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2005 June 5765

Inside This IssueFrom the Chairman ........................... 2As I See It .......................................... 3Yuckfest ............................................. 4New Officers ...................................... 6Family Feud ....................................... 7Out and About .................................. 7

A"Schiff-t"

InHarmony

page 3

New Officers, Board Installedby Art Poulten

The Jester of Ceremoniespage 4

The 87th annual in-stallation of Touroofficers and board

members might not havebeen as elegant as it has beenat times in the past, but it wasas impressive as always.

Six newly-elected boardmembers and eight newly-elected lodge officers as-sumed their offices at the2005 edition of the installa-tion at Touro Hall May 25.Two current board members continued on page 6 -Officers

Barry Schiff, Harmony Lodge PresidentEdward Deluty, Friendship Lodge President

Outgoing President of Harmony Lodge, Jeffrey Davis,receives his Past President Sweater

from Chairman Bob Miller.

and past presidents officiated:Brother Stevan Labush as In-stalling Officer and BrotherBruce Weisman as Master ofCeremonies. After enjoying a cateredkosher dinner, the 100+ mem-bers in attendance sat backand listened to the kind wordsBrother Labush had for themen being installed. He alsoset down the challenges they

Incoming president, Barry Schiff, hands outgoingpresident, Jeffrey Davis, his Past President Plaque

for a job well done.

Installing Officer Stevan Labush expresseswords of wisdom to the newly installed

board members and lodge officers.

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www.tourofraternal.org

by Jed R. Brandes

Social

Scene

From the Chairmanby Robert Miller

BigLaughsat theOpen

House!by Andy Lamchick

This spring, Touro was really hopping. Allat The Imperial Room at Rhodes Place hada great night of food and comedy. April sawthe first Touro Family Feud and the An-nual Joke-Off with Burt Fischman. In Maythe membership turned out for "Movin'Out" at PPAC. And new officers and di-rectors were installed.

Touro is cooking this Summer. Liter-ally!

The Annual Dinner Dance was heldat the Venus de Milo on June 11th.

Friendship Lodge hosted the Steak Fryon June 22 which featured guest speakersWHJJ Steve MacDonnald and URI Men'sBasketball coach Jim Baron.

Just in case you need one more steak,the Annual Golf Tournament will be heldon July 25, followed by a Steak Fry.

And if your craving for red meat per-sists, how about hamburgers and hot dogsat the July 31st Touro Family Picnic atButtonwoods?

Still Hungry? The annual outing to seethe PawSox under the Red Tent will beheld August 9. Bring your appetite!

Turn to our website for up to date de-tails:

Touro continues to move ahead on its journey to Har- mony, Friendship and Benevolence. We have just completed another election cycle and our leadership is

in place for another year.This past year was, overall, another good one for Touro. Our investments contin-

ued to do well. Our monthly meetings were well attended, as were the special eventsoutside the building and our involvement in the community continued.

What makes all that happen are the volunteer leaders who put their hearts andsouls into everything we do at Touro. The lodge officers work hard at planning eventsfor the membership. The board makes certain our business is taken care of. Our housechairman, Nate Lury, goes above and beyond making sure that our house is in goodorder. Make no mistake, this is no easy task. (THANK YOU VERY MUCH MARTHA)

What I am really trying to say here is: Thanks to one and all for helping Touro bewhatever it is to each of us.

And what is Touro to you? Have you ever tried to answer that question? I canhonestly say the folks who volunteer here have. We ask ourselves that question all thetime. When we plan social events–we ask. When we talk about community involve-ment – we ask. When we ask for volunteers – we ask. When we lose members - we ask.We even ask when we get new members! So here I am asking again–WHAT IS TOUROTO YOU?

Let us know. We really are interested! At the same time you can fulfill anotherrequest we've made – for your e-mail address. We're compiling a list of all email ad-dresses that we can use to disseminate breaking news and special information to themembership.

Please submit a brief answer to the question of the day: What is Touro to you?Why are you a member? Why do you come to meetings? Let us know if you want tobe more active.

E-mail to: tourofratl@aol.com or freentrprz@cox.net along with your email ad-dress, of course.

LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON

Fraternally,Bob Miller

As the longtime Chairman of the Membership Committee, one of the highlights of my Touroyear is the Annual Open House. Each year we try to top the previous event by bringing ingreat guest speakers, and awarding great prizes for our participating members.

The one staple to a successful evening is our now traditional Open House Dinner of K.F.C.(kosher fried chicken) with all the fixings. Once again, it pleased a crowd of almost 135 members andguests.

We took a different tact during the meeting portion of the evening by having many of the committeechairmen come up to the microphone and describe in detail what their committee does.

After our sumptuous meal, we brought to the stage Comedian Michael J. Petit who demonstratedthe reason he is known as the "Man of 1,000 Voices". He mixed a routine of impersonations, withsome fantastic stand-up comedy. Michael had no problem handling the best of Touro’s hecklers.

After the program, we held a raffle of great prizes for those Touro members who brought a qualifiedregular member guest. Congratulations to Steven White who won a boxed set of cds from FleetwoodMac. It was appropriate for Steve to win as he brought four potential members to the Open House.Several new prospective members had a great time, along with a full hall of existing members.

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In Harmony with Barry Schiffby Jed R. Brandes

As I See Itby Barry Jay Schiff,

Harmony Lodge President

Touro runs smoothly because of thevoluntary contribution of its members.Whether it is a social event, lodge

meeting or board committee, everybody givestime and effort of their own free will and for

the good of the organization. Having completed two years as co-chairman of the socialcommittee, I've often seen my brothers go above and beyond thecall of duty to make our annual and newly introduced eventssucceed. Our recent Open House, Family Feud Night and Joke-Offare only a few examples. Upcoming events such as the GolfTournament, Family Picnic and PawSox Game all originated asvoluntary suggestions as to how we could offer more to ourmembers. I would urge you all to take volunteerism to heart and getinvolved. Come to a meeting, pitch in with meeting set-up orclean-up, join a committee! Your ideas are not only wanted, but areneeded and encouraged. To paraphrase the classic World War Irecruiting poster, Chairman Miller, President Deluty and I WANTYOU!

Eight years ago, on an unusually warm April day, I was infront of my new home with my family. A man and womanwere circling the area with their small boy in tow in a Fisher

Price wagon. They seemed intent upon meeting us (in retrospect,I'm fairly certain that meeting the "new Jews in town" was some-what of a priority for Barry and PamelaSchiff ), but perhaps wanted to size us upa bit more. My wife and I walked over tosay "hello."

We became fast friends (their son,Bennett, is over to play with my sons soregularly, we have offered him a bedroom).One year, at an Israeli Independence Dayblock party, our families were outside theJCC when we happened upon the Tourotable manned by Art Poulten. Art re-viewed the benefits of membership.Prominent in his sales pitch was a descrip-tion of a most significant Touro tradition,"Hot Night." While this did pique our interest, regrettably it is anevent Barry and I have yet to experience. In spite of this great disap-pointment, Barry embraced his membership and immediately be-gan to make his presence felt.

Quickly, Barry was elected Lodge Secretary, and then Vice Presi-dent of Harmony Lodge. Along the way, he served on the Commu-nications, Cemetery and Cemetery Search Committees. He excelledin the role of Chairman of the Social Committee, demonstrating acommitment to detail and hard work. And the results showed! Events

were well planned and prepared and came off without a hitch. Dur-ing his tenure, new events were introduced, with great success.

To this day, active Touro members know that on meeting nights,Barry is always among the first on hand and last to leave, in order tohelp with the setup and cleanup.

Barry also is the driving force behind theTouro Business Directory, the second editionof which is soon to be published.

Outside of Touro, Barry is equally active.A few years after earning a Physics degree fromClark University, he indulged his lifelong fasci-nation with cars, and started Schiff EuropeanAutomobile Literature, buying and selling carmanuals. He estimates that since he began thebusiness in 1984, he has handled over 100,000manuals, an amazing figure when you considerthat he developed the business through adver-tisements in trade publications and club maga-zines. Barry has kept up with the times and now

a good portion of his business is conducted over the Internet.Barry also serves as Vice President of the Temple Beth El Broth-

erhood, which seems to keep him as busy as Touro. But since hedoesn't have to pull a wagon around the neighborhood anymore, hehas just a little more time for all his commitments.

Now that Barry has assumed the Presidency of Harmony Lodge,he likes to remind me that much of this responsibility is mine, as asecond term Vice President. But I don't sweat it. Deep down, Iknow he likes it too much to ever let it all go. At least, I hope.

New Members Initiatedat April Meeting

Pictured left to right: Frank Schatz and Dennis Bryneswere initiated at the April 20th meeting.

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Touro celebrated its 13th edition of the annualJoke-Off April 20th. After the monthly lodgemeeting, the initiation of two new members and

a delicious chicken dinner, the show got under way.Brother Burt Fischman, who flew in from Chicago

to be our master of ceremonies, warmed up the audi-ence with various jokes and funny stories. Seventeenbrothers, both veterans and newcomers, came up to themike to tell their best dirty or clean joke.

Michael Penn, told one of the most memorable sto-ries about an obsessive engineer who tried, and failed,to build his dream summer home. It had one of thelongest build-ups to a punch line in Joke-Off history.Unfortunately, there is no prize for the longest joke told.

After due deliberation, judges Bob Miller, Jeff Davisand Ed Deluty awarded these prizes:

Touro HoldsAnnual Yuckfest

By Lester Nathan

Best Clean JokeHarold Labush

(rabbi and young auditor-Harold's second win in a row)

Best Dirty JokeScott Miller

(lady in a supermarket)

Nice TryAaron Sherman(two good jokes)

Booby PrizeEd Goldberg

(man and his parrot)

As for the Joke-Off trophy, Harmony Lodge wonfor the second year in a row. Our condolences toSteve Dinerman, who had predicted a Friendship vic-tory.

The Joke-Off contestants this year were LarryAlkins, Paul Botvin, Sy Port, Ed Goldberg, RichGlucksman, Harold Labush, Barry Levin, Scott Miller,Martin Page, Michael Penn, Fred Raisner, LeonResnick, Judah Rosen, Barry Shaw, Steven Shaw,Aaron Sherman and Sol Spitz.

Best Dirty Joke - Scott Miller

Harmony Lodge takes trophy.

Best Clean Joke - Harold Labush

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"Booby Prize" - Ed Goldberg

"Nice Try" - Dr. Aaron Sherman,

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faced in the years ahead.Installed for another three-year term on the Board were

Brothers Milton Bronstein, Rodney Locke, Alan Lury, LesterNathan and Michael Smith, all incumbents. Jeffrey Davis, presi-dent of Harmony Lodge for the past two years, was installed for

his first three-year term as a mem-ber of the Board.

Barry Schiff, HarmonyLodge vice president for the pasttwo years, succeeds Davis as Lodgepresident. Steven White begins hisfirst term as vice president. StevenWaldman was re-elected secretaryand Peter Hodosh treasurer.

Edward Deluty, president;Jed Brandes, vice president, andSteven Shaw, treasurer, begin theirsecond terms in those offices atFriendship Lodge. The new addi-tion to that line of officers is AdamHalpern, secretary.

As part of the installationceremony, out-going presidentDavis thanked the officers whoserved with him the past two years.He was given a sweater signifyinghis official welcome into the TouroPast Presidents' Club.

NOTE: The reference to "times past" is to the Annual In-stallation Dinner once held at a local hall, with tuxedos, wives, agrand march, a band, etc. But that was abandoned some yearsago in favor of the Venus DeMilo dinner dance, a more relaxed,informal affair. One of the main reasons: the wives really didn'twant to sit through all those speeches! — ap

continued from page 1

New Officers, Board Installed

Board of Directors-Three-year Term:(l-r) Lester Nathan, Michael Smith, Alan Lury)

Board of Directors-Three-year Term:(l-r) Rodney Locke, Milton Bronstein, Jeff Davis

Thrice!!! Master ofCeremonies, Bruce Weisman,

concludes the ceremony.

Friendship Lodge Officers(l-r) Adam Halpern, Secretary; Jed Brandes, Vice President;

Steven Shaw, Treasurer

Harmony Lodge Officers:(l-r) Peter Hodosh, Treasurer; Steven White, Vice President;

Steven Waldman, Secretary

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BJsOne of the "perks" of Touro membership isa special group membership rate at BJsWholesale Clubs throughout the country.The current regular annual fee is $40. Ifyou're a Touro member you can join for halfthat: $20 a year.

If you're interested, please contact theTouro office by phone, 401-785-0066;email, tourofratl@aol.com; or mail, 45 RolfeSquare, Cranston, RI 02910 and the properforms will be sent to you. Then, bring thecompleted form to the service desk at yourlocal BJs. The membership expires Septem-ber of each year so you'll be charged just aportion of that $20, depending on when youapply.

After that, renew for a full year eachSeptember at the register at the nearest BJs.

It's that simple.

Touro’s Family Feud Nightby Barry Jay Schiff

The survey says success! Over 50 hungry contestants choweddown on hors d’oeuvres and desserts and then took to battleat Touro’s Family Feud Night Saturday April 16th. BrotherSteve Labush was the quizmaster and Brother RichardGarfinkle was the scorekeeper. After grueling eliminationrounds including the inevitable Red Sox-Yankees showdown,Team Maccabee consisting of Shirley and Jack Kirsh, Mindyand Reid Redlich and Ann and Nate Stairman was the lastteam standing and won the grand prize.

Spring Two-fer atRhodes on the

Pawtuxet

Family Feud Winners

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HARMONY • FRIENDSHIP • BENEVOLENCE

Touro Fraternal Association

45 Rolfe Square, P.O. Box 3562,Cranston, RI 02910Phone: 401-785-0066Fax: 401-941-8781E-Mail: tourofratl@aol.comWebsite: www.tourofraternal.org

HARMONY LODGEBarry Schiff, PresidentSteven White, Vice PresidentSteven Waldman, SecretaryPeter Hodosh, Treasurer

FRIENDSHIP LODGEEdward Deluty, PresidentJed Brandes, Vice PresidentAdam Halpern, SecretarySteven Shaw, Treasurer

June 2005

Editor: Bruce WeismanColumnists: Jed Brandes

Edward DelutyAndrew LamchickRichard LevensonLester NathanArthur PoultenBarry SchiffGerald Tebrow

Robert Miller, ChairmanAndrew Lamchick, Vice ChairmanGerald D. Hodosh, TreasurerGerald Tebrow, SecretaryJudah Rosen, ChaplainArthur Poulten, Chairman EmeritusMilton BronsteinMorton CokenJeffrey DavisSteven DinermanAndrew GilsteinStevan LabushRodney LockeAlan LuryNathan LuryLester NathanJoel PressmanBarry ShawDr. Aaron ShermanMichael SmithBruce WeismanIrving Wolpert

BOARD OF DIRECTORS • 2005-2006

Visit Touro's Website at www.tourofraternal.org

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDProvidence, RI

Permit #719

TOURO FRATERNAL ASSOCIATIONP.O. BOX 3562CRANSTON, RI 02910

Annual

Picnic

For more information log onto

www.tourofraternal.organd download the flier or call 785-0066

July 31