75th Commemorative Issue

Commemorative Issue

75

Tidewater Jewish Community 1947–2013

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2

Welcome T

idewater’s Jewish community

dates back to 1795 when the Moses Myers family arrived

in Norfolk. Ohef Sholom Temple and Beth El Congregation trace their beginnings to 1844.

Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462-4370 voice 757.965.6100 • fax 757.965.6102 email news@ujft.org www.jewishVA.org

Hebrew Ladies Charity marked 110 years in 2012.

So, why all the fuss over 75 years? Because this anniversary celebrates the birth of what is now known as the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the organization that connects area synagogues, agencies and groups with each other and the global Jewish community.

Poring over yellowed newspapers, methodically reviewing file cabinet after file cabinet stuffed with unmarked photographs and searching for digital photographs on cds and hard drives, was a nostalgic trip down memory lane. A third-generation Norfolk native, I knew many of the faces and names I came across. I saw men and women who gave their time and dollars to insure that the Tidewater Jewish community would not only survive, but would thrive. I saw people who began appearing in the paper as small tots or teens and who today hold leadership positions, as well as those who once volunteered and now have stepped aside to allow others the opportunity.

Within these pages, we primarily remember and reflect, beginning with the 1960s. A Renewal magazine published in 1986 focused on the earliest years. Today, the community is so busy that an attempt to include all the activities and committees would require a Guide. In fact, Jewish News compiles A Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater each year.

Our first feature is Laine Rutherford’s conversations with children and relatives of the

Terri Denison, Editor Germaine Clair, Art Director Laine Mednick Rutherford, Associate Editor Hal Sacks, Book Review Editor Sandy Goldberg, Account Executive Mark Hecht, Account Executive Marilyn Cerase, Subscription Manager Reba Karp, Editor Emeritus United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Miles Leon, President Stephanie Calliott, Secretary Harry Graber, Executive Vice-President The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute a kashrut, political, product or service endorsement. The articles and letters appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of this publication. © 2014 Jewish News. All rights reserved.

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community’s early leaders, some who built our buildings, along with our agencies. You’ll read how these kids (a few now in their 70s), were impacted by the visionaries who raised funds and awareness and organizations.

Two former editors of the Jewish News, Marilyn Goldman and Reba Karp, share hightlights from the News during their tenures, dating back more than five decades. Those were the days!

Hal Sacks’ piece about the famous 400 Club is perfect fun, revealing some of the mysteries of the club of notables. He also provides an article detailing Tidewater’s commitment to Pardes Katz, a community in Israel.

Shayna Horwitz compiled a timeline from our collection of Jewish News papers. (The newspaper has had many names over the years, by the way.)

And, so, we celebrate another milestone. We celebrate the national and international Jewish community. We celebrate the Tidewater community at large who has embraced and supported our Jewish community. We celebrate that Tidewater has an active Young Adult Division comprised of smart, vibrant Jewish adults who have their own visions and motivations and energy to keep this community alive. We celebrate the past, the present, and, most importantly the future.

Contents

Reflections from Miles Leon and Harry Graber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 A Legacy of Leaders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 A view of the 1960s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 A view of the 1970s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Secrets of the 400 Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Pardes Katz: A retrospective . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Timeline of Tidewater’s organized Jewish community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Leaders of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Agencies of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Tidewater synagogues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Terri Denison, Editor 3

The Checkered Flag Family Is Proud To Join In Celebrating 75 Years Of Hampton Roads’ Organized Jewish Community.

Since 1963, we have been serving our community under three banners; the United States Flag, the Israeli Flag and the Checkered Flag.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 75TH ANNIVERSARY.

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On memory, reflections and vision “W

ithout memory

Miles Leon

the historical and to the grand, but to the building of

there is no culture. Without

our own community. A building that has resulted in a

memory there is no society, no

community that is strongly admired and respected by

civilization, and no future. Not to

all, locally, nationally and internationally who know us,

transmit a memory is to betray it,

interact with us and benefit from us.

to betray the existence of actions Harry Graber

However, our greatest actions were not limited to

We have built institutions such as the Jewish

and lives.” This is but a few of the

Family Service, Simon Family Jewish Community

many thoughts expressed on the

Center, Konikoff Center of Learning-Hebrew Academy

importance of memory by Elie

of Tidewater, Strelitz Early Childhood Center, Freda

Wiesel. Therefore, the commem-

H. Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care Center and

oration of the 75th anniversary of

Tidewater Jewish Foundation – all located on the beau-

the United Jewish Federation of

tiful Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus. We began

Tidewater through this volume

and built the original Beth Sholom Home of Eastern

or in any manner is the desire to

Virginia, now called the Berger-Goldrich Home and part

preserve and to create, to marvel

of Beth Sholom Village.

and to wonder and to respect and

All of this took people of courage and vision; people

to strive not just individually, but

dedicated to the values of Tikkun Olam—Repairing the

collectively.

World. It involved people who drew inspiration for their

In the thoughts, reflections and well wishes

actions from the values and mitzvot of our religion and

expressed in this volume are but a piece of the dreams,

faith. It was people who gave of themselves, their time

achievements and aspirations of a community that

and their funds endlessly and tirelessly, and who served

participated in some of the greatest events in the history

as exemplary role models for every succeeding genera-

of our people. Jewish Tidewater is a community whose

tion so that they could perform better and more wisely.

participants were victims of the Holocaust, liberators of

All of this and more were done, during these last

death camps and a community that ultimately served as

75 years, through the United Jewish Federation of

a safe haven for the survivors of the horrors.

Tidewater. May we go from strength to strength.

It is a community that fought for the creation of the State of Israel and fights to this day for its survival,

“God is hiding in the world. Our task is to let the divine

preservation and its future. We witnessed and were

emerge from our deeds”

firmly involved in the rescue of Jews from dark, threat-

—Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

ening and heartless countries around the world. We acted in perhaps the greatest exodus of the history of our people—the rescue of Soviet Jewry.

Miles Leon Harry Graber Executive Vice President President United Jewish Federation of Tidewater 5

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A Legacy of Leaders Conversations with children who carry the mantle of leadership

by Laine Mednick Rutherford

and agencies that benefit both Jews and non-Jews throughout Tidewater—the Sandler Family Campus,

W

ithout exception,

Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, and Beth Sholom Village, among many others. the 35 men and women

The past presidents also passed on a tangible legacy

who served as presidents of the United Jewish Federation

that touches the Tidewater, national, international and

of Tidewater since its inception are responsible for the

Israeli Jewish communities: a legacy of leadership.

thriving organization known today as the UJFT or, to some, the Federation.

Holders of this voluntary position guided the UJFT

Children, grandchildren, even great-children of the earliest presidents fill seats on boards and assume community leadership positions in almost every capacity, and

through its earliest days, nurtured it through its formative

in every Tidewater Jewish organization, agency, and syna-

years, saw its survival in tough financial times, and have

gogue, as well as some national and international boards.

successfully continued to achieve its ongoing mission

Were they pressured to take on leadership posi-

of improving life for Jews and extending Jewish values

tions from their parents, their in-laws, or their siblings?

locally, nationally, and globally.

Was there a defining moment that made them decide to

The past presidents left behind legacies that built

commit themselves so fully to the work the Federation

a strong foundation of belief in the power of collective

does? Why do they want to take on the quite hefty

action; trusting that their friends, families and neighbors

responsibility of taking care of not just their fellow

would see how much more could be accomplished when

Tidewater Jews, but of Jews all over the world?

the community works together.

They helped, and those who are living continue to

The Jewish News reached out to some of those who carry this mantle of leadership that was passed on or

help this region remain committed to the Jewish tradi-

modeled to them by generations past, and asked them

tions of tzedekah (charity), tikkun olam (repairing or

to share experiences, inspiration, and their hopes for the

perfecting the world) and education.

generations that will come after them:

In addition, potent reminders of these individuals’ hard work and vision linger physically in the structures 7

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regent.edu

Bonnie Brand

daughter of Joyce and Leonard* Strelitz (1972–1973)

A

I think that my parents were pioneers in this community—not solely, but my uncle and aunt—Buddy and Arlene, Marvin Simon, Sam and Reba [Sandler], Mickey and June [Kramer]—they were these pioneers that had

mong other leadership positions, Bonnie is a past

gone to Israel, gotten all charged up and came back to

General Campaign chair of the UJFT, chair of

this community and energized it in the Israel direction.

Women’s Campaign, and took several groups and mis-

And I really think that our community has remained

sions to Israel. Bonnie recently accepted a position on the

that way, ever since they started it. We’re lucky that it’s

board of the American Friends of Tel Aviv University.

remained as high a priority as it has.

What was passed on by your parents that inspired you

What do you hope to pass on to your

to take on leadership roles in the Jewish community:

children, to encourage their involvement?

locally, nationally and internationally?

None of my children live here—Lauren is my

My parents were always involved in the Jewish com-

only married child, and I think she and her

munity—it was a kind of focal point of our home life. It

husband have already begun taking leader-

wasn’t just what they were doing outside of the home,

ship roles in their community. Genna lives in

which was a lot of meetings out, and trips to Israel back

Israel, and I hope Benjamin will get involved.

in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, but it was inside the home too.

Certainly, we have walked the walk and

It was constant talk about what was going on, where they

talked the talk.

were going next, who they were going to be speaking to

Bonnie Brand

Leonard* and Joyce Strelitz.

The values—I know they’re there. Like I said, I think

tomorrow. Their involvement and what they were doing

a lot of it is who you marry, and whether that person is

was talked a lot about at home.

open to all of these wonderful things that we have lived

It wasn’t just my parents—I think the person you marry does have a lot to do with your involvement, too.

and hopefully showed our children, and whether they’re open to instilling these kinds of values into their kids.

Getting involved in Jewish causes is what drew me and David (Brand, UJFT president 1997–99) to each other.

What are your thoughts about the community’s

We went to American University in the ’70s, and we met

past, and its future?

during a demonstration against Yasser Arafat’s coming

I think that we have a great young adult community

to the United Nations to pass a resolution saying that

coming up through the ranks. The Hineni group in the

Zionism was racism. Both of us were very, very passion-

Young Adult Division has stayed together, and I think

ate, and this cause brought us together. Zionism has been

they are strong. You’re seeing new faces on different

a focal point of David and me from when we started,

agency boards locally; you’re seeing groups traveling to

37 years ago.

Israel together to get the overseas part of the picture. I

If it weren’t for my parents, I don’t know if I would

think as long as we have groups like Hineni that are going

have been out protesting on that step, doing what I was

on the journey together, I think that our community is

doing in 1974. Because if it weren’t for my parents, I

going to be fine. It’ll be great.

would never have had the Israel experience that I had.

I think that my dad—absolutely had the dream—

They took us numerous times as older kids for four to

he was the national chairman of the National Jewish

six weeks at a time, and it was because of them that I was

Appeal, the highest position you can be in what is now

introduced to Israel in such a positive light. I was able to

the JFNA. We are all very, very proud of him for having

see a country really transform itself from my first trip in

done that. That was 1977, but he didn’t just take that role

the early ’70s until today. Both eras were wonderful, but

and stop. It sort of spurred him on to do other wonderful

it’s very different today from 1970 when I first went.

things too. *

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Robert “Bobby” Copeland past president, 1980–1981

B

obby has been Campaign chair, Federation president, president of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation,

The determination and the character of the people that we met—the determination to survive and create the jewel that was there now was present in 1967.

I would say that almost everybody that had the privilege of going ended up in a leadership capacity where

a member of numerous national committees, and a

they could. Buddy and Leonard were national leaders,

current board member of several organizations.

too. They were not afraid; they were willing to ask others to join. And they were incredibly Zionistic—I don’t know

Was there a pivotal moment that caused

where they got it from, but they knew how to ask people to

you to become involved?

get on board. In my life, seeing that skill of being able to

I was relatively new to the community. I had just come

ask somebody to latch onto a dream, or onto a vision—is

out of the [military] service and I was working with

probably one of the most enlightening experiences I ever

Leonard and Buddy Strelitz, and Tommy Hofheimer.

had. If you could ask anybody to share a dream, then you

It was near ’67, and I had never been to Israel before

could sell them a couch. That’s the truth.

and they had, Leonard and Buddy. They had become

All of the things that I’ve been involved with in the

true Zionists. They saw the land, they saw the people,

community—it’s all voluntary. None of it was required,

they saw the energy, they saw the willingness to fight a

except just knowing that we had an obligation. I think

determined foe. They both had visions that are hard to

that we all felt that way. It gave us the confidence, the

duplicate. At that time, the country was recovering from

poise, and the example that you had to do more than the

World War II and the Holocaust. The numbers were

basics. You had to really care. And be willing sometimes

small, but the energy was there and the willingness to

to alienate a certain number of your contemporaries who

persevere was there.

hadn’t seen the message firsthand.

Leonard and Buddy were gracious enough to include

Buddy and Leonard were outstanding here and in

me on the first men’s community mission that we had in

the national community. All of their successes and all

1967. About 40 men went to Israel. Most everyone who

of their knowledge was conveyed all over the south, all

went became enthralled with the people and the country,

over the country, really. They were truly unusual men.

and most of them weren’t necessarily religious Jews. In

Both had different skills, both were equally passionate

fact, I was amazed that it was mostly the Reform com-

about the survival of a country and a tradition—but they

munity—a lot—that led the way to go.

approached it from different ways. They led the cadre of

So, Israel for us wasn’t a religious experience. It

Robert “Bobby” Copeland

men here, the Walter Segaloffs, the Mickey Kramers, the

was more a cultural experience and historical experi-

Sandlers—the apex of all of that leadership was Buddy

ence. We got to see the country presented in the most

and Leonard, and Tommy was extraordinary too.

favorable light. It was organized by the UJA [the United Jewish Appeal, which is now the Jewish Federations of

What do you hope to pass on to your children,

North America] and they were excellent at displaying the

to encourage their involvement?

country and the values that it would lend to the Diaspora

With my children, they saw by example that we truly

Jews and Jews all around the world. They made you

cared. We tried to keep a Jewish home, in the sense at

understand right away that if the Jewish people were to

least culturally we believe deeply in the Jewish values

survive, that if there was anything to the culture, to the

and Jewish traditions—how to live with man, and how to

3,300 years of tradition, that Israel was central to Jews no

live with God.

matter where they lived and that it was going to be the homeland.

I have been on over 30-something missions, and my wife Ann has been on many as well—and my children always saw first-hand how we felt about Israel ourselves, and they were benefactors as well—we went on a family

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mission—all of us, when they were younger. As we matured, we took on responsibility in the community— I think it had an effect. They saw I was willing to go to a meeting, or on a mission, and that it meant something— maybe that effort helped with the continuation of life in Israel.

Ann and I have 12 grandchildren—part of our

Kim Simon Fink

daughter of Marvin Simon* (1978–79)

K

im and her family’s leadership roles in the community are widespread, running the gamut from

Ohef Sholom Temple presidents, (Marvin and Kim), to Marvin’s leadership roles with Tidewater Jewish

ability to set a standard is that when they get ready to

Foundation, the JCC and UJFT building facilities,

graduate high school, we go three at a time on a family

involvement on committees, fundraisers, advocacy efforts

mission. We go to Israel for four or five days, and tour as

on the local, national and global Jewish stages, to Kim’s

if on a mission. It’s a pleasure on our part to share Israel

involvement as Holocaust Commission chair, JCC and

with them, but it’s good for them to understand just how

UJFT committee work, Melton classes, etc. Her husband

significant Israel is in their daily lives.

Andrew has also given of himself and his talents to OST,

Kim Simon Fink

JCC, UJFT on boards and committees too numerous to What are your thoughts about the

list. Their kids have all been active as well in their temple’s

community’s past and its future?

youth group, OSTY, and the JCC.

This is an extraordinary community. The example the Buddys and Leonards created—and others, there are a

Are there any moments, or events,

whole lot of other people, and I don’t want to omit them

that inspired you to get involved as a leader?

because there were—the truth is this is a community

My earliest memories probably date back to our father,

among the communities. This is a community that’s

Marvin Simon’s involvement with his temple, Ohef

talked about.

Sholom. Many a Friday night was spent racing around

We really probably only have 11,000 people, so not only the amount of money we raise, but the amount of

the Oneg [refreshment] tables after Shabbat services.

We began there to know our temple members,

energy we raise, and the amount of caring we raise, and

our community. Many of the same were the pioneers

the example we set as a community is truly so extraor-

involved with growing our Jewish community at large—

dinary, I can’t tell you. We may be fourth or fifth in the

the UJFT.

nation in our fundraising, yet we don’t have the inordi-

Marvin Simon

By the time I was married at OST, and faced with

nately strong financial community that New York or Los

the daunting task of writing more than 350 thank you

Angeles has, but the annual campaign, by anybody’s

notes, I took great pleasure knowing I was also simply

standard is a success here. It takes hard work, it’s drudg-

touching base with life long friends—my extended com-

ery, it’s difficult, but it is important. Every time you

munity family. Dad most certainly taught and led by his

accept a new position, and you try to think if it’s worth it,

commitment.

you realize that each time you always get out more than you put in, and I can’t even tell you why, but it’s true.

Being a part of a community —where there are lasting friendships, where you share these missions, where you share experiences, you share your concerns, you

How will you encourage your children’s involvement?

They’ve already “got it.” They “got” their grandfather’s active involvement and they patiently experienced ours.

When you go to Sunday school or the JCC pre-

share your relations—all of this builds the fabric that has

school, or simply the “J” itself, and your parents are

allowed Jews to persevere and I feel like on my watch, I

running around attending meetings, lecturing, organiz-

don’t want to see anything happen to it.

ing events and fundraisers, you “get it”—just as we did.

*

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What are your thoughts about this

a big proponent of volunteering, of being

community’s future?

involved— both of my parents were.

Every generation worries who will carry the torch, but

My parents were of the mind that you

the next generation is stepping up and I know our kids

don’t wait to be asked or to ask if you can help

and their peers are waiting in the wings.

your community —you just step up and do it,

I think the message is getting sent and received. I

and that when you do, the rewards that come

particularly like some of the innovative programming

at the end of the day are greater than anything

we’re trying regarding leadership training that graduates

you could ever want. I found that to be true for

one age group to the next.

me, too.

As kids, we saw our parents being

Nathan Jaffe

involved, being on committees, going to meet-

B

easier for us to “buy-in,” for us to say, “yes.”

son of Lee and Bernard Jaffe* ernard chaired the UJFT’s campaign to raise funds

ings, all the stuff that later on, when we were

Karen, Nathan and Bernard* Jaffe.

asked to participate, we understood. So it was

for the emergency airlift of Ethiopian Jews in 1991,

which raised $94,000 in about 48 hours.

Were there any specific incidents or words of wisdom that compelled you to become active

What are some of the leadership

in the Tidewater Jewish community?

positions you’ve held?

There wasn’t one specific thing; we were just shown by

Since my early 20s when I came back to the area after

our parents that it was important to be involved. My

college, I’ve been involved in the Tidewater Jewish com-

mom, early on in her Judaic community life, started a

munity. First with the Jewish Community Center—I was

Jewish book club with women who were also raising

on the board. Shortly after I got off of the JCC board, I

children. This was an opportunity, once a month, to read

got on the board of Jewish Family Service for about 10

a book, to come to my mom’s house to discuss it, and just

to 12 years, and I was president for two years. I’ve also

to be together. Many of these women became leaders in

been involved with the Federation with events like Super

the community.

Sunday and with raising money that goes to help fund

I still have people coming up to me today, telling me

community agencies and programs that help people all

stories about how they used to be part of my mom’s book

over the world.

club. That’s one of the reasons why my sister, Karen, and

The agency that I’ve been most involved with has

I have tried to continue with this theme, and that’s why

been Jewish Family Service of Tidewater. By getting

we support the JCC and the community with the Lee

involved, I’ve been able to see the different programs that

and Bernard Jaffe* Jewish Book Festival that they hold

are offered in our community, and it keeps me in touch

every year.

with what’s going on—what and where the needs are and what I, and our entire community, can do to help.

My mom was also very involved in Hadassah—that was a big organization back in the day—and my father held many positions in the Federation and was president

How did your parents influence your

of the JCC. My parents were strong supporters of Israel,

decision to get involved?

from the time when it was a new country and just getting

Both my mom and my dad—their whole thing was

started. They were both very involved with the efforts to

about giving back. My dad worked hard and become a

raise money to be sent overseas. They were behind Israel

successful real estate developer. Because of his success,

100 percent and went there several times. I went with my

and the community he lived in, which he felt gave him so

dad a few times, too—as a father and son thing—and

much, he felt like it was his responsibility to give back—

those are strong memories that I’ll always have. The

not that he had to, but he wanted to. He was always *

Of blessed memory 15

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biggest thing my dad did was lead the emergency fund-

in our community. So I think we’ll have to make a bigger

raising drive for Operation Solomon that helped rescue

effort in trying to raise money, because the way things

so many Ethiopian Jews.

are, we are always going to be faced with the need for

I can’t say that my dad gave me any specific words

more and more dollars to support these different agen-

of wisdom, like, “Nathan, this is how it goes….” My dad,

cies—whether it’s Hebrew Academy or Jewish Family

though, was famous for this: when people called, whether

Service or the Jewish Community Center.

it was Harry Graber or Betty Ann Levin or anyone

I do think the future is bright, but I think it’s only

else—when they called him to ask him for something,

going to be bright if we get more and more people like

he would always say, “Yes.” He felt like by the time they

Zach and his contemporaries to step up and to start

got to him, it must be really important, and so he was an

getting more involved. I’m not a pessimist, whatsoever,

easy guy to convince. A lot of times, maybe he wasn’t the

in terms of our community. I do think we have a good

first person they’d spoken to, but when it came to our

future ahead of us. It’s just going to entail constant efforts

community—in terms of raising money or being asked

and hard work to maintain what we have.

to do something—he would just do it. And that’s how we were brought up.

What do you hope to pass on to the next generation, as far as being an example?

I have two stepchildren, and my wife, Beth, and I hope they will become active in the community. My stepson,

Jodi Klebanoff

daughter of Ann and Robert “Bobby” Copeland

J

odi is the current chair of the Women’s Cabinet, past president of Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, past

Zach, is just starting to get his toes wet in the area of

president of Women’s American ORT, and is on the

Jewish community involvement—he was on the Super

UJFT Israel and Overseas committee and the Holocaust

Sunday committee this year. Zach sees both Beth and

Commission of the UJFT.

me involved in the Jewish community and I think he has at least gotten from us that you should be involved in

What was passed on by your parents that

some aspect of your community, that you should have

inspired you to be a leader?

some kind of connection somewhere that makes you part

For me, looking back on my childhood, the tone was set

of it. For him, that might be when he gets married and, if

by both of my parents being real supporters of Israel

he decides to raise his kids Jewish, he’ll send them to the

and being true Zionists. They were both so passion-

Hebrew Academy, where he’ll meet a group of people via

ate about the state of Israel, and that just permeated

that scenario and get more involved.

through our whole upbringing. They led by example—

I do think it’s more and more difficult to get this

the meetings they attended, and all of the Federation

next generation to buy-in. All we can do is what our par-

events, and then, during the ’73 War—I remember that

ents did, and try to lead by example. Our kids see what

being a big time for them.

we do, and see that we’re involved, and we can gently

Jodi Klebanoff

That’s what we knew—all of my siblings. I think the

push for them to get involved, too, but you can’t hit them

whole feeling in our family was that our parents always

over the head with a baseball bat.

instilled in us that it was our responsibility to take care of our fellow Jews, like they were our family. That’s how

What do you think the future looks like

they presented it to us—this is your family. They might

for our community?

not be your immediate family, but it’s our responsibility

Our future is obviously a big question mark. I think all of

to do our part. Whether in Tidewater, in Israel, or the

our agencies are so important, but, unfortunately, with

Diaspora Jew—that was just what it was. We didn’t know

a dwindling Jewish population here it becomes more

any differently. We would take care of our family if they

difficult to sustain all of the different programs we have

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Bassam A. Kawwass, FACHE Administrator

needed us—and this was family. That was really the

What are your thoughts about the community’s past,

push. It was the right thing to do.

and its future?

There wasn’t one event that made me decide to get

One thing that my dad says: if we don’t do it, if we don’t

involved—it was being at the dinner table. That encom-

take care of our own, then who will? There’s nobody else.

passes everything. It was conversations we had. I think

There are so few Jewish people in the world that it’s up to

my parents felt if Israel was strong, then American Jewry

us to take care of our own.

would be strong. They impressed that upon us. And I share that belief.

Getting involved—it’s just what we want to do. It

I’m very optimistic about our community. I think we’ll always have our challenges and our struggles—like the Jewish people always have—how have we survived

was never spoken; this is what you should do. My folks

this long? The face of this community may change in

always felt that the people who came before us sacrificed

terms of the buildings and the institutions, but to me

so much to have a state of Israel and be free, I think their

they’re just that—buildings.

position was the least we could do is do our small part

It’s really about the people and what we’re doing

here, in America. They had sacrificed between their wars

that matters. So, in terms of the peoplehood and the

and how much they could give up, and here we were

strength, I think we’ll always have a strong community in

living in America with all our freedoms.

Tidewater that cares about one another, and cares about

For me personally, a turning point was when I went

making the world a better place.

to Israel. I did a high school program there. We studied about Israel and all of the places there, and then we would go visit. It built this Jewish identity I could feel, and that’s when it clicked for me. It wasn’t my parents, this was my thing. I remember being there and feeling like, gosh, I’m home.

Kevin Lefcoe

son of Mavelyn and Sanford “Sonny” Lefcoe* (1974–75, and 1985–87)

K

evin is currently on the UJFT board for a second time, is a Hebrew Academy of Tidewater board

What do you hope to pass on to your children, to encourage their involvement?

member and sits on the Tidewater Jewish Foundation board.

I think that Israel has enriched my own personal life and my own life with my husband [Jay Klebanoff], and I

What was passed on by your parents that

hope that they get that same feeling. That it’s important,

inspired you to be a leader?

but it’s so meaningful. That you’re thinking beyond your

I got to go to Israel a lot when

own life. That there are people who need your help, and

I was young. The first time, I

that you get so much more from giving than receiving. It

was 14. A little later, my father

feels so good that I can do something to make a differ-

was involved in the creation of

ence. It just feels good.

the dental school at Tel Aviv

I’m really proud of my kids—all of them. Arielle

Kevin Lefcoe

University. We stayed at the

is working at a Jewish school whenever she has the

Strelitz’ house then, and my

time—also building her own Jewish identity and making

sister and brother and I were all

Jewish learning fun for others. She has a big heart and

there. We learned to live in Israel—like it was our home,

wants to help the whole world. My youngest, Ben, is very

not like we were on a mission, and a lot of our involve-

involved in BBYO, Habitat for Humanity and Special

ment was just our connection to the land.

Lefcoe family

Olympics—I think that comes from his home and going

My father really first became involved with

to HAT. Noah, too has been to Israel—he did an inten-

Federation around the time of the Yom Kippur War

sive Israeli army boot camp program. He loved it, and

and the operation of bringing the Ethiopians to Israel. I

got to see Israel from a very different perspective.

*

Of blessed memory 19

CONGRATULATIONS ON

75 YEARS.

Thanks for all you do to make our community great.

20

EVMS.edu

remember my mother was always on the phone asking

believe though, that being a member of the JCC, being

for money, and she would always want the names of

a member of the synagogue, inviting my friends to be

people who didn’t want to give, to talk to them. Even

involved, is an example to my girls, and other people,

though they’d hang up and tell her not to call them, the

that it’s okay, that it’s important to not only be involved,

next year, she’d call them again.

but to invite other people to be involved with you.

It wasn’t about me, or you, or him, or them—Mother

I’d like to be an example to other people to be com-

had this ability to put aside the feelings and show everyone

mitted Jews in the community and to Israel, as well. I’ve

that the important thing is not about us. It’s about helping

found that it’s much more empowering to say “Yes,” let’s

others. My parents got involved in not only building Israel,

do that, let’s give it a shot, let’s share information. We say

but in making sure the community’s needs were commu-

no a lot more than we say yes, because we’re scared of

nicated, no matter how they had to do it.

ruffling feathers.

Father was president of the Federation twice, the What are your thoughts about the

only one who did that. The first time, it was his

community’s history, and it’s future?

turn in line. And the second time? When Buddy Strelitz died, he’d mapped out the

If we

I still remain very close with my high school

focus on

friendships with the kids we grew up

the children,

Nobody in those days could go to

future of the community. Supposedly, he had it on some kind of piece of paper— what it was going to take—and my father was the next president on that piece of paper. Buddy said “Sonny has to be president again,” and if Buddy wanted it, Father said he was going to do it.

My parents’ example is what led

friends. We’ve managed to maintain close with because we were always together.

Norfolk Yacht [and Country Club] or play golf at the Princess Anne Country

we can empower

Club, because we were Jewish. We lived in Norfolk, we went to the

people to be more

me to get involved, and Amy [my wife] is very involved, too. She’s involved with the Women’s Cabinet as their edu-

involved.

cation chair, is a serious student of Jewish history, and teacher, too, and is involved with the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project—which is a kind of Birthright for Moms. We’re busy, but it’s important to us to be involved.

JCC—a lot—we were all in BBYO, we were all close, and we were all together on Sunday. Even if we weren’t in the same BBYO chapters, we were all there,

playing sports, or doing whatever we did.

It was a hangout. That doesn’t exist anymore the way it did when we were kids—the world is a different place.

The future of this community has to do with educating the children. That’s what it comes down to.

What do you hope to pass on to your children?

We’re tied up in “things.” I would say that educating the

I feel strongly about instilling in our daughters—Jenny,

children and the community around them is the basis of

Maddy and Rose—a strong Jewish life; living Jewishly,

what the future of the community will be. And I think

and doing the things that are important to us. Family

we’re focused on a lot of how we’re going to raise more

Shabbas, traveling to Israel—the example that we set by

and more money for programs—but I just don’t know

making those phone calls or just being seen around the

how many of them are going to secure the future of the

Center. Things like maintaining our JCC membership,

community. I think our investment needs to be our kids.

even if we don’t all use it—my daughter uses it, and Amy

If we focus on the children, we can empower people

uses it, but as far as me using it? I go there to see my

to be more involved, to make better investments, and to

friends, to have lunch, to go to CRC events, but as far as

say come on, lets’ all be part of this together. That’s what

being a user of Center facilities, I never really have. I do

I’d like to see happen.

21

Congratulations

on 75 successful years

John, Renee, Julia, Jacqueline and Joseph Strelitz 22

Art Sandler

was president of the Sisterhood at one time—temple life was everything back then. There was no social life

son of Reba and Sam Sandler (1968–69) president (1993–95) brother of Steve (pres. 1995–97) *

B

for Jews outside of the synagogue community. People entertained in their homes, or at the synagogue, or in the Amity Club—a local social group. You couldn’t go out to

oth Art and Steve have taken on a number of leader-

restaurants at that time and order drinks because of the

ship roles in the United Jewish Federation

Blue Laws, and Jews couldn’t belong to country clubs, so

of Tidewater.

that’s what you did. My parents were like Jews in other

Art Sandler

southern cities when they were young and moved out Was there an expectation from your parents

of their “ghettos”—the downtown areas—to the sub-

that you and your siblings would be involved?

urbs, which in Norfolk was Wards Corner. That meant

My parents never told us—me or my brother or my

they also moved away from their synagogues, and there

sister—to be in, or seek, a leadership position. Rather,

weren’t any where they moved. This happened all over

our parents, my father and mother, led their children by

the country, but particularly in the south. So the younger

example. They were very involved in the community,

families decided they needed their own synagogues, and

in many ways, many parts of the community—not just

that’s how Temple Israel got built. Which meant a whole

Federation—and as we were growing up, it was just kind

generation of young guys, like my dad, or Sonny Lefcoe

of expected of us to live a life worth living. You know,

or Cal Breit or Carl Katz and a lot of other people—they

a life in the service of others is a life worth living. And

got a chance to become leaders. Had they had stayed

if you did really good stuff, you tried hard and you did

at Beth El or B’nai Israel, where they had been, the old

right, then maybe, maybe you would be asked to be a

guard were the leaders and there was no place for the

leader by your peers. You know, leadership, at least in the

new guys to function. They got to step out from under-

Jewish world, is a privilege. It’s an honor. Your people

neath the old guard and create new institutions.

Sam Sandler*

honor you by asking you to lead.

I can remember as a little boy thinking I wanted to

Did anything happen when you were younger that con-

make a difference in the world. My brother Steve and I,

vinced you to be committed to the Jewish community?

all through elementary school and high school and even

There’s a story that Steve likes to tell, and he tells it a lot,

in college, were both involved in our communities, in

and really well. It took place during the Six-Day War. My

student government. We didn’t really spend time on our-

mom and dad were hard-working people, and, like a lot

selves, or on hobbies, because our parents didn’t live that

of people at that time, in the summertime they would

way—our family didn’t spend our free time doing that.

rent a home down at the oceanfront, in Virginia Beach,

We thought we were supposed to make a difference, and

for a month. They really wanted to own a home there

so that’s what we got involved in—those kinds of activi-

though, and not just rent, and when my dad finally could,

ties. For us, it was just a natural, ordinary thing to do.

he put a down payment on a house—a deposit. Just after

Steve Sandler

he did that, the Six-Day War broke out. My dad immeWhy do you think your family became so involved,

diately took the deposit back and gave all of that money

and can you share some of the positions you all have

to Israel. And he never really looked back after that. He

held in addition to being presidents of the Federation?

could have had that house, but he never revisited it.

In my family, titles meant nothing. They still mean noth-

In my family, there was a sense from my parents of

ing. I have no interest in those things, unless I feel I have

social justice. You always treat people with kindness, you

a particular expertise that can benefit someone.

always help other people, you don’t ask anything in return,

I don’t remember titles that my dad had. I know he was an early president of Temple Israel, and as a young man that was a big thing for him, and my mother

you just try and do the right thing. That’s how we lived. I remember kind of liking that. I thought that was cool. *

Of blessed memory 23

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I’m sure many other people lived the same way; it

in too long or stifling the growth of other people. I know

wasn’t just us. My parents were humble people who were

that our family really wants other people to grow, to lead,

generous. We never thought we were wealthy, but we

and to do good things. It’s a tremendous fulfillment for

knew we were generous—in whatever way we could be.

me, and my brother, to see other people flourish, and to

My parents were generous people, and they expected

support them.

that of us. My grandfather Sandler, Leo Max, was a very generous man, too. Annie (my wife) and I have run into

Looking back at Tidewater’s past,

other people over the years who say how generous my

and ahead at our future, what do you see?

grandfather was. And that was a good thing.

Our history is a well-documented history of a Jewish community. It’s the story of other small to mid-sized

What do you hope you’ve passed on to your children,

Jewish communities whose members moved from a

as far as becoming involved in the community?

dense urban environment to the suburbs. We’re like

I’m not asking my children to seek leadership, I’m not

many other southern Jewish communities and we’re not

asking them to get any fame or fortune out of it. I’m

unique in that regard. But our future is much brighter

asking them to work hard and to live a full life. To imag-

than many other communities because we have a good

ine a world much bigger than themselves. We’ve let them

stable economy. Hampton Roads is not dying. It’s not

know that whatever it is that you do, you overdo—be

like Vicksburg, Miss.—which in one era was a thriv-

passionate about it, work hard at it—anything worth

ing Jewish place, but then trade along the Mississippi

doing is worth overdoing. It’s not enough to worry about

changed, commerce changed, and people moved away.

yourself, about making a living and worrying about your

We have a very vibrant community, a very solid past,

family. If you can do more, then you should. That’s what

with good institutions and synagogues, and because we

Annie and I encourage in our children.

have a pretty solid base, we have a good future for thriving Jewish life. We imagine a bright future, and if you

You could have served your two years as president and

can imagine things, you can usually achieve them if you

then found other organizations to lead.

work hard at it. Our real future, our real potential, comes

Why have you, and your family, chosen to stay

because we’re organized, in a strong and good way.

involved in the Federation and the community?

One reason is because it fulfills our egos, or my ego.

Please don’t make any mistake about people doing things altruistically. You always get something out of what you do. So, one could say that we’re pretty selfish, and we feel fulfilled from being leaders. Another reason that we hang in there for the long-term and keep doing it is because

John Strelitz

son of Arlene and Joseph “Buddy”* Strelitz (1970–71)

J

ohn is a past president of the Simon Family JCC, was a Men’s Campaign chair, and Federation board

member, among other leadership positions.

we have a sense of obligation to our community, to our family. If you view community like a family, and we do,

Why did you become involved in the community?

you have to be really vigilant. If you want it to be really

My parents were always involved growing up—Dad was

good, you have to keep working at it. Not give up on it.

the president of the Federation, my mom was president

Also, if you’re involved in something, you don’t quit

of Women’s Cabinet, and community involvement was

it after you’ve had a title. If you just get the title and then

just part of our house. Then, our family built a home in

you’re gone, it doesn’t seem like the right thing to do. In

Israel in the early ’80s. We still have it; my mom’s been

some organizations, it is that way. You’ve paid your dues,

living there, so feeling a connection to Israel is kind of a

you get promoted up, and then, you’re out. That’s the

natural for me.

problem with titles. That’s why I would emphasize we

John Strelitz

My real involvement in the Federation was when

were never commanded or pre-determined to lead. We

I came back into the community after college. I got

were just asked to get at it, to do things, to be helpful,

involved in Super Sunday and that’s when I understood

and that’s what we do. We do think there should be room

the importance of what I could do. I think that is a good

for other leaders, for more people to come through, and

time for people to really get involved.

organizations have to guard against their leaders being *

Of blessed memory 25

Mazel Tov! Beth and Nathan Jaffe 26

A couple of events stand out that are really memo-

you have to be the first person to do it, and then other

rable for me: my family building a house in Israel,

people will follow.

going on a mission—the Miracle mission—in

My hope

1991, and then going on Men’s missions. I think that going to Israel as an adult has

is that my

really opened my eyes to the needs of the Jewish community, and also, being

family will be a

involved in agencies locally I’ve seen firsthand the needs right here.

Are there any words of wisdom that were passed on to you from your parents,

What are your hopes for the future of

major factor in this community’s

that you hope to pass on to your children?

My parents taught us that if you’re lucky enough

involvement.

to have resources, you should give back to the

the Tidewater Jewish community?

My hope is that my family will be a major factor in this community’s involvement.

We’ve been here since 1925, and my grandmother started with B’nai Brith Women, and then my parents, and now me. And I hope my kids continue to be involved and understand the responsibility to the Jewish community—being on boards, giving money and raising money.

I’m sure my dad was concerned that we

community and make sure the community is okay.

would not be involved, so my hope and my vision,

I also think my parents never wanted me to forget

is that 50 years from now, my kids will be saying the

the Holocaust. I think we don’t realize that it was only

same thing about their kids—that it is important to be a

75 years ago that they came around to our houses and

part of this community.

killed us, because we were Jewish. We didn’t do anything. We were Jewish. And so you can’t ever forget that. That was passed on to me, and I pass it on to my children. Don’t ever get too comfortable, because you never know…75 years ago, in a modern society, they came with guns and took us away. If we can make our community strong, then that can never happen gain.

I hope my children will get involved.

I set them up with a foundation when they were bar and bat mitzvah, so that they have to make decisions about where to give their money away.

But I think after college—the trip to Israel that they will do, Birthright, will be a real eye opener. My daughter’s looking forward to doing that next year, and I think

Celebrating

75 successful years

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S upporting our Community Honoring our Parents

Reba and Sam Sandler

We are honored to be part of this wonderful Jewish Community.

Every day we strive to promote the good name and legacy we inherited from our People, The Torah, our grandparents and parents, Reba and Sam Sandler

Steven, Sheri, Art, Annie Dylan, Eva, Katie, Max, Jess, Mitch, Leyla, Wes 28

From the Eight-Page Kitchen a view of the 1960s Inclusion of the wider Jewish community, paid advertising and controversy for the newspaper.

by Marilyn Goldman former editor UJF News

Now, after four exhausting hours of sorting through copies of the paper with some missing, the earliest one appeared dated September 1967. The nameplate reads

W

as it my imagination

Jewish Community Council NEWS. On the back page a mailer indicates Norman Berlin is president, Samuel or had I actually kept a

Sandler and Joseph H. Strelitz are vice presidents,

bagful of old UJF News from 43 years before? Through a

Dr. Arthur S. Kaplan and Calvin Breit secretary and

restless night, I searched my memory for clues to bygone

treasurer respectively, Ephraim Spivek is the executive

days and dreamed of past events in piecemeal snapshots.

director and Marilyn Goldman editor. An editorial with

In the morning, I took the elevator down to my storage

my by-line alludes to a prior edition of the paper. “When

unit and pulled out cartons of magazines, cut-up pieces

we went to press in the early days of June the very

of articles, pictures and notebooks. Stuck in a corner I

existence of Israel stood in the balance.… We could not

found what I was looking for—the oversized printer’s

then foresee that Israel would withstand the onslaught

bag marked with the date 1970. I had kept dozens of old

of the Arab world in a brief and stunning victory.” The

newsprint tabloids, replete with changing mastheads,

reference was to Israel’s Six-Day War. The missing copy

type sizes and layouts. I wonder why I saved them.

may have been my first.

The search into my past was precipitated by a

Marilyn Goldman

Like many women of my time, I stayed home raising

chance meeting with Terri Denison in the lobby of

my three children and wrote freelance for several pub-

Harrison Opera House the evening before. She asked if

lications. Ephraim “Fri” Spivek probably saw my work

I would write an article about the years I was editor of

and called me to come in for an interview at the coun-

the UJF News for a special edition magazine. My initial

cil’s office on Spotswood Avenue in Norfolk. Whatever

reaction was that I don’t remember enough about the

arrangements were made dealing with a job description,

time to write an article. Instead, I said, “I’ll think about it

hours, and pay are lost in memory. But I do recall the

and call you.”

council’s small office space, which meant that I would 29

work at home laying out the paper in my kitchen.

UJF News, May 1970.

Fri and I quickly developed a close working relationship, in which I greatly benefited from his intellect and worldview.

He accepted my insistence on a policy that

the subject for the evening, “After Auschwitz

UCLA study funded by the Jewish Post and

included the wider Jewish community, even

Can One Believe?” He answers the ques-

Opinion from 1965 to 1969 found two-thirds

outside when it was appropriate, although,

tion with a question, “Is there an after? The

of Americans view Jews unfavorably.”

it was not to everyone’s satisfaction. Still, he

Holocaust was a rupture between Jew and

never told me to drop an editorial and dealt

man, man and man, events and history—

with whatever controversy arose without

madness on a cosmic scale. The Holocaust

involving me. I wasn’t totally immune, how-

was a farce…it can have no meaning.”

ever, after each edition I received plenty of

In Tidewater and elsewhere Jews were

I

t’s official.

The paper sports a new name

and logo, UJF News, published by the also

newly named organization, United Jewish Federation of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

irate calls, and sometimes a compliment. It

still dealing with the ghost of the Holocaust.

But, are we united? My ad agency husband,

was all part of the job.

It was not unusual to hear of support for

Dan Goldman, believes the paper should

Israel discussed in terms of dual-loy-

include advertising. “It has an upscale market

the May 1969 issue shows a captioned picture

alty. Regardless of the Israel component,

to attract advertisers,” he says,

of a still gaunt, Elie Weisel, appearing at

anti-Semitism was pervasive as reported by

Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk to speak on

the UJF News in the January 1969 edition. “A

Twenty-five years after the Holocaust,

Mazel Tov on 75 years of providing for the needs of the Jewish Community of Tidewater.

Thanks for all you do.

Susan and Jon Becker

30

“

Advertising adds interest, readership and eventually will pay for the publication.’’ Valid arguments, yet,

each time I broach the subject to the Federation it’s rejected—there are those who prefer that the Jewish paper remain within the Jewish community. It took nearly two years from my initial proposal to the front page headline, “Advertising Acceptance Milestone for UJF News.” That story was picked up by the national wire service JTA, the Jewish Telegraph Agency.

T

hrough the efforts

of many like Joseph Strelitz,

first president of the new UJF, and brother,

Leonard Strelitz—who would later become United

Israeli soldier praying as seen by participants in 1969 UJA Young Leaders Mission.

Jewish Appeal’s general chairman—national and inter-

organization. Mr. Nathan was anxious to respond to

national figures appear at our doorstep. Former Vice

Ambassador Rabin’s remarks of the previous evening.

President Hubert Humphrey arrives on March 27, 1969

“Mr. Rabin says I am a dreamer. The whole state of

to speak at a UJF dinner. “He is surrounded by a slew

Israel was a dream. And so far, our practical men have not

of reporters and area leaders at the airport. The Vice-

succeeded in bringing us any closer to peace,” said Nathan.

President is a dynamic presence, clearly enjoying the

A pilot during World War II, one of the youngest

large contingency that greets him. A reporter asks if he

officers in the British RAF, Nathan also served in the

is pro Israel (he was here for UJF). “I’m not pro Israel or

Israeli Air Force. “I’ve seen enough killing not to love

pro Palestinian,” he replies, “I’m pro peace.”

war. Violence solves nothing and our children are grow-

The month before, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. and hero of the Six-Day War, Yitzhak Rabin, is the keynote speaker at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

ing up knowing nothing else.” Still, he admitted, “we have no choice.”

After his second goodwill flight to Egypt, Nathan

Conference dinner. He tells the sizable audience, “We

returned to Israel and was given the choice of paying a

find it difficult to understand how the Arabs can hate us

$400 fine or spending 40-days in jail. “I refused to pay

enough to go to war against us three times.… We don’t

the fine. I thought it cheapened my gesture. I spent the

need their recognition, but peace cannot be achieved

40-days in jail, and gave $400 to an army hospital,” he said.

with the assumption that Israel does not exist.”

At the chamber’s dinner, a most astonishing meeting occurred: In the middle of Rabin’s speech, he paused to stare at a man seated in the audience, then gestured for him to stand. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the ambassador said, “this is my fellow countryman, Abie Nathan.

Remember him, he thought he could achieve peace by himself, and flew a plane to Egypt (an enemy country).

My friend is a dreamer.” Nathan showed no reaction, sat down and Rabin’s speech continued.

The next day, after many calls I located Abie Nathan to request an interview for the UJF News. We met at a downtown hotel, where he was in transit awaiting the arrival of a Norwegian freighter bound for the African Coast. He was a volunteer with a Biafra relief

Ambassador Yitzhak Rabin (center) with top UJF campaign leaders Milton Kramer, 1968 chairman; Joseph Strelitz, National UJA Cabinet member; Leonard Strelitz, National UJA Executive Committe member; and Dr Arthur Kaplan, 1968 UJF campaign co-chairman.

31

While serving his sentence, he read about the Biafra

Nathan had been portrayed in the press as a sort of

situation, and was moved by the horror of starving chil-

crackpot. I found him to be credible, well-spoken and

dren.… “Some said this is not our problem, but there are

undoubtedly sincere.

many Jews who felt as I did and we began Israeli Relief.

The world must not turn its back again, as they did with us in the concentration camps,” Nathan said.

Nathan was born in Iran, grew up in India, where

“W

e only have an eight-page

kitchen,” Dan says

as he steps gingerly over layout pages on the

floor spilling over to the kitchen table and into the dining

he attended a Jesuit school. In 1966, he returned to India,

room. I remind him that incorporating advertising in the

bringing a plane load of food. Prime Minister Indira

paper was his idea. The UJF News is growing rapidly,

Ghandi met him at the airport. “I go to countries that are

mostly due to Harriet White taking over the job of adver-

really against us, and try to help them and they say, an

tising manager and a revitalized Jewish community.

Israeli came here.…”

The Biafra, trip was his fourth and last. “It’s time to go home, my country needs me,” he said. He planned an offshore radio station in the middle of the Mediterranean. He would broadcast to Arab and Israeli listeners…. “I’ll tell the Arabs we want peace day and

A

new

JCC building on Newport Avenue in Norfolk

is under construction The Federation office will

move there…building completion is scheduled for the summer of 1970.

In the same issue, there’s a story of a UJA Young Leadership Mission to Austria and Israel, comprised

night and Israelis the same.”

of 40 people from across the country including Morty

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32

and Bootsie Goldmeier, Ralph and Mindy Futterman, Dan and I. We were taken to an old estate on the outskirts of Vienna in a secluded area, where Jewish immigrants from the Soviet Union are processed for departure to Israel, or if they qualify to the United States. There, a staff of Israeli doctors, nurses and foreign service experts assist the immigrants. When we arrived, they had left their homeland only days before under difficult circumstances— perhaps forever. It was unimaginable how they were feeling. We tried communicating with them as best we could in spotty French, Polish, Yiddish. We departed resolved to help others flee Soviet oppression.

The following day, our group traveled 200 miles outside of Vienna to Mathausen concentration camp. The horror of the Krematorium is like nothing in this world, a place where everything remains as it was during the Holocaust. Naked adults and children were led to the showers where not water, but poison gas was dispensed. The dead bodies were removed for quick disposal to the ovens. We stood holding on to one and another overcome with grief.

After Austria, Israel was a welcome sight. Among the distinguished Israelis we met—including high government officials and military leaders—the one that stands out was the brilliant, flamboyant, mid-western born rabbi, Herbert Friedman. He was the executive chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, who commuted between the U.S. and Israel, where he and his wife maintained a second home. We found him—or he found us—several times during our travels across the country. Dressed in his usual attire of flowered pants and brightly colored shirts, one could hardly miss the striking figure with white hair and tanned face reflecting days spent in the hot, Israeli sun.

33

Our Visitors Herbert Friedman, a reform

Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli prime minister, military hero,

rabbi, served as an Army chap-

statesman in 1974, signed a Disengagement Agreement

lain in World War II. He was later

between Israel and Egypt. He was awarded the Nobel

recruited by David Ben Gurion for

Peace Prize in 1994, with Shimon Peres and Yasar Arafat,

the Haganah, to transport illegal

for leading the country into uncharted territory to make

Jewish immigrants to Palestine. As

peace with the Palestinians. In 1995, he was shot at a

CEO for United Jewish Appeal, he

peace rally by a right-wing Israeli and died an hour later.

raised more than $3 billion for Israel and was the archi-

He was 73.

tect for donor mission trips to the fledgling nation—a standard in Jewish philanthropy today. In 2008, he died at 89.

Hubert Humphrey, the 38th Vice President of the United States, after losing his bid for the presidency to Richard Nixon, reentered the Senate in 1971. A trailblazer for civil rights and social justice, he remained there until his death at 67 in 1978.

He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Freedom and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Elie Weisel, 84, Holocaust survivor, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, for speaking out

Abie Nathan, maverick anti-war

against violence, repression and

activist, built and ran his Voice of

racism. He is the author of 58

Peace radio station for 21 years,

books and the world acclaimed

attracting 30-million Arab and

memoir, Night. Following heart

Israeli listeners. In 2008, Israeli

surgery in 2011, he wrote Open Heart about his experi-

President Shimon Peres learning of

ence. He continues to teach at Boston University and is a

Nathan’s death at 81, paid tribute to

powerful advocate for human rights across the globe.

him as did some Palestinians. “His dreams of peace inspired the Oslo Peace Agreements and treaties with Jordan and Egypt.”

34

At the Hotel Accadia overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, our

the night and part of the day in an uneasy truce. Inside the bunkers

group spent the morning on a leisurely third breakfast while scan-

where we taken, exhausted Israeli soldiers sprawled on the floor

ning newspapers reporting on the fighting in Israel when Friedman

stared at us in disbelief—we shared their feelings. Some smiled at

arrived. “Look at you! Think of your poor families worrying about

seeing Americans in their midst in our UJA hats touring the area.

you in the foxholes.” After the laughter subsided, he briefed us for

Across the water, Egyptian troops were clearly visible.

two-hours on conditions in Israel. We clamored for more. “See the

Rabbi Friedman on schedule met us at the Desert Inn in the

country for yourselves. Make your own judgments. In 10 days, I

heart of the Negev. Over dinner, we talked with him, eager to relate

will meet you in the Negev, where we will prepare to climb Masada.

all we had seen in the past week. That night in mid-July, we sat out-

Then, we will talk again.”

side under a dark, desert sky; chilled by the air and the story he told.

The following days were hectic. We traveled by bus to the Syrian and Jordanian borders, and under armed guard to Hebron. Then we flew to El Arish, where a bus waited to take us down the Sinai

In his magnificent voice, he recounted the history of Masada, one of the most tragic events in Jewish history.

At dawn the next morning, with Rabbi Friedman in the lead

Peninsula. On the long journey to the Suez, we heard guns firing in

explaining to us the various sites, we climbed the great rock of

the distance and smelled smoke. Several times the bus driver was told

Masada, above the Dead Sea to Herod’s ceremonial palace. We stood

by our Israeli military guards to stop while they checked the situa-

at the earliest known synagogue, and saw the sites of the ritual baths.

tion ahead. We joked among ourselves that it would fine if we turned

Throughout, was the image of the 960 Zealots who killed themselves,

around and missed the war. Not likely, our Israeli hosts were deter-

rather than surrender to the Romans three years after the destruc-

mined that we see the Suez as planned. When we arrived, we found

tion of the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 ad. At our final stop before

the Israelis and Egyptians had been exchanging fire throughout

descending, the rabbi spoke to us once more. He united the past with

35

Mazel Tov

celebrating the jewish community

the present, connecting the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

A

t home in

December 1969, my editorial

reads…. “The local press reported the

Jewish Community Center refused permission for the (Vietnam) Moratorium to be held on Center grounds because it fell on the Jewish Sabbath…. Two years ago when the Poor People’s March came to Norfolk, we congratulated the JCC on its courageous stand in offering food and housing to marchers, while other Jewish institutions did not. It too fell on the Sabbath…. How do you differentiate between the Black’s struggle for equal rights and the protest of our youth against the Vietnam War in which they might die?”

By 1970, activism was exploding in the country with anti-war sentiment on college campuses joining in with civil and the women’s rights movements. I was ready for new challenges. My final issue was 12-pages. It had jumped from four pages when I started. Fri’s farewell column touches

Michael Salasky, Attorney at Law 700 Monticello Ave., Suite 350 Norfolk, Va. 23510 (757)627-3333 www.mikesalasky.com

me and brings a smile…. “She has crossed swords with many on her concepts of how a Federation-owned newspaper can escape, be independent, and still serve the community in which it’s published.”

The last editorial June, 1970, I wrote, “It would seem inconceivable that every American has not suffered the most acute pain over the blood spilled in Vietnam, Cambodia, and on our college campuses….

Mazel Tov Gina and Neil Rose

But, the Jewish pain is different in this case.

Three of the four students killed at Kent State were Jewish, which is not to suggest they were shot because of their religion.

They were not. Two of the students were non-militant dissenters and the third a bystander.

“Jewish adults are the most liberal of the religious denominations in the country.

So are most of their children, who maintain a sizable presence on college campuses.

Perhaps, we should ask ourselves what are we teaching our children?

After 90 years, our story still begins

with you.

“As I leave these pages I am awed by our youth, who believe they can change the world. Until then my hope, my fervent wish, is that they will pass this place safely.”

F

our decades later

after reviewing that

period, I feel privileged to have been

the editor to document the beginning of the federation and UJF News, as we emerged from the shadows of the Holocaust into an era of Jewish pride and support for Israel.

The old bag of newspapers turned out to be useful after all.

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37

Congratulations on75 Years

F R O M Y O U R F R I E N D S AT T H E C H R I S T I A N B R O A D C A S T I N G N E T W O R K 38

Those were the days my friend.

The Tidewater Jewish community has come a long way since it was organized in 1937.

by Reba Karp, Jewish News editor emeritus

A

nd those who can

remember along with me,

will think back 30 years to the old Federation building on

Reba Karp, editor emeritus, Jewish News.

Newport Avenue.

I was the designated editor and put out the first UJF News in tabloid format on Oct. 6, 1973. Dr. Sanford “Sonny” Lefcoe was United Jewish Federation of

dedicated to working

Tidewater president and Zvi Almog, an Israeli import,

for the special cause

was the executive director. Sales manager for UJF News

of Israel and our local

was Diane Leiderman.

community.

I didn’t stay very long that first time, as I was to leave

I will prob-

for other jobs twice before I returned for the third time

ably do a lot of

on May 28, 1978. This time I stayed and remained as

name-dropping and

editor of the UJF Virginia News until I retired in 2004.

ask for forgiveness

The four other executive directors during my tenure

from those who are

were Michael Fischer, A. Robert Gast, Gary Rubin and

not mentioned due to

Mark Goldstein. Just before I retired, Harry Graber took

space limitation and a faulty memory.

over the reins of the Federation after serving as executive director of Jewish Family Service. UJFT has had many staff members, quite a few of them staying for years,

T

he

Tidewater Jewish community has come a long

way since it was organized in 1937. Miriam Kroskin

39

campaign of $4.51 million, under the chairmanship of Amy Levy.

During the years since UJFT’s formation, there have been many offices, starting with a modest room in the Nusbaum Building, which was located on Plume and Granby Streets.

This was followed by its location in the old JCC building on Spotswood Avenue. But the years I remember best were at the former Norfolk Academy on Newport Avenue near Ward’s Corner, sharing a campus with the Jewish Community Center and Jewish Family Service.

Charles Goldman and Gary Rubin.

was the first woman’s campaign chair in 1936 and remained a tireless worker for Jewish and community causes for many years.

In l945, the Norfolk Jewish Community Council was formed. In l968, the council name was changed to the United Jewish Federation of Norfolk and Virginia

Jewish Community Center on Spotswood Avenue.

The UJFT was to outgrow its space there and

Beach. In April, l981, the Portsmouth Jewish Federation

renovated part of the building, with the generosity of the

merged with UJFT of Tidewater, blending the region

Glasser Family. The UJFT was now housed in the Rose

into one unity with one purpose.

Frances and Bernard Glasser Pavilion.

In July 1948, the UJFT announced a “near record campaign of $490,000.” Compare that to the latest 2013

Based on the 2002 demographic study by Old Dominion University, funded by UJFT, it was determined that many people in the Jewish community were moving to Virginia Beach. The decision was made to rent temporary offices in Kempsville, while undergoing an intensive building fund campaign, under the leadership of Bob Josephberg and Bobby Copeland and a committee of volunteer capital campaign fundraisers.

In 2004, the beautiful and sprawling Reba & Sam Sandler Family Campus opened, housing not only the UJFT, the Simon Family JCC and Jewish Family Service, but now also the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater.

B

ut, backtracking again,

On Sept. 24 1984, the

UJFT embarked on an ambitious project and

published its first four-color magazine, Renewal. In the beginning, we had six issues a year, plus a newspaper every other week. Another ambitious project was the 50th anniversary celebration of the Federation, officially

Sonny Lefcoe and Bob Gast.

40

marked with the publication of Renewal in 1988. Both

Mazel Tov

celebrating the jewish community

Ellie Lipkin in the lobby of the JCC on Newport Avenue.

publications were to receive numerous awards. Bootsie Goldmeier served as the first female president of the Federation during this time.

One of those most active in the Federation during my early years was Mickey (Milton) Kramer. I remember him as a quiet spoken gentleman. His son Ron was later to follow his dad and became Federation president in 2003.

Past presidents during the early years included Sam Sandler, Marvin Simon, Bobby Copeland, Sonny Lefcoe and Marc Jacobson.

Lefcoe was the only president to serve two terms. (See complete list on page 100.) Sydney Gates, a past campaign chairman and president, became sales manager of the News and Renewal magazine when he was 78 years old, retiring 20 years later!

Sam Sandler, who I remember with

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affection, was ever willing to talk with me and would frequently begin the answer to my question of that day with, “Ah, heck,

Congratulates Tidewater Jewish Federation on their 75th Anniversary!

Reba. You know what I want to say better than I do.” However, that proved to be only partially true, for after chatting with him,

BBYO Eastern Region

he knew exactly what he wanted to say as he was very much on top of what was happening in the community. His sons, Art and later Steve, also served the Federation as presidents. Arnold Leon, a past cam-

Mazel tov and thank you for your continued support.

paign chairman, recently had the honor

41

of installing his son Miles as Federation president.

And then, of course, there were brothers Leonard and Buddy Strelitz, both of

Congratulations

UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION OF TIDEWATER

for 75 Years of Dedicated Service to the Hampton Roads Community

whom served as UJFT presidents. Leonard was to rally the call during the Yom Kippur War in Israel and was the voice that put the community’s fund raising efforts to support Israel on the move. He later would serve as National Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal. No less involved was Buddy, who was chairman of the Norfolk School Board and president of American Friends of Tel Aviv University, who died unexpectedly in 1984. Many years after Buddy’s death, I had the opportunity to be a guest of Buddy’s wife, Arlene, in their home in Hertzliya, Israel during one of my visits to Israel as a member of a UJA mission.

I

n

May 1986 then Governor Gerald L.

Baliles established the Virginia Israel

Commission to “Develop plans for a broad series of exchanges—of people, ideals and

S.L. NUSBAUM Realty Co.

exhibits…” to be carried out during the

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period preceding Israel’s 40th birthday. The

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Tidewater members of the Advisory board

partnership was reinvigorated in 1996 by then Governor George Allen. Among the were Art Sandler, Dr. Edward Karotkin, and Mark Dreyfus.

www.slnusbaum.com

T

he

Virginian-Pilot devoted an entire

section to Israel’s First Fifty Years on

Sunday, May 11, 1998.

CONGRATULATIONS FROM

Brian H. Saucier “GLENN’S BROTHER”

T

he

United Jewish Federation of

Tidewater represents about 12,000

Jewish people in our growing region. How fortunate we are to have such a vibrant community of agencies and synagogues helping to celebrate our Jewish lives.

Many names run through my thoughts as I reach back to remember the earlier days and

42

no less involved were the women: Karen Jaffe, Annabel Sacks, Bootsie Goldmeier, Janie Stein, Ellie Lipkin, Joyce Strelitz, Toni Sandler, Karen Lombart, Connie Jacobson, Annie Sandler, Marcia Hofheimer, Deb Segaloff and Ann Copeland and many, many more, for alas, I can remember the faces, but the names escape me.

T

he

Holocaust Commission was officially formed

during my tenure. Of special interest here was

Sandler Family Campus

the interviewing and documenting all the remaining survivors. These interviews were later compiled under

some of his thoughts. The wisdom behind some of these

the leadership of Laura Miller, who was the driving force

chats I carry with me to this day.

in raising the funds to put all the interviews into a book titled To Life, which won a National Jewish Book award.

The survivors were frequent visitors to the JCC campus and Federation office on Newport Avenue. One

A

h, those indeed

were the days, but the wonder of it

all continues with a community focused on the 21st

century as it moves forward.

of these was Nandor Lazar who was happy to help the Federation and JCC with organizing and sorting mailings, etc. He would often pop in to see me and share

—A special thanks to my friend and a former UJFT staff member Kathy Eckert, who helped me remember and write the article.

43

44

Secrets of the 400 Club revealed Members have all been involved in some aspect of the Jewish community.

Sydney Gates had another idea. However losses, gains, and time have brought the two concepts closer together, as will be revealed below.

Strictly speaking the 400 Club is a misnomer. The ages of the original five members added up to only 398. They were Sydney Gates, Lester Sherrick, Morton Kushner, Archie Harris and one kid still in his 50s, Marvin Simon. I used to tell Sydney Gates that as a bunch of merchants they should call it “The 398 Club, Marked Down from Four Dollars.” The whole number thing quickly became moot as they immediately allowed Sidney Gates, Leonard Strelitz, Sam Sandler, Buddy Kantor, Marvin Simon, Morton Cushner and Lester Sherrick.

by Hal Sacks

Buddy Kantor, a youth not yet 70, into the club as a “full member.”

Sydney was the treasurer, secretary, and unpaid and unappreciated general factotum. His task was to

T

hirty years ago,

send out the meeting notice each month along with the venue, which varied from such places as Burroughs as the newly hired campaign

(Military Highway) to The Circle (Portsmouth) to AJR

director for the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

Doubleday’s (Ghent) and Johnny Lockhart’s (Tidewater

(so named due to the merger of the Portsmouth Feder-

Drive). Several times a year they were in for a real treat—

ation with the United Jewish Federation of Norfolk and

having lunch at the Sandler warehouse.

Virginia Beach), I had tried to create an affinity group of

Sydney would read the minutes:

past leadership—a group that would meet quarterly to

“No minutes.”

receive briefings on what was going in the community.

“Treasurer’ report: No money in the treasury.”

45

“Agenda: No agenda.”

“Let’s eat.”

So what did they do at these exclusive meetings? Well, they told dirty jokes, talked over old times (like who was arrested when their floating poker game was raided by the police), and recalled the peccadilloes of various contemporaries in the Jewish community of the 1920s, 30s and 40s.

Membership was initially restricted to Federation presidents, JCC presidents, or chairmen of the “drive” (as the Federation’s Annual Campaign was dubbed). Their motto was: “No fancy stuff for the 400 Club; just fellowship for old friends.”

Membership restrictions were relaxed to include anyone over 60 who had worked hard for the Jewish community and were still active one way or another. Somehow Leonard Strelitz and Sam Sandler made it in, followed shortly by Bernard Jaffe, Mickey Kramer, Sam Weisberg and Sam Swersky. And in time Arthur Kaplan, Sonny Lefcoe, Julian Rashkind, Malcolm Rosenberg and Henry Zetlin were inducted. Of course, there was no “induction” ceremony, just a phone call inviting the new member to lunch.

They are all of blessed memory now, but they have left an indelible mark on our community. Survivors of the “old” 400 Club include Tavia Gordon, Arnold Leon, Marc Jacobson, Kurt Rosenbach, Morty Goldmeier, Bob Rubin, Dave Furman, Walter Segaloff, and the undersigned.

BRAVO on 75 successful years!

Thank you for supporting Hurrah Players and our entire Tidewater community.

In Special Memory of

Mr. Alan Nusbaum

Every day we continue to be thankful for what the 400 Club did to create this beautiful campus. When, in 2003, Steve and Art Sandler (inducted despite their youth) asked the Club to assure them that it would back the Simcha Campaign if they took the lead, the members responded with more than $8,000,000 in pledges. Within two weeks of breaking ground, the example set

46

by the Sandler and the Simon families and the 400 Club resulted in pledges in excess of $20,000,000.

But what of the 400 Club now? Some old friends remain; some new friendships are being made; not many dirty jokes or racy stories. In many respects the Club is as different as the Tidewater Jewish community has become in three decades.

When the original group kicked things off 30 years ago, our agencies were small and almost 50 percent of our Campaign dollars

A gathering of the 400 Club with family members in 2005.

were allocated to the United Jewish Appeal.

However, in many ways the Club is very much the same. Still relevant, its members have all been involved

constituents, and affiliates. Mostly it’s schmoozing, talking about the

in some aspect of the Jewish community—Federation, Foundation,

Jewish world, and expressing our gratitude that we can continue to

agencies and synagogues. Meetings are once a month for lunch

gather in harmony.

and fellowship and, from time to time, to receive briefings from the

As Sydney Gates used to say, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”

Federation, the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, and their recipients,

Mazel Tov on seventy-five years of dedicated service to our Jewish community and a special Todah Rabah to the professionals of the Beth Shalom Village and Berger-Goldrich Home.

KASS LAW FIRM, P.L.C. Dedicated to Representing the Injured Since 1982 William E. KaSS, ESq. aaron F. KaSS, ESq. (757) 397-7777 www.kasslawfirm.com

47

ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Mazel Tov to the community on 75 years APRIL 2

SANDLER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, VIRGINIA BEACH

Co-presented by

Laura, Jerry, Bill and Eric Miller

Full Festival schedule at vafest.org or call 757-282-2822

and

>> www.VAFEST.ORG

congratulates

UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION OF TIDEWATER as they celebrate their

75th anniversary!

48

Pardes Katz a Retrospective

An Israeli sister community with Tidewater for more than 20 years Pardes Katz is located outside of Tel Aviv

by Hal Sacks

As the newly hired assistant executive director and Campaign director of UJFT, I accompanied Morty

I

and Bootsie Goldmeier, Mavolyn and Sonny Lefcoe

instituted Project Renewal, a plan to twin Diaspora com-

ger connection with Israel and I asked UJA to find a

munities with 69 Israeli neighborhoods and communities

neighborhood not too far from Tel Aviv with which our

that had slipped beneath the safety net during Israel’s

community might become involved.

(both of blessed memory), and Connie Jacobson on the

n 1978 Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin

UJA mission. It was my belief that we needed a stron-

formative years. Predominantly inhabited by Sephardic immigrants who watched later waves of immigrants occupy the new housing they had expected to move into, these communities became urban centers of unemployment and poverty where drug, alcohol, spousal and child abuse were commonplace. The Tidewater Jewish community declined to participate at that time.

About five years later, Morty Goldmeier became General Campaign chairman of The United Jewish Fund, administered by the newly named United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (a merger of the United Jewish Federation of Norfolk and Virginia Beach with the Jewish Federation of Portsmouth, including the few Jewish families in Suffolk). Concurrently, a national United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Chairmen’s Mission to Israel took place.

Hal Sacks in Pardes Katz.

49

that after a heavy rain their tent camp was flooded and kibbutzniks came down from the hills to rescue them.)

We were first taken on a tour of the neighborhood.

Mavolyn melted into tears when she met the children in a Moadonit (a safe environment for at-risk children who could not go home after school for fear of being abused by a male relative). They were being tutored by volunteer high school students. We were shown how adult children of the original residents were now able to purchase their apartments from the state at a very reasonable price. It was obvious that those buildings were cared for with pride by the new owners, while the others were allowed to decay.

Our visit to the Matnas (Community Center) was Children at Pardes Katz.

depressing. It was basically a shell of a building (constructed with Project Renewal funds); the interior of Following a morning visit to Yad Vashem, most of

the building was essentially unfinished. The Wolfson

the other chairmen and their accompanying party were

family of England had pledged the naming gift but never

scheduled to visit their Project Renewal neighborhoods.

finished paying the promised sum and work had stopped

We had the afternoon off, we thought, until we were

on the Center. Its director, Pnina Gutman, was in a daily

approached by a chunky spitfire of a woman, Sarah Josef,

battle with the Bnei Brak municipality for funds, which

an activist (volunteer). Sarah insisted we accompany her

were minimally and grudgingly provided to Pardes Katz

and quickly led us to a cheroot (Arab taxi). And so we

because of its non-ultra orthodox direction.

were introduced to Pardes Katz and two other activists,

Finally, the Goldmeiers, the Lefcoes, Connie, I and

Tzion Shaked and Chaim Avraham, both veterans of the

the three activists crowded into a miniscule living room

Israeli Air Force and several wars. Project Renewal had

with 10 other community leaders, and enjoyed a delicious

paid for a course in how to become a community activist.

taste of Iraqi home hospitality. We promised to come

(Sadly, years later, Chaim Avraham’s son, Benyamin,

back and to help.

was wounded, captured and killed while patrolling on the Lebanese border. I had attended his bar mitzvah and

hood in ultra-orthodox Bnei Brak (the famous religious

M

town named in our Haggadah), was about the same size

decade earlier, along with an additional $168,000 second

in population as our Jewish community. The neighbor-

line in support of Israel’s needs following the Lebanese

hood was inhabited mainly by Iraqi, Yemeni, Morrocan,

war of 1982. Federation President Marc Jacobson,

and Iranian Jews brought to Israel in the 1950’s during

Executive Vice President Bob Gast, and I went to Israel

Operation Magic Carpet. At the time, Israel was just

to meet with the board of the Matnas, representatives of

getting on its feet after the War of Independence and had

the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), Israel State Social

practically nothing to offer them. At first they lived in

Service professionals and Municipality of Bnei Brak

tents, then in shacks called “Asbestonim,” and finally in

leaders. We asked them to decide what project Tidewater

tiny state-owned apartments that were quickly outgrown

should undertake.

visited Chaim and his wife when a street in the neighborhood was named Benyamin Avraham Street.)

Pardes Katz, a traditional but not Haredi neighbor-

as the immigrant families multiplied. (Sarah remembered

orty Goldmeier went on to have the most

successful Annual Campaign in the history of Tidewater up to that time, finally sur-

passing the dollars raised during the Yom Kippur War a

In 1984, a small mission of young adult leaders went to Israel and visited Pardes Katz. Among others on the

50

mission were Annie and Art Sandler, Bonnie and David

assistant director, Michal Zehavi, our community built

Brand, Alice and Harvey Davis, and Mimi and Warren

and furnished a new kindergarten, provided computers

Karesh. Upon their return they came to a meeting of

for the library, a piano for the social hall, and a kitchen-

the UJFT executive committee and demanded that we

ette for the senior meeting room. When the olim from

“twin” with Pardes Katz. They pledged significant sums

the former Soviet Union immigrated to Pardes Katz we

of money to get the ball rolling.

funded, with private donations from Tidewater indi-

Mavolyn Lefcoe couldn’t get those children out of her thoughts.

viduals and matching funds from the municipality and the Association of Matnassim (similar to our Jewish

Marc Jacobson and I made a quick trip to Israel to

Community Center Association), the construction of the

learn that both the residents and the professionals agreed

Tidewater Education Wing consisting of three class-

that what was needed was a Childhood and Parenting

rooms, initially used as ulpanim and still in regular use

Center staffed by qualified professionals who could

by more recent olim from Ethiopia.

provide child-care instruction to parents and psychological testing and treatment for children. (We spent 48

Supported the creation of a dental clinic

hours on the ground in Israel and returned so quickly

at the Matnas:

that jet lag was never a problem.) Our community agreed

When the Virginia Israel Commission was created, Dr.

immediately and pledged to raise $500,000, matched

Sonny Lefcoe was chairman of the science committee and

by $500,000 from JAFI, and a grant of land from the

through his work with the Tel Aviv University School of

Municipality of Bnei Brak.

Dental Medicine we were able to establish a dental clinic

Within weeks we had pledges of $400,000 and

at the Matnas. For the first decade of its existence, the

drawings were in hand for the Joseph Strelitz Family

clinic was staffed by American dentists, recruited mainly

and Pre-School Center. We sent $100,000 to JAFI and

by Dr. Calvin Belkov.

scheduled a groundbreaking for 1985. By coincidence, a

The American dentists were given visiting faculty

Congregation Beth El mission to Israel took place at the

status by Tel Aviv University and their airfare was paid

same time and the ground breaking was witnessed by

by UJFT as was the rent in an apartment for their use.

more than 60 people from Tidewater. There was only

Among the dentists who worked there were Sonny, Gene

one problem. The whole project was a set-up by Bnei

Kanter, and Jerry Weinstein (all of blessed memory)

Brak—the land promised was not given and the whole

as well as the dean and assistant dean of the School of

project was cancelled when we were unable to agree

Dentistry, Medical College of Virginia, which donated a

upon the aegis under which the facility would be oper-

dental chair and other equipment, and of course Calvin,

ated. The Federation board, however, agreed to use the

who remains the source of help we go to for the clinic.

income from the funds raised to support programming

At present, the clinic is staffed only by Israeli

in the community. (Miracle of miracles, our $100,000

dentists. It is still a great success, providing care to the

was refunded by JAFI.)

community at 40 percent of the established rates, except in the case of the truly needy for whom care is free, and is

O

ver the next

a source of income to the Matnas.

15 years we did the following: Conducted a Summer Kefiada:

Supported programming and capital expansion

College students, mostly from Tidewater were trained at

at the Matnas:

our JCC by Michal Zehavi (who succeeded Menachem

The Pardes Katz Matnas flourished under the direction

Horovitz as director), or one of her staff to conduct a day

of a dynamic new director, Menachem Horovitz, who

camp, in English, for sixth and seventh graders in Pardes

consistently won awards for running the best matnas

Katz. The counselors stayed with families in the neigh-

of its size in Israel. With the help of his staff, and his

borhood, and after camp closed were given a tour of Israel

51

with Israeli college students. UJFT paid their airfare and

making them part of an American Jewish family for the

the students paid a nominal amount to the host family for

summer. The JCC’s Linda Berger (of blessed memory)

their food. At one time this was the largest Kefiada in Isra-

made this program an important part of her life, and

el. UJFT sent about $10,000 annually for scholarships for

when we lost Linda the program was discontinued for

children from the poorest families. (HAT teacher, Shuli

lack of a qualified staff person to manage it.

Einhorn and her family hosted Craig Einhorn who led the first group of Kefiada counselors to Israel. They married

Supported programs outside the Matnas:

and have two great kids who have graduated from HAT.)

Moadonitim: A “home environment” for at risk children was provided by the municipality as was the staff. Our

Supported a Nitzanim Program:

community furnished about $5,000 annually which was

Nitzanim means to “rise up.” The program brought four

used for a television set, a videotape player, and trips to

Pardes Katz rising high school seniors to Tidewater for

the zoo, a circus, or a play to enrich their lives.

the summer. Their airfare was shared equally between the family, the Matnas, and UJFT. They were trained in Israel

Ha noar hoved: We provided minimal, but meaningful

and worked in our JCC day camp, enjoying home hos-

support to this Histadrut (Labor Party) youth group.

pitality with families having kosher homes and teenage children. The Nitzanim spent weekends with their host

Bnei Brak Therapeutic Center: This center, technically out-

families who went out of their way to show them a good

side the neighborhood, served mostly Pardes Katz children

time: trips to Washington, D.C., the beach, camping,

who were marginally educationally delayed and needed

In proud service to Tidewater’s Jewish Community for centuries.

18th Century

19th Century

20th Century

21st Century

Norfolk Academy has served Norfolk’s Jewish community since educating Moses Myers’ children in the 18th century, and has a long-standing tradition of participating in and supporting the work of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Mazel tov and thank you to the United Jewish Federation for strengthening our region for 75 years. norfolkacademy.org

52

757.455.5582

extra help in “keeping up” at school. Some children also had social problems as well. We furnished equipment on an irregular basis.

Histadrut Community Center: This was an even more run-down institution than the Matnas, but we were able to help it, although not on a regular basis. For example, we

of Southeastern Virginia

A Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Specialists of Tidewater, PLLC

Congratulates the UJFT for 75 outstanding years!

furnished the salary for a part-time music teacher and music keyboards for a class of elementary students who a year later treated us to a wonderful concert.

M

indful of the role

activists played in

attracting Tidewater to Pardes Katz, it

was determined that a new cohort of activists needed to be recruited and trained. We engaged the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the JDC Center for Lay Leadership, under the supervision of Nili Amos-Itman, group facilitator and Shimon (Shimku) El-Ami, program director. Work began with a group of 11 volunteers, funded by a grant from the Israel and Overseas Committee of UJFT. Among the projects the activists continue to be engaged in are: • Fund raising within the municipality and getting donated items from local shops and businesses to distribute food packages to 200 needy families at Rosh Hashanah

Michael Sperling, MD Alex Williams, MD

Bruce Waldholtz, MD Douglas Howerton, MD Gary Payman, MD Scott Yagel, MD Paul Ricketts, MD

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Providing comprehensive GI healthcare since 1971!

and Pesach.

• “Adloyada” A Purim Carnival.

• Back-to-School Fair—school supplies are sold at reduced prices to local residents.

Particularly needy families receive school bags and writing materials.

Demographic changes in the community have made our work there more problematic. The Matnas made adjustments to accommodate the cohort of children

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Serving Hampton Roads and Beyond Since 1976 53

provided. Michal has arranged a separate section of the

an extremely impoverished Haredi neighborhood.

library for books approved by Haredi leaders, and has

Michal is attempting to negotiate a situation in which

arranged some changes in the summer camp program

she runs their Matnas, as well as ours in exchange for

where separation of sexes is appropriate.

some support from the municipality for the Pardes Katz

Over the years, our effort in Pardes Katz has

Matnas.

resolved itself in assisting the Matnas in its programming for the community. We have discontinued support

Current Programming:

of the Moadonitim (daycare for at risk children), the

1. More than 100 infants and toddlers are in day care and

Educational Therapeutic Center, and the Histadrut

another kindergarten room has been built and furnished.

Youth Group (HaNoArHoved), but have determined

• This past summer 73 children received a scholar-

that they are continuing to receive support from the

ship for camp.

Municipality of Bnei Brak.

• The library has 2,000 subscribers.

The Matnas is engaged in a quiet struggle with the

• 150 teens are involved in a variety of projects.

Municipality of Bnei Brak, which would like to see it closed because it represents, just as our JCC does, a more

2. A new program begun this past year was a support

secular approach to serving the community. The direc-

group for 15 single moms that were counseled and

tor, Michal Zehavi, has been asked by the Municipality

guided. Their children were kept in day-care while the

to open and run a Matnas deep within Bnei Brak, serving

moms received an enriching course in life skills. The

Congratulations to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater on 75 fabulous years

75

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Matnas is about to open a second course for

and see if the name could be changed and

another group of moms.

then we could look at what could be done.

To conclude, Tidewater came late to

3. Volunteers continue to provide

the Project Renewal table. We have

monthly food packages for 60

In

families and for 240 families at holidays.

Beta Israel families were

tinue to need help?”

We have a special Ethiopian group for kids needing help in studies, social skills and

The answer is simple.

Each wave of immigrants, from North Africa to

Pardes Katz

assigned to our Matnas.

Ethiopia to the Soviet Union and from Ethiopia again have made their

was unlucky to

start in Pardes Katz. The most successful fami-

get us as

daily life.

F

years, does Pardes Katz con-

some ways

4. More than 60 new

inally, the exterior

been asked, “Why, after all these

of

the Matnas has had no

maintenance since it was built

a twin.

lies move out, to Petah Tikvah, Ramat Gan, or any slightly better community, making room for new immigrants.

in the early 1980s. The entrance

In some ways Pardes Katz

is unappealing and needs reno-

was unlucky to get us as a twin.

vation. This will cost about $125,000.

Neighborhoods like Holon got New

Our usual partners, the Municipality and

York City, which built major facilities. But we

the Association of Matnassim are unlikely

have stayed with it and my annual visits have

to provide matching funds. Michal has been

served to assure me that we have and are

advised that there was no way Tidewater

continuing to make a difference in the lives

would even consider an effort to raise funds

of the residents. It is almost 30 years now,

for a building named for the Wolfsons, a

and where once I was asked by a resident,

family that didn’t pay all it pledged in the

“Vos is dos tidevasser?” any visitor from our

first place and has not provided any money

Jewish community today will be given a red

in 30 years. I suggested that she consult JAFI

carpet welcome.

98

BRITH SHOLOM OF VIRGINIA

Celebrating 98 years of being active in the Jewish community and still going strong!

For information, call Joe Goldberg (757) 467-0688 or Bruce Longman (757) 718-4303 55

56

Tidewater’s organized Jewish community Highlights of the past 75 years as recorded in the community’s Jewish newspaper, now the Jewish News.

by Shayna Horwitz

1947

September 4 – Henry Morgenthau, Jr., general chairman of the 1947 United Jewish Appeal, former

August 10 – Norfolk’s B’nai B’rith Lodges throw a benefit dance to raise funds for Hillel and Displaced Persons in Europe.

Secretary of the Treasury and one of America’s most distinguished Jewish citizens, meets with Norfolk leaders of United Jewish Fund.

December 3 – Memorial Service for Rabbi J. D.

1950

April 3 – American actor, radio star, and humanitarian,

Gordon pays tribute to the memory of this man who

Eddie Cantor speaks to the community at the United

gave himself to the Norfolk community for 40 years.

Jewish Fund Rally, focusing on the need to help the hundreds of thousands of newcomers who had gone

1948

January – Station WTAR begins to offer a regular Sunday morning feature known as “Your Rabbi Speaks,” featuring Rabbis Joseph Schecter and Malcom Stern.

February – Leaders of Norfolk’s first Young Adult Division: Harry Weisberg, Morris Friedman,

to Israel since the end of the war.

April – The Norfolk Section, National Council of Jewish Women, establish the “Bargain Shop” to help solve the Jewish Family Service financial issues.

July – Fifty-six children enjoy the launching of the first JCC Summer Camp, which is held at Seashore State Park. The camp is so successful they plan to enlarge it for the next year.

Leonard Strelitz, Morton J. Gaba, executive director, JCC, Milton H. Kaplan, co-chairman, Geoffrey Myers, chairman, and Dave Friedman, Campaign chairman.

57

August 20 – Special ceremony to honor

July – Local Council members are

Virginia Beach’s first synagogue, Temple

appointed to the Council of Jewish

Emanuel, whose members had previously

Federations and Welfare Funds: Herbert

met in the home of Nat Polis.

Altschul, member of the budget services committee; Lester S. Sherrick, member of community organization committee; and Jewish Community Center on Spotswood Avenue.

1952

June 24 – Secretary of the Interior Oscar L.

Temple Emanuel.

September – Congressman Emanuel Celler of New York visits Norfolk on Yom Kippur to speak on the progress of the State of Israel, its growth and needs, and

behalf of the State of Israel 500,000,000

the importance of American Jewry’s par-

Independence Bond Issue.

ticipation in the rebuilding of the Israel.

October – Adult Education launches “Time

Brownies and Girl Scout Troops, “real-

Out For Women” program to include

Popkin and Stanley Buckman, are

izing that the children of today are the

classes on flower arranging, ceramics,

selected to represent Norfolk Jewish teen-

leaders of tomorrow.”

and beginners bridge, as well as speakers

agers at the annual Nation Jewish Youth

December – Young Adult Club launches

Conference because of their outstanding

Young Adult Forum, including topics

work for the Jewish Youth Council.

such as “How To Be Happy Though

October 12 – JCC launches Adult School, based on the theme “An Opportunity to

Unmarried” and “Self Hate and The Jewish Young Adult.”

Explore Your Jewish Heritage.”

October 15 – Dedication of the new Beth El Temple, along with the celebration of the Centennial Ball with musical guest, Zvi Schooler.

December 10 – Beth Sholom Home for the Aged is transformed into a statewide institution with management and finan-

1953

January – Center Council of Jewish Women

moves in on June 30, 1952).

Virginia commemorates the Three Hundredth Anniversary of Jewish Settlement in America.

and women over 60, with more than 80

H. Lehman visits to speak on the

members the first year.

national tercentenary theme, “Man’s

January 8 – Chaplain Garson Goodman is Forces Award of the Union of Orthodox

(Norfolk Jewish Community Council

January – Norfolk Jewish Tercentenary

March 20 – New York Senator Herbert

of participating Virginia communities.

Center at 700 Spotswood Avenue

1955

launches “Golden Age” Club for men

designated as the recipient of the Armed

June – Opening of Jewish Community

on children’s psychology.

Historical Exhibition at the Bank of

cial control vested in a board of directors

1951

Opportunities and Responsibilities Under Freedom.”

March 11 – Sue Gordon crowned as 1955

Jewish Congregations of America.

Queen Esther at the Center Purim

Chaplain Goodman served on the

Carnival (3,000 people attended the

battlefronts of Korea and was ordained

carnival).

through the Hebrew Theological College in Chicago.

April – H. Hilton Rubin, veteran UJF

April 21 – Morton Cushner, treasurer of the Norfolk Jewish Community Council, is honored at dinner, titled “A

worker, general solicitation captain in

Tribute in Honor of Thirty-five Years of

1953 campaign, is awarded the first “Star

Community Service.”

Campaigner” award for being the first “over-the-top” worker in the campaign.

58

cal relations committee

Chapman speaks to the community on

September – JCC begins to sponsor August 31 – Two local teens, Howard

Harry Elson, member of the national-lo-

July – Executive Director of the Jewish

February 1 – Hebrew Academy of

Community Council, Morton J. Gaba,

Tidewater, the first all day school in the

goes on a two week UJA Mission to Israel

state of Virginia, opens its doors to the

and Africa.

first grade.

September – Jewish Family Service helps

September 12 – Cornerstone laying ceremony of Temple Israel.

June 18 – Jewish Center Day Camp opens

more than 30 individuals file for resti-

on 110-acre plot purchased by commu-

tution under the agreement between

nity in Kempsville area; 250 children

the West German government and the

attend.

Conference on Jewish Material Claims

July 1 – Israel’s Ambassador to the United

against Germany (which provided over

States, Abba Eban and his wife, visits

$29,000,000 to victims).

the Tidewater Jewish community at

Temple Israel.

the Ambassador’s Dinner and Ball to finish off the “Security Month for Israel”

1956

Campaign.

January – Beth Sholom Home Campaign

September – Beth Sholom Home of

September – Hebrew Academy of Tidewater opens up for second semester at new home, 3605 Llewellyn Ave, for 35

reaches goal to build state-wide Beth

Virginia employs first professional direc-

students and two classes; Rabbi Samuel

Sholom Home for the Aged in Richmond.

tor, Leon Cantor.

Lichtenstein serves as director of the

Groundbreaking takes place on May 19, 1957.

school, Dr. Harold Burstein is president of the board.

Part of a chain in history linking a strong past and a bright future...

Proud member of the Tidewater Jewish Community since 1850

757.625.7821

422 Shirley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517

www.bethelnorfolk.com 59

HAMG-165 Jewish News 75th Anniversary Ad 5.25x8.125 final_2_HR.pdf

1

11/26/13

5:22 PM

1957

January 20 – JCC begins to offer “Sunday Funday” for children, including sports, theatre, and hobby shows.

May – Women’s Division (led by Mrs. Alan Fleder, Mrs. Bernard Glasser, Mrs. Matt Hurwitz, Mrs. Leonard Strelitz, and Mrs. Stanley Salasky) reorganizes campaign and sees a 30% increase, which focuses

good help...

on women making a contribution in their own name, regardless of the amount of their husband’s pledge.

your home for good health

1958

January 12 – The Arnold Gamsey B’nai

is in your neighborhood

B’rith Lodge No. 1195 is named 1957 “Organization of the Year” at the Jewish Community Council’s Annual Meeting; Norman Berlin, president of B’nai B’rith,

now offering same-day appointments

accepts the award for his organization.

June – 317 children enjoy the Summer

With over 175 board-certified physicians and practitioners at more than

Day Camp program at the Kempsville

50 Hampton Roads locations, Bon Secours Medical Group is bringing

Recreation Center (goal of the

world-class care directly to your neighborhood. Our physicians are currently accepting new patients. To learn more, visit or call us at

goodhelpdocs.com | 757-215-APPT (2778)

Kempsville $150,000 Campaign).

September 7 – B’nai B’rith Kempsville Karnival benefits the Kempsville Recreation Area Building Fund.

November 13 – Bertram S. Nusbaum, Jr.

BON SECOURS MEDICAL GROUP

Good Help to Those in Need®

and Harry Pincus, Jr. are named the first recipients of the Jewish Community Council Past Presidents Award for Young Leadership (under age of 35).

November 27 (Thanksgiving) – Norfolk Jewish Community Council celebrates Israel’s 10th Anniversary.

60

1959

March – Led by Jewish Navy Chaplian, Charles D. Mintz, the Norfolk JWB

Embracing Every Moment.

Armed Services Committee and the USO-JWB, “Operation Passover” stocks the USS Roosevelt and USS Intrepid with religious materials and food so crew members can properly celebrate the holiday on a seven-month sea tour.

October 18 – Writer Meyer Levin, author of Eva, Compulsion and My Father’s House, opens the Jewish Community Center 1959–1960 Lecture Series.

December 13 – The Jewish chapel at U.S. Naval Station, Norfolk, is officially named in honor of Commodore Uriah Phillips Levy, United States Navy, 17921862. Bertha Snyder, chairman of the Norfolk-Portsmouth Jewish Community Council Armed Services Committee, is the program chairman.

1960

December 16 – The Norfolk Chapter of Women’s American ORT celebrates its first birthday as the newest organization to be affiliated with the Jewish Community Council. It starts with 30 women and grows to 210 in just one year.

Freda H. Gordon Hospice & Palliative Care of Tidewater congratulates the Jewish community on 75 years. We are proud to provide a much-needed service of comfort and care to our community.

The emphasis of hospice care is on providing comfort, not a cure, and on the family, not just the patient. We focus on the quality of life, not its duration…so you can embrace every moment together.

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1961

March – Virginia Israel Mission takes

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place with Jewish leaders and prominent Commonwealth personalities.

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May 10 – Eleanor Roosevelt speaks to the women’s division at a dessert luncheon.

April – Of the 63 restitution claims filed

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by the Jewish Family Service for New Americans, settlements are made for 41 people who received a total of $84,015.15.

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1962

April 2 – Norfolk Mayor Fred Duckworth proclaims April 2nd as “UJF Day,” led by Joseph L. (Buddy) Kantor, UJF Campaign chairman, and his two vice chairmen, Sam Sandler and Marvin Simon, where a room is set up for 100 volunteers to focus solely on solicitations for the day.

May 25 – Humorist Sam Levensen speaks

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June – Gila Golan, “Miss Israel,” visits Norfolk to help with campaign.

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November 10 – Nationally syndicated

1963

December – Mrs. Miriam Kroskin is hon-

human relations newspaper colum-

ored as she is chosen to be the delegate to

nist, Ann Landers, kicks off the Jewish

the 26th World Zionist Congress held in

Arnold Gamsey Lodge No. 1195 B’nai

Community Lecture Series, her event

Jerusalem. Kroskin was president of the

Brith Distinguished Service Award for a

is titled: “Troubles – What Else” (937

Norfolk Chapter of Hadassah twice, as

lifetime of meritorious and distinguished

people attend).

well as served two times as president of

February – Jake Goodman is awarded the

service to Judaism, his community and its people.

February – The Norfolk Jewish Community Center puts on the Broadway Musical

the Seaboard Region.

December – Campaign sees more than 35%

1964

increase, but still does not meet $300,000

January – Community Council launches

Finian’s Rainbow with an all-star cast and

drive to raise $550,000 to purchase

production staff of friends and relatives.

Norfolk Academy campus on Newport

March 21 – Executive vice chairman of

Avenue for the JCC. Dr. Herbert Bonnie,

mark (which had not been hit since 1950).

1965

January – Campaign raises more than

the National United Jewish Appeal,

Marvin Simon, Irwin Berger, Ben Paul

Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman, addresses

Snyder and Joseph Mersel participate in

$340,000; first time in more than 15

the Initial Gifts Meeting of the Men’s

the negotiations.

years to raise over $300,000; Campaign

Division.

chairman, Bernard Glasser; Women’s

May 16 – Jewish Family Service appoints

Division, Mrs. Joyce Strelitz.

its first executive director, Miss Hazel Roman.

What’s as important as building a strong case?

Building a strong community.

We congratulate the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater on 75 years of outstanding work in Hampton Roads. At Williams Mullen, we blend the law, government affairs and economic development to help find new solutions that grow our clients and community.

Thank you for joining us in new ways of thinking that help us all to grow.

For additional information about Williams Mullen, please contact: H. David Embree Howard E. Gordon William L. Nusbaum Lawrence R. Siegel 757.629.0612

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Congratulations to the UJFT for Many Great Years!

December – The Ladies Auxiliary of Jewish War Veterans Post 158 sends “living letter” recording tapes to Vietnam for use by U.S. Servicemen during Chanukah and Christmas.

1966

January – JCC moves to the Academy grounds and plans are announced for a $1.4-million campaign to finance construction of a modern cultural and recreation center. It has 900 members.

November 19 – The Norfolk Jewish Community Council is awarded by the Council of Jewish Federations and

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Welfare Funds the annual W. J. Shroder Memorial Award, “for superior initiative in the advancement of Social Welfare.”

December 11 – The Community Relations Council, led by Harry Pincus, Jr., goes to Washington D.C. to offer 1,500 petitions of protest from Tidewater Jews on discriminatory treatment of Jews in the Soviet Union by the Soviet government.

Providing Care to Children and Adults for Over 60 years

1967

April 16 – Senator Abraham Ribicoff speaks to the community at the Annual Dinner Meeting, which sees 15% increase in pledges from the previous year.

June – Due to the fast action and motivation of the CRC and leaders of the community, the Norfolk Jewish community, along with neighbors and Christian allies,

Congratulations UJFT on 75 years of compassion and caring that makes a difference.

Keep doing great things!!!

successfully sends more than $1,800,000 (including bonds) to Israel for support during the Six Day War. October 9 – The Jewish Community Council is given a new name to avoid confusion with the JCC. It’s new name: The United Jewish Federation.

64

Come Join Us! December 14 – Norfolk Chapter of Women’s American ORT opens the doors to their first resale shop, ACT II, on Colley Ave.

1968

January – Leonard Strelitz is chosen “Man of the Year” by The American Jewish

In our Temple family, you are welcome at our table, in our school, at worship, and at...

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Times Outlook for his work on behalf of Israel.

March 14 – Author and Holocaust survivor, Gerda Weissman Klein, speaks to the Women’s Division on behalf of the United Jewish Appeal. Campaign sees 60% increase from previous year.

May – Morris B. Gutterman (past president of Jewish Community Council) is appointed to the Circuit Court as judge

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and becomes the first Jew in the history of the Commonwealth to achieve this distinction.

June 30 – JCC has outdoor regulation AA-size swimming pool with plexiglass dome dedication. Miss Norfolk cuts the ribbon at the ceremony.

September 28 – Israel ambassador Yitzhak Rabin and news analyst David

Mazel Tov

celebrating the jewish community

Schoenburn speak at a statewide meeting of the Young Leadership Conference in Norfolk.

October 21 – Norfolk ORT chapter receives Golden Honor Roll Awards from National Board for surpassing its goals in gaining new members and re-enrollment for previous members.

1969

January – Launch of “Lunch with the Rabbi” on the Naval Base, sponsored by the Commodore Levy Chapel and the Armed Services Committee.

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Toras Chaim Congratulates the Tidewater Jewish Community on 75 Years of Success.

January – Twenty-six local men go on a one week, fact-finding mission to Israel: UJA Operation Israel, led by Leonard Strelitz, Joseph Strelitz, Milton Kramer, Dr.

Toras Chaim

Sanford Lefcoe, and Rabbi Harold Hahn.

March 27 – Former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey speaks to the community about the threat in the Middle East and the necessity for the existence of Israel.

April 20 – Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and author, makes his first visit to the community as part of the Jewish Community Lecture Series.

June 8 – The Tidewater community cele-

May we continue to grow together for another 75.

Mazal Tov

brates its first One Million Plus Dollar United Jewish Fund Campaign at a Victory Rally at Lake Taylor High School where UN ambassador Yosef Tekoah of Israel gives a major address.

November – Marks the first time in the history of the United Jewish Federation newspaper that paid advertising is accepted for the long-range purpose of becoming a more informative, self-supporting community newspaper.

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1970

January – Virginia Governor Mills Godwin, Norfolk Mayor Martin, Virginia Beach Mayor Dusch and Portsmouth Mayor Barnes sign proclamations asking for “Full rights and freedoms of Soviet Jews to be able to leave that country.”

V. H. Nusbaum, Jr., Joseph Strelitz, Ephraim Spivek, Milton Kramer, Marvin Simon, Carl Katz, Dr. Sanford Lefcoe, Richard Glasser, Sam Sandler and Thomas Hofheimer attend the signing.

October 11 – Jewish Community Center

May we continue

to grow for another 75 years and beyond.

Marian Bear Ticatch CLU, AEP, LUTCF, CLTC

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has a two-week long dedication of the nearly completed building. Three thousand people are members.

1971

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March 11 – At the Ruby Division Luncheon and Musical Show, the Women’s Division campaign surpasses the $100,000 mark! Arlene Strelitz is chairman of the Women’s Division.

May – The CRC and Tidewater Jewish Youth Committee welcome Ella Tamshe, who emigrated to Israel from the Soviet Union, at a rally for Soviet Jewry at the City Park.

1972

February 13 – Dedication of the new JCC on Newport Avenue in Norfolk!

September – Jewish Studies courses are offered at Old Dominion University.

November – Norfolk sends 12 people on

Congratulations from Cindy and Ron Kramer and Family

first mission trip to Russia.

67

Mazel Tov

celebrating the jewish community

December – The Tidewater Virginia Region of Women’s American ORT sweeps many of the highest awards at the National Board Conference, held in Jerusalem (including: highest percentage of net gain in membership, first region in the country to complete assignment, honor roll and ORT School of Engineering completion).

1973

April 29 – First community-wide memorial Holocaust program, attended by the mayors of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, as well as Representative G. William

Congratulations from L.E. Ballance Electrical Service, Inc.

Whitehurst and Lt. Gov. Henry Howell takes place.

October – The Norfolk Jewish community gathers with volunteers of all ages and all

75 Years and Counting!

Congratulations UJFT!

levels of faith, along with the Christian community to rally in support of Israel during the Yom Kippur War. Leonard and Joyce Strelitz are honored with the Prime Minister’s Silver Medal, one of Israel’s top honors.

1974

January – Multi-media presentation of “And Behold, the Tree Sings is presented at the Center Theater which offers a fascinating look at the history of Norfolk’s Jewish community from its beginnings with the Myers family through present day (later wins first place in Special Events category given by the G.A. of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds).

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February 10 – Women’s American ORT is the Convening organization for the Women’s Plea for Human Rights for Soviet Jews (joined in by nine other sisterhood organizations) to raise awareness and dedicate themselves as the situation worsened for Soviet Jews.

March – Largest state-wide screening for Tay-Sachs disease, with help from MCV and EVMS, accomplished at the JCC. May 5 – Local Holocaust survivors, Mrs. Leah Kaplan and Mr. Shalom Steinbach, lead speakers’ bureau to raise awareness for Holocaust Memorial Day.

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Tidewater teens at Gadnah Camp in Israel.

July 14 – Fifteen area teens leave for a month-long trip to Israel, the culmination of the community’s Summer Institute for Jewish Living, conceived and directed by Lois and Barry Einhorn.

September – The Hebrew Academy takes registration for kindergarten through 8th

Teagle & Little Third Page Block (T&L to do)

grade for the first time.

September – In its 22nd year, the Norfolk Jewish Community Center officially becomes the The Jewish Community Center of Tidewater.

October 20 – Zubin Mehta conducts the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at Chrysler Hall.

December – Gregori Teitelbaum, a Russian émigré the Tidewater community helped to get to Israel, thanks the community for their efforts.

69

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December – Marvin Simon is honored with Israel’s Prime Minister’s Silver Medal, one of Israel’s highest awards.

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Mazel Tov to the UJFT

April – The Hebrew Academy of Tidewater opens its doors to its new home on Thompkins Lane, the first permanent location since its inception in 1956.

November – Community holds rally of 2,000 strong with guest speaker Major General David Ofer of the Israeli Army to support Israel and protest the antiZionist resolution passed by the UN General Assembly.

December – Joseph Strelitz is installed as national chairman of United Jewish Appeal at a conference in New York.

Israeli Defense Minister Shimon Peres is the guest of honor at the banquet.

1976

March – American actress, Valerie Harper of Rhoda, travels to Israel with a Tidewater mission. Although not Jewish, she says she is a Zionist.

March – “ORT is part and parcel of Israel,” says Edythe Harrison upon her return from Israel where she toured six ORT centers.

June – Robert M. Rubin, UJFT president, names V.H. “Pooch” Nusbaum, Jr. Tidewater Missions chairman for the historic “This Year is Jerusalem” mission in conjunction with the national UJA conference in October.

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1977

December 17 – Jewish Family Service announces that of the 5,000 Soviet refugees that were granted permission to immigrate to the United States on Dec. 14, one family, the Felds, joins Tidewater’s community.

1978

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April – PANORAMA, a four-day Israeli fair that requires 600 volunteers and focuses

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July – Rabbi Pincus “retires” for the third

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August – Jewish Family Service is selected by the “Make America Better Committee” of the Norfolk-Chesapeake Board of Realtors, for its outstanding volunteer services.

September – JCC first offers pre-school classes.

October – Jewish Family Service receives accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, making it one of only three organizations accredited by the Council in Tidewater.

December – Community sends more than 160 members to Israel on the Mission Renewal.

December – Beth Sholom Home and the United Jewish Federation announce they will partner to create a fund within the UJF endowment fund to secure the future for the new Beth Sholom Home of Eastern Virginia.

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1979

December – Beth Sholom Home launches its first annual “Switch Day,” an effort to make Christmas Eve special for the non-Jewish staff to feel “at home for the holidays.”

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1980

January – ORT Centennial February – The Young Adult Division is formed under the leadership of Marshall Bonnie as chairman with a kickoff party

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MAZEL TOV ON YOUR 75th ANNIVERSARY!

of “endless wine and cheese” at the Ramada Inn. September 1 – The new Beth Sholom Home of Eastern Virginia admits its first residents at 6401 Auburn Drive in Virginia Beach.

www.capitalcamps.org Ribbon cutting for Beth Sholom Home.

72

September 14 – Dedication ceremonies are held for Beth Sholom Home, with more than 1,400 people attending.

November 18 – The Norfolk Chapter of

Mazel Tov

celebrating the jewish community

Hadassah (the second chapter formed in the United States), celebrates its 50th anniversary with a “Golden Jubilee.”

1981

January – The first successful Super Sunday, led by David Brand and Phyllis Katz, raises $204,730.

April 29 – Merger of two Federations— Portsmouth, and Norfolk and Virginia Beach—creates the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. A. Robert Gast, is executive director.

June 15–18 – Eleven community members go to Israel to attend the first World Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, a conference held as a reunion and “a celebration of life.”

October 29 – Wolf Blitzer, Washington correspondent for the Jerusalem Post, speaks to the Women’s Division.

Adam, Seth and Jillian White

Wolf Blitzer

1982

October 15 – The newspapers of the Tidewater and Peninsula areas combine, along with their federations and as a result, the UJF News becomes UJF Virginia News.

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October 31 – Dedication of Beth Sholom Sands takes place, with Mayor Louis R. Jones and Congressman G. William Whitehurst in attendance.

1983

January – Abraham Foxman, associate national director and director of the International Affairs Division of ADL, and Norman Olshansky, regional director of ADL, speaks to the community on Anti-Semitism. Admiral Wesley McDonald, Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet, Virginia Beach Police

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Chief Charles Wall, and Dr. Albert Ayers, Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools attend.

April 17 – World-renowned clarinetist, Giora Feidman, performs at Beth El Temple.

May 5 – Allan Ryan Jr., director of the

Congratulations to UJFT on 75 years of serving the community.

Office of Special Investigations, the branch of the Department of Justice that was established to track down Nazi war criminals, is the speaker for “A Holocaust Commemoration for Days of Remembrance.”

June – The first Navy Jewish Lay Leader Program is held at the Commodore Levy Chapel at the Norfolk Naval Station.

1984

May – The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Endowment Fund becomes a newly enhanced entity, the Tidewater Serving the community for more than 30 years

Jewish Foundation, as a result of the steady growth of the assets of its component funds—which had doubled in the

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previous three years.

November 29 – After Morty Goldmeier’s visit in September, the Tidewater Community Mission to Israel begins a Project Renewal field studies in the community of Pardes Katz, and after mission participants give input at the UJF executive meeting, it is announced that Pardes Katz is adopted as a Project Renewel/Twinning Community—culminating with “Community Caravan,” a $550,000 commitment over a five-year period, and the Joseph H. Strelitz Family and Pre-school Center in Pardes Katz.

1985

February 10 – Shlomo Carlebach performs for the youth of all of the Peninsula Congregation Sunday Schools at a Joint Sunday School Program followed by a concert for the community at the JCC. February 7 – “Life Saving Campaign” is approved by the board of directors of UJFT to enable every campaign supporter to make a separate, one-time gift for “Operation Moses,” the historic resettlement in Israel of more than 10,000 Ethiopian Jews.

April 18 – U.S. Representative Tom Lantos, the first and only survivor of the Holocaust to be elected to the United States Congress, is the guest speaker at the annual Yom Hashoah remembrance service.

September 12 – Community Leadership Mission to DC, sponsored by Women’s Division, has 36 participants and spends

In appreciation to the Jewish community for supporting Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia Bechirah Chofshit Freedom of Choice – a fundamental Jewish belief.

Bechirah is choice. Chofshit is free.

“I did not find the world desolate when I entered it. As my father planted for me, so do I plant for my children.”

Talmud Ta’anit

the day on Capitol Hill in briefings.

October 25 – The celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Jewish community in the Tidewater/Peninsula area begins.

The celebration includes a festival of the arts with 18 artists and six performing artists.

75

November 23 – General Alexander Haig is guest speaker at the UJF Gala DinnerDance for the 1986 Campaign.

November – The Tom Hofheimer Medical Mission is established to create an ongoing cooperative exchange of physicians between Israel and the Eastern Virginia Medical School for mutual education, research and the sharing of expert technical capabilities associated with comprehensive patient care.

1986

March 9 – Groundbreaking ceremony of the Joseph H. Strelitz Family and Pre-school Center in Pardes Katz, led

by Arlene Strelitz; UJFT president, Dr. Sanford Lefcoe; Project Renewal co-chairman, Marc Jacobson; Twinning committee chairwoman, Alice Davis; associate executive director, Hal Sacks;

World ORT

and JCCT director, Neil Perlman.

April – Jewish Family Service receives

congratulates United Jewish Federation of Tidewater on reaching this major milestone of 75 years of exemplary service to the Jewish community.

one of the two Project Hometown Grants given in the Southeastern area

by American Express. It shares the grant with the Norfolk Senior Center to supplement the Adult Day Care Program —which represents the first time that

Tidewater is home to many members and supporters of ORT, and the Jewish Federation is one of our major partners in providing educational services to the Jewish communities in Israel, the FSU, Latin America and elsewhere around the world.

Dr. Jean de Gunzburg President

Shmuel Sisso Director General & CEO

Harry Nadler North American Representative

a sectarian agency and a non-sectarian agency works together to provide a specific set of programs for the Jewish community.

May – Governor Gerald Baliles announces the Virginia-Israel Commission, a yearlong program for the exchange of both people and ideas—15 members from Tidewater are among the members of the Commission.

October 16 – First Annual Women’s Division “Chai Society” luncheon to honor contributors of $1,800 takes place.

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we just want to say

1987

January 23 – When Natan Sharansky and Yuri Orlov testify at a Commission of

s n o i t a l tu

a r g Con

to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

Inquiry in Washington to investigate

YOU LOOK GREAT FOR

the charges of massive Soviet human rights violations, five Tidewater delegates attend: Ellie Lipkin, chair of CRC; Dr. Barry Einhorn and Rabbi Stuart Altshuler, co-chairs of Soviet Jewry Task Force; Florence Goldin, chair, Soviet Jewry Commission; and Dr. Gary Rubin, assistant executive director of UJFT. September 21 – World-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman opens the Tidewater Jewish Forum with the Virginia

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75

November – The State Board of Education approves and recommends the use of a Holocaust and Human Rights Curriculum in Virginia’s secondary

From our 75 years of continued service to yours,

schools. The curriculum is a cooperative project of the State Department of Education and the Virginia-Israel Commission’s Committee on Education

Mazel Tov to the UJFT!

and the Holocaust.

December 3 – Natan Sharansky speaks

Men’s Club, Ohef Sholom Temple

at a Freedom Rally at Norfolk’s Center Theater with more than 1,000 Tidewater residents participating.

“Where Fellowship & Camaraderie Meet Service & Support” Est. 1938

December 6 – More than 500 people from Tidewater joined a group of 200,000 in Washington to demonstrate against human rights policies prohibiting reliHonor before Honors

December 19 – Opening night of Theater, an original musical celebrating

the story of Jewish life in Tidewater for the last half century.

years

Child-Centered Environment

the past 50 years of the Jewish commuthe Roof and The Sound of Music to tell

85

d 1927 she i l b a E st

“Jubilation 50” at Norfolk’s Center

nity—it borrows music from Fiddler on

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Educating Children

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s gious freedom for Soviet Jews.

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November – Commodore Uriah P. Levy,

1988

namesake of the destroyer U.S.S. Levy as

January 10 – The Portsmouth chapter of

well as the first permanent Jewish Chapel

Hadassah gathers at Gomley Chesed

ever built by the U.S. armed forces (the

to mark the Diamond Jubilee Year of

Commodore Levy Chapel at the Naval

National Hadassah and the 200th cele-

Station in Norfolk) is honored at the

bration of the signing of the American

Jewish Hall of Fame.

Constitution. A dramatic reading of Two Flags Unfurled features Rabbi Arthur Steinberg, Susan Krohn and Zelma Rivin

1989

Sam Sandler, Nathan Sharansky and Reba Sandler.

April 30 – Sam and Reba Sandler are

with musical accompaniment by Rabbi

November – Annabel Sacks, president

Philip Krohn, Telma Peck and Leah

honored with the “Natan Sharansky

of Jewish Family Service, announces

Wohl. Dr. G. William Whitehurst is the

Soviet Jewry Freedom Award,” which is

that a new branch office is open in

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presented to them by Natan Sharanksy

Virginia Beach to help better serve the

himself in conjunction with the Union of

community.

Councils for Soviet Jewry.

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December 17 – Rabbi Samuel Sobel is recognized at the rededication of Commodore Levy Chapel, which celebrates 30 years of continuing service to fleet and community. Chaplain Sobel originally dedicated the chapel three decades ago.

1990

March – The Hebrew Academy of Tidewater launches its first annual March Mumbles, a program that focuses on the importance of public speaking and stage presence for third, fourth, and fifth graders.

April – Sam Sandler, Leonard Strelitz, and Marvin Simon chair the Operation Exodus campaign in Tidewater, which is created to help the absorption of Soviet Jews in Israel as anti-Semitism has resurged in the Soviet Union and more than 1,000,000 Jews are applying for exit visas. Jewish Family Service creates the Soviet Jewish Resettlement program.

Check presentation for Operation Exodus.

October – Under the leadership of Paul Peck, Young Leadership and the Young Adult Division (YAD) – each with its own constituency, goals, and agenda – merge to encompass singles and couples between the ages of 22 and 40.

We congratulate the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater on 75 years of devoted service to the Jewish communities in Hampton Roads and worldwide.

We look forward to continuing to work together to make the world a better place.

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December – The Community Relations Council launches Project Ahava for the Jewish community to help feed the homeless during the last week in December.

1991

February – “Solidarity Gathering for Our American Troops in the Gulf and our Friends in Israel” at the JCC, program participants include: Dr. Charles Goldman, president of the UJFT; Vice Mayor Rev. Joseph Green Jr. of Norfolk; Mayer Meyera Oberndorf of Virginia Beach; Rabbi Shlomo Goder of B’nai Israel; LCDR E. Arnold Siegel, Chaplain Corps, U.S. Navy; Charlotte Greely, wife of AQ1 Bruce Greely, USN, who now serves America in the Gulf, Jill Werbel, a student at the Hebrew University in

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Israel; Rabbi Israel Zoberman of Beth Chaverim; Rabbi Arthur Steinberg of Temple Sinai; the Rev. Donald Dunlap of Freemason Street Baptist Church; Father John Dorgan of Sacred Heart Church; Rabbi Arthur Ruberg of Beth El Temple and Rabbi Paul Cohen of Ohel Sholom Temple.

May 26 – The Tidewater community begins to resurge its push for the Operation Exodus Campaign to help

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the recent rescue of Ethiopian Jews and continued mass immigration of Soviets to Israel. Karen Jaffe, co-chair of the 1991 Women’s Division’s UJFT Campaign, joins the original vanguard to coordinate the continued efforts of the campaign.

August 28 – Marcia Hofheimer, UJFT president, accepts an award on behalf of the community presented by the United Jewish Appeal for the community’s record-setting Operation Exodus campaign, which is currently at $4.1 million.

October – Sandra Leon, chair of the Holocaust Commission, conducts an hour long session entitled “One Human Race: A Multi-Media Approach to

Mazel Tov!

Combating Prejudice in the Classroom” during the 27th Annual Meeting of Virginia Social Studies Educators, in hopes to expand the Holocaust Commission’s agenda from teaching exclusively about the Holocaust to also providing teachers with written and audio-visual materials to address the subject of prejudice with their students.

November – The Maimonides Society launches its inaugural year and escalates to 67 local physicians under the leadership of chairman Dr. Mark Greenspan and the steering committee: Dr. Leigh Baltuch, Dr. Alan Bartel, Dr. Robert Fink, Dr. Martin J. Goldberg, Dr. Milton

Congratulations on 75 great years!

Jay Wilks, Susan Alper and Steven Harwood Wilks, Alper and Harwood, P.C. 150 Boush St., Suite 700 • Norfolk, VA 23510 • (757) 623-6500

Goldin, Dr. Randolph J. Gould, Dr. Edward Karotkin, Dr. Holly Puritz, Dr. Alan Wagner, Dr. Steven Warsof, and Dr. Stephen Wohlgemuth.

1992

April – Kim Simon Fink, chair of the Speaker’s Bureau of the Holocaust Commission, with the help of resources from WHRO-TV and WTKR TV News, produces a documentary video, A Story of Remembrance, to be available for local schools when survivors are no longer available to speak to students.

April 30 – Author and Holocaust survivor, Gerda Weissman Klein is the guest speaker for Yom Hashoah where the unveiling and dedication of the Holocaust Memorial sculpture, built by local artist Vic Pickett, outside of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, on Newport Ave takes place.

Celebrating

75 successful years 81

November – Tidewater is among six Jewish Federations nationwide to win two Gold Awards in the 1992 CJF Public Relations Award Competitions, in the “Best Special Brochures” and “Best Campaign Brochures” categories. Also, the UJF Virginia News receives a Silver Award in the category for “Best Newspapers With Ads” (Marcia Hofheimer, president of UJFT; Dr. Gary N. Rubin, executive vice president of UJFT; Reba Karp, editor of UJFT Virginia News).

1993

Summer – After the Simon family challenges the community to meet the $150,000 they donate toward the formation of a fund in the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, the Simon Family Passport to Israel Program is launched by Richard and Landa Glasser—Passport to Israel helps send young people to Israel.

November – The Rambam Society of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater open 7 days a week

holds its first event with 39 dentists in its charter and is created to work with the dental clinic in Tidewater’s twinned city

Mazel Tov on 75 Years

in Israel, Pardes Katz.

Dr. Sonny Lefcoe with Dr. Herbert Judes, chairman Department of Operative Dentistry in Israel.

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December 11 – Led by co-chairs, Dr. Bernard and Lois Einhorn, the opening night of the First Virginia Festival of Jewish Film takes place. Six Jewish films premiere from Israel, Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, Norway, and France.

Dr. Barry and Lois Einhorn.

1994

January 20 – Thanks to the help of Bob Josephberg and Larry Siegel, the Tidewater community has the chance to view Schindler’s List before its local release. Anna Perl—a Virginia Beach resident whose name was on Schindler’s List—shares some of her memories with the audience before the viewing.

June – Under the leadership of Sandra Leon, the Holocaust Commission of the UJFT organizes an educational conference to help teachers deal with increasing prejudice and violence in the

Mazel Tov on 75 years of Great Community Work

classroom. The conference is underwritten by Tidewater area public and private schools, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Robert Goodman,

Dr. Abbey & Brenda Horwitz

Sr., the National Diffusion Network, S.L. Nusbaum Realty, NSU, ODU, Marvin and Marilyn Simon, and Telsa and Arnold Leon.

83

October – Led by David and Bonnie Brand,

December – Ellen Sacks, Norfolk Act

1995

Tidewater’s Yachad Mission is the first

II Shop chair, presents two awards to

to visit Jordan under the auspices of the

the Norfolk Act II store from the 20th

UJA, blazing the trail for other communi-

National Board Conference of Women’s

Sarajevo Jewish community, speaks

ties to follow.

American ORT. The store wins the

about his observations of Jewish life in

“Superstore Award” for sending in

the war zone that used to be Yugoslavia

by Paul Peck and Nathan Jaffe, Governor

contributions exceeding $20,000 and the

with members of the Maimonides and

George Allen announces that earlier in

“15% Net Gain Retail Enterprise Award.”

Rambam Societies, Tidewater attorneys,

the week he signed an executive order for

Tidewater is the only area in the country

Young Leadership, and the Community

a Virginia-Israel partnership.

with three ORT consignment shops.

Relations Council of the UJFT.

November – At an AIPAC event co-chaired

March – Ivan Ceresnjes, president of the

April – Odessa Musical Troupe, Migdal Or, helps the community celebrate the successful completion of UJFT’s 1995 Campaign with a performance at Sandler Hall at Temple Israel.

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Congratulations to UJFT on 75 years of great service to the Tidewater Jewish community.

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April 30 – Bootsie and Morty Goldmeier are presented with the Pinnacle Award from the Beth Sholom Home of Eastern Virginia for their continued support of the Home over the last quarter century.

May 21 – The Hebrew Academy of Tidewater celebrates its 40th Anniversary

Celebrating 75 successful years!

by honoring Reba and Sam Sandler and their family for their commitment to family and the Jewish community.

August 6 – Nancy Engel, director of Refugee Resettlement for Jewish Family Service, presides over a press conference at the JCC to counter anti-immigrant sentiment that is growing in the U.S. The Virginia Council of Churches, the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, and Refugee and Immigration Services of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond attend.

December 10 – After 13 years of gathering at the Roman Catholic Church of the Ascension, Congregation Beth Chaverim celebrates the official opening of its own synagogue.

1996

April 13 – Jewish Family Service marks 50

In Honor of Ms. Ina Levy and Ms. Joyce Strelitz

years as an agency at the Omni Hotel Waterside.

May – the Tom Hofheimer Medical Mission moves its focus toward establishing a relationship between the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel and EVMS and the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk.

Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sisterhood congratulates 75 years of the United Jewish Federation Come visit the largest selection of Judaica in Tidewater at OST’s Judaica shop!

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July 25 – The newly established VirginiaIsrael Advisory Board meets for the first time, its formation recommended by the Virginia-Israel Partnership in order to provide continuity for an on-going relationship between Virginia and Israel and was signed by Governor George Allen on April 17. On the Board from Tidewater

75 Anniversary

th

Happy

are: The Honorable Mark Earley, Besianne Tavss Shilling, Art Sandler, Jeffrey Breit, and Dr. Ed Karotkin.

October – Annie Sandler, Toni Sandler, and Sonia Stein are delegates at the first-ever Lion of Judah International Conference held in Jerusalem, where 500 women are representing 35 countries, 25 states, 65 U.S. communities, and 23 emerging Jewish communities from around the world.

1997

April 4 – Miriam Brunn Ruberg, director of Jewish Education for the UJFT,

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Shabbat,” a communal effort to ment of Shabbat (coordinated by the Enhancement of Jewish Life Committee of the Jewish Education Council).

August 25 – The United Jewish Federation

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Edward Jones celebrates 75 years of the Jewish News.

of Tidewater and Tidewater Jewish Foundation move into their new home at 5029 Corporate Woods Drive as Jewish Family Service makes plans to remodel and expand their offices.

Ruth A Pano

Financial Advisor

October – The Hebrew Academy of

.

Virginia Beach, VA 23452 757-651-0488

Tidewater opens the doors to its new Technology Center and Classroom Computer Network, which comprise the basic infrastructure for the utilization of Member SIPC

86

Multi-Media Technology in the school.

December 11 – The Honorable Jerome B. Friedman is invested as United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia – the first Jewish Federal Judge in the State of Virginia to be appointed by the President of the United States.

December 21 – “Commonwealth and Community: The Jewish experience in Virginia” exhibit that examines the many aspects of the Jewish community’s role in Virginia’s growth opens at The Chrysler Museum.

1998

Kaufman & Canoles is pleased to celebrate the UJFT’s 75 years of service to the Jewish Community. Mazel Tov!

January 31 – Actor Henry Winkler is this year’s UJFT Community Gala featured speaker at the Omni Hotel. David Brand

B’nai Israel Congregation

is president of the UJFT. Chairing this event is Paula and Michael Blachman and Brenda and Larry Klar.

April – The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

The Orthodox Synagogue for ALL Jews in Hampton Roads

sponsors its first Annual Elie Wiesel Writing Competition for Students.

1999

February 25 – Thirteen African American and Jewish teenagers are the first class

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March – Led by Frances Levy Birshtein

May 6 – The Maimonides Society of the

and Ronnie Jane Konikoff, BE A Reader

UJFT welcomes Dr. Zvi Feine, director

(BEAR) is launched as a literacy project

of the American Jewish Joint Distribution

of the UJFT that brings together volun-

Committee in Romania and JDC Deputy

Financial Advisor

teers of different religious, racial, and

Director for Israel, with Dr. Alan Wagner,

(757) 631-5530

ethnic backgrounds to make a difference

chairman of the Maimonides Society.

in the lives of children.

Feine leads a discussion about health care

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March 25 – The first class of 10 Certified

in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet

Nursing Assistants working under Beth

Union and the Jewish community’s

Sholom Home’s new scholarship program

response.

complete their clinical and course work, and graduate.

June – Rachael Wagner, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Alan Wagner, is among 26 teenagers in the United States to receive the 1999 Bronfman Youth Fellowships under a program designed to develop future com-

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munity leaders committed to the concept of Jewish unity.

History of the Kempsville Conservative Synagogue October 17 – Edie Harrison, founding president of the Norfolk chapter and Tidewater Region of ORT, and Joyce Strelitz, co-founder, are honored at the 40th anniversary celebration of Women’s American ORT in Tidewater with special speaker Justice Richard Goldstone at the Harrison Opera House.

2000

April – The Hebrew Academy of Tidewater introduces the Voyage to Israel as a feature of the school’s curriculum, a 16-day program in Israel for graduating eighth

I

School of Tidewater. We also participate in Machar, Kadima, and USY youth groups.

In 1983, after holding our minyan in several locations, the congregation purchased five acres of land. Today, Kempsville Conservative Synagogue offers religious and social programming for a small, but participative and intimate congregation.

After 33 years, Kempsville Conservative Synagogue continues to offer traditional education and religious opportunities for all family members. Our members take an active part in all facets of the synagogue, from leading services to administrative functions and maintenance. We proudly express our commitment to the perpetuation of Judaism.

n 1977, a group of Jews joined to form Kehillat Yisrael, a synagogue in the Kempsville section of Virginia Beach.

The next year, another small group of families formed the synagogue Bet Hamidrash. Soon, these two groups merged as Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (House of Prayer), also known as the Kempsville Conservative Synagogue or KBH. Together, we created a synagogue rooted in Jewish faith and learning in Virginia Beach.

Through the ongoing hard work and dedication of volunteers, Kempsville Conservative Synagogue maintains a respected position in the Tidewater Jewish community. We affiliate with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the United Hebrew

With our programming partner, Temple Israel of Norfolk, we offer study groups, joint holiday services, weekly Sunday school, and adult education programs.

Visit us at www.kbhsynagogue.org and then join us at 952 Indian Lakes Boulevard in Virginia Beach.

grade students conducted under the auspices of the Jewish Agency.

June 1 – With Bonnie Brand as the Women’s Campaign 2000 chairman, the Women’s goal of $1,000,000 is met and

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kbhsynagogue

surpassed for the first time!

October – In a unified response to the recent uprising in violence in Israel, the community comes together in “A Solidarity Gathering for Israel and Peace” on the grounds of the Hebrew Academy

RATUL ATIONS G N O C

of Tidewater, co-sponsored by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis.

October – Jay Klebanoff, president of Jewish Family Service, announces that in response to the needs of the Williamsburg Jewish community, JFS is opening an office in that city.

2001

January – Jodi and Jay Klebanoff head the Blue Ribbon Campaign to remember and honor the three Israeli soldiers who were

to the

UJFT! From the

Woodway Company/Steingold Family

Ira, Lawrence, Joe, & Sam

kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2000, by Hezbollah, including Benny Avraham, son of Haim Avraham of Tidewater’s sister city in Pardes Katz.

89

SHALOM tidewater Are you newish and Jewish in the Tidewater area or do you know someone who is?

Starting over in a new town can be overwhelming.

The Shalom Tidewater team is here to make the transition into our community easy and enjoyable.

Contact Shalom Tidewater’s Community Concierge today and start knowing the Tidewater Jewish community!

B’nai B’rith of Tidewater • BBYO • B’nai Israel Congregation • The Berger-Goldrich Home Beth Chaverim • Beth Sholom Village Bina High School • Brith Shalom Center Business & Legal Society • Camp Gan Israel • Camp JCC • Chabad of Tidewater The Commodore Uriah P. Levy Chapel Community Mikvah • Community Relations Council • Congregation Beth El • Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning Gomley Chesed Synagogue • Hadassah Hebrew Academy of Tidewater • Hebrew Ladies Charity Society • ODU Hillel Holocaust Commission • Hospice & Palliative Care of Tidewater • JCC Seniors Club Jewish Family Service of Tidewater • Jewish Museum & Cultural Center • Jewish News of Southeastern Virginia • Jewish War Veterans Old Dominion Post #158 Kempsville Conservative Synagogue Norfolk Kollel • Lost Tribe Motorcycle Club Maimonides Society • Marilyn & Marvin Simon Family Jewish Community Center NFTY • Ohef Sholom Temple • ORT • PJ Library • Reba & Sam Sandler Family Campus • Shalom Tidewater • Shir Darom Strelitz Early Childhood Center • Temple Emanuel • Temple Israel • The Terrace Tidewater Chavurah • Tidewater Jewish Foundation • Toras Chaim • United Hebrew School • United Jewish Federation of Tidewater • USY • Vaad HaKasharus of Tidewater • Yeshivas Aish Kodesh • YAD

shalomtidewater.org (757) 452-3180 90

May 22 – The Marvin Simon, Joyce Strelitz,

November 26 – More than 550 commu-

and Walter Segaloff families are among

nity members attend briefings on the

the 11 families who are instrumental in

“War on Terrorism, Israel-U.S. Relations

purchasing a rare set of the Survivor’s

and Middle East Peace,” with speakers

Talmud—a publication of the Talmud

Honorable George Allen, United States

made by the US Army on German soil

Senator; Howard A Kohr, executive

in 1948. The set is put on exhibit at the

director, American Israel Public Affairs

Chrysler Museum and dedicated to

Committee; the Honorable J. Randy

Leonard Strelitz.

Forbes, United States Congressman,

July – Tidewater’s Melanie Stein, a rising

Virginia’s 4th District; and the Honorable

junior at James Madison University,

Ed Schrock, United States Congressman,

takes home the bronze medal in the 100

Virginia 2nd District.

meter back stroke and a silver in the 400 meter medley relay at the 16th Maccabiah games in Israel.

August – Directed by Miriam Brunn

2002

January – Sponsored by the Community

Ruberg, the Florence Melton Adult Mini

Relations Council of the UJFT, members

School, a school for adult Jewish learning

of Tidewater’s Christian and Islamic

that provides the opportunity to acquire

clergy and community leaders hear and

a foundation in Jewish knowledge in a

participate in a teleconference with Alon

systematic way over a period of two years,

Pinkas, Israeli Consulate General, at a

is launched in Tidewater.

meeting at the UJFT.

November – Led by Ron Kramer, the 2000 General Campaign chairman, Alan Frieden, 2000 Men’s Division chairman, and Bonnie Brand, 2000 Women’s Division Chairman, The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is awarded the prestigious Sapir Award for Campaign Excellence in recognition of outstanding performance.

Proud to partner with UJFT to achieve success through inclusion for 75 years!

5511 Staples Mill Road, Suite 202 Richmond, VA 23228 Ph: (804) 515-7950 | Fax: (804) 515-7177 contact@inclusiveva.org www.inclusiveva.org

April – More than 2,000 demonstrate their support for Israel at the CommunityWide Israel Solidarity Rally that includes speakers: Rev. John Capellaro of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk; U.S. Congressman for Virginia’s 4th District Eric Cantor; Marcia Hofheimer, chairperson of the IsraelNow Campaign; Hagit Segev Moisis, a teacher at the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater; and

We are grateful to have participated in the community’s many successes.

Rabbis Arthur Ruberg of Beth El and Benjamin Shull of Temple Emanuel; Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberdorf, State Senator Nick Rerras and U.S. Representative Ed Schrock.

June 26 – Beth Sholom Home holds groundbreaking for the expansion and refurbishment of the nursing home and begins construction of The Terrace, the region’s first Jewish assisted living complex.

Congratulations on an outstanding 75 years!

September 4 – Book-signing and culminating event of three years’ work resulting in the publication of To Life: Stories of Courage and Survival, led by Laura Miller, To Life chair, takes place.

October 6 – The Hebrew Ladies Charity and its 800 members celebrate the organization’s 100th anniversary with “A Tribute to 100 Years of Caring” to honor

Bootsie & Morton Goldmeier

CONGRATULATIONS ON 75 YEARS!

the founders (of blessed memory) and their children and grandchildren.

Bert Lowenthal 91

Omar’s Carriage House Catering

October 9 – Ehud Barak, former Prime

June 1 – The Reba and Sam Sandler Family

Minister of Israel, speaks at Chrysler

Campus Site Dedication kicks off with

Hall. He delivers a message of confidence

the first Simcha Games and includes

that the first war of the 21st century, the

brief remarks from Virginia Beach Mayor

war against terrorism, can and must be

Meyera Oberndorf; Bob Josephberg and

won to preserve the freedoms and liberty

Bob Copeland, co-chairs of the Simcha

we know in our “Western Civilization.”

Campaign; UJFT President Ron Kramer; community leaders Marvin Simon and

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2003

March – Larkspur Middle School hosts a reception for local Holocaust survivors

Steve Sandler; and the premier of the song Celebrate the Moment, written by Zeke Panitz.

September 4 – To Life: Stories of Courage

and Holocaust Commission members,

and Survival is awarded first place in the

where students recite poetry they have

National Federation of Press Women’s

written for the survivors and everyone

2003 Communications Contest in the

has a chance to plant a tree.

nonfiction book category.

October 31 –Jewish Family Service honors

February – Two and half years since its

March – The Simon family and the

52 “new Americans” in a ceremony

inception, the Norfolk Area Community

Tidewater Jewish Foundation announce a

where all of those recognized are Jewish

Kollel creates Shalom Hampton Roads,

new system to honor donors who make a

refugees from the former Soviet Union

the area’s first Jewish radio program, to

lasting gift to the Jewish community: The

who were resettled in Tidewater by JFS,

be hosted by two of the Kollel’s founding

Simon Family Legacy Society.

and have since obtained United States

members, Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz and

citizenship.

Rabbi Aryeh Gibber.

May 16 – The Terrace at Beth Sholom

March – Brenda Klar, a past president of the

Village, a Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Assisted Living Center, has its official

board of the Berger-Goldrich Home at

grand opening, with its religious cultural

Beth Sholom Village, receives the pres-

center furnished from North Carolina’s

tigious Trustee of the Year Award from

Temple Emanu-El in Weldon, which

a major financial gift to create an Early

the Association of Jewish Aging Services

closes its door the same day as the grand

Childhood Center on the new Sandler

for her dedication since the late 1980s and

opening.

Family Campus to establish a strong

involvement in the growth and develop-

foundation for lifelong learning in a

ment of the Home and the creation of the

dynamic, supportive and enriching

Terrace.

2004

January – The Strelitz family announces

Jewish environment.

Our Board of Directors Congratulates The Tidewater Jewish Federation on

75 successful years serving our Jewish community.

93

September 12 – Led by event co-chairs,

February 13 – More than 300 people gather

Marilyn Simon and Ann Copeland,

at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family

the community celebrates the grand

Campus to honor Rabbi Aron and Rychel

opening of the Reba and Sam Sandler

Margolin for their 25 years of leader-

Family Campus with an auction, sports

ship in Tidewater, with heart-warming

competitions, arts and crafts, fitness

tributes from Alene Kaufman, Rabbi

demonstrations, bingo, moonwalks, and

Arthur Ruberg, Rick Bass, Jon Becker,

more, as more than 2,200 attend.

Stanley Peck, and Rabbi Yankel Krantz of Chabad of Richmond.

2005

January 21 – Temple Israel and the area’s

Grand opening celebration of Sandler Family Center.

April – Jewish Family Service launches its first annual “Week of Healthy Living” with health education programs, a health

largest predominately African American

fair featuring local practitioners, and the

church, Calvary Revival, partner to pres-

First Annual “Run, Roll or Stroll” held at

ent an historic service and concert called

Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Amy Moss

“Shabbat Shirah: A Song for the King”

Levy is JFS president and Betty Ann

to commemorate both the story of the

Levy, JFS executive director.

Crossing of the Red Sea and the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King.

In Honor of

Morton Cushner Campaign Chairman 1941

Mickey & Stuart Held 94

May 10 – The Auxiliary Religious-Cultural

May 20 – Ten local high school students

Center at the Berger-Goldrich Home

who participate in Panim organize

is officially dedicated after the Spring

DARFEST, a concert to raise funds for

Luncheon due to the efforts of Pansy

the people of Darfur and southern Sudan

Perlman, auxiliary president, and Bernice

and highlights stories of Lost Boys living

Moses, luncheon chair.

in Hampton Roads. DARFEST also

October – The United States Naval

showcases bands of local high school

Academy opens the Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel, named for Esther

students, as well as provides information.

Children of the founders of Hebrew Ladies Charity Society.

June 25 – More than 600 community

and William Miller, parents of Jerry Miller. The academy estimates that some

(The event raises close to $10,000!)

May – Hebrew Academy students host Lost

members, service people, and dignitaries,

1.5 million visitors will tour the facility

Boy of Sudan Deng Awuou at the school’s

such as Senator Carl Levin, are gathered

during its first year.

Model Seder, where they explain the rituals

on board of the USS Harry S. Truman

and symbols that recount the Jews escape

as a Holocaust Torah is dedicated to the

from slavery and Deng describes his escape

Norfolk-based aircraft carrier.

from Sudan to freedom in the U.S. June 3 – Peninsula leader, businessman, and

2006

January – Tidewater Jewish Foundation

first ever Tidewater Women’s Mission to

philanthropist Walter Segaloff is honored

Israel, celebrating Israel’s 60th birthday in

as the first recipient of the Franklin O.

the city of Jerusalem.

Blechman Lifetime Achievement Award

Jerry and Laura Miller cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony of the Jewish Chapel in Annapolis, Md.

August – Forty women take part in the

September – Bina High School, Norfolk’s

for Community Leadership.

first all-girls orthodox school, opens its

September – JCC launches “Kid’s

doors with 12 students in the ninth and

Connection,” a before and after school

10th grades. It is housed at Ohef Sholom

activity program.

Temple.

2007

March – The Jaffe Jewish Family Service in

2008

February 21 – Gabrielle Barr, Emily

Budapest is created through the gener-

Bernstein, Simon Fink, Jean Goodman,

announces its launch of the Program

osity of the Jaffe family. It will provide a

Kerri Horwitz, Rachel Kozak,

Endowment to encourage contributions

comprehensive continuum of welfare and

Jodi Laderberg, Erin Leon, Rachel

specifically to a program that will ensure

social services for the entire Hungarian

Schoenbaum, and Mitch Waranch are

that it thrives today and continues for

Jewish community.

presented with a Human Rights Award

tomorrow.

by the Virginia Beach Human Rights

March – Jewish Family Service celebrates its

Commission “for promoting human

60th anniversary after the Hebrew Ladies

rights and inter-group understanding in

Charity Society established an indepen-

our community” through their involve-

dent Jewish Family Service in 1946.

ment in planning and coordinating DARFEST. June 28 – Rabbi Rosalin Mendelberg sings the Star Spangled Banner prior to the start of the Tide’s game at Harbor Park, Jaffe Jewish Family Service participants.

the evening of Ohef Sholom Temple’s Men’s Club Annual Harbor Park Picnic.

95

November 6 – Matisyahu performs at the NorVa and right before the show asks the Jewish community to come together for minyan—backstage!

2009

April 2 – Miriam Seeherman, who has

2010

January 16 – For the first time in the history

August 1 – The First Annual “Sababa” Sunday, organized by rising college sophomores Staci Eichelbaum and

of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a

Elyssa Bernstein and co-sponsored by

Republican governor has a rabbi partici-

the Community Relations Council, is an

pate in the inaugural ceremonies – Rabbi

event for college students to celebrate and

Israel Zoberman.

learn how to advocate for Israel.

April 18 – After the devastating earthquake

October 2 – Ed Karotkin, MD, is honored

volunteered more than 50 years of her

that rocked the people of Haiti, local

alongside President Bill Clinton, recipient

time and talent to ensure equality,

Panim students plan Bouncing Back: a

of the 2010 Charles E. Horton Award for

opportunity, and enrichment to all

3-on-3 basketball tournament that raises

Humanitarian Service, in the category

residents of Tidewater, is honored at the

$2,350 to donate to American Jewish

of Physician, at this year’s Physicians for

Humanitarian Awards of the Virginia

World Services and the Natan’s opera-

Peace annual gala reception.

Center for Inclusive Communities.

tion—Giving Hope to Haiti.

September – Telsa Leon is awarded the prestigious Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award for outstanding service and devotion to the worldwide Jewish community at the Lion of Judah conference in New Orleans.

Congratulations to UJFT for 75 years!

In loving memory of

Marvin Simon who shared his passion of Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam with his coummunity, his children and his grandchildren.

Heidi and Ben, Leah, Wayne and Alex Kim and Andrew, Simon, Dustin and Erica Shelly and Britt, Sydnie and Logan

96

2011

May 3 – Dr. Rick Hodes, MD, medical

May 27 – Back by popular demand, JCC’s

director of Ethiopia, American Jewish

“Fresh on Fridays” returns. Farmers from

Joint Distribution Committee, speaks at

Pungo to the Eastern Shore sell a variety

to Honor Israel at the Founder’s Inn,

the Sandler Family Campus as part of

of organic and locally grown fresh fruits

an event of Christians United for Israel

JFS’ 7th Annual Week of Healthy Living.

and vegetables every week. Baked goods

March 6 – More than 1,000 attend a Night

(CUFI) aimed at strengthening bonds

May 13 – For the first time in Hampton

and other items are also sold.

June 1 – Virginia Israel Advisory Board’s

with Israel and express support for the

Roads, the Jewish Motorcycle Alliance’s

Jewish people.

annual Ride to Remember comes to

Ralph Robbins speaks at the Simon

the JCC with more than 200 motorcy-

Family JCC at an event sponsored by

nity gathers to present a Torah scroll to

cles and even more members from the

the Community Relations Council of

the USS George H.W. Bush, purchased by

community.

the UJFT in partnership with Tidewater

March 13 – The Tidewater Jewish commu-

the Tidewater Jewish Foundation through

May 15 – More than 200 guests gather

Jewish Foundation.

June 12 – Second Annual Sababa Sunday

the auspices of the Leonard R. Strelitz

at Beth Sholom Village for its 30th

Talmud Fund, and Joyce Strelitz and her

Anniversary Gala to eat, drink, and

for college-aged students takes place at

family and friends.

honor the past presidents of the board of

the Simon Family JCC. Staci Eichelbaum

directors.

and Kara Frank co-chair the event.

May 1 – Ruth Kapp Hartz is the keynote speaker for the Holocaust Commission’s annual Yom Hashoah event, held this year at Ohef Sholom Temple.

97

congratu

lations

Mazel Tov! Old Dominion University congratulates the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater on their 75th anniversary.

odu.edu 98

June 22 – Two years of leadership training

October – Twenty-eight Jewish women

December – The partnership between

culminate when 15 young adults embark

travel to Havana, Cuba for a four-day visit

UJFT and area synagogues is revitalized

on a journey to Israel. For seven days,

to the Jewish community with UJFT’s/

with the creation of the Synagogue-

graduates of the Hineni! Institute for

Joint Distribution Committee’s women’s

Federation Partnership, which includes

Leadership Development Program, spon-

mission.

grants for synagogues, the establishment

sored by the Simon Family Foundation,

October 23 – Hebrew Ladies Charity

trek through Israel, learning history,

celebrates 110 years of service with a

politics, social and security issues, and

luncheon at Beth Sholom Village. More

experience first-hand how UJFT dollars

than 200 attend, where children and

support Jews worldwide.

grandchildren of the original founders are honored.

2012

April 29 – More than 1,300 people

November 27 – The Community Relations Council’s Israel Today series begins with

December – Jewish Family Service launches its Past President’s Society.

December – Freda H. Gordon Hospice the Gold Care Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission.

Amos Guiora, former Commander of the IDF School of Military Law, Judge

Independence Day festival at the Simon

Advocate for the Navy and Home Front

Family JCC.

Command. He speaks to a standing

its Spring Luncheon with guest speakers

and area-wide events.

and Palliative Care of Tidewater receives

attend Yom Ha’Atzmaut, the Israel

May 10 – UJFT’s Women’s Cabinet holds

of the area’s first Community Concierge

room only audience at the Sandler Family Campus.

Taly Shaul and Zoya Shvartzman from Hungary. They are introduced by JDC executive board member Karen Jaffe.

June 3 – Nearly 60 years after Temple Sinai left Ohef Sholom Temple, Temple Sinai returns, merging with the Norfolk synagogue in a multi-faceted ceremony.

June 4 – Simon Family JCC’s Florence Melton Adult Mini-School holds its 10th graduation.

June –Congregation Beth Chaverim marks its 30th anniversary.

June 7 – Hebrew Academy of Tidewater hosts a farewell reception for Zena Herod, outgoing head of school. More than 200

MAZEL TOV UJFT! Congratulations on

75 YEARS

of faithful service!

people attend.

July – Fifty-one Jewish men from Tidewater head to Israel with the second Men’s Leadership Mission, organized and primarily funded by Steve and Art Sandler.

The men hear from top-notch speakers, visit unique sites and experience firsthand the visceral connection that exists today between Jews and Israel.

www.v i c p p .o rg 99

Leaders of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Presidents rchie J. Harris 1945–1946* A Ben Simon 1946–1947* Lester S. Sherrick 1948–1949* Albert G. Hofheimer 1949–1950* Harry Elson 1951–1952* Joseph L. Kanter 1953* Hyman H. Block 1954–1955* Bertram S. Nusbaum, Sr. 1956–1957* Morris B. Gutterman 1958–1959* Sydney J. Gates 1960–1961* Ralph S. Margolius 1962–1963* Paul M. Lipkin 1964–1965 Norman Berlin 1966–1967* Sam Sandler 1968–1969* Joseph H. Strelitz 1970–1971*

Leonard R. Strelitz 1972–1973* Sanford L. Lefcoe 1974–1975** Robert M. Rubin 1976–1977 Marvin Simon 1978–1979* Robert O. Copeland 1980–1981 Marc Jacobson 1981–1984 Sanford L. Lefcoe 1985–1987* Bootsie Goldmeier 1987—1989 Charles Goldman 1989–1991 Marcia Hofheimer 1991–1993 Art Sandler 1993–1995 Steve Sandler 1995–1997 David Brand 1997–1999 Annabel Sacks 1999–2001 Toni Sandler 2001–2003 Ron Kramer 2003–2005

Alan Frieden 2005–2007 Abbey Horwitz 2007-2009 Lonny Sarfan 2009–2011 Alvin Wall 2011–2013 Miles Leon 2013–

General Campaign Chairmen 1935 – Dr. Louis Mendoza* 1936 – Harry H. Kanter* 1937 – Ben Simon* 1938 – Harry H. Mansbach* 1939 – R ichard D. Hofheimer* 1940 – S ylvan Altschul* 1941 – M orton Cushner, David Friedman*, Alan Nordlinger*

Community IS OUR MIDDLE NAME.

Tidewater Community College operates as a true reflection of the community we serve, founded on shared goals of mutual respect and admiration for every single student. With more than 150 college transfer, career & technical, and workforce development programs, there is something for everyone. No matter where you’re headed in life, start here.

Visit tcc.edu today for information.

TCC.EDU C H E S A P ECAHKE ES A P EIA K EN OI R FNOOLRKF O L K| 100

| P OPRO RT TSSMMOO UUTTHH I

I

|

757-822-1122

S U SF FUOFLFK O LI K V I IR G I NVIIAR BGEIANCIHA

BEACH

1942 – A rchie J. Harris* 1943 – William Nordlinger*, Louis Tabakin* Julius A. Myers* 1944 – Ben Paul Snyder* 1945 – Joseph Hecht*, Harry Elson* Lester S. Sherrick* 1946 – Dr. Dudley Cooper* 1947 – A rchie J. Harris* 1948 – D avid Friedman* 1949 – Herbert J. Gerst* 1950 – L eo S. Baydush* 1951 – L ouis B. Fine* 1952 – A rthur Cooper*, David Krug* 1953 – George M. Gordon* 1954 – Norman Berlin* 1955 – Sydney J. Gates* 1956 – J oseph Klein* 1957 – J ake Goodman* 1958 – S am Robbins*, Julian Rashkind*, Sam Weisberg 1959 – R alph S. Margolius* 1960 – A rchie J. Harris* 1961 – P aul M. Lipkin 1962 – J oseph L. Kantor 1963 – S am Sandler* 1964 – L eonard R. Strelitz* 1965 – Bernard Glasser* 1966 – Joseph H. Strelitz* 1967 – Stanley Waranch 1968 – M ilton Kramer* 1969 – R abbi Harold Hahn* 1970 – Marvin Simon 1971 – Dr. Sanford L. Lefcoe* 1972 – D r. Arthur S. Kaplan* 1973 – Dr. Robert M. Rubin 1974 – L awrence I. Brenner 1975 – Bernard Jaffe* 1976 – Dr. Sanford L. Lefcoe* 1978 – David Furman 1979 – Thomas L. Hofheimer* 1980 – Sam Sandler* 1981 – Marc Jacobson 1982 – Dr. Charles J. Goldman 1983–1984 – Tavia Gordon 1985 – M orton Goldmeier 1986 – James M. Kline 1987–1988 – A rnold Leon

1989 – D r. Harvey Davis 1990-1993 – A rt Sandler 1994-1996 – Steve Sandler 1997-1998 – T oni Sandler 1998-2000 – Ron Kramer 2001-2003 – A lan Frieden 2003–2005 – Miles Leon 2005–2007 – Bonnie Brand 2007–2008 – L onny Sarfan 2008–2010 – J ohn Strelitz 2013 – A my Levy

Women’s Campaign Chairs 1936 – Mrs. Philip Kroskin (Miriam)* Mrs. Charles L. Kaufman, Sr. (Doris)* 1945 – Mrs. Philip Kroskin (Miriam)* Mrs. Bernard Beskin (Virginia)* 1946 – M rs. Alvin Margolius (Elise)* 1948 – M rs. Lee A. Gifford (Helen)* 1951 – M rs. Leo S. Baydush (Ida)* 1953 – M rs. Myer Herzberg (Lena)* 1954 – M rs. M. G. Stadler (Jeanne) 1957 – Mrs. Alan Fleder (Esther)* 1958 – M rs. Alan Fleder (Esther)* 1959 – Mrs. Herbert Altschul (Rachelle) 1960 – Mrs. V. H. Nusbaum, Sr. (Justine)* 1961 – M rs. Sydney J. Gates (Goldie)* Mrs. Harold L. Groh (Audrey) 1962 – Mrs. Harold L. Groh (Audrey) Mrs. Bernard Salzberg (Edythe) 1963 – Mrs. Stanley L. Harrison (Edie) Mrs. Sam Weisberg (Phyllis) 1964 – Mrs. Paul M. Lipkin (Ellie) 1965 – Mrs. Oscar Warner (June)* 1966 – M rs. Leonard R. Strelitz (Joyce) 1967 – Mrs. Philip Kroskin (Miriam)* 1968 – Mrs. Stanley Waranch (Carole) 1969 – Mrs. Roger A. Horne (Isabelle)* 1970 – Mrs. Geoffrey H. Myers (Betty) 1971 – Mrs. Joseph H. Strelitz (Arlene) 1972 – Mrs. Sanford L. Lefcoe (Mavolyn)* 1973 – Mrs. Sanford L. Lefcoe (Mavolyn)* 1974 – Ms. Bette Kanter 1975 – Mrs. Louis L. Rostov (Beverly)* 1976 – Mrs. Burton Moss (Marcia) 1977 – Mrs. Robert O. Copeland (Anne) 1978 – Mrs. Fred H. Rosenblum (Barbara)

1979 – Mrs. Samuel H. Rosenblatt (Trudy) 1980 – M arcia Hofheimer 1981 – Bootsie Goldmeier Jane Stein 1982 – Bootsie Goldmeier Jane Stein 1983–1985 – Jane Stein 1985–1986 – Dottie Goldman 1986–1987 – A nn Zukerman 1988–1990 – M imi Karesh 1990–1992 – A lice Davis 1992–1994 – Karen Jaffe 1994–1996 – Toni Sandler 1996–1997 – A nnabel Sacks 1997–1999 – A nnie Sandler 1999–2001 – Bonnie Brand 2001–2003 – Phyllis Lannik 2003–2005 – Terri Sarfan 2005–2007 – L aura Miller 2007–2009 – K aren Lombart 2009–2011 – A my Levy 2011–2013 – L aura Geringer Gross 2013 – J odi Klebanoff

Women’s Presidents 1968–1970 – Mrs. Leonard R. Strelitz (Joyce) 1970–1972 – Mrs. Philip Kroskin (Miriam)* 1972–1974 – Mrs. Paul Lipkin (Ellie) 1974–1976 – Mrs. Geoffrey Myers (Betty) 1976 – Mrs. Joseph Strelitz (Arlene) 1977 – Mrs. Paul Lipkin (Ellie) 1978–1980 – Mrs. Sanford Lefcoe (Mavolyn)* 1981–1982 – Marcia Moss 1982–1983 – Barbara Rosenblum 1984–1986 – Bootsie Goldmeier 1986–1987 – Ann Copeland 1988–1990 – Ann Zukerman 1990–1992 – Mimi Karesh 1992–1994 – Alice Davis 1994–1996 – Karen Jaffe 1996–1997 – Toni Sandler 1997–1999 – Annabel Sacks 1999–2001 – Annie Sandler 2001–2003 – Annabel Sacks 2003–2005 – Phyllis Lannik 2005–2007 – Terri Sarfan

101

Agencies of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater United Jewish Federation of Tidewater 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-965-6100 www.jewishva.org Executive Vice President: Harry Graber

Jewish Family Service 260 Grayson Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-321-2222 www.jfshamptonroads.org Executive Director: Betty Ann Levin

Beth Sholom Village 6401 Auburn Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 757-420-2512 www.bethsholomvillage.com Executive Vice President/CEO, David R. Abraham

Marilyn and Marvin Simon Family Jewish Community Center 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-321-2338 www.simonfamilyj.org Center Director: Scott Katz

Hebrew Academy of Tidewater 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-424-4327 www.hebrewacademy.net Head of School: Rabbi Mordechai Wecker

Tidewater Jewish Foundation 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-965-6111 www.jewishva.org President and CEO: Philip S. Rovner

Linda FOX-JARVIS and Team

The Mother-Daughter Team of Hampton Roads congratulates United Jewish Federation of Tidewater on its 75th anniversary!

Realtors You Can Trust with Over 30 years of Real Estate Experience and Expertise!

757-490-1254 Lfoxjarvis@mindspring.com www.foxhomelink.com 102

Tidewater Synagogues B’nai Israel Congregation Chabad Lubavitch of Tidewater Congregation Beth Chaverim Congregation Beth El The Commodore Uriah P. Levy Chapel Gomley Chesed Kempsville Conservative Synagogue Ohef Sholom Temple Temple Emanuel Temple Israel Tidewater Chavurah

103

Thank you, Tidewater, for partnering with The Jewish Agency to secure the Jewish future for generations.

Happy 75th!

The Rose Frances & Bernard Glasser Health & Wellness Center

For over 30 years, Beth Sholom has proudly served the community.

Congratulations on this milestone anniversary!

Beth Sholom Village has a medical clinic for adults who need expert primary care?

Open to the public, the Health and Wellness Center offers routine and acute lab work, immunizations and Coumadin checks, as well as diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of chronic diseases. Lara Nance, an experienced nurse practitioner and clinic director, is ready to see you.

w w w. b e t h s h o l o m v i l l a g e . c o m 104

Call 961-3055 to make an appointment.

The Health and Wellness Center is: • Open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Accepting of most major insurance and Medicare.

• Now offering pre-employment drug screening for your company. Call for details.

MAZEL TOV! ‫יום הולדת שמח‬

Yom Huledet Sameach to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, celebrating 75 years of commitment to our Jewish community and the world.

Ensure the next 75 years of the UJFT. Endow your gift through the Tidewater Jewish Foundation.

(757) 965-6111 jewishva.org 105

75

Celebrating

Years

In 1912, in response to a great need in the community, a group of nine Jewish ladies formed the Hebrew Ladies Charity Society, from which Jewish Family Service was formed in 1946.

From our humble beginnings, today we continue to serve a great need in our community, providing home health care, counseling, food and financial assistance, guardianship, transportation, older adult services, and more to thousands of people of all ages, races and religions.

We are proud to have been a part of the Jewish community for over 75 years and we look forward to a bright future.

You never know when you’ll need help, but you’ll always know where to find it.

www.jfshamptonroads.org 106

Happy 75 Years UJFT! The Simon Family Jewish Community Center is proud to be part of the history of our community – so proud that “community” is part of our name.

The Simon Family JCC is more than just a fitness center.

You will find programs for the entire family – infants through teens, adults to seniors. We are especially proud of our children’s programs which include Camp JCC, Kids Connection before- and after-school care program, and youth sports leagues where your children will meet new friends and develop team spirit.

The JCC also enriches the Tidewater community by hosting the Jewish book, film and Israel festivals and the art shows and live entertainment that are offered throughout the year.

We are a community center for Tidewater … plus a great fitness center that offers 60-plus free group exercise classes to its members who, after working out, can relax in one of three heated indoor pools year round and an outdoor pool and water park from Spring to Fall.

At the Simon Family JCC everyone is welcome.

Congratulations to every Jew living in Tidewater for being a continuing part of this 75 year experience.

Simon Family Jewish Community Center on the Reba & Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 SimonFamilyJCC.org | 757-321-2338

107

L’Dor V’Dor

years from generation to generation Our Jewish community in Tidewater formally organized itself 75 years ago. From generation to generation we have thrived here and have enriched the local community as well.

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater celebrates this 75th birthday of our community in which each and every Jew is a vital part.

This is a birthday for every Jewish person in Tidewater. We are all 75 years old in that we continue to energize and sustain this community for more generations to come.

UJFT is proud that we are playing a part in this process by supporting more than 20 local Jewish organizations, including Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, the Simon Family JCC and all of our synagogues.

To everyone in our community,

Happy 75th Birthday!

Kol Hakavod!

On the Reba & Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 www.JewishVA.org | 757-965-6100

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Ruth’s will said a lot about her.

What does your will say about you?

As a “pink lady” Ruth Goodman accumulated more hours than any other volunteer at the Norfolk hospital where she greeted visitors.

Before she died in 1995, Ruth arranged for a bequest to the Hampton Roads Community Foundation to give good health to the community she and her husband Victor loved.

This year 21 students are studying to become physicians, pharmacists and other medical professionals thanks to scholarships generated by Ruth’s generosity. Many more Goodman Scholars will follow every year forever.

Write your prescription for a better future by ordering a free bequest guide. Learn how easy it is to leave a gift for charity. Call 757-622-7951 or visit leaveabequest.org.

Adding charity to your will or IRA

A quick guid

e to the plea sure and pr omise of charitable bequests

•

www.leaveabequest.org. (757) 622-7951

Thanks to hundreds of generous donors like Ruth Goodman, since 1950 the community foundation has awarded more than $180 million in grants and scholarships to improve life for people in southeastern Virginia.

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