2015 December 5776
Touro Awards Educational Grants and Loans for 2015-16 Academic Year
INSIDE This Issue
T Centennial Update page 3
Golf Season Results page 4
By Steve Waldman, Chairman, Student Financial Aid Committee
ouro Fraternal Association has proudly awarded a total of $33,000 in educational financial aid to young men and women pursuing higher education degrees for the 2015-16 academic year. After a rigorous selection process, conducted by Touro’s Student Financial Aid Committee, two applicants were awarded $3,000 scholarship grants. In addition, nine applicants will share in a total of $27,000 in interest-free loans from the Association’s Leo Greenberg Memorial Scholarship Fund. Alex Goldstein
Alex Goldstein, one of two 2015 grant recipients, is entering his freshman year at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI where he will be studying Historical Restoration and Preservation. His interests include European history, as well as antiquities. Brother Daniel Brandes, this year’s second grant recipient, is a two semester Dean’s List sophomore attending Williams College in Williamstown, MA. There he is studying Chemistry and is considering a career as a Daniel Brandes
continued on page 5 Financial Aid
Bob Healey Offers His Insights at the October Meeting Good Humor at the Steak Fry page 5
Keeping it "Clean" Joke Off Results page 5
Out & About All Summer Long page 6
By Jeffrey Stoloff n We d n e s d a y, has always believed in small government October 21, Bob and elimination of the two-party system in Healey, the 2014 Rhode Island. In fact, it was this belief in candidate for governor, small government that prompted him to run was our featured speaker for lieutenant governor so he could eliminate at Touro Hall. Though he the job after he got elected! didn’t win the election, he A lively question and answer segment Bob Healey garnered over 22 percent of followed the presentation, and with Bob’s the vote! Mr. Healey stated encouragement, no topic was off-limits. Bob he only spent $38.00 to purchase a cell phone Healey was both engaging and entertaining, and some postage. and a wonderful addition to the evening. Mr. Healey isn’t just a recent candidate for governor. He is a lawyer and investor, and was the founder of the Cool Moose Party in 1985. Other of his past highlights include a four– year stint on the Warren School Committee, three unsuccessful runs for lieutenant governor and a 1998 run for governor, representing the Cool Moose Party. Before taking questions, Mr. Healey spent (l to r) Bob Healey with Brothers Barry Ackerman time discussing his political philosophy. He
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and Michael Levin.
Ritual (ˈrɪʃ u əl): any practice or pattern of behavior regularly performed in a set manner.
Chairman's Chatter
ouro is steeped in tradition. At its outset, the association was intended to be a burial society. To this day, we continue on that path, providing graves to regular members. Touro evolved, though, and quickly turned to charitable giving, providing coal to needy Jews to heat their homes. Our commitment to tzedakah has since expanded, as we help others in need, and in many other ways. Yet we remain true to our roots: one of the more common outlays of our funds has been to organizations which provide heating assistance. Later, the association expanded its practices to include social events. And we continue to offer robust and varied functions for our members and their families. C l e a r l y, o u r t r a d i t i o n s a re important to us. To guide us, we have a constitution and by-laws. All of our meetings (association and lodge, board and committee) follow Robert’s Rules of Order. We conduct ourselves in an intentional and specific manner.
By Jed Brandes, Chairman of the Board
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From the President
By Andrew Liss Friendship Lodge President
My Brothers, Fall is in the air; the leaves have changed color and have fallen to the ground. This is a metaphor for my topic: people who have fallen down. By this, I mean someone who has encountered difficult times, whether due to poor health, financial problems or emotional issues. At one time they were high on the tree, but things happened, and well, they are now down at the bottom. The
At our lodge meetings, we follow a carefully constructed script during the business meeting. This includes a well thought-out initiation ceremony for our new members. Even our social calendar is filled with pomp and circumstance. We hold a nominations meeting annually, and if necessary, an election of officers or board members. And when all is said and done, we honor those who volunteer their time to help govern Touro with an installation dinner. Each of these events follows a prescribed course of action designed to honor our past and instill a sense of solemnity to the proceedings. These rituals are also there to assure that those who follow in our footsteps appreciate what came before, so that our ideals will be maintained well into the future. It is no wonder that a common mantra at our meetings is: “We’ve
always done things that way.” We need these reminders, to keep us true to Touro’s traditions. Fortunately, we have many experienced men who have helped to preserve Touro’s institutional knowledge and readily offer that admonition. Chief among them are two Chairmen Emeritus, each with over ten years at the helm. As we navigate the complex landscape of planning for Touro’s future success, we are well advised to continue to seek their knowledge and counsel. Yet, just as it did in the past, Touro must continue to evolve to meet the ever changing needs of our membership. And so we vitally need a continued influx of new ideas. This is your association. Its continued success depends upon your participation. Come to a social committee meeting. Serve on one of the open committees. Run for office. Share your thoughts, so that we can continue to shape the association to meet the needs of all our brothers, their families and our community. Oib der shuch past, kenst im trogen.
comparison ends there, for rather than raking up the “old leaf ” and discarding it, we help those who have fallen. As I write this article, I just finished cooking for the Ronald McDonald House, along with Brothers Jason Golditch, Ken Schneider and Steven White. We all took time out of our busy lives to help those less fortunate than us. We gave comfort to those who need it the most, people who have loved ones, with serious health concerns. Where I am going with this, you may ask? Many of you know how much charity means to me. I do it, because it is the right thing to do. I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
See it firsthand: attend a Community Involvement or Welfare meeting. See what the power of a few can do for the many. I guess I am asking you to get off your tuchas, and help those much less fortunate than ourselves. If you can help others financially, that is wonderful, but we also need people to donate their time. We have so many spots to fill, and all are welcome. If you can only do a couple of hours a month, that is wonderful. And when you do, please do not forget to wear your Touro Fraternal lapel pin. Let them know who you are: a Brother. Fraternally, Andy Liss President, Friendship Lodge
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By Max Guarino Vice President, Harmony Lodge
Social Scene
Fall 2015
Hello Brothers, Another eventful summer has passed for Touro. There have been a lot of successes, including the Crowne Plaza dinner and dance, the PawSox July 4th celebration, the summer picnic at the Masonic Shriners Park, the Newport Playhouse and the Frances Fleet fishing trip. The Social Committee works year round to bring these events to Touro members and their families. We welcome your ideas and feedback. Our monthly meetings are usually on the first Wednesday of the month. Please join us! The following is our late Fall/Winter agenda. For further details, visit tourofraternal.org December 20 • Sunday • 11 am Harmony Lodge Meeting at Touro Hall Menu: Dairy Brunch Entertainment: Card games and Patriots vs Titans on the big screen! Cost: $5 or 5 bagel bucks, refundable at the door. December 25 • Friday • 12 pm and 2 pm seatings Chinese Dinner and a Movie at the Royal Buffet in Cranston Cost: $18 per person. December 27 • Sunday • Bus leaves at 9 am; returns at 4 pm Touro goes to Foxwoods Visit the new Tanger Outlets Cost: $15 for members and non-members Includes: $10 food voucher or free buffet and $15 slot voucher. January 27 • Wednesday • 6:30 pm Friendship Lodge Meeting at Touro Hall Menu: Beef Bourguignon Entertainment: Trivia competition, led by Alan Lury. Cost: $5 or 5 bagel bucks, refundable at the door.
Touro's Website Now Compatible with all PDAs
Check us out at www.tourofraternal.org ~3~
Centennial Committee Update
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By Bruce Weisman
he excitement continues to grow as Touro continues to move towards our centennial celebration year in 2017-18. The committee has been planning the Gala Ball, to be held September 16, 2017. We look to feature top flight entertainment to highlight the evening. A brunch will follow on the next morning. Keep an eye out for the Centennial Logo, which will be featured on many upcoming mailings, our website and on advertisements. We will also unveil a time capsule during 2016. The committee will consider what to place into the capsule. Please let us know if you have any ideas! Touro will also produce a historical retrospective on the Association over the past 100 years. You will have a chance to contribute to this booklet by offering your well wishes by way of ad space. Look for more information on this next year. The booklet will be unveiled at the 2017 Gala. We will continue to select one Touro member at every upcoming two-fer leading up to the Gala. Each winner receives a special Centennial Gala Weekend package which includes free admission for two to: the Gala Ball, an overnight stay at the Crowne Plaza and to Sunday’s brunch. Just attend a two-fer and you are automatically entered in the drawing. The committee is looking into organizing either a cruise trip or a trip to Israel to celebrate our centennial. If you are interested in learning more, contact the Touro office. In addition, there will be special community involvement projects coinciding with the centennial year plus other events to celebrate this fabulous milestone. If you’re interested in helping this exciting committee, contact the Touro office via e-mail at info@tourofraternal.org and type into the subject line “Centennial Committee.”
Touro Finish the Golf Season In Style By Jeff Davis
T 2015 Tournament Winners (l-r) Joel Bazar, David Bazar, Andy Lamchick and Jim Sinman
he Touro Golf League finished up another great season on the links. This season, 24 Touro brothers met every Tuesday in the late afternoon at Cranston Country Club for a chance at bragging rights. This year we divided the season into two halves. Based on each player’s handicap, an A and B Division were formed.
First Half 1st Place The winners nd 2 Place of the divisions Second Half for each half st 1 Place were as follows: nd 2 Place We concluded the season with the Touro Golf tournament and one last shot at the ultimate bragging rights. In an effort to keep each year interesting, the committee chose the challenging fairways and greens of Exeter Country Club, to host the tournament. In all, 20+ golfers showed up with the hopes of clinching the title of Touro Golf Tournament Champion. The format for the tournament was “best ball.” After an enjoyable round of golf, all congregated for a steak dinner and an entertaining awards ceremony. The following brothers earned the sought-after
David Rappoport
Joey Goodman
A Division Steve Rodyn Jeremy Steinberg
B Division Jed Brandes Joel Bazar
A Division Abe Strashnick David Rappoport
B Division Joel Cohen Joey Goodman
ultimate bragging rights: Andy Lamchick, Joel Bazar, David Bazar, and Jim Sinman As a whole, and on behalf of the entire golf league, we want to extend our sincerest thanks to Abe Strashnick, the “commissioner”, for ensuring that the season went off without a hitch. Your hard work does not go unnoticed and is greatly appreciated. If any brother is interested in joining the golf league for the 2016 season, please feel free to contact Jeff Davis at jndavis35@verizon.net. We look forward to hearing from you.
Steve Rodyn
Abe Strashnick
Joel Bazar
Joel Cohen ~4~
Jed Brandes
Jeremy Steinberg
The Return of a Favorite: The Touro Joke-Off By Barry Jay Schiff Best Clean Joke winner Bill Troberman
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n Wednesday, September 30th, Friendship Lodge hosted our first Joke-Off since 2009. After a meeting which initiated new brothers Cary Eichenbaum and Michael Tesler, everybody chowed down on hamburgers and hot dogs. Brothers Joel Chase, Max Guarino, Michael Levin, Andrew Liss and Alan Lury served as the judges for the Joke-Off. Nineteen very brave brothers volunteered to tell jokes, which were split into two categories, Dirty Jokes and Clean Jokes. Scores ranged from 1 point (get the hook) to 10 points (rising comedy star). The big winners for the night were Brothers Harold Labush for Best Dirty Joke (36 ¾ points), Bill Troberman for Best Clean Joke (34 ½ points). The “Booby” prize for the Worst Joke was awarded to Brother Scott Katz (15 points).
Scott Katz receives his Booby Prize"from Vice President Max Guarino
Harold Labush (l) wins Best Dirty Joke seen here with President Andy Liss (r)
Frank O'Donnell "Grills" Touro Brothers at the June 24 Steak Fry
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Financial Aid - continued from page 1
doctor or medical researcher. Since the fund was established in 1981, approximately a half million dollars has been distributed to Steve Waldman students enrolled in higher education programs. All loans are interest-free and are not re-payable until six months after the student graduates or ceases to be a full time student. Regular Touro members, their spouses and children, and children of deceased Touro members enrolled fulltime for the 2015-2016 academic year in an accredited institution of higher learning were eligible for grants. Regular members, their children and children of deceased members similarly enrolled could apply for the interest-free loans. For more information about Touro Fraternal Association’s loan and grant programs please: check out Touro’s website, www.tourofraternal.org; send an e-mail to info@tourofraternal. org; or call 401-785-6600.
Diversity Defines This Year’s Donations
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By Andy Lamchick, Chairman, Community Involvement
he Community Involvement Committee got back to work in mid-July to kick off the second half of the year’s donations. After meeting with a board member of the Gamm Theater, the committee allocated $300 to support the theater’s Education Fund. This will allow underprivileged local students to experience theater, something that would otherwise not occur. Speaking of education, we received a request from the URI Hillel to fund their Shabbat dinners throughout the year. We donated $800, which will fund three dinners. We will also attend one of them, and introduce the students to Touro.
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Continuing with education, we are proud to announce that Touro Fraternal Association will again be a major sponsor of next year’s March of the Living trip. Every other year, this trip offers high school juniors and seniors from all over the world the opportunity to learn about the horror of the Polish concentration camps during Yom Hashoah, and conclude with a tour and celebration in Israel. Touro Fraternal Association will donate $6,000, the cost of one complete trip. Our donation will be split up to assist children of Touro members. This year, some funds will also go to helping non-Touro member students. We are blessed to be able to help send students on this life-altering experience.
Touro Welcomes Eleven New Brothers
Initiated October 21 were new brothers (l) Ryan Forman, (r) Jason Gold
June 24 Steak Fry. Touro Welcomes seven new brothers (l-r), Adam Tilove, Jeffrey Goldstein, Jake Dinerman, Steven Ritch, Michael Dressler, Joel Marks and Alan Kon. September 30, Touro Welcomes two new brothers (l-r), Mike Tesler and Cary Eichenbaum.
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Providence, RI Permit #719
P.O. BOX 3562 CRANSTON, RI 02910
UPCOMING TOURO EVENTS:
Touro Goes to FOXWOODS
December 27 • Sunday
TRIVIA NIGHT January 27 • Wednesday
Visit Touro at www.tourofraternal.org or scan the QR code.
2 0 1 5 December 5 7 7 6 Bruce Weisman, Editor Columnists: Brett Boisvert Jed Brandes Howard Custis Norman Dinerman Andrew Lamchick Lester Nathan Arthur Poulten Barry Jay Schiff Howard Wasser Staff Photographers: Jeffrey Davis Edward Deluty Stevan Labush Touro Fraternal Association 45 Rolfe Square, P.O. Box 3562, Cranston, RI 02910 Phone: 401-785-0066 Fax: 401-941-8781 E-Mail: info@tourofraternal.org Website: www.tourofraternal.org
HARMONY LODGE Michael Levin, President Barry Ackerman, Vice President Steven Hopfenberg, Secretary Peter Silverman, Treasurer Stuart Solup, Inside Guard
TOURO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2016
Jed Brandes, Chairman Alan Lury, Vice Chairman Steven Waldman, Treasurer Brett Boisvert, Secretary Judah Rosen, Chaplain Stuart Solup, Inside Guard Robert Miller, Chairman Emeritus Arthur Poulten, Chairman Emeritus Nathan Lury Jed Brandes Robert Miller Jeffrey Davis Arthur Poulten Norman Dinerman Ried Redlich Andrew Gilstein Barry Schiff Adam Halpern Barry Shaw Stevan Labush Michael Smith Andrew Lamchick Steven Waldman Andrew Liss Bruce Weisman Alan Lury Steven White
FRIENDSHIP LODGE Andrew Liss, President Max Guarino, Vice President Jeffrey Stoloff, Secretary Jason Golditch, Treasurer Ried Redlich, Faithful Guide
HARMONY • FRIENDSHIP • BENEVOLENCE ~8~
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Sunday
January 31 Watch for your flier in the mail. Or visit www.tourofraternal.org