Or Chadash moving into new space

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Congregation Or Chadash is moving – and its leadership is inviting the community to join in the procession.

The congregation, which includes members of what was once Temple Am David, in Warwick, has found space to worship at Trinity Episcopal Church, 139 Ocean Drive, Cranston. Congregants are painting and repairing the area that was formerly occupied by Families First (once Happy Hollow preschool), according to the Trinity website.

“The new space is about the size of the chapel at Am David,” said Judith Bessoff, second vice president of Or Chadash.

On June 11 at 1 p.m., members will carry the congregation’s three Torahs across the bridge near The Bank Café, on Narragansett Boulevard in Warwick, and into the new chapel in Cranston.

Members have been worshipping in what was once the Am David building, 40 Gardiner St., Warwick. It was sold to the Rhode Island Hindu Temple Society in September 2016 and consecrated as the first Hindu temple in Rhode Island. The Hindu group allowed the congregants from Am David to continue worshipping in the building. That group became Or Chadash in 2016 and has continued to use the space.

Or Chadash was able to purchase a Torah during Am David’s receiver’s sale. Generous friends and donors contributed two more Torahs, according to Bessoff. The ark from the chapel is also moving to the new space.

Or Chadash has about 30 active members and is growing, according to Bessoff.

The president of the congregation is Beth Veltri; Michael Frank is first vice president; Ellen Nessen is secretary; and Aaron Weintraub is treasurer.

“Our membership is open” to new members, Bessoff said. “We have proven we can stick together and support the community.”

For information on Congregation Or Chadash, call 401-225-7194 or go to its website, info@orchadash-ri.org.

FRAN OSTENDORF is the editor of The Jewish Voice.

or chadash, am david