February 2024 by Jewish Rhode Island

FEBRUARY 2024 | SHEVAT/ADAR I 5784

JEWISHRHODY.ORG

Summer dreams Charlie Bakst remembers his Fall River youth

Alliance Solidarity Mission travelers reflect on Israel

Cooking with Elihay offers a warming soup

2 | FEBRUARY 2024

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

SERVING ALL IN RHODE ISLAND At JCS, we pride ourselves on leaving no one behind. If we do not have the services you need, we will help you find someone who does. Call us at (401) 331-1244. THE COUNSELING CENTER

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Land Rover Warwick 1346 Bald Hill Rd, Warwick, RI 02886 www.landroverwarwick.com Vehicle shown: 2024 Defender 110. Vehicle Image for illustrative purposes only. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. These systems are not a substitute for driving safely with due care and attention and will not function under all circumstances, speeds, weather and road conditions, etc. Driver should not assume that these systems will correct errors of judgment in driving. Do not use Land Rover InControl® or Pivi Pro features under conditions that will affect your safety or the safety of others. Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Land Rover InControl has a number of purchasing options available. As we systematically roll out the Land Rover InControl suite of products, specific features, options, and availability remain market dependent. Certain Pivi Pro features use an embedded SIM card and may require a data plan with separate terms and conditions and an additional subscription after an initial term. Mobile connectivity cannot be guaranteed in all locations. The Land Rover InControl AppsTM and Land Rover RemoteTM smartphone apps will work with AndroidTM devices from version 4.1 and Apple® devices from iOS 7.0 and must be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Please see your local authorized Land Rover Retailer for more details, visit LANDROVERUSA.COM or call 1-800-FIND-4WD / 1-800-346-3493. © 2023 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC.

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JEWISH RHODE ISL AND

EDITOR Fran Ostendorf DESIGN & LAYOUT Alex Foster ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Peter Zeldin | 401-421-4111, ext. 160 pzeldin@jewishallianceri.org CONTRIBUTORS Cynthia Benjamin, Sarah Greenleaf, Robert Isenberg, Emma Newbery COLUMNISTS Michael Fink, George M. Goodwin, Larry Kessler, Patricia Raskin, Rabbi James Rosenberg, Daniel Stieglitz

VOLUME XXXI, ISSUE II JEWISH RHODE ISLAND

(ISSN number 1539-2104, USPS #465-710) is published monthly except twice in May, August and September. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID at Providence, R.I. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Jewish Rhode Island, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. PUBLISHER

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tisements for pork or shellfish. We do not attest to the kashrut of any product or the legitimacy of advertisers’ claims.

The editor’s life, in all its messiness Oy, the things on my desk! I’m not just the editor of a newspaper, I’m also a subscriber and get a copy mailed to my home. Then I get lots of extra copies at my office. But that’s just the beginning. I get copies of Jewish papers from around the country, and I subscribe to general-circulation papers at home. And then there are the notes, news releases, stickies, letters, printouts, bills, invoices, checks, grandchild drawings, photos and … well, you get the picture. There are times when I feel like I’m drowning in paper. Yes, our lives are digital in so many ways, but we still produce and live with an awful lot of paper! Take my desk, for example. I thought you might be interested in the current state of that large flat surface. At home, you can get a glimpse of my life, both current and past, in that pile of papers there. I guess I’m a bit of a hoarder when it comes to paper. I’ve got bills and books and notepads and magazines and newspapers. Lots of those newspapers. At the office, you can catch a glimpse of what’s immediately important and who has come to visit at the top of the pile. There are also letters and other correspondence and copies of other Jewish newspapers and photographs and books and more newspapers. Sadly, my home desk is much more cluttered than my office desk. At the office, my life is in mostly neat piles. There is clutter, but also quite a bit of organization. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then what are we to think of an empty desk?” I don’t think I’ve ever experienced an empty desk. It will come as no surprise that there have been all kinds of studies on messy versus clean versus cluttered desks. A quick online search finds studies that show a messy desk promotes creativity or is a sign of a creative mind. Some argue that controlled clutter is the way to go, versus extreme clutter, which is detrimental to your physical and mental health. Disorganized and overflowing clutter, we’re told, can make you feel anxious and overwhelmed. I have to say, extreme clutter does cause me some anxiety, especially at the office. I work a hybrid schedule – several days in the office and several days at home. After a bout with COVID and a particularly long absence from the office, I returned to stacks of back issues and a tower of mail. I felt that sense of drowning in clutter, and I immediately took to sorting. Cleaning up a desk requires you to face your realities. I aspire to read all the Jewish newspapers from around the country that fill my office – there’s lots of information and story ideas there. But let’s face it, that just never happens. Anything

that can wait until next week tends to keep waiting. Occasionally, I bring the pile home. And what comes of that? More clutter at home. My aspirations, even when transported from the office to home, aren’t turning into action. I feel sometimes that I’m letting someone down by not doing something with it all. Can you relate? Mind you, most of my home is pretty darn neat and certainly clean. Why is it my desk and I can’t seem to keep up? I keep hoping that the clutter and its accompanying mess will somehow spark creativity, as some studies have suggested. That would make the clutter worthwhile! But it doesn’t seem to be happening for me. It just sits there, reminding me to either do something with it or throw it away. What it does spark is my need to declutter. Because I know I have lists to consult and books that need reviewing, and I can’t find them in all the clutter. And that sparks frustration, not creativity. Now if I could just find that list of column ideas …. Do you think it’s a hint that my husband gave me several new desk drawers (yet to be installed) for my desk at home? I think it’s time for a serious declutter. I will report back. Fran Ostendorf, Editor

ON THE COVER: Summer 2023 campers take advantage of water activities at Camp JORI in Wakefield. PHOTO | GLENN OSMUNDSON

The Voice of Greater Rhode Island’s Jewish Community

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THE MISSION OF JEWISH RHODE ISLAND is to communicate Jewish news, ideas and ideals by connecting and giving voice to the diverse views of the Jewish community in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, while adhering to Jewish values and the professional standards of journalism. ALL SUBMITTED CONTENT becomes the property of Jewish Rhode Island. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of Jewish Rhode Island or its publisher, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. We reserve the right to refuse publication and edit submitted content

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

UP FRONT Famed acting coach loved growing up Jewish in Cranston BY ROBERT ISENBERG

hat do Will Smith, Salma

Hayek and Brad Pitt have in common? They’re

all famous performers, of course. But they have also all trained with Howard Fine, a revered acting coach based in Los Angeles. THERE ARE MORE NAMES, as well: Lindsay Lohan, Bradley Cooper and Val Kilmer. Kerry Washington, Amy Smart and Diana Ross. Reading the list of alumni, you start to wonder what famous actor didn’t study at the Howard Fine Acting Studio. But before Fine opened his studio, in the middle of Hollywood, where he has spent more than three decades training the movie stars of tomorrow, he grew up in a Jewish family in Cranston. “I loved growing up in Cranston,” remembers Fine, 65, whose childhood home was in Garden City. Fine became a Bar Mitzvah at Temple Sinai, and fondly remembers his twice-weekly Hebrew lessons, the sukkah that was erected each Sukkot, and the warmth of his family’s friends. “Cranston had the best of suburbia,” Fine said during a recent phone interview. “The neighbors would all watch out for each others’ kids. That gave us a lot of community.” Fine was also exposed early to the darker chapters of Jewish history. Members of his mother’s family narrowly escaped the Buchenwald concentration camp, and fled to Shanghai. There, Fine’s mother met his father, a U.S. serviceman. They were married in China, and the bride wore a dress cut from parachute silk, according to family lore. “On my mother’s side, they’re all Holocaust survivors,” Fine says. “Everybody I saw had the [prisoner] number on their arms. And they were characters. The people that I knew were full of life, and appreciative of every day.” Today, Fine has a shaved head and a silver goatee, and he is almost always pictured smiling. On the phone, he has a boisterous laugh and responds generously to

Howard Fine every question. Our interview took place the day after his return from Melbourne, Australia, where he also has an acting studio, yet his voice didn’t betray a hint of jetlag or crankiness. In fact, Fine seems like the polar opposite of the hot-tempered, clipboard-hurling archetype of acting coaches.

Ask him for his recipe for success, whether he has a secret, and you’ll get only humility. “I actually don’t know,” he says. “I think nothing is as easy as it seems. In my experience, everything has felt rocky. Do I really know how I got where I am? No. That’s the truth.” Yet Fine’s journey reads like a

Cinderella story, which began in high school. A scheduling conflict led him to accidentally sign up for drama class; the moment he walked into the classroom, everything clicked. “It felt immediately as if it was home,” he remembers. “It’s rather inexplicable to me. I understood CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Diversity enriches Judaism

here are 54 portions in the Torah. Only six of

HERE’S A LITTLE background. A few weeks ago, in the Torah portion Shemot, we learned that Moses murdered an Egyptian taskmaster for beating a Hebrew slave, and then fled from Egypt and the pharaoh to save his life. Moses arrived in Midian, where he met Yitro and married one of his daughters, Zipporah. With their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, Moses and Zipporah enjoyed a peaceful life

in Midian until God called Moses at the Burning Bush and told him to return to Egypt and help free the Israelite people. When Moses explained to his father-inlaw where he was going and why, Yitro fully supported RABBI Moses ANDREW KLEIN and told him “lech l’shalom,” “go in peace.” Yitro was wise and compassionate, able to see beyond his own belief system to sup-

port Moses on his important mission with God. When this week’s portion begins, Yitro had learned that indeed God had redeemed the Israelites from slavery and that they were now encamped in the wilderness with Moses. Yitro brought Zipporah, Gershom and Eliezer to Moses to reunite the family. Yitro watched and observed that the Israelites were learning how to handle their newfound freedom just as Moses was learning how to be their leader. Moses was serving as judge, prophet and teacher for the Israelites. With all these responsibilities, Yitro could tell that Moses was overworked and weary. Yitro offered Moses wise counsel on how to be a more effective and equitable leader while at the same time empowering the people to take on more responsibility. His guidance helped establish a judicial system that relied on the elders of

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Backstage named Fine the “Best Acting Teacher in Los Angeles.” His book, “Fine on Acting: A Vision of Craft,” came out in 2009. He is well known in the Academy of Motion Pictures and a veteran consultant for the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Despite the world-famous names that surround him in Southern California, Fine remains proud of his Rhode Island roots and devoted to his Jewish identity. His father was a war veteran and worked as a mechanic, yet he strongly encouraged young Howard’s theatrical ambitions. “My father was remarkable in this way,” Fine remembers. “I inherited none of his skills. I grew up thinking, ‘I’m not good at anything.’ But he let each [of his children] go wherever they wanted to go. He was proud of all of us. He came to every theater production. He was so proud of me.” Fine speaks eloquently about his love for Jewish values, and has served on the board of the Synagogue for the Performing Arts, a

California-based congregation geared toward entertainment professionals. “My first instinct, when I was very young, was to become a rabbi,” Fine says. “Judaism struck a chord with me as a child. I would put myself in the Reform category, maybe in between Reform and Conservatism. I think there are such practical lessons in everyday life [in Judaism].” On stage and screen, many of the actors who have studied with Fine have gone on to play bigots, antisemites and Nazis. Fine feels strongly that actors must do justice to these roles. “It’s something that I learned from [the biblical] Joseph – we judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions,” he says. “The stories have to be told. There is good and evil in this world. Somebody has to play those roles. That person, no matter what their behavior, thinks they’re doing good.” In 2020, the pandemic was hard on the Howard Fine Acting Studio, since no students could appear in

the portion titles include the names of people, three of whom were Israelites (Sarah, Korach

and Pinchas) and three of whom were not (Noach, Yitro and Balak). This week’s Torah portion bears the name of Yitro, a Midianite priest who was the fatherin-law of Moses. Yitro’s guidance and wisdom had a

D’ VA

profound impact on the future of the Jewish people.

TO R A H

it.” Fine’s intuition for theater was evident to his drama teacher, who soon encouraged him to direct “The Sandbox,” a challenging absurdist play by Edward Albee. From there, Fine’s fate was sealed: He earned a B.A. in communications and theater from Rhode Island College, and a master’s in directing at Emerson College, in Boston, and then headed to New York City to immerse himself in the theater industry. By the age of 24, Fine was head of the acting department at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, in New York City, a competitive conservatory program. He would go on to teach in Australia, then move to Los Angeles, where he directed plays and opened his acting studio in the late 1980s. Fine had secured his reputation by the time he met Uta Hagen, one of the most legendary acting coaches in the world, and the two became friends. In 2006, industry magazine

the community rather than on Moses alone. In fact, this court structure created a foundation for legislative bodies in the Jewish world for centuries to come. As I reflect on the essence of this narrative, I think about the multitude of gifts that people of diverse faiths and spiritual practices have always brought and continue to bring to the Jewish community. Many play an active role in the lives of their Jewish families and the Jewish people. I believe that the Torah’s timeless wisdom and values continue to apply to our lives today. I am proud that our Torah speaks to the gifts and riches that people of other faiths contribute to our Jewish world. Just as Yitro did in ancient times, many of our congregational members of different belief systems and varied religious backgrounds continue to offer

person. Theaters and film lots were particularly hard hit during that time, and actors could barely scrape by, much less hone their craft. “There was a moment when I thought my career was over,” Fine says. But first, he tried one-on-one classes on FaceTime, then expanded to a virtual curriculum. While in-person classes have resumed, the online curriculum is still being offered. “We found a way to be online. Suddenly, I was working with people around the world,” he says. Even now, after so many years, Fine still gets excited to work with famous actors. “Most of us [acting coaches] began as fans,” he says. “That never goes away.” Only a few blocks from his studio, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is dotted with the names and handprints of

support to our Jewish communities in countless ways, having a meaningful influence on us and our religious institutions. They offer diverse viewpoints that help us clarify and strengthen our own values and intentions; they reflect back to us the beauty and wisdom they see in Judaism. The Torah teaches us to respect and appreciate all human beings and the gifts they have to offer. May we have the wisdom and the courage to learn from one another with gratitude, respect and love. ANDREW F. KLEIN is a rabbi emeritus at Temple Habonim, in Barrington. You can reach him at rabbiklein@templehabonim. org.

Candle lighting times February 2024

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actors that Fine taught. And while he is 65, Fine says he’s not thinking of winding down his career. “Teaching, for me, is not my job, it’s my identity,” he says. “I see no purpose in retiring. I’m going as long as I can.” ROBERT ISENBERG is a freelance writer and multimedia producer based in Cranston. His latest book, “Mile Markers: Essays on Cycling,” will be released in April.

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CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS FOR COMPLETE MONTHLY LISTINGS, VISIT JEWISHRHODY.ORG

Ongoing Kosher Senior Café and Programming. In-person lunches 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday – Thursday at the Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence; Fridays at Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Friday, 2/9, the café’s “Sweetheart Dance” will be held at the Dwares JCC – see below for more information. In-person (and on Zoom Wednesdays and Thursdays) programming from 11 a.m.-noon followed by lunch and discussion noon-1 p.m. Every Wednesday is chair yoga with Neal from 11-11:45 a.m. Seniors ages 60 and older as well as younger adults with a disability of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome. Suggested donation: $3 per lunch The Kosher Senior Café is a program of Jewish Collaborative Services and is supported by the Jewish Alliance of Greater RI and Blackstone Health. Information and RSVP, Neal at neal@jfsri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 107. Project Shoresh Ladies’ Partners in Torah Night. Sundays 7:458:45 p.m. Providence Hebrew Day School, 450 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Partner-based study group. On-site facilitators available. Free. Information, projectshoresh.com. Let’s Talk Hebrew! Alef (Beginners). Mondays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Current session thru 2/5 with possible makeup day 2/12. Next session 2/19 – 4/8. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. An introduction to alef bet and basic Hebrew phrases. Will work with a book. Cost: $125 (scholarship available). Information, Toby Liebowitz at tobyaane@gmail.com. Writing Community. Mondays 6-7:30 p.m. Current session thru 3/25. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Instructor Jim Levanos will provide lessons, guidance and creative writing prompts to help writers find their voices. 4-week block: JCC Members: $25 | Non-members: $35; individual class: JCC Members: $8 | non-members: $10. Information, Devorah Phillips at dphillips@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 163. Let’s Talk Hebrew! Bet (Advanced Beginners). Mondays 6:30-7:30 p.m. Current session thru 2/5 with possible makeup day 2/12. Next session 2/19 – 4/8. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Basic Hebrew reading skills and beginning Hebrew conversation. Will work with a book. Cost: $125 (scholarship available). Information, Toby Liebowitz at tobyaane@gmail. com.

Let’s Talk Hebrew! Daled (Advanced Intermediate). Mondays 6:30-7:30 p.m. Current session thru 2/5 with possible makeup day 2/12. Next session 2/19 – 4/8. Virtual only. For those able to converse in present, past and beginning future tenses and who can read and comment on easy Hebrew stories and newspaper articles. Will work with a book. Cost: $125 (scholarship available). Information, Toby Liebowitz at tobyaane@gmail.com. Delve Deeper “Two Nations in your Womb: Jews and Christians in Late Antiquity.” Mondays 7-9 p.m. 2/5 – 3/18. Explore how Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism developed, in parallel and in conversation, from ca. 200 to 600 C.E. Presented from Jewish and Christian perspectives. Instructors: Benny Bar-Lavi, Scholar-in-Residence in Jewish Studies and Jewish-Christian Relations, and Arthur Urbano, Professor of Theology, both at Providence College. Via Zoom. Cost: $175 (scholarships available). Information, www.delvedeeper.org. Temple Emanu-El Mahjong. Tuesdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 99 Taft Ave., Providence. Both new and advanced players are welcome. Drop-ins welcome. Information, Shosh@teprov.org. Let’s Talk Hebrew! Gimmel (Intermediate). Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. Current session thru 2/6 with possible makeup day 2/13. Next session 2/20 – 4/9. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Offered both in person and virtually. For those who can read and write Hebrew, and who can converse using basic vocabulary in the present and some past tense. Cost: $125 (scholarship available). Information, Toby Liebowitz at tobyaane@gmail. com. Let’s Talk Hebrew! Hey (Advanced). Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. Current session thru 2/6 with possible makeup day 2/13. Next session 2/20 – 4/9. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. For those who can speak Hebrew easily in all tenses, can read articles and poetry, and can discuss a variety of current topics. Cost: $125 (scholarship available). Information, Toby Liebowitz at tobyaane@gmail.com. Pottery Classes. Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. Current session thru 3/20. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Taught by long-time potter and ceramics teacher Sally Merino, classes will combine throwing on the potter’s wheel with hand-building methods to create exciting works. For all experience levels. Ages 18+. Information, Devorah Phillips at dphillips@jew-

ishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 163. Teen Nights at Temple Beth-El. Most Thursdays 6-8 p.m. No Teen Night on 2/22. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Information, Jillian Brosofsky at jbrosofsky@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100. Temple Torat Yisrael Virtual Kabbalat Shabbat Songs & Torah Services. Fridays 5:45-6:30 p.m. By Zoom only. Information, temple@ toratyisrael.org. Temple Sinai Shabbat Evening Service. Fridays 6-7 p.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Song, prayer and reflection. With Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser and Cantor Deborah Johnson. Information, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350. Cape Cod Synagogue Shabbat Services. Fridays 7 p.m., except second Friday of the month 6:30 p.m. when family Shabbat services take place. 145 Winter St., Hyannis, Mass. With Rabbi David Freelund. In-person and livestreamed on website, Facebook, Cape Media, YouTube and Community Television Comcast channel 99. Information, 508-775-2988 or capecodsynagogue.org. Temple Torat Yisrael Virtual & In-Person Saturday Morning Shabbat Services. 9:30-10:30 a.m. 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. In-person with Zoom available. Information, temple@toratyisrael. org. Temple Sinai Shabbat Breakfast & Torah Study. Saturdays 9:30-11 a.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Breakfast followed by interactive discussion at 10 a.m. with Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser or others in our community. Breakfast RSVP and information, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350. Temple Habonim Torah Study. Most Saturdays 10-11 a.m. Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman leads weekly Torah study on current portion. Via Zoom. Information, Adina Davies at office@templehabonim.org or 401245-6536. Cape Cod Synagogue Shabbat Services. Saturdays 10:30 a.m. 145 Winter St., Hyannis, Mass. With Rabbi David Freelund. In-person and livestreamed on website, Facebook and YouTube. Information, Cape Cod Synagogue at 508-7752988 or capecodsynagogue.org. Temple Sinai Shabbat Morning Service. Saturdays 11 a.m.-noon (10:30 a.m. when celebrating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah). 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. In-person and via Zoom. Information, templesinairi.org or Dottie at 401-942-8350.

Friday | February 2

Friday | February 9

Temple Beth-El Shabbat Service. 7 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Friday evening services. Information, Jillian Brosofsky at jbrosofsky@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Kosher Senior Café Sweetheart Dance. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Featuring live music by Beyond the Sea, good company, dancing and kosher lunch. Jewish Collaborative Services’ Kosher Senior Café is supported by the Jewish Alliance of Greater RI and Blackstone Health. Information and RSVP (by 2/2), Neal at neal@jfsri.org or 401-4214111, ext. 107.

Saturday | February 3 Temple Beth-El Torah Study. 9 a.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Saturday morning Torah study. Information, Jillian Brosofsky at jbrosofsky@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Tuesday | February 6 Temple Beth-El Lunch and Learn. Noon. Ruth Ben-Artzi will lead a discussion on lessons from the lead-up to 10/7 and its aftermath: politics, Jewish identity and the reality of the Middle East. Via Zoom. Information, Jillian Brosofsky at jbrosofsky@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Wednesday | February 7 Israeli Culture Series: “Unmasking Hamas: Revealing the Terrorist Organization.” 7 p.m. Conversation with a Palestinian, name withheld for his safety, from the West Bank and Neil Lazarus, an Israeli commentator and educator. Explore the historical origins of Hamas, its underlying goals and its significance within the Palestinian political landscape. Free. Information and RSVP (for Zoom link), Elihay Skital at eskital@jewishallianceri.org or 401-864-3786.

Thursday | February 8 “Shared Legacies: The African American-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance.” 6:30 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. This award-winning documentary, directed by Dr. Shari Rogers, explores the coalition and friendship between the Jewish and African-American communities during the Civil Rights movement. Screening followed by moderated audience discussion. Free. Register online at jewishallianceri.org/ events/shared-legacies. Information, Devorah Phillips at dphillips@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-4214111, ext. 163. The Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association with American Ancestors Presents “Getting Started in Genealogy.” 7 p.m. Delve into the best practices for research, basic organizational tools and templates, common records and resources, and more. Via Zoom. Free. Register online at rijha.org/events. Information, info@ rijha.org or 401-331-1360.

Temple Beth-El Repro Shabbat Service. 7 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Shabbat service with special guest Dr. Janet Lefkowitz, OB-GYN and Mohelet. Information, Jillian Brosofsky at jbrosofsky@ temple-beth-el.org or 401-3316070, ext. 100.

Saturday | February 10 Temple Beth-El Morning Shabbat Service. 9 a.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Information, Jillian Brosofsky at jbrosofsky@templebeth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Sunday | February 11 Day at the J. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Enjoy family swim, pickleball, Scholastic Book Fair, jumpy house, open tumbling (for ages 4 and under), group ex classes (Spin, Zumba, Restorative Yoga) and open gym. For time schedule of each activity, see Upcoming Events at Jewishallianceri.org. Information, Michelle Cicchitelli at mcicchitelli@ jewishallianceri.org. Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood presents “HOT FLASH! Let’s Talk about Menopause.” 11 a.m. 99 Taft Ave., Providence. Featuring Dr. Marcie Richardson, an OB-GYN and director of the menopause clinic at Atrius Health (formerly Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates), who will speak about women’s experiences with menopausal changes. Followed by a Q&A. Free. Information and to register, Temple Emanu-El office at 401-331-1616.

Friday | February 16 Temple Beth-El Shabbat Hallelu Service. 6:30 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. A music-filled Friday night Shabbat service. Information, Jillian Brosofsky at jbrosofsky@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Saturday | February 17 Temple Beth-El Torah Study. 9 a.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Information, Jillian Brosofsky at jbrosofsky@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

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FEBRUARY 2024 | 7

CALENDAR Tuesday | February 20 Virtual Art Lecture Series: “Marfa, Texas: Art Mecca in the Chihuahuan Desert.” 7-8 p.m. Artist Donald Judd left New York City for this small West Texas town in the 1970s. Since then, the isolated art hub has kept growing. Presented by Ronnit Vasserman, founder of Art Connect Group. Suggested donation: $10. Via Zoom. Information, Devorah Phillips at dphillips@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 163.

Friday | February 23 Temple Beth-El Shabbat B’yachad Dinner and Service. 6:15 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Family dinner followed by 7 p.m. studentled service with a special blessing for our scouts. Information, Jillian Brosofsky at jbrosofsky@templebeth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Saturday | February 24 Temple Beth-El JDAIM (Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month) Torah Study. 9 a.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Torah Study with Rabbi Emily Aronson. Information, Jillian Brosofsky at jbrosofsky@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 100.

Sunday | February 25 3rd Annual Camp Winter Party. 1-3 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. PJ Library, PJ Our Way, Camp JORI, JCS, JCDSRI and J-Camp

participants are invited to get together with other families with kids ages 6 to 13. Enjoy winter-themed games, crafts, snacks, bounce house and more. Free. Information and RSVP (encouraged), info@campjori.com or lursillo@jewishallianceri.org.

Wednesday | February 28 Teaching the History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Using primary sources and supplemental materials, trace the development of the conflict from the late 19th century to the early 2000s. For K-12 educators. Via Zoom. Led by the Institute for Curriculum Services in partnership with the Jewish Alliance of Greater RI and the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center. Information, Dori Gerber at dgerber@icsresources.org.

Thursday | February 29 The Great Rhode Island Challah Bake. 6-8 p.m. Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence. Participants will leave with 2 challahs to bake at home. For women and children. Cost: $36. Brought to you by Core Connects RI, Jewish Alliance, Brown RISD Hillel, Camp JORI, Hadassah, Jewish Community Day School of RI, Congregation Beth Sholom, Temple Beth-El, Temple Habonim and Temple Torat Yisrael. Information and RSVP (required), Elissa Felder at CoreConnectsRI@ gmail.com.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

FOOD

A soul-warming soup from Yemen BY ELIHAY SKITAL

y grandmother was such a powerful woman. I wrote this article in her memory, and for the memories she

gave me and my family.

Elihay Skital makes his soup at URI Hillel during an activity.

BOTH OF MY GRANDMAS made aliyah to Israel from Yemen in the 1950s, one of them at the age of 3. The other one, Saade, made aliyah when she was 25. Her husband, who was much older than she, didn’t want to move to Israel, so he divorced her. This grandmother got married when she was 9 years old and gave birth seven times before she was 26. All of the babies died of illnesses; none of them survived longer than a year and a half. Saade made aliyah with her parents and siblings, and a few years later, she married my grandfather. He was married to another woman at the time, but

house to eat Yemenite Soup for lunch every Friday. This is one of the things I miss the most, and it’s one of the reasons why I brought two pounds of hawaij (a spice mix often used in the soup) all the way from Israel to here. After I got to Rhode Island, I realized that it is very easy to make this spice mix, so no worries if you don’t have it. To make hawaij at home, just mix

because he didn’t have any sons, he got permission to get married again (polygamy was acceptable under such circumstances in the Yemenite community), and they had four kids, one of whom is my father. They were married for 13 years, until my grandfather passed away at the age of 56. Saade’s heart was broken. However, she had to manage to come back to normal life for the sake of her four children. This grandma lived three houses away from me in Ashkelon, Israel, and she had a great connection with all her grandchildren. Skital with his grandmother. Every Friday, she made some traditional Yemenite food, such as Yemenite Soup, together 1 tablespoon of black pepper, 1 tablespoon of chicken livers or galube cumin and 4 tablespoons of (Yemenite fried bread). turmeric. We used to go every FriThe recipe takes around day to my grandma’s house, an hour, and at the end, you talk to her, eat her lovely have an amazing soup that food, and enjoy being with serves 4. her. All her grandchildren, including me, took turns To watch a video of Skital making this sleeping in her house every soup, go to JewishRhody.org. night so she would not be alone. She made so many ELIHAY SKITAL is the Israeli happy memories for us in shaliach (emissary) to this house! the Rhode Island Jewish It is a tradition in my community.

Yemenite Soup INGREDIENTS 4 chicken thighs and 4 drumsticks 1 big onion, peeled but uncut 1 tablespoon of hawaij 1 tablespoon of soup powder or bouillon, any flavor Potatoes, cut in quarters Water 1 fresh bunch of cilantro

DIRECTIONS Put the potatoes and onion in the pot, adding water to cover. After the water comes to a boil, add the chicken and enough water to at least cover. You can add as much water as you want for the amount of soup you want to prepare. This recipe is

flexible. Wait for the water to boil again. Using a spoon, skim the foam that rises to the top. Add the hawaij and soup powder or bouillon to the pot. After it boils for a few minutes, add the cilantro (no need to cut it). Boil on medium heat for another 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees on an instant-read food thermometer. No need to remove the bones and skin before serving, but you can if you prefer. Enjoy! NOTE: If you like matzah balls, you can add them to the soup for the last 10 minutes of cooking.

FEBRUARY 2024 | 9

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COMMUNITY VOICES

Lessons learned in camp will last a lifetime

essons learned in summer camp can be

valuable to people of all ages and stages of life.

HEA

Y L I VI

ON THE AMERICAN CAMP Association’s website, acacamps.org, three lessons learned in camp were noted in a sponsored blog: building resilience, fostering independence and improving problem-solving skills. These are such important life skills! Resilience is a key ingredient for dealing with life’s changes. How do we find solutions that help us overcome obstacles? And how can we model resilience for our children? Having resilience can make the difference between good mental health and having mental-health conditions. There is a great quiz on resiliency at resiliencyquiz. com. It’s worth taking, and you can see where you are on a continuum. The second life lesson in the blog, which is sponsored by ACTIVE Network, is fostering independence. The earlier we learn how to make decisions, and to learn from our mistakes, the more confident and independent we become. How often do we let our children make decisions, even very small ones? Do we allow our children to take responsibility for those decisions, or do we rescue them? Fostering independence teaches life lessons that help us cope and handle disappointments better. The third life lesson is improving problem-solving skills. Communication and resourcefulness are also strong parts of this skill, especially in presenting and defending the solution.

How often do we ask our children to think critically, and identify problems? How often do we encourage our children to ask questions and identify the best solutions? The earlier children learn these skills, the easier it will be to learn, grow and create solutions. In digging deeper, specifically into the benefits of Jewish camp, I found answers at the Foundation for Jewish Camp, jewishcamp.org: “By attending Jewish camp: “1. Jewish youth feel a deep, personal, and lifelong commitment to their Jewish identity, ownership of their Judaism, PATRICIA and connection RASKIN to Israel. “2. Jewish adults prioritize Jewish experiences and incorporate Jewish values and knowledge into their family life. “3. The next generation of Jewish leaders is equipped with a greater sense of community, connectedness, competency, and resilience.” So, in addition to all the fundamental life skills that camp offers, Jewish camps honor our Judaism and help our future leaders apply their Jewish values and identity.

PATRICIA RASKIN, owner of Raskin Resources Productions, is an awardwinning radio producer, business owner and leader. She is on the board of directors of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence, and is a recipient of the Providence Business News 2020 Leaders and Achievers award. Her “Positive Aging with Patricia Raskin” podcast is broadcast on the Rhode Island PBS website, ripbs.org/positiveaging.

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10 | FEBRUARY 2024

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY VOICES

An ode to trees

rees have spoken to me pretty much all my life: Every day is Tu

B’Shevat to me!

SKE

YEAH, I LEARNED from poems, even Joyce Kilmer’s famous lines, which turned into the lyrics to the song for Arbor Day, and starts with, “I think that I shall never see/a poem lovely as a tree.” The poem, “Trees,” closes with a religious ode: “Poems are made by fools like me/but only God can make a tree.” When I was a college boy, my renowned professor at Yale, Cleanth Brooks (who invented the “New Criticism”), despised “Trees,” and openly

attacked it for the crime of illogical metaphors, as well as the sentimentality due to the death of the poet on the battlefield. But when I think about our Jewish prayers and praise for creation, I retrieve the verse and enjoy it openly again. Indeed, I used to recite by rote the rhyming lines of poems about trunks all the way to the roots of an arbor, an orchard, to the most common maple, oak or palm planted by hand or machine. Throughout all the myriad chapters of my life. In a way, I think it got me through my school days, life MIKE FINK on campus, my work office, backyard strolls around my property. In Israel, I planted trees on a kibbutz in the Galil. Sasa, I think

BOOK

was its name. On Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish “New Year of the Trees,” I don’t want to pray with gratitude for trees’ utility, the profit to be gained from trees as a product. I prefer the concept of the burning bush, which speaks to us with sacred spiritual words. And Divinity designed Eden, and pronounced it “good.” In a world, and even a universe, in which “nature” is a thing to be overcome, the mysterious and magical quality of a life form with depth and height, the dignity of its generosity toward birds and squirrels, and its connection to libraries, with their “branches” and benches, with their contemplative invitations to wanderers … we might recite blessings in Hebrew! MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol.com) is a professor emeritus at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Cooper will live forever in our hearts

e lost a beloved member of our immediate family early last month our friendly, cuddly male cat Cooper.

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own, my wife, Lynne, and I would look forward to having our pets sit next to us on the couch while watching our favorite TV shows at night. So, yes, our pets are very much part of our families, and the loss of one of them saddens us greatly. In Cooper’s case, he wasn’t old, even in cat years; he was 10½, and we had him for 10 of those years, having adopted him at 6 months old, on New Year’s Eve in 2013. Cooper was a rambunctious youngster: he enjoyed running through the house and playing with his cat toys and scratching post, and jumping on and off his cat “tree house,” a contraption lined with soft fabric that let him safely climb at will. When we added Buddy to our household two years later, Cooper accepted his canine brother, and the

K IN

G OU

WHILE SOME PEOPLE might question calling a pet a member of the family, it clearly is. We feed them, take care of them, groom them and take them to veterinarian appointments on a regular basis. Just as we did for our kids while they were growing up, we made sure Cooper and our dog, Buddy, both got their checkups and shots. With our children now adults and living on their

two of them played together – though sometimes we’d be forced to break them up when their play became a bit too rough. Cooper was healthy for most of his life, but in December, we began noticing signs of him having trouble breathing. Lynne took him to the vet’s office, and asthma was originally suspected. But when he didn’t respond to the medicine and his breathing LARRY worsened, the KESSLER vet suspected he had a mass in his throat or chest. By then, Cooper was really suffering, and even if an expensive X-ray procedure confirmed the mass, we were told that there was no guarantee that anything could be done for him. So, considering how much he was suffering – he was barely breathing at that point – we made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Cooper. That sad day was Jan. 8, and we still miss Cooper terribly. He slept with Lynne most nights, but he would roam

the house at night, and he loved to come into the room where I sleep downstairs. I usually remembered to close the door when I got up in the middle of the night, but whenever I’d leave the door even slightly ajar, Cooper would run in. Since his passing, I still find myself closing the door, and I still expect to see him sleeping on one of his cat beds or other favorite resting spots. I still look for him, as we’d do if he hadn’t shown his face for a couple of hours. I miss him curling up on my lap. Cooper was affectionate to the end. On the very morning of what would be his last day, he cuddled up with me in bed, as if he knew how much pain my back was in due to three-plus weeks of coughing. But that was Cooper, an Cooper empathetic, cuddly, cute and loving cat. And that’s only one of many reasons why the entire family will forever love him and cherish our memories of him. LARRY KESSLER (larrythek65@gmail.com) is a freelance writer based in North Attleboro. He blogs at larrytheklineup.blogspot.com.

PHOTO | KESSLER FAMILY

FEBRUARY 2024 | 11

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COMMUNITY VOICES

Photographer Richard Avedon, Woonsocket and Uncle George

n May 31 of last year, I was shocked by a review in The

New York Times written by Arthur Lubow. AFTER IDENTIFYING many of the strengths and weaknesses of Richard Avedon’s retrospective exhibition, held at the Gagosian Gallery in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City, the critic claimed that the seven photographic portraits of the photographer’s father, Jacob Israel Avedon (1889-1973), taken during the last four years of his life, were the artist’s “greatest.” In fact, all seven were reproduced in the review, with only four other photos. Avedon’s memorial exhibition, coinciding with the centenary of his birth, included scores of portraits of famous, wealthy and glamorous people, and some nearly anonymous subjects too. Yet Lubow thought that the images of Avedon’s father were “most profound” because they were “weighted with a disturbing gravity.” Indeed, they revealed a fraught and bitter relationship that had probably never healed. On Feb. 13, 1996, I conducted a revealing telephone interview with the photographer. Why? I had discovered that his father, a merchant, had lived in Woonsocket from about 1937 to about 1954, and I wanted to learn more about him. My complete interview with Richard Avedon was published in the 1996 issue of Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes. It includes an upbeat photo of Richard, taken by his father, when the boy was 13. Perhaps just before or after his Bar Mitzvah? At this time, the elder Avedon was known professionally as Allan J., but relatives and friends called him “A.J.”

M US

Anna was eventually During the interview, Avelisted in Woonsocket direcdon explained that his Rustories as the Avedon Corposian-born father, a graduate ration’s vice president, but of City College of New York, her son insisted that she had initially worked as a had nothing to do with the math and English teacher. business and never travHe later went into the retail eled there. Indeed, Richard dress business with his recalled visiting Woonsocket older brother, Sam, and they only once or twice, when he did quite well. In 1930, howwas 14 or 15. ever, only a year after openAllan traveled by train ing Avedon’s Fifth Avenue, about once a month to at 448 Fifth and 40th Street visit his family, but Anna in New York City, the refused to retire with him in brothers lost their Sarasota, Florida. Richard business. Allan wondered if his father may became a buyer have had a companion or for other dress a mistress in Woonsocket. shops, but Indeed, after the couple yearned to was divorced in 1957, Allan reestablish a remarried in Sarasota. business of his Alas, Richard felt that he own. knew his father only superSomehow, ficially. Most memorable, he GEORGE M. Richard’s said, were his “big, deep and GOODWIN father met sad eyes.” Arthur J. So how does my Uncle Darman, one of WoonsockGeorge S. Rosenthal, older et’s most successful textile brother of my mother, manufacturers and real Madeline, fit into an Avedon estate developers, and a family portrait? leader of its Jewish commuBorn in Cincinnati in nity. In 1937, Allan became 1922, a year before Richard, president of the Avedon George was reared in a Corporation, and Darman prosperous family of Reform became its treasurer. The Jews. Having majored in dress business was located poker at Stanford, he left at 19 Monument Square, in after his freshman year. the magnificent Stadium At the beginning of World Building, which Darman War II, despite his poor had built in 1926. health, perhaps inspired Allan learned some by his French to great-grandspeak with his ‘Richard felt that father, Samcustomers, uel, a Civil but he also he knew his father War veteran, frequently Uncle George disagreed with Darman about only superficially.’ enlisted in the Army. the cost of But he was luxury items, soon discharged because of especially fur coats. a life-threatening illness. Allan rented an apartment at 15 North Main St. in Inevitably, perhaps, he then Woonsocket and affiliated became a fourth-generawith Congregation B’nai tion member of his family’s Israel, where Darman was printing business. president. (Darman became Given his deep interest the major benefactor of the in photography, Uncle congregation’s lavish new George was allowed to synagogue, which was constudy for a summer in structed in 1962.) Chicago at the design In 1922, Allan had marschool led by the modernried Anna (originally Hanist László Moholy-Nagy, nah) Polonsky, a daughter who had taught at the of a successful dress manulegendary Bauhaus in facturer, and she remained Weimar, Germany. The with their children, Richard experience was profound, and Louise (born in 1925), at and soon Uncle George the family’s home in Manand his wife, Jean, hattan. another Cincinnatian,

The first issue of the magazine Portfolio became enamored of both the European and American avant-garde. Eventually, they would build an extremely important collection of paintings, collages and sculptures, which now belongs to my three cousins. But when Uncle George purchased a Warhol soup-can painting at the artist’s first solo exhibition, held in Los Angeles in 1962, his parents thought that he was crazy. How could he squander $300 when he had a young family to support? By 1950, Uncle George, Aunt Jean and their close friend Frank Zachary, a designer, had begun publishing their own avant-garde magazine, Portfolio, which was devoted to the graphic arts. Though it lasted only three issues, through 1951, the magazine is still considered one of the boldest of the postwar era. Alexey Brodovitch, the art director of Harper’s Bazaar, became the magazine’s designer, and he encouraged his young protégé, Richard Avedon, already a top fash-

ion photographer, to submit examples of his work. Thus, nine astonishing photos by Avedon, spanning 10 pages, appeared in Portfolio’s first issue. My Uncle George never visited Woonsocket. He passed away at only 44 years of age, having spent virtually all of his adult years with his wife, kids and bridge-playing cronies in “Cincinnata.” Alas, I was only able to visit with these dear relatives no more than a dozen times. But Uncle George’s stunning black-and-white portrait of my entire family, which he shot remotely in my grandparents’ yard in about 1959, hangs proudly in my Providence home. Far more than being “chic” or “cool,” it’s priceless to me. GEORGE M. GOODWIN, of Providence, is the editor of Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes.

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12 | FEBRUARY 2024

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

OPINION Totally appropriate

Katie Silberman East Greenwich Rebecca Taub Barrington Amy Borak Providence Sarit Lesser Barrington Naama Gidron Providence Rachel Kulick Providence Aaron Regunberg Providence Sarah Leibel Providence Victoria Restler Providence

n Sunday, April 5, 2020, I made my first entry into what I have come

to call my “Covid diary.”

three billion people find it impossible to wash their hands at home. So much for proper sanitary protocol .…” Wednesday, April 29, 2020. A bit more than three weeks into my COVID diary, I write: “Weary, weary …. The Covid virus still consumes our consciousness and, for the increasing number of the unlucky, our bodies. As of today, more than 3,000,000 men, women, and children the world over are known to be Covid infected, more than 225,000 deaths. “Just ten days ago, an early draft of my column for Jewish Rhode Island RABBI JAMES used the numbers ROSENBERG 2,000,000 infections, 125,000 deaths. Exponential growth in numbers, exponential growth in fear, anxiety. Growing sense that we will never return to ‘normal’….” On Sunday, May 24, 2020, at almost 11 p.m., I wrote: “These weeks of social distancing and masks. Stage 1 is the beginning of a slow, very slow return to some pale reflection of normality. Tomorrow is Memorial Day, with all crowds still

FOUR DAYS LATER, on Thursday, April 9, I found myself writing about “social distancing,” which is actually physical distancing – 6 feet of separation from every other human being, except for the people with whom you are dwelling. This means no physical contact – not a hug, not even a handshake with your friends, with your children, or, especially, with your grandchildren. All of us were living with the very real fear of contamination. The previous night, my family learned a new answer to “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Along with many of our fellow Jews throughout the world, we experienced our very first Zoom seder: my wife, Sandy, and I participated from our condo on the East Side of Providence; my daughter, Karen, my son-in-law and three of our five grandchildren joined from their home in Cambridge, Massachusetts; my son, David, ‘As COVID has morphed his wife and their two children Zoomed in from Natick, Massafrom pandemic to endemic, chusetts. Three homes in our mishpachah, physically distant from one another, but brought we have begun to make our together by Zooming the ritual of our abbreviated seder. guarded peace with it...’ After reflecting on our somewhat disorienting but, at the verboten. Maintain physical sepasame time, unifying seder, I went ration – in most cases, six feet. If all on to make mention in my diary of goes well, Governor Gina Raimondo “two very important op-ed pieces will usher in Stage 2 (or Phase 2) a in recent issues of ‘The New York week from tomorrow, on June 1; and Times’ – one by Charles Blow and it will be “legal” to have my fleece of the other by Samantha Power. Both hair sheared …. emphasize that social distancing is “One of the few blessings of the far more a privilege than a burden. curse of coronavirus is our weekly “Blow points out how many Sunday Zoom hour with Alan and working class Americans – grocers, Rena [close friends in Scarsdale, truck drivers, mail carriers, people New York]. Though we cannot hug whose lives depend upon touching or even shake hands, we can talk – AND, OF COURSE, ALL THOSE to each other and see each other, if MEDICAL WORKERS WHO NEED only on a screen; but we have been TO SCROUNGE FOR PPE (Personal seeing each other once a week, as Protective Equipment) – risk their opposed to once a season!” lives while we who self-isolate face My latest entry in what I still call the privilege of feeling ‘cabined, my “Covid diary,” as of this writing, cribbed, confined’ (Macbeth) …. was this past Jan. 16, 2024 – about “Powers expands this view to 45 months and precisely 138 pages encompass the whole world, where

S TO M

A LETTER TO THE EDITOR by Alex Cutler (“Our Community Must Stay United,” Jan. 2024) objects to Jewish RI even publishing an interview with Professor Ruth Ben-Artzi, calling it “inappropriate for a Jewish organization.” If Dr. Cutler wants to wait until Israel is safe before the Jewish community is allowed to disagree on how to achieve that safety, he may be waiting another 5784 years. Israel has never been safe. Jews have always disagreed. In fact, one might say it is our lively intellectual discourse – what our grandparents called “Yiddishe kop” – that has contributed to our survival. Dr. Ben-Artzi is an eighth-generation Israeli who was born and grew up in Israel, served in the IDF, and has immediate family and countless friends currently in Israel. She is an Associate Professor of Political Science with a focus on Middle Eastern Studies at Providence College, and a Providence resident who is raising her three children in the Rhode Island Jewish community. She also happens to be Benjamin Netanyahu’s niece, and as such views the situation in Israel with the utmost gravity, both personally and professionally. We appreciate hearing Dr. Ben-Artzi’s deeply educated perspective on the conflict in Israel and are grateful to Jewish RI for publishing her interview.

The trauma of COVID gives way to new worries

IT S E

LETTERS

since my first entry. I wonder as I wander through these pages of my memory if I am still living in the world of COVID, or in a post-COVID world, or somewhere in the nebulous in-between. My elderly contemporaries are still coming down with the virus, sometimes for a second time. This past September, my oldest granddaughter caught COVID from her roommate during her first week as a freshman at Wellesley College, and in mid-December, her younger brother came down with the virus. Later that same month, her younger sister caught COVID, and in early January, my son-in-law caught the disease. Fortunately, given that most of these three generations of my family have had all their vaccines and subsequent boosters, and given the “miracle” of Paxlovid, none of them required hospitalization. Neither my wife, Sandy, nor I have had COVID as of yet. We still err on the side of precaution, as we well should given that infection rates are once again on the rise in the Northeast. We continue to wear masks in most public places, although we do not wear them or keep our physical distance in the presence of family and friends. Moreover, we have recently resumed eating in some restaurants, although we continue to avoid those that we know to be crowded. As COVID has morphed from pandemic to endemic, we have begun to make our guarded peace with it – it is no longer our primary concern. We have become preoccupied with the crises in the Middle East and in Ukraine, and, as we move toward our presidential election in November, we must face the mounting threat to democracy here in America. We have so much to worry about that the spotlight is no longer on COVID. With apologies to T.S. Eliot, winner of the 1948 Nobel Prize in Literature: This is the way that Covid ends This is the way that Covid ends This is the way that Covid ends Not with a bang but a whimper. JAMES B. ROSENBERG is a rabbi emeritus at Temple Habonim, in Barrington. Contact him at rabbiemeritus@templehabonim.org.

Jewish Rhode Island publishes thoughtful and informative contributors’ columns (op-eds of 500 – 800 words) and letters to the editor (300 words, maximum) on issues of interest to our Jewish community. At our discretion, we may edit pieces for publication or refuse publication. Letters and columns, whether from our regular contributors or from guest columnists, represent the views of the authors; they do not represent the views of Jewish Rhode Island or the Alliance.

FEBRUARY 2024 | 13

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

OPINION

Delaware school district promises changes in response to federal probe of antisemitic bullying BY ANDREW LAPIN (JTA) – A Delaware public school district will send staff to anti-harassment training and compensate the family of a Jewish student who alleged antisemitic bullying. The agreement followed a U.S. Department of Education investigation into how Red Clay Consolidated School District handled allegations of antisemitic incidents, detailed in a complaint to the agency last June. The agreement marks the first time in nine months that the education department announced the closure of an antisemitism-related investigation filed under Title VI, the clause of the Civil Rights Act that prohibits discrimination on the basis of “shared ancestry” or “national origin.” It comes as the department embarks on a wave of antisemitism investigations at schools and colleges in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which has triggered widespread allegations of antisemitism on campuses. What happened in Red Clay, the department said, should be seen as a model for its work. “This important agreement requires the Red Clay Consolidated District to fulfill its federal civil rights obligation to ensure that all of its students, including Jewish students, can learn safely and without discriminatory harassment in its schools,” Catherine Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights in the department, said in a statement announcing the resolution. “We look forward to active work with this district going forward to protect Jewish students, and all students, from targeted discrimination that impedes their equal access to education.” The department said that a student

JEWISH

in the district, which includes parts of Wilmington and its suburbs, was targeted by her classmates for being Jewish. Classmates had written “Blood of the Jews” and drawn swastikas on paper airplanes, and raised their arms in Heil Hitler salutes at the student. The department’s Office of Civil Rights said it had further determined that the district’s responses to these incidents “were often haphazard; were inconsistently enforced as well as inconsistently reflected in district documentation; did not consistently include effective or timely steps to mitigate the effects of the harassment on the student or other students; and did not appear to respond to escalating and repeated incidents.” The department opened its investigation into the district in June 2023. In response, Red Clay has agreed to implement new annual Title VI harassment training for its staff; publicize a new anti-harassment statement; conduct a new audit of past student discrimination complaints; revise its procedure for investigating such claims, and report back to the civil rights office with student climate surveys. It will also reimburse the student’s family “for past counseling, academic, or therapeutic services they obtained for the student as a result of the antisemitic harassment the student experienced,” according to the department’s announcement. The listed agreements do not include specific antisemitism-related training that some Jewish groups have pushed schools to adopt. They do include training to recognize discrimination based on “shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics,” the Title VI language. “A recent Office of Civil Rights inves-

RHODE ISLAND's

tigation has highlighted the need for a collective effort to address hate and discrimination, and we want to assure our community that we stand firmly against hate in all its forms, including antisemitism,” district superintendent Dorrell Green said in a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Green’s statement added that the district would undertake a “comprehensive audit” and that it would encourage open dialogue with the community. Jewish groups including the American Jewish Committee and the Orthodox Union praised the settlement agreement. “This resolution from the Department of Education is an important step forward and contains numerous action steps that all schools can and should take to create and maintain a safe learning environment for Jewish students,” Ted Deutch, the head of AJC, said in a statement. “Discipline is not enough, and these steps crucially can create a safe, inclusive climate for learning.” In his own statement, OU executive vice president Rabbi Moishe Hauer tied the resolution into the more than 50 Title VI investigations that have been opened since Oct. 7. “Antisemitism has become a significant factor in the lives of Jewish students at universities and public schools,” Hauer said. “Schools must fulfill their responsibility under Title VI to maintain an environment where all students can study and thrive without experiencing hostility based on their shared ancestry or ethnicity.” Investigations remain ongoing in antisemitism-related cases at Columbia, Brown, the University of North Carolina and others.

This Month in

LETTERS Where is the outrage? FULL HUMANITARIAN aid and medical for the residents of Gaza [January 2024]? Why do you not demand it for the raped and beaten hostages? Where is your outrage at the systematic Jew hatred of the Red Cross? Why have they not fought to provide this for our hostages? Where is [Michael] Fine’s and [Rabbi Wayne] Franklin’s anger at Women of the UN, #Metoo, NOW and others for not standing up for our Jewish and Israeli women and men? Neither of you have a response to the silence of such celebrities as Mrs. Obama and Oprah Winfrey? As one Israeli female rape survivor of the terrorist hostage perpetrated by Hamas said, “There are no innocent Arabs in Gaza.” Rabbi & Mr. Fine, your sympathies are misplaced. Rabbi, you know the Halacha: “When one comes to slay you, rise up and slay him first.” Rabbi Sam Rothberg Rabbi Rothberg is a Rhode Islander who has been living in South Florida since 1982.

Right for our times I THOUGHT YOUR EDITORIAL was excellent and right on the button for 2024 [January 2024]. It reminded me of the anecdote about the Knesset or even a minyan. If you get 10 Jews in a room, there will be 11 opinions. Miriam Plitt Pawtucket, R.I.

History

And Away They Went THE MUSICAL “And Away We Go” probably didn’t win any Tony Awards, but these amateur actors in 1955 look like they had plenty of fun performing it. Details about the show are scant, including the playwright and composer, but we do know that “And Away We Go” was performed in the auditorium of Hope High School in Providence. The

show was produced by the Cranston Jewish Community Center, an organization that was once headquartered at 330 Park Ave. in Cranston but dissolved in 2012. The CJCC was also the former home of Temple Torat Yisrael before it moved into a new facility in East Greenwich. The center has since transformed into Praise Tabernacle Church.

Newspaper courtesy Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association

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Community members on the Alliance’s Solidarity Mission to Israel stop for a photo outside Emek Medical Center in Afula, Israel.

PHOTOS | COURTESY MEMBERS OF THE SOLIDARITY MISSION TO ISRAEL

Alliance group reports impacts of mission BY FRAN OSTENDORF

he 22 community members who traveled to Israel Jan. 14-18 as part

of the Israel Solidarity Mission, sponsored by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, had an opportunity to see firsthand the situation there, and to lend a helping hand. THE GROUP VOLUNTEERED on a farm in the Afula region, an area that the Alliance supports with campaign funds; worked with children from Youth Futures; and visited those injured in the war at Emek Medical Center, in Afula. They also paid their respects to fallen soldiers at Mount Herzl cemetery, in Jerusalem, and visited Hostages Square, in Tel Aviv. According to board chair Harris Chorney, of Narragansett, it was an unforgettable experience. “To drive around Jerusalem, where there is traffic and people are out, is a stark contrast to the significant war only 50 miles south,” he said.

“I went to show solidarity and to do whatever we can to support Israel,” he added. Laura Freedman, of Newport, said the trip gave her insight into what Israelis are dealing with right now. “The country and people are traumatized, and they are doing what they can to support the [war] effort. They might not necessarily agree, but the whole country has mobilized,” she said. The Rhode Island community’s shaliach (Israeli emissary), Elihay Skital, who grew up in Ashkelon, was on the trip, and was returning to his home for the first time since the war began. He said he found his fellow Israelis downcast. “In Jerusalem, you don’t see the war, but you see it in their faces and in signs,” he said. Skital was particularly moved during the stop at the Mount Herzl cemetery, where the group visited the graves of soldiers lost in the current war. “These are people my age,” he said. At that stop, group members told Jewish Rhode Island that they encountered soldiers saying Kaddish at the graves of lost members of their units, and that it was a powerful, solemn moment. One surprise for the group was

that people they met thanked them for coming to Israel. “A lot of Israelis feel alone. That everyone supports the Palestinians. Israelis really appreciate visitors from the United States,” Skital said. “You heard Israelis say ‘thank you’ and they really meant it,” said Chorney. “They aren’t Jews on an island, and that’s important to them.” Freedman said she feels a responsibility to share what she learned in Israel. “I think Israel is an amazing country,” she said. “They plow ahead. They are resilient. People are out and about. They can’t just live sheltered in their homes all the time. It doesn’t mean it’s easy. They have to function.” “We still need to keep supporting them,” Chorney said. “It’s important.” Said Mark Patinkin, a Providence Journal columnist who traveled with the group for the first two days, before traveling and reporting on his own: “The greatest understanding comes from being there, and the Alliance mission gave us all that gift.” FRAN OSTENDORF (fostendorf@ jewishallianceri.org) is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.

Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Sydney Miller and Dr. Robert Ducoff with some of what they helped to pick at a farm in Israel.

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First person

A nation in agony BY RABBI JEFFREY GOLDWASSER

he moment I saw the email from the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island about the Solidarity Mission to Israel, I knew I had to go. It was early December, and I

knew that the pain of the war was mounting for Israeli families with sons and daughters in the IDF, for the tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated from their homes, and for the families of the hostages in Gaza. I had to be with them.

THE 22 PEOPLE on our mission were diverse, including two rabbis, a newspaper columnist, a grandfather and his granddaughter, a woman who had never been to Israel before, a mom with young children at home, an Israeli, non-Jews and Jews who identified with Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Judaism. None of the distinctions mattered. We were all going for the same purpose – to be with the Israeli people at a time when they needed our support. Arriving at Ben Gurion Airport delivered the first shock of the trip for me: I had never seen the airport so empty. Israel is a nation that normally receives millions of visitors each year. During this time of war, the number of people entering has slowed to a trickle. The glass-walled hallway from the terminals to passport control felt ominously empty. In the place of thousands of tourists, there were posters with the names and faces of the hostages in Gaza, with the words, “Bring them home now!” We would see signs, posters and billboards like these everywhere we went for the next three days – a constant reminder of the agony the nation is going through as it hopes and prays for the return of the captives. After a drive to Jerusalem, dinner at our hotel, and a briefing from an Israeli analyst, many members of our group chose to walk to the Western Wall. We saw the emptiness of the Old City as we made our way through the ancient alleyways. Standing in the plaza in front of the Western Wall is, for me, a transformational experience. In this place, I feel myself as part of 3,000 years of our people’s history, right down to my bones. I placed my hands on the wall and prayed a prayer for peace and wholeness. At the back of the Western Wall plaza, there is a new memorial: A plaque inscribed with the names of the 1,200 civilians and military personnel who were murdered by Hamas on Oct. 7. Below the names are row after row of memorial candles, one for each person. The memorial sums up the sadness, despair and darkness that Israel is living through right now. The next morning, we began our first full day of talking with Israelis

to learn about their individual experiences. We started with a visit to a farm in the small moshav (a cooperative community of farmers) of Ahituv, in central Israel, near Hadera. We went to work preparing a field for a new planting of zucchini. As we tore up the old plants, we were encouraged to enjoy the flavor of the few remaining fruits still on the tall vines. I spoke to the young Israeli woman who was in charge of the farm. She expressed her gratitude that we had traveled all the way from the United States, not just to work on the farm, but to show solidarity with the Israeli people during the war. She told me that, in her view, Israel depends not just on its own people, but also on the love and support of Jews from around the world. That afternoon, we traveled to Afula, a city in Israel’s northern district that is home to about 60,000 people. Afula is special to the Rhode Island Jewish community because of its “Twin Towns” pairing with Providence. The Jewish Alliance supports several social-service organizations in the city, and we were there to visit one of them. Youth Futures is a group that provides trained mentoring and family support for at-risk children of elementary-school age. The organization helps thousands of these children, of all races and religions, especially those in communities that are put at risk by poverty. At Youth Futures, I met Yair, a smart and funny 10-year-old. Yair loves soccer and Justin Bieber. (He was a bit disappointed that I don’t know much about either.) He and I were asked to work on an art project, each of us decorating a hamsa with words that express our hopes for Israel. When I asked Yair what he wanted to put on his hamsa, he told me that he wanted to say that he wished “that the kidnapped will come home.” I felt my heart sink in my chest when I heard him say that. Seventeen of the people taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7 are the same age as Yair or younger. Two of those children are still being held in Gaza. One of them, Kfir Babas, had his first birthday in captivity on the last day of our trip. I couldn’t stop thinking about that.

I also could not stop thinking about how, at age 10, Yair should be thinking about his favorite soccer team, not about whether kidnapped children will ever see their parents again. On the last full day of the mission, we visited Mount Herzl Military Cemetery, in Jerusalem, to pay our respects to Israel’s fallen soldiers. Before we even entered the cemetery, our group came across a group of soldiers who were there as part of their basic training. We spoke with these young men, all of them about 20 years old, PHOTOS | COURTESY Hostage photos line the walkway at about serving in Israel’s Ben Gurion airport, Tel Aviv, Israel. JEFFREY GOLDWASSER military, especially at such a difficult time. One of the young soldiers told us, “On Oct. 7, Israel got a big slap on the face. It was a wake-up call for us, a reminder that in order to have a state, the Jewish people have to be ready always to defend ourselves. “That’s not just a message for us here in Israel. This is also a wake-up call for you, Jews living in America, and around the world. We are so grateful that you have heard the call and are standing with us.” Rabbi Goldwasser and Yair. Later in the day, we traveled to Tel Aviv to visit Hostages Square, the public plaza in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art that has become Israel’s unofficial center for a national conversation about the hostages. In addition to the constant presence of family members of the hostages, the square includes displays and art installations calling for the hostages to be returned home. There, we spoke to a man carrying a A new memorial in the Western Wall sign with the name and photo of Omer Plaza lists the names of the 1,200 Wenkert, one of the approximately 130 people murdered by Hamas. hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. He told us that Omer is a 22-year-old restaurant manager and that he was would like Israel’s government to one of the people at the Supernova do about the hostages. He told me, Music Festival on Oct. 7, when Hamas “Bringing home the hostages has to came shooting in all directions. About be the top priority. Nothing else is as 364 people were killed at the festival important.” and about 40, including Omer, were This is a common theme at Hostages kidnapped. Square. The families echo a deep The man in Hostages Square also concern that is heard throughout the told us that Omer Wenkert is his country. Israelis feel very let down by cousin and that he comes to the square their government. The intelligence whenever he can to tell Omer’s story. services were badly fooled on Oct. 7, Omer suffers from ulcerative and there is a sense that the tragedy colitis, an autoimmune condition that should have been prevented. requires daily medication to prevent There is also a feeling in Israel – one debilitating pain and illness. His that I believe few people outside of family is terrified that, having spent the Middle East understand – that the months in captivity without his medJewish state fears for its very exisication, the colitis may kill him. They tence and for the life of every Jew in have received no information about it right now. Israel may have a huge him since the day of his abduction, military advantage over Hamas, but so they know nothing of his current Hamas is just one piece on a very large condition, or even if he is alive. chessboard set against Israel. Israelis I asked Omer’s cousin what he CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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BUSINESS 24 | OBITUARIES 26

This 1950 photo is of the 1949-50 pre-primary (kindergarten) class at Temple Beth El’s Sunday School. Teacher was Eleanor Lechan. The writer is the third boy from the right. The little girl with the broad brim hat is Eileen Shaw Horwitz who also now lives in Providence.

PHOTO | COURTESY M. CHARLES BAKST

Memories of Fall River’s Beth El in happier times BY M. CHARLES BAKST

hen I recently saw that Fall River’s once-flourishing Conservative Temple Beth El has decided to sell its building on High Street and seek a smaller space, I was

hardly surprised, but even so it was a punch to the gut. IT MAKES SENSE, sure. The building, with its gorgeous sanctuary, is badly in need of repair and the congregation has dwindled to almost nothing. I grew up in the temple, and I do not want to remember it this way. I prefer to bask, gratefully, in memories of the golden years I experienced as a youngster – a student in its thriving Sunday School and thriving Hebrew School, a son of parents who were among its most active members. My father, Lester, was a president. The life of my mother, Ann, revolved around Hadassah, Sisterhood and Helping Hand. This was one bustling place in the 1950s of my youth. I see that at the most recent High Holy Days services, attendance was down to 30, or less than 50 even if you include those who attended on Zoom. In my day, the 650-seat sanctuary was filled, and another service was held simultaneously in the auditorium of the adjoining school building, which opened in 1954. (The

main temple building dates to 1929.) And that new building, with a complex of classrooms spread over two floors, still couldn’t accommodate all the Sunday School kids; the temple also had to use space in quarters across the street. Kids spent an incredible amount of time at Beth El. The bulging Hebrew School classes had a split set-up. Some kids would go on Monday and Wednesday, while others, in the same grades, would go on Tuesday and Thursday. Before classes, you might shoot hoops on the basketball court, with glass backboards, in the school building’s auditorium. Beth El employed an athletic director, Ed Shea, a teacher at Morton Junior High. Young kids just fooled around, but the older boys, including my brother Arthur, played on the Templers, a Shea-coached basketball team in the Church League at the YMCA in Fall River. On Friday night, you might have the sophisticated experience of accompanying your parents to Shab-

bat services that included a sermon by the brilliant (though temperamental) Rabbi Samuel Ruderman, chanting by the sweet-voiced Cantor Marcus Gerlich, and music produced by a professional-quality choir and organist. Saturday morning meant attendance at Bar or Bat Mitzvah services, or else Junior Congregation. From there, you and your friends might convene for lunch at the China Royal downtown – a chow mein sandwich was 25 cents – and then proceed to the movies – also 25 cents – or bowling (20 cents a string and a nickel for the pin boy). Saturday night might find you back at the temple for a dance. Then back again the next morning for Sunday School. Well, actually, before Sunday School, my father sometimes brought me to the morning minyan – all male, of course. There were minyans every morning and evening. When my father was temple president, in 1955-56, he’d often be called at home to get down there to help fill out the quota. The Sunday morning minyan would be followed by a sumptuous Men’s Club breakfast. I would fill up on bulkie rolls, cream cheese, herring and hard-boiled eggs. When the guest speaker was introduced, I’d scoot out. Later in life, as the Providence

Journal political columnist, I often would be invited to speak to Jewish groups, and I’d routinely joke that my presence was a form of penance for all those times I left the Men’s Club breakfasts without listening to the speeches. What am I leaving out? Well, the adults had a bowling league. In fact, there once were bowling alleys in the temple basement, but the space was converted to classroom use. The basement also housed a candy machine – my favorite was a Baby Ruth – and a Coke machine. Beth El youngsters belonged to organizations like USY and Young Judaea. There was a nursery school, and scout troops, and something called Golden Agers. We had gifted teachers like Eleanor Lechan, Thelma Chebot and Jacob Tabachnik, who cared about you, even though this occasionally meant some tough love. In an early Hebrew School drill, we were timed on how quickly we could read a prayer aloud. It seemed weird to me – like, you’d never race through the prayer at services. But it worked – you’d never succeed unless you became really familiar with the material. There were many interesting discussions. One time a student asked if CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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Temple Emanu-El to present 3 events on Jewish resistance during Holocaust BY ARLENE S. SIMON

ROVIDENCE – The Arts Emanu-El Committee at Temple Emanu-El is

excited to present a three-part program, “Light in the Midst of Darkness,” highlighting Jewish resistance and resilience during the Holocaust. THE PROGRAM, the week of March 2-9, will include the Rhode Island premiere of a powerful documentary film about partisan resistance, with a discussion by the filmmaker; a communal song circle; and a concert focusing on the importance of a mandolin at Auschwitz. The first event, the Rhode Island premiere of the award-winning documentary film “Four Winters,” will take place on Saturday, March

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 Jews believe in heaven and hell. The teacher said your afterlife is the memory that people have of how you lived your life on Earth. When Hebrew School was finished, the temple would have a Cozy Cab bus drop you off near your home – after dark for much of the year. My father tapped his City Hall connections to get a street light installed in the middle of our block. In an essay I wrote for the 2009 issue of the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association’s Notes, I spoke about the Jewish prism through which my parents viewed the world, and mentioned my days at Camp Tel Noar, and a 1960 Young Judaea summer trip to Israel. I said the temple reinforced the lessons of justice, charity and pride that my parents instilled at home. And then I quoted from a 2004 speech that I delivered at Beth El: “There were the teachers and the students and the lessons and the sermons, and everything in ways I never thought about then sort of added up. There was the Keren Ami, the nickels and dimes we brought in on Sunday mornings. There was the time a poor gentile kid came looking for help, and the rabbi helped him. There was a time a bunch

2, at 7:30 p.m. The screening will be followed by a discussion period led by Julia Mintz, the film’s director, writer and producer. Mintz will also give a d’var Torah on her work during Shabbat services that morning. “Four Winters” tells the story of the more than 25,000 courageous Jewish partisans who fought back against the Nazis and their collaborators from deep inside the forests of Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Belarus during World War II. Over the course of the nearly 10 years it took to create the film, Mintz tracked down the last of the survivors, conducted interviews, and gathered stunning photos and archival footage. Shattering the myth of Jewish passivity, these last surviving partisans tell their stories of resistance, revealing stunning heroism, determination and resilience. For a brief preview of this stirring film, go to https://fourwintersfilm. com/trailer.

of us acted like jerks on the public bus on the way to Hebrew classes and someone called the rabbi, and he chewed us out, and rightly so, because we had embarrassed the temple.” “We learned about support for Israel, a sense of bonding, and I remember the pictures of the old, isolated Hebrew University on our notebook covers,” I continued. “When my father was temple president, he would often be called to get over there to fill out a minyan, and that gave me a sense of what it means to take on an obligation. When my mother would be invited to present a Bible at a Bar Mitzvah, she would polish her remarks and polish them again, and that pursuit of perfection made an impression on me.” I told Notes readers, “The Bible stories, the customs, the struggle to master Hebrew, the lectures about morality and the dietary laws, represented a standard by which to measure ourselves. We could never be religious enough, or good enough, but we could try, we had to try.” I can tell you with absolute certainty that the milieu in which I was brought up – home life, Beth El life, Jewish camp life – contributed to the shaping of many of the columns I would write for the Providence Jour-

The second event, a song circle called “Communal Sing to Bring Forth Light,” will take place on Thursday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to come and join in songs and prayers highlighting light, hope and resilience in the face of adversity. No musical experience is necessary. The circle will be led by a group of dedicated temple members, who will teach the songs in both Hebrew and English. There will also be opportunities to share experiences, strength and hope from both personal and collective Jewish experiences. The third event, a concert by Duo Mantar called “Rachel’s Mandolin,” will take place on Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. The music focuses on the touching story of Rachela Zelmanowicz-Olewski, a Jewish mandolin player from Poland who, as a young woman, played in the Auschwitz women’s orchestra under the famous violinist and conductor Alma Rose. Her story details a heroic survival in Auschwitz

nal. You might have noticed my use of “shanda” to describe a political scandal, or the phrase “may her memory be for a blessing” to punctuate a piece about a funeral. My annual holiday column paid homage to Chanukah’s candles and latkes, as well as to Yule logs and boughs of holly. And, by the way, the Journal’s stylebook called for the holiday to be spelled “Hanukkah.” My attitude was that I didn’t go through 11 years of Beth El Sunday School to be told by the newspaper how to spell it, so I always went with “Chanukah” – and sometimes it slipped past the copy editors. More importantly, I often wrote about Jewish themes, such as my Bar Mitzvah, or the Holocaust museum in Washington, or a set of Jewish baseball cards, or an ode to Kaplan’s Bakery, or an interview with Elie Wiesel. To me, a column supporting the quests of gays and Blacks and Latinos and immigrants for acceptance and equality also were Jewish themes. And so were columns supporting the food bank. A tangible souvenir of Temple Beth El remains with me to this day. On the doorway of our condo in Providence is a mezuzah that artistically depicts the building’s handsome front.

through the power of her mandolin music. Zelmanowicz-Olewski was later liberated, from Bergen-Belsen, and went on to raise a family in Israel. The concert is about her personally and about the untold story of the mandolin during the Holocaust. Duo Mantar is comprised of two virtuosi: American classical guitarist Adam Levin and Israeli mandolinist Jacob Reuven. Attendees will have a chance to meet the musicians after their performance. Refreshments will be served after the film and concert. Ticket prices vary, and may be purchased in advance, by Wednesday, Feb. 28, at www.teprov.org/arts/lightinthemidstofdarkness.html. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. For more information, contact the Temple Emanu-El office at 401-3311616. ARLENE S. SIMON is a member of the Arts Emanu-El Committee at Temple Emanu-El, in Providence.

In the 1950s, Sunday School enrollment passed 400. A mezuzah symbolizes our religious obligations, but it is also more than that. I like these lines I found online: “It’s a reminder of our personal Jewish identity, who we are as a people and the values that are important to us,’’ says Alex Shapero, program director at MyZuzah, an organization that provides kosher, fair-trade mezuzahs to Jews around the world. “The mezuzah is a symbol that connects, protects, and unites Jews. It is an external marker that Jews proudly live here and that we’re not afraid to say so.” I am honored to have a Temple Beth El mezuzah saying that for me. M. CHARLES BAKST is a retired political columnist for the Providence Journal.

PHOTO | COURTESY M. CHARLES BAKST

PHOTO | TINA MILLER

This mezuzah is mentioned in the closing passage of the article.

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Teens get a moving lesson on privilege, bias and stepping up

Supreme Court Justice Melissa A. Long, left, and Attorney Hamza Chaudary speak to the group.

glenn@osmundsonphotography.com www.osmundsonphotography.com 401-257-9619

Israel Emergency Fund The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island stands with Israel and has opened an emergency fund to provide immediate financial assistance and relief to victims of terror and war. 100% of your donation will go toward supporting victims of terror and addressing the unprecedented levels of trauma caused by these horrific attacks. To support the fund, visit JewishAllianceRI.org or scan the QR Code below.

The Israel Emergency Fund is chaired by Cindy & Mark Feinstein.

401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence

LIFT participant Lila Stone speaks to the group expressing her point of view. BY GIOVANNA WISEMAN PROVIDENCE – The energy was palpable as a group of high school students crowded around tables on Jan. 22, talking excitedly over slices of pizza. Their dinner guests were a Rhode Island Supreme Court justice, a former R.I. lieutenant governor and a magistrate, all members of the state Supreme Court’s Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts, and attorneys from the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The speakers were welcomed to the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center’s LIFT program for the first of two sessions focusing on justice, civic responsibility and the importance of being an upstander. The Leadership Institute for Teens, or LIFT, is designed to bring together students in grades 9-12, from different backgrounds, for seven months to learn lessons from the Holocaust and other genocides, practice leader-

PHOTOS | GLENN OSMUNDSON

ship skills and participate in community service. In other segments of the program, the group has heard from such notable guests as Ada Winsten, a local Holocaust survivor; Kannyka Pouk, the child of survivors of the Cambodian genocide; and Tina Cane, poet laureate of Rhode Island. The session with the judges and lawyers connected ideas about fairness, privilege and standing up for what you believe in. After the introductions, Supreme Court Justice Melissa Long led the teens in a brainstorming exercise about what it means to be an upstander. An upstander takes action to help, as opposed to being a bystander. One student talked about his father as his hero, a strong person who protected him when he couldn’t protect himself. Another, who had just returned from Washington, D.C., said that she and a group of fellow students lobbied Congress to push lawmakers toward further action CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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Alliance’s Israel Emergency Fund, ORT and other partners help Israeli students BY JENNIFER ZWIRN PROVIDENCE – The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s Israel Emergency Fund has raised nearly $1.15M thanks to the generosity of the community and with the help of a matching gift by Bonnie and Donald Dwares. These funds have been distributed to directly support victims of terror with medicine, mental-health counseling, security, education and basic necessities. One hundred percent of all donations significantly and directly help those impacted by the Israel-Hamas war, and no amount is too small to make a meaningful difference. Funds continue to be channeled through the Jewish Federations of North America, the umbrella organization of 146 federations nationwide, and sent to Israel in a range of ways, including through some of our community’s largest overseas partners – World ORT, the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and Magen David Adom, the equivalent of the American Red Cross – for immediate and on-theground medical care, trauma relief and education. World ORT, the Organization for Rehabilitation through Training, is a global-education network, driven by Jewish values, that promotes education and training in communities worldwide. Throughout its history, World ORT has helped in more than 100 countries and five continents, and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island has long been a supporting partner in its critical work. World ORT has shared in a report that its work since Oct. 7 includes direct contact with over 6,000

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 on climate change. Magistrate Edward Newman told how he works with formerly incarcerated people to clear their records, which create a barrier to good jobs and places to live long after they have paid their debt to society. The students also took part in an activity called “The Privilege Walk,” led by former R.I. Lt. Gov. Richard Licht. The premise is simple: everyone starts out in a straight line and, as statements about personal identity are read aloud, participants must step forward or backward based on their life experiences. Example statements

schoolchildren and their families, all of whom are victims of terror in Israel. Since ORT’s focus is on formal and informal education, the group has provided over 400 workshops for teachers, students and families. ORT also provides health services and supportive resources to this same group with the aim of maintainAnimation and robotics activity at Some of the boarding students at Kfar Silver Youth PHOTOS | ORT ing a daily routine Kibbutz Ein Hamifratz for evacuees Village, located near Ashkelon, Israel. and normalcy for and the children of the kibbutz. children. Specifically, World has the framework to maintain the a range of academic and non-tradiORT Mada, an operational arm in status quo for students, their families tional scholastic programs in Israel Israel, ensures this routine, and and teachers. and around the world, including in nearly all students in the ORT catchWhether you have already contribour partner regions of Ashkelon; ment receive continued in-person uted to the Israel Emergency Fund, Rosario, Argentina; and Warsaw, or online education at ORT schools, the Annual Community Campaign, or Poland. ORT seeks to ensure educaevacuation centers or temporary both, consider making an additional tion, teaching and learning resources residences. gift to both campaigns. Every dollar for all children. Its work is critical At ORT’s Kfar Silver Youth Village, makes a difference here at home and every day, and now more than ever, in Ashkelon, the group continues to around the world. so children can maintain routine and address safety and security needs To donate to the Israel Emergency focus, and have opportunities in the so in-person learning can take place Fund and/or the Annual Community future. three days a week, with the hope of Campaign, and for more information, One such program is ORT’s Tuition returning to five days a week early go to jewishallianceri.org. Assistance, supported by the Annual this year. To stay abreast of the impact of Community Campaign, a scholarWorld ORT’s commitment to eduRhode Island’s donations in real time, ship program focusing on teaching, cation also means its focus on the go to jewishrhody.com. learning, Jewish identity and engageemergency response will extend well ment for students in Rosario. Like the into 2024. Because of existing infraJENNIFER ZWIRN (jzwirn@ Alliance’s support of our local day structure, like the Jewish Alliance’s jewishallianceri.org) is chief schools, the support offered to ORT’s Annual Community Campaign, supdevelopment officer at the Jewish school in Rosario is critical to the port was in place for partners such Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and Jewish community. as ORT long before Oct. 7, and it will welcomes the chance to speak with you It is assumed that the Israel-Hamas remain so long after the war is over. about your community-giving goals. war will last quite some time, and a Through its partnership with World long-term response will continue to ORT, the Jewish Alliance supports be necessary. World ORT already

included, “If you have never had to worry about where your next meal will come from, step forward,” and, “If you are afraid to walk alone at night, step back.” By the end of the activity, the participants had moved off the straight line, reflecting each person’s advantages and disadvantages in society. A fascinating conversation followed. Attorney Bob Oster had come with his daughter, Sarah. As a parent and child who are both lawyers, they shared many of the same experiences, but Bob was at the front of the room and Sarah was several steps behind him at the end of the walk. Bob reflected on how sad it made him to fall out of step with someone he has

tried so hard to nurture and protect. Those in the middle were mostly White girls, who possessed privileges around race and economic status, but still faced sexism and threats of violence. Two students of color, who attend the same school and grew up in the same neighborhood, did not end up next to each other. One of the students commented on how strange it was to find significant differences between them. Before the Privilege Walk, they had assumed the other person lived a life identical to their own. The revelation that they did not helped fulfill the purpose of the walk: to have the teens reckon with their own place

in the world, but also to challenge their assumptions about others. Ultimately, the lesson was that no one is totally privileged or not privileged; all people face challenges as well as advantages. But by recognizing how privilege, or the lack of it, affects an individual’s life, we can work to change the forces that enable it on a societal level. The judges and lawyers stated that one important avenue to pursue justice is through the legal system and the government. Judge Long described reading an article lamenting the lack of diversity in the judicial system and how, as a Black woman, she felt she had an obligation to step up. She

knew her presence could play an important role in excising racial bias from the bench. She said she put her name up for consideration because she knew it was the right thing to do. In other words, she became an upstander. The Holocaust center is hopeful that the LIFT teens will be inspired to do the same! LIFT is partially funded by the Jordan Tannenbaum and Harold Winsten Family Foundation. GIOVANNA WISEMAN is director of programs and community outreach at the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, in Providence.

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COMMUNITY

TAKE ACTION: REPORT an INCIDENT

R.I. volleyball player helps MaccabiUSA bring home gold

www.jewishallianceri.org/report-it/ At the Jewish Alliance, we believe all people should be treated fairly and justly. If you have experienced or witnessed an incident of anti-Semitism or extremism, please report it. Anti-Semitic activity includes overt acts or expressions of anti-Jewish bigotry and hostility. Many incidents are not crimes but are still considered anti-Semitic and should be reported. This initiative is meant to help track anti-Semitic incidents in the state of Rhode Island. Experiencing any type of anti-Semitism may be traumatic for you or your loved ones. If you need additional support, please contact Jewish Collaborative Services at 401.331.1244 for guidance.

www.jewishallianceri.org/report-it/ 401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 | jewishallianceri.org

The volleyball team shows off their gold and, top, their skills. BY JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF

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ELLIE VEST, starting outside hitter for the R.I. State Champion East Providence Girls Volleyball team, represented the Rhode Island Jewish community in December as a member of the winning USA Girls U16 Volleyball team at the Pan Am Maccabi Games, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The USA team’s players hailed from California, Texas, Florida, Virginia and Rhode Island, and, despite having only two short practices before competition began, went undefeated in game play and beat Mexico in the finals to win the gold. The Girls U16 team was the only MaccabiUSA volleyball team to take home a gold medal. “It was a really special experience,” Vest, who

turned 16 in November, said in a recent interview. “Meeting Jewish teens from around the world was so eye-opening. There were over 3,500 athletes from 27 countries, and hands down the Latin American kids and their fans were the most spirited and fun.” “It was also at times an emotional experience,” Vest continued. “The Girls U18 Volleyball team from Israel attended the competition, and all the girls were from Kibbutz Be’eri. Their experiences were unimaginable. One of the girls’ moms, Sharon Cohen, spoke to the delegations, telling her story of survival [on Oct. 7]. It was hard not to root for their team, which took home the U18 silver medal.” Hear Ellie Vest talk about her road to the Maccabi Games at http://tinyurl. com/mtuk4z79.

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COMMUNITY

R.I. teens learn about advocacy during seminars in D.C. BY CARL SHULMAN DURING THE WEEKEND of Jan. 19-22, five of Temple Beth-El’s teens traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the L’taken Social Justice Seminars. The program, run through the Union for Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center, is designed to introduce high school students to the legislative process, to turn narrative into action and to voice opinions to change-makers in our nation’s capital.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 see the Hamas attack as just the first move in a long-term strategy to wipe out the Jewish state. To the north, Hezbollah has a much larger army and much more advanced weaponry than Hamas. A full-out war with Hezbollah would be devastating for Israel, especially if the nation had to fight wars simultaneously in its north and south. And, of course, there is

The teens learned about issues facing our world, including disability rights, gun-violence prevention and environmental justice. They wrote speeches and presented them to chiefs of staff, advisers, counsel and legislative staff in the offices of R.I. Rep. Gabe Amo and R.I. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse. The high school students spoke truth to power, with the aim of trying to convince our elected officials to co-sponsor a bill that would help ease the burden of climate change, including better support for munic-

Iran. Right now, Iran is content to menace Israel through proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthi movement in Yemen. However, with more than half a million activeduty military personnel, long-range missiles, tanks and a navy, Iran would pose a terrible threat to Israel in a direct war. This is a big part of the reason why Israelis of all political leanings are mystified and outraged by the accusation of genocide against their

ipalities dealing with some of the most severe impacts. Participants returned to Rhode Island with incredible memories and a refreshed zeal to continue their advocacy locally and nationally. Get ready to see their impact now and as future leaders! CARL SHULMAN is the assistant director of Youth & Family Engagement at Temple Beth-El, in Providence.

country in the International Court of Justice. To Israelis, it is overwhelmingly obvious that the intention of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis is to annihilate Israel, and, not incidentally, every Jew in the world. Israel’s enemies are explicit in expressing their genocidal intentions. Yet Israel is the country accused of genocide when it defends itself in response to the atrocities of Oct. 7. T:9.75" Israelis are, of course,

aware of the brutal suffering their military is inflicting on the people of Gaza. They believe that it is the only way to reach the leaders of Hamas, who are responsible for the murder of 1,200 innocent people and the kidnapping of more than 240. There is an overwhelming belief that if Hamas is not eliminated, another attack, as bad or worse, is sure to come. Israelis believe that this is a war they cannot afford to lose. For our Solidarity Mission

group, the trip was a response to a call that we could not refuse. We returned from Israel with a renewed sense of commitment to the state of Israel and a dedication to support its people. Am Yisrael chai. The people of Israel are alive. RABBI JEFFREY GOLDWASSER is the spiritual leader of Temple Sinai, in Cranston.

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CAMP

‘Camp Girls’ is a former camper’s love letter to summer camp BY SARAH GREENLEAF

Dr. Mahra Rubinstein and Dr. David Persky are excited to welcome

“CAMP GIRLS: Fireside Lessons on Friendship, Courage, and Loyalty,” by Iris Krasnow (Grand Central Publishing, 2020), is part memoir and part camp history, though it leans more heavily toward memoir. Krasnow spent 10 summers at Camp Agawak, in Wisconsin, first as a camper and then as a counselor. Now in her sixties, Krasnow has returned to the camp of her youth to resurrect the camp publication, Agalog, in addition to taking on other roles. It is clear from her book that camp is an uncomplicated good in her life, a place that shaped her and makes her feel alive.

Krasnow’s recollections are interspersed with interviews of women from her camp and others, though they are mostly from her age cohort and have experiences similar to hers. “For girls who started summer camp in the 1960s, years before the passage of Title IX prohibiting sex discrimination in education programs, most every athletic endeavor beyond kickball and PingPong was something new. Our school programs did not include training in rigorous sports like those offered the boys,” she writes. Much of the book recounts the ways girls pushed themselves physically during those summers, on the lake,

Dr. M. Caroline Jones, DMD Over 29 years of experience Graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina With the arrival of Dr. Jones, we will be expanding our office hours until 7:00 PM on Tuesdays, and we are excited to announce the introduction of new cosmetic procedures at our practice. Dr. Rubinstein, Dr. Persky, and Dr. Jones will now be offering (neurotoxin) Botox treatments, allowing us to address both your dental and facial aesthetic needs in one convenient location. 401-861-4358 | 362 Ives Street, Providence | drsrubinsteinandducoff.com Entrées

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CAMP

Meet J-Camp’s new director BY RACHEL ACCETTURO

i everyone, I’m Rachel Accetturo, the new director of school age

programs at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. THIS WILL BE my first summer as director of J-Camp, but I’m no stranger to the camp world. I attended many summer camps as a child, and went on to study Recreation Management at the University of New Hampshire. Since graduating, I have been involved in both day and overnight camps, starting as a camp registrar and working my way up to camp director. One of the main reasons I chose to work in the camping industry is because of the connections and friendships I have made at camp, and the sense of community it brings, which feels like family. As the camp director, my goal is for every camper and staff member to feel welcome, valued and safe.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 and during knock-down games of Capture the Flag, hiking and canoeing. As a reader, you get the sense of these young women awakening to their own power and capabilities as they run free. In contrast, the chapter that focuses on contemporary camp life paints a picture of girls who want to relax. The world has changed, and young women have gone from being prohibited many things to being required to do all those things, and excel at them. While women of Krasnow’s generation could finally try new sports at camp, girls now play sports year-round, and camp is a break for them. Camp today also offers campers time away from their phones and the pressures of social media. “Social media is so often a false projection of one’s life. Camp is real life,” says Mary Fried, director and owner of Camp Agawak. “At camp, the girls wear sweatpants and T-shirts, and their hair is tied up in messy ponytails. They aren’t out-posting each other on Instagram; they are talking, not texting. “They have the uninterrupted time to have deep

Some of you may not know this, but camp directors plan yearround! A lot of hours go into organizing the fun stuff, activities, and field trips, and hiring and training our camp staff. Planning is one of my favorite parts of being a camp director because I love coming up with new activities. But I also love and value camp traditions, and I’m looking forward to learning about J-Camp’s traditions. At the end of the day, I want to set up campers for success, which I define as having loads of fun, making new friends, and looking forward to returning in future summers, whether as campers or staff. Even though I am not a parent myself, I understand that it is important, now more than ever, to feel comfortable and confident about the choices you make for your child. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have. You can reach me by email at raccetturo@jewishallianceri. org or by calling 401-421-4111. I hope to meet many of you this

and long conversations. … Something really important happens in the woods. They begin to trust themselves more; they develop trust in each other.” This echoes a throughline in the book – that the unstructured nature of camp allows, and often forces, young people to figure out things on their own and develop a sense of self-trust. In an increasingly over-scheduled world, camp allows young people to choose for themselves. “Children are more stressed than ever and are expected to have high performance in every facet of their lives,” says Keala Strahan, the head nurse at Camp Matoaka, in Smithfield, Maine. “I am definitely seeing an increase in younger and younger kids being placed on antidepressant medications, as well as medications for the treatment of ADHA and ADD.” Campers have changed in many ways, but the world of camp has largely stayed the same. The same or similar activities are being offered – Color Wars are fought, outdoor skills are built. This book is a love letter to camp and doesn’t dive into

coming summer! RACHEL ACCETTURO lives in North Kingstown with her wife and two amazing and adorable cats. When not at camp, you’ll usually find her at the beach or hanging out with family, friends and the cats.

the history of where the land for these camps came from, why so many have native or native-sounding names, and, though she does touch on the availability of financial aid, there is little discussion of the current class issues of camp. While many camps were started to allow kids (often underprivileged kids) to get out of hot, dirty cities in the summers, now camps can cost upwards of $17,000 for a full summer. While Krasnow’s personal history of camp brims with joy and excitement, there are other tidbits I found fascinating and would have loved to know more about. In a chapter on her marriage and how spending summers apart from her husband has been positive for them both, she drops in this anecdote from another camper: “My great-grandmother was a pioneer in so many ways,” says Anne. “What Jewish lady in 1920 is going to build a camp in the middle of nowhere? During all those years she owned Wicosuta, my great-grandfather only came up to camp once. He didn’t help her run it. He didn’t help her pay for it. It was her endeavor. And it was a really

Rachel’s top 5 reasons to send your child to camp Friendships: The shared

bonds and friendships campers gain can last for a lifetime. It is a regular occurrence for former campers to have gatherings during the off-season, as well as camp reunions.

Independence: At camp,

children are responsible for their daily activities and social interactions, as well as all their belongings.

Personal growth: At camp, your child will be in a safe environment where they are allowed to grow, learn and participate in healthy risk-taking. Teamwork: Campers learn

teamwork skills through healthy competition, performances and taking care of camp property.

Fun: Camp is just fun! It will create memories that your child will look back on with laughter and gratitude for the rest of their life.

big deal to have a marriage like this during her times.” I want to know everything about how this Jewish lady accomplished this in 1920! Overall, “Camp Girls” is a nostalgic trip down memory lane to a place where girls could be free, try new things, fail and succeed, and find freedom in a world filled with prohibitions. If you had a terrible time at camp, this won’t be for

you, but if you were a devoted camp girl or always wished to be one, this will take you to summers with cool mornings, a still lake and long days in which to become yourself. SARAH GREENLEAF (sgreenleaf@jewishallianceri. org) is the digital marketing specialist for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and writes for Jewish Rhode Island.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Rhode Island area schools seek part-time Hebrew and/or Judaica teachers, and substitute teachers for the 2023-2024 academic year.

For more information contact Dori Adler at the Jewish Alliance at 401.421.4111 ext. 179 or dadler@jewishallianceri.org.

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CAMP

Diverse and dynamic, Camp JORI offers a unique experience every summer

JORI campers splash in the pool, summer 2023. BY DON BLATE CAMP JORI, nestled in the heart of Wakefield, is not just a place to drop off the kids once school's out – it’s a place where memories are made, experiences are cherished and friendships are forged. The cornerstone of JORI’s success lies in its diverse and dynamic programs. The camp seamlessly blends its robust legacy programs with the latest trends, ensuring that each summer is unique and memorable. As the team at Camp JORI gears up for the coming sum-

mer, the focus is on creating a program that maximizes the overall experience for campers. While planning activities, the staff takes into account contemporary events, incorporating relevant themes into the programming to engage campers in meaningful ways. This summer, campers will participate in discussions relevant to today’s Jewish youth. Thorough research will be conducted, and information will be presented in a manner that encourages understanding and thoughtful dialogue.

Games are an integral part of camp life at JORI. One of the longstanding traditions at Camp JORI is Israeli Day. Each year, the camp welcomes staff members from Israel, adding unique perspectives to the overall camp experience. Last summer’s Israeli Day, for instance, saw the entire camp come together to cook pita bread on metal domes over a campfire. Toppings ranged from butter to chocolate, allowing campers to customize their warm pitas and resulting in a joyous and delicious activity that left everyone with smiles. The presence of Israeli staff

not only enriches the camp experience but also fosters a personal connection to Israel among the campers. As part of this connection, Israeli staff members reach out to rising 11th-grade campers in particular, offering glimpses into their lives and sharing favorite activities. In addition to Israeli staff, JORI has staff members from other countries. And returning staff, who are usually former JORI campers themselves, embody the spirit of “TACEO” (Taking Care of Each Other) as they strive to create the same fantastic

PHOTOS | GLENN OSMUNDSON

experiences they enjoyed for the next generation of JORI children. As Camp JORI prepares to embark on another summer adventure, it remains dedicated to providing an inclusive, enriching and unforgettable experience for all its campers and staff. JORI isn’t just a camp; it’s a community where memories and lifelong friendships are made, and the spirit of TACEO continues to thrive. DON BLATE is program director at Camp JORI, in Wakefield.

Grants, vouchers available for travel to Israel BY JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF

pplications for grants for Rhode Islanders and nearby Bay Staters to travel to Israel, as well as for RootOne vouchers for eligible teen

summer trips to Israel, are now being accepted by several organizations. MANY GROUPS that take teens to Israel will continue to operate this coming summer, though the trips may look a little different due to the Israel-Hamas war. According to the BBYO website, the group has not canceled any of its summer teen trips to Israel. However, BBYO adds, “We will keep a careful watch on the situa-

tion and elevate the safety of our participants above all else. That said, we remain hopeful that by the summer, the Jewish homeland will once again be a place where Jewish teens can safely explore, connect and have fun together.” A search of other trip providers’ websites essentially offers the same information.

So be sure to look at specific websites for the latest updates. The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island offers grants for travel in Israel to those 26 or younger for scores of programs of all types, from a few weeks up to a year, including academic programs and internships. Needs-based scholarships are also available for current high school students, including for gap-year programs in Israel. RootOne’s $3,000 vouchers are available for a limited number of teen summer programs. More trips are being approved by RootOne on a rolling

basis. Check back regularly on its website, www.rootone. org, for your desired trip. If you need help finding a trip, email info@rootone.org and someone on the RootOne team will assist you. To learn more about

grants for travel to Israel for residents of Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts, go to https://www.jewishallianceri.org/connect/education-resources/israel-desk.

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OBITUARIES Alan Flink, 96

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Alan Sumner Flink, of Providence, died on Jan. 4, 2024, with his three sons by his side. Alan was born on March 1, 1927, to Sadye and Philip Flink and was raised with his sister, Ruth, in Providence. He served in the Navy during World War II. Alan received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and

a Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Boston University Law School, where he was a member of the Law Review. Shortly after law school, Alan married Renee Lampert, of New Bedford, Massachusetts. They were married for 68 years. Renee passed away in June 2020. Alan is survived by his and Renee’s three children: Marc and his wife, Margaret; Philip and his wife, Anne; and Peter. Alan is also survived by his grandchildren: Andrew and his wife, Anna; Sarah;

Certified by the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island Jacquelyn Aubuchon, Funeral Director

Hannah and her fiancé, Andrew Priester, and his daughter, Paige; Philip and his wife, Rylie Anderson; Leanne; Trevor; and by his great-grandchildren, Zoe and Charlie. Alan was predeceased by his grandchild Madison Flink and his sister, Ruth Ades. Alan was a staunch advocate for the principles of democracy and judicial merit selection. He was a director of Common Cause of Rhode Island beginning in 1999 and the recipient in 2021 of Common Cause’s recognition as a John Gardner Fellow. Alan was extensively involved in other community activities, including Jewish Federation of RI, Planned Parenthood of RI, John Hope Settlement House, the United Way, R.I. Supreme Court Ethics Reform Commission and Justice Assistance. Alan was admitted to practice in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He began his legal career with Letts Quinn & Licht and became a partner and legal ethicist with the law firm then known as Edwards & Angell. Alan had many professional affiliations, including president of the Rhode Island Bar Association (1991-1992), various other executive positions with the RI Bar Association (1987-1992), commissioner on the Rhode Island Judicial Nominating Commission (1995-1999), and Editor-inChief of the RI Bar Journal (1971-1973). He frequently expressed views in letters to the editor and op-ed pieces published by the Providence Journal. Alan’s greatest love was for Renee, his immediate and extended family, and his many friends. Donations can be sent to Common Cause of RI, Planned Parenthood of RI or a charity of your choice.

taught mathematics in the Central Falls school district. Anne Iris was the consummate host and unmatched chef, who served not only the most intricate of dishes but also the driest of comments and the wittiest of one-liners. She enjoyed nothing more than bringing her friends and family together for celebrations of all sorts, often on a moment’s notice. Always up for an adventure, she was as excited for a trip to Job Lot as she was for a trip across the globe, and she consistently had a social calendar filled to the brim. Among her favorite things: crossword puzzles, Jeopardy!, quiet mornings at the beach, strong coffee and deep friendships. Anne Iris was a formidable force; purposefully fair and fiercely protective, and she always vocally stood on the side of right. A proud mother to her daughter and partner-incrime, Brooke, and a surrogate mother to countless others, she was a loyal friend to many, all of whom were beside her throughout her breast cancer odyssey, nearly four long years. We celebrate a family she loved deeply: her late sister Ellice and her surviving husband Joe; her older brother Walter Chorney and his wife, Gabrielle; her sister-in-law, Kathy German, and late brother-in-law, George. Anne Iris cherished not only her relationship with her daughter, Brooke (and husband Jesse Dean-Kluger), but also her strong bonds with her adored nieces and nephews: Allison Goldmann and Michael Beerman, Sarah and Stephen Chorney, and Josh and Sarah German. Contributions may be made to The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee: 220 East 42nd St., #400, NY, NY 10017.

Anne Iris German, 74

Barbara Levinson, 76

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Anne Iris German died at home surrounded by family and friends: Jan. 23, 2024. For 53 years, she was the wife of her high school sweetheart, the late Charles German. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Maurice and Bernice Chorney, and a confidant and friend to Maurice’s surviving wife, Suzy. Anne Iris graduated from Hope High School and the University of Rhode Island. For three decades, she

HOPEDALE, MASS. – Barbara A. Levinson, of Hopedale, died Jan. 4, 2024, in Rose Monahan Hospice. Born in New York, she was the daughter of the late Hyman and May (Wagner) Levinson. Barbara grew up in Woonsocket, where she was frequently recognized by her brilliant smile and colorful style of dress. She was a lifelong member of Congregation B'nai Israel, regularly attended services and was head of the chevra kadisha, the ritual burial society for Jewish women in the community. Barbara worked as a respi-

ratory therapist for more than 40 years, the last 30+ at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, in Attleboro, Massachusetts. She remained active in retirement, delivering Meals on Wheels, donating blood and playing bingo and cribbage at the Hopedale Senior Center. She was an avid walker, danced annually at the Woonsocket High School fundraising event and took yoga classes. She is survived by her niece, Jennifer Dziok, of Nashua, New Hampshire; her nephews, Harris Dziok and Barett Dziok, of Hopedale; her great-nephew, Dylan Dziok; and her brother, Steven Levinson, of Woonsocket. She was the sister of the late Meryl Levinson. Contributions may be made to Woonsocket High School Theatre Boosters, Attn: Jen Maiello, 777 Cass Ave., Woonsocket, RI or via the link https://square.link/u/6kpJjweU.

Susan Levy, 79

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Susan M. (Wintman) Levy passed away on Jan. 2, 2024, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, Providence. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Milton and Shirley (Kaufman) Wintman, she had spent her youth in the city and lived in Barrington for several years before moving back to Providence. A graduate of Hope High School, Class of 1962, Susan took courses at Rhode Island College and volunteered at The Miriam Hospital for several years. She loved spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. Survivors include her son, David Levy, and his significant other, Sondra Pierson, of Riverside; her brother, Lewis Wintman, and his wife, Dorinda, of Providence; two grandchildren, Hannah Mahoney, of Los Angeles, California, and Jameson Young, of Warwick; and several cousins. She was the mother of the late Deborah Young. Contributions may be made to HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.

Bernice Manekofsky, 86

CRANSTON, R.I. – Bernice Phyllis Manekofsky died Jan. 4, 2024, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice, Providence.

FEBRUARY 2024 | 27

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

OBITUARIES She was the wife of the late Irwin Manekofsky. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late David and Johanna (Lemchen) Bloomberg, she had lived in Cranston since 1961, previously living in Providence. She was co-owner with her late husband of the former Imperial Textile Company, in Central Falls, retiring in 1990. Phyllis was a member of Hope Link and Women’s American ORT. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston University. She was the mother of Cindy Gershin and her husband, Scott, of Stevenson Ranch, California; and Lisa Manekofsky, of Cranston. She was the sister of the late Natalie Knasin. She was the grandmother of Jaiden Gershin. She was the aunt and great-aunt to many nieces and nephews. Contributions may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Wendy Moscovitz, 71

CRANSTON, R.I. – Wendy C. Moscovitz died Jan. 17, 2024, at The Miriam Hospital. She was the wife of Terry Moscovitz for 42 years. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Gerald and Julia (Mallet) Cohen, she was a longtime resident of Cranston. Wendy taught in the Cranston School Department for 35 years. After retiring, she worked as an adjunct faculty member in the Special Education Department of Rhode Island College, mentoring future teachers. She was a former member of Temple Sinai. She was the deoted mother of Jennifer Vescera, of Cranston, and Jamie Karmel and her husband, Jordan, of North Attleboro. She was the dar sister of the late Debra Trezvant. She was the Bubby of Mara, Cora, Milo and Reese. Contributions may be made to The Rhode Island Chapter of Surfrider Foundation.

Marcia Perry, 86

DELRAY BEACH, FLA. – Marcia D. Perry died Jan. 3, 2024, at Bethesda Memorial East Hospital. She was the belved wife of the late Alan Perry. Born in the Bronx, New York, a daughter of the late Isador and Rose (Cohen) Dworkin, she had lived in Delray Beach, previously living in Warwick. She

spent the majority of her managerial career at the former T. J. Rounds, retiring over 25 years ago. Marcia was a member of the former Temple Am David. She was the mother of Debra Bunn, of Lincoln, and Leonard “Rick” Perry, of Delray Beach. She was the dar sister of Cynthia Schwartz, of Pawtucket, and her late husband, Norman. She was the grandmother of Emily and Rebekah. She was the great-grandmother of Jackson and Isabelle. Contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Helene Myers, 87

SARASOTA, FLA. – Helene Pliner Myers, of Sarasota, Florida, died Jan. 10, 2024. She was the wife of C. William Myers. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Irving and Ruth (Schaffer) Pliner, she lived in Rhode Island prior to moving to Florida in 1992. Mrs. Myers was a graduate of Brown University and was the president of T.W. Rounds Travel. She was a former president of the League of Women Voters, board member of the Asolo Theatre and treasurer of the Sarasota Fine Arts Society. Mrs. Myers was a member of Temple Beth-El, Providence, and Temple Emanu El, Sarasota. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Dr. Thomas R. Myers, of Palo Alto, California, and James R. Myers and his wife, Denise, of Providence; and her granddaughters, Eleanor Myers, and her husband, Benjamin Rubenstein, and Emma Myers. She was the sister-in-law of the late Jacquline Myers Neimark. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association at P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or https://www.heart.org/ or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or https:// donate.cancer.org/.

Gloria Rosenbaum, 95

DEDHAM, MASS. – Gloria Shirley (Rosen) Rosenbaum died on Nov. 21, 2023. She was the mother of Steven Rosenbaum. Born and raised in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Max and Nellie (Bryne) Rosen. She lived in

Sharon with her son before moving to Dedham 20 years ago. She graduated from Hope High School, Class of 1946, and attended Highland Manor Junior College, in New Jersey, Class of 1948. She was a club singer and avid painter with an incredible sense of humor and generous heart. Gloria was the grandmother of Robert and Jacob and was able to meet her first great-grandson, Julian, in October. Contributions may be made to The Carroll Center for the Blind, 770 Centre St., Newton, MA 02458.

Jerrold Salmanson, 81

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jerrold A. Salmanson died Jan. 23, 2024, at Jupiter Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Diane (Salomon) Salmanson and the late Dale (Azimow) Salmanson. Born in Providence, a son of the late Charles and Hannah (Kushner) Salmanson, he had lived in Providence and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He was the father of David Salmanson and his wife, Debra, of Miami Beach, Florida, and Lauren (Salmanson) Levin and her husband, Jeffrey Levin, of Greenwich, Connecticut. He was the brother and brother-in-law of the late Deborah (Salmanson) and late Michael Roberts. He was the grandfather of Danielle, Charlie, Drew and Noa. Jerry was regarded as a wonderful man who was loyal, dependable and rooted in family values. Jerry was an officer in the family business, the Adam’s Drug Co., a public company on The New York Stock Exchange, sold in 1984. From 1984 until the present, he oversaw family investments as president of Salmanson Properties, in which his late father Charles and his late uncle Donald, were also partners. Additionally, from 1992 to 2002, Jerry was owner and president of Anchor-Clover Chain Co, a manufacturer of base metal chains. Jerry graduated from Boston University, School of Management in 1964. Jerry was previously a member of the Board of Trustees of The Miriam Hospital, Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, Jewish Home for the Aged and Temple Emanu-El where he had been a member for

many decades. Jerry was a strong supporter of the Providence community and many charitable organizations such as Brigham & Woman’s Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Miriam Hospital, the Jewish Federation of RI and the Jewish Community Center. Jerry was a member of Frenchman’s Creek Beach and Country Club, the University Club and a former member of the Ledgemont Country Club. Contributions may be made to the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

Susan Wolfson, 81

BRISTOL, R.I. – Susan Ruth (Lipsky) Wolfson, of Bristol, formerly of Natick, Massachusetts, passed away on Jan. 9, 2024, at the Dawn Hill Home for Rehab and Healthcare, in Bristol. She was the wife of the late Eric S. Wolfson. Born Aug. 10, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late Jules and Tillie (Engelsman) Lipsky, she spent her youth in West Roxbury before settling in Natick. Susan earned a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a master’s degree from Brown University and was a teacher for several years. She is survived by her son, Matthew Wolfson, of Pawtucket; her sister, Debi Lipsky, of Annapolis, Maryland; her brother-in-law,

Stephen Wolfson, and his wife, Cathy, of Fort Myers, Florida; and several loving nieces and nephews, cousins and devoted friends. She was predeceased by her brother, Mark Lipsky, and her brother-in-law, Toby Wolfson. Susan had a heart of gold. She was the definition of someone who would give you the shirt off their back. She was the kind of person who always wanted to talk about everyone else but never about herself. She loved her chocolate and any word puzzles she could get her hands on. She was truly special and one of a kind. She was very close to the Elder and Wolff families, and their children, being friends with the matriarch, the late Marsha Elder, for over 50 years. They taught together at Wellesley Middle School. Both avid readers, they shared book ideas for decades. “Aunt” Susan was very special to those families. She encouraged the eldest Wolff to become a teacher, following in her footsteps. She and Marsha went to breakfast buffets every Sunday morning for years and years, and when the Wolff kids were young, they joined them. Her absence will leave a big hole in their hearts. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for the years of wonderful care and love Susan received from all of the special staff members at the Dawn Hill Home.

Summer J-Camp 2024 June 24 – August 23 J-Campers | Grades: K-6 Counselors in Training (CITs) | Grades: 7-10 Daily Swim Lessons Weekly Field Trips Lunch & Snack

Registration coming soon at register.jewishallianceri.org

401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence 02906