june / july2011 sivan / tammuz 5771

Building Torat Yisrael’s Future

Welcome, Donna Tarutz! Our New TY Education Director

“It is with excitement and joy that I am looking forward to working with Rabbi Levin, the
professional staff, faculty and the educational community. I am eager to bring my passion for
Jewish education and learning to the Yeladon Program, the Lawrence G. and Frederic Cohen
Religious School and Temple Torat Yisrael’s warm and extraordinary community.”
After a thorough search process lead by TY Personnel Committee Chair, Barbara Karetny and School Committee Chair,
Rachel Silverman, our congregation is delighted to welcome Donna Tarutz as our new Education Director.
In her new position, Donna will direct Torat Yisrael’s K-1 Yeladon program and the Lawrence G. and Frederic G. Cohen
Religious School providing 2nd through 7th grade classes. Both of these programs meet at The Village Lower School on
South County Trail in East Greenwich.
Our new education director brings a wealth of experience and training to our congregation’s professional staff. She
has a BA in Judaic Studies from Brandeis University, a BJE in Jewish Education from Boston Hebrew College and is a
graduate of the highly regarded Hornstein MA Program in Jewish Communal Service at Brandeis University.
With teaching experience in congregational supplementary schools like our Cohen School as well as college level
Hebrew instruction and experience in congregational consulting, Donna brings a wide range of skills and experience
that will make her an invaluable addition to our professional staff.
"Donna Tarutz has earned a reputation among Massachusetts Jewish educators as an experienced, capable educator
with an infectious passion for Jewish learning. I look forward to working with her as part of Torat Yisrael's
professional team," remarked Rabbi Amy Levin. “Hazzan Goldenberg and our Kesher Social Worker Andrea Epstein will
be meeting Donna and exploring ways to collaborate as we prepare for the new academic year.”
We are delighted to announce that all TY members will have an opportunity to meet
Donna Tarutz in person at our Annual Congregational Meeting
Tuesday, June 28th at the 6:30 pm reception preceding
the 7 pm meeting.

Selecting A Construction Company / Developing a Building Plan

The Building Committee had received bids from fourteen general contractors for construction of our new
synagogue building on our East Greenwich site. After reviewing those bids, the Building Committee decided to rebid
the Project with the five lowest bidders. Our Building Committee Chair, Andrew Sholes, developed areas for cost
savings that were submitted to the remaining contractors. The rebids from the five lowest bidders were reviewed by
the Building Committee at a meeting held on May 17, 2011. The Committee decided to pursue further negotiations
with the general contractors that submitted the two lowest rebids. In order for the total cost of the Project to be
within the Building Committee’s budget, they are exploring different construction phasing scenarios. Our Building
Committee Chair, Andrew Sholes, is meeting with the two lowest bidders to refine their estimates. The Building
Committee anticipates selecting a general contractor prior to the Congregation’s Annual Meeting on June 28, 2011.

Currently there are three parties that have expressed an interest in pursuing the purchase of our Cranston facility.
At the Congregational Meeting, we will need to make a decision to move forward to commence construction of the of
our East Greenwich synagogue building. The Committee may or may not have an offer of purchase to present at that
meeting. If no offer is received prior to that meeting, the congregation will need to decide if we should obtain a
construction mortgage in order to commence work or not. Every TY member in good standing is encouraged to attend
the June 28, 2011 meeting at which time the latest details for our Project a will be presented and crucial decisions will
be made.

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Greetings from Susan Smoller, President
Shalom Fellow Congregants,
We have a lot to celebrate!
On June 7th at 7:30 pm, on the first
evening of Shavuot, we will dedicate
our new high holiday prayer books
(mahzorim) that have been generously
donated by Lenny Sholes, a Past President of Torat
Yisrael, and his family. This is an opportunity for us to
partake in the creativity of the rabbis who edited the
Lev Shalem mahzor and enjoy our services in the
coming fall. The prayer books have annotations on
every page and many stories and illustrations of the
significance of the prayers in our daily lives.
Donna Tarutz, an experienced and well-educated
Jewish educator, will be joining our Torat Yisrael Cohen
Religious School as our Educational Director starting
July 1, 2011. This is an exciting time for all of us to be
involved in the education of our children. Those
attending our June 28th annual congregational meeting
will have an opportunity to meet Donna that evening.
We will arrange parlor meetings to meet Donna and
can organize them around your schedules. Please
contact me if you can host a meeting and we will
arrange it! Donna comes with much experience and
we hope you will take advantage of her expertise and
guidance. Please review some of her qualifications in
the front of this newsletter. My thanks to the
personnel committee and the school committee headed
by Barbara Karetny and Rachel Silverman for their
hard work throughout the interview and selection
process. Thanks too to Rabbi Levin for her guidance
and participation.
This is the last month that the Mealsite will be using
our Cranston facility for their cooking of food and
feeding the guests. The Mealsite will henceforth be
located in Temple Am David and will continue to serve
Kesher Corner: Andrea Epstein, LICSW
Andrea is Temple Torat Yisrael's part time social worker funded by the Kesher Program, a joint project
of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Jewish Family Service, and the synagogue. She can be
reached at andrea@templetorat.org or (401) 369-0160
What is out there?
Don’t worry this is not going to be an article about
extraterrestrial life. I was reminded the other day
about the many, many useful resources that Jewish
Family Service has to offer. My work through the
Kesher program is through Jewish Family Service. I
feel lucky to have access to so many resources and
thought I would take this column as an opportunity to
share some of the great programs JFS offers:
Kesher If I have to start someplace I’ll start here! Do
you know that Temple Torat is one of three
congregations in the Rhode Island area that offers
onsite social work services to its community members
in conjunction with the Rabbi? What is more is that
these services are confidential and free. Referrals,
short term counseling, and crisis management are just
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those who are interested. Please contact Temple Am
David for particulars.
On June 5th at 10 am the Sisterhood and Men’s Club
will be sponsoring a free brunch and Rabbi Levin will
teach us about Kabbalah. Please come and let’s eat
and learn together.
We are looking forward to honoring all the dozens of
TY members who contribute hours of time, talent,
intelligence and creativity at our Volunteer
Appreciation Shabbat (June 24, 7:30 pm TY-Cranston).
The service and special Oneg Shabbat are all about
honoring our volunteers and we hope everyone will
come to say a big congregational “thank you” to the
people who keep our congregation alive.
Anita Olinsky will be our featured Volunteer speaker at
this service sharing with us her experience, and
feelings about, being one of our greatest volunteers.
We will hold our annual congregational meeting on
June 28th at TY in Cranston. This will be an
opportunity for us to discuss the state of the new
building, vote on the construction and also to evaluate
our finances and financial priorities. The Building
Committee has been working diligently, under the
leadership of the Building Committee Chairperson,
Andy Sholes, in receiving and refining bids for the East
Greenwich construction. Thanks to all involved and I
look forward to much discussion at the annual
meeting. This is an opportunity for us to thank the
outgoing Board members and Officers and install our
congregation’s new Board and Officers for the year
beginning July 1st.
Please contact me at any time with any comments or
questions.
B’Shalom,
Susan
some of the offerings available through the Kesher
program.
AgeWell Jewish Family Service houses this program
in which JFS, JSA, and the JCC have worked together
to provide free referral services for senior resources in
the community. By calling (401) 223-2335 or (866)
524-3935 you can get questions answered about the
multiple agencies and programs that could help a
senior you know.
Home Care Solutions Home Care Solutions links
Certified Nursing Assistants with those needing extra
help in their home due to age or infirmity. Home Care
Solution CNAs provide services to the community at
large and are specifically versed in Jewish customs,
including keeping a kosher household, which allows
them to be sensitive to the needs within the Jewish
community. You can reach Home Care Solutions at
(401)331-6962
The Counseling Center JFS offers counseling
services to those of all races, religions, genders, sexual
orientations and economic status. Individuals of all
ages, couples, and families can contact the Counseling
Center at (401) 331-1244 to get connected to a
therapist.
Kosher Nutrition Program For the past years
Temple Torat has hosted this noon-time kosher meal
program for older and disabled adults five days a
week. Often there are educational lectures or
entertainment as well before the mealtime. Similar
services are also available at the JCC twice a week.
Also available through the Nutrition Program are
Kosher Meals on Wheels. This program provides
kosher meals to homebound seniors and the disabled
in Cranston, Warwick, Providence, and Pawtucket. The
Kosher food program contact number is:
(401) 338-3189.
Lifeline RI Lifeline is an emergency response system
worn around the wrist or neck. This enables the
wearer to receive help quickly, at the push of a button.
Available in individual’s homes or care facilities, this
system can provide reassurance for all. (401) 331-
1244, ext. 319
Adoption Options Adoption Options, (401) 331-
5437, can educate you and your family about both
domestic and international adoption. One of the oldest
programs at JFS the seasoned staff offer non-sectarian
expert guidance through the adoption process-
including doing home studies.
I started this column by promising not to get carried
away into a discussion of alien life forms. After all, as
listed above, within our own Rhode Island Universe
there are a multitude of resources that warrant further
exploration.
If you have questions about resources, within or
outside of the Jewish Family Service network, please
feel free to contact me. I can be reached at
andrea@templetorat.org or (401) 369-0160. Ideas for
newsletters are always welcome.

Librarian’s Corner by Laura Steele, Torat Yisrael Librarian

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

Make Your Donations to Torat Yisrael On Line!

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

Ways & Means Membership Fundraiser!

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

In Our TY Family
Mazal tov to Billy & Barbara Karetny on the birth of their grandson Benjamin Max, born on May 21st weighing in at
6 lbs 9 ounces and measuring up to a whole 19 inches! Benjamin Max is the son of Billy and Barbara’s daughter
Dana and her husband Joe Fernandez of Newton, Mass.
Mazal tov to everyone celebrating a Birthday in June!
Susan Sidel, Gloria Spivack, Edan Levy, Nancy Bresky, Lani Fleisher, Donna Evans, Andrew Gilstein, Louis
Beckenstein, Martin Dittelman, Gilda Beckenstein and Sharon Gilstein
Mazal tov to everyone celebrating an Anniversary in June!
Nat & Sylvia Safferson (53 years), Les & Fran Cohen (39 years), Stanley & Bella Foster (61 years), Bruce
& Linda Weisman (28 years), William & Ronni Guttin (31 years), Alan & Anita Olinsky (39 years), Harvey
& Judith Silverman (44 years), Andrew & Sharon Gilstein (30 years), Jeffrey & Andrea Kaplan (2 years),
H. Herman & Carole Goldman (55 years), Barry & Pearl Kaplan (39 years), Barry & Roberta Gilstein (40
years), Herbert & Irma Bloom (60 years), Phil & Anita Greenberg (58 years), Marc & Helen Davis (48
years), Sandy & Esta Karp (27 years), Fred & Lois Lury (38 years), Jonathan & Judith Finkle (16 years),
Seymour & Marsha Brooks (40 years) and Larry & Joyce Wacks (26 years)
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May God who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bring
blessing and healing to: Trude Antin, Lucien Arsac, Pearl Gorden, Douglas & Barbara Greenberg (Diane
Greenberg’s brother-in-law & sister-in-law), Myer Grossman, Harriet Landesberg, Peter Letendre (friend of
Rochelle Ziegler), Bonnie Lury, Morton Paige, Zenas & Sara Pulner, Ron Richter, Harold & Sylvia Roggen
(Barbara Karetny’s parents), Louis Russian, Sylvia & Jimmy Shocket, Steve Tragar, Moe Wine and Eileen
Winkler (Rochelle Ziegler’s mother)

Temple Torat Yisrael Email Addresses, Facebook and Twitter

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

Hug N’hamah: Circle of Consolation

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

Shabbat Yachad in East Greenwich:

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

Saturday, June 4th: Shabbat Services at 9:15 am.

Men’s Club & Sisterhood Brunch

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

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

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

Friday, June 10th, 7:00 pm: wine, cheese and a nice schmooze before our 7:30 pm Shabbat Service.

Open House in East Greenwich

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

East Greenwich Shabbat: June 17-18

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

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

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

Annual Congregational Meeting

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

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

Beach Shabbat Service at Goddard Park

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

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

Friday, July 8th, 7:00 pm: wine, cheese and a nice schmooze before our 7:30 pm Shabbat Service.

East Greenwich Shabbat: July 15-16

Friday 6:00 pm early Shabbat Service for all. Enjoy an early Shabbat service and then arrange for a relaxed Shabbat
meal at home with your family and friends.
Saturday, July 16th - 10:00 am: Family Shabbat/Learners’ Service. 11:00 am Kiddush Lunch

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

East Greenwich: Tuesday, August 23rd

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

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 TEMPLE TORAT YISRAEL DONATIONS
March 19, 2011 – May 19, 2011
All donations of $10 or more are listed in the Newsletter
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN In Memory of Paul Bazar In Memory of Edith (Evelyn) Parness
The Capital Campaign list does not include Ira Bazar Mr. & Mrs. Charles Drao
multiyear pledges which will be suitably
recognized at a future time. In Memory of Morris Bernstein In Memory of Rose Richman
Ida Bernstein Beverly Adler
In Memory of Samuel Adelman In Memory of Charles Rosenfield
In Memory of Sadie Birenbaum
Karen Wier Sylvia Levin
Judy & Eddie Steiner
Speedy Recovery to Lucien Arsac In Memory of Eva Rosenfield
In Memory of Frank Brown
Evelyn Nussenfeld Sylvia Levin
Millie Brown
In Honor of Judy & Norman Goodman’s 50th In Memory of Annie Ross
In Memory of Harold Davis
Anniversary Leah Ross-Coke
Marc & Helen Davis
Mimi & Al Feinstein In Memory of Anna Sholes
Clare & Morris Yaffe
Barry & Roberta Gilstein David Sholes
Joy & Michael Gilstein In Memory of Harry Davis Leonard Sholes
Marc & Helen Davis
In Memory of Arthur Karp In Memory of Myron Slobin
Evelyn Nussenfeld In Memory of Robert Fields David & Ilene Bojar
Alan & Anita Olinsky Mr. & Mrs. H. Herman Goldman In Memory of Cantor Jack Smith
In Memory of Alvin Kramer In Memory of Alan Gilstein Sondra (Soni) Meyer
Dorothy Kramer Andy & Sharon Gilstein Michael Smith
In Memory of Gladys Lane In Memory of Morton Gleckman In Memory of Leah Snegg
Alan Olinsky Rosalie Gleckman Susan Bryant
In Honor of Rabbi Levin’s Birthday In Memory of Alan Gilstein In Memory of Aaron Sutton
Evelyn Nussenfeld Barry & Roberta Gilstein Muriel Davis
In Memory of Clara Olinsky In Memory of Yakov Goloborodko In Memory of Lena Weiss
Alan & Anita Olinsky Lina Goikhman Shirley Weiss
Florence Wexler
In Memory of Saul Olinsky In Memory of Irving Greenberg
Alan & Anita Olinsky Marlene & Gerry DiPrete In Memory of Louis Wine
Robert & Robin Greenberg Maurice Wine
In Memory of Sylvia Paige
Evelyn Nussenfeld In Memory of Julian Holland In Memory of Charles Winkleman
Alan & Anita Olinsky Helene & Harold Holland Jerri Labush
Ruth Ross In Memory of Gertrude Winthrop
In Memory of Etta Jagolinzer
Karen Wier Harold Winthrop
Marc & Helen Davis
In Memory of Annie Ross Clare & Morris Yaffe In Memory of George Woled
Ruth Ross
In Memory of David Jewett Stanley & Bella Foster
In Memory of Thelma (Tek) Ross Helene & Harold Holland In Memory of Sabena Zenofsky
Lynn Field
In Memory of Belle Kotlen Rosalie Gleckman
In Memory of Myron Slobin Marc & Helen Davis In Memory of Sarah Zenofsky
Karen Wier Clare & Morris Yaffe Barbara Zenofsky
In Honor of Susan Smoller’s Birthday In Memory of Hilda Kutin JEROME J. KATZ ENDOWMENT
Evelyn Nussenfeld Helen Kutin
FUND
In Memory of Jonathan Winer In Memory of Anna Lasky In Memory of Jack Jessel, Jr.
Laura & Dale Steele Mildred Beck Trudy Katz
ETZ HAYIM In Memory of Bessie Lerner MEN’S CLUB
In Memory of Gladys Malina Schwartz Ida Bernstein Fast Recuperation to Morton Paige
Evelyn Nussenfeld Gloria & Herb Spivack
In Memory of Bessie Lipson
In Memory of Myron Teddy Slobin Leonard Sholes PRESIDENT’S DISCRETIONARY
Toby Gillman FUND
In Memory of Scott London
FLOWER FUND The London Family In Memory of Anne Smoller Finkelstein
In Memory of Paul Safferson David, Susan & Michelle Smoller
In Memory of William Meyerson
Nathan & Sylvia Safferson Paula & Larry Meyerson RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Memory of Myron Slobin In Memory of Milton Adler
In Memory of Nathan Monzack Daniel Adler
Nathan & Sylvia Safferson Judy & Jason Monzack
GENERAL FUND BEATRICE & ALBERT SYDNEY
In Memory of Sylvia Paige ENDOWMENT FUND
In Memory of Evelyn Bazar Seymour & Shirley Ladd
Ira Bazar In Memory of Rose Holland
Eleanor & Mal Ross
Bea Sydney
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