2019 MARCH 5779
INSIDE
Smith Assists Families of Victims in Tragic Pittsburgh Shootings By Larry Berman s soon as Michael D. Smith learned about directors who volunteered to assist. Mike is active in the tragic shootings at the Tree of Life KAVOD, the Independent Jewish Funeral Chapels Congregation in Pittsburgh last October, he Association, and still checks in with Sharon Brody by knew exactly what he had to do. phone or text to see how she and the community are He called his friend, Sharon Brody, a funeral director coping. in Pittsburgh, and asked, “Can you use my help?” “I didn’t do it for the recognition,” said Smith, Sharon, who was handling but when word got out the arrangements for nine about his volunteer effort, of the eleven victims, he received hundreds of responded affirmatively. appreciative emails and “So I booked a flight phone calls. “It’s just what and a hotel, rented a car I do.” In fact, he assisted other and I stayed for three days helping with whatever funeral directors in the I could do,” said Smith, aftermath of the Station the president of Shalom Night Club fire in West Memorial Chapel in Warwick when 100 people Cranston for the past 20 perished in 2003, and he years. worked with the FBI after He assisted with an EgyptAir crash in 1999 Michael Smith and his wife Marilyn when 217 people were paperwork, helped out killed off of Nantucket. at five of the funerals, A Touro member since 1984, he was the last handled parking details and consoled families and friends of the victims at the gravesites. association president before the two lodges were created “I was there for whomever needed comforting, in 1990 and then the first Friendship Lodge president. including the funeral directors,” said Smith, a member Mike Smith is proud to let people know that he is now of Touro’s Board of Directors. “It was one of the the oldest board member at age 74. saddest events I have ever been involved with, and “My involvement with Touro is an extension of how I hopefully there will never be anything like it again.” live my life,” he said proudly. “If there is a call to action, He was one of three East Coast Jewish funeral I’m there.”
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Touro Continues to Give page 4
"Warm-up Guy" page 5
Lox & Bologna page 6
Roma and the Meeting Street Child Musical Bingo page 6
By Howard Wassar
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ouro members braved the cold and light snow to attend the February 20 meeting at Roma on Federal Hill. The word Roma actually has a Hebrew origin which means “exalted and lofty.” If you came early, there was pizza being passed around, which was followed by a buffet of chicken francaise and New England baked cod, along with pasta, vegetables, salad and Italian bread. Good food that everyone enjoyed! John M. Kelly, president and CEO of Meeting Street, was the guest speaker. He has been at Meeting Street for more than 20 years and the Continued on page 3 - Roma
Chanukah Party page 7 ~1~
John M. Kelly
Thoughts While Shaving By Alan Lury Chairman of the Board
Social Scene
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n the New England Patriots, we have seen a team perform at a consistent level of excellence that we will absolutely never see again during our lifetimes. It was especially nice to see Julian Edelman named Super Bowl MVP. He is “one of us,” and has publicly re-embraced his Judaic roots during his years with the Patriots. As you all know, Touro is now in its second century of existence. This is a remarkable feat considering the thousands of men who, in small part or through significant contributions, have kept our organization moving forward during this time. However, unlike the Patriots who seem to be able to continue to plug holes each year despite their inevitable player turnover, we at Touro are now finding it more and more difficult each year to field a complete team. This is especially true when it comes to fielding a full slate of officers for our lodges. I had written in our last Tourogram that we were starting the recruiting process for officers earlier than ever. Additionally, I asked each and every one of you to be in a continual search mode for new young members. However, we are in the same predicament. But, unlike other ethnic fraternal organizations that are struggling for members and are heavily in debt, Touro is in a very unique position. We have no mortgage, no debt, membership dues that barely scratch the surface of our actual operating expenses, and reserves that allow us to subsidize our philanthropic and membership activities. Spread the word – don’t keep your Touro membership a secret – there is plenty of room under the Touro umbrella for everyone. Additionally, if you are a regular member who is recently retired, or starting to head in that direction, we are very interested in having you step up and become more actively involved – please reach out to me directly and I will work to match your skills to our needs. Moving forward, I want to report that our board has moved swiftly in implementing changes to assure our members’ safety. As you are unfortunately aware, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in late October sent shockwaves throughout Jewish communities across the country. We quickly instituted preventive measures in our building to protect our membership during monthly events. There is now always a police presence at meetings, and we have installed a new security and alarm system, with external cameras, key fob entry and an internal monitoring center. Special thanks go to Dave Mossberg and Rich Levenson for spearheading this effort. The next time you enter our main hall, please make sure you see the new plaque that has been installed naming the hall in memory of our late Chairman Emeritus Arthur Poulten. It is fitting that Arthur be remembered with this honor as he and fellow Chairman Emeritus Bob Miller were instrumental in finding and establishing our home for the past thirty years. Also you will see that our Centennial Time Capsule is now securely stationed behind our lobby wall with its own plaque. The countdown to its opening in 2068 has now begun! Our Social Committee continues to put together great monthly events and Two-fers. We have a full schedule of upcoming programs throughout late spring and the summer. Please stay tuned to your mailings and our email blasts for details. With Harmony, Friendship and Benevolence, I wish all of you a very enjoyable Pesach with your family and friends – Chag Sameach! ~2~
By Jeffrey Stoloff, Vice President, Friendship Lodge
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y the time you read this report, winter will be almost over! I hope you have made it through okay and have been able to enjoy the many social events that Touro has offered for the brothers. There have been meetings with a comedian, a musical bingo disc jockey and the CEO of Meeting Street, where we had a wonderful outside meeting on Federal Hill and enjoyed the fine Italian food of Roma. Be sure to participate in our March Madness bracket. It is free for members and you can root for your favorite teams while competing for cash prizes! There are many exciting events coming up for the rest of the year. Here’s what’s planned:
March 23 – Spring Two-fer
We will have a wonderful dinner at White’s of Westport and be treated with entertainment by Eric Dittelman, a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent. He is a touring illusionist who will bring his world tour to Westport!
March 27 – Harmony Lodge Meeting
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner is our speaker and we will serve a delicious deli dinner.
April 17 – Open House
Be sure to bring a guest to our Open House. We’ll enjoy hearing from WPRI Channel 12 sportscaster Ruthie Polinsky and eating our famous Kosher Baked Chicken.
May 22 – Installation Dinner
Join us for our annual Installation of Officers and Board Members, and dine on a great brisket dinner.
June 15 – Two-fer Dinner at Twin River Watch for the flyer. Entertainment TBD
June 26 – Steak Fry
Delicious steak grilled to perfection -- need we say more? There is plenty more excitement planned, including return trips to Ballard’s on Block Island in July, the Newport Playhouse in August and a special event in the fall at the R1 race track in Lincoln. Social Committee meetings are open to all members and are held the first Wednesday of every month. Please come and share your ideas and add to the excitement of Touro!
Roma - continued from page 1
(l-r): John Kelly, Jeffrey Stoloff, Max Guarino, Andy Lamchick
non-profit organization has grown enormously under his leadership. Meeting Street has taken over the Schwartz Center for Children in Dartmouth, Mass., which has a variety of programs to help children with special needs, have a developmental delay or are at risk. Between Providence and Dartmouth, and an early intervention center in New Bedford, Mass., there are about 7,000 children in Meeting Street programs. Most are under the age of 4. Meeting Street has taken over the Schwartz Center for Children in Dartmouth, Mass., which has a variety of programs to help children who have special needs, developmental or delays, or are otherwise at risk. The organization’s leaders were invited to Washington to provide input to others. Some students receive assistance up to the age of 22, and no one is turned away for financial reasons. Meeting Street is always expanding and has a beautiful campus on Eddy Street in Providence. The organization’s leaders were invited to Washington to provide input to others. We should all visit and find out more about this great organization.
Welcome New Brothers January 2019
President’s Report
By Max Guarino, President, Friendship Lodge
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s I near the end of my term as Friendship President, I think about all that has happened in the five years that I have been a lodge officer. We completed our 100-year celebration successfully, and many new events have been brought to the membership with spectacular results. We want to continue on this path toward a brighter future. It all starts at the Touro Social Committee meetings on the first Wednesday of each month. That is where everyone brings their ideas for events, we get input from all involved, and we work as a team. We go over all of the details to make sure nothing is missed. It is very satisfying to go to the events when you see all of your Touro brothers socializing with each other, eating an excellent meal and enjoying the entertainment. When the committee does its job correctly, the results speak for themselves. Touro needs leaders to continue to guide us, so please think about stepping forward. Join us at the Social Committee meetings, and then as you get more involved, you can take the next step and become a lodge officer. I guarantee you that it will be a very satisfying experience.
Initiated as new Brothers at the January 22, 2019 Lodge meeting were: (l-r) David Talan, Todd Levine, Marvin Stark, Hy Goldman and Barry Bessler
AT T E N T I O N B ROT H E R S
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Touro Offers Tickets for PPAC
ouro brothers and guests will have the opportunity to see an acclaimed show at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Sunday, June 30 at 6:30 p.m. Watch for the flyer with details about "The Band's Visit," the winner of 10 Tony Awards, including best musical, and the Grammy Award for best musical theater album. The show is set in an Israeli desert town where every day feels the same. That is, until a band of Egyptian musicians shows up lost and the locals take them in. "The Band's Visit" will bring us to laughter, bring us to tears, and ultimately, promises to bring us together. ~3~
Touro is looking for an individual to become involved in the facility management of our building If interested, call Peter Hodosh at 401-785-0066 or send him an email at info@tourofraternal.org
Finishing Off a Great Year of Giving By Andy Lamchick, Chairman, Community Involvement Welfare Committee
2018
was a great year of sharing Touro’s good fortune with the community. We had additional funds through our Centennial celebration, which enabled us to give major gifts such as establishing an endowment for the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, purchasing four Automatic External Defibrillators for organizations in need, sponsoring Providence area students to experience the March of the Living and donating to numerous organizations throughout Southern New England. I am honored to chair a committee which provides so much good for so many people. Our latest endeavor is making a five-year commitment of $25,000 to the new Jewish Collaborative Services (JCS) of Providence to assist needy families and support its programs. JCS originated from two organizations, Jewish Family Services and Jewish Seniors Agency, that have been separately serving the community for decades. Touro has been supporting both organizations for many years. We have the option to commit funds to programs we choose, including heating assistance to the needy, the Kosher Food Pantry, Hanukkah gifts to the needy, and the Moes Chitim program for Passover. We are excited to move forward with this relationship with JCS as it grows and continues the tradition of helping Jewish families in our area. I am also proud to announce that the Board of Directors made a commitment to increase the committee’s level of giving by ten percent of Touro’s profits each year. As a result, the Community Involvement-Welfare budget for 2019 has been doubled. We are committed to doing our best to help as many people as possible each year. As always, we are interested in hearing your suggestions for potential donation recipients.
Board Chairman Alan Lury makes a presentation on behalf of Touro to the Meeting Street Telethon on Channel 12
Renovations Completed, Security System Installed
Grants, Interest Free Loans Available for College
By Steven White, Chairman, House Committee
By Ried Redlich, Chairman, Student Financial Aid Committee
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he Touro Board of Directors has approved three $5,000 grants and has increased the amount members may obtain in interest-free loans for the 2019-2020 school year, as awarded by the Student Financial Aid Committee. Approved loan applicants are eligible to receive up to $3,500 per year, or a maximum of $14,000 in loans over their academic career, which is an increase of $2,000 for the four years of college. Repayment of loans will begin six months after graduation or leaving full-time higher education. Eligible applicants may apply for both a grant and loan, but separate applications must be submitted. Applications for grants and loans are available through written request by mail (Touro Fraternal Association, P.O. Box 3562, Cranston, RI 02910) or email (info@tourofraternal.org). All applications must be complete and accurate to be considered.
he House Committee has been very busy completing the final part of our building renovation. The stairway leading to the second floor has been painted, new lighting has been installed, and new carpeting and cove molding is in place. New emergency lighting and railings will be installed to round out the renovation. A new alarm system has also been installed and it is operational. The security system, along with cameras, a recorder and entry key fobs, have been included. Brother David Mossberg and a helper installed the security system and Brother Rich Levenson has provided assistance. Touro’s time capsule has been sealed and buried in the wall where the water fountain in the lobby used to be located. I thank the members of House Committee for all their hard work. Without these brothers volunteering, these projects would have never been completed in a timely manner.
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Plenty of Laughs with the "Warm-up Guy" By Howard Wasser
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he opening act of the December 19 meeting was a tasty beef slingshot. Among other shows which used his talents were: Happy brisket dinner. The evening’s entertainer was a gentleman Days, Mork and Mindy, and Night Court. He even appeared on Hef's known as the “Warm-up Guy.” He’s the person who comes Halloween Party with all the Playboy bunnies. out before the main attraction, usually He said his favorite comedian was Don a TV show, and warms up the audience Rickles because Don could get away with so they are ready for the main show. joking about almost anything. Bob is Sometimes the warm-up guy is funnier probably best known for being the Warmor more entertaining than the stars of up Guy for Jay Leno on the Tonight Show. the show! He met Jay as part of the Fresh Fruit Bob Perlow may have been the Cocktail Comedy Troupe. first “Warm-up Guy.” He came from Most of the evening meeting was spent Pawtucket and his family was in the watching clips of famous people that Bob shoe business. He had no idea that his had met through his close to 40-year career life path would lead him to Hollywood. and his funny stories and comments about After graduation from URI, he sold Mr. the stars. Viewers at Jolly Cholly's in Attleboro and He was asked why he had come back was a tour bus guide in New York. to Rhode Island. The answer was one that we could all understand. After living a high His first big break was as the warm-up profile life for all these years, he missed for the Laverne and Shirley TV show. He his family! also warmed up the audience for Cheers, Bob Perlow, the "Warm-up Guy" where he invented the idea of the T-shirt
Be Eligible to Win a TV by Recruiting New Members By Norm Dinerman, Co-Chairman, Membership Committee
Golf League is Ready for a New Season
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s the calendar turns to a new season, our brothers are putting a spring in your step with a great Open House. Our yearly event will be held on April 17 at our hall. The special guest speaker will be Ruthie Polinsky, a sports reporter from WPRI TV News. Ruthie was the station’s lead reporter for this year’s Super Bowl in Atlanta. We’re sure she will have some great stories from behind the scenes. Membership has been running an incentive program for the last six months. We have asked you to bring in regular members at any time during the year, up to the evening of the Open House. Your efforts could add a new TV to your entertainment center. That’s right! Bring in a new regular member any time up to the evening of the Open House and you will be entered into a drawing to win the prize. All our events and contests are designed around you, the members, and we hope more of the general membership will avail themselves of all Touro has to offer.
By Jeffrey Davis Chairman, Golf Committee
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he groundhog did not see his shadow. So according to legend, spring is around the corner. It’s time to start getting those clubs clean and ready for a season of golf. Why not join your fellow brothers on the links this year? Touro has a Golf League that tees off at Cranston Country Club on Tuesdays from 4:15 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. If you are interested in great afternoons with fellow Touro brothers, come join us. Our season runs from the end of April through the first week in September. If you are interested or have questions, please contact me at info@tourofraternal. org. See you on the links!
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Touro Members Enjoy Lox and Bologna By Howard Wasser
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he annual Sunday morning meeting on We quickly found out when she informed us November 18 featured the usual delicious about a program called SHRI. This is a non-profit bagels, lox, eggs and kugel. A large crowd organization she founded that brings yoga to the gathered for the appearance of NBC 10 morning disabled, veterans, children in schools, shelters, co-anchor Alison Bologna. prisons and people in recovery. By working mornings, The meeting was different than expected. Alison has more time to volunteer for SHRI. Alison is an award-winning journalist who has SHRI stands for Support, Honor, Respect earned an Emmy, an Edward R. Murrow Award and Inspire. This organization has proven to be and two Associated Press awards. She was a dean's very beneficial and rewarding. I mentioned the list graduate of Harvard University with a master’s organization to my daughter who teaches special degree in English.nShe graduated with honors education. She had heard of SHRIBARK, which is a from the Columbia University Graduate School candy produced by a chef who works for SHRI. The of Journalism after receiving an undergraduate candy helps with fund-raising for her organization Alison Bologna degree from the Northwestern University Medill which is based in Pawtucket, but is spreading out to School of Journalism. the rest of the state. So one would think the conversation would run towards her days When you see television personalities, you never really know them. as a news anchor and co-anchor. Some of us were wondering why she In this case, Alison Bologna is not only outstanding on TV, but she would change from the evening news to the morning news, which spends her spare time making life better for so many Rhode Islanders means getting up in the very early hours of the morning. by sharing yoga with others.
Oldies but Goodies at January Lodge Meeting
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Jeffrey Stoloff, left, presents a prize to contest winner Stuart Freiman
By Lester Nathan
anuary’s lodge meeting has traditionally been “contest night” at Touro. The Social Committee tried out a new format at the January 22 lodge meeting – Musical Bingo. Our host DJ, Thomas McNeil, handed out Musical Bingo sheets and pencils. Each game began with a 45-second clip of a randomly selected Top 40 pop song. DJ Thomas announced the name and artist after the clip ended. This gave everyone an equal chance to win, a major change from previous trivia contests. The first game featured songs from the 1970s, the second game songs from the ‘80s, and the final game reverted to the ‘70s. Games one and two required a simple 5-in-a-row for the bingo victory, while the third game required completion of the “X” pattern. The game winners of $100 prizes were Hy Goldman, who was initiated that evening; Board Chairman Emeritus Bob Miller and Stuart Freiman. Awarded gift cards as secondplace finishers were Bruce Ganek, Jonathan Finkle and David Talan, also a new initiate. The evening began with a special meeting to amend the Association’s constitution, and the business meeting was highlighted by the initiation of five new members. During committee reports, Community Involvement Chairman Andy Lamchick announced that one half of the evening’s raffle would be donated to the Heating Assistance Fund of the Jewish Collaborative Services. We all enjoyed a dinner of American chop suey. It was an enjoyable evening for all, hearing popular songs from our younger days.
Contest winners: (l-r) Bruce Ganek, Bob Miller, Jonathan Finkle, David Talan and Hy Goldman ~6~
Chanukah Party featuring Fishel Bresler
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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:
Treasurer Seth Magaziner March 27, 2019
Installation Dinner May 22, 2019
Two-fer at Twin River June 15, 2019 Visit Touro at www.tourofraternal.org
Bring Friends and Relatives to 2 0 1 9 MARCH 5 7 7 9 Bruce Weisman, Production Editor Larry Berman, Content Editor Columnists: Brett Boisvert Jed Brandes Lester Nathan Jeffrey Stoloff Bill Troberman Bruce Wasser 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
TOURO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2018-2019
Alan D. Lury, Chairman Stevan Labush, Vice Chairman Steven Waldman, Treasurer Bruce Wasser, Secretary Barry Schiff, Chaplain Mitchell Cohen, Inside Guard Jed Brandes, Chairman Emeritus Robert Miller, Chairman Emeritus Barry Ackerman Larry Berman Jed Brandes Jeffrey Davis Norman Dinerman Andrew Gilstein Andrew Lamchick
Touro's Annual
OPEN HOUSE WEDNESDAY • 6:30 P.M.
APRIL 17 featuring
RUTHIE POLINSKY
Robert Miller Ried Redlich Barry Schiff Michael Smith Bruce Weisman Steven White
WPRI CHANNEL 12
Kosher Baked Chicken Dinner First Come, First Served • Open to Men Ages 18+ Reservations Required - $5 or 5 Bagel Bucks
FRIENDSHIP LODGE HARMONY LODGE Max Guarino, President Richard Levenson, President Jeffrey Stoloff, Vice President Steven Hopfenberg, Vice President David Altman, Secretary Stuart Solup, Secretary Peter Silverman, Treasurer David Mossberg, Treasurer Jeffrey Harpel, Inside Guard David Weisman, Inside Guard Ried Redlich, Faithful Guide
less the Help unate! d fort certifie ga item Brin r food er e h Kosh the Kos y! for antr P d Fo o
HARMONY • FRIENDSHIP • BENEVOLENCE ~8~
Watch the mail for your flier Call or email: (401) 785 - 0066 info@tourofraternal.org Touro Hall, 45 Rolfe Square, Cranston, RI 02910