COMMUNITY
4 | April 24, 2015
The Jewish Voice
United Brothers Synagogue to celebrate two anniversaries This spring marks two anniversaries in the history of United Brothers Synagogue. Not only will the Bristol landmark be celebrating the 115th anniversary of its original founding (1900), but it will mark the 40th anniversary of its “re-founding.” In the mid1960s, the number of members had dwindled to the point that the location at 205 High St. was no longer used for religious services. The building, however, was not sold and, thanks to the care of the Leviten family, it was never
allowed to fall into disrepair. In February of 1975, after a decade of inactivity, a determined group of nine Bristolians met to explore the possibility of revitalizing the synagogue. Present were Alton and Gloria Brody, Nancy Hillman, William Hillman, Eleanor Radin, Lena and David Leviten, Maynard Shusman and Steven Roth. Alton Brody, Gloria Brody and Nancy Hillman spearheaded the campaign and one month later a larger organizational meeting
Join
Nancy Spielberg (sister of ) for the screening of her film
At the New Bedford Whaling Museum Wednesday, May 6, 2015 7 PM
The film is a program of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Bedford and is FREE of charge Space is limited RSVP to office@jewishnewbedford.org Check out this film preview: http://aboveandbeyondthemovie.com/trailer
was held which drew about 30 people from surrounding towns. In addition to the original planners, Mr. and Mrs. William Crausman, Arline and Maynard Suzman, Dotty and James Awerman, Fran and Eugene Katzen, Marilyn and Ronald Hantoot, Mickey and Steve Roth and Lois and George Graboys spent hours getting the beautiful old building ready for its first service. St. Mary’s and St. Michael’s helped, donating paint and wood paneling for renovations. St. Matthew’s, an Episcopal church in Jamestown, donated a pipe organ. On April 4, 1975, the first service in almost 10 years was held at 205 High St., led by Cantor Crausman. That first year the synagogue was host to guest speakers, starting in May 1975 with the new Attorney General of Rhode Island Julius Michaelson. Others who participated were Dr. Joshua Stein, Dan Asher, Adam Farkas, Norman Tilles and Robert Reisman. It was a busy year for UBS. In October 1975, the congregation held a celebrity auction with Providence Mayor Vincent
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Irina Missiuro EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Irina Missiuro | Judith Romney Wegner DESIGN & LAYOUT Leah Camara
Cianci as the guest auctioneer. November saw a joint interfaith service with St. Mary’s. Cantor Crausman led the service, and he was joined by the St. Mary’s Cathedral chorus with Father William O’Connell as guest speaker. Now, 40 years later, United Brothers will hold a service on May 1, celebrating the wonderful people who worked so hard to bring the congregation back
to life. The congregation is fortunate to have Gloria Brody in attendance for this special occasion, and hopes that the word will spread to others. Those who either remember that era or who are descended from those who made this possible are welcome to join the congregation at United Brothers Synagogue on May 1 at 7:30 p.m. for a memorable service and coffee hour to follow.
Temple Beth-El honors Rabbi Gutterman On May 29, Temple Beth-El will kick-off a celebratory weekend, honoring Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman’s 45 years of service at Temple Beth-El and his transition to Senior Rabbi Emeritus status in July. The inaugural event will be a 7 p.m. Shabbat service led by Gutterman’s Temple Beth-El clergy colleagues, Rabbi Sarah Mack and Cantor Judy Seplowin, who will be joined on the bimah by his daughters, Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman, currently rabbi at Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Walnut Creek, California, and Elizabeth Gutterman of Boston. The service will be followed by a festive Oneg Shabbat. Both the service and the Oneg are open to the community. On May 30, Temple Beth-El will be the site for a Temple membersonly concert by six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald. Gutterman came to Temple Beth-El in 1970 as assistant rabbi, serving under then Senior Rabbi William G. Braude. When Braude retired in 1974, Gutterman was selected to replace him. He is the longest serving rabbi in Rhode
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Tricia Stearly tstearly@jewishallianceri.org 401-421-4111, ext. 160 EDITOR Fran Ostendorf
Gloria Brody and William Crausman
Karen Borger ksborger@gmail.com 401-529-2538 VOICE ADVISORY GROUP Elanah Chassen, Melanie Coon, Douglas Emanuel, Stacy Emanuel, Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, John Landry, Toby London, Mindy Stone COLUMNISTS Michael Fink, Rabbi James Rosenberg and Daniel Stieglitz
Island and has been the recipient of a Doctor of Divinity degree from Hebrew Union College and holds honorary degrees from the University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, Johnson & Wales University, Providence College, Rhode Island College and Bryant University and has been honored by many of R.I.’s social service organizations. He was re-
cently named one of the 33 most inspiring rabbis in North America by the Jewish Daily Forward. In July, Gutterman will be succeeded as senior rabbi by Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman, currently serving at Temple B’Nai Tikvah in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. For further information, contact Judy Moseley, executive director, Temple Beth-El, 401-331-6070.
Temple Shalom plans celebration Rabbi Marc S. Jagolinzer has served as spiritual leader of Temple Shalom in Middletown for 40 years. He has touched the lives of hundreds of people throughout the Jewish and general Rhode Island communities. To mark this milestone occasion, Temple Shalom will honor him the weekend of June 5-7, with special Shabbat services and a celebration dinner with entertainment. Services will be held at Temple Shalom on June 5 at 7:30 p.m. and June 6 at 10 a.m. The dinner will be held
THE JEWISH VOICE (ISSN number 15392104, USPS #465-710) is published bi-weekly, except in July, when it does not publish. PERIODICALS Postage paid at Providence, R.I. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Jewish Voice, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. PUBLISHER The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Chair Sharon Gaines, President/CEO Jeffrey K. Savit, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. Phone: 401-421-4111 • Fax 401-331-7961 MEMBER of the Rhode Island Press Association
June 7 at 6 p.m. at the Atlantic Beach Club in Middletown. The rabbi also will be presented with a testimonial book of personal messages and memories. All are welcome to share in these celebrations. To purchase tickets for the dinner, please contact Gerry and Mickie MacNeill at gerrymick@cox.net. To purchase ad space in the testimonial book, contact Ed Scheff at escheff@cox.net. The deadline for both is May 15.
COPY DEADLINES: All news releases, photographs, etc., must be received on the Wednesday two weeks prior to publication. Submissions may be sent to: editor@jewishallianceri.org. ADVERTISING: We do not accept advertisements for pork or shellfish. We do not attest to the kashrut of any product or the legitimacy of our advertisers’ claims. All submitted content becomes the property of The Voice. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of The Voice or its publisher, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.