2021 March 5781
INSIDE
Touro’s Next Generation of Communications
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Tourography: Max Guarino page 3
Football Contest Winners page 4
Update on Israel: Meron Reuben page 5
Dr. Chan: COVID Report page 5
By Lester Nathan, Member, Communications Committee
s information technology keeps changing, so do the ways we communicate with each other. In January, Touro added text messaging to its communications arsenal. This will provide a faster and easier way to send messages to our members who use smart phones. Besides sending meeting reminders, it will be used for day-of-meeting cancellations (for instance, due to inclement weather or other unforeseen reasons) or other emergent information. After testing two texting applications, the Communications Committee decided to purchase the CallMultiplier, Inc. texting application. This allows either a text or voice message to be quickly sent to a smartphone. After compiling names and
phone numbers in January, we started texting 339 of our members in February. Touro’s text messages will always be sent from this number: (401) 414-4492. I suggest you add it to your contact file and give it a name, such as “Touro text message.” You might also make it a favorite in your contact list. Additionally, you’ll be able to opt out of text messaging by replying ‘STOP’ to a message. You can begin receiving them at a later date or revise your cell number, if needed. Other replies are also allowed, and will be seen by someone on our texting subcommittee. If you are not already on our list and would like to receive text messages, please contact the office at info@ tourofraternal.org.
Touro Assists Front-Line Workers, Those in Need during Pandemic
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By Barry Schiff, Chairman, Community Involvement Committee
he Community Involvement Committee understands the great need to provide assistance in these extremely difficult times. Giving to Jewish and non-Jewish charities is one of our organization’s most critical missions. Touro provided 160 healthy lunches for frontline workers at Rhode Island Hospital who had been treating COVID-19 patients throughout the pandemic. Board Chairman Stevan Labush, Board Vice Chairman Jeffrey Davis, Community Involvement Chairman Barry Schiff and Harmony Lodge President Larry Berman were present for the donation. It followed up last year’s meals which were donated to the front-line workers at Miriam Hospital.
Frank Carpano, 40 Years
Although 2021 is still young, we have already provided donations to the following worthy causes:
$5,000 to Jewish Collaborative Services to be
equally split between the Louis and Goldie Chester Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry and the Heating Assistance Program.
$2,000 to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank
$1,000 to Crossroads Rhode Island $1,000 to Amos House $1,800 to URI Hillel to cover the cost for about 100 complete Shabbat and holiday meals.
Touro’s Community Involvement Committee
page 6
provided 160 healthy lunches for front-line workers at Rhode Island Hospital who have been treating COVID-19 patients. Making the presentation were Barry Schiff, Chairman, Community Involvement Committee; Stevan Labush, Chairman, Board of Directors; and Larry
TV, News, Politics with Ted Nesi
Berman, President, Harmony Lodge.
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From the Desk of the Chairman
NEW BROTHERS
By Stevan Labush, Chairman, Board of Directors
Six new brothers have been initiated at recent virtual meetings. Welcome!
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here is no question that Touro is a great organization. But as we deal with the challenges of the pandemic, being unable to have in-person meetings or social activities, I have been contemplating how to make Touro even better, despite these difficult times. Some experts will tell you that in order to have a successful organization, you need to have effective sharing of goals, great teamwork, good training opportunities and strong leadership. I believe Touro has all of these characteristics. But I really wanted to focus on the final one: the need for strong leadership. This is critical. We have been successful for 102 years because we have always had many brothers willing to stand up and volunteer to take leadership positions. I sincerely appreciate all of those who continue to serve in leadership capacities as board members, officers and committee members. But we need more brothers to step up to keep this organization thriving well into the 21st century. Many of our board members and officers have served for decades. While that experience and knowledge is great, we need new blood too. We are always looking for brothers to get more involved. We want your help! Call me at 401-529-2810 and let’s talk about how you can play a more active role. A few more suggestions … Please attend our Social Committee meetings, held the first Wednesday of every month, to give us some fresh ideas on the type of events you would like to see us offer. If you have a talent for writing or want to help spread our message on social media, get involved with the Communications Committee. If you have suggestions for charities we should be supporting, attend a Community Involvement Committee meeting. While we are still gathering virtually, we will be happy to email you the links to these meetings. By getting involved and learning about our great organization, you may then want to move up in the leadership chain of officers. I am thrilled that some of our younger members have stepped forward to have their names placed into nomination as first-time lodge officers. All the events you will attend in the not-too-distant post-pandemic future will require a group of brothers to step up and plan them. We want all our members to enjoy these events. The new ideas and energy you bring, along with the input of our current officers and board members, will keep us moving forward. Won’t you please consider stepping up? A more fulfilling membership experience awaits you!
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Jason Shore
Tyler Gothelf
Teddy Gothelf
John Zwetchkenbaum
Harrison Schiff
Michael Schmaille
Calling All Graduates!
enior year of high school and college looks much different this year due to the pandemic. In order to give the graduates the proper recognition they deserve, we would like to feature them in the July 2021 edition of Tourogram. Please email us a photo and a brief write-up of the children and grandchildren of Touro members who are in the Class of 2021 – high school, college or post-graduate. The email address is events@tourofraternal.org and the deadline is June 15, 2021. ~2~
TOUROGRAPHY
Service Comes Naturally to Max Guarino By Larry Berman
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In addition to his formal titles, Max organizes and runs Touro’s Fantasy Football League, the Pro Pick ‘Em contests and the March Madness brackets. He also is the co-administrator of our Facebook page and new text messaging system, and regularly updates the website calendars. “I work hard to set a good example for my kids,” said Max, referring to his daughters Emily, 18, a student at CCRI, and Amanda, 16, a student at the Met School in Providence. He’s also involved in the Beth-El Brotherhood and ran the temple’s Bagel Café on Sundays before the pandemic. In addition to all his volunteer efforts, Max, 53, is a programmer for Meditech, which creates software systems for hospitals throughout the nation. He still finds the time to avidly follow all of Boston’s sports teams and go hiking with his daughters. Additionally, he visits his sister, Melody Thomson, in North Smithfield, and his mother and two brothers in their native Massachusetts. “Max is willing to do anything for Touro,” raves Board Chairman Stevan Labush. “He takes on so many tasks in his quiet, hard-working manner. Touro is grateful for all of his time and effort.”
ax Guarino is always ready to lend a helping hand -- whether it is service to his nation, his temple or to Touro Fraternal Association. Max grew up in Malden, Mass., just north of Boston. A year after graduating from Malden High School, he enlisted in the Air Force and served his country from 1986 to 1990 at bases in Italy, Maine and Massachusetts, earning the rank of senior airman. He obtained a degree in computer programming from Quincy (Mass.) College and after getting married, he and Lisa relocated to Pawtucket. He became active at Temple Beth-El, where he met Andy Lamchick. “Andy was a great recruiter for Touro,” Max recalls, “and I was hooked.” Since joining Touro in January 2010, Max served as inside guard, vice president of Friendship Lodge for two years and then Friendship’s president for three years. He is now in his second year of a three-year term as a member of the Board of Directors and is the Sunshine Committee chairman. “I love being involved in the Jewish community,” he said. “Volunteering is a great way to get to know everyone, and I’ve made so many good friends through Touro.”
President's Report
Touro Offers Grants, Interest-Free College Loans
By Jeffrey Stoloff, President, Friendship Lodge
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love being an officer of Touro Fraternal Association. More specifically, I have been honored to have represented Touro as secretary, vice president and now, president of Friendship Lodge. As I have taken on many different roles, I often think about these two questions: “Am I representing Touro well?” And, “How have I been able to succeed?” Touro has a long history of being a fixture in the Jewish community and beyond. We have made such a difference in the lives of many people and organizations. This good work results from the commitment and dedication of those who came before me. Many of these gentlemen are still active in Touro, and have a continuous commitment to our success in the future. I have been blessed with the support of the entire Board of Directors and my fellow officers in helping to continue Touro’s success. There is a strong structure in place to ensure continuity and success as an organization. The directors are committed to passing on their institutional knowledge to the leadership of the lodges and are always there to help in any way they can. My fellow officers step up when asked and fulfill their roles to the best of their ability. The committees and sub-committees follow through on whatever tasks they are given to ensure responsible decisions are made and things get done. So I go back to my two questions. Leaders must have a commitment to the organization and to following through. I have been fortunate to have been mentored in the “Touro Way” by several more experienced brothers, who embrace that commitment. My success is their success. Similarly, since I intend to pay it forward to the next crop of leaders, my success will be their success. As far as the first question, I will have to leave it to others to answer!
By Ried Redlich, Chairman, Student Financial Aid Committee
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ouro’s Student Financial Aid Committee has mailed information to regular members about educational grants that can be used to defray the cost of a college education. Information has also been mailed about interest-free loans, up to $3,500 per year, from Touro’s Leo Greenberg Memorial Scholarship Fund. These loans do not accrue interest and repayment would start six months after the student graduates or no longer is a full-time student. Applicants may not receive more than $14,000 over the course of their higher education career. Since the establishment of the student grant and loan program in 1981, Touro has made financial awards to ease the cost of higher education. Regular Touro members, their children and the children of deceased regular members who are enrolled full-time in an accredited institution of higher learning are eligible to apply for interest-free loans. Regular Touro members and their children who are enrolled full-time in an accredited institution of higher learning are eligible to apply for a one-time $5,000 grant. Regular Touro members must be members in good standing for at least two years to be eligible for loans or grants. Applications for both loans and grants must be requested in writing or by email and completed applications must be received in the Touro office no later than July 31, 2021. For more information about Touro’s loan and grant programs, as well as many other benefits offered to its membership, visit the website at www.tourofraternal.org or send an email to info@ tourofraternal.org. You can also call the office at 401-785-0066.
Our Membership Drive is Off and Running! By Andy Lamchick, Chairman, Membership Committee
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s we mark the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdown, I am pleased to inform you that our New Member Incentive Drive is well under way. Even though we’re meeting strictly online, our members are reaching out to their friends and family to have them join our amazing organization. I want to remind you of the incredible perks you will receive for bringing in new regular members. For each new regular member you bring in, you’ll receive a special incentive of a $25 Panera gift card. In addition, you will be entered into a raffle for a grand prize drawing of a $250 Visa gift card, to be held in December 2021. What’s in it for the new prospective regular member? We have waived the $25 initiation fee for the entire year. And there’s one more incentive: as we cut our annual dues for our existing members, we’ll extend that courtesy to our new regular members for all of 2021. Take advantage of these incredible incentives. Bring in your sons, grandsons, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Let’s keep Touro going and growing!
A Tie at the Top in the Pro Pick ‘Em Contest By Larry Berman
Josh Brandes
Evan Saltzman
Zachary Levenson
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he Pro Pick ‘Em football contest, with 63 participants, was the tightest in Touro history, and it ended in a tie. Josh Brandes and Sherry Dudek both finished with records of 178-76-1 and they were presented with $150 each. Jerry Chorney, with a record of 175-79-1, took the third-place prize of $50. Additionally, the contestant with the best record each week received a $20 gift card – and there were 17 different winners! The second-half weekly champs were Barry Kaplan, Ken Segal, Brooke Hanna, Jordan
Jeffrey Davis
Max Guarino
Harpel, Bill Scheraga, Jed Brandes, Dave Dudek, Gail Segal and Marvin Jacobson. The first-half winners were listed in the last Tourogram. Taking the top prizes of $250 each in the two Fantasy Football Leagues were Jeff Davis and Evan Saltzman. The $150 second-place awards went to Josh Brandes and Marc Gertsacov, and the $100 thirdplace prizes were won by Max Guarino and Zachary Levenson. There were 24 participants.
New Home Course for Touro’s Golf League By Jeffrey Davis, Chairman, Golf Committee
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pring is around the corner and that means golf season is upon us. We have a new home for Touro’s Golf League this year. After many years at Cranston Country Club, the members decided it was time for a change. We will be playing at North Kingstown Golf Course, also known as Quonset, with tee off times between 4:20 and 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons. If you are interested in bragging rights with your fellow Touro brothers, come join us for great times and fun. Our season runs from the end of April to the middle of September. To play in the league or to become a substitute, contact me at info@tourofraternal.org. See you on the links!
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Ambassador Reuben Gives an Update on Israel By Lester Nathan
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presence. This echoed the presentation given at our ouro welcomed recently appointed Consul February 2018 meeting by Avi Nevel, who is involved General of Israel to New England, Ambassador in exporting products and services to Israel. Meron Reuben, at our February 17th lodge Amb. Reuben shifted his attention to the Israeli meeting held over Ring Central. Born in South Africa, Knesset. He believes that with only 120 members, it followed by a move to the UK, Reuben made aliyah is too small for current needs. Of the 120 MPs, 34 are with his family in 1974. There he studied Diplomacy either ministers or deputy ministers. He said it’s nearly and International Relations at the Hebrew University impossible for the members to serve on 5 or more in Jerusalem. committees and do an adequate job. Amb. Reuben has a diplomatic career spanning over His final topics were Israeli diplomacy in the Middle three decades. He served in various positions, including East and what lies ahead after the pandemic. Israel should roles at the Israeli embassies in Chileand Mexico, and as come out of the pandemic soon, he stated, which will ambassador to Paraguay, Bolivia and Colombia. He also affect its economic agenda. However, he didn’t know how served as Israel’s ambassador to the UN in 2010-2011 the airlines will come out; El Al needed a rescue package and as Chief of State Protocol from 2015 to 2020. Israel Counsel General put together by the Ministry of Finance to survive. Brother Steven Howitt gave the introduction. Amb. Meron Reuben During the Q & A period, Amb. Reuben fielded Reuben first spoke about his background and diplomatic several questions, which included his thoughts on the recent American career, then segued into Israel’s handling of the pandemic. Thanks to and upcoming Israeli elections, his job responsibilities and important connections with Moderna, in which the government had invested, Israel started vaccinations quickly and has administered first doses to issues for his focus, and how the newly discovered offshore natural gas fields may change Israel’s place in the region. In answering the last 4.2 million citizens, and second doses to 3 million. However, due to the question, the ambassador pointed out that both Israel and Egypt may British variant of COVID, case reduction has not gone down as quickly become significant energy producers, but it will not be easy, due to as expected. This variant proved more contagious than the original virus international politics. Stay tuned. and affects young people as well as older ones. An honorarium will be made by Touro to the RI Community Food His next topic was Israeli-American relations. Israel has strong Bank. connections with our tech industry, which has a big New England
Dr. Chan is Not Just a COVID-19 Specialist
While Waiting, We’re Still Maintaining the House By Barry Ackerman, Chairman, House Committee
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s we all wait for the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine so that our beautiful hall can be used, the House Committee is ensuring that the facility’s upkeep is being maintained. The monthly pest control by the Big Blue Bug (fortunately, just preventive measures), the required fire alarm inspection by Cintas and other important activities are being fulfilled. In addition, Mutual Engineering has been contracted to perform maintenance on our HVAC systems to ensure there will be no major problems once we are back – needing heat or air conditioning, depending on when we return. And as I write this on Super Bowl Sunday, watching the heavy snow accumulating, I also want to report that we still make sure to have our parking lot plowed.
By Howard Wasser
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ur speaker for the January 20th lodge meeting was Dr. Philip A. Chan, an associate professor at the Brown University Medical School and a COVID-19 consultant to the R.I. Department of Health. He has been frequently seen on TV news throughout the pandemic. Dr. Chan was born in Boston but grew up in New Hampshire. A scholarship helped him to attend the University of Vermont, where he majored in microbiology and minored in computer sciences. He stayed at UVM to receive his graduate degree in molecular genetics and then his MD in 2006. Next came a residency in general internal medicine and fellowships in clinical infectious diseases and HIV research at Brown Medical School and RI Hospital. He moved to Lincoln with his wife, who is a pharmacist, and their children, ages 9 and 13. Many awards have followed. He was named one of the “25 coolest people” in Providence from GoLocalProv and received a Young Physician Scientist Award from the American Society for Clinical Investigations. He also received the Bruce M. Selya Excellence in Research Award. Dr. Chan told Touro that we should be patient and hopefully we may be back to some degree of normalcy by the summer or fall. He said he received the Moderna vaccine and felt lousy for about 24 hours but then was fine. He said if there is a mutation of the virus, we may need yearly shots. He believes that some businesses and colleges may mandate the vaccine. For those who contract COVID and are 65 and over and don’t have serious symptoms, Dr. Chan recommended receiving the monoclonal antibodies. Dr. Chan was very informative and did not hide from any question. He chose the R.I. Public Health Institute as his charity for a Touro donation. ~5~
Ted Nesi Gives Us a Close-Up Look at TV, Politics By Howard Wasser
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ur guest at the Friendship Lodge virtual meeting on
also teaches a journalism class at his alma mater, Wheaton College. He spoke a lot about politics, both at the state and national levels. A great deal has changed since the November meeting, when he indicated it was possible that Governor Raimondo would be appointed to a cabinet position (he was right). He also encouraged our members to write to their elected officials if they’re dissatisfied – he said an email from a constituent can go a long way toward changing things. Ted also spoke about the media, mentioning that the Providence Journal has an uncertain future with its circulation dropping to around 30,000, although he said the New York Times and Washington Post are doing well. He said the ratings at Channel 12 have been better in the last 15 years than previously. He covered a wide range of state topics, from the COVID-19 vaccine to schools and the merger of Bally’s and Twin River. Ted was very informative. Maybe we can get him and his wife back again at the same time.
November 22nd brought us face-to-face with Ted Nesi of WPRI Channel 12. Married to WPRI’s Kim Kalunian, this was the first time we have had a husband and wife team be our speakers, as Kim addressed us in March 2018. Ted wears many hats at WPRI, including business and politics editor and as a Target 12 investigator. Ted has not strayed too far from his roots. He grew up in Attleboro and went to Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. Ted then went to work for his hometown paper, the Sun Chronicle, as a political reporter and columnist. He wanted to get into a bigger market and landed a job at the Providence Business News for two years. Ted emailed Channel 12, seeking to work on their website as a political blogger and investigator. After some persistence, he was hired and has been there for 12 years, becoming an important member of the staff. Ted also has a Saturday political column, Nesi’s Notes, and co-hosts the weekly WPRI show, Newsmakers, with Tim White. He
NBC 10’s Frank Carpano: 40 Years and Counting By Howard Wasser
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he guest for our December 16th meeting was Frank Carpano, the sports director and anchor for Channel 10 since 1984. Frank is a native of Massachusetts, graduating from Lincoln- Sudbury High School in 1974 and then from Ithaca (NY) College. Growing up in the Boston area, Frank had many role models as a sports reporter, including Len Berman, Bob Lobel and Bill O’Connell. He also listened on his transistor radio to the Sports Huddle talk show. His first job out of college was at WKOX in Framingham. He was an engineer for legendary Celtics’ broadcaster Johnny Most and was an engineer co-host with former Red Sox’ shortstop Rico Petrocelli. Frank said Rico never had a bad thing to say about anybody. He started at WJAR in 1980, working under Chris Clark, the sports anchor at the time. When Frank arrived in Providence, he said there was very little local video footage, so Channel 10 had to get a lot of highlights from Boston. They had to rent a satellite truck. Now, of course, there is live viewing technology from anywhere. In 1996, he was proud to cover the Cranston Western
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Little League team which became the U.S. champions at the Little League World Series. He laughed and said he is now covering the kids of those Little League champs. Frank has twice covered the Olympics and has been a 10time National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters “Sportscaster of the Year” award winner for Rhode Island. What many probably don’t know is that he was a fill-in sports anchor at WNBC in New York. Taking questions from Touro brothers, Frank said he has stayed in the Providence market because it is close to his roots and he can cover every sport here. In addition to Boston pro sports, he hosts the PC basketball coach’s show and he is the public address announcer at PC games. He also enjoys covering high school student-athletes. Frank said the Pawsox are a sad loss for Rhode Island. He offered his opinion that Larry Bird, Tom Brady and Bobby Orr are his most memorable pros, but said it was tough to pick a top Red Sox player. Frank is an institution at NBC 10. He and Patrice Wood have both been there for 40 years, and it seems like they have many more years of coverage left.
Join Touro’s Facebook Page
long with our website, email blasts and our new text messages, Touro’s Facebook page is another way to learn about our great organization. The page also gives members an opportunity to add your own posts and comments on the discussion page. To join, you must either be a Touro member in good standing or a spouse of a member. You must have a Facebook account, request to join the group, and be approved by administrators Max Guarino or Lester Nathan. The page, “Touro Fraternal Association Group,” is private and can only be viewed by group members. ~6~
Monthly Meetings and Events Continue...Virtually
Touro has made the best of being unable to meet in person for the past year due to the pandemic. We have held monthly lodge meetings virtually with great guests, including January 2021 with Dr. Philip Chan, who is leading the Rhode Island Department of Health's vaccination efforts. Family members are also welcome to join in the dialogue with our guests.
NEW BROTHERS
IN MEMORIAM
In addition to the six new brothers pictured on Page 2, we welcomed the following new brothers in the past 12 months:
In the past 12 months, we mourn the loss of the following Brothers: Stephen Lehrer, February 13, 2021 Irwin H. Rubin, January 9, 2021 Daniel Schafler, December 8, 2020 Barry Shaw, October 4, 2020 Judge Howard Lipsey, July 25, 2020 Jeffrey Bookbinder, July 2, 2020 Paul Botvin, April 28, 2020 Irwin Levin, April 26, 2020 Kurt Willner, April 5, 2020 Myron Guttin, March 17, 2020 Seymour Ladd, March 7, 2020
Gabriel Cohen Jordan Harpel Paul Klawansky Alexander J. Leach Jonathan Lentz Daniel Pike Richard Polish David Schiff Aaron Schmier David S. Schwartz
May God comfort all those who mourn. May their memories be a blessing.
Rick Schwartz Zachary Vanderhoff ~7~
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2 0 2 1 MARCH 5 7 8 1 Bruce Weisman, Production Editor Larry Berman, Content Editor Columnists: Lester Nathan Bruce Wasser Howard Wasser Copy Editor: Jed Brandes Staff Photographers: Jeffrey Davis Stevan Labush Touro Fraternal Association 45 Rolfe Square, P.O. Box 3562 Cranston, RI 02910 Phone: 401-785-0066 E-Mail: info@tourofraternal.org Website: www.tourofraternal.org
HARMONY LODGE Larry Berman, President Jeffrey Harpel, Vice President David Altman, Secretary Jonathan Finkle, Treasurer Ried Redlich, Faithful Guide
TOURO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020-2021 Stevan Labush, Chairman Jeffrey Davis, Vice Chairman Jonathan Finkle, Treasurer Bruce Wasser, Secretary Barry Schiff, Chaplain Mitchell Cohen, Inside Guard Jed Brandes, Chairman Emeritus Alan Lury, Chairman Emeritus Robert Miller, Chairman Emeritus Barry Ackerman Larry Berman Jed Brandes Jeffrey Davis Andrew Gilstein Max Guarino Stevan Labush Andrew Lamchick
Alan Lury Robert Miller Ried Redlich Barry Schiff Michael Smith Jeffrey Stoloff Bruce Weisman
FRIENDSHIP LODGE Jeffrey Stoloff, President Adam Halpern, Vice President Lester Nathan, Secretary Peter Silverman, Treasurer David Weisman, Inside Guard
HARMONY • FRIENDSHIP • BENEVOLENCE
ON RING CENTRAL FRIENDSHIP LODGE MEETING
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Come Learn About Plans to Improve Rolfe Square – and – Many Other Issues from Cranston’s New Mayor
KEN HOPKINS April 21 • Wednesday • 7:00 PM
info@tourofraternal.org • 401.785.0066 W W W. T O U R O F R AT E R N A L . O R G
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