Touro Fraternal Association celebrates 100 years of good deeds and fraternity

WARWICK – More than 350 people paid tribute to the accomplishments of the past 100 years and looked forward to an even brighter future for the Touro Fraternal Association at its Centennial Gala, held at the Crowne Plaza on Sept. 16.

Touro has provided support for those in need for a century, while also providing Jewish men with fraternity and community. With more than 500 members, Touro is the largest independent Jewish fraternal association in the Northeast.

To commemorate the centennial, Touro donated $15,000 to the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, in Providence.  The gift was accepted by Judge Ed Newman, the president of the center’s board of directors and a Touro member.

Andy Lamchick, chairman of Touro’s Community Involvement Committee, also announced the donation of automated external defibrillators to The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence and Shalom Apartments, both in Warwick, and the Providence Hebrew Day School.  Touro has donated dozens of defibrillators to police and fire departments, senior agencies and synagogues over the years as part of its charitable efforts.

In honor of the centennial, Touro also provided funding for Oneg Shabbats in synagogues throughout Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts on the weekend of the gala.

Offering congratulations were U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, a Touro member; Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee and Cranston Mayor Allan Fung.  Greetings from Israel were delivered by Avi Nevel on behalf of the Israeli consul general to New England.       

Bruce Weisman, chairman of the Centennial Committee, which has been meeting regularly to plan a host of anniversary activities, opened the program. Jed R. Brandes, the chairman of the board of directors, then spoke about Touro’s history and paid tribute to Jacob A. Eaton, Touro’s founder and first chairman.

“Touro is an organization centered around Judaism.  We often take that for granted, as we’ve grown up in a free society.  But let’s not lose sight of the fact that there are still many countries in this world where a Touro Fraternal Association could not exist,” Brandes told the gathering.  “Imagine how difficult it must have been for our founder, Jacob Eaton, the first Jewish member of the Rhode Island General Assembly, to push a charter through the legislature creating a Jewish fraternal association.  But from that point forward, the core tenet of our association has been caring for our brothers and their families.”

Brandes, the 13th chairman in Touro’s 100-year history, read tributes from past board chairmen Arthur Poulten and Robert D. Miller, whom Brandes described as “the two giants of modern-day Touro.”

Poulten, who served as chairman from 1989 to 2001, said he was proud that younger members of the association are stepping up.

“Many of our new members want to serve on committees and even as officers.  With them come new ideas for programs and to bring in new members,” Poulten wrote. “It bodes well for the future – perhaps for the next centennial.”

Miller, who chaired the board from 2001 to 2013, highlighted the importance of Touro in his written remarks.

“Touro has been a common ground for all to meet, help a brother in need, share stories and break bread under the founding principles of harmony, friendship and benevolence,” he wrote.  “This is a celebration of 100 years of unbelievable dedication of Jewish men to a volunteer organization. Through the efforts of our founders, predecessors, and current and future brothers, I congratulate them all.”

A time capsule was unveiled and then filled with items from Touro members, including notes from guests at the gala. Adam Halpern and Jeffrey Stoloff are co-chairing this project; the time capsule will be sealed at the conclusion of the year-long celebration and opened in 50 years. 

All of the gala guests received a 48-page program book that outlined the history of the organization, including its many meeting places before a permanent home was established on Rolfe Street in Cranston in 1989.  The book was researched and written by Larry Berman and Bill Troberman.

The evening concluded with a performance by Tom Cotter, a national touring comedian and Providence native who was a finalist on “America’s Got Talent.”  Local comic Charlie Hall served as the master of ceremonies. 

For more information about the Touro Fraternal Association, go to www.tourofraternal.org, e-mail to info@tourofraternal.org or call 401-785-0066.

LARRY BERMAN, a member of Touro Fraternal Association, helped research and write the Centennial Gala program book.