Jewish News - September 7, 2020

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Southeastern Virginia | Vol. 59 No. 01 | 18 Elul 5780 | September 7, 2020

6 Your Voice is Your Vote

Back to school at —page SIA8

14 Hopes for a sweet New Year in 5781

23 JCC Camp in the Cloud

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Jewish news jewishnewsva.org

Ushering in 5781—Resilient Together

I

t is still hard to believe how much our world has changed in the last six months. How many times have we heard ‘unprec-

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

our community is respond-

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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

ing as we embark on our

edented,’ and the ‘new normal?’ How many times have we heard

2021

Annual

Community

the word ‘resilience?’

Campaign to provide a safety

I happen to believe that ‘resilience’ perfectly describes our

net for our community today

community since March. Our agencies, schools, and synagogues

and, in partnership with the

responded quickly to ensure the safety and well-being of com-

Tidewater Jewish Foundation,

munity members—from the precious infants at the Strelitz

for tomorrow. We fully expect

International Academy to our loved ones at Beth Sholom Village

community needs to grow as

—as well as community members of all ages in between. Our

we continue to weather this

day schools and religious schools immediately shifted to virtual

pandemic. Together, we will meet those needs as our Tidewater

learning and our synagogues shifted to virtual programs and

Jewish community has for generations.

Terri Denison, Editor Germaine Clair, Art Director Lisa Richmon, Staff Writer Sandy Goldberg, Account Executive Ronnie Jacobs Cohen, Account Executive Marilyn Cerase, Subscription Manager Reba Karp, Editor Emeritus Betty Ann Levin

Shabbat services. Jewish Family Service of Tidewater ensured

The new year 5781 is approaching. We will be together in

that our most vulnerable community members had food, a roof

different ways this Rosh Hashanah. But what will not be different

over their heads, and basic necessities. United Jewish Federation

is that we will continue to take care of one another, kol yisroel

of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC shifted to virtual fitness

areivim zeh bazeh, and perform acts of loving kindness, gemilut

instruction and programming, as well as both local and global

chasadim. May we continue to be resilient and find strength in

Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations and Yom Hashoah commemo-

these shared values—together.

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Amy Levy, President Alvin Wall, Treasurer Stephanie Calliott, Secretary Betty Ann Levin, Executive Vice-President jewishVA.org The appearance of advertising in the Jewish News does not constitute a kashrut, political, product or service endorsement.

The articles and letters appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of this newspaper. © 2020 Jewish News. All rights reserved.

Subscription: $18 per year

rations. The Tidewater Jewish Foundation provided affiliate

L’Shanah tovah tikatevu to all of you and your families. Now

organizations with emergency grants and, with UJFT, established

more than ever, I wish us all a safe, sweet, and healthy new year.

JewishNewsVA

For subscription or change of address, call 757-965-6128 or email mcerase@ujft.org.

the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund of the Tidewater Jewish Upcoming Deadlines for Editorial and Advertising

Community, which has supported emergency needs throughout our community.

As September begins, our children and grandchildren are returning to school in many forms and we are approaching six months in our ‘new normal.’ This is testing our resiliency. But

Sept. 21 Oct. 12 Oct.26 Nov. 9 Nov. 30 Dec. 14

Betty Ann Levin Executive Vice President/CEO United Jewish Federation of Tidewater/Simon Family JCC

Friday, September 11/22 Elul Light candles at 7:00 pm

Upfront . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Special Section: L’Shanah Tovah 5781. . . . . 11

Briefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

JCC Camp in the Cloud wraps up. . . . . . . . 23

A Jewish prayer for the start of school . . . . . 5

Jewish campus life goes virtual. . . . . . . . . . 24

JCRC Your Vote is your Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Elie Wiesel Competition 2020. . . . . . . . . . . 25

more time and effort to prepare for

Area synagogues prepare for Rosh Hashanah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Super Sunday is September 13 . . . . . . . . . . 25

than one packed with people.”

Needs continue for COVID-19 Relief Fund. . 7 Students return to SIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Profile: Jody Wagner, new Tidewater Jewish Foundation chair. . . . . 10

“An empty sanctuary takes much

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Who Knew?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Sept. 4 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 23 Nov. 13 Nov 27

Candle Lighting

Quotable

Contents

Yom Kippur Mazel Tov Veterans Business Hanukkah Education

—page 7

Friday, September 18/29 Elul Light candles at 6:49 pm Friday, September 25/7 Tishrei Light candles at 6:39 pm Friday, October 2/14 Tishrei Light candles at 6:28 pm Friday, October 9/21 Tishrei Light candles at 6:18 pm Friday, October 16/28 Tishrei Light candles at 6:08 pm

jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Jewish News | 3

BRIEFS Israeli firefighters help battle California wildfires Israeli firefighters arrived in Sacramento, California to assist with battling a wave of wildfires sweeping through the area.

It marked the first time that Israelis have been sent to the United States to help fight fires, J. The Jewish News of Northern California reported.

The delegation is scheduled to remain for approximately two weeks. It includes 10 officers and firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Services, rescue and forest fire experts, and a Foreign Ministry representative, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg greeted the firefighters’ arrival in the capital city with a tweet.

“As a Jewish mayor, I’m particularly proud and happy to see them come to our aid,” it said in part.

At the time, there were 18 major fires burning across California, with more than 16,000 firefighters mobilized to battle them. The fires have burned more than 1.46 million acres since they started on August 15, sparked by a siege of dry lightning. (JTA) Bomb threat at northern Virginia synagogue A bomb threat was left on the voicemail of a Virginia synagogue.

The message came in to Congregation Ner Shalom in Woodbridge on Friday, August 21, according to a statement from the Prince William County Police. It included “inappropriate language and the threat of a bomb,” the statement said.

A police K-9 search of the area did not turn up any bombs. Police said the investigation would continue. (JTA) Rabbi Sacks: politics from the pulpit: ‘A big, big, big mistake’ American Jewish rabbis are erring by endorsing—and opposing—President Donald Trump, according to Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi of Great Britain who said he has always studiously avoided showing an affinity for any particular candidate.

In a Jewish Telegraphic Agency interview, Sacks, who was chief rabbi from

1991 to 2013, said that even as he grew close and provided advice to political leaders of many stripes, he never endorsed any or allowed rabbis under his supervision to engage in political advocacy or electioneering.

“I can see that that is not the case in America. And I’m afraid American Jewry is making a big, big, big mistake,” Sacks said. “This is not a small thing. It’s a very, very big thing.”

Sacks made the comments in response to a question about Shmuel Kamenetsky, an influential haredi Orthodox rabbi who recently said that Jews should vote to reelect Trump out of gratitude. Another Orthodox rabbi, Aryeh Spero, blessed Trump and his reelection campaign at the Republican National Convention.

On the left, rabbis frequently wade into partisan political issues and even argue for specific political candidates in their personal capacity. (U.S. nonprofits, including houses of worship, face penalties if they engage in prohibited political activity as organizations.)

The consequence of blurring the line between politics and Judaism can be significant, Sacks said.

“You mix religion and politics, you get terrible politics and even worse religion,” he said, adding, “I’m afraid I have absolutely not the slightest shred of sympathy for anyone who, as a rabbi, tells people how to vote.” (JTA)

Posters glorifying Nazism hung at Arizona State U Posters glorifying Nazism were found on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University for the second time in less than a year.

The posters read “Hitler was right,” “unity of our blood” and other comments deemed anti-Semitic, the Arizona Republic reported. Campus police removed the posters.

The university is investigating the origin of the posters, the newspaper reported, citing a statement from the university.

Similar flyers were posted around the Tempe campus in November.

The neo-Nazi organization Folksfront took credit for both sets of posters. Its

4 | Jewish News | September 7, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

website calls it “the official media source for the Folkish Resistance Movement, a National Socialist political organization based primarily out of North America.” It also said the group wants “to spread our message not only in North America but throughout the entire English-speaking world.”

Students returned to campus in mid-August.

“Ensuring the safety and security of our students is a top priority, and the university undertakes extensive efforts to ensure student safety is not compromised,” the statement said. “ASU is a community that values diversity, tolerance, respect and inclusion. We support open debate and honest disagreements, but not hateful rhetoric.” (JTA)

Ban on non-Israelis entering the country extended through Oct. 1 Non-Israeli passport holders who do not come from countries with low coronavirus infection rates will be banned from entering the country until at least Oct. 1.

The United States is among those not on the so-called green list of countries with low rates.

Among non-citizens who can enter the country are nuclear family members of Israelis having lifecycle events such as births and weddings. In addition, thousands of yeshiva and university students have entered Israel in recent days for the start of the school year.

All Israelis and non-citizens entering the country must go into a two-week isolation, except those that arrive from countries on the so-called green list.

That list includes the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Germany.

Israel has banned entry for non-citizens since early March, though a plan is set to be introduced by the end of the month that would allow the entry of foreign tourists.

In recent months, Israel has worked to loosen some restrictions while preserving others, creating a patchwork of policies that have left Jews worldwide confused about whether they can visit Israel and what is required to enter the country. (JTA)

US Army investigating officer, popular social media influencer, for TikTok video featuring Holocaust joke A U.S. Army officer who also is popular on TikTok has been suspended after posting a video in which he jokes about the Holocaust.

Nathan Freihofer, a second lieutenant, has 3 million followers on TikTok, a video-sharing social media platform that has come under fire for the proliferation of anti-Semitic and Holocaust denying posts.

“If you get offended, get the f*** out because it’s a joke,” Freihofer said in the video after telling a Holocaust joke.

The Army is investigating the video, which was posted last month. The 23-yearold soldier, who is assigned to the 18th Airborne Corps, is known as a social media influencer.

“The statements made in the video are not indicative of the values we live by, and there is no place for racism or bigotry in our Army or our country,” Maj. Gen. Antonio Aguto, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said in a tweet.

The tweet said Freihofer has been suspended of all leadership duties effective immediately pending the results of the investigation.

The military’s “Think, Type, Post” online media policy reminds soldiers that “everyone be treated with dignity and respect.”

The video has been removed from Freihofer’s account, according to the Military Times, and his Instagram account has been set to private.

Tik Tok announced last month that it is working “to counter the spread of hate on our platform.” The statement said that: “We have a zero-tolerance stance on organized hate groups and those associated with them, like accounts that spread or are linked to white supremacy or nationalism, male supremacy, anti-Semitism, and other hate-based ideologies. In addition, we remove race-based harassment and the denial of violent tragedies, such as the Holocaust and slavery.” (JTA)

Torah Thought

A Jewish prayer for the start of this pandemic school year Rabbi Sari Laufer

S

crolling through all the open Safari windows on my phone is like a virtual tour through the months of this pandemic. It starts in the early spring with online gardening tips, funny memes about the shift to virtual schooling, and recipes for banana bread, cookies, and Marzipan bakery’s legendary rugelach (though I still haven’t tackled that one). Then there are long-form reads about grief and loss, datadriven pieces about decision making, and funny memes about doomscrolling.

And now, as we face the beginning of a school year that none of us ever wanted to imagine, my more recent windows include a series of think pieces on social inequality and schooling, links to (soldout) desks suitable for small spaces, and funny memes about virtual schooling.

Like every parent across the land, I never envisioned or wanted the beginning of the school year looking like this. As a rabbi, I love the beginning of school— seeing the faces I have missed over the summer, returning to the rhythms of the academic year, and opening with excitement and words of blessing. As a parent, I have discovered that I love learning new information alongside my kids. And, as a working mom, I also love knowing that my kids are safe, loved, and thriving in a place that is not my home, allowing me to work when I am working and parent when I am parenting.

Kol hatchalot kashot—”all beginnings are difficult,” our rabbis teach. Starting anew is always a challenge; as humans, we crave familiarity and routine. But this year, these words ring ever more true as we face a school year filled with unknowns.

These myriad unknowns also vary from family to family and situation to situation. No matter the method, one thing is for sure: This beginning is going to be difficult. Even as someone with advantage and privilege—a safe home, space for my kid to learn, the necessary technology, and so on—I expect bumps and hiccups,

both technological and emotional.

So, when a Twitter follower asked if there was a blessing for internet connections as his children began their virtual schooling, I sat down and asked myself what blessings we need as this particular school year begins.

In our liturgy, each new month is introduced with a blessing. The prayer for Rosh Chodesh is a prayer of supplication, expressing our hopes that the month reawaken within us joy and blessing, praying for a life of success and sustenance, a life in which our worthy aspirations will be fulfilled. In that spirit, I offer a blessing for this new school year: Prayer for the Start of a Pandemic School Year Mishebeirach doroteinu, may the one who blessed the generations before, bless us—students, parents, teachers, administrators, and staff—as we begin this strange school year.

May we be blessed with fast Internet connections and access to functional technology.

May we be blessed with fast friendships and well-earned learning.

May we be blessed with muscle memory for curiosity and collaboration.

May we be blessed with muscle memory for compassion and cooperation.

May we be blessed with excitement over seeing familiar faces and reconnecting with friends.

May we be blessed with the excitement over meeting new friends and teachers.

May we be blessed with patience, for slow internet speeds, and frozen Zoom screens.

May we be blessed with patience, for teachers, friends, and parents learning new technologies and new concepts.

Above all, may we be blessed with the ability to make connections and community, growing as teachers and learners—no matter our role or title.

This article originally appeared in Kveller.

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We are open by appointment for all services. jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Jewish News | 5

Ruth’s Life Said a Lot About Her As a “pink lady” Ruth Goodman volunteered more hours than anyone else at the Norfolk hospital where she greeted visitors for years.

Before she died in 1995, Ruth arranged for a Hampton Roads Community Foundation bequest to forever give good health to the community she and her late husband Victor loved.

This year 15 students are studying to become physicians, physical therapists, nurses and other medical professionals thanks to scholarships generated by Ruth’s generosity. Many more Goodman Scholars will follow every year.

Write your prescription for a better future by ordering a free bequest guide.

Learn how easy it is to leave a gift for charity.

Adding Charity to Your W or IRA ill

vote 2020

Your Vote is Your Voice Series explains new laws and procedures and encourages participation Megan Zuckerman

T

he former and late Supreme Court Justice, Louis Brandeis, once noted, “The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen.”

Regardless of party affiliation, voting is a constitutional right—one that must be exercised and defended. The United States recently celebrated the centennial of the women’s suffrage movement. While the 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920, after almost a century of debates and protests, it would take another 40 years to achieve voting equality, including for women of color. This year, Virginia passed several laws to ensure all eligible voters can participate and have their voices heard.

To encourage every eligible community member to vote in this election cycle, as well as in every future local, state, and national election, the Jewish Community Relations Council is providing educational resources and webinars.

On Sunday, August 23, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater partnered with Virginia’s Jewish communities from the Peninsula, Richmond, and Northern Virginia to discuss Virginia’s voting law changes with Delegate Carrie Coyner (R) and Delegate Marcus Simon (D). A few of the newly passed provisions discussed include no-excuse absentee voting and repealing photo ID requirements. Delegate Coyner and Delegate Simon informed the webinar attendees that the Virginia General Assembly Special

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: VIRGINIA 2020 ELECTIONS Important deadlines Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 — Absentee Voting Begins Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 — Last day to register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at your registrar’s office Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 — Last day to request an absentee ballot via the mail-in form Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 —Last day to request an absentee ballot via the online form

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Saturday, October 31, 2020 — Last day to vote absentee in-person Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 — Election Day!

Session would raise several new voting laws, including pre-paid postage on absentee ballots and ballot boxes across the state for early voting ballots.

Questions from the attendees poured in as soon as the webinar started alluding to the confusion around current voting procedures and the need for clarification. The Delegates answered all questions and promised Virginia would continue to publish updates and provide resources to ensure every vote in the state is counted. In fact, JCRC has created a voting resource guide to alleviate any outstanding questions and confusion. Go to JewishVA. org/VOTE2020 to learn more.

JCRC Your Vote is Your Voice Series Wednesday September 30 and Tuesday, October 20, 7:30 pm, via Zoom September 30: Author Eitan Hersh, a young and dynamic associate professor of Political Science at Tufts University, will discuss his book, Politics Is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change. Hersh’s book is a groundbreaking analysis of political hobbyism—treating politics like a spectator sport—and an urgent and timely call to arms for the many well-meaning, well-informed citizens who follow political news, but do not take political action.

October 20: New York Times reporter and author, Jennifer Steinhauer wrote The Firsts: The Inside Story of the Women Reshaping Congress, a riveting inside look at the Congresswomen elected during the 2018 midterms. The Firsts delivers fresh details, inside access, historical perspective, and expert analysis as these women—inspiring, controversial, talented, and rebellious—do something surprising: make Congress essential again.

Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 — Last day for mail-in ballots to be received by the registrar in order to be counted. Must be postmarked by November 3.

Both Eitan Hersh and Jennifer Steinhauer remind about the importance of exercising each person’s right to vote.

For more information, go to https://ujft.salsalabs.org/ vavotingresourceguide.

The JCRC’s Your Vote is Your Voice Series is free and open to the community. Visit JewishVA.org for updates and event registration. Contact Megan Zuckerman, director, Jewish Community Relations Council at MZuckerman@ujft.org, with questions.

6 | Jewish News | September 7, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

jewish tidewater

Tidewater synagogues work overtime to embrace the essence of Rosh Hashanah and touch members they can’t see Lisa Richmon

A

sanctuary overflowing with people in prayer, ties, and high heels has been the picture of High Holiday success for more than a century. Local buzz about a stirring sermon is the new year cherry on top.

Two universal truths hit home this year with COVID-19: Modern technology is just one essential piece of the holiday pandemic survival kit. And, on Rosh Hashanah, you get more participation with honey.

Some area synagogues realized that you can’t overlook the value of sharing one sweet symbol of renewal with members, when contact is restricted, or off the table completely. Not every aspect of the holiday can be experienced via Zoom—especially honey and hugs.

These congregations went the distance to sweeten the holiday.

Temple Emanuel, for example, will deliver a bag of honey and honey cake prepared by the kitchen staff to its member families.

“Yes, the High Holidays will be different this year, but we intend to use every cutting-edge medium at our disposal to

help make them just as meaningful!” says Temple Emanuel’s Rabbi Marc Kraus.

All 700 Ohef Sholom Temple member families received High Holiday phone calls, options for borrowing prayer books, and a special brand of honey from Charlottesville, along with other treats; a mitzvah made possible by a group of dedicated volunteers. Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg will share the blessing for dipping apples into honey with her community—knowing the effort taken to create what will be an intensely powerful moment.

In the months leading up to the High Holiday season, synagogue officers, lay leaders, and rabbis and cantors, have been deep in discussion and private thought about what members need most, and how to turn spiritual longing into safe deliverables, while observing respective religious customs concerning the use of technology, etc. Since there is no guide, no playbook to conducting the most attended, most revered services of the year during a pandemic, these dedicated individuals say they researched and met virtually with other congregational and clergy leaders around the country to determine the best path for conducting this year’s High Holiday

season. Most determined the best and safest route was to embark on a virtual journey.

B’nai Israel Congregation in Norfolk and Kempsville Conservative Synagogue in Virginia Beach, however, are among the synagogues here and around the world that will deliver in-person prayer services.

But, you can’t just pack a room and pray for the best in 2020. Today, clergy and staff must decide how many families can safely attend services, what rituals are cut and what remains, and for how long the services will run. For example, at B’nai Israel, the daven-only service is truncated. Safety protocol is a big issue that requires a lot of smart heads in the game, not just big hearts.

In a Sophie’s Choice sort of moment, synagogues with limited space for in-person observances were put in the position of deciding how to say ‘yes’ to one member while turning another away.

How do religious leaders decide who will observe in-person when supply doesn’t meet demand? It’s a painful process, one that isn’t taught in rabbinical school.

Congregation Beth El in Norfolk found a way by taking reservations for its members to have five-minute sacred ‘moments’ in

front of the ark.

“Congregation Beth El is reaching out to members to participate in the upcoming High Holiday services, as well as offering family programs, book club, and cooking classes themed around the holidays,” says Deb Segaloff, president-elect.

“Our members have set up a volunteer driving brigade to deliver holiday boxes and machzorim to our members’ homes before Rosh Hashannah. We have shared meaningful life cycle events from B’not mitzvah to Shiva minyanim. We find ourselves navigating new ways of connecting every day.”

The creativity to ensure congregants feel connected this High Holiday season is impressive. Several congregations, for example, are conducting in-person Tashlich services, Chabad is blowing the shofar outside, and Tidewater Chavuah is hosting a Rosh Hashanah Seder in place of Erev Rosh Hashanah services.

It appears that an empty sanctuary takes much more time and effort to prepare for than one packed with people. The amount of work that goes into this undertaking is enormous, but that’s nothing compared to the synagogues’ desire to step up and step into their congregants’ homes.

Help for each other COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund

D

edicated to caring for Jewish Tidewater’s most vulnerable community members and protecting its vital institutions, the COVID-19 Emergency Fund of the Tidewater Jewish Community has distributed more than $100,000 to assist these populations and agencies.

Dollars have assisted area congregations, helped provide PPE for Beth Sholom Village and Jewish Family Service (JFS), helped JFS provide financial assistance for individuals in need, and helped purchase contactless water bottle filling stations for Strelitz International Academy, among other COVID-related needs.

As the pandemic stretches on with no end date, the needs grow with the requests for relief continuing to be made. United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Tidewater

Jewish Foundation, and the constituent agencies and affiliates ask for your assistance to make it possible to continue to provide that support. 100% of funds raised help the needs of Jewish Tidewater.

To donate, go to JewishVa.org or mail a check to: United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Attention: COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Together, we must ensure that we can weather the crisis of today and still have a strong and vibrant Jewish community tomorrow.

jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Jewish News | 7

your dollars at work

Students return to SIA on Campus Carin Simon

S

Fourth Grade social distancing line.

trelitz International Academy students returned to the Sandler Family Campus for in-person learning on August 24. After almost six months away from their school and their friends, SIA students were clearly excited to be back.

It was a unique and busy summer as SIA prepared to return to Campus. Since March 13, when SIA went virtual, along with every school in Virginia, Heather Moore, head of school, was determined to open safely on August 24 as planned.

It was important to open on time, she says, to be able to better meet the educational, social, emotional, and childcare needs of the Strelitz families.

As word spread that Strelitz was opening, the admissions department became flooded with inquiries.

Many families who had been satisfied

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grateful to be back on campus and didn’t with their neighborhood public schools seem to mind this unusual start. applied for admission. The International On the first day of school, students Baccalaureate Program, Jewish education were ready with their personal assortment and face-to-face learning, made the deciof cute masks to express their style, parsion to switch an easy one for many ents were patient in the drop off line, and families. By mid-summer, classes had even the littlest learners were happy to waitlists. be handed off to their teachers. The stuOpening school safely during COVID-19 dents have been resilient and the parents is not an easy task. It requires the implementhrilled and grateful. tation of many safety measures, including Jasmine Amitay, an SIA parent, wrote no parents or visitors on campus, mask on SIA’s Facebook page, “Thank you for wearing, social distancing, desk screens, everything you did (and keep doing) to and a daily health screening conducted by keep our kiddos safe! The boys had the parents, along with student temperature best 1st day ever!” checks during carpool drop off.

SIA is creatively planning to gather “Our COVID team began meeting in virtually for parent and family events.

May to begin researching and planning Many SIA community highlights such as a way to open school safely this fall,” says Moore. “The team met regularly and developed safety protocols and ordered equipment to ensure we could open. Once we had a plan in place, we opened summer childcare for early years on July 6 to help our families who had been in need of childcare for their little ones.”

During the planning stages, SIA Sam Krupnick, first grade. created a COVID parent handbook to help everyone acclimate to the new rules that parents, faculty, and children would need to follow to maintain a safe environment.

A virtual meet and greet took place the Friday before classes started so that students could meet their teachers and see their classroom. Parents Noa Cohen in Kindergarten working at her desk. and students were

your dollars at work Shabbat Singalongs and parent coffees will not be possible this school year due to SIA’s safety protocols. The Parent Volunteer Committee has met virtually and is working on a schedule of virtual events for parents and families.

After five long months of being apart, SIA’s students are happy to be able to see their friends, learn with their classmates, and enjoy a normal routine. And, their parents are happy, too.

LOCAL RELATIONSHIPS MATTER MEET:

Holly Puritz, MD

“The Group for Women has remained a private practice in an era when so much of medical care has become ‘big business’. As a physician here, I am an owner of our business. We feel we are part of the fabric of the community and it is important for us to support the community. Our physicians serve in leadership positions in women’s health throughout the community. As owners we work to effect changes in our practice to better serve the needs of the women and their families who rely on us.”

Willow Baker, age four, walks into school with her little brother, Leo, age two.

“I think Payday is a leader, a shining example of what it means to be a corporate citizen. They walk the walk and not just talk the talk. They are a model of what it means to be a corporate citizen.”

To learn more about the Strelitz International Academy, contact Carin Simon, admissions director, csimon@strelitzacademy. org or 757-424-4327.

This is part of a series of articles spotlighting local and overseas partner agencies that are beneficiaries of the United Jewish Federation Tidewater’s annual Community Campaign.

Start a relationship that matters today, call 757-523-0605.

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Leah, grade 5, Alex, grade 3, and Max Steerman in Kindergarten ready for their first day back at school.

For more information, contact Taffy Hunter, Director of Human Resources, thunter@ujft.org or 757-965-6117.

jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Jewish News | 9

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Former State Treasurer, UJFT director, and Jody’s Popcorn president brings a full bag of rich and relevant experience to new leadership role as Tidewater Jewish Foundation chair Lisa Richmon

S

aying thank you during a pandemic was Jody Wagner’s first order of business as the new chair of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation. In a short video on Facebook, she said: “Thank you to our donors for making sure our community has the resources it needs, and to our community partners for working with us to meet these new challenges. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

With more than 30 years of experience in leadership roles throughout Tidewater and the Commonwealth of Virginia, Wagner has plenty of experience building bridges and working with partners— especially during times of crisis. She was the head of the Fund Distribution process for United Way during the 1990 recession, which saw her make tough decisions about resource allocation and the viability of many of their programs. As the new chair of TJF, Wagner sees the parallels between the 1990 recession and the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“My primary goal, as chair of the board, is to ensure that our Jewish community has the financial resources needed

This is the crisis that in many ways, we have been preparing for, for over 35 years.

to get through this crisis and develop long-term resilience,” says Wagner. “We should also use this as an opportunity to assess Jewish life in the 757 and, with a clear eye, evaluate whether we should be leveraging our communal assets differently to more successfully engage and serve Jews throughout the area.”

As an entrepreneur, lawyer, politician, professional volunteer, community champion, wife, and mother of four children, Wagner is more than qualified for the leadership position. In fact, in addition to her new role in the Jewish community, she’s working to take on an even greater challenge. Wagner is running to be the next mayor of Virginia Beach.

Wagner’s rich background has already made a mark at Foundation—it’s one of the reasons why new president and CEO Naomi Limor Sedek joined TJF. “One of the reason’s I chose to join the Tidewater Jewish community was Jody’s reputation as an accomplished leader; one who will get the job done,” says Sedek, who took on the role of TJF’s president and CEO in July 2020.

“It is my honor to work with her, as together, we lead the Tidewater Jewish Foundation as a model for collaboration and community building. Dreaming of a secure future with a strongly endowed Jewish community is key to the longevity of this community,” says Sedek. “Jody and I have spoken about working with our community members to make the process simple and tangible. The Tidewater Jewish Foundation is a partner with our donors, helping them fulfill their philanthropic legacy. Do not hesitate to reach out.”

Additionally, Wagner’s wealth of leadership and experience has instilled confidence in the TJF staff.

“I am thrilled to be working with Jody Wagner as our board chair,” says Kaitlyn Oelsner, TJF’s director of Philanthropy.

“Now more than ever, our community needs qualified, and forward-thinking leaders like Jody. Her ‘get it done’ mentality and commitment to the future of our Jewish community will help see us through this difficult chapter. It has never

10 | Jewish News | September 7, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

Steve Budman

Jody Wagner

been more important to have exceptional, strong leadership.”

Despite being chair for only two months, Wagner has been busy. In addition to welcoming a new president and CEO, 2020 marks the fourth year of Life and Legacy at Foundation. Wagner’s agenda consists of formalizing donor commitments and making sure that the Jewish organizations they cherish are positioned to maximize the program’s potential. This includes a plan for future growth and greater collaboration with local Jewish agencies and synagogues. In addition, the Foundation plans to expand its professional advisor network in the community to ensure donors have access to top legal and tax resources.

“Now, like in times before, we must prioritize collaboration and coordinated strategic planning between our community organizations,” says Wagner. “Naomi and I want to be sure that our donors have the best possible resources available to them and we know that professional advisors play a crucial role in any philanthropic process.”

Thanks to some forward-thinking community members decades ago, those same donors and community members have been able to directly address

financial challenges caused by the current pandemic.

“Forward-thinking leaders founded TJF back in 1984 to ensure that our local Jewish agencies had the safety nets needed for a secure future,” says Wagner. “I doubt they imagined that in 2020 there would be a global pandemic that would close the doors of our synagogues and agencies, but they knew that our Jewish community needed strong endowments to help them weather tough times and ensure our community’s existence from generation to generation.”

In a non-COVID world, Wagner acknowledges that her goals as chair would have been different. However, the mission of TJF has, and always will, remain the same.

“My goals today are very different than they would have been pre-COVID,” says Wagner. “This is not to say that the Foundation is unprepared. Our staff and lay leadership understand that this is the crisis that in many ways, we have been preparing for, for over 35 years. The continuation of Jewish life in Tidewater is a charge that is core to the Foundation’s existence and we have a duty to fulfill this obligation to our community.”

h a n a h S L’ ah ov T 1

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Supplement to Jewish News September 7, 2020 jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Rosh Hashanah | Jewish News | 11

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Dear Readers,

F

or the first time in the vast majority of our lifetimes, most of us will ‘attend’ High Holiday services by watching computer screens, tablets, televisions, and perhaps

WHETHER A VIRUS OR TERRORISTS, ISRAELIS DEPEND ON ONE ORGANIZATION WHEN LIVES NEED SAVING.

even our phones.

While these strange circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic will impact practically every synagogue and temple across the globe, here in Tidewater, it is clear that our congregations have met the challenge and are all offering full schedules of services, learning, and events—with most taking place virtually. A detailed list of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur service times begins on page 18.

Our rabbis and cantors and synagogue staff have become experts in digital platforms and programs and our congregational lay leaders have taken on new roles as delivery drivers and innovative program developers and implementors. It is inspiring to see the creative and spiritual activity taking place. Not in this section, but on page 7, an article

by Lisa Richmon tells the story.

A return to a ‘normal life’ and being with immediate family members are just two examples of what some in Jewish Tidewater say they are looking forward to for Rosh Hashanah and the start of their New Year. Fay Silverman says she looks “forward to a world of kindness and consideration, of understanding and empathy, of civil responsibility and justice. But mostly, I look forward to a sweet year.” (Fay, I hope you get your wish!) Read Fay’s and the others’ beginning on page 14.

It is customary for many congregations to conduct food drives at Yom Kippur. This year, it will be difficult to do the same. Jewish Family Service reminds us that people in Tidewater will continue to struggle to put food on their tables, COVID-19 or not. JFS needs everyone’s support so that they may help feed those in our community who are hungry. Page 21.

There’s more—including a primer on Rosh Hashanah words and phrases. Who knew?

All of us at Jewish News wish you and your families a New Year filled with health, peace, and happiness.

L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu!

Israel’s emergency medical service has been on the front lines in the fight against coronavirus while also contending with terrorist attacks, car accidents, and other threats to Israeli lives.

But Magen David Adom is not government-funded.

Its 25,000 EMTs and paramedics, most of them volunteers, rely on support from people like you for the supplies and equipment they need to perform their lifesaving work.

No gift will help Israel more in these difficult times.

Keep the people of Israel strong this coming year.

Donate to Magen David Adom. Shanah Tovah.

Give today at afmda.org/rosh or call 866.632.2763.

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Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown Friday, September 18

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jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Rosh Hashanah | Jewish News | 13

Rosh Hashanah

5781/2020: When prayers for a sweet ‘new’ year started early and ended late Lisa Richmon

W

hen it comes to praying for a sweet New Year, this community is in overtime.

Since Pandemic 2020 hijacked every aspect of life and living in March, synagogues have been immersed in the overnight challenge of implementing ways to touch members without physical contact.

With no official pandemic end date from the “Immunology Gods,” it’s equally challenging for individuals and families to plan ahead—but not impossible to think about the future.

With a slight twist on Rosh Hashanah, some of the members of Jewish Tidewater learned to look forward to the arrival of ‘tomorrow,’ just by being grateful for today.

Konikoff Center for Learning has questions

T

he Konikoff Center for Learning at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater wants to hear the voices of our community. Each month, KCL invites you to

submit reactions and thoughts to a question that will connect a Jewish month, holiday, or tradition.

The Jewish month of Tishrei is filled with meaningful holidays. Each has its own set of rituals and customs. Some holidays are somber and serious, others are a time of joyous celebration. Together, these holidays mark the beginning of the new year and serve as a source of inspiration and connection. During the month of Tishrei, we continuously fill a deep well with inspiration that we will draw from when we need to gather strength, courage, or hope in the remaining months of the year.

Question: Where will you find inspiration this year?

Email your responses to Sierra Lautman, director of Jewish Innovation, at SLautman@ujft.org. Select responses will be featured in a future issue of the Jewish News.

Fay Silverman

A

s the holidays approach, I’m thinking about what I am most looking forward to in the New Year. I do not think I am different than anyone else. We have been missing so much the past months. We all want more laughter and hugs. I yearn to spend time with family and friends—I especially miss squeezing my grandson.

I look forward to having friends over for dinner parties and not being worried to eat out at our favorite restaurants. I look forward to going on trips, flying on planes, and visiting new places. I look forward to visiting my sister in Hawaii, my cousins in Florida, my friends and family in Europe and Israel, and especially my son in Maryland and my grandson in Texas (have I said it enough?). I look forward to a world Fay Silverman and her grandson. of kindness and consideration, of understanding and empathy, of civil responsibility and justice. But mostly, I look forward to a sweet year.

David and Alex Calliott

G

oing over to my grandparents’ house and all of us sitting around the table, drinking wine, eating delicious food, and discussing what we are looking forward to in the New Year. We always have a fun time when we get together, with lots of stories and warm conversation.

Tal Feldman

T Check your inbox for the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning newsletter that includes opportunities to celebrate and connect within the community and beyond. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, email Sierra Lautman, UJFT director of Jewish Innovation, at SLautman@ujft.org.

14 | Jewish News | Rosh Hashanah | August 17, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

he thing I am most looking forward to this year is that the virus will go away and we will all go back to our normal life.

David Calliott, wife Alex and baby Luca.

I just miss spending time with my mother-in-law and having the option to travel and visit my family without having issues or something to stop me from doing that.

I do feel like things will get better this year, so I’m staying positive!

Rosh Hashanah Chamie and Sender Haber

W

ith children attending three separate schools with three sets of rules to keep them safe, we pray that our children and Jews around the world embrace their new beginnings to grow and to thrive. Having witnessed G-d’s ability to change the entire Ely, Chamie, Moshe, Akiva, Chava, Minna and Rabbi Haber. world, we pray for a year of positive change for all of mankind. Wishing everyone a beautiful and sweet year.

Rita Frank

F

rom the earliest time I can remember, the fall religious holidays have been about relationships and connection, the sharing with family and friends of holiday rituals both within the synagogue and within our homes. It was a time to appreciate what we had, repair what we could, and think about how we could make things better in the future.

This year presents a challenge for me. How to do what I have always done, but now socially isolated and separated from family and friends except through a virtual lens? I have not completely solved this problem, but I have decided to reach out through writing

to all those I hold dear. I am planning to write personal letters to those who have made my life so blessed and expressing my gratitude to them, telling them by remembered shared events what they have meant to me in my life. Quieting myself, I will focus again on relationship and connection but in a deeper, more mindful, way.

Amy Metzger

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his year I am most looking forward to sharing meaningful times with my children while they are still so young and full of imagination. Since unfortunately we will not have our normal High Holiday service routine at OST, we will host family and friends at our home and on the beach. My children, Layla and Major, always love setting the table scape for the “kids table” by gathering pomegranates and figs from our neighbors’ yards—so with the extra time on our hands, this New Year will be all-hands-on-deck to incorporate new and old traditions.

Stacie & Marc Moss

A

Amy and Mark Metzger,

s the year 5781 approaches we are comforted by Major, and Layla. our continued good fortune. Our three children are all in healthy, happy relationships, and we are excited to have the simcha of our daughter getting married. Chag Sameach!

jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Rosh Hashanah | Jewish News | 15

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Rosh Hashanah

Must-know Rosh Hashanah words and phrases MJL Staff

(My Jewish Learning via JTA)—Here are some important Hebrew words and terms you may encounter over the High Holiday season, which starts with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on the evening of September 18.

Akedah Pronounced (Brianna Soukup/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images) ah-keh-DAH. Literally “bind- Rosalee Lamm, right, shows her daughters how to toss their ing,” the Akedah refers to the pieces of bread into the water for Tashlich alongside their father, Toby Rzepka, at Jewell Falls in Portland, Maine, Sept. 10, 2018. biblical story of the binding of Isaac, which is traditionally its function as a signal horn of war. read on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.

Tashlich (also Tashlich) Pronounced Chag sameach Pronounced KHAG TAHSH-likh. Literally “cast away,” sah-MAY-akh. Literally “happy holiday,” a Tashlich is a ceremony observed on common greeting on Rosh Hashanah and the afternoon of the first day of Rosh other Jewish holidays.

Hashanah in which sins are symbolically Elul Pronounced el-OOL (oo as in cast away into a natural body of water. food). The final month of the Jewish The term and custom are derived from a calendar, it is designated as a time of verse in the Book of Micah (Micah 7:19). reflection, introspection and repentance.

Teshuvah (also teshuva) Pronounced Het (also chet) Pronounced KHET tih-SHOO-vuh. Literally “return,” teshu(short e). Sin, or wrongdoing. vah is often translated as “repentance.” It L’shana tovah u’metukah is one of the central themes and spiritual Pronounced l’shah-NAH toe-VAH oohcomponents of the High Holidays. meh-too-KAH. A Hebrew greeting for the Tishrei Pronounced TISH-ray. The High Holiday season that means “For a first month in the Hebrew calendar, during good and sweet year.” which Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Mahzor (also machzor) Pronounced Sukkot all occur.

MAHKH-zohr. Literally “cycle,” the Tzom Ka Pronounced TZOHM mahzor is the special prayer book for the KAHL. This greeting for Yom Kippur (and High Holidays containing all the special other Jewish fast days) means “may you High Holiday liturgy. have any easy fast.”

Selichot (also Selihot) Pronounced Unetaneh Tokef Pronounced oohslee-KHOTE. Literally “forgivenesses,” nuh-TAH-neh TOH-keff. Literally “we selichot are prayers for forgiveness. shall ascribe,” a religious poem recited Selichot refers to two related types of penduring the Musaf (additional service) itential prayers. The first are the prayers Amidah that is meant to strike fear in us. that are customarily recited daily at mornYamim Noraim Pronounced yahing services during the month of Elul.

MEEM nohr-ah-EEM. Literally “Days of This is also the name of the service that Awe,” a term that refers to the High takes place late at night on the Saturday Holiday season. Sometimes it is used to preceding Rosh Hashanah and consists of refer to the 10 days from Rosh Hashanah a longer series of these penitential prayers. through Yom Kippur, which are also Shofar Pronounced shoh-FAR or known as the Aseret Yimei Teshuva, or SHOH-far (rhymes with “so far”). The the 10 Days of Repentance. ram’s horn that is sounded during the Yom Tov Pronounced YOHM TOHV month of Elul, on Rosh Hashanah and at or YON-tiff. This is a general term for the the end of Yom Kippur. It is mentioned major Jewish festivals. numerous times in the Bible in reference to its ceremonial use in the Temple and to

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Rosh Hashanah

You can join RBG and other celebs at DC synagogue for the High Holidays—virtually, that is Marcy Oster

W

anna join Daveed Diggs, Idina Menzel, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for High Holidays worship?

The Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in Washington, D.C., has a way — virtually.

The synagogue/arts and entertainment center, which has hosted dozens of Jewish celebrities in the past 15 years, has launched its “You In A Pew” fundraiser in which members and others can pay $36 to have a photo of themselves placed next to a cardboard cutout of one of the famous folks, like the trio noted above.

The pews will be shown during livestreams of virtual Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to pay for the production of the services.

“We miss seeing your face around Sixth & I,” the synagogue said in an Instagram post announcing the program. “Although this year isn’t quite what many of us pictured, a picture of you in our sanctuary during the High Holidays would help us feel more connected to you at a time when we especially want to be together. You might even see yourself on screen sharing a prayerbook with Matisyahu.” (JTA)

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Rosh Hashanah

High Holiday Services in Jewish Tidewater 5781 For information on reservations, cemetery visitations, remote access to weekday services and learning opportunities, email office@bnaiisrael.org. Rabbi Sender Haber can be reached at rsh@bnaiisrael.org

Shalom Tidewater

Beth Sholom Village

www.bethsholomvillage.com 757-420-2512 In-person services for Beth Sholom Village residents only. Residents will be appropriately socially distanced apart, with two services per day to accommodate all residents in a safe manner. Unfortunately, this year BSV is unable to welcome family and friends to services and hopes to be back together again next year.

Chabad Lubavitch of Tidewater/Chabad House

www.chabadoftidewater.com Rabbi Levi Brashevitzky’s cell: 757-513-3663 All in-person services and meals are tentative and limited in space in accordance with COVID19 guidelines.

Attendance is by confirmed RSVP to rabbilevi@chabadoftidewater.com.

RSVP by: Wednesday, September 16 for all Rosh Hashanah services and meals.

Friday, September 25 for all Yom Kippur services.

B’nai Israel Congregation www.bnaiisrael.org 757-627-7358 High Holiday Services strictly by reservation.

L' Shanah Tovah!

Wednesday, September 30 for all Sukkot services and meals.

Wednesday, October 7 for all Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah services and meals.

Rosh Hashanah Friday, September 18 Light Candles: 6:49 pm Evening Services: 7 pm Community Dinner: 8:30 pm Saturday, September 19 Morning Services: 10 am Evening Services: 6:45 pm Light Candles after 7:44 pm Community Dinner: 8:30pm Sunday, September 20 Morning Services: 10 am Mini Shofar services outside: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 5 pm and 6 pm

Ohef Sholom wishes you a Happy & Healthy New Year!

• • • • •

Join us for streamed High Holiday services.

Special virtual interactive services and activity packets for children.

Adult study sessions.

Visit ohefsholom.org/high-holidays for dates and times.

All are welcome!

Founded in 1844, Ohef Sholom Temple is the oldest Reform Congregation in Tidewater.

Call (757) 625-4295 for more information or go to ohefsholom.org.

• Religious School • Family Programming • Toddler & Infant Activites

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18 | Jewish News | Rosh Hashanah | August 17, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

530 Raleigh Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507

Mincha & Tashlich Service: 5:30 pm Evening Services: 7:40 pm Holiday Ends at 7:43 pm Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27 Kaparot Morning Services: 8 am Afternoon Service: 3:30 pm Light Candles at 6:36 pm Kol Nidrei Services: 6:45 pm Fast Begins at 6:50 pm Monday, September 28 Morning Services: 10 am Yizkor Memorial Service: 12:30 pm Mincha followed by Ne’ilah Closing Service: 5 pm Fast Ends at 7:30 pm Followed by light refreshments

Congregation Beth Chaverim

Temple.Office@bethchaverim.com Jim Hibberd, Soloist Chad A. Bornstein, president, 757-477-3585 High Holiday services will be led by guest Rabbi Leah Cohen-Tennenbaum and soloist Jim Hibberd, via zoom only.

For information or reservations, contact temple.office@bethchaverim.com.

Rosh Hashanah Friday, September 18 Erev Service: 8 pm Saturday, September 19 Service: 10:30 am Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27 Kol Nidrei: 8 pm Monday, September 28 Service: 10:30 am Discussion with Rabbi Leah CohenTennenbaum: 3 pm Yizkor memorial and concluding Services: 4:30 pm

Rosh Hashanah Congregation Beth El

www.bethelnorfolk.com 757-625-7821 All services will be virtual, online streaming, and via Zoom. Links will be emailed prior to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Rosh Hashanah Friday, September 18 Erev: 5:45 pm Saturday, September 19 Morning: 9:30 am Sunday, September 20 Morning: 9:30 am Evening: 7 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv: 7 pm Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27 Kol Nidre: 6:30 pm Monday, September 28 Morning: 9 am There will be a break of 1½ hrs after the Torah service has ended. Another, longer break will take place after Avodah, Martyrology and Yizkor.

Mincha and Ne’ilah: 5 pm Ma’ariv and Shofar: 7:30 pm

Ohef Sholom Temple

www.ohefsholom.org 757-625-4295 For information on watching services, email information@ohefsholom.org.

Rosh Hashanah Friday, September 18 Erev: 7 pm, via Livestream Saturday, September 19 Children’s Service: 9:15–10 am, via Livestream Service: 10:30 am, via Livestream Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27 Kol Nidre: 7 pm, via Livestream Monday, September 28 Children’s Service: 9:15–10 am, via Livestream Service: 10:30 am, via Livestream Afternoon Study Sessions: Teshuvah and Compassion with Kitty Wolf, via Zoom: 12:30–1:30 pm

The Book of Jonah: Life Lessons on Arrogance, Humility, Judgement and Compassion with Barb Gelb, via Zoom: 1:45–2:45 pm Teshuvah, Forgiveness, and the Promise of Social Justice: Readings from the Talmud to Emmanuel Levinas with Dr. David Metzger, via Zoom, 3–4 pm Memorial and Concluding Services: via Livestream, 4:15 pm

Temple Emanuel

Family Service: 10 am Sunday, September 20 Services: 9 am Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27 Kol Nidrei: 6:30 pm, Zoom password required Monday, September 28 Services: 9 am, Zoom password required Family Service: 10 am Mincha & Ne’ilah: 5:15 pm

www.tevb.org/hhh 757-428-2591 Information on virtual High Holiday services, family programming, and accompanying online inspiration can be accessed via the High Holiday Hub: www.tevb.org/hhh.

Rosh Hashanah Friday, September 18 Services: 6:30 pm Saturday, September 19 Services: 9 am, Zoom password required

Kehillat Bet Hamidrash Kempsville Conservative Synagogue

kbhsynagogue.org 757-495-8510 The very limited seating is already full, but those wanting to attend via ZOOM can request access by emailing kbhsynagogue@gmail.com.

Rosh Hashanah Friday, September 18 Ma’ariv: 6:30 pm Saturday, September 19 Services: 9:30 am Mincha & Ma’ariv: 6 pm Sunday, September 20 Services: 9:30 am Wednesday, September 23 Yizkor Services: 7 pm Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27 Candle Lighting at KBH: 6:35 pm Kol Nidre: 6:45 pm Monday, September 28 Services: 9:30 am Mincha and Ne’ilah: 6 pm

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Rosh Hashanah Temple Israel

templeisraelva.org 757-489-4550 Live stream link and zoom information at www.templeisraelva.org.

Rosh Hashanah Friday, September 18 Services: 6 pm Saturday, September 19 Services: 9:30 am–12:30 pm Junior Congregation: 10:30–11:20 am Services: 6–6:50 pm Sunday, September 20 Services: 9:30 am–12:30 pm Services: 6–6:50 pm Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27 Minchah/Kol Nidre 6:30–8:45 pm Monday, September 28 Services: 9:30 am–1 pm Junior Congregation: 10:30–11:20 am Minchah: 5–5:50 pm Ne’ilah, Ma’ariv and Shofar: 6–7:15 pm

Temple Lev Tikvah L’SHANAH TOVAH FROM TEMPLE ISRAEL

ǀĞƌLJ LJĞĂƌ͕ ǁŚĞŶ ǁĞ ǁŝƐŚ ĞĂĐŚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŐƵƚ LJŽŶƚĞǀ͕ ǁĞ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ ŐƌĞĞƚŝŶŐ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞƐ ŽƵƌ ŚĞĂƌƚĨĞůƚ ŚŽƉĞƐ ĨŽƌ Ă ŚĂƉƉLJ ŶĞǁ LJĞĂƌ͕ Ă ƉĞĂĐĞĨƵů ŽŶĞ ĂŶĚ Ă ŚĞĂůƚŚLJ ŽŶĞ͘ dŚŝƐ LJĞĂƌ͕ ĨŽƌ ϱϳϴϭ͕ ƚŚŽƐĞ ǁŽƌĚƐ ;ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůLJ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚͿ ŚĂǀĞ ƚĂŬĞŶ ŽŶ ŶĞǁ ŵĞĂŶŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ Ăůů ŽĨ ƵƐ – ǁŝƚŚ ƐƉĞĐŝĂů ĞŵƉŚĂƐŝƐ ŽŶ ŚĞĂůƚŚ͘

tŚŝůĞ ŵŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƵƐ ǁŽŶ’ƚ ďĞ ƐŚĂƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞƐĞ ŐƌĞĞƚŝŶŐƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĞĂĐŚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŝŶ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ƚŚŝƐ LJĞĂƌ͕ dĞŵƉůĞ /ƐƌĂĞů ǁĂŶƚƐ ƚŽ ďĞ ƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ ŶŽ :ĞǁŝƐŚ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ŝŶ ,ĂŵƉƚŽŶ ZŽĂĚƐ ŐŽĞƐ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ Ă ǁĂƌŵ͕ ĞŶƌŝĐŚŝŶŐ ,ŝŐŚ ,ŽůLJ ĂLJ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ͘

/Ĩ LJŽƵ ǁŽƵůĚ ůŝŬĞ ƚŽ ũŽŝŶ ƵƐ ĨŽƌ ǀŝƌƚƵĂů͕ ŝŶŶŽǀĂƚŝǀĞ ZŽƐŚ ,ĂƐŚĂŶĂŚ ĂŶĚ zŽŵ <ŝƉƉƵƌ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐĂůů ŽƵƌ ŽĨĨŝĐĞ Ăƚ ϳϱϳ͘ϰϴϵ͘ϰϱϱϬ͕ Žƌ ǀŝƐŝƚ ŽƵƌ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ Ăƚ ƚĞŵƉůĞŝƐƌĂĞůǀĂ͘ŽƌŐ͘

20 | Jewish News | Rosh Hashanah | August 17, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

jzobe@aol.com 757-617-0334 Services are via zoom. Contact Rabbi Zoberman at 757-617-0334 or jzobe@aol.com.

Rosh Hashanah Friday, September 18 Services: 8 pm Saturday, September 19 Services: 10:30 am Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27 Services: 8 pm Monday, September 28 Services: 10:30 am Memorial and Concluding: 4 pm

Tidewater Chavurah

www.tidewaterchavurah.com All services to be held via Zoom.

Invitations for the Zoom links will be sent to those who request them. Prayer books will be delivered to all who register for services.

For information, contact Betsy at 757‑495-0730 or bblank18@verizon.net.

Rosh Hashanah Friday, September 18 Rosh Hashanah seder: 7 pm Saturday, September 19 Services: 10 am Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27 Kol Nidrei: 7 pm Monday, September 28 Morning Service: 10:30 am Ne’ilah: 6 pm

Tel Aviv synagogues get go-ahead to hold High Holiday services in public spaces Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA)—Tel Aviv is trying to make sure that worshippers can attend High Holiday services during the pandemic in a city known as the secular capital of Israel.

The Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality said it would allow synagogues to extend into public spaces as part of its effort to facilitate public prayer services hampered by restrictions on public gatherings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Its announcement said the city also would offer logistical assistance, including

access to electricity, providing shade and distributing chairs for worshippers, as well as pre-holiday shofar-blowing courses.

There are 450 synagogues located within the borders of the municipality, with 150 in municipal buildings.

“The right to prayer and religious gatherings is fundamental, and everything will be done in order to permit tens of thousands of worshipers to carry out the holiday commandments—even under the health restrictions,” Mayor Ron Huldai said in a statement.

Rosh Hashanah

Food donations needed—even without traditional High Holiday Services Susan Graves

T

he 2020 High Holidays will be quite different this year due to COVID-19.

Most people will attend services virtually, instead of in-person with their congregations.

The blast of the shofar will awaken congregants from computer speakers instead of from a seat in the sanctuary.

And, the number of loved ones gathered around the table for a festive holiday meal will be much smaller than in previous years.

What will not be different will be the number of people in Tidewater that are still struggling to put food on their table.

This year the need for food is even greater with numerous local children not physically in school to receive their subsidized breakfasts or lunches and families continuing to deal with financial struggles due to unemployment or reduced work

hours.

In past years, many area temples and synagogues have supported the Jewish Family Service food pantries through their High Holiday food drives. But this year, with most buildings closed, there will not be bins available to collect food on Yom Kippur.

JFS counts on the High Holiday food drive to stock the pantries’ shelves.

There is a solution. This year, consider dropping off non-perishable foods in the box in front of the Sandler Family Campus.

Frozen foods can be left at the Campus security desk. The box accepts food 24/7!

The JFS food pantries are always in need of boxes of cereal, canned fruits, pasta and pasta sauce, canned proteins, soups, snack foods, and condiments.

Don’t let this year be different—continue to support the JFS food pantries.

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jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Jewish News | 21

Rosh Hashanah

Blow shofar sparingly and outside, Dutch rabbis warn worshippers AMSTERDAM (JTA)—The shofar should only be blown sparingly and outside this year because of the coronavirus, Dutch rabbis said.

The advisory on the blowing of the ram’s horn ahead, a core practice associated with the upcoming celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, came from the Dutch Conference of Rabbis, or NCRZ, the country’s highest Orthodox rabbinical body.

Rabbis “should consider inviting congregations to go out to the synagogue’s yard and blow the shofar there, outside the actual building,” the advisory read.

It also recommends blowing the shofar

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outside people’s homes if they cannot attend synagogue services, which are limited to a few dozen people because of the virus.

The Organization of Jewish Communities in the Netherlands, or NIK, asked the Conference of Rabbis to consider the issue ahead of the start of the Hebrew month of Elul, which began on August 21 this year. It is customary to blow the shofar daily throughout Elul, though this is “by no means required,” the advisory said. Hearing the shofar blown on Rosh Hashanah itself, which begins this year on Sept. 19, is considered a religious obligation.

Ex-Obama health official gives a Rosh Hashanah pep talk on dealing with coronavirus Shira Hanau

A

s the High Holidays approach, Jews across the country are preparing for a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur like none they’ve ever experienced.

Andy Slavitt, a former Obama administration official who ran Medicare and Medicaid from 2015 to 2017, wants to encourage his fellow Jews to look on the bright side.

“This is a year for maximum creativity,” Slavitt said in a conversation with Leah Jones, host of the Finding Favorites podcast and the president of her Chicago synagogue.

Slavitt, an outspoken critic of the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic who hosts his own podcast on the pandemic—In the Bubble With Andy Slavitt—emphasized that the main job for synagogues this year is to protect their elderly members who are most at risk of dying from the coronavirus.

“When I say use creativity, don’t lose the spirit of what makes the holiday special,” he said.

Jones asked Slavitt to give Jewish listeners a pep talk as they contemplate a High Holiday season without in-person synagogue gatherings.

“It’s undeniable that we’ve made the right choice, but it’s hard to deny people the chance to pray together,” Jones said.

Slavitt encouraged synagogues to reinvent rituals and consider in-person gatherings held outdoors. He mentioned the Kaddish, the memorial prayer, as having a particular resonance this year and as a way to commemorate those who have died in the pandemic.

“Find those special touch points,” he said. “Replace every negative with a positive so if you can’t do an X, don’t just say let’s feel deprived, say let’s do Y instead of X.” Most synagogues across the country have been closed since stay-at-home orders were imposed across the country in March. While many Orthodox synagogues are planning to hold in-person services this year, most Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist synagogues this year will conduct High Holiday services over Zoom or other livestreaming platforms. (JTA)

it’s a Wrap JCC in the Cloud: That’s a wrap!

Sarah Cooper and Nofar Trem

A

fter six fun-filled weeks, this year’s virtual camp, Camp JCC in the Cloud, concluded on August 14. What began as uncharted territory is now a new, innovative way to connect with area children and teens.

Camp JCC collaborated with Happy Camper Live to create this year’s virtual platform. The site is vibrant, energetic, and easy to use. Still, the most important element was the personal touch of Camp JCC staff and counselors who created meaningful experiences via Zoom.

“It was an incredible opportunity to host live classes on ‘Happy Camper Live,’ says Christian Fenley, a longtime Camp JCC staff alum. “Seeing that online platform advertised on some of the family-friendly networks makes me happy to think about how many more people will be exposed to the talents of our staff. Through Camp JCC in the Cloud I was able to share smiles and laughter with campers all summer!”

No matter what the future holds, Camp JCC will be armed with Happy Camper Live and a summer’s worth of practice to continue to provide virtual experiences.

The virtual platform called for some the diaspora, reminded counselors to go beyond their comfort me of the values we all zones. “I’ve learned how to develop virshare as a worldwide tual content and how to be more confident in front Valonda Turner, music instructor, made delicious fish of a camera,” says bowl cookies during “Under the Sea” week.

Ayanna Johnson.

“Although we did not get to see each other in person, we still built memories.

The best part is that the memories are only a click away!”

Each live activity was recorded, and then uploaded Chris Fenley, art instructor, is excited to show the extra-large guitar he made. on the site as a video on demand.

Campers can access these videos from Charlotte Borgerding, counselor, talks about anywhere, at anyBritish tea. time. Camp JCC plans to share these videos throughout the year to connect with families and help parents find interactive virtual activities.

Still, it was hard on both the campers and staff to not physically be Zack Krell reads The Giving Tree for Shabbat. at camp. “Weekly Noya Azari, Camp Shaliach, connects with kids Shabbat was my favorite thing each week.

Jewish community,” says Arazi. from thousands of miles away in Tel Aviv.

It was my normalcy for this summer and Camp JCC in the Cloud brought fun, brought a sense of community and tradilearning, and smiles to the community at tions,” says Zack Krell. “Seeing smiling no cost. No matter what the future holds, faces of campers and staff put a smile on Camp JCC will be armed with Happy my face throughout the summer!”

Camper Live and a summer’s worth of The connection expanded beyond practice to continue to provide virtual Tidewater. Camp JCC in the Cloud made experiences. it possible to connect with the camp’s Shaliach (an Israeli emissary who shares To learn more about the Simon Family JCC’s their experiences and provides a human virtual children’s programming or to join connection to Israel with Jewish summer the Children and Family committee to help camps) from a couple of years ago, Noya shape family engagement, including camp, Arazi. “Virtual camp helped me bring the contact Nofar Trem, manager of Youth and Israeli culture (in different ways) all the Teen Experiences at ntrem@ujft.org or Counselor, Ayanna Johnson, perfects her Play way to Virginia from Tel Aviv. Also, welSarah Cooper, program manager of Kids Dough marble roller coaster. coming Shabbat online with people from Connection, at scooper@simonfamilyjcc.org. jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Jewish News | 23

jewish Students

It’s not the same and everybody knows it: Jewish campus life goes virtual Josefin Dolsten

(JTA)—When Abigail Adams decided to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she thought she would spend the Friday nights of her first year there at Shabbat dinners on campus with other Jewish students, building a close-knit group of friends.

By the time Adams moved into her dorm last month, she knew those dinners would have to wait: The coronavirus pandemic shut down the campus Hillel building. But she was looking forward to taking part in the small-scale, socially distanced events that Hillel had planned.

Adams didn’t imagine that just one week into the semester, she’d be joining her college’s Shabbat celebration from her bedroom at her family’s home two hours away from campus, trying to make conversation on Zoom with students she had never met in person.

But that’s what happened after UNC abruptly switched to online-only classes after an alarming number of coronavirus cases were detected among students during the first week of school.

Students—other than those with extenuating circumstances—were told to leave their dorms and head home.

Adams, an 18-year-old political science major, hopes to return to Chapel Hill and live off campus with a few other students once the spike has abated, but until then she’s taking online classes and trying to connect with other students virtually.

It’s been “difficult,” she says, and online Shabbat celebrations don’t measure up to the real thing.

“It’s definitely not the same because we’re not having one-on-one and smaller conversations,” Adams says.

While some colleges and universities are going completely virtual, others are bringing in students but putting in place stringent social distancing measures.

That’s what UNC-Chapel Hill had done before reversing course.

No matter the policy, it’s clear that college—and with it Jewish student life— will look very different this year.

Being involved with Hillel and other Jewish student organizations forms a significant part of the social lives of many Jewish students. At schools with large Jewish populations, Shabbat dinners can draw dozens or even hundreds of students who crowd into a Hillel building or dining hall to eat and schmooze. Yom Kippur services might see a similar number of students crammed into an auditorium or campus chapel. None of that is happening this year. Birthright, the 10-day trip to Israel that is rite of passage for many Jewish college students, is also on hold.

“There’s a real sense of loss,” says Ari Gauss, the executive director of North Carolina Hillel, which serves nine schools in the state, including UNC-Chapel Hill.

In a normal year, Gauss says, UNC’s Hillel would have held high-profile events at the beginning of the year, such as a bagel giveaway in a central location.

“We’re doing everything we can trying to be innovative and methodically reaching out directly to as many students as possible, trying to convene cohorts of students online in medium-sized groups so that they can have an ongoing sense of connection to a micro-community of peers,” he says. “But it’s not the same and everybody knows it.”

The radical rethinking of campus life this year is giving rise to some notable innovations. Hillel International, which works with Hillels at more than 600 colleges and universities around the world, is teaming with the arts organization Reboot to produce a splashy High Holiday experience for students and others. On the docket: Kol Nidre by Broadway star Adam Kantor, a Neilah service by the folk band Milk Carton Kids and students from at least a dozen campuses.

At schools that are bringing students back to campus, Hillels are not just revamping how they handle Shabbat meals—they’re also being called upon to support students in new ways.

“Students are increasingly isolated and there’s lots of mental health concerns that we have for students,” says Jen Zwilling, Hillel International’s chief strategy officer.

“Our strategy is to be safe, but also to help students not feel so alone or so isolated.”

At Cornell, Hillel staff is having to counsel students who lost loved ones due to the coronavirus. The Hillel recently hired a new staffer with a social work background who in addition to planning

events will be able to join the three rabbis on staff in counseling students.

“Usually our programming focuses on living a Jewish life fully in a pluralistic setting,” says Rabbi Ari Weiss, Cornell Hillel’s executive director. Now, he says “We really have to be thinking about even more basic needs, which is to make sure that our students feel safe and secure and supported.”

Cornell’s Hillel has been providing “Shabags”—Shabbat-to-go bags featuring a kiddush cup, challah, grape juice, and candles—for students who are quarantining as they come from states with high coronavirus rates.

The university’s kosher dining hall, which usually hosts hundreds of students for Friday night dinner, will be operating at extremely limited capacity—only allowing 30 students to eat at a time with everyone sitting 6 feet apart. Once the dining hall is at capacity, students will have to pick up Shabags and celebrate Shabbat outside or in their dorm.

Though Adams hasn’t been able to make many new friends yet, she found that she has grown closer with several other students at UNC-Chapel Hill whom she knew from her synagogue, youth group, and elementary and middle school.

“The few Jewish students that I knew before coming on campus, I’ve connected with them more,” she says. “They aren’t getting to meet many new people either.”

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24 | Jewish News | September 7, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

jewish tidewater

Elie Wiesel Competition 2020

what’s happening Super Sunday—Today, Tomorrow, Together Sunday, September 13, 10 am–1 pm

Micaela Procopio

T

he arrival of the novel coronavirus brought many unexpected changes. One area that was not changed, however, was the amount of and timing of the entries for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission’s Elie Wiesel Competition. The deadline was just prior to the pandemic closing the doors of schools and businesses, sending many to work and learn from home.

This year saw more than 1,600 total entries, stretching from eight states around the country—from Florida to New Jersey, North Carolina, and California. The students in the written com- Andy Qian-senior petitions had their work judged in a traditional timeframe, as they are always the first on the judging docket. That judging, conducted by area writers and educators, took place literally just as the doors to places of business were closing to the public. The multimedia entrants waited a little longer, as their pieces were adapted to be judged virtually. Visual art is more difficult to judge online, so those entrants and their teachers waited patiently for the Sandler Family Campus to reopen and allow the judges’ schedules inside.

Judging finally took place in July and winners received a nice summer surprise.

Competition chairs and judges were impressed Sarah Bell-senior by the depth, creativity, and passion that spoke volumes in the submissions. As always, choosing the winners and art show pieces was incredibly difficult.

Since the annual traditional art show, where the winners are highlighted at the Sandler Family Campus for a month, could not take place, the Commission created a Virtual Art Show, including the winners and other notable pieces.

The show may be found on the Holocaust Commission website.

Unfortunately, the Commission’s annual Yom Hashoah commemoration event was canceled to protect the safety of the survivors, students and their families and friends, and the community. While the students’ remarkable work and Aidan McDuffie-junior achievements were not celebrated in-person, the winners’ work is available on the website to view from anywhere at anytime. In addition to the visual art, the winning essays and poems created by the honored students are available to read at https://holocaustcommission.jewishva.org/home-page/elie-wiesel.

The Holocaust Commission is adapting its programs for virtual learning. For more information about Holocaust Commission programs, visit www.holocaustcommission.org, call 757-965-6100, or email info@holocaustcommission.org.

Amy Zelenka

T

he past year has brought extraordinary challenges to the entire planet which have resulted in massive changes to the way we all do “business.” The Jewish community of Tidewater has certainly not been exempt from those changes—as anyone who’s “attended” a meeting or cultural arts event since mid-March can attest.

Neither has the community’s beloved Super Sunday phone-a-thon event been safe from change. So, while it won’t look like past Super Sundays it will still serve to bring the community together—if not physically—than certainly in spirit and in mission.

On Sunday, September 13, volunteers from across the Jewish community will “come together” via zoom and in small groups to “make the calls that make a difference” in the lives of so many here at home and around the Jewish world.

So whether it’s a small, socially distanced group meeting under a tent on the back lawn of the Sandler Family Campus, at Ohef Sholom Temple, or a group of friends on the porch or back deck of a friend’s house, or even individuals calling from their own living or dining rooms, this Super Sunday will once again aim to reach every member of the Jewish community of Tidewater—to ask for support for the Campaign which funds the programs and services that make Jewish Tidewater one worth celebrating.

In a year like this one, with challenges unlike any we could have predicted, needs will be greater. Understanding that the longer we live in a COVID-lockdown world, the greater will be the demands on area

organizations and their resources, and the more we will have to look for new, safe ways of coming together to help one another. Fundraising will be more important than ever. Every dollar…every donor… every volunteer who asks others to help… these will allow the community to remain strong and vital and prepared for the post-COVID-future.

So, when your phone rings on Sunday, September 13 between 10 am and 1 pm, please answer the call. If you’re able to help

The support we offer TODAY will ensure a better TOMORROW, because TOGETHER we can build a stronger Jewish community. support the community, please say “YES” when your volunteer caller asks for a gift to the 2021 Community Campaign. The support we offer TODAY will ensure a better TOMORROW, because TOGETHER we can build a stronger Jewish community.

To volunteer to make calls on Super Sunday, 10–11:30 am or 11:30 am to 1 pm, contact Amy Zelenka at 757-965-6139 or azelenka@ujft.org. Say whether you prefer to come to a small socially-distanced gathering at a location in Virginia Beach or Norfolk, or if you’d prefer to make calls from home. The call training, call script, thank you notes and donor giving history info that is needed to be successful will all be provided.

jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Jewish News | 25

Calendar SEPTEMBER 13, SUNDAY ANSWER THE CALL. Super Sunday in the time of COVID-19 will be virtual, spread across the community, and held in host homes. 10 am – 1 pm. For more information, contact Amy Zelenka at 757-965-6139 or azelenka@ujft.org.

SEPTEMBER 15, TUESDAY 32nd Annual Bob Josephberg Classic Golf Tournament for Strelitz International Academy will be held at Bayville Golf Course, 4137 First Court Road, Virginia Beach. For more information, contact Carly Glikman at 757-424-4327 or cglikman@strelitzacademy.org.

L’Shanah Tovah!

Wishing you a year of health, happiness and peace.

May each of us strive to bring out the best in ourselves and others, and may we all be inscribed in the Book of Life.

SEPTEMBER 18, FRIDAY Tidewater Chavurah will kick off the High Holidays with an online Rosh Hashanah seder with blessings and foods representative of the season. For more information, call Carol Smith at 757-499-3660 or Betsy Blank at 757-495-0730 or email Rabbi Jaffe-Gill at rabbicantorejg@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 30, WEDNESDAY JCRC Your Vote is Your Voice series. Eitan Hersh, associate professor of Political Science at Tufts University, will discuss his book, Politics Is For Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change. Free and open to the community, via Zoom.

7:30 pm. For more information, contact Megan Zuckerman, director, Jewish Community Relations Council at mzuckerman@ujft.org.

OCTOBER 20, TUESDAY JCRC Your Vote is Your Voice series. Jennifer Steinhauer, New York Times reporter and author of The Firsts: The Inside Story of the Women Reshaping Congress, will share her perspective on how these women are making Congress essential again. Free and open to the community, via Zoom. 7:30 pm. For more information, contact Megan Zuckerman, director, Jewish Community Relations Council at mzuckerman@ujft.org.

Send submissions for calendar to news@ujft.org. Be sure to note “calendar” in the subject.

Include date, event name, sponsor, address, time, cost and phone.

Jewish News upcoming issues See the paper 3 days before the cover date at www.JewishNewsVa.org/digital.

Salute to

tidewater Jewish Military Connections

Yom Kippur September 21

Mazel Tov

Veterans

Hannukkah

education

October 12

October 26

Business Innovation, advancements and news

Business

November 9 26 | Jewish News | September 7, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

November 30

December 40

sports

Max Fried idolizes Sandy Koufaxâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; and this year heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pitching like him Marc Brodsky

(JTA)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Moshiach, thy name is Maxâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in Atlanta, anyway.

That is Max Fried of the Braves, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been among the most dominant pitchers in this pandemic-shortened Major League Baseball season.

The Jewish lefty, in his second full season as a starter, has gone 6-0 after beating the Boston Red Sox on Monday, August 31 and owns a National League best 1.60 earned run average. Fried has yet to yield a home run in his last 58 1/3 innings, including 45 this season.

Great pitching for sure.

The 26-year-old southpaw qualifies as that for a Braves squad that saw its top starter, Mike Soroka, go down three starts into the season with an Achilles tear and the rest of the rotation struggle terribly.

Still, Atlanta was sitting atop its division.

His teammates and manager are quick to cite Fried as the reason.

Fried grew up in the Los Angeles area, throws hard, is a leftyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and yes, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big-time Sandy Koufax fan.

In fact, his uniform number, 32, is an homage to the Dodgers Hall of Famer who famously sat out a World Series game in 1965 played on Yom Kippur. (Fried did pitch last year on the Day of Atonement; it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go well.)

Fried met Koufax in 2018 when the Braves and Dodgers faced off in the postseason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Incredible,â&#x20AC;? was how Fried recalled the meeting in an interview last year.

Now no one is calling the lanky 6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;4, 190-pound Fried another Koufax. But great things were expected for the former first round draft choice.

September 13, 2020 Calls from 10 AM until 1 PM

Tuesday

BOB JOSEPHBERG

September 15, 2020

10:30 am: Registration opens 12:00 pm: Tee-off

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Super Sunday

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s UJFT Super Sunday Community Phone-a-thon will look very different as it will take place with small groups of volunteers calling from host homes.

Want to spend a couple of hours with some of your friends or neighbors?

You can make the calls from your porch or back deck! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for community members to host these small groups.

Federation will deliver a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super Sunday Survival Kitâ&#x20AC;? for each host location, which will include (among other Super Sunday â&#x20AC;&#x153;staplesâ&#x20AC;?) pledge cards and bagels!

Take part in something fun, meaningful, and super vital to our community!

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to host a group, please contact Amy Zelenka at azelenka@ujft.org or 757-965-6139.

Volunteer at www.jewishva.org/supersunday jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Jewish News | 27

Obituaries Dr. Irvin J. Coin Portsmouth—Dr. Irvin J. Coin, 97, passed away August 28, 2020.

A native of Portsmouth he was the son of the late Robert and Rebecca Coin.

He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley Nachman Coin, his brother Ernest Coin, and sister Sophie Block.

He graduated from Pennsylvania College of Optometry and served in the US Army in WWII. He is survived by his daughter Nancy Unger (Howard) and son, Dr. Richard Coin (Nina). His grandchildren are Dr. Keith Unger (Emily), Dr. Suzanne Unger Freeman (Mathew), Dr. Eric Unger (Leslie), Blair Burdette (David) and Teddy Coin. His nine grandchildren are Bennett, Stella, Violet and Saul Unger, Garrett and Henry Freeman and Andrew, Hunter and Jackson Burdette. His nieces are Leslie Klavan and Barrie Smullian.

A private graveside service was held at Hebrew Cemetery.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at HDOliver.com.

Leah Belle Sachs Gardner Silver Spring, Md.—Leah Belle Sachs Gardner, 89, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2020. A memorial service for immediate family was held at Beth Joseph Agudath Sholom Cemetery in Madison Heights, Va. Leah Belle was born and raised in Lexington, Va. She was the neighborhood’s fastest running back, lettered in basketball in high school, and was a skilled equestrienne. She earned a bachelor of arts in Fine Arts from Mary Washington College, where she served in the Cavalry during WWII. She met the love of her life, Dr. Robert D. (Bob) Gardner, when her brother brought Bob home from UVA for Thanksgiving dinner. After their marriage, Leah Belle became a homemaker, and while raising four children, she volunteered her time and talents to many organizations, including the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center, Agudath Sholom Synagogue, and the Virginia School of the Arts. Her talents were many: artist, sculptor, costumer, seamstress, actress,

writer, and teacher. She was honored by the YWCA Academy of Women with the Arts and Culture Award, and received the Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.

Survivors include her sons Todd (Lori) Gardner of Silver Spring, Md., Greg (Debra) Gardner of Lake Lure, N.C., and daughter Shayne Gardner of Arlington, Va. She is predeceased by her husband Robert D. Gardner, and daughter Jill Gardner. She is also survived by her brother, Leonard “Bert” Sachs of Norfolk, Va.; three grandchildren, Joshua (Maya) Gardner, Alana (Akiva) Landsman and Jake Gardner (Bethany); and two great-granddaughters Yves Gardner-Barak and Sage Landsman. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jill Gardner Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation and Agudath Sholom Synagogue. To send a condolence to the family, visit whittenfuneralhome.com.

Dr. Warren G. Karesh Rockville, MD.—Dr. Warren Karesh of the North End of Virginia Beach, passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

Beloved husband of Mimi Sunshine Karesh for 57 years. Caring father of Michael (Gayla Bassham) Karesh and Sara Karesh (David) Coxe. Also survived by sister Maxine (Mike) Kibler. Loving grandfather of Lena, Benton, and Judah Karesh and Sadie Coxe. Devoted to his miniature poodle, Pierre, with whom he took long walks on the beach they both loved. He was predeceased by his parents, David and Sarah.

Warren grew up in Bamberg, SC. There he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the BSA and was elected president of his senior class. He earned a chemical engineering degree from Clemson, where he was a member of the Pershing Rifles, then served in the U.S. Army to fulfill his ROTC commitment before working at DuPont in Martinsville. Next, Warren studied dentistry and orthodontics at MCV, then built a thriving orthodontic practice with Robert Rubin, Sherry Hamilton (deceased), Walker Shiver, and Anthony Peluso in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake.

28 | Jewish News | September 7, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

Warren was deeply committed to the Tidewater Jewish community and to Israel, serving as president of the beach’s Temple Emanuel.

All services were private. The family requests donations to Operation Smile or the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Funeral services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg, Rockville, Md. (sagelbloomfield.com).

Lois Ein Legum Norfolk—Lois Ein Legum passed away peacefully at age 89 on Monday, September 1, 2020.

A native of South Orange New Jersey, she attended Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She married her husband of 56 years, Stanley, settling in Norfolk, Virginia.

She was a very active member of the community and enjoyed her volunteer work. Having modeled in her younger years, she was a woman of style, stature, and flair. She was also an avid and competitive athlete and excelled at every sport.

She is survived by her children Diane Legum of Scottsdale, Az; Peter Legum of Rockville, Md; and her grandsons Zachary Legum and Drew Legum. A private graveside service was held.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at HDOliver.com. Contributions can be made to Feeding America or the charity of one’s choice.

Ina Levy Sarasota, Fla.—Ina Rae Burdman Levy, age 91, passed away peacefully at the Sarasota Bay Club on Sunday, August 30, 2020.

Mrs. Levy was born on July 22, 1929 to Harry and Doris Burdman, in Youngstown, Ohio. Each of her parents immigrated to the United States from Russia in the 1920s. Mrs. Levy was raised in Youngstown, and in 1957, she married the love of her life, Rabbi Theodore S. Levy. Together for 48 beautiful years, they lived in Huntington, W.Va. and Waterbury, Conn., and then settled with their family in Syracuse, N.Y. for 30 years.

After Syracuse, they spent 10 years on

Hilton Head Island where Rabbi Levy died in 2004. Ina Rae moved to Sarasota, and into the Sarasota Bay Club, where she enjoyed continued community work, new friends, and being closer to her children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Levy’s life was full of educational pursuits, community involvement, philanthropic work, family, and travel. Ina Rae Levy earned her B.S. in Education in 1967 and an M.S. in Family Therapy in 1972, from Syracuse University. Her relationship with Syracuse University continued throughout the 1970s while she worked as an assistant professor and assistant to the dean in the College of Human Development.

Mrs. Levy was involved in innumerable local and world-wide organizations and received many awards as a result of her impact in those organizations.

She was vice president of the New York State Federations of Women’s Clubs and was the first president of the Women’s Assembly of Syracuse Jewish Federation.

Levy was also active in the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods and was the president of her district. As a vicechair for the World Union for Progressive Judaism, she traveled extensively with her husband, visiting member Reform congregations around the world. While in Syracuse, Mrs. Levy was also the president of the prestigious Upstate Medical Center. Levy once received the Hannah G. Solomon Award from the National Council of Jewish Women. Mrs. Levy was also tireless in her devotion to the equality and advancement of women. She was named by the Syracuse Post-Standard as the Woman of Achievement in Career Development in 1972 and again in 1985 she was named the Overall Woman of Achievement. In addition, she was always involved in and passionate about Planned Parenthood and The League of Women Voters wherever she lived. One of Ina Rae’s proudest achievements was being the only woman invited to participate in the first ordination of Rabbis since the Holocaust in Dresden, Germany.

When Mrs. Levy moved to Sarasota, she once again became active in her synagogue, became an active member of

Obituaries American Jewish Committee (AJC), chairing fundraising events in both Sarasota and Tampa. Always concerned with the plight of Jews around the world, In 2005, Mrs. Levy, was instrumental in the donation of a Holocaust Torah from a synagogue in Youngstown, Ohio to a small synagogue in a small Russian community.

She regretted not being able to attend the Torah dedication herself.

Despite all the accolades and achievements, foremost for Mrs. Levy was her love for her family. She had three younger brothers, Ronald, B. Richard Burdman, and Kenneth Burdman, all who pre-deceased her. She leaves behind two sisters-in-law, Babette Burdman and Marsha Burdman, and their families. In addition to her children Seth (and wife Alice), Cyndi, Jonathan (and wife Karen), she leaves five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. They were all the joys of her life.

Funeral services were held graveside at the Temple El Emeth Coitsville Cemetery in Youngstown, Ohio. Mrs. Levy was buried next to her beloved husband and her parents and brothers.

Memorial donations may be made to: Rabbi Theodore S. Levy Endowed Fellowship at the American Jewish Archives, Hebrew Union College, 3101 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220 or to the AJC West Coast Florida Chapter, 1605 Main Street, Suite 612, Sarasota, FL 34236

Lorence “Ozzie” Roger Osmunson, III Virginia Beach—Lorence “Ozzie” Roger Osmunson, III, 75, died after a short illness on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at Virginia Beach General Hospital.

He was born January 22, 1945, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Lorence R. and Etta Mae (Phillips) Osmunson.

Ozzie graduated from Norview High School, class of 1963. Following graduation, he served with the U.S. Navy as a Submariner for six years. Ozzie filled his lifelong calling as a Fire Fighter. He retired in 1996 after 25 years with the Civil Service Fire Department aboard Norfolk Naval Base. He most recently retired in January 2020 from Dante Valve of CA.

Ozzie loved his community. Within the past few years, he had begun to take a more active role in his local synagogue, Kehillat Bet Hamidrash, Kempsville Conservative Synagogue and held a position on their board until his passing. Ozzie finished his Citizen’s Police Academy with the Virginia Beach Police Department this month.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Jimmy. Surviving in addition to his wife, Hedy (Massey), are his daughter, Rebecca Harper and her husband Michael, of Hanford, Calif. and his son Shneur Steven Osmunson and his wife Rina, of Chicago, IIll.; five grandchildren, Malka, Zack, Menachem Mendel, Shayna Bryna, and Yaakov. Ozzie also leaves one brother, Robert Osmunson (Patricia) and three sisters, Susan (Hal), Debbie, and Gale, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service took place.

Altmeyer Funeral Home.

Southside Chapel • 5033 Rouse Drive Virginia Beach • 757 422-4000

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

Maestas Chapel • 1801 Baltic Ave. Virginia Beach • 757 428-1112

• Family owned and operated since 1917 • Affordable services to fit any budget

Chesapeake Chapel • 929 S. Battlefield Blvd.

Chesapeake • 757 482-3311

• Advance funeral planning • Professional, experienced, caring staff • Flexible burial options • Flexible payment options

Denbigh Chapel • 12893 Jefferson Ave. Newport News • 757 874-4200

WWW.ALTMEYER.COM Approved by all area Rabbis and Chevrah Kadisha

Riverside Chapel • 7415 River Road Newport News •757 245-1525

jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Jewish News | 29

Who knew?

New ‘kosher Netflix’ streaming service in Israel lets viewers skip the immodest parts Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA)—Israelis who don’t want to see racy content have a new streaming service that allows them to skip the immodest parts.

The Tov TV service, dubbed the “kosher Netflix” by the Israeli daily Haaretz, is geared toward observant Jews who follow the religious laws of modesty.

Women prescreen films and television series to identify the problematic content, according to the newspaper report.

Viewers can choose their level of censorship, from a warning text that pops up during a scene, allowing the viewer to press a button and skip that part, to shows in which some content is previously

erased. Some shows are taboo, including Game of Thrones, according to Haaretz.

The service, which has been two years in the making, is the brainchild of Israeli businessman Israel Zeira, who supports the national religious Jewish Home party.

Zeira has already invested more than $1 million in the project, according to Haaretz.

Tov TV believes its target audience includes about 400,000 Israeli households, according to the report.

Its content library now contains about 400 viewing hours with 170 titles, but the company plans to add up to 40 viewing hours a month, according to Haaretz.

The newspaper reported that a similar model exists for airlines, which censor some content to make it family-friendly.

Jewish singer Doja Cat wins MTV best new artist award

Singer and rapper Doja Cat is 2020’s best new artist, according to MTV. The singer, whose full name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, won the MTV Video Music Award for Push Best New Artist in a ceremony that was taped in various locations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dlamini, who hails from California and is the daughter of a Jewish-American mother and a non-Jewish South African father, has risen to fame since the music video for her song Moo went viral in 2018. Her 2020 song Say So, which had a remix featuring the rapper Nicki Minaj, has spent 33 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, including as its top song.

She urged fans to “stay safe” and thanked her mother in her acceptance speech.

Dlamini has had her share of controversy. In 2018, she came under fire for having used homophobic slurs on social media. She defended her use of the term before apologizing.

Then in May, social media users claimed that she was frequenting chat rooms where users employed racist language, and one of her earlier songs resurfaced that used a term used to mock Black victims of police violence. Dlamini later apologized and said she had not engaged in racist conversations online and that her usage of the racist term was an effort to “flip its meaning,” though she called it a “bad decision.” (JTA)

You are invited to join UJFT and Jewish communities from around North America in this rare celebration. Connect with like-minded people from across the Federation Movement and hear about the impact you've had through your local Federation, especially during the current crisis.

Plus, surprise celebrity appearances!

https://tinyurl.com/communitykvell

30 | Jewish News | September 7, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

S E N TA R A N O R F O L K G E N E R A L H O S PI TA L

Top 25 Nationally Ranked in Urology We’re in this together – Sentara is grateful for the opportunity to provide our community with high-quality health care. Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is honored to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 25 nationally ranked hospital in Urology.

We are proud to work with our clinical partners at Urology of Virginia, educators at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and clinicians and researchers of the nationally accredited Sentara Cancer Network.

Thank you for your continued dedication to patients and families.

Providing high-quality urological care and keeping you safe at Sentara by: • Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to caregivers & patients • Screening providers & office staff • Ongoing cleaning & sanitizing of all areas • Screening patients for fever & symptoms at the front door

Sentara.com/USNews jewishnewsva.org | September 7, 2020 | Jewish News | 31

32 | Jewish News | September 7, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org