September / October 2010 Tishrei / Cheshvan 5771

Building Torat Yisrael’s Future

Here’s a picture that’s worth a thousand words! As we embark on the New Year of 5771, we look forward to constructing the newly redesigned Torat Yisrael synagogue building in East Greenwich.

Those of you who remember the previous drawings of our new building will notice major changes in the design. The roof structure was redesigned to create a more efficient, simpler construction. The interior of the building remains unchanged and includes a school wing designed with the latest principles of educational setting configuration, an efficient administrative wing, gracious and inspiring public use spaces in the social hall, sanctuary, chapel and library. The lobby of our new building will be a focus of activity providing informal meeting space, a TY café with fresh coffee and tea, a donation and recycling center and more.

Greetings from Susan Smoller

Shalom Fellow Congregants,

What a terrific summer we have experienced! The hot days, the rainy days and all those in between allowed us all

to spend time with friends and family. We are a short way from Rosh Hashanah and at this time I will thank those who work tirelessly to support and help lead our congregation throughout the

year. I take this opportunity and will not be repeating these thanks in my Kol Nidre speech.

We have great rabbinical leadership in Rabbi Levin, who is entering her seventh year with us and has shown her devotion and caring, has taught us individually and collectively over the years and is committed to the future of our congregation within this community.

We are delighted to enjoy services led by our very own Hazzan Devin Goldenberg, our Cantor. Hazzan Goldenberg brings much experience, a

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beautiful melodious voice and a scholarly approach to our services. He has demonstrated his inspiring chants and been able to include us in his harmonious leadership from the pulpit and in the classroom. This year we will be honored to hear Hazzan Goldenberg lead us in some new melodies that he has composed for these holidays. I cannot wait!

We enjoy the school leadership of Ronni Guttin, our education director and under her guidance our children thrive at the religious school and are taught by exceptional teachers. Our librarian, Laura Steele, ensures we have interesting and educational materials and that our students have appropriate literature. We enjoy her monthly book reviews and thank her for her creativity.

I thank Nicole Jellinek for her commitment as our social worker. Many of us have used the resources she provides and been able to receive aid from her and guidance on life matters. I thank Nicole publicly for her years of dedication.

We are extremely fortunate and blessed to have Harold Labush as our Torah Reader. Harold’s weekly Torah readings are accurate and beautiful and allow us all to share in hearing the words of the Torah from an experienced and educated Torah Reader. Yasher Koach.

We are pleased to have Evelyn Nussenfeld, Stephanie Reinsant and Sheryl Ponder working in the Temple office. They make the conduct of synagogue business pleasant and efficient and go out of their way to help us all.

The facilities are well maintained by Paul Pouler. A big Todah Rabah to all!

Thank you to Anita Olinsky, for the long hours she donates to assist in the office and to support Torat Yisrael activities.

The members of our Board of Trustees work hard and diligently to ensure the spiritual and financial future of our congregation. Thanks to all, especially the Vice Presidents and committee chairs who also donate much to keeping us active and involved.

I thank the Sisterhood for undertaking to cook and prepare for the congregational Break the Fast after the conclusion Yom Kippur services. I want to thank the generous sponsors of the Break the

Fast and encourage you to support the Break the Fast or sponsor an event or Shabbat at Torat Yisrael. Members will find a form on the Members Page of the Torat Yisrael website on which you can designate the event you would like to sponsor.

Andy Sholes has led us as Chair of the Building Committee and the site clearance is materially complete. We are finalizing the building design with the architects and hope to put the construction to bid within the next few months. This is a momentous step ahead and one that had been a dream that is finally materializing. Thanks to the entire building committee!

Our capital campaign committee, led by Marc Davis has been working hard to schedule appointments to sit and to discuss opportunities for us to invest in the future of Torat Yisrael and to raise the money needed to make this entire project a reality. We are now asking you, if you have already made a pledge, to begin paying the pledge to allow us flexibility in completing the construction. We continue to make this a building that will belong to all of us and I ask you to be generous and understand the momentous investment we are all making in Judaism, in Rhode Island and in our congregation.

This is an opportune time to thank Barry Golden for his many years as Vice President of Finance. Barry prepares regular financial statements, leads the investment committee and is constantly saving money and realizing new opportunities to stay within our budget. Thank you Barry.

The dedicated volunteers do all their work with the support of their families and I now want to thank the supporting members of the congregation too. I thank my husband David and my daughter Michelle for their generosity in allowing me to spend the time leading our congregation.

I look forward to seeing everyone at shul in the coming weeks and I wish all a Shana Tova!

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

B’Shalom,

Susan

Shanah Tovah from Rabbi Amy LevinThis summer, I began my seventh year as your rabbi. In Judaism, 7 is a meaning-packed number. The seventh day is the day God rested from the work of creation. Seven is the interval of the Sabbatical Year in the Torah when the Land rested from agricultural production. We wrap the tefillin strap around our arm seven times in preparation for morning prayer.

There is much to do here at Torat Yisrael, and I don’t think we are at the point of stopping and resting in our seventh year together. But this might be a good time to stop and look back at our communal life together these seven years: we’ve laughed with comedians at Galkin programs, been elevated by musicians at our concerts, we’ve cried together as we’ve buried people close to us . . . indeed, you were infinitely loving and supportive of me when my father passed away three years ago. We’ve “kvelled” at dozens of bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, confirmations, graduations, and baby-namings. We’ve

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embarked on a period of transition, discussing our hopes, our concerns, our vision. We’ve hugged. We’ve shared, and gotten beyond, hard feelings.

God willing, we’ll keep doing all these things as we share the year 5771 together . . . I pray it will be a year of good health, peace of mind, inspiration and engagement in Judaism for all of us.

Kesher Corner: Nicole Jellinek, LICSW

Nicole is Torat Yisrael’s social worker funded by the Kesher Program, a joint project of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, the Bernhardt Foundation, Jewish Family Service, and the synagogue. She can be reached at (401)338-8301 or nicole@toratyisrael.org.

Under the Day To come back like autumn to the moss on the stonesafter many seasons to recur as a facebacklit on the surface of a dark pool one dayafter the year has turned from the summer it sawwhile the first yellow leaves stare from their forgettingand the branches grow spare

is to waken backward down through the still waterknowing without touching all that was ever there and has been forgottenand recognize without name or understanding

without believing or holding or directionin the way that we seeat each momentthe air

(from The Pupil by W.S. Merwin; Knopf, 2001)

The fall has crept back up on us! By the time you are reading this, children are back in school and Rosh Hashanah is literally around the corner. The fall is a time of transition, of new beginnings, of change. My most significant change is that I will be leaving Temple Torat Yisrael as the Kesher social worker. I have been with you for two years and have been deeply touched by the experience; though I haven’t met all of you, I have met and spoken with many. I have been privileged to share your lives, your struggles and your sorrows. I will stay on at JFS in Providence as the staff administrator for the Kesher program, so will remain “in the loop.” I leave you in good and trusted hands! Andrea Epstein LICSW will

begin as the new Kesher social worker in late August. Andrea has a background in both clinical and community based services and is excited to be joining the Torat Yisrael community. She is expanding her role as clinician in the Providence JFS Counseling Center to join the Kesher program. She will be looking to meet with congregants as an introduction to the TY community, as she takes over planning for relevant workshops and programs. Please be in touch if you would like to meet with her, to say hello and welcome her to the community, or with any questions or concerns. Andrea can be reached at andrea@jfsri.org or at 331-1244.

The Cohen School News Dear Cohen School Families:The school year is about to begin and I am very excited about beginning our second year in East Greenwich at The Village Lower School. Each year, around this time, I think about how appropriate it is that we celebrate the Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year in

September. September is a time for new beginnings…children and adults start new school years, at Synagogues around the world, families worship together after the summer filled with vacations, camp, and visiting relatives, the Torah is completed and reread. New shoes, new pencils, new clothing to replace last year’s outgrown “temple” clothes all show up in various homes. We are blessed with the opportunity to start anew, acquaint anew, and learn anew….

Cohen School Schedule:SeptemberSeptember 9, 10 Rosh HashanahSeptember 12 Teachers Statewide Kroll conferenceSeptember 14 School Begins grades 3-7September 18 Yom Kippur

September 19 Religious School grades K-7September 21 Religious School grades 3-7September 26 Religious School grades K-7September 28 Religious School grades 3-7September 30 Simchat Torah 6:00 in Cranston

October

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October 3 Religious School at Camp JORI grades K-7October 5 Religious School grades 3-7 October 10 No SchoolOctober 12 Religious School grades 3-7

October 17 Religious School grades k-7October 19 Religious School grades 3-7October 24 Religious School grades K-7October 26 Religious School grades 3-7October 31 Religious School grades K-7

Librarian’s Corner by Laura Steele, Torat Yisrael LibrarianA new addition to our library is one that may appeal to both parents and young children particularly at this time of year. Sammy Spider’s First Day of School written by Sylvia Rouss tells about the ever curious Sammy Spider who hitches a ride to Jewish preschool in Josh's backpack. The teacher uses the story of Noah's Ark to engage the children in a discussion about "an important Jewish value"--kindness to animals. But when the little spider is discovered, a child wants to step on him. Josh picks Sammy up, shows his classmates there's nothing to be afraid of, and they then take turns holding him. Josh's mother is proud that he has helped his classmates understand what it means to be kind to animals, and Sammy's mother is happy that her son has made lots of new friends. The illustrations add much visual interest, energy and pizzazz to this story which I’m sure many will enjoy.

Greetings from Some of our Committee ChairsSisterhoodHappy New Year! Sisterhood has several events planned for the next few months. We will be helping to prepare the break the fast supper. We have our paid up breakfast installation on Sunday, October 3rd and on Sunday, October 17th

there will be an open board meeting followed by a mitzvah project where we will make challah covers for the Temple.Ruth Ross and Laurie Tessier, Co-presidents

ProgrammingThe Programming committee has been busy planning a year full of fun events.  We have continued the Shabbat to Shalom’s and Blood

drives.  Both have brought in the crowds even with the beautiful weather we have had.We also held our first Beach Shabbat a Goddard Park. There were dogs and children and lots of singing and howling!!! A good time was had by all. We look forward to making this an annual event.In the immediate future we are hard at work planning and cooking for the TTY Family PICNIC and the Break fast.We have secured funding from the Galkin family and will be planning the Galkin concert for December.Looking forward to all good things. On behalf of the entire Programming Committee we wish you all a Happy, Sweet New Year! Candace Shuman, VP Programming

Of “Green” InterestWeatherization Assistance: Subsidy programs

PurposesThis Residential Deliverable Fuels Program allows for residents who heat their homes with oil, propane, or other deliverable fuels to receive weatherization assistance. The goal of the program is to save energy, create environmental benefits, lower residential heating bills and keep houses warmer. RIOER is offering consumer incentives for residents who heat their homes with deliverable fuels to make energy efficiency improvements through National Grid's EnergyWise program. Under this program, residents who heat with oil and propane will be able to request a free home energy assessment. 

There is a total of $2.3 million allocated to administering the program and providing rebates to Rhode Island residents that heat their homes with deliverable fuels.

How will the program work?Under this program, residents who heat with oil and propane will be able to request a free home energy assessment through National Grid's EnergyWise program. The home energy assessment will recommend weatherization measures that may include:  Insulation of attics, walls, floors, ducts and pipes; Air and duct sealing; Attic ventilation; Installation of programmable thermostats; The replacement of heating systems over 15 years old; and/or The replacement of water heaters over 10 years old. Once the home energy assessment is complete, residents will be able to select a contractor to perform any of the weatherization measures that were recommended after the National Grid energy assessment. Upon completion of the work, residents will be eligible to receive rebates on 25% of the total cost of recommended energy efficiency

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improvements for a maximum of $2,250 per home. This program will not pay to switch the fuel that is used to heat a home.

For more information on the EnergyWise program please call 1-888-633-7947 or visit https://www.powerofaction.com/rireenergywise/

Green Israel Summit 4 at Eden Village Camp, NYGreen Renewal Shabbat for ages 18-40Register today for Green Israel Summit 4: Green Renewal Shabbat! 

When: Shabbat Noach, Oct. 8- 10, 2010

Where: Eden Village Camp, just north of NYCWho: Ages 18-40 A limited number of scholarships are available.

Celebrate Shabbat Noach with stories, lectures and discussions in a welcoming, pluralistic setting. Explore the Jewish back-to-the-land movement and what Zionism means today. Learn about Israel and energy conservation, population growth, suburban sprawl, Negev preservation, and the growing environmental movement. Meet other young environmentally inspired Jews from across North America.

Green Israel Summit (GIS) 4 is run by the Green Zionist Alliance and co-sponsored by The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, the American Zionist Movement and Hazon.

In Our TY FamilyMazal tov to everyone celebrating a Birthday in September!

Sylvia Shocket, Harold Labush, Julian Brochu, Harriet Saltzman, Shasta Charap, Bella Foster, William Guttin, Lawrence Charap, David Inman, Sally Pressman, Sylvia Safferson, Laurie Strauss-Inman, Diane Greenberg, Jeff Davis, Herbert Bloom, Seymour Brooks, Barry Kaplan, Barry Golden, Elaine Shapiro and Harry Wasser

Mazal tov to everyone who celebrated an Anniversary in September!

Matthew & Laura Kavanagh (4 years), Harry & Jeanne Pass (28 years) and Daniel & Rachel Silverman (14 years)

Mazal tov to Frank & Bev Prosnitz on the birth of their granddaughter, Addison Kate Prosnitz. The proud parents are Brian & Katelyn Prosnitz. Addison was born on August 18th at 3:30 pm and weighed in at 7 lb 2 oz.…she is “pure love”!! Mom and baby are both doing good. Congrats to all!!

May God who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bring blessing and healing to: Neil Alterman (Ron Alterman’s father), Lewis Antin, Trude Antin, Robert Donnelly (friend of Evelyn Nussenfeld), Frances Dorsch (Maurice Wine’s sister), David Friedman, Ethel Friedman, Rosalie Gleckman, Pearl Gorden, Douglas & Barbara Greenberg (Diane Greenberg’s brother-in-law & sister-in-law), Maurice Grossman (Myer Grossman’s son), Myer Grossman, Bonnie Lury, Steve Matzner, Sylvia Paige, Zenas & Sara Pulner, Ron & Susan Richter, Harold & Sylvia Roggen (Barbara Karetny’s parents), Linda Rosen, Louis Russian, Jeffrey Sacks, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Sylvia Shocket, Meyer Teya (Marcia Slobin’s father), Steve Tragar, Moe Wine and Eileen Winkler (Rochelle Ziegler’s mother)

Be a Torat Yisrael Lobbyist!Edgewood Food Closet Donationscanned tuna and salmon, canned soups, breakfast cereal, canned vegetables and fruits. Also needed: toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, diapers.

Pick up a great read!Which you’ll find at our Book Exchange corner in the TTY lobby! For a 25¢ donation, you are welcome to help yourself to any book on the shelves and then return it when you’re done.

TYNet Café! Come Schmooze!Torat Yisrael is wireless and caffeinated! Fresh coffee and tea and the wifi password are all there.

Recycle #5 Plastics Here!Plastic containers like medicine vials and yogurt and cottage containers. Please wash containers before depositing in bin.

Kosher Food PantryKosher non-perishables to help support Rhode island’s vulnerable Jewish residents.

Coupon Collection for Edgewood Food ClosetPlease drop your unwanted coupons in the basket near our donation and recycling center.

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Edgewood Food Closet Thrift Shop : You may drop off lightly used clothing at the Church of the Transfiguration, 1665 Broad Street, Cranston. Hours of Operation: Tuesday & Friday mornings 9:00 am – 10:30 am and Wednesday evening 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm.

Temple Torat Yisrael Email Addresses, Facebook and TwitterRabbi Amy Levin: rabbi@toratyisrael.org Hazzan Devin Goldenberg: hazzan@toratyisrael.orgSusan Smoller, President: president@toratyisrael.org Ronni Guttin, Education Director: ronni@toratyisrael.orgNicole Jellinek, Social Worker: nicole@toratyisrael.org Anita Olinsky (Dues Committee): dues@toratyisrael.orgwelcome@toratyisrael.org - Michael Field/Beth Salk (Membership Committee Chairs)facebook@toratyisrael.org twitter@toratyisrael.org and @ravlevinSheryl Ponder, Bookkeeper/Office Manager: sheryl@toratyisrael.orgStephanie Reinsant, Rabbi’s Secretary: stephanie@toratyisrael.org

Are you raising Jewish children…but you’re not Jewish? Don’t do it alone. Join us for Mothers CircleThe Mothers Circle is a free educational and welcoming program empowering non-Jewish mothers to create Jewish homes. Mothers in all family constellations are welcome, and participants do not have to be affiliated with a Jewish institution or have any prior knowledge. The eight-month, sixteen-session interactive curriculum explores Jewish holidays, practices, rituals, and ethics while providing resources and tools for enriching Jewish family life at home. Free childcare is available upon request.

Our third Rhode Island group will be starting in October. For more information please visit

http://www.bjeri.org/DefaultPermissions/OurPrograms/tabid/150/Default.aspx or contact Kit Haspel, Mothers Circle Coordinator, at 401-331-0956 x184 or khaspel@bjeri.org.

Mothers Circle is a national program created by the Jewish Outreach Institute. The Rhode Island program is coordinated by the Bureau of Jewish Education of Rhode Island in partnership with the Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island and is generously funded by the Helene and Bertram Bernhardt Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island.

Hug N’hamah:  Circle of ConsolationA 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 October 7th and 21st

Thank you…You’ve Saved LivesThank you to everyone who donated blood at our Blood Drive on Sunday, August 1st. Ten units of blood was donated that day…each unit can help three patients, up to 30

lives may be saved!

Selichot – September 4th In 2009, film maker Peter Rodger travelled the globe with a camera and a question, “What is God?” We will begin this year’s Selichot evening viewing and discussing the result of that journey.Our spiritual preparation for the Days of Awe continues with the moving Selichot service. Please join Rabbi Levin and Hazzan Devin M. Goldenberg for this beautiful service. We will also dedicate the new

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memorial plaques for our sanctuary and change our Torah mantles to their austere white. Saturday evening, September 4th at 8:30 pm.

Memorial Service at Lincoln Park CemeteryJoin us on Sunday, September 5th at 5:00 pm to gather as a community to recite psalms and memorial prayers at the graves of our loved ones . . . a lovely pre-High Holiday tradition.

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The Days of Awe 5771Schedule of Services

Rosh HashanahWednesday, September 8th / 29 Elul

Ma’ariv (Evening) Service: 6:45 pmThursday, September 9th / 1 Tishrei

Shaharit (Morning) Service: 8:30 amFamily Service: 10:00 am followed by supervision for young children: 11:30 amTashlich Picnic: 5:00 pmMinhah / Ma’ariv (Afternoon / Evening) Services: 6:45 pm

Friday, September 10th / 2 TishreiShaharit (Morning) Service: 8:30 amSupervision for young children (free play)

Yom KippurFriday, September 17th / 9 Tishrei

Kol Nidrei / Ma’ariv (Evening) Service: 6:15 pm

Saturday, September 18th / 10 TishreiShaharit (Morning) / Yizkor (Memorial) Service: 8:30 amFamily Services: 10:00 am followed by supervision for young children: 11:30 amMinhah (Afternoon) / N’ilah (Concluding) Services: 5:30 pmGroup Shofar Blast, Havdalah and Community Break Fast: 7:47 pm

Sukkot-Simhat TorahWednesday, September 22nd / 14 Tishrei: 7:30 pm Erev Sukkot ServiceThursday, September 23rd / 15 Tishrei: 9:15 am Sukkot ServiceFriday, September 24th / 16 Tishrei: 9:15 am Sukkot ServiceWednesday, September 29th / 21 Tishrei: 6:30 am Hoshannah Rabbah Service

7:30 pm Erev Shemini Atzeret ServiceThursday, September 30th / 22 Tishrei: 9:00 am Shemini Atzeret and Yizkor

6:00 pm Simhat Torah ServiceFriday, October 1st / 23 Tishrei: 9:15 am Simhat Torah Service

Calling all shofar blowers!

Start practicing your t’kiah g’dolah!We need YOU (any age, any stage) and your shofar

To mark the end of the Yom Kippur Fast Saturday, September 18th at 7:47 pm!

Followed by . . . Torat Yisrael’s Annual Yom Kippur Break Fast

No need to worry about where your next meal is coming from! Join all of the Torat Yisrael Family for our truly delicious Yom Kippur Break Fast!

RSVP to the TY office by Monday, September 13th; 785-1800.

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Upcoming TY EventsSeptember

Cohen School Students! Welcome back!First day of class: Tuesday, 9/14/10 for grades 3-7 and Sunday, 9/19/10 for grades K-2 at the Lower Village School, 2220 South County Trail, East Greenwich.

Sock Hop and Pizza PartySunday, September 26th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. We hope you’ll come celebrate Sukkot with our Torat Yisrael Family at our traditional Pizza in the Hut! Cost: $3 per person / $10 family maximum. (See enclosed flyer).

October

Paid Up Sisterhood and Men’s Club Breakfast, Sunday, October 3rd

Please join us for our Sisterhood and Men’s Club Paid up Breakfast. We will hold our installation as well as other surprises! If you are not a paid up member of the Sisterhood or Men’s Club you can join now or dues ($18.00) can be paid at the door. RSVP to Anita Olinsky at 785-1800 by September 28th. (See enclosed flyer).

Our October Topic: Joining the Jews: Judaism and ConversionEast Greenwich: Tuesday, October 5th 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, October 7th 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!

Shalom to Shabbat: Unwind and Nosh Before Shabbat ServicesJoin us on Friday, October 8th at 7:00 pm for wine and cheese before our 7:30 pm Shabbat Service.

Sisterhood Mitzvah Project and Open Board Meeting, Sunday, October 17th Sisterhood will have an open board meeting followed by a mitzvah project where we will make challah covers for our congregation. Please feel free to join us….we’d love to have you!

November

Save the Date!On Saturday, November 13th at 6:30 pm at TY Cranston join us for an evening of nachas, nuptials, nosh and nonsense! Auction and Dinner Theater: “Steve and Elaine Get Married!”

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