Local Relationships Matter

As the Chief Executive Officer at the Peninsula Foodbank, she believes the Foodbank not only distributes food but is also the spokesperson for those who otherwise don’t have a voice.

“There are so many low income individuals who haven’t received any benefit from the recovering economy and those who because of their life circumstances need help every now and then. We are there to help ensure their voices are heard.”

“Since 2004, when I started with the Foodbank and got to know Payday Payroll, I have always felt that Payday has been involved and helped to build it’s business through positive support for others in the community, both non-profits and start up businesses. I particularly appreciate the generosity that Payday has shown to the nonprofits in our community.”

"Recently my mother required 12 hour per day personal care assistance. On short notice, Changing Tides Home Care provided the necessary assistance. They have been responsive to my mother's needs and have kept the family informed by telephone, text and portal. I am very pleased with their services.”

-Andrew H. Hook, President of Hook Law Center

Terri Denison

Acommunity Memorial Day Weekend observance in appreciation of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for America’s freedom, took place on the morning of Thursday, May 25 in front of the Jewish War Veterans Flagpole on the Sandler Family Campus. The event was hosted by the Board of Rabbis and Cantors of Hampton Roads and the Jewish War Veterans (Post 158).

Local Navy Jewish Chaplains, Rabbi Yoni Warren, BCC, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps and Rabbi Aaron Kleinman, CDR, CHC, USN, planned the event, with Rabbi Warren serving as emcee.

The packed program included welcoming remarks from Vice Admiral Herm Shelanski, USN (Ret.) and Betty Ann Levin, executive vice president/CEO, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Area rabbis participated by reading poems and prayers, and area cantors led attendees in song and prayer.

The keynote speaker, Rabbi Mitchell Schranz, CDR, CHC, USN-Ret., delivered an emotional and inspiring talk about Memorial Day – his early recollections of the holiday as a young boy in the Bronx, N.Y., where Veterans solemnly marched in parades – as well as the true desires of Gold Star Families and of Veterans – not to be treated as political props, but to make certain the United States is a good nation fi lled with good people. Rabbi Schranz also spoke of his personal dreams for a peaceful nation and world, so that those who have given their lives for their country have not died in vain.

Rabbi Warren closed the event with noting the importance of the military to Tidewater and that both he and Rabbi Kleinman grew up in the area.