One last look at 2022 in JRI

2022 is likely to be remembered as a year of contrasts, when we joyously welcomed the return of near-normalcy as the punishing pandemic waned, even while we deplored the spike in antisemitic speech and acts.

Here are some of the highlights – and lowlights – of 2022 as reported in Jewish Rhode Island.

January

Local Jewish leaders reflected on opening up post-COVID, while also saying that online programming is here to stay. Some temples, like Congregation B’nai Israel, in Woonsocket, found that attendance grew substantially when services went online.

Two years after the idea was conceived, the Jewish Roots Project was completed. You can see the installation to the left of the entrance at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence.

February

In the annual camp issue, readers learned about the impact and importance of Jewish camps on local leaders, including Preston Neimeiser, the rabbi at Temple Beth-El, in Providence.

Napoleon Brito, the new director of community security for the Jewish Alliance, gave strategies and tips for staying safe, being prepared and passing on information about antisemitism and other forms of hate.

Temple Beth-El’s longtime executive director Judy Mosely stepped down.

Jewish athletes looked forward to the 2022 Winter Olympics and we read about them in a Jewish Telegrahic Agency story.

Antisemitism bubbled up to the surface in the Mount Hope neighborhood of Providence as a group holding signs with Nazi symbols yelled slurs and interrupted a book reading at the Red Ink Community Library. Several days later, a “Stop the Hate” rally was held at nearby Billy Taylor Park so that community leaders and members could denounce the demonstration and show support for the neighborhood and library.

March

While the war in Ukraine was still in its infancy, Rhode Islanders stepped up to help Ukrainians, including refugees from the bloodshed.

At URI, transgender Jewish educator T. Wise gave the keynote speech at the annual LGBTQ+ Symposium.

April

Rabbi Barry Dolinger and Naomi Baine told readers about their nonprofit Mitzvah Matzos and its mission to help children and young adults facing modern slavery.

Pardeep Sing Kaleka and Arno Michaelis led a conversation on the question “Why do we hate?” They offered healthy solutions to the problem. You can hear them speak on the podcast, “Breakout Sessions: Why Do We Hate?” at jewishrhody.com/stories/breakout-sessions,14401?.

May

The ADL announced that antisemitic incidents hit an all-time high in 2021.

New York Times opinion columnist Bret Stephens helped reopen the Dwares JCC to in-person programming with a speech on the impact of a changing world on Jewish communities.

June

Across the U.S. and locally, people were horrified by the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Harris Chorney became the new chair of the board at the Jewish Alliance.

Tifereth Israel Congregation, in New Bedford, celebrated its centennial.

Rabbi Emeritus Wayne Franklin was honored by Temple Emanu-El, in Providence, with an event that included a concert by the a cappella group Six13.

July

Congregation Sons of Jacob put out a call for friends and family of those memorialized on an old wall plaque in preparation for a celebration of the Providence shul’s longevity.

A popular restaurant in Tiverton issued an antisemitic post on its social media site that caused a storm of criticism – and an eventual apology.

August

Temple Torat Yisrael installed Michael Katz as president.

Tiverton Public Library hosted a well-attended Holocaust education program in the wake of July’s antisemitic social-media post by a local restaurant.

September

Providence mayoral candidates talked up their platforms at a forum at the Dwares JCC.

The Rhode Island Israel Collaborative celebrated five years of fostering business alliances between Rhode Island and Israel.

Rhode Island Kosher Café seniors enjoyed a prom in the Dwares JCC Social Hall. There was music, dancing and attire so fancy that the photos made the cover of the October Jewish Rhode Island.

October

Rhode Islander Nina Karlin reported on her experience as part of a winning team at the Maccabiah World Games.

Kanye West set off a storm of criticism with the first of several antisemitic remarks.

November

Antisemitism continued to be a problem in Rhode Island; the Alliance had 23 incidents reported on its tracker since June.

Alliance president and CEO Adam Greenman reassured the community that the Alliance is vigilant against antisemitism.

Police investigated 80 bags holding antisemitic messages that were dropped in yards in the Oakland Beach neighborhood of Warwick. Similar flyers were found in North Providence. Police said they believed those committing the crime were from out of state.

ABC’s “Nightline” co-host Juju Chang spoke to Alliance donors about hate, her Jewish family and the news.

Holocaust survivor Ruth Oppenheim gave a powerful presentation on the horrors of Kristallnacht.

December

Jewish Rhody Media launched a six-episode podcast exploring interfaith marriage, “Breaking the Glass.” You can listen at jewishrhody.com/breaking-the-glass-page.

A communitywide effort to stand up to antisemitism saw readers decorate a menorah printed in Jewish Rhode Island and display it on a window or door.

FRAN OSTENDORF (fostendorf@jewishallianceri.org) is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.