Rhode Island Jewish Mother's Day Features, page 13 >*f'C~ ~ HERALD The Only English-Jewish Weekly in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts VOLUME LXXVI, NUMBER 24 35t PER COPY =Bishop Hunt: The Holocaust Museum Crusader For Unity==== Jerusalem, may those who love you be at peace.' "Bishop Hunt was chosen be­ cause of his ongoing crusade within the Christian Jewish Community," explained Barbara Caslowitz of Is­ rael Bonds. "He fostered the Abra­ hamic Accord program which has helped to develop much better rela­ tions between Christians and Jews. He has taken several trips to Israel and has developed a deep love for Israel and her people." "I was very surprised when they (New York Israel Bond Office) called me about the award," Bishop Hunt explains. "It was a great sur­ prise, a pleasant one, I must say, and totally unexpected. "I think I've been over-honored by the Jewish community," he Jenny Klein, chairperson of the Rhode Island Holocaust modestly states. Memorial Museum, reenacts a ritual performed at Nazi Bishop Hunt was the recipient of concentration camps as part of her effort to educate local youths last years NCCJ Brotherhood about the Holocaust. The students here are shown being Award, he was also honored three randomly sent to the left or right, just as Jews in concentration years ago with the Never Again camps were chosen to live or die. See story and photos, page 9. Award. The most outstanding as­ pect of the Bishop's involvement in the Jewish community is the Abra­ Touro Fraternal Appoints hamic Accord program which he fostered several years ago. Hodosh As Administrator "The Accord has been the key­ stone of [my involvement in the CRANSTON, R.l. - Touro served as clerical assistant and Jewish community]," Hunt ex­ Fraternal Association, one of the steward for many years and in plains. "There are two significant largest independent Jewish these capacities has worked closely strands of my interest in Israel and fraternal orders in New England, with the office manager/secretary. has taken steps to centralize its The transition should go very lli1,bop George N. Hunt III Judaism. The accord is the more substantive theological exploration clerical and office functions by smoothly." of Jewish and Christian [theologi­ creating the position of Hodosh has been an active by Sandra Silva Mount," he said, "where the West­ cal] issues. We focus on the mean­ Administrator. member of the Association for "We went down into an area in ern Wall is, and look up at Mount iDgs of words and how the same Gerald D. Hodosh of Cranston some time. He also is an elected the [Israel] coastal plain which, ac­ Moriah. where both temples words are interpreted differently has been appointed to the new officer of Touro, treasurer, a post cording to the best estimates, is stood and where Abraham took Is­ in Christianity and Judaism. post, according to Arthur Poulten, he has held for 25 years. where the battle between David sac to be sacrificed you realize that Through this we try to foster a chairman of the Association's "The board felt the timing of the and Goliath took place. We walked the same rock where that sacrifice greater uuderstanding between board of directors. creation of the new position was across the valley and through the would have taken place is the same these two communities. "The board feels," he said, "that appropriate since we recently stream bed where David is sup­ rock that both temples were built "As a spin-off from that," he con­ consolidation of all the moved into our new headquarters," posed to have slain Goliath. I had a upon. Now, the Mosque of Islam is tinued, "we are studying a lot of responsibilities for the day-to-day Poulten said. "We feel we can Bible with me," explained the Rt. built on that rock, and it is also doctrinal issues and what they operation!,, of Touro will benefit preclude many operational delays Reverened George Hunt, Bishop of where Mohammed was reputed to mean in Judaism and in Christian­ our members and the Association caused by the previously have taken off on his bicycle to the Episcopalian Diocese of Rhode ity. as a whole." fragmented set up. That means Island, "and I began to read heaven. In the light of all this, it "The second strand is an ever Hodosh assumes all duties sick benefit claims, death benefits, through the passages where the begins to take on a whole different deepening interest in the state of previously held by the office new member applications and Jews began to fight off the meaning to you. Israel." manager/secretary, the clerical other paperwork will be processed Philistines. "Then you see people praying at When the Bishop speaks of his assistant and the steward. He will faster. Day-to-day questions can "While standing there, reading, I the Western Wall, Jews and Chris­ experiences in Israel, it is not with­ be responsible for all Association be answered or directed to the could see the Israelites lined up tians praying together," he empha­ out a great amount of awe. The paperwork and for the general appropriate people with minimal over here and their enemy lined up sizes. "You get caught up in the love and respect that he holds for operations of Touro's new delays. over there when out comes this gi­ space that is there, and the ambi­ Israel is evident in the shining of headquarters building (at 45 Rolfe "Touro and its members can ant of a man. ence that is there. his eyes and the joy that dominates Square) here. only benefit from Gerry's "You can imagine the fear this "These experiences... just change his voice as he speaks of his experi­ "It seemed only natural to the experience and his dedication," he must have engendered on the Is­ the meaning of all those [biblical] ences and of the Abrahamic Ac­ board that Gerry assume this new said. raelite side when out comes little passages we study and you begin to cord program that grew from them. role," Poulten explained. "He has David with his slingshot, marching see them in new ways. The nuances "My first Israel trip was arranged up to meet this fellow and he that are in the language begin to by Rabbi Gutterman and Mel walked right up that stream bed leap out bringing the scriptures Alperin, both of whom I had be­ where I was standing. You get a into the light of a new perspective. come friends with," he recalls. stronger sense for what that meant These experiences are so moving "They both thought it would be a than you could ever get from read­ and have so much of an effect on good idea for me to see Israel, and ing it or having someone tell you your spiritual development that it so it was arranged that I join a Fed­ about it.. just can't be ignored." eration sponsored tour. Originally, " ... Capemum .. .. ....you stand Bishop Hunt has not ignored the I was supposed to go with a group there and can't help but be awed by stirrings that Isreal has created in of Christian leaders, but I told the fact that you really are in a holy him. On Monday, May 8, 1989 he them that I would prefer to go with place .... made holy by the centuries is being awarded the Israel Bond a Jewish group. and centuries of Christians and Gates of Jerusalem Medal, given in "I was the only Gentile in my Jews who have walked that land, recognition of his exceptional lead­ group,"he laughs. "I went with a and walked it in a religious con­ ership in support of the State of great group of people and made ten.11 Israel and in appreciation of his some superb friends. We had a ball! With all the passion and vi­ friendship for the Jewish people. "And," he stresses, "I got a much brancy that comes from discussing Inscribed on a plaque beneath different perspective [religiously) a truly moving experience, Bishop the medal, both mounted on a bed of Isreal than I would have gotten Hunt continued to speak of his Is­ of royal blue velvet and framed, is rael forays. line 6 of the !22nd psalm which 1( '11nlimwd on pn1,tl' 1:,) "When you go to Temple reads, 'pray for the well-being of '.l - - THE RHODE ISLAND HERALD, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989 Wolf Blitzer Speaks At Bond Reception (__ L_o_c_a_I _N_e_w_s_______ __,] Dvorah Dayan Club Jewish War Veterans Temple Emanu-EI Dvorah Dayan Club of Na'Amat - Post 23 The Annual Paid-Up Sisterhood USA will hold its May meeting on Luncheon will take place on Jewish War Veterans Post 23 Monday, May 15 at 7:45 p.m. at Thursday, May 18, at noon at will hold a dinner meeting on the home of Lynn Stepak, 14 Temple Emanu-El on Morris Wednesday, May 17, 1989 at Astral Ave., Providence, (off Avenue, Providence. Luncheon Eileen Darling's Restaurant in Sessions St., between Wayland will be followed by a musical Seekonk, Mass. at 7 p.m. At this and Cole Avenues). Preparations program featuring Sandra Evans meeting we will have election of for Annual Dinner and Installation of Sharon, MA. officers. This will be our final of Officers to be held on June 19 at Sandra Evans is both a concert meeting for this season. Mark your Highland Court will be discussed. pianist and entertainer performing calendars for our 61st Annual Guest speaker for this meeting in both piano and voice.