CONTRIBUTORS Bob Abelman, Ruth Marris Macaulay, Sarah Greenleaf, Robert Isenberg
COLUMNISTS Michael Fink, George M. Goodwin, Patricia Raskin, Rabbi James Rosenberg, Daniel Stieglitz
VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE III
JEWISH RHODE ISLAND (ISSN number 1539-2104, USPS #465-710) is published monthly except twice in May, August and September.
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The long goodbye
IN MARCH 2014 I wasn’t really looking for a job, but Jeffrey Savit (the Alliance president and CEO at the time) suggested I try taking on the editor role at the then Jewish Voice for a few months. The paper was without an editor, and I was freelancing as a copy editor for other companies, building my own business after 20 years of editing at the Providence Journal.
I’d say I’ve given it a good try.
And 190 columns later, you are reading my last official column as editor. I am moving to a new stage of life. Retirement.
This column has given me a chance to share my thoughts and my life with you although, at the beginning, I questioned if anyone really cared. I’ve written about my family, major life events, my backyard, the seasons, the weather, and I’ve tried to personalize the news.
I’ve also written columns about how to get the real news in this era of increasing social media and decreasing news media. I’ve also advocated for a more civil discourse. I’m hoping I’ve had an impact on the way you look at news in general and, perhaps, the way you talk to your neighbor. We are all on the same team after all. We all want a strong and vibrant Jewish community, and we all want the freedom to discuss what that would look like. And we all need to be able to judge what is truth in the media and what is not.
It has been a satisfying job because I felt I was playing an important role in bringing together and informing the Jewish community here. The paper is part of the fabric of our community. It connected me with my faith and this community like never before. But it has been frustrating as well. With dwindling resources, I’ve often felt we were not doing enough. There are so many stories I wanted to write that I could never find the time to create.
I’m not altogether sure what retirement is going to look like for me, but it is safe to say that it is going to be a little less deadline-oriented and a little more relaxed.
I’ve been kicking around the idea of retiring for a while. Last week, I celebrated a milestone birthday. And while I marvel at the numbers and how they really don’t speak to how I feel and (mostly) how I act, I have a growing list of things I want to do that I can’t seem to shoehorn between the newspaper’s deadlines.
Will I be bored? Maybe. I know a colleague who unretired after trying retirement. And he writes about how this has become a thing among people who retire.
I have children and grandchildren with whom I hope to spend more time. There is a long list of house projects just waiting for me. I love editing and journalism, so I will likely continue to work in some limited capacity yet to be determined.
Will I move to a warmer clime? Not a chance. I still want to be able to complain about the street not being plowed and the icy roads. But I won’t miss trying to park on Elmgrove Avenue after a snowstorm.
People have asked where I’m going. I’m not going any-
where. I’d like to travel a little. As editor, I’ve planned my vacations around the cycle of the paper. It would be nice to not have to do that. But my husband will continue to run his very busy business, so we will still experience limits that many couples face when planning travels. They just won’t be quite as rigid as having one of us being the sole manager of a monthly publication. So, I’ll be staying in this community that has been my home for close to 39 years, and I hope we will run into each other every so often. Perhaps I’ll even write a few stories I never got a chance to tackle in the busy days of producing a newspaper.
I wanted to list everyone who has helped me over the years, but the list would be too long, and I feared I would leave out people. So, I’ll try to handle those thank yous in person.
Know that it takes a village to put out a community newspaper, and a lot of people have contributed to the paper that you read on a regular basis.
I will always be grateful to my colleagues and the leadership of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island who support this endeavor and believe a community paper is important.
For a number of years, the paper has been a part of the marketing and communications team at the Alliance. Each member of that team contributes to the paper, from design to social media and writing. I’m grateful for the help and the support that makes the paper stronger and more available to Rhode Island readers.
To those who have served as copy editors and proofreaders: THANK YOU! If you know me, you know how I value editing. Since 2014, we have had a half dozen absolutely top-notch community members who took on the challenge of helping edit the articles that go into the paper.
You wouldn’t get news from around the state without contributors who meet deadlines and consistently contribute to make the paper what it is. And they don’t seem to mind when my deadline nudge is anything but subtle. To the team that has led our advertising sales efforts over my 12-year tenure, I really appreciate what you contributed. Ad sales is certainly not my forte, but our ad sales reps have helped keep the paper going with their contributions selling our story to local businesses. Theirs is not an easy job.
I can’t say enough about our advertisers, too. Many have stuck with the paper through name changes, publishing changes, good times and not-so-good times. They believe in the importance of Jewish journalism, and they support the role this paper plays in our community. I hope you will continue to support them when you have a need for their services.
But I owe the biggest thank you to my family. They have provided fodder for columns, stood behind me through deadline rants, offered opinions on coverage and content and kept me going when writer’s block set in. Everyone should be this fortunate to have a caring, supportive family. I look forward to spending more time with all of them.
Fran Ostendorf Editor
D'VAR TORAH
UP FRONT
Adina Miles-Sash advocates for Orthodox women
BY GERSHON STARK
Adina Miles-Sash, who calls herself FlatbushGirl (on social media), is a Brooklyn-based advocate for Orthodox women and agunot focused on cases of get-refusal, coercive control and religiously sanctioned abuse. She has helped secure freedom for over 42 agunot I had the enlightening gift of interviewing Adina, who was the scholar-in-residence at Congregation Beth Sholom on Feb. 27-28.
Adina, how would you describe your formative experience in the Orthodox world?
I was brought up in the Brooklyn Flatbush Yeshiva world with intersectionality with the Boro-Park Hasidism.
So, you are fighting your fight under the Orthodox umbrella. This is the community you belong to and love.
It’s a love-hate relationship. I was born into it with generations behind me, post war. My mother and father went through the system, and I went through the system. I’m a third-generation system person. I have the privilege to be able to say I understand the nuances, and I therefore have the right to critique. And I have the language to do that. I wouldn’t be critiquing anything if I didn’t love it. If I didn’t love it, I would just completely disassociate and think it was a waste of time. I approach my activism through the lens of repairing Orthodoxy, not just through the lens of dismantling it.
Was there a point that you said, “I love this, but I don’t love it so much that I can accept it as it is”?
Yes. There was a time where I started to realize that women’s faces were disappearing from the magazines I grew up with. When
my mother was little, there were pictures of women, mothers dressed in the typical orthodox dress. You saw the names of the women who were the contributing authors or the editors. Or if you were looking at advertisements of women in certain spaces, like a real estate agent, you saw their faces. And then I witnessed the slow erasure of it: women’s faces became eroticized and objectified.
And this was not standard practice when you grew up?
No, it was not, and I realized it was a symptom of the more intense misogyny that was creeping into the community. Because if you can erase women’s faces, then they become dehumanized, they become objectified, they become sexualized. And then, when they have an issue that pertains to them as a group, it’s much harder to organize awareness because they’re already dealing with the fact that you can’t hear or see them.
Then how did your activism grow from there?
At first, I just thought I was going to comment on the different ways in which women were being oppressed. For example, Kol Isha, the way that women’s voices are regulated within the community. Men are
the main singers at all the events getting contracts of $15K-30K to show up for two hours and sing while the women who are writing the lyrics and music are forbidden from singing.
But then after 3 or 4 years of going up the ladder of issues, I came to the head of the beast, which was really the fact that there was a lot of obscurity for Orthodox Jewish women around the betrothal process. They didn’t understand that the ketubbah is an acquisition document in which women are acquired as property. This might not be a problem because the lists of things in the document that are required of the caretaker, the husband, are actually quite wonderful. It looks like a great deal.
But the problem is the fine print?
Correct. The disclaimers and education about the pitfalls that will arise in the
event that the acquirer does not follow the obligations are not clear or understood. Right now, women are not educated about, first of all, what they’re entitled to. There’s complete commodity fetishism around the ketubbah document, and no one actually analyzes it as a contract. The fact is that women are basically monopoly properties who are not understanding the contract. Very often the men don’t understand the contract either. Very often the patriarchal rabbinical world also might not even understand it. But essentially there’s property being obtained, and it’s a one-way street. To get out of a marriage in which the husband is not doing his ketubbah obligations is regulated by rabbinical processes that are complicated and support the regulation of the movement of women in coercively controlling marriages in a coercively
controlling community. I had the thought that the problem was not just exiting the marriage but entering the marriage. There seems to be a pressurized and accelerated wedding timetable that would pose problems for any marriage.
The ways in which the patriarchy and orthodoxy really exacerbate this societal problem is, first, women and men are segregated. So in that segregation, the men are kind of left to their own devices. It becomes a “Lord of the Flies” testosterone jungle where they’re not able to synergize and learn from more of the feminine strengths including their own.
And this extends to “segregation,” even when dating, in terms of touch? Yes, premarital touch is as stigmatized as
Beware of golden - and molten - calves
One of the first times that my brother and I were left home alone, we decided we were in the mood for pancakes. When we couldn’t figure out how to turn on the stove, we retreated to the garage with a wastebasket, an old Sunday Boston Globe, a book of matches, a frying pan and a bowl of batter. There, crouched over an open flame, we hastily prepared a short stack of pancakes. The bad news was that they were raw in the middle. The good news was that we did not burn the house down.
ONE OF THE FIRST times that Moses left the Israelites alone, they made an even worse choice. Afraid that Moses would never return from his forty days on Mount Sinai, they decided to make themselves a new god. The people took their gold jewelry, threw it into the fire and fashioned an idol in the shape of a calf. They built an altar for the idol, brought offerings to it and had a party with feasting and ecstatic dance. Meanwhile, Moses was on his way back to camp with the Ten Commandments, the first and second of which prohibit exactly this kind of thing. The Israelites were in big trouble.
This episode from Parashat Ki Tisa is commonly called the “sin of the golden calf.” The lesson seems straightforward enough: by worshipping an idol of gold, the Israelites value the material over the spiritual, the earthly over the transcendent. They fall into the same idolatrous trap that we so often fall into
premarital sex. Premarital touch is still highly problematic. When you look at engagement photos, you can clearly tell when that couple is from a community that highly regulates premarital touch and has strong gender segregation in synagogue and in the community. This segregation puts them on this fast track because there’s so much sexual suppression. A lot of people think they’re in love on their first date, but really, they’ve just been completely suppressed for any normalized opposite gender interaction. What seems like destiny or like a match made in heaven is really just a lot of suppressed sexuality
today, prioritizing riches over relationships, wealth over wisdom, fleeting pleasures over enduring values. It is worth noting, however, that the phrase egel Zahav – “golden calf”–does not appear even once in the parashah. Instead, the idol is called an egel maseichah, a “molten calf.” This raises a question: Is it really the gold that the Israelites are worshipping? Would a people deranged by materialism so readily throw their jewelry into the fire? Perhaps the sin of the molten calf is a different kind of idolatry. Perhaps it is the worship of the human capacity— propensity, even—to melt down, to tear down, to destroy. There is something intoxicating about the speed and efficiency of destruction. Any parent can attest to the delight toddlers take in knocking down a tower of blocks or grinding berries into their
and hyper-sexuality around the opposite gender because there’s no normalized experiences. What feels like fate is really just raging hormones.
The work you are doing is often met with intense opposition and aggression. How does that impact you and your family?
My family has been socially ostracized in many ways. Walking into a kosher restaurant and having people spit at me or make comments that I’m there to destroy them or I’m a self-hating Jew has been very painful. Legally, I am constantly dodging lawsuits, defamation, trespassing to drain me of money and resources. I have been pelted
plate (or clothes, or hair…). That pleasure follows us through the pyromania of early adolescence (see above) and, I would argue, even into adulthood.
In our house, we are currently wrapping up a lengthy kitchen renovation. It has been a pleasure to see the new kitchen come together, piece by piece, over the last few months. However, there was one day that was far and away the most pleasurable: the day that a team of men with sledgehammers and crowbars demolished the old kitchen. It was thrilling to survey the damage. In the desolate space where our kitchen once was, we marveled at the bare wires and beams. As we complimented
‘We are living through a period of profound uncertainty.’
our very experienced contractor on a job well done, he was kind but even-keeled. He smiled and said, “everybody loves this part.”
Indeed. At some level, everybody loves destruction.
by raw eggs, by rocks. My mother was once with me at a protest where we were simply giving out suggested revised language for ketubbot, and she had a rock hit her head. Then where do you find the courage to continue?
I’ve gotten to the point in my life where fear is something that I use as an energy source to take on bigger undertakings. I’ve had to really face the fact everyone has mortality. I can’t go through life just hoping I don’t get killed by some religious fanatic. This is my tikkun olam
GERSHON STARK, of Providence, is a member of Congregation Beth Sholom.
It is quick. It is dramatic. It produces immediate results. It feels like change. So alluring is destruction that we might even be tempted to bow down before it, as the Israelites did at the foot of Mount Sinai. But the sin of the molten calf reminds us that, as Jews, we are called to resist that temptation. Our task is not to destroy, but to preserve – and better yet, to build. This is a timely message. Like the Israelites waiting for Moses to descend from the mountain, we are living through a period of profound uncertainty. We worry, as they did, that we will not be shown the way forward. How will we respond? Will we place our faith in the blunt clarity of destruction, or in the long arc of redemption? Will we devote our energy to tearing down old institutions, or to renewing and strengthening them? They say that good things come to those who wait: the return of a beloved teacher, a sign from G-d, a short stack of fully cooked pancakes. In our day, golden calves beckon. Molten calves do, too. May we have the patience, forbearance and discernment to resist them, stay the course set out for us,
and live up to our high calling as stewards of a sacred tradition and builders of a brighter tomorrow.
March 6 5:22pm
March 8 Daylight Saving Time starts
March 13 6:30pm
March 20 4:48pm
March 27 4:48pm
April 1 6:51pm Erev Passover
April 2 7:55pm
April 3 6:53pm
April 7 6:58pm Erev Seventh day Passover
April 8 8:02pm April 10 7:01pm
RABBI SAM WEISS is the Senior Jewish Educator at Brown RISD Hillel.
SAM WEISS
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Ongoing
Kosher Senior Café and Programming. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday – Thursday at the Bonnie & Donald Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence; Fridays at Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. In-person (and usually on Zoom Monday –Thursday) programming 11 a.m.-noon followed by lunch and discussion noon-1 p.m. On Wednesdays, programming is chair yoga. For seniors aged 60 and older as well as younger adults with a disability; all faiths and backgrounds are welcome. Suggested donation: $3 per lunch. The Kosher Senior Café is a program of Jewish Collaborative Services and is supported by the Jewish Alliance of Greater RI and Blackstone Health. Information and RSVP, Neal at neal@jcsri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 114.
Temple Emanu-El Mahjong. Tuesdays (with the exception of holidays). 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 99 Taft Ave., Providence. Information, Shoshana Jacob at shosh@teprov. org or 401-331-1616.
Hebrew Classes (Winter Semester) at Temple Emanu-El. Tuesdays thru 4/28. Beginner class 5-5:45 p.m. All other levels 6-7 p.m. 99 Taft Ave., Providence. Five levels of in-person classes offered: Beginner, Introduction to Prayerbook Hebrew, Advanced Beginners for Spoken Hebrew, Intermediate and Advanced. Cost: $100 (scholarships available) plus book for some levels. Offered jointly with the Jewish Alliance of Greater RI. Upcoming class dates: 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 4/14, 4/28. Information, Toby Liebowitz at tobyaane@gmail. com.
Temple Beth-El Teen Night. Thursdays 6 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Join us for conversation and dinner. Information, Jude Weinstein at jweinstein@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070.
Delve Deeper: Second Temple Judaism (Almost) a Thousand Years of Jewish History: Judaism from 600 BCE to 200 CE. Thursdays thru 4/23. (No class 4/2, 4/9.) 7-9 p.m. Examine the diverse forms of Judaism that emerged in the Second Temple Period. Via Zoom. Taught by Dr. Sara Ronis, Ph.D., associate professor at St. Mary’s University. Presented in cooperation with the Jewish Alliance of Greater RI, area synagogues and JCDSRI. Cost: $250. For tuition assistance,
Larry Katz at larrykatz1221@gmail. com or the rabbi at a sponsoring synagogue. Course information, www.delvedeeper.org.
Cape Cod Synagogue Family Shabbat Services and Dinner.
Second Friday of the month 5:30 p.m. 145 Winter St., Hyannis, Mass. In-person and livestreamed services on website, Facebook, Cape Media, YouTube and Community Television Comcast channel 99. Followed by Community Shabbat Dinner. Information, 508775-2988 or capecodsynagogue. org.
United Brothers Synagogue Shabbat Services. 7 p.m. 205 High St., Bristol. Shabbat services first Friday evening of every month. Information, Bradford Louison at bradlouison@gmail.com or 617-5121978.
Cape Cod Synagogue Shabbat Services. Fridays 7 p.m. 145 Winter St., Hyannis, Mass. With Rabbi David Freelund. In-person and livestreamed on website, Facebook, Cape Media, YouTube and Community Television Comcast channel 99. Information, 508-7752988 or capecodsynagogue.org.
Temple Beth-El Torah Study. Saturdays 9-10:30 a.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Join Temple Beth-El clergy as we delve into the weekly portion. No Torah Study 3/7. Information, Jude Weinstein at jweinstein@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070.
Temple Torat Yisrael Shabbat Services. Saturdays 9:30-10:30 a.m. 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich. In-person service with Zoom available. Information, temple@toratyisrael.org.
Temple Sinai Breakfast and Torah Study. Saturdays 9:30-11 a.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Breakfast followed by weekly Torah study (also on Zoom) at 10 a.m. Information, Templesinairi.org, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401942-8350.
Temple Habonim Torah Study. Saturdays 10-11 a.m. Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman leads Torah study on current portion. Via Zoom. Information, Adina Davies at office@ templehabonim.org or 401-2456536.
Cape Cod Synagogue Shabbat Services. Saturdays 10:30 a.m. 145 Winter St., Hyannis, Mass. With Rabbi David Freelund. In-person and livestreamed on website,
Facebook and YouTube. Information, Cape Cod Synagogue at 508-7752988 or capecodsynagogue.org.
Temple Sinai Morning Shabbat Service. Saturdays 11 a.m.-noon. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Join us either in the chapel or on Zoom. Information, Templesinairi.org, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401942-8350.
Friday | March 6
Temple Beth-El Shabbat Service. 5:45-6:45 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Join us in the Chapel or via livestream. Information, Jude Weinstein at jweinstein@templebeth-el.org or 401-331-6070.
Temple Sinai Evening Service. 6-7:30 p.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Join us in the Chapel. Information, Templesinairi.org, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401942-8350.
Saturday | March 7
Temple Beth-El Shabbat Morning Service and Adult Bat Mitzvah. 9-10:30 a.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Join us in the Chapel. Information, Jude Weinstein at jweinstein@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070.
Sunday | March 8
Temple Sinai Jewish Parenting Group. 9-10 a.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Share parenting tips with other parents raising Jewish children in the Tree of Life room in a discussion led by Rabbi Heather Shore. Information, Templesinairi. org, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350.
“Keeping Our Children Safe.” 7 p.m. Bonnie & Donald Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Zoom presentation by Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, a respected educator and leading advocate for child safety and well-being, and in-person discussion with moderator Dr. Nathan Beraha during and after the talk. Light refreshments served. Books available to purchase. Suggested donation: $10. Information, Michelle Cicchitelli at mcicchitelli@jewishallianceri.org.
Monday | March 9
Jewish Book Council Author Event: "Tiny Pep Talks." 7-9 p.m. Bonnie & Donald Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Comedians Josh Linden and Paula Skaggs offer hilarious encouragement for your most mundane struggles. Free. Information and RSVP, Samantha Kaufman at skaufman@ jewishallianceri.org.
Tuesday | March 10
Temple Sinai Presents “Butcher’s Stain.” 7-8:30 p.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Join us to watch this film that tells the story of Sameer, a Palestinian butcher working at an Israeli supermarket. Nominated for Best Live Action Short for the 2026 Oscars, it was produced by the son-in-law of Temple Sinai members. Free. Information, Templesinairi.org, dottie@ templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350.
Thursday | March 12
Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center: “The Rwandan Genocide: Media, Memory and History.” 6-7:15 p.m. Bonnie & Donald Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Dr. Jean-Marie Higiro, a survivor and scholar, will examine the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the power of media campaigns in inciting violence and the ongoing struggles and resilience of post-genocide Rwanda. Free. Open to all. Information, hercri.org, info@ hercri.org or 401-453-7860.
Friday | March 13
Temple Beth-El SisterhoodSponsored Shabbat Hallelu. 5:45-6:45 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Join us in the Sanctuary for this Shabbat Hallelu. Information, Jude Weinstein at jweinstein@temple-beth-el.org or 401-331-6070.
Temple Sinai Evening Service. 6-7:30 p.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Meet in the Sanctuary for the religious school’s Shabbat evening service. There will be an Oneg in the social hall following the service. Information, Templesinairi. org, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350.
United Brothers Synagogue Shabbat Across America Dinner and Service. 7 p.m. 205 High St., Bristol. Join us for dinner and services. Dinner cost: $10. Information and RSVP, bradlouison@gmail.com.
Saturday | March 14
Kids' Night Out: Mythical Creatures. 5-9 p.m. Bonnie & Donald Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Parents enjoy a night out while kids enjoy activities including arts & crafts, games and a movie. Dinner included. For grades K-5. Information (including cost), Rachel Accetturo at raccetturo@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-4111, ext. 140.
Sunday | March 15
Temple Beth-El Sisterhood Joanne Forman Film Festival: "I Will Build This World from
Love." 2-4 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Moderated by Cantor Meredith Greenberg of Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, N.J., this film follows young people in Georgia (formerly part of the Russian empire) seeking to practice Judaism as their planned b’nai mitzvah ceremony draws opposition from the country’s dominant Orthodox Jewish community. Free. Information, TBESisterhood@ temple-beth-el.org.
Friday | March 20
Temple Sinai and Temple Habonim Joint Shabbat Service. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Temple Habonim, 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington. The two temples will worship together; there will be no service at Temple Sinai. Information, Templesinairi. org, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350.
Sunday | March 22
Temple Sinai Jewish Parenting Group. 9-10 a.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Share parenting tips with other parents raising Jewish children in the Tree of Life room in a discussion led by Rabbi Heather Shore. Information, Templesinairi. org, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401-942-8350.
Temple Beth-El Rabbi Neimeiser's Farewell Gathering. Noon-1 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Join us for a Farewell Tefillah in the Lobby/Sanctuary recognizing Rabbi Neimeiser's departure. Oneg to follow. Free. Information, Jude Weinstein at jweinstein@templebeth-el.org or 401-331-6070.
Temple Beth-El Sisterhood Joanne Forman Film Festival: "Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm.” 2-4:30 p.m. Enjoy a laugh and a nosh as comedy duo Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman from the Canadian YidLife Crisis Web series explore Jewish culture in Sweden. Moderated by Sebastian Schulman, Director, Special Projects & Partnerships, Yiddish Book Center, Amherst, Mass. Free. Information, TBESisterhood@temple-beth-el. org.
20th Annual Cape VerdeanJewish Passover Seder. 2-5 p.m. Thelma D. Burns Building, 575 Warren St., Boston, Mass. Join us virtually or in person. Free. Information (including how to RSVP), Emily Gaudreau at egaudreau@jewishallianceri.org.
Temple Sinai presents Passover Gourmet. 4-6 p.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Join us for both kosher and non-kosher wine education and tasting. Town Wine and Spirits of Pawtucket will have wine for sale. North Koffee
CALENDAR
Roaster in North Kingstown will offer coffee, education and tasting. Ellen Rappaport and her granddaughter Kailey will give a dessert-making demonstration. Cost: $18. Information, Templesinairi.org, dottie@ templesinairi.org or 401-9428350.
Thursday | March 26
Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center: “The Look of Silence.” 6-8 p.m. Bonnie & Donald Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Join us for a screening of Joshua Oppenheimer’s acclaimed documentary that follows an Indonesian man confronting the people responsible for the murder of his brother during the 1965-66 mass killings in Indonesia. Free and open to the public. Information, hercri.org, info@hercri.org or 401-4537860.
Friday | March 27
Jewish Alliance Hosts Blood Drive. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bonnie & Donald Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Donations by appointment. (Use sponsor code 1528.) All donors will receive a $10 Whole Foods gift card. Walk-ins welcome if availability permits at time of arrival. Eat, drink and bring photo ID. Information, ribc.org or 401-453-8383.
Temple Beth-El Shabbat Service. 5:45-7:15 p.m. 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. Join us in the Sanctuary or via livestream. Information, Jude Weinstein at jweinstein@templebeth-el.org or 401-331-6070.
Temple Sinai Evening Service. 6-7 p.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Meet in the chapel and celebrate the conversion of Stephanie and her son. Information, Templesinairi.org, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401942-8350.
Sunday | March 29
Day at the J: Camp Theme. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Bonnie & Donald Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Special campthemed activities in addition to regularly scheduled programs including family swim. Open to everyone whether or not you are a member of the JCC. Free. Information, Michelle at mcicchetelli@jewishallianceri. org.
Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center BAXT Lecture Series: Jews Finding Shelter Among Roma in
German-Occupied Poland during World War II. 10-11:30 a.m. Temple Emanu-El. Holocaust scholar Dr. Justyna Matkowska will explore themes of resilience, solidarity and the complexity of human choices under Nazi persecution Information and RSVP, hercri. org, info@hercri.org or 401453-7860.
Monday | March 30
Fifth Annual Murphy Healy Lecture on Irish Culture: “The Unlikely Alliance Between the Irish and the Jews in America.” 6 p.m. ’64 Hall in the Slavin Center, Providence College, One Cunningham Square, Providence. With speaker Dr. Hasia Diner, professor emerita at New York University. A reception will follow the presentation. Event co-sponsored by PC’s JewishCatholic Theological Exchange. Information, Steven J. Maurano at smaurano@providence.edu or 401-865-2775.
Sunday | March 29
Temple Sinai People of the Book. 2-3:30 p.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. We will discuss Rabbi/Cantor Angela Buchdahl’s “Heart of a Stranger.” The daughter of a Korean Buddhist mother and an American Jewish father, she became the first Asian American to be ordained as a cantor and then a rabbi. She is now the senior rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York. Information, Templesinairi.org, dottie@templesinairi.org or 401942-8350.
Thursday | April 2
Temple Sinai Temple Sinai Festival Service. 10-11 a.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Join us for this service. Information, Templesinairi.org, dottie@ templesinairi.org or 401-9428350.
Temple Sinai Second Night Passover Seder. 5:30-8 p.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Join for our yearly second night Passover Seder. Dinner includes a complete Passover dinner from soup to dessert. Price: $36 ages 13+, $15 ages 6 to 12, $15 ages 5 and under. Payment due by 5/22. Information, Templesinairi.org, dottie@ templesinairi.org or 401-9428350.
We invite you to join us in the Temple Beth-El Meeting Hall, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence, RI for our exciting program. Come and enjoy our �ilms, inspiring moderators, and refreshments. Admission is free!
Finding Judaism in Unusual Places
Sunday, March 15 I Will Build This World From Love
Moderated by Cantor Meredith Greenberg of Temple Ner Tamid in Bloom�ield, NJ
Sunday, March 22
Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm
Moderated by Sebastian Schulman, Director, Special Projects & Partnerships, Yiddish Book Center, Amherst, MA
COMMUNITY VOICES
The joy and mitzvot of Purim
Purim is a joyous holiday in February/March celebrating the salvation of the Jewish people from a plot to destroy them in ancient Persia, as told in the Biblical Book of Esther. It is commemorated by festive meals, wearing costumes and giving gifts of food and charity.
THE PURIM celebration at Temple Emanu-El in Providence reflects the mitzvot of Purim and serves as education and community-building for children and families, embracing a multigenerational audience.
The Purim spiel, a highlight of the Purim celebration at Temple Emanu-El, is a comedic musical dramatization of the Book of Esther.
Four leaders at Temple Emanu-El share their thoughts: Rabbi Michael Fel: Senior Rabbi Temple Emanu-El’s celebration
of Purim allows its members to fulfill the holiday’s mitzvot while also building an inclusive and welcoming Jewish community. From blotting out Haman’s name during the Megillah reading, to sharing mishloah manot with friends, to supporting those in need through matanot la’evyonim, to enjoying a Purim festive meal, each sacred obligation invites people to experience joy in a different and meaningful way. We recognize that people connect in diverse ways, so we offer multiple entry points: attending the spiel, dancing at the ’80s party, assembling mishloah manot packages or making gifts to those in need. Our goal is that every person can find their place, participate fully and share in the joy of the holiday together.
Rebecca Frank Oeser: Purim Spiel Director
At its core, a Purim spiel has always been an act of creative reinterpretation. For centuries, Jewish communities have taken the narrative of Esther and reframed it
through satire, parody and contemporary references. This year’s production continues that lineage – allowing audiences to enter the narrative through something familiar and beloved. Peeking at the Book of Esther as it unfolds on the yellow brick road and causes chaos in Oz creates an opportunity for the ancient text to feel immediate, playful and accessible. The process
of making theater itself becomes the teaching tool. Purim’s themes are not only performed; they are practiced.
Sharon Sock: Congregant Relationship Specialist
Our Purim programming is intentionally designed to create multiple entry points so that every member
Wingate Residences on Blackstone Boulevard offers the best in everyday luxuries that you’ll love—like daily housekeeping, fine dining, and a personalized wellness plan. In addition to our Independent and Assisted Living programs, our Memory Care programs, The Neighborhood and The Terrace, focus on maximizing functional abilities, while enhancing engagement and self-confidence in both early and advanced stages.
Schedule a visit today and discover the good life.
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PATRICIA RASKIN H EALTHY LIVING
PHOTOS GERSHON STARK CONTINUED
The cast of this year’s Purim spiel at Temple Emanu-El.
COMMUNITY VOICES
A month of anticipation
I WISH I COULD congratulate the President for his efforts with words. When the concentration camps were liberated, a Hershey bar or a cigarette spelled “freedom” and “life!” I rather wish, in a way, that President Trump could summon or spell “freedom” that simply, succinctly, profoundly.
S KETCHB OOK
I mean, this month of March is the season for hope. We need that straightforward sense of liberation, that astonishing chocolate bar, as we go forward into this year. And in the month of March, we can use some apt and yet also poetic words that I wish I could summon for our readers.
I live in my past, our history, and offer a few words for these early days of the month of nervous anticipation.... when robin seeks a place to perch!
MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol.com) is a professor emeritus at the Rhode Island School of Design.
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of our community can find a way to celebrate that feels meaningful and joyful. From family-friendly activities and religious observance to our adults-only ’80s Purim Party, each program reflects our commitment to connection and belonging across generations. The Purim party, in particular, is a wonderful example of how we engage adults through shared nostalgia, music and humor while still grounding the evening in the spirit of Purim. We aim to create opportunities for friendships to form and for long-time and newer members alike to feel part of something vibrant and communal.
Rachel Cohn: Director of Youth Education & Engagement
The Purim carnival is a joyful celebration, but it is also intentionally designed as a powerful moment of education and community-building. Education is woven into the experience in playful and accessible ways. Games like “Haman’s Fall,” “Pin the Crown on King Achashverosh,” and “Toss a Gift to Queen Esther,” bring
characters from the Book of Esther story’s characters to life, while “Connect the 4 Mitzvot” helps demonstrates the four central mitzvot. Purim can be wonderfully high-energy, so we provide noise-reducing headphones and a quieter space for younger children or anyone who needs a break from the festivities.
PATRICIA RASKIN , owner of Raskin Resources Productions, is an award-winning radio producer, business owner and leader. She has served on the board of directors of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence. Her “Positive Living with Patricia Raskin” podcast can be heard on voiceamerica.com.
As we gather around our seder tables this Passover, we retell a story that has sustained the Jewish people for generations — a story of courage, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of freedom.
This year, as our world feels both deeply connected and profoundly fragile, may the rituals of the holiday ground us. May the taste of bitter herbs deepen our empathy. May the sweetness of charoset remind us of life’s blessings. And may Elijah’s cup inspire us to believe in the possibility of redemption and renewal.
May this Passover bring you and your loved ones joy, peace, and a renewed sense of hope.
Chag Pesach Sameach!
Marisa Garber Harris Chorney Chair of the Board Interim President & CEO
Scenes from the Temple Emanu-El Purim spiel. PHOTOS | GERSHON STARK
COMMUNITY VOICES
Thank You, Fran
Ifeel privileged to have written for Jewish Rhode Island and its predecessor for about 15 years. My occasional news and opinion articles began under the editorship of my good friend, Nancy Kirsch, but they have increased significantly under her successor’s helm.
BETSEY AND I have known and enjoyed Fran and Bill Ostendorf for nearly 38 years . Soon after moving to Little Rhody, we enrolled our kids at the JCC’s nursery school. Then we celebrated weddings, and now we share stories about grandparenthood.
We have also con soled each other over the loss of parents and our own aches and pains.
But I’m especially grateful to Fran for more than just allowing me to sub mit articles on all kinds of topics to our communal newspaper. She has shown her appreciation and enjoy-
ment for far more than a few of them.
In 2014, Fran surprised me with a special honor. She not only encouraged me to contribute articles on a recurring basis but she offered to give me a column-- even one with a name. And she included my photograph.
I’ve also been so proud to appear beside fellow columnists like Mike Fink and Jim Rosenberg , both of whom are dear friends.
Fran hasn’t published everything that I’ve submitted. As a skilful
editor, she knows when she may not have enough space in an issue or when to decide that a topic is perhaps too esoteric.
I’m deeply thankful that Fran and I have never argued about a topic, an article’s length or the use of a word or a punctuation mark. She always has a grasp of the big picture and doesn’t waste time splitting hairs.
Her approach made it possible for us to trust each other early on. Respect foreach other’s experience, enthusiasm and judgment lies at the heart of this. Fran’s editorship has been refreshingly free of egotism. It’s still up in the air whether she tolerates my own abundance of it.
Perhaps there are other reasons why Fran and I have enjoyed working together so much. With such a tiny staff and unrelenting deadlines, she can’t spare the time to fuss over details. If I’ve done reasonably well with a topic, perhaps I have exceeded her expectations. Additionally, I hope that I haven’t been the cause of inordinate complaints.
Fran seems to appreciate the fact that I try to submit articles long before her deadline. I trust her judgment to make small changes where they may be necessary. How could we possibly agree about every point?
There’s another basic reason why I feel grateful for being Fran’s colleague. I, too, have labored as an editor, though in an entirely different capacity. In 1993, I began writing articles for the annual journal, Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes; for 22 issues, I’ve also been its editor. The results
have been 4,400 pages of articles, photos, obituaries and indexes. Fortunately, The Notes doesn’t publish readers’ letters.
Inevitably, I’ve learned that editing can be quite a demanding job. There’s no way to make every writer and reader happy. And as much as I’ve enjoyed working with a publications committee and two dear graphic designers, Bobbie Friedman and Steve Logowitz, I know that differences of opinion inevitably arise. Is this particularly true with Jewish publications? Or ones that provide honoraria rather than lavish expense accounts and generous vacations?
21
Few Jewish readers feel constrained about expressing their differing opinions. Indeed, more than a few individuals provide enough fodder to produce columns of their own.
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The Dwares JCC team has been working hard to create the best Summer J-Camp experience for your child!
We provide a diverse and welcoming environment for all our campers with a new theme and corresponding activities every week. J-Camp is built on four pillars of JAMS: Judaism, Arts, Movement (athletics), and STEM
In addition to our on-site programs, we have weekly field trips and specials guests! In the past, field trips included the zoo, local parks, museums and more. Special guests have included animal folks, cultural performers, storytellers and more.
COMMUNITY VOICES
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
The opposite may also be true. Although I’m always grateful to receive a compliment, seldom does an article or an issue generate more than a few. Usually the same people respond favorably, and not all such readers are my neighbors or relatives.
I believe that a major reason why Fran has been so effective is her optimism. Despite occasional or even recurring frustrations, she has been able to embrace a larger vision. She is always looking ahead and moving on. Perhaps email gets some credit, but I have never heard her raise her voice. Does she even have an office whose door she can close?
Fran has always seemed self-confident and professional. Given her decades of experience and determination, she knows that she’ll get a job done and do it well.
Now I’m wondering how Fran will get by without a demanding, if not relentless, routine? Will she be able to bear some well-deserved peace and quiet? Does relaxation have some limits?
Even grandparenthood?
Perhaps Fran will dedicate herself to some long-overlooked writing projects. She can happily focus on some endeavors that don’t have to meet a deadline or a wide audience. She could spend time reading entirely for her own enjoyment.
I believe that I speak for many of Fran’s readers, colleagues and friends –sponsors and advertisers too – when thanking her for all that she has so modestly and graciously accomplished. She has faithfully and consistently written an introduction to each issue of our newspapers, but, more importantly, her kindness, modesty and professionalism have permeated every page.
GEORGE M. GOODWIN , of Providence, is the editor of Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes.
Braiding Time A seder for all ages
BY SARAH GREENLEAF
My first Passover seder was in a small row home in South Philadelphia, when I was 23 or 24 years old. A friend of a friend was hosting, and I went along excited for dinner and curious about the ritual. I left on a different path than I’d traveled on before, one that would lead to my conversion almost a decade later and my own Passover seder with my Jewish family.
LEADING A SEDER feels like a rite of passage in many ways, a passing of the baton from generation to generation. Last year, for the first time, my wife led the seder at her extended family’s Passover celebration. In front of a packed room, she read from the children’s haggadah used to keep the seder at a length tolerable for the youngest members of the family. She spoke of her great uncle who
led seders when she was growing up; they were much more formal affairs than what we now experience. And what she didn’t talk about, but I knew, was the miracle of our own Jewish family, a twomom family with a toddler, not just accepted at the table, but celebrated.
Having toddlers at the seder table is a very different experience from my first seder all those years ago. My
first seder used a haggadah from Berkeley, California, and the mood was philosophical and introspective. We discussed what we had been enslaved to the year before, what we had done to get free. I don’t even know how many bottles of wine we consumed, but I left feeling a deep connection to these people I had only just met, knowing what their trials and triumphs had been the year before.
Now we are experimenting each year with our own seder at my house. We invite family as well as friends, our neighbor in his twenties, and our parents in their seventies. We have a kid’s table that shifts each year as the children grow, and new children are added to the mix. Attention spans expand and shrink and not just for the kids!
Some years I’ve made two harosets, so a guest who can’t have nuts can still participate in every aspect of the seder.
Some years I’ve made my own chicken broth for the matzah ball soup and some years I have not. We have used inherited haggadot that are fine but not great, and last year we began making our own family haggadah to reflect on the things we care about and love about Passover.
Every year we discuss what it takes to be free, and every year we experience new things that we must free ourselves from. The story of Passover remains the same, but we, and the world, shifts around it and so does our understanding. Some years we think about how the plagues were not enough to change Pharoh’s heart, and we wonder, what is enough to change someone’s heart? As antisemitism rises and the world speeds up, we take time to reflect on what it means to keep an ancient tradition alive and what we most want to pass down to our children.
It is a real gift to have children at the table every year. Some years it’s all we can do to keep them from spilling the wine everywhere, and some years they are reading the questions in their clear high voices. At our table, every year, they are surrounded by people who love them, who care for them, who wish for them and who prepare them. Every year we tell them the story of brutality and survival, hoping they will never experience it. Every year we tell them the story of dancing and singing at the edge of the sea, hoping that this is how, regardless of what comes their way, they spend their lives.
SARAH GREENLEAF (sgreenleaf@jewishallianceri. org) is the digital marketing manager for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and writes for Jewish Rhode Island.
legacy that runs deep.
Every gift tells a story. Yours can tell one of hope, connection, and community — a story that continues long after today. A planned gift or bequest to the Jewish Alliance ensures that future generations inherit not only our traditions but a strong commitment to one another
Because when we invest in the future, we honor the past — and we keep our community anchored in what truly matters.
For more information on ways to leave your Jewish legacy, please contact Endowment@JewishAllianceRI.org visit JewishAllianceRI.org/JFF or scan the QR Code
We learn from our seder to ask di cult questions and parse our time’s challenging realities. In this season of our redemption, we dream of a world free from illness, war and hatred.
Magaziner, Julia McDowell, Max & Lucy!
A new war revives old tropes about Jewish and Israeli influence
BY ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL
(JTA) — As the U.S. and Israel engage in a joint assault on Iran, accusations that Israel or Jewish influence drove America to war are resurfacing, reviving the uncomfortable narratives, conspiratorial rhetoric and fears of an antisemitic backlash that shadowed the Iraq conflict of the early 2000s.
On Sunday, the Anti-Defamation League warned on X that “antisemitic and anti-Zionist groups are framing the U.S.-Israel operation against the Iranian regime as the latest evidence of the so-called ‘Zionist war-machine’s’ efforts to co-opt American foreign policy to advance Israeli and/or Jewish interests.”
The ADL added that “Influencers who regularly traffic in antisemitic or anti-Zionist rhetoric are leveraging the U.S.-Israel operation… to promote longstanding conspiracy theories about Israel, such as blaming Israel for 9/11.”
These accusations are coming from far-right and far-left accounts as well as anti-Israel groups, such as Students for Justice in Palestine, that are inclined to discredit Israel. An SJP Instagram post read: “Imperialism and Zionism are one enemy — the common enemy of the entire region, and indeed, the people of the world.”
Such accusations are building on statements by both Democrats and Republicans that the war serves Israel’s interest more than America’s.
“A war between Israel and Iran may be good for Netanyahu’s domestic politics, but it will likely be disastrous for both the security of Israel, the United States, and the rest of the region,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut
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OPINION
Are we God’s favorites?
GIVEN ALL THE DIFFERENT kinds of animals that creep, crawl, climb, and stampede upon our Planet Earth – that thrive and survive within our rivers, lakes, and seas – that soar and dance within our spacious skies, has God singled out us human beings to be His Chosen Animal?? The author of Psalm 8 has presumed to answer this question with a resounding YES: “God has made us human beings a little lower than the angels; You have crowned us with honor and glory. You have given us dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put everything at our feet.” (verses 6-7)
In his Oct. 9, 2025, article in The New York Review of Books, “Such Flexible Intensity of Life,” Verlyn Klinkenborg suggests an unlikely animal, not human and not even a mammal, as an appropriate subject for the Psalmist’s praise: the octopus.
In his review of five different books about octopuses, the author begins with “some comparative anatomy: you and I have bones. An octopus doesn’t. It has three hearts… Instead of gills we have lungs, and our lone heart pumps iron-based red blood. Bony skulls protect our large, unified brains. An octopus’s brain is distributed throughout its soft amorphous body: nine brainlike nerve clusters, one at the base of each arm and another in its head.” (actually, a mantle)
So, from an octopus’ point of view, what makes us humans so peculiar? We do not and cannot live in water without an external source of oxygen, whereas an octopus can only “breathe” in water. Moreover,
RABBI JAMES ROSENBERG
while our bony skeletons make it extremely difficult for us to change our bodily shape, the boneless octopus is the ultimate shape shifter. In addition, that same boneless octopus seems to be able to change color as easily as it changes shape. A master of camouflage…now you see it, now you don’t. Nevertheless, despite our extreme differences in external appearance and internal physiology, we are bound to the octopus by the fact that both of us are animals of high intelligence, though our intelligences are of profoundly different types. Nevertheless, both human intelligence and octopus intelligence share a core of curiosity. Throughout his essay Klinkenborg continues to struggle to find the precise words to describe the human’s relationship to an octopus; should a person happen to come across one in the wild, “an octopus doesn’t just look at you. It considers you…you meet a gaze with surprising depth. To encounter an octopus is to be implicated in a question about being that engulfs you both.”
As absurd as it might seem, to encounter an octopus is, for some individuals, a religious experience.
Of the five books about octopuses that Klinkenborg reviews in his article, three of them are written by the same author, Peter Godfrey-Smith, to whom Klinkenborg refers in the following paragraph: “We infer that octopuses are intelligent because they display ‘an anarchic bodily embrace of novelty’ (curiosity), writes Godfrey-Smith. ‘They’re behaviorally ‘open.’ In
Reflections on Gaza post war
BY MOSES MORDECAI TWERSKY
The Palestinian issue in the Middle East has been tough to solve for multiple American presidents. Beginning with George Herbert Walker Bush, and followed by Bill Clinton, George’s son, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, the watchword for the Israeli Palestinian conflict was the “peace process.”
THESE PRESIDENTS SAW the Palestinians as being occupied by Israel and pressed for Israeli concessions to achieve a two-state solution, whereby the Palestinians would
have a state alongside Israel. By and large Palestinian terrorism was condemned but not thought of as a deal breaker in the peace process. William B. Quandt, writing in his
book “Peace Process” on the American diplomatic history of the conflict (1967-2000), “Terrorism, though a persistent threat, never succeeded in changing the course of events in fundamental ways.” Oct. 7, 2023, the heinous Hamas attack on southern Israel, ruptured the assumptions behind the “peace process” and altered, perhaps indelibly, the strategic equation in the Middle East.
Then-President Joe Biden reluctantly supported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel in the Gaza War. He told Netanyahu he wanted the two-state solution, which
other words, ‘an octopus can readily manipulate objects that no octopus has ever manipulated before.’”
A final fact about the life of an octopus: it’s very short – just a year or two for most species. It doesn’t help their survival that our world’s human population annually eats more than 350,000 tons of octopus.
The octopus has so very little time to develop its native intelligence, while we Americans, according to recently released data, on average have almost 80 years to cultivate our native intelligence.
The last paragraph of Klinkenborg’s essay includes these words: “It’s worth remembering that the intelligence that we recognize in an octopus is not the kind we possess. To overlook or minimize the differences is to miss how strange life really is…(octopuses) unsettle ourselves.”
A thought experiment: “Hamlet,” (Act I, Scene II) Here I have changed just two words from Hamlet’s comments to his fellow university student friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: “What a piece of work is an octopus, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express, how admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god – the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!”
Question: Why should God prefer Homo sapiens to the gentle octopus, who never even “thinks” of marching off to war?
JAMES B. ROSENBERG is a rabbi emeritus at Temple Habonim is Barrington. Contact him at rabbiemeritus@templehabonim.org.
Netanyahu said was not possible. He said it would be a gift to terrorism.
On assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump ended this illusory American approach. He praised Netanyahu as a courageous wartime Prime Minister, who had led Israel to military victories on multiple battlefronts, including against Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and the monstrous terror regime of Iran.
The war against Hamas is not over. Trump achieved a ceasefire, and all the hostages (living and
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
Jewish Rhode Island publishes thoughtful and informative contributors’ columns (op-eds of 500 – 800 words) and letters to the editor (300 words, maximum) on issues of interest to our Jewish community. At our discretion, we may edit pieces for publication or refuse publication. Letters and columns, whether from our regular contributors or from guest columnists, represent the views of the authors; they do not represent the views of Jewish Rhode Island or the Alliance.
OPINION
The power of one
BY MARJORIE DAVIS
At the base of all computers is a binary numbering system in which every letter and number is represented as a unique series consisting of only two characters: 0 and 1. In computer algorithms, 0 and 1 are typically used when evaluating a conditional statement, indicating no and yes, false and true, or bad data and good data, respectively. In the binary world, the difference between 0 and 1 means everything.
LONG BEFORE computers were invented, Judaism taught us about the power of one. The Talmud says, “Whoever saves a single life is considered to have saved the whole world.”
In 2024, Israeli soldiers rescued a Yazidi woman kidnapped by ISIS in Iraq and held captive in Gaza for 10 years. Taken when she was only 11 years old and sold as a “war bride”, the woman was finally returned to her home in Iraq. However, it is not only the ultimate mitzvah of saving a life that endures. One simple, thoughtful act performed by one individual can stay with us forever. The act most likely seems inconsequential to the person performing it, but not to the person who benefits from it.
Daniel Mariaschin, CEO of B’nai B’rith International, recalled an experience in 1959 when he was the only Jewish student in his fifthgrade class. His teacher took him aside to tell him that the school janitor had found a swastika scratched
deceased) have been returned to Israel. Note, that that is a great accomplishment, but Gaza which was destroyed in Israel’s effort to annihilate Hamas and free the hostages, is now in an indeterminate situation. Hamas refuses to disarm and is working to cement its control of the Palestinian population, where the IDF is not present. The IDF now controls 53 percent of Gaza.
Trump has established a Board of Peace, and its member states are working to set up a technocratic Palestinian committee to run Gaza. Also in the planning is the ISF, an International Stabilization Force to secure Gaza. This
into a wall in the boys’ restroom, and she wanted to assure him that it had been removed. Decades later, Mariaschin still remembers his teacher’s sensitivity.
Last year, while having dinner at my father’s house, we saw a story on the local news about the blizzard of 1978. My father recounted his experience during the storm. When the buses stopped running, he went to pick up my sister from Classical High School, and they, along with many others who were unable to make the drive home, spent two nights at the RI State House. Fortunately, there was some food in the building, and it was a priest who had made an announcement asking people to refrain from eating the kosher food so that my father and sister would have enough to eat. That a man in his nineties still speaks with appreciation for something that happened when he was in his forties is a testament to the lasting impact of a single act of kindness.
Several years ago, I was in synagogue on the first day
is the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. But clearly a lot must still be done to effectuate a terrorism-free Gaza.
What about the Palestinians who live in the West Bank? This is the area that Israel refers to as Judea and Samaria. The Palestinians there also have a terrorist problem that Hamas is encouraging. The Palestinian Authority under Mahmoud Abbas have belatedly condemned Hamas and have just released a constitutional plan for a Palestinian state. However, the Israeli government has announced plans to liberalize settlement in Judea and Samaria. In addition, they have issued decisions to take tight control of the
of Rosh Hashanah, and city workers were working on the road outside. The noise made it difficult to hear the service. The next day, however, it was quiet. The rabbi told us that one of the workers had approached him, concerned that the noise was disrupting our prayer, and said he would call his supervisor and ask if the team could be assigned to another spot the next day. He made the call, the supervisor agreed, and we had a peaceful service on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Years later, this act of consideration stays with me.
Often something is noteworthy because it is the one thing that stands out from the others. In Israel, the street signs are in three languages. When I visited, I sometimes read the words in English, and sometimes in Hebrew, whichever letters caught my eye first. However, it is the third language, Arabic, the one that I am unable to read, that reminds me of the diversity of my homeland.
Biblical holy sites in Hebron (the burial site of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs) and similarly Rachel’s Tomb.
President Trump has stated he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. But in a White House meeting Feb. 11, 2026, with Prime Minister Netanyahu, where the subject was Iran, no mention was made of the West Bank.
But in a clear commitment to Trump’s ceasefire agreement, Netanyahu officially signed onto the Board of Peace. What does this mean? It most likely will take months to effectively secure Gaza and disarm Hamas. On Jan. 22, 2026, Jared Kushner, Trump’s envoy to the ceasefire talks in Davos, Switzerland, said that Hamas
For a Muslim man named Kaid Farhan Elkadi, the language that is momentous is Hebrew. Kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, Elkadi spent almost a year as a hostage where he was kept in a tunnel and given meager amounts of food. During that time, he had heard only one language: Arabic. One day he heard people approaching who were speaking Hebrew and his heart soared. Israeli soldiers had come to rescue him. Indeed, it was the sound of a language associated with a religion that was not his own, that represented freedom for him.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog spoke of the heterogeneity that exists in only one country in the middle east, saying: “Our democracy is also late Friday afternoon, when the sound of the Muezzin (Muslim) calling to prayer blends with the siren announcing the Sabbath in Jerusalem, while one of the largest and most impressive LGBTQ pride parades in the world is going on in Tel Aviv.”
But it was the man who would become the first president of Israel, Chaim Weizmann, who, recognizing the singular land of our heritage, gave a particularly unique and clever answer to a question posed by a member of the British House of Lords. When asked why Jews wanted their state to be in Israel and not somewhere else, he replied,
would have a hundred days to disarm, particularly, their heavy weapons. In essence, the whole Trumpian vision for Gaza cannot work unless Hamas disarms. The likelihood is that they will eventually do so. Major Muslim countries Turkey, Qatar and Egypt are on the Board of Peace and support Hamas disarmament. Also in Davos, Kushner laid out an ambitious plan for a $25 billion investment in Gaza to turn it into a resort area and economic hub by 2035. Per capita income would be $13,000. This could exert leverage on the Palestinians in the West Bank as well. The result would be a completely different view of the Palestinian state question. Instead
“That’s like asking why someone drives 20 miles to visit his mother when there are many other old women living on his street.”
As a writer on the topics of Israel and antisemitism, I am heartened when people tell me that they have used in a discussion or forum a fact that they learned from one of my articles. However, my most fervent goal is to sway someone’s opinion. One of my Facebook “friends” frequently posts memes and links with a clear pro-Palestinian, anti-Zionist view. One day, I noticed that this person had endorsed one of my articles by giving it the thumbs up “like.” I was both shocked and grateful that at least one person had perhaps started to see the situation from a different angle.
Demonstrated in a myriad of ways, the power of one has a significance that belies its small number. Like the binary world of computers where the distinction between 0 and 1 means everything, the difference between zero and one in life’s non-binary world can very often mean everything, too.
MARJORIE DAVIS lives in Providence. She graduated from Brandeis University and is a Senior Database Specialist in a large, international technology company. This originally appeared in The Times of Israel blog. It is reprinted with permission.
of a state, a Palestinian autonomous republic could be created. Gaza would now be a prosperous free zone and could link up with its Palestinian brethren in the West Bank. If this was the case, it would provide an antidote to the poison of Hamas’ genocidal conduct.
MOSES MORDECAI TWERSKY of Providence has a master’s degree in American history from Providence College. His novel “Love Story in Greenwich Village: New York Iranian Adventure,” was published in January 2021 by Omniscriptum and is available from Amazon and other booksellers.
PASSOVER FOOD
The perfect Passover breakfast, in 15 mins
BY HANNAH PAPERNO
This story originally appeared on The Nosher.
THERE’S SOMETHING about the comfort of a warm slice of banana bread with some butter that never gets old. If there are a million ways to consume the flavors of banana bread, I can assure you I’ll find them.
During Passover, when we’re meant to be reflecting on our liberation from slavery in Egypt and avoiding hametz, I find myself craving my favorite comfort food – banana bread. Though I love some of the standard Pesach fare like matzah ball soup and spoonfuls of haroset, the
decadence of banana bread is something I yearn for. I have fond memories of waking up to the smell of matzah brei wafting from the kitchen downstairs as a child.
Last year, I finally decided to set out to learn how to make matzah brei myself. Admittedly, this was a dangerous choice because now it means I can have my favorite kind of pancake any time of year, but I digress. After several rounds of my standard favorite (plain matzah brei topped with a mound of butter and sugar), I looked at the slowly browning bananas in my kitchen and decided to do some experimenting. With the power of sheer hun-
ger and willpower on my side, banana bread matzah brei was born.
It’s a simple matzah brei recipe that you can whip up in under 20 minutes, with the addition of all the flavors that make banana bread so great. Overripe mashed bananas paired with cinnamon and butter make for a Passover breakfast that I’ll be coming back to for years. I traded out my standard butter and sugar for butter and maple syrup to make it a more traditional pancake experience, however, you’re welcome to top them in whatever way you see fit. However you choose to enjoy them, I hope they bring all who try them the same comfort that they bring me.
Banana Bread Matzah Brei
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 20 pancakes
INGREDIENTS
10 sheets of matzah
Hot water
3 overripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 stick of butter, for cooking
To top: Cinnamon-sugar
Walnuts Bananas Maple syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large bowl, crush matzah and soak in hot water for 15 seconds before draining excess water.
In a separate bowl, combine the bananas, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and salt.
Into the large bowl of drained matzah, add the egg and banana mixture, and
stir to combine. In a small pan over low heat, melt about 1 tablespoon of butter (per pancake), then use a 1/2 cup to measure out your pancakes. Flatten with a spatula and fry until golden brown on each side, about 3-5 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter. Top with cinnamon sugar, walnuts, bananas and maple syrup.
PHOTO | HANNAH PAPERNO
A year-round favorite reimagined for Passover PASSOVER FOOD
BY ADEENA SUSSMAN
This story originally appeared on The Nosher.
Lasagna for Passover? You bet. After days of preparing two (probably meat-based) seders, this dairy dish will be a welcome change – especially on a holiday where pasta is strictly forbidden. Matzah makes a suitable replacement for lasagna noodles, and the moisture released by the marinara sauce and the cheese softens the stiff, unleavened boards, resulting in a tender lasagna with layers just as delicious as one made with conventional, wheat-based noodles.
I DECIDED to keep this recipe simple, using frozen spinach and storebought marinara sauce. If the inspiration strikes you, by all means make your own sauce. One cup of sautéed mushrooms would also be a welcome addition, but the goal here was to liberate cooks from hours in the kitchen. Since ricotta cheese is difficult to find with kosher-for-Passover certification, cottage cheese is substi-
Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine cottage cheese, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, parsley, salt and pepper in a bowl and stir to incorporate. Reserve.
Using your hands, squeeze excess moisture from spinach and separate spinach until it is no longer clumped (you should end up with about 3 1/2-4 cups spinach). Reserve.
Spoon 3/4 cup marinara sauce into the bottom of a disposable, high-sided lasagna pan. Fit matzah to cover as much of the bottom of the pan as possible, breaking into pieces where necessary. Pour 1 1/2 cups sauce on top of matzah and distribute evenly.
Spoon about 1 cup of the cheese mixture onto the matzah and distribute evenly. Sprinkle about 1 1/4 cups of the spinach on top of the cheese, then sprinkle 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese. Repeat matzah-saucecheese-spinach-parmesan process two more times, then cover with a fourth layer of matzah.
Pour remaining 1 1/2 cups sauce on top of matzah. Let lasagna rest for 15 minutes before baking to allow matzah to moisten slightly. Cover lasagna with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella on top of lasagna. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake lasagna an additional 30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and browned around the edges. Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes and serve hot.
tuted. If you’d like a more ricotta-like consistency, whir the cottage cheese in the blender or food processor for a few seconds before combining with the other ingredients.
Note: This recipe constitutes gebrochts, the Yiddish word for “broken” which refers to matzah products that have come into contact with liquid. Some Ashkenazi Jews do not eat gebrochts on Passover, believing that liquid causes the matzah to rise, rendering it unfit for Passover consumption.
June 8, 2026
PHOTO | GETTY VIA JTA
PICKLEBALL
TENNIS
GOLF
A Ko sh er & H a ppy Pass ove r 2026 Holiday Schedule 5786
Search for Chometz – Tuesday night, March 31 Fast of first-born –Wednesday, April 1
Wednesday,
April 1
Times for Providence area
Eating Chometz...................................before 11:45am Sell and Burn Chametz.......................before 11:45am
ERUV TAVSHLIN is done in the afternoon
Passover begins, and candle lighting.............6:51pm
Seder begins / Matzah is eaten..............after 7:40pm
Passover ends....................Thursday, April 9, 8:03pm
Candle lighting times for Passover 2026
Wednesday, April 1...........................6:51pm Thursday, April 2.......................after 7:54pm Friday, April 3.....................................6:53pm Tuesday, April 7.................................6:58pm Wednesday, April 8...................after 8:01pm
Blessings
April 1.........First Eve of Passover.........1 & 3
April 2.........Second Eve of Passover....1 & 3
April 3.........Friday/Shabbat eve...............2
April 7.........7th Eve of Passover..............1
April 8.........8th Eve of Passover..............1
Special instructions for holidays (but not Shabbat). On holidays it is forbidden to create a new fire by striking a match, lighter, etc. However, it is permissible to use a flame already burning continuously since before the inception of the holiday, such as a pilot light, gas or candle flame.
Courtesy of Chabad House – Lubavitch 360 Hope St. • Providence, RI 02906 401-273-7238
Please do not destroy or deface this card.
PASSOVER FOOD
Why There’s Always Wasabi at My Seder
At my Japanese-Jewish table, maror looks a little different
BY MELISSA UCHIYAMA
This story originally appeared on The Nosher.
Shank bone, check. haroset, check. Everything is there, on smooth pottery, but wait – is that… wasabi? This is the one item on my seder plate that draws smiles, and I get it. It’s not the norm. It’s my take on a bitter herb, maror. Welcome to our Passover in Japan!
WASABI IS A MUST at our Japanese-Jewish table. It’s simply what happens when any of us live our Jewish life in a specific cultural stream and land: We make do with what’s available. To not include it at my Passover seder would be harder. I’d have to be oblivious not to use what is here, growing locally.
To be Jewish in Japan is to look for the connectors. After all, I am raising children who are proud and aware of their heritage – being wholly Jewish, Japanese and American. Food is one of the best avenues to express who we are because of its tangibility. Our hamantaschen feature the classics, like Nutella or apricot, sure, but also, matcha with a sakura crust, or a red bean/anko, a chestnut. Any chance I have to celebrate our children’s full identity, I’m taking it. When I could not source the white or red horseradish I was used to growing up in the U.S., I saw a great big wasabi root, nearly a foot long, in my local Tokyo veggie shop
and thought, “bingo.”
Wasabi, the one you know from sushi, grows in moving streams of fresh water. The white horseradish you’re probably familiar with, does not grow this way, in the wet ground of streams. Every wasabi root is different –twisty, thick, spicier than others, alive. It’s this plant before it’s the plastic packet in the sushi section of your Trader Joe’s or Prager’s.
Grate fresh wasabi with a traditional porcelain (or shark-skin) grater, and you’ll get it: bitter tears. Wasabi affects the olfactory/ nasal passages, same as horseradish, clearing out sinuses. If you really go for it, spreading it on thick on your matzah, you may cry harder than the white, or definitely the purple horseradish. It is the strongest choice out there.
about leaving my family and community for life in Japan. How do you tear away from such hugs? Sixteen years later, and it is not much easier.
‘I include wasabi to not sink down in bitter tears but consciously embrace where I am.’
Of course, wasabi, an intrinsically Japanese plant, is a natural bridge between my life in the U.S., in Japan, and the Passover story, but it also stirs something in me
I wish for there to be no ocean between us, no time zones or longing. I relate to the Israelites who missed the gorgeous leeks when they moved into their long journey. I wanted everything just so for those first holidays away from my home in the U.S., but to be
happy, we shift and adapt.
I include wasabi to not sink down in bitter tears but consciously embrace where I am and the life I continue to make and choose. I look at my children, at their precious identities, palates, humor – their full heritage. Every parent wants to affirm their child’s identity. Fusion is not a gimmick if there is meaning and personal context. Then it is seamless.
Last year, I discovered that I could order powdered white horseradish. I was shocked to notice that the label said “yama no wasabi,” or “mountain wasabi.” Turns out, horseradish is simply the cousin or sibling of Japanese wasabi – the family member who lives on a drier home in the mountains. Call it the same kind
of plant but locally sourced.
All of my searching and wanting to source this ingredient, and it was there all along.
I now want the spiciest, greenest wasabi. Or any horseradish, really. Why was I even on the hunt for something to make us cry when tears producing tears was never the problem? This year, like every year before, I’ll hold the sweet with the bitter, together.
This article was produced as part of The Nosher’s Jewish Food Fellows Program, which aims to diversify the voices telling Jewish food stories in media spaces.
Snowy days at school
PLAYING OUTSIDE IN THE SNOW brings so much joy, from exploring and creating to working together with friends. It’s a chance to build skills like cooperation, problem-solving, and curiosity and to make the kind of winter memories kids carry with them. At the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island, the students know they will be going outside in all kinds of weather ... and snowy days are the BEST!
PHOTO | JCDSRI
Scenes from Rhode Island’s record snow
READER-SUBMITTED PHOTOS
COMMUNITY
BUSINESS
Why LIFT matters for Holocaust education in Rhode Island
Annual game night supports this and other programs
BY DR. LAURA AUKETAYEVA
At a time when antisemitism is rising locally and nationally, Holocaust education is a necessity.
THE SANDRA BORNSTEIN Holocaust Education Center exists to ensure that the history of the Holocaust is taught accurately, responsibly, and with moral depth across Rhode Island. Preserving memory is not only about honoring the past. It is about strengthening the present and safeguarding the future.
Through the Leadership Institute for Teens, known as LIFT, high school students from across the state come together to study the Holocaust, other genocides, and civic responsibilities.
LIFT is open to students of all backgrounds. Jewish and non-Jewish teens learn side by side, building friendships and understanding across communities. For many teens, LIFT becomes one of the most meaningful experiences of their high school years. Students grow more confident speaking
“German Motors has maintained my cars for several years and always great service, expert maintenance and prompt work and parts.
HIGHLY recommend.” –Richard G., Foxboro, Porsche
Carrera
in public, develop leadership and critical thinking skills and gain experiences that strengthen their college applications. More importantly, they develop a clearer sense of who they are and what kind of leaders they want to become. Holocaust education stands at the heart of the program. Students hear directly from children of Holocaust survivors who share the stories carried in their families. They explore poetry written during and after the Shoah. They confront difficult questions about moral choice, silence and responsibility. They study not only what happened, but why it matters now.
“OLD-FASHION SERVICE WITH A SMILE”
of the month, they will hear from Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Melissa Long about civic trust and leadership. And in March and April, former Poet Laureate Tina Cane will guide the students in learning the Holocaust-era poetry and writing original poems. The students will then share their poems at the community-wide Yom HaShoah commemoration on April 13 at 6 p.m. at Temple Beth El, as these teens take their place in the chain of remembrance.
“Tracy and Gerry welcomed me with a smile, and I left with one after they quickly scheduled me for a reverse light bulb change made more difficult than it needs to be by Audi. Customer service is their mantra and what keeps me going back.” –Karen B., Providence, Audi Q5
This academic year, LIFT students visited the Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island to learn about the Armenian Genocide and Rhode Island’s Armenian community. They met with leaders at the Refugee Dream Center to understand displacement and immigrant experiences in today’s world. At the end
LIFT is offered entirely free of charge. SBHEC provides meals at every session so that no student feels excluded. Students travel from across Rhode Island, and getting to Providence is not easy for every family. The Center hopes to expand by adding another location in the state or by providing transportation support so that geography does not become a barrier to Holocaust education.
The reality facing Holocaust centers today is unavoidable. A significant
portion of program costs goes toward professional security at public programs. This protection is essential to ensure that students can gather safely to study the Holocaust. These expenses are substantial and ongoing. With government cutbacks affecting educational funding, sustaining Holocaust education for Rhode Island’s teens depends increasingly on community support.
On April 28, the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center will host Game Night at the Dwares JCC. This year’s event directly supports LIFT and helps ensure that the program continues successfully next year.
confront hate with empathy, courage, and moral clarity, we are investing in the future of our community. Holocaust education must remain strong. These students are ready to carry memory forward.
On April 28, attending Game Night is one way to stand behind them.
To purchase tickets and learn about sponsorship opportunities for individuals or businesses: https://bornsteinholocaustcenter.org/event/ game-night/ info@hercri. org | 401-453-7860
“EXCELLENT CARE”
GAME NIGHT is a joyful evening of dinner, games, and connection. It is also a substantial way to strengthen Holocaust education in Rhode Island. Every ticket purchased helps fund essential needs of the Center - quality programming, security, meals, and more. Support from the generosity of donors enables the program to be provided at no charge for students.
“Tracy, Gerry and team are a well run Porsche repair team. When my Macan needs care, they have gone above and beyond to get me back on the road. Their love and knowledge of cars is evident in each interaction. They stand by their work. I am fortunate to have found them when I moved to the area almost 4 yrs ago.”
DR. LAURA AUKETAYEVA is director of Education and Programs at the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center.
–Jimmy W., Riverside, Porsche Macan
When we invest in teenagers who are learning to
LIFT students visit the museum of the Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island in December.
Local filmmaker creates a Hanukkah Horror to screen in New Bedford and Boston
BY SETH CHITWOOD
Growing up in Middleton, Massachusetts, director and producer Steven Schloss felt the absence of Jewish representation in pop culture, especially during the holidays.
“I’VE ALWAYS wanted Hanukkah horror content since I was a kid, and all I had was ‘ Eight Crazy Nights’ and the Hanukkah song from Adam Sandler,” he said.
“I lived in a town where there weren’t a lot of Jewish people, so I felt pretty left out and confused as to why the holiday wasn’t getting any content or publicity, and so that always kind of stuck with me.”
Years later, that longing sparked the idea behind “Gimme,” a short horror film rooted in Hanukkah traditions, that has quickly made waves across the global festival circuit.
The 14-minute short film is about a grandfather and his estranged granddaughter, pulled into a sinister game of dreidel on the first night of Hanukkah.
It’s culture, it’s not necessarily religion based,” he said.
Inspired by horror movies built around games such as “Tarot” and “Jumaji,” Schloss realized Hanukkah’s dreidel offered the most cinematic potential.
He worked with Jewish script supervisor Aidan Payne to make this into something that’s structured as a short that could be a proof of concept for a feature film later down the line. Schloss also wanted his film to be a New Englandmade film. Casting locally, he pivoted his story from a father-andson duo to a rarely seen grandfather/ granddaughter bond.
“When I started getting into more narrative work and really diving into horror, I was like, why hasn’t there been a Hanukkah horror film?” he said.
It was after Massachusetts-born Jewish filmmaker Eli Roth did the horror film “Thanksgiving,” in 2023, that Schloss finally felt more motivated.
“As soon as they skipped over the Hanukkah holiday, I was like, there’s something going on here,” Schloss added.
Yet for Schloss, creating “Gimme” was never about politics, it was more to fill a void in the horror genre. “I wanted to give my perspective of what Jewish culture is to me, and it’s exactly that.
“Grandparents, from my upbringing, were a little bit more protective of the tradition and the culture and ensuring it was passed down, so just thematically, it all kind of fit together,” he said.
Production was self-funded alongside a Boston arts grant. Locations included an 1850s house in Arlington, Massachusetts, and a home near Foxboro, Massachusetts. When the first ending didn’t land emotionally, Schloss and his team also reshot the ending. Coincidentally, the film took eight days to be completed.
“Gimme” went on to premiere at the international Utah festival FilmQuest, winning Best Horror Short. Since then, the film has screened at over a dozen festivals, including Portland Horror and Salem Horror Fest, plus
Germany’s competitive Hardline festival.
Digital distribution is already planned for Hanukkah 2026, on streaming platforms such as Screen Box and on the last night of Hanukkah on Crypt TV, which is Eli Roth’s channel.
“Jewish culture is sort of something that’s unseen. It offers so many things that are helpful to anybody, Jewish or not Jewish, just in terms of how they value family and how they value tradition,” he said.
“It’s not often that you watch a horror movie where you can learn about culture. And I wanted to give that to people. It’s something that’s worth a conversation, which ultimately is the goal for filmmaking.”
“Gimme” is set to screen locally at the Boston International Film Festival on April 10 and New Bedford Film Festival on April 11. You can find more information at www. hotbrick.us.
SETH CHITWOOD (www.sethchitwood.com), of Barrington, is a features reporter for The Standard-Times, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He is also the creative director of the award-winning Angelwood Pictures production company.
Paul Kandarian stars in ‘Gimme.’
‘Gimme’ set to screen in Boston and New Bedford in April.
Building a stronger Jewish community
Brown RISD Hillel and the Jewish Alliance deepen their partnership
BY BRAD SCHWARTZ
Brown RISD Hillel and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island continue to develop a close and practical partnership, one focused on supporting Jewish students and strengthening Jewish life around the state.
BROWN RISD HILLEL (BRH) serves Brown University students and Rhode Island School of Design students each academic year and prides itself on being the center of Jewish life on College Hill. Through religious services, cultural programs, learning opportunities and wellness initiatives, BRH creates space for students to explore and express their Jewish identities in critical ways.
The Jewish Alliance, which leads statewide Jewish communal planning and investment, shares that focus. Engagement for all ages, Jewish enrichment and sustaining a vibrant Jewish future are central priorities. It’s a natural alignment: BRH works on the front lines with students, and the Alliance helps ensure the broader community has the resources and vision to support them.
At the heart of the relationship is steady communication. BRH commits to informing the Alliance about campus climate, student needs and security concerns – conversations that have taken on added urgency amid recent local tragedies and rising antisemitism
on campuses nationwide. This ongoing dialogue allows both organizations to respond thoughtfully, adjust programming with sensitivity and stay ahead of emerging challenges.
The collaboration is also visible in shared programming. BRH and the Alliance regularly co-sponsor speakers, cultural events and holiday celebrations. The Alliance promotes campus programs to the wider community, while BRH welcomes Rhode Island residents to many of its events. The result makes for a stronger bridge between students and local Jewish institutions.
In recent years, security has become a necessary greater focus. BRH has moved from event-based coverage to year-round security measures, recognizing that student life can only flourish when students feel safe. The Alliance has supported these efforts with security expertise, training and funding, reinforcing the message that student safety is a community priority.
The partnership also strengthens the broader Jewish ecosystem. Many Brown and RISD students
work in local synagogues and agencies, contributing to education, arts and community programming. BRH sees these students as emerging leaders – and as an important facet of our Jewish future.
Looking ahead, these partners are working to build on what’s working. Ideas include more formal coordination around security planning, expanded cross-promotion and creative initiatives such as a joint storytelling or podcasting fellowship that would pair student talent with Alliance media resources.
As communities navigate a complex moment, this partnership reflects what’s possible when communication, purpose and mutual investment come together.
BRH Executive Director Rabbi Josh Bolton reflected on that spirit: “It’s an incredible blessing to live and work in our smallish Jewish ecosystem of Providence. The Jewish professional network here is deeply collaborative, and our various organizational missions are all benefited by creative partnerships and resource sharing. The Alliance is the web that holds all these relationships together. Brown RISD Hillel’s commitment to excellence on campus reflects the commitment to excellence of the broader Providence Jewish community.”
The Alliance’s giving
priorities – education, community engagement and social and human services – guide its allocation decisions. Support for BRH and other community partners can only be made possible through gifts to the Community Campaign. This year, the Alliance aims to raise $4 million through the campaign. Reaching that goal will expand partnerships, deepen impact and help ensure that Jewish com-
munities here and abroad continue to thrive. Every gift plays a role in protecting and strengthening our shared Jewish future. To contribute or to learn more about getting involved in the allocations process, visit jewishallianceri.org/ support-us/featured/donatenow or contact Brad Swartz, Fundraising and Partnership Manager, at bswartz@ jewishallianceri.org.
Hillel is a community center for the two campuses.
Some of the many activities at Hillel. PHOTO BROWN RISD HILLEL
COMMUNITY
‘Recognizing the Good’ at Temple Emanu-El
BY DAVID GORDON
In the busyness of our daily lives, it can be all too easy to overlook or take for granted the people around us. In fact, Jewish tradition has a beautiful saying about the importance of acknowledging the people in our lives who express unselfish acts of kindness towards us. The Hebrew phrase hakarat hatov – “recognizing the good” – refers to the practice of making a conscious effort to convey gratitude and appreciation for a person’s good deeds that benefit us.
EARLIER THIS WINTER, in the spirit of hakarat hatov, Temple Emanu-El set aside part of a Shabbat morning service to celebrate the exemplary work of Providence Police Officer Sean Cooney, who serves as our security officer on most Shabbat mornings and provides our congregation with informal advice on safety matters throughout the year.
As Senior Rabbi Michael Fel noted in his remarks to Officer Cooney, “It is a profound honor to recognize you here today. Each Shabbat morning, your presence in our synagogue brings with it a sense of calm, reassurance and quiet confidence. You remind us that this sacred space, where families gather, children learn and a community prays, is watched over with care and devotion.”
Further, Rabbi Fel cited Officer Cooney’s “warmth and kindness” and “steady presence” in serving our congregation. “Your role among us goes far beyond security,” Rabbi Fel said. “You do not simply stand guard. You stand with us.”
Others who spoke about Officer Cooney that morning referred to his deep emotional connection to our con-
gregation and his core belief that the entire Jewish community deserves to gather in safety, dignity and peace.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, Chief of Police Colonel Oscar Perez, Jr., Commander Timothy O’Hara and Major Roger Aspinall joined us as well and presented Officer Cooney with a special proclamation honoring his outstanding service and partnership with our congregation.
In addition, specially trained officers and horses from the Providence Police Department Mounted Command reinforced the high-profile nature of the ceremony for Officer Cooney by providing an extra layer of security on the building’s main entrance plaza.
In accepting the recognition of our community, Officer Cooney noted how much he has enjoyed building meaningful and lasting relationships with many of our congregants.
“Usually, I work on some of the tougher streets in Providence,” he said, “where encounters can sometimes be confrontational. But here, it’s really wonderful being somewhere where I’m truly appreciated and welcomed. For me, this is a big change
of pace. Plus, I really enjoy interacting with the kids here. It means a lot to me that I can show them a positive example of what a police officer’s work can be all about.”
Officer Cooney, whose family also was in attendance, took obvious pleasure in gentle kidding from several speakers that morning about how he’s learned both Hebrew and Yiddish words from many congregants. In addition, Officer Cooney noted that he’s developed “newfound culinary interests” in enjoying babka and challah French toast thanks to his work at the synagogue.
During Kiddush after services, members of the Providence Police Department command staff mingled with congregants for more than an hour and expressed their deep respect for the Temple’s uniquely productive relationship with the department. Some recalled that the close working relationship began soon after the tragic Tree of Life shooting in 2018 and has remained strong ever since. Finally, in a follow-up conversation after the recognition ceremony, Rick Reamer, who chairs the Temple Emanu-El Safety and Security Committee and, since 2012, has served as an instructor in the Providence Police Department training academy, spoke glowingly about Officer Cooney’s “wonderful curiosity” and his interest in learning about other cultures and traditions. “He’ll ask me things like ‘what’s a tallis’ or ‘what’s a mezu-
zah,’ and he even texts me sometimes when he’s off duty with concerns about security issues that affect Temple Emanu-El…. We’re really lucky to have him around.”
In this day and age, when matters of safety and security have become central concerns at synagogues across the country, the Temple Emanu-El community feels deeply grateful for the two-way partnership we have developed over the years with Officer Cooney and the senior leadership of the City of Providence.
DAVID GORDON is the Vice President for Financial Development at Temple Emanu-El in Providence
Do you need a tiny pep talk?
Why should you need to be doing something important or impressive to get a pep talk? Two comedians offer hilarious encouragement for your most mundane struggles.
ANYBODY CAN tell you “You can do it!” before the big job interview, or before you walk down the aisle, or before you head out onto the field to make the game-winning kick at the Super Bowl. But what about the other 99.99% of the stuff that you do? Who’s going to gas you up for all those low-stakes situations where you need an extra push?
That’s where “Tiny Pep Talks” comes in. Comedians Josh Linden and Paula Skaggs are rooting for you on March 9 at 6 p.m. at the Bonnie & Donald Dwares Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Linden and Skaggs will cheerlead you through your everyday challenges.
Josh Linden is a USA Today bestselling author and comedian. Along with Paula Skaggs, Josh is the co-author of “Tiny Pep Talks,” co-creator of the hit conversation game No Wrong Answers: Cards for Better Conversations and cohost of “Being
Earnest (A Very Sincere Podcast).” He has produced and written in shows across Chicago, including at iO Theater, The Second City, CIC Theater and the Chicago Improv Den.
Paula Skaggs is a best-selling author, a card game creator and a pretty big fan of frozen food. She’s the co-creator of No Wrong Answers, the co-author of the National Best Seller “Tiny Pep Talks” and the sodium-laden writer behind Paula Eats, a frozen meal review newsletter.
The program, sponsored by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode
Island, is intended for ages 13 and up.
The program is free of charge, but registration is necessary. Register at www. jewishallianceri.org/ events/jewish-bookcouncil-author-seriestiny-pep-talks
Providence Police Officer Sean Cooney with his partner, mother, grandmother and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley
PHOTO | OFFICE OF MAYOR BRETT SMILEY
Chabad Jewish Women’s Circle celebrates Tu B’Shevat
Despite the cold of the bitter winter, the Chabad Jewish Women’s Circle gathered to celebrate Tu B’Shevat in a way that beautifully reflected the spirit of the holiday –growth, renewal, and community. Thirty women came together for an inspiring program that blended wellness, friendship and heartfelt celebration, creating an atmosphere that was both meaningful and memorable.
THE CHABAD Jewish Women’s Circle marked Tu B’Shevat with an inspiring and uplifting wellness workshop led by certified health and wellness coach Violaine Cola. With warmth and insight, Violaine guided the women through meaningful reflections on nurturing both body and soul. Drawing beautiful parallels between the Tu B’Shevat and personal growth, she encouraged participants to plant healthy habits, cultivate mindfulness and nourish themselves in ways that allow them to flourish throughout the year. The evening was a warm and
welcoming Tu B’Shevat celebration that brought together women from across the community in a spirit of unity and joy. Guests crafted their own herbal tea blends thoughtfully prepared for the occasion. The fragrant teas, crafted with natural ingredients and served with care, added a sensory richness to the gathering. As the women sipped and shared, conversations flowed naturally, strengthening friendships and creating new connections.
A special highlight of the evening was the celebration of Rebbetzin Michla Laufer’s birthday. The room
filled with song, heartfelt blessings and words of appreciation honoring her leadership and dedication to the community. The tribute reflected the deep gratitude felt by all who have been touched by her warmth and guidance.
The energy throughout the event was palpable – uplifting, joyful and unified. Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for the Trees, served as the perfect backdrop for an evening centered on growth, renewal and connection. Just as trees draw strength from their roots while reaching upward, the women left feeling grounded in community and inspired to continue growing in their own lives.
Once again, the Chabad Jewish Women’s Circle created a meaningful space where spirituality, learning and friendship intertwined – an evening that will continue to bear fruit long after the last cup of tea was poured.
To learn more about the Jewish Women’s Circle, reach out to Batya Laufer at
chabadprovidence@gmail.com
reach out to Violaine Cola to begin your health and wellness journey, reach out to contact@violainecola.com
COMMUNITY
Alliance Community Campaign Balance matters more when everything’s moving fast - so do ‘Thank Yous’
BY JENNIFER ZWIRN
In the heart of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s Community Campaign season, it can feel like everything is in motion at once – calls to make, visits to schedule, goals to meet, messages to share. For our Jewish Alliance Community Campaign solicitors, the pace is real, the stakes are deeply meaningful and the calendar rarely slows down.
NAVIGATING A COMMUNITY campaign can feel like a winter sport – fast, unpredictable and occasionally breathtaking. There are moments of momentum and moments that test our community’s footing. This year’s 2026 Winter Olympic Games offered a useful reminder: even on the biggest stage, progress comes back to fundamentals. The athletes who perform best aren’t chasing every headline or trying to master every event. They rely on discipline, preparation and consistency – especially in uncertain conditions. Their edge isn’t chaos; it’s balance.
The same is true in campaign work. When donor conversations stack up and inboxes fill quickly, returning to the fundamentals restores clarity:
• Why we do this work and how we engage others.
• The impact the Alliance makes across our community and beyond.
• Relationships are at the heart of every gift and personal follow-up builds trust over time.
At the center of that clarity are the Alliance’s giving priorities – education, community engagement and social and human services – all focused on ensuring a strong Jewish tomorrow. These priorities guide our work and community impact, shaping
how we invest in learning and leadership, foster Jewish connection and care for those who rely on essential services locally and globally.
This year, the Alliance’s goal is to raise $4 million through the Community Campaign. Meeting this goal will expand partnerships, deepen impact and ensure that Jewish communities locally and globally can thrive – even in a rapidly changing world. Every donation, every point of contact for inspiration and education, every conversation moves us closer to sustaining Jewish life and strengthening our shared future.
Balance doesn’t mean slowing down. It means maintaining pace so we can achieve the success of our Community Campaign. It means listening more than speaking. It means remembering that every conversation is not just about a goal – it’s about strengthening community, building relationships, and bringing authenticity, results and real stories to our work. It means ensuring that contributors of all kinds – solicitors and donors alike – feel seen, valued and heard.
To our donors: thank you for your generosity, your trust and your belief in a vibrant Jewish future. Your commitment fuels this
work and makes our shared impact possible.
To our solicitors: thank you for your dedication, your outreach and the care you bring to every conversation. Your leadership and persistence sustain the momentum that carries us forward.
When everything feels like it’s moving fast, pause briefly. Recenter on purpose. Lead with authenticity. A steady, relationship-focused mindset builds resilience – not only through a single campaign, but year after year. The work you’re doing for our Jewish community matters deeply – and how we move through it together matters just as much.
For ways to get involved in the Community Campaign through contribution, education and volunteerism, or committee membership, visit jewishallianceri. org/support-us/featured/ donate-now or contact Brad Swartz, Fundraising and Partnership Manager, at bswartz@jewishallianceri. org.
JENNIFER ZWIRN (jzwirn@jewishallianceri.org) is the chief development officer at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.
COMMUNITY
Theater Preview
Four time’s a charm for pop-u-lar ‘Wicked’ now at PPAC
BY BOB ABELMAN
PROVIDENCE – There’s no place like home. But the touring production of “Wicked” has apparently found one in Providence.
THE MUSICAL , which premiered in 2003 and is currently the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history (surpassed by “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Chicago” and “The Lion King”), will be making its fourth visit to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) since going on tour in 2005.
The show is based on Gregory Maguire’s bestselling 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” which was inspired by L. Frank Baum‘s 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and its now-classic 1939 film adaptation.
“Wicked,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a script by Winnie Holzman, is a prequel to Dorothy’s arrival in Oz. It provides an intriguing backstory of the green-hued Elphaba, who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and the very blond Glinda, who is destined to become the Good Witch and guardian of Oz. It also offers insight into the making of the Wizard, the flying monkeys, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion.
The show was hailed by The New York Times as “the defining musical of the decade” upon its premiere. Time Magazine called it “a magical Broadway musical with brains, heart and courage.”
But you no doubt know all this. Over 70 million people, including you perhaps, have either seen this show on Broadway or on national or international tour. And “Wicked” became the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in box office history with $758 million when the film came out in 2024, with the second half sequel earning $523 million globally in 2025.
Sure, the stage production is no match for the $150 million worth of cinematic magic in the film – the extensive use of CGI for environments, characters and over 2,200 visual effects; the finely crafted digital camera movement and placement; the precise editing and the massive and detailed sets.
But then, nothing can compare to the intimate, actor-driven emotional connection of a live performance and the ephemeral, real-time nature of a stage production.
Unlike film, which dictates what you see and how you see it, theater thrives on the power of the audience’s imagination. The comparatively simple production values of “Wicked” on stage are not a limitation; they are an invitation.
steampunk scenery that seamlessly flies in and out and is dramatically lit by Kenneth Posner.
‘Over 70 million people ... have either seen this show on Broadway or on national or international tour.’
And by “comparatively simple,” the Broadway production still cost $14 million to mount. The show about to be onstage at PPAC, which is a 90% replication of what you see onstage in NYC, was created for about $11 million, with $2 million alone going to Susan Hilferty and Tom Watson’s creative costumes and colorful wigs. The stage is filled with Eugene Lee’s
Elaborate production numbers, including the party sequence at the Ozdust Ballroom, contain no shortage of eye-candy and Christopher Scott’s clever choreography. They are supported by a live orchestra spearheaded by five touring musicians supplemented by a sizable local team, all conducted by Faith Seetoo, who recently helmed the North American tours of Disney’s “Frozen,” “Aladdin,” “Newsies” and “The Lion King.”
Warner Bros. gave the filmmakers the rights to use highly recognizable elements from the classic “The Wizard of Oz” film that were denied to the unauthorized stage prequel. You won’t find Dorothy’s ruby-red shoes in the PPAC production, and
you won’t find Dorothy. There’s no yellow brick road.
There is, however, talent galore performing live. Reports from the road suggest that Zoe Jensen as Glinda and Jessie Davidson as Elphaba – both of whom joined the tour last May – come fully equipped with world-class voices and astounding stage presence. The supporting players and ensemble members have plenty of Broadway and touring experience as well. This results in performances that are fresh and enthusiastic, which makes everything onstage seem spontaneous. Fresh, enthusiastic and spontaneous are exactly what you want in a touring production of a popular musical. Expect goosebumps as well no matter how many times you’ve heard the high notes in “Defying Gravity” or the rich harmonies in “For Good.”
BOB ABELMAN is an award-winning theater critic who also writes for The Boston Globe. Connect with him on Facebook.
Jessie Davidson as Elphaba and Zoe Jensen as Glinda in the National Tour of ‘Wicked,’ which runs through March 22 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, R.I.
PHOTO | JOAN MARCUS
Scouting America honors members of the Jewish community
BY LARRY KATZ
In early February, Rabbi Sol Goodman and Curt Abbott were honored by Scouting America for their many accomplishments serving the local Narragansett Council, and particularly the Jewish community
RABBI SOL GOODMAN has devoted 25 years to Scouting, serving as senior chaplain at Yawgoog Scout Reservation and guiding thousands of youths and adults through meaningful experiences. While retired from congregational life, Rabbi Goodman continues to serve as chaplain at the Norfolk County Correctional Facility and to teach B’nai Mitzvah at Temple Sinai. His dedication has been recognized previously with the Shofar Award, honoring his contributions to Judaism and Scouting. Throughout his tenure, Rabbi Goodman has focused on fostering kind-
ness, tolerance and positive relationships, creating an environment where scouts can grow in character and spirit. One of his greatest joys is knowing he has made a difference in so many lives, inspiring values that last a lifetime. His unwavering commitment to service and mentorship exemplifies the ideals of Scouting, making him a truly deserving honoree as recipient of the Council Duty to God Award.
Curt Abbott, a member of Temple Sinai, has devoted nearly four decades to Scouting, serving as the advancement chair for Troop 1
Call for Nominations: Outstanding Leaders
BY JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF
IS THERE SOMEONE in our Jewish community whose leadership and dedication deserve to be celebrated?
Nominations are now open for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s annual Community Leadership Awards. These honors recognize individuals whose volunteer service and commitment have made a meaningful impact on the Alliance, the Jewish community and the broader Rhode Island community.
The four awards are: Melvin G. Alperin Award for Lifetime Excellence in Jewish Communal Leadership, Joseph W. Ress Community Service Award, Riesman Leadership Development Award and Norman D. & Flo Tilles Community Relations Council Award.
Nominations are due by March 20. Awards are presented during the Alliance’s annual meeting in June. For more information including nominating forms and guidelines, contact Gail Putnam, chief administrative officer, at gputnam@jewishallianceri.org.
Conimicut and chair of the Narragansett Council Jewish Committee on Scouting. Beginning his journey as a youth and continuing for 31 years as an adult leader, Curt has previously earned the distinguished Shofar Award for his contributions to Judaism and Scouting. A retired Physician Assistant, he also gives back through the Freemasons and Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, where he serves as an alumni ritual advisor. One of Curt’s proudest moments was his son’s Eagle Court of Honor—a milestone that symbolized passing the torch to a new generation. Known for his energy and positive influence, Curt has been a role model for countless scouts, often described as “the biggest kid in the troop.” His unwavering commitment to youth development and leadership is why he has been honored with the Silver Beaver Award.
For more information about Scouting in Southeastern New England,
please contact support546@scouting. org or call 401.351-8700. Scouts who would like to earn Scouting’s Jewish religious awards may contact Curt Abbott at cabbott183@gmail.com.
LARRY KATZ is a member of the Jewish Committee on Scouting.
From your friends at
Rabbi Sol Goodman and Curt Abbott.
COMMUNITY
My priceless Meals on Wheels delivery experience keeps on giving
BY MARVIN WASSER
What do you do with your life after you have retired from the daily toil of a demanding career? The first few weeks may seem like a well-deserved vacation, even more extensive than the usual week to 10 days that you occasionally enjoyed during your working years. But then, one gets restless, and misses the rigor of keeping to a schedule, the obligations of being somewhere or doing something determined by the clock.
HAVING BEEN USED to waking up early, rushing out to hospital rounds and then to a full day of seeing pediatric patients at my office, this new way of life felt like being in a car in traffic, rushing here and there, that comes to a screeching halt on a dusty deserted out of the way backroad, with no one around. Besides the lack of tasks to occupy the mind, there was no contact with people, which was the mainstay of my career.
About four months after I retired, I decided to offer my time and interest to the Meals on Wheels program sponsored by the Jewish Collaborative Services of
Rhode Island. People receiving kosher prepared meals are typically “those who are unable to obtain or prepare food for themselves due to age, illness, frailty, or disability.”
At first, I was used as a substitute for drivers who were unable to deliver on a given day, due to illness or being on vacation. Often, I would be given four or five destinations in different parts of Rhode Island, from North Providence and Providence, or Warwick and East Greenwich and Cranston. I was seeing and finding houses and apartment buildings that I had never seen before. I was negotiat-
ing strange door entry codes in order to access the clients’ apartments.
There were neighborhoods from all socio-economic levels that I had never encountered. It was very eye-opening for someone who had not ventured beyond home, hospitals and office for decades (except for vacations). The traffic during the day (typically delivering between 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) was extraordinary! I had rarely been on the roads during those hours and could not imagine where everyone was going while I remained in my office seeing patients all day.
Eventually I was given a steady route, delivering to the same few people on Wednesdays, and more recently also on Fridays. Over the four years the route has been the same, but the recipients have changed, due to death or moving to assisted living facilities, or simply no longer requiring or qualifying for the service. I would like to share some of the more interesting interactions I have experienced with my clients over the years.
One gentleman would complain, when I reached his place, that I was late, and I explained about traffic, and delays from receiving food from the caterer. I mentioned this to the coordinators of Meals on Wheels, and they told me that he complained this way to every driver. After a few deliveries, I said “goodbye, be in good health and peaceful Sabbath” (in Yiddish) to him, and he smiled for the first time.
‘I look forward to my encounters with the people who appreciate the food delivery.’
The next time I saw him, he invited me into his hallway and asked me about myself, and we shared generalities about our families, and shared a few Yiddish phrases before departing. He seemed to look forward to my visits after that. About six months later I saw his obituary in the newspaper.
Another client always had me go into her house, where she was sitting at the kitchen
table. Once she learned that I was a physician, she shared with me details of her extensive nursing career, and we had wonderful discussions about current and past medical issues. I asked her about artwork on her wall, which led to talk of the artist and examples of his works in her living room. The artist was a Little Compton resident, former Secretary of the Navy in the 1970s, Ambassador to the European Union, artist and music composer. The coincidence that she was telling me this about J. William Middendorf was that I was at the right place at the right time.
One of the musical groups that I perform with was playing a March that he had composed, and since my client was frequently in contact with him, I was able to let him know that his music was being performed. He was 100 years old at the time, and I learned that he died a few months later at 101. The woman at the kitchen table recently moved to an assisted living facility; she is 99. A disabled younger man was willingly conversant from our very first meeting.
Travel opportunities highlight Israel fair
ON MARCH 1, about 80 people came together in the Social Hall at the Bonnie & Donald Dwares Jewish Community Center to learn more about Israel travel opportunities. They chatted with the 11 vendors who attended and enjoyed delicious Israeli food at the event which was a project of the Rhode Island Israel Collaborative and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.
The Jewish Alliance Israel desk offered information and Israeli treats.
PHOTOS JEWISH ALLIANCE OF GREATER RHODE ISLAND
Eitan Sasson represented Dan Hotels in Israel.
Attendees enjoyed delicious food from Navad Bakers and Bonapita.
It's been a busy month at Providence Hebrew Day School
Eventually, our conversations led to sports, and he told me about his time watching a PawSox baseball game, not just ANY game, but THE game that lasted 32 innings in April 1981, which was then finished in the 33rd inning in June 1981. He proudly described how he was one of less than 20 fans who remained there until the game was suspended at 4 a.m. He then lent me a famous book written about that game, in which his name appears twice. He also showed me several contemporary newspaper articles in
which he was interviewed. Sharing books with me was not unique to this gentleman. Another client always spoke with me for a few minutes. Recently I mentioned that Judge Frank Caprio (of “Caught in Providence” TV fame) was asking for prayers due to his terminal pancreatic cancer status. She responded that she had just finished reading his book “Compassion in the Court,” and would I like to borrow it? I of course accepted the offer and read it; it was full of valuable advice about how to be kind and compassionate to your fellow man. In another instance,
chatting with a female client about mutual life circumstances led her to ask me if I would like to meet her older sister and get to know her socially. I politely declined her offer.
Finally, another older man would come to the door of his house aided by his walker, accept the food package and hand me a garbage bag that he requested that I throw into his outdoor bin. There was no other talk with him until months later, when I opened the door, he invited me in while he was sitting on his couch. Then we had very friendly conversations about families, children,
grandchildren, professions and spare-time interests. He casually mentioned that his birthday was approaching in two weeks. I brought him a birthday card for his 102nd birthday a few months ago. I still see him every week.
In spite of the traffic and occasional difficulties with reaching the clients through their faulty doorbell systems, I look forward to my encounters with the people who appreciate the food delivery and a few friendly words every week. For this volunteer, the sense of purpose and helping has been priceless in my retirement years. As a final acknowledgement of
appreciation, I would like to thank…my GPS guidance system, without which I never could have found my clients and delivered their food and conversation!
MARVIN S. WASSER, M.D., practiced Pediatrics in Cranston for 41 years. He now enjoys volunteering and playing music to help and entertain seniors. He has been delivering Meals on Wheels for four years. These are his personal reflections. If you would like to deliver Meals on Wheels, contact Neal Drobnis at Jewish Collaborative Services, neal@ jcsri.org
RHODE ISLAND's This Month in History
Is There a Laboratory Assistant in the House?
IN 1968, the Miriam Hospital started training laboratory assistants from Rhode Island Junior College, which would change its name to the Community College of Rhode Island in 1980.
Barbara Oakes (left) was 19 years old and Frances Cannarozzi was 20, and they would spend 35 weeks working with the hospital’s laboratory staff. Their mentor was Dr. Jacob Dyckman, who had served as Chief of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Miriam since 1952; the next year, Dyckman would start teaching at Brown University. How the careers of Oakes and Cannarozzi unfolded has been hard to trace, but Dr. Dyckman was a respected and well published physician until his passing in 2014, at the age of 93.
Newspaper courtesy Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association
Although we were blanketed in over 3 feet of snow, staff and children pushed through to have Judaic Classes on Wednesday after the snowstorm – and to enjoy delicious hot cocoa!
Kindergarteners enjoying the fruit skewers they made with Mrs. Borenstein in honor of Tu B’shevat.
To celebrate the start of Adar, Rabbi Weissmann led the children through the halls in spontaneous dancing.
PHOTOS | PHDS
IN THE NEWS
A war-weary Jerusalem marks Purim one day after the rest of the world
BY THEIA CHATELLE JTA
JERUSALEM – As the sun rose over Jerusalem on Wednesday morning [MRCH 4], sirens rang out, signaling yet another incoming missile attack from Iran.
THIS TIME, it coincided with the morning of Shushan Purim, as thousands of Israelis gathered – despite a prohibition on public gatherings – to read the Megillah and fulfill the mitzvah of hosting a reading after sunrise on the day of Purim.
Purim in Jerusalem, known as Shushan Purim, takes place a day later than in the rest of the world due to its status as a walled city during the time of the holiday’s story, when the Jews in Shushan, also a walled city located in what is now Susa, Iran, fought for their survival a day longer than Jews elsewhere in the kingdom.
Emergency regulations imposed by Home Front Command ban large gatherings, even in shelters, but Israelis have eschewed the restrictions to continue their
celebrations. Top rabbis in Israel encouraged Israelis to follow government guidelines but opined that Zoom readings do not fulfill the requirement under Jewish law to hear the Megillah read in a prayer quorum. On Tuesday, Israelis across the country celebrated Purim in bomb shelters and underground parking garages, many of which are rated to withstand bombs dropped from above.
Just a few hours after the air raid alert ended on Wednesday, Jerusalemites could be seen wandering the streets, some intoxicated and others wearing costumes – or both – to celebrate the public holiday.
Two yeshiva students from New Jersey said, while waiting to catch a light rail train into the city, that they “were
not worried at all about the missiles. We check our phones and go to the shelter.”
In the haredi neighborhood of Mea Shearim, life continued largely as normal. Children wandered the streets wearing costumes, and families walked into synagogues for Shacharit services, with prayers echoing through the streets.
In more secular neighborhoods, friends gathered to drink and celebrate the holiday, with some describing a “waiting game” to get their drinking in before another missile is launched and they have to head back to the shelter.
An ultra-Orthodox man celebrates in the streets of Mea Shearim, holding wine in one hand and showing a thumbs up with the other. The official commandment from the Torah is to drink until one cannot tell the difference between “cursed is Haman” and “blessed is Mordecai.”
Amber, Maya and Vicky kept their family shop open on Jaffa Street despite the threat of missiles. You Need Coffee has been open at its current location since 2011,
and Maya described how “during the last war our business took a really big hit, and it’s something we expected this time, but the community keeps showing up.”
Vicky added, “They need their coffee, and we know our customers, so there’s a sense of we’re all in this together. Plus, we have a shelter in the basement, so it’s safer here than anywhere else.”
This is the second fullscale war with Iran in the last nine months, but all of the workers in the shop said they were willing yet again to deal with the consequences for the “freedom of the Iranian people.”
A family wearing matching costumes waits to catch the light rail into the Jerusalem city center. Public transportation in Israel is operating at limited capacity due to the war. The light rail had been closed since the war’s start but reopened on Wednesday.
A child who lives in Beit Yisrael, a haredi neighborhood in central Jerusalem, poses for a photo to show off his IDF soldier costume.
Children walk down the
streets of Mea Shearim with their parents as they shop for goodies to celebrate the holiday. Pashkevils, or public announcements, cover the walls and communicate rabbinical rulings and other public information.
A Beit Yisrael family poses for a photo showing off their Purim costumes.
A man wearing a bunny costume walks in the streets of Mea Shearim, where not everyone was in costume for the holiday. Still, Yiddish techno music could be heard echoing off the brick walls of the neighborhood from the parties taking place there.
On Etz Hayim Street, just outside the Jerusalem shuk, a young Israeli poses to show off his costume – one half Israeli soldier, the other half sporting a suit.
One of the commandments for the Purim holiday is to give tzedakah, or charity to the poor – matanot la’evyonim – which requires giving to at least two people in need on the holiday.
A young boy waits on the street, asking passersby for donations.
PHOTO | THEIA CHATELLE
A man wearing a wolf costume with his daughter dressed as Little Red Riding Hood shops at a stall in the Machane Yeduda market in Jerusalem, which was operating at limited capacity because of the war with Iran, during Purim in Jerusalem. Other scenes are from Jerusalem on March 4.,
IN THE NEWS
A new war revives old tropes about Jewish and Israeli influence
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14
Democrat, in a statement. “We have no obligation to follow Israel into a war we did not ask for and will make us less safe.”
Republican influencer Tucker Carlson, who reportedly met with President Donald Trump three times in the weeks preceding the war, implied in an interview last week with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee that Trump was threatening to strike Iran at the behest of Israel — a sentiment Huckabee slammed as “offensive.”
The New York Times later reported that in one of his meetings with Trump, Carlson urged Trump to “restrain” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and that Israel’s desire to attack Iran “was the only reason the United States was even considering a strike.”
Pop culture is also picking up on the theme. On the “Weekend Update” segment of “Saturday Night Live,” comedian Michael Che joked that while critics argued Trump lacked authorization for the war on Iran, “he actually did: Netanyahu said it was OK.”
Those accusations have gotten under Israel’s skin. On Friday, Michael Leiter, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S, slammed Carlson as “disgusting” and “antisemitic” for, among other things, suggesting that Israel had maneuvered Trump into the war. “It’s just such nonsense to say that Netanyahu is dragging President Trump. And it’s just bordering on pornography. It’s so disgusting,” Leiter told the New York Post.
“It’s an old antisemitic trope: the Jews are in control,” he continued. “America acts in its own best interest … It’s so insulting. He’s insulting to the president and downright antisemitic to the Jews and Jewish state.”
The echoes of history are striking. In the mid-2000s, controversy erupted around the claim that the “Israel lobby” and neoconservatives — a hawkish wing of the Republican Party seen as pro-Israel and dedicated to using American military might to aggressively spread democratic values — played a pivotal role in pushing the U.S. into the Iraq war. The charge gained credibility — or at least plausibility —
because some of the highest profile neocons were Jewish. They included government officials Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Douglas Feith and Elliott Abrams and pundits like William Kristol, Charles Krauthammer and Norman Podhoretz.
The debate reached academic heights in 2007 when political scientists Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer published a paper, which became a book, arguing that pro-Israel voices were “a critical element” in leading the U.S. to war in Iraq. Around the same time, Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia accused the American Israel Public Affairs Committee of having “pushed” the war.
Jewish groups quickly denounced these claims, warning that they risked feeding dangerous stereotypes about Jewish power.
Yet there were key differences between Iraq then and Iran now. Israel did not directly fight as a combatant in the 2003 Iraq War. While the government officially offered its support, especially for the removal of Saddam Hussein, its leadership was wary of the war, fearing it would destabilize the region and put Israel at risk of retaliatory attacks.
Moreover, during the Iraq war, the Jewish community could effectively argue that framing the conflict as a Jewish neocon conspiracy was baseless, even as some neoconservatives influenced policy. Other influential figures in the Bush administration were not Jewish, including Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
And President Bush and his circle articulated a number of reasons why war was in America’s interests – most famously, in order to neutralize Saddam Hussein’s alleged intent to manufacture “weapons of mass destruction.”
America, still reeling from the 9/11 attacks, was also understandably concerned about a repeat. As Bush said in a 2002 speech in Cincinnati, “The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax and nerve gas and nuclear weapons for over a decade. … This is a regime that has already used poison gas to murder thousands of its citizens.” The administration made a compelling case that such concerns, if true,
were directly in America’s interest, and Congress voted overwhelmingly in Oct. 2022 to authorize Bush to use military force against Saddam’s regime.
By contrast, Israel and the United States are partners in combat in the current fighting, while reports suggest Israel played a direct advocacy and operational role in the lead-up to the Iran strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly indicated that he had urged Trump — who tends not to put decision-making through a team of advisers and policy experts — to act.
“Alone among U.S. presidents that I’ve worked with,” Netanyahu said of Trump, he “took action” against the Iranian regime.
At the same Trump has offered a patchwork of justifications for the war — ranging from preventing an unnamed imminent threat to countering nuclear weapons to supporting Iranian
what this is going to mean for antisemitism,” Klein, who is Jewish, said on his podcast. “You see the amount of talk… about Israel’s leverage over Donald Trump or that this is all just some kind of Israeli plot.”
Rhodes, whose mother is Jewish, echoed the concern, noting that even absent allegations of manipulation, the perception that the war serves Israeli interests could stoke resentment. “A lot of what we’re doing is removing threats to Israel. If it goes poorly, who is going to get blamed?” he asked.
Israel, for its part, has been vocal in rejecting such narratives. Netanyahu dismissed the claims that he pushed Trump into the war in a Fox News interview, stating: “Donald Trump is the strongest leader in the world. He does what he thinks is right for America.”
Trump has taken a similar approach. Asked Tuesday in the Oval Office if Israel
‘The close U.S.-Israel coordination has fueled concern among analysts that conspiracy narratives, indistinguishable from traditional antisemitic tropes, could gain traction without a clearly articulated U.S. mission.’
freedom — without presenting a single, compelling case framed entirely around U.S. interests.
Moreover, Secretary of State Marco Rubio inflamed the isolationist wing of the MAGA movement when he suggested Monday that the United States joined the fight because Israel was about to attack Iran (remarks he later walked back).
The close U.S.-Israel coordination has fueled concern among analysts that conspiracy narratives, indistinguishable from traditional antisemitic tropes, could gain traction without a clearly articulated U.S. mission.
New York Times columnist Ezra Klein spoke last week with Ben Rhodes, a former deputy national security advisor in the Obama administration, about the risks. “The centrality of Israel in the operation has raised some concerns for me about
2025 and mid- Ja nuary 2026, according to an analysis by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, Iranian state media and allied Western far-ri ght and conspiracy accounts aggressively amplified claims that Israel was manipulating the United States into striking Iran. ”The accounts circulated antisemitic tropes asserting covert Israeli influence over American military action,” the ISD found.
The debate over the Iran operation illustrates a recurring challenge: distinguishing legitimate criticism of Israeli policy or U.S. foreign policy from conspiracy theories that echo age-old antisemitic stereotypes. It also comes with a twist unseen during the Iraq war: Global bad actors who exploit social media platforms as tools of digital warfare, using a combination of bots, spoof accounts and coordinated networks to amplify divisive narratives, spread misinformation and stoke political or social discord.
In both the Iraq war and the current Iran conflict, mainstream Jewish groups tended to support the war. In the case of Iraq, polling among Jews suggested that a majority came to oppose the war even as Jewish leaders continued to voice support. It’s too early to know where the Jewish public is on this current war.
had pushed the U.S. into the strikes, he said, “No, I might have forced their hands,” referring to Israel. The Iranians, he asserted, “were going to attack. If we didn’t do it, they were going to attack first. I felt strongly about that.”
Despite such denials, the narrative is gaining traction in digital media, at a time when Jewish groups are deeply concerned about Carlson’s growing influence on the right, particularly among young voters and several outsider GOP candidates and popular right-wing influencers who have pushed the “Israel First” trope.
Like the anti-Israel left, such groups seemed primed to pin the war on Israel, especially if it goes badly. Between late December
For some Jews, no matter what they feel about the war, the unease is palpable: The historic pattern of blaming Jews or Israel for American military action is resurfacing, this time against the backdrop of a real war involving Israel at its very center, and a social media landscape where hate spreads faster than facts.
Business & Professional Direc tory
OBITUARIES
Gail Bochner, 67 CRANSTON, R.I. – Gail (Palazzo) Bochner, 67, of Cranston, passed away on Dec. 24, 2025, at Kent County Hospital. Born in Cranston, she was the daughter of the late Evelyn (Lisi) and Cagney Palazzo, and the daughterin-law of the late Ceila and Samuel Bochner.
Gail graduated from Cranston High School West, where she was a cheerleader for all four years and was voted “Best Personality” and “Most School Spirit.” She began her career at the former Old Stone Bank, where she rose to the position of Head Teller Trainer. Gail later married Morris Bochner, and together they became successful entrepreneurs, owning and operating Hydra Klean Carpet Care, Providence Window Cleaning and New England Janitorial Supply.
Gail was known for her zest for life and the warm smile that never left her face. She loved family gatherings, entertaining and making others feel welcome. If her life could be summed up in one sentence, it would be this: everyone loved Gail Bochner. Her greatest pride and joy was her son, Marc, of whom she was endlessly proud. She cherished visiting his studio and watching him carry forward the values of compassion, kindness and positivity that she instilled in him, sharing them with his students and the community.
Gail is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Morris, and her son, Marc; her brother, Steven Palazzo; her sister, Paula, and her husband, Anthony Manzi; her sister-in-law, Ida Bochner-Brown, and her husband, Thomas; her nephews, Anthony and Michael Manzi and Stephen Palazzo; and her niece, Stephanie Palazzo. She was the sister of the late Joyce Palazzo.
Donations in her memory may be made to Rhode Island SPCA.
Melvin Coleman, 91 WATERFORD, CONN. –
Melvin A. Coleman died on Feb. 13, 2026, at the Beechwood Manor Nursing Home in New London, Connecticut. He was the beloved husband of Reva (Iba) Coleman for 66 years. Born in Providence, son of the late Ernest and Rose (Petow) Coleman, he had lived in Waterford for 60
years.
He was the owner of Allied TV & Video in Groton for 25 years and previously worked for EB General Dynamics.
Melvin was in the Army and Army Reserves. He was a member of Congregation Beth El in New London and Telsa. Melvin earned certificates in Naturopathic Medicine and electronics. He was a volunteer for Special Olympics in Waterford.
Melvin enjoyed watching movies, attending plays on Broadway, special trips to New York City and being with animals, especially cats. Most of all, he doted on his four grandchildren and wife and loved spending time with his family.
He was the devoted father of Sherri Dennis (Donald), of Cotuit, Massachusetts, and Linda Coleman (Dr. Clifford Gordon), of Barrington. He was the dear brother of Howard Coleman (Brenda), of Derby, Connecticut. He was the loving grandfather of Nathaniel, Halle, Jenna and Cameron.
Contributions may be made to the animal charity of your choice, Congregation Beth El or Beacon Hospice
Rosalie Gleckman, 96
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rosalie Celia Gleckman passed away on Feb. 26, 2026, at the Miriam Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late Morton Gleckman and cherished mother of Judith Gleckman, of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Born in Providence, Rosalie was the daughter of the late Isaac and Sabena (Miller) Zenofsky, and sister of the late Morris Zenofsky. She had lived in Cranston for many years, before moving to Wingate on the Boulevard in Providence in 2020.
She graduated from Hope High School and began working at Butler Hospital in bookkeeping, starting at the age of 18, and she remained there on and off for over 70 years. Rosalie was a former member of Temple Beth Torah; she loved spending time with her daughter and playing mahjong with her friends in Cranston.
Contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Marjorie Jaffe, 106
PROVIDENCE, R.I. –
Marjorie Dorf Jaffe passed away peacefully on Feb. 23,
2026, at Laurelmead. Born in Baltimore to the late Morris and Dorothy Halperin, she attended the Park School and graduated from the Maryland Institute of Fine Arts.
Married to Leonard S. Jaffe for more than 50 years, they raised three daughters in Louisville, Kentucky: Marj was a loving and caring mother to Carol Levinger (Fred), Ellen Davis (Robert), and Dr. Susan Jaffee and an affectionate grandmother to Stephanie Harvey and Andrew Perlman. She delighted in her four great-grandchildren: Read Harvey, Jemma Harvey, Isabelle Perlman, and Ethan Perlman. She was devotedly cared for by Justess, Carolina, Abby, Kianna and Dede whom she considered part of her family.
Marj loved to participate in sports; she was an all-American field hockey player, and she enjoyed tennis and golf. She was an avid painter and displayed her work at Temple Israel, Westport, Connecticut, and at Laurelmead. Marj served as chair of Temple Israel’s Sisterhood where she and Leonard were active members. She was also a member of the Miriam Hospital Women’s Association and served on several committees at Laurelmead.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Laurelmead Employee Education Fund, Care of Laurelmead, 355 Blackstone Blvd,,Providence RI 02906
Jeffrey Jarrett, 85 NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.
– Jeffrey E. Jarrett passed away on Feb. 3, 2026, at Elderwood of Scallop Shell in Wakefield with his loving family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Ruth Jarrett for 62 years. Born in New York City, he was a son of Herbert D. and Helen (Director) Jarrett.
Jeff received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and then received his MBA and Ph.D. in Education from New York University, earning the Ford Foundation and Sears Roebuck fellowships. He briefly served as an NYU graduate assistant. Jeff was dedicated to higher education. He taught at three universities throughout his career. He started at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, then continued to Wayne State University. Once he reached Rhode Island, he became a professor at the
University of Rhode Island, where he remained for 49 years, retiring in 2020. Jeff made use of his time here by dedicating his energies to the future minds of America. He served on many committees in the URI community. While serving in multiple professional societies, he received multiple honors associated with his faculty research projects and contributed over 300 journal articles and to many textbooks. Jeff loved traveling and photography and had a vast collection of his pictures from all over the world. He was an avid NY sports fan as well as a fan of University of Michigan sports teams.
He was the devoted father of Michael (Lori) Jarrett, of Cumberland; Dan (Beth) Jarrett, of Lutherville, Maryland; and Debra Jarrett, of Encinitas, California. He was the dear brother of Steven (Janice) Jarrett, of Los Altos, California. He was the loving grandfather of Sam, Brooke, Bradley, Emily and KC. Contributions may be made to URI Hillel or a charity of your choice.
Margot Mencoff, 90 EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Margot B. Mencoff left this world peacefully on Feb. 2, 2026, radiating the same warmth and grace that defined her life. She was a resident of Rhode Island for 71 years.
Most recently she had been a resident of Tockwotton on the Waterfront in East Providence.
Margot was the devoted and loving wife of Harvey C. Mencoff, who predeceased her by 28 years. Together they shared 43 years of joyful and adoring marriage, living life to its fullest and never forgetting how to laugh.
Born and raised in New York, Margot was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. George Jarcho Berson. She was a graduate of the Fieldston School and William Smith College.
An accomplished equestrienne in her youth, she retained a love for animals throughout her life. She was a longstanding member of the Providence County Kennel Club and was dedicated to the advancement of purebred dogs and the promotion of responsible dog ownership. She believed deeply in the power of dogs to enhance and brighten lives and took great joy in her volunteer work with her dogs in schools, hospitals and nursing homes.
Margot was a devoted and talented gardener, and together with Harvey, enjoyed a decades long passion for competitive bridge. She was a member of Temple Emanu-El and Ledgemont Country Club.
Margot is survived by her sons Samuel (Ann) of Chicago, Illinois, and Gregory (Ruth) of Boston, Massachusetts; her grandchildren Emily Willard (Robert) of
OBITUARIES
Boulder, Colorado, Samuel (Lauren) of Greenwich, Connecticut, and George (Erin) of Newton Centre, Massachusetts; and seven great-grandchildren Harvey, Reese, Maya, Margot, Maddie, Felix and Nathaniel. Margot’s life was filled with much joy, laughter, and friendship. Hers was a life fully and beautifully lived.
passed away on Feb. 26, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Julius “Buddy” Levin.
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late Philip and Elizabeth (Young) Paige, she had been a resident of Providence for the past 69 years.
Mrs. Levin was a buyer for the Providence School Department for many years, retiring in 1995. She decided to return to work in 1997,
working as a clerk for the Providence Teachers Union. She was also a volunteer at the Miriam Hospital where she was honored as volunteer of the year. Ruth was a longtime member of Temple’s Beth Shalom and Emanu-El, Haddasah and B’nai B’rith.
She is survived by two children, Debra LaMarche and her husband David of Sharon, Massachusetts, and Dr. Robert Levin and his wife Mona of Boynton Beach, Florida; five grandchildren, Lee LaMarche and his wife Hillary; Paige GoldMarche and her wife Rabbi Megan; Jonathan Levin and his wife Sarah, Dr. Kenneth Levin and his wife Anna and Adam Levin and his wife Jenn; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Morton Paige and Hope Finkel.
Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, RI 02906 and HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.
Harriet Miller, 89 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Harriet Miller passed away on Jan. 30, 2026, after a short illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Noah Miller. A lifelong resident of Providence, Harriet was the daughter of the late Morton and Ruth (Abedon) Grossman.
Harriet was co-owner of Crawford Garden Supplies for many years before retiring and was a lifelong congregant of Temple Emanu-El in Providence. Harriet was deeply devoted to her parents, cherished her children and grandchildren and was a loyal friend to all who knew her.
She is survived by her son Jeffrey “Jake” Miller and his wife, Mary Beth “Betsy,” of Silverdale, Washington, and their children: Nathan and his wife, Liz, Ben, Tess and Luke and his fiancée, Eli; and by her daughter Gail Falk and her husband, Adam, of Washington, D.C., and their children: Noah, Sarah and Miyah. Harriet was predeceased by her brother, Edward Grossman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to a food shelter or charity of your choice.
Territa Percelay, 88 PAWTUCKET , R.I. – Territa J. Percelay, of Pawtucket, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 11, 2026, at the Miriam Hospital after a brief illness.
The youngest daughter of the late Jacob and Frances (Rubinstein) Percelay, she was born and raised in Pawtucket, where she returned in her later years.
Ms. Percelay lived in New York City and worked in advertising for a time before retiring and was a long-time congregant of Temple Emanu-El.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Sheela Percelay and six nephews: John, Lincoln and Tom Pranikoff and David, James and Bruce Percelay as well as three nieces: Elizabeth “Betsy” van Dusen, Jane Gordon and Emily Conn. She was the sister of the late Morris and Merrill Percelay and Marion Pranikoff.
Donations may be made to The Village Common of Rhode Island, 245 Waterman St., Suite 406, Providence, RI 02906 [https://www. providencevillageri.org/] or Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Ave., Providence, RI 02907 [https:// rifoodbank.org/donate/].
Herman Rose, 93 EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I.
– Herman Hillson Rose passed away on Jan. 31, 2026, at Tockwotton on the Waterfront.
Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Arthur Rose and Ethel Hillson.
As a younger man, Mr. Rose was a land surveyor for the Army in Panama and was a skilled chess and bridge player. He trained as a civil engineer who began his working life designing roads and bridges throughout Rhode Island. He later worked for the state on community development for many years. Herman was deeply attached to his adopted Rhode Island home and supported many charitable ventures around the state, such as the annual Touro Synagogue
essay contest, for programs at URI, local libraries and major bequests through the Rhode Island Foundation. Exemplary of his generosity was his birthday “bookout,” when instead of receiving gifts, he would buy all the children in his circle (and any other kids who wandered by) a book of their choice at the Brown bookstore. He was named Rhode Island’s Philanthropist of the Year in 1995. He was a long-time congregant of Temple Emanu-El in Providence. He is survived by his nephew, Larry Linsey, and Larry’s wife, Maggie Furlong, of Brooklyn, New York; one great niece Moya Linsey; two great nephews, Evan and Ryan Linsey; cousins, Bob and Michael Rose many close friends, and his incredible caregivers at Monteiro Healthcare and Tockwotton. He was the brother of the late Miriam Linsey and uncle of the late Steven Linsey, and Pat Ma, mother of Evan and Ryan.
Elena Sacks, 85 WARWICK, R.I. – Elena Linda Sacks, 85, of Warwick, passed away peacefully on Feb. 13, 2026. Born in Providence, Elena was the daughter of the late Harold and Ruth Adelberg and the widow of the late William L. Sacks. She is survived by her loving partner in life of almost 40 years, Ernest K. Chernick. A beloved mother to her son and his wife, Jonathan and Marla Sacks. Beloved grandmother to Amanda, Jeremy, Eliana, Benjamin and Rachel Sacks. A beloved sister to Harvey M. Adelberg and his wife, Janet. A beloved aunt to Jason, Christy, Liza and Marcos. Elena graduated from Hope High School and received an associate degree from Boston University. She had a successful career in sales and office management followed by an extensive vacation career that included countless cruises around the world. Elena was always dedicated to helping others. Her greatest joys in life were inspired by heartfelt relationships with her grandchildren. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association.
Certified by the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island Jacquelyn Aubuchon, Funeral Director
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Irving Smith, 91 THE VILLAGES, FLA. –
Irving A. Smith passed away on Jan. 26, 2026, at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages. He was the beloved husband of the late Eilene Helfand. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, he was a son of the late Eli and Beatrice (Shulman) Smith. He had lived in Florida for two years, previously living in Warwick. Irv was a member of the Navy, serving in the Korean War; he spent time on a destroyer sailing from Canada to the Caribbean for the near entirety.
Irv was a sign fabricator and later opened ABC Sign Company with his wife, Eilene. After her passing, Irv took a step back from the sign business and focused his energies on caring for his daughter, Nancy. He occasionally performed per diem work filing permits and receiving proper authorization until 2023. Outside of sign making, he was an impassioned woodworker. He proudly made an excellent bench with a planter for his children, who fondly remember that while you couldn’t sit in his chairs, the bench was like him, steadfast and sturdy. Irv and Eilene were passionate fans of the theater, and they frequented PPAC and Trinity Rep as often as they could. Irv was a proud Mason for 54 years and a member of the Touro Fraternal Association.
He was the devoted father of Steven Smith and his partner, Celia Leady, of Belleview, Florida, and the late Nancy Jackson. He was the loving grandfather of Renee Jackson, Bryan and Andrew Smith. He was the cherished great-grandfather of four. Contributions may be made to the Amos House Food Distribution Center, 460 Pine St., Providence, RI 02907; Meals on Wheels, 70 Bath St., Providence, RI 02908; or Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Rd., Tavares, FL 32778.
Helen Sharp, 92
Helen Laura Sharp, a devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and educator whose life was shaped by family and learning, died
peacefully, surrounded by her family.
Born in Providence, Ms. Sharp attended the Lincoln School before going on to Smith College, of which she was proudly a lifelong “Smithie,” and later the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The daughter of an esteemed physician, she took pride in being both a doctor’s daughter and a woman shaped by rigorous learning and independence.
After college, she moved to New York City, where she taught at the Brearley School. A resourceful and independent single mother, she raised her only child in Brookline, Massachusetts, instilling in him her values of intellect and devotion.
Ms. Sharp was, by temperament, a sparkplug. She delighted in orchestrating family gatherings, keeping up a lively schedule of symphony performances, spending time as an active member of the Harvard Club of Boston and looking forward to regular trips to New York City. She brought energy, intelligence and an instinctive sense for what made life fun – enjoying family and the familiar, making thoughtful plans, and exploring culture. Her presence filled a room.
She is survived by her loving son, Dr. John Sharp, and his wife, Katie; her granddaughters, Dr. Ashley Sharp and her wife, Danielle, and Else Sharp; her great-grandson, Alistair; her brotherin-law, David Brodsky; her cousins, Tobie Levine and Anna Goldman; her nieces and nephew, Anne Sternlicht, Jane Sprung and Jim Brodsky; her great-nieces and great-nephews, Alex, Eliza, George, Jeffrey, Robert and Whitney; and her beloved dog, Willie. She was predeceased by her sister, Carolyn Sharp Brodsky, and by her parents, Sarah Sharp and Dr. Ezra Sharp.
David Sugarman,
95
David Sugarman of Providence and Gouldsboro, Maine, passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2026. He was the son of the late Max and Estelle Sugarman. He is survived by his wife Nancy Lovejoy
Sugarman and his children Daniel Sugarman of Boston, Massachusetts, and Elizabeth Sugarman and husband, Braden Lafauce, of North Yarmouth, Maine. David outlived his siblings, Calvin, Louis, Mitchell and Rachel Sugarman Spector. David graduated from Hope High School in Providence and was then drafted into the US Army, the day the Korean War ended in 1953. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island, winning the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award. He was an Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity member, International Relations Club member, excelled on the Varsity Track team and participated in many other intramural sports. He then went on to pursue a law degree, an endeavor that was cut short upon his father’s unexpected death.
His father was the founder of the Max Sugarman Funeral Home in Providence. David then became the director and president for several years. This was followed by a long and successful career in real estate where he developed and managed properties in the greater Providence area and in South County. At one point he was one of the largest land developers in southern Rhode Island.
David had numerous interests and passions throughout his life including gardening, collecting oriental rugs, sailing, and opera, having attended many performances. In the Army he was stationed in Governors Island, New York, and took the ferry to Times Square often, where he saw many Broadway productions. He loved being close to the ocean, a passion he developed from childhood when his family spent summers at their Rocky Point beach cottage. He recalled picking clams by the house, eating them on the spot with his father and siblings.
David later spent summers with his family in Narragansett, enjoying the beaches and ocean. In the ’70s, he discovered and fell in love with the coast of Maine. Retiring he moved to Gouldsboro, Maine, and enjoyed years of ocean views on Frenchman’s Bay, near Acadia. He spent winters in Hilton Head, South Carolina
with his wife, Nancy, and their beloved dog Moses. Moses was well known and admired by many.
Jay Sussman, 88 BOYNTON BEACH, FLA. –Jay Louis Sussman passed away on Feb. 8, 2026, at The Barclay of Boynton Beach. He was the beloved husband of the late Sherril R. (Moskowitz) Sussman, with whom he shared 34 years of marriage.
Born in the Bronx, New York, Jay was the son of the late Rubin and Mildred (Yavner) Sussman. He later lived in East Greenwich and Warwick before settling in Delray Beach, where he resided for many years.
Jay was a highly successful entrepreneur whose career was marked by vision, resilience and leadership. Throughout his professional life, he built, grew and led businesses through periods of change and opportunity, earning the trust and respect of colleagues, partners and employees alike. As owner of Metfab Technologies, Inc., Jay exemplified strong business acumen and an ability to adapt and thrive. His leadership extended beyond business, as he consistently brought people together to work collaboratively toward shared goals.
Jay earned an associate degree from Queens College in New York and held education in the highest regard, proudly encouraging his children and grandchildren to pursue learning and personal growth.
He served in the National Guard and remained stateside during his service. Deeply committed to the communities he called home, Jay was an engaged and respected civic leader. He served as president of the Wethersfield Commons community, where his leadership helped guide the organization through growth and change. Later, he brought that same steady hand and experience to the Huntington Point community board, serving as vice president and contributing thoughtfully to its continued development. He was a former member of Temple Sinai and Temple Emanu-El.
Jay was a devoted father to Harris Sussman and
his wife, Debra, of East Falmouth, Massachusetts; Lori Land and her husband, Kevin, of Exeter; and Julie Sussman, of West Warwick; stepfather to Rowena Burke and her husband, Joseph, of Wellesley, Massachusetts; Glenn Ambinder and his wife, Susie, of Katonah, New York; and Harris Ambinder, of Portland, Oregon. He was a loving grandfather to Ariel, Ethan, Samantha, Alexandra, Simone, Jessica, Scott and Julie, and a cherished great-grandfather to Everett and Troy. Jay was predeceased by his sister, Rita Listengart. Contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 245 Waterman St., Providence, RI 02906 or Chabad of West Bay, 3871 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886.
Samuel Zucker, 80 WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT. – Samuel H. Zucker passed away on Feb. 24, 2026, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital in Vermont. He was the beloved husband of Mary (Fish) Zucker for 42 years. Born in Pawtucket, the son of the late Julius and Eva (Smith) Zucker, he lived in White River Junction for 26 years, previously living in New Jersey for 20 years. He was a professor of electrical design engineering with Dartmouth College, retiring in 2015. Samuel was a Vietnam veteran with the US Coast Guard in the mid60s, where he served in the Pacific Theater. Samuel was a member of the American Legion Post 48.
He was the devoted step-father of Aaron Rabinowitz of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. He was the dear brother of Donna Zucker, of Denver, Colorado; Harriet Krasnoff of Boynton Beach, Florida; Diane Sudakoff of Alpine, New Jersey; and the late Suzanne Zucker.
Contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
For more than a century, the community has embraced The Miriam Hospital, enabling us to fulfill our mission to provide exceptional healthcare.
As we celebrate 100 years of healing, health, and hope, we extend heartfelt gratitude to the generations of patients, families, partners, and community members who have stood with us.
Together, we look forward to another century filled with possibilities. brownhealth.org/TMH100
