2012 November 5773
INSIDE This Issue
Touro’s Student Financial Aid Committee Announces Three Scholarship Winners for 2012-2013 By Jed Brandes, Student Financial Aid Committee Chairman
Tourography "Lenny & Phil" page 3
Jacob Dinerman
Golf Tournament page 4
March of the Living Recipients Share Experiences page 6
He's a "Shaw" Win! page 6
Joshua Kaufman
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leven children of Touro brothers have been selected by the Student Financial Aid Committee to share a total of $36,000 in educational financial aid. Three of the recipients were awarded $3,000 scholarship grants from the Association’s Leo Greenberg Memorial Scholarship Fund. Another $27,000 was issued in the form of interest-free loans. The awards distributed this year bring the total since the fund’s inception in 1981 to just short of a half million dollars. Grant recipients selected from 11 candidates were Jacob G. Dinerman, son of Brother Steven Dinerman; Joshua R. Kaufman, son of Brother Gary Kaufman; and Alysa D. Redlich, daughter of Brother Ried Redlich. Jacob Dinerman is a freshman at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he is majoring in psychology and pre-law. As a high school student he was awarded a membership in the prestigious National Honor Society. He also was a board member of United Synagogue Youth. Jacob recently spoke eloquently about his experiences on the March of the Living at our
Alysa D. Redlich
June Steak Fry. Joshua Kaufman is a freshman political science major at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. As a high school student, he served as co-president of the Wheeler School’s Upper School Student Body. He also was very active in the school’s performing arts and athletic programs. Joshua served as president of his local United Synagogue Youth chapter. Alysa Redlich is a sophomore pharmacy major at the University of Rhode Island. Service to the community has been a hallmark of her young adult years. A participant in Habitat for Humanity, she has helped construct homes for those less fortunate. She has also volunteered for Visiting Nurse Service of Greater Rhode Island. Alysa has made Dean’s List in each of her first two semesters at URI. Regular Touro members, their spouses and children, and children of deceased Touro members enrolled full time for the 2012-2013 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 could apply for the interest-free loans.
A Tribute 95 Years in the Making By Barry Jay Schiff On Wednesday, September 19th, Harmony Lodge kicked off the fall season with a Roast of Brother Milton Bronstein. Following a Touro staple of hamburgers and hot dogs, Master of Ceremonies Andy Lamchick presented a humorous PowerPoint presentation outlining the highlights of Brother Bronstein’s life. Out & About page 7
Continued on page 5 - Tribute ~1~
From the Chairman By Robert Miller, Chairman of the Board
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ur journey for the year has begun. We have started down the path of identifying the future leadership of the board and, in turn, the leadership of the Association. This process began at our August board meeting when I laid out the procedure. I solicited statements of interest from those eligible board members and have received responses from five interested candidates. Last month at our board meeting I had a roundtable discussion and asked each brother present the main reason behind his decision to join Touro. These are the men who will be interviewing and auditioning the candidates so it is only fitting they should know as much about each other as possible. At our September board meeting we conducted interviews of the candidates. We used behavioral-based interviewing so that we can get a clear understanding of how each of these individuals will think and react to situations as they come up. It was a successful meeting. Beginning with our October board meeting and running through the February meeting, each of the five candidates will conduct one meeting giving us an idea of how they will function in this environment. This process will allow us, the board, to better understand how each of these individuals will perform in this role. Touro has a long history of strong leadership and for us to continue for another 100 years we must be certain we have the right individuals in place to perpetuate our organization. I will keep you apprised of our progress as the year goes on. In closing, I wish you and your families a L’Shana Tova. Fraternally, Robert D. Miller, Chairman
Social Scene By Andrew Liss, Vice President, Harmony Lodge Hello Brothers, We have a lot coming up in the next few months that I would like to share with you. November 25 • Annual Foxwoods Trip Bus leaves at 9 am sharp. 2nd pick up location: Park & Ride Lot, Exit 6A off I-95 at 9:15 am WE WILL BE ARRIVING AT FOXWOODS IN TIME FOR BINGO! $14 or 14 Bagel Bucks per Touro Member or Spouse. $16 per guest. Includes a $10 Food/Buffet Coupon, $10 Keno tickets and a round trip motor coach ride. November 28 • Harmony Lodge Meeting Karen Meyers, news anchor at ABC 6 will be our speaker. Dinner will be Brother Bob’s Meatloaf with all the fixings. $5 refundable or $5 Bagel Bucks. December 16 • Hanukkah Party • 1 pm Entertainment will be “Bob’s Amazing Reptile Show” December 16 • Bridge Lessons Touro Hall • 7 – 9pm First lesson of a series of six. The other five lessons are: Jan. 13 & 27; Feb. 17 & 24; and Mar. 10, 2013. $30 per person (refundable - $5 will be refunded at every lesson attended). Open to Touro Members and Significant Others ONLY. Singles welcome, and will be paired up for game play. Space is limited. First come, first served. Deadline 12/02/12. December 19 • Friendship Lodge Meeting Dairy Dinner & The Three Stooges Movie will be our entertainment for the night.
An Important Reminder from Touro’s Administrator
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very Touro regular member is entitled to a mortuary benefit. When you joined our Association you signed a form designating someone important to you as your beneficiary. However, over the years, circumstances may have occurred that make necessary a change in that beneficiary designation. We cannot change our records unless you tell us to! Please review your current status. If you need more information or a form to change your beneficiary, please contact the Touro office at 401-785-0066 or, via e-mail at tourofraternal.org. You can avoid unnecessary delays – even possible litigation – if you look into this now. Fraternally, Peter Hodosh ~2~
December 25 • Annual Chinese Buffet and a Movie Chinese Buffet, Division St., E. Greenwich. Two seatings: 4:30 and 6:00 pm. $18 per person, nonrefundable. The Social Committee has some great ideas for the coming year. If you have an idea, please come to the Social Committee meeting, and share with all your Brothers. Meetings are the first Wednesday of the month, at 7:30 pm. All Brothers are welcome. Well that’s what’s going on at Touro Fraternal for the last quarter of this year. One last thought: If you can, please bring a non-perishable kosher food item to the next meeting you attend, that would be a mitzvah. The Louis and Goldie Chester Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry is running low on donations, and every little bit helps those less fortunate than us. Please think about this next time you come to one of our amazing dinners. Thank you, Andy Liss
Lenny & Phil Greenberg: “Why didn’t we join Touro sooner?” By Lester Nathan
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n this issue’s installment, you’ll meet two Touro brothers – his sons have produced ten grandchildren, who in turn have had who literally are brothers, Lenny and Phil Greenberg. They seven great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. They all live love coming to our meetings and events because they enjoy outside RI, so he enjoys every time they have a get-together. meeting people and socializing. As Phil puts it, “I talk to most of Phil was drafted by the Army after high school and sent to the people I know, and don’t know… it’s the best organization I Korea during the war. Before leaving the States, he married the ever belonged to.” girl who lived across the street from him, Anita, during an army Lenny and Phil, who are both retired, live in different sections furlough. He served in the Ordinance Department, working in of Warwick. Phil was the first to join, back in 2001, and was spon- the motor pool, and didn’t see Anita for the next 16½ months. sored by Jeff Davis. He then persuaded Brother Lenny to join in When he returned home, he worked for Rhode Island Tobacco 2006. Phil regrets not joining earlier, when asked by his friend on Atwells Ave. The couple raised two daughters, Elaine and Jerry Broman. During our interview, he said: Audrey, and now have four grandchildren. “Why didn’t I join sooner?” This is an issue our Besides Touro, he belongs to the Jewish War organization faces today – the need to convince Vets, the South Providence Hebrew Free Loan younger Jewish men to join now, rather than Association and the Chased Schel Amess. when they’re much older and missing out on Both brothers worked in retailing posithe benefits of regular membership. tions throughout their professional careers, Both brothers grew up in the North End of which helps explain their outgoing and Providence. As teenagers, they worked for their sociable behavior. Phil’s last assignments father who managed a Turkish bathhouse, a were management positions for Nyanza and favorite meeting place for the local Jewish men. the Dollar Depot. Lenny’s last position was After high school, Lenny, the older brother, was at Benny’s, where he worked for around 10 Phil & Lenny Greenberg drafted into the Army and served in the artilyears. lery, helping to protect the air base in Okinawa. Both Lenny and Phil look forward to all After leaving the military in the early sixties, he worked for United of Touro’s social events, especially the annual dinner dance. They Utilities as a salesman. The original discount stores, typically enjoyed last year’s bus trip to NYC and feel it should be repeated. located in old mill buildings, consisted of leased departments, of Phil feels that Touro’s Social Committee plans events professionwhich United Utilities was one such lessee. Lenny met brother ally, saying: “Boy, they’re sharp. They know how to do things.” Judah Rosen at United and both made sales via installment plans, Phil enjoys interactions with the brothers by volunteering to serve a precursor to credit cards. food at the lodge meetings. Lenny was married for 47 years to Arline, and they raised During our interview, Phil said this about Touro: “You go there three sons, Harvey, Michael and Robert. His various job assign- and you have a wonderful evening, you see people you haven’t seen ments took the family to several states, with 20 years spent in New in years. You kibitz with people. And it’s good for business people; Hampshire and ten years in Connecticut. The family returned they kibitz with each other, and discuss a lot of business.” to the Ocean State 28 years ago and by then, he had seen many We couldn’t get a stronger endorsement for our association if retail stores come and go. The Greenberg clan continues to grow we tried.
Finding Out Who Your Friends Are By Norman Dinerman, President, Harmony Lodge ell, it’s that time again. As and acceptance as well. president, I write an article I wonder how my life would be without Touro in it. I am not for the Tourogram and this one to use Facebook so where would my social network be? As year I am wondering what I should time went on, I am sure my contacts would be less and less. My write about. I am thinking about friends fewer and my bonds to people of my faith limited. My people who have come into and gone sense of belonging disrupted. My entertainments fewer, farther out of my life and what effect their and of course much more costly! relationship has had on me. From In the face of all the turmoil in the world, it is nice to know family, friends, co-workers even acthat not only does my family but my Touro clan have my back quaintances. They have all somehow impacted my life. Some in [Thanks Bob]! I am looking forward to today, tomorrow and a positive way and others not so much! But alas, I am thankful learning from yesterday. Are you? for each experience. For the people who I have met through Touro, they have "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born brought friendship, brotherhood, leadership and a special bond until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is through our faith into my life. A feeling of belonging, importance born." ~Anais Nin
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1st place Touro Team (l-r): Steven Shaw, Howard Shaw, Barry Shaw and Dave Resnick Barry Shaw Golf Committee Chair
Annual Golf Tournament Offers Coveted Bragging Rights By Bruce Weisman 2nd place Touro Team (l-r): Bob Silverman, Bill Troberman, Richard Fain, Marc Gertsacov and Sandy Shaw
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his year’s edition of the Touro Annual Golf Tournament took place on Sunday, July 22. This was a bit of a switch from previous years when the tournament had been held on a Monday. There was also a time change from early morning to an afternoon setting which included a full cookout lunch, 18 holes of golf and a late afternoon banquet. As per usual Touro fashion, no one went home hungry. Fifteen teams set out for the coveted prizes and yearlong bragging rights and the following four teams came out on top. They were: First Place Touro Team: Howard Shaw, Steven Shaw, Dave Resnick and Barry Shaw with a score of 65
1st place Member/Guest team (l-r): David Rappoport, Barry Rappoport, Alan Rappoport and Ryan Rappoport
Second Place Touro Team: Bill Troberman, Bob Silverman, Sandy Shaw, Richard Fain and Marc Gertsacov with a score of 67 First Place Member/Guest Team: Alan Rappoport, Barry Rappoport, David Rappoport and Ryan Rappoport with a score of 62. Second Place Member/Guest Team: Abe Strashnick, Mark Hosford, Joe D'Ambra and Guido Iaccobo with a score of 65. There were also prizes for closest to the pin as well as longest drive. In those contests, Touro member John Catania won closest to the pin and for a guest, Guido Iaccobo won the honors. For longest Drive, Dan Levensen won for Touro member and Guido Iaccobo was the winner on the guest side. Next year’s tournament is still in the planning stages and information should be forthcoming in early spring 2013.
2nd Place Member/Guest team (l-r): Abe Strashnick, Guido Iaccobo, Joe Dambra and Mark Hosford (not pictured) ~4~
Nate Lury's Roast of Milton was "well done"
Peter Hodosh offers his insight Son-in-law Jeff Davis treads lightly
Milton takes it all in Tribute - Continued from page 1
A Tribute 95 Years in the Making
Andy Lamchick presents Milton with an engraved wrist watch
What followed was at times touching and sometimes outright bawdy. Chairman Bob Miller praised Milton as the wisest man he knows. Written remarks from Chairman Emeritus Arthur Poulten spoke to Milton’s expertise in his many years as chairman of our Investment Committee. Brother Nate Lury reeled off joke after joke at Milton’s expense, but also laid heavy tribute on Milton. Administrator Peter Hodosh informed us that Milton joined Touro on March 14, 1951, making him Touro’s 5th oldest member. He also reported on Milton’s proclivity for a cup of tea at every meeting. Brother Jeff Davis, Milton’s son-in-law, regaled us with a story of the night he got engaged to Milton’s daughter Cindy. Brother Jeff Padwa closed the evening reading a Congressional Citation from R.I. Junior Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and playing an audio tribute from R.I. Senior Senator Jack Reed. Milton gracefully accepted an engraved HA-MILTON wristwatch as a token of Touro’s appreciation.
Jeffrey Padwa reads a congressional citation from R.I. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
Brother Milton views a special cake presented to him in honor of his tribute
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Brother Chairman Bob Miller offers his sincere sentiments to Milton on his special night.
March of the Living Participants Featured at this Year’s Annual Steak Fry
Touro Golf League Report By Barry Shaw, Golf League Chairman
By Howard Wasser
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une 27th 2012 was the scene of the annual Touro Steak Fry. This event is the most highly attended monthly meeting year after year. We have meetings with big name politicians, sports figures and prize winning contests. The big draw remains STEAK. I don’t know what this says about us, but maybe we should have another Steak Fry or Lox Jordan Harpel, Sylvia Catania, Spread to insure a packed house. Of Ben Schiff, Jake Dinerman course, the steak was great. and Allison Penn The main speakers for the meeting were the 2012 Touro subsidized participants of The March of the Living. This year’s group consisted of Allison Penn, Jake Dinerman, Ben Schiff, Sylvia Catania, and Jordan Harpel. Touro sponsors Jewish students to participate in this bi-annual event. The students travel to places in Poland that we wish had never existed. The trip is a reminder of what happened during the Holocaust. The biggest theme is, and will always be, NEVER AGAIN. Touro has had this meeting many times before and the students were always very good in explaining the trip and what it meant to them. This year there seemed to be a difference in the speeches. It seems that this group was even more personally affected by what they had seen. In addition the group seemed to have a special bond.They may not have contact again for years. But like a bond, such as you might have with a college roommate, you can pick up right where you left off–even after long periods apart.We wish them well.
Touro Welcomes Three New Brothers at June 27th Steak Fry
Howard Shaw Division A - 1st Place
David Rappoport Division A - 2nd Place
Barry Rappoport Division B - 1st Place
Joey Goodman Division B - 2nd Place
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he 2012 Touro Fraternal Golf League concluded with a banquet and awards ceremony. Awards were presented to the following by Golf Chairman Barry Shaw: Division A: 1st Place Howard Shaw 2nd Place David Rappoport Division B: 1st Place Barry Rappoport 2nd Place Joey Goodman Other prizes were awarded and a great buffet was had by all. The Golf Chairman expressed the leagues gratitude to Abe Strashnick for his excellent job as handicapper. Next year the league will start on the first Tuesday in May at Midville Country Club in West Warwick, RI. Anyone interested in playing please contact Barry Shaw via e-mail bshaw22@ cox.net. Or call the Touro Office at 401-785-0066.
Pictured left to right: Jonathan Finkle, Ron Richter, and Scott Katz ~6~
Touro Summer Fun at the Newport Playhouse Venus de Milo and the Pawsox!
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P.O. BOX 3562 CRANSTON, RI 02910
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UPCOMING TOURO EVENTS: KAREN MEYERS - ABC 6 NEWS
NOVEMBER 28, 2012 ANNUAL BUFFET & MOVIE DECEMBER 25, 2012 Visit Touro at www.tourofraternal.org or scan the QR code.
Touro's Annual 2 0 1 2 NOVEMBER 5 7 7 3 Bruce Weisman, Editor Columnists: Jed Brandes Howard Custis Norman Dinerman Andrew Lamchick Lester Nathan Arthur Poulten Barry Jay Schiff Howard Wasser Staff Photographers: Jeffrey Davis Edward Deluty 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
TOURO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012-2013 Robert Miller, Chairman Barry Schiff, Vice Chairman Steven Waldman, Treasurer Marc Gertsacov, Secretary Judah Rosen, Chaplain Barry Shaw, Inside Guard Arthur Poulten, Chairman Emeritus Nathan Lury Jed Brandes Robert Miller Milton Bronstein Arthur Poulten Jeffrey Davis Ried Redlich Edward Deluty Barry Schiff Adam Halpern Barry Shaw Stevan Labush Michael Smith Andrew Lamchick Steven Waldman Rodney Locke Bruce Weisman Alan Lury Steven White
FRIENDSHIP LODGE HARMONY LODGE Lester Nathan, President Norman Dinerman, President Andrew Liss, Vice President Jeffrey Padwa, Vice President Richard Cohen, Secretary Andrew Shuster, Secretary Michael Levin, Treasurer Manocher Norparvar, Treasurer Max Guarino, Inside Guard Barry Schiff, Inside Guard Ried Redlich, Faithful Guide
HARMONY • FRIENDSHIP • BENEVOLENCE~8~
Hanukkah Party featuring
"Bob's Amazing Reptiles" Gifts for children 12 and under Open to Touro members, their children and grandchildren
• Sunday • 1:00-3:00 PM •
December 16
Watch for your flyer in the mail. Or visit www.tourofraternal.org