Touro Fraternal honors new officers, board members

LEFT , Touro Fraternal Association Directors AND Officers 2015-2016 –First Row: Steven White, Nathan Lury, Andrew Gilstein, Michael Smith, directors; Max Guarino, vice president, Friendship Lodge; Barry Schiff, director; Judah Rosen, association chaplain. Second Row: Peter Silverman, treasurer, Harmony Lodge; Reid Redlich, Adam Halpern, directors; Alan Lury, vice chairman, board of directors; Jed Brandes, chairman, board of directors; Robert Miller, chairman emeritus, board of directors; Barry Ackerman, vice president, Harmony Lodge; Jason Golditch, treasurer, Friendship Lodge. Third Row: Andrew Lamchick, director; Stuart Solup, inside guard; Andrew Liss, president, Friendship Lodge; Steven Hopfenberg, secretary, Harmony Lodge; Steven Waldman, director and association treasurer; Jeffrey Davis, Bruce Weisman, directors; Michael Levin, president, Harmony Lodge; Norman Dinerman, director. Not Shown: Arthur Poulten, chairman emeritus, board of directors; Brett Boisvert, association secretary; Stevan Labush, Barry Shaw, directors, Jeffrey Stoloff, secretary, Friendship Lodge.

CRANSTON – Touro Fraternal Association, the largest independent Jewish fraternal order in New England, currently in its 99th year, honored and installed newly-elected 2015-2016 Lodge officers and association board members on May 20.

With a renewed level of commitment and a focus on future organizational growth, officers and board members officially assumed their leadership roles at the association’s annual installation dinner held at Touro headquarters, 45 Rolfe Square

Installing Officer Peter Hodosh and Master of Ceremonies Michael Smith conducted the evening’s program.  “Each of the men who stands before you tonight is here as a volunteer.  Please appreciate what that commitment means.  It goes beyond just showing up to monthly meetings, but extends to charting the future course of Touro,” Hodosh said in opening remarks. 

Board Members Jed Brandes, Andrew Lamchick, Nathan Lury, Robert Miller, Barry Schiff, and Bruce Weisman were sworn in to serve three-year terms.  Andrew Gilstein, the final board member to be sworn, fills the balance of a two-year term.

Touro’s two lodges, Harmony and Friendship, also took part in the evening’s ceremonies.  The officers of Harmony Lodge who were sworn in for a one-year term are:  Michael Levin, president; Barry Ackerman, vice president; Steven Hopfenberg, secretary and Peter Silverman, treasurer.  The officers for Friendship Lodge are:  Andrew Liss, president; Max Guarino, vice president; Jeffrey Stoloff, secretary and Jason Golditch, treasurer.

The association’s organizational board meeting was held on June 10.  Jed Brandes was re-elected as chairman and Alan Lury was re-elected vice chairman.  Both will serve a third term. Brett Boisvert was elected association secretary, and Steven Waldman was re-elected association treasurer.  Stuart Solup was appointed inside guard, and Judah Rosen was appointed association chaplain. All will serve one-year terms.

BRUCE WEISMAN is a board member of Touro Fraternal Association.