JewishNewsVA.org
INSIDE
Southeastern Virginia | Vol. 65, No. 1 | 18 Elul 5786 | August 31, 2026
5 Building partnerships with local law enforcement
L’Shanah Tovah! 5787
6 Tidewater Jewish Hero Henry Scolnick
7 Amy Milligan receives National Changemaker Award
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23 Team Virginia Beach scores in Toronto
SPORTS
Jewish businessmen Joshua Kushner, Bob Iger buy Los Angeles Lakers for record $12.5b
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Jacob Gurvis (JTA) —Jewish businessmen Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner are purchasing the NBA’s storied Los Angeles Lakers in a stunning, record-setting $12.5 billion deal. The sale comes barely a year after the team’s controlling stake was sold for $10 billion to Mark Walter, the billionaire CEO of Guggenheim Partners who also owns MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, the WNBA’s L.A. Sparks, Premier League club Chelsea, the Professional Women’s Hockey League and Cadillac’s Formula 1 team. Walter, who is not Jewish, is reportedly seeking cash to pay down loans in response to a Department of Justice investigation. Kushner, 41, is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law and advisor to President Donald Trump who has played a central role in Israel policy. The younger Kushner is a billionaire venture capitalist who holds a minority stake in the Miami Heat — which he will have to sell to complete the Lakers sale — and was previously a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies. “As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world,” Iger and Kushner said in a statement. “We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of [longtime owners] Jerry and Jeanie Buss. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.” The Lakers sale is the latest in a string of recent high-profile NBA team transactions by and among Jewish businesspeople — including Mat Ishbia’s purchase of the Phoenix Suns, Gabe
Plotkin and Rick Schnall’s purchase of the Charlotte Hornets from Michael Jordan, and Mark Cuban’s sale of the Dallas Mavericks to Miriam Adelson. Kushner, who is the grandson of Holocaust survivors and was raised in an Orthodox home in Livingston, New Jersey, was at the center of a controversy in the world of professional soccer earlier this summer when his investment fund Thrive Eternal attempted to purchase a stake in FIFA’s World Cup tournaments. Under pressure from stakeholders from across the sport, who objected to the prospect of private ownership of the sport’s preeminent contest, the global soccer body withdrew the privatization offer. The Kushner family has donated millions of dollars to Jewish organizations in America and Israel, including the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, multiple West Bank settlement organizations, Chabad, the Ramaz School in Manhattan and Kehilath Jeshurun synagogue on the Upper West Side. The Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston is named for his grandfather, who launched the family’s real estate empire. Kushner’s father Charles serves as the United States Ambassador to France and Monaco. Iger, 75, ended his second stint as CEO of Disney earlier this year. He and his wife, Willow Bay, are the owners of the professional women’s soccer club Angel City FC. Iger was raised in a Jewish home. Following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that launched the Gaza war, Iger sent a note to Disney’s Jewish employees to “express my shock and sadness.”
UPFRONT
JEWISH NEWS
jewishnewsva.org
Time to reflect
Published 18 times a year by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
Betty Ann Levin As the High Holidays approach and we prepare to welcome the year 5787, I find myself reflecting on the past year in our Tidewater Jewish community and all that I witness and experience. Throughout the summer, I watched children playing and relishing their time at Camp JCC. Over the past year, I have seen my own two teenagers strengthen their Jewish identities and friendships through Tidewater BBYO. I have watched our BBYO teens connect with hundreds of peers at regional conventions and thousands more at the BBYO International Convention in Philadelphia. I have seen our Tidewater Maccabi Team compete alongside thousands of Jewish teens from around the world at the Maccabi Games in Toronto, where Team Virginia Beach proudly brought home a gold medal in basketball! I have seen Jewish Family Service of Tidewater volunteers package food for families in need during the holidays. I have seen students in our Jewish day schools and synagogue religious schools mark milestones ranging from the first and last days of school to Confirmation ceremonies to graduations. I have witnessed the impact of our community’s generosity around the world. Earlier this year, participants on our Women’s Mission to Argentina visited JDC programs, the ORT school, and numerous other programs supported by the dollars we raise each year through our Annual Community Campaign. I have also witnessed the challenges we continue to face. Antisemitism remains a grim reality. Acts of hatred impact us all, whether near or far, and require increased security measures to protect our Jewish community. And truly, these are only a few examples of the wide-ranging activities, programs, and challenges that take place and/or emanate from Jewish Tidewater. The story of our community is far larger. We are an extraordinary and caring community that, year after year, generously supports the Annual Community Campaign, enabling our Federation to allocate these funds to support, grow, protect, and sustain Jewish life in Tidewater and around the globe. For that, you should be proud. Proud of the strength, resilience, and commitment that define Jewish Tidewater. Proud of what we have accomplished together. And committed to helping secure our future for generations to come. May 5787 bring us renewed opportunities to strengthen and protect Jewish life in Tidewater and across the Jewish world. From my family to yours, L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu. Betty Ann Levin is executive vice president/CEO of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family Jewish Community Center.
QUOTABLE
CONTENTS Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger buy LA Lakers . . . . . . . 2
Rosh Hashanah special section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Upfront: Betty Ann Levin reflects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Team Virginia Beach scores in Toronto . . . . . . . . . . 23
Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
KBH celebrates first year on Sandler Family Campus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Strengthening community safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Spotlight on Henry Skolnick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Amy Milligan receives award from national academic organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SIA’s first day back to school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 What’s Happening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Netanyahu: Call the PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Camp JCC 2026: A memorable season. . . . . . . . . . 10
In Memoriam: Dolly Parton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
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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 Terri Denison, Editor Michael McMahon, Art Director Haley Bartel, Copywriter Sandy Goldberg, Ad Sales Patty Malone, Circulation Teresa Knecht, Digital Manager United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Mona Flax, President Jason Hoffman, President elect Robert Friedman, Secretary Alvin Wall, Treasurer 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.
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When law enforcement joins hands with the people we serve and the spiritual leaders who guide our neighborhoods, we create an unbreakable network of support and communication.” – page 5
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BRIEFS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Cruz, Slotkin lead bipartisan push for federal protest buffer around houses of worship
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bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced federal legislation in the House and Senate aimed at protecting houses of worship from disruptive demonstrations, following a series of protests outside of synagogues. The Right to Worship Act was introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, and Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, alongside Reps. Brad Knott, a North Carolina Republican, and Tom Suozzi, a New York Democrat. It would establish a 100-foot “buffer zone” around houses of worship during religious services — mirroring similar legislation recently enacted in New York. “The First Amendment guarantees every American the right to freely exercise their faith, and Congress has a duty to ensure that guarantee is met,” Cruz said in a statement. The legislation would also establish civil penalties for offenders and provide pathways for individuals, including state attorneys, to seek court orders and damages in federal court. While the legislation would target protesters who knowingly disrupt scheduled religious services, houses of worship would not be required to make their schedules public. The bill’s sponsors say the measure is aimed at conduct rather than the content of protesters’ speech. “No one should have to push through a hostile crowd or shout over a bullhorn in an attempt to pray,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League, which helped lawmakers draft the legislation. It’s the latest attempt at passing federal legislation aimed at insulating houses of worship from protest, following Suozzi’s “SACRED Act” legislation, a similar bill he introduced in April, but which has not progressed in the House. Those efforts have now been joined by Slotkin, who is Jewish, and Cruz, who has often taken aim at antisemitism within the Republican coalition over the past year. “Exercising your right to worship should not require you to exhibit particular courage as you enter your synagogue, church, mosque, temple, mandir, or gurdwara,” Suozzi said in a statement. The New York City Council passed a local buffer zone bill in March following a series of pro-Palestinian protests outside of synagogues that hosted Israeli real estate expos. While Jewish groups and leaders heavily advocated for the measure, it also faced opposition from civil rights leaders who said it would have a chilling effect on First Amendment protections. (JTA) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Hochul urges Mamdani to focus on NYC over Israel
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n a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she encouraged Mayor Zohran Mamdani to focus on the city’s government over Israel following the mayor’s sharp criticism of Israeli Prime
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Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month. Mamdani’s comments have drawn criticism from some New York Jewish leaders, who warn that he is inciting violence against the city’s Jews. “I encourage him to — ‘let’s focus on the blocking and tackling of city government,’” Hochul said. “That is where I believe the main focus should be.” (New York Jewish Week) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
NYPD chief pledges to protect Jews at Central Synagogue
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ew York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said she felt a “deeply personal” commitment to protect Jews in a speech at Central Synagogue, where she is a member, in the aftermath of an attack during Shabbat services there. Tisch addressed the Reform synagogue in Midtown Manhattan during its Friday evening prayers a week after a man disrupted the service by shouting obscenities, punched a congregant in the face, and spat on and headbutted a Black security guard while calling him a racial slur. Suspect Larry Montes, who was arrested at the scene, has been charged with hate crimes in federal and state court. Tisch said there were no serious injuries. She called the attack “a message written in violence,” intended to tell “everyone who shares the victim’s identity that they do not belong, that they are vulnerable, and that they should be afraid.” She also noted that roughly half of confirmed hate crimes in New York City have for years targeted Jews, who make up about 10% of the population. “As a proud Jew and a lifelong member of this congregation, you have my word that I stand with you in these uncertain and precarious times,” said Tisch, adding that her commitment at Central Synagogue was “deeply personal.” Tisch spoke after an interfaith group of seven Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders gave remarks about solidarity between their communities. “Might our presence here be a testament to the ties, the durable ties that bind each of us together,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan. “We are here tonight to affirm that you do not walk through this city alone, but you are held in a covenant between our communities,” added Rev. Adriene Thorne of The Riverside Church. “What affects one of us touches all of us.” Montes told NYPD officers after his arrest that he felt disrespected at the Central Synagogue service and described the incident as “a racial thing” and “all religious motivated,” according to a federal criminal complaint. He also said he identified as Jewish. His aunt, Myriam Montes, told The New York Post that he was “mentally traumatized because of his desire to belong to that religion [Judaism].” The New York Times reported that Montes had a history of mental health issues documented by the NYPD. A Facebook page that appears to belong to Montes is littered with posts about Israel and Judaism. They include an image of a map of Israel with the text, “Keep Israel in your heart,” a video of Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi discussing why
evangelical Christians support Israel and a video comparing Mayor Zohran Mamdani with Iran’s former supreme leader, Ruhollah Khomeini. (New York Jewish Week) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Flights to Israel from USA start to return
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he Israeli airline Israir announced Tuesday, August 18 that it will begin launching flights to New York by October, bringing some relief to travelers after the main U.S. carriers ceased flights amid the war with Iran, JNS reports. Delta and United are scheduled to resume service to Tel Aviv next month. (New York Jewish Week) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Antisemitic incidents in Britain rose 21% in first half of 2026
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ritain’s antisemitism watchdog says it received reports of nearly 2,000 incidents in the first half of 2026 — the second-most its recorded ever for the period, following only the first half of 2024. The figures released August 5 by the Community Security Trust represent a 21% increase in reported incidents over the same period last year, which followed a surge in the early months of the war in Gaza that started when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Watchdogs in multiple countries have recorded surging antisemitism since and say the numbers portend an unsettling new normal when it comes to Jewish safety and security. The increase in antisemitic incidents from January to June in Britain was driven, the CST found, by both violent attacks and a sharp rise in online abuse. While the largest category of incidents recorded was abusive behavior, which accounted for more than four-fifths of all reported incidents, the group also recorded a record number of assaults for any January-to-June period, while incidents affecting synagogues, schools, and other Jewish institutions also reached new highs. Among the incidents highlighted in the report were the April stabbing of two visibly Jewish men in London’s heavily Orthodox Golders Green neighborhood, which British authorities treated as a terrorist attack, and a series of arson attacks targeting synagogues and Jewish organizations, including the destruction of ambulances belonging to the volunteer Jewish emergency service Hatzolah. The report also cited suspected hostile activity linked to Iranian intelligence targeting Britain’s Jewish community. CST said the U.S-Israel war with Iran coincided with another spike in antisemitic incidents. The findings come as the British government has expanded funding for security at Jewish institutions following a series of violent attacks over the past year. Following the release of the report, Policing Minister Sarah Jones said, “Antisemitism goes against our country’s values, and I will do everything in my power to protect our Jewish communities.” (JTA)
JEWISH TIDEWATER
Deputy Chief Scott Wichtendahl, Deputy Chief Brad Wesseler, Chief Paul Neudigate, Hank Marx, co-president, Temple Emanuel, Larry Weinstein, immediate past president and security chair, Temple Emanuel, Deputy Chief Billy Zelms, Captain James Gordon, and Mike Goldsmith.
Building partnerships, strengthening community safety Robin Mancoll Temple Emanuel leadership recently welcomed Virginia Beach Chief of Police Paul Neudigate, members of his command staff, and 2nd Precinct Commander Captain James Gordon for a series of conversations focused on partnership, communication, and community safety. Joining the discussions were Mike Goldsmith, Tidewater’s Secure Community Network Regional Security advisor and Robin Mancoll, senior director of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Jewish Community Relations Council. Ahead of the visit, VBPD’s Community Liaison Unit, along with the 2nd Precinct’s sergeant and officers, met with synagogue leadership for an introductory conversation and walkthrough of Temple Emanuel and its education building. The meeting provided an opportunity to build relationships, discuss challenges and opportunities, and familiarize officers with the facility, recognizing that it is far better to become familiar with a property before an emergency than during one. “The strength of Virginia Beach lies in our ability to foster deep, meaningful collaborations between the police department, our citizens, and our faith-based communities,” says Chief Paul W. Neudigate. “When law enforcement joins hands with the people we serve and the spiritual leaders who guide our neighborhoods, we create an unbreakable network of support and communication.” The meetings underscored the importance of strong partnerships between law enforcement and faith communities. Participants discussed the Jewish community’s unique needs while identifying opportunities to strengthen communication, collaboration, and ongoing security and preparedness efforts. “United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is grateful to Chief Neudigate, his leadership team, Captain Gordon and the officers of the 2nd Precinct, and Captain Gervin and the officers of the 4th Precinct, where the Sandler Family Campus is located, and the Virginia Beach Police Department as a whole for their partnership and commitment to helping ensure the safety, security, and well-being of the Jewish community,” says Betty Ann Levin, UJFT’s executive vice president/CEO. Secure Community Network trainings and services are offered at no cost thanks to the generosity of donors to United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. The support helps ensure every Jewish organization has access to expert security resources, regardless of size or budget. To help sustain this important work, please consider donating to UJFT’s Annual Campaign. To learn more about SCN, visit JewishVA.org/SCN or email Mike Goldsmith at mgoldsmith@securecommunitynetwork.org.
See something wrong? Report it! Report an antisemitic incident at Federation.JewishVA.org/IncidentReporting In an emergency, always call 9-1-1 first. If online reporting is not practical, contact local law enforcement and/or the relevant suspicious activity reporting authority. Also contact Mike Goldsmith, Tidewater’s SCN Regional Security Advisor, at MGoldsmith@ujft.org or 844-SCN-DESK.
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JEWISH TIDEWATER
America at 25✪ Spotlight:
Tidewater Jewish Hero: Henry Scolnick, a community creator AUGUST IS
MAKE -AWILL MONTH Take the first step today and give yourself, your loved ones and the causes that matter most to you the gift of certainty. Learn more at HamptonRoadsCF.org
Sierra Lautman Seventeen-year-old Henry Scolnick has already accomplished what many adults only hope to achieve. As the founder of Ballers Basketball, he has built far more than an adaptive sports league, he has created a community where children with unique abilities, teenage volunteers, and families find friendship, confidence, and belonging. Along the way, he has become a thoughtful leader and mentor whose impact extends well beyond the basketball court. Six years ago, while still in middle school, Scolnick founded Ballers Basketball after watching his younger brother, Oliver, who has autism, lose opportunities to play organized sports as competition increased. Partnering with Aid Another, he created an adaptive basketball league where children with unique abilities, including those with autism, Down Syndrome, mobility challenges, and other disabilities, could experience the joy of sports in an environment centered on inclusion rather than competition. Today, Ballers has grown from seven Henry and Oliver Scolnick. players to 40, pairing each participant with a volunteer buddy who provides one-on-one support throughout the season. For his commitment to building that community, Scolnick is recognized as an Outstanding Jewish American in Tidewater, an initiative of the Konikoff Center for Learning at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater that celebrates local Jewish individuals whose lives exemplify leadership, service, and Jewish values. This is not his first recognition for creating Ballers Basketball. In 2025, Scolnick was named one of 15 recipients for the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award – the youngest recipient in last year’s cohort. He was also named one of the Top 100 Emerging Innovators through the Horn School of Entrepreneurship at University of Delaware. Now entering his senior year at Cape Henry Collegiate, Scolnick has watched Ballers evolve into something much bigger than he originally imagined. “What started as a program for my brother and his friends has become something that’s valuable for the whole community,” he says. That community is built intentionally. Scolnick works to pair players with the same volunteer whenever possible throughout the season, giving friendships time to develop. By the end of each winter, conversations extend well beyond basketball. Buddies catch up on school, favorite foods, and weekend plans. One pairing particularly stands out to Scolnick. One of his friends volunteered and was matched with a girl who had never played basketball. As her confidence grew each week, so did their relationship. By the season’s end, not only was the player beaming with pride, but her family expressed deep gratitude for
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the friendship that had formed. Those relationships often change the volunteers just as much as the players. Scolnick sees Ballers as an expression of the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, not simply by serving children with unique abilities, but by introducing neurotypical teenagers to peers they might otherwise never meet. Many volunteers arrive with little experience interacting with people with disabilities. They leave with new friendships, greater empathy, and a broader understanding of inclusion. Running Ballers has also transformed Scolnick. Beyond organizing practices and recruiting volunteers, he has learned to navigate setbacks, solve problems, and adapt when plans inevitably change. “If one day we don’t have enough volunteers, we have to figure it out because these kids depend on us,” he says. “I’ve had to learn how to adapt quickly and keep the program running no matter what.” Those experiences have reshaped his understanding of leadership. Rather than seeing leadership as being in charge, Scolnick believes it means paying attention, making sure everyone feels welcome, recognizing when someone is struggling, and stepping in before a small challenge becomes a larger one. That philosophy stems from his relationship with Oliver, whose experiences first inspired Ballers. When asked about his parents’ belief that, as Oliver's older brother, Scolnick has been the most meaningful intervention in Oliver’s life, Scolnick is both humbled and quick to redirect the focus. “It’s gratifying,” he says, “but I’m not doing this for the praise. I just wanted him to have the same great childhood and opportunities I had.” Part of Scolnick’s preparation for next year when he’ll be in college is considering Ballers’ future. He’s already training younger student leaders to take over the program, hoping each generation of volunteers will mentor the next. His goal is to keep Ballers going and for it to remain youth-led, giving high school students the opportunity to grow as leaders while serving others. Asked what success would look like 20 years from now, Scolnick says he hopes former players and volunteers will look back and realize that Ballers helped shape who they became. If that happens, he believes the program will have accomplished exactly what he set out to do: create a place where everyone belongs. Interested in nominating someone to be recognized as an Outstanding Jewish American in Tidewater? Visit JewishVA.org/TidewaterHeroes or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org.
Local Relationships Matter
JEWISH TIDEWATER
ODU Professor Amy Milligan receives award from national academic organization Center for Inclusive Communities. In In recognition of her leadership in 2023, Milligan accepted the Robert L. combating antisemitism and fostering Stern Excellence in Teaching Award a safer, more welcoming campus from Old Dominion University. In environment for Jewish and Zionist 2024, she was selected as one of 20 students, Professor Amy K. Milligan, participants nationwide for Resetting the Batten Endowed Associate Professor Table’s training on navigating difficult of Jewish Studies and Women’s and conversations about Israel and Palestine. Gender Studies at Old Dominion In 2025, she earned the Shine a Light University, received the second Academic on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award Engagement Network (AEN) Faculty for University Changemaker Educators and Award ever to be Administrators awarded. from The Jewish AEN is Education an academic Project. organization “This comprised of more national than 1,300 faculty recognition members on nearly is especially 400 campuses meaningful to who combat me because antisemitism it reflects and advocate for work that has open and robust become such discourse on Amy Milligan receives award from Miriam Elman, executive an important Israel. part of my The Faculty director of the Academic Engagement Network, Inc. professional and personal life: supporting Changemaker Award honors AEN Jewish and Zionist students, confronting members who demonstrate exceptional antisemitism in higher education, dedication to confronting antisemitism on promoting civil discourse, and helping campus and whose actions have helped create campus communities where bring about positive change in their students feel supported, community. empowered, and able This is not the to speak openly about first time Milligan has their identities and their received recognition connections to Israel,” for her commitment says Milligan. “I see this award not as a to fighting antisemitism and dedication culmination, but as an encouragement to to teaching. In 2018 she received the John continue this work.” R. Broderick Diversity Champion Award At ODU, Milligan has worked to from Old Dominion University. In 2020, create a safe environment for her students. she won the Jeffrey B. Spence Award for In April 2025, with initial funding from Interfaith Understanding from Virginia
MEET: Paul R. Hernandez “This area is our home and we are committed to supporting it. Our lawyers are actively involved by donating their time to programs that help the community, especially in the schools with young drivers. I am very involved with End Distracted Driving, spending 20 days a year in the schools educating students about the dangers of using a cell phone while driving. The other major program we work on is Every 15 Minutes which highlights how every 15 minutes someone dies in a car crash and helps teens understand the consequences of drinking and driving.”
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AEN, she opened the Am Yisrael CHAI Café in her office to provide Jewish students with a gathering place to find community, ask difficult questions, and talk through their experiences in a supportive environment. Her mission is to promote civil discourse on campus to create an environment where all students can speak openly about their identities, perspectives, and connections to Judaism. She has sneakers that are painted with Am Yisrael Chai and feature the Star of David, which she wears regularly while teaching and attending events. It’s just one of the many ways she truly walks the walk.
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Through Milligan’s efforts, she hopes to instill in her students the courage to connect across differences while empowering them to stay true to themselves and their identities. Milligan describes AEN’s faculty network as an important source of professional support and community that has strengthened her work as an advocate and educator. “There is still important work to do,” says Milligan. “I remain deeply committed to educating about antisemitism and antiZionism and advocating for Jewish and Zionist students wherever I can.”
jewishnewsva.org | AUGUST 31, 2026 | JEWISH NEWS | 7
The Milton “Mickey” Kramer Scholar-In-Residence Fund
of the Congregation Beth El Foundation of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation presents
AMBASSADOR MICHAEL OREN Understanding This Moment
History provides context. Leadership shapes the future.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 • 7 PM As America celebrates 250 years of democracy and Israel continues to navigate the aftermath of October 7, the future of both nations is being shaped by decisions made today.
What comes next for Israel? What is the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship? How has October 7 changed the Jewish world? What role should American Jews play now?
JewishVA.org/IsraelToday
Michael Oren, Israeli Ambassador to the United States, 2009-2013
Kicking off the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival and the 16th Annual Israel Today series, a partnership of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater · Simon Family JCC · BBYO · B’nai Israel Congregation · Chabad Lubavitch of Tidewater · Congregation Beth Chaverim · Congregation Beth El · Hadassah · Jewish Family Service of Tidewater · Kehillat Bet Hamidrash · ODU Hillel · Ohef Sholom Temple · Strelitz International Academy · Temple Emanuel · Temple Israel · Tidewater Jewish Foundation · UJFT NextGen757 · United Jewish Federation of Tidewater
In Their In Their Own Own Words Words American Jewish History Through Autobiography
BEGINS SEPTEMBER 22 • 10 SESSIONS
Tuesdays • 11-12:30 • Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus
As America marks 250 years of independence, discover the Jewish men and women whose overlooked contributions helped shape the nation. Meet familiar figures and unsung pioneers whose influence on American history endures.
Mah Nishtanah: How Is This Super Sunday Different From All Other Super Sundays?
This year, meet the local and global partners that turn your generosity into meaningful impact. Learn firsthand how your support strengthens vital initiatives, nurtures Jewish pride, and helps safeguard our shared future.
SUPER SUNDAY
Sunday, October 11 • 12–3 PM
Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus Tidewater’s biggest day of Jewish community action.
Every action matters. Every one of us has a role to play.
JewishVA.org/SuperSunday 8 | JEWISH NEWS | AUGUST 31, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org
TAUGHT BY RABBI DR. MICHAEL PANITZ, HISTORIAN AND RABBI OF TEMPLE ISRAEL IN NORFOLK
$60 JCC Members $72 Potential Member
JewishVA.org/words
ISRAEL
‘Have a problem, call the PM,’ says Netanyahu as he gives out his number in campaign video Deborah Danan (JTA) —TEL AVIV – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on August 23 posted what he described as his personal phone number and invited Israelis to contact him with their questions and problems. It was an election-season stunt that drew such a flood of responses that the number’s WhatsApp account was blocked within minutes and those calling received a busy signal. It also drew suspicions that it was a ploy to collect voter data. In a video posted to social media, Netanyahu is seen with longtime adviser Topaz Luk, who asks the prime minister whether he can publish his phone number. Netanyahu initially reacts with disbelief, saying, “Topaz, have you gone crazy?” before agreeing. “I want to hear from you. Your suggestions, your questions, your problems. I want to hear, so leave me a message,” Netanyahu said. He added that he could not promise to answer everyone but would respond to as many people as possible. Hundreds of messages and calls arrived within minutes and the WhatsApp account associated with the number was blocked. Luk later posted on X that the account had been disabled because of the volume of calls and said Netanyahu’s team was working to restore it, directing people to Telegram in the meantime. Kan political correspondent Michael Shemesh questioned whether the number belonged to Netanyahu at all and suggested on X that the exercise was “probably designed to harvest the phone numbers of potential voters.” Other users pointed to another clue that the handset seen in the video was unlikely to be Netanyahu’s personal phone. One of the WhatsApp groups visible in Luk’s video was a synagogue updates group whose latest message appeared to back political rival Naftali Bennett, the former prime minister who now heads the Beyachad party. “Something tells me that Bibi isn’t signed up to the ‘Menachem’s House Main Shul Updates’ group,” one X user wrote,
“especially not when the latest message there is ‘yalla, it’s time for Bennett.’” It was not the first time Netanyahu handed out what he presented as his personal number during an election campaign. In August 2022, little more than two months before the vote that returned him to power, the then-opposition leader published another number and invited Israelis to video call him. “Why should only some people have my phone number? Everyone should have it,” Netanyahu said at the time, joking that the move was a “dramatic, world-changing decision.” He told supporters who sent proof they had joined his Telegram channel that they would have a better chance of receiving a video call from him. The response was similarly intense. Likud said Netanyahu received 9,420 calls within the first 30 minutes, while follow-up videos showed calls and messages flooding the phone. Netanyahu’s rivals mocked the stunt. Then-Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman released a parody video saying Netanyahu “has not picked up the phone in 12 years,” while Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid dismissed it as a “fictional phone operated by Netanyahu’s aides.” The episode comes as Netanyahu faces a difficult reelection campaign, with roughly 20% of voters remaining undecided, many of whom are disillusioned Likud voters, according to pollsters and researchers. A Channel 13 poll put Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party at 23 seats, ahead of Likud with 21, and Netanyahu’s current coalition projected to win just 49 of the Knesset’s 120 seats. Eisenkot also led Netanyahu 47% to 34% when respondents were asked who was better suited to serve as prime minister. The phone-number appeal is the latest in a series of efforts to put Netanyahu directly in front of voters. Likud also rolled out billboards showing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani alongside the leaders of Iran, Turkey, and Hezbollah under the slogan, “They want Netanyahu to lose. Don’t let them win.”
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IT’S A WRAP
Ben Tabakin, Wes Cohen, Bryson Johnson, and Ari Aviv are ready to fish.
Josiah Feliciano, Joseph Castellano, and Will Leslie with Captain Melon.
Blake Sisler (unit head) and Julia Goncalves Silva on Israel Day.
Lily Wray and Anne-Marie Hiesel at the Carnival.
Kate-Lynn Cipolla “Unforgettable” is an appropriate way to describe Camp JCC’s 2026 summer. The season was packed with exciting field trips, spirited theme days, new campers, and an incredible staff team, including the additions of Christine Carnahan as camp manager, and Blake Sisler, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s coordinator of Youth and Family Engagement, as Camp JCC’s
Teen Unit Head. Camp JCC hosted its very first-ever Camp Gala during Week 7, followed by the camp’s much-anticipated annual lip-sync performance. Max Chapman, a veteran Counselor in Training (CIT), served as master of ceremonies for the lip sync and did an extraordinary job with his crowd work. In Week 4, a camp carnival was introduced, complete with cotton candy, face painting, and
classic carnival games. The camp also hosted its first Apache Relay race in years, which turned out to be a massive success, with the red team clinching the Color War victory that exact same week. The second consecutive Watermelon Day featured a hilarious counselorblindfolded obstacle course, endless watermelon treats, themed crafts, and a special appearance by Captain Melon. Jewish Tidewater’s Shinshinim led a
meaningful Israel Day, and the summer season wrapped up with a camp-wide cookout featuring burgers, hot dogs, and plenty of refreshing pool time. Teenagers took part in four Mitzvah projects throughout the summer, marking a historic first for the program. They traveled to Mutts with A Mission for a site beautification project, assisted Jewish Family Service by assembling birthday baskets for the local food pantry, learned all about air pollution and recycling at the Brock Environmental Center with Lynnhaven River Now, and wrapped up their community service by cleaning up litter across the Sandler Family Campus. The teens also enjoyed field trips to Norfolk Tides games, the Adventure Park, Croatan Beach, Owl Creek Landing, Ocean Breeze, and other local spots. Camp JCC is ready to keep the excitement going as School Days Out programs quickly approach. Registration opens at the beginning of September for Veterans Day, Winter Break Camp, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, and Spring Break Camp.
Camp JCC finishes a memorable season
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To learn more about Camp JCC, contact Kate-Lynn Cipolla, director of Camp, at klcipolla@ujft.org or 757-321-2306.
Nate Simon (counselor) throws powder for the Color Run. 10 | JEWISH NEWS | AUGUST 31, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org
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Happy New Year from your friends at MHC and Greentree Healthcare!
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Rosh Hashanah
Dear Readers, The High Holidays are doing it again. . . they’re arriving early! Unlike the guest who rings the doorbell 15 minutes early without warning, the holidays don’t really sneak up on us. The first day of the Hebrew month Tishrei is where it always is on the Jewish calendar and this year it falls on Saturday, Sept. 12. With the news a near constant barrage of disturbing reports of antisemitism – much of it occurring in places once considered safe – it feels even more important to pause, to turn it all off, and to observe and celebrate the Jewish New Year.
ith the new year comes new ownership.
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In Tidewater, we’re fortunate to have multiple options for worship, with a style or type of observance for nearly everyone. In fact, many congregations are advertising within these pages, welcoming old and new members to their services. The rabbis, cantors, musicians, administrative staffs, and volunteers at these congregations all put in enormous amounts of time and effort to assure their services are meaningful, inspiring, and safe. If you haven’t already, now might be the moment to join or re-join. For me, the approach of the season is packed with fond memories of family gatherings and traditions, along with the awareness that it is important to be open to creating new ones. My hope for you, our Jewish News readers, is that this Rosh Hashanah is filled with good health, peace, and the makings of memories to cherish for years to come. L’Shanah Tovah,
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Terri Denison Editor
Rosh Hashanah
Sweetness and shofars: Celebrating Rosh Hashanah with little ones Haley Bartel Rosh Hashanah is a special holiday, offering observers a sense of renewal and the opportunity for a fresh start. It is a time for reflecting on the previous year and considering what to do differently in the year to come. The concept might not immediately resonate with children, most of whom have not lived quite long enough to gain a real perspective on their place in the world. Nonetheless, there are myriad ways to introduce the holiday and familiarize youngsters with it in a meaningful way. Here, three Strelitz International Academy families share their approaches. In Irina Komarovsky’s home, Rosh Hashanah is all about sweetness. She leans into the holiday’s central wordplay, calling it a “sweet new year,” and fills her table with apples dipped in honey and an array of desserts. One small, playful touch has become a family favorite: Swedish Fish, meant to symbolize being a leader.
Palmer and Irina Komarovsky.
This year, that table will look a little different. Komarovsky’s son, Palmer, nine years old and a fourth grader at Strelitz International Academy, will be joined by his soon-to-be stepfather, Nick, and four-year-old stepbrother, Luca – the family’s first Rosh Hashanah as a blended household of four. The holiday is now a chance for the two boys to bond. Palmer has taken on a teaching role of his own, sharing his collection of PJ Library books with Luca to introduce him to the holidays their new family will celebrate together. Komarovsky, who was born in the former Soviet Union and immigrated to the United States as a toddler, says her own approach to the holidays shifted after she lost her grandparents and became a mother. Growing up, she says her family didn’t always celebrate at home, but she wanted to change that – (Continued on page 14)
L’Shana Tova U’Metuka CAN YOU HEAR THE FUTURE CALLING?
May the sounding of the shofar help us find solace in our community and support in each other. We extend heartfelt wishes for a year marked by blessings, growth, and dreams fulfilled.
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jewishnewsva.org | AUGUST 31, 2026 | JEWISH NEWS | 13
Rosh Hashanah We wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
Pati and Rabbi Ari Oliszewski with their children.
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both for Palmer, and to honor her grandparents’ memory. “I want Palmer and Luca to remember the smells of the house while Nick and I cook,” Komarovsky says. “I want them to remember the warmth around the table as we include both found family and blood family when we celebrate Jewish joy.” Other parents point to the shofar as a point of fascination. Aly Yaary’s oldest son, Asher (who is, by his own emphatic correction, three and three quarters), has always loved music and instruments. When he learned that Rosh Hashanah has its own instrument to blow, he was thrilled. There was just one problem: the family doesn’t own a shofar. Undeterred, Asher enlists his mom to “fake blow” one by making trumpet noises. He coaches her through the holiday’s four traditional blasts – tekiah, shevarim, teruah, and tekiah gedolah – and he does not let mistakes slide. Asher is far from the only child with a shofar hyper fixation. Pati Oliszewski shares that the shofar has made Rosh Hashanah particularly Ben Oliszewski blows the shofar. meaningful to her six-year-old son, Ben. Given that his father is Rabbi Ari at Temple Emanuel, Ben has been watching his dad blow the shofar since he was born. Last year, his parents gave him a mini shofar of his own to play at home. He did so well that he and two friends now take part in the official shofar blowing during services. “It gives them a real role in the holiday rather than simply watching the adults celebrate it,” Oliszewski says. Apart from the shofar, she highlights community as an important aspect of Rosh Hashanah. Going to synagogue and seeing everyone (especially those they only see once a year) is part of what makes this time of year so special. “That feeling of belonging and experiencing the holiday together is something I really value and hope our children will remember,” she says. Asher Yaary.
Rosh Hashanah
The story behind some Rosh Hashanah honey: How a Galilee family keeps their tradition alive
Tania Shalom Michaelian (JTA) — When Tzvike and Hadas Ophir planted their vineyard in 1986, on the day their eldest daughter Adva was born, they had no plans to make wine. They wanted to grow something alongside their hives. The couple was among the first residents of Alon HaGalil, a town in Israel’s North about an hour and a half’s drive from Tel Aviv. Tzvike grew up in Emek Hefer and Hadas in Kfar Yehoshua, both in farming families. Tzvike was also a second-generation beekeeper. “The bees fly, but vines are planted in the ground,” says Adva Ophir. “The vineyard was a way of putting down roots in the Galilee.” At first, the family grew table grapes. The work was intensive and required too much water, and after three difficult years they switched to wine grapes. They sold their harvest to Israeli wineries, including several boutique wineries that opened during the 1990s. The feedback was good enough to persuade Tzvike to try making wine himself. Meshek Ophir sold its first bottle in 2001. “It was never my father’s dream to make wine,” Adva says. “We weren’t even a family that drank wine. The idea literally came out of the earth.” Today, Meshek Ophir produces wine and honey and continues to sell grapes to other wineries. It remains a family business, run by people whose working lives are tied to the weather, the seasons, and the condition of their bees.
What it takes to fill a jar The farm has around 1,000 mobile beehives. Tzvike, who is nearly 70, and Adva’s brother Noam move them from place to place according to the flowering season. Some are positioned near sunflower fields, avocado orchards, and other crops, where the bees pollinate the plants. Rainfall, the number of blossoms, and the length of the flowering period all affect the amount of honey produced. The bees must first make enough to feed themselves. Only then is there honey for the family to harvest and sell. Meshek Ophir’s honey contains no
additives and is not heated before it is placed in jars. Getting it there requires long days of physical work. Tzvike and Noam transport the hives, monitor the queens and worker bees, and protect the colonies from disease and other threats. “We make our living from the honey, but our more important job is protecting the bees and helping them survive,” Adva says. “Without beekeepers, many of them would not survive in the wild. The pollination they provide also allows other Israeli farmers to grow their crops.” After October 7, reaching some of the hives became dangerous. The family’s bees are spread across the Galilee, including near areas that came under rocket and missile fire. At times, entering those areas was prohibited. Tzvike continued to check on the hives. “My father is a farmer. He doesn’t care about war. He cares about his bees,” Adva says. “He went into areas under fire because if he didn’t look after them, he could lose them. This is what he knows how to do, and it is his livelihood.” The work was made harder by the absence of Noam and other family members, who continue to serve in reserve duty for months at a time. Noam normally drives the truck that transports the hives because Tzvike no longer has a truck license. During his reserve service, much of the responsibility fell back on his father. For Adva, the reason the family kept going is not difficult to explain. “We have been working together on this farm for 40 years,” she says. “It is our livelihood, but for the next generation, it is also about working as a family, being connected to the land, and passing those values on to our children. It is what keeps us here.”
Help when needed most
Meshek Ophir was one of the founding members of Western Galilee Now, a Jewish National Fund-USA-driven nonprofit that promotes small businesses and tourism in the region. During the recent conflict, that relationship became particularly important to the family.
Sweet savings
for Rosh Hashanah
With funding from Jewish National Fund-USA partners (donors), Adva was also able to combine her work as a filmmaker with the family vineyard. She created Between the Vineyards, a film festival at the farm that includes a screening of the documentary she spent 15 years making about her family’s work. The festival gives people another reason to visit the farm and draws tourists to the area. This year, Meshek Ophir’s honey will also be sold through Jewish National FundUSA’s Online Mitzvah Marketplace (jnf.org/ store), operated in partnership with Western Galilee Now to help small Israeli businesses reach customers overseas.
For the Ophirs, the marketplace offers access to customers they would struggle to reach on their own. It also comes ahead of Rosh Hashanah, when honey sales are at their highest. “We need people to enjoy the honey and come back for more, but we also want them to understand how much work goes into every jar,” Adva said. “We are not a factory or a high-tech company. When people buy our honey, they help us maintain our 1,000 hives, provide pollination services to farmers and continue doing what we know how to do.”
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Rosh Hashanah
Reverse Tashlich: Repentance as environmental action
Rosh Hashanah Craft and Cookie Workshop Monday, September 14, 5 - 6 pm Sandler Family Campus
Haley Bartel The ritual of Tashlich is an allencompassing symbolic representation of the High Holidays. This process of releasing sins into the river comes directly from the book of Micah, verse 19: “He will again have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” It’s wonderfully intuitive – as participants in the ritual tear up the pieces of bread, they acknowledge their sins with a faint whisper and a prayer. Then, once repentance is made clear, the guilt-ridden crumbs are thrown into the running water, to be carried away by the currents. The crumbs, however, are not always carried afar. Where many Jews live, including in Tidewater, the breadcrumbs often wash up on the beach, remain
Start the new year with Tidewater’s new Shinshinim, Liel Aisikowitz and Evyatar Olswang, along with PJ Library in Tidewater. Families are invited to a Rosh Hashanah Cookie and Craft Workshop, where children and parents can decorate holiday-themed cookies and create festive crafts. Whether creating something to keep or to gift to someone special, this is a great opportunity to spend time together, enjoy the holiday spirit, and get to know how the Shinshinim celebrate the Jewish New Year in Israel. For more information about this event or the Shinshinim program, visit JewishVA. org/Shinshinim or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org. Ohef Sholom Temple’s Reverse Tashlich group 2025. 16 | JEWISH NEWS | AUGUST 31, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org
floating in the lake, or are eaten by the aquatic animals inhabiting their waters. As Joanne Palmer of the Jewish Standard, a regional newspaper serving North Jersey and Rockland, New York, recalls, “someone at our lunch fantasized about the ducks getting ready for their annual feast. ‘I know I shouldn’t eat all that bread but I can’t help it,’ she imagined a duck saying. ‘It’s so tempting. Even though it goes straight to my thighs.’” It’s a funny anecdote, but ultimately, there is some truth in the anthropomorphic situation posed here. Ducks, fish, and other wildlife that receive the sin-contaminated bread, in many ways do not benefit from the extra gluten cast into their waters. In fact, according to an article on the Chabad website, the ritual is not exactly aligned with Jewish law. “On Shabbat and
Rosh Hashanah
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • CATERING
Reverse Tashlich group from 2024 with their accumulated trash.
holidays, one is not allowed to feed any animals that aren’t one’s responsibility and are not dependent upon him for their sustenance.” In the decades since this moral dilemma has been posed, alternatives such as frozen peas and river-friendly grains have been championed by Jewish environmental organizations. The Jewish environmental organization Repair the Sea (Tikkun HaYam) has pushed the conversation a step further by introducing a new kind of Tashlich ritual that suggests cleaning up pollution in waterways rather than producing more. Created in 2018 by Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, Reverse Tashlich is essentially an organized trash clean-up through a Jewish lens. Rooted in the Jewish value of Repair the World (Tikkun Olam), the concept of Reverse Tashlich is maybe just as intuitive as its traditional counterpart. It was brought to Tidewater by Andrea Tank, Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sisterhood president. Having worked for the Sierra Club and lobbied on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Tank is extremely aware of the environmental crisis of the 21st century and the importance of Tikkun Olam. “There’s a lot of young people that have a huge concern for our environment,” Tank says. “To me, this is a very physical way to demonstrate your care and repair of the world.” Ohef Sholom’s Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg agrees. “It is a creative and
good way of reimagining an old tradition for a new day,” she says. “And though it isn’t a replacement for the traditional ritual of casting one’s sins away, it calls upon Jewish communities to do something just as important – be good stewards of the planet.” The idea began as a joke when Rabbi Rosenthal, founder and CEO of Tikkun HaYam, was explaining the tradition to members of Scooby Jew, the Jewish scuba-diving club he created at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. One of them pushed back. “There’s already more than enough human sin in the water,” the student said. “Why don’t we take some of it out instead?” Rosenthal took the challenge seriously. He recruited five students, and together they pulled about 75 pounds of debris out of the mangroves along Eckerd’s mile and a half of waterfront. The next year, the group grew to 10 students, eventually prompting Rosenthal to take the concept off campus and reach out to synagogues across the Tampa Bay area. “I was really surprised at the response,” he says. “It showed me that there’s an interest, but there was no vehicle in the Jewish world to raise awareness of it.” Almost a decade later that response has scaled well beyond Tampa. Last year alone, 320 teams in 31 countries participated in reverse Tashlich events, including a Newport News-based chapter already serving Tidewater. “When you combine the awareness of the mitzvah and recognize it’s fulfilling the mitzvah,” Rosenthal says, “an ordinary
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action like a beach cleanup becomes a holy action — no different than going to synagogue.” The concept has strong roots in religious values, drawing heavily on Bal Tashchit, the biblical prohibition against needless waste. Rosenthal also points to Tza’ar Ba’alei Chayim, the prohibition against causing needless suffering to animals. “It's very bad for the fish,” Rosenthal says of the use of bread for Tashlich. “It’s not their normal food.” But he doesn’t ask people to abandon the traditional ritual altogether.
Instead, he recommends observers use pebbles and seashells – things already native to the water. Seashells are made of calcium carbonate, a compound that the ocean is increasingly starved of by rising acidity. As Rabbi Rosenthal says, “We in the Western world take water for granted, because it’s the most common substance on the planet… in Hebrew, our tradition refers to it as mayim chayim — living water. The water is alive, and it gives life. It sustains life. Without it, we die.”
jewishnewsva.org | AUGUST 31, 2026 | JEWISH NEWS | 17
SHANAH TOVAH! B e t h C ha v e ri m, Vi rgi n i a Beach's Re f o r m Je wi s h C on gre g ation, w arm ly i n vi t es you t o j oi n Gue st Rabbi Susan Rh ei n s, Sol oi s t Ji m H i b berd, and the B e t h C ha v e ri m C hoi r for our High H olid ay Se rv i ce s . Celeb r a t e Ros h H as han ah and Yom Ki p p u r wi t h our we l com ing, inclusive com m u ni t y, a n d j oi n u s f or our annual B r e a k -t he - Fas t fol l owi ng Yom K ippur. S e r v i ce s are a v a i l a b l e b o th in person a n d on li n e . For more i nfo rm ation or to re que s t v i rt ual access, please con t act :
Rosh Hashanah
Honey Pomegranate Mandelbrot
These classic Ashkenazi cookies are updated with High Holiday flavors. Leah Koenig This story originally appeared on The Nosher. Long before pomegranates became known as a healthy superfood — linked to everything from improving cardiovascular health and reducing cholesterol to preventing cancer — they were a mainstay of Jewish cuisine.
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Shofar’s Calling Rabbi Israel Zoberman
The ram’s horn cut off To proclaim the brokenness Of the heart. Only what’s incomplete May sound the yearning To be whole. Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is founder of Temple Lev Tikvah in Virginia Beach.
18 | JEWISH NEWS | AUGUST 31, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org
Named in Deuteronomy 8:8 as one of the seven agricultural species cultivated in ancient Israel (along with wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives and dates) and mythologized to contain 613 seeds in every fruit (to correspond with the number of mitzvot/commandments given to the Israelites by God), pomegranates are, without doubt, one of Jewish tradition’s most well-known, sacred, and celebrated foods. As a symbol of fertility and love, the pomegranate shows up multiple times in the Jewish canon’s most famous love poem, The Song of Songs. For example (4:3): “Your lips are like a crimson thread; your mouth is lovely. Your brow behind your veil [gleams] like a pomegranate split open.” Not surprisingly, given its connection to love, the red, spherical fruit also regularly shows up as an artistic theme on ketubot, challah covers, and other marriage and family-focused Judaica. Pomegranates’ peak season
generally falls somewhere in the autumn around the High Holidays, which makes them the perfect accompaniment to Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) or the harvest holiday of Sukkot. Some families hang the red orbs in their sukkahs as decoration. Others incorporate their juicy red seeds into both sweet and savory dishes – everything from pomegranateglazed chicken to salads speckled with lush, bright red seeds. In that spirit, this mandelbrot recipe drizzles the traditional Ashkenazi almond cookies (the name translates from Yiddish to “almond bread”) with a bright pink pomegranate glaze. The sweet-tart glaze adds color and personality to the light and crispy mandelbrot and helps an otherwise humble cookie stand out on the dessert table. A generous pour of sweet, golden honey folded into the batter also adds to these cookies’ appeal and makes them a lovely plus one to any High Holiday spread.
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (35 minutes active) • Yield: About 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients • 1½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for shaping • ½ tsp baking powder • ½ tsp baking soda • ¼ tsp kosher salt • ½ cup unsalted butter or vegan butter, softened • ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp granulated sugar, divided • ¼ cup mild honey
Rosh Hashanah • 2 large eggs • ¾ tsp vanilla extract • ¾ cup roasted, unsalted almonds, chopped
For the glaze • ¾ cup confectioner’s sugar, plus more if needed • 1½ tbsp pomegranate juice, plus more if needed
Instructions 1. Make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. 3. In a stand mixer or using a handheld electric mixer and a large bowl, beat the butter and ¼ cup of the sugar together on medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until pale and creamy, 2-3 minutes. 4. Add the honey, eggs and vanilla and beat to combine. The mixture might look curdled at this point, but will smooth out when you add the flour. 5. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in two stages, beating on low until just combined and a soft dough forms. Fold in the almonds with a spatula. 6. Divide the batter into two equal mounds on the baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches of space in between the mounds. Using lightly floured hands, pat and press the batter into long, flat rectangles (about 9×4 inches and ½ inch thick).
7. Bake until puffed and deep golden brown, about 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool for about 1 minute. Slice both of the rectangles vertically down their middles. Then, slice them horizontally into 1 inch-wide pieces. 8. Turn the pieces on their sides and sprinkle evenly with 1 Tbsp of the remaining sugar. Bake for 10 more minutes, then remove the baking sheet again. Flip the pieces to the other side and sprinkle with the remaining 1 Tbsp sugar. Bake until the cookies are firm, 5-10 minutes more. (Be careful not to overbake them – they continue to crisp up as they cool.) 9. Remove from the oven and set the baking sheet on a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to the racks to cool completely. 10. M ake the glaze: Sift the confectioner’s sugar into a medium bowl. Add the pomegranate juice and stir to form a thick but pourable glaze. If the glaze is too thick to drizzle, stir in a little more pomegranate juice. (Likewise if it is too runny, stir in a little more sifted confectioner’s sugar.) 11. G enerously drizzle the tops of the cooled cookies with glaze and set cookies back on the racks to allow the glaze to set. Note: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge or freezer for longer.
JEWISH TRIVIA NIGHT
Tuesday, September 1, 7 – 9 pm, Smartmouth Brewery Hannah Yasemsky United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community gathers to kick off a month of holiday celebrations. Connect with friends, meet new people, and engage in friendly competition during a special trivia game designed to prepare everyone for the Jewish traditions and festivities ahead.
This family-friendly event offers a welcoming space for all ages, while guests aged 21 and older can sample a variety of local craft beers. Register at www.jewishva.org/NextGen. For more information, email Hannah Yasemsky, NextGen Engagement coordinator, at Hyasemsky@ujft.org.
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Rosh Hashanah
When the shofar asks: Who am I? Rabbi Ari Oliszewski Rosh Hashanah arrives each year carrying questions. What did I accomplish during the year that has passed? Where did I fall short? Whom did I help? Whom did I hurt? What needs to change? But beneath all these questions lies another, more fundamental one: Who am I? The easiest answers are usually the most immediate: our names, professions, accomplishments, relationships, and responsibilities. We introduce ourselves by describing what we do, where we live or to whom we belong. These things are important, but they are not the whole story. Jobs change. Titles disappear. Success comes and goes. Even the roles we treasure most may change with time. Rosh Hashanah invites us to look
beneath those temporary descriptions and encounter the deeper self—the soul that remains when the titles and achievements are stripped away. Jewish tradition suggests that this soul is formed through relationship: our relationship with family, with community, with other human beings, and with God. The Torah teaches, Lo tov heyot ha’adam levado—“It is not good for the human being to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Family is not merely an accessory to life. It is one of the principal places in which the soul is formed. It is where we first learn to give and receive love, to disagree, to forgive, to make sacrifices, and to care for someone beyond ourselves. Family, of course, is not only biological. There are families we inherit and families we create. There is also the extended family of the Jewish people—a
people bound together by memory, responsibility, and a story that began long before us and, God willing, will continue long after us. A beautiful midrash (Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:4) teaches that when God prepared to give the Torah at Mount Sinai, God asked the Israelites to provide guarantors who would ensure its Rabbi Ari Oliszewski. continuity. The people first offered their ancestors and then their prophets. Finally, they said,
Founded in 1844, Ohef Sholom Temple is the oldest and largest Reform Congregation in Southeastern Virginia.
530 Raleigh Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507 757-625-4295 • ohefsholom.org
Visit ohefsholom.org/high-holidays for dates and times regarding in-person and streamed services as well as ticket information. OST offers adult and family services as well as children’s programs.
Rosalin Mandelberg, Senior Rabbi • Jennifer Rueben, Cantor • Lawrence A. Forman, Rabbi Emeritus 20 | JEWISH NEWS | AUGUST 31, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org
“Our children will be our guarantors.” God accepted. The message is powerful: Jewish identity cannot survive only as a memory of the past. It survives when we place it into the hands of the future. Our children become our guarantors when they see that Judaism matters to us—not only in what we say, but in the lives we lead. Faith forms another part of this deeper identity. The Torah says: “The word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may do it” (Deuteronomy 30:14). Faith is not necessarily found in dramatic miracles or perfect certainty. It can live in prayer, gratitude, doubt, and even complaint. After all, complaining to God may itself be an expression of faith. It means that somewhere within us, we still believe someone is listening. The Talmud (Ta’anit 25a) tells a remarkable story about Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa, a man who lived in profound poverty. In response to his prayers, Heaven granted his household one leg from a golden table. Later, however, his wife dreamed that in the World to Come everyone else sat at complete tables while theirs was missing a leg. Rabbi Hanina prayed again, asking that the golden leg be taken back. The story is not teaching us that poverty is inherently holy or that material needs are unimportant. Judaism does not romanticize suffering. Rather, it challenges us to consider how we measure abundance. Pirkei Avot offers a different way of measuring abundance: “Who is rich? The
Rosh Hashanah one who rejoices in what they have” (4:1). True wealth is not determined only by what we possess. It is also found in the people we love, the values we transmit, the good we bring into the lives of others, and the ability to recognize blessings before they disappear. At the end of life, Pirkei Avot teaches, neither silver nor gold accompanies us. What remains are our acts of Torah and kindness. What we accumulate eventually belongs to someone else. What we plant within another person can continue growing for generations. This brings us back to the shofar. The central mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah is not simply to blow the shofar, but to hear its voice. This year, because the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat, we will wait until Sunday to fulfill that mitzvah. Perhaps the waiting itself can prepare us to do more than hear a sound. Perhaps it can prepare us to receive its message. The shofar has no vocabulary and offers no explanation. It speaks through breath, broken notes, and silence. The tekiah is whole and confident—the sound of the person we hope to become. The shevarim is fractured—the sound of disappointment, grief, and the awareness that something within us needs repair. The teruah trembles—the sound of a human being struggling, searching, and refusing to give up. Finally, we return to the long, unbroken sound of tekiah. Yet it is not the same sound we heard at the
beginning. We have passed through brokenness. We have acknowledged our imperfections. The final tekiah is not the sound of innocence, but of resilience. The shofar does not ask about our résumé. It does not ask how impressive we appear to others. It asks whether we are awake. Are we present for the people who need us? Are we transmitting Judaism to the next generation? Do our actions reflect the values we claim to hold? Are we so busy building a successful life that we have forgotten to build a meaningful one? Perhaps our identity is not something we discover once and possess forever. It is something we create through every relationship, decision, and act of responsibility. This Rosh Hashanah, when we finally hear the shofar, may we allow its voice to become a mirror. May it remind us that we are more than our titles, possessions, successes—and even our failures. And when the new year asks, “Who are you?” may we be able to answer: I am a soul still growing. I am part of a family and a community. I am responsible for what I transmit to those who come after me. I am connected to God, even when I question, struggle or complain. I am a member of Am Yisrael. And I am ready to begin again. Shana Tovah! Rabbi Ari Oliszewski, Temple Emanuel Virginia Beach
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
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ROSH HASHANAH BUZZ Sunday, September 6, 5 – 7 pm Sandler Family Campus Get ready to celebrate a sweet New Year and prepare for Rosh Hashanah with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community (ages 22–45ish). The event will honor Tikkun Olam—the Jewish value of repairing the world—by exploring the important role of environmental pollinators. Designed to build community connections, the evening offers an
opportunity to mingle and deepen holiday traditions through the lens of ecological care. Local beekeeper expert, and fellow community member, Nate Brauner, will give a special presentation of the fascinating world of beekeeping. He will also bring a variety of flavors of raw honey to taste that were harvested by his own local bees.
Step into the hive for a couple of hours and discover the beautiful craft behind the sweetness and start the new year with purpose. Register at www.jewishva.org/NextGen. For more information, email Hannah Yasemsky, NextGen Engagement coordinator, at Hyasemsky@ujft.org.
jewishnewsva.org | AUGUST 31, 2026 | JEWISH NEWS | 21
Rosh Hashanah
The Nosher's Guide to the perfect holiday brisket Brisket has long taken center stage on the Jewish holiday table. This slow-cooked, aromatic main dish is worth the time and effort, but making the perfect brisket for a crowd doesn’t have to be an intimidating task. That’s why The Nosher created The Nosher’s Guide to Jewish Brisket. Whether looking for the most traditional of recipes or wanting to try something new, including vegetarian options, this guide will help serve up the holiday brisket of any cook’s dreams. The free guide includes recipes from Jake Cohen, Adeena Sussman, Eitan Bernath, and more. Also included: a handy portion chart, storage and freezing tips, and recipe pairing suggestions. The Nosher’s Guide to Jewish Brisket is a Rosh Hashanah
Pleasejoin joinTemple TempleIsrael Israelfor forthe the2019/5780 2026/5787holidays! holidays! Please Celebrate the fullness of Jewish worship with us as together we find spiritual Please join Temple Israel worship for the 2019/5780 holidays!we find Celebrate the fullness Jewish with us as together meaning in the words of ourof sages. You will find a hearty greeting from a warm Celebrate the fullness of Jewish worship with us as together weafind spiritual spiritual meaning in the words ofthe ourtimeless sages. You hearty congregation that embraces both andwill thefind innovative. meaning in thefrom words of ourcongregation sages. You will find a heartyboth greeting from a warm greeting a warm that embraces Come join us and let us welcome you home. the timeless congregation that embraces both the timeless and the and the innovative. Come join us and let us welcome innovative. you home. Come join us and let us welcome you home.
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22 | JEWISH NEWS | AUGUST 31, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org
cooking essential hosts can return to year after year. Go to https://www.myjewishlearning.com/the-noshers-guideto-jewish-brisket-is-on-its-way to get a free copy delivered via email. And, while on the site, check out additional High Holiday recipes such as The Nosher’s easy honey cake recipe or a classic tzimmes recipe, among many others. There’s also a link to a Guide to Hosting Rosh Hashanah from Kveller —a mini magazine featuring a variety of menus, a “How to Host” checklist, blessings, tips on how to make things fun for the kids, and decor ideas.
KICK OFF T H E 2 6 /2 7 SEASON WITH
IT’S A WRAP
America the Beautiful Shanny Zach battles for control against an opponent during an opening round game 2-1 victory.
Classics.
the
Gold medal-winning basketball team of Ashten Konikoff, Eli Green, Coach Chris Queman, Leo Gottlieb, Dylan Preston, and Seth Green.
TEAM VIRGINIA BEACH SCORES IN TORONTO
Tom Edwards six medals in a variety of sports, basketball, bowling, soccer, and The JCC Maccabi Games and Access were held August 2-7 in swimming, while participating with more than 30 other athletes in two different host cities—Toronto and Kansas City. The Team the Access division that incorporates sports and activities for those Virginia Beach delegation went to the Games in with developmental hurdles. Canada, joining more than 60 other delegations Approximately 2,000 Jewish teenagers from nine countries. were in Toronto for the week, creating Eight athletes represented TeamVB; five an unforgettable experience for every basketball players, two soccer players, and one participant and volunteer. Access athlete. Joining the Southside veterans of Team Virginia Beach will go to the JCC Shanny Zach (soccer), Oliver Scolnick (Access), Maccabi Games and Access in Austin, Texas and Leo Gottlieb and Ashten Konikoff (3v3 in 2027. The team seeks Jewish teens, ages basketball) were four athletes from the Peninsula, 13-17, who want to join in celebrating Jewish Dylan Preston and Eli Green and Seth Green peoplehood, to meet new Jewish friends (3v3 basketball), and Mia Green (soccer). from around the globe, and to have the Mia Green and Shanny Zach played on the greatest week of their life. same 17-and-under girls’ soccer team with players from Toronto, Tucson, and Vancouver, finishing Contact Tom Edwards for more information at 757-321-2308 or TEdwards@SimonFamilyJCC.org. in a tie for fifth place. The boys formed one team Shanny Zach and Mia Green. for the 17-and-under boys 3-on-3 basketball in Tom Edwards is athletics director and delegation head for Team which they went undefeated and won the gold medal. Coach Chris Virginia Beach at the JCC Maccabi Games & Access for the Simon Queman led the Maccabi 3v3 team from Virginia Beach for the Family JCC. third time, and this is his first gold medal. Oliver Scolnick won
OPENING WEEKEND
Mahler’s Titan Symphony with Eric Jacobsen Legacy and New Life
S E P T E M B E R 1 0, 2 0 2 6 N E W P O RT N E W S
SEPTEMBER 13, 2026 V I RG I N I A B E AC H
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & Philip Glass’s Lincoln Symphony Echoes & Icons
S E P T E M B E R 2 5, 2 0 2 6 N E W P O RT N E W S
S E P T E M B E R 2 7, 2 0 2 6 V I RG I N I A B E AC H
GET TIX T O DAY !
The Team Virginia Beach delegation of athletes and staff prior to opening ceremony in TD Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario.
Mia Green (back, 3rd from left) and Shanny Zach (front, center) had teammates from Tucson, Vancouver, and Toronto.
V I R G I N I A S Y M P H O N Y. O R G 757-892-6366
jewishnewsva.org | AUGUST 31, 2026 | JEWISH NEWS | 23
IT’S A WRAP
KBH celebrates first year on Sandler Family Campus
Haley Belman walks into SIA on her first day of fourth grade.
Emelia and Theodore St. Pierre are excited to be greeted by VBPD on the first day of school.
Back to School at Strelitz International Academy Alene Jo Kaufman Fleischmann Lounge was filled with music as Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH) congregants, friends, and community guests – ages preschool to 90 – welcomed Shabbat to celebrate their first year on the Sandler Family Campus. Member Sid Bridge led a joyful Carlebach infused Shabbat service, with the youngest members (led by Niv Rubin) often taking over the bima and capably leading prayers. Participants were truly dancing in the aisles! If the spirit in the room weren’t enough by itself, the Shabbat dinner that followed increased camaraderie, connection, and community. As recipients of a Tidewater Jewish Foundation Community Impact Grant, KBH hosted this program to show the multi-use strength and flexibility of the Sandler Family Campus; to showcase the Cardo Cafe’s excellent kosher catering; and to welcome young families to a child-friendly and affordable Shabbat experience. KBH is grateful to the TJF for their generous support, to Latoya Haspberry and the Cardo Cafe for preparing the delicious meal, to the campus leaders and staff for their set-up assistance, and to the KBH schleppers and set-up team for anything else that needed doing.
Ally St. Pierre Development Center, and Best Private A new school year at Strelitz School in Virginia Beach in the 2026 International Academy began on Best of Virginia Media contest. Monday, August 17 with the school’s Looking past the first week of faculty and staff welcoming both new school, SIA has a jam-packed year and returning students to SIA for the planned, in addition to the learning, 2026–2027 school year. growing, and excitment happening In a special surprise, the Virginia in the classrooms. Parent Night, the Beach Police Department also greeted 38th Annual Bob Josephberg Classic students outside the building to Golf Tournament at Virginia Beach wish them a wonderful school year. National on Wednesday, September 2, Children—and even some parents— and the 4th Annual SIA Fall Festival Siblings Rosalie and Isaiah Neckel enjoy seeing each were all smiles chatting with the officers. other on the first day of school at recess. on October 25, among other events. For SIA, the start of the school Interested in learning what makes SIA award-winning? Schedule a year coincided with some fun and positive news: Strelitz personalized tour by contacting Ally St. Pierre, International Academy was voted Best Daycare, Best Child
For more information about Kehillat Bet Hamidrash, visit kbhsynagogue.org or email kbhsynagogue@gmail.com. For information about Tidewater Jewish Foundation, go to jewishva.org. Heather Moore, SIA Head of School, (right) with the Virginia Beach Police Department on opening day. 24 | JEWISH NEWS | AUGUST 31, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Jewish leadership program One community. One Shabbat. empowers middle schoolers One unforgettable weekend. Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18 Rabbi Pinchas Zimmer For many families, formal Jewish education ends after the bar or bat mitzvah party’s festivities are over. But that doesn’t mean that seventh and eighth grade students aren’t itching to make a difference and make their voices heard. Or that their parents aren’t interested in instilling Jewish identity in their child. Dan Senor, a bestselling author (Start-up Nation, The Genius of Israel), and Tikvah faculty member, notes that alumni of Jewish Day schools are twice as likely to have a proud Jewish identity and four times as likely to support the state of Israel. In a world where children are constantly bombarded with a barrage of antisemitic rhetoric by social media influencers and even peers, it’s more urgent than ever to give them a safe environment to express Jewish pride, connect to Jewish heritage, and freely speak their minds. While Jewish Tidewater is an active community offering elementary school students various Hebrew school and day school options, as well as extracurricular opportunities for high school-aged students, an unmet need exists for a Jewish program for middle school aged students. Enter Tikvah’s Millstone Scholars program, an international Jewish educational and intellectual organization that brings together Jews to explore big ideas about Jewish identity, Israel, liberty, and the future of Jewish life. The program offers classes and social opportunities for seventh and eighth graders to connect with each other and their Jewish heritage, while learning about the heroic story of modern Israel and the Jewish experience in America. The Tidewater cohort is organized in partnership with the Konikoff Center for Learning of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and is nondenominational and nonpartisan. Jewish students of every background are welcome. All that is required is a thirst for Jewish knowledge and a desire to grow Jewish pride. The cohort will be taught by Rabbi Pinchas Zimmer, a member of UJFT’s Jewish Innovation Steering Committee, and community engagement director at B’nai Israel. Classes begin in October, after the High Holidays. The day and time will be set to best suit the students and their families. Space is limited. Parents interested in additional information can contact Sierra Lautman, director of Jewish Innovation at UJFT, at slautman@ujft.org or 757-965-6107, or call/text Rabbi Pinchas Zimmer at 757-614-3155. Learn more about Tikvah at tikvah.org/millstone.
Elka Mednick What if the Jewish community of Tidewater spent Shabbat together? That is what is happening when PJ Library in Tidewater and the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, in partnership with Congregation Beth El, Temple Israel, Temple Emanuel, KBH, and B’nai Israel Congregation, host a community-wide Shabbaton. Imagine the best parts of Shabbat at camp with entire families attending. The weekend will begin with a spirited, song-filled Kabbalat Shabbat Friday night. Shabbat morning services will be for all levels of observance. Participants will enjoy learning, great food, outdoor time, meaningful conversation, and the special ruach that comes from stepping away from everyday pressures and simply being together. The weekend is designed for every generation, Jewish background, and every stage of life and will offer opportunities to meet new people and reconnect with old friends. Whether one attends on their own or with a full house, there is a place for all. Programming will include child-friendly and family activities, along with opportunities for adults to connect, learn, and relax in nature. The Konikoff Center for Learning is handling all the details, allowing attendees to fully embrace the gift of Shabbat. An eruv will be in place throughout the weekend, and all meals and snacks will be kosher under the supervision of the Vaad Hakashrus of Tidewater. The cost is $100 per person, with a family maximum of $400, even for families larger than four, thanks to the generous support of Tidewater Jewish Foundation. For one weekend, the community will not gather as separate congregations, but as one community enjoying the warmth of Shabbat. To learn more and to register for the Shabbaton, visit: JewishVA.org/Shabbaton, or contact Sierra Lautman at Slautman@ujft.org. Complete the form to secure a spot for the Community Shabbaton. A non-refundable deposit is required ($50 per individual or family, maximum $400 per household; children under two years old, attend for free). Final payment is due September 15.
In their own words: American Jewish history through autobiography Tuesdays, Sept. 22 – Dec. 1, 11 am - 12:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus American history is filled with Jewish stories that helped shape the nation, yet many remain largely unknown. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, this 10-week course invites students to discover the people, moments, and ideas that reveal how deeply Jewish history is woven into the American experience. Led by Rabbi Michael Panitz, the course explores the
lives of remarkable Jewish Americans whose influence exceeded their fame. Through personal accounts, historical documents, and engaging discussion, participants will encounter activists, soldiers, immigrants, entrepreneurs, and community leaders whose contributions helped shape the country from its earliest days to the present. From the founding of the nation and the establishment
of Touro Synagogue to the Civil War, the struggle for civil rights, and beyond, participants will uncover compelling stories of leadership, faith, and patriotism. $60 for JCC members; $72 for potential members. For more information or to register, visit JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@ujft.org.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING
Virginia Symphony opens with Rosh Hashanah in mind Thursday, September 10, 7:30 pm, CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts Sunday September 13, 2:30 pm, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Cara Carmichael The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will open its 2026/27 Season with Mahler’s Titan Symphony. Music Director Eric Jacobsen, the Macon and Joan Brock chair, will conduct a program featuring renowned pianist Jeffrey Kahane performing Heirloom Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orchestra, written by his son, composer Gabriel Kahane. As a pianist, conductor, and scholar, Jeffrey Kahane’s career highlights run the gamut from concertos with the New York Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony to recitals with Yo-Yo Ma and Joshua Bell to European tours. Jeffrey Kahane. “Dedicated with love, admiration, gratitude, and awe” to his father, Gabriel Kahane wrote the piano concerto, Heirloom, infused
with Austro-German musical tradition, as an aural family scrapbook that explores a series of inheritances. He grew up in a secular Jewish household where folk music, from artists such as Joni Mitchell, and classical music flowed throughout the home. Gabriel Kahane’s grandmother, Hannelore, a prominent figure in his life, babysat German-Jewish composer and developer of the modern 12-tone technique Arnold Schoenberg’s children before escaping Germany in 1938. The second movement, “My Grandmother Knew Alban Berg” is inspired by the intergenerational memory, Kahane’s experience with Berg’s works, and the indirect connection to Berg, a student of Schoenberg’s.
Middle School Game Night Saturday, October 10, 5 -7 pm Sandler Family Campus, Free Blake Sisler Middle school students are invited to Game Night, an evening filled with games, laughter, friendship, and fun. Dinner will be provided. Whether challenging friends to classic favorites such as Monopoly and Clue, battling it out in fast-paced card games, or working together to crack clues in an exciting mystery escape room, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Students will test strategy skills, solve puzzles, and take on fun challenges while making new memories with friends. Why not make it a night for the entire family? While middle school students enjoy dinner and board games, younger siblings are welcome to attend Kids Night Out, 5 – 9 pm, also at the Sandler Family Campus, giving everyone an evening of fun and connection. To register, visit Jewishva.org/gamenight. Contact Blake Sisler at bsisler@ujft.org for more information.
26 | JEWISH NEWS | AUGUST 31, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org
Born to Jewish parents, Gustav Mahler converted to Catholicism to be the director of the Vienna Court Opera in 1897. Mahler was constantly berated by antisemitic press and political leaders throughout his career as a conductor and composer. He described himself as, “thrice homeless, as a native of Bohemia among Austrians, as an Austrian among Germans, and as a Jew throughout the world.” When developing the 2026/27 season, the VSO focused this program on Rosh Hashanah. “This concert centers around the theme of legacy and new life. Mahler’s first Symphony, Titan, goes through an epic journey of life from first breath to last with all the trials and triumphs in-between,” says Jacobsen. “Kahane’s Heirloom concerto does a similar journey, but on a much more personal level by telling his family’s story and some of their most treasured memories. We wanted to lead our patrons from the Jewish community into this holiday about rebirth and celebrating new life and reflecting on the past year.” Tickets and information: VirginiaSymphony.org.
After school fall classes cover various interests Christine Carnahan Camp JCC is preparing for an incredible lineup of after school classes for the fall, including a few returning fan favorites alongside some new additions. Programs are tailored for children 3 to 10 years old. Soccer Shots returns for future soccer stars, while Yoga Explorers is back for young yogis ready to stretch and move. For young bakers looking to unleash their creativity, Camp JCC’s Little Bakers class is guaranteed to spark some passion. Plus, American Sign Language will make its debut for those hoping to broaden their horizons with a new language. Classes begin in late September and mid-October. Registration dates will be available soon, along with other details on these and other upcoming classes at simonfamilyjcc.org. To learn more about Camp JCC, Kids Night Out, School Days Out, children’s classes, and more, contact Christine Carnahan, Camp JCC manager, at ccarnahan@ujft.org or 757-452-3182.
CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 1, TUESDAY Yiddish Club. Embrace Yiddish culture, language, and history through music, film, poetry, and literature. Meets on the first Tuesday of each month. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: www.jewishva.org/Adults or contact Sarah Cooper at SCooper@ujft.org.
DESTINY DESTINY Why a Tiny Nation Plays Such a Huge Role in History
Taught by Amy Lefcoe
Thursdays at 11:00 am
Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus
SEPTEMBER 3 AND 17, THURSDAY
6 weeks • Begins October 8
Roundtable Conversation. Join community members of all ages for conversations involving current events, politics, and more. Meets every first and third Thursday of the month. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: www.jewishva.org/Adults or Sarah Cooper at SCooper@ujft.org.
Rosh Hashanah Craft and Cookie Workshop. Join Tidewater’s newest Shinshinim in partnership with PJ Library in Tidewater, for a Rosh Hashanah Craft and Cookie Workshop. Ring in the Jewish New Year with holiday-themed cookie decorating, writing heartfelt New Year letters, and making holiday crafts. Sandler Family Campus. 5 - 6 pm. Information: JewishVA.org/Shinshinim or Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.
Discover the Jewish people’s unique legacy and extraordinary impact on the world, and why a small nation that has contributed so much to humanity has faced enduring hatred.
SEPTEMBER 22, TUESDAY
Based on the popular book by Ken Spiro.
SEPTEMBER 14, MONDAY
In Their Own Words: American Jewish History Through Autobiography. As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence, this course highlights the lives, experiences, and contributions of Jewish men and women whose influence on American history far exceeded their recognition. Led by Rabbi Michael Panitz and hosted by UJFT’s Konikoff Center for Learning. 10-week course, Tuesdays at 11 am. (no class on Oct. 13) $60 JCC member; $72 potential member. Register at JewishVA.org/KCL.
$36/JCC members, $45/potential JCC members
includes a copy of Ken Spiro’s book.
JEWISHVA.ORG/KCL
SEPTEMBER 22, TUESDAY Bingocize- For Fall Prevention. Learn about balance and fall prevention techniques, stretching and breathing techniques, and home safety modifications to promote a healthy lifestyle. 10-week course, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sandler Family Campus. 11 am -12 pm. In partnership with Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. Free and open to all seniors in the community. Register: JewishVA.org/Bingocize.
OCTOBER 10, SATURDAY Middle School Game Night. An evening filled with games, friendship, and fun. Sandler Family Campus. 5 – 7 pm. Dinner will be provided. Register at JewishVA.org/GameNight or contact Blake Sisler at BSisler@ujft.org. Kids Night Out. Give the kids a night to look forward to while enjoying some adult time. Kids Night Out is packed with fun, including games, swimming with friends, and a movie. Send child with a packed dinner. 5 – 9 pm. Sandler Family Campus. For JCC members ages 4–12, the cost is $25 per child and $15 per sibling, with a maximum of $55 per household. For potential JCC members, the cost is $30 per child and $20 per sibling, with a maximum of $70 per household. Register: JewishVA.org/KNO or Christine Carnahan at CCarnahan@ujft.org.
OCTOBER 16-18, FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY Tidewater Community Shabbaton. Step away from the busyness of everyday life and experience the joy of Shabbat alongside neighbors from across the community. $100 per person, max $400 per family. Includes lodging (in camp-style lodges), all meals, and all activities. Register: JewishVA.org/Shabbaton. Location provided upon registration. Incformation: Sierra Lautman at SLautman@ujft.org.
OCTOBER 19-MAY 24, MONDAYS Conversational Hebrew with the Shinshinim. Weekly classes focusing on practical conversation skills, vocabulary, and pronunciation through interactive activities and real-life scenarios. Perfect for beginners and intermediate learners of all ages who want to improve their speaking and listening skills in a fun, supportive environment. 5 pm. Information: JewishVA. org/Shinshinim, or Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.
One Community. One Shabbat.
TIDEWATER COMMUNITY TIDEWATER COMMUNITY
SHABBATON OCTOBER 16-18 Unplug from the busyness of every day life Build community Connect with nature Experience the beauty of Shabbat together
NATURE
Enjoy outdoor activities, learning opportunities, and so much more!
COMMU N
ITY
SPACES ARE FILLING QUICKLY! Location provided upon registration. COST: $100 per individual, maximum $400 per household Kosher (Vaad of Tidewater) • Eruv • Minyanim
MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT TODAY!
FAMILY
JEWISHVA.ORG/SHABBATON
This event is made possible by a generous grant from the Tidewater Jewish Foundation
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OBITUARIES –––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Diane B. Aftel
NORFOLK – Diane Zaba Aftel, 87, of Norfolk, passed away peacefully in her home on August 15, 2026. She was born to the late Benjamin Zaba and Ruby Hillman Zaba. Diane was always very close to her late uncle, Sam Hillman, and her younger brother, Dr. Joel Zaba. Diane graduated from Maury High School in 1957 and attended many of her class reunions over the course of 55 years. She began her career working at the United States Custom House in Norfolk and later worked as a bookkeeper for her brother’s optometry practice. In 1960, she married Dr. Harvey Aftel, an optometrist, and they were married for 56 years. Together, they spent their entire married life on Shirley Avenue in the Ghent section of Norfolk. Diane was an active member of Ohef Sholom Temple. Diane is survived by her two loving sons, Brian H. Aftel and Andrew W. Aftel,
both of Norfolk. She was a loving mother who was full of kindness, gentleness, compassion, and generosity. A funeral service was held at Ohef Sholom Temple, followed by burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Services were officiated by Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg and Cantor Jennifer Rueben. Condolences may be left online at AltmeyerFH.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Ohef Sholom Temple or to the Dementia Society of America at www.TMCFunding.com. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Dr. Steven J. Becker
BURKE, VA – Dr. Steven J. Becker, 78, died on August 9, 2026, in Burke, Virginia. Born on June 6, 1948, in Jersey City, N. J., Steven is remembered as a loving husband and father, a man with a wonderful sense of humor, and a dedicated dentist. Education and learning were deeply important to Steven throughout his life. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis before earning his dental
degree from the University of Kentucky. An avid reader with a lifelong curiosity, he particularly enjoyed learning about history, Judaism, and whatever new subject had captured his interest. Jewish learning and Jewish life were especially meaningful to him, and he was a longtime member of Congregation Beth El in Norfolk. Steven practiced dentistry for more than 40 years in Hampton, Va. Known as a gentle and caring dentist, he was deeply devoted to his patients. He came to work early, stayed late, and made himself available for emergencies. He was also known for making his patients laugh from the dental chair, sometimes making the work itself just a little more difficult in the process. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alan and Gabriela Becker. He is survived by his wife, Miriam; his children, David, Rachel, and Alan; and his brother, Denis. A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Donations may be made in Steven’s memory to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America or Congregation Beth El. May his memory be a blessing. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Barbara Rae Soroko Bowden
VIRGINIA BEACH – Barbara Rae Soroko Bowden died June 29, 2026, in her home in Virginia Beach. Born in Portsmouth, Va. She was the daughter of the late Oscar Soroko and Mildred Hilles Soroko. Barbara will be remembered for her kindness, warmth, and the positive impact she had on the lives of those who knew her. Barbara cherished time with family and friends and will be deeply missed by all. Barbara is survived by her daughter Michelle Dawn Lugtu, grandchild Rashad, her beloved James Weber, son-in-law Daniel Jacob Lugtu, cousins Norman Soroko, Arlene Kessel, her nephew Brian Soroko and many extended family members and dear friends. The family appreciates the love and condolences during this time. A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery officiated by Cantor David Proser. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Lois (Cohen) Greenebaum
BALTIMORE, MD. – Lois (Cohen) Greenebaum passed away peacefully at the 28 | JEWISH NEWS | AUGUST 31, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org
age of 95, surrounded her beloved family. A highly intelligent and thoughtful woman, she led her life with integrity, strong values, purpose, and wisdom. She was the definition of a capable matriarch. She deeply valued friends and family. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., she had a wonderful childhood and moved to Baltimore in 1949 to attend Goucher College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English. Upon graduating in 1953, she married her beloved, Leonard Greenebaum who graduated from John’s Hopkins University. They met at the Suburban Club of Baltimore and were married in 1953. They remained deeply in love and committed to one another for nearly 70 years until his passing in 2022. Before beginning her family, Lois proudly taught third grade students at Fallstaff Elementary School. She enjoyed community service work and served on the board of directors of the National Council for Jewish Women. For most of her time in Baltimore she was a proud member of Har Sinai Congregation and then briefly Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. Lois and Leonard were lifelong, dedicated members of the Suburban Club where they enjoyed spending time with many friends, along with sharing their love of tennis and golf for years. Lois enjoyed many hobbies and took them very seriously, especially with her love for and dedication to the game of bridge, where she proudly accomplished the impressive achievement of reaching the Silver Life Masters level, earning over 1,000 points. In addition, she loved to travel and did so extensively throughout the world with her beloved husband Leonard, many friends, and extended family. Lois enjoyed gourmet cooking, writing poetry, flower arranging, entertaining, and appreciated fine art. However, most important to her was the family she began in 1957. She was a devoted mother of two girls, Lynn (Greenebaum) Sachs, and Carol (Greenebaum) Hess. As a caring and compassionate woman, she dedicated her life to raising her girls and made sacrifices to ensure they had a full and rich childhood, encouraging each of their natural interests. She instilled them with a great value system; encouraging hard work, perseverance, compassion, honesty, and integrity. In addition, she loved her sons-in-law, John
OBITUARIES Hess and Jeff Sachs and found such joy spending time with and traveling with the four of them to some of their favorite locations including St. Thomas, USVI, Palm Desert, Callif., and Naples, Fla. Later, she welcomed and loved whole heartedly her grandchildren and great grandchild, whom she also enjoyed sharing the world with— through travel and celebrating so many happy occasions together. Lois loved and valued her younger brother, Edgar Cohen, and often shared wonderful stories of their childhood in Charleston. Lois’s wisdom and grace will be cherished by her beloved surviving family members, brother- and sister-law: Edgar and Joy Cohen; daughters and son-in-law’s: Lynn and Jeff Sachs, Carol and John Hess; grandchildren: Julie Hess, Michael Hess (Aimee Hess), Sara Sachs, Rachel Sachs; and great granddaughter: Savannah Hess; nieces and nephews: Sue (Rich) Baxt and Nancy Greenebaum (Noel Levy); and great nieces. Services were private. Contributions in her memory may be sent to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Gilchrist Hospice Care, Crohn's and Colitus Foundation, American Cancer Society, or the charity of the donor’s choice. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Edward Legum
NORFOLK – Edward Legum, 97, of Norfolk, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Norfolk and raised in Berkley, Eddie was the son of the late A.J. Legum and Bessie Padrasic Legum. He graduated from Maury High School and attended the Norfolk Division of William and Mary (now ODU). He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Radin Legum; his parents, and his siblings, Edith Legum Laderberg, Alfred Legum, Howard Legum, Herbert Legum, and Suzanne Legum Barr. He is survived by his daughters, Blaine Levenson (Stephen), Jonnice Berns (Adam), and Radine Legum; his grandchildren, Brooke Levenson (Michael Blum) and Brent Levenson (Deena Zeltser); his greatgrandchildren, Emet and Mollie Blum and Eli and Cece Levenson. He is also survived by his brother, Stephen Legum (Carol Sue); and his sister-in-law, Shirley Legum; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him.
Following his family’s footsteps into the furniture business, Eddie established the Edward Legum Furniture Company, Inc., that had locations in Norfolk, Hampton, and Virginia Beach. For more than 50 years, he was involved in all aspects of the furniture business, including retail sales and furniture rental. He was active in the Furniture Rental Association of America and served as its president for several years. Eddie enjoyed sports of all kinds, as a player and a spectator. He was an avid tennis player who played regularly into his nineties. He and Ruthie were Virginia Squires season ticket holders in both Norfolk and Hampton, as well as having season tickets for the ODU Lady Monarchs and the Monarch football team. Eddie cared deeply about the people in his life – his family, friends, employees, and community. He assisted numerous causes with singular determination and quiet philanthropy. He was dedicated to honoring the legacy of the historic Jewish community in Berkley and was responsible for the Mikro Kodesh Cemetery there for many years. Above all else, his wife and children and their families were the center of Eddie’s life. He shared a wonderful 73-year marriage with Ruthie, and together they created a home filled with warmth, laughter, hospitality, and love. They treasured their many years together, building traditions and memories that remain a lasting part of their family’s life. Eddie took immense pride in his daughters and their achievements. He cultivated their sense of self-reliance by teaching each of them practical skills that would serve them well throughout their lives. He cherished time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who adored him beyond measure. He celebrated their accomplishments and milestones while sharing his wisdom, kindness, and life lessons, always imparted with his unique sense of humor. It will be hard to fill his very big shoes (size 14). A graveside funeral service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ohef Sholom Temple Radin Archives Fund, the ODU Center for Restorative Therapies, or a charity of the donor’s choice. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Jack Sanford Moscovitz
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www.altmeyerfuneralandcremation.com 90, a lifelong resident of Portsmouth, Va., peacefully passed away on July 1, 2026, with family by his side. Born on November 5, 1935, in Norfolk, he was the only child of Louis and Bluma Moscovitz, of blessed memory. Jack was a 1953 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary. He was a proud lifelong resident of Portsmouth. As a teenager, Jack acquired a strong work ethic; often sweeping and cleaning the floors and performing menial jobs after school, in an older cousin’s budding Downtown Portsmouth electronics store,
Distributors Incorporated. Young Jack gradually learned the business, gaining more and more responsibility while earning the trust of the store’s employees, patrons, and his community. Jack lived frugally and ultimately saved up enough money to buy the store, wisely expanding it from a simple retail store to later also specialize in local radio and TV station, wholesale, and US military sales. Jack was a genuinely loyal and generous person who believed in lifting people up when they needed a hand. He gave back to his community and at a young age joined and became active within the Portsmouth Host Lion’s Club, serving in several roles
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OBITUARIES including president for well over half a century. He was especially proud of being nominated by his fellow Lions to be awarded The Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest level of recognition awarded by the Lion’s Club International Foundation. Jack was asked to share his business acumen on the board of directors of multiple financial institutions, ultimately serving as a board member of Jefferson National Bank. As a local Portsmouth businessman, Jack sponsored a team annually in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, despite keeping the closely guarded secret of not being a sports fan! Jack also was a blood donor as his wishes were to extend the lives of those less fortunate. In that spirit, he made it his life mission to take care of sick or isolated friends and relatives he felt were ignored, simply needed companionship, or a shopping cart full of goodies. Jack did this for many years regularly, but he was always careful to remain under the radar, showing unconditional love and support in a quiet and understated manner. Although Jack was admired by many, he had but a few lifelong close friends and was a private and non-ostentatious person who didn’t like to “make a production” as he put it. Despite possessing a low-key demeanor, Jack was very well known and respected within the community. He rarely could go out in public without multiple people offering their friendly greetings and handshakes. Two years ago, Jack was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Ronnie Hermelin Moscovitz, who had suggested early on that Jack change the name of his business to Electronics Unlimited, to better articulate the nature of his business. This turned out to be a smart move, as Jack and Ronnie enjoyed many happy years, traveling together after his retirement from the successful business after more than 40 years. Jack is also survived by his three children, Scott Moscovitz (Ruth Ann), Lori Alperin, DDS (Scott), and David Moscovitz (Natalie). Jack impressed upon each of them the value of family, kindness, hard work, and financial responsibility. He is also survived by grandchildren he adored: Noah and Zoey Alperin, Sam Ludwig, and Lauren Moscovitz; honorary family member, Lucille Evans; along with his loyal toy Shih Tzu, Ginger. Per Jack’s wishes, a private family
burial will be held. In Jack’s memory, it is requested that you quietly do something nice for someone in need. Donations may be made to one of Jack’s favorite charities: Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, The American Red Cross, Mercy Chefs, or your local SPCA/pet shelter. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Ruby H. Schwarzschild
LAKELAND, FLA. – Ruby Hainer Schwarzschild of Norfolk, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026 in Lakeland, Fla. She was a dedicated mother, wife, grandmother, chef, artist, and beloved pillar of her community. Ruby was born in Norfolk on March 13, 1945 to the late Herbert Hainer and Maddy Novenski Hainer. She is survived by her beloved husband, J William (Bill) Schwarzschild; her brothers, Bruce Hainer and Arthur Hainer; her sons Joseph (Joey) Schwarzschild and Barry Schwarzschild; and three grandchildren, Michaela Stringer (Joshua), Casey Schwarzschild, and Joshua Schwarzschild (Ashleigh). A passionate artist, Ruby spent most of her life as a visual artist. Most known for her watercolor paintings of nature and birds, she received national recognition and honors for her work. Her love and dedication for the arts inspired those around her, including her grandchildren. She was a part of many committees and boards for local art societies both in Virginia Beach and her final home of Lakeland. She spent many years as a catering chef, specializing in Jewish weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and other cultural events. She ran Ruby & Company Catering out of Virginia Beach for many years. Ruby was best known for her generosity, selflessness, and compassion for her community. She was always there to help and took great measures to ensure those around her felt loved and respected. Her love and warmth came through in her art, her cooking, and her actions towards others. She will continue to inspire those she touched and will be deeply missed. A graveside service was conducted at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk. To honor Ruby, please consider a donation to a local Jewish Community Center or the Florida Watercolor Society (https:// floridawatercolorsociety.org).
IN MEMORIAM
Dolly Parton’s Jewish connections Terri Denison Singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Dolly Parton died Tuesday, August 25 at the age of 80. The outpouring of grief was immediate and universal. “PJ Library and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation team are sad to learn of the passing of musician, philanthropist, and American legend Dolly Parton. Dolly’s Imagination Library helped inspire Harold Grinspoon to found PJ Library in 2005,” the Foundation posted on Facebook. Parton believed every child should have the chance to fall in love with reading. “When Harold had the privilege of chatting with Dolly in 2023, she shared the following with him: ‘I am honored to get to help inspire a love of reading in children. They truly are our future.’” Grinspoon says he remembers Parton as “a truly amazing person – not only a great artist, but a great entrepreneur and philanthropist. We honor Dolly for educating millions, for her remarkable career, her kindness, her art, and especially her generosity.” “Listen to some great music and read a beautiful storybook today in her memory. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and fans. May her memory be a blessing,” the Foundation’s statement concluded. Parton’s Jewish connections, however, didn’t begin with Harold Grinspoon. According to an article originally published in The Forward in 2020, in the mid-1970s, her career was at a standstill, and she was ready for a larger audience – beyond Country and Gospel. It was two Brooklyn-born Jewish men who assisted Parton in the leap from Nashville to mainstream stardom. Sandy Gallin, a successful talent agent helped her “crossover” in music and expand into TV, movies, and even her theme park. “In 1977, Gallin convinced Parton to record a song called Here You Come Again, written by the Jewish husbandand-wife songwriting duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil,” wrote Seth Rogovoy, in The Forward, “He brought in another Brooklyn native, Gary Klein, to produce
the song and the album of the same name. The single cracked the Top 20 Pop Album charts and spawned her first Top 10 pop hit; the album was her first to sell millions.
(Incidentally, her pop success didn’t come at the cost of her country credibility; the song sat atop the Country Singles chart for five weeks.) The song also garnered Parton
Harold Grinspoon with Dolly Parton.
her first-ever Grammy Award, for best female country vocal. Over the next few years, Klein produced a number of other hits for Parton.” In her book, Songteller, Parton wrote of Gallin, “We were so close and our relationship was so loving. We were from two completely different worlds, but we just clicked, somehow. He was just one of those friends that you find who you just know are going to be your friend forever.” After Gallin died in 2017, Parton told an interviewer, “Nobody could quite get how the Christian Southern girl and the New York Jewish boy could have so much in common. But it was real.” There was just something about Dolly Parton that made her friendships, her success, her philanthropy, and her appeal all real and make sense to everyone.
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