September 21, 2018

Volume XXV, Issue XVI | www.jvhri.org Serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts

12 Tishri 5779 | September 21, 2018

FALL HOME & GARDEN

Sara Miller-Paul gets ready to make phone calls. Adam Cable speaks with a potential donor

Pedaling in Providence Ready to take a spin? Recently a bike rack popped up on Elmgrove Avenue, across from the Dwares Jewish Community Center, and we wondered what it was. Several days later, a few red bikes appeared. They are JUMP bikes, an electric bike share sponsored locally

by Tufts Health, Lifespan, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and the city of Providence. A Brooklyn, New Yorkbased start-up, JUMP has bikes in 10 U.S. cities. The e-bikes, which arrived in Providence at the beginning of September,

have electric assist, which offers a boost when you pedal.

The harder you pedal, the bigger the boost – up to 20 mph. According to the JUMP website, you download the JUMP app, locate a bike and unlock it and ride away.

You end your ride by locking the bike to a designated rack or hub. Monthly memberships as well as pay-as-you-go plans are available. All this to encourage us to get out of our cars. For a map of bike locations, go to bit. ly/2xs1Hx5.

Fran Ostendorf

Super Sunday: Beyond super this year

BY SETH FINKLE The Jewish Alliance kicked off its 2019 Annual Campaign with another successful Super Sunday on Sept. 16.

This year’s theme was “Be an Everyday Hero.” With the help of enthusiastic volunteers and the donors who answered calls, the Alliance raised more than $80,000 as of press time to benefit the Jewish community in Rhode Island and around the world.

More than 70 volunteers participated in the fundraiser, which was held at the Alli-

ance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center in Providence.

Representatives from a dozen synagogues and agencies joined together in support of the Alliance’s essential work. The volunteers received donations from 200 donors.

Aliza and Will Krieger chaired this year’s Super Sunday. Their children both attend Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island and J-Camp at the Dwares JCC. They are members of Congregation Beth Sholom, and Will is on the board of directors of the University of Rhode Island Hillel.

Will said, “Thanks to everyone for their energy and their hard work making this Super Sunday really super!”

Aliza added, “What a great day. It was heartwarming to have Jews come out from all over Rhode Island to connect and raise money together.

Thank you!”

Carol and David Bazarsky helped make Super Sunday a success by offering a match of up to $10,000 for new and increased gifts pledged during the day.

SUPER SUNDAY | 4

Young parents were driving force behind founding of JCDS 40 years ago

BY JOHN LANDRY It all started 40 years ago at the Providence home of Sheila and Paul Alexander. While their kids played upstairs, the Alexanders hashed out a bold idea with three other couples with preschoolers: Rabbi Alvan and Marcia Kaunfer, Joshua and Penney Stein, and Chuck and Ada Beth Cutler. They wanted a Jewish day school education for their children, but something more liberal and egalitarian than was offered by the Providence Hebrew Day School.

The four couples were recent transplants to Providence who had experience with the Conservative movement’s Schechter schools, which were sprouting across the country. They had attended public schools, and they wanted their children to have a stronger Jewish foundation than they had or that was possible from after-school religious education at a synagogue.

They started thinking about opening their own Schechter school. It was March of 1978,

and they aimed for an opening in the fall.

As Penney Stein recalls, “We were young and crazy enough to think we could pull it off.”

It helped that Alvan Kaunfer, the assistant rabbi at Providence’s Temple Emanu-El, had been head of the Judaic Studies department at Toronto’s Schechter school, Ada Beth Cutler had started her teaching career at a New York Schechter, and Penney Stein was an educator with a Ph.D. JCDSRI | 3

JCDSRI students today.

PHOTO | JCDSRI

COMMUNITY

2 | September 21 , 2018

Teaching our children for a better future

INSIDE Business 18-19

BY LEV POPLOW

Calendar 10 Community 2-6, 14-15, 17 D’var Torah 7 Fall Home & Garden 12-14 Food 11 Obituaries 20-21 Opinion 8-9 Seniors 16 Simchas | We Are Read 23 Sukkot 19, 22

THIS ISSUE’S QUOTABLE QUOTE “We walk through this holiday trying to leave the world a little better.”

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN EVENT

The Jewish Voice

How do we tell our children about the worst crime of the 20th century – the Holocaust?

What is the right age to tell them how the Nazis systematically murdered two-thirds of European Jewry, perhaps including some of their relatives?

If told the wrong way, or at the wrong time, we could inflict psychological damage and end up with frightened children prone to nightmares. If told properly, we could instill a sense of social justice and engender a commitment to work to prevent future atrocities.

As many Rhode Islanders know, the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center’s mission is to teach the history of the Holocaust in order to promote dignity and justice, and to serve as a memorial to the victims. SBHEC strives to reduce prejudice against all minorities by teaching about the experience of the Jews, and the suffering of other peoples because of hate and bigotry.

Each year, SBHEC’s programs reach over 10,000 students, from middle school through college.

Its speakers open dialogues that encourage participants to be aware of prejudice and take constructive action to stop it.

Some of the books in the SBHEC collection.

SBHEC regularly sends Holocaust survivors to give testimony at schools and community groups throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. Additionally, several thousand Rhode Island students participate in the annual Arts and Writing Contest and the Holocaust Through the Arts Program.

But SBHEC has another resource, designed specifically for families that want to educate their children about the Holocaust without scaring them: a free lending library

Students report that SBHEC’s programs have changed their lives, opening their eyes to incidents of mistreatment.

Unfortunately, bigotry and prejudice continue to plague our society, and there is much that still needs to be taught.

Through SBHEC’s continuing efforts, in conjunction with Rhode Island’s mandatory Holocaust and Genocide education for all middle and high school students, more and more people are being sensitized to social injustice and are actively working toward ending it.

FOUR STRANGERS, THREE FAITHS and ONE EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE TO FREEDOM

D E M M WI A H MA O M SA AL •A

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M NT G TO A a U H X MINcture • O F O i C THE IR OF motion p O major M E ’S M be a

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The Fox Hunt tells Mohammed Al Samawi’s story of warfare, unlikely friendship, and his harrowing escape from Yemen’s brutal civil war. With the help of a daring plan engineered on social media by a small group of interfaith activists in the West, The Fox Hunt reminds us that goodness and decency can triumph in the darkest circumstances.

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LEV POPLOW is a communications and development consultant who writes for the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, in Providence. He can be reached at levpoplow@ gmail.com.

Event Co-Charis MARISA GARBER and DAN GAMM invite you to the JEWISH ALLIANCE 2019 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN EVENT

IT GW

NIN

E N EV

with hundreds of books, videos and works of art.

The material is appropriate for elementary through high school students and will augment and deepen what children learn in school, as well as spurring family conversations. The collection’s offerings include history, biographies, novels, documentaries and feature films SBHEC strongly believes that what children learn at home is just as important as what they learn in school.

SBHEC encourages parents to bring their children to the center and peruse the lending library collection. Books, videos and art are wonderful ways to introduce sensitive issues and spur conversations about a difficult topic.

Stop by the center, at 401 Elmgrove Ave., in Providence, to browse through the collection, or call Paula Olivieri, SBHEC’s education director, at 401-4537860, to learn more.

Sunday, October 28 7:00pm | Dwares JCC 401 Elmgrove Avenue, PVD

“Nail-bitingly suspenseful. ...

Inspiring. ... Essential reading.”

—Booklist

Formal invitation to follow.

This event is free of charge with a gift of any amount to the 2019 Annual Campaign.

COMMUNITY

jvhri.org

September 21, 2018 |

FROM PAGE 1

Eventually, the school demonstrated its staying power, while Providence Hebrew Day School was also thriving.

Now the community offered a choice, and some longtime supporters of Hebrew Day, such as Arthur Robbins, eventually came around to support the new school, too. Over time, the Jewish Alliance also helped in various ways.

The first class of 10 came mostly from Emanu-El families, but the founders remember at least one from Beth-El. They never considered making it a non-denominational community school, simply because they had no model or concept to draw on.

But by 2006, the school reshaped itself as the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island.

Now beginning its 40th year, the school is planning a gala celebration on the evening of April 7, 2019, as well as some smaller events.

JCDSRI These young families got critical support from two leaders at Emanu-El, Joel Zaiman, the senior rabbi, and longtime trustee Sanford Kroll. Zaiman and Kroll had pushed for a Schechter school years before, but hadn’t been able to persuade parents to sign on.

This time, with parents taking the lead, it worked.

The founders informed president Marvin Holland and the board of the Jewish Federation (now the Jewish Alliance of Rhode Island) of their plans, but made no request for funding. They did gain some vital philanthropic help and advice from Emanu-El trustees Max Alperin and Benton Odessa.

The parents met some resistance from those who worried that the community couldn’t support two day schools.

The existing school which was Orthodox, had been founded 30 years earlier. Among its founders were the senior rabbis from the Conservative EmanuEl and Providence’s Beth-El, a Reform temple. Emanu-El had even temporarily housed the school while it moved from its original downtown location to its current building at Elmgrove and Savoy.

A big step was asking Emanu-El’s board for a classroom, which the trustees granted for a token rental fee.

The legal details were handled by Dan Kaplan, an Emanu-

El congregant and lawyer.

The Providence School Department required only minor renovations to the space, as well as a written curriculum, before allowing the school to open in September.

The Conservative Jewish Day School of Rhode Island started small, with just a half-day kindergarten class.

By the end of the first year, the school had formally affiliated with the Schechter movement and gained a start-up grant, leading to a new name, the Solomon Schechter Day School of Rhode Island.

Every year, it added a grade as the original class moved ahead.

Ada Beth Cutler was the first teacher, and Rabbi Kaunfer served as an unpaid director.

He would go on to serve for many years as the paid director, as did Penney Stein after him.

Marcia Kaunfer taught at the school for decades, and even in retirement continues to mentor teachers. Sheila Alexander was president for several years, as well as a long-serving trustee.

Alexander remembers that the founders spent long hours

meeting with prospective parents, describing the school and why they wanted it for their own kids.

JOHN LANDRY lives in Providence and is the father of two alumni of JCDS.

It’s a momentous occasion…

TEMPLE SINAI’s 60TH ANNIVERSARY! Come celebrate with us on Saturday, November 3rd The Crowne Plaza Warwick Tickets $75 per person Enjoy dinner and entertainment by the Nightlife Orchestra!

Brought to you by

THE JUDGE MARJORIE YASHAR and DR. JAMES YASHAR FUND at the Jewish Federation Foundation

Save The Date: Saturday, November 17 | 7:00pm Dwares JCC | 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence | No cost to attend

Featuring Martin Fletcher, author of Promised Land, and former NBC News Middle East correspondent and Tel Aviv Bureau chief.

And Jonathan Weisman, author of (((Semitism))), and Washington-based economic policy reporter for The New York Times.

More information, including additional presenters, coming soon at jewishallianceri.org.

3

Bid on a magnificent glass piece made by world renowned glass artist,

Toots Zynsky!

Participate in our Grand Drawing!

Can’t a ttend?

Recognize this milestone, a founder, or a special member by placing a dedication in our anniversary booklet.

For tickets & information, contact Dottie at (401) 942-­‐ 8350 or dottie@templesinairi.org

Tickets must be purchased in advance.

4 | September 21 , 2018

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

Grateful for a successful event are (left to right) Mitzi Berkelhammer, chair of the Alliance board; Jamie Pious, campaign chair; Will and Aliza Krieger, Super Sunday chairs, and Adam Greenman, president and CEO of the Alliance.

FROM PAGE 1

| SUPER SUNDAY

While the community is the big winner during Super Sunday, volunteers participated in various competitions in their effort to encourage donors to answer the call. Super Sunday volunteers representing the many Jewish agencies in Rhode Island competed to win a prize for board development, education or training.

This year, JCDSRI won the competition, with Congregation Beth Sholom coming in second place.

The other winners were Elly Leyman, Susan Adler and Cara Mitnick for making the most calls, leaving the most voicemails and closing the most gifts, respectively. They each won a challah board handmade

by Aaron Guttin.

Children of volunteers also came out for the event. They had the opportunity to decorate and write thank you cards for donors. They also created decorations for the Jewish Alliance’s sukkah.

Dollars raised for the Annual Campaign help fund a variety programs and services that are dedicated to enriching Jewish life in Rhode Island and abroad

Mark Wright, a lay leader from the Tampa Federation, speaks with solicitors about the “Art of the Ask.” He offered best practices when talking to community members about giving to the Annual Campaign.

These programs ensure that no one in need goes without – from battered overseas communities lacking food supplies and medicine to impoverished families in need of access, opportunity and employment locally; from young married couples wanting a Jewish life for their families to teens traveling the world to strengthen their Jewish identity.

PHOTOS | JEWISH VOICE AND JEWISH ALLIANCE OF GREATER RI

Volunteers gathered in the Board Room at the Dwares JCC during Super Sunday.

EDITOR Fran Ostendorf DESIGN & LAYOUT Leah Camara ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Chris Westerkamp cwesterkamp@jewishallianceri.org 401-421-4111, ext. 160 Karen Borger ksborger@gmail.com 401-529-2538

CONTRIBUTORS Cynthia Benjamin Seth Chitwood Stephanie Ross

PERIODICALS Postage paid at Providence, R.I.

COLUMNISTS Michael Fink Rabbi James Rosenberg Daniel Stieglitz

PUBLISHER The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, President/CEO Adam Greenman, Chair Mitzi Berkelhammer, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

Phone: 401-421-4111 • Fax 401-331-7961

THE JEWISH VOICE (ISSN number 1539-2104, USPS #465-710) is published biweekly, except in July, when it does not publish.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Jewish Voice, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

MEMBER of the Rhode Island Press Association and the American Jewish Press Association

For more information about the 2019 Annual Campaign or the Jewish Alliance, or to make a gift, contact Michele Gallagher at mgallagher@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext.

165. You can also make your gift online at jewishallianceri.org.

SETH FINKLE is development manager at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

Children had an opportunity to make decorations for the Dwares JCC sukkah.

COPY DEADLINES: All news releases, photographs, etc., must be received on the Wednesday 10 days prior to publication. Submissions may be sent to: editor@jewishallianceri.org.

ADVERTISING: We do not accept advertisements for pork or shellfish.

We do not attest to the kashrut of any product or the legitimacy of our advertisers’ claims.

All submitted content becomes the property of The Voice. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of The Voice or its publisher, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. We reserve the right to refuse publication

jvhri.org

COMMUNITY

September 21, 2018 |

5

The Jewish Women’s Circle challah bake and mosaic experience

PHOTOS | MUSHKA LAUFER AND CYNTHIA BENJAMIN

The Jewish Women’s Circle of Northern Rhode Island, a division of Chabad, sponsored a Challah bake and mosaic experience on Sept. 5 in Lincoln. Participants created mosaic honey dishes and made sweet round challahs in preparation for Rosh Hashanah. The event was dedicated to the memory of Laila Allen. Participants reported an evening of learning, inspiration and fun.

Women’s Alliance presents

ROSH HODESH Tradition tells us that Rosh Hodesh, the marking of the new moon, was once celebrated by both Jewish men and women.

H A DA S S A H N O R T H E A S T PRESENTS

Standing with Israel in 2018:

Challenges and Opportunities

Please join us for a dynamic presentation to learn: • The facts about Israel • How to advocate for Israel • How to use social media to influence the narrative about Israel Presenters include representatives from:

Please join us for this free presentation: October 21 at 1:00 pm Dwares JCC Providence, R.I.

• StandWithUs • Israel Advocacy Alliance • Israeli American Council Everyone is welcome to attend this program, but registration in advance is required. To register, please visit www.hadassah.org/events/standwithisrael or contact Hadassah Northeast at 781-455-9055 or hne@hadassah.org.

In later years, Rosh Hodesh became primarily a women’s holiday – a day for women to be together to enjoy meaningful introspection, dialogue and study.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018 | 14 Heshvan 5779 | 12:00 - 1:15pm Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island | 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence Cost: $10 (includes lunch) Featuring Rabbi Sarah Mack, Temple Beth-El | President, Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island "Hagar: A Perfect Stranger" SAVE THE DATE:

Thursday, April 11, 2019 | 6 Nisan 5779 | 12:00 - 1:15pm Featuring Rabbi Wayne Franklin, Senior Rabbi,Temple Emanu-El "Ruth and Naomi:Two Women With Lessons for Us" For more information or to RSVP, contact Danielle Germanowski at 401.421.4111 ext. 109 or dgermanowski@jewishallianceri.org, or visit jewishallianceri.org/Rosh-Hodesh. Kindly RSVP by October 9.

COMMUNITY

6 | September 21 , 2018

The Jewish Voice

The Jewish Alliance: Serving Providence and beyond

BY SETH FINKLE At the Jewish Alliance, we are often asked where the dollars raised by the Annual Campaign go. Many understand that the funds are used to help the Jewish community in Rhode Island as well as in 70 countries around the world. However, there is a misperception that all of the local funds stay in the Providence area.

Funds raised by the Alliance Annual Campaign are used to assist agencies throughout the entire state of Rhode Island.

This year the Annual Campaign helped students in Kingston at URI Hillel with student engagement. Bryant University Hillel received money to support its program expansion on campus. Wakefield has seen the value of your campaign dollars with the addition of an Israeli shaliach (emissary) during the summer at Camp JORI, which attracts campers from all over Rhode Island and beyond. In addition, the shaliach is involved in programming at our synagogues throughout the state. In Cranston, Providence and Warwick, our seniors have been able to enjoy meals provided both from Kosher Meals on Wheels and the Senior Kosher Café offered by Jewish Collaborative Services. These programs are funded in part by the Annual Campaign.

Funding has assisted West Bay Chabad with their Camp

!

The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island invests funding for social, educational, and wellness benefits that strengthen Jewish identity and family life, and offers opportunities for community, connection and leadership within greater Rhode Island.

Gan Israel scholarships. This unique experience provides a caring environment that cultivates pride and love for Judaism while serving as a safe space

where working parents can send their children throughout the summer. Another program aided by our campaign dollars is the Prison Services Program,

run by West Bay Chabad. This is the only rabbinic and visitation program serving the men’s prison at the Adult Correctional Institution of Rhode Island, and offers inmates Jewish holiday traditions and prayer as well as conversation focused on Jewish values.

Statewide funds go to Kesher, a program that, in collaboration with four area synagogues and their clergy, provides an on-site social worker for counseling, information/referral, crisis management, and group workshops to over 200 community members. Kesher social workers are currently located at Congregation Beth Sholom (Providence), Temple EmanuEl (Providence), Temple Torat Yisrael (East Greenwich) and Congregation Agudas Achim (Attleboro, Massachusetts).

Did you know the Jewish Alliance offers supplemental grant opportunities for agencies as local needs arise? Thanks to donors, the most recent grant opportunities included the Secure Community Campaign and Innovation Grants – circulating an additional $200,000 within the community. The security grants helped increase safety at Congregation Beth David in

Narragansett, Temple Habonim in Barrington, The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence in Warwick and the University of Rhode Island Hillel in Kingston.

Funding also helps those who participate in March of the Living, a two-week once-in-a-lifetime experience for 10th to 12th graders. An annual educational program, March of the Living brings thousands of teens together to study the history of the Holocaust and to examine the roots of prejudice, intolerance and hate. More than 261,000 participants from 52 states and countries have participated in this trip, which begins in Poland and culminates in Israel. Since 1990, 208 Rhode Island teens have participated in this life-changing program.

With community support, the Alliance is able to help the Jewish population throughout Rhode Island. To support the local community through the Jewish Alliance’s Annual Campaign, visit jewishallianceri. org.

SETH FINKLE is development manager at the Jewish Alliance.

Israel Culture Series opens with award-winning film

BY NIR CAFRI This year’s Israel Culture Series opens with a screening of “The Policeman,” a film classic that has influenced Israeli cinema for the past several decades.

Directed by the satirist Ephraim Kishon, “The Policeman” was nominated for an Oscar and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The light-hearted comedy manages to combine the bizarre and absurd with the simple events of everyday life.

The story follows officer Avraham Azoulay, who patrols the streets of the Jaffa neighborhood in Tel Aviv. In his own naïve and unorthodox way, he has a rare ability to handle tough social situations – but he too frequently lets offenders off the hook.

In his personal life, the patrolman must balance his love for a charming prostitute with the turmoil he faces with his wife.

The movie will be shown at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10, and will be followed by a discussion of the multicultural and diverse religious aspects of

the film and how they are representative of modern Israel.

The Israel Culture Series will hold an event on the second Wednesday of each month from October through early June.

Programs include screenings of Israeli films as well as other opportunities to learn about the food, people and culture of Israel.

The series concludes with a screening of “The Band’s Visit” on June 5, 2019. Several weeks later, the award-winning Broadway show, based on the film, has its national tour premiere at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

The presentation of “The Policeman” is made possible by the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the JCC Association and the Consulate General of Israel to New England.

NIR CAFRI is the Israeli shaliach (emissary) for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. In this role, Cafri presents programs about Israel to the community and in Jewish schools. For more information, contact him at NCafri@JewishAllianceRI.org.

FIND US: FACEBOOK.COM/JVHRI

jvhri.org

D’VAR TORAH

September 21, 2018 |

7

Gloom and doom at the season of our rejoicing For the “time of our rejoicing,” as the Rabbis like to call Sukkot, the holiday has a curious custom. On the Sabbath of Sukkot, the nihilistic book of Kohelet ( Ecclesiastes) is read. Best summarized by its opening refrain, “vanity of vanities; everything is worthless,” it hardly seems like the slogan RABBI BARRY of choice for the DOLINGER holiday of joy.

Why is Kohelet read on Sukkot, and what can it tell us about happiness?

Rabbi Azariah Figo was the Rabbi of Venice in the 17th century whose sermons, known for their erudition and relevance, were recorded in Bina L’ittim (Wisdom for the Ages); his explanation is commonly quoted.

He explains that the death and caution of Kohelet will serve as a limit on the excessive joy of Sukkot, serving as a safeguard against levity and excess. Simply put, the joy of Sukkot threatens to get out of hand. Too much alcohol, food and celebration might result in an atmosphere where guards are let down and sin crouches at the door.

The sentiment is expressed well in Talmudic stories that take place at the weddings of the children of Ravina and Rav Ashi, sages who lived at the very end of the Talmudic period. These stories serve as an earlier description of the now

famous custom of “breaking the glass.” The Talmud (Berachot 30b-31a) relates: “Mar, son of Ravina, made a wedding feast for his son, and he saw the sages, who were excessively joyous.He brought a valuable cup worth four hundred zuz and broke it before them and they became sad. Rav Ashi made a wedding feast for his son, and he saw the sages, who were excessively joyous. He brought a cup of white glass and broke it before them and they became sad. The sages said to Rav Hamnuna Zuti and the wedding feast of Mar, son of Ravina: Let the master sing for us.

He sang to them: Woe unto us, for we shall die.

Woe unto us, for we shall die. They said to him: What is the chorus of the song for us to respond after you? He said to them: Where is the Torah and where is the Mitzva that protect us?”

Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe became famous for his legal commentary on the Shulchan Aruch called Levush. There, he suggests that “Kohelet urges people to rejoice in their portion and not run after increased wealth. A person who enjoys what he has, it is a gift from God.” Solomon, the reputed author of Kohelet, was criticized in the Bible for having too many wives, too many horses, and too much wealth. That’s on the grand scale, but on a small scale, how many of us try to escape death and our fear of insignificance though consumerism and consumption. It seems an unstated premise of our modern social order that wealth acquisition and financial success afford some sort of eternal security. But they don’t, and we can’t take the money with us.

It’s such a common assumption though, that it’s extremely challenging to be aware of its many effects on our lives.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explains the phenomenon with

beautiful prose in his essay, Seasons of Joy, located in the introduction to his Sukkot Machzor: “Those who fear death spend their lives in a futile quest for security, for something they can attach themselves to that will not die . . . Implicit in Kohelet is a story about Solomon’s life as a search for security in terms of what we have, what we own and what we can control. That is a temptation that has led astray some of the most gifted leaders of all times. But it is a false quest. Sukkot tells us why it is a false quest. Because you can live in a hut with only leaves for a roof, exposed to the wind the cold and the rain, and still rejoice.

“And it is joy, not monumental architecture, that defeats the fear of death, because it lifts us beyond the self, the insistent,

interminable ‘I.’ Joy is something we share with others. Joy is fratitude for the gift of life that we feel in the presence of the Giver of life. We become eternal not by constructing buildings, but by opening ourselves up, making ourselves vulnerable, to the Eternal, to God himself.”

Kohelet teaches us that, ultimately, everything that occurs will pass. And that attempts at defeating the inevitability of temporality whether through wealth or even wisdom are doomed. Acknowledgement of both our desire to transcend and our inability to do so ultimately provide a path for realistic, transcendent enjoyment.

The Sukkah is a temple to temporariness, and its worship consists of joy and community, the season of our collective joy.

BARRY DOLINGER is rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom in Providence. He is vice president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island.

Although the custom of breaking the glass is now commonly explained in relation to the destruction of Jerusalem and the holy Temple, these earlier Talmudic accounts suggest an attempt to curb excessive behavior. The truth is, Jewish celebrations in America often feel so tame and devoid of true joy that I only wish they had the kind of exuberance that needed to be tamed.

Candle Lighting Times

Where Healthcare and Hospitality Meet

Greater Rhode Island Sept. 21 6:26 Sept. 23 Sukkot 6:23 Sept. 24 Sukkot 7:21 Sept. 28 6:14 Sept. 30 6:10 Oct. 1 Shimini Atzeret 7:09 Oct. 5 6:02 Oct. 12 5:50

GUIDE BEFORE GOOGLE Check your Guide to Jewish Living, enclosed in this iussue, for all things Jewish.

READERS -WELCOMEJoin us for our monthly book club on the last Monday of every month at 2 p.m. to discuss old classics and new favorites.

(near Eastside Marketplace)

OCTOBER’S READ: “The Last Days of Night”

by Graham Moore DATE: October 29th TIME: 2 p.m.

Call 401-275-0682 to learn more.

One Butler Ave., Providence, RI | 401-275-0682 | WingateHealthcare.com

8 | September 21 , 2018

OPINION

How will you use your talents this year?

I have the opportunity to see a lot of good work being done in our community. And much of that work is done by many, many volunteers.

Whether they are helping out at a community Mitzvah Day, doing good in interfaith EDITOR situations, or serving on FRAN committees OSTENDORF and fundraising for institutions like their synagogue or the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, volunteers are vital to our Jewish community and the greater community around us.

This was brought to mind several times recently.

As I write this, the Jewish Alliance has just completed its annual Super Sunday.

What would Super Sunday be without volunteers? The community members who show up on a Sunday morning to make phone calls seeking donations are a dedicated bunch. It’s not easy to ask for money. And in this era of scam phone calls, fake fundraisers and caller ID, their calls often go unanswered.

But call they do, because they believe in the mission of the Alliance. And the volunteers’ efforts are usually rewarded by a call back at another time. (Read more about the annual fundraising kickoff on today’s cover, and see photos of the volunteers on page 4.)

I am constantly impressed by the work of volunteers at our area synagogues. Most congregations are led by clergy and other staff members. But where would they be without the volunteer lay leaders?

At a recent High Holy Day service at an area congregation, the president spoke passionately about her journey to leadership. Initially, she said she volunteered as a way to feel connected to a new community. After that, she found it hard to say no when there was a need. Now, she’s the congregation’s president, and recommending that oth-

ers follow the volunteer path to not only help but to form connections.

These are some of the benefits of volunteering: connections, a sense of community, doing good deeds, helping others.

In many cases, volunteers are highly trained and integral to the operation of an organization. Take Meals on Wheels, for example. This is a national effort to deliver food to vulnerable seniors who can’t easily leave their homes. Delivery people are often the only contacts a shut-in has on a daily basis, so they are trained to look for problems beyond the need for food.

Did you know there is also Kosher Meals on Wheels in our community? The program often needs drivers to deliver meals to seniors.

Contact Jewish Collaborative Services for more information (jfsri.org).

Volunteering is ageless.

Young and old can participate. Area schools have community service requirements now in an effort to demonstrate the importance of volunteering and to start a lifelong habit.

As a volunteer you quickly discover that giving of yourself is a two-way street: You feel good when you are doing good and you are helping with the mitzvah of tikkun olam, repairing the world.

Whether you are paying it forward or giving back, volunteering does both of these.

Opportunities abound for getting out and helping others. Whether at your synagogue, community institution, animal shelter or school, you are sure to find a place that will welcome your talents. You will help others, and you will feel good about it.

I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been the beneficiary of someone’s choice to volunteer. In this season of renewal, that’s something to think about. Repairing the world won’t happen unless we all work together. That’s what volunteering is all about.

How will you use your talents this year?

OUR MISSION The mission of The Jewish Voice 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.

The Jewish Voice

Con smania, with passion In the June 22 issue of The Jewish Voice, I reviewed “Road to Valor” (Crown, 2012), a celebration of the life of the world class Italian cyclist, Gino Bartoli (1914-2000).

The deepest drama of that narraIT SEEMS tive unfolds in the telling TO ME of Bartoli’s clandestine RABBI JIM work with the underground ROSENBERG resistance in response to the Nazi invasion of northern Italy during the autumn of 1943. The Nazis threatened the lives of all Jews under their control – foreign or native-born. Bartoli risked his life by serving as a courier of forged documents providing fake identities for Jews in Nazioccupied Italy.

This summer, I read a second book concerning a young Italian Catholic who risked his life saving Jews trapped in Nazioccupied Italy. Mark Sullivan’s “Beneath A Scarlet Sky” (Seattle: Lake Union Publishing, 2017) tells the story of Pino Lella during the last two years of World War II. In contrast to “Road to Valor,” Sullivan informs his readers that his book “is not a work of narrative nonfiction, but a novel of biographical and historical fiction that hews closely to what happened to Pino Lella between June 1943 and May 1945.”

In the fall of 1943, 17-year-old Pino finds himself at Casa Alpina, an Alpine retreat center and school for Catholic boys in northern Italy, a world away from bombed-out Milan. In addition to his academic studies, Pino learns that Father Re, head of Casa Alpina, has been preparing him, through rigorous mountaineering training missions, to escort Jewish refugees over a steep Alpine ridge and into the safety of neutral Switzerland. After meeting in the chapel with Father Re and accepting this dangerous but lifesaving assignment, “Pino left the chapel believing that

he’d entered it as a boy and now exited it having made the decision to become a man” – a man who lives his life con smania, with passion – the leitmotif that sings throughout the narrative.

In extended conversations with the Jews he was helping escape the Nazi terror, he begins to learn of the incomprehensible horror of Hitler’s “Final Solution.” One of the refugees alerts him to the evil of Binario Twenty-One, “where they take every Jew they catch in Milan. Platform TwentyOne in the central station.

They put them into cattle cars, and they disappear, bound for…no one knows. They don’t come back.”

After months of guiding small groups of Jews through the Italian Alps into Switzerland, Pino’s contribution to the cause of freedom takes a bizarre turn, proving the adage that truth is stranger than fiction. Through twists of circumstance that even the most gifted novelist could not invent, Pino, now 18, winds up as the driver for Major General Hans Leyers. As the second most powerful German in occupied Italy, Leyers is responsible for armaments and war production in areas of Italy under Nazi control, a task he accomplishes through the use of slave labor. Pino, now Vorarbeiter Lelle, spends almost all of his working hours with the general, wearing a Nazi uniform, swastika visible to all.

What makes Pino’s position as driver for Leyers so dangerous is that he is spying for the Allies, regularly reporting the goings-on of the German High Command to his aunt and uncle, who are in the resistance. Should Pino’s duplicity be discovered, he would be summarily executed.

In some ways, however, Pino’s emotional stability, his soul, is in even greater jeopardy than his body. His Nazi uniform offers him one type of protection, but this same uniform is the source of immense pain. It drives away his closest friends, even his brother Mino, when they chance to see him in it, for Pino does not dare to

disclose his double life. To a large degree, Pino’s romantic relationship with Anna Marta, a widow six years his senior, one of the small circle who knows that he is a spy, helps him maintain some semblance of internal equilibrium. Anna Marta inspires in Pino the desire to keep on living con smania, with passion.

Adding to Pino’s barely repressed emotional turmoil is his growing ambivalence toward Leyers, whom he comes to hate as a cold-hearted monster and yet to respect as a man doing his duty and – in his selfrationalizing way – remaining a loyal husband and father. As Pino muses, “Maybe he had a conscience when it came to certain things and not to others.”

This story does not end happily. The loose ends are not tied up in pretty bows. The scales of justice do not balance. “Anna Marta took a bullet to her heart…crumpled back against the wall and died in the dust,” as Pino watched helplessly when a partisan firing squad executed her for the “crime” of being Leyers’ maid.

The Allies found Leyers more useful alive than dead. He was released from prison in April 1947, lived a comfortable life for the next 34 years, dying in 1981, a month shy of his 85th birthday. “All the evil and savagery done in northern Italy in the last two years of the war was kicked into a legal hole, buried and forgotten.”

As of this writing, Pino Lella, age 92, is living an hour north of Milan. When he was in his late 80s, he agreed to tell his story to Mark Sullivan, whom you can meet in person on Saturday evening, Oct. 6, at 7:30 at Temple Emanu-El in Providence. Sullivan will be discussing his passionately narrated and profoundly informative book, “Beneath a Scarlet Sky,” which will be available for purchase. The program is free and open to the public.

JAMES B. ROSENBERG is rabbi emeritus of Temple Habonim in Barrington. Contact him at rabbiemeritus@templehabonim.org.

NEXT TIME IN THE VOICE Due to holidays and office closures, we are taking an extra week to put out the next Voice.

Don’t forget to stay in touch.

Contact us via email at editor@jewishallianceri.org or via mail at 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

We are still accepting community news and photos, letters to the editor and opinion pieces.

COLUMNS | LETTERS POLICY

The Jewish Voice 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 The Jewish Voice or the Alliance.

Send letters and op-eds to: The Jewish Voice, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906 or editor@jewishallianceri.org.

Include name, city of residence and a contact phone number or email (not for publication).

OPINION

jvhri.org

September 21, 2018 |

9

Oslo failed. Long live Oslo.

BY KENNETH JACOBSON NEW YORK (JTA) – It has become conventional wisdom in certain circles that the Oslo agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, which was signed 25 years ago Sept. 13 on the White House lawn, was simply a failure.

There is no doubt that the great hopes of Israeli-Palestinian peace and reconciliation engendered by Oslo have not been realized. Twenty-five years later not only is there no peace, but the parties are not even talking to each other, and the Palestinians themselves remain irreconcilably divided.

Not only was peace not accomplished, but soon after Oslo was signed, Palestinian terrorism surged, leading many on the right to argue that ceding territory to the Palestinians and the general show of perceived weakness by Israel at Oslo had emboldened the terrorists.

While this reading of the cause of terrorism was too monolithic – there have been surges of terrorism during periods of stagnation and frustration with the status quo – it did speak to the uncertainties surrounding Palestinian extremism and terrorism and the simplification by some on the left about Palestinian behavior and thinking.

At the same time, in certain left-wing circles, it is assumed the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a right-wing extremist opposed to the peace process was the main reason the hopes of Oslo never came to fruition. If only Rabin had lived, the argument goes, there would be IsraeliPalestinian peace.

There is no doubt that

Rabin’s unique credibility as a defender of Israel’s security, together with his willingness to take a bold initiative with Israel’s longtime enemy, the PLO, was not easily replicated.

The loss of Rabin at that critical moment not only was one of the saddest days in the history of the nation, but also hurt the chances for peace.

Rabin’s death was a disaster in many ways, but whether it was the major factor in the stalling of peace efforts remains in question. Indeed, in addition to the outbreak of suicide terrorist attacks at that time, there is no real evidence that had Rabin lived there might have been peace. The Palestinians had not made the qualitative leap toward accepting Israel’s legitimacy that was necessary for an agreement.

When twice later on, at Camp David in 2000 and at Annapolis in 2008, Israeli leaders offered far more than Oslo for the actual creation of an independent Palestinian state and the dismantling of many settlements, the Palestinians couldn’t bring themselves to say “yes.”

Still, there is reason to look back at Oslo as an important step forward in the painfully slow process of legitimizing Israel in the Arab world and in establishing a framework for Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation.

Let’s remember that before Oslo, Palestinians of all stripes simply spoke the language of rejectionism, of denial of the right of Israel to exist. It’s not to say that by any stretch of the imagination that way of thinking has disappeared – Hamas is the most blatant example of this – but Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

himself and other members of the P.A. engage at times in such rhetoric.

But it is vital to recognize that since Oslo, with all the disappointments that have followed, there is an alternative narrative, reflected in the words of Abbas, but also in public opinion polls among Palestinians. This is a language, however grudging, of accepting Israel’s existence and the need to find a solution based on two states.

One can question Abbas’ sincerity when he talks about two states for two peoples, or when he condemns terrorism, or when he cooperates with Israeli security forces, but at least it is now part of the public dialogue and rhetoric – something that was not true before Oslo.

And from the Israeli side, Oslo concretized the concept of Palestinian self-government, through the establishment of the Palestinian Authority and the aspiration of a two-state solution, which until that point had been considered purely theoretical or unrealistic.

There is enduring cynicism among the Palestinian leadership and its structures, and polls today show little drive for, or expectation of, a two-state solution among the Israeli leadership and public. However, the framework established at Oslo remains to be built upon or adjusted at a time when conditions are more conducive for direct Israeli-Palestinian engagement.

The challenge going forward is not simply to reject Oslo but to move its conceptual breakthroughs into the practical realm. In this regard, there are responsibilities on all sides. Af-

ter the terrorism following the failure of the July 2000 Camp David summit and the conflict following the withdrawal from Gaza, Israelis have every right to be concerned about security.

These concerns, however profound, need not stifle conversations and initiatives by Israel that could strengthen forces within the Palestinian community toward actualizing the concept of Israel’s legitimacy.

Nor should steps be taken that would make an ultimate two-state solution a practical impossibility. And Palestinians, following in the path of Salam Fayyad, the former Palestinian prime minister, need

to take practical steps to build up Palestinian institutions and infrastructure to help convince Israelis that the ideas embodied in Oslo are not dead.

Twenty-five years after the White House lawn ceremony, cynicism about Oslo is understandable. However, it could still be celebrated as a watershed moment in the eternal conflict if its conceptual breakthroughs are reinvigorated and translated into steps that could create movement for a secure peace on both sides.

KENNETH JACOBSON is deputy national director of the Anti-Defamation League.

LETTER Re: Upsetting the Balance (Aug. 24)

I recently read Rabbi Rosenberg’s article in the Jewish Voice, Upsetting the Balance.

This is very disturbing to read that not only does he not support Israel’s National State law; he feels a need to voice his opinion that he does not.

He says “no thank you” to the 62 Knesset members who voted to support the law.

What did they offer HIM, for him to say no thank you!

He is a diaspora Jew and has NO BUSINESS criticizing any of the democratically elected Knesset members.

The fact that he needs to voice his opinion that he is upset about this is ridiculous.

Israel has a right to self-determination. This should have been in the basic law since 1948.

The fact that the world has been telling Israel they should not exist, in its 70 years of existence is all the more reason why

this basic law that Israel is the Nation State of the Jewish people is needed.

Why doesn’t people like Rosenberg stand up for Israel instead of siding with its enemies?

Who are they trying to impress? Do they think expressing their betrayal view will help make peace with the Muslims extremists whose only goal is to destroy Israel?

How about praising, instead of attacking Israel for being a sovereign state. Or praising the Trump administration for ending $300 million a year funding to UNRWA which was used by Palestinian leaders to pay terrorists to kill Jews or the family of suicide bombers.

How about showing some loyalty and support for Israel for a change?

Ron Katz

Lincoln, RI

Too few Jews, Pew! Where are the ‘secular maximalists’? The Sunday brunchers?

BY ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL NEW YORK (JTA) – The Pew Research Center’s new typology of religion puts Americans into seven broad categories ranging from Sunday Stalwarts (“active in their faith and congregations”) to Solidly Secular (“hold virtually no religious beliefs”).

In between are the Relaxed Religious, who say religion is important but don’t hold much with traditional practices; the Diversely Devout, who believe in that old-time religion but also psychic crystals and other new age enchantments; and the Spiritually Awake, who seem to believe in heaven and hell the way I believe in Marie Condo: I know I should declutter my house but it ain’t gonna happen.

What I found most interesting about the typology is the way Jews seem to blow it up.

According to Pew, “Jewish Americans are the only religious group with substantial contingents at each end of the typology.” In other words, while most evangelicals are deeply religious, and Catholics and Mormons tend to cluster toward the believer side of things, about one in five U.S. Jews are, ahem, Shabbat Stalwarts, and 45 percent consider themselves nonreligious.

No surprise there: Every recent study shows that Jews are divided among the affiliated and the unaffiliated, the engaged and unengaged, the Alan Dershowitzes and the Adam Sandlers. That’s a quirk of Jewish identity itself, which allows a Jew to be defined by belief, biology, religious practice, peoplehood and nationality.

It’s why we call Judaism a family: There are people you’d really prefer weren’t part of your family, but, you know,

probate law makes it hard to disown them. I was told.

So Pew finds Jews on both ends of the religiosity spectrum. But the pollsters also miss a few key Jewish categories, under the laughable idea that there are only seven kinds of Jews. Hell, there are 10 kinds of Jews in any given minyan – and that’s only 10 people to begin with.

Take, for example, the Shabbat Ironist. He or she is the kind of Jew who goes to synagogue every week but does a lot of eye-rolling. The kind of Jew who doesn’t believe in God but will quit her synagogue board if it doesn’t serve potato kugel at kiddush. The kind of Jew who shows up in a ton of jokes, including this one: Cohen’s son asks his atheist father why he goes to shul.

“Because Goldberg goes to shul,” his father says.

“What difference does that

make?”

“Goldberg goes to shul to talk to God,” his father says. “I go to shul to talk to Goldberg!”

The late sociologist Charles Liebman even had a name for this: “secular Jewish maximalist.”

Who else are we missing?

Just like the SJMs deserve their own category, allow me to suggest a few more: • Seder Perennials: Attend a seder every year but insist on not enjoying it.

• Bagels and Lox-smiths: Fiercely traditional about choosing where they go for Sunday brunch.

• Media Resisters: Spiritual life is focused on finding fault with The New York Times’ Israel coverage.

• Spiritually Woke: Retweet devastating takedowns of a political foe and call it tikkun olam.

• Un-Relaxed Religious: Follows along in the Torah portion just in case the reader makes a mistake and the rabbi, gabbai, cantor and eight other people don’t yell out a correction.

• Diversely Frum: Thinks he lives in a multicultural neighborhood because men can be seen in leather, velvet and knitted kippot.

• Jewish-Adjacent: Doesn’t identify Jewishly but enjoys suspension of alternate side of the street parking on Jewish holidays.

And where do I fit in? I call myself Professionally Jewish, which isn’t one of the Pew categories but really should be.

I define it as “draws a paycheck for passing judgment on the lives of his co-religionists.”

ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL is the editor-in-chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

10 | September 21 , 2018

Ongoing Alliance Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every weekday.

Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Noon lunch; 1 p.m. program. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities. Neal or Elaine, 401-421-4111, ext. 107.

West Bay Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every Friday.

Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston.

11:15 a.m. program; noon lunch. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities. Steve, 401743-0009.

Duplicate Bridge. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Mondays noon-2 p.m.: 0-20 masterpoint game.

For less-experienced players. $5 per day. Mondays and Wednesdays noon-3 p.m.: Open stratified game for experienced players at all levels. $7 per day.

Tuesdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-2 p.m: Open stratified game for players at all levels. $7 per day. Thursdays 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Guided play. Beginners and those seeking to hone skills play under the guidance of nationally known instructor Bart Buffington. $6 per day. Information, Bart Buffington at abarton295@ aol.com or 401-390-9244.

“Bridging the Gap” with Rabbi Raphie.

Wednesdays 8-8:45 p.m. Kollel Center for Jewish Studies, 450 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Explore the development and refinement of our personalities through the eyes of the Mussar movement. Text is “Bridging the Gap.” Free.

Information, rabbiraphie@gmail.com or 401-383-2786.

Friday | September 21 Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 7:30-9 p.m.

Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Service followed by Oneg. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Saturday | September 22 Taste of Shabbat. 9-11 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. 9 a.m. Torah discussion and 9:45 a.m. service followed by a Kiddush luncheon. Information, stephanie@ toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Sunday | September 23 Annual Challah-Making Event. 10:3011:30 a.m. and noon-1 p.m. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Annual Sisterhood event. Two one-hour sessions: 10:30 a.m. and noon. Information, Dottie at dottie@templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350.

CALENDAR “The Promise.” 3-5 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. In honor of Armenian Independence, the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center and The Genocide Education Project present the feature film “The Promise.” This film (rated PG-13) follows a love triangle amid the horrors of war during the final days of the Ottoman Empire and amid the first genocide of the 20th century. Refreshments following the film. Free. Information or to RSVP, May-Ronny Zeidman at May@ BornsteinHolocaustCenter.org or 401453-7860.

Pizza in the Hut. 5:30 p.m. Temple BethEl, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Activities in the sukkah. Information, Jennifer Thomas at 401-331-6070.

Sushi in the Sukkah/Pizza in the Hut. 6-8:30 p.m. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Celebrate Sukkot.

Family service and dinner. Cost: $10 for adults | $5 for children. Information or to RSVP, Dottie at dottie@templesinairi. org or 401-942-8350.

Tuesday | September 25 Understanding the Friday Night Service.

10-11:30 a.m. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser will review the liturgy of the Friday night service in English translation for a deeper understanding and appreciation.

No Hebrew required. Tuesdays through 11/6. Information, Dottie at dottie@ templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350.

Friday | September 28 T.G.I.F. – Thank G-D It’s Friday. 5:45-7 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Shabbat songs and story with Rabbi Aaron Philmus followed by a free kid-friendly Shabbat dinner. Information or to RSVP, Torat Yisrael office at 401-885-6600.

New Member and Family Shabbat Dinner. 6:30 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Cost: $18/$10. Information, Temple Beth-El office at 401-331-6070.

Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 7:30-9 p.m.

Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Service followed by Oneg. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Saturday | September 29 Taste of Shabbat. 9-11 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. 9 a.m. Torah discussion and 9:45 a.m. service followed by a Kiddush luncheon. Information, stephanie@ toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Thinking of buying or selling? Now is the perfect time!

Contact me today for all of your real estate needs!

Alexis Soloff Alexis.Soloff@Raveis.com 401. 639.4750 203 SOUTH MAIN STREET | PROVIDENCE, RI | 401.751.8100 Independently owned and operated.

The Jewish Voice

Sunday | September 30 Torah Sprouts. 9:30-10:30am. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Ages 3-5. Fun Jewish learning including stories, songs, crafts and a snack. $10 participation fee per session or $80 for the year. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Stories and Snacks in the Sukkah. 10-11 a.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Enjoy a snack, shake the lulav and etrog, hear PJ Library stories, sing songs and participate in small activities. Sponsored by PJ Library and the David C. Isenberg Family Early Childhood Center. Open to all. Information, Michelle Cicchitelli at mcicchitelli@ jewishallianceri.org or at 401-421-4111, ext. 178.

Tuesday | October 2 Understanding the Friday Night Service.

10-11:30 a.m. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser will review the liturgy of the Friday night service in English translation for a deeper understanding and appreciation.

No Hebrew required. Tuesdays through 11/6. Information, Dottie at dottie@ templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350.

Wednesday | October 3 Game Night: Mah Jongg, Canasta and Table Tennis. 7-9 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich.

Open to all. Free. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Thursday | October 4 Introduction to Judaism. 7-9 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence.

The Reform temples of RI (Temple Beth-El, Temple Habonim and Temple Sinai) present an introduction to Judaism. Learn the fundamentals of Jewish thought and practice in 18 weeks through a mix of study, discussion and practical experiences. Perfect for interfaith couples, non-Jews considering conversion and Jews looking for an adult-level introduction. Faculty includes Rabbis Jeffrey Goldwasser, Howard Voss-Altman, Andrew Klein and Sarah Mack, and Cantor Judith Seplowin. Thursdays through 2/28/19.

Cost: $160 per person | $225 per couple (includes all materials and joint Shabbat dinner on 3/1/19 at Temple Habonim in Barrington). Information, Judith Gilson at Jgilson@Temple-BethEl.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 113.

“The Tanakh: New Perspectives.” 7-9:30 p.m. Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence. A Delve Deeper course taught by Michael Satlow, professor of religious and Jewish studies at Brown University. How should we read the Tanakh? Is it a source of ethical behavior and Jewish law? An accurate history of ancient Israel? A political document created to give authority to certain interest groups? A myth? A literary fiction? This course will explore these, and other approaches to the Tanakh, highlighting the diverse ways in which this pivotal text has been, and continues to be, read throughout history. Thursdays through 12/20. Cost: $200 (scholarships are available).

Register at www.teprov.org/institute/ delvedeeper or 401-331-1616.

Friday | October 5

Kabbalat Shabbat Service. 7:30-9 p.m.

Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Service followed by

Oneg. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Saturday | October 6 Taste of Shabbat. 9-11 a.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. 9 a.m. Torah discussion and 9:45 a.m. service followed by a light Kiddush.

Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Sunday | October 7 “Mean What You Pray” Workshop: Making Jewish Prayer Meaningful through Theater Techniques. 10 a.m.noon. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Presented and directed by Jason Slavick of JMS Coaching. Fourth of six workshops, using basic acting exercises. Each workshop is different – join any or all. Participants welcome from all streams of Judaism. Funded by an Innovation Grant from the Jewish Alliance of Greater RI. Information, Alan Krinsky at adkrinksy@netzero.net.

Tuesday | October 9 Understanding the Friday Night Service.

10-11:30 a.m. Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser will review the liturgy of the Friday night service in English translation for a deeper understanding and appreciation.

No Hebrew required. Tuesdays through 11/6. Information, Dottie at dottie@ templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350.

Merciful Conversations on Race. 7-9:30 p.m. Temple Emanu-El and the Rhode Island State Council of Churches will hold a series of conversations on the dynamics of race in our culture.

Explore how white privilege functions in society and in religious communities and the ways that it negatively impacts people of color. The course seeks to create a positive and trusting space to explore why race conversations can be a struggle, provide help for overcoming this challenge, and opportunities to further racial reconciliation on both personal and systemic levels. Tuesdays through 11/13. Optional dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Course cost: $36/person.

Optional dinner cost: $8/dinner or $40/6 dinners. Register in advance at teprov.org/form/ConversationsOnRace or call the Temple Office at 401-3311617.

Wednesday | October 10 Israel Culture Series: Ephraim Kishon’s Film “The Policeman, A Peek at Israeli Life.” 7-9 p.m. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. (See page 6.)

Free. Information, Nir Cafri at ncafri@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 121.

Game Night: Mah Jongg, Canasta and Table Tennis. 7-9 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich.

Open to all. Free. Information, stephanie@toratyisrael.org or 401-885-6600.

Thursday | October 11 “Medical Marijuana Use: Pros, Cons, Hows and Whys.” 7-9 p.m. The Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Ave., Providence.

The Miriam Hospital Women’s Association’s fall program with guest speaker James V. McDonald, MD, MPH chief administrative officer, Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, RI Department of Health. Free. Information, Vickie Scott at vickie.scott@lifespan.org or 401-793-2520.

Introduction to Judaism. 7-9 p.m. Temple

Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence.

The Reform temples of RI (Temple Beth-El, Temple Habonim and Temple Sinai) present an introduction to Judaism. Learn the fundamentals of Jewish thought and practice in 18 weeks through a mix of study, discussion and practical experiences. Perfect for interfaith couples, non-Jews considering conversion and Jews looking for an adult-level introduction. Faculty includes Rabbis Jeffrey Goldwasser, Howard Voss-Altman, Andrew Klein and Sarah Mack, and Cantor Judith Seplowin. Thursdays through 2/28/19.

Cost: $160 per person | $225 per couple (includes all materials and Joint Shabbat dinner on 3/1/19 at Temple Habonim in Barrington). Information, Judith Gilson at Jgilson@Temple-BethEl.org or 401-331-6070, ext. 113.

“The Tanakh: New Perspectives.” 7-9:30 p.m. Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence. A Delve Deeper course taught by Michael Satlow, professor of religious and Jewish studies at Brown University. This course will explore various approaches to the Tanakh, highlighting the diverse ways in which this pivotal text has been, and continues to be, read throughout history. Thursdays through 12/20. Cost: $200 (scholarships are available). Register at www. teprov.org/institute/delvedeeper or 401-331-1616.

Friday | October 12 Beth Elders Dinner. 5:30 p.m. Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence.

Peter Nivert will present “Journey to Find My Roots.” Cost: $18. Information, Temple Beth-El office at 401-331-6070.

Friday Night Live. 6-9 p.m. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. Friday Night Live is a musical celebration of Shabbat followed by dinner. Cost: Adults and children over 12 $20 | 12 & younger free | Family max. $60. Information, Torat Yisrael office at 401-885-6600.

Saturday | October 13 Classic Shabbat Service and Bat Mitzvah. 9 a.m.-noon. Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich.

Information, Torat Yisrael office at 401885-6600.

Kids’ Night Out: All that Jazz. Ages 5-12: 5-10 p.m. Ages 2-4: 5-8:30 p.m. (extended times available). Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence.

Children spend the evening with friends in a fun, safe environment, and parents get night out, “kid free.” Themed activities include sports, crafts and more. A pizza dinner and snacks are served, and the evening ends with a movie.

Older group of kids get an hour of free swim. For ages 2-4, make sure to send your child with PJs. Price: $40 | Members: $30 | Siblings: $20. Information and registration, Shannon Kochanek at skochanek@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 147.

Sunday | October 14 Benjamin Franklin’s Influence on Judaism: A talk by Shai Afsai. 2-4 p.m.

Rhode Island Jewish Museum/Sons of Jacob Synagogue, 24 Douglas Ave., Providence. Learn about Franklin’s influence on Jewish thought and practice as discussed in early 19th century Eastern European rabbinical circles.

Donations appreciated. Information, Shelley at 401-935-9740

FOOD

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September 21, 2018 |

Had enough sweet stuff at the New Year? Here’s some savory for Sukkot

BY MEGAN WOLF JTA – So much at the Jewish New Year is sweet – first fruits, honey, honey cake. By the time Sukkot rolls around, we’re often looking for something savory to offset it all.

Regardless of the time of year, we have some favorites in our house. One is smoked salmon with cream cheese and vegetables on an everything bagel. This menu is a riff on that very dish, but with a lighter and healthier take on the very foods that make the flavors so delicious.

For a time-saver, the fish can be crusted ahead of time and set, covered, in the fridge. This salmon is also delicious served cold the next day.

Everything bagel spices are now sold commercially, but they are also very easy to make at home.

10 Garlic Broccoli Rabe

Creamy Tahini Salad

Everything Bagel Crusted Salmon Ingredients

1 teaspoon poppy seeds 1 teaspoon sesame seeds 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 1/2 teaspoons dried garlic 1 1/2 teaspoons dried onion 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional 4 5- to 6-ounce salmon fillets 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Mix the spice ingredients together in a small bowl and crust each piece of salmon with the spice mix.

Heat half the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then cook 2 pieces of salmon skin side down for about 3 minutes, flip and cook on the seeded side another 5 minutes or so until cooked through to your liking.

Repeat with the other 2 two pieces of fish. Set aside.

Creamy Tahini Salad Ingredients

1/4 cup tahini 2 lemons, juiced 2 tablespoons hot water Salt to taste 2 English cucumbers, washed, sliced and quartered

Everything Bagel Crusted Salmon 2 cups cherry tomatoes, washed and quartered

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk tahini, lemon juice and hot water, season to taste with salt.

In a large bowl, combine vegetables and toss to mix the tahini mixture. Plate the tahini salad first followed by a piece of salmon. Top each plate with leftover everything bagel mix.

10 Garlic Broccoli Rabe Ingredients

10 cloves garlic, peeled 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons hot water 2 large bunches broccoli rabe, washed with ends removed Kosher salt to taste

Directions

In a blender, combine garlic with olive oil and hot water until well mixed and the garlic chopped.

Place broccoli rabe in a large

Gluten-free molten chocolate cupcakes

Ingredients

1 package gluten-free chocolate cake mix 1/2 package included frosting mix 1/4 cup oil 1 large chocolate bar 3 eggs, separated

Preparation

F.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. In a large bowl, add cake mix, frosting mix, egg yolk and oil. Mix well.

3. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until peaks form.

4. Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture.

5. Pour into cupcake tins. Be sure to fill only halfway. Insert one square from the chocolate bar into the batter for each cupcake.

6. Bake for 10-14 minutes.

7. Cool for 10 minutes and gently peel cupcake wrapper off. Flip upside down and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar. Enjoy!

Recipe reprinted from Manischewitz.com

sauté pan over medium heat, then pour garlic oil mixture on top. Cook until the broccoli rabe is just cooked through and tender, but still bright green, about 4-5 minutes. (You may loosely cover the pan to help the steaming process.) The liquid will have evaporated.

The Great Rhode Island

Challah Bake

For women and girls (Grades K and up) only

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Thursday, October 25 | 6:30 - 8:30pm (doors open at 6pm) Dwares JCC Social Hall | 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence $18 per person | $40 family max of 6 | Reserve a table for 8: $180 RSVP required; Register at jewishallianceri.org/challah-bake As part of the international Shabbat Project, we will be joining women all around the world, coming together in a global sisterhood to make challah on the very same evening.

Discover the rich meaning and Jewish significance of challah, learn amazing braiding tips, and make challah to take home.

For more information, contact: • Michelle Cicchitelli at mcicchitelli@jewishallianceri.org • Elissa Felder at elissafelder@aol.com • Alison Walter at alison@swipeit.com

11

12 | September 21 , 2018

HOME & GARDEN

The Jewish Voice

Tech upgrades to improve home function FAMILY FEATURES – When smart home technologies first emerged, their purpose was largely convenience and operating the devices was often clunky. Today, smart devices seamlessly integrate into connected home systems to make living more efficient, improve home security and even offer advantages for your health.

If you’re considering upgrades to your home, smart technology is a savvy way to add value and function.

weather station forecasts to automatically open the skylights if fresh air is needed. The system can also automate skylight blinds. Learn more at whyskylights.com.

Peace of Mind

Energy Consumption

Smart lighting is among the most prevalent of smart functions on the market, largely because of the multiple benefits it offers. It’s handy to be able to set regular lighting patterns throughout the home so you’re never left in the dark. You can also manage those lights from your smartphone, so forgetting to turn off a light is no longer an issue, and you can fool wouldbe-thieves into thinking the house is inhabited when you’re away.

Fingertip controls offer plenty of advantages, but another consideration is energy management. Dimming features and sensors that turn lights off and on through various detection methods (such as movement or recognizing a connected Bluetooth device) help minimize wasted energy. The lights are typically constructed to use less energy, and most models last substantially longer than their traditional counterparts;

some brands claim a lifespan of 20 years or more.

Smart lighting is an easy way to curb energy usage, but another consideration is climate control, which accounts for a big chunk of a typical household’s energy consumption.

The idea of programming your thermostat is nothing new, but smart thermostats take programming to a whole new level.

Not only can you schedule temperature changes to coincide with your coming and going (and manage those changes with an app when you’re not even at home), today’s smart thermostats also have sensors that learn your daily habits

and can adjust the climate accordingly. Comfort aside, the impact on energy usage is often substantial enough that some electric companies even offer incentives to homeowners who install the devices.

Air Quality

In an average home, the pollutant level is normally low when people first enter the house, or after effective ventilation. However, after an extended period of time, daily activities can raise the level of humidity and carbon dioxide to unhealthy levels that can cause headaches, dizziness and sleepiness, and can contribute to long-term health issues.

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Opening skylights in conjunction with vertical windows removes polluted air from the home and promotes an overall healthier lifestyle.

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Smart smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors offer enhanced sensory features as compared to traditional models, in addition to sending alerts to your smart devices when you’re away. Water damage is another risk if you’re in an area prone to flooding or if you’re concerned about dampness that could spur mold growth. A smart sensor can alert you of changes in your home’s moisture level due to leaks or humidity so you can take preventive measures before damage becomes severe.

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HOME & GARDEN

September 21, 2018 |

13

Seasonal reflections from the garden

BY LARRY KESSLER The High Holy Days, followed by the festivals of Sukkot and Simchat Torah, in addition to being times of renewal and hope, offer the chance to reflect on where we’ve been and where we want to be going.

The time spent in deep thought and prayer, especially on Yom Kippur, is always challenging, at times painful, but ultimately rewarding. Through the process, we cleanse our souls and recharge our spiritual batteries. We emerge feeling better about ourselves. We discover that trying to go “off the grid” for 24 hours – no phones, emails, social media – may be frowned upon by some, but makes us feel considerably less stressed.

Though not necessarily apparent, gardening offers similar benefits and is a good excuse to ditch the phones and devices for at least a few hours. Like our soul-searching during the ten Days of Repentance, gardening can yield moments of introspection, although it does require you to get your hands dirty.

I know that from assisting the real gardener in the family: my wife. I’m grateful to her for choosing to enthusiastically embrace that chore every year,

Successes in the garden. because her diligence makes our property look infinitely better; without her efforts, we’d be overrun with weeds.

She never flinches from that mundane task, and she’s only too happy to hack away with gusto at the really invasive weeds that have thorns and attach themselves to perfectly healthy bushes and plants – not to mention our backyard fence. She also willingly spends several hours at a stretch, in reasonable weather (not in the

100-plus-degree real-feel temperatures we experienced too often this summer) beautifying our land. Through it all, she gets only half as exhausted as I do when I’m asked to dispose of the weeds, tree branches and other debris that’s been cut down.

Over the years, her dedication has been unwavering. She starts in the spring with the annual cleanup (an all-handson-deck chore), and follows that by planting flowers. This year,

PHOTOS | LYNNE CAINS

she also bought some flowers and plants from a big box store’s nursery that had been marked down and may have been jettisoned if they weren’t scooped up by a sympathetic gardener who felt they deserved a chance to thrive. Although some of them didn’t take root, her goodfaith purchases resulted in a much brighter-looking landscape, including a flowering plant designed to attract hummingbirds.

She also bought a potted to-

mato plant that worked out so well that the wily critters who visit us by digging under, through and climbing over our chain-link fence couldn’t wait for the baby tomatoes to ripen, chowing down on all but four of them.

You may wonder what I do besides cleaning up the weeds pulled by my wife. I was tasked during this prolonged hot and steamy summer with the key job of watering the flowers and plants. And, once the watering days end later this fall, I’ll also be tackling the oldest and most vital of fall rituals: raking leaves, which I don’t mind doing for two reasons: • It’s a perfect way to pass the time by contemplating any issues that are on my mind.

• Raking leaves easily beats what’s coming next: the thoroughly depressing – and bonechilling – snow-shoveling that unfortunately follows those breathtaking fall colors.

The only good thing about winter is that it makes me yearn for the spring cleanup.

That will mean that better days – and another growing season – will soon be on the way.

LARRY KESSLER is a freelance writer who can be reached at lkessler1@comcast.net.

Is your heating system ready for cool weather?

STATEPOINT – Savvy homeowners know that with cool weather, comes a bit of preparation. An audit of your heating equipment can mean less wasted energy, a more comfortable home and lower energy bills.

Nearly half of all heating and cooling equipment in U.S. homes never performs to its advertised capacity and efficiency due to incorrect installation, according to U.S. government estimates. And if you have an older system that was built before current efficiency standards, you could be spending more than needed on heating your home.

If it’s time to replace your system, be sure to have it properly installed by an HVACR

professional, certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), the nation’s largest nonprofit certification body for HVACR technicians. NATEcertified technicians are skilled professionals who have proven their knowledge in the HVACR industry by passing specialized certification tests.

“NATE-certified techs who perform maintenance and repairs do a consistently good job.

There are no concerns if the job is done right,” says Rob Kirkpatrick, a customer of Thermal Services, a Nebraska-based contractor.

Beyond having an efficient heating system properly installed, you can prepare for the season in the following ways:

• Clean heating filters.

Check them every few weeks and change them at least twice in the season, or as directed by the manufacturer.

• Check and maintain insulation. Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements and crawlspaces drain away heat and can also lead to moisture imbalance. Adding weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors can also improve a home’s insulation.

• Turn down the thermostat or install a programmable thermostat to regulate temperature.

• Clean the furnace area.

Don’t keep chemicals or cleaning products near a heater, and don’t store anything next to it

that could impede ventilation.

• Free all vents and returns of obstructions. Don’t lay carpet over vents, place furniture over or in front of them, or obstruct the flow of air.

• Install a humidifier.

Dry air feels cooler than moist air, so simple humidifier may make the home feel five degrees warmer than a home with dry air.

• Look into geothermal heating systems which use earth’s natural heat and are among the most efficient and energy-conserving heating and cooling technologies currently available.

• For optimal performance of your HVAC system, get an annual service contract which includes both heating and cooling maintenance. But take care to avoid poor service and scams. To find a qualified local contractor who employs certified HVACR professionals, look for the NATE logo or go to www.natex.org.

By incorporating a few energy-friendly habits into your routine and by making sure your heating system is operating optimally, this season, you can keep utility bills low while maintaining a cozy, comfortable home.

14 | September 21 , 2018

HOME & GARDEN | COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

I

Selling your house?

BY ALEXIS SOLOFF

f you are considering selling your home, now is a great time to prepare your house to stand out during the busy fall market.

Follow as many of these tips as possible to have your home looking its best! But don’t worry if you are unable to accomplish all of these. Concentrating on even a few of these items will be sure to give your property a selling advantage.

j Declutter

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

area.

Seeing God in nature I love the concept of “The Jewish Garden,” which Rabbi Dov Lev wrote about in an article by that name posted at Aish. com. The idea makes me feel happy, as most plants and PATRICIA flowers do.

RASKIN Rabbi Lev writes, “The Torah exhorts us to love God. But how does one love an immortal, infinite, non-physical being? Maimonides teaches that one way is to focus on the wonders of Creation. When we observe how a little seed can transform into something so beautiful and alive, we are overcome with awe and appre-

ciation for the Almighty.

“Mankind’s first mission was to tend a garden: Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to look after and cultivate the beautiful garden that God prepared.

“God first appeared to Moses in a thorn bush, because God wanted to emphasize that even vegetative life is infused with the Divine Presence.

“The Sages tell us that one should not simply enjoy the beauty of nature for its own sake, but use it as an opportunity to praise God for creating such beauty in this world.

Some of God’s most amazing miracles are happening right now in your own backyard!”

I feel beauty in nature all year round, but especially at this time of year, as the leaves

change color.

My daughter and I recently went to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a place that connects people to the world of plants, offering delight and inspiring appreciation. The flowers, plants, herbs and lily pond filled me with peace and tranquility.

I recommend prayers and gratitude while in a garden. It does wonders for the soul and makes you appreciate life as it is.

PATRICIA RASKIN, president of Raskin Resources Productions Inc., is an awardwinning radio producer and Rhode Island business owner.

She is the host of “The Patricia Raskin” show, a radio and podcast coach, and a board member of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence.

your

living

k Depersonalize your

home by removing such items as personal photos and artwork.

move-in ready look.

n Put away valuables. o Paint the interior in neutral colors.

p Address any existing

problems: leaky pipes, missing or cracked tiles, or scuffs on paint.

q Improve curb appeal:

power wash, paint exterior, keep grass cut, add plants or flowers.

r Have a showing plan.

Put dishes away, empty trash, make the beds, vacuum, remove pets if possible.

s And, of course, find

l Clean and organize the

a realtor who meets your needs. Don’t be afraid to talk to several people.

m Rearrange furniture so

ALEXIS SOLOFF is a sales associate for William Raveis In Providence.

inside of closets and cabinets. your house has a staged and

PHDS school year starts on a high note Providence Hebrew Day School is “making good even better” this year with innovations from administrators and teachers.

Classes began on Aug. 28 with 163 excited students eager to see old friends, meet new friends, and meet their teachers.

The school community is thrilled to welcome several new teachers. Many of these new teachers are being mentored by veteran teachers. This mentorship program is being funded

by Title II federal funds administered by the Providence School Department. In addition, Dr. Kayla Hack, middle school girls’ Judaic Studies teacher, will be mentoring Shoshana Golden, the new middle school and high school math teacher, through the New Jewish Teachers Project, a national mentor training program. Again, funding for this program will be provided by Title II funds.

The school has added two positions to support students.

Rabbi Yaakov Zimmerman will be joining the school as a parttime resource professional utilizing his social worker training. He will meet with students and work on various skills in the classrooms. Rabbi Zimmerman gave a well-attended presentation at the opening staff meetings and to the parents at Open School Night.

Rabbi Yechezkel Yudkowsky, a beloved teacher in the middle school, has expanded his role to serve as the Middle School boys’ Mashgiach/mentor. He will continue to build his relationship with the middle school boys and offer them support for their emotional, behavioral and spiritual needs beyond the classic Rebbe-Talmid relationship.

His job will include meeting with the boys and continuing to work with the administration, Rebbeim and teachers to develop a team approach to specific middle school concerns.

The school has also introduced some curricular changes for this year. These include: The accelerated math program that is part of the Renaissance package. This program will allow teachers to customize math learning for each student based on his/her testing results.

A community-wide middos program based on the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation’s Hishtadel L’Hiyos Ish program.

This will be launched after Sukkot.

The Safe Sitter babysitting program will be offered in Grades 6-8 in November. This worldwide program trains 35,000 young adults (ages 11-14) in the dos and don’ts of supervising younger children, including first aid and other practical matters.

“Handwriting Without Tears” curriculum will be used in PreK through Grade 3. This was piloted in Pre-K and Grade 2 last year and was rated as highly successful.

Grades 2 through 4 will be using the new “Ivrit123” curriculum in their Hebrew classes.

This program includes workbooks, flashcards and posters for the classrooms.

Students left the first day of school as excited as they had entered – if not more – and are looking forward to an amazing school year.

Submitted by Providence Hebrew Day School

COMMUNITY

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Remembering Kristallnacht Part II This is the second article in a series leading up to the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht.

BY HILARY SALK I live in the present, and yet I am writing about a time that happened 80 years ago, a time before I was born. In the previous article of Sept. 7, I shared some of the reasons I so identify with the people who experienced this day of infamy, Nov. 9, 1938.

Another reason Kristallnacht became so personal to me is that I was inspired to write my novel, “Eavesdropping in Oberammergau,” by the true story of a Jewish man, Peter Max Myer, who had lived in Oberammergau in the 1930s. This man, a convert to Catholicism, had been attacked on Kristallnacht by a group of Nazi youth, one of whom grew up to play Jesus in the 1950 “Passion Play.” Myer was taken to Dachau, was able to get out, lived the war years in

England, and then returned to Oberammergau.

I wrote his story into my book and identified with him as though I had become him, fictionalizing much, but retaining that experience of being attacked on Nov. 9, 1938. He returned to Oberammergau after the war, a mystery to me and to James Shapiro, who wrote about him in his history of the town, “Oberammergau: The Troubling Story of the World’s Most Famous Passion Play.”

The novel is an attempt to understand why he returned.

In the previous article I wrote of my mother’s coming into my room after seeing actual footage of Kristallnacht in a local movie presentation. This, too, is in my novel, written in the voice of a young girl much like the young girl I was.

I wrote the novel in hopes of making a story of this hard history accessible to young people.

I am glad that I learned of this

Hilary Salk tragic time even though I was so very young. I think I have become enriched by being entrusted with the feelings my mother passed on to me and by the endurance of those who have lived through this nightmare.

I have recently read the au-

Bernhardt Foundation seeks applications for grants PROVIDENCE – Are you affiliated with a Jewish nonprofit organization in need of grant funds? If so, consider submitting a grant request to the Helene and Bertram Bernhardt Foundation.

Established in 2005 under the wills of the late Helene and Bertram Bernhardt, the Foundation’s mission is to support nonprofit organizations, with a specific preference given to Jewish nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island and to nonprofit organizations that Helene and Bertram Bernhardt sup-

ported during their lives.

Since its founding, the Foundation has distributed over $4 million to such nonprofit organizations as Camp JORI, Temple Beth-El, the Jewish Alliance/JCC, Jewish Family Service, Brown RISD Hillel and URI Hillel, Jewish Seniors Agency and many others. The Trustees are always on the lookout for new opportunities.

This year, the Trustees expect to award approximately $400,000 in new grants, distributing the funds next May. To receive the guidelines and

tobiography of Dr. Ruth Westheimer (“All in a Lifetime”) who was raised in Frankfurt, Germany, until she was separated from her parents at age 10 when they put her on a train to Switzerland to escape the fate that was to be of so many.

Surviving the war in a Swiss orphanage, she never saw her parents again. Despite the sad memories she carries, she became the famous Dr. Ruth, and, even at 90, she still shows a resilience that seems indefatigable.

Many children have read “The Diary of Anne Frank,” which has allowed them to know the wonder of one individual who had such hope and exhibited such a life force despite the horror of her experiences.

Her bitter end, so painful, stays with us. I read her diary when

September 21, 2018 |

15

I was 10 years old and began to write a diary addressed to “Dear Anne.” My granddaughter raised in a household with minimal religious teaching decided to become a Bat Mitzvah after reading “The Diary.”

I end this second article with a renewed hope to hear from people about their experiences, as children, hearing about this fatal history and/or their sense of whether and how to share this history with young people.

HILARY SALK is the author of “Eavesdropping in Oberammergau,” a novel which draws on her experiences as an American Jewish girl living with her parents in Germany three years after the Holocaust. She lives with her husband, Steve, in Providence and Narragansett. Reach her at hilarysalk@ hilarysalk.com.

Lynch & Pine

At t o r n e ys at L aw

application form for the grants, contact Samuel Zurier, Secretary of the Foundation, at 55 Dorrance St., Suite 400, Providence, RI 02903 or sdz@omrilaw.com .

The deadline to submit applications for the current grant cycle is Dec. 1, 2018.

Lynch & Pine Lynch A t t o r n e y& s aPine t L aw Patrick C. Lynch

Attorney General: 2003-2011

Jeffrey B. Pine

Attorney General: 1993-1999

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16 | September 21 , 2018

SENIORS

The Jewish Voice

Mike Fink’s sukkah

PHOTO | MIKE FINK

The fragility and permanence of a sukkah I guess this year I’m going to claim Sukkot as my favorite holiday. We didn’t observe it when I was a boy, but when my

SKETCHBOOK MIKE FINK

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own children were growing up, I rediscovered this wonderful festival.

I took the heavy, outdated storm doors and windows from the basement and, with design help from my niece, Amy, figured out how to use them to construct a portable and collapsible structure. Our daughters decorated them with paint and large sketches, and happily helped gather boughs for the see-through roof that would allow us to study and consult/converse with the moon and stars.

Our neighbor, friend and guide, “Mr. Adler,” supervised the event and contributed, as I recall, the herbs and fruits of the season, the etrog and the lulav, and I invited Rhode Island School of Design students, and Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel, plus my own personal ancestors, from mother and father back to grandparents, and my mentors, to come in by way of any of the easy doorways and join us over mevushal wines and seasonal treats.

One of my design disciples, an Israeli architecture major, produced an impressive research paper about the history of the holiday, in which he claimed that it was the very foundation of Judaism itself.

How I wish I still had that thesis, it was brilliant and a revelation!

From a “philosophical” viewpoint, maybe I don’t have to put

together this over-substantial building all by myself this year. I would need a troop, or troupe, to get it up and take it down. And maybe I myself have become a sukkah! Yes! I have had a few health problems and feel somewhat temporary or fragile of late. Like the whole human enterprise, perhaps!

So, on this holiday of huts I may brood about my lost friends and relatives, ask them to keep me company in my thoughts, hope they think well of me from the Beyond, and bless me with their spirits, their survival through my memory in the forthcoming seasons here Below.

I could claim that the reason American Jews, at least locally – maybe only on my block – let the sukkah vanish from their porches or backyards and instead went to the collective one in the synagogue was part and parcel of the assimilationist attitude; don’t rub it in that you celebrate unusual customs. By now, that neighborhood timidity has pretty much evaporated, thanks largely to the proud realm of Israel!

So, in sum, thanks dear Amy for inspiring my family sukkah, and a toast to my students for using their skills to turn my words into sukkot on the RISD campus – and my very person into a room of ideas that welcomes them as alums into the hovering hut of my humble humanity.

Are Thanksgiving’s origins in Sukkot? Did the Japanese love of paper architecture in Zen gardens derive from Sukkot? Maybe the Hebrew lost tribes brought the celebration with them along the silk roads of history, or perhaps there is, after all, a universal reminder within its secrets.

MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol. com) teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.

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COMMUNITY

September 21, 2018 |

Memories of my Bubbe My bubbe was a short woman who was really old. I now think she was only in her late 40s. She just looked old, dressed old and spoke with an accent.

She was not a hugger or kisser, but she was not MAY-RONNY unkind. She always had ZEIDMAN something to eat or drink when you went to her house. You never needed to knock … that was your bubbe’s house.

When we went for a car ride, we sat in the back with Bubbe. She always had Chiclets in her pocketbook, and you could count on her to give you one, but only one.

My bubbe loved the beach, but did not swim. I can still remember her standing in the water up to her knees, pouring water over her body and saying, “such a michiah” – so good.

Oh, her picnic lunches!

These were no American sandwiches of peanut butter

and jelly on white bread.

These were great sandwiches on bulkie rolls or seeded rye bread with Kosher salami, bologna, rolled beef or corned beef. All sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper (you might have to Google wax paper). And let’s not forget the pickles!

My bubbe always had a pitcher of Kool-Aid in her fridge and always brought Kool-Aid on a picnic.

I once asked her if I could help peel apples for something she was making. She gave me an apple and a paring knife. After about three cuts into the skin of the apple, she told me to go out and play, she could not afford my help with paring apples.

Bubbe loved to go downtown. She would put on a good dress, hat and gloves, and take the bus downtown.

I once asked my mother how she knew which bus to take since she couldn’t read. Mom said Bubbe read the bus number, which was before the street name.

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18 | September 21 , 2018

BUSINESS

The Jewish Voice

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BUSINESS | SUKKOT

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Why Sukkot is actually the best holiday for kids

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A sukkah designed by David C. Isenberg Family Early Childhood Center children during a past celebration. get to be outside. After the hours of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur inside a building, Sukkot is a literal breath of fresh air, as we eat our meals in the sukkah.

And for kids (and adults) who enjoy being outdoors, we are encouraged to do as many of our regular indoor activities outside. Sukkot is a time when we can draw, do homework, chat with our friends and even sleep outdoors, making it Judaism’s official camping holiday.

Finally, the messages of Sukkot are very powerful: First, there’s the message of welcoming. The sukkah is open, welcoming in anyone who wants to join.

Second, in a tradition called ushpizin, we symbolically welcome characters from the Torah to join each day, but your family could discuss other people you want to invite to join you, whether it be a grandparent who is far away or a refugee family. Each day you can welcome someone else, and even

hang up photos or drawings of that person as a reminder of their presence.

Sukkot also reminds us to think about our vulnerability, as we sit outside in a temporary structure exposed to the elements. We are reminded of the blessings of having a roof over our heads.

Sukkot is a perfect time to contribute good deeds or tzedakah to a community in need, volunteer at a homeless shelter or even buy someone on the street a sandwich. Sukkot asks us to remember that at any moment, we could no longer be protected by physical space – so we walk through this holiday trying to leave the world a little better than it was before.

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*INSTANT* PASSPORT PHOTOS

BY REBECCA ROSENTHAL (Kveller via JTA) – Here’s the short version of this article.

If you leave your kids home on the High Holy Days so you can have grownup praying time, bring your kids on Sukkot.

If you bring your kids to the High Holy Days, then bring them back on Sukkot.

Sukkot is the best kids’ holiday. You just might not know it yet.

Now the longer version, if you need more convincing.

Sukkot is particularly awesome for kids who love building, engineering or arts and crafts (so, most kids). You get to build a sukkah at your home or synagogue, or if you don’t have access to those, build one out of a cardboard box in your living room.

Once you have a structure, you get to design and decorate it. A sukkah is a great place to hang all that artwork that comes home from school, or to encourage fine motor skills by cutting and creating paper chains. Then you get to hang out and admire your handiwork, or even add to it, for a whole week.

Sukkot is a holiday that encourages movement during services. Instead of all the sitting and standing, and more sitting and standing, that characterizes most services, on Sukkot you get to both shake the lulav and walk around the sanctuary with it. As a bonus, the lulav is a great sensory tool for your kids to look and interact with if they are in services and looking for something to do.

Sukkot is a holiday when we

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20 | September 21 , 2018

OBITUARIES

Milton H. Bronstein, 101 EAST GREENWICH, R.I. – Milton H. Bronstein died Sept. 6 at the St. Elizabeth Green House Homes. He was the husband of the late Claire (Spivack) Bronstein.

Born in Providence, a son of the late Samuel and Ida (Kaufman) Bronstein, he had lived in East Greenwich, previously living in Warwick, Cranston and Providence. He was a fiscal agent for the Department of MHRH (BHDDH) for 30 years, retiring in 1984. Milton was a board member and former president of the MHRH Retirement Association. He was a First Sergeant WWII Army Air Force veteran, serving with the 8th Air Force in England.

Milton was the first president of Council 94 AFSCME and former president and vice president of the Retirees of Council 94 AFSCME. He was awarded the John H. Slavin Award from Council 94. He was on the board of directors and former chairman of Rhode Island Credit Union, a member and board member of Touro Fraternal Association and member of the RI Labor History Society. He was an officer of the Democratic State Committee. During the 1992 U.S. presidential election for former President Bill Clinton, Milton was one of the four

electors from Rhode Island. He was an honorary chairman for the Democratic City & Town Chairs and received numerous citations from the Rhode Island Senate and House of Representatives.

He was the father of Harvey Bronstein and his wife, Leni, of Arlington, Virginia, Andrew Bronstein and his wife, Linda, of Leland, North Carolina, and Cynthia Davis and her husband, Jeffrey, of West Warwick. He was the grandfather of Evan, Melanie, Jacob, Madeline, Adam, Max and Daniel.

He was the great-grandfather of Adrianna, Lucia, Aiden and Emma.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Shabbat Chai, c/o Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, RI 02906; Hope Hospice of RI 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904; St. Elizabeth Green House Homes, 2364 Post Road, Ste., 100, Warwick, RI 02886; or your favorite charity.

Irving Chucnin, 70

FOSTER, R.I. – Irving “Chuck,” Chucnin died Sept. 12 at Rhode Island Hospital. Born in Providence, a son of the late Walter and Naomi (Chase) Chucnin, he had lived in Foster for more than 20 years, previously living in Scituate. He was a social worker for the State of Rhode Island, retiring more than 10 years ago.

He was the father of Emily Conde and her husband, Donnie, of North Scituate. He was the loving “Pop” of Logan.

He was the brother of Sandra Webb and her husband, John,

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He was the uncle and great uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Audubon Society of RI, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI 02917.

William J. Falk, 91

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. – William “Bill” J. Falk died Sept. 7. He was the husband of the late Grace (Duchin) Falk.

Born in Providence, a son of the late David and Lena (Feinstein) Falk, he lived in Narragansett for 34 years, previously living in Cranston.

A 1949 graduate of Brown University, Bill earned a master’s degree in education from Columbia University. As a passionate track and field coach, he became nationally known for his expertise in the pole vault, guiding athletes to great heights both figuratively and literally, first at the high school level, and then during long tenures at both the University of Rhode Island and the University of Miami. He was selected to coach Olympic hopefuls by the U.S. Olympic Committee. Along the way, he received numerous coaching awards including induction into the URI Athletic Hall of Fame, R.I. Track Coaches Hall of Fame and was a fivetime New England Coach of the Year.

Bill’s other passion was business. He and his late wife, Grace, founded M-F Athletic Company in 1960 and he continued to be an important figure in the business until his recent decline in health.

He was the father of Martha Falk of Cranston and Eric Falk and his wife, Dana, of Providence. He was the grandfather of Rachel, Audrey and Leah.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Summertime Fund, c/o RI Foundation,

One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903.

Alfred M. Fine, 97

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Alfred M. Fine, formerly of Providence and more recently a resident of Tockwotton in East Providence, died peacefully on Sept. 15. He reunites with his beloved wife of 67 years, Ellie, and is survived by loving children Stephen (Ellen), Nancy and Robert (Susan), grandchildren J.P., (Amy), Daniel (Sarah), Andrew (David), Hannah and Ben and great-grandchildren William and Evelyn.

A son of the late Sam and Jessie (Baker) Fine and brother of the late Harold and Allan, Al was born in Attleboro on Oct. 8, 1920 and graduated from Boston University with a degree in business administration. He served his country in World War II and had the great good fortune to meet Ellie, his love match, when stationed in Philadelphia after combat ended.

His first career was as an interior designer of note. He was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers and its predecessor, the American Institute of Interior Designers and his tasteful and timeless work can still be seen in many Rhode Island homes and other buildings. His second career was as an officer of Fine Travel, Inc. and he and Ellie enjoyed traveling the world as inseparable partners and lifelong learners. He was a great lover of jazz and reading, and he and Ellie enjoyed the company of countless good friends who enriched their lives.

He will be deeply missed but his distinguished bearing and quiet dignity will be a lasting memory and comfort. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Ellie and Alfred Fine Fund at the Gordon School, 45 Maxfield Ave., East Providence, R.I. 02914, or the

charity of your choice.

George German, 69

BARRINGTON, R.I. – George German formerly of Barrington and currently of Riverside and Coconut Creek, Florida, died Aug. 14, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Born in Kiel, Germany, to Holocaust survivors Bella and Sam German, George i m m ig rated to Providence with his parents and brother at 3 months old. George’s yearbook from Hope High School noted his fondness for cars, motorcycles and ice hockey.

These hobbies never dulled for George, though they took a backseat to the love of his life: Kathleen Ann (Chadwick), whom he married in 1978.

George was a U.S. Army veteran during the Vietnam War. His love of people, action and many hours spent apprenticing in event management at the Rhode Island Auditorium led to his first career as a union laborer and later foreman with Laborers Local 1033 at the Providence Civic Center when the building opened in 1972. For many years, George would best be known as the Zamboni driver for the Rhode Island Reds, until their departure, and then again when the Providence Bruins returned professional hockey to the state. In 1981, he left his fulltime role at the Civic Center to pursue his next full-time career as the co-owner and operator of Cut Price Swimming Pools and Mr. Christmas in Centerdale and later in Johnston.

George was the consummate family man and leaves behind two children, Joshua Sam and Sarah Elizabeth. In addition to his immediate family, George

jvhri.org leaves behind his brother Charlie German, sister-in-law Anne German and their daughter, George’s beloved niece, Brooke.

George was also a true friend to many of his friends’ children and his children’s friends. Both a gentleman and a gentle man, George greeted everyone with a warm nod, smile and wink.

Though a man of few words, his eyes said it all with a hint of mystery, boundless kindness and fierce loyalty.

Contributions in George’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 would be deeply appreciated.

Wilma Rosen, 89

Dr. Wilma Sylvia (Friedman) Rosen, beloved psychiatrist and artist, died peacefully on July 7.

Wilma was the first woman psych i at r i st at Butler Hospital and served there more than 40 years.

She also provided therapy to artists at RISD’s Office of Counseling.

Her life story was an inspiration to many she counseled and

mentored as a clinical professor at Brown Medical School. One of her former residents, Patricia Recupero, became one of her dearest friends.

Encouraged by her feisty mother Minnie and gentle father Philip, her hard work as a young girl won her scholarships and awards that led to a degree at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. Regretting the lonely life of an artist she discovered a fascination with psychiatry and completed her medical degree at Temple Medical School at a time when quotas restricted admission of Jewish women. That combined love and fascination with helping people find their identities and reflecting the beauty of the individual was expressed through her compassion for adolescents and artists, helping patients find second chances, and her thoughtful portraits.

She was deeply honored to be an artist member of the Providence Art Club where she spent many happy years as she slowly and reluctantly retired from Butler and RISD and rediscovered her own identity. And as her heart made her too frail to continue her art, her life had meaning through the warmth and kindness she shared with friends and staff throughout

NY couple die in small plane crash near Boston JTA – A married couple from New York were killed when their small plane crashed near Boston.

Dr. Michael Graver, 65, and Jodi Cohen, 52, of Long Island, were killed Saturday morning when the plane crashed into the woods in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Graver, an experienced pilot, was flying the plane when it crashed about seven miles from the airport and minutes before it was scheduled to land, NBC New York reported.

No one on the ground was injured in the crash and no homes

in the residential area were damaged, according to reports.

The couple were scheduled to meet Graver’s son, Adam, 33, of Washington state, for lunch in Boston, where he was attending a conference.

Graver was the chief of adult cardiac surgery at North Shore University Hospital. Cohen was a certified public accountant and worked as a real estate agent. They were married in September 2010.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

the Providence area and ultimately at Tockwotton.

She is survived by her two daughters, Allyson Rosen and Liz Grinspoon, her grandchildren, Susanna Aufrichtig, Jacob Lehrer, and Emma and Zach Grinspoon. She is also survived by her sister, June Chernetz, and her children Gwyn, Lynn, George, and his wife Deborah Keller. Wilma’s art is featured on http://wilmarosenart. blogspot.com/. A celebration of her life will be held on Sept. 29 at the Providence Art Club.

Robert Shaffer, 91

BOCA RATON, FLA. – Robert Leonard Shaffer died Sept. 9 at Hospice by the Sea. He was the husband of the late Thelma (Goldberg) Shaffer. Born in Providence, a son of the late Harry and Edith (Hazen) Shaffer, he had lived in Pawtucket for 65 years before moving to Florida. He was a furniture retailer in Pawtucket for 54 years.

Robert was a World War II Coast Guard veteran. He was a member and past commander of the Jewish War Veteran’s Post 406, member of the MasonJenks Lodge #24 and the Elks Club, all in Pawtucket. In Florida, Robert was a member of the Coronado Ocean Club and social chairman for 9 years and board member for 8 years.

He was the father of Richard Shaffer of Burlington, Massachusetts, and the late Steven Shaffer. He was the stepfather of Joann Friedman of New York City and Debra Leff of Atlanta, Georgia. He was the grandfather of Ezra, Rebekah, Adina,

OBITUARIES Sarah and Sasha. He was the great-grandfather of Shira.

Contributions in his memory may be made to American Cancer Society, 931 Jefferson Blvd., Ste. 3004, Warwick, RI 02886.

Sandra Sherman, 83

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Sandra Lazarus Sherman died Sept. 15 at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center, Providence. She was the wife of the late William H. Sherman. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Frank and Rose (Levin) Lazarus, she was a lifelong resident of Providence.

Sandra was a graduate of Hope High School and Boston

September 21, 2018 |

21

University. She was a member of Temple Beth-El and volunteered there, as well as at Moses Brown School, and Gordon School.

She was the mother of Robert D. Sherman and his partner, Lisa Livshin, of Newton, Massachusetts, and Gary L. Sherman of Providence. She was the sister of the late Leonard Lazarus.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence, RI 02906.

ASK THE DIRECTOR

BY MICHAEL D. SMITH F.D./R.E. Shalom Memorial Chapel

QUESTION: What is the weirdest outfit a family has requested?

T.J., London, England Dear T.J., Traditionally, Jewish people are buried in a shroud, which is a white linen shirt and pants with no pockets. It is symbolic of all people coming into the world with nothing and leaving on the same level. For further information on the Tachrachim (shrouds), speak to your rabbi. That being said, I have received requests for all sorts of things to be worn by the deceased, from a favorite hat to comfy pajamas. None of them struck me as weird, however. They were all things that helped a family through the grieving process and made them feel better.

QUESTIONS ARE WELCOMED AND ENCOURAGED. Please send questions to: ShalomChapel@aol.com or by mail to Ask the Director, c/o Shalom Memorial Chapel, 1100 New London Ave., Cranston, R.I. 02920.

22 | September 21 , 2018

SUKKOT

The Jewish Voice

How to celebrate Sukkot without a sukkah

BY SARA SHAPIRO-PLEVAN (My Jewish Learning via JTA) – The central mitzvah of Sukkot is found in Leviticus 23:42, where Jews are commanded to dwell in a sukkah, a temporary hut, for seven days and nights.

We do this in order to remember the experiences of our ancestors, both on the journey from Egypt to the Land of Israel and in a later era, when farmers brought offerings to the ancient Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the harvest.

But many people live in climates, neighborhoods or buildings that preclude constructing and living in a sukkah. A local synagogue, campus Hillel or even Kosher restaurant will likely have one that you can use to fulfill the mitzvah of sitting in a sukkah. Yet everyone, with or without a personal sukkah, can turn to creative interpretations of “dwelling” and focus on the aspects of Sukkot that are oriented toward other rituals and customs to enrich the holiday experience.

At home in a hut

In the Torah, the children of Israel used sukkot (plural of sukkah) as their temporary homes while traveling through the desert. Instead of constructing your own temporary space — or in addition to it — you can help someone else acquire a permanent home. Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization, runs building projects

picking or just visit the park to collect fallen leaves and twigs to use as decorations. Create centerpieces for the home with fruits and vegetables, and plan meals that incorporate a wide selection of local produce. Look for the variety of produce imported from Israel during this time of year, as well.

The four species

in many urban areas. There are also many Jewish organizations that address homelessness and poverty, such as the numerous groups that are part of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable.

Other service programs in your community may help individuals transition from homeless shelters into homes by collecting housewares and other necessary items. The acknowledgement that there are those in our communities who have no shelter at all can bring a meaningful awareness to your celebration.

A temporary dwelling

A sukkah is a transitional shelter meant to provide only the basic structure of a building. In fact, Jewish law requires a minimum of 2 1/2 walls, and the ceiling, covered in tree

branches and leaves, must be open enough so that the stars are visible.

One alternative is to build a sukkah-like structure indoors.

For children, the act of building forts and tents is the creation of a personal play space. Adults can build a canopy over the dining room table using a tablecloth, or even over the bed – perhaps to look like a huppah, or wedding canopy – to enjoy the temporary shelter and reminder of transition that it evokes.

Harvest holiday

In the Bible, Sukkot marked the time of the fruit and grape harvests. It is also harvest time in North America, and the produce of the season is readily available. You can visit a farmers’ market or even a farm to buy or help harvest seasonal fruits and vegetables. Go apple

The lulav and etrog are made up of four kinds of plants (citron/etrog, palm/lulav, myrtle/ hadas and palm/arava) and are often called the four species, or “arba minim.” They function as one unit, and we say one blessing over them together: Their purpose is to gather and enjoy the plants of the land. Anyone can shake a lulav at home, in a synagogue or wherever you find yourself, even out in the natural world. A lulav and etrog can be found online or in a local Judaica store.

The four are often referred to under the inclusive term lulav, since the lulav is the largest and most prominent of the species. Thus, while the mitzvah is to wave the lulav, this actually refers to waving all four species: palm, willow, myrtle and etrog. Also, when people refer to the lulav and etrog, they are referring to all four species, including the willow and myrtle.

Ushpizin

Welcoming guests is a Jewish value expressed all year by the mitzvah of “hachnasat orhim” (welcoming guests). Invite guests to your home for a sukkah party or a meal and serve harvest-themed treats.

You might also host a picnic in a local park.

At Sukkot we specifically wel-

come ushpizin, traditionally one of seven exalted men of Israel to take up residence in the sukkah with us: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron and David. Be creative and encourage your guests to welcome their own ushpizin – famous personalities and heroes, ancient or modern, Jewish or not Jewish, who lived exemplary lives and continue to inspire.

The time of our joy

In Jewish liturgy, Sukkot is referred to as the time of our joy, “z’man simchateinu.” Take time off to spend with family or friends, or make lots of phone calls to wish a “chag sameach,” a happy holiday, to loved ones who are too far to visit.

Make your home a joyful place with decorations in the spirit of the holiday: Decorate your front door with a harvest theme, hang paper chains from your ceilings or build a minisukkah out of graham crackers, pretzels and icing to serve as a fun treat. Sukkahs (the Hebrew plural is sukkot) in Israel are often decorated with what Americans would refer to as “Christmas lights,” so grab a box and string them around your windows and walls to transform your home into a sukkah.

The space and financial investment needed to build a sukkah can be very real, but finding ways to celebrate the holiday only takes some creative thinking.

SARA SHAPIRO-PLEVAN serves as the coordinator of congregational education for New York City for the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York.

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| WE ARE READ

September 21, 2018 |

WE ARE READ ON THE RIVER –

Scott Steiner, right, and his daughter, Emily, celebrated her 10th birthday on the Ohio River, between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Newport, Kentucky.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Bernie Engel, left, longtime member and recording secretary of Congregation Mishkon Tfiloh, celebrated his 101st birthday among family and friends on Sept. 5 at his home at The Highlands . on the East Side in Providence.

Celebrating with him are (left to right), his son, Jerald, daughter-in-law, Beverly, and Gov. Gina Raimondo.

WE ARE READ IN YELLOWSTONE – Susan

and Louis Kirschenbaum with grandson Simon Kirschenbaum at Yellowstone National Park earlier this summer. Simon picked the destination, and they spent a week in the park in anticipation of Simon’s Oct. 6 Bar in Washington, D.C.

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24 | September 21 , 2018

The Jewish Voice