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june / july2011 sivan / tammuz 5771

Building Torat Yisrael’s Future

Welcome, Donna Tarutz! Our New TY Education Director

“It is with excitement and joy that I am looking forward to working with Rabbi Levin, the professional staff, faculty and the educational community. I am eager to bring my passion for Jewish education and learning to the Yeladon Program, the Lawrence G. and Frederic Cohen Religious School and Temple Torat Yisrael’s warm and extraordinary community.”

After a thorough search process lead by TY Personnel Committee Chair, Barbara Karetny and School Committee Chair, Rachel Silverman, our congregation is delighted to welcome Donna Tarutz as our new Education Director. In her new position, Donna will direct Torat Yisrael’s K-1 Yeladon program and the Lawrence G. and Frederic G. Cohen Religious School providing 2nd through 7th grade classes. Both of these programs meet at The Village Lower School on South County Trail in East Greenwich. Our new education director brings a wealth of experience and training to our congregation’s professional staff. She has a BA in Judaic Studies from Brandeis University, a BJE in Jewish Education from Boston Hebrew College and is a graduate of the highly regarded Hornstein MA Program in Jewish Communal Service at Brandeis University. With teaching experience in congregational supplementary schools like our Cohen School as well as college level Hebrew instruction and experience in congregational consulting, Donna brings a wide range of skills and experience that will make her an invaluable addition to our professional staff. "Donna Tarutz has earned a reputation among Massachusetts Jewish educators as an experienced, capable educator with an infectious passion for Jewish learning. I look forward to working with her as part of Torat Yisrael's professional team," remarked Rabbi Amy Levin. “Hazzan Goldenberg and our Kesher Social Worker Andrea Epstein will be meeting Donna and exploring ways to collaborate as we prepare for the new academic year.”

We are delighted to announce that all TY members will have an opportunity to meet Donna Tarutz in person at our Annual Congregational Meeting

Tuesday, June 28th at the 6:30 pm reception preceding the 7 pm meeting.

Selecting A Construction Company / Developing a Building Plan The Building Committee had received bids from fourteen general contractors for construction of our new synagogue building on our East Greenwich site. After reviewing those bids, the Building Committee decided to rebid the Project with the five lowest bidders. Our Building Committee Chair, Andrew Sholes, developed areas for cost savings that were submitted to the remaining contractors. The rebids from the five lowest bidders were reviewed by the Building Committee at a meeting held on May 17, 2011. The Committee decided to pursue further negotiations with the general contractors that submitted the two lowest rebids. In order for the total cost of the Project to be within the Building Committee’s budget, they are exploring different construction phasing scenarios. Our Building Committee Chair, Andrew Sholes, is meeting with the two lowest bidders to refine their estimates. The Building Committee anticipates selecting a general contractor prior to the Congregation’s Annual Meeting on June 28, 2011. Currently there are three parties that have expressed an interest in pursuing the purchase of our Cranston facility. At the Congregational Meeting, we will need to make a decision to move forward to commence construction of the of our East Greenwich synagogue building. The Committee may or may not have an offer of purchase to present at that meeting. If no offer is received prior to that meeting, the congregation will need to decide if we should obtain a construction mortgage in order to commence work or not. Every TY member in good standing is encouraged to attend the June 28, 2011 meeting at which time the latest details for our Project a will be presented and crucial decisions will be made.

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Greetings from Susan Smoller, President

Shalom Fellow Congregants, We have a lot to celebrate! On June 7th at 7:30 pm, on the first evening of Shavuot, we will dedicate our new high holiday prayer books (mahzorim) that have been generously

donated by Lenny Sholes, a Past President of Torat Yisrael, and his family. This is an opportunity for us to partake in the creativity of the rabbis who edited the Lev Shalem mahzor and enjoy our services in the coming fall. The prayer books have annotations on every page and many stories and illustrations of the significance of the prayers in our daily lives. Donna Tarutz, an experienced and well-educated Jewish educator, will be joining our Torat Yisrael Cohen Religious School as our Educational Director starting July 1, 2011. This is an exciting time for all of us to be involved in the education of our children. Those attending our June 28th annual congregational meeting will have an opportunity to meet Donna that evening. We will arrange parlor meetings to meet Donna and can organize them around your schedules. Please contact me if you can host a meeting and we will arrange it! Donna comes with much experience and we hope you will take advantage of her expertise and guidance. Please review some of her qualifications in the front of this newsletter. My thanks to the personnel committee and the school committee headed by Barbara Karetny and Rachel Silverman for their hard work throughout the interview and selection process. Thanks too to Rabbi Levin for her guidance and participation. This is the last month that the Mealsite will be using our Cranston facility for their cooking of food and feeding the guests. The Mealsite will henceforth be located in Temple Am David and will continue to serve

those who are interested. Please contact Temple Am David for particulars. On June 5th at 10 am the Sisterhood and Men’s Club will be sponsoring a free brunch and Rabbi Levin will teach us about Kabbalah. Please come and let’s eat and learn together. We are looking forward to honoring all the dozens of TY members who contribute hours of time, talent, intelligence and creativity at our Volunteer Appreciation Shabbat (June 24, 7:30 pm TY-Cranston). The service and special Oneg Shabbat are all about honoring our volunteers and we hope everyone will come to say a big congregational “thank you” to the people who keep our congregation alive. Anita Olinsky will be our featured Volunteer speaker at this service sharing with us her experience, and feelings about, being one of our greatest volunteers. We will hold our annual congregational meeting on June 28th at TY in Cranston. This will be an opportunity for us to discuss the state of the new building, vote on the construction and also to evaluate our finances and financial priorities. The Building Committee has been working diligently, under the leadership of the Building Committee Chairperson, Andy Sholes, in receiving and refining bids for the East Greenwich construction. Thanks to all involved and I look forward to much discussion at the annual meeting. This is an opportunity for us to thank the outgoing Board members and Officers and install our congregation’s new Board and Officers for the year beginning July 1st.

Please contact me at any time with any comments or questions.

B’Shalom, Susan

Kesher Corner: Andrea Epstein, LICSW Andrea is Temple Torat Yisrael's part time social worker funded by the Kesher Program, a joint project of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Jewish Family Service, and the synagogue. She can be reached at andrea@templetorat.org or (401) 369-0160

What is out there?

Don’t worry this is not going to be an article about extraterrestrial life. I was reminded the other day about the many, many useful resources that Jewish Family Service has to offer. My work through the Kesher program is through Jewish Family Service. I feel lucky to have access to so many resources and thought I would take this column as an opportunity to share some of the great programs JFS offers: Kesher If I have to start someplace I’ll start here! Do you know that Temple Torat is one of three congregations in the Rhode Island area that offers onsite social work services to its community members in conjunction with the Rabbi? What is more is that these services are confidential and free. Referrals, short term counseling, and crisis management are just

some of the offerings available through the Kesher program. AgeWell Jewish Family Service houses this program in which JFS, JSA, and the JCC have worked together to provide free referral services for senior resources in the community. By calling (401) 223-2335 or (866) 524-3935 you can get questions answered about the multiple agencies and programs that could help a senior you know. Home Care Solutions Home Care Solutions links Certified Nursing Assistants with those needing extra help in their home due to age or infirmity. Home Care Solution CNAs provide services to the community at large and are specifically versed in Jewish customs, including keeping a kosher household, which allows them to be sensitive to the needs within the Jewish

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community. You can reach Home Care Solutions at (401)331-6962 The Counseling Center JFS offers counseling services to those of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations and economic status. Individuals of all ages, couples, and families can contact the Counseling Center at (401) 331-1244 to get connected to a therapist. Kosher Nutrition Program For the past years Temple Torat has hosted this noon-time kosher meal program for older and disabled adults five days a week. Often there are educational lectures or entertainment as well before the mealtime. Similar services are also available at the JCC twice a week. Also available through the Nutrition Program are Kosher Meals on Wheels. This program provides kosher meals to homebound seniors and the disabled in Cranston, Warwick, Providence, and Pawtucket. The Kosher food program contact number is: (401) 338-3189. Lifeline RI Lifeline is an emergency response system worn around the wrist or neck. This enables the

wearer to receive help quickly, at the push of a button. Available in individual’s homes or care facilities, this system can provide reassurance for all. (401) 331-1244, ext. 319 Adoption Options Adoption Options, (401) 331-5437, can educate you and your family about both domestic and international adoption. One of the oldest programs at JFS the seasoned staff offer non-sectarian expert guidance through the adoption process- including doing home studies. I started this column by promising not to get carried away into a discussion of alien life forms. After all, as listed above, within our own Rhode Island Universe there are a multitude of resources that warrant further exploration. If you have questions about resources, within or outside of the Jewish Family Service network, please feel free to contact me. I can be reached at andrea@templetorat.org or (401) 369-0160. Ideas for newsletters are always welcome.

Librarian’s Corner by Laura Steele, Torat Yisrael Librarian From many sources comes the recommended novel, Wherever You Go by Joan Leegant. Leegant's compelling debut novel weaves together the lives of three characters searching for personal and religious reconciliation in volatile settings. Yona travels from New York to Israel to visit her estranged older sister, Dena, who lives near Hebron in the West Bank. After the loss of their parents and a past of infidelity that drove the siblings apart, Yona longs to reconnect with her unforgiving sister while navigating her own sense of redemption. Mark Greenglass, a respected Jewish lecturer, visits his family in New York, where he faces his tumultuous, drug-addled past as well as a growing indifference toward his faith. At the edge of Jerusalem city limits, college student Aaron Blinder arrives at a radical outpost after dropping out of his yearlong semester abroad program. Socially awkward and crumbling under the pressure from his father, a famous writer, Aaron quickly feels at home with the camp. But when an act of violence propels the intersecting of Leegant's characters' lives in a shocking climax, they are finally forced to confront the aftermath of their life choices. I have just purchased this novel for our library and hope you will take a look at this new novel!!

Make Your Donations to Torat Yisrael On Line! Supporting our Torat Yisrael community has become easier than ever. You’ll find a link to a “Donations” page on the main menu on our Torat Yisrael website (www.toratyisrael.org). The links on the donation page will take you to the secure www.justgive.org website. When you open a free account with Just Give you will be able to donate to Torat Yisrael on line and you will receive a summary of all the charitable donations you have made to Torat Yisrael during the course of the year to make your tax preparation easier.

Ways & Means Membership Fundraiser! Imagine paying just $100 for Torat Yisrael Membership dues next year! Contact the TY office at 785-1800 for more details.

In Our TY Family Mazal tov to Billy & Barbara Karetny on the birth of their grandson Benjamin Max, born on May 21st weighing in at 6 lbs 9 ounces and measuring up to a whole 19 inches! Benjamin Max is the son of Billy and Barbara’s daughter Dana and her husband Joe Fernandez of Newton, Mass.

Mazal tov to everyone celebrating a Birthday in June! Susan Sidel, Gloria Spivack, Edan Levy, Nancy Bresky, Lani Fleisher, Donna Evans, Andrew Gilstein, Louis Beckenstein, Martin Dittelman, Gilda Beckenstein and Sharon Gilstein

Mazal tov to everyone celebrating an Anniversary in June! Nat & Sylvia Safferson (53 years), Les & Fran Cohen (39 years), Stanley & Bella Foster (61 years), Bruce & Linda Weisman (28 years), William & Ronni Guttin (31 years), Alan & Anita Olinsky (39 years), Harvey & Judith Silverman (44 years), Andrew & Sharon Gilstein (30 years), Jeffrey & Andrea Kaplan (2 years), H. Herman & Carole Goldman (55 years), Barry & Pearl Kaplan (39 years), Barry & Roberta Gilstein (40 years), Herbert & Irma Bloom (60 years), Phil & Anita Greenberg (58 years), Marc & Helen Davis (48 years), Sandy & Esta Karp (27 years), Fred & Lois Lury (38 years), Jonathan & Judith Finkle (16 years), Seymour & Marsha Brooks (40 years) and Larry & Joyce Wacks (26 years)

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May God who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bring blessing and healing to: Trude Antin, Lucien Arsac, Pearl Gorden, Douglas & Barbara Greenberg (Diane Greenberg’s brother-in-law & sister-in-law), Myer Grossman, Harriet Landesberg, Peter Letendre (friend of Rochelle Ziegler), Bonnie Lury, Morton Paige, Zenas & Sara Pulner, Ron Richter, Harold & Sylvia Roggen (Barbara Karetny’s parents), Louis Russian, Sylvia & Jimmy Shocket, Steve Tragar, Moe Wine and Eileen Winkler (Rochelle Ziegler’s mother)

Temple Torat Yisrael Email Addresses, Facebook and Twitter Rabbi Amy Levin: rabbi@toratyisrael.org Hazzan Devin Goldenberg: hazzan@toratyisrael.org Susan Smoller, President: president@toratyisrael.org Ronni Guttin, Education Director: ronni@toratyisrael.org Andrea Epstein, Social Worker: andrea@toratyisrael.org Anita Olinsky (Dues Committee): dues@toratyisrael.org welcome@toratyisrael.org - Michael Field/Beth Salk (Membership Committee Chairs) facebook@toratyisrael.org twitter@toratyisrael.org and @ravlevin Sheryl Ponder, Bookkeeper/Office Manager: sheryl@toratyisrael.org Stephanie Reinsant, Rabbi’s Secretary: stephanie@toratyisrael.org

Hug N’hamah: Circle of Consolation Bereavement Discussion Group meeting Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm providing emotional and spiritual aupport. Facilitated by Torat Yisrael member, Dr. Judith Lubiner, a licensed psychologist, and Rabbi Amy Levin. TY members and non-members equally welcome. Meeting June 16th and 30th and July 14th

Shabbat Yachad in East Greenwich: Friday Evening:, Shabbat Yachad: Guest Speaker: Our Own Meredith Karetny! Speaking about her work in the David Project. a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring strong voices for Israel through dynamic educational seminars, workshops, and curricula. Friday, June 3rd: Services at 6:00 pm. Dinner and speaker at 7:00 pm. Cost: $10 adult / $5 child 10-18 / Children under 10 Free / Family maximum $30. Please RSVP to the TY office by May 31st; 785-1800 / Stephanie@toratyisrael.org.

Saturday, June 4th: Shabbat Services at 9:15 am. Men’s Club & Sisterhood Brunch On Sunday, June 5th, the Men’s Club and the Sisterhood will host a free brunch at 10:00 am at the temple in Cranston. There will be food and Rabbi Levin will teach us about Kabballah. We hope you will join us there. There will be a morning prayer service that day at 9:30 am. Please call in your plans to attend the brunch to 785-1800 so we may cater appropriately.

Shavuot Tuesday, June 7 / 5 Sivan: Dedication of our new High Holiday Prayer Book, Mahzor Lev Shalem, and Dessert Reception in honor of the Sholes Family. Tikkun Leil Shavuot Study session will highlight text and music based on our new mahzor. Rabbi Levin and Hazzan Goldenberg will lead services and teach following the dessert reception. There will be a 7:30 pm Shavuot Service followed by dairy dessert break and Tikkun Leil Shavuot. Thursday, June 9 / 7 Sivan: 9:00 am Shavuot and Yizkor Service

Shalom to Shabbat: Unwind and Nosh Before Shabbat Services in Cranston Friday, June 10th, 7:00 pm: wine, cheese and a nice schmooze before our 7:30 pm Shabbat Service.

Open House in East Greenwich Young families and empty-nesters, partners and singles, one-faith and interfaith: You have a place in our community! Membership is having an open on Sunday, June 12th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at both of our East Greenwich venues: The Village Lower School, 2220 South County Trail and our future synagogue site: 1251 Middle Road. (At the open house at the Village Lower School we will be working on a group project to help those in the community who are in need).

East Greenwich Shabbat: June 17-18 Friday 6:00 pm early Shabbat Service for all. Enjoy an early Shabbat service and then arrange for a relaxed Shabbat meal at home with your family and friends. Camp JORI’s Israeli staff will be joining us at this service. Saturday, June 18th - 10:00 am: Family Shabbat/Learners’ Service. 11:00 am Kiddush Lunch

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Our June Topic: Jewish Accessories: The Back Story of Tallit, Kippah and Tefillin Each participant orders from the menu and we study Jewish sources addressing current issues. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend!

East Greenwich: Tuesday, June 21st 12:00-1:30 p.m. –at T’s Restaurant, 5600 Post Road (in the Benny’s Plaza), East Greenwich Cranston/Warwick: Thursday, June 23rd 12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch & Learn at the Cozy Grill Restaurant, 440 Warwick Avenue, Warwick

Thank you, Torat Yisrael Volunteers! We’ve got a special Shabbat just for you! Our Torat Yisrael Family will come together on Friday evening, June 24th at 7:30 pm to celebrate our huge cadre of volunteers. Festive Oneg Shabbat to follow services. You’ve planned great programs, run great services, produced great printed materials, taken care of our finances and our land purchase, you’ve helped us donate food and blood, you’ve fed us and entertained us, you’ve nurtured our children and helped our office run smoothly, you’ve stuffed envelopes and set tables . . . and more! Now we’re inviting you to an evening of appreciation. This is an evening for all of us to enjoy: to appreciate and to be appreciated.

Annual Congregational Meeting Please join us for our annual congregational meeting and board meeting on Tuesday, June 28th. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 pm and we will start the meeting at 7:00 pm. Everyone’s attendance is very important.

Schmooze with Booze: Our June Topic: “Choosing Jewish”: Conversion in Judaism An opportunity for informal study and discussion with Rabbi Amy Levin over wine, beer, something softer, some good munchies and an interesting topic. Wednesday evening, June 29th from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at our East Greenwich house to schmooze with booze!

Beach Shabbat Service at Goddard Park Don’t miss our second annual Beach Shabbat Service on Friday, July 1st at 6:00 pm at Goddard Park in Warwick. Refreshments will be served. Bring your beach chairs and blankets! Sunhats and flip-flops! Pets welcome! Saturday, July 2nd: Shabbat Services in East Greenwich at 9:15 am.

Shalom to Shabbat: Unwind and Nosh Before Shabbat Services in Cranston Friday, July 8th, 7:00 pm: wine, cheese and a nice schmooze before our 7:30 pm Shabbat Service. East Greenwich Shabbat: July 15-16 Friday 6:00 pm early Shabbat Service for all. Enjoy an early Shabbat service and then arrange for a relaxed Shabbat meal at home with your family and friends. Saturday, July 16th - 10:00 am: Family Shabbat/Learners’ Service. 11:00 am Kiddush Lunch

Our August Topic: Love Your Neighbor As Yourself . . . What Does This Mean? Each participant orders from the menu and we study Jewish sources addressing current issues. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend!

East Greenwich: Tuesday, August 23rd 12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch & Learn at T’s Restaurant, 5600 Post Road (in the Benny’s Plaza), East Greenwich Cranston/Warwick: Thursday, August 25th 12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch & Learn at the Cozy Grill Restaurant, 440 Warwick Avenue, Warwick

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TEMPLE TORAT YISRAEL DONATIONS March 19, 201 1 – May 19, 201 1

All donations of $10 or more are listed in the Newsletter

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN The Capital Campaign list does not include multiyear pledges which will be suitably recognized at a future time.

In Memory of Samuel Adelman Karen Wier

Speedy Recovery to Lucien Arsac Evelyn Nussenfeld

In Honor of Judy & Norman Goodman’s 50th Anniversary Mimi & Al Feinstein Barry & Roberta Gilstein Joy & Michael Gilstein

In Memory of Arthur Karp Evelyn Nussenfeld Alan & Anita Olinsky

In Memory of Alvin Kramer Dorothy Kramer

In Memory of Gladys Lane Alan Olinsky

In Honor of Rabbi Levin’s Birthday Evelyn Nussenfeld

In Memory of Clara Olinsky Alan & Anita Olinsky

In Memory of Saul Olinsky Alan & Anita Olinsky

In Memory of Sylvia Paige Evelyn Nussenfeld Alan & Anita Olinsky Ruth Ross Karen Wier

In Memory of Annie Ross Ruth Ross

In Memory of Thelma (Tek) Ross Lynn Field

In Memory of Myron Slobin Karen Wier

In Honor of Susan Smoller’s Birthday Evelyn Nussenfeld

In Memory of Jonathan Winer Laura & Dale Steele

ETZ HAYIM In Memory of Gladys Malina Schwartz Evelyn Nussenfeld

In Memory of Myron Teddy Slobin Toby Gillman

FLOW ER FUND In Memory of Paul Safferson Nathan & Sylvia Safferson

In Memory of Myron Slobin Nathan & Sylvia Safferson

GENERAL FUND In Memory of Evelyn Bazar Ira Bazar

In Memory of Paul Bazar Ira Bazar

In Memory of Morris Bernstein Ida Bernstein

In Memory of Sadie Birenbaum Judy & Eddie Steiner

In Memory of Frank Brown Millie Brown

In Memory of Harold Davis Marc & Helen Davis Clare & Morris Yaffe

In Memory of Harry Davis Marc & Helen Davis

In Memory of Robert Fields Mr. & Mrs. H. Herman Goldman

In Memory of Alan Gilstein Andy & Sharon Gilstein

In Memory of Morton Gleckman Rosalie Gleckman

In Memory of Alan Gilstein Barry & Roberta Gilstein

In Memory of Yakov Goloborodko Lina Goikhman

In Memory of Irving Greenberg Marlene & Gerry DiPrete Robert & Robin Greenberg

In Memory of Julian Holland Helene & Harold Holland

In Memory of Etta Jagolinzer Marc & Helen Davis Clare & Morris Yaffe

In Memory of David Jewett Helene & Harold Holland

In Memory of Belle Kotlen Marc & Helen Davis Clare & Morris Yaffe

In Memory of Hilda Kutin Helen Kutin

In Memory of Anna Lasky Mildred Beck

In Memory of Bessie Lerner Ida Bernstein

In Memory of Bessie Lipson Leonard Sholes

In Memory of Scott London The London Family

In Memory of William Meyerson Paula & Larry Meyerson

In Memory of Nathan Monzack Judy & Jason Monzack

In Memory of Sylvia Paige Seymour & Shirley Ladd Eleanor & Mal Ross

In Memory of Edith (Evelyn) Parness Mr. & Mrs. Charles Drao

In Memory of Rose Richman Beverly Adler

In Memory of Charles Rosenfield Sylvia Levin

In Memory of Eva Rosenfield Sylvia Levin

In Memory of Annie Ross Leah Ross-Coke

In Memory of Anna Sholes David Sholes Leonard Sholes

In Memory of Myron Slobin David & Ilene Bojar

In Memory of Cantor Jack Smith Sondra (Soni) Meyer Michael Smith

In Memory of Leah Snegg Susan Bryant

In Memory of Aaron Sutton Muriel Davis

In Memory of Lena Weiss Shirley Weiss Florence Wexler

In Memory of Louis Wine Maurice Wine

In Memory of Charles Winkleman Jerri Labush

In Memory of Gertrude Winthrop Harold Winthrop

In Memory of George Woled Stanley & Bella Foster

In Memory of Sabena Zenofsky Rosalie Gleckman

In Memory of Sarah Zenofsky Barbara Zenofsky

JEROME J. KATZ ENDOW MENT FUND In Memory of Jack Jessel, Jr. Trudy Katz

MEN’S CLUB Fast Recuperation to Morton Paige Gloria & Herb Spivack

PRESIDENT’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In Memory of Anne Smoller Finkelstein David, Susan & Michelle Smoller

RABBI ’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In Memory of Milton Adler Daniel Adler

BEATRICE & ALBERT SYDNEY ENDOW MENT FUND In Memory of Rose Holland Bea Sydney