Jewish News - April 8, 2024 Issue

Photograph by Steve Budman

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UPFRONT Knowledge is the answer

Israel’s war with Hamas has resulted in vocal and aggressive antisemitism that has not been witnessed in the United States for many generations. Jewish News is gathering and presenting some basic facts in this space to equip readers during this difficult time with the confidence needed to engage in conversation about Israel.

• Since the October 7 massacre, Iran and its proxies have attacked Israel from seven fronts: Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. (AIPAC.org)

• Israel does not occupy Gaza. Israel left Gaza in 2005 and Gaza has been controlled by Hamas since 2007. (juf.org)

• Hamas’ charter calls for killing Jews, destroying Israel and establishing a fundamentalist Islamist state in its place. (juf.org)

• Israel has accepted proposals related to a two-state solution on five different occasions while the Palestinians have rejected each one including an offer of 93.5% of territory in the West Bank and Gaza and a share of East Jerusalem. (cdn.fedweb.org)

• There is no Israeli “apartheid.” Arab citizens in Israel have equal rights, are elected to the Knesset (Israeli parliament) and sit on Israel’s Supreme Court. (juf.org)

• Israeli Arab citizens serve as judges, ambassadors, legislators, journalists, professors, and artists, and play prominent roles in all aspects of Israeli society. And for the first time, in 2021, an Islamist Arab political party is a partner in a governing coalition. (cdn.fedweb.org)

• For Christians, Israel is the “Holy Land” because it is the place where Jesus’ life and death unfolded. For Muslims, Jerusalem is the place where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. (pewresearch.org)

• Virtually all Jews in Israel identify with one of four major religious subgroups: Hiloni (“secular”), Masorti (“traditional”), Dati (“religious”), and Haredi (“ultra-Orthodox”). (pewresearch.org)

• No matter where Jews pray, they always face the direction of Jerusalem. (ajc.org)

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Reporting all incidents of bias allows for the compiling of data, which helps to identify trends and notify law enforcement, community leaders, and lawmakers.

– page 5

BRIEFS

Atoning for role in delivering Jews to the Nazis, Amsterdam pledges donation and memorials at tram stops

Amsterdam’s public tram company, GVB, will place memorials at three central locations where it transported Dutch Jews into the clutches of the Nazis during the Holocaust.

The city of Amsterdam is also donating 100,000 Euros — and potentially more in the future — to local Jewish groups to divest itself of its revenue from collaborating with the Nazis.

The announcement, from the office of Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, comes shortly after researchers revealed that the company had not only collaborated with the Nazis to transport Jews to their deaths but sought repayment for its services even after the war.

“GVB would now like to express its sincere regret for the role that the Municipal Tram and the Municipal Transport Company played in the Second World War,” Halsema’s office said in a statement. “GVB calls it horrible and cruel that the Municipal Transport Company has sent invoices for carrying out the journeys to transport Jewish Amsterdammers to Central Station and Muiderpoort Station. The municipality and GVB therefore want to part with the money earned by participating in these deportations.”

Last month, officials from the city of Amsterdam, GVB and Centraal Joods Overleg, the main Dutch Jewish organization, met to discuss the research in the book and documentary The Lost City, which concluded that GVB had transported 48,000 Jews from the city into the hands of the Nazis.

The announcement of the memorials and donation is a first step in responding to the research, which the mayor’s office says is ongoing and will result in a broader response next year.

According to the announcement, GVB will rename one stop to reflect the new National Holocaust Museum, which opened in March. Halsema also indicated that she would consider a proposal by Itay Garmy, a Jewish City Council member, to make the museum free for all Amsterdam secondary school students.

“The mayor has expressly informed the CJO that this amount is not intended as compensation but is merely the return of money that the municipality should never have received,” the announcement said.

“We acknowledge these important measures taken today. We look forward to continuing steps to address the past,” Gideon Taylor, president of the World Jewish Restitution Organization, said. “Acknowledging history helps shape a better future.” (JTA)

Major US Jewish groups object to federal security funding cuts

Seven major Jewish organizations that lobbied for federal security grants for synagogues and other institutions

have decried $30.5 million in cuts to the program.

The cut from last year’s $305 million budgeted for the nonprofit security grant program, run through the Department of Homeland Security, comes as reports of antisemitic attacks and threats have risen during the IsraelHamas war in Gaza.

“These funds are not just grants; they are lifelines that have fortified vital institutions against hate and violence,” said last month’s statement released by the Jewish Federations of North America, the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, Secure Community Network, Orthodox Union, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. “The security measures these funds have supported at Jewish facilities across the country have saved lives and prevented tragedy.”

The cuts, which were part of reductions across the board for the Department of Homeland Security, came as part of a massive last minute $1.2 trillion package negotiated by the Biden White House, the Democratic-led Senate and the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives.

The available $305 million covered grants for only 42% of applications, according to a statement last September by Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat who backs the program.

The groups did not address that shortfall last year in their statement but said that the threat has grown since Hamas launched a war on Israel on Oct. 7, triggering attacks and threats on Jews and Muslims in the United States. Since its inception in 2005, Jewish groups have been predominant among users of the program, but Muslims more recently have sought its funds as their institutions come under threat.

last month’s Academy Awards.

The signatories include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel writer Amy Sherman-Palladino, horror director Eli Roth and actress Jennifer Jason Leigh, as well as several show-business figures — Debra Messing, Brett Gelman, Michael Rappaport, and others — who have been prominent defenders of Israel during its war against Hamas.

In the speech, Glazer said he and the others accepting the Oscar for best international feature for their Holocaust film “refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people, whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza.”

The comments have drawn fierce criticism, both over his phrasing that caused some to believe he had rejected his Jewish identity and over his apparently intended meaning, that Israel’s war in Gaza is characterized by the same kind of “dehumanization” that made the Holocaust possible.

Now, a statement organized by United Jewish Writers, a coalition that formed shortly after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel as the Hollywood unions were divided over whether and how to issue statements condemning the attack and supporting Israel, aims to demonstrate the scope of dissent within Hollywood.

“We refute our Jewishness being hijacked for the purpose of drawing a moral equivalence between a Nazi regime that sought to exterminate a race of people, and an Israeli nation that seeks to avert its own extermination,” the statement says.

“The NSGP’s importance has grown in the wake of the horrific events of the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, emphasizing the need for robust security measures in vulnerable communities as incidents against the Jewish community rise across the U.S.,” it said.

Funding for the program, just $15 million when it was launched in 2005, has ballooned in recent years. Top lawmakers, among them Sen. Chuck Schumer, the New York Jewish Democrat and Senate majority leader, have said they want to bring it up to as high as $1 billion. (JTA)

1,200+ Jewish creatives reject Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars speech

More than 1,200 Jewish Hollywood creatives have signed onto a statement rejecting the speech criticizing Israel by The Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer at

The statement laments the death of Palestinian civilians but lays the blame with Hamas, not Israel. It also interprets Glazer’s mention of “occupation” to apply to the entire State of Israel.

“The use of words like ‘occupation’ to describe an indigenous Jewish people defending a homeland that dates back thousands of years and has been recognized as a state by the United Nations, distorts history,” the statement says. “It gives credence to the modern blood libel that fuels a growing anti-Jewish hatred around the world, in the United States, and in Hollywood.”

The statement concludes, “The current climate of growing antisemitism only underscores the need for the Jewish State of Israel, a place which will always take us in, as no state did during the Holocaust depicted in Mr. Glazer’s film.”

Glazer has not commented publicly about the statement or any of the responses — critical or supportive — to his speech. (JTA)

The American Jewish community is facing the most complex and dynamic threat environment in modern history. Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has warned that antisemitism in the U.S. is rising to historic levels; Jews are the target of 60% of all hate crimes motivated by religion, despite comprising only 2.4% of the U.S. population.

The Secure Community Network (SCN) is the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America. It works with Jewish Federations, synagogues, and other partners to build a security shield over the Jewish community through consistent and coordinated reporting of threats, incidents, and suspicious activity.

Reporting all incidents of bias allows for the compiling of data, which helps to identify trends and notify law enforcement, community leaders, and lawmakers. The Incident Reporting Form (IRF) is a key component of this partnership between the local community and SCN. The use of this standardized, online form ensures a coordinated, best-practice approach to incident reporting and follow-up.

The IRF should be used to highlight threats, incidents, or suspicious activity related to Jewish organizations, facilities, or community members. It can be used to report:

• In-person assaults or threats

• Suspicious persons or activity

• Property damage or vandalism

• Threatening or suspicious phone calls, text messages, or social media

• Suspicious packages or letters

• Spam and phishing emails

• Antisemitic or threatening flyers

• Other incidents of concern to the Jewish community.

Information submitted through the form goes directly to the 24-hour Duty Desk in SCN’s National Jewish Security Operations Command Center, where it is reviewed by intelligence analysts, as well as to Mike Goldsmith, Tidewater’s SCN Regional Security Advisor. The SCN Duty Desk works with the Regional Security Advisors to assist and support as needed while protecting the civil liberties of all parties. Credible threats are referred to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Although information can be reported anonymously, contact information is very helpful to analysts or law enforcement officers who may ask for additional information or clarification.

The IRF does not replace the ability to directly contact Goldsmith, using whatever methods of contact are already established, or to call the Duty Desk at 844-SCNDESK. The form provides an enhanced ability to support the security professional with a 24/7 capability, allows the security professional to collect specific information, and ensures information is properly passed to key federal partners.

In addition to working closely with the Jewish Community Relations Council on issues of antisemitism, where education and follow-up are often needed, SCN partners nationally with Hillel International and the Anti-Defamation League. Information is shared with ReportCampusHate.org for concerns related to colleges and universities and with the Orthodox Union at OU.org/ ReportHate for concerns related to the Orthodox Jewish community.

Report an antisemitic incident at www.federation.jewishva.org/IncidentReporting

In an emergency, always call 9-1-1 first.

If online reporting is not practical, contact local law enforcement and/or the relevant suspicious activity reporting authority. Also contact Mike Goldsmith, Tidewater’s SCN Regional Security Advisor, at MGoldsmith@ujft.org or by calling 844-SCN-DESK.

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Fred Ward’s estate gift established the Gertrude Ward Scholarship, named for his wife. It has helped students pay for their college education since 2011. To honor a special person in your life with a gift that gives forever, visit us at Leaveabequest.org.

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Governor Glenn Youngkin signs bipartisan hate crime legislation

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin signed 100 bills, including SB7 and HB18 which safeguard Virginians from unlawful discrimination, hate crimes, and antisemitism on Tuesday, April 2. The Governor also vetoed four bills.

“From day one, we have made combating antisemitism and religious bigotry a top priority. As one of my first executive orders, I formed the Commission to Combat Antisemitism, which issued a recommendation that Virginia revise its laws to ensure Jewish Virginians are protected from hate crimes, along with Muslims, Sikhs, and other ethnic and religious

groups,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.

“Today, after two years of hard work, I’m pleased to sign SB7 and HB18 which codify that recommendation, and 98 additional bills sent to me this session. As the first state to weave religious freedom into the fabric of our nation, Virginia is leading once again and sending a clear message that Virginians should not be the victim of a crime simply because of their religion, race, or ethnicity,” he said.

“Hate has no place in our communities. As the grandson of Holocaust survivors and a Jew whose children have confronted antisemitism in our schools, this bill is

personal for me,” said Delegate Dan Helmer. “I'm grateful to the Governor for signing this bipartisan legislation to protect people of every ethnicity across the commonwealth.”

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (JCRC) advocated for this legislation during the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session, following the Governor of Virginia’s Commission to Combat Antisemitism Task Force report recommendations.

To learn more about the JCRC, their advocacy work, or how to get involved, contact Julie Kievit at JKievit@ujft.org.

Has there ever been a more important time to be in Israel?

Solidarity Trip to Israel: June 18 – 22

Amy Zelenka

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is now accepting deposits and applications for a Solidarity Trip to Israel. The four-day trip will visit sites in the south of the country to witness the destruction, meet the people, and hear the stories of what they experienced on October 7 and the days, weeks, and months following that devastating day. The trip will end in Jerusalem after Shabbat.

The group will visit:

• Otef Gaza (the Gaza Envelop), starting out at Kibbutz Be’eri, the October 7 images of which have been seen on television and the internet, and whose future hangs in the balance. On the morning of October 7, the Kibbutz was attacked by more than 100 Hamas terrorists who decimated the town, killing more than 90 members and kidnapping over 20 members to Gaza.

• En route to the site of the Nova Music Fest, more than 1,200 burned out and bullet-ridden vehicles, abandoned along the road, as people sought an escape from the terrorists, will be visible. At the site of the music festival – the rave that turned into a massacre – stories of those who managed to escape will be shared.

• IDF soldiers who are on short breaks from their fighting in Gaza (if the IDF permits it).

• UJFT-funded Jewish Agency Program – Youth Futures – in Sderot, to learn how the families involved in the program are coping with the trauma and new reality of their lives.

• UJFT-funded ORT students and faculty at the Kfar Silver campus to see how they are faring in these days following October 7.

• In Jerusalem, with Stephanie Hallet, deputy chief of mission, U.S. Embassy in Israel, for an update on what’s happening in front and behind the scenes.

• The new Library of Israel and Yad Vashem (Israel's official

memorial to the victims of the Holocaust) and engage in discussions about “Never Again.”

• The Kotel to welcome the “Sabbath Queen” as a community in a Kabbalat Shabbat service and have a Shabbat dinner with special guests.

Shabbat programming options will include services at various synagogues; a guided walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem; special activities with “Evacuees,” a pre-Havdalah discussion with Professor Gil Troy on Why, Once Again, Israel Will Survive, and Havdalah services. A Farewell Dinner will mark the end of the trip and those returning to the states will head for the airport, while those extending, will head back to the hotel.

The trip promises to be unlike previous Federation Missions and is uniquely designed to gain a better understanding of all that took place on October 7 and the events which have taken place since. Hands-on volunteer opportunities will be inserted into the trip wherever and whenever possible – whether picking or packing fruits and vegetables, assembling care boxes for soldiers, or any other useful task. Those will be determined in June.

This four-day trip is designed to pack a punch for those with limited time. But it’s also an amazing opportunity to weave high-quality, authentic experiential programming into a longer family trip for those coming to Israel this summer. It is not designed for children, as some of the sites and stories are sure to be graphic and scary for those under the age of 18.

The per person price of the trip will vary depending on the number of participants. See the advertisement on page 39 for pricing information.

To learn more about the UJFT Solidarity Trip to Israel, contact Amy Zelenka, UJFT chief development officer at 757-965-6139 or azelenka@ujft.org.

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Linda Ausch joined United Jewish Federation of Tidewater last month as its newest development (fundraising) team member, assuming the role of Development DirectorCommunity Campaign. She will be responsible for a variety of fundraising and community building roles within the Federation, including as lead staff for UJFT Women’s Division, outreach to new and potential donors, and supporting other Federation affinity groups.

A lifelong resident of Tidewater, Ausch only left the area to attend college at the University of Maryland. Some may know her from her family’s business, Reisner’s Delicatessen. After graduating from college, Ausch joined her parents, Eddie Ausch (of blessed memory) and Erica Reisner Ausch, at the restaurant.

“I was the third generation in the business along with my sister, Jodie Ausch Woodward,” says Ausch. “I always loved working with the public and schmoozing with the customers. When my parents retired, I wasn’t ready to give it up. We closed our location at Janaf Shopping Center in June of 1996, and I opened a location in the Great Neck area of Virginia Beach in December of the same year, on my own (but, of course, with the support of my parents and family). It was a challenge, but I made it work! My customers were the best. After six successful years, I made the tough decision to sell Reisner’s.”

Then began the next chapter of Ausch’s professional life. “I took some time off and traveled a bit before settling in at the Hilltop (Virginia Beach) Stein Mart department store, where I served as customer service manager for years, later moving up to ladies merchandising manager, assistant (store) manager, and ultimately, store manager. Since the close of Stein Mart, I worked at a few different places, but never really found my home –until now. Thanks to a chance encounter, I have found my new home, here at UJFT.”

After a busy couple of months, during which Ausch not only changed careers, sold her home, and moved into the Oceans Condominiums with her mom, she began her new professional role on March 25 with a full day at the office and a rare, nighttime women’s event. An exhausting, but exciting way to start.

Ausch says she looks forward to meeting those she doesn’t yet know and reconnecting with those in the community that she’s known for much of her life. And the Women’s Division (and others) at the UJFT is very pleased to be working with her and getting to know her in a new way.

Amy Zelenka

Linda Ausch

JEWISH TIDEWATER AND ISRAEL

ISRAEL TODAY'S AMB. BRAD GORDON ISSUES COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION

Ambassador Brad Gordon briefed the Tidewater community on current events surrounding the Israel-Hamas war and the impact of the conflict on the region and Washington, D.C. The March event brought 300 people to the Sandler Family Campus to learn more about the war and hear what they could do to help.

Gordon, longtime political and government affairs director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), shared his expertise through the lens of his roles as the staff director of the International Operations Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and as the staffer of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee responsible for the Middle East and South Asia. As ambassador, Gordon represented the United States in the 1990 talks regarding the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Few people are better suited to speak about the strings Iran is pulling through their proxies – Hamas and Hezbollah – in the region.

Presented by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Jewish Community Relations Council and community partners, including AIPAC, as part of the 13th annual Israel Today series, the event was moderated by Jay Klebanoff, a past UJFT president. He posed questions to Ambassador Gordon concerning Iran, the Gaza ceasefire resolution passed by the United Nations, the likelihood of de-radicalizing Gaza and the West Bank after the war, the situation on the ground in Israel’s war with Hamas, as well as developments in the north on the Lebanese border with Hezbollah and ISIS, and the current political tensions between the Biden administration and Israel, which, as Gordon told the crowd, isn’t exactly what the media portrays it to be.

Klebanoff suggested that this war is the first time in Israel’s short history that the small democracy is facing potential world condemnation. Gordon responded that there was no alternative. “This war was forced on Israel.” If Israel had wanted to

cause genocide to the Palestinians, why did the government allow weeks for people to leave the north, including Hamas?

“I am amazed at the care that Israel is taking for their concern for human life,” he said.

deep commitment to Israel,” says Klebanoff. “With all of the one-sided negative media coverage, it was illuminating to hear a more Israel-centric viewpoint on the challenges Israel faces in prosecuting the war and for post-war Gaza.”

Gordon followed with three additional points:

• Israel is a strong country with a strong population.

• The State of Israel will not be defeated.

• Israel does what’s necessary to protect its citizens with the full support of the U.S. government.

Before October 7, 20,000 Gazans entered Israel each day for work. “Hamas blew that up,” according to Gordon. “Gazans resent Hamas.” Gordon also shared the news that the mainstream media is not reporting on, that the humanitarian aid the people of Gaza so severely need is instead being sold off by Hamas.

When asked about governing a postwar Gaza, Gordon said, “Egyptians want no part, Jordan can’t, Arab forces won’t, and the United Nations brings unique challenges should they be chosen to lead.”

Despite the war with Hamas, no Arab states have broken ties with Israel. The threat of a nuclear Iran looms large, and Israel is the only country in the Middle East that can take on Iran.

“During these uniquely troubling times for Israel and Jews worldwide, it was timely and beneficial to hear from Ambassador Gordon, given his extensive knowledge and

The evening also included a discussion on the current climate of antisemitism, or ‘Jew-hate,’ as Gordon called it. “What’s new about it is the number and loudness. Today, however, unlike in the past, in Israel and around the world, Jews are not prepared to sit back and take it,” he said.

Linda Spindel, longtime UJFT board member and community leader, says, “I can’t remember ever learning so much in such a short time. The program was exceptional. The ambassador was so informative. Jay Klebanoff did an outstanding job presenting the questions submitted by attendees. Looking around at so many people I’m not used to seeing at Federation events was encouraging. I feel they learned so much about why caring about and always supporting Israel is important.”

“I was heartened to see such full

attendance,” says Klebanoff. “I think everyone left with some insight regarding the war, the heated politics concerning the war, and the tenuous situation with Iran. The voices calling for a unilateral cease-fire – essentially a victory for Hamas – are loud and passionate. Ambassador Gordon and AIPAC reminded us how important it is to speak up for Israel and to let our congressional representatives know how we feel.”

Stressing the importance of America’s support, Klebanoff says, “As the war continues, America must give Israel the time, resources, and support it needs to win this war and achieve Israel’s objectives of destroying Hamas’ military and terror capabilities, driving the group from power and freeing the hostages who are still alive and recovering the bodies of those who have been murdered. Call members of Congress (each day) and encourage them to stand with Israel and to vote to supply Israel with the assistance it needs to defend its population from rocket attacks coming from Gaza and Lebanon and to achieve its military and humanitarian objectives.”

Find Tidewater's Members of Congress' phone numbers and a sample script for making daily calls to Congress below, and on United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Israel Resource Page at JewishVA.org/IsraelAtWar.

Contact Nofar Trem, UJFT's Israel Engagement manager with questions at NTrem@ujft.org.

Senator Tim Kaine DC# (202) 224-4024

Senator Mark Warner DC# (202) 224-2023

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans DC# (202) 225-4215

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan DC# (202) 225-6365

Congressman Bobby Scott DC# (202) 225-8351

Stephanie Peck and Nofar Trem

Ambassador Brad Gordon with Jay Klebanoff, the evening's moderator.

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Living a life of legacy

Tidewater Jewish Foundation staff

Rose Frances Glasser was a living legacy. Her work within the Hampton Roads and global Jewish communities exemplified her commitment to its continuity. From being a founding board member of the Jewish Community Center’s Newport Avenue campus in Norfolk, to helping establish the Beth Sholom Home of Eastern Virginia, to volunteering in Israel for three consecutive winters after her beloved husband Bernard passed away, she worked tirelessly to promote Jewish community and values.

Inspired by her example, Lori and Michael Glasser’s family have embraced their responsibility to actively engage with Jewish life and culture. The Glassers, along with their sons Bern, Jake, and Ross, and Jake's wife Jessica (Jess), are deeply invested in nurturing legacy—rich in giving, learning, and community involvement. Lori has been instrumental in this journey, and her devotion to her sons’ education and

Jewish community involvement reflects her commitment. From the boys’ formative years at Hebrew Academy of Tidewater (now Strelitz International Academy), to various community service projects, and immersion in history and heritage, Lori has talked about and taught Jewish values as well as practiced

them, continuing the philanthropic legacy initiated by Rose Frances, her mother-in-law.

The Glasser family continues to seek innovative ways to make an impact and launch initiatives to connect younger generations with Jewish culture. For instance, in partnership with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the Richard S. Glasser Family Foundation supports Pop-up Shabbat programs for young adults, as well as Hillel organizations at various universities. The Glassers have also been proactive by engaging with Tidewater Jewish Foundation to establish lasting resources that support programs and organizations that will engage youth, make traditions accessible, and ensure the perpetuation of Jewish identity.

Personalized service since 1917.

The dedication of the Glasser family to their community, passed down

through generations, has instilled in Bern, Jake, Ross, and Jess a profound understanding of their roles in sustaining Jewish life. Through numerous trips to Israel, some with their parents and some on their own, and through local community engagement, they recognize the importance of supporting Jewish life, a commitment deepened by recent attacks on Israel.

Today, Lori and Michael are confident that their approach to active engagement and leading by example will enrich their children’s lives and inspire future generations to uphold

the legacy of supporting Jewish life. Although not yet grandparents, they are reassured by knowing that the seeds they have planted will flourish in their children’s children, contributing to a thriving and sustainable Jewish future.

The Glassers are one of many Jewish families committed to preserving and enhancing Jewish traditions and protecting Israel.

Lori and Michael, Bern, Jake, Jess, and Ross aim to inspire a collective movement towards a thriving and sustainable Jewish future with organizations such as Tidewater Jewish Foundation.

HILLTOP EAST 1544 LASKIN RD, STE. 216, VIRGINIA BEACH 757-428-8615 THE PALACE SHOPS 306 W 21ST, NORFOLK 757-627-6073

Rose Frances Glasser with Lori and Michael Glasser and their sons in 1997.

Glasser family: Bern, Jessica, Jake, Lori, Michael, Ross, and Caroline (Ross’s significant other).

Photograph by Suzanne Jacobson.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

What’s happening on Virginia’s College campuses today: A statewide Jewish community briefing

Wednesday, April 17, 7:30 pm, online

The statewide organized Virginia Jewish communities will present an essential online briefing about the current university campus climate for Jewish college students and how communities are working to support, protect, and empower Jewish students on Virginia campuses today.

The discussion will feature professionals and students from Hillel International and Virginia Hillels.

This event is presented by the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

Open to all who care deeply about vibrant Jewish life on campus and Jewish college students, this online briefing is free to attend with pre-registration required.

ISRAEL WHAT’S HAPPENING

Luminous: An artist’s story as a guide to radical creativity with Linda Frimer

Through April 30, Leon Family Gallery at the Sandler Family Campus

Hunter Thomas

Linda Dayan Frimer’s book Luminous, is a complex and intriguing work that mixes memoir, spiritualism, and meditations on art and color with reflections on Judaism and her own family’s roots through generations going back to Romania. The Leon Family Gallery is currently exhibiting a selection of prints from the book.

Frimer uses acrylics, oils, and watercolors, and collages photographs into mixed-media canvases. Some of her paintings are representational, some are abstract, while others explore mystic images and juxtapositions.

An internationally recognized artist, Frimer’s work addresses questions of culture, memory, trauma, and reverence for nature. The recipient of numerous awards, Frimer’s artworks have represented various environmental organizations through fundraising. Frimer is co-founder and facilitator of the Gesher Holocaust Project and co-author of In Honour of Our Grandmothers: Imprints of Cultural Survival, a collaboration between two Jewish and two First Nations artists and poets.

The Leon Family Gallery is located on the second floor of the Simon Family JCC on the Sandler Family Campus. For hours and more information, visit JewishVA. org/Gallery or contact Hunter Thomas, director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@ UJFT.org.

This exhibit is supported by the Jewish Book Council, the longest-running organization devoted exclusively to the support and celebration of Jewish literature, and funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.

MEET: Karen Joyner

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

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

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

Our client relationships are anything but transactional. We are long-term partners, dedicated to the success of our clients, and most importantly, their people.

WANTED!!!

….a few good men and women……who feel comfortable speaking in front of a group of people and want to earn $125 per hour by presenting educational programs from Jewish Art Education. No Art Skills or Education is necessary. Minimal computer skills required.

Work when you like and as much or as little as you like. In 2023, JAE presented almost 200 programs in 40 sites and reached nearly 2500 people.

Positions open immediately.

Email: teck.jarted@gmail.com for details.

Arrival by Linda Frimer. Linda Frimer.

PASSOVER AND ISRAEL

Can Jews sing Dayenu while there are hostages?

The Passover seder gets a post-Oct. 7 rethink.

Jacob Gurvis

(JTA) — As the American Israeli poet Marty Herskovitz thought about the upcoming Passover holiday, the prospect of singing Dayenu at the first seder since his country was attacked didn’t sit right with him.

The classic Passover song, whose title means “It would have been enough,” expresses gratitude about how much God has done for the Jewish people. But Herskovitz, the son of a Holocaust survivor who has lived in Israel since 1986, thought the words would ring hollow at a time when so many Jews are at risk.

“We have to take the text and find a way to make it relevant and not just say the words that seem so impossible to say,” Herskovitz says. “‘Dayenu, it’s enough.’ It’s clearly not enough. As long as people are trapped in Gaza, that’s not enough. As long as our soldiers are still risking their lives, it’s not enough. We can’t say ‘Dayenu.’ It can’t be, you know, ‘Praise God for this situation.’ So we have to find new texts.”

It’s a mission that has long animated Herskovitz, who used the financial reward from a legal settlement after his then teenaged son was injured in a terrorist attack in 2001 to create a fund to support education initiatives in Israel. The fund has backed his own Creating Memory initiative at Bar-Ilan University, which focuses on Holocaust remembrance through art, and Israel’s Conservative Schechter Rabbinical Seminary.

people navigate how to prepare.”

Among the supplement’s passages is an addition to the seminal “Four Questions” recited during the seder, which ask, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The added text aims to reflect the feelings of seder attendees this year.

“On all other nights, we think that we have answers. Tonight, we all just stay silent,” says the passage, which is in Hebrew. “On all other nights, we remember, sing, and cry. … On this night, we only cry.”

The initiative is one of several underway to adapt the Passover holiday for a different crisis in the Jewish story.

Rabbi Menachem Creditor, the scholar-in-residence at UJAFederation of New York, is working on a haggadah supplement with the Academy of Jewish Religion, a pluralistic rabbinic school in Yonkers, New York.

“To talk about liberation when our family is not yet whole again is very hard, and our own tears will mix with the maror,” Creditor says, using the Hebrew word for the seder plate’s bitter herbs. “We won’t need the haggadah’s usual explanation of what bitterness feels like.”

The Passover initiatives in both Israel and the United States add to a long tradition of haggadah iterations and supplements that layer present-day issues onto the ancient text, from those centered around Soviet Jewry to more recent examples, like additions about the Ukraine war and the pandemic. Last year, some families left an empty seat at their seder table in honor of Evan Gershkovich, the Jewish Wall Street Journal reporter who remains jailed in Russia.

“The haggadah is something that developed, and as modern Jews who are dealing with issues of the same themes that have come up again and again in our history, we need to figure out how to make those themes accessible, relevant, real and useful,” says Rabbi Sara Cohen, a Schechter alumna who helped plan the seminary’s conference in Israel.

“We don’t necessarily think of holidays as a time for processing trauma, but because Passover is the first major holiday since [Oct. 7] and because it’s a holiday that the story of which talks about national trauma and redemption, one of the questions is, ‘What is redemption in our day, and are we feeling redeemed, are we feeling free?’’’ Cohen says. “We have to pay attention to the desire to process the trauma and the framework that our tradition gives us for processing it.”

Cohen wrote the additions to the Four Questions that are included in the Schechter supplement. Other supplement passages invoke more explicit war imagery and the sense of bereavement felt by many across Israel.

At Herskovitz’s urging, Schechter convened dozens of rabbis and Jewish community leaders from across Israel earlier this year to reimagine the haggadah, the core text of the Passover seder. The result of their work will be a supplement for Israeli families to use during their seders at the beginning the first major holiday since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 — an assault that itself pierced the observance of a Jewish holiday, Simchat Torah. (The Oct. 7 attack reportedly had originally been planned for the first night of Passover last year.)

Many seder tables will have empty seats representing Oct. 7 victims, hostages, and soldiers who are unable to return home for the holiday. But the seminary sought to provide rabbis and their communities with other ways to adapt the ancient tradition to the current moment.

“The Passover holiday is really one in which families celebrate on their own,” says Rabbi Arie Hasit, Schechter’s associate dean. Passover is going to happen in the home. So, our job right now, which is so significant, is to help

Creditor says AJR’s CEO and academic dean Ora Horn Prouser approached him with the idea of creating a Passover supplement about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. They put out a call for submissions — prayers, essays, artwork, and other reflections — and received dozens of responses that will be edited into a resource AJR will self-publish and sell on Amazon. Parts of the final product will also be available for free on the seminary’s website.

In addition to Dayenu, Creditor and Horn Prouser point to one particular piece of the Passover text with new resonance this year: “Vehi Sheamda,” the prayer that warns that in every generation, a new enemy will attempt to defeat the Jewish people. This year’s crisis conjures new ideas about both the enemy and how to vanquish it, Creditor says.

“The language in the seder, in the haggadah, is that God will save us,” Creditor says. “But Zionism represents a very different religious posture, which is: We will save us.

“Unfortunately, the first part of the paragraph remains true and was amplified horribly on Oct. 7,” Creditor continues. “The second half of it must be true through the connection that we have, as a Jewish people throughout the world, strengthening our homeland.”

Hasit acknowledges that beginning the project in early February was a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it provided Schechter with plenty of time to collect responses and work with Herskovitz to put together a Passover resource ahead of the holiday.

On the other hand, the war is evolving daily, and nobody knows what the status of the conflict, or the hostages, will be by late April. But Hasit says no matter what happens, the trauma of Oct. 7 will need to be addressed at the seder table.

“We know that [Passover’s] coming, and we know that it’s going to be different,” he says. “We know that it’s going to include processing everything that has happened since Oct. 7. And no matter what happens tomorrow, and the day after that, none of that is going to change.”

Herskovitz says he views the Passover effort as a cognate of his Holocaust remembrance work, in which he emphasizes the importance of creating fresh, personal materials that people can connect with.

“I think the same exact thing is what has to be done in Pesach this year,” he says, using the Hebrew word for Passover. “You cannot use the same text and the same ideas that you used for years and years because this year is so radically different. And to go back to the old text, the old ideas, is basically making it irrelevant.”

PASSOVER

April 22 - 30

Passover traditions around the world PASSOVER

Stephanie Peck

Passover is a uniquely Jewish holiday, with four cups of wine, matzah, 10 plagues, and the central Seder plate. Though traditions and rituals vary among families and different cultures, the Passover story, retold each year, celebrates freedom during the Exodus from Egypt.

Even in the United States, even in Virginia, even in Tidewater, Passover traditions and seders vary from locale to locale and from home to home. Imagine the differences from country to country!

Five community members share their seder experiences outside of the United States, detailing the foreign cuisine, joyous moods, global themes, and even political ramifications in observing Pesach.

Audrey Peck France

While studying abroad last year, I unexpectedly ended up at a Passover seder in Montpellier, France with a family I had never met. While my French language skills are not bad, I was grateful to learn that most of them spoke English.

Other than that, and the seder being in French and Hebrew instead of English and Hebrew, the evening was almost identical to the seders I experienced growing up. The family went around the table, each person reading a different part. When it was my turn, they asked if I wanted to read in French, English, or Hebrew. There was not an English option in the Haggadah, so I opted for French.

As the meal was being served, they asked if I knew what gefilte fish was. Again, their meal was almost identical to what I would have been eating at home. For dessert, they served the most delicious kosher for Passover cake I think I’ve ever had.

This family was incredibly welcoming, and it was an evening most people won’t be lucky enough to experience. In typical French fashion, the meal did not start until relatively late, so I finally made it home close to 1:30 am with enough matzah and cake for a month!

Judit Roth Hungary

In the 1980s, the reality for Jewish families in Hungary was stark. Openly practicing one’s faith was not an option, so we were unable to celebrate Passover. Living under the oppressive shadow of the Iron Curtain, practicing our faith meant risking persecution, discrimination, and much worse.

In Szekesfehervar, the city I grew up in, with no synagogues to gather in and religious education banned, the essence of Passover remained elusive for us. Most of our family members had perished in the Holocaust, leaving us disconnected from our heritage and traditions. In the absence of a vibrant Jewish community, we struggled to maintain our identity in secret, hidden from the prying eyes of authorities and neighbors.

We did receive one box of matzah from Israel each year, and this was quietly distributed by one of the Jewish aid organizations in Budapest. Receiving the matzah was a bittersweet reminder of our faith, delivered clandestinely yet unable to be fully embraced.

One of the driving forces behind my decision to move to the United States was the desire to embrace Judaism, to raise my future children in a community where our faith could be celebrated openly and without fear.

My first seder in Virginia Beach remains a cherished memory. Held at the gorgeous home of Sara and Aaron Trub, with my then in-laws, Dr. Joseph and Rosalee Familant, the seder was a beautifully presented affair, rich with tradition and familial warmth. We took turns reading from the Haggadah, and though I struggled with some pronunciations, the experience was deeply meaningful. From the unfamiliar gefilte fish to the time-honored rituals, every moment felt like a revelation. But what struck me most was the simple joy of being present, openly and proudly Jewish, surrounded by a tight-knit family. It was in that moment that I knew I had made the right decision to move to the United States, where I could embrace my faith without fear and celebrate my heritage with others who understood its significance.

Audrey Peck in Montpellier, France during the 2023 spring semester.

Judit Roth, her brother, and mother in Hungary in the 1980’s.

PASSOVER

Janice Foleck England

In England when I was growing up, we began the seder after sunset and ended sometime around midnight. Everyone dressed in their best clothes.

One of the major differences was that everyone had their own Haggadah and no two were the same, so you had to pay attention because everyone was on a different page. We never skipped anything. The service was in Hebrew and led by my grandfather, but we read together as opposed to here where we go around the table. Also, the karpas that we dipped in salt water was potato not celery.

At the age of five, I had to learn the four questions by heart in both languages because I couldn’t read.

The six-course meal was similar to what we have here. One of the things I remember as different was my grandmother would break sheets of matzah into small pieces and soak them in the juice from the homemade gefilte fish. I never remember eating gefilte fish from a jar, always homemade. In England, they make fried, as well as boiled, gefilte fish.

My grandfather made all the Pesach wine in the basement of their house which was used as a Pesach kitchen.

After Elijah’s cup was Grace After Meals. Then the rest of the service, including my favorite part, which was when we sang ALL the songs.

When I started making my own seders, I followed the English pattern and our children and grandchildren now follow many of these traditions.

THIS PASSOVER , ELIJAH’S WON’T BE THE ONLY EMPTY SEAT AT THE TABLE.

As we celebrate the seder, we remember those who should still be with us. Some of those seats belong to Magen David Adom medics, who gave their lives trying to save others. Your donation provides the equipment MDA needs so that next year only Elijah’s seat may be empty.

Join the effort at afmda.org or call 866.632.2763.

The Foleck family, almost 55 years later, in Virginia Beach.

Janice and Rick Foleck at their wedding in London, England on March 9, 1969.

PASSOVER

Naomi Limor Sedek Australia

The beauty of the Passover Seder is that the retelling is codified. The Haggadoth codify our shared journey from slavery to freedom, the people and their unique experiences sharing space around the table flavor the retelling. My upbringing in an Ashkenazi household centered around cherished traditions like the lively singing of Who Knows One. Upon marrying into my husband's Sephardic Persian family 26 years ago, I embraced new customs, such as incorporating rice and playfully whipping each other with green onions during Dayenu

Last Passover, my husband and I traveled across the globe to Australia to visit our daughter who was studying abroad in Sydney for the semester. We reunited with old friends, the Schach family from Nashville, for the first night seder, reminiscent of the comfort and familiarity akin to our ancestors in Egypt.

Our second seder was more kismet. The experience began around the Shabbat table two weeks before our departure in Norfolk at the home of Rashi and Levy Brashevitzky. I knew that we were going to be in Melbourne, Australia on our way to see the penguins in Phillips Island and knew no one in the area. At Shabbat dinner, Rashi’s brother, Levi, was visiting from Israel and we were playing Jewish geography. It so happens his wife, Aidel, has an uncle in Melbourne and connected us. I reached out to her Aunt Michi to see if there was a communal seder in Melbourne that we could attend. She insisted that we join her family as guests around their seder table.

Our second seder in Melbourne epitomized the journey of the Israelites leaving Egypt. Through a serendipitous connection, we found ourselves welcomed into the home of strangers, experiencing the warmth of hospitality, and forming lasting friendships, despite initial uncertainties.

In Sydney, reunited with the Schachs, a unique Passover experience awaited at the Great Synagogue—a chorale concert for the Counting of the Omer. Led by Rabbi Menachem Feldman, the choir's performance displayed a fusion of Western Jewish choral music, offering a soul-stirring interpretation of tradition.

Despite the vastness of the world, our Jewish family remains interconnected and hospitable. I encourage others to embrace the spirit of exploration, as our ancestors did in their quest for freedom. As wwe say in the seder, “Next year in Jerusalem.”

Dinah Halioua Tunisia

The day after our Muslim neighbor approached my father proclaiming to soon marry one of his daughters, my father left Tunis, Tunisia for Paris, France. My mother, sisters, and I soon followed when I was 16 years old.

Three years later, in France, I met my Moroccan husband, Raphael. Raphael’s entire family moved to Virginia where his sister had married an American. In 1969, I came to visit for two months and loved it.

Seders in Tunis were a large, family affair. First night seder was at my grandfather’s house. He was a joyful man with a beautiful voice who loved to sing. The 15 granddaughters would all have a sleepover after the seder. Our second night seder was a smaller event at my other grandmother’s house, with my four uncles and cousins. Gefilte fish and matzah ball soup were not on the menu. Instead, first night’s dinner began with a vegetable soup, followed by a meat dish stuffed with carrots, fennel, coriander, parsley, and other spices. On the second night, I remember stuffed artichoke with peas served with rice (a Sephardic tradition on Passover) and a kugel-like dish with potato, egg, and chicken.

Raphael’s family traditionally served brains and tongue for the lunches during yontiv, so I prepare Tunisian recipes for the rest of the holiday. Erev Passover, in Tunisia, we did not search for chametz; instead, we had a barbeque and then burned the chametz. I continued this tradition in Virginia when my parents visited from France.

While my family observes both Moroccan and Tunisian customs during Passover, I still use my French Haggadah.

Dinah Halioua, her mother, and her older sister in Tunis, Tunisia.

Dinah Halioua’s older sister, Dinah, and her mother in Tunis, Tunisia.

Naomi Limor Sedek, her husband, Simon, and daughter, Ilanit, with the Schach family for Passover in Sydney last year.

Ilanit, Simon, and Naomi Sedek in Australia.

Dinah Halioua in Tunisia

PASSOVER

David Wolfe England

At first glance, we brought our seder traditions with us when we moved from the UK in 1994. The first night has always included friends and family. The second night is typically much smaller and sometimes just the two of us.

Pesach, more than any other time, marks the passage of time and the circle of life. The story stays the same, but the people inevitably change – even if the little, new faces remind us so much of guests of yesteryear.

My earliest memories are with my maternal grandparents in Brighton, UK. I was very close to my grandfather, Benjamin, who was born in 1905 in Brooklyn and spent his first four years in New York, before his family moved on and ended up in London. This year, we will complete a 118-year full circle family journey when we travel to New York City to join our two-year old grandson, Jacob, with our daughter and son-in-law, just a couple of miles from where his great, great grandfather celebrated his own second seder.

Pesach is our favorite holiday, with elements that we hope will never change. We will always discuss modern day freedoms. Over the years, we have covered, inter alia, excerpts from

The Freedom Writers Diary and MLK’s entire I Have a Dream speech. These texts led to some unforgettable, multi-generational discussions.

Tears will no doubt well-up as we look at our grandson and sing Said the Father, a song about the four sons’ questions that we have sung as a family for as long as we can remember, and we will think about family members seeking freedom from health issues. The perennial cries of “let my people go” and “next year in Jerusalem” will have special meaning, as we pray for the hostages who sadly remind us of the fine line we have always walked between freedom and captivity. Above all, though, Pesach will provide many wonderful memories of guests who have left us and new memories of little ones who now enrich our lives in ways we never imagined possible.

So where did our Pesach traditions come from? I think our ancestors knew a thing or two when they showed us that Jewish traditions are about family and not about geography.

Shelach et ami and Happy Pesach to all.

L’Dor V’Dor.

David Wolfe, his sister, Naomi, and their grandparents in Brighton, UK.

PASSOVER

Passover seders and more in Tidewater

Looking for a seat at a seder or a way to learn more about Passover in Tidewater? Check out this listing to see all that is taking place for the holiday around town.

Chabad of Tidewater

Passover Seders

Seders are led by Rabbis Margolin and Brashevitsky

First Night Seder: Monday, April 22, 8:30 pm

Second Night Seder: Tuesday, April 23, 8:30 pm

Suggested donation: $40/adult and $20/child RSVP www.chabadoftidewater.com/ sederrsvp.

Ohef Sholom Temple

Tot Shabbat

Friday, April 12, 5 pm

For families with children ages five and under and siblings. A special service with Rabbi Roz, Cantor Jen, and Alyson Morrissey. Songs, snacks, and fun. RSVP https://ohefsholom.org/calendar/.

Community Passover Celebration – An Innovative take on the Passover seder

Sunday, April 21, 9:30 am

Through creative activities and an interactive seder, families will get a ‘taste’ of OST Religious School.

RSVP

https://ohefsholom.org/calendar/.

Second Night Seder

Tuesday, April 23, 6 – 8 pm

Led by Rabbi Roz and Cantor Jen.

Seder dinner catered by Chef Larry Adler. $40 (ages 13+), $20 (ages 6-12), $10 (ages 2-5), free (under age 2)

RSVP by April 18.

RSVP https://ohefsholom.org/calendar/.

Simon Family JCC

A Senior’s Passover Seder

Wednesday, April 17, 12 – 2 pm $10 per person for lunch and seder.

The Simon Family JCC Seniors Club’s annual model Passover Seder will be led by Rabbi Ari.

RSVP Jewishva.org/SeniorSeder or contact Mia Klein 757-452-3184.

Accessibility accommodations are available for this community program. Accommodations must be requested at least a week prior to the event.

Temple Emanuel

Second Night Seder

Tuesday, April 23, 6 – 9 pm

Led by Rabbi Ari.

RSVP by April 17

Registration: https://tevb.shulcloud.com/ event/seder---second-night-of-pseach--savethe-date.html.

Virginia Beach Shul

First Night Seder

Led by Rabbi Lessoff

Monday, April 22, 7 pm doors open, 7:30 pm holiday services, 8 pm seder begins Financial assistance available.

For Oceanfront location of seder, prices, and registration: https://www.jewishva.org.

PASSOVER

Manischewitz® unveils new packaging and products just in time for Passover

Manischewitz®, the leading kosher brand for more than 130 years, is undergoing a major 'rebrand' with a bold fresh look and feel across the product line, along with new products, just in time for the 2024 Passover season. The updated look was initiated with the continued goal of bringing family and friends together while reaching a broader demographic, including younger and growing families.

Manischewitz is displaying the rebranded new graphics and colors across all products and promoting it heavily on the Manischewitz website, in-store displays, and social media. Plus, Manischewitz merchandise features ‘Yiddishisms’ reflecting the brand heritage available at www.manischewitz.com.

The new products reflect this new ethos, supporting the brand’s commitment to its core values while inviting a broader audience to explore the cultural richness of Jewish cuisine. Manischewitz wants to make the kosher aisle a destination for everyone, regardless of their background or dietary practices.

Those new products include its first ever frozen products: gluten-free and kosher for Passover frozen knishes; frozen gluten free matzo balls; grape seed oil in

bottle and spray can; as well as the new branding on traditional products such as the complete line of matzo; matzo meal; gefilte fish; matzo ball soup; matzo ball mix; matzo farfel; mandlen soup nuts; chocolate covered matzos; macaroons; mezonos cookies; chicken broth; cake mixes; and more.

The fresh look is a result of interviews with consumers and experts and through on-site visits to Manischewitz headquarters that delved into the historical roots of the company. This exploration highlighted the profound connection between Jewish culture, cuisine, and the importance of family and food while also addressing the societal challenge of defining Jewish food in a contemporary context.

“Manischewitz is well-known amongst our loyal consumers who buy the brand day in, day out,” says Shani Seidman, CMO of Kayco, the parent company for Manischewitz.

“To update the cultural relevancy with a younger Jewish audience as well as mainstream culturally curious audience, we have refreshed our brand with an exciting new look and feel on our current and new product offerings.”

Manischewitz is not just about food, says Seidman. “It is about stories, heritage,

and a sense of belonging. Through this rebranding, we aim to capture the hearts of the culturally curious and kosher-keeping alike, offering a taste of Jewish tradition

that is accessible to all.”

The iconic brand was founded in a small bakery built to make Passover matzo in 1888 by Rabbi Dov Behr Manischewitz.

PASSOVER

Repair the World launches

“Passover Earth Day Challenge” to inspire young Jewish volunteers to complete environmental acts of service

An organization that mobilizes Jews and their communities to take action to pursue a just world, igniting a lifelong commitment to service, Repair the World, alongside AEPi, Moishe House and other Jewish Service Alliance partners, announced the “Passover Earth Day Challenge,” aiming to contribute 5,000 Passover Earth Day Challenge service actions leading up to Passover and Earth Day, both of which occur this April 22, 2024. The initiative is also part of Global Volunteer Month throughout April.

“By forging strategic partnerships, offering Jewish service incentives, and integrating engaging social media elements, the Passover Earth Day Challenge will inspire meaningful environmental acts of service,” says Eli Greenstein Jacober, senior director of growth strategy at Repair the World. “By aligning with Earth Day and the start of Passover on April 22 this year, we are connecting environmental education and action with Passover’s story of collective liberation to further our commitment to repair the world through Jewish service. From water pollution to fast fashion, we’re tackling the environmental threats that plague our planet this April.”

Egypt in the Passover story, will dive deep into themes addressing today’s environmental crises. From tackling water and air pollution to reducing energy consumption, plastic waste, and beyond, these actions reflect our commitment to address the most pressing environmental needs based on our Jewish values,” says Greenstein Jacober.

The challenge includes these 10 environmental plagues and 10 acts of service:

Environmental Plague: Water pollution

Acts of Service: Clean up a waterway

Environmental Plague: Plastic waste

Acts of Service: Clean up plastic waste

Environmental Plague: Fast fashion and overconsumption

Acts of Service: Recycle or donate clothing or old household items

Happy Passover

The Passover Earth Day Challenge launches on Saturday, April 13 with daily acts of service running until Tuesday, April 30. Challenge participants will be encouraged to participate by either downloading a digital workbook or posting their act of service to Instagram or TikTok, using #PassoverEarthDayChallenge and tagging @RepairtheWorld to submit their completed service.

“Our 10 acts of service, inspired by the reinterpretation of the 10 Plagues upon

Environmental Plague: Air pollution

Acts of Service: Carpool, use public transit, bike or walk

Environmental Plague: Industrial agriculture

Acts of Service: Cut food waste, compost, and donate excess food

Environmental Plague: Deforestation

Acts of Service: Plant a tree

Save on what you need for a joyous holiday.

Environmental Plague: Environmental disasters

Acts of Service: Prepare a first aid kit to share

Environmental Plague: Invasive species

Acts of Service: Remove invasive plants and replace with wildflowers

Environmental Plague: Energy consumption

Acts of Service: Unplug for the day

Environmental Plague: Environmental unawareness

Acts of Service: Host an environmental plagues Seder or conversation

“Whether you’re Jewish, Jew-ish, or just passionate about the planet, join us in creating lasting environmental change and helping us reach our goal of contributing 5,000 Passover Earth Day Challenge service actions in pursuit of a just world!” says Greenstein Jacober.

This Passover, Consider Four Questions:

Do you value Tidewater Jewish organizations?

Do you want them to exist for future generations?

Do you support these organizations on an annual basis?

How will you assure Jewish tomorrows?

If you answered YES to any of the above, consider becoming a Legacy donor with the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, where we work with you and your family to develop a philanthropic plan to maximize your impact. Learn more about this and more opportunities available to you today by contacting us at foundation@tjfva.org or 757-965-6111, or visiting foundation.jewishva.org.

Passover is celebrated April 22 – 30

From California to Israel to France, a plethora of new wines are available for this Passover

• Why four cups of Wine?

T• What makes wine kosher?

he festival of Passover is an eight-day holiday celebrating the Israelites’ Exodus from Egyptian slavery. This important event in Jewish history is marked by eating a festive meal with matzah, telling the Passover story at the seder, and drinking four cups of wine. And, when you have four cups to get through in one dinner, wine quality can be important.

Royal Wine Corp. is the largest manufacturer, importer, and exporter of kosher wines and spirits, with a portfolio that spans hundreds of brands and thousands of bottles of world-class wines. For Passover 2024, they are introducing top quality wines from some of the finest wine producing regions including in California, France, Italy, Spain, and Israel, among others.

While 40 percent of annual kosher wine sales occur for the Passover holiday, sales of kosher wine and spirits have been growing significantly throughout the rest of the year.

“There’s nothing cookie-cutter about these Passover wines – they are top notch, award winning and distinctive,” says Jay Buchsbaum, vice president of wine education at Royal Wine Corp. “And, while red wine is traditional for the Passover seder, it can be a nice Burgundy or a Pinot Noir, or a Cabernet – just as long as it is kosher for Passover. There are dozens to choose from. Our portfolio consists of acclaimed wines that just happen to be kosher, recognized for our quality and value.”

Is kosher for Passover wine hard to find?

Actually, it’s easy. Most kosher wine is also kosher for Passover, making it easier to sell this wine (and for consumers to stock up on bottles) year-round. Any kosher-forPassover wine will have a “P” symbol or “Kosher for Passover” next to the kosher certification on the label.

But that’s not the case with some spirits. For example, you’ll be unlikely to find kosher-forPassover whiskey, as whiskey is made with grain.

Fine kosher wines are made the same way that fine non-kosher wines are made, says Buchsbaum. “There is no kosher winemaking ‘technique.’ What's required for the wine to be considered kosher, is that the wine be handled only by Sabbath-observant Jews. And there are plenty of fine winemakers and cellar workers who are Sabbath observant.”

Consumers looking for wines from renowned regions throughout the world can satisfy their thirst with more options than ever before. It seems the problem is not the availability of great wine but the overwhelming number of great wines to choose from. “Some of the top producers are creating award-winning varietals at every price point, and with Passover just around the corner, we want to take the guesswork out of buying wine,” says Buchsbaum.

Why four cups of wine?

One of the rituals of a Passover seder is the custom of drinking four cups of wine. The four cups of wine are consumed in a specific order as the story of Exodus is told. Served to the adults throughout the seder, these four wines represent points from the Exodus story. While there are several explanations for the significance of the number four, the connection to “freedom from exile” is often referenced. For observant Jews, the wine served should be kosher.

Gail Simmons’ Matzah Ball Soup PASSOVER

Gail Simmons

This recipe was first published on The Nosher.

Though my Grandma Snazzy, my mother’s mother, seemed to barely eat a thing (to this day, I am convinced she subsisted on toast and coffee), she was a wonderful Jewish home cook. One of her specialties was chicken soup, which she lovingly made from scratch for Friday night dinners and Jewish holidays. Loaded with carrots and tender poached chicken, it was simple yet deeply delicious, and I looked forward to it all week long.

Today I make my own Grandma Snazzy Soup, adding a few twists of my own. One slurp of this hearty hodgepodge instantly conjures up memories of being surrounded by family, being nurtured, and loved. A comfort food powerhouse, it’s sure to nourish and invigorate you.

Note: The stock, chicken, and vegetables can be made ahead and refrigerated, covered, for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 1 month.

Ingredients

For the chicken and stock:

1 (4-5 lb) whole chicken, thighs, and breasts separated

4 medium carrots, coarsely chopped

4 medium celery ribs, coarsely chopped

2 medium yellow onions, cut into wedges

1 head garlic, halved crosswise

8 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 Tbsp whole black peppercorns

For the matzah balls:

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

¼ cup schmaltz (rendered chicken fat) or canola oil

3 Tbsp club soda

2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh dill, plus more for serving

1 cup matzah meal

½ tsp baking powder

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper half a lemon (optional), for serving

Directions

For the chicken and stock: Combine all the chicken and stock ingredients in a large stockpot. Add 3 ½ quarts water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken breasts are cooked through, about 20 minutes.

Transfer breasts to a plate. Let cool slightly, then remove the meat from the bones and set aside. Return the bones to the stock. Continue to simmer, skimming foam from the surface occasionally, until the liquid is reduced by one-third, about 2 hours. Meanwhile, shred the breast meat and refrigerate, covered, until ready to use.

Strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Carefully pull out carrot and celery pieces, rinse them gently if needed, and refrigerate in a covered bowl until ready to use. Pick through and shred the dark meat, then refrigerate with the breast meat. You should have about 4 cups meat and 10 cups stock.

For the matzah balls: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, schmaltz, club

soda and dill. Stir in the matzah meal, baking powder, 2 tsp salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Refrigerate uncovered, at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

Bring a large Dutch oven or wide, heavy pot of well-salted water to a boil. Scoop out the matzah ball mixture, 1 Tbsp at a time and, using wet hands, gently roll into balls. Add the matzo balls to the boiling water, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and simmer until the matzah balls are plump, cooked through, and begin to sink to the bottom of the pot, 30-40 minutes. Remove from the heat. The matzah balls can be kept in the pot of warm water,

covered, until ready to serve.

To make the soup: While the matzah balls are simmering, warm the stock in a large pot and season with salt and pepper.

Slice the carrots and celery into ½-inch pieces and add to the soup. Add 2 cups shredded white and/or dark chicken meat and simmer to warm through, about 2 minutes. (Reserve the remaining chicken to use in salads, pastas, or other dishes.)

Ladle the soup, with chicken and vegetables, into bowls. Using a slotted spoon, transfer a matzah ball or two into each bowl. Top with a pinch of dill, and a squeeze of lemon, if desired.

Penny Schwartz (JTA) — A superhero who saves the day; the return of a beloved multi-generational family of Jewish bears; a budding young nonbinary scientist who’s an heir to Frankenstein and a folk-style Ethiopian tale are among the stars of the new Passover children’s books published in 2024.

The titles come from new entrants to the Jewish children’s literary scene as well as from prominent, award-winning writers. They include picture books, young adult novels, and two compendiums of timeless stories tied to the Passover holiday, which this year begins the evening of April 22.

Here’s your roundup of new children’s Passover books for 2024.

Where is Poppy?

Caroline Kusin Pritchard; illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; ages 4-8

In this poignant story, a young girl looks forward to celebrating Passover with her extended family, but misses her grandfather, who died during the year. When her family suggests she look for signs of her beloved Poppy, she recalls all the ways he made the seder special.

Matzah Ball Chase

Rachelle Burk; illustrated by Brittany Lakin Apples & Honey Press; ages 3-6

In this rhyming Passover story, a matzah ball made by a young Israeli girl’s grandmother flies out of her bowl of soup and bounces out of the house. The ball bounces into Jerusalem’s Old City, across Israel to Tel Aviv, Masada, and the Red Sea in a ticklish travelog that arrives at a time when many Jewish families are likely to be thinking about Israel.

Tyrannosaurus Tsuris

Susan Tarcov; illustrated by Elissambura Kar-Ben Publishing; ages 3-6

Dinosaur lovers will enjoy this story of a Tyrannosaurus Rex who is overcome by tsuris (the Yiddish word for “worry”) about whether the guests he invited will come to his seder, or whether they’ll steer clear out of fear. The solutions-oriented story teaches a lesson about the importance of being kind to guests.

Benjy’s Messy Room

Barbara Diamond Goldin; illustrated by Rita Tan Apples & Honey Press; ages 4-7

If only Benjy can put away all his toys, he’ll get to lead his family’s hunt for chametz on the evening before Passover. It’s Benjy’s favorite ritual where he’ll hide small packets of breadcrumbs that his family will have to find. To Benjy’s surprise, when he gets distracted playing with his younger sister, he discovers that turning the chore into fun is the perfect solution.

Happy

A superhero, a scientist and a T. rex who scares his seder guests star in 2024’s new Passover children’s books PASSOVER PASSOVER

Wishing you and yours a joyous Passover filled with the warmth of family, the sweetness of freedom, and the strength of tradition. May this holiday bring you peace, prosperity, and a table overflowing with delicious food! Chag Pesach Sameach!

Matzah Man to the Rescue!

Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Charlie Fowkes Apples & Honey Press; ages 5-9

Kids will delight as they follow the adventures of Matzah Man, in Eric Kimmel’s laugh-out-loud comic-style adventure about a Passover superhero who soars the skies in his blue cape, rescuing families across the globe who need help preparing for their seder. When his miracle matzah balls run low and he runs out of energy, along comes the Prophet Elijah to save the superhero’s holiday. Charlie Fowkes’ colorful, animated illustrations are perfectly paired with Kimmel’s lively text.

Everybody’s Book: The Story of the Sarajevo Haggadah

Linda Leopold Strauss; illustrated by Tim Smart Kar-Ben Publishers; ages 4-8

This gloriously illustrated, inspiring book traces the story of the historic medieval Spanish haggadah through its remarkable journey of survival, rescued multiple times by Muslims who risked their lives to save the Jewish manuscript. Today, the treasured haggadah, housed at the National Museum in Sarajevo, stands as a universal symbol of peace for people of all faiths.

PASSOVER

Workitu’s Passover: A Story from Ethiopia

Zahava Workitu Goshen and Maayan Ben Hagai; Illustrated by Eden Spivak; translated by Jessica Bonn Green Bean Books; ages 4-8

In this touching, folk-like tale, Workitu, a young Ethiopian Jewish girl, discovers that her family’s Passover ritual of smashing their hand-made clay dishes, including her favorite cup, is a meaningful tradition of transforming the old into something new. Eden Spivak’s illustrations depict the warmth of rural village life.

Frankenstein’s Matzah: A Passover Parody

K. Marcus; illustrated by Sam Loman Intergalactic Afikoman; ages 5-9

In this zany Passover caper, Vee Frankenstein, an inventive non-binary Jewish kid, is determined to win the science fair by bringing a piece of matzah to life. This witty story encourages kids to ask questions and ampli fies the Jewish value of welcoming guests, both central themes of the seder. Sam Loman’s animated, colorful cartoon-like artwork jumps off the page.

Beni’s Tiny Tales: Around the Year in Jewish Holidays

Jane Breskin Zalben

Christy Ottaviano Books; ages 4-8

More than three decades after the debut of a set of books about a charming family of Jewish bears, Beni, his sister Sara, and all their cousins are back with children of their own, in Jane Breskin Zalben’s compilation of gloriously illustrated stories, songs, craft activities, and recipes that is sure to delight a new generation of kids. A 20-page spread devoted to Passover opens with “Passover Ping Pong,” a lighthearted story that will have kids chuckling.

Afikoman, Where’d You Go? A Passover Hide-andSeek Adventure

Rebecca Gardyn Levington; illustrated by Noa Kelner Rocky Pond Books/Penguin Random House; ages 4-8

In Rebecca Gardyn Levington’s rhyming adventure, a houseful of spunky cousins search the house for the afikoman, a beloved seder ritual where kids are challenged to find the hidden piece of matzah. Readers are in for fun searching for the clever cartoonish afikoman who slips here and there in Noa Kelner’s lively illustrations.

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PASSOVER

Cacio e Pepe Matzah Brei Recipe

Stephanie Ganz

This recipe was first published on The Nosher.

Cacio e pepe translates to cheese and pepper, and the classic Roman pasta dish includes little more than those eponymous ingredients. In that recipe, spaghetti and salted pasta water combine with a salty sheep cheese called Pecorino Romano to create a silky, luxurious sauce that far surpasses the sum of its parts.

For the past few years, cacio e pepe has been on a tear among chefs and food fanatics. In a 2021 Los Angeles Times article, Jenn Harris shows that the origins of the relatively modern pasta dish are somewhat cloudy: Black pepper would have been too expensive for most Romans until the middle of the 20th century. It’s likely the dish can trace its popularity to the osterias of the 1950s and 60s, where it was probably sold to encourage patrons to drink more wine. Now, you can find cacio e pepe in everything from bagels to lasagna. Never one to miss a trend, Trader Joe’s has released cacio e pepe-flavored products, including a jarred sauce and cacio e pepe puffs.

We eat a lot of matzah brei at my house, so it was only a matter of time before I thought to mash up my morning matzah brei with this recently-trending flavor combination. Cacio e pepe’s sharp cheese and smack of black pepper are a nice balance to eggy-creamy matzah brei, and it can be on the table in about 10 minutes, making it a simple, satisfying weekday breakfast.

Ingredients

2 large eggs

1 Tbsp whole milk

2 sheets matzah

1 Tbsp butter or margarine

½ cup Pecorino Romano, finely grated

½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper

¼ tsp kosher salt

Directions

Crack 2 large eggs into a small bowl with 1 Tbsp milk, and whisk until beaten. Crumble 2 sheets of matzah into the egg mixture, and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes, until soft.

Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp butter or margarine in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pour the matzah-egg mixture into the pan, and while the eggs are still loose, sprinkle in ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano and ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper. Cook until the eggs are just set, 1-2 minutes, and season with 1/8 tsp kosher salt. Serve immediately.

PJ Library’s Passover Hub offers families activities, recipes, and resources

From the evening of Monday, April 22 to Tuesday, April 30, Jews across the world will partake in the annual celebration of Passover, a 3,300-year-old story of freedom and sacrifice, commemorating their liberation from slavery in Egypt. It’s one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the Jewish calendar, and PJ Library offers dozens of ways to help celebrate, including refreshers on a few traditions and the holiday’s history, as well as an introduction for those who may be celebrating Passover for the first time.

At pjlibrary.org/Passover, just about everything about the holiday is available, including kid-friendly ways to tell the Passover story along with downloadable activities to keep children engaged during their family’s seder. Seasonal recipes, book lists, and a step-by-step video playlist where kids can learn (or refresh) some serious seder skills are all on the site. All of these resources are designed to make Passover as meaningful and family focused as possible.

Some highlights include:

• A Passover FAQ for Kids which offers answers to 10 common questions kids ask, along with easy answers for grown-ups to refer to on the spot

• Passover Printables, and

• Who Knows About Passover card game.

Of course no Jewish holiday is complete without food, so, PJ Library invites families to taste the freedom of Passover with Matzah Mania offering a trio of fun and easy matzah recipes including a homemade recipe for the unleavened bread that’s holy roll-y DIY fun in less than 18 minutes, a matzah grazing board, and more.

Throughout the 2024 holiday, PJ Library has partnered with Streit’s and is featured on their iconic matzo boxes. For others who’ve gone without the free stories and activities PJ Library sends every month, they can now be led out of the desert thanks to the opportunity to sign up for a subscription on every box of Streit’s Matzos. So, in addition to searching for the afikomen this year, families can now search for the PJ Library logo on Streit’s Matzos boxes in supermarkets across North America or on streitsmatzos.com.

For centuries, families have used the Haggadah, to tell the story of the holiday and pass down the traditions and lessons of the story to children, relatives, and friends (the Hebrew word haggadah literally means “telling”). One of the leading sources for family-friendly Haggadahs across the United States and beyond, PJ Library has shipped nearly one million Haggadahs to more than 200,000 families over the past six years. PJ Library is again offering a downloadable PDF version of IN EVERY GENERATION: A PJ LIBRARY FAMILY HAGGADAH. In addition to the traditional prayers and readings, this interactive guide to the Passover seder offers videos of songs and blessing and explanations that help make the holiday a fun, engaging, and family-friendly experience. Paperback versions of both the regular PJ Library Family Haggadah ($7.99) and a Large Print Edition ($10.99) are available for sale on the PJ Library storefront on Amazon.

Yom Hashoah 2024 Community Holocaust Commemoration

Sunday, May 5, 6:45 pm

Temple Emanuel

The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater invites the community to attend the annual Holocaust Day Remembrance, Yom Hashoah.

The Commemoration will feature survivor and scholar Dr. Mordecai Paldiel, a candlelighting ceremony, and prayers led by community leaders. In addition, the student winners of the Elie Wiesel Competition will be recognized for their accomplishments. The recipients of the Holocaust Commission’s Excellence in Education awards will also be honored for their exemplary work with students throughout the year.

For more information about Yom Hashoah, visit www.HolocaustCommission.org or email info@holocaustcommission.org.

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Middle School Movie

Sunday, April 14 Cinema Café, Kemps River

Something is happening for everyone on Sunday, April 14. While the rest of the family participates in Sunday Fun Day, middle school aged children can enjoy time at the movies with friends while the visibility of eye rolls will be suppressed by theater lighting. To add to the convenience, transportation is available back to the Simon Family JCC after the movie to coincide with the conclusion of Sunday Fun Day.

All 6th-8th Graders: Bring friends and leave parents and siblings behind to venture to the movies together to see Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. This event will be in the early afternoon and will include a soft drink and popcorn. The exact movie time will be announced one week prior to the event and transportation back to the JCC is available for a limited amount of participants. This event costs $5 per person and advanced registration is required. Tickets and transportation are limited, so register soon at https://ujft.salsalabs.org/middleschoolmovie2024.

For more information, contact Dave Flagler, director of camp and teen engagement at dflagler@ujft.org.

• Pickleball Courts

• Rooftop Venues

• Indoor Aquatic Center

• Top-of-the-line Appliances

• Life Enrichment Programs

• Hair & Nail Salon

• Fitness Center

• Bistro and Café

• Housekeeping Services

• Concierge Services

• Dog Washing Station

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club Sunday,

April 28, 10 am, Temple Emanuel

The Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club will continue with its second book, The Great Partnership: Science, Religion and the Search for Meaning, which was a National Jewish Book Awards Finalist. Rabbi Sacks was the former chief rabbi of the United Kingdom, a prolific writer, and one of the most globally influential rabbis in recent times.

The aim of the book club, a collaboration between the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and area synagogues, is to reach across synagogues to create a community of learners interested in modern approaches to Judaism’s most significant questions while maintaining a connection to traditional sources.

The first book explored the role of Israel in Jewish thought and contemporary practice. The focus of The Great Partnership is to delve into the relationship between science and religion. Rabbi Sacks argues that both religion and science are essential for a complete understanding of the universe.

“Science teaches us where we come from, religion explains

to us why we are here. Science is the search for explanation, religion is the search for meaning,” Sacks writes. While acknowledging that religion has sometimes caused harm, Sacks counters that the cure for bad religion is good religion and not no religion. Similarly, the cure for bad science is good science and not the abandonment of science.

Reconciling the scientific world with religion can challenge the belief structure of even the most committed.

The community is invited to participate in what promises to be an engaging journey with the Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club. Understanding science and religion can help live life with a sense of meaning and purpose. The discussion will be enhanced by reading the book before, but it is not required for meaningful participation.

To register, go to jewishva.org/sacksbookclub. Temple Emanuel is located at 424 25th St. in Virginia Beach.

A TWIST ON TRADITION

The smell of fresh cookies baking filled the Sandler Family Campus on Sunday, March 10 for the annual “Operation Hamantaschen” PJ Library event.

Children, parents, grandparents, and friends put on colorful aprons, pushed up their sleeves, and dove into the delicious, premade dough. Rolling pins and circle cutters helped make the right shape as everyone added their favorite jams and chocolate. Trays were quickly filled as volunteers ran them to the kitchen and brought out packaged, cooled cookies for those that were finished.

As usual, the sweet Sunday also doubled as a PJ Library Sunday Fun Day with plenty of engaging

activities in the gym, including an art station with paper crowns and felt masks to decorate. Children giggled as they jumped in a bounce house while others coasted across the floor on scooters, many proudly wearing costumes to celebrate Purim. Parents got in on the fun by shooting hoops, playing a quick soccer match, or by catching up with friends on the bleachers.

Operation Hamantaschen is an event families look forward to each year. While it’s great to get together, celebrate a holiday, and take home some tasty treats, this event also incorporates an element of giving back. In years past, participants took home half of their cookies and donated the other half to local military families. This year was different. Due

to world events and rising antisemitism, the children and family committee decided to do something new. In accordance with the holiday, Mishloach Manot, or Purim gift baskets, would be made and delivered to local organizations that have stood by and supported Israel and the Jewish community. Families donated an array of snacks and candy, as well as baskets and other decorating material, to make the gift baskets in the gym. YAD partnered with the event and several volunteers directed this table.

Operation Hamantaschen was successful because of everyone who participated – from making dough beforehand, to donating items, from attending the event, to delivering gift baskets.

Rabbi Israel Zoberman: recognized for 50 years of rabbinic service

Rabbi Israel Zoberman with his certificate of “surviving” 50 years (1974-2024) in the rabbinate. He received an Honorary Life Membership from the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) at its national convention last month in Philadelphia, Pa.

In recognition of this significant

milestone, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate Joint Resolution No. 235 honored Rabbi Zoberman’s 50th anniversary of ordination:

“Resolved by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Rabbi Israel Zoberman on the occasion of his 50th anniversary in

the Rabbinic ministry; and, be it “Resolved Further, The Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Rabbi Israel Zoberman as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his legacy of service and for his many contributions to the Commonwealth.”

Sarah Cooper

Molly Futerman cuts out perfect circles and knows how to reuse the dough.

Shinshin Maya Ostrov helps Liam Glassman with the raspberry jam.

The Rosenbergs start to add the fillings. Alene Kaufman and Cantor David Proser baked for the families.

Ariel Lopez flattens the dough for cutting.

Mimi Greer checks that the chocolate is just right. Rabbi Aron Margolin and Cantor David Proser are ready to bake the first trays of cookies.

The Collins family works together to prep the dough.

Israeli Chef’s Table Experience with Chef Yaniv Cohen

Thursday, May 16, 7 pm, Sandler Family Campus, $54 or $72 with a signed book

Israeli Chef, Yaniv Cohen, also known as The Spice Detective, will prepare and serve an exclusive menu. Dinner will include an Israeli wine bar and an opportunity to hear how growing up in a Sephardic family in Israel guided Chef Cohen’s path in the culinary world.

Chef Yaniv Cohen's story unfolds from the vibrant streets of Israel to the culinary hub of Miami, where his fascination with spices blossomed into an all-consuming passion. Early in his career, Cohen launched The Spice Detective blog, which evolved into a bestselling cookbook, My Spiced Kitchen: A Middle Eastern Cookbook, and established the acclaimed Israeli restaurant in Miami, JAFFA.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to JewishVa.org/IsraelToday. For any questions, contact Nofar Trem, Israel engagement manager, at NTrem@UJFT.org.

Yom Ha’Atzmaut community gathering in honor of Israel’s 76th anniversary

Sunday, May 19, 12-3 pm, Sandler Family Campus

An afternoon for community members of all ages filled with all-thingsIsrael where attendees can learn more about Israeli people, art, music, food, and history through myriad activities led by Camp JCC, the Tidewater ShinShinim, PJ Library, and area synagogues.

A special mitzvah component of the day will allow all ages to show support for Israel.

Participants in Jewish Family Service of Tidewater’s Run, Roll, Stroll will enjoy exclusive early admission at 11:30 am. Beat the lines by signing up for the Run, Roll, Stroll at JFSHamptonRoads.org.

Admission is free. Pre-ordering tickets for food and games to streamline the experience and minimize wait times is recommended.

Join the community for a day of learning, mitzvot, and standing together with Israel. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to JewishVa.org/YH or contact Nofar Trem, Israel engagement manager, at NTrem@UJFT.org.

Lyon

Celebrating mentorship: Be a Reader (BeAR) plans end-of-year luncheon

Friday, April 12

Robin Ford

As the school year wraps up, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Be a Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project will honor its amazing mentors at the End-of-Year Mentor Appreciation Luncheon. This event is all about saying thank you for the incredible work the BeAR mentors have done throughout the school year.

The Be a Reader Literacy Project is dedicated to helping kids fall in love with reading and these mentors make that happen. They’ve spent the year inspiring and guiding students to explore new books and discover the joy of reading.

At the luncheon, mentors will get the chance to choose books and other fun goodies to give to their students for summer reading. The books are being donated by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival.

But it’s not just about the books—it’s also a time for mentors to connect, share stories, and celebrate the impact they’ve had on their students’ lives.

The mentors’ and supporters’ dedication to the Be A Reader Literacy Project to help kids become lifelong readers is truly inspiring. It wouldn’t be possible without them.

Here’s to another year of making a difference, one book at a time!

For more information about the Be A Reader Program, contact Robin Ford at 757-321-2304. www.jewishva.org/bear.

Sunday April 14, 1 – 4 pm

Gather friends and family and head to the Simon Family JCC for an afternoon of spring-themed games, music, crafts, and a sweet treat.

Come see familiar faces and meet new ones.

This event is hosted by PJ Library in Tidewater and is in partnership with Chabad of Tidewater.

Free and open to Simon Family JCC members, synagogue members, PJ Library families, SIA families, YAD members, and Camp JCC families.

For more information on PJ Library in Tidewater’s books and programs, contact Sarah Cooper at scooper@ujft.org or visit JewishVA.org/PJ.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Remembering those lost and honoring humanity On display May 6 - June 21, Leon Family Gallery, Sandler Family Campus

Hunter Thomas

To commemorate Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of acts of terror, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, the Leon Family Gallery at the Simon Family JCC will feature two special exhibits.

The exhibits will encompass two walls, creating an L-shaped gallery that will honor the approximately 1,600 people who have lost their lives in Israel since the attacks on October 7, 2023, as well as the Israelis who have continued to show bravery and strength over the last six months.

each Oct. 7 victim, fallen soldier, and victims of terror attacks since the Israel-Hamas war began will be listed. The names will be accompanied by various Israeli artists’ work that memorialize the lives lost.

On the first wall, which will become a hall of remembrance for weeks leading up to and following Yom HaZikaron, the names and ages of

The second wall will feature a collection of portraits by renowned Israeli photographer Erez Kaganovitz, illustrating the Humans of October 7. Kaganovitz’s work, Humans of Tel Aviv, was previously featured in the Leon Family Gallery.

“As an artist and a photojournalist,” Kaganovitz says, “I feel it's imperative to fight back against [misconceptions about Israel] and rising antisemitism by showing the human side of Israel. From my experience, highlighting the human elements of Israel can provide a reminder of

Ohef Sholom Temple’s Kiddush Cup: A Golf Tournament

Wednesday, May 22, 1 pm

Cypress Point Golf Course

It’s been a long time since Ohef Sholom hit the links, but congregants and friends are about to have the opportunity to swing the clubs together again for a fantastic cause – the temple. The Ohef Sholom Temple Kiddush Cup promises an afternoon of fun golfing, a celebratory reception, and a way to raise much needed funds for Temple programming. This is Ohef Sholom’s major fundraiser for 2024.

The Sidney Aaron Snyder Men’s Club Golf Tournament took place for years, bringing congregants to various courses throughout Tidewater and raising dollars for OST’s Men’s Club. While the name is different, the essence is the same. . . hosting an enjoyable day and a way to bring in additional revenue for the congregation.

The Kiddush Cup will take place at Cypress Point Golf Course in Virginia Beach. Registration begins at 11:30 am with a shot gun start at 1 pm. Golfers will receive specially prepared box lunches – as Ohef Sholom never hosts a gathering without good food! With that in mind, a reception on the “19th hole” to celebrate the winners and day’s events will be open to sponsors and donors (at specified levels) – so even those who don’t golf will be able to toast the players and join in the merriment.

Learn about all of the sponsorship opportunities and how to register at ohefsholom.org.

what Israeli society is all about and what we are actually fighting for.”

Paired together, as Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut are, the goal of both exhibits is to help the community grieve and remember those lost to inhumanity while also celebrating Israel’s humanity and resilience.

The Leon Family Gallery is located on the second floor of the Simon Family JCC on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community. For hours and more information, visit JewishVA.org/Gallery or contact Hunter Thomas, director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org.

This exhibit is funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.

Haim Jelin, photographed by Erez Kaganovitz. Jelin is a Oct. 7 survivor from Kibbutz Be’eri.

Erez Kaganovitz.

CALENDAR

APRIL 14, SUNDAY

Temple Israel’s 70th Anniversary Gala. Catered brunch celebration includes music from Bagels and Fraylox. 12 pm. $36. Temple Israel. Information and registration: templeisraelva.org or 757-489-4550.

Middle School Movie for 6th-8th graders. Advance registration is required. Information: contact Dave Flagler at dflagler@ujft.org or 757-452-3182. See page 29.

April Sunday Fun Day. Gather friends and family for an afternoon of spring-themed games, music, crafts, and a sweet treat. Event is hosted by PJ Library in Tidewater in partnership with Chabad of Tidewater. Free. Sandler Family Campus. Information on PJ Library in Tidewater books and programs, contact Sarah Cooper at scooper@ujft.org or visit JewishVA.org/PJ. See page 33.

APRIL 15, MONDAY

JCC Book Club. Join in person or via Zoom to discuss Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. 1:30 pm. Simon Family JCC. Information: Mia Klein at MKlein@ujft.org.

APRIL 17, WEDNESDAY

Seniors Club Meeting – A Senior’s Seder with Rabbi Ari. 12 pm. Simon Family JCC. $10 includes lunch. Space is limited, pre-registration required. Information and registration: visit JewishVA.org/ SeniorSeder or contact Mia Klein at Mklein@ujft.org.

Statewide briefing on Virginia’s college’s campuses about the current climate for Jewish students and how communities are working to support, protect, and empower Jewish students on Virginia campuses today. Online. 7:30 pm. See page 10.

APRIL 20, SATURDAY

Kids Night Out. Hang out with friends and enjoy a night filled with games, crafts, snacks, and swimming (without a floatation device). Children ages four - 12 may attend. Members and guests can drop off 6 - 10 pm. Simon Family JCC. Registration: https://jcc.jewishva.org/kids by 4:00 pm on Friday, April 19 or before it sells out. Information: contact Sarah Cooper at scooper@ujft.org.

APRIL 28, SUNDAY

Rabbi Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club: The Great Partnership: Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning. In partnership between UJFT’s Konikoff Center for Learning and area synagogues. 10 am. Temple Emanuel. Free. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org or 757-965-6107. See page 30.

MAY 5, SUNDAY

Yom Hashoah. Honor Holocaust survivors and remember those who perished. 6:45 pm. Temple Emanuel. Information: www.holocaustcommission.org or contact Elka Mednick at emednick@ujft.org

MAY 9, THURSDAY

Forgiveness and Gratitude: Secrets to a more meaningful and fulfilled life with Rabbi Chaim Tureff. Presented by Jewish Family Service of Tidewater. 12 pm. Light lunch. Free. Sandler Family Campus. RSVP to brush@jfshamptonroads.org.

MAY 15, WEDNESDAY

Jewish American Heritage Month Tour. A guided exploration of art in the Chrysler Museum's collection that relates to Judaic themes or are created by Jewish artists. 2 pm. Chrysler Museum of Art. Space is limited, RSVP required. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/JAHMtour or contact Hunter Thomas at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965-6137.

Employment Opportunity

Director of Human Resources

The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater/Simon Family JCC seeks a proven experienced candidate for the position of Director of Human Resources.

The Director of Human Resources serves as an integral member of the professional leadership team, under the direction of the Executive Vice President/CEO, and is responsible for the development and implementation of human resource policies for the agency covering areas such as recruitment and hiring, employee relations, compensation, performance management, and compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations.

Additionally, the Director of Human Resources is responsible for all HR functional areas for the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and the UJFT Community Campus, LLC., (aka, Sandler Family Campus).

A bachelor’s degree in human resource management, business administration or related field required from an accredited university or college with a minimum of 7 years demonstrated progressive leadership experience in all HR functional areas. Master’s degree preferred. SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential strongly desired.

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, and PowerPoint. The successful candidate will possess strong interpersonal and listening skills and understand the mission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

Position start date: April 1, 2024.

Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience.

Complete job descriptions at www.federation.jewishva.org and www.simonfamilyjcc.org

Submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: resumes@ujft.org

Attention: Taftaleen T. Hunter, Director of Human Resources – Confidential 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462

Equal Opportunity Employment

OBITUARIES

Daniel Cohen

VIRGINIA BEACH – Daniel Cohen, 75, passed away March 24. He was born August 16, 1948.

Altmeyer Funeral Home-Southside Chapel.

Carole Lee Gutterman

VIRGINIA BEACH - Carole Lee Gutterman, born on October 2, 1943, passed away on March 18 in Virginia Beach. She was 80 years old.

Carole was born and raised in Miami Beach, Florida, and graduated from Miami Beach High School in 1961. She moved with her family to Virginia Beach in 1976, where she earned her BA in Fine Arts from Virginia Wesleyan University and earned her Master’s in Education in Fine Arts from ODU in 1994. She spent 19 and a half years as an art teacher, mostly at Kempsville High School, where her passion for art and teaching inspired countless students over her tenure, many of whom she kept in touch

with over the years.

Later in her life, she returned to Florida, dedicating her passion for all things art at The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, writing and developing art-education curriculum, before finally retiring in 2014 and moving back to Virginia Beach. She spent a great deal of time later in her life working with multiple art organizations and serving on various boards, while continuing her own artistic pursuits as an artist herself. She also was an avid dog lover and rescued multiple dogs over her lifetime.

Carole is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Epstein Wolff and grandchildren Mason Lindsay Wolff and Ethan Riley Wolff of Virginia Beach, and her son, Oliver Epstein and wife Jonna, and grandchildren Evelyn Renee Epstein and Eli Julius Epstein, of Jacksonville, Florida. She is also survived by her two brothers, Robert Emery of Miami Beach, Florida, and Larry Lipsky, of St John, USVI.

Carole was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Evalyn Lipsky, and

will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Donations in Carole’s name can be made to: ESRA (English Springer Rescue America), a 100% volunteer organization, or the Virginia Beach SPCA. The family plans to hold a Celebration of Life for Carole at a later date.

Quennon Anthony Hundley

CHESAPEAKE - Quennon A. Hundley, 94, was a beloved husband and father who passed away peacefully on March 20.

He resided in the Churchland area of Chesapeake, Virginia.

Quennon was born on July 28, 1929, in Isle of Wight County, to Charles Robert Hundley and India Adeline Jones Hundley. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at William and Mary University. He spent almost his entire career as the personnel superintendent at United States Gypsum Company in Norfolk and Danville, Virginia, and a final year at the same Danville plant with International Paper.

Quennon’s hobbies and passions included fishing and church league softball, but he was known to be an avid golfer who greatly enjoyed the game. He continued to follow the game closely even after he could no longer play. Quennon earned a Master Gardener title and loved planting shrubs and flowers for his community and his personal rose garden. He was also very proud of his service as a fireman to the Newport News community and his service to his country in the United States Navy.

The love and provision for his family were always central for Quennon’s life. This dedication to family was exemplified when his father passed away, leaving Quennon and his six siblings to work on the farm to support their mom. This theme of family responsibility continued with his wife and children up until the time of his death.

His vast knowledge of Jones and Hundley family history in Isle of Wight and Surry County was shared with family and passing that information on to other generations was of great importance to him.

Quennon was married to Fannie Hoffman Hundley for 70 years. Quennon and Fannie were known to love travel after their retirements. They shared a great love for golf and played many courses in Virginia and North Carolina. They were

members of Glen Oak Country Club for 35 years. Quennon and Fannie made their homes in Virginia Beach, Danville, and Chesapeake. They were members of Elizabeth River Baptist Church of Virginia Beach, Moffett Memorial Baptist Church of Danville, and Churchland Baptist Church of Chesapeake.

Quennon and Fannie raised two children together. Deborah Hundley Mainwaring and her husband, Tom, raised their children Amy Engbarth (Jay) and Philip Mainwaring (Sarah). Richard Hundley raised three children with his wife, Julie (deceased), and with current wife, Ellen, he has Zachary (Alex), Kiley, and McKenna. Quennon delighted in his grandchildren and 4 great-grandsons, Nolan, Rylan, Kieran and Adrian, who called him Papa.

Memorial services are scheduled on May 25 at 11 am at Churchland Baptist Church. The family requests donations be made to Churchland Baptist Church or to Chesapeake Fire Station #12 at 4421 Taylor Rd. Chesapeake, Va.

Joel Kossman

VIRGINIA BEACH - Full of life and love and at his own pace, Joel Kossman passed away on March 12 at the age of 82.

After a long struggle with cancer and other illnesses, he left this earth surrounded by his loved ones, Pam and Matthew. Joel is survived by his wife, Pam, his son, Matthew (Jill), brother Jay (Joyce) and grandchildren, Dori and Jaron.

A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Donations may be made Lee’s Friends, at leesfriends.org or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at hdoliver.com..

Marilyn Allen Mendelson

NORFOLK - Marilyn Allen Mendelson, 86, loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on March 12 at home.

She was born in 1937 in Brooklyn, New York to Sarah and Benjamin Allen, who emigrated from Poland to the United States. Marilyn earned a BS in art education, then an MA in Fine Art, and taught art for 12 years. She earned a PhD in educational psychology from Michigan State University and subsequently served on the faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina. In 1979, she

joined the faculty at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where she was an associate professor, served as director of evaluation, taught statistics, and published in peer-reviewed journals. She also served as director of communication for a pharmaceutical care management company.

Marilyn was married to her husband, Gerry, for 54 years. They were perfect for each other and raised two sons together. Their life together was full of adventure. Marilyn and Gerry camped across America, visiting all but four states. Over the course of their married life, they lived in seven states, including Hawaii. In 2001, they traveled by motor home to and through Alaska, Gerry clocking 12,000 miles and Marilyn putting in 6,000.

Marilyn was happiest sharing time with her family. Marilyn is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Moss and Julie Mendelson; son and daughter-in-law, Judd and Sara Mendelson; and grandchildren Rachel McGowan (Bill), Anna Mendelson, and Noah Mendelson. She was also especially close to her niece, Isabel Steinfeld (Alan) and Isabel’s family, and her husband’s cousin, Lois Pepkin. She spent time with her grandchildren in creative play and always encouraged original and artistic thinking. Crafts and art projects were often part of family get-togethers. Marilyn was thrilled to see Rachel, her first grandchild, marry Bill last May. Marilyn was able to participate in all the wedding festivities, which had been one of her fondest wishes.

After retiring, Marilyn returned to art through quilting. She belonged to two sewing guilds and the philanthropic quilters of Ohef Sholom Temple in Ghent. Marilyn also achieved Silver Life Master status in the American Contract Bridge League.

Marilyn and Gerry also had many beloved pets, including their Siamese cats and their only dog, Kai, who remained a puppy for all of his 11 years. Their last cat, Max, spent hours on the RV dashboard observing the passing countryside. In her later years, Marilyn enjoyed the antics of her grand-dogs, especially Paxton.

Marilyn valued and maintained many close friendships throughout her life. She will be remembered and deeply missed by all who knew her and loved her. She was grateful for the staff and friends made at Harbor’s Edge, Norfolk, where she participated on committees and in craft, fitness, and writing classes.

Funeral services were held at the graveside at Olive Branch Cemetery in Portsmouth, followed by a memorial reception at the home of Judd and Sara Mendelson in Chesapeake. The family requests donations be made in Marilyn’s memory to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, or a charity of one’s choosing.

Jacqueline Segaloff Silverberg

STUART, Fla. - Jacqueline Jessica Drucker

Segaolff Silverberg died at home in the early hours of March 30.

Left to cherish her memory is her brother, David (Penny) Drucker, her two sons, David Segaloff (Judy) and Peter (Deborah) Segaloff, and grandchildren, Avram, Hannah (Ryan), Benjamin, Shalom and Eliyahu, and Sabine (Kieran) and Emma.

Jacqueline was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, on January 9, 1938, to parents Ena (Lukes) and Jack Drucker. On a graduation trip to America by her Uncle Louis, she fell in love and moved her life to Newport News, Va. for 35 years. It is there she and her first husband, Walter Segaloff, raised their two boys, David and Peter.

Jaci was a fashion icon for women in the Tidewater region, as she helped build the LaVogue business and her own boutique, JACI. She was active in various parts of the Jewish community, especially Hadassah. She is best remembered for the Hadassah art shows she put together with many incredible and budding artists.

In 2002, Jaci married Jerroll Silverberg of New Canaan, Conn. The two enjoyed traveling and their international lives.

Jaci touched many lives over her fabulous life. She was generous, fun, smart, and self-educated. Jaci knew how to light up a room and dazzle. Her many friends, family, and fans will miss her and remember the joie de vivre she exuded. Jaci never met a stranger and left a lasting impression on anyone who knew her. She could converse about theater, literature, art, and a world of knowledge that was boundless.

A graveside funeral was held at the Hebrew Cemetery in Hampton, Va. Rabbi Roz Mandleberg of Ohef Sholom Temple officiated.

Samuel G. Werbel

VIRGINIA BEACH - Samuel G. Werbel

(Commander Ret. US Navy) passed away on April 1. He was 89 years old.

He died how he lived – full of love and gratitude for his family, his friends, his faith, and his country.

He was born on February 20, 1935 in Far Rockaway, N.Y., to the late Ethel and Howard Werbel, the third of four children. His siblings, Joan and Steve, were his lifelong best friends. Losing his brother, Jerry, was one of his greatest heartbreaks.

He received a congressional appointment to attend the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, graduating in 1958. In 1960, he was in Norfolk, Va. on assignment and went

to Shabbat services at Beth El, meeting his future in-laws Sadye and Joe Rafal and others who encouraged him to call Beverly Rafal for a blind date that evening. They were married in 1961 and began a life together in the Navy that took them from Monterey, Calf., to Rota, Spain, to Battle Creek, Mich., and many places in between. He served his last five years in Norfolk, where they settled, and he retired as a Commander in 1978.

Their three children – Scott Werbel, Evan Werbel (Hallie), and Jill Werbel Rider (Jeremy) – were the center of his world. Sam was a brilliant and devoted father who could help with an algebra proof, advise on an essay,

OBITUARIES

discuss world events, and tutor on a Torah portion. He was the smartest and kindest and most humble father and man with an excellent sense of humor.

Sam went on to have many interesting and fulfilling private sector jobs after retiring from the Navy. He loved to work and consult and connect people. He made friends everywhere and with everyone. He was genuinely interested in people from all walks of life and asked questions about their lives. Everywhere he lived, he was the center of the community. He often acted as an informal Jewish chaplain in addition to his day job. He and Beverly hosted the first ever Passover seder on the naval base in Rota, Spain.

Though a New Yorker by birth, he adopted Norfolk as his hometown and embraced that community with love and dedication.

He was a proud news junkie. The New York Times was an integral part of his daily routine, right until his final days. He relished discussing current events with whoever was game. He was a proud and ardent Zionist, traveling to Israel as a graduation gift from his parents for the first of many times in 1958. He was involved with AIPAC, the Jewish Federation, the Jewish Chapel at the Naval Academy, and so many more organizations. Serving as president of Beth El was a tremendous honor for him. “Shul business”

was his true passion. He also loved politics – following nationally and getting involved locally on the ground.

In 2000, he lost his beloved wife, Beverly. His family and friends rallied around him, and he relished his role as the uber father, grandfather, and community leader. He later met and married Diane Gould Werbel. They traveled the world, enjoyed their Jewish life, were involved in the community together, and spent precious time with their children and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, children and siblings, Sam is survived by his grandchildren, Jordan and Bennett Werbel, Bo, Jesse and Sadye Rider, and Dani and Baila Werbel. If

you had a few minutes to spare, he would tell you all about them. Also surviving him are his devoted brother-in-law, Edwin Jay Rafal, and sisters-in-law, Judy Werbel and Lettie Werbel, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. He is also mourned by Diane’s family. He treasured his relationships with all of them.

Sam is also predeceased by his brotherin-law, Bernie Shapiro, and his sister-in-law, Marilyne Rafal, in addition to his first wife, Beverly, and his brother, Jerry.

The funeral was held at Beth El with burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

We lost a true mensch.

Al Gore, hundreds of mourners hail ‘supreme mensch’

Joe Lieberman at pioneering Jewish politician’s funeral

(JTA) – Alison Sharaf, a staffer for Sen. Joe Lieberman in 2000, remembers the moment she heard that he would be making history.

Sharaf, then a manager in Lieberman’s Hartford office, was confident that Al Gore would pick her boss to be his running mate on the Democratic ticket — despite fears that the country was “not ready” to vote for an Orthodox Jew. She got to the office at 3 that morning anticipating the announcement and, later, Lieberman celebrated the news with her and the rest of his team.

“The whole staff in Connecticut, he took us on a boat ride down the Connecticut River and said our lives are about to change,” Sharaf, standing outside Lieberman’s funeral on Friday, March 29 told JTA. “He’s very forthcoming, he’s very honest, just tells it like it is and he’s a good human being.”

her father was on a warm, first-name basis with everyone from his colleagues to Capitol Police officers.

“Everyone knew they would be received by a warm smile,” she said in an emotional speech. “You genuinely cared about every person you interacted with.”

Sharaf and hundreds of others mourned Lieberman as a model of decency and bi-partisan cooperation that they believe is missing in Washington today at his funeral in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. The service was held in his synagogue, Agudath Sha-lom, and not far from Stamford High School, where Lieberman was class president and named “most likely to succeed” in 1960.

The funeral drew a diverse crowd of young and elderly, secular and religious, who lined up outside the synagogue in the bright morning sun. The American and Israeli flags outside the synagogue’s front door hung at half-mast. The crowd filled the synagogue.

Lieberman’s daughter, Hani Lowenstein, described how

His son, Matt Lieberman, called his father a “supreme mensch.”

“He was blessed and he was a blessing for all of us,” he said. The family members’ speeches drew some tears in the audience.

Sharaf, who worked for Lieberman from 1997 to 2001, highlighted his famous friendship with Republican Sen. John McCain as a model of political tolerance. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be done, but those days are over,” she said.

In 2008 Lieberman, then an independent, endorsed McCain’s Republican presidential bid and was vetted to be his vice presidential nominee. At the time, the move

drove a wedge between Lieberman and his longtime party, but those tensions did not appear at the funeral. A range of former and current Democratic leaders spoke warmly about him — including Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, who beat Lieberman in the state’s hard-fought Democratic senatorial primary in 2006, then lost to him in the general election.

Speakers at the ceremony also included Gore and Chris Murphy, Richard Blumenthal, and Chris Dodd, all current and former Connecticut senators who knew Lieberman and his family through his long career in the state’s politics. Speakers hailed Lieberman’s religious faith, independent streak, and commitment to his family and community.

Gore, who flew in from Tennessee, said Lieberman led a “life of constant consequence for his family, his friends, his nation.”

The two were close before their presidential run and their families knew each other well, Gore said, speaking beneath the spacious synagogue’s soaring stained-glass windows.

“We laughed together, we fought like hell together for what we wanted our country to be,” Gore said.

He hailed Lieberman’s commitment to “reconciliation as a form of grace” in politics, an approach Gore said was needed to “heal the rancor in our nation today.”

Murphy said that while he was coming up in politics, Lieberman was “a giant to me” who decided his position on an issue “regardless of its political origin.”

Lieberman had a “decency that will never show up in the history books,” Murphy said, recounting how Lieberman had written a lengthy condolence letter to a woman he barely knew when her father died.

The synagogue’s rabbi, Daniel Cohen, said Lieberman was “truly a stranger to no one.”

“He saw the divine in everyone he met,” Cohen said.

Luke Tress

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