From the Chair of the Board Richard Licht
PROVIDENCE — In Judaism, a special candle is lit to mark the end of the Sabbath, the revered day of rest at the end of the week. Called the Habdalah, it is typically three candles braided into one and represents the start of a new week, or metaphysically, what has been and what is to come.
On Sunday, the Habdalah and its lone bright flame took on added meaning during a celebration of the merger of three long-established Jewish organizations into one, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. More...
Introducing the Jewish Alliance
of Greater Rhode Island
The Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Center and the
Bureau of Jewish Education have joined together to become the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.
Our Vision
A vibrant and flourishing Jewish community that engages
and inspires through inclusion, participation and respect.
Our Mission
To build and sustain our local and global Jewish Community
by maximizing philanthropic resources, volunteer efforts and
social, cultural, and educational opportunities.
Our History
Shalom! Welcome to the Rhode Island Jewish community. Ours is a rich history, dating back to the year 1658 when the country’s second Jewish community was established in Newport, where Touro Synagogue is the oldest Jewish house of worship in the United States. Affixed to the sanctuary’s rear wall is a letter received by the congregation in 1790 from President George Washington. In it, he promises that the United States Government would give “to bigotry no sanction…to persecution, no assistance.” more
Building for the Future
The Jewish community of RI is honoring its storied past as it prepares for a strong and vibrant future. Read the documents that spell out how we will continue to care for Jews in greater RI, in Israel, and around the world, and develop opportunities for each of us to embrace a Jewish life. Have a comment or a suggestion? Email us at Shalom@JFRI.org.
Consolidated Strategic Plan
JFRI Realignment Plan