. You have to find the right information from authentic sources. I got more involved in Judaism when I returned to college, where I started studying Hebrew and Judaic Studies.

“I spent some time studying at a Hadar Hatorah Rabbinical Seminary in Brooklyn before spending two years studying at the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, where I spent my final year of college.

After that, I spent two years at the Rabbinical College of America.

“I married a Montrealer, and we lived in Montreal for a year.

Q: Who do you consider to be your rebbi? Is there something from his teachings that you wouldn’t mind sharing?

A: I am inspired by the teachings of the Lubavitcher rebbe, and his teachings motivate my work. The rebbe taught, if you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that God has left for you to complete. But if you only see what is wrong and what is ugly in the world, then it is you yourself that needs repair.

Q: If you could have a onehour study session with anybody throughout history, who would it be?

A: I would have to say Moses.

Q: What are some of your favorite things about living in Rhode Island? What are some of the most challenging?

A: I love the people and the ocean. I like that life here is not too fast-paced or too slowpaced. It’s quite balanced.

It is challenging being away

from certain Jewish luxuries, like Kosher pizza shops and round-the-clock minyans, among other things.

Q: What’s your favorite Shabbat dish?

A: I’m a carb comfort-food lover. I’d have to say my wife Tzippy’s challah, fresh out of the oven!

Q: If you had to pick, what would you say is your favorite holiday? Why? A: Passover. As Jews and as human beings, we travel out of our own spiritual Egypt –mitzrayim, which means limitations and boundaries. Although this happens to each individual on a daily basis, Passover is when we plug into this energy. This empowers our entire year.

Q: Favorite Jewish song/ nigun?

A: “Anim Zmiros.”

Q: What are some of your favorite spots in Israel and why?

A: The old city of Jerusalem and Sefat. You can feel the holiness in the air.

Q: Overall, what would you say is your favorite part of being a rabbi?

A: The ability to connect with so many amazing people, who inspire me.

Q: Would you mind sharing a recent memory/experience

L ’ S H A N N A

that you found impactful?

A: I have a beautiful 2-yearold daughter, who is my greatest treasure. Fatherhood has forced me to start maturing and begin to move from childhood to adulthood. The nachas [pride/joy] I get from my baby daughter is something that words cannot give justice to.

Q: Any insights into a recent parashah [Torah portion] that you would like to share?

A: [from Parashah Ki Savo] “And it will be when you enter the land that God, your God is giving you …” (Deut. 26:1-2).

Midrash Breshit Rabba 42 explains that the phrase “And it will be …” connotes joy.

According to Kabbalah, coming into the land also is an allegory for the descent of the soul into the body.

The human soul is living a spiritual life, only to descend into a physical world filled with struggles, tribulations and a concealment of the divine. This descent, however, is a joyful experience. The ability to help each other with unconditional love and repair this world is the source for the ultimate feeling of joy. Every descent is for the ultimate purpose of ascent.

BEN GOLDBERG is the digital media associate at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

T O V A H

I’m asking for your vote on Wednesday in the Democratic Primary for Providence City Council representing Ward 2.

As many of you know, I have been active in the Jewish community for many years, beginning when I was 13 and served as Junior USY President of my synagogue. This experience of working with others to plan and execute a shared mission has been a skill I have drawn upon in my family life, building my businesses and community work.

I’ve been honored to be asked to lead many organizations that I feel make a meaningful difference in the lives of many and each one has led to other new and interesting experiences.

In 1994, I was asked to serve as the first President of the RI Holocaust Memorial Museum. This rewarding experience and others led to a greater involvement in our then Jewish Federation for which I served as president beginning in 2002. After my term ended, I stayed active with the Alliance, and I’m proud to currently serve on the Investment Committee and the Board of the Foundation. In 2010, I was also honored to serve as president of my synagogue, Temple Emanu-El. In each of these positions, I have tried to make a difference while faithfully carrying out the mission of the organization.

All of these positions and experiences have given me the tools I believe are needed to serve as an effective and loyal City Councilman. Our city faces many challenges, from patching up our streets to fixing the pension plan and improving our schools. If I have the honor of receiving your vote and being elected, you can be confident that I will be working on your behalf.

I humbly ask that next Wednesday, after having celebrated our New Year, you go to your polling place and vote for me as your City Council representative.

I wish you and your family a happy and healthy, sweet New Year.

M A R K D E M O C R A T I C

C A N D I D A T E P R I M A R Y

F O R

F E I N S T E I N P R O V I D E N C E

W E D N E S D A Y ,

C I T Y

S E P T E M B E R

C O U N C I L 1 2



W A R D

2

4 | September 7, 2018

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Help your child pick up STEAM

BY KARA MARZIALI STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) has become an established part of public-school curriculums. The goal of the STEAM movement is to foster student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking in order to meet the needs of the 21st-century workplace. STEAM-based activities make challenging subjects, such as science and math, more approachable, creating a foundation in these fields that is critical in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving global environment.

No doubt your child’s school has implemented some of the STEAM disciplines, but how well do these fields of study spill over into your son’s or daughter’s activities outside of the classroom? And even if your child is a learning enthusiast and is naturally curious, he/she may be daunted by a new school year or challenging courses.

That’s why it is imperative to incorporate real-world inspiration and project-based learning into day-to-day activities.

Parents and educators often

overlook two critical components of STEAM learning. The first is the opportunity to engage children outside the classroom.

When we provide opportunities for children to make the connection between homework and STEAM-related work at home, we offer them a “home field advantage.” The second component we must address is empowering girls to remain interested in subjects such as engineering and science as they grow.

Addressing both these components will give your child a competitive edge in school and socially. And you don’t need a master’s degree in education to help your child succeed in school, engage in STEAM activities, have fun and develop into a curious and innovative lifelong learner.

Here are five easy ways to encourage and inspire your child based on process-based learning, the core of the STEAM approach: Books: Remember those oldfashioned stacks of pages bound with a spine? They still have value. And there are a number of good ones out there to help

promote STEAM learning and creativity.

Aspiring Padawans may want to grow a kyber crystal, move things without touching them like a Jedi, or explode a balloon (think: Death Star) with a beam of energy. “Star Wars Maker Lab: 20 Craft and Science Projects,” by Liz Lee Heinecke and Cole Horton, helps children learn the basics of science by traveling through the Star Wars galaxy. Watch your kids unleash their inner engineer, scientist and designer as they build, create, discover and explore.

Perhaps your child would prefer to be outdoors rather than in outer space. “Maker Lab Outdoors: 25 Super Cool Projects,”

by Jack Challoner, introduces many different outdoor science projects which focus on Earth and the environment, plants and animals, weather, water and physics.

Or simply encourage your child to read a biography about a pioneer in STEAM fields, such as Mae Jemison, an Afro-American engineer, physician and NASA astronaut.

Let us help you . . .

• Navigate the challenging process of providing care for a loved one.

(401) 383-1950 www.rahri.com

• From companionship and a little help around the house to 24/7 personal care.

Elder Care Services Providing care all over Rhode Island

EDITOR Fran Ostendorf DESIGN & LAYOUT Leah Camara ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Chris Westerkamp cwesterkamp@jewishallianceri.org 401-421-4111, ext. 160 Karen Borger ksborger@gmail.com 401-529-2538

Apps and games: Do your kids spend too much time playing video games? That might not be a bad thing. Young computer geeks might be interested in amusing themselves with an app that allows them to program their own game, create alternate realities or design their own room. These kinds of activities are ideal for connecting media arts and design to math and engineering.

“Blenduko” is an addictive app that has been described as “Tetris for colors.” Kids love it because they organize tiles based on their hues, and adults will appreciate that it’s a way to discover the science behind color theory.

“Made with Code” is Google’s answer to helping young women in middle and high schools with computer programming skills and coding. Projects include building a geofilter that can be used live on Snapchat, designing and coding thank you notes, creating avatars and animating GIFs. “Sound Prism” is an app that allows users to create music even if they have no previous mu sic e duc at ion. Ch i ld ren won’t realize that the app integrates math, music and visual arts in one easy-to-use tool.

The best part is that your maestro can record and email his/ her compositions right from an iPhone, iPod or iPad. Museums: Whether it’s a science museum or a fine arts museum, STEAM learning is more fun when you turn the visit into a scavenger hunt. Give your child a list of things to find, and let them loose. Searching for certain objects d’art, themes,

CONTRIBUTORS Cynthia Benjamin Seth Chitwood Stephanie Ross

PERIODICALS Postage paid at Providence, R.I.

COLUMNISTS Michael Fink Rabbi James Rosenberg Daniel Stieglitz

PUBLISHER The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, President/CEO Adam Greenman, Chair Mitzi Berkelhammer, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

Phone: 401-421-4111 • Fax 401-331-7961

THE JEWISH VOICE (ISSN number 1539-2104, USPS #465-710) is published biweekly, except in July, when it does not publish.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Jewish Voice, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

MEMBER of the Rhode Island Press Association and the American Jewish Press Association

colors and patterns will challenge your child to think strategically, move quickly and strive for accuracy.

Baking and cooking: Math and recipes go together like peanut butter and jelly. Give your child a recipe and ask him/ her to double it. Your child will learn first-hand how fractions function, plus they will enjoy eating an extra batch of cookies! Or give your child three unrelated foods, ask him/her to create a menu using all the items, and see how creative he/ she gets.

Also try building something out of specific foods. How tall can your child stack marshmallows without them toppling over? Can your child fashion a bridge out of baby carrots and test how much weight it will support?

After-school programs: Many after-school programs, such as The Eides Family JSpace at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence, incorporate STEAM activities in their programming. Children in J-Space have access to a variety of enrichment classes and offerings that use science, technology, engineering, art and math.

“The kids are so engaged in the activities that they don’t realize it’s all part of a bigger curriculum,” says Shannon Kochanek, director of After School and Vacation Camps. “They are having fun and learning skills that will serve them well in the future.”

KARA MARZIALI is a Jewish Voice contributor.

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

ADVERTISING: We do not accept advertisements for pork or shellfish.

We do not attest to the kashrut of any product or the legitimacy of our advertisers’ claims.

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

jvhri.org

FROM PAGE 1

| APP

survivors who came to Rhode Island, six conically-shaped stone pillars and a smooth elliptical stone in the center.

But how would a visitor who may have only casual knowledge of the Holocaust understand and appreciate what they are seeing? How are they supposed to have a meaningful, evocative and reflective experience when they visit this purposefully minimalist memorial?

That’s where the new app comes in. By providing information about how the memorial came to be, what its various components represent, and the experience of the Holocaust, it creates an emotional connection to the memorial’s stark beauty.

The new app brings the dream of the memorial’s creators to fulfillment: it honors memory and creates a thought-provoking experience, one that will help visitors understand why “never again” is such an important message – and perhaps will move them to stand up to hate.

The memorial was the vision of David Newman, one of the Holocaust survivors who went on to build a life in Rhode Island. Newman procured the land from the City of Providence and commissioned Rhode Island School of Design-based

sculptor Jonathan Bonner to create the memorial.

Bonner designed the memorial to be a stark reminder of the cruel realities of the Holocaust and to serve as a beacon of hope and renewal for the new lives that were built in Rhode Island.

Unfortunately, Newman passed away before he could see his vision become a reality.

But, fortunately, Herb Stern, who was then the president of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island (today the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island), understood how important it was that the memorial become a reality. Stern took up the mantle of leadership and brought together a committee of community leaders – whose names are inscribed on the outer curb stones of the memorial – to raise the funds and see the project through to completion.

It was a combination of Newman’s vision and Stern’s drive and commitment that resulted in the memorial that visitors see today.

The new app works with all cellphones and other devices and can be downloaded in either the Apple Store or Google Play by searching for “Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial.” It was designed to be a listening experience so visitors can focus

COMMUNITY

September 7, 2018 |

on what they are seeing. It also has a written transcript with many images for those who prefer, or may need, to read. And, being an app, it is a learning tool that can be used offsite in a classroom, home, or really any place, to take a virtual tour of the memorial.

Docent-led guided tours of the memorial are also available.

To arrange a docent-led visit, contact Paula Olivieri, the education director at the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, at 401-453-7860 or Paula@BornsteinHolocaustCenter. org.

LEV POPLOW is a communications consultant writing on behalf of the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, in Providence. He can be reached at levpoplow@gmail.com.

The App’s icon.

Our Mission: To improve the quality of life for those we serve.

Call to schedule a free, non-salesy and no obligation family consultation.

We’ll help you create a care plan tailored to your unique needs.

(401) 383-1950 www.rahri.com

Providing care all over Rhode Island

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Vote Wednesday, September 12

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For a ride to the polls, call 401-368-2636 or email mark@marktracy.com

Watch the Debate: bit.ly/district4debate

“After learning about the candidates for the past two months, I have decided to vote for Mark Tracy, because he has the best chance to build a strong partnership between our State and our City’s government and public schools.”

— Sam Zurier,

Providence City Council

District 4 | Providence

5

6 | September 7, 2018

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Two R.I. students named StandWithUs Emerson Fellows

BY ZACH SHARTIAG Rhode Island college students Jessica Raviv and Aron Barbell are excited to begin inspiring their peers about Israel and challenging anti-Israel misinformation as the new StandWithUs (SWU) Emerson Fellows.  Founded in 2007 by Los Angeles-based philanthropists Rita and Steve Emerson, the StandWithUs Emerson Fellowship is a one-year program that selects and trains student leaders in universities across North America to run educational Israel programming and confront Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions campaigns.

Barbell, who will become president of Bryant University’s Hillel as a junior, attended the August training conference in Los Angeles.

Together with 90 other Emerson Fellows from 90 universi-

Jessica Raviv ties, Barbell learned leadership and debate skills, how to run effective programs and form coalitions with other groups, and how to use SWU’s various

Aron Barbell, left, with Zach Shartiag. resources, including the legal department and conventional and social media. One important lesson explained when legitimate criticism of Israel crosses the line into anti-Semitism, and there were multiple sessions on understanding and countering BDS campaigns.

During the conference, SWU also displayed its experiential programs, including “Lemonade Stand,� “Gratitude Days� and “Our Voices for Peace,� which is in partnership with Israel’s Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. Students bring these displays to campuses, Israel day festivals and community events, where they engage people in learning and understanding Israel in a new and creative way.  “I joined the fellowship because I want others to know the beauty of Israel,� Barbell said. “Israel, to me, is a beacon of hope for the Jewish people.�

Barbell said he does not expect his task at Bryant to be easy. Bryant students, he said, “generally have a concrete plan of what clubs they are part of and how they will spend their time.�

$1 (;3(5,(1&(' 352*5(66,9( 92,&( )25

',675,&7

5(%(&&$.,6/$. &20

3DLG IRU E\ IULHQGV RI 5HEHFFD .LVODN .DUOR %HUJHU 7UHDVXUHU WK 6WUHHW 3URYLGHQFH 5, LQIR#UHEHFFDNLVODN FRP

“Getting their attention is the hard part, not the retention of supporters,� Barbell said.  But Barbell said he would persist, using the marketing strategies he learned from SWU. “I understand it’ll be difficult, but that is the beauty of StandWithUs. They have given me a lot of resources and are around if I need any help.�

Sophomore Jessica Raviv, who is on the executive board of Brown University Students for Israel (BSI), said she wanted to become an Emerson Fellow because of her “respect for StandWithUs as a pro-Israel education organization and my involvement with it as a high schooler, while helping start a pro-Israel education group for New York City high school students.�  Raviv’s older sister, Micaela, B r o w n   U n i v e r s i t y ’s   2 0 17 18 Emerson Fellow, founded N YC T e e n s 4 I s r a e l .   Je s s ic a helped recr u it st udents, program events and schedule speakers. “With SWU’s help, we were able to reach more students and hold larger and more frequent

events,� she said. “The Emerson Fellowship seemed like the perfect way to stay involved with SWU and to help expand BSI programming and outreach,� Raviv continued. “I hope to use the skills and expertise that I will develop through the fellowship to create more engaging programs and to elevate the Israel conversation on campus.�

In addition to Rhode Island’s two Emerson Fellows, SWU will collaborate with students at Roger Williams University, the University of Rhode Island and Johnson & Wales University to present a range of educational and cultural programming on Israel.

In previous years, Emerson Fellows brought SWU’s Israeli Soldiers Tour to their campuses and synagogues, putting a “human face� on the Israel Defense Forces.  For more information about SWU, go to campus@standwithus.com and highschool@standwithus.com.

ZACH SHARTIAG is the New England campus director for StandWithUs.

Pro-Israel campus initiative doubles presence

WASHINGTON (JTA) – The Maccabee Task Force, the initiative funded by billionaire philanthropist Sheldon Adelson targeting the campus BDS movement, will double its presence to 80 campuses and for the first time will operate in Canada.

In place since 2016, the task force works with pro-Israel students on programs countering activities of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting Israel. Last year it funded programs on 40 campuses chosen because of the

intensity of BDS activity on the campus.

The task force sends representatives to campuses and solicits ideas from pro-Israel students and groups on campus, then funds those deemed viable.

Its most successful program has been to recruit influencers on campus – including student leaders who might already favor BDS – and send them to Israel on fact-finding tours.

In an interview recently, David Brog, who directs the task force, predicted that 70-75 of the 80 campuses with a Maccabee

task force will include Israel trips. For the first time, the task force will operate on four or five campuses in Canada, Brog said.

Maccabee Task Force does not publish its expenditures, but a spokesman said that it spends in the low six figures per campus, suggesting that it will spend at least $8 million to $10 million this school year.

Adelson, a casino magnate, and his wife, Miriam, fund an array of pro-Israel and medical causes. They are also leading donors to Republican political candidates.

jvhri.org

D’VAR TORAH | ISRAEL

September 7, 2018 |

7

Torah and t’shuvah as we get ready for Days of Awe Some people swim in the summer. Some climb mountains. I like to see plays. One summer, my family and I attended a production of “Hamlet” that was preceded by a theater talk. The speaker, a local college professor, focused on the line in the play that everyone RABBI knows: “to be THOMAS or not to be.” He ALPERT explained that if the typical student in his class were to be asked about that line, she would say that it deals with Hamlet’s deciding whether to keep living or to commit suicide.

The professor argued that it actually asks an even deeper question. “To be?” really means “To be what?” What do you want to do with your life? How do you want to make it worth living? Can you change? Of course, this is the same question we ask as we get ready for the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe. And an answer to that question comes from another line, this one in Nitzavim, the parashah, the Torah portion, for this week. It’s a line I like so much that I had it woven onto a tallit that I purchased several years ago. In English it reads, “For the thing is very near to you, in your mouth and in your

heart, that you may do it.”

I love this verse in part because it doesn’t say what “the thing” is. That ambiguity opens the door to questions, which in turn opens the door to understanding.

The rabbis explained what “the thing” is in two principal ways. According to Rashi and many others, “the thing” is Torah. When Scripture says it is “in your mouth,” it’s implying the “oral Torah,” that is, the rabbinic interpretations of the text. By learning the written text and studying the commentaries, we can start to live by Torah.

Ramban (Nachmanides) and others say that “the thing” is t’shuvah, returning to the right way to live. Supporting his reading, the fairly short parashah finds a way to use the root of t’shuvah a gaudy seven times.

It seems there’s a message here.

So, who is right, Rashi or the Ramban? At the risk of sounding like Tevye, I would say that they both are. Both answers help us figure out how to live.

Both answers help us prepare for the Days of Awe. We should study Torah, by which I mean all Jewish knowledge. The written text teaches, “You shall not murder.” The oral Torah – in this case, the Talmud – teaches that we can extend that prohibition to shaming others. Shaming, it says, is like shedding blood, in that it causes blood to drain

Israel bans entry of Sukkot-related plants citing agricultural disease control JTA – Israel is keeping plants sed to celebrate Sukkot from coming into the country.

A task force charged with implementing the ban on three of the four species used to celebrate the holiday will begin working in the coming days at Ben Gurion Airport.

The Agriculture Ministry said the ban on the lulav, a frond from a date palm tree, leaves from the myrtle tree and willow branches is rooted in the need to prevent the spread of plant diseases and pests rather than any protectionist policy.

Israel is the only country in the world that exports all three plants, and one of a handful where the lemon-like etrog, the fourth of the species, is grown commercially. Inbound passengers may bring a single specimen of the etrog pending an inspection by Agriculture Ministry experts for plant diseases, the Makor Rishon daily reported Sept. 2.

All four plants are either cultivated in Israel or occur

there naturally and are used in rituals connected with Sukkot, which this year begins on the evening of Sept. 23.

Those caught bringing in the proscribed plants will be subject to fines and may be charged with a criminal offense, a ministry official told Makor Rishon. But the ministry task force also has purchased thousands of sets of four species deemed kosher for Sukkot rites that will be distributed for free at the airport to anyone who may wish to have one.

Last week, ministry inspectors prevented the smuggling in of 40 etrogim, valued at more than $1,000, by a woman in her 40s from Barcelona, Spain. The etrog by far is the most expensive of the four species.

The woman falsely declared her suitcase was lost in the hope of retrieving it later without subjecting it to a customs inspection on the way out of the terminal, Makor Rishon quoted a ministry official as saying.

from the faces of its victims.

The continuing oral Torah, the Jewish wisdom of our own time, adds new insights into how to behave. Rabbi Harold Kushner tells the story of one of Great Britain’s leading intellectuals who was being considered for the post of Chief Rabbi.

One member of the selection committee challenged him by asking about Samuel’s words to King Saul: “Thus said the Lord of Hosts ... Attack Amalek, kill men and women, infants and children, oxen and sheep, sparing no one.” Did the rabbi believe that God said that? The rabbi answered, “I believe that Samuel heard it, but I don’t believe that God said it.” Kushner goes on, “The authentic voice of God would demand that we be more compassionate and less cruel, that we show more reverence for innocent lives.”

Encountering all these texts can help us strengthen our own wisdom and compassion.

Studying Torah will help us live. So too will t’shuvah, returning. The Hasidic master Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Pshichah would tell the story of Reb Azik of Cracow. Reb Azik had a recurring dream.

In it, he made the long journey to Prague. Under a bridge near the royal palace, he dug into the ground where a treasure awaited him. Finally, he made the journey, and sure enough, he found the bridge, just as in his dream. Unfortunately,

the bridge was guarded by royal troops. Reb Azik wasn’t sure what to do. Eventually he aroused enough suspicion that he was brought in for questioning.

When he related his dream, the official questioning him burst out laughing. “Do you mean to tell me that you came all this way on account of a dream? Who believes the nonsense they see in dreams. Why, just the other day, I myself dreamed that I traveled to Cracow, and there I found a poor Jew named Reb Azik. I dug under the fireplace of his house and unearthed a treasure. You don’t see me buying a train ticket to Cracow, do you?”

Of course, Reb Azik used his own train ticket to return to

Cracow. He found the treasure and used it to build a shul.

Like all good fairy tales, this one has a profound truth. No matter how far we travel in our journeys, our true measure lies in our return to who we are and what we are meant to be. That is t’shuvah. Remembering that, too, will help us prepare for the Days of Awe. A midrash says that Torah and t’shuvah were present even before the world was created.

They are both always there, waiting for us to take advantage of them. These things are very near to us, in our mouths and in our hearts, that we might do them.

THOMAS ALPERT is the rabbi at Temple Etz Chaim in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Candle Lighting Times Greater Rhode Island

8 | September 7, 2018

OPINION

The Jewish Voice

In praise of pluralism

PHOTO | JOERG KOCH/GETTY IMAGES

Sen. John McCain with Sen. Joseph Lieberman at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Jan. 31, 2014.

New hope for civility in a time of loss The world has lost some very inspiring figures in the last few weeks. Neil Simon. Aretha Franklin.

John McCain.

The older I get, the more these kinds of losses give me pause.

But the very public funerals of Aretha Franklin and EDITOR John McCain also made me FRAN think of someOSTENDORF thing else.

Here were two huge celebrations of life where divergent groups of people came together to speak.

They could put aside their differences to find the good in both these public figures.

In the case of McCain, the differences were great. The speakers represented a wide political and policy spectrum.

But, as we came to learn, that was all business. They all shared a deep respect and, at times, friendship with McCain. And he with each one of them.

Former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew who walked to the service because it was Shabbat, was among the speakers. Lieberman was often across the aisle politically from McCain, first as a Democrat and later as an independent. But rumor has it that McCain considered picking his friend Joe as his

running mate in the 2008 presidential campaign.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee called McCain “an extraordinarily courageous defender of liberty.”

Its statement continued, “Throughout his congressional career Senator McCain stood with Israel because throughout his life he stood up for America’s allies and our shared democratic values.”

The stories of bipartisanship, respect and friendship across political positions were refreshing. The recurring themes were that we’re better together than apart and that we have more in common than divides us.

Now, some have criticized the public display of it all, and the speakers chosen and what they had to say. But take a step back and think about it: Isn’t it amazing that we have the freedom of speech to see and hear what all these people had to say? And to offer our own opinions on it all?

So, as the election season begins to ramp up, I am reminding you again that the way to best express our opinions is to exercise our right – and obligation – to vote. It matters not to this writer which side of the aisle you are on. We will never recommend which candidate should get your vote. Just make your voice heard.

Primary day in Rhode Island is Sept. 12. Please make sure you participate.

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.

On Aug. 16, The New York Times joined about 350 other American newspapers in editorializing about our critical need to protect our freedom of the press, to end our national disgrace of branding IT SEEMS journalists “enemies of TO ME the people,” to stop the RABBI JIM dangerous and corrosive ROSENBERG practice of labeling uncomfortable realities “fake news.”

The Times began its editorial by quoting Thomas Jefferson’s letter to a friend in 1787: “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter.”

The last sentence of the editorial reads: “We’re all in this together.”

What makes this page so special is that it graphically illustrates “We’re all in this together” by surrounding the editorial with quotations from the Aug. 16 editorial pages of 74 American newspapers, large and small.

Not surprisingly, among the newspapers quoted were such usual suspects as The Boston Globe, The Providence Journal, The Chicago Sun-Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

What was unexpected was to see editorial excerpts from newspapers not known to most of us on the East Coast: The Hazen Star, from Garrison, North Dakota; The Frances Tribune, from Francesville, Indiana; The Hayes Free Press and News-Dispatch, from Kyle and Dripping Springs, Texas.

While all of the newspapers represented on the Times’ Aug. 16 editorial page are united

in their fundamental support of freedom of the press, their editorial writers typically present a wide range of opinions with regard to any number of contentious issues.

Hearing these voices from far-flung communities “talking to me” from a single editorial page makes me proud to be an American. These voices bring to my inner ear the opening line of one of Walt Whitman’s most famous poems, a celebration of our diversity within our unity: “I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear ….”

Like America at is best, Jewish tradition at its best celebrates diversity of opinion.

To this very day, we Jews are a people who thrive on argument, disagreement, controversy. You know the adage: two Jews, three opinions.

Our foundational text, our TANAKH, our Hebrew Bible, is a library of conflicting points of view; it speaks in varying voices, and its melodies are in both major and minor keys.

The certainties of Deuteronomy clash with the skepticism of Ecclesiastes. Even the individual books are more often than not multivocal.

Our Psalms, for example, can be exultant hymns of praise – a number of which have found a home in our siddur, our prayer book. On the other hand, most of our Psalms are difficult, dark and dreary: the author of Psalm 22, for example, cries out, “My God! My God! Why have You forsaken me?”

Similarly, our Book of Job is in some sense a book divided against itself. The extraordinary poetry which constitutes the vast majority of this work argues against the primitive theology of the first two chapters and the concluding verses of Chapter 42, the so-called narrative “frame story.”

When we take even a cursory look at our post-Biblical tradition, we find that for our rabbis, controversy is the breath

of life. Again and again, after staking out a position in Jewish lore, aggadah, or in Jewish law, halakhah, the rabbis qualify their position with the words davar acher, two of the most important words in the entire rabbinic lexicon. Davar acher: another explanation.

These two simple words affirm that for our rabbis of old, truth is an ongoing process of discovery rather than a destination that we shall ultimately reach.

Yes, we do aspire to attain the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; nevertheless, a decent respect for our human limitations would suggest that “The Truth,” with a capital T, will always remain beyond our grasp. That is to say, there is always a davar acher, another explanation.

Though ultimate truth is unattainable, this does not mean that we are incapable of arriving at facts. Facts can be proven: Water at sea level boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit and 100 degrees Celsius. America’s Declaration of Independence begins with the words, “When in the course of human events ….” Throwing these words down an Orwellian memory hole does not change this reality.

The task of our nation’s newspapers is twofold: Reporters strive to bring their readers the facts of who, what, when, where and why. Editorial writers perform a very different task; they strive to weave the facts into a complex whole, a reasoned opinion, a truth – but a limited truth.

As was the case for the ancient rabbis, so must editorial writers in today’s American newspapers insist that there is always, always, a davar acher, another explanation.

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

Please Note In the August 24 issue, on page 21, the following complete list of (401)j names should have appeared in the Alliance Donor Report ad:

Ryan Forman, Chair Gabrielle Dworkin, Vice Chair Matthew Fleishmann Samantha Goldman

Seth Konoff Talia Myers Petr Petrik We regret any confusion.

COLUMNS | LETTERS POLICY

The Jewish Voice publishes thoughtful and informative contributors’ columns (op-eds of 500 – 800 words) and letters to the editor (300 words, maximum) on issues of interest to our Jewish community. At our discretion, we may edit pieces

for publication or refuse publication. Letters and columns, whether from our regular contributors or from guest columnists, represent the views of the authors; they do not represent the views of 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).

jvhri.org

OPINION

September 7, 2018 |

9

Different paths to mourning and repentance As is well-known among those familiar with Israel, the country has a unique way of mourning. On Holocaust Remembrance Day and Israel’s

LETTERS HOME DANIEL STIEGLITZ Memorial Day, sirens sound throughout the country. For 60-120 seconds, the population of the country stops whatever it’s doing and shares in a nationwide moment of silence to honor the dead.

That is, most of the country stops.

Some people say that, during the Holocaust Remembrance Day siren, they’ve seen some ultra-Orthodox Jews continuing activities such as walking while talking on a cellphone, seemingly oblivious to the

siren. Some people will break from their own silence to remind these people that the siren is going off and that they should remain silent.

These events happen often enough that, in defense of those with different practices /beliefs /cultures /ways of approaching a topic, people have tried to justify the behavior of these ultra-Orthodox Jews.

Especially since not all ultraOrthodox Jews disregard the siren though it’s made to seem that way. We cannot stereotype anyone in this manner.

The main example used in comparison to the Holocaust memorial siren is the day of Tisha B’Av (the 9th day of the Jewish month of Av). This day is the anniversary of many Jewish tragedies throughout history, particularly the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple). For 25 hours, observant Jews mourn by refraining from eating, drinking and participating in enjoyable activities such as listening to music. There is actually a three-week period with accompanying customs

of mourning leading up to this day.

To those who berate Jews who ignore the Holocaust memorial siren, some pose the question, “If you saw a Jew eating a sandwich or listening to music in public on Tisha B’Av, would you also approach them and tell them what they’re doing is wrong?”

One should not make assumptions about another person’s beliefs or where these beliefs stem from. It is counterproductive to discuss someone else’s beliefs.

To better understand this other viewpoint, I asked an ultra-Orthodox friend what his opinion was about all of this.

His reply: “It’s not that I don’t commemorate the Holocaust.

It’s that I commemorate it in a different way on a different day. To me, Tisha B’Av encompasses all Jewish tragedies throughout history, including the Holocaust. Tisha B’Av is the day I spend 25 straight hours mourning for all Jewish victims throughout history, including victims of the Holocaust.”

While the tradition of the siren has been around for a few decades, the tradition of mourning on Tisha B’Av has been around for thousands of years. The precedent for mourning for victims of Jewish tragedies lies with the older tradition. One is a national day of commemoration while the other is a religious event.

For the record, I remain silent and standing during the siren and also strictly observe the customs of Tisha B’Av. I personally feel that these are the appropriate things to do.

However, my point here is not to say that a person should do one, the other or both.

I bring this up now because of the time of year we find ourselves in. As we begin the Jewish New Year, our focus is on forgiveness, repentance and improving ourselves for the year to come.

In the High Holy Day prayers, we do not beat our chests saying, “I have sinned.”

Each phrase in our prayers is phrased as the communal “We” – “We have sinned.”

So, whether observant or not,

it’s always worthwhile to ask – Are you improving yourself and your community by pointing a finger outward and placing the blame on someone else?

Or can you better yourself and your community by focusing more inwardly and seeing how you can be your best?

And that can be as simple as approaching someone you don’t understand and saying to them, “Please explain to me why you believe what you believe. I want to understand you better.” If we enter the New Year with a focus on improving the world around us by understanding the point of view of others, doesn’t that sound more constructive than simply casting dispersions?

DANIEL STIEGLITZ (dstieglitz@gmail.com) is a certified Life Coach who lives in Jerusalem. His collection of short stories, “Tavern of the Mind,” is available for paperback and Kindle purchase on Amazon. www. amzn.to/2Izssrz.

OPINION

President Donald J. Trump wants this to be a new year of shalom, salaam, peace ish, are uncertain about the prospects for peace, and their skepticism is certainly warWASHINGTON (JTA) – Sharanted. Despite well-known lom. Salaam. Peace.

In Judaism, the word peace is challenges, the people of the region and their dedication to the found in the common greetpursuit of peace have inspired ing Shalom Aleichem. In the Muslim world, As-Salaam-Alai- me. People frequently approach to ask me to thank President kum, or “peace be with you,” Donald J. Trump for returning is similarly used. The Jewish the hope of peace to the region High Holy Days are upon us, and for bringing its pursuit and in the machzor (the prayer back into everyday conversabook for the High Holy Days), tion. The people understand the word “Shalom” appears that this is an extraordinary throughout the liturgy, which challenge, full of evolving comemphasizes the importance of plexities, but they support this peace. noble goal.

As the Jewish commuIn my meetings with leaders nity prepares to celebrate the in the region, they too point to holidays of Rosh Hashanah a potential path for peace. The (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Middle East has changed draKippur (the Day of Atonement), matically since this conflict bethe Muslim community just gan decades ago. What seemed completed its holiday of Eid alimpossible only a few years Adha (the Festival of the Sacriago is possible now. Tomorrow fice), one of the holiest holidays even more is possible. on the Muslim calendar.

In 1983, when I first traveled These holidays, and the to the region, the prevailing common greetings of well stance of the Arab world (with wishes shared throughout the the exception of Egypt) was, as world each day, inspire us to it had been for decades, aggreskeep striving to improve each sion and war with Israel. Some other’s lives and to never yield in our hope for a time of peace. 35 years later, however, there is a different reality. Confronted Over the past 19 months, in with an emboldened, aggrespursuit of seemingly distant sive Iran outside their borders and elusive peace between Isand populations (including raelis and Palestinians, I have Palestinians in both the West been fortunate to have had Bank and Gaza) eager for many powerful experiences economic opportunity within, with people in the region. Ismost leaders understand now raelis and Palestinians, young that Israel is not the problem — and old, secular and religious, indeed, the Jewish state could Muslim, Christian and Jewbe part of their solution.

BY JASON DOV GREENBLATT

We are, of course, clear-eyed about the many uncertainties that lay ahead of us. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not, as many have claimed, the core conflict of the region. Solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will not solve other conflicts in the region, including the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria; terrorists in the Sinai Desert in Egypt; a tragic, continuing civil war in Syria; war in Yemen; Hezbollah (a terrorist organization sponsored by Iran) in Lebanon; instability in Libya; and an Iranian regime that oppresses its own people and foments terrorism around the world. But that does not make resolving this conflict any less important.

As President Trump has said, ultimately it is up to Israelis and Palestinians to make the hard decisions to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement. At the time of this writing, the Palestinian leadership refuses to engage with us. Such refusal began when President Trump made his bold, courageous and historic decision to recognize the reality that Jerusalem has been and will remain the capital of Israel.

The leadership’s unwillingness to engage is disappointing and only hurts the Palestinian people that they claim to serve.

It is unfortunate that the Palestinian leadership condemns a peace plan they have never seen, and refuses to engage on a possible path forward for all

Palestinians. This approach will only cause the Palestinian people to fall further and further behind their neighbors.

Despite these challenges, my experiences over the past 19 months illustrate that among ordinary people and many regional leaders, the desire for peace is real and powerful. We owe it to Israelis and Palestinians to continue our efforts in the pursuit of peace. They deserve better than what they have now.

This Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, I will pray for an enduring solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I will pray for calm and tranquility for those in the region of Gaza – both Israelis and Palestinians who suffer from Hamas’ ma-

ligned activities. I will pray for the Goldin and Shaul families, that Hamas will return Hadar and Oron to them. I will pray for the Mengistu and al Sayed families, that Hamas will return Avera and Hisham to them. I hope you will join me in these prayers.

May God bless us with a year of contentment, good health, sustenance, happiness and tranquility. May God spread the tabernacle of shalom, salaam, peace over the United States of America, its allies and friends.

JASON DOV GREENBLATT serves as Assistant to the President and Special Representative for International Negotiations.

Number of terrorist attacks on Israelis rose by 15% in July

JTA – The number of terrorist attacks targeting Israelis in July increased by 15 percent over the previous month.

Israeli security services documented 255 attacks last month, including 11 in Jerusalem, the Israel Security Service, or Shin Bet, said in its monthly report published recently. The June tally was 220 incidents.

Two Israelis were killed in attacks in July, including a soldier shot by a sniper from Gaza. The other fatality was a civilian who was stabbed to death in the West

Bank, along with two other victims.

Despite the increase, the figures in July were well below those of May, when 365 incidents were documented – the highest number in more than two years of terrorist attacks on Israelis.

Nearly two-thirds of the attacks recorded in July involved firebombs. Incidents involving the hurling of rocks at Israelis and their cars are not included in Israel Security Service reports.

10 | September 7, 2018

CALENDAR

Ongoing

Friday | September 7

Alliance Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every weekday.

Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Noon lunch; 1 p.m. program. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities. Neal or Elaine, 401-421-4111, ext. 107.

Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 7:30-9 p.m.

Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Service followed by Oneg. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

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

Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston.

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

Taste of Shabbat. 9-11 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. 9 a.m. Torah discussion and 9:45 a.m. service followed by a Kiddush luncheon. Information, stephanie@ toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Duplicate Bridge. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Mondays noon-2 p.m.: 0-20 masterpoint game.

For less-experienced players. $5 per day. Mondays and Wednesdays noon-3 p.m.: Open stratified game for experienced players at all levels. $7 per day.

Tuesdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-2 p.m: Open stratified game for players at all levels. $7 per day. Thursdays 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Guided play. Beginners and those seeking to hone skills play under the guidance of nationally known instructor Bart Buffington. $6 per day. Information, Bart Buffington at abarton295@ aol.com or 401-390-9244.

“Bridging the Gap” with Rabbi Raphie.

Wednesdays 8-8:45 p.m. Kollel Center for Jewish Studies, 450 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Explore the development and refinement of our personalities through the eyes of the Mussar movement. Text is “Bridging the Gap.” Free.

Information, rabbiraphie@gmail.com or 401-383-2786.

Saturday | September 8

Sunday | September 9 Providence Krav Maga & EP Martial Arts. Noon-1 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Krav Maga is a form of Israeli self-defense. Information, Bart Axelrod at 401-489-3189.

Thursday | September 13

The Jewish Voice Engagement at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. Hear all about the fun she has planned for the upcoming year. We will have light snacks and stories and crafts for children. Information or to RSVP, contact Michelle Cicchitelli at mcicchitelli@jewishallianceri.org or 401-321-4111, ext. 178.

Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 7:30-9 p.m.

Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Service followed by Oneg. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Saturday | September 15 Taste of Shabbat. 9-11 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. 9 a.m. Torah discussion and 9:45 a.m. service followed by a Kiddush luncheon. Information, stephanie@ toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Sunday | September 16

“Mean What You Pray” Workshop: Making Jewish Prayer Meaningful through Theater Techniques. 7-9 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Presented and directed by Jason Slavick of JMS Coaching. Fourth of six workshops, using basic acting exercises. Each workshop is different – join any or all. Participants welcome from all streams of Judaism. Funded by an Innovation Grant from the Jewish Alliance of Greater RI. Information, Alan Krinsky at adkrinksy@netzero.net.

Super Sunday: Annual Campaign Kickoff. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. The Jewish Alliance’s largest fundraising phonea-thon of the year to raise the critical funds that support and strengthen the Jewish community locally and globally.

Volunteer to make calls. Answer the call to donate. New: Voter registration in the lobby. Babysitting available 9-11:30 a.m. Information, Michele Gallagher at mgallagher@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 165.

Friday | September 14

Congregational BBQ. 12-1:30 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Open to all. Free. Information or to RSVP, Stephanie Reinsant at stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401885-6600.

Meet and Greet with Lyndsey Ursillo. 11 a.m.-noon. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Stop in to meet Lyndsey Ursillo, the new manager of Family

Project Shoresh/ Providence Kollel 2nd Annual High Holiday Night of Inspiration. 7-9 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. An evening of inspiration and unity to usher in the new year. 7 p.m hors d’oeuvres reception; 7:45 p.m. program followed by dessert. Cost: $36 a person | $50 a couple. Information or to RSVP, Naftali Karp at naftalikarp@gmail.com or 401632-3165.

Monday | September 17 Open School Night. 6-8:30 p.m. Jewish Community Day School of RI, 85 Taft Ave., Providence. JCDSRI faculty, staff and board members welcome parents.

There will be a special dedication of the JCDSRI Learning Center to its benefactors, Dianne and Martin Newman. Following the dedication, parents will visit their children’s classes and learn about the school day. Information, Eileen Ellis at eellis@jcdsri.com or 401-751-2470.

Wednesday | September 19 (401)j Break the Fast. 6:30-9 p.m.

Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Break the fast wit (401)j. Cost: $10 per person (includes a catered meal; dietary laws observed). 50 percent of the cover charge will help support the 2019 Jewish Alliance Annual Campaign. (401)j is a group of dynamic Jews, in their 20s and 30s, who are dedicated to building a thriving Jewish collaboration in the “401.” Information, Carissa Hill at chill@jewishallianceri. org or 401-421-4111, ext. 110.

Friday | September 21 Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 7:30-9 p.m.

Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road,

East Greenwich. Service followed by Oneg. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Saturday | September 22 Taste of Shabbat. 9-11 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. 9 a.m. Torah discussion and 9:45 a.m. service followed by a Kiddush luncheon. Information, stephanie@ toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Sunday | September 23 Annual Challah Making Event. 10:3011:30 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. The Sisterhood of Temple Sinai annual challahmaking event. Two one-hour sessions: 10:30 a.m. and noon. Information, Dottie at dottie@templesinairi.org or 401-9428350.

“The Promise.” 3-5 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. In honor of Armenian Independence, the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center and The Genocide Education Project present the feature film “The Promise.” This film is rated PG-13. See story on page 11. Refreshments served after the film. Free. Information, MayRonny Zeidman at May@BornsteinHolocaustCenter.org or 401-453-7860.

Pizza in the Hut. 5:30 p.m. Temple BethEl, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Activities in the sukkah. Information, Jennifer Thomas at 401-331-6070.

Sushi in the Sukkah/Pizza in the Hut. 6-8:30 p.m. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Celebrate Sukkot.

Family service and dinner. Cost: $10 for adults | $5 for children. Information or to RSVP, Dottie at dottie@templesinairi. org or 401-942-8350.

Candidates speak on the issues On Aug. 26, residents of Ward 2 in Providence had the opportunity to hear from the Democratic candidates for City Council in the ward. The event was held at Temple Beth-El and cosponsored by St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Ryan Holt, Helen Anthony and Mark Feinstein participated in the afternoon forum, moderated by retired Providence Journal political columnist M. Charles Bakst.

The forum was introduced by Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman.

PHOTOS | ELIZABETH AND M. CHARLES BAKST

jvhri.org

COMMUNITY

September 7, 2018 |

Free screening of ‘The Promise’ to honor Armenian Independence

BY LEV POPLOW In honor of Armenian Independence Day, on Sept. 21, the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center and The Genocide Education Project invite the community to a free screening of the film “The Promise” on Sept. 23.

The historical drama, set in the final years of the Ottoman Empire, stars Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac and Charlotte Le Bon. The plot centers on a love triangle that develops between Mikael (Isaac), an Armenian medical student, Chris (Bale), a Paris-based American journalist, and Ana (Le Bon), an Armenian-born woman raised in France amid the horrors of World War I and the first genocide of the 20th century.

Armenians voted for independence from the Soviet Union on Sept. 21, 1991. This was actually the second independence of Armenia. The first occurred on May 28, 1918, and led to the formation of the First Republic of Armenia. This republic was then taken over by the USSR in 1920.

The Armenian Genocide was the Ottoman government’s systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians, mostly citizens of the Ottoman Empire. The starting date is conventionally held to be April 24, 1915, the day that Ottoman authorities in Constantinople (now Istanbul) rounded up, arrested and deported 270 Ar-

menian intellectuals and community leaders to the region of Ankara; the majority of them were eventually murdered.

The genocide was carried out during and after World War I and implemented in two phases – the wholesale killing of the able-bodied male population through massacre and forced labor followed by the deportation of women, children, the elderly and the infirm through death marches.

A timeless memory Embroidery is one of my favorite pastimes. I especially like making tablecloths. Each of my sons and daughters, have at least one. I have made tablecloths for my grandchildren that I will give to them at the appropr iate MAY-RONNY time.

Why am I ZEIDMAN t e l l i n g y o u t h is? Wel l, I am in the process of making a tablecloth that I think is just beautiful for my home and table. However, it is an enormously tedious project.

While speaking with my oldest son Jeff last week, I told him about this tablecloth and suggested that if I should pass before I finish this cloth, would he take it and wash it (which will

remove the stamped imprint) and use the unfinished cloth as it is. “Wow,” he said, “What a great idea. All three of us can take turns using the cloth.”

When I next spoke to him, he suggested I finish the cloth I am working on and then purchase another one and work on it at my leisure here and there.

He said, “Work on this new one off and on for 20 years. We will then use it as you left it.”

“Don’t you think my idea is a bit ghoulish,” I asked.

“No,” he said, “it will be another way to have you present at our tables.”

After that conversation, I have been thinking of all the examples of my family keeping all the people they have lost present in their lives. Such sweet memories.

MAY-RONNY ZEIDMAN is the executive director of the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center.

Thank You To Our Advertisers!

Please tell them you saw their ad in

The Jewish Voice.

The annihilation of the Armenians by systematic and premeditated exterminations led Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin to coin the word “genocide” in 1943. The Armenian Genocide is acknowledged to have been the first modern genocide. It is the second moststudied genocide after the Holocaust.

“The Promise,” which is rated PG-13, will be shown on Sunday, Sept. 23, at 3 p.m. in the Al-

liance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave., in Providence.

LEV POPLOW is a communications consultant who writes for the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, in Providence. He can be reached at levpoplow@gmail.com.

11

FOOD

12 | September 7, 2018

The Jewish Voice

Challah dough makes a tasty babka perfect for break-fast

BY CHAYA RAPPOPORT (The Nosher via JTA) – There’s nothing more comforting than a slice of babka and a glass of milk to break a long fast. In my family, it’s pretty much all we eat. But I don’t always make babka, and I do always make challah, especially during the High Holy Days season.

So, for convenience, I started setting aside one portion of my challah dough, rolling it out like babka and filling it with chocolate, creating a babka-challah hybrid. It saves me time, tastes delicious and, since my challah dough is pretty enriched, works just as well as my babka dough.

Here I’ve adapted my challah recipe to yield just one round, perfect spiral filled with chocolate and spice. I’ve found that using both cocoa and melted chocolate in the filling creates the richest, gooiest interior. I combine chocolate with a bit of olive oil, salt, sugar and spice in a pot, and while they melt, I spread the dough with oil, cocoa and sugar. Then I drizzle the chocolate over the cocoa spread dough.

Rolled up in a log, twisted into a spiral and baked with a crown of buttery, cinnamon-flecked crumbs, it’s warm, melty and decadent. I can’t think of a better way to enter the New Year.

Variations: You can use margarine or Earth Balance in place of butter in the crumble to make it completely non-dairy.

Not a fan of margarine? You

can also combine 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, a dash of cinnamon and a sprinkle of salt for a butter- and margarine-free topping.

You could even add a drizzle on top: Combine 1 cup of confectioner’s sugar with 1/4 cup of hot water, a splash of vanilla and a pinch of salt, and whisk it well to combine. Drizzle over the challah while it’s hot.

farthest from you, roll the dough into a snug log, pinching firmly along the seam to seal.

Coil the log to form a round challah and place in a pan to rise, around 40 minutes.

Chocolate Babka Challah Ingredients For the challah: 3 1/2 cups all-purpose white flour, plus more for rolling out 1 cup lukewarm water (around 105 F.) 2 teaspoons active dry yeast 1/3 cup white sugar 2 teaspoons sea salt 2 eggs 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 egg, whisked, for egg wash For the chocolate filling: 4 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt 3 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger 3 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup cocoa 1/4 cup sugar For the crumble: 1 cup all-purpose flour

Chocolate Babka Challah 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 stick unsalted butter, softened but cool

Directions

Make the challah dough: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and the sugar in the water; set aside for 5 minutes until a bit foamy.

Whisk oil into yeast, then beat in the eggs, one at a time, with the salt. Gradually add flour.

When dough holds together, turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.

Clean out bowl and grease it, then return dough to bowl.

Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until almost doubled in

size.

Punch down dough, cover and let rise again in a warm place for another hour.

While the dough rises, make the filling: Melt the chocolate with the oil in a pot over low heat on the stovetop. Add the sugar, salt and spices to the pot and stir to combine. Refrigerate to cool until needed.

On a floured surface using a rolling pin, roll out the dough to an 18- by 10-inch rectangle, with the long side nearest you.

Brush the 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough. Sprinkle the cocoa over the greased dough.

Top with the sugar and mix with your hands to combine.

Top with the melted, spiced chocolate mixture and use a spatula to swirl it out over the dough.

Starting with the long side

Make the crumble: Combine all of the ingredients except for the butter in a medium bowl and give a quick stir to combine, making sure to break up any lumps of brown sugar.

Add the butter and use your fingertips to mix everything together until crumbs form. Set aside until needed. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Brush the top of the challah with egg wash. Sprinkle with crumble.

Bake until the top is a deep golden brown, about 40-50 minutes. Transfer the challah to a rack and cool to room temperature. Serve.

CHAYA RAPPOPORT is the blogger, baker and picture taker behind retrolillies.wordpress.com. Currently a pastry sous chef at a Brooklyn bakery, she’s been blogging since 2012, and her work has been featured on The Feed Feed, Delish.com, Food and Wine, and Conde Nast Traveler.

The Nosher food blog offers a dazzling array of new and classic Jewish recipes and food news, from Europe to Yemen, from challah to shakshuka and beyond. Check it out at www.

TheNosher.com.

Stuffed tomatoes star as summer’s favorite veggie

BY SONYA SANFORD (The Nosher via JTA) – There can never be too many tomatoes. August’s heat is always made more bearable for me by peak tomato season. I love to eat them cut into thick rounds and topped on crusty, well-buttered toasted bread or chopped small in a simple Israeli salad alongside cucumber and herbs.

By this time of year, I end up with way more tomatoes from the garden and the market than I could possibly use up in sandwiches and salads alone. I’ll use the extra tomatoes to make sauce, but I also like to find a few more creative ways to take advantage of the bounty of summer.

Stuffed vegetables of all kinds were regularly made and eaten in our home just as they were in many other Russian Jewish kitchens. Stuffed cabbage, stuffed peppers and stuffed mushrooms are regional staples.

As I’ve explored and learned to cook the food of the former Soviet Union and of my family, Georgian cuisine has always stood out for its uniqueness.

Georgia’s food is an intersection of cuisines from the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and the

Middle East due to Georgia’s location on the eastern edge of the Black Sea, north of Turkey and south of Russia. Ingredients like hot peppers and Ajika (a hot sauce made out of them), fenugreek and pomegranate molasses appear in Georgian dishes alongside more familiar Eastern European staples such as beets, cabbage, dill and mushrooms.

Georgian cuisine also benefits from its climate and terrain, which is extremely conducive to agriculture. The country is known for its wine and vast variety of food products including grains, melons, potatoes and much more.

Each region in Georgia has its own distinctive and rich cuisine. One of my favorite books on Georgian cooking is Carla Capalbo’s “Tasting Georgia, A Food and Wine Journey in the Caucasus.” Capalbo offers an encyclopedic account of Georgian cuisine filled with detailed history and delicious recipes.

I especially love her recipe for stuffed tomatoes.

With her recipe as a guide, and inspired by a few other Georgian stuffed tomato recipes, over time I’ve adapted the dish to my taste and simplified

some of the steps.

What makes this stuffed tomato unique is the addition of the herb fenugreek, which adds a complex and almost currylike flavor to the tomatoes.

You can find fenugreek at most Middle Eastern and Persian markets or online. The stuffing is made of earthy, garlicky sauteed mushrooms, rice, fresh parsley and dill. The tomatoes are nestled into a simple aromatic sauce, and then each one is topped with mozzarella that gets melty and burnished in the oven.

This dish is substantial enough to be served as a vegetarian main course, but it is not too rich and could easily be served as a side dish to a heartier meal. Like any good stuffed food, these taste even better when they are reheated the next day.

Georgian-Style Stuffed Tomatoes Ingredients 8 large firm tomatoes Olive oil or sunflower oil, as needed 1 medium yellow or white onion, diced fine 1/2 teaspoon dried fenugreek 1/2 teaspoon ground

coriander 1/2 teaspoon dried red hot pepper or red pepper flakes, or to taste 1/2 cup water, or as needed 14-16 ounces crimini/oyster/ maitake mushrooms, diced small 2 large cloves garlic, minced fine Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup cooked rice 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill 4 ounces mozzarella, sliced to cover the top of the tomatoes, about 1/2-inch thick

Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Start by hollowing out the tomatoes: Cut off the top fifth, then run a small knife around the interior of the tomato. Carefully scoop out the inside. Finely chop up the remaining tops and what has been scooped out of them. Reserve.

To make the sauce: Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a large pan over medium heat.

Add the diced onions to the oil and saute until softened and translucent. Add the fenugreek,

coriander and hot pepper to the onions and saute for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Add the reserved scooped-out and chopped-up tomato mixture to the pan and 1/2 cup of water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Depending on how much liquid you have from your tomatoes, you may need to add more or less water. You want the sauce to resemble a thick tomato sauce in consistency. Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce slightly while you prepare the filling.

If desired, you can blend the sauce with an immersion blender or regular blender, although I prefer to keep it with its small pieces of tomato intact.

To make the filling: Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a large pan over medium high heat. Add the mushrooms to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Saute the mushrooms until their liquid has been fully released and the mushrooms have begun to brown. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the minced garlic to the pan and saute until the garlic is fragrant. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl. Add a cup of TOMATOES | 13

FOOD

jvhri.org

September 7, 2018 |

13

Tasty cake for the new year and beyond

BY SONYA SANFORD (The Nosher via JTA) – For as long as I’ve been cooking I’ve made honey cake for Rosh Hashanah. I do this just as my mother did, and my grandmother did, and likely my greatgrandmother before her. I love my family’s recipe, and I have even made tweaks to it over the years.

But the truth is, I like honey cake more for tradition’s sake than for its flavor. Last year it finally occurred to me that I don’t have to make honey cake for Rosh Hashanah.

What did I actually want to eat and serve on Rosh Hashanah?

I love sunken apple cake, but there are always so many apples eaten over the High Holy Days that I wanted to make something featuring another fruit. I had just picked up a beautiful bag of plums from the market, and they called out to me. Why not make a sunken plum cake?

The flavor of plum goes so well with honey. Like an apple, the plum’s tartness cuts through and complements honey’s sweetness. Their bold colors always add beauty to any baked good, and I love that plums are highly seasonal. They’re only at their best for a short window of time each year, which typically coincides with the Jewish New Year. For me, using plums at their peak is always celebratory.

This is a simple cake to make with lots of flavor. I add ginger to the batter for its warmth and zing, and cardamom for its subtle and welcome citrusy spiciness. The ginger and cardamom’s perfuminess and oh-so-subtle heat also serve to extenuate the fruitiness in the plums. You can use any plum or pluot for this cake, but I like ones that are slightly firm and ripe, and not too small. This recipe can be made pareve by using vegan butter, and the

Sunken Plum Cake flour can be swapped for a gluten-free all-purpose mix.

Like any good holiday recipe, sunken plum cake tastes even better made a day in advance. At dinner, I love to serve the cake topped with whipped cream or ice cream, but this also makes a delicious indulgent breakfast treat on the holiday.

Sunken Plum Cake Recipe Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) vegan butter or unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup honey 2 large eggs, at room temperature 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter), pinch of salt if using vegan butter 4-5 plums, halved, pitted and sliced 1/4-inch thick Turbinado/raw sugar, for sprinkling on top 1/4 cup honey for the glaze (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line a 9-inch springform pan with parch-

ment paper, or you can also make this in a 9-by-9-inch baking dish.

Cream together vegan butter/butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes, using either a hand-held mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment.

Add the honey to the sugar mixture and mix until well incorporated.

Add the eggs, vanilla and freshly grated ginger, and mix until they are also well incorporated.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and cardamom.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix until just incorporated. Be careful not to over-mix.

Pour the batter into the lined and greased cake pan. Add the sliced plums on top of the cake; they will sink as they bake. Top the cake with a generous sprinkling of Turbinado/raw sugar, or regular sugar if you don’t have raw sugar.

Bake 35-40 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean when tested in the center of the cake.

If desired, you can brush honey on top of the cake once it has cooled: Heat 1/4 cup of honey until just warm, and then brush it over the cake.

Serve topped with whipped cream or ice cream. Can be made a day in advance. Serves 8-10.

Georgian-Style Stuffed Tomatoes FROM PAGE 12

TOMATOES

cooked rice, the chopped parsley and the chopped dill to the mushroom mixture. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed.

To assemble: Add the sauce to a baking or casserole dish that can snuggly fit all of the tomatoes. On top of the sauce, place the hollowed out tomatoes. Generously fill each tomato with the mushroom mixture, and top with slices of mozzarella.

Bake the tomatoes for 30-40

minutes, or until hot, bubbly and with the cheese beginning to brown. Serve warm. Leftover tomatoes can be reheated in either an oven or microwave the next day. Serves 6-8.

SONYA SANFORD is a chef, food stylist and writer based out of Los Angeles. The Nosher food blog offers an array of new and classic Jewish recipes and food news, from Europe to Yemen, from challah to shakshuka and beyond. Check it out at TheNosher.com.

“VERY CONVENIENT” “I was able to make an appointment for the next day.

When I brought the car in, they estimated it would take 30 minutes to replace the head light. I walked out in 20 minutes. I would recommend German Motors.”

– Donna C., Providence, "Mercedes C Class"

G

ERMAN

Sales &

MOTORS

INC

Service

879 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904 401-272-4266 Email us at: germanmotorshelp@gmail.com

BMW AUDI MERCEDES BENZ PORSCHE VOLKSWAGEN MINI COOPER

BMW AUDI MERCEDES BENZ PORSCHE VOLKSWAGEN MINI COOPER

BMW AUDI MERCEDES BENZ VOLKSWAGEN MINI

MERCEDES BENZ VOLKSWAGEN MINI PORSCHE

The Jewish Voice & Herald Your Only RI Jewish Ad #8 Newspaper B&W spot ad: 2" X 3" jvhri.org

eptember 7, 2018 – Women in Business

D A s i Th Ale s r o F

Reach more than 9,000 households with your ad in The Jewish Voice. The Jewish Voice is the ONLY Jewish newspaper in Rhode Island. Use this advantage to reach a targeted audience with your ad.

Contact Chris Westerkamp cwesterkamp@jewishallianceri.org or Karen Borger ksborger@gmail.com

14 | September 7, 2018

HIGH HOLY DAYS

The Jewish Voice

9 things you didn’t know about Yom Kippur

BY MJL STAFF (My Jewish Learning via JTA) – Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, starts at sundown on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Traditionally one of the most somber days on the Jewish calendar, it’s known for fasting and repentance – not to mention killer caffeine withdrawal headaches.

However, the holiday has some lesser-known associations as well.

1. The word “scapegoat” originates in an ancient Yom Kippur ritual.

Jews historically have been popular scapegoats – blamed for an array of ills not of their creation. But, and we’re not kid-ding, they really do deserve blame (or credit) for the term scapegoat. In Leviticus 16:8 (in the Torah portion Achrei Mot), the High Priest is instructed on Yom Kippur to lay his hands upon a goat while confessing the sins of the entire community – and then to throw the ani-

mal off a cliff.

2. Another animal ritual, swinging a chicken around one’s head, has sparked considerable controversy and not just from animal-rights activists.

In 2015, the kapparot ritual, in which a chicken is symbolically invested with a person’s sins and then slaughtered, spurred two lawsuits in the United States: one by traditional Jews claiming their right to perform it was being abridged by the government and another by animal-rights activists. Centuries earlier, the ritual drew criticism from notable sages like the Ramban (13th century) and Rabbi Joseph Caro (16th century), whose objections had less to do with animal welfare than with religious integrity.

3. Yom Kippur once was a big matchmaking day.

The Talmud states that both Yom Kippur and Tu b’Av (often described as the Jewish Valentine’s Day) were the most joyous

Thinking of buying or selling? Now is the perfect time!

Contact me today for all of your real estate needs!

Alexis Soloff Alexis.Soloff@Raveis.com 401. 639.4750 203 SOUTH MAIN STREET | PROVIDENCE, RI | 401.751.8100 Independently owned and operated.

PHOTO | ILIA YEFIMOVICH/GETTY IMAGES

Orthodox Jewish girls performing the kapparot ceremony in Jerusalem, Oct. 10, 2016. days of the year, when women would wear white gowns and dance in the vineyards chanting “Young man, lift up your eyes and see what you choose for yourself. Do not set your eyes on beauty, but set your eyes on a good family.” Given the aforementioned caffeine headaches and the difficulty of making a decision on an empty stomach, we’re glad this particular tradition is no more.

4. Food and drink are not the only things Jews abstain from on Yom Kippur.

Other traditional no-nos on Yom Kippur include bathing, wearing perfume or lotions, having sexual relations and wearing leather shoes. The less-than-attractive aroma resulting from the first two re-

strictions (not to mention the romantic restrictions imposed by the third) may explain why the day ceased to be an occasion for finding true love.

5. In Israel, Yom Kippur is the most bike-friendly day of the year.

Although many Israelis are secular, and there is no law on the books forbidding driving on Yom Kippur, virtually all the country’s Jews avoid their cars on this day. With only the occasional emergency vehicle on the road, bikers of all ages can be seen pedaling, even on major highways.

6. Eating a big meal before the holiday begins will make your fast harder rather than easier.

Traditionally, the meal eaten

before beginning the fast is supposed to be large and festive, following the Talmudic dictum that it is a mitzvah (commandment) to eat on the eve of Yom Kippur, just as it is a mitzvah to fast on Yom Kippur itself. However, eating extra food — particularly in one last-minute feast — does not help to keep you going for 24 hours, says Dr. Tzvi Dwolatzky of Israel’s Rambam Health Care Campus. He suggests eating small amounts of carbohydrates (bread, potato, rice, pasta), some protein (fish, chicken) and fruit.

7. On Yom Kippur in 1940, London’s Jews kept calm and carried on.

In the midst of the Battle of Britain, the relentless Nazi bombardment of London that began in September 1940, the city’s synagogues went on with their Yom Kippur services. According to JTA, while air raid warnings “twice disturbed” the morning services on Oct. 12, 1940, “most synagogues carried on regardless” and a “large proportion of the men attending services wore uniforms of the various forces.”

8. Yom Kippur’s Kol Nidre services are the only night of the entire Jewish calendar when a prayer shawl is worn for evening prayers.

According to the late Rabbi Louis Jacobs, the tallit (prayer shawl) is worn during Kol Nidre as “a token of special reverence for the holy day.” It is traditional to wear a tallit or a white garment for the entire holiday, with the color white symbolizing both our spiritual purity and our removing ourselves from the vanities of the material world. Many people actually wear a white robe called a kittel.

9. A Virginia rabbi’s pro-civil rights movement sermon on Yom Kippur in 1958 riled up local segregationists and sparked fears of an anti-Semitic backlash.

JTA reported that Virginia’s Defenders of State Sovereignty group demanded that local Jews “move quickly to refute and condemn” Rabbi Emmet Frank of Alexandria’s Temple Beth El for his sermon criticizing the state’s “massive resistance” to school desegregation and said that if he had intended to destroy Christian-Jewish relations, “he could not have been more effective.” While a “leading member” of the Reform temple reportedly said a “considerable” number of congregants worried Frank’s stand “might result in increased antiSemitism,” others “sided with the rabbi, holding that he held a spiritual and moral duty to speak out for social justice.” The congregation stood by Frank, and The Washington Post published an editorial calling him a “courageous clergyman.”

jvhri.org

TRAVEL

June 22, 2018 |

15

FROM PAGE 1

MONTREAL or four and hand sliced.

There is almost a half pound of meat in the sandwich, says general manager Frank Silva, 55, who is standing behind the counter and shoving out orders. The slices are a gorgeous red, rippled with fat – we have ordered it “medium” – with the seasoning still visible at the edges. Alessia has homemade french fries; I have coleslaw and a bright green half-sour pickle.

It makes for a sensational start to a three-day visit to this city whose Jewish population, despite a decline in recent decades, still numbers more than 90,000. Schwartz’s is one of many restaurants and bakeries with a Jewish vibe; indeed, Montreal has a bagel mania. We got to several of these eateries, plus two excellent restaurants that stretched our horizons, the upscale La Sirène de la Mer, or Mermaid of the Sea (Lebanese), and Romados rotisserie chicken (Portuguese).

We also watched the Rogers Cup women’s tennis and toured the home arena of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team.

Let’s start, though, with Schwartz’s, where singer Celine Dion is a 25-percent owner and where Frank Silva is the maestro. Any restaurant faces challenges, but I wondered if it’s a special burden to preside over a national treasure, an international destination.

“Well, being the best and staying the best, can be difficult at times,” said Silva. “We’ve been doing it for many, many years.

Myself, I’ve been here 37 years.

I’ve been the G.M. for the last 20 years, and every year we get better, and every year we get busier. The only big stress may be staffing, finding good help…

We’re approximately 60 employees right now in this little joint…Otherwise, suppliers are not an issue; money’s not a factor. We pride ourselves on topquality products.”

Schwartz’s is on St-Laurent, the boulevard, informally called The Main, that separates east Montreal from west. It’s open past midnight. Silva says the restaurant and its takeout department next door serve at least 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of smoked meat a day.

Though Schwartz’s can be tough if you’re trying to stay healthy, Silva says there are a couple of customers who come at least twice a week. Like anyone else, he says, they have to wait in line, so there’s no special treatment that way. On the other hand, once they’re inside, he might already know what they eat, and they don’t have to order.

Suppose I am one of those regulars, and I always have a smoked meat sandwich, and I walk in and, without asking me, Silva serves up a smoked meat

A smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz’s in Montreal. sandwich. And suppose it just so happens on this day I want turkey.

“It could happen,” Silva concedes, but the spurned smoked meat sandwich won’t be sitting around for long. He chuckles, “I guarantee you we’re going to pass that sandwich very quickly to another person!”

Some other memories from this Montreal trip: • We were poised to bite into the smoked meat at Lester’s deli in the Outremont neighborhood. Owner Billy Berenholc was kvelling about his product, telling us that smoked meat originated with Eastern European Jewish immigrants, and declaring it has become so universal that only 10 percent of his customers are Jewish.

Meanwhile, a staffer brought him a plate of cherries, cantaloupe and a peach to graze on. WHAT??!! “This is

all made from smoked meat,” Berenholc deadpanned.

“I know it doesn’t look like it.

We’re experimenting.”

• They may not patronize Lester’s, which is only Kosherstyle, but the many Hasidic Jews who live nearby have several places they can identify with.

They include Cheskie Heimishe Bakery, owned by a Hasidic couple. Think about this: The high-quality apricot rugelach was only the third best thing we bought. Better was the sumptuous layered Russian cinnamon babka. And utterly sublime was an item called a cheese oval. At a glance, it looks like a small ice cream sandwich. Instead it is sweet cheese filling coated with a thin chocolate shell on top and bottom.

• Montreal has two legendary 24-hour bagel shops: StViateur and Fairmount, a few blocks apart in the Mile End

St-Viateur is open round-the-clock for bagel cravings.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rushes to a memorial as the writer snaps his photo. neighborhood. The bagels are hand-rolled, boiled in honey water and baked in wood-fired ovens. Sesame is the most traditional flavor, but some folks say you should just go with whatever is coming out of the oven when you arrive. This is bagel nirvana. At St-Viateur we saw hundreds of bagels in bins. I got so caught up in the mystique I bought two colorful souvenir shopping bags and a key ring.

At Fairmount a baker took bagels from the oven, then fed in more firewood. We bought bagels at each shop and, with packets of cream cheese in hand, repaired to a nearby café.

I ordered a cappuccino and sampled our haul. Hands down best choice: St-Viateur’s poppy – which happened to be the freshest from the oven when we were there.

A postscript from our last morning. In a church across the

street from our hotel, the Queen Elizabeth, a funeral that would draw VIPs and media was about to be held for a man who’d been an influential Quebec political figure. The hotel lobby was swarming with security. And now, look at this: Emerging from an elevator, putting on his jacket, hurrying along – security in front of him and behind him – was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. No glad-handing, no autographs, he was moving.

But I did manage to get a nice photo of him with my iPhone.

IF YOU GO: “Shalom Montreal,” a special exhibit at the McCord Museum, 690 Sherbrooke West, through Nov. 11, offers a good introduction to the history of Montreal’s Jews and their contributions to the life of the city.

M. CHARLES BAKST is a former Providence Journal political columnist.

PHOTOS | M. CHARLES BAKST

The bagel-filled bins at St-Viateur.

16 | September 7, 2018

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Workshop helps enhance prayer experience

BY ALAN KRINSKY You are reciting words written by someone else and seeking to infuse them with meaning, to speak them with conviction.

Where are you? On a theater stage or in the sanctuary of a synagogue? Can the lessons of the former be brought to the latter?

September brings the continuation of a workshop series launched in June. On Sunday, June 3, and Monday, June 11, at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center in Providence, close to two dozen people

made a start at this, in the first two of six sessions. The series, “Mean What You Pray,” is funded by an Innovation Grant from the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and designed by theater professional Jason Slavick.

Slavick, a writer and director, led the June workshop participants through different discussions and exercises meant to loosen the body and open the mind. In an exercise designed to teach something about the call and response between prayer leader and congregants during a prayer service, participants

SHARON MEMORIAL PARK

Please join us for our

Annual High Holiday Memorial Service Celebrating 70 years SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th – 10:00am Officiating: Rabbi Emily Lipof Rabbi Emerita, Temple Ohabei Shalom Music by David Sparr and Choir www.sharonmemorial.com 781.828.7216

tossed a ball back and forth – not by catching, holding and pausing, and then throwing, but rather by keeping the momentum going without pause.

Founder of the theater troupe Liars and Believers and of JMS Coaching, Slavick studied theater at Trinity Rep and then taught at Gann Academy in Massachusetts for a decade and a half. He is also a frequent leader of prayer services at his congregation in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Providence’s Congregation Beth Sholom won the grant and manages the program, but the series has been designed for and has attracted individuals from across the community, some affiliated with a synagogue, some not.

The six workshops have been designed to build one upon each other. Yet they can stand independently. Participants can attend all, some or just one of the sessions and still gain something of value.

Workshops began again on Sept. 5. The fourth session will take place on Thurs., Sept. 13 and the fifth on Wed., Sept. 26. Both workshops will be held in the Baxt Family Social Hall of the JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, from 7 to 9 p.m. The sixth and final workshop has yet to be scheduled. Newcomers and returnees alike are welcome.

To register for one or more of the workshops, please go to: https://goo.gl/forms/IBIFQCsY6HjgkBm32.

Tonya Glantz challenges healthcare assumptions

BY LEAH BOURAMIA It’s a balmy August evening on the West Side of Providence. Sitting across from me in an outdoor cafe is a woman who has pushed against many assumptions plaguing public health and social services.

Indeed, Tonya Glantz has challenged many assumptions about how to address health care at the macro level, so it’s not surprising that she is the director of the Education in Healthcare Institute at Rhode Island College. She’s held the job since 2016.

The institute is “... focused on collaborative, interdisciplinary, patient-centered methods of care delivery that have a strong potential for improving health outcomes and reducing costs for all Rhode Islanders,” according to its pages on the Rhode Island College website (www.ric.edu/educationinhealthcare/Pages/default. aspx).

This fits nicely into the work Glantz has done during a lifetime of challenging how healthcare systems inform public policy.

Specifically, Glantz has worked extensively in researching how men perceive fatherhood; how men perceive one another as fathers (“They were vicious in their assessment of one another,” she says); and in helping men, particularly incarcerated men, to think about how they string together stories, assumptions and observations about what being a father means to them. While this kind of identity-building has long been part of the female experi-

Tonya Glantz ence, it has not been commonly accepted and/or discussed in male communities, particularly the lower-income communities of color in the prison system.

It seems Glantz has her hand in many policy-building initiatives that challenge common assumptions: most recently her work has brought a community board of people living with HIV to the forefront of undergraduate experience at RIC, establishing opportunities for students to work on behalf of people living with the virus.

She has also worked extensively in the field of child welfare and published on a number of issues related to supporting foster youth, building organizational change in youth-serving organizations and recidivism of incarcerated men who have experienced trauma.

With Glantz, this work is an imperative: “I couldn’t do work that wasn’t about community, empowerment and social justice,” she says.

“For me, that’s what it means to be a good Jew and one of the reasons I chose to convert.”

LEAH BOURAMIA is an educator who lives in Warwick.

Happy, Happy, Healthy, Healthy, Peaceful Peaceful New New Year Year from from Our Our Family Family to to Yours.

Yours.

Iz Schwartz Appliance is a family-owned appliance store based in Somerset, MA, since 1979. Our knowledge on the appliances and products we sell sets us high above the competition. We are known for our great prices, honest advice, and no pressure sales staff.

So please come visit us, we are less than 20 minutes from Providence.

WE ARE AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OF SUCH BRANDS AS: Subzero | Wolf | Thermador | Viking | Capital | Bosch | Whirlpool Maytag | GE | Frigidaire | Electrolux | KitchenAid and more!

110 Slades Ferry Avenue Somerset, MA 02726

508-674-3511

www.izschwartzappliance.com | STORE HOURS: Mon - Wed 9AM - 5PM, Thurs & Fri 9AM - 8PM, Sat 9AM - 5PM

“Like” us at www.facebook.com/izschwartzappliance for special promotions and discounts!

COMMUNITY

jvhri.org

September 7, 2018 |

17

The key to meeting clients’ needs Those of us who work in sales constantly face the challenge of continued momentum and success.

The key to our success as ent repreneu rs, small business owners or commission-based salespeople is to keep clients satisfied through honesty, being clear PATRICIA and straightRASKIN forward, doing the best we can to meet their needs and knowing that the words we use affect the client and our business relationship.

An article at Aish.com, “Ethical Speech,” by Rabbi Shraga Simmons, speaks to “wronging with words.”

Simmons writes, “In Jewish consciousness, money is peripheral to self, but feelings are essential. That’s why harming someone with words (Onas Devarim) is considered worse than harming their property….

“It is also unethical to deceive others, which is akin to ‘stealing thoughts.’ One example is offering someone bad advice.

We must also be careful not to give a false impression.

“For example, when entering

a store, realize that the salesperson now has a raised expectation to sell. If you have no intent of buying, you should make that clear from the start.

“We also strive for ‘clean speech’ that avoids coarse or negative connotations. To illustrate, the Torah does not refer to a particular animal as

“Being successful in your business is like tending a garden: The results will be lush and rewarding if you do it day by day.” ‘unclean,’ but prefers the subtly more positive formulation, ‘not clean.’ Every word has a powerful effect on the soul.”

Following are some tips to generate and keep client loyalty: • Offer a high-quality product or service. The service or product has to be current and functional and help clients get their desired results.

• Be available to your clients. You need to be there for them, within reason, when they

have questions or concerns.

• Listen and adapt. As the needs of your clients change, you as the service or product provider need to accommodate those changes.

• Don’t sell. Focus on customers’ needs and you won’t have to sell. Instead, share your belief and excitement about your services and products.

• Don’t base everything on price alone. I believe that in most cases, cost is not the determining factor in client loyalty. Clients will stay with you because they trust you, feel understood, feel supported and get results.

While it sounds trite, the cliché that “anything worth having is worth working for” is so true. Being successful in your business is like tending a garden: The results will be lush and rewarding if you do it day by day, row by row, paying attention to each sprout and each weed.

PATRICIA RASKIN, president of Raskin Resources Productions Inc., is an awardwinning radio producer and Rhode Island business owner.

She is the host of “The Patricia Raskin” show, a radio and podcast coach, and a board member of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence.

Serving New England Businesses for Over 50 Years Appellate

Government Contracts

Bankruptcy, Receivership & Creditors’ Rights

Government Relations

Business & Corporate Complex & Business Litigation Construction Commercial Finance Energy & Telecommunications Environmental Gaming

Providence Boston

Health Care

Products Liability / Toxic Tort / Mass Torts Public Finance Real Estate

Hospitality

Securities

Insurance Defense & Coverage

Sports

Intellectual Property

Tax

Labor & Employment

Trusts & Estates

Land Use

White Collar Criminal Defense

Mergers & Acquisitions Patents, Trademark & Copyright Services

One Citizens Plaza, 8th Fl Providence 175 Federal St, 10th Fl Boston

Newport New Hampshire

Venture Capital

49 Bellevue Ave Newport 149 Hanover St, Ste 300 Manchester

www.apslaw.com aps_8.75x11.5_ne_2016.indd 1

The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers in the general practice of law.

The Court does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any field of practice.

10/20/2016 9:57:42 AM

LIVING WELL

This season of excitement and change can cause stress

BY ROSE MURRIN Q: This time of year, I find myself more stressed than usual. Is this common? Are there coping strategies I should be mindful of?

A: Fall and the beginning of a new academic year can be exciting, invigorating, and move us to action. It also brings many changes, the holy days, the resuming of activities and commitments. These changes can be invigorating for some and overwhelming for others. If you fall into the latter group, you may experience an increase in stress.

During this time, it may feel difficult to add even the smallest change, but sometimes this is precisely what will help. Here are some ideas for beginning to manage your stress as excerpted from “Stress Tip Sheet,” https://bit.ly/LwfOqK. As you read on, keep in mind that one small step at a time may be very effective.

Understand what your stress is like. People experience stress in different ways.

How do you know when you are stressed? What thoughts run through your head? What feel-

ings do you experience?

Identify your sources of stress. What events or situations trigger stressful feelings?

Are they related to your children, family, health, financial decisions, work, relationships or something else?

Learn your own stress signals. People experience stress in different ways. You may have a hard time concentrating or making decisions; feel angry, irritable or out of control; or experience headaches, muscle tension or a lack of energy.

Gauge your stress signals.

Recognize how you deal with stress. Determine if you are using unhealthy behaviors (such as smoking, drinking alcohol and over/under eating) to cope. Is this a routine behavior, or is it specific to certain events or situations? Do you make unhealthy choices as a result of feeling rushed and overwhelmed?

Find healthy ways to manage stress. Consider healthy, stress-reducing activities such as meditation, exercising or talking things out with friends or family. Keep in mind that unhealthy behaviors develop

over time and can be difficult to change. Don’t take on too much at once. Focus on changing only one behavior at a time.

Take care of yourself. Eat right, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water and engage in regular physical activity. Ensure you have a healthy mind and body through activities like yoga, taking a short walk, going to the gym or playing sports that will enhance both your physical and mental health.

Take regular vacations or other breaks from work. No matter how hectic life gets, make time for yourself — even if it’s just simple things like reading a good book or listening to your favorite music.

Reach out for support. Accepting help from supportive friends and family can improve your ability to manage stress.

If you continue to feel overwhelmed by stress, you may want to talk to a [mental health professional], who can help you better manage stress and change unhealthy behaviors.

ROSE MURRIN, LICSW, is with Jewish Collaborative Services.

Lynch & Pine

At t o r n e ys at L aw

Lynch & Pine Lynch A t t o r n e y& s aPine t L aw Patrick C. Lynch

Attorney General: 2003-2011

Jeffrey B. Pine

Attorney General: 1993-1999

One Park Row, Fifth Floor Providence, RI 02903 P: 401.274.3306 | F: 401.274.3326 PLynch@lynchpine.com | JPine@lynchpine.com

Criminal Defense • Personal Injury/Serious Accidents • Civil and Business Litigation Divorce/Family Law • Government Investigations • Government Relations

At t o r n e ys at L aw

18 | September 7, 2018

YEAR IN REVIEW

The Jewish Voice

PHOTO | TOMER NEUBERG, FLASH90

Netta Barzilai, the winner of this year’s Eurovision contest, performing at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, May 14.

FROM PAGE 1

YEAR IN REVIEW

considering leaving the previous year following President Trump’s equivocal response to the violence surrounding a white supremacist rally in Virginia. Shulkin is fired as Veterans Affairs secretary after becoming embroiled in scandals, including overspending on travel and infighting with senior White House officials.

The president of the World Jewish Congress issues a rare rebuke of Israeli government policies. In an op-ed in The New York Times, Ronald Lauder excoriates Israeli actions that threaten the two-state solution and enshrine Orthodox control of various aspects of Israeli life, including marriage and organized prayer at the Western Wall.

The Canadian House of Commons unanimously passes legislation establishing the month of May as Canadian Jewish Heritage Month. The bill had previously passed the Senate.

The heads of 139 Jewish day schools sign an open letter urging Trump and federal and state legislators to take action on gun violence following a deadly shooting at a Florida high school. The letter calls for “common sense legislation that addresses all factors contributing to a safe and secure educational community, including restrictions and safeguards related to guns.”

Tens of thousands of Gaza demonstrators approach the Israeli border in the so-called March of Return, launching months of protests on successive Fridays that turn violent and result in the deaths of some 156 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier shot dead by a sniper. In one protest in May, 62 protesters are killed; Hamas claims 50 as members. Israel’s actions

prompt international outrage, with the U.N. General Assembly condemning Israel for an excessive use of force. Gaza Palestinians later turn to sending incendiary airborne objects into Israel, resulting in the destruction of thousands of acres of farmland and natural forest.

Mireille Knol, a Holocaust survivor from Paris, is brutally murdered in her apartment in what authorities say was a robbery where she was selected as a target because she was Jewish. More than 10,000 people march to what was her home in the French capital to protest her alleged murder.

April 2018

B’nai Brith Canada reports a record number of anti-Semitic incidents in 2017. Its annual audit shows 1,752 incidents of harassment, vandalism and violence, which is a 1.4 percent increase over the 1,728 from the previous year. The vast majority take place in Ontario and Quebec, the nation’s two largest provinces.

Dov Hikind, an outspoken New York state assemblyman who has represented Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn for more than three decades, announces his retirement. A former follower of the right-wing Rabbi Meir Kahane, Hikind, a conservative Democrat, was first elected in 1983. Hikind did not give a reason for his retirement.

Natalie Portman says she won’t attend the Genesis Prize ceremony in Jerusalem because she does not want to appear to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In response, the Genesis Prize Foundation announces it is canceling the award ceremony and the Jewish actress will not get to distribute the prize money to charity, but the group declines

PHOTO | SPENCER PLATT, GETTY IMAGES

Palestinians protest at the border fence with Israel in Gaza City as mass demonstrations continued, May 14. to rescind the honor outright.

Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, publicly advises Jews to avoid wearing kippahs in some urban settings following the assault of an Arab-Israeli man who is trying to prove to his friend that wearing a yarmulke is safe in Germany.

May 2018

In a speech he deems a “history lesson,” Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says that Jews caused the Holocaust with their “social behavior,” including money lending, prompting swift condemnation from both liberal and conservative groups in Israel and across the Diaspora.

President Trump declares he will not waive sanctions on Iran, effectively pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal reached by his predecessor, Barack Obama. Israel had been pressing Trump to withdraw from the agreement, which trades the removal of economic sanctions for a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program. Germany, France and the United Kingdom all urge Trump to remain in the deal.

Bernard Lewis, a leading scholar of Islam and the Middle East, dies in New Jersey at 101.

A professor emeritus at Princeton University, Lewis was an expert in the history of Islam and his views were admired by architects of the 2003 Iraq invasion. Lewis was the author of 30 books and hundreds of articles.

Philip Roth, the towering literary figure and legendary chronicler of the American Jewish experience, dies at 85 in New York. An immensely celebrated novelist, Roth won virtually every major literary accolade, including two National Book Awards, two National Book Critics Circle awards, three PEN/Faulkner Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Man Booker International Prize.

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens resigns after facing months of scandal stemming from an extramarital affair and other alleged misdeeds. A former Navy SEAL and the state’s first Jewish governor, Greitens had been considered a rising star in the Republican Party.

Israel wins the Eurovision song contest, with the song “Toy” by Netta Barzilai securing the victory in the finals in Portugal. “You have brought the State of Israel a lot of pride.

Next year in Jerusalem!” Netanyahu writes on Twitter, referencing Israel’s duty as the previous year’s winner to host the 2019 competition. It is Israel’s fourth Eurovision victory.

The United States dedicates its newly established embassy in Jerusalem in a high-profile ceremony attended by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trump’s daughter and son-inlaw, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. The embassy move, mandated by a 1995 law but delayed on national security grounds by successive presidential administrations, is widely condemned by other world leaders.

Shoshana Cardin, the first woman to chair the powerful Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, dies at 91. Cardin, a Baltimore philanthropist, also was the first female president of her city’s federation and the first woman to lead the national umbrella body of Jewish federations.

Rabbi Aaron Panken, the president of the Reform movement’s rabbinical seminary, dies while piloting a small aircraft in upstate New York.

Panken, a licensed commercial pilot, was 53 and had led the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion since 2014.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigns hours after the

publication of a report detailing allegations of physical abuse by four women. In a statement, Schneiderman denies he had ever assaulted anyone or engaged in nonconsensual sexual activity.

The foundation created by Holocaust survivor and philanthropist George Soros announces it is closing its operations in Hungary, citing government “repression.” Soros, a native of Hungary, had been the target of a series of actions by the nation’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, who had warned that Soros’ advocacy was responsible for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from the Middle East gaining admission to Europe. Some Jewish critics of the government’s efforts allege that they encouraged anti-Semitism, but leaders of Hungarian Jewry dispute the claim.

Ken Livingstone, a former mayor of London and harsh critic of Israel, resigns from Britain’s Labour Party amid a review of his claims that Adolf Hitler supported Zionism. Livingstone’s membership exposed the party to allegations that it tolerates anti-Semitism under the leadership of its hard-left leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

June 2018

Twenty-six Jewish groups sign a letter calling the U.S. policy of separating children from their migrant parents “unconscionable.” The signatories included three major Jewish religious movements – Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist – as well as the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, HIAS, Jewish Women’s International, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Uri L’Tzedek, an Orthodox social justice organization.

“The Band’s Visit,” a musical based on an Israeli film about an Egyptian band stranded in a hardscrabble Negev

jvhri.org YEAR IN

REVIEW | COMMUNITY

September 7, 2018 |

19

Sinai scholars visit Congregation Sons of Jacob

On Aug. 3, a group of Sinai Scholars attending the National Jewish Retreat in Providence visited the Congregation Sons of Jacob on Douglas Avenue in Providence.

PHOTO | U.S. EMBASSY JERUSALEM, FLICKR

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

YEAR IN REVIEW

town, dominates the 72nd annual Tony Awards, winning 10 awards, including best musical.

The play also takes home trophies for best actor in a musical, best direction of a musical and best original score.

An Israeli court convicts a 19-year-old American Israeli of making hundreds of bomb threats against Jewish community centers and schools across the United States. Michael Kadar is convicted on several counts, including extortion, conspiracy to commit a crime, money laundering and assaulting a police officer. Kadar’s threats in the first three months of 2017 – along with eight made by a St. Louis man – had forced widespread evacuations of American Jewish institutions and sparked fear of resurgent anti-Semitism.

The United States withdraws from the U.N. Human Rights Council, citing the body’s bias against Israel. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, says the council is “not worthy of its name” and that the decision to withdraw had come after a “good faith” effort to reform the body had failed.

Czech President Milos Zeman announces that he will work to move his country’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem – the first such public pledge by a European head of state.

July 2018

Continued incendiary kites and balloons launched from Gaza by Palestinian protesters ignite countless fires in Israel, with one of the largest burning in southern Israel’s Kibbutz Or Haner.

Several women accuse Steven M. Cohen, a leading Jewish sociologist, of sexual misconduct, leading him to resign from his position as director at the Berman Jewish Policy Archive. UJA Federation of New

York says it will no longer seek his expertise.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travels to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders discuss Syria, Iran, Israel’s security needs – and the 2018 World Cup. The Knesset passes a surrogacy law in Israel that expands access to surrogates to single women but not single men and gay couples, prompting an LGBTQ group to organize a strike and massive protests in Tel Aviv and across the country.

The Knesset passes a controversial nationality law that cements Israel as the “nationstate of the Jewish people” and recognizes Hebrew as the sole official language, among other proclamations. The measure prompts anger from Jewish and Arab groups in Israel and Jewish groups in the Diaspora that view the bill as discriminatory.

Israeli police detain a Conservative rabbi in Haifa for performing a non-Orthodox wedding under a 2013 law that condemns all weddings performed outside of the haredi Orthodox-dominated Chief Rabbinate. Rabbi Dov Haiyun tells JTA that he is disappointed “that this is what’s happening in my country.”

Britain’s Labour Party adopts a definition of antiSemitism that is laxer than the one used by the country’s executive branch. It prompts the worst crisis yet over anti-Semitism within the party under leader Jeremy Corbyn, triggering a spate of resignations and a senior member of his party calling him an “anti-Semite and a racist.”

(JTA’s Europe correspondent Cnaan Liphshiz and editorial fellow Charles Dunst also contributed to this report.)

Museum on a mission The Rhode Island Jewish Museum continues its mission to protect, preserve and reimagine the historic artifact at 24 Douglas Ave. Open Houses have been ongoing in 2017 and 2018. At each open house, tours are given of this frozen-in-time 112-year-old monumental artifact; a nine-minute video, created by award-winning photographer David Wells, runs for visitors to view; a map/timeline shows the evolution of the neighborhood and its relationship with the world. Admission is free; donations always accepted. Go to rhodeislandjewishmuseum.org to get the rest of the story.

Upcoming open houses are scheduled for Sept. 16, Nov. 25 and Dec. 30 from 1-3 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m., Shai

Afsai will present a special talk on “Benjamin Franklin’s Influence on Judaism.”

Sunday, October 28 7:00pm | Dwares JCC

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN EVENT

FROM PAGE 18

PHOTO | HAROLD SILVERMAN

FOUR STRANGERS, THREE FAITHS and ONE EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE TO FREEDOM

D E M I M A AW H MO SAM AL G ENIN

H•

WIT

EV • AN

ICA

of MER r A o T h O N aut HU ING Te • X O F OM pictur THE IR OF C otion m r O jo MEMbe a ma S ’ E o E nt FUG • soo

E

AR

More information and formal invitation to follow.

This event is free of charge with a gift of any amount to the 2019 Annual Campaign.

20 | September 7, 2018

BUSINESS

The Jewish Voice

Business and Professional Directory R E ROCHELLE ELLEN ZIEGLER REALTOR®

Sarasota is like the Newport of the south minus the snow and with price points for all.

(401) 474-0735 CELL (401) 739-9500 OFFICE (401) 732-6312 FAX rochelle.ziegler12@gmail.com

ABR, CNAS, ASP, CRS Licensed in RI and MA Owned And Operated

By NRT LLC.

For a list of current homes and condominiums for sale, email me at CMSellsSarasota@gmail.com

Carol Bienenfeld Mitchell 831 Bald Hill Road | Warwick, RI 02886 www.NewEnglandMoves.com

Owned and operated by NRT LLC.

941-993-9983 | CMSellsSarasota@gmail.com

B/R E F Permanent Mortgages | SBA Loans Bridge Financing | Construction Loans Working Capital Lines | Advisory Services

Michael L. Friedman

Clubhouse Capital LLC 401-529-6400 | clubcapmlf@gmail.com

www.ClubhouseCapital.com 56 Pine Street | 3rd Floor | Providence RI 02903

C

CPA Larry B. Parness Nikki M. Parness thinking inside the RIGHT box Full service financial firm providing Business/Individual Consulting Tax Preparation | Financial Planning 401-454-0900 • info@larrybparness.com 128 Dorrance St. • Suite 520 • Providence, RI 02903 You’ve known me for your taxes...

Now see us for the rest of your financial story.

H I V

Deep Allison Oster Dessel 401.339.6316

Jonathan Weinstein 401.339.1341

RHODE ISLAND & MASSACHUSETTS villagecoinandbullion.com | villagecb@gmail.com

INTEGRITY. EXPERTISE. PROFESSIONALISM.

ADVERTISE in The Jewish Voice You’ ll be glad you did.

I

T J V

Retirement Medicare 101 Finding the Right Medicare Option for You Jeffrey G. Brier CLU, ChFC, CASL

Brier & Brier Insurance & Employee Benefits

To advertise your business in this directory email or call: Karen Borger: 401-529-2538 ksborger@gmail.com

Chris Westerkamp: 401-421-4111, ext. 160 cwesterkamp@jewishallianceri.org

Let our advertisers know you saw them in The Voice!

Touro Fraternal Association has awarded $27,000 in financial aid to seven students who are pursuing higher education degrees, including grants to three students.

After a rigorous selection process conducted by Touro’s Student Financial Aid Committee, three applicants were each awarded $5,000 educational grants. Touro increased the grant amount, previously $3,000, this year.

The winners of the grants are: • Ilana Goldstein, daughter of Brian and Helene Goldstein of Wakefield, a sophomore at the University of Vermont who is studying linguistics. Her interests include teaching, languages and athletics.

• Hannah Glucksman, daughter of Richard and Priscilla Glucksman of Cranston, a freshman at the University of Rochester who will study biomedical engineering. She enjoys rowing, pottery and robotics.

• Ari Berkowitz, son of Gary and Andrea Berkowitz of Bar-

September 7, 2018 |

BUSINESS

jvhri.org

Touro announces college grant recipients

apply for the one-time $5,000 grant or the interest-free loans.

Touro members must belong to the organization for at least two years to qualify. Touro has made financial awards to ease the cost of higher education since 1981.

For more information about Touro’s loan and grant programs, as well as many other benefits offered to members, visit www.tourofraternal.org, send an email to info@tourofraternal.org or call the office at 401-785-6600.

Ilana Goldstein

CIPCO CLEANING SERVICE

Hannah Glucksman

Ari Berkowitz

rington, a senior at Beacon College who is studying computer information systems. A regular member of Touro, Ari was an intern for Sen. Jack Reed, enjoys politics, is a peer tutor in history and math, and is proficient with many computerbased systems.

Four other students will

share a total of $12,000 in interest-free loans from Touro’s Leo Greenberg Memorial Scholarship Fund. Touro does not release the names of those receiving loans.

Regular Touro members and their children who are enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning are eligible to

• • • •

Prompt, Friendly Service!

Heavy Cleaning Contractor • Carpets | Upholstery | Drapes House Programs • Odor Removal Office Cleaning • Environmentally Safe | HEPA Post Construction Emergency Cleaning • Seasonal | Estate

www.cipcocleaningservice.com MARK CIPRIANO

(401) 726-6702

Bonded & Insured

Umam pilgrims swindled out of tickets JERUSALEM (JTA) – Some 2,000 people planning to travel from Israel to the Jewish pilgrimage site in Uman, Ukraine, for Rosh Hashanah were swindled out of about $1.3 million.

Three people were arrested recently in connection with the scheme, Ynet reported. They are accused of fraud, money laundering and forgery.

The suspects, all 29, sold the

airline tickets to unsuspecting pilgrims and then canceled the tickets a day before the flights.

Two of the suspects owned the Europnim travel agency.

Last week, they told their customers that their tickets were invalid because the agency had been the victim of a scam. The agency said it would refund the travelers’ money.

Most of the victims of the

fraud were haredi Orthodox.

At least 30,000 Jewish pilgrims are expected to travel to Uman to celebrate Rosh Hashanah at the burial site of Rabbi Nachman, an 18th-century luminary buried there. Rabbi Nachman during his lifetime had called on his followers to be with him on Rosh Hashanah.

Business and Professional Directory Paving

Watch Repair & Sales Bob Knych 650 Oaklawn Avenue, Unit G | Cranston, RI 02920

Gem Paving and Seal Coating Free Estimates Fully Insured Lic# 20547

WE ARE THE BIGGEST IN RI BECAUSE WE ARE THE BEST

· Certified watch service center in business for 34 years · Specializes in restoration and repair of modern and antique timepieces · Services high-end brands including:

Bus. (401) 725-6705 (401) 475-1010 Pawtucket, RI 02860

21

Tag Heuer, Cartier, Rolex, Brietling, Movado, Ebel, and Raymond Weil

401.946.5158 | www.delmanwatch.com

3 GENERATIONS SERVICING THE USA SINCE 1940

Factory Authorized Service Center for: Glycine, Luminox, Victorinox Swiss Army, Mondaine, Torgoen, Swarovski and more...

OVER 1 MILLION WATCHES REPAIRED FREE ESTIMATES WHILE YOU WAIT

Let our advertisers know you saw them in The Voice!

1024 Reservoir Ave Cranston, RI, 02910 401-946-0930

117 Swinburne Row Brick Market Place Newport, RI, 02840 401-841-0011

www.saltzmans-watches.com

22 | September 7, 2018 Laila A. Allen, 73

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. – On Aug. 26, Laila A. Allen, of North Smithfield, died in the presence of her family at Rhode Island Hospital after a long bout with cancer. Laila was the beloved daughter of the late Abraham and Alice Ovadia of San Francisco, California, and sister of Fred and Solomon. Born on June 5, 1945 in Cairo, Egypt, she fled from Egypt with her family to avoid continued religious persecution. She settled in San Francisco in 1962, and, in 1964, she moved to Providence after marrying her beloved husband, Victor.

OBITUARIES | WORLD She was a very caring, warm and thoughtful person, always focusing on family and putting their needs ahead of her own.

In addition to raising her sons, she was employed by The Miriam Hospital and helped to support her husband while the owner of Slatersville Medical Center Pharmacy in North Smithfield. Laila was an active member of Temple B’nai Israel in Woonsocket and was a member of Temple Emanu-El in Providence.

She leaves behind her husband of 54 years, Victor; her three sons and their families: Robert and Nechama and their children Mazal, Avigayil, Miriam, Aliza and Natanel of Rehovot, Israel; Daniel and Racheline and their children Maya, Jacoby and Zachary of Ashland, Massachusetts; and Joseph of Rockville, Maryland.

ASK THE DIRECTOR

The Jewish Voice Contributions in her memory can be made to: Art in Giving, Rachel Molly Markoff Foundation, or any charity of your choice.

setts; and eight grandchildren.

Donations in his name may be made to Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237.

SARASOTA, FLA. – Dr. Ralph S. Levitt, of Sarasota, died Aug. 24 at Care Dimensions Hospice House. He was the widower of the late Betty Levitt. He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, son of the late Arthur Levitt and Dorothy (Millen) Levitt Ratner.

He was a longtime resident of Lincoln and a member of Temple Emanu-El in Providence. He had lived in Florida since 2001 where he was a member of Temple Beth Sholom in Sarasota.

He is survived by his sister, Sylvia (Ratner) Brown of San Antonio, Texas; his two children, Alisa Billings of Ashland, Massachusetts, and David Levitt of Greenfield, Massachu-

HARRISBURG, PA – Ezra M. Schneider died Aug. 28 at Community Osteopathic Hospital.

He was the beloved husband of Karen (Brown) Schneider for 44 years. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, a son of the late Irving and Esther (Cohen) Schneider, he had lived in Harrisburg for 2 years, previously living in Gaithersburg, Maryland, for 34 years and Providence for 10 years.

He was a manager for Westat Inc. in Rockville for 24 years, retiring in 2015. Ezra was a graduate of Rhode Island College, earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts education, class of ’74 and a master’s degree in

Ralph S. Levitt, 86

Ancient Torah scroll is safe after Brazil fire

BY MICHAEL D. SMITH F.D./R.E.

BY MARCUS M. GILBAN

Shalom Memorial Chapel

RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA) – An ancient Torah scroll once owned by a Brazilian emperor had been removed from Brazil’s National Museum for restoration prior to the massive fire that engulfed the building in Rio on Sept. 2.

Unlike other irreplaceable treasures, the 13th-century Yemenite Torah scroll once owned by emperor Pedro II is safe at another building that belongs to the National Museum. The Jewish federation in Rio is expected to make an announcement about the Jewish artifact soon.

“We deeply regret the loss of this colossal treasure in the history of Brazil,” Israel’s honorary consul in Rio, Osias Wurman, said of the building in an interview with JTA. “The only compensation was to know that the Torah of Pedro II is safe, since it was located in another building of the museum. This Torah is evidence of the ad-

QUESTION: Have you ever had a family request cosmetic surgery on the deceased, like a nose job or face lift?

L.D., Atlanta, GA Dear L.D., Believe it or not, this question has never come up. While we did learn restorative arts while earning our mortuary science degrees, we are not trained surgeons. In Judaism, we have closed caskets and we keep things very simple.

QUESTIONS ARE WELCOMED AND ENCOURAGED. Please send questions to: ShalomChapel@aol.com or by mail to Ask the Director, c/o Shalom Memorial Chapel, 1100 New London Ave., Cranston, R.I. 02920.

Ezra M. Schneider, 67

education/instructional technology, class of ’78. He was a member of B’nai Shalom of Olney in Olney, Maryland, and Beth-El Temple of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

He was the father of Ira Schneider and his wife, Vicki, of York, Pennsylvania, and Hal Schneider and his wife, Liliana, of Belchertown, Massachusetts.

He was the brother of Libby DeLuca and her late husband, Nicola, of Moorestown, New Jersey. He was the grandfather of Caleb, Levi, Miles, Aliya and Eli. Contributions in his memory may be made to The American Heart Association, B’nai Shalom of Olney Louis and Miriam Brown Endowment Fund, 18401 Burtfield Drive, Olney, MD 20832 or Beth-El Temple, 2637 North Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

miration that the Portuguese monarch had for the Jewish people and for their traditions.

This was so rare in Europe.”

The National Museum housed Latin America’s largest collection of historical artifacts with over 20 million items, including extensive paleontological, anthropological and biological specimens. It was home to a 13-yard-long dinosaur skeleton, an Egyptian mummy and a skull called Luzia that was among the oldest fossils ever found in the Americas, which were all burned in the fire.

The largest meteorite ever discovered in Brazil survived the flames.

Established in 1818, the museum’s building was once the home of the Portuguese Royal Family after it fled Napoleon’s troops and sailed to Brazil. It was later home to the Brazilian Imperial Family until 1889. Pedro II, the country’s last monarch, was born there in 1825.

For many in Brazil, the poor

state of the 200-year-old natural history museum quickly became a metaphor for what they see as the gutting of Brazilian culture and life during years of corruption, economic collapse and poor governance.

The cause of the fire is still not known. Protesters and museum directors said years of government neglect had left the museum so underfunded that its staff had turned to crowdfunding sites to open exhibitions.

The institution had recently secured approval for nearly $5 million for a planned renovation, including an upgrade of the fire prevention system.

Firefighters used their trucks to collect water from a nearby lake because fire hydrants did not work.

Emperor Pedro II was the grandson of Portuguese King Dom Joao VI. He established a reputation as a vigorous sponsor of learning, culture and the sciences. A passion for linguistics prompted him throughout his life to study new languages, and he was able to speak and write not only Portuguese but also another 13 languages, including Hebrew.

In May, a sefer haftarah – or readings from the books of the prophets that are read on Shabbat following the Torah reading – was seized from criminals during a police raid of a Rio slum and returned to the Jewish community.

Submit obituary information to: editor@ jewishallianceri.org

jvhri.org

COMMUNITY

September 7, 2018 |

taking care of each other is what community is all about. we’ve proudly served our Jewish community with personal, compassionate care. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, we are dedicated to helping families create a personal, meaningful memorial that truly honors the life it represents.

FO R MO R E T HA N A CEN T URY, ®

SUGARMAN SINAI Memorial Chapel 458 Hope St., Providence

401-331-8094 SugarmanSinai.com March of The Living 2018

March of the Living changes lives

BY AARON GUTTIN It was the fall of 2008 when my parents asked me if I had any interest in going on the “March of The Living.” My mother, a career Jewish professional and my father who studied in Poland in college and whose own father had been present on the liberation of several camps felt that it would been an important experience and encouraged me to participate. Just before the registration deadline closed I decided that I couldn’t get over my fear of flying and I wasn’t sure how a trip like this would really help my then plan to be a teacher.

March of the Living is a twoweek educational journey each spring for 10th to 12th graders that starts in Poland and ends in Israel. Teens from around the globe study the history of the Holocaust and examine the roots of prejudice, intolerance and hate.

Sometime in the beginning of April my mom received a call saying that a participant had dropped out and that a spot had opened up. Perhaps it was the push from my parents or the allure of traveling to Israel for the first time; either way I decided to participate in the March. Before departing, I attended the required classes and information sessions. Though still uneasy about the plane ride, I started to get excited about the trip.

The first few days, we visited the Warsaw and Lodz ghettos followed by Auschwitz and Majadanek camps. The immense sadness of these ghettos and camps was only matched by the profound sense of comraderie,

Jewishness, Americanness and strength of friends that I had on the trip itself. At the end of our week in Poland our contingent from Rhode Island marched alongside thousands of other Jewish teens from around the world. Together, we walked the 3-kilometer path from Auschwitz to Birkenau to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust.

Our second week was spent in Israel. It was set up this way to emulate the journey many survivors made to Israel. We visited the Kotel and Masada; floated in the Dead Sea, rode camels, and ate lots and lots of shwarma.

We landed in New York early on Mother’s Day. While thinking about the trip on the bus ride back to Providence, it occurred to me that I left with a plan for my future and returned with an entirely different one. I no longer wanted a career as a teacher, but instead felt that I wanted to work in Jewish communal service. A decade later, I am sitting in my office at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island knowing I made the right career decision. I am looking forward to providing a similar life-changing experience for teens today who participate in the March of the Living.

Registration for March of The Living 2019 is now open. The trip takes place in April. On Yom Hashoah, the international day of Holocaust remembrance, teens will walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau. Teens celebrate Yom H a ’ A t z m a u t ( I s r a e l Independence Day) in Israel.

Scholarship money is available.

AARON GUTTIN is director of J-Camp and Teen programming at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. For more information on the March of the Living, contact him at 401-421-411, ext. 140 or aguttin@ jewishallianceri.org.

Certified by the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island Jeremy Poster, Manager | Sarah Lavendier-Colon, Funeral Director

Visit us online:

JVHRI.org

23

24 | September 7, 2018

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Beach inspiration

Your Only Rhode Island Jewish Newspaper jvhri.org

Shabbat by the beach is not uncommon in the Rhode Island Jewish community. Temple Habonim in Barrington holds services at Barrington Beach several times throughout the summer. These photos were taken on Aug. 24, a beautiful evening.

Above, the Ruach singers and at right Education Director/ Songleader David Perolman blows the shofar.

Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island presents our 2019 Annual Campaign Cabinet James Pious

2019 Annual Campaign Chair

Ralph Posner Pacesetter Chair

Edward Rotmer Community Co-Chair

Lezli Pious, Lion of Judah & Jaffa Gate/Pomegranate Chair

Janet Goldman CDC Liaison

Richard Silverman Leaders Chair

Melvin G. Alperin At Large

Maybeth Lichaa Community Co-Chair

Susan Froehlich At Large

Cheryl Greenfeld Teverow At Large

jvhri.org

I’d been planning this project for many a season – a poetic pilgrimage, a mission impossible

An homage to my recalcitrant Swedish heroes

SKETCHBOOK MIKE FINK – to visit the graves of two heroic Scandinavian figures who left no legacy in ash or bone or even progeny. Their legacy is in truth, myth and monument.

What am I going on about?

Bear with me a bit, if you will.

A colleague at a faculty meeting spoke of a quality unique to the Swedes and their neighbors in Norseland, a kind of “recalcitrance,” or stubborn resistance, and he asked for contributions for a show at the Swedish cafe called Choklad, beneath the Providence Art Club, at the corner of Main Street and Thomas and Steeple streets.

I gave them a framed photograph of Greta Garbo, who was famous for her obstinate rejection of any invasion of her privacy, and another of Raoul Wallenberg, who has inspired statues, memorials, books and movies with his noble, nearly inexplicable, heroism as a rescuer of the doomed. And I combined the images to suggest this mysterious quality.

Well, I am just returned from my actual, physical journey to Stockholm, and I hereby file this report.

Garbo chose cremation and requested that her remains be scattered anonymously … to avoid my indiscreet intrusion.

So I had to be satisfied with her stone and its calligraphy. She never signed autographs except here, in a way, in a beautiful cemetery with flowers and trees and a courteous and gracious approach of flagstones.

As for Wallenberg, do you already know of his achievements and his fate? He studied architecture here in the United States, but then returned to his wealthy and aristocratic clan in neutral Sweden, with its uncommitted relationship to the Nazis. I believe that on board the ship home, Wallenberg saw a movie, starring Leslie Howard, about a shy professor who secretly saves Jews and helps the resistance; he was protected by his apparent harmless helplessness.

“Pimpernel Smith” was its title, and the actor who played the role was in fact killed, flying out of Lisbon, Portugal, by a Nazi plane that bombed the aircraft.

Wallenberg, once safe and secure at home, asked his mother to pack a trunk with fine champagne and cognac and his very fanciest wardrobe. Then he installed himself in Budapest,

SENIORS

A statue of Hans Christian Andersen Hungary, and set up shop.

First, he gave an elegant dinner for Nazi Adolf Eichmann himself! And he warned the villain that he would lose the war and be hanged for his crimes against humanity.

Wallenberg then boldly and bravely proceeded to sign papers claiming that the refugees on the cattle cars bound for horror and murder in Auschwitz were actually and legally Swedish subjects!

With his distinguished and falsely arrogant manner and style, Wallenberg rescued ... how many? I dare not say, but a significant number.

At war’s close, he was arrested ... but not by the Germans.

He was apprehended by the Russians, who assumed he was an American spy, and died in a gulag after many years of solitary confinement.

I had become obsessed by Wallenberg’s “recalcitrance” and by the way the world came to honor him, symbolically and in many diverse places. I have visited the sculpture of Wallenberg in Budapest, the memorials in Washington, D.C., and New York City, and now the major park in Stockholm, at the harbor, where his name is inscribed on a globe and an account of the unique quality of his life and his death is inscribed and interpreted metaphorically on a copper plaque where the artist explains the abstract designs on the walkway.

It took me two days to find this to-me sacred space. You see, there is a grand historic royal figure who dominates the grand garden, a kingly armed military man, and I did not find the corner dedicated to Wallen-

berg until my second attempt. I persisted with recalcitrance.

There is no lack of recognition and no vanishing of the name Wallenberg. Indeed, I found that name in a class list I was reading aloud several semesters ago. When I came to the “W’s” and found one Nicholas Wallenberg, I asked him, more playfully than seriously, if he was maybe a distant cousin or

relation? His answer astounded me.

“Yes, I am his great-nephew.”

I invited him home to dinner and took him across the street to meet a woman whose family had been saved by his great-uncle. Believe me, there were hugs and tears aplenty and galore at that rendezvous with destiny.

So, two Swedish paragons.

One for her ethereal cinematic beauty. The other for his spiritual biblical beauty.

How did Garbo become the star? Her director and discoverer was a Jewish refugee from Russia and Finland, Mauritz Stiller, who died in 1928 and is buried in the Jewish cemetery in the outskirts of Stockholm. I made my way there and snapped a few shots of his stone marker.

I was astonished to see small piles of pebbles on top. My most excellent wife and companion on this trip, lady Michael, said, “It shows the effect of Turner Classic Movies and its host, Ben Mankiewicz, that many people make this gesture.”

And just maybe and perhaps Garbo herself left one of these stones to honor the companion who introduced her to Hollywood and crafted and created her career. I was in good company indeed.

En route home, we stopped in Copenhagen, Denmark, and made our way to the Jewish Museum in the Royal Garden, in which the famous architect Daniel Libeskind tells the tale of the rescue of the Jews of Co-

September 7, 2018 |

25

penhagen, thanks to the courageous and determined dedication of the good fishermen who took them to neutral but safe and welcoming Sweden. It was here, in this very small chamber, with its tilted walls, unsettling crooked floor tiles, and oblique alcoves of mementos to Jewish history throughout Denmark, that I found myself shaking with sobs and the start of tears that I wanted to hide from my wife. I stifled my feelings, even though I am always proud to have feelings.

Air travel is an ordeal. I dislike airports and their plasticwrapped food. I catch cold in claustrophobia-causing air.

But I do enjoy the statues of Soren Kierkegaard and Hans Christian Andersen and his little mermaid! And, on the last night of our trip, a group of youthful musicians at a sidewalk cafe greeted us with friendly smiles and asked us to “friend” them. And my wife kindly and thoughtfully purchased a Viking statuette for me to add to my crazy shelves at the Rhode Island School of Design.

So, now that I am home among the junk mail and the old newspapers, I can look back, sift and sort, and come up with a sigh of satisfaction that I have indeed paid homage to my hero and heroine and everything that inspired them.

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

26 | September 7, 2018

COMMUNITY | HIGH HOLY DAYS

This is the first article in a series leading up to the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht.

(also called “Night of Broken Glass”) comes to me partly because my mother came home agitated from seeing the brutal attack in a German film documenting these events as they occurred. I wonder now what purpose it served to show this shocking portrayal of German cruelty to our small military community in Oberammergau.

I was too young to see it as the protected child my parents hoped I would be.

My mother, almost always cheerful, came into my bedroom that night in great distress. She described what she saw as she wept in despair and anger at the inhumanity of the attackers. She described the thrill that local onlookers expressed as they watched these attacks. I have come to this memory third hand, but it holds for me an immediacy I feel compelled to pass on to others.

I have retained such a sharp sense of this night because I am also blessed to know survivors of this attack. Hearing the close call that they experienced has imprinted on me the sheer

BY HILARY SALK This is the 80th year since the Nazi pogrom (Kristallnacht) of Nov. 9-10, 1938, in Germany and Austria.

Many people are aware of how significant Kristallnacht was for the Jewish people, the beginning of the Final Solution.

After this cruel and shocking coordinated attack by SA paramilitary forces and German civilians, by Hitler youths, even by neighbors, Jews in Germany and Austria knew they could no longer remain.

Young people may not be aware of this vicious and widespread attack. Blessed to be an American Jew, I learned of this as an 8-year-old child of an American Army officer, living in Oberammergau, Germany, from 1949-52. This night and day will live in infamy as much as the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

My memory of Kristallnacht

The Jewish Voice

Remembering Kristallnacht in 2018 luck of their being able to escape alive when so many others didn’t.

Each of their stories has stayed with me and made me realize what I would have missed if they had not been able to leave and made me realize all the people whom I have missed knowing because they were not so lucky.

One of these survivors is my husband’s lifelong friend, Ralph Posner, who was born one year before Kristallnacht. He was only a year old when his father, a factory owner, was jailed that night, as were many Jewish men. Robert Posner was freed because the regional head of the SS had come to know Mr. Posner as a result of his investigation of the death of a manager who had worked in Mr. Posner’s factory. That earlier relationship made all the difference.

The Posners were able to leave Germany soon after, heeding the truth of what might be in store for them if they tried to remain. Eventually making their way to Rhode Island, Mr. Posner was able to open a jewelry

factory, Rolo Manufacturing.

Another friend, Ruth Oppenheim, has preserved her memory of the life-altering events of Kristallnacht, what preceded it and what followed, as a child living through those years in a small German town.

In her published history of her life, “Beyond Survival: The Story of my Life,” Ruth relives her experience of Nov. 9, 1938, “That night also ended my childhood as I watched my father being dragged down the street, eventually returning blood-streaked, holding the Torah from our small synagogue.”

She and her husband, also a survivor, eventually settled here in Rhode Island, where she worked for many years in the Brown University English Department.

Another friend was Peter Wegner, who was able to leave Vienna, Austria, at the tender age of 6 years old, on a Kindertransport with 300 other children. In December 1938, the British Parliament had passed a resolution offering asylum to 10,000 Jewish children, who

boarded special trains that enabled the children to escape the cruel destiny of so many others. In Peter’s case, he was fortunate enough to join his mother, who was already, working as a maid in London. He grew up to marry the brilliant Judith Romney. His remarkable story records yet another lastminute escape. Emigrating to the U.S. ultimately brought them to Rhode Island where he became a professor of Computer Sciences at Brown. He and Judith, a lawyer and professor of Judaic and Comparative Religious Studies, were my neighbors.

Contact me with your memories for future articles.

HILARY SALK is the author of “Eavesdropping in Oberammergau,” a novel which draws on her experiences as an American Jewish girl living with her parents in Germany three years after the Holocaust. She lives with her husband, Steve, in Providence and Narragansett. Reach her at hilarysalk@hilarysalk.com.

A Jewish atonement ritual gets an eco-friendly makeover

BY PENNY SCHWARTZ SOMERVILLE, Mass. (JTA) – On the first afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz will lead her congregation on a walk to the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on the Mystic River for tashlich, a centuries-old ritual when Jews symbolically discard their sins from the past year into a moving body of water.

But instead of the customary bits of stale bread, breadcrumbs or even bits of matzah saved from last Passover, congregants will toss small pebbles.

Members of Temple B’nai Brith, a nonaffiliated congregation in this Boston suburb with historic ties to the Conservative movement, have likely been tossing bits of bread into the Mystic during tashlich for well over a century.

The congregation, which has been this reporter’s Jewish home for more than a quarter-century, was founded in 1904 by immigrants from Eastern Europe who settled in Somerville’s Winter Hill neighborhood, less than one mile uphill from the river.

The recent shift in the tashlich practice from bread to pebbles follows the city’s new environmentally friendly rules that no longer allow bread to be tossed into the river, a measure to protect river wildlife and address other concerns.

“Yes, our congregation is environmentally conscious and this was an appealing reason [to change] something we care about on a social justice level,” Jacobowitz said.

The challenge of creating an environmentally friendly tashlich is emerging beyond this city. An article in Reform Judaism magazine last year highlighted newer practices, including one congregation in Ontario using untreated wood chips instead of bread.

Whatever they use, congregants aren’t meant to think that the ritual is a substitute for the hard work of teshuvah, or

repentance, which extends from Rosh Hashanah (it starts this year on Sunday night) to Yom Kippur (Sept. 18-19).

In Somerville, the subject was first raised three years ago when its Parks and Recreation Department notified the synagogue that tossing bread violated guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency and local efforts to protect the environment. The city said feeding wildlife is harmful to their nutrition, leads to poor water quality and disrupts the ecosystem.

In addition to the potential harm to birds, feeding animals brought “an unintended invitation for animals around the boathouse, including issues with geese on the docks,” Jill Lathan, the Parks and Recreation director, wrote in a recent email to JTA. At the time, efforts to clean up the river from decades of relentless pollution from industry, development and storm drainage were paying off. In 2017, the river scored an A-minus for water quality from the EPA, up from a D 11 years earlier. The success story was the result of years of collaboration between Somerville and other local communities, the EPA, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the nonprofit Mystic River Watershed Association.

The 7-mile-long Mystic River flows through 22 towns just north and west of Boston. From Somerville, it goes downstream through the Amelia Earhart dam through Everett, Charlestown and into Boston Harbor.

The appropriately named Blessing of the Bay boathouse where Temple B’nai Brith holds tashlich services is named after a 17th-century wooden ship, the first oceangoing vessel built in Massachusetts, according to the Mystic River Association.

In September 2015, before the start of the High Holy Days, the city granted a one-year waiver to the synagogue, acknowledging its longstanding tradition of using bread during the tashlich cere-

PHOTO | SHARONA JACOBS

2015 was the last year that Temple B’nai Brith families were allowed to use bread at the traditional tashlich ceremony at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville, Mass. mony. The congregation assured the city that it would educate members about the issue and evaluate environmentally acceptable options ranging from birdseed to earthworms to small pebbles.

After some rabbinical consideration, Jacobowitz concluded that for tashlich, small pebbles had greater resonance than birdseed. Pebbles will sink to the bottom of the river, an echo of the last verses of the prophet Micah (7:19), that is the textual basis for the tashlich ritual, she explained: “God will take us back in love; God will cover up our iniquities. You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

The change brought mixed emotions.

“There was a bit of communal grief,” acknowledged Jacobowitz, who was ordained in 2010 at the pluralistic Hebrew College rabbinical school.

Many people had a strong attachment to the bread tossing, she said, and a few

synagogue members have a tradition of saving bits of matzah from Passover for tashlich.

“There was this element of planning” long in advance, the rabbi said.

In a touch of irony, Jacobowitz pointed out that in her native Israel, bread is not used during tashlich. She said Israelis more commonly stroll to the sea or other body of water and turn their empty pockets inside-out, reflecting the idea that “you are not bringing your sins with you” into the new year.

As a resident of Somerville, Jacobowitz said the environmental improvements along the river in the past few years are noteworthy.

“It’s lovely. The water is better,” she said. Sometimes she visits the area to think about her High Holy Day sermons and “I see that it is being transformed.”

Amid the challenge to create an environmentally friendly tashlich, Jacobowitz has created a new tradition for Temple B’nai Brith’s younger tashlich-goers: She brings a bedsheet to the river and invites them to write something that they are sorry for and hope to change in the new year. They use pens with ink that dissolves after 24 hours. She returns the sheet to the synagogue on Yom Kippur and the kids see that their regrets have disappeared.

“From the perspective of modeling what we want to see in the world, I do feel proud of our community for taking that step, especially in the [High Holy Day] season when we are thinking of how we can do better in the world,” Jacobowitz said.

After much reflection, the rabbi has concluded that “This is not about bread versus pebbles,” but rather about exchanging a ritual that has content with another that is just as compelling. Over time, she anticipates the newer ritual will take hold in a meaningful way.

“It’s about replacing the spiritual experience with another practice that will feel equally spiritual,” she said.

jvhri.org

COMMUNITY

September 7, 2018 |

27

Partners Camp JORI and Camp Kesem offer summer fun to RI kids impacted by cancer SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Camp JORI concluded another successful summer on Aug. 12. But JORI’s camping season did not end there. Camp JORI joined forces with Brown University and Camp Kesem to serve as the host site for a one-week overnight camping experience filled with fun and laughter for kids with a parent affected by cancer.

Millions of children in the U.S. live with a parent who has cancer.

With statistics from the Rhode Island Department of Health listing cancer as the second leading cause of death in the state, chances are thousands of those children live right here in the Ocean State.

Camp Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer.

Camp Kesem operates over 100 free summer camps in 40 states for children ages 6 to 18 who have been impacted by a parent’s cancer. The Brown University chapter was founded in 2016 and supports children in the Northeast by providing a week-long summer camp experience and year-long peer support.

Camp Kesem at Brown University is operated by more than 30 student volunteers and

PHOTOS | CAMP JORI, CAMP KESEM

These Camp Kesem at Brown University counselors are excited to welcome our families to the 2018 camp session! served 40 campers at Camp JORI in Wakefield. With Camp JORI’s 72-acre site located on Worden’s Pond, the largest lake in Rhode Island, the children were surrounded by nature and treated to a seemingly neverending escape from the stresses and unexpected interruptions of having a parent with cancer to the supported and carefree life every child deserves.

After spending the week ob-

serving the Camp Kesem experience, Ricky Kodner, director of Camp JORI for two summers who has years of experience as a director of another camp in the midwest, noted that the Camp Kesem format was different from a typical summer camp.

Although similar in many respects to Camp JORI’s mission of providing children with a quality overnight camping experience in a safe and support-

ive setting, Kodner notes that experience was provided from a different perspective than he was accustomed to.

“The approach of the staff and counselors yielded a much more hands-on and attentive type of feel to the camp. From the camper-to-counselor ratio to the types of activities that they scheduled, the students from Brown University were patient, caring and worked ex-

tremely well with campers who are going through some pretty rough stuff at home.”

This camping experience and Kesem’s year-long programs have a lasting impact on children by providing them a peer-support network that understands their unique needs, builds confidence and strengthens their communication skills.

In 2017, Camp Kesem served over 7,200 children coast-tocoast, all funded by generous donations from individuals and corporate support.

The Brown-Kesem counselors were impressive and obviously well-trained for their unique role. Kodner states he “would be proud and happy to work with them again” noting “the college students from Brown University who ran Camp Kesem did an outstanding job with their campers. Additionally, they were extremely respectful of our property and left it in as good a condition as they found it. We seemed to have a seamless meshing of their staff and ours as they followed all of the rules and instructions that were given to them by our lifeguards and ropes course personnel.”

Submitted by Camp Kesem and Camp JORI

If we don’t take care of our future, who will?

When you create a Jewish legacy, you take an important step toward strengthening Jewish life for generations to come. Planning your gift now will help ensure your children and grandchildren can enjoy the same rich traditions and closeness of community that have given your life so much meaning and purpose.

The future starts with you.

Jewish Federation Foundation

OF GREATER RHODE ISLAND

NOW IS THE TIME FOR

WISDOM

For more information about legacy giving, please contact Trine Lustig at 401.421.4111 ext. 223 or tlustig@jewishallianceri.org

28 | September 7, 2018

The Jewish Voice

YOU are connecting them to their JEWISH IDENTITY

At the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island we play many different roles for our diverse community: we nurture, partner, educate, enrich, serve, and convene.

100 DAYS OF GIVING

Make your donation by December 31, 2018 and you are helping to better serve our partner agencies —locally and globally— by addressing needs and allocating dollars sooner.

Through the generosity of our donors to the Alliance Annual Campaign, we are able to support thousands of people locally and around the world through programs, services, and partnerships. We care for the most at-risk in our community, energize Jewish life, respond to critical needs, and inspire future generations.

Together, with your support, we translate Jewish values into wide-reaching impact.

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