Fall 2008 by Touro Fraternal Association

2008 OCTOBER 5769

INSIDE This Issue

Ask and he shall serve page 3

Gentlemen, start your carts! page 4

A Record Setting Year

By Alan Lury, Chairman, Student Financial Aid

wenty-four students have been selected year program and will be studying and working as recipients of this year’s Touro Frater- in Germany. Ms. Lamchick will be a junior at George Washnal Association Student Financial Aid program. Three received outright grants and a ington University majoring in Womens Studies and record 21 others interest-free student loans. A Political Science. She has worked as an intern in the total of $39,000 was available this year, $30,000 office of Sen. Jack Reed, is interning in a homeless of which was in the form of loans that students shelter in Virginia and will spend a semester this do not have to begin repaying until after leaving fall studying in Florence, Italy. Mr. Levin is a graduate student at the Tulane college. The grant winners, each of whom received University School of Medicine. He is a graduate of $3,000, were Justin Freeman, son of Ronald Johns Hopkins University and has held research Freeman of West Warwick; Shaina Lamchick, fellowships at the National Institutes of Health. He also worked with daughter of Andrew Habitat for HumanLamchick, also of ity refurbishing abanWest Warwick; and doned row houses in Kenneth Levin, son Baltimore. of Robert Levin of T h i s y e a r ’s Waterford, Conn. pool of applicants for Mr. Freeman is a the grants and loans senior at the Univerwas the largest in the sity of Rhode Island Justin Freeman Shaina Lamchick Kenneth Levin 27-year history of the in its International Engineering Program and is a candidate for program. There were 16 applicants for the three degrees in both mechanical engineering and available grants. In addition to the large number German. He is in the fourth year of the fiveContinued on page 5 - Record Year

March of the Living Teens Share Their Experiences A Royal Visit page 6

RI Synagogues Receive AEDs page 6

Touro's "Scouting" Report page 5

By Lester Nathan

ouro’s annual Steak Fry on June 25th from our area who joined thousands from around featured a packed house, great food and the globe for this biennial event. The March in a business meeting, which included the Poland commemorates Yom Hashoah, Holocaust initiation of seven new members. But the eveRemembrance Day. ning also included four guests From there participants flew to Isfrom the “March of the Livrael to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, ing” program, a month after Israel’s 60th Independence Day, their return from Poland and on May 8th. Israel. Alannah began by telling the Brother Andy Lamchick audience how deeply affected introduced Regional Director she was during visits to the death for the March of the Living, camps, as well as the three kiloClaire Roche, who thanked meter march from Auschwitz to Touro for its donation. She Birkenau. Ben and Sidney then introduced three students joined her, and all three narrated whom Touro sponsored: a slide show covering the two Ben Sip, Alannah Johnson weeks in Poland and Israel. They Touro's sponsored March of the Living and Sidney Kahan. They participants: (l-r) Sydney Kahan, Ben Sip said they felt very secure at all were among the 15 teens Continued on page 5 - March and Alannah Johnson ~ ~

From the Chairman

Social Scene

by Robert Miller

hings at Touro continue to move along nicely. Our new leadership for this year is in place and doing a fine job. Our monthly meetings continue to have great attendance and the speakers are always top notch. Please feel free to offer any suggestions for meeting speakers and perhaps even an idea for a meal!

by Adam Halpern Dear Brothers: I hope you had a great summer! While you were enjoying the summer, the Social Committee was hard at work planning another great year of events. We just had a great Friendship Lodge meeting with Mike Stanton. Three great PPAC shows have been scheduled. The first, Legally Blonde, was September 21st; then come Grease on December 7th followed by Fiddler on the Roof , February 15th.

Have you noticed that over the last few years our Lodge leadership is getting younger as are the members on the Board? This presents me with an interesting dilemma. For years we looked to the older and wiser members when we made decisions. We relied on our past experiences to guide our future endeavors. This was a good strategy until some of our older members decided to cut back on their activity. Now we often do things without the benefit of the “institutional knowledge” that led us for many years.

We also have a Harmony Lodge meeting October 29th with Lloyd Sugarman, a great two-fer on November 8th at the Hillside Country Club with comedian Larry Lee Lewis, and Friendship Lodge meeting November 19th with Brother Jeff Horovitz who will speak about his time in Iraq. On November 30th, we travel to Foxwoods and on December 17th there’s a Harmony Lodge meeting with a speaker to be determined. Our annual Chanukah party will be December 21st and our annual Chinese and a Movie event is December 25th.

I miss some of the old timers. They were a pleasure to be around. They were always willing to tell stories and to share their opinions and, best of all, they were always willing to stand their ground fighting for something they believed in. Thankfully, those folks are still around and they share their wisdom with us. And we are grateful in being able to listen to them

As you can see, the Social Committee has been busy. We welcome you to join us the first Wednesday of each month and bring your own thoughts and ideas.

Let’s move onto the “younger crowd”. These guys are willing to try almost anything. They will take on new events, new locations and new ideas. They always comes up with suggestions for a new event for the brothers and their wives. Ideas for families are being tried. Some meet with resistance, like “We’ve done that before and failed.” or “We’ve done that before and no one showed up.” or “Oh my, that’s too much work!” or “We can’t do that: it’s too expensive.” or "Wow, our members would never spend that much money to do that”.

Fraternally, Adam Halpern

Schedule at a Glance Harmony Lodge meeting ........................ October 29 Two-fer at Hillside Country Club............ November 8

One thing we don’t lack is money. We have a very generous annual social budget that will continue as long as we can afford it.

Friendship Lodge meeting . ................. November 19

So what are we lacking, you ask? We are missing new ideas from different people. People like yourselves who attend our monthly meetings. How about some ideas from those of you who don’t or cannot attend meetings regularly? Where are you? Yes, I am asking you, my brothers, where are you? Why not come to a meeting? Why not break bread with your brothers here at Touro? There are many meetings coming up with great dinners and speakers.

Foxwoods............................................. November 30 Harmony Lodge meeting.......................December 17 Chanukah Party.....................................December 21 Annual Chinese Dinner and a Movie ...December 25

Haven’t been here in a while? Come and meet our new brothers. You may discover some old friends. You might even make some new ones. Come and support our new Lodge leadership. Come and meet our new board members. Touro is alive and well, doing what it always does: promoting our moral precepts of HARMONY, FRIENDSHIP and BENEVOLENCE.

Mazels, Mitvahs & Milestones To…. brother Michael and Marilyn Smith on their 40th anniversary. To…brother Gerald and Joan Tebrow on their 40th anniversary.

I wish you all a happy and a healthy New Year. Fraternally, Bob Miller Board Chairman ~ ~

TOUROGRAPHY: BARRY ROTENBERG By Jed R. Brandes

uch of our Association’s initiation ritual is devoted to the exploration of our three cardinal principles: Harmony, Friendship and Benevolence. In fact, we customarily chant those words, in unison, as they come up in the course of our business. But, do we say those words by force of habit? Or do we actually live them? Harmony? Friendship? Time and again, it has been pointed out by our leaders that although our meetings can be rancorous, we always leave our differences behind, and end up as brothers. But “benevolence” is the hardest to qualify. Which of our acts demonstrate our benevolence towards one another? Perhaps it is as simple as those we’d really prefer not to do, but do anyway. Case study: Barry Rotenberg. One of our newest members of the Board Directors, Barry might be thought of as a “reluctant warrior”. At the time of his installation, Barry joked that the reason he agreed to assume the post was that he “wanted to see if the gun that was placed to [his] head was really loaded.” But in detailing his life’s story for this profile, he was more expansive. In point of fact, he readily admits that he had “no clue” what the job entailed, and accordingly, “no interest.” And yet, he took the job. Why? Because he was asked. Benevolence. Barry and his wife of 31 years, Beverly, live in Cranston. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked at ITT Grinnell for 12 years as

an engineer before deciding on a career change. Barry went back to school and earned an MBA in accounting from Bryant College. He has worked as an auditor for the state for the last 22 years. His work is instrumental in determining the amount of aid the state gives to nursing homes. One of his great passions is music (of all genres) and he has an extensive collection of LPs and CDs. Similarly, one of his favorite pastimes is watching movies, and he owns a vast array of DVDs and VHS tapes. He has also participated as a member of Temple Beth El’s Bowling League for the last 35 years. Although Barry’s father, Joseph, was a Touro brother, as a young man Barry was reluctant to become a member himself. But in 1998, at the suggestion of his good friend and neighbor, Howard Wasser (himself a new Board member), Barry finally joined. Barry particularly enjoys Touro’s Two-fer events and PPAC outings, but also takes great pleasure in listening to the speakers at our lodge meetings. Ironically, Barry was also reluctant to have a profile written about him in the Tourogram. In true benevolent fashion, he prefers his acts to be selfless and anonymous. In this regard, we simply could not accommodate him. But we trust that as he grows into his new position, Barry won’t be quite so reluctant, and the Association will continue to benefit from his benevolent ways.

Kibbitzing with the President

Touro “Memberfits”

by Steven White, President, Harmony Lodge

This is another in a series of Tourogram features highlighting the “perks” of being a member of Touro. In this issue we’ll deal with special discounts at Jewish funeral homes.

By Art Poulten

ave you been initiated into Touro within the last five years? I’m not sure I have seen you at any of the monthly meetings, especially the Social Committee. The monthly meetings were planned to help you meet and socialize with the many brothers who do attend. We get together once a month to enjoy a delicious kosher meal and schmooze with our brothers, both young and old. Some of our members’ experiences are often very hilarious. Listen to fabulous speakers, like Mike Stanton, a reporter for The Providence Journal and author of the book, The Prince of Providence; or Lloyd Sugarman, founder and President of Johnny Rockets. After we listen to our invited speaker, the questions and answers bring out some great information, often very funny. And don’t forget dessert. Things I don’t often eat at home. These meeting are totally enjoyable. Rip yourself away from the TV. Wheel of Fortune will forgive you for missing one night. Tape it if you need to. I think once you attend one of the monthly meetings, you will find that you want to know more about Touro. Target one brother, stick out your hand and announce, “I’m new here, what is your name?” You will find out your brothers also want to meet you and make you feel comfortable. We are all brothers devoted to the principles of Harmony, Friendship and Benevolence.

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This is one benefit of membership in Touro that we want to delay taking advantage of – and perhaps even discussing -- for as long as possible. But it is a fact of life! Every regular Touro member is entitled to a mortuary benefit and a gravesite on Touro land at Lincoln Park Cemetery as long as they are available. Those benefits are provided directly by Touro. But Touro members also are offered certain discounts on funeral charges by the area’s two Jewish funeral homes, Shalom Memorial Chapel and Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel. Both regular and social members are entitled to these discounts, according to representatives of both homes. The amount of those discounts and the charges to which they apply are set by the individual funeral homes. They are applicable to arrangements for both the member and his spouse. And while we are on the subject, please be sure that the beneficiary of your Touro mortuary benefit is up to date. The necessary form is available on Touro’s website www.tourofraternal. org, or by contacting the Touro office by phone (401-785-0066) or e-mail tourofratl@aol.com Funeral home discounts – another way your membership in Touro Fraternal Association pays dividends!

Touro Hits the “Links” with Largest Turnout Yet! By Bruce Weisman

onday, July 28, was the day. North Kingstown Country Club was the place and this year’s member-guest event boasted the largest turnout to date. Eighty-nine golfers, which constituted twenty-two teams, participated. The day featured great weather, some very competitive scores and a prime rib lunch. In fact, the Touro team winners were chosen by way of a tiebreaker. Both top teams scored a combined 65. You could not have asked for more except perhaps a few more birdies!!!!! Prizes were awarded for 1st and 2nd place Touro teams and the same for member/guest teams as well as closest to the pin and longest drive. This year’s individual winners were:

Longest drive by a Touro Member: .........................Len Buckler Longest drive by a Guest: .................................. Guido Iaccobbo Closest to the pin by a Touro member: ....... Harvey Rappoport Closest to the pin by a Guest: ..................................Ernie Grilli 1st place Touro team with a score of 65: (win by way of tie-breaker) Howard Bilow

Joel Cohen Joey Goodman Jerry Tebrow

1st place member/guest team with a score of 58:

Bruce Herman Wayne Lima Joe Marques Howard Poulten

2nd place Touro team with a score of 65:

2nd place member/guest team with a score of 59:

Alan Rappoport Barry Rappoport David Rappoport Harvey Rappoport

David Brandt Leonard Buckler Harvey Green Ernie Grilli

First Place Touro

Second Place Touro

First Place Member/Guest

Second Place Member/Guest

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Touro Expands its Association with Scouting By Andy Lamchick, Chairman of Community Involvement

or many years, Touro has supported Boy Scouts through the Jewish Committee on Scouting. We’ve purchased books and CDs for the library at the Jewish Chapel at Camp Yawgoog, and have established a program to send needy Jewish scouts to camp as well. I am pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved the concept of Touro Fraternal Association sponsoring a Boy Scout troop. Our goal is to create a friendly environment for Jewish and non-Jewish boys in scouting. March of the Living - continued from page 1

We will offer the use of our building to the troop under the supervision of a scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster, both of whom happen to be Touro members. In addition, a Touro volunteer will be in attendance at each meeting to be sure the building is under good supervision. We will also ensure that all visitors to the building maintain our rules of kashruth. We are excited about this expansion of Touro to the community, and hope to gain new members through this sponsorship for generations to come.

Eleven New Brothers Initiated at June and September meetings

March of the Living recipients with Brother Andy Lamchick times throughout their trip. The teens expressed fond memories of their personable guide, “Uncle Phil,” who at 87, was on his third March. During the Q & A, our members inquired about any encounters with anti-Semitism during the stay in Poland, how the teens communicated with nonEnglish speakers, whether they spoke to any Polish citizens, what they would say to convince others to go on the trip, and their impressions of the kibbutz they visited. It was an inspiring evening and confirmed a wise funding decision made by Touro’s Community Involvement Committee.

Seven new brothers were initiated at our June 25, 2008 meeting. They were (l-r): Scott Fertik, Robert Lubin, Steven Sirota, Benjamin Moskoff, Jeffrey Harpel, Samuel Glicksman, and Benjamin Kaplan

Record Setting Year - continued from page 1 of applicants, the quality of the students was outstanding. The Student Financial Aid Committee is comprised of seven members of the Association’s board of directors. Since the Leo Greenberg Memorial Student Loan Program was introduced in 1981, children of Touro members have received loans totaling more than a quarter of a million dollars. And none have been defaulted! Regular Touro members, their spouses and children, and children of deceased Touro members enrolled full time for the 2008-2009 academic year in an accredited institution of higher learning were eligible for the grants. Regular members, their children and children of deceased members similarly enrolled may apply for the interest-free loans.

Four new brothers were initiated at our September 24, 2008 meeting. They were (l-r): Jeremy Steinberg, Mark Binder, Burton Goldstein, and Paul Kinasin ~ ~

A Royal Visit to Touro

14 Rhode Island Synagogues Receive AEDs

By Barry Schiff

By Arthur Poulten

Brother Art Poulten with guest speaker Mike Stanton

ulitzer Prize winning author and Providence Journal Head Investigative Reporter Mike Stanton highlighted our September 24th Friendship Lodge meeting. Four new brothers, Mark Binder, Bert Goldstein, Paul Knasin and Jeremy Steinberg, were initiated followed by hamburgers and hot dogs from Chairman Miller’s sizzling grill. Mike Stanton took the podium and regaled us with stories of Buddy Cianci from his book, The Prince of Providence, which is now being developed by Michael Corrente, another former Touro speaker, into a major motion picture. He revealed that Buddy’s early years growing up privileged in Cranston formed the man he grew up to be. Stanton said Buddy’s unsuccessful Senate primary run against John Chafee in 1976 and attempt to get Ronald Reagan’s Vice Presidential nod in 1980 left lasting emotional scars. Buddy became a Renaissance Mayor in the Renaissance City. After his comments our brothers peppered Mike with thoughtprovoking questions in true Touro style.

Brother Adam Halpern receives his AED training.

very synagogue in Rhode Island now is equipped to take the initial steps required to save the life of someone who has suffered a heart attack, thanks to another donation of state-of-the-art Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) by Touro. As you know, in recent years Touro has provided AEDs to Rhode Island senior and community centers and even area fire departments. Now the Association has expanded the program. There were 14 synagogues in Rhode Island without AEDs recently: now they have them! And selected members of their congregations were trained to shock the heart back into normal rhythm during a sudden cardiac arrest. The likelihood of surviving sudden cardiac arrest is significantly greater when the first person responding is equipped with an AED and knows how to use it! Synagogues receiving AEDs from Touro were, by location: Temple Habonim, Barrington; United Brothers Synagogue, Bristol; Temple Sinai and Temple Torat Yisrael, Cranston; Temple Shalom, Middletown; Congregation Beth David, Narragansett; Touro Synagogue, Newport; Congregation Ohawe Sholam, Pawtucket; Congregation Sons of Jacob Synagogue, Congregation Beth Sholom and Congregation Mishkon Tfiloh, all of Providence; Temple Am David, Warwick; Congregation Sharah Zedek, Westerly, and Congregation B’nai Israel, Woonsocket. This brings the total number of AEDs donated by Touro to 33. The program started in 2000 when AEDs were comparatively new. The first 10 went to fire rescue squads in Cranston, Warwick, Providence and Pawtucket. Five years later, Touro gave AEDs to nine senior and community centers in Providence, Cranston, East Greenwich and West Warwick. The Association also arranged for and underwrote the cost of the professional training for representatives of those centers. An AED also has been purchased by the Association for use at its headquarters.

Picking Up the "Tab"

Myer Grossman No, we are not talking about lunch or dinner here. Brother Myer Grossman is continuing the tradition of the late Al Ross. Myer has stepped up to the plate and will continue Al's legacy by collecting soda can tabs at Touro meetings. The tabs he collects are donated to the Ronald McDonald House to aid their mission. ~ ~

Summer Fun with Touro! Venus, Pawsox & Picnic

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TOURO FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 3562 CRANSTON, RI 02910

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Providence, RI Permit #719

See What's Cooking... Visit Touro's website at www.tourofraternal.org

Touro's Annual

Hanukkah Party 2008 Bruce Weisman, Editor Columnists: Jed Brandes Howard Custis Edward Deluty Andrew Lamchick Lester Nathan Arthur Poulten Barry Schiff Adam Smith Touro Fraternal Association 45 Rolfe Square, P.O. Box 3562, Cranston, RI 02910 Phone: 401-785-0066 Fax: 401-941-8781 E-Mail: tourofratl@aol.com Website: www.tourofraternal.org HARMONY LODGE Steven White, President Adam Halpern, Vice President Adam Smith, Secretary Manochehr Norparvah, Treasurer Barry Schiff, Inside Guard

OCTOBER

featuring

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TOURO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2008-2009 Robert Miller, Chairman Andrew Lamchick, Vice Chairman Steven Waldman, Treasurer Marc Gertsacov, Secretary Judah Rosen, Chaplain Barry Shaw, Inside Guard Arthur Poulten, Chairman Emeritus Jed Brandes Milton Bronstein Morton Coken Jeffrey Davis Edward Deluty Stevan Labush Rodney Locke Alan Lury

Storyteller

Len Cabral Gifts for children 12 and under Open to Touro members, their children and grandchildren

• Sunday • 1:00-3:00 PM •

Nathan Lury Barry Rotenberg Barry Schiff Stuart Solup Michael Smith Howard Wasser Bruce Weisman

December 21 2008

FRIENDSHIP LODGE Jeff Horovitz, President Ried Redlich, Vice President Louis Beckenstein, Secretary Steven Waldman, Treasurer Howard Blustein, Inside Guard

Watch for your flier in the mail. Or visit www.tourofraternal.org

HARMONY • FRIENDSHIP • BENEVOLENCE ~ ~