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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. available for me

What programs are

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

June 2009 / Sivan 5769