Hahn memorial: Maintaining the presence of the past

PROVIDENCE — The Judge Marjorie Yashar and Dr. James Yashar Evening of Jewish Renaissance (EJR), scheduled for Nov. 7, 2026, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., will kick off the Hahn Memorial Project, dedicated to the first Jewish person to hold elected office in Rhode Island.

The EJR, one of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s signature programs, will feature diverse learning opportunities, workshops and discussions focused on Jewish life and culture. This year’s theme is inspired by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook’s teaching that “the old will be renewed, and the new will be sanctified.”

Organizers say Kook’s maxim is a reminder that Judaism is a living tradition — one that honors its roots while continuing to evolve. The Jewish people can look to the wisdom, stories, traditions and values of the past. They can find new ways to make them meaningful and relevant today, while also embracing new ideas, creativity and innovation through a Jewish lens. This can take many forms, from reimagining rituals and bringing modern sensibilities to centuries-old mitzvot to finding new ways to connect Jewish traditions and values to contemporary life.

Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association Executive Director Jaime Walden will offer the evening’s keynote address, followed by presenter sessions during which attendees can choose from a selection of offerings.   

Walden will present the memorial project, entitled, “A Memorial Legacy: The Hahns of Providence.”

According to Walden, the project tells the story of J. Jerome Hahn, his family and the role they played in preserving the land that has become part of Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence. The Hahn memorial was dedicated in 1933 in memory of Hahn’s father, Isaac Hahn, the first Jewish person to hold public office in Providence.

“Through this project,” Walden said, “RIJHA has worked to bring this history back to life through a traveling exhibit, educational materials for students, an interactive digital story and a LEGO model of the memorial.”

“The evening’s theme fits very closely with what RIJHA has tried to accomplish with its project,” Walden said. He pointed to J. Jerome Hahn’s writing that “the past must be linked to the present.”

Walden said Hahn understood the importance of preserving the historic place for future generations. Almost 100 years later, he noted, RIJHA continues that work by ensuring the story of the Hahn family, the memorial, and the site's history are not forgotten.

The project itself reflects Rabbi Kook’s idea of taking something from the past and finding new ways to make it meaningful today. It uses technology, interactive storytelling, educational materials and even Legos to introduce this history to people who may never have known the story. We are not changing history but finding new ways to tell it and connect it to the present. In doing so, we are continuing what Hahn believed was so important: preserving the past while making sure it remains relevant for future generations.

To learn more about this event, visit jewishallianceri.org. Session details and registration will be coming soon.

Submitted by the Jewish Alliance Programming Team.