Winter 2011

2011 FEBRUARY 5771

INSIDE This Issue

Karate Kid page 3

2011 Nominations March 2nd

By Art Poulten

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he year 2010 was a big election year! It resulted in some major power shifts on the national level as well as changes in state and local governments.

We don’t want to imply that the situation here at Touro carries the same impact as the national elections, but – depending on your perception – 2011 is a significant year in Touro’s history, too. Think about it: we’re going to elect 15 men to help lead Touro in its 94th year and that much closer to our centennial celebration.

Every regular Touro member is an integral part of the governing process. You have the power to vote… the power to nominate someone you feel would serve the Association well… and, above all, the power – perhaps even the obligation – to serve as an officer or board member and make a contribution to the growth and success of Touro.

Maureen Moakley page 4

2011 Student Financial Aid Program Kicks off in March

By Jed Brandes, Chairman, Student Financial Aid

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Bill Rappleye page 4

The first step in Touro’s election process takes place Wednesday, March 2, with the nomination of candidates for eight lodge positions and seven seats on the Board of Directors. Every regular Touro member in good standing is eligible to run for office but first must be nominated by another regular member.

In addition to six three-year and one two-year board positions, nominations will be accepted for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer of the two lodges. Lodge officers serve for one year.

The actual election will be held Wednesday, May 4, at Touro Hall. Watch your mail for the official announcement of the meeting details.

You are urged to participate – you’re obligated to participate – either by nominating a candidate for office or being one yourself.

ith the tuition cost of higher education ever rising, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce the renewal of the Student Financial Aid program for 2011.

This year the Student Financial Aid Committee has a Board-approved budget of $45,000. The funds will be awarded in the form of three outright grants of $3,000 and another $36,000

in interest-free loans of up to $3,000 each.

Regular Touro members and their children, as well as the children of deceased regular members may apply for aid. Previous winners will not be eligible for an additional grant. They still, however, qualify for the interest-free loans.

Applications for both the loans and the grants will be available in March. Complete details will follow in an early March mailing announcing the program’s kickoff.

Volunteer and Help Touro Grow Ray Marshall of NBC page 5

Trivia Master Jed Unleashes His Torment On His Fellow Touro Brethren page 5

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By Ried Redlich, President, Friendship Lodge

ost of us will volunteer to help our community or neighbor in need by providing our time, material goods or money. We will help as part of a community effort to clean up a neighborhood, serve meals to the hungry or build homes for the homeless.

We will serve as board members of a charitable organization such as a synagogue, Jewish Federation, Hebrew Free Loan Society, etc. We donate ~1~

our time with the Boy Scouts, school bake sales, school sports and many more activities too numerous to count.

We have to prioritize our need to work, take care of our families, spend time with friends, and then, maybe volunteer some of our remaining time. So, what time could we possibly have to participate in Touro Fraternal Association other Continued on page 3 - President

From The Chairman

By Robert Miller

WIIFM?

OK….it’s an acronym and stands for “What’s in it for me?”

I thought I would reach out and help each of you discover something that might help you become more involved here at Touro Fraternal Association. We have a great core group of members who work very hard at providing an atmosphere for everyone to become involved.

Here are some of the non-tangible benefits that I believe await your becoming more active here at Touro:

Rewarding: Volunteering gives you an opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives in your community. You can use your skills and experience to help enrich our (your) association and the local community.

Improve job prospects & employability: Volunteering can enhance your future employment prospects and enable employers to see that you have developed the necessary skills you may need in their organization. It is especially useful when completing application forms and during job interviews to illustrate the skills you have developed through these voluntary experiences.

Experience: Volunteering gives you a chance to get experience in a field in which you would like to work.

Training: Many volunteer projects will include training, which will

be useful both on the project and in later life.

Experience diversity: Volunteering gives you the chance to meet new people both from within and outside the organization.

Influence career choice: Volunteering gives you the opportunity to test potential career choices.

Opportunity for training and development: Volunteering

provides development opportunities that are not always possible with paid employment, for example: communication and people skills, organizational and time management skills, planning and budgeting skills. It can help open up fresh opportunities and is a way to explore new career paths.

Builds links with organizations: Volunteering can help you build links with local businesses and specific community organizations.

Have fun!: Volunteering is fun and fulfilling, allowing you to experience many diverse opportunities not always available to you elsewhere.

As you can see, there are many incentives, in addition to all of our monthly meetings, programming and the tangible benefits (mortuary benefit, sick benefit, burial plot, student loans and educational grants, BJ’s membership, long-term care insurance and funeral home discounts) for you to come out and get involved. We welcome your input, participation and your smiling face. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event in the near future.

Fraternally, Robert D. Miller-Chairman Board of Directors

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Social Scene

H

By Lester Nathan Vice President, Friendship Lodge

aving passed the halfway point of our first year co-chairing the Social Committee, Norm Dinerman and I are pleased with how well our events have turned out. We hope you were able to attend some or perhaps, all of them.

We really appreciate the time and effort made by our brothers who helped to plan, prepare and carry out our lodge meetings, Two-fers and family events.

During the fall and winter, our events included: the Fall Two-fer at the West Valley Inn with mentalist Rory Raven (very entertaining), Friendship Lodge’s hosting of political science Professor Maureen Moakley (thought-provoking), Harmony Lodge’s hosting of Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) Exec. Director Ray Marshall (engaging), a trip to Foxwoods, the annual Chanukah party (satisfying), the annual Dinner & a Movie event, Friendship Lodge’s hosting of the annual Trivia Night (stimulating) and the monthly meeting hosted by Harmony Lodge at Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grill in Warwick with special guest speaker, newly elected RI General Treasurer Gina Raimondo (informative).

Here's what’s coming up in the next few months: • The annual Nominations for Candidates will be held on March 2. As always, members will nominate the eight lodge officers and seven board members.

It’s followed by ice cream sundaes for all and after we’re fully sated, the monthly Social Committee meeting.

• On March 23, Friendship Lodge hosts the next meeting, with deli for dinner. Lt. Commander Adam Goldberg, from the Naval War College, is the scheduled speaker.

• The Spring Two-fer moves to Nino’s on Lake Tiogue in Coventry on April 2. The entertainer will be stand-up comic Linda Belt, who has toured throughout the US and Canada.

• On April 27, the annual Open House meeting will feature Jim Hummel, well-known local political reporter, as the guest speaker. Kosher baked chicken is on the menu.

For more information about these events, watch your mail for flyers or check Touro’s website.

TOUROGRAPHY: ED DELUTY – OUR OWN KARATE KID

By Howard Wasser

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Delutys have two children: Evan is a big time wrestler at Cranston hat do Bonnie Pointer (The Pointer Sisters), Bruce McWest, and Alana (allegedly the brains of the family) is getting ready Gill (Jack Dalton – Soldier of Fortune on McGyver), for college. and Ed Deluty have in common? They were all born Ed has a variety of interests: There is Cranston West wrestling, July 11, 1950 as part of the Baby Boom generation. Ed started his Royal Caribbean International, Cranston High School East, and Two life at the old Lying-In Hospital in Providence. Even though he Terms on the Board is enough to name a few. This brings us to his was born in Providence, Ed is Cranston all the way, growing up off biggest recent obsession. Between the ages of 52 and 58 Ed took up Pontiac Avenue near Calart. He had a diversity of friends, including karate. He worked very hard and after just six Jewish and non-Jewish buddies (from St. years earned a black belt. There is a line in the Matthews School). Walter “Salty” Brine was movie “The Karate Kid” that says “Fighting one of his neighbors. This may have been not good. Somebody always gets hurt. But if part of the reason Ed has had a lifelong you have to fight, WIN!” That could be the obsession with the beach and the water.

Deluty creed. I checked out the internet but Most summer weekends he can be seen at there are not very many Jewish Black Belts.

Narragansett Pier munching on a package The most renowned was Alex Sternberg who of Twizzlers. The last few years have seen introduced Karate as part of the Maccabiah vacations on cruise ships to various ports games in 1977. Maybe Ed could be in the of call. (There probably are Twizzlers on senior division or maybe coach. the ship buffets.)

We have not mentioned Ed’s Touro life.

Early school for Ed was at Dutemple Ed loves being part of a Jewish organization.

Elementary, then Park View Junior High He is a member of the Redwood Lodge and on to Cranston High School East. At (Mason and Shriner). Most of his energies Cranston East there was a band that welare spent with Touro. He is a third generacomed Ed. Like most high school band tion Touro brother. His father Jerome was a members Ed put away his band uniform member and his grandfather was a member and instrument forever after school but he Where are the "Twizzlers"? sometime in the 20’s or 30’s. Ed wasted little still maintained an interest in music. Like time getting involved with Touro when he first joined. He quickly Bonnie Pointer, Ed is a singer. Most Sunday mornings you can find worked his way up to be Vice President and President of Friendhim at Temple Sinai belting out songs as part of the Shireinu Jewish ship Lodge and then on to a position on the Board of Directors, chorale group. Shireinu not only sings at the Temple but goes on which he still holds today. Recently he has been the chairman of the road. In a few years Ed says he will be eligible to be a judge on the Investigation Committee. This committee investigates prospecAmerican Idol. tive new members before they are eligible for induction. Ed enjoys After high school Ed went to Ferris State University in Michigan. talking to the new recruits. The longer you talk the more you realize This was about the only time he was out of Cranston. He came back that we are all related in some way. You can see Ed with a camera home to start a career as an optician. His first job was with old Doc at many meetings. He loves to take pictures although I hear that he Softer (long O). Moving on with his career he has worked for Star needs retakes on many of his own pictures because he closes his City Glass and now for Safety Source (for the last dozen years). At eyes. There is one story out of Touro folklore. There was a barbecue Safety Source Ed manages the Safety Eyewear Division. planned at Touro Hall and Ed was supposed to bring bricks for the Family life for Ed is very important. He has been married to his grill. He forgot and the rest as they say is Touro history. That seems wife Karen for 18 years. She works for the state of RI, for many to be the worst thing about Ed. You will very rarely go to any Touro years with the R I Capitol Police and now with the Human Services event and not see Ed Deluty. What could be better than that?

Department. She is very well known around the state house. The

President - Continued from page 1 than being a member in good standing?

Other than a small annual dues payment, Touro does not solicit any material support from our membership or the community.

However, we do need individuals to donate their time for Touro to operate and provide a meaningful experience for our membership. Over the years, dozens of men have stepped up to the plate and served on committees or as officers and directors. Many of them have served Touro for decades. They enjoy keeping Touro a place

that helps others, by our support for the Community Food Bank, March of the Living, Jewish Federation programs, student grants and loans, to name a few. Additionally, they have also enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship they derived from those who have become their brothers.

For those of you who have volunteered at Touro, we look forward to your continued involvement and we thank you. For those who have not yet served on a committee or been part of Touro leadership, please consider finding the time to do so. If you have any questions about being more involved at Touro, contact me or any other Touro officer. We look forward to your participation. ~3~

Bill Rappleye Gives An Insider’s View on the 2010 Elections

By Barry Schiff

Maureen Moakley with Brother Harvey Michaels

An Evening with Maureen Moakley

By Howard Custis

Bill Rappleye with Touro members after talk.

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he timing was perfect! On October 27, less than one week before the historic Rhode Island elections, Channel 10’s Chief Political Reporter, Bill Rappleye, was guest speaker at our Harmony Lodge Meeting. Brother Larry Berman, RI House spokesman, introduced his friend.

After giving us a brief biography of his broadcasting career, Bill launched into the fray of the RI governor’s race. He gave us insight into what was going wrong with Frank Caprio’s campaign and what was going right with the campaigns of John Robitaille and Lincoln Chafee.

He was peppered with questions by our members and in turn, he leaked some unreleased poll results.

He went on to handicap the other state races and even predicted that new General Treasurer Gina Raimondo would someday be Rhode Island’s first female governor.

The evening concluded with Bill pulling our 50-50 raffle winner, Brother Jerry Tebrow.

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n Wednesday, November, 17, 2010 Touro’s guest speaker was Maureen Moakley, Ph.D. Political Science, University of Rhode Island.

Prof. Moakley led off her remarks by saying that although she was a lifelong Democrat she was saddened by the fact that Rhode Island was a one party state (i.e. a Democratic Party state) without a loyal opposing Republican Party. She stated that this was the reason that we had a fourway gubernatorial election with Lincoln Chaffee (Independent) winning with by just 36% of the popular vote. She wished that the Republican and Moderate Parties would coalesce to provide Rhode Islanders with a cohesive opposition instead of the current fractured four-party system. She credited the defacto demise of State Treasurer Frank Caprio to a number of things, chief among them his blatant disrespect of the office of the President of the United States. Moakley went on to say that she wanted the governor and the lieutenant governor to run on the same ticket instead of individually as they do now.

When the discussion period commenced, Prof. Moakley fielded questions regarding a unicameral legislature, citizen legislators, former Governor Bruce Sundlun, reinstating capital punishment, the 10% unemployment rate, and the business unfriendly climate in Rhode Island among others.

As this issue goes to press, the bulk of Prof. Moakley’s assessments of Rhode Island and national politics have come to pass.

Touro Welcomes Three New Brothers Touro welcomes three new brothers: Jason Wilk and William Kolb were initiated on October 27, 2010; and Brother Martin Rothman was initiated on January 19, 2011. (l-r) New brothers Jason Wilk and William Kolb

New brother Martin Rothman ~4~

The Biggest Project You’ll Never See

By Lester Nathan

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ouro members were given a peek into you’ll never see,” it will cost about $1 billion to the operations of the Narragansett Bay complete. Phase 1’s purpose is to contain the large Commission (NBC) on December 15th sewage overflows after heavy rainstorms by storing when Executive Director Ray Marshall was our the water for treatment rather than letting it flow featured speaker. We had a special opportunity untreated into the Bay. to learn about one of Rhode Island’s largest and Marshall discussed the tunnel’s construction, costliest public works projects, the Combined Sewer showing pictures of the side tunnels which were Overflow (CSO) tunnel and pump station, which created to connect the main spine tunnel to the top lies underneath the streets of Providence. shafts. He explained how the contractor built the

NBC’s mission is to treat wastewater for tunnel’s support system. metropolitan Providence and Blackstone Valley Phase 2 of the project, expected to be done by areas. It operates the Field’s Point and Bucklin Point 2014, will extend the current CSO lines to 17 active Wastewater Treatment plants. Marshall explained combined overflow locations. Phase 3 will include Ray Marshall how the local sewer systems work and its regulatory the Bucklin Point facility and be done by around oversight, by the RI Dept. of Environmental 2021.

Management and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

During Mr. Marshall’s Q & A session, our members asked

Marshall also explained the role of NBC’s Board of him various insightful questions about: combating infiltration Commissioners, which approves budgets and files for rate from storms, how the salt is handled in waste water, reuses for increases. He also discussed financial reporting, staffing and the rain water, problems with ground water during construction, personnel. sediment levels in the Bay, and the time needed to empty the The CSO Tunnel tunnel when it’s full.

The CSO tunnel and pump station represents Phase 1

Thanks go to Brother Harvey Michaels for inviting Mr. of a three-phase, 20-year comprehensive project to end sewer Marshall and Chairman Miller for cooking his renowned overflows into Narragansett Bay. Labeled as “the biggest project American chop suey for dinner.

Trivia Grips Touro Hall

By Barry Jay Schiff

First Place (l-r): Howard Wasser, Jed Brandes (host) and Barry Rotenberg

Second Place (l-r): Steve Goldman,Jed Brandes (host), and Andy Lamchick

Third Place (l-r): Barry Schiff, Jeffrey Davis, Jed Brandes (host) Lester Nathan, Ron Berman ~5~

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n Wednesday evening, January 19, Friendship Lodge hosted our Annual Trivia Night. After initiating new Brother Martin Rothman and enjoying Chairman Bob’s Famous Meatloaf, the evening festivities began.

Trivia Master Jed Brandes fashioned a 65-question contest with questions covering business, history, movies, music, sports and TV.

The big winners were the team of Brothers Barry Rotenberg and Howard Wasser with 54 correct.

They earned $100 for their effort.

The second prize $50 winners were Brothers Andy Lamchick and Steve Goldman with 53 correct.

The third prize of $25 was split two ways between the teams of Brothers Ron Berman and Lester Nathan and Brothers Jeffrey Davis and Barry Schiff. Both teams scored 49 correct answers.

All this goes to prove that Touro brothers store a lot of useless information in their noggins!

Membership is On the Move!!

By Andy Lamchick, Chairman, Membership

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n organization like Touro needs an infusion of “new blood” to mesh with the experienced membership to grow as an organization. As we set our sights on our Centennial celebration in just a few short years, it is vital that we fortify our organization with an eye on the future.

The Membership Committee recognizes this reality in meetings to discuss our strategy to attract new members.

We’ve conducted brainstorm and strategy sessions to get to the root of what Touro can offer new members. The results have been enlightening, and exciting. We came to the realization that it’s equally important to retain our current members, as it is to pursue new ones. For that reason, we established a subcommittee named the “Retention Committee” to focus on just that. The subcommittee will be headed by Stevan Labush.

Now, let me tell you about our plans to acquire new “Regular” members. Last October, I announced a plan to offer additional incentives to members who bring in new “Regular” members to Touro. We offered the sponsors of the first five “Regular” members to be initiated a $25 gift certificate to Twin Oaks in addition to the 15 bagel bucks a sponsor formerly received. I am pleased to write that this program is working beautifully. We have already received three of those five applications as of the writing of this article.

More exciting news!! The Membership Committee is completing plans for our exciting Annual Open House on April 27th. We are ecstatic to announce that our guest speaker for the evening will be Jim Hummel, the legendary investigative reporter from TVs “The Hummel Report.” Jim will regale us with stories from his rich broadcasting and writing career. In addition, there will be incredible incentives for our members and especially our new “Regular” Touro members who sign up that night. Why do I keep mentioning “Regular” members? That goes back to my first topic -- our younger base of members is the key to the future of Touro.

There has never been a better time to reach out to your “qualified” friends and family to become Touro members. Our activities and benefits continue to get better each year, and the fun continues to grow, for those who choose to take advantage of them. Help us grow our membership, as we head to a spectacular Centennial celebration.

See you at our “New Member Open House” on Wednesday, April 27!

New Brothers THE CLASS OF 2010 New Brothers Who Joined Touro in 2010 Lionel Bercovitch David Berson Mitchell Cohen Richard Fain Craig Gordon Max Guarino Steven Hopfenberg William Kolb Morris Kortick Andrew Liss Jeffrey Padwa Jason Wilk Michael Zucker

Brothers who passed away in 2010 Sydney Cohen Joseph Dress Irving Eisman Bernard Feld Robert Hodosh Lawrence Kulman Merlyn Rodyn Abraham Snow Everett Sugerman Paul Weinberg Irving Wolpert Oscar Zarchen Israel Zukroff

Time to Get Involved at Touro

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By Steven White, Chairman, Community Involvement

ouro Fraternal Association had another successful year helping out the Rhode Island community.

The mitzvah of giving has and will continue to be a very high priority for our members.

There have been many very worthwhile organizations which have benefited from the Community Involvement Committee’s dedication to finding the right match. For our association, that means using our money to help as many people as possible.

In the upcoming year, our committee will look for organizations which need our help. Community Involvement will look for a cause in which to play a part. I will ask all Touro members to think hard and let me know what ideas they believe in which we might participate: whether it is a walk to help raise money, helping out at a soup kitchen, maybe volunteering at a hospital. I would like to hear your ideas.

Please email me at white1110928@yahoo.com.Thank you.

Calling All Golfers!!!

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Touro Golf League Set to Start May 3

By Barry Shaw

Touro’s golf league will start Tuesday May 3, 2011.

We will be playing at Country View Golf Club, Burrilville, RI. Rates will be $18 for nine holes and $27 with a cart.

A $25 deposit fee will be needed before play starts.

All Touro Brothers welcome.

For more information e-mail bshaw22@cox.net

FALL TWO-FER &...

...CHANUKAH

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Touro Fraternal Association

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

P.O. BOX 3562 CRANSTON, RI 02910

Return Service Requested

UPCOMING TOURO EVENT March 23, Lt. Commander Adam Goldberg April 2, Spring Two-fer at Ninos on Tiogue Lake

Visit Touro's Website at www.tourofraternal.org

2011 Bruce Weisman, Editor Columnists: Jed Brandes Howard Custis Edward Deluty Andrew Lamchick Lester Nathan Arthur Poulten Ried Redlich Barry Schiff Adam Smith Howard Wasser 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

FEBRUARY 5 7 7 1

TOURO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2010-2011 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 Jeffrey Davis Edward Deluty Stevan Labush Rodney Locke Alan Lury Nathan Lury

Barry Rotenberg Barry Schiff Barry Shaw Michael Smith Howard Wasser Bruce Weisman Steven Waldman Steven White

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Political Reporter

Jim Hummel

HARMONY LODGE FRIENDSHIP LODGE Adam Halpern, President Ried Redlich, President Norman Dinerman, Vice President Lester Nathan, Vice President Adam Smith, Secretary Marc Gertsacov, Secretary Manocher Norparvar, Treasurer Benjamin Kaplan, Treasurer Andrew Liss, Faithful Guide Jeffrey Padwa, Faithful Guide

Barry Schiff, Inside Guard

HARMONY • FRIENDSHIP • BENEVOLENCE ~8~