FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Torat Yisrael really moving to East Greenwich?

Yes! Despite the stalled economy, substantial pledges are still being made and work with
our architects, landscape designers, kitchen designers and interior designers
continues. As of this writing we have secured a Special Use Permit and a first round
Master Plan Approval from the Township of East Greenwich as well as approval of our site
plans from the Department of Environmental Management. We look forward to announcing a date
for our festive ground-breaking ceremony for some time after the High Holidays.

Is is true that Torat Yisrael’s Cohen Religious School is moving

to East Greenwich this coming year?
Yes! We are grateful to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in East Greenwich for hosting our Yeladon Kindergarten/First
Grade class this past academic year. This pilot program in East Greenwich was so successful we sought space in East
Greenwich to house all of our classes from kindergarten through 7th grade.
We are delighted and grateful to announce that the Yeladon K-1 class and the
entire Frederic G. and Lawrence G. Cohen Religious School will be hosted at the
Village Lower School, 2220 South County Trail, East Greenwich for the 2009/10 -
5770 academic year! Our classes will meet on Sunday mornings (k-7th grade) and
Tuesday afternoons (3rd-7th grades).

Are interfaith families welcome at Torat Yisrael?

Yes! We embrace any non-Jewish spouse and/or parent who is supportive of the Jewish identity and faith of their
spouse and children. Rabbi Levin, our education director, Ronni Guttin, our officers, board and general membership
look forward to sharing the Judaism we love with all non-Jewish spouses or parents. Indeed, we have done so for
many years.
At Torat Yisrael, there are many opportunities for involvement for everyone in the family in services, educational and
social events as well as family celebrations like bar and bat mitzvah.

What does the term "family" mean at Torat Yisrael?

The more important question is "what does "family" mean to you? Single parent families, interfaith
families, same-sex partners with or without children, mom, dad and kids . . . if you consider yourself a
family, we embrace you as a family and we look forward to integrating you into our broader Torat Yisrael family.
What are some of the family-oriented programs we might enjoy at
Torat Yisrael?
The Jewish Sabbath, Shabbat, is the heartbeat of our congregation. We hold Shabbat services every Friday evening and
every Saturday morning. Two services a month are especially designed to engage every generation of our
congregation: The first Shabbat morning of the month is Shabbat Yachad / Shabbat Together. This special
Sabbath morning program offers us varied and engaging Shabbat experience during which we choose meditation,
traditional services, contemporary ethics discussions, text study, a communal lunch and singing. It's
a great time for us to attend a learner's service with our children or engage with adults in
alternative liturgies.
The third Friday evening of the month we hold Simchat Shabbat / The Joy of
Shabbat. We begin with an early family-oriented Shabbat dinner and then continue with
an informal, interactive service.
All of our holiday celebrations are family-friendly and offer opportunities for children and adults to learn and
experience together.

I am not the parent of school-age children. What programs are

available for me
Once a month, Rabbi Levin joins a lively group of people at a restaurant in East Greenwich for Lunch & Learn. The
subject is always a contemporary issue of interest (we've discussed Jewish Anger Management; Jewish mothers; Israel
and Us; Alcohol in Jews and much more). We each order off the restaurant menu and enjoy a stimulating learning
lunch. The group generally meets the third Tuesday of the month. See www.toratyisrael.org for date and location.
Shabbat Yachad, described above, is designed for every generation and every interest, which includes our young
families, our empty nesters, singles, couples . . . everyone!
Torateinu: Where Judaism is An Open Book! is our adult learning program. Each year, Rabbi Levin offers a
series of learning and discussion opportunities Sunday mornings in Cranston as well as at other times in East
Greenwich to satisfy a range of interests and personal learning goals. Members are welcome to request specific
subjects, times and venues.
Our calendar is full of opportunities to get together and enjoy each others company: this past year we enjoyed a
Sunday afternoon art auction, a packed-house concert by pianist George Winston, a fashion show at Coldwater Creek
and more.

Torat Yisrael is a Conservative congregation. Are

members expected to keep the Jewish dietary laws of
kosher food and observe a traditional Shabbat?
There are no standards of home or personal observance imposed on the members of Torat Yisrael.
We hope that you will consider membership in Torat Yisrael as an opportunity to embark upon or to
continue your own personal Jewish journey as well as your family's Jewish journey. You will find
encouragement and information no matter what aspect of Judaism you wish to explore. You will
never feel judged here for what you do or don't do Jewishly.
Rabbi Levin makes sure that everything that takes place under the auspices of our congregation, on
site or off site, is in compliance with the highest standards of Conservative Jewish practice. This is a point of pride for
our congregation and also provides us with many opportunities to learn and practice together as we prepare for and
participate in congregational events.
 Is Rabbi Levin moving to East Greenwich with the
congregation?
Yes! Rabbi Levin has helped us to envision Torat Yisrael as a place of welcome, opportunity and
energy for everyone interested in an engaging Jewish experience since her arrival in July 2004. She
has also devoted a great deal of time, effort and energy to advancing our move to East Greenwich.
Our rabbi is currently in the first year of a five year contract with us and she will, therefore, serve
our congregation with her signature enthusiasm and warmth until at least the summer of 2013.
Rabbi Levin looks forward to hearing from you: rabbi@toratyisrael.org

Who is Torat Yisrael’s Education Director?

Our Frederic G. and Lawrence G. Cohen Religious School, including our Kindergarten-1st Grade
Yeladon program and our Cohen School classes from 2nd through 7th grades are all under the
inspiring direction of Ronni Saltzman Guttin. Ronni is well-known in the Rhode Island Jewish
Community as the director of Camp JORI. Ronni brings professionalism and warmth to all that she
does. Under her guidance, our school flourishes as a family-centric educational resource for all our
children and all their parents! Contact Ronni at: ronni@toratyisrael.org

June 2009 / Sivan 5769