RIJM open house featured presentation on Benjamin Franklin

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On Oct. 14, the downstairs sanctuary of the Rhode Island Jewish Museum was standing room only for the lecture delivered by Shai Afsai, a Providence author.  Afsai spoke about Benjamin Franklin’s influence on Jewish thought. His audience, ranging in age from 25 to 92, was totally captivated. There was a lively question-and-answer session at the end. 

One of the attendees said that he happened to be driving through the neighborhood; he was showing his daughters, who were visiting from Maryland, where he used to live. When he saw the Rhode Island Jewish Museum sign announcing an open house, he decided to come inside. He said that when he walked through the doors, he felt like he was a child again, attending services with his grandmother. His face beamed as he pointed out all the memories. While touring the building, he and his daughters were smiling with nostalgic delight as they found names of relatives posted on memorial plaques or he pointed to the seats where he and his grandmother once sat during services.

For more information on the Rhode Island Jewish Museum, visit the website at rhodeislandjewishmuseum.org.

Submitted by the Rhode Island Jewish Museum