September / October 2010 Tishrei /

Cheshvan 5771

Building Torat Yisrael’s

Future

Here’s a picture that’s worth a thousand words! As we embark on the New Year of 5771, we look forward
to constructing the newly redesigned Torat Yisrael synagogue building in East Greenwich.

Those of you who remember the previous drawings of our new building will notice major changes in the
design. The roof structure was redesigned to create a more efficient, simpler construction. The interior of
the building remains unchanged and includes a school wing designed with the latest principles of
educational setting configuration, an efficient administrative wing, gracious and inspiring public use spaces
in the social hall, sanctuary, chapel and library. The lobby of our new building will be a focus of activity
providing informal meeting space, a TY café with fresh coffee and tea, a donation and recycling center and
more.

Greetings from Susan Smoller

Shalom Fellow Congregants, year. I take this opportunity and will not be
repeating these thanks in my Kol Nidre speech.

What a terrific summer we We have great rabbinical leadership in Rabbi

have experienced! The hot
days, the rainy days and all
those in between allowed us all
to spend time with friends and family. We are a
short way from Rosh Hashanah and at this time I
will thank those who work tirelessly to support
and help lead our congregation throughout the
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Levin, who is entering her seventh year with us
and has shown her devotion and caring, has
taught us individually and collectively over the
years and is committed to the future of our
congregation within this community.
We are delighted to enjoy services led by our
very own Hazzan Devin Goldenberg, our Cantor.
Hazzan Goldenberg brings much experience, a
beautiful melodious voice and a scholarly
approach to our services. He has demonstrated
his inspiring chants and been able to include us in
his harmonious leadership from the pulpit and in
the classroom. This year we will be honored to
hear Hazzan Goldenberg lead us in some new
melodies that he has composed for these
holidays. I cannot wait!
We enjoy the school leadership of Ronni Guttin,
our education director and under her guidance
our children thrive at the religious school and are
taught by exceptional teachers. Our librarian,
Laura Steele, ensures we have interesting and
educational materials and that our students have
appropriate literature. We enjoy her monthly
book reviews and thank her for her creativity.
I thank Nicole Jellinek for her commitment as our
social worker. Many of us have used the
resources she provides and been able to receive
aid from her and guidance on life matters. I
thank Nicole publicly for her years of dedication.
We are extremely fortunate and blessed to have
Harold Labush as our Torah Reader. Harold’s
weekly Torah readings are accurate and beautiful
and allow us all to share in hearing the words of
the Torah from an experienced and educated
Torah Reader. Yasher Koach.
We are pleased to have Evelyn Nussenfeld,
Stephanie Reinsant and Sheryl Ponder working in
the Temple office. They make the conduct of
synagogue business pleasant and efficient and go
out of their way to help us all.
The facilities are well maintained by Paul Pouler.
A big Todah Rabah to all!
Thank you to Anita Olinsky, for the long hours
she donates to assist in the office and to support
Torat Yisrael activities.
The members of our Board of Trustees work hard
and diligently to ensure the spiritual and financial
future of our congregation. Thanks to all,
especially the Vice Presidents and committee
chairs who also donate much to keeping us active
and involved.
I thank the Sisterhood for undertaking to cook
and prepare for the congregational Break the Fast
after the conclusion Yom Kippur services. I want
Shanah Tovah from Rabbi Amy Levin
This summer, I began my seventh year as your rabbi. In Judaism, 7 is a meaning-packed
number. The seventh day is the day God rested from the work of creation. Seven is the
interval of the Sabbatical Year in the Torah when the Land rested from agricultural
production. We wrap the tefillin strap around our arm seven times in preparation for morning
prayer.
There is much to do here at Torat Yisrael, and I don’t think we are at the point of stopping and resting in
our seventh year together. But this might be a good time to stop and look back at our communal life
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to thank the generous sponsors of the Break the
Fast and encourage you to support the Break the
Fast or sponsor an event or Shabbat at Torat
Yisrael. Members will find a form on the
Members Page of the Torat Yisrael website on
which you can designate the event you would like
to sponsor.
Andy Sholes has led us as Chair of the Building
Committee and the site clearance is materially
complete. We are finalizing the building design
with the architects and hope to put the
construction to bid within the next few months.
This is a momentous step ahead and one that
had been a dream that is finally materializing.
Thanks to the entire building committee!
Our capital campaign committee, led by Marc
Davis has been working hard to schedule
appointments to sit and to discuss opportunities
for us to invest in the future of Torat Yisrael and
to raise the money needed to make this entire
project a reality. We are now asking you, if you
have already made a pledge, to begin paying the
pledge to allow us flexibility in completing the
construction. We continue to make this a
building that will belong to all of us and I ask you
to be generous and understand the momentous
investment we are all making in Judaism, in
Rhode Island and in our congregation.
This is an opportune time to thank Barry Golden
for his many years as Vice President of Finance.
Barry prepares regular financial statements, leads
the investment committee and is constantly
saving money and realizing new opportunities to
stay within our budget. Thank you Barry.
The dedicated volunteers do all their work with
the support of their families and I now want to
thank the supporting members of the
congregation too. I thank my husband David and
my daughter Michelle for their generosity in
allowing me to spend the time leading our
congregation.
I look forward to seeing everyone at shul in the
coming weeks and I wish all a Shana Tova!
Please contact me at any time with any
comments or questions.
B’Shalom,
Susan
together these seven years: we’ve laughed with comedians at Galkin programs, been elevated by
musicians at our concerts, we’ve cried together as we’ve buried people close to us . . . indeed, you were
infinitely loving and supportive of me when my father passed away three years ago. We’ve “kvelled” at
dozens of bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, confirmations, graduations, and baby-namings. We’ve
embarked on a period of transition, discussing our hopes, our concerns, our vision. We’ve hugged. We’ve
shared, and gotten beyond, hard feelings.
God willing, we’ll keep doing all these things as we share the year 5771 together . . . I pray it will be a
year of good health, peace of mind, inspiration and engagement in Judaism for all of us.

Kesher Corner: Nicole Jellinek, LICSW

Nicole is Torat Yisrael’s social worker funded by the Kesher Program, a joint project of the
Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, the Bernhardt Foundation, Jewish Family Service, and the
synagogue. She can be reached at (401)338-8301 or nicole@toratyisrael.org.

Under the Day is to waken backward down through the still

To come back like autumn to the moss on the water
stones knowing without touching all that was ever
after many seasons to recur as a face there and has been forgotten
backlit on the surface of a dark pool one day and recognize without name or understanding
after the year has turned from the summer it
saw without believing or holding or direction
while the first yellow leaves stare from their in the way that we see
forgetting at each moment
and the branches grow spare the air
(from The Pupil by W.S. Merwin; Knopf, 2001)

The fall has crept back up on us! By the time you
are reading this, children are back in school and
Rosh Hashanah is literally around the corner.
The fall is a time of transition, of new beginnings,
of change. My most significant change is that I
will be leaving Temple Torat Yisrael as the Kesher
social worker. I have been with you for two
years and have been deeply touched by the
experience; though I haven’t met all of you, I
have met and spoken with many. I have been
privileged to share your lives, your struggles and
your sorrows. I will stay on at JFS in Providence
as the staff administrator for the Kesher
program, so will remain “in the loop.” I leave
you in good and trusted hands! Andrea Epstein
LICSW will begin as the new Kesher social worker
in late August. Andrea has a background in both
clinical and community based services and is
excited to be joining the Torat Yisrael community.
She is expanding her role as clinician in the
Providence JFS Counseling Center to join the
Kesher program. She will be looking to meet
with congregants as an introduction to the TY
community, as she takes over planning for
relevant workshops and programs. Please be in
touch if you would like to meet with her, to say
hello and welcome her to the community, or with
any questions or concerns. Andrea can be
reached at andrea@jfsri.org or at 331-1244.

The Cohen School News

Dear Cohen School Families:
The school year is about to begin and I am very excited about beginning our second year
in East Greenwich at The Village Lower School. Each year, around this time, I think
about how appropriate it is that we celebrate the Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year in
September. September is a time for new beginnings…children and adults start new school years, at
Synagogues around the world, families worship together after the summer filled with vacations,
camp, and visiting relatives, the Torah is completed and reread. New shoes, new pencils, new
clothing to replace last year’s outgrown “temple” clothes all show up in various homes. We are
blessed with the opportunity to start anew, acquaint anew, and learn anew….

Cohen School Schedule: September 9, 10 Rosh Hashanah

September
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September 12 Teachers Statewide Kroll October 3 Religious School at Camp JORI
conference grades K-7
September 14 School Begins grades 3-7 October 5 Religious School grades 3-7
September 18 Yom Kippur October 10 No School
September 19 Religious School grades K-7 October 12 Religious School grades 3-7
September 21 Religious School grades 3-7 October 17 Religious School grades k-7
September 26 Religious School grades K-7 October 19 Religious School grades 3-7
September 28 Religious School grades 3-7 October 24 Religious School grades K-7
September 30 Simchat Torah 6:00 in Cranston October 26 Religious School grades 3-7
October 31 Religious School grades K-7
October

Librarian’s Corner by Laura Steele, Torat Yisrael Librarian

A new addition to our library is one that may appeal to both parents and young children particularly
at this time of year. Sammy Spider’s First Day of School written by Sylvia Rouss tells about the ever
curious Sammy Spider who hitches a ride to Jewish preschool in Josh's backpack. The teacher uses
the story of Noah's Ark to engage the children in a discussion about "an important Jewish value"--
kindness to animals. But when the little spider is discovered, a child wants to step on him. Josh picks
Sammy up, shows his classmates there's nothing to be afraid of, and they then take turns holding
him. Josh's mother is proud that he has helped his classmates understand what it means to be kind
to animals, and Sammy's mother is happy that her son has made lots of new friends. The
illustrations add much visual interest, energy and pizzazz to this story which I’m sure many will
enjoy.

Greetings from Some of our Committee Chairs

Sisterhood
Happy New Year! Sisterhood has several events
planned for the next few months. We will be
helping to prepare the break the fast supper.
We have our paid up breakfast installation on
Sunday, October 3rd and on Sunday, October
17th there will be an open board meeting
followed by a mitzvah project where we will
make challah covers for the Temple.
Ruth Ross and Laurie Tessier, Co-presidents
Programming
The Programming committee has been busy
planning a year full of fun events. We have
continued the Shabbat to Shalom’s and Blood
drives. Both have brought in the crowds even
with the beautiful weather we have had.
We also held our first Beach Shabbat a Goddard
Park. There were dogs and children and lots of
singing and howling!!! A good time was had by
all. We look forward to making this an annual
event.
In the immediate future we are hard at work
planning and cooking for the TTY Family PICNIC
and the Break fast.
We have secured funding from the Galkin family
and will be planning the Galkin concert for
December.
Looking forward to all good things.
On behalf of the entire Programming Committee
we wish you all a Happy, Sweet New Year!
Candace Shuman, VP Programming

Of “Green” Interest
Weatherization Assistance: Subsidy
programs
Purposes
This Residential Deliverable Fuels Program allows
for residents who heat their homes with oil,
propane, or other deliverable fuels to receive
weatherization assistance. The goal of the program
is to save energy, create environmental benefits,
lower residential heating bills and keep houses
warmer.
RIOER is offering consumer incentives for
residents who heat their homes with deliverable
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fuels to make energy efficiency improvements
through National Grid's EnergyWise program.
Under this program, residents who heat with oil
and propane will be able to request a free home
energy assessment.
There is a total of $2.3 million allocated to
administering the program and providing rebates
to Rhode Island residents that heat their homes
with deliverable fuels.
How will the program work?
Under this program, residents who heat with oil
and propane will be able to request a free home
energy assessment through National Grid's
EnergyWise program. The home energy
assessment will recommend weatherization
measures that may include:
 Insulation of attics, walls, floors, ducts and pipes;
 Air and duct sealing;
 Attic ventilation;
 Installation of programmable thermostats;
 The replacement of heating systems over 15 years
old; and/or
 The replacement of water heaters over 10 years
old.
Once the home energy assessment is complete,
residents will be able to select a contractor to
perform any of the weatherization measures that
were recommended after the National Grid energy
assessment. Upon completion of the work,
residents will be eligible to receive rebates on 25%
of the total cost of recommended energy efficiency
improvements for a maximum of $2,250 per
home. This program will not pay to switch the fuel
that is used to heat a home.
Green Israel Summit 4 at
Eden Village Camp, NY
Green Renewal Shabbat for ages 18-40
Register today for Green Israel Summit 4: Green
Renewal Shabbat!
When: Shabbat Noach, Oct. 8- 10, 2010
Where: Eden Village Camp, just north of NYC
Who: Ages 18-40
A limited number of scholarships are available.
Celebrate Shabbat Noach with stories, lectures and
discussions in a welcoming, pluralistic setting.
Explore the Jewish back-to-the-land movement
and what Zionism means today. Learn about Israel
and energy conservation, population growth,
suburban sprawl, Negev preservation, and the
growing environmental movement. Meet other
young environmentally inspired Jews from across
North America.

For more information on the EnergyWise program Green Israel Summit (GIS) 4 is run by the Green
please call 1-888-633-7947 or Zionist Alliance and co-sponsored by The Coalition
visit https://www.powerofaction.com/rireenergywi on the Environment and Jewish Life, the American
se/ Zionist Movement and Hazon.

In Our TY Family
Mazal tov to everyone celebrating a Birthday in September!
Sylvia Shocket, Harold Labush, Julian Brochu, Harriet Saltzman, Shasta Charap, Bella
Foster, William Guttin, Lawrence Charap, David Inman, Sally Pressman, Sylvia Safferson,
Laurie Strauss-Inman, Diane Greenberg, Jeff Davis, Herbert Bloom, Seymour Brooks, Barry
Kaplan, Barry Golden, Elaine Shapiro and Harry Wasser
Mazal tov to everyone who celebrated an Anniversary in September!
Matthew & Laura Kavanagh (4 years), Harry & Jeanne Pass (28 years) and Daniel & Rachel
Silverman (14 years)
Mazal tov to Frank & Bev Prosnitz on the birth of their granddaughter, Addison Kate Prosnitz.
The proud parents are Brian & Katelyn Prosnitz. Addison was born on August 18th at 3:30 pm and
weighed in at 7 lb 2 oz.…she is “pure love”!! Mom and baby are both doing good. Congrats to all!!
May God who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah,
bring blessing and healing to: Neil Alterman (Ron Alterman’s father), Lewis Antin, Trude
Antin, Robert Donnelly (friend of Evelyn Nussenfeld), Frances Dorsch (Maurice Wine’s
sister), David Friedman, Ethel Friedman, Rosalie Gleckman, Pearl Gorden, Douglas &
Barbara Greenberg (Diane Greenberg’s brother-in-law & sister-in-law), Maurice Grossman
(Myer Grossman’s son), Myer Grossman, Bonnie Lury, Steve Matzner, Sylvia Paige, Zenas &
Sara Pulner, Ron & Susan Richter, Harold & Sylvia Roggen (Barbara Karetny’s parents),
Linda Rosen, Louis Russian, Jeffrey Sacks, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Sylvia Shocket,
Meyer Teya (Marcia Slobin’s father), Steve Tragar, Moe Wine and Eileen Winkler (Rochelle
Ziegler’s mother)

Be a Torat Yisrael Lobbyist!

Edgewood Food Closet Donations Pick up a great read!
canned tuna and salmon, canned soups, breakfast Which you’ll find at our Book Exchange corner in the TTY
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cereal, canned vegetables and fruits. Also needed:
toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, diapers.
TYNet Café! Come Schmooze!
Torat Yisrael is wireless and caffeinated! Fresh
coffee and tea and the wifi password are all there.
lobby! For a 25¢ donation, you are welcome to help yourself to
any book on the shelves and then return it when you’re done.
Recycle #5 Plastics Here!
Plastic containers like medicine vials and yogurt and cottage
containers. Please wash containers before depositing in bin.

Kosher Food Pantry Coupon Collection for Edgewood Food Closet

Kosher non-perishables to help support Rhode Please drop your unwanted coupons in the basket near our
island’s vulnerable Jewish residents. donation and recycling center.
Edgewood Food Closet Thrift Shop : You may drop off lightly used clothing at the Church of the
Transfiguration, 1665 Broad Street, Cranston. Hours of Operation: Tuesday & Friday mornings 9:00 am –
10:30 am and Wednesday evening 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm.

Temple Torat Yisrael Email Addresses, Facebook and

Twitter
Rabbi Amy Levin: rabbi@toratyisrael.org Hazzan Devin Goldenberg:
hazzan@toratyisrael.org
Susan Smoller, President: president@toratyisrael.org Ronni Guttin, Education Director:
ronni@toratyisrael.org
Nicole Jellinek, Social Worker: nicole@toratyisrael.org Anita Olinsky (Dues Committee):
dues@toratyisrael.org
welcome@toratyisrael.org - Michael Field/Beth Salk (Membership Committee Chairs)
facebook@toratyisrael.org twitter@toratyisrael.org and @ravlevin
Sheryl Ponder, Bookkeeper/Office Manager: sheryl@toratyisrael.org
Stephanie Reinsant, Rabbi’s Secretary: stephanie@toratyisrael.org

Are you raising Jewish children…but you’re not Jewish? Don’t

do it alone. Join us for Mothers Circle
The Mothers Circle is a free educational and
welcoming program empowering non-Jewish
mothers to create Jewish homes. Mothers in all
family constellations are welcome, and participants
do not have to be affiliated with a Jewish
institution or have any prior knowledge. The
eight-month, sixteen-session interactive
curriculum explores Jewish holidays, practices,
rituals, and ethics while providing resources and
tools for enriching Jewish family life at home. Free
childcare is available upon request.
Our third Rhode Island group will be starting in
October. For more information please visit
http://www.bjeri.org/DefaultPermissions/OurProgr
ams/tabid/150/Default.aspx or contact Kit Haspel,
Mothers Circle Coordinator, at 401-331-0956 x184
or khaspel@bjeri.org.
Mothers Circle is a national program created by
the Jewish Outreach Institute. The Rhode Island
program is coordinated by the Bureau of Jewish
Education of Rhode Island in partnership with the
Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island and is
generously funded by the Helene and Bertram
Bernhardt Foundation and the Jewish Federation of
Rhode Island.

Hug N’hamah: Circle of Consolation

A Bereavement Discussion Group meeting on alternate Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm providing
a supportive circle to bring the emotional and spiritual challenges of grief. Facilitated by Torat
Yisrael member, Dr. Judith Lubiner, a licensed psychologist, and Rabbi Amy Levin. TY members
and non-members equally welcome. Meeting October 7th and 21st

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 Thank you…You’ve Saved Lives
Thank you to everyone who donated blood at our Blood Drive on Sunday, August 1st.
Ten units of blood was donated that day…each unit can help three patients, up to 30
lives may be saved!

Selichot – September 4th

In 2009, film maker Peter Rodger travelled the globe with a camera and a question, “What is God?”
We will begin this year’s Selichot evening viewing and discussing the result of that journey.
Our spiritual preparation for the Days of Awe continues with the moving Selichot service. Please join
Rabbi Levin and Hazzan Devin M. Goldenberg for this beautiful service. We will also dedicate the new
memorial plaques for our sanctuary and change our Torah mantles to their austere white. Saturday
evening, September 4th at 8:30 pm.

Memorial Service at Lincoln Park Cemetery

Join us on Sunday, September 5th at 5:00 pm to gather as a community to recite psalms and
memorial prayers at the graves of our loved ones . . . a lovely pre-High Holiday tradition.

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 The Days of Awe 5771
Schedule of Services
Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, September 8th / 29 Elul
Ma’ariv (Evening) Service: 6:45 pm
Thursday, September 9th / 1 Tishrei
Shaharit (Morning) Service: 8:30 am
Family Service: 10:00 am followed by supervision for young children: 11:30 am
Tashlich Picnic: 5:00 pm
Minhah / Ma’ariv (Afternoon / Evening) Services: 6:45 pm
Friday, September 10th / 2 Tishrei
Shaharit (Morning) Service: 8:30 am
Supervision for young children (free play)

Yom Kippur
Friday, September 17th / 9 Tishrei
Kol Nidrei / Ma’ariv (Evening) Service: 6:15 pm
th
Saturday, September 18 / 10 Tishrei
Shaharit (Morning) / Yizkor (Memorial) Service: 8:30 am
Family Services: 10:00 am followed by supervision for young children: 11:30 am
Minhah (Afternoon) / N’ilah (Concluding) Services: 5:30 pm
Group Shofar Blast, Havdalah and Community Break Fast: 7:47 pm

Sukkot-Simhat Torah
Wednesday, September 22nd / 14 Tishrei: 7:30 pm Erev Sukkot Service
Thursday, September 23rd / 15 Tishrei: 9:15 am Sukkot Service
Friday, September 24th / 16 Tishrei: 9:15 am Sukkot Service
Wednesday, September 29th / 21 Tishrei: 6:30 am Hoshannah Rabbah Service
7:30 pm Erev Shemini Atzeret Service
th
Thursday, September 30 / 22 Tishrei: 9:00 am Shemini Atzeret and Yizkor
6:00 pm Simhat Torah Service
Friday, October 1st / 23 Tishrei: 9:15 am Simhat Torah Service

Calling all shofar blowers!

Start practicing your t’kiah g’dolah!
We need YOU (any age, any stage) and your shofar
To mark the end of the Yom Kippur Fast Saturday, September 18th at 7:47 pm!

Followed by . . .
Torat Yisrael’s Annual Yom Kippur Break Fast
No need to worry about where your next meal is coming from! Join all of the Torat Yisrael
Family for our truly delicious Yom Kippur Break Fast!
RSVP to the TY office by Monday, September 13th; 785-1800.

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Upcoming TY Events
September
Cohen School Students! Welcome back!
First day of class: Tuesday, 9/14/10 for grades 3-7 and Sunday, 9/19/10 for grades K-2 at the
Lower Village School, 2220 South County Trail, East Greenwich.

Sock Hop and Pizza Party

Sunday, September 26th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. We hope you’ll come celebrate Sukkot with our Torat
Yisrael Family at our traditional Pizza in the Hut! Cost: $3 per person / $10 family maximum. (See
enclosed flyer).

October

Paid Up Sisterhood and Men’s Club Breakfast, Sunday, October 3rd

Please join us for our Sisterhood and Men’s Club Paid up Breakfast. We will hold our installation as well as
other surprises! If you are not a paid up member of the Sisterhood or Men’s Club you can join now or
dues ($18.00) can be paid at the door. RSVP to Anita Olinsky at 785-1800 by September 28th. (See
enclosed flyer).

Our October Topic: Joining the Jews: Judaism and Conversion

East Greenwich: Tuesday, October 5th
12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch & Learn at T’s Restaurant, 5600 Post Road (in the Benny’s Plaza),
East Greenwich – each participant orders from the menu and we study Jewish sources addressing current
issues. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend!

Cranston/Warwick: Thursday, October 7th

12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch & Learn at the Cozy Grill Restaurant, 440 Warwick Avenue, Warwick – each
participant orders from the menu as we study Jewish sources. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend! Look
for us in the back room!

Shalom to Shabbat: Unwind and Nosh Before Shabbat Services

Join us on Friday, October 8th at 7:00 pm for wine and cheese before our 7:30 pm Shabbat Service.

Sisterhood Mitzvah Project and Open Board Meeting, Sunday, October

17th
Sisterhood will have an open board meeting followed by a mitzvah project where we will make challah
covers for our congregation. Please feel free to join us….we’d love to have you!

November

Save the Date!

On Saturday, November 13th at 6:30 pm at TY Cranston join us for an evening of
nachas, nuptials, nosh and nonsense! Auction and Dinner Theater: “Steve and Elaine
Get Married!”