Power of mentoring: How BeAR volunteers are changing young lives
In the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project, mentors do far more than help children improve their reading skills, they help them see what’s possible. Each week, these caring volunteers meet with second graders in under-resourced schools, opening books, sharing laughter, and building confidence one story at a time.
Among BeAR’s many devoted volunteers are men whose presence brings something especially powerful to the program. For some children, particularly those who don’t often have men in their daily lives, a male mentor’s steady encouragement can leave a lasting impression.
When men take the time to mentor, they model what it means to listen, to care, and to show up—values every child deserves to experience. They remind students that reading isn’t just about words on a page; it’s about connection, confidence, and the belief that someone is in their corner.
BeAR mentors, both men and women, are changing lives every week. Together, they create a community of support that helps young readers dream bigger, reach higher, and know they matter.
To learn how to volunteer with the Be A Reader Literacy Project, contact Robin Ford at 757-321-2304 or rford@ujft.org.
Robin Ford
Dr. Ed Karotkin is engrossed in the story his student is reading.
Charlie Firestone discusses Pete the Cat with his BeAR student.
Larry Stein reads alongside his student at Thalia Elementary.
JEWISH TIDEWATER
Building a stronger community together: Apply for a TJF Community Impact Grant
TJF Staff
Every day, Tidewater’s Jewish agencies, synagogues, and schools dream up new ways to educate, inspire, and connect the community. Tidewater Jewish Foundation helps make those visions real through its Community Impact Grant Program — funding catalytic projects that strengthen Jewish life across the region.
Awarded semiannually, the grant application period opened on November 15. These grants prioritize programs that deepen engagement, expand learning, and build lasting connections; investments that help institutions adapt and thrive amid changing needs.
“This program is about more than dollars,” says Ann Swindell, TJF’s grants
manager. “It’s a springboard for ideas that bring people together, build capacity, and move our community forward.”
In the past year, Community Impact Grants have fueled a wide range of successful projects, including the following examples of B’nai Israel, Strelitz International Academy, William & Mary’s Hillel, and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater:
• B’nai Israel hosted a Maccabeats concert that drew hundreds and strengthened bonds across generations and denominations.
• Strelitz International Academy launched its Future Proofing Initiative, enhancing board leadership and planning, and later built a student recording studio that allows children to explore media, storytelling, and Jewish values.
• Hillel at William & Mary expanded its Israel Fellow Program, engaging more than 250 students through education and cultural programming.
—Andrew H. Hook President of Hook Law Center
• United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Multigenerational Giving Project brought donor families together to discuss legacy and the future of Jewish philanthropy.
As chair of the Grants Committee, Richard Saunders says he sees firsthand how these projects strengthen the community’s foundation. “The strongest proposals are the ones where organizations create programs that are truly needed and genuinely helpful,” Saunders says. “Brick-and-mortar needs matter, but it’s the programming that attracts current and future community members and that’s where these grants can be transformative.”
TJF invites all Jewish agencies, organizations, and synagogues in Tidewater to apply for the next round of Community Impact Grants. Whether envisioning a new educational program, community event, or strategic initiative, this funding opportunity can help bring ideas to life.
To learn more or apply, visit foundation. jewishva.org/community-impact-grants.
Ann Swindell.
Richard Saunders.
JEWISH TIDEWATER
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS HUNGRY PEOPLE IN TIDEWATER
JFS staff
While many people are making plans for gathering with family and friends for Thanksgiving, not everyone is anticipating the holiday with excitement. Others are anxious, concerned about the increasing cost of food and cuts to programs that help feed their families.
Jewish Tidewater heard about the needs and responded with generosity. Local synagogues and other Jewish service programs collected donations from food drives totaling nearly $9,000 and financial contributions totaling nearly $30,000.
In November, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (aka SNAP) benefits were suspended. According to the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, families with children comprise 67% of Virginia’s SNAP recipients as of 2024, and more than 80% of the families who receive SNAP have been employed in the past year.
“Even before the SNAP cuts, we were concerned about the increased utilization of our food pantry,” says Kelly Burroughs, Jewish Family Service CEO. Earlier in the year, funding to Food Banks nationwide was massively cut. “These cuts have already led to fewer resources for food banks whose empty shelves bear witness to the greater
need for their services.”
In addition to the funding cuts, the price of food increased by 2.9% from July 2024 to July 2025, according to USDA. Smaller pantries could not afford to keep their shelves stocked or their doors open. Many of them closed, which led to an increased number of people using the pantry at JFS each week. In fact, this Thanksgiving, JFS has more
than 300 people signed up to receive meals—nearly twice as many as last year. Each family averages four to five people, meaning that almost 1,500 people this year will benefit from the generosity of Tidewater’s Jewish community’s support.
JFS often relies on monetary contributions to purchase supplemental items that are not available through the food bank, such as toilet paper and other hygiene products. “We are so grateful for the monetary donations and food drives that benefit JFS’ clients every day and even more considering the cuts to funding at Thanksgiving time,” says Brooke Rush, JFS director of development.
In addition to the food pantry, JFS also delivers meals through its partnership with Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia and Meals on Wheels of Chesapeake. “There is a myth that there is no hunger in Jewish households. But the truth is, one in four people who receive home delivered meals by JFS is Jewish,” says Rush.
“The community coming together to support one another is an incredible testament of tzedakah. No one should go hungry, and no one should be ashamed of need. That is why we exist,” Burroughs adds. “I think people underestimate how quickly we can be those people in line that we serve.”
Stacks of food and plenty of volunteers prepared Thanksgiving bags for families.
Dolphins QB wants to play in Jerusalem
Joseph Strauss (JTA) — The phrase “Next year in Jerusalem” is customarily spoken at the end of the Passover seder. But this month its sentiment was conveyed at the end of a different kind of gathering: a low-scoring NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders.
“Shoot, it’d be pretty cool to go play in Jerusalem,” Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said postgame.
The game — which the Dolphins won 16-13 in overtime — was the NFL’s first in
Spain, as part of a growing international series that’s seen contests played in England, Germany, Brazil, Ireland, and Mexico.
Tagovailoa, a Christian, was asked where else he’d like to play after experiencing Madrid and previously Frankfurt, Germany.
And his answer caught the eye of a highranking diplomat: Mike Huckabee, the United States Ambassador to Israel.
“Tua is right,” Huckabee wrote on X.
“Bringing an NFL game to Israel is a great idea. Next year in Jerusalem…I like the sound of that.”
Tagovailoa’s comments on playing in Israel did not mark the first time speaking about the country during a postgame.
Following a home game on Oct. 15, 2023, Tagovailoa paused the press conference to talk about Hamas’ attack on Israel.
“I didn’t really realize how bad things were in Israel,” Tagovailoa said.
There has been no indication from the NFL about a potential game in Israel, though Robert Kraft — the American billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, who is Jewish and founded
the Blue Square Alliance against Hate, formerly called the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism — sponsored the construction of the Kraft Family Sports Campus in Jerusalem, which includes an American football field. The adjacent park, Gan Sacher, is routinely home to informal football and flag football games.
Meanwhile, the capacity of Jerusalem’s largest stadium, Teddy Stadium, is just 31,000. Attendance at the NFL’s international games have ranged from upwards of 86,000 to, at their lowest, 47,000.
Now Accepting Community Impact Grant Applications!
Funding Opportunities that Strengthen Jewish Tidewater
APPLICATION OPENS Nov. 15, 2025
Tidewater Jewish Foundation is now accepting applications for Community Impact Grants dedicated funding for new and innovative programs that make a difference
These grants support projects and initiatives of local Jewish organizations that embody the spirit of tikkun olam — “repairing the world” by promoting growth, engagement, and cultural vibrancy across Jewish Tidewater.
If your organization is ready to enrich, educate, or uplift our Jewish community, we invite you to apply.
Questions? Contact Ann Swindell at aswindell@tjfva.org prior to submitting an application regarding eligibility and/or potential grant requests
Scan the QR code, learn more and apply now!
Happy Hanukkah
Perfect Gift
Occasion!
Dear Readers,
The Festival of Lights starts on the evening of Sunday, December 14. . . not overlapping this year with Thanksgiving or Christmas. So, for 2025, at least, Hanukkah gets to be the center of attention for all eight nights!
Much symbolism is poured into Hanukkah, which commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees defeated the Greek-Syrian army. The holiday also celebrates the miracle of the oil, which, according to the story, was only enough to light the Temple’s menorah for one day but somehow burned for eight. The holiday manages to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, religious freedom, and the perseverance of the Jewish people. That’s a lot to pack in.
From these events, Hanukkah celebrations feature latkes and Sufganiyot (donuts), dreidels and gelt, and presents and parties. And, of course, the lighting of candles each night, blessings, and songs.
When I was as a child, Hanukkah was observed. . . not so much celebrated. We lit the candles, recited the blessings, ate latkes one night, and maybe received some gifts. . . primarily gelt from the grandparents. My family had one menorah (we didn’t call it a hanukkiah then) and we took turns lighting it. The holiday was not a big deal.
Today, times are different, and like its holiday neighbor, Christmas, the commercialization of Hanukkah is practically everywhere. Most families now have multiple hanukkiah and everything from Hanukkah-themed platters for latkes to whimsical Hanukkah sweaters and pjs. The article on the next page about some local families who lean into the fun and modern merchandise is silly and uplifting.
Among the other articles in the section is one with tips on how, when frying latkes or donuts, to prevent the oily smell from taking over. (Page 23). My husband adheres to Tip #5. He uses an electric skillet on the porch. Smart guy.
There’s more, including a listing of Hanukkah events that are open to the community (page 22).
All of us at Jewish News wish you, your family, and friends, a Happy Hanukkah!
Chag Sameach,
Terri Denison Editor
Happy Hanukkah A bit of whimsy and kitsch to celebrate Hanukkah
A bit of whimsy and kitsch to celebrate Hanukkah
Move over Purim. . . Hanukkah is staking its own claim on fun as a Jewish holiday that embraces a bit of silliness and play.
From a banana shaped menorah – a Banorah – to Dinokkah the Hanukkah inflatable lighted dinosaur – which stands at six feet tall and comes with a15v blower motor inflation system – (both for purchase on moderntribe.com) Jews can delight in the celebration of these eight days and nights with a playfulness that few other Jewish holidays deem appropriate.
In addition to parties with latkes, games with dreidels and gelt, and of course the lighting of the candles, a plethora of products are now available to make Hanukkah more fun and at times, silly. And the merchandise is available for purchase at local Judaica shops, online, and in all sorts of department stores.
If kitschy pajamas, for example, are a preferred style for the Festival of Lights, kveller.com offers a range of Hanukkah-themed sleepwear from household names such as Anthropologie, Hanna Andersson, and Old Navy. The
entire family can even illuminate at night, wearing the Hanukkah Glow in the Dark pajamas from Children’s Place.
Irina Komarovsky surprises her son, Palmer, with Hanukkah-themed pjs each year, ever since he was a baby. “It’s usually on the first night that he gets them,” she says. On the second night, mother and son wear them during dinner with Komarovsky’s parents, Palmer’s babushka and dedushka.
Since moving to Virginia Beach, Rabbi Ari Oliszewski and his family have discovered fun holiday-themed merchandise for many celebrations.
Stephanie Peck
Rabbi Ari, Ben, Lia, and Pati Oliszewsky.
Happy Hanukkah
Happy Hanukkah
Bringing their own traditions from Argentina and Brazil, they’ve happily added this new custom to family life. Since they light the Hanukkiah each night, what could be better than wearing festive pajamas for the occasion? For eight nights straight, they say they wear their sleepwear with “joy and celebration.”
“Being able to live and embrace everything that Judaism offers us is truly a blessing that fills our hearts and souls,” says Rabbi Ari.
Amy Metzger “won” her banana hanukkiah at an annual Hanukkah “white elephant” gift exchange with family. “We gladly accepted the banana –yet the candles do not stand well without a little finagling!” she says. Metzger acquired her headband of dreidels from Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sisterhood’s Judaica Shop where she has been the buyer for more than nine years.
Save on what you need for a joyous holiday.
“Beginning from Rosh Chodesh Kislev, I love setting the tone for Hanukkah with whimsical, slightly wacky holiday items and traditions that create lasting memories for my family. Of course, we enjoy the classics—Hanukkah cookie decorating, donut decorating, and latkes—but every year I try to add something new and delightfully quirky to our repertoire,” says Liba Eisenberg, wife of Rabbi Shlomo Eisenberg of B’nai Israel Congregation.
One of their family favorites is a Hanukkah-themed Trouble game, a gift from grandparents in Rochester, New York. With children ages 4 - 11, the Eisenbergs play the board game on the long, dark winter afternoons, and it has become one of those signature ‘Hanukkah is coming!’ items in their home.
Rabbi Ari, Ben, Lia, and Pati Oliszewsky.
Palmer Washburn and Irina Komarovsky.
Amy Metzger.
Happy Hanukkah
The Eisenbergs also own oversized Hanukkah pop-it sensory toys that they fill with melted chocolate and turn into edible treats. Their kids top them with everything from pretzels and popcorn to sprinkles, berries, marshmallows, even pickles and chips— whatever is in the pantry. “It’s hilarious and delicious!” After hardening, the chocolate treats pop out and are enjoyed throughout Hanukkah.
One year, Eisenberg and her family made a menorah out of Fruit Loops and Mike & Ikes. Last year, in honor of the holiday of light, she surprised the family with a laser tag set from Amazon, and they spent one night of Hanukkah playing laser tag outside in the dark. “It was just as fun for the adults as the kids!
“These playful and unexpected items have turned into incredible experiences and memories we will cherish forever,” says Eisenberg. If the Hanukkah bin at home is lacking whimsical decorations, Target can supply endless kitsch. Kveller.com has again assembled a list of tchotchkes that will be the envy of every home on the block. Not to be outdone by Christmas celebrants, the Hallmark six-pair holiday earring set should be a conversation starter in line at Harris Teeter. Even the dog can get in on the Hanukkah action with a brushed fleece dog bandana. Tzvi, Esther, Binyamin, Aaron, and Zehava Eisenberg.
Happy Hanukkah
Hanukkah in Tidewater
Tidewater’s Jewish community offers plenty of waysto observe and celebrate Hanukkah in 2025. In fact, opportunities for children, teens, young adults, older adults, and families to celebrate throughout the eight nights abound in Tidewater. Get a hanukkiah ready, along with the 44 candles to illuminate this holiday of lights.
Brith Sholom
Hanukkah Brunch
Experience the warmth of Hanukkah with a brunch event full of food, piano music, and celebration.
Sunday, December 14
10 am – 3 pm
Contact LeeAnn Mallory, brith.sholom1@gmail.com.
Chabad Lubavitch of Tidewater
C Teen Latke Wars
Sunday, December 7
5 – 7 pm
$10
RSVP: chabadoftidewater.com/cteenrsvp
Chanukah Extravaganza - Community GIANT Menorah Lighting
Sunday, December 16
4:30 – 6 pm
Mt. Trashmore
Contact Rashi Brashevitzky, rashibrashi@me.com.
Grand Menorah Car Parade
Tuesday, December 16
5:30-6:30 pm
Congregation Beth El
First Night of Hanukkah Family Celebration
Enjoy a festive dinner including latkes and sufganiyot, with Hannukah related activities for children.
Sunday, December 14
5 – 7 pm
$8/adult, $5/child, $20/family
RSVP: Ada@bethelnorfolk.com
Ohef Sholom Temple
Wiggles & Giggles Chanukah Celebration
A playful Hanukkah celebration just for the littlest learners (ages 0–4) and their grown-ups. Enjoy music, movement, story time, sensory play, and simple Hanukkah crafts designed for curious hands and wiggly bodies. A perfect way to introduce the joy of the holiday through song, light, and fun community time.
Celebrate Hanukkah with a joyful Shabbat evening and a community dinner. Enjoy a buffet meal, live music, bingo, dreidel games, cookie decorating, and table trivia throughout the night. All ages are welcome. Bring family, friends, and a Hanukkiah for group candle lighting.
Friday, December 19
5:30 pm Preneg
6 pm Shabbat Service
6:45 pm Chanukah dinner and party $30/person ages 13+, $18/person ages 8-12, $10/person ages 3-7, free ages 0-2
5 ways to get the latke-frying smell out of your house
This article first appeared on The Nosher. Shannon Sarna
Everyone loves eating latkes; some people don’t even mind frying the latkes; but almost everyone loathes that post-frying, oil-laden smell that permeates the house after the frying fest of Hanukkah. Here are five ways to help get the smell out.
1. Vinegar
Vinegar is like a miracle drug, er, ingredient. Use it to make a salad dressing, clean the oven, poach an egg, and help remove the smell of fried latkes, too. Leave a bowl of vinegar on the counter while frying to help prevent the smell of oil taking over the kitchen. Or boil a pot of water with 1 cup of vinegar after frying. Or even take it a step further by adding favorite scents such as orange peel, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, etc.
2. Get Some Air
Of course, December in many parts of the world may not be ideal for leaving the windows open for long periods of time. But if windows are open just a little before getting
started on frying, and the kitchen fan is on, it should lessen the smell of fried oil.
3. Isolate the Frying
Close the doors to the kitchen to isolate the frying space so that the oil smell doesn’t travel through the entire house. And make sure to close doors to other rooms, too, so that the smell of fried latkes and donuts doesn’t creep into clothes and closets. Unless, of course, eau de fried potato is a preferred scent.
4. Light Some Candles
Find that scented candle gift from last Hanukkah and light it up. An essential oil diffuser or incense will also work. Open the windows, light some candles, and even try some Febreeze on couches or carpet to help neutralize the odor.
5. Get Outside! Literally.
OK, this tip is less about frying indoors, and more just to take the frying outside. Is there a burner on the grill? If so, just take the pan outside and fry those latkes without
fear of that oily smell. Don’t have a grill (or a burner on the grill)? Find an electric skillet, plug it in outside, and fry away.
NORFOLK: THE PALACE SHOPS VIRGINIA BEACH: HILLTOP EAST
Happy Hanukkah
Hallmark’s 2025 Hanukkah Movie Is Oy(TotheWorld)
Though we hate the pun, we’re willing to give this interfaith enemies-to-lovers romance a chance.
Lior Zaltzman
In the past three years, it seemed like the Hallmark Channel had gotten on board with the Hanukkah program, giving us some quality, adorable, and wonderfully predictable Jewish romances.
In 2022, we got a romance about rivaling Jewish delis inspired by a Jewish family and starring Yael Grobglas ( Jane the Virgin) and musical theater icon Jeremy Jordan. In 2023, there was the best Hanukkah time loop movie we’ve ever seen, starring the oh-so-dreamy Bryan Greenberg (The Mindy Project, How to Make It In America). Last year, a movie that threatened to be just another Jewish girl
with Christmas envy offered surprisingly warm Jewish representation, and the unlikely star of a bar with a Hanukkah pop-up was Nickelodeon’s Marc Summers.
This year, though, their offering has me going oy. Or, more exactly, Oy to the World! Because, yes, that’s the title of the film. It premieres on Dec. 14, the first evening of Hanukkah, and stars Brooke D’Orsay and Jake Epstein. The title may be my least favorite oft-embroideredon-pillows “Hanukkah” pun of all time (because, let’s be real, it’s a Christmas pun) but this movie is an interfaith romance about a church and a synagogue sharing space, so perhaps the title does make sense.
HANUKKAH
May you be filled with peace and happiness
And while I do just want to give into the urge to kvetch about this movie (I mean, they put “oy” in the title! It’s like they’re asking us to complain!!), I will say, I’m not angry about the premise here.
choirs. And while I love an interfaith romance, I’m a bit sad that this seems to be Hallmark’s only Hanukkah film of the year, and we won’t get another lovely film about Jewish love.
It’s an enemies-to-lovers story, a classic trope that is just so supremely enjoyable when done well. D’Orsay plays Nikki Roberts, the youth choir director of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, while Epstein plays Jake Cohen (not that Jake Cohen), the substitute choir director of the synagogue across the street, Temple Beth Am. The two are former high school rivals, but when a water line breaks at the temple around Hanukkah time, St. Joseph’s opens its doors for an interfaith Hanukkah and Christmas Eve service (Hanukkah, in this film, falls on the same time as Christmas Eve, a rare occasion). And so, Nikki and Jake must collaborate on a joint music program.
And yet, I am genuinely excited for the chance for a Hallmark movie to finally feature some good Hanukkah songs. I wonder if they’ll go for classics like Sevivon Sov Sov Sov, Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages), Hanukkah O Hanukkah and I Have a Little Dreidel or branch out with some Ladino Ocho Kandelikas, or Matishyahu’s Miracle. (I would pay good money to have a Hallmark movie feature Adam Sandler’s The Chanukah Song, but I’m not sure if Hallmark would pay money for those rights!)
As the logline reads: “To lead a successful fundraising effort for the temple, Nikki and Jake have to put aside their differences and learn how to work together. In doing so, they discover teamwork can move mountains and open hearts, including their own. On their big night, Nikki and Jake find a way to unite people through the power of song and prove that coming together is the best way for everyone to celebrate the holiday season.”
It’s just so cheesy — and I love it.
I will say, once again in the spirit of oy, that Hanukkah isn’t usually as big a deal at synagogues as Christmas is in churches, and synagogue youth choirs are not quite as ubiquitous as church
Like all Hallmark films, the movie was filmed in Canada and even shot some scenes at Okanagan Jewish Community Centre/Beth Shalom Synagogue in Kelowna, BC with extras from the local Jewish community. Newly released stills from the movie feature some interfaith Hanukkah candle lighting with what appears to be a very good-looking salt-andpepper-bearded rabbi (we are in the Hot Rabbi Golden Age, after all).
So yes, even if I am apprehensive, I am also hopeful that this movie will bring more joy than oy — is that too corny, or just corny enough for a Hallmark movie?
Oy to the World premieres on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 8 pm ET.
Lior Zaltzman is the deputy managing editor of Kveller, where this article first appeared.
LIGHT PEACE LOVE
Lion–Tikva–Chai Luncheon 2025 celebrates Women donors
Linda Ausch
The annual United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s 2026 Lion–Tikva–Chai Luncheon is an opportunity to thank and celebrate the leading donors and volunteers of the Federation’s Women’s Division. This year’s lunch welcomed more than 70 women and featured an amazing rabbi.
The Fleder Multipurpose Room at the Sandler Family Campus was transformed into a magical fall garden of pumpkins, gourds, and colorful leaves, as Alicia London Friedman, UJFT Women’s Philanthropy chair, opened the
program. In welcoming all, Friedman also thanked the luncheon’s sponsor, Maimonides Health Center of Virginia Beach, represented by Tasha Salyers, MHC’s head of sales and business development. A special shout-out went to Jodi Klebanoff and Shelley Simon, the luncheon’s co-chairs.
An encouraging campaign report followed, and Friedman thanked the women for giving so generously, as well as for inviting others to join in giving and in getting involved.
Recently back from an emotional trip to Israel,
Klebanoff shared stories and images of what she had experienced and what a meaningful time it was to be in the country. “At one point,” she said, “our driver pulled off the road – literally lined with people – to allow a procession to pass through which included a returned survivor, finally heading home from his post-release stay in hospital.”
Klebanoff encouraged everyone to stay connected and engaged and to understand the challenges that Israel now faces (a collective sadness, trauma, and pain unlike any experienced since the Holocaust). “And” she added: “if we’re
Ellen Wagner and Carol Brum.
Jodi Klenanoff, Alicia London Friedman, Maimonides Health Center of Virginia Beach Tasha Salyers, and Shelly Simon.
Beth Scharlop, Ellen Rostov Hundley, Sandra Porter Leon, and Betsy Karotkin.
Laura Gross and Rabbi Shira Stutman.
Anne Abraham and Stephanie Calliott.
Alicia London Friedman, Rachel Abrams, and Rachael Fiegenbaum.
Lisa Roesen and Sharon Goldner.
Beth Jaffe, Sandra Porter Leon, and Bonnie Brand.
Laura Wingett and Elyse Cardon.
Laura Gross and Jodi Klebanoff.
Annie Sandler and Dylan Sandler.
Creating community, one pumpkin at a time, with PJ Library in Tidewater
Blake Sisler
Families gathered at Red Wing Park for a PJ Library Pumpkin Pop-Up on Sunday, Nov. 2. Parents and children spent the afternoon enjoying each other’s company and connecting with families who live nearby. Designed with local families in mind, the pop-up offered an accessible way for neighbors to enjoy pumpkin painting while strengthening relationships within Tidewater’s Jewish community.
PJ Library in Tidewater is committed to making programming accessible to families. By hosting events in a variety of locations, families can participate in engaging activities close to home – limiting the need to travel far. These neighborhood pop-ups provide opportunities for families to meet neighbors and help form a welcoming, close-knit Jewish community.
PJ Library in Tidewater plans to offer more pop-ups in future months and encourages families to share their ideas for convenient locations. Contact Blake Sisler at Bsisler@ujft.org with suggestions. Every recommendation helps PJ Library bring programming closer to families, creating more opportunities for connection within the larger community.
To learn more about PJ Library in Tidewater, visit JewishVA.org/PJLibrary or contact Blake Sisler, UJFT’s coordinator of youth and family engagement at Bsisler@ujft.org.
Ohef
Sholom collects food for JFS Thanksgiving
food drive
The Mitzvah committee at Ohef Sholom Temple completed its annual Thanksgiving Drive to benefit Jewish Family Service’s clients on Sunday, November 16.
The temple’s Religious School classes, along with other congregant’s generosity, made it possible to fill 30 bags with 12 different non-perishable items for those in the community who are in need.
Ellie Goldstein, Lindsey Aftel, Ellen Hundley (Mitzvah committee co-chair), Ellen Coley (Mitzvah committee co-chair), Carol Brum, and Lauren Epstein assisted in organizing and securing specific items for the collection.
Lily Serbin and Blake Sisler share a smile as Lily paints her pumpkin.
Theo Trem, Alex Kievit, and Henry Trem get creative while painting their own pumpkins.
Ellie Goldstein, Lindsey Aftel, Ellen Hundley, Ellen Coley, and Lauren Epstein.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Tanya Wisoker
“When we are gone, who will tell our stories?”
That’s a compelling question that the survivors of the Holocaust ask, as do the liberators and the Righteous Among the Nations of WWII. Now their children, the second generation, and even the grandchildren ask, “Who will tell Papa’s story? Who will remember what Mother experienced?”
The answer: “We will.”
and Liberation in the Holocaust: A program of remembrance and inspiration connecting to the past through the power of storytelling
Teach the Shoah, along with those reading this article, will tell the stories. Teach the Shoah trains people of all ages, generations, and backgrounds to share testimony-based stories and lessons of the Holocaust. Its programs challenge ignorance and hate by building personal connections across generations, faiths, and identities.
The organization trains storytellers to do this important work, not to become professionals, but to share these stories: at synagogues, local schools, at family gatherings. Together, voice can be given to people who cannot speak today. Interested individuals can do this work with Teach the Shoah.
This 90-minute program interweaves powerful firsthand accounts with historical context, bringing to life moments of resistance in the ghettos and the camps, and the moment of liberation. Three authentic stories anchor the evening: two stories of Jewish resistance and the courage of the underground, and the moving story of local American liberator William John “Bill” Jucksch. Historical framing between each story deepens understanding and connects the personal to the larger history.
The evening concludes with space for reflection and conversation.
Workshop
Sunday, December 7, 9:30-11:30 am Exploring Their Stories: Transforming Testimony into Story
How is Holocaust testimony transformed into meaningful, memorable stories?
In this two-hour program, participants will learn about Teach the Shoah’s unique method for shaping testimony into story. The program begins with an example story and ends with an open discussion. Along the way, participants will discover tools for listening deeply, giving and receiving appreciation, and finding the story within testimony. This is an interactive experience for anyone who believes memory must be carried forward.
All programs are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Contact the Temple Israel office: 757-489-4550 or templeisraelva1954@gmail.com.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Siblings on the Sidelines: Fun and Israeli spirit off the court Begins Wednesday,
December
10 during most JCC basketball games
Children can join Siblings on the Sidelines — a fun new program led by Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Noga Yaniv and Yarden Lahan — while their siblings compete in the Simon Family JCC Youth Basketball League. Through engaging in Israeli games and creative activities, participants will play, learn, and connect in a warm, welcoming environment.
The program runs during most JCC basketball games throughout the season and requires no RSVP — kids can join anytime they’re at the JCC. It’s a great way for younger children to enjoy Israeli culture, make friends, and stay active while cheering on their siblings.
For more information about the JCC Basketball League or the Shinshinim program in Tidewater, visit JewishVA.org or contact NTrem@UJFT.org.
Elizabeth Murphy to discuss her book, The Faithful Harlot: During the Collapse of the Bronze Age
Thursday, December 4, 6 pm, Prince Books
How and why did a beautiful “harlot” help Joshua conquer the idol-worshipping, walled Canaanite city of Jericho soon after the formerly enslaved Hebrews crossed the River Jordan? Surely a guardian angel must have been at her side.
Elizabeth Murphy’s The Faithful Harlot: During the Collapse of the Bronze Age, 1251 BCE to 1240 BCE, is based on the Hebrew Bible, various religions’ oral and written traditions, and the latest works of historians, archeologists, and theologians. The book follows the Canaanites on their Exodus from paganism to belief in a loving, singular Creator God.
Murphy will discuss the book with Dorianne Villani, who will serve as the moderator, answer questions, and sign books.
Prince Books is located at 109 E. Main Street in Norfolk.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Holocaust Commission’s writing and arts competitions now accepting submissions
Elka Mednick
The 29th Annual Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition, which invites students in grades 6 - 12 to reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust and explore how they might be able to rid the world of antisemitism, bigotry, and hatred, is now open. The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater sponsors the competition.
Named in honor of Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, the competition challenges students to engage with Holocaust history not only as an academic exercise, but as a personal and creative journey. Through essays, poetry, visual arts, and videos, students are encouraged to examine the moral and ethical questions raised by the Holocaust and consider how its lessons apply to contemporary issues such as injustice and disinformation.
Open to all middle and high school students, the competition serves as a powerful educational tool for teachers seeking to inspire critical thinking and creativity in their classrooms. While many students participate through classroom assignments, entries are welcomed from students who wish to submit independently. The competition provides a meaningful opportunity for students to express what they’ve learned in ways that resonate with their own experiences and perspectives.
Entries are judged blindly by professionals in the fields of education, writing, and the arts, ensuring an impartial and thoughtful evaluation process. Winners in each category receive cash prizes and a copy of To Life: The Past is Present.
The winners will be honored at the community’s annual Yom Hashoah commemoration, which will take place on April 13, 2026.
All information necessary to enter the competition, including detailed guidelines, background information, and submission instructions, can be found at JewishVA.org/Wiesel.
To learn more about the Holocaust Commission, go to HolocaustCommission.org or contact Elka Mednick, director of the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater at EMednick@ujft.org.
Moses Ezekiel’s Botanical Garden artist statues
Sunday, December 14, at 2 pm
Chrysler Museum of Art
Samantha Baskind, PhD., distinguished professor of Art History at Cleveland State University, will speak on The Remarkable Journey of Moses Ezekiel's Norfolk Botanical Garden Artist Statues.
Sir Moses Jacob Ezekiel was a prolific, yet controversial 19th century Jewish sculptor from Richmond, Virginia.
A reception will follow this lecture. Tickets are $18. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.jewishmuseumportsmouth.org or call 757-391-9266.
CALENDAR
NOVEMBER 24, MONDAY
JCC Annual Blood Drive. Donating blood is a simple, powerful way to connect with the community and make a lasting difference. 11 am – 3:45 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: Teresa Knecht at tknecht@ujft.org.
NOVEMBER 24 - MAY 25, MONDAYS
Conversational Hebrew Classes at the JCC. Join Tidewater’s Shinshinim for weekly Conversational Hebrew classes. Open to learners of all levels and ages, each six-week session focuses on topics ranging from everyday Hebrew and personal description and expression to learning about Israel and navigating the country. Free/members and children 13 and under. $36/potential members. 5:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/Shinshinim or Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.
NOVEMBER 25 -DECEMBER 31, TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY
Camp JCC Summer 2025 Early Bird Special. Register during this window to receive a discount on all Camp JCC Summer Camp sessions. (Last Blast not eligible for early bird pricing). Information and registration: www.campjcc.org or Dave Flagler at Dflagler@ujft.org.
DECEMBER 2, TUESDAY
Yiddish Club. Embrace Yiddish culture, language, and history through music, film, poetry, and literature. Meets the first Tuesday of each month. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: www.jewishva.org/Adults or Hunter Thomas at HThomas@UJFT.org.
JCC Youth Basketball League Registration Deadline. Open to boys and girls of all faiths in grades K–2 and 3–5. League emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. All players must attend Draft Day on Wednesday, December 3. Wednesday practices begin December 10. Sunday games start January 4. Championship Day on March 8, 2026. Players receive a league jersey. All registered league participants may attend pre-season clinics for free. Registration: JewishVA.org/YOUTHBASKETBALL or Tom Edwards at 757-321-2308 or tedwards@simonfamilyjcc.org.
DECEMBER 3, WEDNESDAY
Israel in Focus: Hamas’ War – truth and consequences featuring MAJ John W. Spencer, USA (Ret.). One of the world’s foremost experts on urban warfare, MAJ Spencer will lead a discussion on the Israel-Hamas war, examining the tactical, moral, and humanitarian challenges of modern conflict, including lessons from Ukraine and other global hotspots. Israel in Focus is a Jewish Federations of North America partnership with AJC, the Conference of Presidents, ADL, and AIPAC. This program is presented by UJFT’s Jewish Community Relations Council and community partners as part of the 15th Annual Israel Today Forum. 7:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Registration: JewishVA.org/Spencer. See page 32.
DECEMBER 4, THURSDAY
From Wards Corner to The NorVa: One Jewish Kid’s Soundtrack to Rebellion with NorVa co-founder Rick Mersel, author of All Revved Up and Ready to Go: My Life in Concert .Mersel presents a loud, raw, and wildly funny journey through Norfolk’s back alleys, bar mitzvah dance floors, and beer-soaked music venues. Presented as part of the Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival. $10/JCC members, $18/potential members. Includes dessert reception. 7:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Registration: visit JewishVA.org/BookFest.
Roundtable Conversation. Join conversations involving current events, politics, and much more. Meets the first and third Thursday of the month. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: www.jewishva.org/Adults or Hunter Thomas at HThomas@UJFT.org.
DECEMBER 5, FRIDAY
Shabbat Shenanigans at Temple Israel. A monthly event for children 12 and younger and their families. Kid-friendly kosher dinner and activities, 6 - 6:30 pm, followed by a family-focused service, 6:30 - 7 pm. Free. Registration: Temple Israel 757-489-4550 or templeisraelva1954@gmail.com, or complete online RSVP form at https://forms.gle/AVBwWsFBZmp64Kox9.
DECEMBER 7, SUNDAY
Shinshinim-led Israeli Youth Group. Tidewater’s ShinShinim have started Israeli Eagles- a brand-new youth group in Tidewater inspired by the spirit and excitement of the Israeli Scouts (Tzofim). Once a month through May, meet to play games, build teamwork and leadership skills, explore Israeli culture, and make new friends. $60/JCC members, $75/potential members. 1 - 3 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/Shinshinim or Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.
DECEMBER
9, TUESDAY
Storytelling in the Classroom and Beyond: an educators’ workshop with expert storyteller Corey Rosen, author of A Story for Everything: Mastering Diverse Storytelling for Any Occasion. Explore how stories can deepen learning, strengthen community, and empower both teachers and students to express themselves authentically. Free educator happy hour 5:30 pm. Dinner 6 pm. Sandler Family Campus. First 10 educators registered receive a free copy of Rosen’s book. Registration: JewishVA.org/RosenWorkshop.
DECEMBER 11, THURSDAY
My Proud Jewish Story: A teen workshop with expert storyteller Corey Rosen, author of A Story for Everything: Mastering Diverse Storytelling for Any Occasion. Rosen will help teens explore what being Jewish means to them and how to express it in their own authentic voices. Teens will gain confidence in sharing their stories, strengthen public speaking and communication skills, and discover how storytelling can connect, empower, and entertain. Free. 5 pm. Includes dinner. Sandler Family Campus. Registration: JewishVA.org/TeenWorkshop.
A Story for Everything: an evening of stories, laughter, and inspiration with expert storyteller Corey Rosen, author of A Story for Everything: Mastering Diverse Storytelling for Any Occasion. Rosen guides the audience through the art of telling their own true stories, teaching the craft of storytelling along the way. Presented as part of the Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival in partnership with the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. 7:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/Rosen or Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org.
DECEMBER 14, SUNDAY
Samantha Baskind will speak on Virginia Sculptor Moses Ezekiel. Baskind, distinguished Professor of Art History at Cleveland State University and author of Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Jewish Confederate, Expatriate Sculptor speaks on the journey of 12 statues by Moses Ezekiel now residing at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Sponsored by The Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, UJFT, and Chrysler Museum of Art. $18 includes reception following lecture. 2 - 4 pm. Chrysler Museum of Art. Registration: www.jewishmuseumportsmouth.org, 757-391-9266, jmccportsmouth@gmail.com.
Book Club will read A Light in the Northern Sea by Tim Brady, who will join via Zoom. Book Club meets the third Monday of the month. 1:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: Jewishva.org/Adults or Hunter Thomas at HThomas@UJFT.org.
OBITUARIES
David Bruce Jorgenson
NORFOLK - David Bruce Jorgenson, age 83, departed this world on October 31, 2025.
David lived a life full of love. Just before he was born, his parents – Minnesota transplants to Los Angeles – rode a train back to rural Minnesota to be surrounded by his first and second generation Norwegian American family.
Ties with his immediate and extended family stayed very strong throughout his life. He grew up in Hawthorne, California with his parents, Ernest and Nona, and two sisters, Ramona and Lynda, in a house where he could watch planes land at the Los Angeles Airport from his rooftop. He graduated from Hawthorne High School alongside the Wilsons and Al Jardine of the Beach Boys.
David met the love of his life, Karen, at
UCLA, where he graduated college. Their adventurous spirits led them to opportunities wherever they appeared, completing his PhD field work in Oregon, taking his first job as a geologist at a New Mexican mine, a professorship at Central Michigan University, and working in environmental remediation in Nevada and Ohio. They retired in rural Pierce County, Washington to be near extended family in 2001, and moved to Norfolk, Virginia to be with family after downsizing in 2022.
Although quiet of demeanor, the twinkle in David’s eye and dimple in his smile invited people to speak to him one-on-one and enjoy great conversations. He was a lifelong learner, often reading three or four books at once, and always listening to NPR while driving. After retiring as a geologist, he acquired and repaired broken antique radios from the 1930s and later purchased a Furniture Medic franchise and taught himself how to repair old furniture.
He general contracted and created the woodwork details in the home they
built to enjoy retirement. In Michigan and Washington, David and Karen had small hobby farms with a barn where David could tinker; they raised goats, chickens, dogs, and cats, and enjoyed tending large vegetable gardens.
For as long as his body would allow, David was a runner. A special moment in his life was when he and his oldest daughter Kirsten trained for and ran the San Diego Rock and Roll marathon together in 2000.
The impact David had on his family, friends, and community is immeasurable. He and Karen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April 2025. Their love only grew as they navigated life in true partnership. As a parent, he was emotionally present, kind, fun, and enjoyed spending time with his family. His last words to his family were of his love and the pride he took in them. Friends and family say his wit, sense of humor, and kindness will be how he is remembered.
Some of David’s greatest personal achievements came from his and Karen’s choices to
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
OBITUARIES
open their hearts and homes to others. In the late 1970s they forged a lifelong bond with a multigenerational family, the Huynhs, whom their church sponsored to settle in Michigan from a refugee camp in Thailand after the Vietnam War. It was one of David’s great joys to see their family’s many successes.
David and Karen were foster and adoptive parents. They provided homes for 4 exchange students from Scandinavian countries. As parents of a child with disabilities, they used their knowledge to be Parent Advocates in their local school system to help other parents navigate school for their children with learning differences.
Throughout his life, in all the communities he lived in, he did large and small acts of community service.
David is survived by his sister Lynda; wife Karen, daughters Kirsten (Mark), Alyssa (Jonathan), Lindsay, and Tabor (Richard); grandchildren Mariah (Steven), Joanna, Elijah, and Nyla; and great grandson Julian David. The family requests that you invest in your community as David did. Donate on
his behalf to fight food insecurity with Food Backpacks 4 Kids or a charity of choice.
Richard Siff
PORTSMOUTH - Richard Siff, devoted husband and father, passed away on November 11, 2025.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia, he was the only child of Leon and Doris Siff.
Richard cultivated an early interest in electronics through amateur radio, which led to a distinguished 30-year career at the Naval Aviation Depot. He began as an aircraft electrician apprentice and advanced to Quality Assurance Specialist, establishing enduring professional relationships throughout his tenure.
He was a life-long lover of the radio waves and community connections, better known as W4BUE. He embodied the true spirit of amateur radio, especially the camaraderie. The world was a lot kinder when Richard’s voice was on the airwaves. Fellow operators remember him as a great friend. He may be a silent key but not forgotten.
His life commitment to volunteerism was evident in his work with LifeNet following his heart transplant, as well as his involvement with the transplant support group to ensure no one went without medications. His long-term commitment was to Ohef Sholom Temple’s soup kitchen, where he proudly served as the original greeter. In addition, his mentorship of local high school students in the electronic field.
He is survived by his wife, Harriet Siff, and his daughter, Dr. Melody Siff.
A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mr. Siff’s name may be directed to the local Humane Society, ARRL scholarship.
David Louis Taetle
MCLEAN, VIRGINIA - David Louis Taetle, 75, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on November 15, 2025.
Born in Washington, D.C., Mr. Taetle attended Bryant University before embarking on a long and successful career as a financial consultant to automobile dealerships
throughout the U.S., Canada, and Australia. He was widely respected in his field for his integrity, deep knowledge of the industry, and his steady, practical guidance.
A devoted fan of Washington’s sports teams, Mr. Taetle rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on his hometown favorites — especially baseball, hockey, and football. His enthusiasm for D.C. sports was exceeded only by his loyalty to the people he loved.
Known for his warmth, humor, and generosity, he was a steadfast friend whose presence made any gathering brighter.
Mr. Taetle is survived by his wife, Marcia Taetle; his daughters, Julie George and Jodi Pietrzyk; two granddaughters; his sisters, Dorothy Spitalney and Shirley Taetle; and his brother-in-law, Ronnie Spitalney.
Friends and family were received for a funeral service at Jefferson Funeral Chapel in Alexandria, Va. A graveside service followed at King David Memorial Gardens in Falls Church, Va. Memorial contributions may be made to Donate Life America https:// donatelife.net.
Rabbi Alvin Kass, longest-serving NYPD chaplain famed for 9/11 response
Philissa Cramer
(JTA) — Less than a week after rushing to Ground Zero as a police chaplain on 9/11, Rabbi Alvin Kass led Rosh Hashanah services — not only for his Brooklyn congregation but at a makeshift synagogue at LaGuardia Airport for emergency responders who had flooded into New York City after the terrorist attacks.
“It was,” he would later say, “the most meaningful religious service in my career.”
Kass died last month at 89 as the longest-serving chaplain in the New York Police Department, with a career that included responses to global terrorism, local violence, and the intimate needs of police officers — as well as a hostage crisis that he famously resolved with a non-kosher pastrami sandwich.
He worked until weeks before his death and, days earlier, had tuned in from his hospital room to a ceremony honoring him for 60 years of service within the NYPD.
“As our longtime spiritual director, he anchored Shomrim in Torah values and service, guiding us through milestones, line-of-duty tragedies, and everyday decisions alike,” the Shomrim Society, a fraternal organization for Jewish police officers, said in a statement.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Kass attended Camp Ramah before enrolling at Columbia University in 1953. After graduating from college, he earned both a doctorate from New York University and ordination as a Conservative rabbi from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
before joining the U.S. Air Force as a chaplain. Returning stateside, he took a pulpit in Queens before being urged to join the city’s police department as a chaplain.
At the time, he was only the third Jewish chaplain to work for the NYPD. He would become its longest-serving and the first three-star chaplain, working under eight mayors and 21 police chiefs.
At the same time, Kass spent decades in congregations, helming the East Midwood Jewish Center, a Conservative synagogue in Brooklyn, for 36 years until his retirement in 2014.
NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, mourned Kass in a statement, noting that he was the youngest chaplain in the department’s history when he came on at age 30. “Nearly six decades later, he remained its spiritual heart — a source of strength, guidance, and faith for generations of police officers and their families,” Tisch said.
Within the NYPD, Kass was responsible for the spiritual care of all officers but especially the thousands who are Jewish. Kass successfully advocated for the right of Jewish police officers not to work on Shabbat and major Jewish holidays while also serving as the primary Jewish figure for Jewish officers who were otherwise unaffiliated with Jewish communities.
After the terrorist attacks in Lower Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001, Kass reported to Ground Zero, where he encountered a police officer he described as “crying like a baby” as well as the families of officers who were unaccounted for. Later, he attended the funerals of every
police officer who was killed that day, including two who were Jewish.
One of Kass’s more famous escapades came in 1981 when he was called in to negotiate with a Jewish man who had taken a woman hostage.
“I talked to him all night to give up his gun,” Kass recalled in a 2012 interview with the Wall Street Journal. “I was an utter failure. But by morning he was hungry.”
The hostage team ordered pastrami sandwiches from the (non-kosher) Carnegie Deli for the hostage-taker and for Kass. Kass traded one overstuffed sandwich for the man’s gun — but it turned out he had another. Kass, who ate only kosher meat, had not touched his sandwich and persuaded the man to accept it in exchange for the other gun. The police swooped in and ended the crisis.
The NYPD commissioner noted the incident when promoting Kass to three-star chief in 2016, saying, “In a feat that has become legendary, you were able to trade two pastrami sandwiches for the man’s two guns.”
But for Kass, whose small stature added to a widespread impression of modesty, the real feat came not in his ability to disarm the hostage-taker but in the man’s appetite.
“Have you seen the sandwiches from the Carnegie Deli?” he recalled. “They’re huge.”
Kass is survived by his three children and three grandchildren. He was married for 54 years to Miryom Kass, an educator, until her death in 2017.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Jewish Artists of the Past Legacy 2025 L’ Dor V’Dor – From Generation to Generation
Grand opening: Saturday, December 6, 6:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus
Harry Graber
Henri Matisse, Ben Shan, and Jacques Lipchitz were the names mentioned by Mia Laufer, PhD, the Irene Leach curator of European Art for the Chrysler Museum. She did so in her presentation at the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center as she referenced artistic inspirations and stylistic comparisons featured in the works of 20 outstanding Hampton Roads Jewish artists soon
to be on exhibition at the Sandler Family Campus.
This first of a kind exhibition entitled, Legacy 2025, Jewish Artists of the Past, features art of more than 20 Hampton Roads Jewish artists who are no longer living. Three pieces of art by each individual will be displayed. Family members or someone familiar with each artist will speak on each artist’s behalf. The featured artists will include
many award-winning Jewish communityrespected and recognizable names. These artists produced painted and sculptural works using the mediums of oil, acrylic, watercolor multimedia, metal, and glass works.
Special tours led by Chrysler Museum docents will take place on Sundays, December 7, 21, 28, 2025 and January 4, 2026, at 2-3 pm. Arrangements for group tours will be handled by Hunter Thomas, director, Arts and Ideas. Contact him at 757-965-6100.
This long overdue and posthumous exhibition is sponsored by Jewish Museum and Cultural Center of Portsmouth, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, and Chrysler Museum of Art.
Opening night tickets are $36. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.jewishmuseumportsmouth.org or call 757-391-9266.
Season Premiere Sponsor
Elise Simon.
Arlene Kesser.
ARGENTINA
FIRST PERSON From darkness to light: The unforgettable Jai Mitzvah in Buenos Aires
Rabbi Ari Oliszewski
After experiencing vibrant and deeply moving Chaguim at Temple Emanuel, Pati, Lia, Ben, and I traveled to Buenos Aires, my hometown, to celebrate two very special occasions with our family there — my niece Martina’s Bat Mitzvah and my mother’s 75th birthday.
We were filled with joy and excitement — looking forward to family reunions, reconnecting with friends, and of course, enjoying an authentic Argentinian asado.
But it wasn’t just these celebrations that made this trip so meaningful.
Having grown up in Buenos Aires, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people, being part of different Jewish communities, and attending countless communal events. However, I had never experienced a ceremony as powerful, emotional, and profound as the one I witnessed at Comunidad Dor Jadash – Max Nordau Synagogue in Villa Crespo, a neighborhood known for its strong Jewish roots.
On Thursday, October 30, the community celebrated a very special Bar-t Mitzvah, or as they called it, “Jai Mitzvah” — a ceremony that gave eight survivors of the Shoah (Holocaust) the opportunity to finally celebrate their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Eight survivors of one of humanity’s darkest chapters gathered in the synagogue to remind us that it is never too late to celebrate life and to keep the flame of Judaism burning bright. They stood as living testimony that even under the cruelest oppression, Am Israel Chai — the people of Israel live — and nothing and no one can destroy this eternal nation.
Ruth (94), Ilse (96), Alba (86), Berta (87), Marisha (87), Pedro (89), Elizabeth (88), and Anita (100) each put on a Tallit and Tefillin for the first time in their lives. Surrounded by family, friends, and numerous community and government representatives, they were called to the Torah as Bnei Mitzvah for the very first time.
Even though many decades have passed since the traditional age of 12 or 13, this ceremony proved that it is never too late to fulfill this sacred
Jewish milestone.
These eight survivors share stories of suffering, survival, loss, and remarkable rebuilding. Born in Romania, Croatia, Poland, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Austria, they were victims of Nazi horror — when practicing Judaism or even staying alive was nearly impossible. Some hid for years in unimaginably small spaces; others were separated from their parents and siblings; many escaped, while some never reunited with their families.
Argentina became their refuge — a country that offered them safety and a chance to rebuild their lives, create new families, and embody true resilience, courage, and hope.
This ceremony proved that it is never too late to fulfill this sacred Jewish milestone.
The emotion felt during this ceremony was beyond words. Having the privilege to witness it was a brachah (blessing) that touched and continues to nourish my soul. Seeing these survivors pray together – filled with joy and gratitude after everything they endured – was a lesson in faith, strength, and the power of the human spirit.
Their faces radiated happiness and hope — it was a true blessing, a reminder that we can always rise again. That life is about choosing to LIVE, in every sense of the word. These eight remarkable people taught us that living means standing up, moving forward, and never giving in to despair.
This extraordinary event was made possible thanks to Comunidad Dor Jadash, led by my dear friend Rabbi Marcelo Bater, and the Tzedaká Foundation — an organization founded in 1991 within the Jewish community of Argentina, which continues to transform the lives of thousands of Argentinians
in vulnerable situations through its unique, integrated social model.
Everyone who knows me knows how proud I am to be part of this ancient and enduring people.
After witnessing the Jai Mitzvah, that pride has grown beyond measure.
If there’s one thing that this experience reaffirmed for me, it’s that being Jewish is a privilege we must never take for granted.
No matter who tries to bring us down, we always rise.
We are never alone.
We are one united people.
And wherever we go — be it Argentina, the U.S., Brazil, Israel, or anywhere in the world — we will always find a Jewish community that welcomes us, inspires us, and reminds us that we are all part of it.
Thank you, Ruth, Ilse, Alba, Berta, Marisha, Pedro, Elizabeth, and Anita, for showing us that anything is possible, and that keeping Judaism alive is truly in our hands.
Am Israel Chai VeKayam — The people of Israel live and endure.
Rabbi Ari Oliszewski is the rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach.
Jai Mitzvah participants.
IN WAR
TRUTH IS THE FIRST CASUALTY
-Aeschylus
From false claims of genocide to manipulated casualty figures and the cynical misuse of humanitarian law, nearly every accusation leveled against Israel and the IDF distorts reality, ignores the law, and inverts morality. We owe it to ourselves to know the truth behind the headlines.
Join MAJ John W. Spencer, USA (Ret.), one of the world’s leading experts on urban warfare, for a rare and unflinching look at the harsh realities Israel faces after October 7. Drawing on decades of military experience and extensive global research, Spencer is widely recognized for his candid analysis in outlets such as The Jerusalem Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and many others.
Israel in Focus: Hamas’ War – Truth and Consequences
WEDNESDAY, DEC.3 • 7:30 PM • REBA AND SAM SANDLER FAMILY CAMPUS
