Paul Barrette, executive director of Jewish Seniors Agency; Jeff Padwa, JSA president; Susan Bazar, outgoing president, and Jeffrey Savit, CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, at the JSA annual meeting. /Matt ElsworthWARWICK – “Honor thy father and thy mother” was the theme at the Jewish Seniors Agency’s annual meeting; the Fifth Commandment has been the focus of the agency’s mission for more than a century.

Lauren Friedman /AMY SCHWARTZPROVIDENCE – Life can be a marathon – and sometimes that can be a good thing.  Just ask Lauren Friedman, 28, who competes in half-marathons across the country.

Widespread protests in Turkey are threatening the decade-long rule of Islamist Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, raising questions over his ambitions to transform his country.

Patriot Guard riders stand at attention during the Memorial Day observance. /Courtesy of the Warwick Beacon

WARWICK – To some people, Memorial Day means the beach, barbecues and the unofficial start of summer.  To many others, however, Memorial Day has another meaning – it is a time to honor those who gave of themselves for their country.

Some of Sisterhood’s former leaders gather: Nancy Lovett, left, Nancy Riffle, Gaye Belsky-Gluck, Leslie Chazan, Sherry Levine Singer, Barbara Horovitz Brown, Carol Desforges, Phyllis Goldberg and Sherry Cohen at the centennial celebration. /Elaine SandyPROVIDENCE – At Temple Beth-El’s Sisterhood’s 100th anniversary celebration, which included an annual meeting and installation of new officers and board members, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras lauded the “organization that … has strengthened families and neighborhoods.” 

Natalie Weiner, left, Maxine Goldin and Joanne Summer gather at Ledgemont Country Club before The Miriam Hospital Women’s Association annual luncheon. /Nancy KirschPROVIDENCE – “Diamonds take light and reflect it back,” said Temple Beth-El’s Rabbi Leslie Y. Gutterman, in describing Joanne Summer, who was honored at The Miriam Hospital Women’s Association’s annual meeting. “That’s our Joanne … a diamond. She loves to give … her time and treasure.”

Alan Elsner /Alan ElsnerPROVIDENCE – Alan Elsner, vice president of communications for J Street, will speak on “From Journalist to Activist: How One Reporter Chose to Advocate for Peace in the Middle East,” which reflects his journey from a 30-year career in journalism to advocating for peace in the Middle East as a J Street official.

Ed Feldstein, Steve Rakitt and Michael Dressler at the HERC gala /Andre Blais PhotographyCRANSTON – Although the organization has a somber mission – to teach the history of the Holocaust in order to promote human dignity and justice and to serve as a memorial to its victims – the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Rhode Island knows how to throw a festive party.