May / june 2011 iyar / sivan 5771

Building Torat Yisrael’s Future

Progress on Two Significant Processes
I. Our Search For an Education Director
Under the leadership of Barbara Karetny, chair of Torat Yisrael's Personnel Committee and Rachel
Silverman, Chair of Torat Yisrael's School Committee, our open Education Director position has been
publicized in both Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts. The ad describing the position indicated
that successful candidates should have training in education and/or Judaic studies and should have
teaching and/or educational administrative experience. Five candidates have expressed interest in
this position. A search committee comprised of members of the Personnel Committee, the School
Committee, Susan Smoller and Rabbi Levin was formed. A preparatory meeting clarified the qualities we are looking
for in our new Education Director and questions designed to provide candidates with the opportunity to present those
qualities to the search committee were prepared. At this writing, in mid-April, the interview process has begun and
the field of candidates has been narrowed down. At least one candidate will be invited to visit our school, meet our
parents, faculty and students and sit with the committee for a second interview. We look forward to introducing Torat
Yisrael's new Education Director to our congregational community and to the greater Rhode Island Jewish community
later in the spring.

II. Building in East Greenwich

On April 7th the Building Committee, led by the committee's chairman, Andrew Sholes, opened bids from 14
construction companies. The committee compared the bids submitted by the companies and narrowed the field to a
handful of the most promising proposals. Companies whose bids are not being considered have been notified.
Negotiations have opened with the remaining companies in the hopes of coming up with a plan and a fee structure
that will satisfy the company and meet our needs. The Building Committee is meeting in mid-May to compare the
revised bids.
The question of the hour is, of course: when will we start to build? There are a number of factors that will go into
setting that date: we need to settle on a satisfactory agreement with one company, we need to draw up and sign the
appropriate contractual documents. The company we ultimately engage will need to indicate when they are available
to begin work on our project taking into consideration the projects they already have in hand. We will need to apply
for and receive the appropriate bulding permits from the Town of East Greenwich. Cash flow is always a consideration
at this stage of a project. Those of you who have made pledges to our Capital Campaign are asked to continue to
make payments in fulfillment of your pledges as soon as that is possible for you.
An additional pending issue for Torat Yisrael is the sale of our current building. As of this writing, we have received no
formal offer on our building. There are a few organizations that have expressed serious interest and have visited our
building a number of times. We are hopeful that we will receive a substantial offer in the coming months.

III. Congregational Approvals

Both the sale of an asset of our congregation, like our Cranston building, and the start of our actual building process,
represent major decisions for Torat Yisrael that can only be made by the members of the congregation. As the
groundwork for each of these issues is completed, they will each be brought to a congregational meeting for the
members' consideration and vote

Greetings from Susan Smoller, President

Shalom Fellow Congregants,
I hope you enjoyed a healthy Passover
and enjoyed the once-a-year Passover
food and treats.
As we know, Ronni Guttin will be
ending her career as our Educational
Director this year in order to allow her time to dedicate
to her other career as Camp Director of JORI and to
her family. I hope that many of you will join me in
wishing her well and also at the graduation of our
Cohen Religious School graduates, the morning of May
22. This celebration and reluctant farewell will take
place at the Cohen Religious School campus at the
Village Lower School at 2220 South County Trail in
East Greenwich. The event will begin at 9am and
refreshments will be served.

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The Membership Committee, under the Chair of Beth
Salk and Michael Field, has arranged for an open house
on June 12. This will take place both at the school and
at the house in East Greenwich. Please talk to your
families and friends and invite them to join us that
morning to find out more about joining the Torat
Yisrael family. It would be great to expand our family
Kesher Corner: Andrea Epstein, LICSW
Andrea serves Torat Yisrael’s members through Kesher, a joint project of the Jewish Alliance of Greater
Rhode Island, the Bernhardt Foundation, and Jewish Family Service. She can be reached at (401)
369-0160 or andrea@toratyisrael.org.
Good Grief
Once again Torat Yisrael members have provided me
with a great idea for a Kesher column: Grief. Almost
all of us will experience grief at some point in our lives.
It often brings people together and yet, I think most of
us would acknowledge that grieving is a very personal
experience. Understanding more about grief and the
grieving process may help us be supportive of
ourselves and of one another when the death of a
loved one occurs.
Stages of grief were first described by death and grief
pioneer Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D. in the late 1960s.
This opened a nationwide conversation into the largely
taboo topic at the time about death and dying. While
the stages were not meant to be chronological, they
gave many mourners a way to talk about their
experiences and benchmarks within their process. The
stages, as outlined by Kubler Ross are: denial, anger,
bargaining (for a different outcome), depression, and
acceptance. Interestingly what is becoming clear from
current trends in research is that the five stage model
may not be the most accurate way to look at the
grieving process.
Recent research by George A. Bonanno, Ph.D.
indicates that grief is not only highly personal but it is
highly variable. We do not all grieve the same way.
Dr. Bonanno admits that it may be comforting for
mourners to have clearly delineated stages. In his
writing on the topic though, he speaks about findings
that indicate that the vast majority of the population
exhibit enormous resilience in their grieving process.
He speaks specifically to the idea that there is not a
"normal" way to grieve and that, in fact, sadness is
often intermingled with feeling fine. Substantial
fluctuations between the two states were noted as
well. One of the more surprising findings was the
unexpected feelings of joy reported by those who were
also grieving.
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to include more congregants who can also enjoy all
that we have to offer.
As the weather improves and I am outside more, I
hope to see you in my travels!
Please contact me at any time with any comments or
questions.
B’Shalom,
Susan
These findings on positive emotions among the
grieving are echoed as well in the work of Camille
Wortman, Ph.D. She points out that both positive and
negative emotions can exist side by side and that
positive emotions like gratitude, pride, hope and love
are especially important in helping to balance out
feelings like depression, anxiety, anger, and guilt that
those who are grieving may experience. Additionally,
Dr. Wortman found that positive emotions give
mourners respite and time to recharge. She sites two
ways that positive emotions can possibly be enhanced
for mourners: engagement in activity (even for a
short while) and focusing on what matters in the
present.
These findings certainly give weight to the idea of
letting people mourn the way they need to- even if it
doesn’t look like one might expect. Knowing that
engaging in activity, especially enjoyable activity,
lends a possible road map to those in mourning and
those wanting to support those in mourning. This new
research can give us something to aim for and
removes judgment from the grieving process.
Please note that Dr. Bonanno also describes a minority
of mourners who have either “prolonged grief”- an
extreme and lengthy grieving process, or exhibit a
“recovery pattern”- intense initial grief followed by
acting like they did before the loss but feeling hurt
indefinitely. If either of these describes you or
someone who care about please understand that
further assessment and intervention may be indicated.
If you have concerns, questions, or just want to talk
about mourning I am available CONFIDENTIALLY
through the Kesher program: Andrea Epstein, LICSW
(401) 369-0160 or andrea@templetorat.org. Ideas
for newsletters are always appreciated!
Please note as well that Temple Torat Yisrael has an
ongoing Bereavement Discussion Group on alternate
Thursday evenings that is open to both members and
non-members.
The Cohen School News
Dear Torat Yisrael Families:
At this time of year, we welcome the
springtime, mark the changes in the
earth, gather together as families to
celebrate, and mark lifestyle changes like
commencement and promotions to new
grades and new schools. At the Cohen
School, we have just celebrated our first student this
year becoming a Bar Mitzvah and are preparing for
religious school graduation as we honor 3 graduates
from our school, Aaron Tessier, Elijah Coke, and
Jessica Beckenstein. Graduation will take place on May
22nd as part of our Lag B'Omer celebration at The
Village Lower School. We look forward to celebrating
with all of you.
At this time of year, other transitions also take place.
It is my turn to express a huge thank you to the Cohen
School families and to the entire Torat Yisrael
community. I am honored to have been a part of the
Cohen School for my entire adult life. My career in
Jewish Education began more than 30 years ago as a
teacher at Temple Torat Yisrael. My husband and I
were married at Torat Yisrael, and my children were all
educated in The Cohen School. As this school year
comes to a close, I thank our Torat Yisrael family for
allowing me to join you in the education of our
children, and for the privilege of being a part of The
Cohen School community. As the school has grown, it
deserves a leader who has the time to bring it to it's
potential. My career in Jewish education began at
Temple Torat Yisrael and built the foundation for my
professional present and future. As the executive
director of Camp JORI, I use the skills I have learned
with all of you, and continue to hone my abilities. I
look forward to sharing the continuing maturity of your
children as they progress through The Cohen School.
With affection, Ronni

Librarian’s Corner by Laura Steele, Torat Yisrael Librarian

The Free World: A Novel written by David Bezmozgis has been highlighted as a must read by Barnes and Noble. This
is a family saga in which one daughter, Polina, has left her devoted, upright husband for Alec, a smooth-talking
womanizer now eyeing a teenage girl. Responsible older brother Karl has big dreams but helps the family survive by
getting involved in a shady business. Family patriarch Samuil, who still mourns a brother lost in World War II, remains
firmly secular even as his wife drifts toward the family’s Jewish heritage. Sounds like your typical family problems, but
the Krasnanskys are Soviet Jews who have fled to the West (it’s 1978), and the miracle of this debut novel is how
effectively Bezmozgis (Natasha: And Other Stories) captures both the family’s recognizable tensions and the particular
difficulties of the Soviet émigré experience. Staunch Communist Samuil, for instance, contravened his convictions to
emigrate and remain with his family, while Polina will never see hers again. Having opted not to go to Israel, the
Krasnanskys find themselves in Rome, struggling to arrange visas to the United States or Canada. Bezmozgis fills
their wait with carefully nuanced anguish and hope. Bezmozgis proves why he was recently proclaimed one of The
New Yorker’s 20 Under 40; this is mellifluous, utterly captivating writing, and you’ll live with the Krasnansky family as
if it were your own. This is a highly recommended new read. Enjoy!!!

Make Your Donations to Torat Yisrael On Line!

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

College Scholarships for Students Who Are Rhode Island Residents

The National Council of Jewish Women, RI section will be awarding scholarships to students attending college in the
fall of 2011 who are RI residents.
Grants will be awarded based on evidence of involvement in community service, academic worthiness and financial
need. Students desiring applications should write to Estelle Fradin, 130 Deerfield Road, Cranston RI 02920 or call
(401) 942-4486. The deadline for requesting applications is May 18, 2011

In Our TY Family
Mazal tov to everyone celebrating a Birthday in May!
Laura Kavanagh, Ronitte Vilker, Riley Miller, Samuel Bresky, Joshua Hill, David Wasser, Stacey Weisman,
Carlos Goncalves, Ellen Golden, Lynn Field, Sarah Steele, Joel Westerman, Alan Field, Michael Field,
Harvey Rappoport, Leon Resnick, Ilene Bojar, Ethan Kaplan, Zachary Kaplan, Frank Kosofsky, Barry
Gilstein, Susan Smoller, Jennifer Berman, Jeffrey Salk, Pearl Gorden, Marc Davis, Charles Ziegler,
Lawrence Wacks and Ronni Peltz

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Mazal tov to everyone celebrating an Anniversary in May!
Robert & Laura Sidman (21 years), Michael & Sharon Field (37 years), Barry & Ellen Golden (23 years),
Nathan & Martha Lury (61 years), Jeffrey & Joan Bookbinder (12 years), James & Sylvia Shocket (70
years) and Jeffrey & Cynthia Davis (30 years)
Mazal tov to Josh Greenberg, son of Diane Greenberg, on being recognized at the Providence College vs. Notre
Dame basketball game at the Dunkin Donut Center for his years of volunteer service to the PC Athletic Department!
Josh was awarded a “11” PC jersey for his graduation year!
Mazal tov to Geoffrey and Katy Claussen on their birth of their new daughter, Talya Adele!! Talya was born on
March 16th weighing in at 8 lbs., 7 oz. She has a proud big sister, Eliana! Congratulations to all!
Mazal tov to Eddye Golden who will be attending Emory University in Atlanta this coming academic year. Eddye has
been a much loved teacher’s assistant at our Cohen Religious School the last two years and we know that our
students are going to miss her very much.
May God who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bring
blessing and healing to: Trude Antin, Pearl Gorden, Douglas & Barbara Greenberg (Diane Greenberg’s
brother-in-law & sister-in-law), Myer Grossman, Harriet Landesberg, Bonnie Lury, Lois Lury, Morton & Sylvia
Paige, Zenas & Sara Pulner, Ron Richter, Harold & Sylvia Roggen (Barbara Karetny’s parents), Louis Russian,
Sylvia & Jimmy Shocket, Steve Tragar, Moe Wine and Eileen Winkler (Rochelle Ziegler’s mother)

An Open Letter from Marcia Slobin and Family

Dear Temple Torat Yisrael Family,
We want to thank everyone for your support on the loss of our father Myron Slobin. The outpouring of people at the
funeral, the beautiful job that Rabbi Levin did at the funeral and the Shiva was enormous. Marcia was afraid of being
alone the third night for we both had to go back home and thanks to your Torat Yisrael community Marcia was not
alone. We felt that we had an extended family through the Torat Yisrael. TY may be a small congregation but you are
certainly a family and an extended community in a time of need.
On a personal note, Marcia would like to thank everyone for the continued support.
Shalom,
Marcia, Neal, and Wendy (children of Myron Slobin)

Temple Torat Yisrael Email Addresses, Facebook and Twitter

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

Hug N’hamah: Circle of Consolation

A Bereavement Discussion Group meeting on alternate Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm providing a
supportive circle to bring the emotional and spiritual challenges of grief. Facilitated by Torat Yisrael
member, Dr. Judith Lubiner, a licensed psychologist, and Rabbi Amy Levin. TY members and non-members
equally welcome. Meeting May 12th and 26th and June 16th and 30th.

Knit and Kvetch in Cranston and East Greenwich

Join Temple Torat Yisrael’s knitting circle from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- TTY Cranston: May 1st
- East Greenwich (Village Lower School): May 22nd
Share your knowledge of knitting, crocheting, embroidering and needle-pointing. For more information, please
contact Lynn Field (lmfield593@gmail.com) or Beverly Goncalves (bevsue66@verizon.net).

Blood Drive in Cranston

Another opportunity to observe the mitzvah of Pikuach Nefesh (Saving a Life): blood drive will
take place on Sunday, May 1st from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.
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Annual Spring Bazaar!!
We’re having a Spring Bazaar on Sunday, May 1st from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm in Cranston. Jewelry, Hand-Blown Glass,
Bake Sale, Wickless Candles and more! For more information, please call Elaine at 338-1690.

Shabbat in East Greenwich:

Friday Evening:, Shabbat Yachad: Guest Speaker: John Torgan, Save the Bay
Friday, May 6th: Services at 6:00 pm. Dinner and speaker at 7:00 pm. Cost: $10 adult / $5 child 10-18 /
Children under 10 Free / Family maximum $30. Please RSVP to the TY office by May 2nd; 785-1800 /
Stephanie@toratyisrael.org.
Saturday, May 7th: Shabbat Services at 9:15 am.

Shavuot Pie and Cake Sale

The Sisterhood is having a Pie & Cake Sale! All items are Kosher Dairy. Proceeds to benefit the Capital Campaign and
Social Action Activities. Order deadline is Tuesday, May 10th. Pick up in both Cranston and East Greenwich locations
on Sunday, June 5th. For more information please contact Beverly Goncalves at 714-9297.

Shalom to Shabbat: Unwind and Nosh Before Shabbat Services in Cranston

Friday, May 13th, 7:00 pm: wine, cheese and a nice schmooze before our 7:30 pm Shabbat Service.

Our May Topic: God in our Lives: Illness and Healing

East Greenwich: Tuesday, May 17th
12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch & Learn at T’s Restaurant, 5600 Post Road (in the Benny’s Plaza), East
Greenwich – each participant orders from the menu and we study Jewish sources addressing current
issues. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend!
Cranston/Warwick: Thursday, May 19th
12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch & Learn at the Cozy Grill Restaurant, 440 Warwick Avenue, Warwick – each participant
orders from the menu as we study Jewish sources. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend! Look for us in the back
room!

East Greenwich Shabbat: May 20-21

Friday 6:00 pm early Shabbat Service for all. Enjoy an early Shabbat service and then arrange for a relaxed
Shabbat meal at home with your family and friends.
Saturday, May 21st at 10:00 am. Shabbat Family Experience: 10 am interactive service; 11:00 am family-friendly
Kiddush lunch immediately following.

Schmooze with Booze: Our May topic: Jews and Animals: Domination and Compassion
An opportunity for informal study and discussion with Rabbi Amy Levin over wine, beer, something softer, some good
munchies and an interesting topic.
Wednesday evening, May 25th from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at our East Greenwich house to schmooze with booze!

Shabbat in East Greenwich:

Friday Evening:, Shabbat Yachad: Guest Speaker: Our Own Meredith Karetny! Speaking about her work in the
David Project. a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring strong voices for Israel through
dynamic educational seminars, workshops, and curricula.
Friday, June 3rd: Services at 6:00 pm. Dinner and speaker at 7:00 pm. Cost: $10 adult / $5 child 10-18 /
Children under 10 Free / Family maximum $30. Please RSVP to the TY office by May 31st; 785-1800 /
Stephanie@toratyisrael.org.
Saturday, June 4th: Shabbat Services at 9:15 am.

Shavuot
Tuesday, June 7 / 5 Sivan: Dedication of our new High Holiday Prayer Book, Mahzor Lev Shalem, and Dessert
Reception in honor of the Sholes Family. Tikkun Leil Shavuot Study session will highlight text and music based on our
new mahzor. Rabbi Levin and Hazzan Goldenberg will lead services and teach following the dessert reception. 7:30
pm Shavuot Service followed by dairy dessert break and Tikkun Leil Shavuot.
Thursday, June 9 / 7 Sivan: 9:00 am Shavuot and Yizkor Service
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Shalom to Shabbat: Unwind and Nosh Before Shabbat Services in Cranston
Friday, June 10th, 7:00 pm: wine, cheese and a nice schmooze before our 7:30 pm Shabbat Service.

East Greenwich Shabbat: June 17-18

Friday 6:00 pm early Shabbat Service for all. Enjoy an early Shabbat service and then arrange for a relaxed Shabbat
meal at home with your family and friends.
Saturday, June 18th at 10:00 am. (1 hour interactive learning service)

Our June Topic: Jewish Accessories: The Back Story of Tallit, Kippah and Tefillin
East Greenwich: Tuesday, June 21st
12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch & Learn at T’s Restaurant, 5600 Post Road (in the Benny’s Plaza), East
Greenwich – each participant orders from the menu and we study Jewish sources addressing current
issues. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend!
Cranston/Warwick: Thursday, June 23rd
12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch & Learn at the Cozy Grill Restaurant, 440 Warwick Avenue, Warwick – each participant
orders from the menu as we study Jewish sources. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend! Look for us in the back
room!

Thank you, Torat Yisrael Volunteers! We’ve got a special Shabbat just for you!
Our Torat Yisrael Family will come together on Friday evening, June 24th at 7:30 pm to celebrate our huge cadre of
volunteers. Festive Oneg Shabbat to follow services.

You’ve planned great programs, run great services, produced great printed materials, taken care of our finances and
our land purchase, you’ve helped us donate food and blood, you’ve fed us and entertained us, you’ve nurtured our
children and helped our office run smoothly, you’ve stuffed envelopes and set tables . . . and more! Now we’re
inviting you to an evening of appreciation. This is an evening for all of us to enjoy: to appreciate and to be
appreciated.

Annual Congregational Meeting

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

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