Jewish News - May 13, 2024 Issue

To celebrate Earth Day, Checkered Flag is introducing Keys for Trees, an all-new environmentally focused effort where we pledge to plant 75 trees for every new car sold now through the end of the month. So don’t wait, shop now and together we can reach our goal of planting more than 30,000 trees in nearby Virginia forests.

JEWISH NEWS UPFRONT

Betty Ann Levin

The first 20 years – a great start!

At the risk of sounding cliché – it seems like yesterday. I joined Jewish Family Service of Tidewater in September of 2003 as the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community was under construction. What an honor to attend my first Simcha Campaign meeting, ably led by Bob Josephberg and Bobby Copeland, and to be able to witness first-hand their passion in leading the campaign to build the new central address for our Tidewater Jewish community. What an inspiration to watch the dreams of so many community leaders become a reality. What an opening dedication event for our community!

Fast forward 20 years and our COMMUNITY campus is a vibrant central address for Jewish Tidewater. Not a day goes by where I don’t marvel at the intergenerational feeling of our campus as I see students from Strelitz International Academy and Camp JCC walking through the Copeland Cardo, intermixed with community members of all ages who are enjoying the fitness center, playing Mahjong, attending a Melton class, or simply enjoying lunch at the Cardo Café.

Over these couple of decades, despite a global pandemic, unprecedented wars, and international crises, we’ve experienced a growth of activity at the Campus. Camp JCC is booming, throughout the year but particularly each summer, as well as the regular Sunday Fundays. The creation of the Konikoff Center for Learning brand through the UJFT/JCC has brought increased educational programing to the Campus, and throughout our community, engaging more of Jewish Tidewater than ever before. Organizations on the campus continue to evolve, as our Jewish day school, SIA, became an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, the only IB primary school in Hampton Roads, with expanding enrollment. Jewish Family Service of Tidewater streamlined the agency’s continuum of care and grew what is now Embrace Counseling, seeing significant growth in the demand for guardian and conservator services throughout Tidewater and Virginia. JFS continues to provide a vital spectrum of social services for the region from its offices on the Campus. Tidewater Jewish Foundation has seen a growth in assets, developed a new strategic plan, and works with all the organizations throughout our community to secure our Jewish future.

Our Campus continues to make updates, adding the Marty Einhorn Pavilion in 2022, honoring Marty Einhorn, of blessed memory, a dedicated leader and beloved friend to all. The Einhorn Pavilion is enjoyed by people of all ages and is a jewel for our campus.

In 2023, Simon Family JCC office space was redesigned to become the Fleischmann Lounge, in loving memory of Joe Fleischmann, a warm and loving man who considered the JCC his second home. Today, the Fleischmann Lounge provides a bright and inviting space for adult programming and other community gatherings.

Suffice it to say, the hopes and dreams of our community leaders have been realized. Today, the Sandler Family Campus is a vibrant, central address for our Tidewater Jewish community. As we honor the past, cherish the present, and plan for the future – the best is certainly yet to come!

Betty Ann Levin is executive vice president/CEO, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC.

Published 20 times a year by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community

5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462-4370 voice 757-965-6100 • fax 757-965-6102 email news@ujft.org

Terri Denison, Editor

Stephanie Peck, Assistant Editor

Michael McMahon, Art Director

Sandy Goldberg, Account Executive

Patty Malone, Circulation

Teresa Knecht, Digital Manager

Reba Karp, Editor Emeritus

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater David Leon, President Mona Flax, President-elect

Alvin Wall, Treasurer

Jason Hoffman, Secretary

Betty Ann Levin, Executive Vice President JewishVA.org The

Campus belongs to the community. We just named it. – page 22

BRIEFS

Rabbi reiterates demand that anti-Israel activists not sing his song

ANew York rabbi is reiterating his call for his music not to be sung by anti-Israel demonstrators after students at Yale University used his song during protests there.

Rabbi Menachem Creditor said he was “distraught” to learn that Olam Chesed Yibaneh, a song he wrote after 9/11 that has become a mainstay for progressive Jewish activists, was sung at the conclusion of a seder held by the anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace on Yale’s campus.

“Let me be clear: I vehemently object to the song being used in any context that is against Israel or the Jewish people,” Creditor said in a statement. “Those who are using the song in these protests are misappropriating its message of love and support for Israel. I cannot accept its use by the protesters, whose beliefs could not be further from my own.”

Creditor, the rabbi in residence at UJA-Federation of New York, first called for his song not to be sung at pro-Palestinian protests in November, a month into the Israel-Hamas war that began with Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7. At the time, a member of the non-Zionist group IfNotNow said the group would stop including Olam Chesed Yibaneh and a song written by another Jewish musician who objected to its use in national actions calling for a ceasefire.

Creditor told JTA at the time that he had declined offers of pro-bono legal assistance to curb the use of his song, saying that litigation would give the issue “too much oxygen.” He said he just wanted the protesters to stop — though he recognized that it would be hard to break longstanding habits.

“It’s hard to control the use of your art when it’s already been created,” Creditor said in November. “But it hurts me the worst when I see my song weaponized against my own family’s heart.

“I am extremely proud of Olam Chesed Yibaneh and what it represents,” he said. “In these difficult days I will continue to sing it, full voice, to show my unwavering support for Israel and ironclad solidarity with the hostage families and their loved ones still in captivity.” (JTA)

Brandeis extends transfer deadline, appealing to distressed Jewish students

Brandeis University, the historically Jewish school outside Boston, has extended its transfer application deadline in a bid to appeal to students who are unhappy with their own schools’ responses to campus anti-Israel protests.

The university announced the decision last month, as encampment protests spread from Columbia University to campuses across the United States. The protests, which take aim at the schools’ ties to Israel, are spurred by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and have in some places included rhetoric that veers into antisemitism. Jewish

groups and some Jewish students say the protests have left Jewish and pro-Israel students unsafe and unable to take part in campus activities.

“As a university founded in 1948 by the American Jewish community to counter antisemitism and quotas on Jewish enrollment in higher education, Brandeis has been committed to protecting the safety of all its students, and, in the current atmosphere, we are proud of the supports we have in place to allow Jewish students to thrive,” Brandeis President Ron Liebowitz wrote in an email. “Due to the current climate on many campuses around the world, we are now expanding the opportunity for students to seek the learning environment of our campus by extending the transfer application deadline to May 31.”

Brandeis made headlines shortly after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and triggered the war, when a portion of its student government failed to pass a resolution condemning Hamas. But the broader student government soon reversed course, and in November, the school became the first to ban its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, saying that the group “openly supports Hamas” — a departure from other schools that have since suspended the group for technical offenses against protest policies.

About a third of students at Brandeis, which is nonsectarian, identify as Jewish.

“Students elsewhere should know we welcome all — Jews and students from every background — who seek an excellent undergraduate education and an environment striving to be free of harassment and Jew-hatred to apply,” Liebowitz wrote. (JTA)

Ritchie Torres, Mike Lawler introduce bill to allow feds to name antisemitism monitors to campuses

Two New York congressmen, a Democrat and a Republican, introduced a bill that would allow the federal government to compel universities to accept supervision from an antisemitism monitor.

The bill introduced by Reps. Ritchie Torres, a Bronx Democrat, and Mike Lawler, a Rockland County Republican, came in the wake of anti-Israel protests roiling Columbia University. The lawmakers named the bill the COLUMBIA (College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability) Act.

It would allow the federal government to bring in an outside monitor to oversee how universities accused of allowing antisemitism to fester on campus are dealing with the allegations.

“The monitor would be appointed by the Secretary of Education, the terms and conditions of the monitorship would be set by the Secretary, and the expenses of the monitorship would be paid by the particular college or university that has been selected for monitorship,” said a release from Torres’ office. “Failure to comply with the monitorship would result in the loss of federal funds.”

Torres is a progressive who has been unapologetically pro-Israel. He got a hero’s welcome in the country during a recent visit.

Lawler, who has a substantial Jewish population in his district, has similarly been outspoken in his defense of Israel. (JTA)

Musk says he’ll reinstate antisemite Fuentes to X

Elon Musk says he will restore the X account of Nick Fuentes, the Holocaust denier and antisemite who has said “perfidious Jews” should be executed.

“Very well, he will be reinstated, provided he does not violate the law, and let him be crushed by the comments and Community Notes,” Musk said on the social media platform he bought in 2022. “It is better to have anti whatever out in the open to be rebutted than grow simmering in the darkness.”

Musk, who says he is committed to absolute free speech but who has suspended accounts of journalists whose reporting has upset him, returned Fuentes to Twitter for a day in January 2023. Fuentes flooded his feed with antisemitic commentary and within a day his account was suspended again.

“I cannot claim to be a defender of free speech, but then permanently ban someone who hasn’t violated the law, no matter how much I disagree with what they say,” said Musk, who has sued or threatened to sue watchdogs that track the proliferation of hate speech since he purchased the platform. “This will probably cause us to lose a lot of advertisers and makes me sad, but a principle is a principle.”

The Anti-Defamation League, one of the watchdogs Musk has threatened to sue, has also praised him for saying he would ban two phrases common to pro-Palestinian protests — “decolonization,” and “from the river to the sea.”

Fuentes is a Holocaust denier who first gained prominence after participating in the white supremacist “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville in 2017. He was banned from Twitter in July 2021, amid the platform’s crackdown on far-right extremists, particularly in the wake of the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He burst back onto the public stage in November 2022, when he and Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, had dinner with former President Donald Trump shortly after Ye embarked on a stream of antisemitic comments on social media and in interviews.

Fuentes has maintained his following through a livestream and other direct communications. In December, Fuentes said that “evildoers” need to be “given the death penalty” straight up when “we take power.” Among “evildoers” he named “perfidious Jews.”

“These people that are suppressing the name Christ and suppressing Christianity, they must be absolutely annihilated when we take power,” Fuentes said on his podcast. (JTA)

ISRAEL & ANTISEMITISM

AFTER 76 YEARS, WE’RE STILL FIGHTING FOR A JEWISH STATE. Knowledge is key

Jewish News is gathering and presenting some basic facts to equip readers during this difficult time with the confidence needed to engage in conversation about Israel and antisemitism.

Genocide

This word is being used by protestors on campuses to describe Israel’s actions. According to merriam-webster.com, Genocide is “the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.”

It is ironic that Israel is being accused of Genocide when it was Hamas who attempted just that on October 7 with its callous killing of whomever they could just because they were Israelis. Rather than deliberately kill innocent Palestinians, Israel broadcasts where it is about to bomb, telling the civilians to move –the opposite of Genocide.

From the river to the sea.

This phrase refers to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, basically Israel. Various origins of the phrase exist, and its meaning has shifted over time. In 2017, Hamas used the phrase in its charter, with the current interpretation being a call for the end of the State of Israel.

Poverty in Gaza.

Approximately 80% of Gaza’s population lives in poverty, while Hamas has a $500 million investment portfolio and a $350 million military budget, according to juf.org. Hamas’ political

leadership lives in luxury in Qatar.

Since Hamas seized control of the coastal strip in 2007, Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade, backed by Egypt, according to the New York Times. The blockade prevents most people from leaving the territory and restricts the import of goods, including electronic and computer equipment, that could be used to make weapons.

Yasser Arafat and peace.

In 1988, Yasser Arafat said that the Palestinian Liberation Organization had ‘’accepted the existence of Israel as a state in the region’’ and “declared its rejection and condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.’’ (vox.com)

Jerusalem Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which includes sites sacred to Muslims, Jews, and Christians, to be the capital of their state. Israel says Jerusalem should remain its “indivisible and eternal” capital, according to reuters.com

As president of the United States, Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital – without specifying the extent of its jurisdiction in the disputed city – and moved the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018.

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.

In 1948, as Israel fought for its independence, the medics of Magen David Adom were there, treating wounded soldiers and civilians alike. Today, as Israel celebrates Yom HaAtzma’ut, MDA is still treating the injured — even under fire.

But for MDA to continue being there for Israel, we need to be there for MDA. Make a donation at afmda.org/give.

Give an everlasting G i

Accountant Melvin R Green endowed a scholarship at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation His goal? To give future students opportunities he never had Today, years after his passing, Green’s gift continues to support students

ANTISEMITISM

House passes bill that would enshrine contentious and popular antisemitism definition into US law

Ron Kampeas

WASHINGTON (JTA) — A bill that would enshrine a popular and contentious definition of antisemitism passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a wide margin.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act mandates government civil rights offices to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which has been endorsed by hundreds of local governments, corporations, and universities.

But the definition has also drawn criticism because most of its examples of antisemitism involve criticism of the state of Israel, including calling it a “racist endeavor.”

The bill is moving forward at a time when criticism of Israel, and when it crosses over into antisemitism, have been in the spotlight. Protesters at the pro-Palestinian encampments on campuses nationwide have harshly criticized Israel, with some using language decried as antisemitic. The bill’s passage would mean the definition would apply when officials adjudicate Title VI complaints alleging campus antisemitism.

Supporters of the bill say it covers the range of ways antisemitism manifests in the present day. The definition’s opponents say it chills legitimate criticism of Israel.

under the Trump administration, said that the bill, should it become law, would be a useful tool on campuses given the recent turmoil.

“From a federal perspective, this legislation won’t change current practice so much as it will reinforce it,” Marcus said in a statement, noting that both the Biden and Trump administrations have worked to combat antisemitism on campuses. “From a university perspective, however, there are few U.S. universities that are consistently applying the IHRA definition in appropriate cases. This legislation should put a stop to that.”

Your gift can live forever, too. Visit leaveabequest.org to learn more.

Those critiques did not hinder the bill, which passed Wednesday May 1, 320-91. Republicans voted 187-21 for the bill, and Democrats supported it 133-70. Eighteen members did not vote, split evenly between the parties.

An identical version is under consideration in the Senate, and while it is in its early stages, it too is likely to pass.

But opponents of the IHRA definition in Congress included New York Rep. Jerry Nadler, the House’s longest-serving Jewish Democrat.

“Speech that is critical of Israel alone does not constitute unlawful discrimination,” The Associated Press quoted Nadler as saying during a hearing Tuesday, April 30. “By encompassing purely political speech about Israel into Title VI’s ambit, the bill sweeps too broadly.”

Kenneth Marcus, the chairman of the Brandeis Center for Human Rights and a Department of Education civil rights official

Americans for Peace Now, a dovish pro-Israel group, worried in a statement that the bill, should it become law, would be used “as a cudgel against the millions of Americans, including many Jewish Americans, who object to the Netanyahu government’s decisions and actions,” referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conduct of the war against Hamas.

Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said passing the legislation was a priority, but the Republican no votes were a sign of how difficult it is for him to control the party’s far right and also of the increasing tendency on the Republican far right to reconsider, if not embrace, long-scorned antisemitic tropes.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican who constantly clashes with moderate Republicans, said she would vote against the bill because she worried it would criminalize what she said was a Christian belief that the Jews were responsible for killing Jesus, a belief repudiated by many large Christian denominations. Others on the far-right voting against included Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who also recently voted against aid to Israel.

Other bills with bipartisan backing that would combat antisemitism are wending their way through both chambers of Congress, including one that would set up a coordinator to monitor and combat domestic antisemitism, a counterpart to the existing State Department envoy to combat antisemitism overseas, a position currently held by the prominent Holocaust historian Deborah Lipstadt.

OPINION

Standing Together

Simon Fink

Third time’s the charm. You let me know if that’s the case by the time you finish this article – it’s the third one I’ve written where I feel compelled to share an experience with Jewish News. The first was after I completed the March of the Living in Poland. Second was after a volunteer trip with the JDC. And the third?

The third’s about me being in a warzone. It started with a well-meaning email. From a coalition of mainstream Jewish organizations.

Subject: URGENT Rally Call to ActionSunday at 11am | UCLA Campus.

It said, “Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we stand together to support the Jewish students and community members” and ended with “Join us for a peaceful gathering to support our UCLA students! Bring flags!”

This was Friday evening.

Let me preface – I’d already planned on being on UCLA’s campus that morning. I’d been volunteering with the LA support chapter for Standing Together (ST), a grassroots movement of Palestinians and Israelis working together toward peace on the ground in Israel. They’ve got support chapters all over the world like the LA one. Rather than taking the Pro-Israel or the Pro-Palestinian side, we show there is a third way, that there are Jews and Palestinians

working together. So naturally, when we got word that there would be demonstrators outside the UCLA encampment, we agreed –that’s where we needed to be.

You’ve probably heard all the news already. Said rally to support Jewish students morphed into a Pro-Israel rally. Pro-Palestinians arrived on campus. Both sides clashed in a mass of anger and rage.

You may have even heard that a few members of Standing Together and I were there too. But there’s one moment I want to share with you, as important to share with you as any moment I experienced among the survivors marching through Auschwitz or the JDC helping those in Bosnia.

Several of us from Standing Together, all dressed in purple, waded into the space between the protestors and counter-protestors. One of us began chanting, “From Gaza to Tel Aviv, all the children want to live.” Protestors on the Pro-Palestinian side began chanting it too, not realizing that several Pro-Israelis protestors had also taken up the same chant. They began clapping. Rabbi Sharon Brous observed, “It seemed that those protesters, each driven by their own grief and righteous desire for justice, did not know that such a collective call was imaginable. But then [Standing Together] handed them the life raft, big enough to hold us all.”

Tikkun olam, loving thy neighbor, the stranger, etc. That's how we do.

All Jews are responsible for one another. I would like to think that means we're responsible for all our actions too, both the good acts and the bad. I hope we are strong enough to call out the bad and even take some responsibility for it, but at the very least to name it. If we talk about the future, we talk about the present. If we talk about our community, we talk about our neighbors. If we sign off with prayers for peace, we push for peace.

There is language, and there is a way we can be both Pro-Israelis and ProPalestinians. I bring attention to this for the sake of our Jewish organizations and the many young, future members who are reading and hearing their words.

Simon Fink is a Norfolk native.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Jewish News. Read more of Simon Fink's article on JewishNewsVA. org.

Eric and Avital Smith, from Tidewater, are

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Whatever moves you.

CONGRESSMAN ROB WITTMAN VISITS SANDLER FAMILY CAMPUS

Terri Denison

U.S. Representative Rob Wittman spent a couple of hours at the Sandler Family Campus having lunch and speaking

with and answering questions from members of Tidewater’s Jewish community on Friday, May 3.

Congressman Wittman immediately addressed the current state of antisemitism, saying, “What we’re seeing today is a tidal wave.”

Considering what history teaches, he said, he feels “we are in a more alarming position than we were in 1938, when we saw the rise of

the axis of evil: Nazism, Fascism, Imperialism.

“I would argue,” he said, “that the threat is even greater today” with terrorism being encouraged by nations such as Iran and Russia. The threat level in the United States, he noted, is now higher than it has ever been.

About the protests on college campuses, Wittman said, “This is not a spontaneous, organic effort on college

campuses. Young people are being co-opted,” noting a nearly complete ignorance on behalf of the students about the Jewish people, why and how Israel was founded, etc. when asked why they are protesting.

Wittman also spoke about the CDC’s report of 112,000 deaths from fentanyl this past year. This additional threat “is coming from China. . . and often from across the southern border,” he noted.

“We are in a place more precarious than prior to 1938,” he repeated. “I see this as a very simple contrast. A struggle between good and evil. Forces of evil are coalescing. We have to work harder to coalesce the forces of good. This is time for good to stand and be vocal.”

Wittman spoke about the need for leadership to call out the forces that are clearly antisemitic and anti-Israel at every turn.

“We have to make sure we are supportive of Israel. It means more than just words. It means consequences,” he said.

“We have been complacent. Life is going well. The economy is going well, then suddenly, it’s . . .how is this going on? We have to defend the causes of good, which will take hard work.”

Wittman has served as the U.S. representative for Virginia’s 1st congressional district since 2007.

Congressman Rob Wittman with Alan Frieden.

Annie Sandler with Congressman Rob Wittman.

From Michigan to Boston, pro-Palestinian protesters assert themselves at college graduations

Philissa Cramer

(JTA) — Dozens of students unfurled Palestinian flags and banners at the main commencement ceremony of the University of Michigan.

A single student staged a provocative demonstration during a ceremony at Northeastern University, raising hands stained with red paint as a symbol of violence in Gaza. And a Palestinian student speaker used her speech to lambaste Israel’s war against Hamas at the University of Toledo.

Such were the disruptions during the first major weekend of graduation ceremonies to take place amid a sweeping pro-Palestinian protest movement on college campuses across the United States. In each case, graduation ceremonies went on as planned.

But the handful of dramatic but brief interruptions that took place over the first weekend in May offer concrete examples of what kinds of protests schools might expect over the next several weeks, as thousands of colleges and universities hold their annual commencement exercises.

Pro-Israel demonstrations were also visible on many campuses, with some students decorating their caps with the Israeli flag and, at the University of Michigan, an airplane trailing a pro-Israel banner above the ceremony.

University of Florida, whose chancellor has taken a firm stance against protests that interrupt university activities, placed signs outside the stadium where graduation took place saying that protests were not permitted inside, according to posts on social media.

Michigan, which enrolls many students from Palestinian-American communities in the Detroit area, experienced the biggest protest when dozens of students unfurled large Palestinian flags and marched toward the stage. According to The New York Times, they chanted, “Regents, regents, you can’t hide! You are funding genocide!” The public university is governed by a board of regents.

— an event that was captured on a university livestream. The Northeastern administration later edited that segment of the video out of the recording it posted online.

“The disruptive stunt by one student at a college ceremony was upsetting to everyone who attended the event,” it said in a statement. “Out of respect for members of our community, we will not amplify this disgraceful behavior by making it available online.”

At the University of Toledo, the student speaker at the graduate school ceremony was Maha Zeidan, a graduating law student and the president of the graduate student association. She took the stage wearing a keffiyeh hijab and a Palestinian flag stole over her black graduation robe, then delivered a speech that outlined a litany of offenses that she said Israel had committed in Gaza. She drew a link between U.S. spending on Israel and poor health care outcomes in the United States.

Several schools, including Columbia University, cited upcoming commencements as a reason to clear out pro-Palestinian protest encampments, saying that students and families deserve a ceremony free from interruption. (Columbia ultimately canceled their ceremony.) University of Southern California, canceled its main ceremony. That decision had come after it had selected a pro-Palestinian valedictorian, then barred her from speaking following what it said was pressure from Jewish critics.

Schools planned for potential interruptions, training volunteers on how to redirect protesters and reiterating rules to students and guests ahead of time. The

The disruption took place during a speech by Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the U.S. Navy, the Detroit Free Press reported. “It is indeed these young men and women who will protect the freedoms that we so cherish as Americans in our Constitution of the United States, which includes the right to protest peacefully,” he said, according to the report, which said the protest ended without any arrests.

One person was arrested as they ran up to the stage in protest during Northeastern’s commencement at Fenway Park in Boston on Sunday, May 5, according to local news reports. At a different Northeastern ceremony the previous day, a graduate student had doused himself in red paint in an act of pro-Palestinian protest

“Although today is a day of happiness and accomplishments, this is a difficult reality we must acknowledge as we proceed to the next chapter of our lives,” said Zeidan, who said she was born in Palestine, according to a recording of the event available online. “Why, you may ask? Because we the people are funding these horrors with our tax dollars.”

She later added, “I apologize that this is not a typical graduation speech, but there is nothing typical about the time we are living in.”

After she exited the stage to cheers, a university administrator took the podium. “As stated earlier in the program, invited speakers are sharing their personal views and do not represent the views or values of the University of Toledo,” he said. “As a state institution of higher education, we are required to maintain a campus in which the free exchange of ideas is not suppressed. Today is about celebrating our graduates. Let’s refocus our attention on celebrating our students who are receiving their degrees today.”

ISRAELJEWISH TIDEWATER IN ISRAEL

Israeli American hostage has Virginia roots

Stephanie Peck

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli American hostage held in Gaza, spent part of his childhood in Richmond, Va. before his family made aliyah to Israel in 2008. His Virginia roots go even further back, to Portsmouth, where Hersh’s grandparents and young family lived until 1969, before returning to their hometown of Chicago where Jonathan, Hersh’s father, was born.

“Our family has fond memories of our years in Portsmouth. My father used to say, ‘Virginia is my favorite state!’” says Abby Polin, Hersh’s aunt and Jonathan’s older sister.

The extended Polin family was together for Passover in Florida last month, including Hersh’s 85-year-old grandmother, Leah, when the video of Hersh in captivity was released.

“It was overwhelming but proof of life,” says Abby. Jonathan and his wife, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, were notified of the video by the Israeli and U.S. governments, 45 minutes in advance of its circulation.

When asked by the television news program, Morning Joe, about when the video may have been filmed, Rachel Goldberg-Polin replied, “It seems, according to intelligence… they believe this was made in the last couple of days.” A medical team who specializes in analysis through a screen believes that Hersh’s arm injury is about six months old, an injury

that occurred when Hersh tried throwing a grenade from the bunker where he and others were sheltering at the Nova Music Festival. Leah, Abby, and Bonnie Polin Pomper (also Hersh’s aunt), have all gone back and forth to Washington, D.C. to advocate for Israel and the hostages, including their attendance at the March for Israel where Rachel spoke from the podium. The Polin women went to Congress and the Senate, thanking members from both sides of the aisle for their support of Israel. Abby attended President Biden’s State of the Union address in March, standing in for Rachel and Jonathan who were attending an assembly for one of their two daughters.

“I filled in for Jonathan and Rachel for three days of meetings in March. We keep up awareness and advocate in Illinois, Massachusetts, and Florida,” Abby says, referring to their hometowns.

One of Hersh’s cousins, a junior at the University of Maryland, is also

advocating for Israel. At a campus event, he spoke against supporting the BDS movement, an effort to boycott, divest and sanction Israel for its oppression of Palestinians. The measure to enact BDS was voted down.

While Rachel Goldberg-Polin shared on Morning Joe that she is appreciative, grateful, and blessed that hostage families have received so much support, she emphasized that more is needed. In an interview with Anderson Cooper, Jonathan said that the new video, “lights a fire under us even more than we already had to bring him and the other 132 hostages home as fast as we can.”

Abby describes Hersh as a smart, clever, strong, and personable young man. “I hope he’s giving the same strength to other hostages,” she says. “He’s the type of guy that everyone loves.”

Local Relationships Matter

MEET: Karen Joyner

As

“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.”

CALLING ALL GRADUATES!

Graduation season is almost here, and Jewish News is ready to celebrate Jewish Tidewater’s students as they graduate from high school, college, and graduate schools. To help us do so, please submit, along with a photo, the following information by Friday, May 17 about your graduate:

Name

School

Awards, special notes

What’s Next (college, grad school, job)

Parents

Send to news@ujft.org with Graduate in the subject line. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt. If you don’t, please call 757-965-6132. Thank you!

ANTISEMITISM AND ISRAEL

The

pro-Israel backlash

is

harsh after Biden suspends delivery of weapons to Israel

Ron Kampeas

WASHINGTON (JTA) — John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman who has become the face of the Biden administration’s affection for Israel, had something to get off his chest: Joe Biden is not anti-Israel.

“The arguments that somehow we’re walking away from Israel fly in the face of the facts,” Kirby said Thursday, May 9 in a briefing call with reporters, his voice rising with passion.

Kirby was speaking a day after the president confirmed that he had suspended the delivery of some large bombs to Israel as it prepared to enter Rafah, the city on the Gaza-Egypt border believed to be the last redoubt of a major Hamas force. Biden’s decision led to dismay across a wide swath of pro-Israel leaders, and was seized on by Republicans eager to court the Jewish vote.

Biden stands at risk of losing a pro-Israel reputation that he has, for decades, nurtured as a matter of personal pride, and that he hoped to rely on in an election year.

“Delaying arms transfers to Israel is dangerous,” the American Israel Public Affairs Committee said in an action alert to its members. In its messaging since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched its war against Israel, the pro-Israel lobby has repeatedly cited Biden’s pro-Israel record. “America must continue to stand firmly with our ally Israel as it works to defeat Hamas and defend its citizens.”

Abe Foxman, the retired national director of the Anti-Defamation League, who broke with decades of nonpartisanship in 2020 and campaigned for Biden, said Biden faced electoral peril, at least among Jewish voters, who have long favored Democrats.

“I hope that the response to what happened yesterday will send a message to him, that it’s not only Republicans that are criticizing you, but also Democrats,”

Foxman said in an interview. “Arms sales during a war is a red line for most American Jews right now, center, even left. The only way to fix it is to turn it around.”

Haim Saban, the Israeli American entertainment mogul who is a major donor to Democrats, emailed the campaign with an implied warning: “Let’s not forget that there are more Jewish donors who care about Israel than Muslim voters who care about Hamas,” he said in a note that circulated widely on social media. “Bad…bad…bad… decision on all levels.”

But Biden got support from at least one prominent Jewish official with a long record of supporting Israel: Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Jewish New York Democrat and Senate majority leader, told The Hill that “I believe that Israel and America have an ironclad relationship, and I have faith in what the Biden administration is doing.” Pro-Israel groups on the left, including J Street, Americans for Peace Now and the Jewish Democratic Council of America, also issued supportive statements.

Biden spoke to CNN a day after he marked Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Capitol, pledging to keep remembrance of Oct. 7 alive and to maintain his “ironclad” support for Israel.

“Yesterday, I commended [Biden] for his speech,” Nathan Diament, the Orthodox Union’s Washington director, said on X. “Today’s threat to withhold arms from Israel betrays this truth.”

Biden fiercely defended Israel in the days and months after Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists launched the war, massacring some 1,200 people in Israel and taking approximately 250 hostage. But he has also watched with increasing concern as Israel launched massive counterstrikes, leading to the deaths of more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local officials, leveling large parts of Gaza and leaving its population in a

humanitarian crisis.

Biden throughout his career has made his attachment to Israel central to his political identity. He calls himself a Zionist, and says he has been since he was a child, when his Roman Catholic father thrilled to the establishment of Israel as a miracle.

“I mean, this is a president who visited Israel within days of the October 7 attacks, this is a president who rushed additional military articles to Israel and frankly, provided expertise from our own military to go over there to help them as they thought through their planning and their operation of these structures,” says Kirby (who himself has worn dog tags reading “Bring them home now” to call attention to Israeli hostages still in captivity).

Biden is caught in an electoral bind between a Democratic base that is increasingly turning against Israel and the anxieties of a Jewish community that has for decades reliably aligned itself with the party and remains mostly supportive of Israel.

“There’s just no question in my mind that it is hurting him with the larger pro-Israel community,” says a senior pro-Israel Democrat, who asked not to be named to speak frankly. “And I see that in my inbox, I see it in people on Twitter that are talking about changing their positions. I’m still going to vote for him. A number of

people aren’t.”

Republicans seized it as an opportunity to make gains in a community that steadfastly votes in large majorities for Democrats.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee this year, once again chastised American Jews for favoring Biden.

“If any Jewish person voted for Joe Biden they should be ashamed of themselves,” he said outside the courtroom in New York where he is standing trial for falsifying business records. “He’s totally abandoned Israel.”

The GOP leaders in both chambers, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and the Senate minority leader, Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell, wrote a letter to Biden on the issue. “We believe that security assistance to Israel is an urgent priority that must not be delayed,” they said.

Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, spearheaded a letter from Senate Republicans demanding answers. “You promised your commitment to Israel was ironclad,” the letter said. “Pausing much-needed military support to our closest Middle Eastern ally signals otherwise.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose relationship with Biden has become more parlous in recent weeks, used a message marking Israel’s

Independence Day to recall how Israel stood against world opinion in 1948.

“There was an arms embargo on Israel, but with great strength of spirit, heroism and unity among us — we were victorious,” Netanyahu said in Hebrew.

The notion that Biden is embargoing Israel infuriated Kirby, who emphasized repeatedly that the suspension was confined to a limited class of weapons and that American arms otherwise continue to flow to Israel.

Biden “also said yesterday that he will continue to ensure that Israel has all the military gains it needs to defend itself against all of its enemies, including Hamas,” he said. “He’s going to continue to provide Israel with the capabilities that it needs.”

Still, no president has withheld weapons from Israel as a means of pressure for more than 40 years, and some of the most consistently pro-Biden voices in the pro-Israel community were upset.

“We are disheartened by the partial withholding of U.S. military support from Israel while the threats from Hamas and other actors hostile to Israel are acute, and when the U.S.-Israel partnership should be at its strongest,” said the Israel Policy Forum, a group that dedicates itself to advancing a two-state outcome to the conflict and has a board replete with donors to Democrats.

VIRGINIA ARTS FEST IVAL

CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES

TAK

QUARTET with OLGA KERN, piano MAY 8 • WILLIAMSBURG MAY 9 • NORFOLK

TIDEWATER Norfolk minister offers a benediction for all to appreciate

JESSIE MONTGOMERY An Evening of Duos with Andrea Cassarubios and James Lee III MAY 16 • NORFOLK WU HAN, piano

BAROQUE THE

OF 1610 MAY 23 • PORTSMOUTH MAY 24 • WILLIAMSBURG

DAVID FINCKEL , cello

OLGA KERN, piano

JUNE 4 • NORFOLK

JUNE 5 • VIRGINIA BEACH MEMBERS

VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL

CHAMBER PLAYERS with EMILY ONDRACEK-PETERSON, violin

JAKE FOWLER, cello

DEBRA WENDELLS CROSS, flute

SHERI LAKE AGUIRE , oboe

MICHAEL BYERLY, clarinet

LAURA LEISRING, bassoon

JACOB WILDER, horn

OLGA KERN, piano

JUNE 6 • NORFOLK

VLADISLAV KERN, piano

BRENDON ELLIOTT, violin

OLGA KERN, piano

JUNE 7 • WILLIAMSBURG

Joel Rubin

Those of us who attend major civic events, Jews and some non-Jews alike, wait for it. When a minister delivers the invocation, it is often with some religious fervor and a beseeching to the Savior “in whose name we pray.” But at the Hampton Roads Chamber’s recent Norfolk State of the City event, held at the Main and attended by 1,000 local citizens, I for one was delighted at the choice of presenter and even more by his words and closing.

W.D. Tyree III is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Berkley and the Chamber’s Vice Chair for Interfaith Relations. Read his words, which I thought were magnificent on so many levels.

“Eternal God,

As we gather in this esteemed assembly to reflect on the State of the City of Norfolk, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude and humility. We acknowledge the abundant blessings You have bestowed upon our community and the opportunities You have provided for growth and prosperity.

In Your infinite wisdom, You have woven a tapestry of diversity into the fabric of our city, blessing us with a multitude of talents, cultures, and perspectives. Grant us the wisdom to embrace and celebrate these differences, recognizing them as gifts from Your hand.

Guide us, O Lord, to foster an environment of inclusivity and acceptance, where every voice is heard, and every individual is valued for their unique contributions. Help us to break down the barriers that divide us

and to build bridges of understanding and compassion.

We lift up our business leaders to You, O God, asking for Your guidance as they navigate the complexities of the marketplace. Instill in them a deep commitment to ethical conduct and moral integrity, that they may lead with wisdom and integrity, always striving to do what is right in Your sight.

May our endeavors be marked not only by success but by a steadfast dedication to serving the common good and uplifting the marginalized and oppressed. Help us to be agents of positive change in our city, working tirelessly to create a more just and equitable society for all.

Bless our efforts, O Lord, and let them be a testament to Your boundless grace and mercy. May we walk in Your ways, seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with You, now and always.

This we ask as we unapologetically celebrate business (Chamber’s tagline), Amen. – – – – – –

Sitting up front, I rushed to Pastor Tyree as he left the stage and told him his writing was spot-on for the occasion, and as a Jew, I had never felt more included. I then e-mailed him and asked for the text of his message. He responded, “thank you for taking the time to reach out to me again. I have reflected every day on your kind words since the event.” He encouraged me to share the invocation.

I, among others, endure religious speech in the public square and don’t make a public fuss, but we call attention when individuals like W.T. Tyree recognize the opportunity they have to bring us together and do so. Thank you sir.

OLGA KERN , Connie and Marc Jacobson Director of Chamber Music

ISRAEL

Should ‘From

the river to the sea’ be allowed on

Facebook and Instagram?

Meta’s Oversight Board is considering the question.

Philissa Cramer (JTA) — The social media company Meta is adjudicating whether a key phrase used by pro-Palestinian activists constitutes acceptable speech.

The company’s Oversight Board, an independent body tasked with reviewing Meta’s content moderation decisions, has taken up the question as it reviews three cases involving posts that use the phrase “From the river to the sea.”

The phrase has been used by Palestinian nationalist movements for decades, including by Hamas, and pro-Palestinian activists say it is a call for liberation. Israel and Jewish groups view it as advocating for Israel’s destruction. It has been condemned in congressional votes and investigated in multiple instances by the U.S. Department of Education.

The slogan has appeared frequently in pro-Palestinian social media posts during the Israel-Hamas war, which began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. Some of those posts on Facebook and Instagram have been reported as potential viola tions of Meta’s policies, according to the Oversight Board. On Tuesday, May 7, the board announced a process to determine whether the company should create a spe cific policy for “From the river to the sea.”

The announcement says the board closely examined three cases dealing with posts that went up in November, a month into the war. The board did not share the

JEWISH TIDEWATER

TOPPING OFF: ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR AVIVA PEMBROKE AND VIRGINIA BEACH

Sean Flynn

A crowd of community members and leaders, including principal project partners and future residents, gathered on Friday, March 22 to celebrate another significant milestone towards the completion of the newest Virginia Beach senior living community, Aviva Pembroke.

The level of diverse support at the ceremony emphasizes the positive response from the region to address senior housing needs. It also demonstrates how Beth Sholom Village and Pembroke Square Associates are rising to meet the overwhelming demand for such hybrid care options, including assisted and independent living with modern amenities.

By 2030, it is estimated that most of Tidewater’s population will be over the age of 65. With these shifting community

This movement towards modernization and refinement of senior living would not have been possible without the thoughtfulness and support of all involved.

needs in mind, Beth Sholom Village and Aviva Pembroke will continue to provide top tier care for the wellbeing of all seniors.

Once open, Aviva residents will enjoy a thriving urban lifestyle filled with social, cultural, and life enriching opportunities while receiving the personal care and support on which Beth Sholom has built its reputation.

At the ceremony, David Abraham, president & CEO of Beth Sholom Village, welcomed those attending “on behalf of our staff, board of directors, The Auxiliary of Beth

Sholom Village, Ramsay Smith, Vincent Olivieri, and the entire PSA team, S.B. Ballard Construction Company, and a vast network of stakeholders.

“This movement towards modernization and refinement of senior living would not have been possible without the thoughtfulness and support of all involved, and it is one of many steps within our community towards addressing the housing needs of Hampton Roads,” said Abraham.

Following the remarks, the group participated in the signing of the final

structural beam, acknowledging the community members’ support in making the vision a reality, and symbolically bestowing good fortune and health upon all involved. Through this ceremonial act, Abraham reiterated the shared sentiment that “to all who played a role, we are thrilled to be a part of this.”

To stay updated on the final progress of Aviva Pembroke, upcoming events, and information regarding the thriving lifestyle that awaits Aviva residents, visit AvivaPembroke.com

For information on apartment availability, contact Allison Hechtkopf, executive director, at 757-967-3046 or Hechtkopf@bethsholomvillage.com

Sean Flynn is director of philanthropy and community relations for Beth Sholom Village.

Attendees sign the final structural beam.

David Abraham delivers remarks.

The final structural beam with attendees of the ceremony.

‘You are not alone’: Biden in Holocaust

remembrance speech

Ron Kampeas

WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Joe Biden aimed straight at American Jewish anxieties of the moment in a speech commemorating the Holocaust, pledging to keep alive the memory of Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacres in the face of waves of anti-Israel and antisemitic actions.

“I see your fear, your hurt, your pain,” Biden said Tuesday, May 7 at the annual commemoration at the U.S. Capitol, organized by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. “Let me reassure you as your president, you are not alone.” The audience of Holocaust survivors, Jewish lawmakers, students, and Jewish officials applauded.

Biden’s pledge comes as Israel launches a major operation in Rafah targeting Hamas, whose terrorists launched the war on Oct. 7, and as public sentiment — especially among Democrats, long the political home of the Jewish community — turns against Israel over a war that has seen huge civilian casualties.

“Here we are not 75 years later, but just seven and a half months later, people are already forgetting that Hamas unleashed this terror,” Biden said, flanked by the flags of the U.S. military units that liberated the Nazi death and concentration camps. “I have not forgotten and nor have you,

vows to fight Oct. 7 denialism

and we will not forget.” The audience applauded again.

Biden drew a direct line between Holocaust denial, long entrenched as a facet of antisemitism, and the tendency by some to downplay or even deny the atrocities of Oct. 7.

“Too many people denying, downplaying, rationalizing, ignoring horrors of the Holocaust and October 7, including Hamas’s appalling use of sexual violence, torture and terrorizing,” he said. “It’s absolutely despicable and must stop.”

Biden, like virtually every other speaker, addressed the pro-Palestinian campus protests that have swept the nation, in some cases culminating in violence and police raids. As he did the previous week in a special statement, he said he would uphold free speech but drew the line at violence and hate speech.

“There’s no place on any campus in America, any place in America for antisemitism or hate speech or threats of violence of any kind,” he said.

Other speakers included House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican; Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, and Abe Foxman, a survivor and the former national director off the AntiDefamation League.

Johnson has been leading efforts by Republicans to tie the campus protests to the Biden administration, as well

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as link them to right-wing accusations of a liberal drift in academia. In his remarks, he compared the campus pro-Palestinian protests to the assault on Jewish students and academics before and during the Holocaust.

“We remember what happened then, and today, we are witnessing American universities quickly become hostile places for Jewish students and faculty,” said Johnson.

Biden’s speech comes a year after his administration launched a strategy to combat antisemitism. The White House before the speech listed new measures under the strategy that it would launch in coming days, including a letter from the Department of Education to schools and universities around the country outlining how expressions of antisemitism could launch investigations. Multiple investigations have been launched since Oct. 7.

Also listed were a planned guide for campus safety resources and the development of best practices to prevent violence, both spearheaded by the Department of Homeland Security.

The State Department’s office of the special envoy to combat antisemitism, Deborah Lipstadt, would convene tech companies to discuss how best to deal with online antisemitic content, the White House said in its release.

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Virginia Beach School Board adopts resolution for Jewish American Heritage Month

During the Virginia Beach School Board meeting (via a consent agenda) last month, a Resolution was adopted in support of Jewish American Heritage Month, which takes place each year in May. The Resolution was read by Shannon Kendrick School, a member of the School Board.

RESOLUTION

Jewish American Heritage Month May 2024

WHEREAS, on April 20, 2006, the federal government proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and recognize Jewish American contributions to American culture, history, education, and government; and WHEREAS, the Jewish people have proudly sustained their identity and traditions while facing oppression, discrimination, and persecution; and

WHEREAS, the Jewish community continues to devote their skills and energy to make invaluable contributions to our city and country through leadership and achievements; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for public education, awareness and policies that are culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the impacts of being a Jewish American in all aspects of American society, including discourse and policy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED: That the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach hereby recognizes May as Jewish American Heritage Month and supports opportunities for all students, staff, faculty, and members of the public to honor and learn more about Jewish American history and culture; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread across the official minutes of this Board.

Adopted by the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach this 30th day of April 2024.

To learn more about Jewish American Heritage Month and to explore resources and meaningful ways to recognize this special month, go to JewishVA.org/JAHM

Dear Readers,

Among the many positive outcomes of the establishment of The Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community was the actuality of three words in the campus’ name: Tidewater Jewish Community.

For those who worked on the building’s creation, that sense remains and was demonstrated by each person I asked to recall those pre-campus days. It was amazing how often people mentioned others. . . “You’ve got to talk to so and so.” “Please include this one in the article.” “Don’t forget that she coordinated that.” It was a constant refrain. Though we couldn’t possibly include or mention everyone who had a hand in the development and creation of the Sandler Family Campus, it was heartwarming to hear that 100% of those contacted relayed how many people were involved. . . not one person tried to grab more credit. Instead, it was the opposite. . . total shared community.

And that’s what the Sandler Family Campus has been about for the past 20 years.

In this section we look back at how it all got started, what’s taking place now, and even glimpse a bit into the future. . . but not too far.

Whether the move was spurred by a vision for a cohesive Jewish community or to consolidate services or to simply follow where people were moving, it really doesn’t matter. What matters now is that Jewish Tidewater has a beautiful Campus to call home.

Mazel Tov to all who played and now play a role in the Sandler Family Campus!

Terri Denison Editor

This beauty perches on the flagpole outside my window every day, as if he’s guarding the Campus.

S andle R F amily C ampu S

STEVE AND ART SANDLER: ALL ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

Terri Denison

The idea of a central Tidewater Jewish community campus had to start somewhere. That place might be traced to Charlotte, N.C. when a then 39-year-old Art Sandler, who was serving as president of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, visited that community and saw their recently built campus.

“I thought it was cool and came back to town with the concept. We had a series of focus groups,” says Art, with people discussing the model over several years. Other federations around the country, he says, were bringing things together.

“Enough people thought it was a good idea and that we should have a campus,” he says.

One of the incentives to think about moving, says his brother Steve Sandler, was driven by the fact that the JCC at Wards Corner had passed its prime. “Many saw a need as Jews had moved away from Norfolk and the old facility was in disrepair and needed work.”

Both are quick to add that it was a collective vision of many community leaders.

“Marvin Simon found the property and seeing the need, asked Bobby Copeland and Bob Josephberg and myself to work with him. It turns out the property was perfect, and the results were wonderful,” says Steve.

As the lead donors, the brothers chose to name the campus after their parents and the community.

“Our parents loved our Jewish community,” they say.

“They defined themselves by first their family and then their religion and work ethic. Being Jewish was special for Reba and Sam. We loved our parents and couldn’t do enough to honor their commitment to the community, Jewish community, and name.”

“This (campus) did not belong to the Sandler family,” say the Sandlers. “Rather, it belongs to the Jewish

community. We just named it.”

Both men say they are satisfied with the outcome of bringing the agencies together. In fact, Steve says “VERY” in call caps. “It worked.”

Steve also believes it could be done again. “We have wonderful energy and caring leadership in our Jewish community.”

“I think it is as beautiful today as when it opened,” says Art. His only regret is that more people don’t go to the Campus. “There are so many wonderful things going on there that we should have more people attending.”

Steve agrees. “I can’t imagine anyone not thinking that the Campus has been a resounding success.”

As far as the future is concerned, Steve believes “it will be what the community wants it to be. Nothing is static and the world and Jewish world is ever changing. Nothing stays the same. But we have a central place for Jews in Tidewater and hopefully it will always be our central address and central place to meet. We can do anything and everything Jewish here.

“We are fortunate to have the professional leadership and lay leadership we have,” says Steve. “We have a wonderful community. Many helped with the success of our Jewish campus. Marvin Simon, of blessed memory, Bobby Copeland, and Bob Josephberg and many, many others. We owe them much. So many helped to build this wonderful facility. We need to thank them all.”

Reba and Sam Sandler.

Congratulations to the Sandler Family Campus on 20 years of success in bringing our Jewish community together!

L’Dor V’Dor Renee and John Strelitz

Andrew Fink: Finding the land to choosing art

Twenty years ago, Andrew Fink was instrumental in the land acquisition, construction, and completion of the Sandler Family Campus. His involvement with the Campus continues today as he serves on several committees and boards.

Jewish News: You were instrumental in the land acquisition for the Sandler Family Campus. Please tell us how you got started and a little about the process, including the development of the concept of a shared Campus.

Andrew Fink: For many years, many of us had been looking at demographic changes in this region. A shift towards Virginia Beach and Chesapeake appeared. Additionally, finances and operations were analyzed, and we found that there could be economic efficiencies of co-locating some of our agencies. Several of us, including Ben, Britt, and Marvin Simon, and myself started searching through maps and driving around looking at vacant land as well as at existing buildings. “Location, location, location” is what we were looking for. We analyzed numerous spots including the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater location in Chesapeake. Leadership decided upon the current location only after a complicated negotiation with the then owner. Marvin, Bobby Copeland, and I negotiated with that owner and consummated the purchase.

Family Service. This concept was presented to each board, and we were off and running. In addition to forming their own committees, agencies were interviewed for space needs – both for at that time, as well as for future projections. While that was happening, architects were interviewed. A building committee was formed, and we tried to please everyone! Means for financing were explored. Paul Turok was chosen as the architect, and we worked closely together.

interior design, art, and signage of the building. What were the challenges of combining agencies, the opinions of community leaders, and adhering to a budget when doing all of this?

AF: Challenges?!? There were thousands of decisions to be made regarding construction, materials, adjacency of agencies, security, computer networking, phone systems, longevity of materials, maintenance of such items as flooring, lighting, and heating/air conditioning equipment, kosher kitchens, what amount of funds could be raised, and how to finance, etc. We had hundreds of community lay persons along with staff working to put all this together.

JN: How and where did you research approaches to design of the building?

AF: The start of the building began with Bob Josephberg and I sitting down and ballparking costs of the various components anticipated for a co-located campus. Those components included classrooms, offices, activity, health, fitness, and meeting rooms, as well as associated services, courts, and fields.

A group of us then travelled to many campuses in the United States, gleaned ideas and noted what could work for our community. It was decided that our campus would encompass Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, Jewish Community Center with camp, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Tidewater Jewish Foundation and Jewish

The site layout really dictated much of what went where regarding parking, pool, playing fields, classrooms, the pond, etc. We decided on Jerusalem stone for much of the common areas. Paul designed the people-mixing area “the Cardo” after the cardo in Israel. Marvin insisted, among other things, that the entrance look substantial, hence the two large pillars holding up the canopy. We wanted a facility that was accessible and inviting for young and old, for all people in the region. Once a concept master plan was determined, the fund-raising brochure was designed, and the community went to work on funding the campus and its endowment.

JN: You were also involved in the construction,

Opinions?!? There were hundreds! Our building committee, along with UJFT leaders, took those into consideration and then made decisions on what we felt was best for the entire community. We HAD to make decisions and move forward, or the campus would never have gotten built. We interviewed and chose contractors, interior designers, furniture companies, signage companies, and landscape designers to name a few – they all had input into the designs and materials. We worked with many agency sub-committees, including those choosing the permanent artwork to display. Sample selections were delivered, reviewed, and decided upon.

It was a wonderful collective group process, and I stayed in the middle of it along the way and still give input today (through the Campus committee and UJFT board).

JN: Does the Campus meet your vision?

AF: Yes and no. Yes, from having a wonderful facility standpoint. No, as I envisioned many more people using the wonderful programs and facilities.

JN: What else would you like the community to know about the creation of the Sandler Family Campus?

AF: I am so glad we built this campus and benefitted from the co-location of these services for the community. I only wish we had more land so that we could build other facilities.

Steve Gordon, Andrew Fink, Harry Graber, and Bob Josephberg at the construction site of the Sandler Family Campus.

Bobby Copeland and Bob Josephberg, co-chairs of the Simcha Campaign, recall good times

Jewish News staff

The epitome of distinguished and versatile leaders, it was no surprise that Bobby Copeland and Bob Josephberg took on the roles of co-chairs of the Simcha Campaign. As co-chairs, all aspects of the Sandler Family Campus project – fundraising, design, construction, promotion – were ultimately overseen by these two volunteers.

“We had a great extended leadership team who worked well together, and that synergy led to success,” Copeland says.

“Bobby Copeland worked in finance, and I worked on development and getting the campus built. I was building apartments at the time; I had the resources available in my office.”

Great team or not, the project had its share of bumps. “We experienced every challenge you could imagine – community challenges, the needs of each agency, spacing, planning, and budgets,” says Josephberg.

Still, Josephberg says it was a “100% positive experience — one of the most rewarding and satisfying things I’ve ever done.

“Along with Paul Turok and Andrew Fink, we met with the professionals and lay leaders so that all agencies got what they needed and wanted.”

Both men agree that the process was rewarding, as was the result.

“I was totally satisfied with the outcome,” says Josphberg. “Creating the JCC pushed everything else. And the school was a prime mover and central piece around which everything was planned.

But could such a massive project happen today?

Sheila (Josephberg) and Andrew co-chaired the art committee – the whole design created a warm and inviting place.

“I loved working with Steve (Sandler), Art (Sandler), and Bob. Andrew Fink was tireless. There were no ego problems.”

“Sure, it could happen today,” says Josephberg. “I don’t know the players in Tidewater right now, but it comes down to money and ideas. Marvin Simon wanted a campus, and we had Steve, Art, and Bobby – all forces of nature.”

“The combined energy of the Campus has helped grow the commitment to Tidewater,” says Copeland. “The people who participate in activities at the Campus, along with their children and grandchildren, are all part of something that is bigger than just a building.

“In name and in truth, it’s not just a building; it’s a Community Center. So Jewish life in the community is perpetuated by the fact that people can gather to learn, to work out together, to meet and to make decisions to benefit the community and the greater Jewish World,” says Copeland.

Josephberg’s concern: “I hope I’m not forgetting anyone!”

Bobby Copeland

Bob Josephberg

CONGRATULATIONS FOR OF COMMUNITY IMPACT 20 YEARS

The Christian Broadcasting Network honors the twentieth anniversary of the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community.

CBN is grateful for our years of partnership with the Jewish community. We are and always will be proud to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

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Graduation season is almost here, and Jewish News is ready to celebrate Jewish Tidewater’s students as they graduate from high school, college, and graduate schools. To help us do so, please submit, along with a photo, the following information by Friday, May 17 about your graduate:

Awards, special notes What’s Next (college, grad school, job) Parents

Send to news@ujft.org with Graduate in the subject line. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt. If you don’t, please call 757-965-6132. Thank you!

Secrets to senior fitness success for longtime members of the Simon Family JCC

Stephanie Peck

The Simon Family JCC is an invaluable resource for many people, especially for those who frequent the aquatic and fitness areas. Several longtime members explain their commitment to exercise and how joining the JCC has improved their physical and mental well-being.

And how they’ve made a friend or two along the way…!

Beth Blake Davis

When Virginia Beach City Public Schools promoted a new wellness program in 2004 offering teachers a free initial membership fee, Beth Blake Davis found the Simon Family JCC. She had always believed in the benefits of being fit, and now, at 80 years old and retired, she feels that being fit has been invaluable.

Davis was raised Catholic, and it never crossed her mind that the Norfolk JCC would be a place for her. Through genealogy, she has since uncovered that a great-grandmother on her mother's side was born Jewish, named Elenora Hyman Drake, and a great, great-grandmother on her father's side, Katherine Jacoby Kessler, was also Jewish.

She has tried most of the classes at the Simon Family JCC, beginning with Life Fit, Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, and Stretch. Davis has even tried most of the equipment. Classes are her favorite because of the camaraderie with the other participants. In fact, participating for 20 years has encouraged friendships that she cherishes. Davis also enjoys the speakers who visit as part of the Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival, the nutrition classes, Wellness Day, art showings, and book sales.

Twenty years of good exercise has contributed to her staying healthy. When Davis started coming to the Simon Family JCC, there was a lovely woman in her Life Fit class with white hair. She thought, “If she can do it, then so can I!” Recently, on the way out of her Stretch class, this same woman was coming in for Pilates.

“So, Lonnie, thanks. You were my first inspiration!”

Walt Evans

As a young man, one of Walt Evans’ neighbors, Bernard Jaffe, offered him an open invitation to play basketball on his home court. In 1973, Evans joined the Norfolk JCC for this same purpose, playing pick-up ball with John Strelitz and Lonnie Slone, to name a couple. While he was disappointed at first that the facility was moving, the Simon Family JCC was actually closer to his home in Cypress Point. Evans has continued his membership.

“I call it the Taj Mahal – it’s unbelievable how wonderful it is,” says Evans, when comparing the old site to the Virginia Beach location. He stopped playing basketball at age 55; now, at 70 years old, he walks on the treadmill for over an hour, four days per week for his cardio work-out. “You can’t get injured walking on the treadmill.”

During the last two decades, she has seen the JCC grow into a valuable community enterprise. Davis regards it as a bit of a hidden gem – out of sight in this little cul-de-sac. However, for many years, at school and other situations, she has been one of the JCC’s best ambassadors, bringing many friends to the center to enjoy what the JCC has to offer.

“The friendliness of the staff, from Jason at the front desk, Leigh and others in the lobby, to the great custodial staff, they all combine to make this a lovely place to be,” adds Davis. “I've seen many changes – Ray and Tony in the gym were always friendly and helpful instructors, and now Tom, too. The classes have expanded (my favorite is still Yoga) as has the equipment on the floor.”

Evans says that the JCC fitness space is always clean and accessible, and the staff are passionate about what they do. “Ray is an outstanding employee, and Tom is the best fitness director you’ve had. I’m not interested in going anywhere else.”

Through Renew Active, Evans gym membership is covered by his health insurance.

Debbie Johnson

In 2004, Debbie Johnson joined the Simon Family JCC. Her grandchildren were very young at that time,

ages one, four, and seven. The JCC was perfect, because it also provided daycare when the adults worked out.

Her grandchildren enjoyed the pool and participated in basketball, Yoga for children, and gym activities. Johnson has enjoyed Yoga, Pilates, swimming in the pool, Step, Zumba, water aerobics, Stretch, and Life Fit classes. Not only has the JCC been a source of fitness for her, but Johnson has met and made many friends there, too.

Prior to COVID, some classes included young parents whose children either attended Strelitz International Academy or whose younger children could be dropped off at the childcare center. However, since childcare is no longer available, most classes are attended only by seniors. Johnson says she prefers a more diverse age group.

A fan of water exercises, Johnson wishes there were more classes in the pool, though she understands that the availability of teachers is scarce. She adds, “The JCC does a good job providing daily classes and activities for seniors, and the dedication of our trainers, Tom and Regina, is greatly appreciated.”

Lonnie McLeod

A member of the JCC since the Norfolk days, Lonnie McLeod and her first husband joined when her sons were young. At 85 years old, recovering from a stroke and hip replacement, McLeod continues to work out at the Simon Family JCC twice per week, hoping to gain back enough strength to return to her five-day, weekly regimen.

Prior to her health set-backs, McLeod came to the JCC Monday through Friday, for one to two hours each day. While she used to attend Yoga classes, she has switched to Pilates, since it puts less pressure on the joints while also increasing her strength. “Pilates builds the core,” she adds. “At physical therapy, they call me ‘ballerina’ because I stand so straight!” Exercising, breathing in oxygen, and just plain moving are the secrets to her fitness success. “Otherwise, people just freeze up.”

Beth Blake Davis and Debbie Johnson

Walt Evans

Lonnie McLeod

JAIME BRATHWAITE: A SANDLER FAMILY CAMPUS TREASURE

One of the crown jewels of the Sandler Family Campus sports a blue shirt and an easy smile – on a daily basis. Cecilio Brathwaite, better known as “Jaime” (pronounced Hymie for a Jewish reference), has been employed by the Tidewater Jewish community for 42 years, having started at the JCC on Newport Ave. in Norfolk on May 24, 1982.

Born and raised in Panama, and the youngest of six children, Brathwaite was working as a travel agent in 1981 when he traveled to the United States for a visit to New York. From there, he took a trip to Tidewater to visit his brother, who was in the Navy. Upon his brother’s deployment, Braithwaite agreed to house sit and care for his two young nephews.

A neighbor in the Navy housing community worked for the JCC and asked Brathwaite to help with the twice-yearly JCC yard sale. While he expected the work

to be temporary, Brathwaite eventually rose to the position of superintendent. Since 2004, he’s worked for the Sandler Family Campus – connecting the years from the JCC in Norfolk to the Campus in Virginia Beach and serving as a friendly reminder for long-time JCC members.

Living in Norfolk, Brathwaite enjoyed the family atmosphere of the old location. “I enjoyed the job, the staff, and the people, and I liked the place,” he says.

He says he’s had enlightening conversations with several Holocaust survivors and even the youngest survivor of the Titanic. However, he adds, “there are tons of people here from all walks of life, from members to co-workers. I meet more people here.” Brathwaite shares that, with some families, he’s meeting the third generation.

Aside from his wife, who Brathwaite met at The Foxtrap (“I trapped that fox!” he laughs), he has one daughter and a sevenyear-old granddaughter in Georgia.

Stephanie Peck

Jaime Brathwaite

Norfolk Collegiate creates tomorrow’s leaders by cultivating students who look beyond textbooks and explore the world around them. The Class of 2024 is 60 members strong, and they will change the world! Collegiate is a pre-Kindergarten 3 through Grade 12 school in Norfolk that develops critical thinkers, doers and explorers through innovative, engaging instruction in an inclusive and supportive learning community. Learn how your student can become a graduate of distinction like the Class of 2024. Call 757.480.1495 or visit NorfolkCollegiate.org.

Photos courtesy of Hayne Photographers

Sandler Family Campus evolves with the times

Stephanie Peck

After 20 years, most buildings experience at least minor updates and refreshes. . . painting, repairs, some renovations. The Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, however, has added features, revamped spaces, and updated technology, security, and environmental practices. Plus, all the basics.

Glenn Saucier, facility director of the Sandler Family Campus, oversees the 20-acre campus, including its 127,000-square-foot building. He has maintained a capital reserve study since 2010 for this very purpose, and he says he revises it every year.

“The biggest challenge when you get to this age is keeping the campus looking good,” he says.

Physical changes to the outdoor campus have enhanced its beauty and use. The Marty Einhorn Pavilion, for example, was built in 2022 in memory of a beloved community member. The pavilion has been used for special agency events, private parties, Camp JCC, and Strelitz International Academy, and is considered by

Saucier to be the biggest benefit to the campus.

Laderberg Lane, a walking trail that surrounds a fenced-in pond and measures just shy of ¼ mile around, was dedicated in 2019 in memory of Alma and Howard Laderberg. Walkers and runners can be found daily circling the pond. . . enjoying the fresh air and a bit of exercise. Also adjacent to the pond, one memorial garden honors Veterans, while another commemorates the Holocaust.

Saucier shares that the biggest financial investment was moving Jewish Family Service from a building on Grayson Road to the main campus in 2015. To support this relocation, 18 internal moves were required – all without disrupting daily operations. The Zone became

Strelitz International Academy’s music and art room, the first-floor cafeteria morphed into The Zone, and SIA’s previous art and music room became office space for Freda H. Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care (a joint venture between Beth Sholom Village and JFS). In 2023, when SIA needed more space, JFS’ clinical services returned to Grayson Road.

“Basically, what I put in place, I pulled back out,” says Saucier.

Other facility changes continued. When Freda H. Gordon Hospice and Palliative care was purchased, it could no longer stay in the building due to its new, for-profit status. United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s accounting department took over this office space and the previous accounting offices became The Fleischmann Lounge, in memory of Joe Fleischmann (an active member in the JCC Senior’s club) and dedicated to seniors and other events. Glass doors were built to separate the neighboring Moss Room and Fleischmann Lounge so the two rooms could combine for a larger space when needed.

Saucier adopted the Raptor ID system, a visitor management program that enhances school security. This system is also used in Virginia Beach public schools, where visitors’ IDs are recorded and run through a sexual predator database before an individual can enter the premises.

Other noticeable upgrades to the

campus include a removable Gaga pit that can convert to a stage, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, LED lighting throughout the facility, repainted walls to brighten the indoor pool area, resurfaced floors and parking lot, and new carpets in the Fleder Multipurpose Room and the offices of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

Redefining Real Estate In Hampton Roads

When Saucier first joined the Sandler Family Campus in 2007, campus security topped his list of changes. He discontinued the contractual agreement that was in place at the time and added training, as well as several full-time positions to the security staff. “There’s been very little changeover since I brought security in-house.”

At Strelitz International Academy,

Less visible improvements include a recycling program throughout the campus and increased catering through the Cardo Café. The café even caters kosher events at the Marriott and Cavalier hotels. While the campus footprint remains the same as in 2004, evolving changes and enhancements continue, with ongoing conversations to meet the needs of the future.

CALLING ALL GRADUATES!

Graduation season is almost here, and Jewish News is ready to celebrate Jewish Tidewater’s students as they graduate from high school, college, and graduate schools. To help us do so, please submit, along with a photo, the following information by Friday, May 17 about your graduate: Name School Awards, special notes What’s Next (college, grad school, job) Parents

Send to news@ujft.org with Graduate in the subject line. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt. If you don’t, please call 757-965-6132. Thank you!

Marketing the Simcha Campaign to build and introduce the Sandler Family Campus

Jewish News staff

Developing a marketing campaign for the fundraising of the largest infrastructure endeavor Tidewater’s Jewish community had ever attempted was a huge undertaking. Without hesitation, the challenge was met with creativity, collaboration, and commitment.

The committee for what was to be The Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community was chaired by Bobby Copeland and Bob Josephberg. They quickly acknowledged the need for a well-coordinated marketing effort to support a fundraising campaign of this magnitude.

“What I remember most about that time was there was an amazing synergy happening in our community and a great sense of collaboration,” says Beth Jaffe , then Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s marketing director, who took on the additional role as marketing director for the Simcha Campaign. “We formed a fantastic marketing committee, chaired by Lonnie Slone, and hired outside professionals including Joel Rubin to craft our message. Joel recommended the name “Simcha,” and we hired Grafik, a talented design firm in Northern Virginia to create our campaign logo and collateral materials,” says Jaffe.

“Our tag line was ‘Build Together –Celebrate Together,’” says Rubin.

“The image we wanted to convey was the uplifting scene at every bar/bat mitzvah party and Jewish wedding where the child or couple is hoisted up onto a chair. With the guests out of their seats and dancing the hora, it is the essence of a ‘simcha’,” he says.

“Relocating and combining critical agencies (United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Tidewater Jewish Foundation, Jewish Family Service, Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and the JCC) from other locations in Norfolk and Virginia Beach to a more central one off Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach was never going to be easy.

That’s why this needed to be more than a fundraising operation. It had to be a Simcha… and it was!” adds Rubin.

UJFT professional Hal Sacks and architect Paul Turok (both of blessed memory). “These men were such an inte-

“I called upon Zeke Panitz, my favorite songwriter and son of Rabbi Michael Panitz, to work with local producer Michael Goldberg and me on an ‘anthem’ of sorts. We had kids at Hebrew Academy record the song with Zeke,” says Rubin, “and they performed it at a very successful Grand Opening, co-chaired by Ann Copeland and Marilyn Simon.”

Jaffe recalls working with longtime

gral part of this effort and were both very interested in whatever we were creating in the marketing arena,” she says.

“I also remember that Andrew Fink and Sheila Josephberg assisted in the creation of a series of new logos for the agencies,” says Jaffe. “We needed graphic continuity since we were emerging as a Jewish campus, so each logo had the Star of David as its common

denominator, yet they still maintained their own unique identities.”

Jaffe and Rubin both say that working on this campaign was one of the highlights of their respective marketing/ public relations careers. “The best news of all is that we reached our financial goal, and our beautiful campus is still thriving today,” says Jaffe.

“Every time I drive down Corporate Woods Drive and walk into the stunning building that our community brought to life, I smile,” adds Rubin. “What an accomplishment.”

Song celebrates the new Campus

Zeke Panitz wrote Celebrate the Moment, the song that was used throughout the Simcha Campaign.

Celebrate the Moment

A time of growth

And a time of joy

Joining together to better one another

Looking at tomorrow

The day is bright

And filled with hope

May we be blessed with God’s eternal shelter

As children are growing up, they need a helping hand

Teachers to guide them in our ways

And help them understand

Nothing is done all alone

So take the love that's in your home...

...and celebrate community Together.

Lorraine Fink turned Campus discards into sculpture

One afternoon in 2014, as Lorraine Fink took down her art show at the Leon Family Gallery on the Sandler Family Campus and loaded it into her car, she was drawn by “a silent vibrant cry from a small mountain of metal and plastic at the edge of the loading dock,” according to an article in a May 2016 issue of Jewish News.

To her artistic eye, “these identical pieces stood paralyzed before the jaws of the garbage truck, which was soon to crush them into a mangled heap and toss them to a future as landfill pollutants. I

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could not ignore their cries,” she said of the discarded Jaffe Gymnasium’s metal halide light fixtures. The gym had just been upgraded with more environmentally friendly LED lighting.

After loading her paintings, she loaded the lights, too, taking them home, where they began their journey to their new destiny: The Tribe.

Fink adorned and enhanced the cast-off lights with other discarded, no-longer-needed, no-longer-usable relics such as architects rendered samples, drywall bead, 90-year-old

Approved by all area Rabbis and Chevrah Kadisha

penicillin bottles, remote controls, used cds, letterpress, telephone coils –among other items creating a series of sculptures.

The Tribes emerged with headpieces, facial features, decorative ornaments, weavings, and whimsy. They acquired body paint, feathers, and unique markings. Each

became its own tribe. . . complete with names.

The Tribes have faced the world multiple times, including at Norfolk’s Slover Library, Norfolk Academy, Old Dominion University, and of course, the Cardo at the Sandler Family Campus.

Chris Sisler, Vice President, Member of Ohef Sholom Temple, Board member of the Berger-Goldrich Home at Beth Sholom Village, James E. Altmeyer, Jr., President, James E. Altmeyer, Sr., Owner

Terri Denison

Lorraine Fink with some of her The Tribes.

The central address of the Jewish community: A conversation with Harry Graber

Terri Denison

As United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s executive vice president/CEO, Harry Graber was involved with the development of the Sandler Family Campus, as well as with its various changes.

Jewish News: What was your role with the building/move-in for the Campus?

Harry Graber: I became United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s chief executive officer at the onset of the planning, fundraising, and construction of the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus. I had the honor to serve as the primary staff person assigned to the Sandler Family Campus Committee and worked collaboratively with Philip Rovner, then CEO of Tidewater Jewish Foundation and Commander Harold (Hal)

decision led by Steve and Art Sandler and seconded by Bobby Copeland and Bob Josephberg to reject the bank’s offer of arbitrage and fluid interest rates related to the terms of our loan. This decision proved to be correct and saved our community hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Bobby Copeland, Hal Sacks, Philip Rovner and I met almost on a weekly basis for almost 12-18 months to review our fundraising strategies and assignments. The group considered individual, family, corporate, and foundation fundraising and we were incredibly successful in all the aforementioned areas.

Sacks, Sandler Family Campus fundraising consultant.

The committee was co-chaired by Bobby Copeland and Bob Josephberg and had such notable members as Paul Turok, the architect who designed the Campus, Gene Ross, who led the financial analytics team, and Marvin Simon, honorary chairman, who worked tirelessly to put together the original land acquisition(s) for the establishment of the Campus.

The committee was incredible and worked in complete conjunction with UJFT’s board of directors, chaired by Toni Sandler and later, Ron Kramer. It was all very remarkable and many intricate challenges potentially costing the community tens of thousands of dollars were handled by seasoned leaders who welcomed the responsibility. I remember that the contract of the national fundraising consultant was terminated, and the produced plan was cast aside. The committee thought that our community was being underestimated and decided to hire Hal Sacks to coordinate the professional and lay fundraising results. The result was a determined fundraising effort by those who knew our community best, and which exceeded the consultant’s projected total by about $12-15 million.

Another example of collaboration between the UJFT board and Sandler Family Campus committee was a

JN: Please describe the excitement about moving into a new facility.

HG: The excitement was amazing as it was the culmination of years of discussion, investigation, planning, and fundraising on the part of so many leaders in our community. Everybody felt that it was a monumental effort to make sure that we took the necessary courageous steps to serve our changing community in the best possible manner. Each agency had tremendous input in creating what became an idealized but yet realized space for themselves.

JN: What about the challenges?

HG: The challenges were many but manageable because of the outstanding lay and professional talent that existed at the resident agencies. It is often very hard for organizations to give up what was comfortable, welcome change, and learn to live and solve problems together. However, the commitment was omnipresent to make the Campus the best possible communal home imaginable. The physical plant was beautiful, and all were awed by what was created. A governing body and UJFT subsidiary organization were created to manage the Campus. Walter Camp was the hired professional and Alan Frieden was the chairperson. Their collective efforts and dedication were matched by the participating agencies in reaching to make every problem solvable and every vision a reality.

JN: Once in, what were the growing pains?

HG: There were the usual growing pains of moving

into a newly built home and work orders were submitted and acted upon. The major adjustments involved building up the Simon Family JCC membership and making sure that the Strelitz Pre-School and Konikoff Center for Learning achieved a net gain of students in the first years after the move. Lastly, we had to make sure that those Norfolk Jewish residents who may have felt abandoned by the move to the new Sandler Family Campus were the beneficiaries of an enhanced outreach and welcoming process.

JN: The Campus has a lot of art. Were you involved in any of its purchase and placement?

HG: The art of the Sandler Family Campus owes its existence to a selection committee chaired by Sheila Josephberg and Andrew Fink who were responsible for the acquisition of most of the art that hangs in the Cardo. Some years after the opening of the Campus, the committee dissolved and a large role in selecting art fell to me. I worked very closely with UJFT’s Holocaust Commission to establish the Holocaust Memorial Garden and then with Nolan Fine to secure the works of Holocaust survivor, Samuel Bak. Local artists like Arlene Kesser, Telsa Leon, and Lorraine Fink were approached and agreed to hang their work on the walls of the Campus. Ohef Sholom Temple contributed some beautiful pieces for our Kramer Board Room. I love art and enjoyed securing works for the Campus which ranged from representational to abstract pieces, but they were always either Jewish themed or by Jewish artists.

JN: Twenty years on, do you feel the mission was accomplished?

HG: It was definitely accomplished, and after 20 years the Campus, because of the hard work of Walter Camp and his long-term successor, Glenn Saucier, looks more beautiful than ever. The initial successful fundraising efforts allowed us to establish a fiscal reserve that has met the repair and replacement needs over time. I can also clearly see and understand from many that Betty Ann Levin, current UJFT executive vice president and CEO is doing a wonderful job in making sure that the operations and funding of resident agencies are well managed and provided.

I believe that the overwhelming majority consider the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus the central address of the Jewish community. I firmly believe that our community beams with pride with all that has been accomplished with and on the Campus.

Harry Graber in the Cardo.

Celebrating 20 years: Sandler Family Campus and TJF's legacy

This year, the Sandler Family Campus celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades as a cornerstone for Tidewater’s Jewish community. Tidewater Jewish Foundation has been a partner from the outset, playing a critical role in the campus’s development and fostering a spirit of unity and collaboration among various Jewish organizations.

The vision for the Sandler Family Campus was to create a space where local Jewish organizations could be housed under one roof, establishing a central point for the region’s Jewish community, which was migrating from Norfolk to Virginia Beach. This strategic consolidation has strengthened the Jewish community and ensured a more efficient and cohesive approach to serving its needs.

to strategically rethink what we were doing and where we wanted to go,”

remarks Philip Rovner, past CEO of TJF.

“Tidewater Jewish Foundation became the endowment arm of the entire community, focusing our fundraising on the interests of the donors without bias, raising money for everybody. This strategic approach not only strengthened our financial foundation but also aligned with our commitment to serve the Tidewater and global community.”

In its current location, the campus is perfectly positioned to be accessible and convenient, enhancing the delivery of services and community engagement.

Betty Ann Levin, executive vice president/ CEO of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, speaks to the partnership with TJF: “Our collaboration with the Tidewater Jewish Foundation has been elevated by our work together on the Sandler Family Campus over the last 20 years. It is a wonderful partnership as we have a common goal of building and sustaining Jewish life today while securing the future of the

Without a team, you can’t play together and succeed. The campus should be congratulated for forging ahead and making us a stronger Jewish community.

Over the years, TJF’s leadership in this initiative has seen the campus grow into a vibrant community center that acts as a refuge and a place to celebrate Jewish heritage.

“The Sandler Campus really gave our Jewish community an opportunity

with other organizations. This collaborative approach contributes to a more cohesive and supportive community environment centered at the Sandler Family campus.

responsively,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO.

Tidewater Jewish community for future generations.”

TJF not only supports lasting financial resources through endowment building with UJFT and the community’s agency system; it also supports congregations and forms partnerships

Charlie Nusbaum, TJF board chair, says, “Together, everyone achieves more! TEAM—This is the vision I have seen for the campus, where all of the local Jewish organizations are housed, and it is the central point for all Judaism in Hampton Roads. Without a team, you can’t play together and succeed. The campus should be congratulated for forging ahead and making us a stronger Jewish community.”

“The Sandler Family Campus embodies our shared commitment to preserve and enrich Jewish life. Our proximity enhances our ability to serve the community effectively and

TJF was instrumental in encouraging the concept of legacy as a meaningful exercise in philanthropy, creating endowments that could be used at a ratable amount, ensuring a sustainable future. This approach isn’t just about funding; it is about building a legacy that indefinitely supports the community’s needs, reinforcing the importance of both immediate impact and long-term sustainability.

As a partner on the Sandler Family Campus, TJF looks forward to the future, building upon the foundation laid over the past 20 years, which is a testament to the power of community and shared goals.

Hal Sacks and Philip Rovner

Charlie Nusbaum

Naomi Limor Sedek

Mazel Tov to our entire community on the 20th Anniversary of the Sandler Family Campus! from your friends at Beth Sholom Village

Merging and moving two schools on the Campus

Alene Jo Kaufman

I can’t believe that it has been 20 years since we moved into the Sandler Family Campus!

The opening day of school is kind of blurry, but the memories of the events that occurred before moving day are still crisp.

It was my honor to be selected to be the director of the Strelitz Early Childhood Center (Gan Ami) and to work along with my professional peer and friend, Beth Kinnear, who was the Beginnings program director.

Building and design discussions took place with Paul Turok and Andrew Fink – talks that resulted in storage areas, indoor activity rooms for physical education and JCC supplementary classes, and our unique cooking center where students could combine “subjects” like math, science, and Jewish holiday foods. I met with the marketing team to help firm-up the preschool division names, logo designs, and Pantone colors, followed by helping to write copy for a full-color brochure that included mission, philosophy, and program descriptions. Beth and I had the fun responsibilities of meeting with professional playground designers – I worked on the designs and equipment for the outdoor playground while she worked on the indoor playroom near the fitness center.

Once everything was designed and planned, we inventoried our current supplies and equipment and decided what to take to the new building and to which classroom it would be assigned. We packed, labeled, and numbered boxes ad nauseum, certainly a bit nervous that everything would end up where it was supposed to be. Not sure why we worried – Walter Camp had everything under control!

“CLEAN SMARTER, NOT HARDER !”

serve our students and plan for the future. Beth said on many occasions that in estimating future enrollment, “we were making plans for students who haven’t been born yet,” and she was right! We needed to create an entity that encouraged parents from both programs to enroll their children in a new environment. As enrollment opened, we met with parents in small groups in private homes

to create an intimate and caring atmosphere and share our vision. We interviewed current faculty and created teaching teams. Trying to keep friend groups together while integrating students from both schools in each classroom was a challenge. We must have done something right because we opened with 125 preschoolers, ages 2 to 4. Beth quickly started planning classes and programs for children ages 0 to 2 and their parents. I started to learn all the ins and outs of taking 3- and 4-year-olds swimming and how long a day care day really is!

There were challenges and concerns. Things were different and even adults are resistant to change. Over time, we settled into our new lives. Teaching teams coalesced, students made new friends, parents bonded and created an active preschool parents’ program. Traditions morphed into newer traditions. Everyone gradually learned to “play in the same sandbox.”

These were the building pieces, but the intellectual and emotional pieces were the harder part. Beth had built the Shalom Children’s Center, a successful preschool/day care program at the JCC in Norfolk. I had developed a preschool and extended day program at the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater in Virginia Beach. Now we were being charged with creating a single program to

I still spend a lot of time at the Sandler Family Campus and marvel at how fluid this building is. The school cafeteria is now a place for JCC vacation camps. The old senior room now holds cribs for a full infant program. The indoor playground became, for a time, childcare for parents in the fitness center. The preschool offices have been moved and toddler classrooms and an art room have taken their place. Classrooms became JFS offices and are now classrooms again. But, as our first class of two-year-old students prepare to graduate from college, I am sure of one thing – the sounds of happy, creative, inquisitive, loved, children fill these spaces. After 20 years, that hasn’t changed.

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Paul Turok gives a hard hat tour to teachers.

Adam and Sam Zelenka on the first day of school at the campus.

S

A N D L E R F A M I L Y C A M P U S P R O U D T O B E A P A R T O F I T A L L

K L E B A N O F F L o o k i n g G o o d a t T w e n t y Y e a r s !

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J O D I + J A Y

NEXT YEAR in JERUSALEM!

Eitan Altshuler

It’s almost here! The Humusiya’s digital catering menu will be online through the website (www. humusiya.com) shortly after Israel Fest.

With photographs and detailed descriptions, customers will be able to put in a catering order with just a few clicks. With discounts of 10-15% on larger orders, it will also be possible to put in orders for just hummus or baba ganoush to compliment a Shabbat meal (minimum servings of 10).

Pick up will be at the Sandler Family Campus, where the Humusiya is located. Transportation could also be arranged for a fee.

For those who need something outside the scope of the menu or for an event that is large, email thehumusiya@gmail.com to discuss options.

Beyond the new catering menu, additional exciting new operations for The Humusiya are taking place, such as possibly having food available for weekends at the pool and much more, so stay tuned!

At work, I often walk by a sculpture in front of the Campus with a chasidic saying engraved, “Forgetfulness leads to exile while remembrance is the secret to redemption.” It is my hope that this food will help the community identify with its Middle Eastern roots as well as show the wider public that we are not strangers to the area.

Just a few weeks ago at seder we opened our doors and said, “next year in Jerusalem.” Although aliyah applications from North America have increased by nearly 50% from the annual average since 2020, I don’t think a complete return to Israel for the community is going to happen this year. But, how about a spiritual aliyah? Getting in closer touch with the culture of Israel is a start. So, if you won’t go to Israel this year, I will bring Israel to you.

Stay tuned for the final announcement and consider The Humusiya for your next event or meeting. With your support, I am looking forward to doing great things to boost Jewish life in the area. Am Yisrael Chai!

We were there at the beginning and are happy to celebrate

campus 20 years later. Wilks, Alper, Harwood & McIntyre, P.C.

Camping with purpose CAMP Summer Enrichment Camps

Jewish summer camps provide safe and welcoming environments for cultural education and communal bonding for young people. These programs help ensure that Jewish traditions and values are learned, celebrated, and embraced.

Tidewater Jewish Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that foster Jewish identity among the youth, such as the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Through a partnership with the foundation, TJF offers incentive grants for the One Happy Camper program. This program includes a one-time needsblind grant of up to $1,000, helping to make it possible for families to afford residential Jewish summer camps.

Amie and Byron Harrell’s two sons, Archer and Brayden, participated in the program last year when both attended Camp Sababa and experienced overnight residential camp for the first time. . .’sleeping away’ in Virginia Beach.

camp experience. On the other hand, Archer decided to explore new horizons at Camp Airy in Maryland alongside friends from his Religious School class at Ohef Sholom Temple.

For Harrell, separating from her children during camp sessions was challenging, marked by anxious waits for updates. “As a mom of boys going away to camp for the first time, it was a challenge being at the mercy of their communication,” she says, recalling how she constantly refreshed her computer, hoping for pictures or messages. Despite this, she observed significant growth in her sons upon their return. They were more resilient and open-minded and had a deeper connection to their Jewish roots.

“Both were hesitant to go away, so we felt like that was a great entryway into sleep away,” says Amie Harrell. Despite their reservations, the camp proved to be a transformative experience, so much so that they both chose to return for longer stays this coming summer.

Brayden found a deep connection at Camp Sababa and opted to return for a three-week stint. “He’s the older one. He made some great friends and wants to ensure he stays in touch with them this summer,” says Harrell, highlighting the community aspect of the

Help your child improve skills and build confidence!

On-Campus Group & Virtual Individual Options

Intensive Reading, Summer Learning, & Academic Therapy

Half & Full Day Offerings

Grades 1 – 8

online: www.cba-va.org/summer

Given the transformative experiences of her sons, Harrell says she strongly believes in the value of these camps, especially in challenging times when antisemitism is on the rise. “Being with Jewish friends and making those connections is so vital to the development, growth, social, and emotional wellness of our children,” she says.

For Jewish families, it’s important that these camps are not just fun experiences, but also provide a nurturing environment for their children’s development.

TJF is now accepting applications for incentive grants to Jewish summer camp. Apply at https://foundation.jewishva.org/ one-happy-camper

TJF staff

Camp Art Stars

SPORTS Jewish tennis star Diego Schwartzman announces retirement

Juan Melamed (JTA) — Jewish tennis player Diego Schwartzman announced Sunday, May 5 that he will retire from professional tennis after his hometown Argentina Open in February 2025.

The 31-year-old Argentine star, who currently sits at No. 142 in the Association of Tennis Professionals men’s rankings, shared the news on Instagram, calling it a “very difficult decision.”

“Every corner of the court, every second training, every point competing, every moment I was immensely happy,” Schwartzman wrote in Spanish. “I lived it with such intensity that today it is difficult for me to maintain. All those beautiful moments have become something that today carries weight and it is difficult for

here,” Schwartzman told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency at the event. “I’m very grateful to be here at the naming of the central court. It’s very special, I’m trying to enjoy the moment.”

In 2022, Schwartzman visited Israel for the first time to compete in the Tel Aviv Open, which marked the tournament’s return to Tel Aviv after a 26-year hiatus. Schwartzman lost in the second round, but expressed interest in returning to Israel in the future.

“I will come back here for sure at some point in my life, on holidays or to play matches, I don’t know,” he said.

Schwartzman has also written about his family’s Holocaust history. His maternal great-grandfather, who was from Poland, escaped a train on its way to a

Providing Care to Children and Adults for Over 60 years

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Jenny’s journey: 2024 Stein Family Scholarship winner

TJF staff

Resilience and determination. These two words are perfectly fitting for Evgeniia (Jenny) Kosatykh, the 2024 recipient of the Stein Family Scholarship. Kosatykh’s remarkable journey from war-torn Ukraine to the halls of Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach is an inspiring story of survival, adaptation, and the pursuit of dreams.

Arriving in the United States just nine months ago, Kosatykh sought safety and stability away from the conflict in Ukraine, joining her older sister in Virginia Beach. Adjusting to life in America presented significant hurdles, particularly the language barrier. Initially hesitant to speak and afraid of making mistakes, Kosatykh soon found her voice.

academic standards, mirroring her success as a valedictorian in Ukraine. Her passion for science and health steered her toward a pre-med track at Old Dominion University, with a focus on dermatology. “I’ve always been fascinated by skin care and diseases,” Kosatykh explains.

“The hardest part was the language, but now I love talking to people,” she says with a laugh. Her growing fluency in English and newfound confidence reflect her ability to overcome challenges and integrate into her new community.

Despite these challenges, Kosatykh maintained high

In her application for the Stein Family Scholarship, Kosatykh reflected on her experiences during the war in Ukraine:

“Since 2014, I have experienced hardships of war... I took constant curfews and lockdowns as an opportunity to study and work hard toward my goal of becoming a doctor.” She also assisted Jewish victims of the war, highlighting her commitment to helping others even as she dealt with personal challenges. “In a surprising way, I am grateful for being a child of war; it gave me the strength and motivation to pursue things in life I wouldn’t dare pursue otherwise,” she wrote.

Kosatykh’s resilience and inspiration to pursue a medical career is inherited from her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor and long-time hospital administrator in Ukraine

(now retired). “My grandmother always said that knowledge is power. Her perseverance through adversity encouraged me to keep going, no matter the challenges.”

Kosatyh says she is grateful for the support she’s received from Tidewater’s Jewish community, highlighting the significant impact of the Stein Family Scholarship. This support has helped alleviate financial burdens and opened doors to opportunities.

As she prepares for college, Kosatykh’s outlook on the future is promising: “I don’t know what the future holds. I do hope it is only because it has not been created yet, and the best way to predict it is to invent it. It is our jobs as human beings to spread love and kindness by being there for each other and promoting peace not war.”

This year’s awardee of the Stein Family Scholarship will receive up to $20,000* per year, renewable for four years for a total of $80,000, contingent on maintaining a 3.0 GPA and good standing at the university. For more information, visit https:// foundation.jewishva.org

*This is the last year of this award amount.

Feldman Family Medical Scholarship Now Open!

Join the legacy of Dr. William and Mrs. Mary Feldman by pursuing your dreams in healthcare. Offered through the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, the Feldman Family Medical and Health Professions Student Scholarship offers up to $10,000 to Virginia-based Jewish students entering an Appropriate Health Care Degree Program.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 1, 2024

This is YOUR chance for financial aid and community recognition. Seize this golden opportunity at foundation.jewishva.org!

WHAT’S HAPPENING

The information provided goes directly to the Secure Community Network (SCN) Duty Desk, Mike Goldsmith, Tidewater’s Regional Security Director, and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (JCRC) Director. The use of the form ensures a coordinated, best-practice approach to incident reporting and follow-up.

We can’t push back against antisemitism and hate if we don’t know about it!

Michael Goldsmith, mgoldsmith@securecommunitynetwork.com

at Cypress Point Golf Course in Virginia Beach. Registration begins at donor to attend the reception, go to ohefsholom.org or call 757-625-4295.

PRESENTED BY AVRAHAM AND KAREN ASHKENAZI

Israeli Chef’s Table Experience

MAY 16 | 7PM

Experience an unforgettable evening with Israeli Chef, Yaniv Cohen, author of My Spiced Kitchen and featured on the Netflix series, Best Leftovers Ever. Don’t miss your chance to meet Chef Yaniv Cohen in this exclusive experience. Get your tickets today!

$54 Dinner Experience $72 Dinner Experience PLUS signed copy of Chef Yaniv Cohen’s

Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Gathering

MAY 19 | 12-3PM

Come together as a community in honor of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, for an afternoon of food, art, music, and all-things-Israel! Show your support for Israel through special mitzvah projects that all ages can participate in.

Save money and wait time – purchase your food online by May 11 at a discount. Prepurchases for food and camel rides can be made on the event registration page.

Participants of Jewish Family Service of Tidwater’s Run, Roll, Stroll will enjoy exclusive early admission to this event at 11:30 AM

Leon Family Gallery

HALL OF REMEMBRANCE

The Hall of Remembrance will feature the names of over 1500 Israelis who have lost their lives on or since October 7 at the hands of terrorists interspersed with art created by various Israeli artists articulating emotions so many are experiencing.

Efrat Levy

HUMANS OF OCTOBER 7

EREZ KAGANOVITZ

Former Israel Today guest and artist behind Humans of Tel Aviv, Erez Kaganovitz, brings us a new exhibition that highlights the stories of the remarkable people who stood up to terrorism during Hamas’s attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023.

Haim Jelin, Survivor Kibbutz Be’eri

My Spiced Kitchen

IT’S A WRAP

Hearts travel from Hawaii to Virginia to Israel

Stephanie Peck

In February, Jewish News featured a story about Aloha Hearts, fused glass ‘worry hearts’ created by Hawaiian Barry Gitelson. These glass hearts have since been distributed to Israeli children in Sderot as part of Youth Futures, a program that assists at-risk children and their families.

others took place in group settings with several children participating together.

Given the challenging circumstances, many of the children brought up difficulties they face in their daily lives. During group sessions, the children were provided with a safe space to share their feelings and express emotions triggered by various situations like alarms or certain noises.

“We used the glass hearts in our initial activities following the children’s return to Sderot (after being evacuated from their homes for about four months) to help them process their feelings and concerns surrounding their return,” says Maytal Benbenishti, donor relations and visits coordinator of Youth Futures.

Part of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Youth Futures is a mentorship program aimed at empowering children and teens in Israel. Since Oct. 7, the need for their services has grown, with more than 14,000 direct beneficiaries (children and their parents).

Throughout the activities, children engaged in calming actions such as guided breathing to relax their bodies and minds.

“Each child received a heart-shaped stone, which serves as a tool to help them manage daily challenges. We explained how to use the stone effectively, and the children have begun to integrate it into their routines,” Benbenishti says.

Ohef Sholom Temple hosts an interactive Passover experience

Alyson Morrissey

When thinking of Passover, the word ‘order’ typically comes to mind — which, of course, is the meaning of seder.

Last month, however, Ohef Sholom turned the ‘order’ of Passover on its head with a fun, interactive Passover experience.

On Sunday, April 21, Ohef Sholom Temple Religious School hosted “A Taste of OST Religious School, a Community Passover Celebration” to demonstrate just how special and fun its religious school is. The temple didn’t just put on a Seder, but it created an experience for everyone to share in and learn the Passover story.

to “enough!”

Following the activities in Simon Hall, families entered Kaufman Hall for a model Seder led by Rabbi Roz and Cantor Jen Rueben. To keep everyone engaged and create a feeling of inclusivity, tables took turns reading different parts of the Haggadah.

One of the favorite parts of the Seder was when anyone who was interested was invited to come forward and chant the four questions with Cantor Jen and Rabbi Roz. Another special touch: each table had macaroons made by Ohef Sholom’s Religious School’s cooking class.

The sessions with the Sderot children, according to Benbensihti, focused on addressing stress, fear, and anxiety by practicing breathing exercises and guided imagery. Some activities were done individually during one-on-one meetings, while

One girl shared a touching experience: “I used to be afraid to go out alone to throw out the garbage. After receiving the stone, I held it in my hand and felt accompanied, which gave me the courage to go outside.”

“We are deeply grateful for the donation of these glass hearts, as they provide Youth Futures with a valuable resource for supporting the children’s emotional well-being,” says Benbenishti.

As families arrived, they received their roadmap for the day — a color-coded card that told them the order to experience the different stations, each with a Passover-related activity. Families made magnets with matzah, decorated matzah covers, assembled and decorated their own timbrels with bells and ribbons (in honor of Miriam), identified Passover items through a game, and created a clock to keep track of the order of the Seder.

Simon Hall buzzed with excitement as families moved from one table to the next. When it was time to rotate, while playing her guitar, Cantor Jen led everyone in song, singing Dayenu! — which translates

And no Seder is complete without looking for the Afikoman. Afikoman bags were hidden under seats and the winners took home prizes. On the way out, OST’s Eco Judaism committee shared its bounty from the garden, giving away horseradish, parsley, and onions.

Always striving to find new ways to engage the community and build excitement around traditions while creating joy-filled memories for its students and their families, this year’s Passover experience was no exception for the congregation.

Ohef Sholom is grateful for the support of Tidewater Jewish Foundation, who helped make this event possible.

Rabbi Roz Mandelberg and Cantor Jen Rueben.

Children in Sderot with the hearts.

Barry Gitelson's glass worry hearts.

IT’S A WRAP

Birthday celebrations for JCC Seniors at the Sandler Family Campus

In the heart of the Sandler Family Campus, the Joe Fleischmann Lounge at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center becomes a hub of joy and celebration every first Friday of the month at 12:30 pm. This lively celebration is a special initiative of the JCC Seniors Club and is generously sponsored by The Talbot on Granby. The seniors’ birthday celebration is a cherished tradition that brings together the JCC active adults for an afternoon of cake, coffee, tea, camaraderie, laughter, and shared memories.

The JCC Seniors Club takes pride in organizing these monthly birthdays, ensuring each is unique and tailored to make everyone feel special and celebrated. Mia Klein works to create an inclusive environment where everyone, from 55 to 105, can come together and celebrate life.

A crucial partner in this endeavor is The Talbot on Granby, a five-star senior living community committed to promoting a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle for its residents. Their sponsorship provides financial support and fosters a strong sense of community engagement. Lisa Byard, director of sales and marketing at The Talbot, participates in the celebrations, further enhancing the JCC’s partnerships and senior connections.

The Simon Family JCC and The Talbot on Granby have created a community involvement and collaboration model beyond traditional boundaries. Nestled in the bright and welcoming space of the Joe Fleischmann Lounge where JCC seniors gather, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company, they have created a positive impact on the well-being of the over-50 community in Hampton Roads.

The JCC Senior’s Birthday Celebrations serve as a reminder that age is but a number and the journey of life is best enjoyed with the company of friends and the warmth of shared celebrations.

Community Seder in Virginia Beach

Jewish Virginia Beach celebrated its third annual Passover Seder at 757 Events with more than120 participants. Led by Rabbi Meir Lessoff, the prevailing sentiment of the evening was one of unity and resilience, affirming 'Am Israel Chai' – the Jewish people will thrive and overcome adversity.

Rose Frances Glasser was a living legacy, and the next generations are following her lead. With a profound understanding of their critical role in sustaining Jewish life, the Glasser Family’s commitment has only deepened since October 7th and the ongoing attacks on Israel and the Jewish community.

Recognizing the need for continued vigilance, the Glasser family supports initiatives that connect younger generations with Jewish culture. Through the Rose Frances and Bernard Glasser* Philanthropic Fund, multiple generations of Glassers participate in a lasting legacy that invests in the local Jewish community and Jewish identity building endeavors.

Start building YOUR legacy today to ensure future generations have the opportunity to embrace our shared heritage and your cherished values.

foundation.jewishva.org

foundation@tjfva.org

757-965-6111

Robin Ford

Photography: Dmitry Gotkis

IT’S A WRAP

Jewish Family Service Volunteer Appreciation event honors Ron Kaufmann and Jody Laibstain

Kelly Burroughs

Volunteers are heavily relied on to help with the continued success of Jewish Family Service of Tidewater’s programs. The community of volunteers makes an incredible impact on the lives of the people served by the organization, with thousands of volunteer hours logged each year.

Volunteers deliver meals to elderly homebound people, help operate the

food pantry that serves more than 400 people each month, make beautifully knitted items and quilts, and provide administrative support, among many other efforts that help the agency provide support to thousands of people each year.

JFS hosted a Volunteer Appreciation event on Wednesday, April 17 to thank these devoted volunteers. A catered lunch was provided by Larry

Adler, and musical entertainment by guitarist and singer Bernie Mayer added to the festivities. Rabbi Meir Lessoff from Jewish Virginia Beach opened the meeting with an invocation, and Ron Kaufmann said the motzi.

Named the 2023-2024 Max Jalpha Volunteer of the Year, Ron Kaufmann is a volunteer for JFS’ home delivered meals program.

COMMEMORATING ISRAEL @ 76 Presented by Avraham and Karen Ashkenazi Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Gathering

MAY 19 | 12-3PM

Come together as a community in honor of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, for an afternoon of food, art, music, and all-thingsIsrael! Show your support for Israel through special mitzvah projects that all ages can participate in.

Save money and wait time – purchase your food online by May 11 at a discount. Pre-purchases for food and camel rides can be made on the event registration page.

Participants of Jewish Family Service of Tidewater’s Run, Roll, Stroll will enjoy exclusive early admission to this event at 11:30 AM.

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER, VISIT JEWISHVA.ORG/YH

“Our team of Home Delivered Meals drivers work every week without exception. It is your smile that our clients look forward to,” said Jody Laibstain, JFS volunteer coordinator. Laibstain expressed her appreciation for Kaufmann’s dedication by saying: “Ron is always adaptable to adjust his route to drive to Norfolk or Chesapeake, and to help out wherever needed with my ever-changing schedule. He has adjusted his travel plans many times, so he is available on Thursday mornings. It is with warm appreciation that we thank Ron for his dedication and commitment.”

After 11 years of dedicated service to

the agency, Jody Laibstain celebrated her retirement from JFS at the event. Betty Ann Levin, executive vice president /CEO of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, who was the executive director for JFS at the time of Laibstain’s hire, and Debbie Mayer, who is clinical director at JFS, both spoke of their excitement when she accepted the position as the volunteer coordinator. Mayer recalled being on vacation when Levin called to tell her the good news. “I knew you wouldn’t mind being interrupted on your vacation for such wonderful news!” said Levin. And she was right. “I was thrilled!” said Mayer, who supervised Laibstain during most of her time with JFS.

“JFS has not just been a job for me,” said Laibstain. “It has been a part of me for the past 11 years. How wonderful it’s been to come to work and feel that I can make a difference in someone’s life.” And she truly has. Mazel Tov, Jody! Best of luck in retirement!

Kelly Burroughs is chief executive officer, Jewish Family Service of Tidewater. She may be reached at kburroughs@jfshamptonroads.org

Ron Kaufmann with his award.

David and Jody Laibstain with Ron Kaufmann (Center) surrounded by Jewish Family Service volunteers.

Alene Jo Kaufmann, Jody Laibstain, and Ron Kaufmann.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Jewish Family Service’s 20th Annual Run, Roll or Stroll

Sunday, May 19, 10 am

Sandler Family Campus

Blue and White Color Run

Jewish Family Service staff

Jewish Family Service of Tidewater will hold its 20th Annual Run, Roll, or Stroll at a new location: on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community. In past years, JFS has held events on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and at Norfolk Botanical Garden. The move comes from the desire to hold the event in conjunction with Yom Ha’Atzmaut.

“Given the events in world,” says Kelly Burroughs, CEO for JFS, “we felt that having the race here on Campus made the most sense as a coordinated Jewish community.”

The “race” this year will not be a timed one mile or 5K event. Instead, JFS will host a Blue and White Color Run. As runners pass through the course, there will be “color stations” in which runners will be doused with blue and white powdered chalk. By the time the event is over, the participants will be covered—the more laps are taken, the more colorful the runners/walkers will be! The chalk is non-toxic, child safe, and gluten free.

Run, Roll or Stroll,” says Brooke Rush, director of development for JFS. “We wanted to make it fun and unique!”

In addition to the color run, JFS encour ages participants and spectators to enjoy face painting, balloon animals, to paint a rock for the Healing Garden, and other family activities. For the adults, JFS is partnering with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater to sell Bloody Marys with ingredients from An Israeli Chef’s Table Experience’s Chef Yaniv Cohen. Mixes will also be available for sale. Proceeds go to support the programs at JFS. This is the only major fundraising event for Jewish Family Service, and all sponsorship donations and race registrations go to support the programs at JFS.

JFS encourages everyone to come for the run and stay for the fun! Following the color run, participants get early access to the events for Yom Ha’Atzmaut—and can be first in line for camel rides, the petting zoo, food from the Humusiya, and more.

“This is our 20th Anniversary of the

For more information on JFS programs, or how to volunteer or donate, visit JFSHamptonroads.org

Go to JewishNewsVa.org/subscribe and register to get the paper emailed to you on the Friday prior to the publication.

VIRGINIA BEACH: HILLTOP EAST NORFOLK: THE PALACE SHOPS

WHAT’S HAPPENING

A conversation with Chef Yaniv Cohen

An Israeli Chef’s Table Experience

Thursday, May 16, 7 pm

Sandler Family Campus

Nofar Trem

Israeli Chef Yaniv Cohen will visit Tidewater in honor of Israel’s 76th anniversary this week.

In this conversation, Cohen offers insight into his world of cuisine, passion, and family.

For United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Israeli Chef’s Table Experience, Chef Cohen will prepare an exclusive dinner menu and share details of his life, his cookbook My Spiced Kitchen, and the many benefits of the beautiful spices that come from the Middle East.

To purchase dinner tickets and an optional signed cookbook, go to JewishVA.org/YH. For more information, contact Nofar Trem at ntrem@ujft.org

Jewish News: What got you into cooking?

Chef Yaniv Cohen: As the oldest of five boys, I was in charge of helping my mom in the kitchen. Growing up in a Sephardic family, with North African and Middle Eastern roots, food was and still is a passion, and a way of life. While helping her cook for the whole family, I fell in love with food and spices at a very young age – drawn to the aromas, colors, and flavors we created together. Every holiday has its unique set of incredible dishes. There was not a single dish that our family and friends served that was not beautifully spiced.

JN: What ingredient has inspired you the most?

YC: Turmeric for all its flavors, color, versatility, and

JN: What was the motive to bring Israeli cuisine to Miami?

YC: I always wanted to share my Israeli cuisine with the world. I knew it was going to happen and sure enough, I was offered a spot in the first-ever Miami food hall in the beautiful Design District. I pretty much said yes immediately.

I love that people come from all over the world to try my green falafel rice bowl or sabich sandwich. Makes me proud and happy.

JN: When you are at home cooking for yourself and your family, what is your favorite thing to cook?

YC: Jewish Yemenite soup. Beautiful spices, rich flavors, warming sensation, a true Jewish soul food.

JN: What American dishes do you like the most?

YC: A real burger. Fried short rib mixed with ground brisket, simply seasoned, perfectly grilled on a brioche bun with garlic aioli, Dijon mustard, lettuce, pickle, tomatoes, and hand-cut fries.

JN: Do you have a favorite person to cook with?

YC: My daughter Rachel. We inspire each other every time. I love to see her cook and enjoy it.

JN: What is the most important kitchen appliance?

YC: A good, well-balanced, and sharp chef's knife.

JN: How did you know you found your niche professionally?

YC: It’s all about feedback. When I started getting messages about how I was able to change people’s lives through the use of Middle Eastern spices and herbs, I knew I was doing something right. As I continued to delve into the world of culinary herbs and spices and furthered my developing knowledge, I became obsessed with the health benefits and nutrient properties of herbs and spices. My goal as “The Spice Detective” is to share all that I have learned and help people incorporate these spices into everyday dishes and drinks.

JN: What was it about your journey with spices that made you surround your cookbook around them?

YC: It was more of a need from the public that both the publisher and I found to be compelling. Many people needed more info about spices and a chef to guide and help them understand how to cook and use them. So, the decision was a no-brainer. It took 18 months of love and we made it happen.

medicinal benefits

Chef Yaniv Cohen

WHAT’S HAPPENING

UJFT LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Elana McGovern

With an eye on the future, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is launching a new jobs project for youth and young adults.

Plenty of articles in The Virginian-Pilot and stories on local broadcast news shows have focused on population changes and a shifting job market in Tidewater. Parents shake their heads as they watch adult children graduate from colleges and universities only to leave the area to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

and to cultivate future leaders and supporters.

Jewish Tidewater’s leaders recognize the need to support young Jewish people and to help provide job opportunities whenever possible to keep kids close, to strengthen the Jewish community,

UJFT’s Young Adult Division is spearheading the roll-out of a new internship program to help provide career prospects to local Jewish students, with a long-term goal of encouraging those students to seek and find jobs after graduation, here in Hampton Roads.

The internship program will serve as a tool to introduce young adults to local job positions so that Tidewater’s Jewish community can ultimately grow stronger—L'Dor V’dor.

This year’s roll-out will target rising high school seniors looking for two-week shadowing opportunities throughout the summer in various industries. The goal

is to broaden the program next summer to also include college students for longer internships.

Now in its infancy, UJFT is currently building a bank of job options. The Federation’s role will be to help match-up job seekers with job providers by acting as a clearinghouse for individuals seeking internships and businesses/practices offering them. Each business will review students’ resumes, interview candidates, and make hiring decisions. They will work directly with applicants to negotiate start and end dates, any compensation, and all other specifics.

UJFT is providing this service to help local students recognize the opportunities available to them right here at home.

Businesses that are interested in offering internships to young Jewish adults should visit Jewishva.org/intern to complete the online form about potential positions.

For more information, contact Elana McGovern, UJFT YAD director, at emcgovern@ujft.org or Linda Ausch, UJFT development director, at lausch@ujft.org

BEGINNING MAY 6, 2024

HUMANS OF OCTOBER 7, EREZ KAGANOVITZ

Former Israel Today guest and artist behind Humans of Tel Aviv, Erez Kaganovitz, brings us a new exhibition that highlights the stories of the remarkable people who stood up to terrorism during Hamas’s attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023.

HALL OF REMEMBRANCE

The Hall of Remembrance will feature the names of over 1500 Israelis who have lost their lives on or since October 7 at the hands of terroristsinterspersed with art created by various Israeli artists articulating emotions so many are experiencing.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Sacks Book Club discusses The Great Partnership

Next meeting: Sunday, June 16, 10 am, Temple Israel

Craig Schranz

The Rabbi Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club continued its journey of Jewish conversation by reviewing The Great Partnership in collaboration with Temple Israel and the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. The second in a planned six-book exploration, The Great Partnership explores the relationship between religion, science, and the search for meaning.

The book begins by explaining why so many view religion and science as incompatible. It then makes a forceful case for why religion matters and directly addresses major challenges to faith.

Contrasting accounts of the world are explored with one narrative describing a universe where random chance overwhelmed massive improbability, resulting in the spontaneous formation of life with ever-increasing complexity. There is no purpose or higher meaning; we simply exist in a brief instant of time along the continuum of infinity. Our actions and thoughts are no more than preprogrammed responses from our genetic code of no moral consequence.

into a left-brain language that made compatibility with scientific progress difficult to integrate. Sacks makes the case that Judaism in its original form complements scientific advancement without serious theological difficulties. Utilizing classic Jewish sources, he discusses how religious faith is not threatened but may even be strengthened by scientific advances that include the universe’s origins and evolutionary biology. Ultimately, “Science takes things apart to see how they work. Religion puts things together to see what they mean.”

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

Sunday, May 19

12 – 3 pm

Sandler Family Campus

An alternative offers a universe called into being from an entity outside it. Under the laws called nature that are understood as science, Homo sapiens became sentient and endowed with free will to make moral choices that have consequences that endow life with meaning. As Sacks says, “The meaning of the system lies outside the system. Therefore, the meaning of the universe lies outside the universe. That was the revolution of Abrahamic monotheism.”

Science and religion are independent realms that complement each other similarly to both sides of the brain. The left brain supports linear, analytical, and mechanical functions that allow information to be processed. The right brain is more integrative and is a source of empathy and emotion. Sacks argues that Judaism represents a right-brain spirituality transformed by the Greek world through Christianity

For some, science alone serves the function of religion. However, science has no space for empathy or to account for human dignity. There is no morality in nature. Moral choice requires understanding the concern of the “other.” Certainly, one does not have to be religious to be ethical. However, Sacks makes a persuasive argument about the risk to morality and relationships needed to sustain a vibrant society when devoid of a noncoercive religious framework. Just as there is bad science, there is bad religion, and Sacks discusses the pitfalls that religion must navigate to remain a force for good.

The search for meaning is made, not discovered, and it is found in the stories told, the prayers said, and the rituals performed. It isn’t necessary to choose between embracing science and pursuing faith.

The next meeting will be in partnership with host Temple Israel at 7255 Granby St in Norfolk. The group will discuss Not in God’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence. Participants are encouraged to read the book in advance, but attending without advance reading will still be worth the effort. Is there a better way to start Father’s Day than with some spirited discussion? Join and bring a friend!

For more information or to register, visit JewishVA.org/SacksBookClub or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@ujft.org

Yom Ha’ Atzmaut, commemorating Israel @76, is a day for people of all ages to come together to learn about Israeli people, art, music, food, and history.

Presented by Avraham and Karen Ashkenazi, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, and the Simon Family JCC, at Yom Ha’ Atzmaut, the community is invited to experience some of the exciting tastes, attractions, sites, and featured guests from Israel that make the small land the country she is today.

Myriad of children’s activities include kindness rock painting, a spice exploration, bracelet making, mosaic art, and an archeological dig. Also included is a special mitzvah day component led by UJFT’s Young Adult Division to encourage all ages to show support for Israel.

Participants in Jewish Family Service’s Run, Roll or Stroll enjoy exclusive early admission at 11:30 am.

Join the annual commemoration of Israel’s Independence Day. It has never been more important to stand with Israel and show support for the Jewish community.

Admission is free. Contact Hunter Thomas for more information at 757-965-6137 or hthomas@ujft.org

CALENDAR

MAY 15, WEDNESDAY

Jewish American Heritage Month Tour. Chrysler Museum of Art. 2 pm. Space is limited, RSVP required. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/JAHMtour or contact Hunter Thomas at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965-6137.

MAY 16, THURSDAY

An Israeli Chef’s Table Experience. Chef Yaniv Cohen, owner of JAFFA in Miami, author of the cookbook, My Spiced Kitchen, and founder of The Spice Detective blog, prepares and serves dinner that includes Israeli wine bar. 7 pm. Sandler Family Campus. $54/ person or $72/person with a signed copy of My Spiced Kitchen. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/IsraelToday or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org. See page 56

MAY 17-JUNE 2, FRIDAYS-SUNDAYS

Generic Theater presents Indecent Inspired by the true events surrounding the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s God of Vengeance, Indecent charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/Indecent or contact Hunter Thomas at HThomas@UJFT.org

MAY 19, SUNDAY

Yom Ha’Atzmaut in honor of Israel’s 76th Anniversary. An afternoon for all ages filled with all things Israel. Registrants of Jewish Family Service of Tidewater’s Run, Roll, or Stroll will enjoy exclusive early admission at 11:30 am. 12 – 3 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/IsraelToday or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org

MAY 22, WEDNESDAY

Ohef Sholom Temple Kiddush Cup, a golf tournament. Cypress Point Golf Course. 1 pm. Ohefsholom.org or 757-625-4295.

MAY 29, WEDNESDAY

Senior Health and Fitness Day. For everyone 55+, senior health and fitness vendors provide information booths, helpful testing, and activities. Sponsored by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC. 9 am – 12 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org or 757- 452-3184 for more information.

Honest Aging. An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life with Rosanne M. Leipzig. Pre-registration required. $8 non-member, $6 for ages 55+, and member admission (lunch included). Information and registration: JewishVA.org/HonestAging or contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org or 757-452-3184.

JUNE 2, SUNDAY

Summer Sunday Fun Day at the Pool. A fun-filled afternoon of music, swimming, and a sweet treat. Open to Simon Family JCC members, synagogue members, PJ Library families, SIA families, YAD members, and Camp JCC families. 1 - 4 pm. Free. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/PJLibrary or contact Sarah Cooper scooper@ujft.org

Brith Sholom board meeting features entertainment from Klezmer band Bagels and Fraylox. Board meeting at 10 am. General meeting at 11 am. Brunch follows. $10 in advance, $15 at the door for members; $15 for guests. Simon Family JCC. Information and registration: members@brithsholomva.org

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

Benjamin C. Altschul

HAMILTON, N.Y. – Benjamin C. Altschul, 89, passed away just days prior to his 90th birthday on May 6, 2024 at home in Hamilton, N.Y.

Born in Norfolk, he was the youngest child and only son of the late Ethel Kark and Sylvian Altschul.

Ben attended Norfolk Academy and graduated from Westminster School in Simsbury, Conn. He graduated from University of Virginia in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce. At UVA, in addition to being a proud member of Zeta Beta Tau, Ben was in the ROTC program. Upon graduation, Ben was commissioned in the Army as a 1st Lieutenant. He left the Reserves as a Captain.

For several years after his military service, Ben worked in New York City at Stern’s Department Store. It wasn’t long, however, before he returned to his beloved Norfolk to work with his father and Uncle Herbert Altschul in Altschul’s Department Store in Downtown Norfolk.

Ben later developed an interest in real

estate development and management, establishing Ben Altschul Realtor, which primarily focused on the area surrounding Old Dominion University. This became his career for more than 50 years. During this time, Ben was a member of the Norfolk Board of Realtors.

Ben’s childhood was spent around the water – both at his home in Norfolk and during summers in Virginia Beach. His great love of sailing and time spent on the Chesapeake Bay can be traced to those youthful years. Not to be ignored, the spring and fall months were when Ben spent time at his second love, the Blue Ridge Mountains, not far from his alma matter.

Ben was a life-time member of Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk where he served on the board of directors as chair of the house committee for many years.

Known for his warm smile, soft-spoken manner, and healthy lifestyle, Ben rarely missed a day at the gym.

For more than 47 years, Ben was married to the love of his life, Candace Louise

Summers. Together they travelled, worked, created artful homes, took long walks at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, and generously and graciously hosted friends at home for dinners with always delicious food and lively conversation.

In addition to Ben’s parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Wendy Altschul Rolland.

Ben is remembered with love by his many friends and family of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A private service will take place at a later date.

Contributions in Ben’s memory may be sent to MADD or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Helene Bernstein

VIRGINIA BEACH – Helene Bernstein passed away on April 30 at the age of 104 years young.

Helene is survived by her son, Marc (Patty), granddaughter, Jenifer Bernstein Novak, and great grandchildren, Grace and Graham Novak.

Patricia Lynne Flax-Jankosky

VIRGINIA BEACH – Patricia Lynne FlaxJankosky, 72, passed away peacefully on April 26 at home surrounded by loved ones, after a long journey with multiple sclerosis.

She was a graduate of Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, Va. Pat earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Old Dominion University in 1977, graduating magna cum laude.

She worked for the state of Virginia for 33 years and served as the long-time director of the Chesapeake Boys Home. Pat implemented many successful initiatives, such as the summer education program, which, due to its success, was later implemented at other area group homes.

She was a long-time advocate for addressing the needs of troubled youth and served on the board of directors of the Tidewater Youth Services Foundation. She was also a licensed substance abuse counselor.

Pat was a lifelong member of Ohef Sholom Temple, where, at one time, she sang with her mother and sister in the temple choir. She was a passionate supporter and participant of the arts. Following high school, Pat even moved to Los Angeles for two years to pursue her

aspirations of becoming a professional singer and actress.

Pat was preceded in death by her father, Jack Flax. She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Michael Jankosky, her mother, Norma Flax of Norfolk, her son, Tucker Jankosky (Francesca) of Norfolk, her sister, Judy Rosenberg (Jerry) of Chesapeake, her nephews, Brad Rosenberg (Jen) of Chesapeake and Greg Rosenberg of Norfolk, her grand nephews, Cole, Luke, and Jonah, and her grandson, Otis Jankosky.

She will be missed by countless family members and friends. Pat was supported by several wonderful caregivers.

A graveside service took place at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. H.D. Oliver.

Ruth G. Gerson

CHESAPEAKE – Ruth G. Gerson passed away on May 1 while in the care of her family.

Ruth was predeceased in death by her cherished husband of many years, Albert Gerson. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Ruth was a contributor to Temple B’nai Israel and several local Chabads. She was well-known for her loving nature and strongwilled disposition. Ruth spent her final years in the company of her daughter, Victoria Gerson, and granddaughter, Katia Askildt. Her memory will be a blessing for all those that knew her. In honor of her memory, an olive tree has been donated to Israel and further charitable work done.

Louis A. Miller

CHESAPEAKE – Louis A. Miller, 85, passed away April 27.

He was the son of the late Charles and Inez Miller.

Louis served his country proudly in the United States Army National Guard. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his wife, Marilyn Miller, son, Michael Miller, daughter, Sherri Lynn Miller, and sister, Barbara Roth.

Louis is survived by niece Harriet King and her husband, Mel, great-nephew Joshua King and partner Eileen Colton and her family, friend Shirl Hunroe, childhood friend Mike Cilumbrello, and a host of extended family and friends.

A graveside service was held at Forest

OBITUARIES

Lawn Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered at www.altmeyer.com

Tova Polishuck “Doba” Katz

HAIFA, ISRAEL – Tova Polishuck “Doba” Katz, 93 years old, passed away in her apartment in Haifa, Israel on April 25.

Tova was born on January 17, 1931 to Yahuda and Donia Soroko Polishuck of Raanana, Israel. She was the widow of Gerald Katz, mother to David Katz of Mazor, Israel and a loving grandmother. She is also survived by many cousins in the United States, including Norman Soroko, of Virginia Beach.

Her funeral was held graveside in Haifa, Israel. Memorial donations may be made to Temple Israel Temple Fund, 7255 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23505.

Yetta

Cohen Sifen

VIRGINIA BEACH – Yetta Cohen Sifen passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 93, surrounded by her loving family, on April 23.

She was born on November 15, 1930, in Portsmouth, Va. In 1942, she welcomed her brother Stanley (married to Judy) into this world. In addition to helping her mother raise her brother, Yetta was building a network of life-long friends and family.

Yetta participated in many programs and clubs at Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. Yetta’s excellence in high school led her to attending the College of William and Mary. On June 5, 1949, she married Melvin Sifen, and together they had five sons, Larry (Pam), David, Michael (Becky), Marc (Wendy) and Barry (Elizabeth).

Yetta and Mel worked together in their retail rental business in Hampton Roads while raising their sons. Mel and Yetta were blessed with 10 grandchildren (Joey, Lena, Philip, Joe, Rachael, Mamie, Jeremiah, Ben, Jeff, and Harold) and five great-grandchildren (Leo, Cohen, Alice, Olivia, and Isla).

After her retirement, Yetta traveled with her husband, spent many hours reading, participated in adult learning education, and kept in touch on a daily basis with friends and family. Yetta will always be remembered for the love she showed her family and friends and support she provided her husband.

Yetta will be deeply missed by her brother, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and extended family and friends. She was

predeceased by her husband and her parents, Lena and Joe Cohen.

A graveside service was held at Gomley Chesed Cemetery. Memorial donations in honor of Yetta Sifen may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601, the Chabad of Tidewater, 1920 Colley Ave. Norfolk, VA 23517, or to Medi Home Health and Hospice, 530 Independence Parkway, Chesapeake, VA 23320.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hdoliver.com

Regina (“Jeanie”) Holzsweig Weinstock

NEWPORT NEWS - Regina (“Jeanie”) Holzsweig Weinstock, 99, passed away on April 2.

Born in Portsmouth, Va., to Philip and Fannie Holzsweig, Jeanie moved to Newport News as an infant. She grew up in Newport News, and although she lived many other places, Newport News was always considered home.

In 1942, Regina met Bernie Weinstock, and they married in 1944 after he returned from serving overseas in World War II. Bernie remained in the U.S. Air Force, and they enjoyed a life together at numerous military posts. Bernie retired from the Air Force in 1964, and they moved “home” to Newport News, where Regina launched her own career – she was an assistant manager at LaVogue, an upscale women’s clothing store, before the opening of a new store in Hidenwood where Jeanie was the manager. She was recognized by numerous local business organizations for her achievements, particularly mentoring young employees.

Regina and Bernie enjoyed traveling, and she decided she wanted to work in the travel industry. Her attempts to find a job were unsuccessful, since all the travel agencies wanted experienced agents. Jan and Bob Kosker, at Tri-Global Travel, were so impressed with her offer to work for free to learn the industry that they instead hired her to do administrative work while they mentored and trained her. Through hard work and study, she soon became a certified travel consultant and began a long and successful career with Tri-Global, and later Warwick Travel, where she became one of the owners of the agency.

Her new career allowed her to travel

• Family owned and operated since 1917

• Affordable services to fit any budget

• Advance funeral planning

• Professional, experienced, caring staff

• Flexible burial options

• Flexible payment options

Approved by all area Rabbis and Chevrah Kadisha

extensively around the world, and she went on so many cruises she lost count. Many of the trips were with Bernie, her children, or other family members, who were amazed when the staff or presidents of the companies remembered her from previous trips. One of her greatest joys was helping friends and clients plan dream vacations.

Regina was a life member of the Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah, and a member of Rodef Sholom Temple for over 60 years.

She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Weinstock (Donna Del Sordo) and Phyllis Weinstock, her son, Harry Weinstock

(Cindy), granddaughter, Leah Weinstock and sister-in-law, Lorraine Holzsweig, as well as many devoted nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Major (ret.) Bernard Weinstock, sister, Irene Ruben, brother, Buddy Holzsweig, and beloved granddaughter, Britlyn Weinstock.

A graveside service was held at the Rosenbaum Cemetery. Donations to the Britlyn Weinstock Community Music Fund (c/o Beth Ahabah, 1121 W. Franklin St., Richmond 23220), which was created in memory of Regina’s granddaughter, or a charity of the donor’s choosing. Weymouth Funeral Home.

Chris Sisler, Vice President, Member of Ohef Sholom Temple, Board member of the Berger-Goldrich Home at Beth Sholom Village, James E. Altmeyer, Jr., President, James E. Altmeyer, Sr., Owner

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