Jewish News July 13 Edition

SURVEY

‘A

collapse’: Number of Israelis who believe Trump prioritizes Israel’s security falls to new low, poll finds

Grace Gilson

(JTA) — The share of Israelis who believe that Israel’s security is a central consideration of President Donald Trump fell to a record low as Democratic support for Israel in the U.S. continued to decline, according to two new polls Tuesday, July 7.

A new poll from the Israel Democracy Institute found that, amid widening disagreements in Israel over U.S. efforts to broker a new nuclear deal with Iran, the share of Israelis who believe Trump prioritizes Israel’s security had seen a “collapse” from 44% in May to 28% in June, pollsters said.

The survey, which polled 603 Jewish respondents and 151 Arab respondents from June 28 to July 1, found that among Jewish respondents, the belief that Israel can fully rely on Trump has plummeted by 38 points between March and June 2026.

Just over one-third of Israelis said they believed Israel’s strategic security situation is better today than it was before the war with Iran. The margin of error was 3.57 percentage points.

Another survey released Tuesday, July 7 conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research from June 11 to 17, added to a growing number of polls showing waning support for Israel among U.S. adults.

The AP poll, which surveyed 3,040 people, including 1,022 Jewish adults, found that 40% of U.S. adults believe America is “too supportive” of Israelis, while 39% believe the U.S. is “not supportive enough” of Palestinians. While the survey included a large sampling of Jewish adults to allow for more reliable estimates of their opinions, the survey was weighted to ensure their views weren’t overrepresented in the findings, the pollsters said.

Just over onethird of Israelis said they believed Israel’s strategic security situation is better today than it was before the war with Iran.

Among Democrats, the poll found that 58% now say the U.S. is “too supportive” of Israelis, up from 45% in an AP-NORC poll in January 2024.

The share dropped among Republicans, of which just 21% said they believed the U.S. was “too supportive” of Israelis. The share of Republicans who say the U.S. is “not supportive enough” of Israel has shrunk from 39% to 15% since 2024.

It also found that a third of American Jewish adults believe that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, while another 49% said that it has not.

Among U.S. adults overall, the poll found that about one-third believe Israel has committed genocide, including roughly half of Democrats.

The poll also found that the favorability of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was split. It found that, among U.S. adults, 38% have an unfavorable view of Netanyahu, while just 28% of U.S. adults have an unfavorable opinion of Mamdani.

Among Jewish adults, about 6 in 10 view Netanyahu unfavorably, while just 39% view Mamdani negatively and 44% view the New York City mayor positively.

For the AP poll, the margin of error for adults overall was 2.8 percentage points, and the margin of error for Jewish adults was 5.0 percentage points.

Kelly Hartog

European regulators loosen restrictions on flights to Israel

(JTA) — The European Union Aviation Safety Agency lowered its aviation risk classification for Israel and parts of the Middle East Wednesday, July 8, replacing its high-risk conflict zone advisory with a medium-level Information Note.

The agency said that the existing Conflict Zone Information Bulletin covering the Middle East and Persian Gulf expired on July 8 and made the decision to not extend it.

Under the expired designation, airlines faced additional security requirements as well as risk assessments, including what routes to take in the affected airspace. These factors required airlines to make decisions about what routes to operate and to assess potential insurance premium hikes.

The new advisory now means that airlines can decide whether to return to Israel based on their individual security assessments, including the popular major low-cost European airlines such as Britain’s easyJet and Ireland’s Ryanair, along with Hungary’s WizzAir.

Major international airlines, including American carriers chose to suspend flights at various times over the past almost three years following ongoing conflict in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, including the Iran-Israel hostilities earlier this year.

The agency’s decision appears to have been made before President Donald Trump said July 8 that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire was over as skirmishes erupted between the two countries in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also called Iran’s leaders “scum.”

The European body has now placed Israel within a mediumlevel risk category. Separate high-risk bulletins are still in place for Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.

In its announcement, the EASA said airlines should make their own decisions about resuming disrupted service, while it, along with the European Commission and E.U. member states continue to monitor developments in the region.

This latest advisory comes as Israeli authorities work to address ongoing challenges at Ben Gurion Airport. The Jerusalem Post reported last month that approximately half of the U.S. Air Force’s refueling aircraft stationed at the airport were expected to be relocated to Israeli Air Force bases to reduce pressure on airport operations during the summer travel season.

Israel Airports Authority Director General Sharon Kedmi said in May that the airport was operating at around one-third of its capacity because of space and resources being used by American military operations.

American Airlines, which suspended its New York–Tel Aviv route after Oct. 7, has repeatedly delayed its planned return over regional security concerns. The airline was scheduled to resume flights in March this year but extended the suspension after the clashes with Iran, and is not expected to resume direct flights until January 2027.

Other major U.S. carriers have announced later timelines for returning to Israel. Delta and United are expected to resume some service later this year, although schedules remain subject to ongoing security assessments and regional developments.

The prolonged absence of American Airlines, along with continued delays from other U.S. airlines, has left many American travelers dependent on Israeli airlines El Al and Arkia, with limited availability and exorbitant prices.\

The EASA said it would continue monitoring the security situation in the region and adjust its guidance accordingly.

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BRIEFS

Feds charge NY woman who allegedly said she wished ‘every day were October 7th’

ANew York woman was arrested and charged with attempting to provide financial support to “Palestine Islamic Jihad,” a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist group, the Justice Department announced June 30.

Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, New York, allegedly sent more than $30,000 in cryptocurrency across 80 transactions to an individual who identified as a Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighter in Gaza and claimed to have engaged in attacks against Israel, according to the Justice Department.

She was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources, namely currency, to a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“As alleged in the complaint, this defendant, fueled by her self-described hate of Israel and Jewish people, went to great lengths to attempt to provide financial support to terrorist organizations that use violence to further their agendas, including the Palestine Islamic Jihad,” Michael DiGiacomo, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, said.

In February and March 2026, the FBI obtained alleged communications between Washburn and the Islamic Jihad fighter in which she told him that she wished “every day were October 7th.”

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad is an Iran-backed Palestinian terror group that attacked Israel alongside Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, during which its fighters abducted and killed Israeli citizens.

“[I]f I lived in Gaza, I would fight alongside the resistance,” Washburn allegedly wrote, adding that she hated Jews “very much,” and that she wished Israel “would disappear.”

According to the criminal complaint, Washburn is a leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation, an extremist anti-Zionist group. The group, which operates in the United States and abroad, was launched last spring and engages in “direct action” to “protest, attack, destory [sic], sabotage and shut down Zionist and U.S infrastructures & business and all its affiliates,” according to the Anti-Defamation League. (JTA)

NY cafe deactivates account after backlash over treatment of Rep. Goldman

ABrooklyn café posted on Instagram that it refunded a purchase made by Rep. Dan Goldman, saying that it doesn’t serve “genocide enablers.”

“Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice?” the post by Poetica Coffee read. “Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference?”

In the post, the coffee shop included a photo of Goldman at the Lorimer Street location of their five Brooklyn spots. “Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away or we would have turned you away,” the post said.

The caption on the post said Goldman’s money is “probably coming from AIPAC anyways” and told Goldman never to come back. The post was accompanied by the song F— You by British singersongwriter Lily Allen.

Jewish community leaders immediately condemned the post, which was deleted when Poetica Coffee deactivated its account last month.

“Assigning collective blame to Jews or perceived supporters of Israel over disagreements with Middle East policies is the very definition of antisemitism,” Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, said. “It is shameful and hateful, and businesses open to the public do not get to discriminate based on religion, ancestry, ethnicity, or stereotypes.”

According to its website, Poetica Coffee is “rooted in the Uzbek tradition where the guest is sacred, the books are unbanned, and the door is open to everyone.”

Goldman, who describes himself as “unabashedly pro-Israel,” ran for reelection in a contentious election against former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, an Israel critic who also identifies as a “liberal Zionist.” Goldman lost.

“I am sorry to see this post,” Goldman said. “The barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me — allowing her to use the bathroom even though we had not purchased anything. I made sure to buy a coffee in return for her kindness. I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved.”

Before deactivating its account, Poetica Coffee said it had been the recipient of multiple death threats, including at least one with Islamophobic rhetoric. (New York Jewish Week)

Toronto police say young people are being recruited online to shoot at synagogues

Police in Toronto announced that they believe young adults are being hired and paid online to shoot at local synagogues.

The announcement follows a string of arrests in connection with shootings at a range of targets in the Canadian city, including multiple synagogues.

“What we know is bad actors are using criminal elements in our city to carry out these dangerous incidents,” Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw said at a press conference. “It is clear that some of the people hiring these criminals want to create a sense of fear in our communities, including the Jewish community.”

Demkiw said the suspects were being recruited through online networks and offered payments if they filmed themselves engaging in the shootings.

“Who’s paying for this?” he asked. “This is what we are trying to determine.”

The methodology and tactics being used in Toronto appear to mirror those laid out in a U.S. criminal complaint against Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, an Iraqi man charged in May in New York

with orchestrating attacks on Jewish targets in multiple countries on behalf of Iran since the start of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran in late February.

Previously, police in Australia, too, said they believed paid criminals, possibly hired on behalf of Iran, were behind a string of non-lethal incidents targeting Jewish communities there. (JTA)

Former Israeli hostages Sasha Trufanov and Sapir Cohen wed

Two former Israeli hostages have wed, in the first marriage of hostages taken when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Sasha Trufanov and Sapir Cohen were visiting Trufanov’s family on Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7 when they were attacked and abducted to Gaza. Trufanov’s father was murdered. Cohen was freed during a temporary ceasefire after 55 days, while Trufanov was held for nearly 500 days. They married on Sunday, July 5 in Israel, in a ceremony attended by multiple former hostages as well as Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who posted a picture of himself under the chuppah, or wedding canopy, with Trufanov and Cohen.

“We prayed for your return, we were moved to tears when you came back home, and this evening we were privileged to rejoice together with you and to bless you under the chuppah on your joyous day,” Herzog wrote.

While other freed hostages have celebrated births and engagements, the wedding is the first for a former hostage. It came just days after Israel marked the 1,000th day since Oct. 7, and as the government’s handling of the hostage crisis continues to roil Israeli politics ahead of a looming election. Last month, Nitzan Alon, an Israeli army major general who was part of a small hostage negotiation team, said that more hostages could have been returned alive had the Israeli government made different decisions, strengthening a widespread belief within Israel.

Alon, too, was present at Trufanov and Cohen’s wedding.

After Trufanov stepped on a glass, the traditional signal for the execution of the marriage, Eyal Golan’s Am Yisrael Chai, an anthem of Jewish and Israeli solidarity during the Gaza war, began playing.

Rom Braslavski, another hostage who was briefly held with Trufanov in Gaza, posted pictures of himself with his friend at the wedding, as well as a video of him and the newly married couple being hoisted to dance.

“Today, we are together, not in Rafah, not stuffed in a trunk, but free and you are in a beautiful groom’s suit marrying Sapir. How much you talked about her, my brother,” he wrote on Instagram. “There is nothing happier for me than accompanying you on this day, and I hope both of you will bring into the world happy little children and that they won’t know evil. May they not know war, with God’s help.” (JTA)

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CELEBRITIES & ISRAEL

Adam Sandler officiates Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding, fueling theories about singer’s Israel stance

Philissa Cramer (JTA) — A Jewish comedian who played one of cinema’s most notable Israeli characters took center stage — literally — at Taylor Swift’s wedding at Madison Square Garden on Friday, July 3.

Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony between Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

The event included a wide range of Jewish attendees, including the Haim sisters, who recently attended a Knicks game with Swift; the writer and actor Lena Dunham; Joshua Kushner, the businessman whose brother Jared is a top Middle East advisor to President Donald Trump; and Kelce’s former teammate Mitchell Schwartz.

Sandler’s presence in particular

fueled criticism from anti-Israel voices, who argued it was significant that someone who has described himself as “very pro-Israel” officiated the wedding. Sandler has discussed his friendship with Swift and Kelce publicly, saying that it developed through his daughters, who are Swift fans.

Swift has largely avoided wading into polarizing political issues, and her outlook on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a source of confusion for many fans, who have struggled to interpret her silence on the topic at a time when many celebrities have publicly voiced support for Gaza. Her decision not to publicly criticize Israel is seen as having bolstered her popularity among Israelis. At the same time, some pro-Palestinian fans have decried her silence

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and protested at her concerts, while others have speculated that she is privately proPalestinian but has avoided speaking out for fear of alienating fans.

“For all the Swifties defending Taylor Swift regarding her silence on Palestine she had Adam Sandler … a well-known Zionist, officiate her wedding so I think we know where she stands now,” tweeted an account called Land Palestine that had nearly 2 million followers on Instagram before being suspended last year.

“They’re all Zionists, clearly, and no doubt about it,” tweeted the Oxford University student Kate Crawford, a prominent pro-Palestinian voice on X who identifies as partly Jewish.

Some pro-Israel voices joined in the speculation. “I wonder if she is publicly aligning herself with certain people for a soft launch of her views. If she were to say some pro-Israel or pro-Jewish things, I think it could go a long way amongst the younger generation,” wrote one user on Reddit’s “Jewish” forum, in a post that was deleted but yielded nearly 200 comments parsing Swift’s possible Israel attitudes. (Among the evidence offered for possible pro-Israel leanings: She and Kelce recently dined at a buzzy Israeli restaurant. But other commenters noted that Gigi Hadid, a Palestinian-American celebrity who has spread anti-Israel rhetoric, was also at the wedding.)

— is not known to have visited Israel, after disclosing in a 2022 interview that he had never traveled to the country of one of his signature characters. He played Zohan Dvir, an Israeli soldier who prefers partying to war, in the 2008 comedy You Don’t Mess With the Zohan.

Sandler made the “very pro-Israel” comment in 2015 while criticizing artists who boycott Israel during an appearance on Howard Stern’s radio show. He has said little publicly about Israel since the immediate aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that began the war in Gaza, when he said his “heart is shattered” and signed onto an entertainment industry letter calling on then-President Joe Biden to help return the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.

For some, the reaction to Sandler’s officiation added to a growing sense that no Jewish figure can escape being targeted by anti-Zionist activism. “You can stay silent. You can avoid politics. You can try not to get involved,” the pro-Israel influencer Ran Alkalay posted on Instagram. “For antisemites, none of that matters.”

For other Jewish voices commenting on the wedding, the guest list was immaterial. On Facebook, Rabbi David Glickman of Kansas City noted that Swift and Kelce had doled out $26 million in charitable gifts ahead of their nuptials.

The chatter about the wedding and Israel swelled so much that the parody account Buzz Crave riffed off of it with a viral post proclaiming: “Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have left the U.S. for Israel to start their honeymoon.”

Like Swift, Sandler is not among the celebrities to engage in activism on Israel or Gaza. In fact, Sandler — whose early hits included The Hanukkah Song

“Jewish tradition says that a bride and groom have the ear of God on their wedding day — so the couple will say silent prayers for folks in need. I’m grateful your prayers weren’t only silent,” Glickman wrote. “You gave an example for all of us that personal celebration is made greater through tzedakah and generosity. Your charitable gifts are more impressive than a wedding at MSG — I hope it will get the same publicity.”

Adam Sandler.

From idea to impact: Community Impact Grants help strengthen Jewish Tidewater

TJF staff

Every organization has them: ideas discussed around board tables, programs waiting for funding, projects that could strengthen Jewish life, deepen engagement, expand educational opportunities, or bring people together in meaningful ways.

For Tidewater Jewish Foundation, helping turn those ideas into reality is exactly why Community Impact Grants exist.

Designed to strengthen Jewish life, the grants provide funding for projects and initiatives that create measurable impact throughout Jewish Tidewater. While many people associate grants with innovative new programs, Community Impact Grants support a broad range of needs, including special events, educational initiatives, collaborative programs, capital improvements, security enhancements, equipment purchases, and cultural experiences.

Past grants have supported everything from communitywide concerts and Holocaust remembrance programs to Jewish cooking experiences, campus engagement initiatives, playground improvements, broadcasting technology, and security upgrades.

“If a project has the potential to strengthen Jewish life and community, we want organizations to consider applying,” says Ann Swindell, TJF’s grants administrator.

One of the biggest misconceptions, according to Swindell, is that organizations must navigate the grant process alone. “I want organizations to know they don’t have to figure it all out by themselves,” she says. “If you have an idea, a question, or you're not sure whether a project qualifies, call me. I’d much rather have a conversation early and help strengthen an application than have someone miss an opportunity because they weren’t sure where to start. These grants exist to support our community, and my goal is to help organizations successfully move from idea to impact.”

Over the years, Swindell has become a trusted resource for organizations throughout the application process, helping applicants think through project goals, measurable outcomes, budgets, timelines, and reporting requirements.

“Community Impact Grants aren’t about creating hurdles,” she says. “They're about helping organizations create meaningful impact. I want applicants to view me as a resource from the first conversation all the way through final reporting.”

The current grant cycle closed July 10, but organizations that missed this deadline are encouraged to begin planning now for the next cycle, which opens November 15 and closes January 10, 2027.

For additional information, go to foundation.jewishva.org.

Ann Swindell.

America the Beautiful

Rabbi Madeline T. Budman

As I’m sure you know, July 4, 2026, just took place, the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. From America’s Block Party in Times Square to fireworks launched from the Golden Gate Bridge, we marked this milestone from sea to shining sea. Among the hot dogs and light shows, at least 264 congregations across the country gathered for multifaith public civil rituals. These congregations, from synagogues to mosques to Bahá’í communities to churches of every denomination, were brought together by faith250.

Founded by Rabbi Michael G. Holzman, faith250 invites us to see this anniversary as an opportunity to “pause, come together, and recommit — across faiths and across differences — to the shared values that sustain our democracy.” For months, local clusters of congregations have come together to study sacred texts; that is, America’s sacred texts, among them the Declaration of Independence and The New Colossus. “This is not an academic exercise,” faith250’s website implores. “It is a moral and spiritual one. As you read and discuss these texts together, you will be asking: What do these words mean to me? What do they mean for our faith communities? What do they mean for us as Americans?”

One of the sacred texts identified by faith250 is America the Beautiful. Katherine Lee Bates, an English professor at Wellesley College, wrote the poem in 1893. She was traveling across the country that July, and she was moved by the physical beauty and the potential that she saw around her. Towards the end of her trip, Bates visited the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado. At the top of the mountain, beneath spacious skies and surrounded by purple mountain majesties, inspiration swelled and the words started coming to her. Bates descended the mountain and wrote the first draft of her poem in her hotel room that evening. Initially published with the title America: A Poem for July 4th, it was revised twice, and by 1911 it was the patriotic song that we all know.

There is so much that is beautiful about America, as Bates writes in her stirring verses. O beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. We need only

walk up the hill to the Presidio to see just a fraction of the immense natural beauty of this continent. The amber waves of grain refer to the beauty of the Great Plains, but also to the economic prosperity and potential that all of that farmland represents.

O beautiful, for pilgrim feet. Our nation is a nation of immigrants – over the past 250 years, more than 100 million people have traveled across the wilderness to call America their home. The New York Times just published an interactive map of American ancestry, color-coded based on how people describe their backgrounds to the Census Bureau. The authors write, “There are nearly 200 unique identities represented; blend them – as 340 million Americans do – and we arrive at a jumbled, overlapping, story-filled infinity.”

O beautiful, for heroes proved in liberating strife. Our founding fathers had a vision for a new kind of country, one grounded in democracy and the idea that all men are created equal. That vision has had profound implications for us, changing Jewish history forever. Rabbi Ethan Tucker writes, “America never demanded that Jews purchase equality at the price of their collective identity. For Jews, this country has never been an oppressive empire, nor is it a place that happens to be kind. It has simply been, in a completely unprecedented way, a country in which Jews are full and equal citizens.”

There is so much beauty in America. And, of course, there is so much that is ugly. It can be discordant to sing of America the Beautiful when we face the reality of our country today. There is enormous polarization in America, and deep fissures in our democracy and systems of government. There is hatred of all kinds: racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, antisemitism, and so many more, and sometimes it seems as though the hatred is growing every day. There is so much suffering in our country, and often instead of working to alleviate it, we turn the blame onto those who are suffering themselves.

I could go on and on about all that is ugly in America in 2026. But this ugliness was also present in Katherine Lee Bates’ America of 1893. Her lofty depiction of “America the Beautiful” is not an accurate image of the America of her time. However, Bates was

not merely glossing over the ugliness she saw. She was transforming it.

Rabbi Stephanie Kolin of Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn visited Pikes Peak with her family last summer, and she shared her reflections on the site and Bates’ poem with her congregation on Yom Kippur. She writes, “It turns out that Katherine Lee Bates, in addition to being an obviously talented poet, was also a brilliant professor at Wellesley College. And she wrote for many newspapers, including the New York Times, advocating against the unjust treatment of women, the poor, people of color, and immigrants in her day. She was outraged, even activated, by human suffering in her present, but she also had a far-reaching gaze:

O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears.

This wasn’t a naive utopian account of the America that was. No, she was drawing up the blueprints for the America that could be.”

America the Beautiful isn’t a relic, a song that captures a moment in this country’s history. It is a ballad that is meant to serve as a rallying cry, to call us into action to turn it into reality. The song’s refrain repeats, “America! America!” Rabbi Michael Holzman, the founder of faith250, writes: “Like the angel who called, ‘Abraham, Abraham,’ this song calls to us to wake up, repeating our name twice, and asking us to put down the knife hanging over the future’s neck… The angel may have to shout at us ‘America! America!’... so we can face the choices before us.”

As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American experiment, let’s celebrate all that is beautiful in America. I hope we also listen to the rallying cry: America! America! Let’s refocus our sight on what is not currently beautiful in our country today, but what can become beautiful. Then, let’s get to work on those blueprints that Katherine Lee Bates drew up for us.

Rabbi Madeline T. Budman, Congregation Emanu-El, San Francisco, California.

America at 25✪ Spotlight: Rashi Brashevitzky

Sierra Lautman

Whether at a Shabbat table, in a classroom, or leading a Jewish holiday celebration, Rashi Brashevitzky is doing what she is most passionate about: helping people find meaningful ways to connect with Jewish life.

Rooted in the traditions of Chabad, Brashevitzky has spent her career helping children, families, and educators in Tidewater discover Judaism as a living, relevant, and personal tradition.

Brashevitzky’s story begins with her upbringing at Chabad of Tidewater, where Jewish education was a way of life.

From an early age, she was taught the importance of sharing Jewish learning with others, a value that became foundational to her approach as an educator and leader.

Even as a child, she stepped naturally into leadership, running youth Shabbat groups and engaging other children in Jewish life. By 19, she was teaching fulltime. Her early involvement evolved into a lifelong calling.

experiences and challenges that remain part of the human experience.

In today’s world, Brashevitzky sees Jewish education as both grounding and essential. As young Jews encounter a wide range of identities and influences, she believes Jewish learning provides continuity and connection. She also acknowledges that Jewish community feels especially meaningful during a time of increased antisemitism.

“When the world is scary,” she says, “Jewish education feels like coming home.”

Outside the classroom,

Brashevitzky’s current role as Judaic Studies director at Strelitz International Academy came after she began raising her family with her husband, Rabbi Levi Brashevitzky. When her third and youngest child was in kindergarten, Brashevitzky says she embraced a leadership opportunity, describing it as the beginning of a new chapter in her professional and communal life.

Emphasizing that Jewish tradition is not static, but alive, Brashevitzky’s view, which is shaped by Chassidic tradition, is that the Torah speaks across generations, offering wisdom for

Brashevitzky's work at Chabad of Tidewater reflects that same philosophy. Together with her family, she welcomes Shabbat guests from across the community and around the world, designs engaging holiday programs, and leads a women’s personal growth group rooted in Jewish wisdom.

Brashevitzky’s commitment to building community among parents, staff, and families shaped her decision to pursue a Master of Social Work, which she sees as a natural extension of her work. At Chabad of Tidewater, she assists with everything from pastoral counseling and grief support to addressing food insecurity and connecting individuals with needed resources.

Her perspective reflects a broader philosophy that Jewish values and socialemotional health are inseparable. Caring for others, sharing what one has, and taking responsibility for one another are central expressions of Jewish teaching, while emotional and spiritual wellbeing must be considered together.

When reflecting on the people who

Local Relationships Matter

“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.”

“Payday is very forward thinking and is always up on potential changes. We have also been impressed by Payday’s contingency planning. Whenever there is a potential natural disaster in our region, such as a large storm, Payday is proactive and works with our staff to make sure that everyone will be paid without interruption.”

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

MEET: Paul R. Hernandez PD-ad-three-eighths-V-color-Jewish News-111320.indd 8 11/13/20 2:56 PM

“ “

shaped her path, Brashevitzky points to her parents, Rabbi Aron and Rychel Margolin, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe as central influences.

“The Rebbe was a big part of my universe as a child, but something I’ve chosen as an adult,” she says.

Being recognized as an Outstanding Jewish American in Tidewater, she says, is both humbling and meaningful.

“It is pretty cool. I am really touched and honored that someone would think of me. It is nice to know that when you work really hard, the impact is seen. I pride myself on being inclusive, and I am so

happy that was recognized.”

Through classrooms, family engagement, and community life in Tidewater, Brashevitzky continues to advance a vision of Jewish education that is accessible, connected, and alive—one rooted not only in teaching tradition, but in helping people see themselves within it.

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.

Rashi Brashevitzky

GRADUATES

JEWISH TIDEWATER GRADUATES

Jewish Tidewater has much to applaud with its graduates. We celebrate some here. To see more 2026 graduates, go to JewishNewsVa.org and check out the June 1, 2026 edition. Mazel Tov to all these graduates and their families!

Kempsville High School

Graduating with Highest Honors Varsity Field Hockey All Region honorable mention

Next: Christopher Newport University, majoring in Biology/Health Science

Maddie is the daughter of Alison and Bernard Acosta and granddaughter of Bonnie and Bob Rothschild.

University of Virginia

M.S. in Commerce, with a concentration in Business Analytics.

Evan was a Jefferson Scholar.

Next: After traveling throughout Asia, Evan will move to New York City and work as a Strategy Analyst at JPMorgan Chase.

Evan is the son of Emily and Joel Nied and grandson of Renee and Stephen Caplan and Thelma Nied.

Virginia Tech

Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Public Health

Next: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Class of 2030. Devon is the daughter of Dr. Allison R. Ashe and the granddaughter of Michel and Marilyn Ashe.

Maury High School

Next: Hevruta Gap Year Program in Israel and then Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. Moriah is the daughter of Craig and Joanna Schranz.

Eastern Virginia Medical School

Next: Internship at MCV in Richmond

Jamie is the daughter of Ted and Cindy Levin and the granddaughter of Pauline Levin and Gilbert Levin (of Blessed Memory).

Brown University

Degree in Environmental Science

Graduated with Honors and Phi Beta Kappa

Next: Working for the City of New York.

Samantha is the daughter of Drs. Lawrence and Marianne Levin and the granddaughter of Pauline Levin and Gilbert Levin (of blessed memory).

Norfolk Academy

Next: University of Maryland

Erin is the daughter of Jill and Brian Wainger and granddaughter of Kathy and Jerry Kantor and Patti and Jules Wainger.

Norfolk Academy

Next: Tulane University

Caroline is the daughter of Jill and Brian Wainger and granddaughter of Kathy and Jerry Kantor and Patti and Jules Wainger.

Madeline “Maddie” Elyse Acosta

Devon Olivia Parker-Ashe

Jamie Levin

Samantha Levin

Evan Nied

Moriah Schranz

Erin Wainger

Caroline Wainger

Dear Readers,

Senior Living

The question of who qualifies as a senior produces many responses, depending on who or what entity is answering.

At age 50, for example, it’s possible to become a member of AARP and unlock perks and discounts. At 55, many restaurants, retailers, and senior housing communities begin offering senior discounts or age-restricted living. That’s also when McDonald’s famous Senior Coffee is available and some Wendy’s locations offer free drinks. At 60, shoppers at Harris Teeter are granted a discount on Thursdays. Age 65, however, is the typical senior benchmark, when people are eligible for Medicare and full retirement status with Social Security.

Reaching the milestone birthdays today, however, rarely translates to past thinking on seniors and this section proves the point –discounts aside! Today’s seniors tend to be active adults who just happen to have more free time – either due to retirement status or to their empty nests – to enjoy their lives. After decades of work and raising families, why not?

This issue’s profiles on Dr. Gad Brosch and Michelle Luria, for example, serve as testimony to knowing how to embrace life with gusto at all ages.

Articles on volunteering with Be A Reader, exercising at the Simon Family JCC, and participating in clubs, highlight some of the easyto-access activities available to “those over a certain age.”

Two articles also confront some of the challenges that sometimes emerge with aging. One is on help available for those facing Alzheimer’s disease, and another on topics to consider when determining the right time and place to move into any form of assisted living.

To quote Dr. Brosch on his prescription for those in the senior category to sustain an active brain, “keep researching and learning. Surround yourself with younger people and be involved.”

Thanks for reading,

Terri Denison Editor

THE VALUE OF FAMILY.

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From navigating complex family dynamics and planning for long-term care to structuring trusts, charitable giving, and wealth transfer strategies, we take a whole-life approach to estate planning. By integrating wealth preservation, senior living considerations, and personalized legal guidance, we help you build a lasting legacy while providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones. We can. And we will.®

Senior Living

MICHELLE LURIA: A LIFE REBUILT BY CONNECTION, CONVERSATION, AND COMMUNITY

Michelle Luria didn’t expect to start over. But now, from her Norfolk apartment overlooking the Elizabeth River, she describes a life filled with new experiences and community.

“I love it here,” she says. “The people are so lovely, intelligent, well educated, well-traveled. Just really nice to be around.”

In fact, she says, “I’ve always loved Virginia. The first time I came here, I was nine years old. I visited Williamsburg.”

After a lifetime in Birmingham, Alabama, Luria and her husband, Herbert, moved to Tidewater approximately four years ago to be near their daughter, Elaine Luria, who had made Norfolk her home. Not long after the couple’s move – about a year later – her husband died following a long illness.

Luria’s roots in Birmingham were deep – a city where she, along with her

late husband and daughter, were all natives. There, she was extremely active in Jewish communal life, serving in leadership roles with organizations such as the National Council of Jewish Women. She was also involved in the arts, volunteering for decades at the Birmingham Museum of Art as a docent. In addition, Luria was a Blue and Gold officer for the Naval Academy where she interviewed candidates and helped them through the application process.

In fact, 25 of her candidates were accepted to the Naval Academy and all graduated.

When she relocated, however, she says she was ready to step back.

“I had done so much volunteer work. I was ready to take a rest.”

In Norfolk, Jewish life looks different but is still familiar in feeling. She is a member of Ohef Sholom Temple and speaks

warmly about the congregation and Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg. She attends services roughly once a month, often with neighbors, and occasionally joins Sisterhood events.

Much of her social life, however, is rooted in the broader community of where she lives, at Harbor’s Edge. She has also joined the American Friends of Lafayette and travelled to France, New Orleans and Richmond with the group.

“I just talk to people,” she says. “That’s how I meet everyone.”

That ease of connection has become the foundation of her new life. She rarely eats alone, instead making daily plans with neighbors and friends. Jewish or not, she describes the community as deeply welcoming.

Looking back, she doesn’t hesitate when asked about the move.

“It was definitely the right move for me,” she says. “There are so many wonderful things to do here – you can’t even imagine.”

And, of course, it doesn’t hurt to have her daughter’s family – Elaine, Robert, and Violette – close by.

Groundbreaking Cancer Care, Right Here at Home

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Clinical trials are voluntary, and your care team is with you every step of the way, helping you understand your options and supporting you throughout your journey. Participation may give you access to advanced therapies while also helping future patients.

You don’t have to travel far to be part of tomorrow’s breakthroughs — hope, progress, and innovation start right here.

Haley Bartel

Michelle Luria.

Senior Living

Steering through Alzheimer’s: A journey of hope, community, and connection

Lauren Krajesky, LNHA, CDP

Few diagnoses change the course of a family’s journey quite like Alzheimer’s disease. It reaches far beyond the individual, touching spouses, children, grandchildren, friends, and entire communities.

Today, more than 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s, and nearly 13 million family members and friends provide care and support for loved ones living with dementia.

others who are newly diagnosed. Rather than withdrawing from family, friends, or community support, she encourages people to focus on what they can still do rather than what they can no longer do. “I feel lucky,” she says, explaining that she is more intentional than ever about nurturing relationships and finding joy in everyday moments. Her husband, Ron Spindel, says much of Linda’s positive outlook can be attributed to the support

they have received from family and the broader community. In particular, he credits Marcia Futterman Brodie, founder of Marcia Trains, LLC, with helping them navigate this chapter of life by providing guidance, resources, encouragement, and understanding. For Brodie, this work is personal. “No one should have to walk this journey alone,” she says.

That philosophy is shared by Beth Sholom Village, where leaders have witnessed how the support of caring professionals, friends, and loved ones can make a profound difference for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and the families who care for them, helping them find strength and connection along the way. To help meet these needs, Beth Sholom Village has

earmarked funding for Jewish Family Service to launch an Alzheimer’s Café under Brodie’s guidance. The initiative will create opportunities for families to gather, share experiences, and find support in a welcoming environment, helping ensure that no one faces the journey in isolation.

Spindel’s story serves as a powerful reminder that while Alzheimer’s disease may alter the road ahead, it does not diminish the importance of joy, purpose, or meaningful relationships. With the right support and a caring community, even the most challenging roads can be traveled with hope.

Lauren Krajesky, LNHA, CDP is Beth Sholom Village’s executive director.

Linda Spindel and Marcia Brodie.

Ron Spindel rspindel@spindelagency.com a member of The Frieden Agency

Jody Balaban jbalaban@spindelagency.com christopherlyon@friedenagency.com

Senior Living

The keys to retirement with Gad Brosch

Sarah Cooper

Strolling the streets of downtown Norfolk, one might hear the smooth sound of live jazz wafting from a condo’s windows. “We get together quite often, at least once a week to play,” says Gad Brosch, MD. A gynecologist who retired after 35 years in practice, he now spends most of his time playing jazz piano. Musicians join him for jam sessions in his home, including various vocalists and saxophone, trumpet, and bass guitar players.

Does he get complaints from the sessions? “I invite my neighbors, they join us! Preventative medicine,” says Brosch.

His love for jazz music started many years ago in Israel. Born in Haifa, Brosch took piano lessons as an adolescent and remembers one of his teachers, Mrs. Schall, a Hungarian woman who escaped Nazi Germany. Her husband, a jazz pianist, played for the British soldiers and would play songs when he picked up his wife. All the Things You Are by Ella Fitzgerald is the song that initially turned a young Brosch on to jazz.

Gad Brosch.

Since retiring in 2005, playing music has become his focus, his mission, and his purpose. “I’m fighting to keep my music alive,” Brosch says.

For three years, Brosch played at Sentara Heart Hospital, Sentara Leigh Hospital, and Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital under the “Music and Medicine” initiative. At one time, he also performed at places such as Westminster-Canterbury and Beth Sholom Village. One could imagine how effective it must be in raising the spirits of patients in the healing process.

Today, Brosch accompanies other vocalists and plays frequently in hotels and casinos such as The Rivers Casino in Portsmouth and Varia Italian Restaurant at the Hilton Main Hotel. He is often seen alongside vocalists Danielle Roby and Frank Cubillo of Frank Sings Frank. Although playing jazz is his passion, it’s not the only reason he does it.

At his self-proclaimed “89 years plus,” the active retiree tries to stay busy and believes that it is the key to a long, happy life. He works out three days a week via Silver Sneakers and rides his bike to run errands at least twice a week. A main concern for him is that so many adults do not have a plan to stay active after retirement.

“Pick something you enjoy, that belongs to you, and plan for it. Try to be the best you can be.”

Brosch is a member of the JCC Senior Club and attends Roundtable Conversations. To keep the brain active, “keep researching and learning. Surround yourself with younger people and be involved,” he says.

For information on senior activities at the Sandler Family Campus or to learn about a Gad Brosch future performance, contact Sarah Cooper at scooper@ujft.org.

Chr is Lyon

Senior Living

Planning ahead: Four conversations every family should have before a crisis

Ashley Harris

Conversations about aging are often postponed because they can feel overwhelming or uncomfortable. Yet some of the best decisions families make happen long before they are faced with an urgent medical event or unexpected hospitalization. Planning ahead allows older adults to express their wishes, understand their options, and make informed decisions with confidence.

One of the first conversations every family should have is about when additional support may be beneficial. Whether it’s help with daily activities, medication management, or simply the desire for greater social connection, understanding the differences between independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing can make future decisions less stressful.

Another important discussion centers on financial planning. Many families have questions about how to pay for senior living, whether selling a home is necessary, what resources may be available, and how to prepare financially for the years ahead. Having these conversations early can help families make thoughtful decisions rather than rushed ones.

Families should also discuss estate planning and legal documents. Ensuring wills, powers of attorney, advance medical directives, and other essential documents are up to date provides peace of mind and helps loved ones honor an individual’s wishes.

Finally, understanding Medicare and insurance options can be invaluable. Navigating healthcare coverage can be

confusing, and learning about available benefits before they are needed helps families make informed choices with confidence.

Jewish tradition teaches the importance of honoring elders with dignity, compassion, and respect. Planning ahead reflects these values by ensuring older adults remain at the center of decisions about their own care and future.

Whether personal planning or helping a loved one, starting the conversation today can make tomorrow’s decisions easier.

Ashley Harris BS, CTRS, CDP, is director of community relations at Village at Maimonides Health Center of Virginia Beach.

Senior Planning Educational Panel

Thursday, August 6, 4:30 – 6 pm

The Village at Maimonides Health Center

To explore important conversations related to seniors, The Village at Maimonides Health Center of Virginia Beach will host a panel where local professionals will discuss transitioning to senior living, selling a home to help pay for care, estate planning, and understanding Medicare insurance options.

The event is designed to provide practical guidance, answer questions, and connect families with trusted local resources in a relaxed, educational setting.

For additional information and to RSVP, contact Ashley Harris at 757-593-0249 or AHarris@mhcofvb.com.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

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More than a language: keeping Yiddish alive

Haley Bartel

Yiddish was the first language Harriet Meier ever spoke.

Born in Germany to Polish Holocaust survivors who met in a displaced persons camp after World War II, Meier grew up hearing the language at home and among her parents’ friends. English eventually became her dominant language, but decades later, Yiddish still connects her to the people who shaped her childhood.

Today, she reconnects with that heritage at the Simon Family JCC's Yiddish Club, where members gather monthly to explore the language through conversation, music, poetry, film, and more.

For Meier, Yiddish was always close to home, but with time and assimilation it became just out of reach.

“My parents would speak to me in Yiddish, but quickly I started answering them in English,” she says. After she entered preschool in the United States, where “everybody spoke English,” eventually “they just gave up and started speaking to me in English.”

Still, Yiddish remained present in her family’s life. Her parents and their friends continued speaking the language, sharing jokes, stories, and memories.

“Even amongst their friends, when they got much older, they were pretty much speaking English most of the time,” Meier says. “But they’d get together with friends and speak Yiddish.”

Though her father never taught her the language, she remembers him preserving it through music. “My father sang beautifully,” she says. “He would sing songs in Yiddish, and I remember a lot of them.”

Rabbi Israel Zoberman remembers a similar shift in his early years.

“When I came to Israel, I was about four years old,” Zoberman says. “We were told, 'Don't speak Yiddish on the street. No one will play with your kids if they hear them speak Yiddish.’”

Born in Kazakhstan in 1945 to Polish Holocaust survivors, Zoberman spent his infancy moving across postwar Europe before his family settled in Israel. At home, his parents spoke Yiddish –even though it wasn’t welcome outside.

In the years following Israel’s founding, Hebrew became a symbol of national renewal. Many immigrants embraced it while leaving Yiddish behind, seeing it as a language associated with exile, persecution, and the destruction of European Jewish life.

Screenshot of Der Tog from The National Library of Israel.

Yiddish Club member listens to Harry Graber.

For club organizer Harry Graber, however, Yiddish was never a reminder of the past – it was his first language. He grew up speaking it on the Lower East Side, where Yiddish was part of everyday life in many Jewish neighborhoods.

Today, he sees the club as a way to show that Yiddish was not only a language of survival, but a language of creativity, humor, and culture.

“I want people to understand that the language is fun, that the language was used by people in very complex ways,” he says. “It was their everyday language… they used it for poetry, literature, and music.”

Now, once a month, members of the Yiddish Club gather at the Sandler Family Campus to read, laugh, and explore a language that once connected millions of Jews across Europe – and continues to connect them today.

Meier says part of what makes Yiddish so difficult to translate is its humor. “There are so many wonderful Yiddish expressions,” she says. One favorite saying she remembers is, “With one rear end, you can’t dance at two weddings.” Another colorful curse wishes someone would “grow like an onion with your head in the ground.”

With the Yiddish Club, they’re preserving not only a

Senior Living

language, but the memories it carries — something deeply personal to club member Myrna Amdursky.

“What comes up is a part of my life that is now gone,” she says. “That was the language of my parents and grandparents’ generation.”

Similarly to Meier, Amdursky’s parents were set on helping their children fit into American life. She says her father intentionally chose not to teach the language to his children.

“He did not want me and my brother to learn Yiddish because he thought it would influence our English pronunciation,” she says.

Yiddish became what Amdursky calls, “a language for parents only” – something spoken among adults when they didn’t want children to understand the conversation.

But while some may assume the group functions as a language class, Amdursky says that’s not quite accurate.

Members discuss contemporary efforts to preserve and revitalize the language while exploring Yiddish films, music, and other forms of media.

Yiddish sayings are woven throughout the meetings, but the main point of the group is remembrance and discussion. “It is not a structured learning environment. We are not studying Yiddish as a language,” Amdursky says.

“We’re absorbing the culture.”

While Yiddish is often associated with prewar Europe and the Holocaust, Graber hopes the club can expand that understanding.

“Yiddish is so much portrayed, and to some degree rightfully so, as the language of pre-World War Two Europe,” he says. “But I tried to do some stuff that’s postWorld War Two, so to see how it’s being used today.”

To Graber, preservation does not mean freezing Yiddish in the past. Instead, he sees it as a language that has evolved. “Not a language that died, but a language that has changed.”

“It is important to me for people to understand that the Yiddish language is not simply a folk language but a sophisticated language used by Ahkenazi Jews for one thousand years,” says Graber. “Hebrew was the language of the bible and Aramaic of the Talmud but Yiddish was the language of a civilization of Jews expressing itself in philosophical, theatrical, literary, scientific, academic and all other terms and formats reflective of a people successfully reaching beyond the limits of oppression.”

The Yiddish Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 1 pm at the Sandler Family Campus. Information: jewishva.org/Adults or contact Sarah Cooper at SCooper@ujft.org.

Welcome to a community where a vibrant, beautiful lifestyle is yours for the taking — a place where you’ll be welcomed by friendly neighbors and extraordinary hospitality. Life at Aviva Pembroke puts you right in the heart of Virginia Beach, making every day more relaxing and carefree with our luxurious residences, gourmet dining, concierge services and 24-hour security. Plus, with the highly respected Beth Sholom Village and Pembroke Square Associates working in partnership, the opportunities are endless for living well with the reassurance of quality care and no large, upfront expense.

Senior Living Finding balance in flowing waters

“Let’s gather. Let’s offer. Let’s receive. Let’s ground.”

This is how Jennifer Lenay, Simon Family JCC fitness instructor, guides students through gentle, breath-synced movement in Flowing Waters, an aquatic take on traditional tai chi.

Held Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon in the indoor therapy pool, the class combines slow, intentional movement with warm water, making it well-suited for people managing pain, injury, or limited mobility.

Movements are paired with steady inhalation and exhalation, creating a rhythm that participants carry through each motion. That connection between breath and movement helps shift the body out of stress responses.

“When we are stressed… we absorb those things,” Lenay explains.

“Breathwork helps reset our nervous system, and it puts us back into a parasympathetic mode.” In this state, combined with the warm water, participants can fully work through pain points without accumulating further tension.

The class is a gamechanger for many of its participants who come with a variety of health concerns.

Sue Ellen Crounce, 78, for example, has been deeply involved in the JCC’s fitness community for years.

"Recently my mother required 12 hour per day personal care assistance On short notice, Changing Tides Home Care provided the necessary assistance. They have been responsive to my mother's needs and have kept the family informed by telephone, text and portal. I am very pleased with their services."

Before discovering Flowing Waters, she was a regular at many JCC classes. Then life brought significant health challenges, including knee replacements and major heart surgery.

Movements that once felt simple on land, such as stepping sideways, shifting weight, and maintaining balance, became difficult. When she tried Flowing Waters, she found that the therapy pool provided a safe container to work through those limitations.

Lenay echoes that sentiment,

explaining the benefits of underwater exercise for older adults.

“With water, there is minimal impact, if not zero,” she says. “The strengthening is inevitable. Once that injury is under the water, you’re going to strengthen that area.”

Crounce is one of many seniors who have regained the confidence to strengthen vulnerable muscle groups without fear of injury. “I still feel safe,” she says. “But I can see what I need to work on.”

That sense of safety and feeling of stability extends beyond the class. “When I leave and go home after being in the therapy pool, I can sleep,” Crounce says. “I’m not achy.”

In fact, Crounce recalls nearly tripping over her rocking chair in the middle of the night and catching herself at the last moment using balance skills she developed in Flowing Waters. To her, the class is now a necessity.

“I need this,” she says.

Crounce describes the class as her sanctuary and advocates for its future. When enrollment was low earlier this year, she was among a group of participants who petitioned the JCC to keep the class running.

To reinforce the class’s mental and spiritual benefits, Lenay asks participants to choose a word to carry with them through the movements. On a recent afternoon, Crounce chose “joy.”

“I have to find joy,” she says. “Even with everything happening, we can still find it in our day. We have life. We can pray for other people and remain in joy.”

For Crounce and many of her classmates, Flowing Waters is more than an exercise class. It is a place to find balance in mind, body, and spirit that can be carried into life outside of the pool.

For information on Flowing Waters and other fitness classes at the Simon Family JCC, go to simonfamilyjcc.org.

Haley Bartel

Jennifer Lenay leads a Flowing Waters class. Haley Bartel.

Senior Living

FIRST PERSON ONE HOUR CAN CHANGE TWO LIVES

Robin Ford

When people think about volunteering, they often focus on the difference they can make for someone else. What I have learned through the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation’s Be A Reader Literacy Project (BeAR) is that the volunteers often receive just as much as they give.

Our BeAR mentors spend one hour a week reading with a second grader in a local Title I school. That may not sound like much, but that hour can be the brightest part of a child’s week. Yes, we help children strengthen their reading skills, but we also provide something many kids desperately need: a caring adult who is there just for them.

the time that they look forward to their BeAR day. They love hearing about their student’s week, celebrating their successes, and watching their confidence grow.

Many of our volunteers say they signed up to help a child, but quickly realized the child was helping them, too.

As we begin planning for another school year, now is the perfect time to think about becoming a BeAR mentor. One hour a week is so easy to do, and I have seen firsthand the difference it makes. I’ve watched children discover a love of reading, and light up when their mentor walks through the door. I’ve also watched volunteers find friendship, purpose, and joy in these relationships. It is a simple commitment that creates something truly special.

• Family owned and operated since 1917

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Approved by all area Rabbis and Chevrah Kadisha

For active senior adults, BeAR is a wonderful way to stay engaged, connected, and involved in the community. Our mentors tell me all

For more information about becoming a BeAR mentor, contact Robin Ford at 757-321-2304 or email rford@ujft.org.

COMING SOON –

A new hub for senior connection, learning, and wellness

The new Center for Active Living is being launched by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC. The program is made possible through a grant from Beth Sholom Village and support from the Joseph Fleischmann Memorial Fund of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation.

This new project will bring together fitness, lifelong learning, cultural, and social opportunities to help older adults across Tidewater stay active, connected, and engaged. By building on existing programs and strengthening community partnerships, the initiative will expand

access and create more opportunities for meaningful connection.

Rooted in connection, lifelong learning, wellness, and purpose, this evolving approach is designed to help older adults across Tidewater stay active, engaged, and thriving.

More details will be announced soon. In the meantime, to learn about the current myriad opportunities for engagement, visit JewishVA.org/adults or contact Sarah Cooper, Center for Active Living manager, at Scooper@ujft.org or 757-452-3184.

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

Robin Ford.

Your Legacy. Our Future

Senior Living

Seniors visit Edgar Cayce Museum

Sarah Cooper

The JCC Senior Club took a trip to the Edgar Cayce A.R.E. Center at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Wednesday, June 17.

Boarding a charter bus, the 30 participants first stopped at the Session Café located in the original hospital building at the top of a hill on 67th Street. The Cafe’s seating boasts an almost entirely clear view of the oceanfront as tables wrap around a sun porch of the front and sides of the building. It also overlooks a stone labyrinth and reflexology path, as well as a meditation garden with a fishpond and bamboo forest.

Next, the group moved to the main Visitor Center and spent half an hour perusing the bookstore and gift shop. It was a warm day, so others sat and gathered in the foyer watching an informational video on Cayce.

Two knowledgeable guides led the group on a tour that started on the third floor where the Meditation Room is located. The room has seating for about 40 people, with a floor-to-ceiling view of the ocean, as well as large crystals in each corner. Vibrant stained-glass box windows shone at the top of one of the walls, each color representing one of the chakras.

Originally from Kentucky, Cayce decided to build the hospital in Virginia Beach after “being directed to do so in a reading.” Attendees learned that he saw himself as a servant and his mission was to offer practical, spiritual, and holistic guidance for living a purposeful life. Known as the Sleeping Prophet, the guide explained Cayce’s process of giving readings in a self-hypnotic state.

The library is located on the second floor and although it was closed for renovations, it houses the sofa that Cayce laid on during his readings as well as an abundance of books on all aspects of spirituality. Detailed readings by Cayce are also archived and available for members of the center to view and study.

The trip was a success and proved that outings are desired by the senior community. In fact, at least five people wanted to join after the registration date closed.

For more information on the Senior Club, senior activities, or to offer suggestions and feedback, contact Sarah Cooper at scooper@ujft.org or call 757-452-3184.

David Caldwell and Philip Liebman enjoy the view. Harriet Meier played the sound healing tongue drum.

Judy Rosenberg and Harriet Siebert explore the gift shop.

Adrienne Royes, Philip Liebman, and Rabbi Israel Zoberman chat before the guided tour.

IT’S A WRAP

Torah and allyship are focus of Rabbi Moskowitz’s visit to Tidewater

Hunter Thomas

Rabbi Mike Moskowitz brought a thoughtful approach to allyship as a spiritual practice during a June 10 program at the Sandler Family Campus. Presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Arts + Ideas and Konikoff Center for Learning, the event was part of UJFT’s recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

Moskowitz, a widely published author and educator who grew up in Richmond and spent a year in Virginia Beach as a child, attending Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, drew on ideas from his book, Ancestral Allyship during the presentation.

In the book, he connects themes of identity, responsibility, and belonging to the weekly Torah portion. His teaching at the event emphasized that allyship is not a static label, but an ongoing practice rooted in Jewish values and lived experience.

The conversation was moderated by Deb Segaloff, who highlighted Moskowitz’s ability to bring traditional texts into contemporary discussions. “[He] chooses to focus on inclusion and the many things that unite us as people,” says Segaloff. “He gives hope to the many LGBTQ+ Jews that want to belong and be part of the community.”

Throughout the evening, Moskowitz encouraged participants to remain open to the perspectives and experiences of others, framing that openness as a core element of both Jewish learning and allyship. The event was attended by people of all faiths and backgrounds. “It was a wonderful event,” says Alicia “Sunny” Peoples, co-chair of the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. “As someone whose faith tradition is intersectional, I loved the conversation.”

Moskowitz also returned to the principle that all people are created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, and challenged attendees to consider what that belief means in practice. His reflections connected traditional sources with contemporary conversations around identity and community, offering a perspective that was both rooted in Jewish texts and responsive to present-day realities.

The program was held in partnership with the Jewish Book Council, Hampton Roads Pride, and the LGBT Life Center of Hampton Roads, and was funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.

For more information about Arts + Ideas programming, contact Hunter Thomas at HThomas@ UJFT.org or 757-965-6137.

Deb Segaloff and Rabbi Mike Moskowitz.

Rabbi Mike Moskowitz and Alene Kaufman.

IT’S A WRAP

JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH BRINGS TOGETHER ART, HISTORY, AND COMMUNITY

Sierra Lautman and Hunter Thomas

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) unfolded this year as a wide-ranging exploration of art, identity, history, and belonging. It also marked the kickoff of the Outstanding Jewish Americans in Tidewater initiative, an effort that will continue throughout 2026 in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, highlighting the impact and leadership of Jewish individuals across the region.

The celebration began on May 4 with an exploration of Moses Jacob Ezekiel, a complex figure in American Jewish art history. An intimate group gathered at the Sandler Family Campus for a screening of Moses Ezekiel: Portrait of a Lost Artist, which prompted conversation about the tension between Ezekiel’s artistic achievements and his support of the Confederacy. Alex Pincus and other members of the Pincus family, who are descendants of Ezekiel, spoke briefly about the family connection and what they knew about the complicated man.

That dialogue extended to two guided tours at the Norfolk Botanical Garden the following week where participants encountered Ezekiel’s work in the Moses Ezekiel Statuary Vista Garden. Standing among the Carrara marble sculptures he created in Rome, attendees engaged with his legacy, deepening reflection on how his art and local history intersect.

Park, where families and friends from the Jewish communities on both sides of the water gathered for the Norfolk Tides’ inaugural Jewish American Heritage Night. UJFT and the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula had approached the Tides to organize the night last year, but inclement weather on two separate dates led to postponing it until 2026. Highlights of the evening included Tidewater native and award winning Jewish country artist Troy

The exploration of Jewish artistic legacy continued with docent-led tours of Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Led in large part by Harry Graber, longtime community leader and former UJFT CEO, the tours highlighted the innovation of these groundbreaking Jewish artists. Participants engaged with themes of immigration, identity, resilience, and creativity, gaining a deeper appreciation for the lasting influence Jewish American artists have had on the nation’s cultural fabric. “[The exhibit] was an epiphany,” says Lorna Orleans. “Very able docent Harry Graber led the visit with great knowledge and humor. After visiting this exhibit, one was left with the impression that these two women were literally and figuratively truly architects of their own being.”

On May 6, JAHM was marked at Harbor

music and storytelling to explore what it means to hold multiple identities while building community.

At Butts Road Intermediate School, McKinney read his new book, Jason Belongs to 120 third grade students, sparking enthusiastic questions about language, heritage, and growing up in a multicultural family. The visit concluded the school’s JAHM programming and SOL testing season.

McKinney also participated in UJFT’s Annual Celebration of Lifelong Learning, this year held at the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, where he offered an intimate concert, singing traditional Jewish songs and spirituals in his signature operatic baritone voice. “The Jewish Museum provided a beautiful setting,” says Nancy Bangel.

Breslow’s performance of the National Anthem, and local Cox High School pitcher MJ Lemke – recently signed to play Division I baseball at the University of Richmond – making the ceremonial first pitch.

The month closed with a residency of author, educator, and musician Jason Schachter McKinney, whose programming invited participants of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on identity and belonging. Through school visits, performances, synagogue engagements, and interfaith dialogue, McKinney used

“Jason filled the room with his largerthan-life powerful voice that filled me with emotion.” Normon Soroko, president of JMCC, adds, “The event was wonderful. Chazan McKinney gave one of the best performances I have seen in a while.”

McKinney also visited area synagogues, beginning at Ohef Sholom Temple where he served as a guest speaker and led the congregation in a rendition of Oseh Shalom that he composed. He also participated in services at Kehillat Beit Hamidrash alongside congregants and clergy from Temple Israel and Temple Emmanuel, where his music and storytelling added a meaningful dimension to prayer and communal connection.

McKinney’s residency concluded with an interfaith service at Second Presbyterian Church with Pastor Craig Wansink, music director Bob Shoup, and Rabbi Michael Panitz, helping to bridge communities through an exploration of faith through music. Wansink says that having McKinney as a guest “made for a meaningful and memorable experience,” expressing gratefulness on behalf of his congregation.

Together, these programs created a multifaceted portrait of Jewish American Heritage Month, inviting the community to engage with the complexity of Jewish American experience, as well as with the ongoing work of building belonging across difference.

Jason McKinney leads Ohef Sholom Temple’s choir with Chuck Woodward, the temple’s music director.

Bayla Shames delivers remarks at the Celebration of Lifelong Learning.

Rona and David Proser at Harbor Park.

MJ Lemke at Harbor Park.

At the Norfolk Botanical Garden: Hunter Thomas, Alene Kaufman, Courtney Freundlich, Rona Proser, Elizabeth Murphy, Tom Murphy, Lorna Orleans, Stacy Broudy, and Steve Broudy. Troy Breslow at Harbor Park.

IT’S A WRAP

Classic Car Show & Community Cookout

Sunday, August 2

11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Maimonides Health Center

Rain date is August 23

Maimonides Health Center of Virginia Beach and The Village at Maimonides invite the community to attend the Classic Car Show and Community Cookout. This family-friendly event will bring together classic car enthusiasts, residents, families, and neighbors for an afternoon of food, fun, and community connection.

Members of the community are also invited to visit the Maimonides campus, attend an event, volunteer, or learn more about the many ways seniors can thrive while remaining connected to their faith, traditions, and community.

For additional information or to RSVP, contact Ashley Harris at 757-593-0249 or AHarris@ mhcofvb.com.

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Growing through Shavuot: NextGen connects before and beyond the holiday

Hannah Yasemsky

Shavuot celebrates receiving the Torah, but for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community, it also became an opportunity to strengthen relationships, deepen Jewish learning, and explore what it means to grow together. Through two gatherings, one leading into the holiday and another following it, participants embraced the timeless lessons of Shavuot.

Preparing hearts for Shavuot

Before the holiday, NextGen members gathered for a Neighborhood Porch Pop-Up, welcomed by congregants of B’nai Israel who transformed their homes into sanctuaries of learning and connection.

The evening began at the home of Dr. Gedaliah Schwartz and his family, where Rabbi Pinchas Zimmer guided the participants in a fascinating analysis of the structural layout of the Two Tablets to uncover their modern spiritual blueprint.

At the second stop, hosted by Eitan and Anna Bloom, Rabbi Aryeh Kravetz led a discussion on cultivating resilience through faith, encouraging participants to reflect on personal growth and navigating life’s inevitable challenges.

shaping Jewish history.

Continuing the conversation

Following Shavuot, NextGen reunited at Temple Israel for The Third Hour, a traditional third Shabbat meal, complete with Jewish learning led by Rabbi Michael Panitz. Building on the themes explored before the holiday, the gathering focused on bringing Shavuot's lessons of spiritual growth and renewal into everyday life.

The evening concluded at the home of Rabbi Shlomo and Liba Eisenberg with an exploration of the Book of Ruth. Liba Eisenberg highlighted Ruth’s extraordinary faith and unwavering loyalty, reminding participants that her courageous choice to join the Jewish people ultimately led to the lineage of King David, forever

The discussion returned to the Book of Ruth, reflecting on how Ruth—a Moabite woman who chose Judaism with complete devotion—became the great-grandmother of King David. Participants also explored the Torah’s repeated commandment to love and care for converts, recognizing that when the Israelites accepted the Torah at Mount Sinai, they too became, in many ways, “Jews by choice.” The conversation offered an opportunity for attendees to connect with several members of Rabbi Panitz’s conversion program before the evening concluded with a beautiful Havdalah service.

Together, these gatherings demonstrated that Shavuot is not simply a holiday to observe, but an invitation to continue learning, building community, and finding new meaning in Jewish tradition throughout the year.

To learn more about NextGen events, register for an event, and how to get more involved, visit JewishVA.org/NextGen or

Rabbi Michael Panitz leads the NextGen community in a Havdalah service to close out the Third Hour.

Rabbi Pinchas Zimmer guides a Shavuot study on the Ten Commandments, connecting ancient laws to contemporary relationships.

IT’S A WRAP

Camp JCC kicks off a summer of friendship, fun, and new adventures

Kate-Lynn Cipolla

The first week of Camp JCC set the tone for another unforgettable summer, as campers reunited with old friends, welcomed new ones, and embraced traditions that make camp feel like home. Centered around the Jewish value of chaverut (friendship), the week’s activities encouraged campers to build new connections through shared experiences. From mornings at Boker Tov filled with plenty of ruach (spirit), a counselor kickball game where campers cheered them on, learning popular Israeli youth group dances, and Bunk Buddies—a new activity where older campers pair up with younger campers to introduce themselves, discover what they have in common, and create posters together—the week was filled with opportunities to make new friends and get even closer to old ones.

Teen campers also put Jewish values into action during the first week through a mitzvah project with

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Mutts with a Mission. They helped plant garden beds before having the chance to meet puppies training to become future service dogs, learning how acts of service can make a lasting impact on both people and animals.

Camp JCC staff has fun, too.

“I enjoy going to the pool and getting to see everyone, past campers of mine and current. It’s always a good time!” says Riley Salway, a Camp JCC unit head.

Counselor Jordan Cubitt, who has transitioned from camper, to CIT, to counselor and works at Camp JCC year-round, says he is excited to share his interests and introduce campers to new technology, “I’m looking forward to showing the teens how to 3D print!”

Blake Sisler, youth and family program coordinator at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, is spending her first summer as Camp JCC’s Teen unit head. “I’ve enjoyed seeing the joy on everyone’s faces at Boker Tov. They are all so happy to see their friends!”

Camp traditions continue to be among everyone's favorite moments. “Seeing the kids dance at Shabbat is one of my favorite parts!” says Chris Fenley, Art & Fishing Specialist who is spending his 30th summer at Camp JCC this year.

The week concluded with Camp JCC’s first Shabbat of the summer at the Marty Einhorn Pavilion. Campers gathered for Shabbat blessings and challah and celebrated a successful week of camp with a lively dance party led by the ShinShinim.

As summer continues, campers and staff look forward to more adventures, new friendships, and the lasting memories that make Camp JCC a place where children can’t wait to return year after year.

Interested in signing up for Camp JCC? A few weeks still have some open spots. Visit CampJCC.org or contact Christine Carnahan, camp manager, at 757-452-3182.

Helping educators build classrooms where every student belongs

Tuesday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 22

Elka Mednick

As educators prepare for the coming school year, one goal remains essential: creating classrooms where every student feels safe, respected, and able to learn. The 2026 Tidewater Inclusive Educators’ Conference offers a powerful way to start that work.

Hosted by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Holocaust Commission of

the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, the two-day conference will equip educators with practical tools to meet today’s challenges head-on.

Bullying, bias, and antisemitism are realities students are encountering with great frequency. When educators are prepared to address these situations with clarity and confidence, those difficult moments can become opportunities for growth and understanding, while

strengthening the school community. This conference is designed for teachers, administrators, counselors, and youth-serving professionals. Participants will gain strategies to navigate challenging conversations, foster inclusion across differences, and create a supportive environment for all students. On the second day, attendees will have a guided tour of Richmond’s Virginia Holocaust Museum, using history to strengthen context, empathy,

and meaningful classroom dialogue.

The registration fee of $40 includes meals, materials, transportation, and continuing education hours. Scholarships are available.

The conference is made possible by a grant from Tidewater Jewish Foundation.

For more information or to register: InclusiveVA.org/tiec2026 or contact Elka Mednick at emednick@ujft.org.

Tara Kalantar and Finley Bruno make foam fingers along with the Summer Kick Off theme.

Ari Aviv, Wes Cohen, Jeremiah Feliciano, and Carter Lipton play basketball in the pool.

Adelae McGuinness and Noga Yaniv repping their sports gear for Jersey Day.

Henry Trem, Hannah Schmitz, Aiden Coneys, Blue Lubaton, Nathaniel Laufer, Mila Laderberg, Lucy Putko, and Diana Schoenheim.

CALENDAR

JULY 15, WEDNESDAY

Senior Club. Active adults 50 years and older come together on the third Wednesday of each month for lunch and an activity. 12-2 pm. This month will include a performance of Fond Memories by singers Chuck Mulkey, John Rooney, and Frank Cubillo of Frank Sings Frank. Lunch can be purchased at the JCC Front Desk or the JCC Membership Portal for $6. Sandler Family Campus. Registration required: JewishVA.org/Senior.

JULY 16, THURSDAY

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.

JULY 16, 23, 30, THURSDAY

Baby & Me. A relaxed hour of coffee, treats, and playful activities for babies up to 24 months and their caregivers. Connect with other caregivers while little ones explore and play with friends. Free, no membership required. 9-10 am. Simon Family JCC. Registration required: JewishVA.org/BAM or Blake Sisler at BSisler@ujft.org.

JULY 20, MONDAY

Book Club. The book of the month is In the Shadow of the Greenbrier by Emily Matchar. The group meets every third Monday of the month at 1:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: Jewishva.org/Adults or contact Sarah Cooper at SCooper@ujft.org.

JULY 21 & 22, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY

2026 Tidewater Inclusive Educators’ Conference. This two-day program offers practical tools to address bias, antisemitism, and student belonging, and includes a guided visit to the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Open to K–12 educators; registration includes meals, materials, transportation, and Continuing Education credit hours. Hosted by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council and Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula. For information, and to register: InclusiveVA.org/ tiec2026 or contact Elka Mednick at EMednick@ujft.org.

JULY 26, SUNDAY

Love & Light: A Tu B’Av Sunday Fun Day. Celebrate Tu B’Av, the Jewish holiday of love, at a special Sunday Fun Day presented in partnership by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen, PJ Library, and JFS. For young adults (ages 22–45) and families, the afternoon begins with hands-on mitzvah projects benefiting local children, first responders, military families, and shelters. Followed by open swim, lawn games, volleyball, Kona Ice, and connection. Bring canned food for the JFS food pantry. 12-4 pm. Registration is required at JewishVA.org/NextGen.

AUGUST 4, 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.

AUGUST 21, FRIDAY

End of Summer Shabbat. Celebrate the close of summer with PJ Library in Tidewater’s annual End of Summer Shabbat. Families, friends, and community members of all ages are invited to gather for an evening of connection, Shabbat blessings, a delicious dinner, and fun, marking the transition into a new season together. Sandler Family Campus. 5 pm. $14 per adult, $10 per child, with a maximum of $36 per household. Register at JewishVA.org/PJLibrary.

Dr. Gary MossDr. Greg PendellDr. Craig Koenig Lisa Deafenbaugh PA-C

Marguerite Lengkeek

OBITUARIES

Franz Gilbert Binder

NORFOLK – Gil Binder, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, life partner, uncle, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 95. Gil spent his early years on the Peninsula graduating from Newport News High School and later moved to Norfolk.

Gil lived a remarkable and deeply meaningful life marked by curiosity, adventure, service, and love. Strong yet gentle, brilliant yet humble, he touched countless lives through his warmth, generosity, and genuine care for others. He had a rare gift for leaving every person, every place, and every life experience better than he found it.

A true Renaissance man, Gil embraced life fully. He was a world traveler, avid sailor, master gardener, competitive Scrabble player, and lifelong student of the world around him. He found great joy in nature and remained connected to it throughout his life—tending his beautiful gardens and beloved fishpond until just

three weeks before his passing.

Gil was also a cancer survivor whose resilience, determination, and appreciation for life reflected the strength of his character. He faced challenges with courage and continued to live with optimism, purpose, and gratitude.

Gil graduated from Virginia Tech and later earned a master’s degree in Horticulture from Cornell University. Although his education began in the natural sciences, life took an unexpected turn after he met and married the love of his early life, Roberta Binder. Together they built a family and shared many years before her passing 22 years ago. Her memory remained an enduring part of his life.

Professionally, Gil built a successful career in insurance and estate planning, helping individuals and families prepare thoughtfully for the future. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he dedicated himself to serving others through volunteer work with Jewish Family Service, where he played an instrumental role in establishing

the Personal Affairs Management Program (PAM). The program became recognized as a Model Program by the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging and continues to support individuals and families today. Gil did not simply participate in his community—he helped shape it.

Gil was one of life’s fortunate souls who experienced true love twice.

In his later years, he found deep companionship and joy with his beloved life partner, Sylvia Kaplan. Together they built a beautiful, blended family filled with laughter, love, and shared adventures. They were so connected that they were fondly referred to as ‘Gilva’ (Gil+Sylvia).

Gil is survived by Sylvia Kaplan and her daughters, Lisa Stern and Bonnie Sterling, along with their spouses, children, and grandchildren.

He is also survived by his daughters, Dr. Lisa Barr and her life partner Kelly Hayes of Virginia Beach, and Dr. Shelley Binder and her husband Mark Knebusch of Knoxville, Tenn.; his granddaughter Becca Barr of Virginia Beach; and his grandson Josh Barr and his wife Felice Herman of Fairfax, Va. and his step granddaughters Tamsin and Sara Keh.

His Coast Guard adventures, sailing stories, travels, gardens, and legendary Scrabble matches will continue to live on through family gatherings and cherished memories for generations to come.

Gil’s greatest accomplishment was not found in titles or achievements, but in the love he gave, the lives he enriched, and the example he set.

His memory will remain indelibly etched in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him.

Donations in Gil’s memory may be made to Jewish Family Service of Tidewater or the Norfolk Botanical Garden. There will not be a formal funeral. A Celebration of Life will be planned in the future.

Fair winds and following seas, Gil. You were deeply loved and will be deeply missed.

Judith Pearl Goodman

VIRGINIA BEACH – Judith Pearl Goodman passed away on June 6, 2026, at the age of 84. She was a resident of Virginia Beach.

Mrs. Goodman was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Goodman and

Hilda Deluty Goodman, and her brother, George Goodman.

She served as a teacher and librarian for the Virginia Beach Public Schools for many years. She studied and taught visual literacy and was an advocate for multimedia before the rest of us had even heard of it. Nobody ever beat her in a game of Scrabble.

Survivors include her loving husband of 34 years, Carmine Anthony Nobile; her son, Jim Bander (Kassy); and her daughter, Holly Marx (Jim); grandchildren Tyler Marx (Kate), Kylie Marx, and Lauren Bander Schwenn (Kyle); as well as her brothers, Milton Goodman and Howard Goodman, and sister, Susan Jones.

Services were private. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. Friends and family may offer condolences at smithandwilliamskempsville.com.

Randi Ann Perrone-Kerfoot

VIRGINIA BEACH – Randi Ann PerroneKerfoot, 64, of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Born on October 26, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York, to Theodore and Shirley (Katz) Perrone, Randi carried the spirit of her beginnings throughout her life, meeting the world with adventure, compassion, and an open heart.

After moving to Virginia Beach, Randi worked in her father’s many Italian restaurants, where she developed her remarkable talent and love for cooking. Following her graduation from Kellam High School, she attended James Madison University and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Always embracing new adventures, Randi began a career as a flight attendant with People’s Express Airlines in the late 1980s. Her passion for travel and connecting with others led her to continue flying all over the world with Continental Airlines and later United Airlines, where she worked until her retirement in the late 2000s. She loved exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and sharing stories from her travels with family and friends. Her years in the airline industry perfectly reflected her adventurous spirit and her love of meeting people from all walks of life.

Randi lived a life marked by deep

OBITUARIES

love for her family and a genuine interest in people. One of her greatest gifts was her ability to make others feel welcomed, valued, and appreciated.

She is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Gary Kerfoot, whose partnership and devotion stand as a testament to enduring love and commitment. She also leaves behind her four daughters, Morgan (Brody) Giger, Tyler Kerfoot, Madison Kerfoot (Ryan Kroft), and Raegan Kerfoot (Zach Kurtz), who were the pride and joy of her life. Above all else, Randi was devoted to her family.

In addition to her children, Randi was a cherished grandmother of five: Hudson (12), Sawyer (11), Addison (8), Stetson (7), and Teddi (6), with a sixth grandchild expected in just a few months. She treasured each of them deeply. The love she shared with her grandchildren will remain a lasting part of their lives and live on through the memories they will forever hold dear.

Randi also shared a loving relationship with Karson Benton (12), and other close relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Shirley (Katz) Perrone, and is survived by her brother, Michael Perrone, and nephew, Joseph Spencer.

Per her request, cremation took place and no services or memorial gathering will be held.

Molly A. Parro

VIRGINIA BEACH – Molly A. Parro died peacefully in her sleep on June 20, 2026, in Virginia Beach.

She was born in Detroit Michigan and was the daughter of the late Louis Ackman and Dorothy Lese. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Gary A. Parro; step-children, Dale Parro, Katrina Pentz, and Jennifer Parro; and her two daughters, Larissa Keiper and Daria Allen. She is also survived by her last sibling, Mitzi and her husband Michael Ashe, four grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren, as well as extended family members including nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.

She was preceded in death by her brother Nathaniel Ackman, her sister-in-law Vivian Ackman, older sister Sylvia Cohen, and her brother in law David Cohen.

Molly and Gary were married on

December 30, 1989. She was a graduate of Maury High School and worked as a legal secretary. She loved to dance, play bingo plus cards, and spend time with her family and loved ones.

A graveside service was conducted by Rabbi Isreal Zoberman at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Her love remains a guiding presence for all who knew her. She will be forever loved and deeply missed.

Lee K. Singer

VIRGINIA BEACH – Lee Kallmeyer Singer, born April 2, 1934, in N.Y., N.Y., of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2026, 15 days after his 92nd birthday. He was predeceased by his parents Stanley Singer and Marion Kallmeyer Singer, his sister Regina Joy Singer, his grandson Austin Michael Cook, and his wife of 41 years Lois Margaret Singer. He is survived by his children Allan Singer and Mindy Singer Cook, his grandchildren Maelisa Singer, Gillian Singer, Aoife Singer, Zachary Cook, Lindsay Cook and his great grandchild Vann Cook. Lee grew up in Queens, N.Y. and graduated from Brooklyn Tech High School. He served two years in the Army playing baseball and participating in the Atmospheric Nuclear Weapons Tests. He graduated from NYU with a master’s in business administration and became a successful corporate Personnel/Human Resources executive for General Electric, Xerox, and Mobil Oil. During his time with Mobil, he was selected to the Presidential Executive Exchange for 1 or 2 years and attended the inaugural Ball with he and Lois dancing with President Nixon, his wife, and daughter. He retired from Mobil Oil in the late 1980’s and moved to Norfolk with Lois. Lois passed suddenly on May 15, 1999.

A graveside service took place at Forrest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk.

Janice Zivitz

ATLANTA – Today we remember and celebrate the life of Janice Kaplan Zivitz, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose kindness touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Janice was the kind of person who made people feel welcome, cared for, and loved.

• Family owned and operated since 1917

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Approved by all area Rabbis and Chevrah Kadisha

She truly didn’t have a mean bone in her body. Her warmth, compassion, and gentle spirit were evident in every conversation, every act of kindness, and every relationship she built throughout her life.

She leaves behind a family who loved her deeply and will carry her memory forward every day, including her children Sharon Kuttner, Gary Zivitz and his wife Sherrie, and Mark Zivitz; her cherished grandchildren Jonathan Kuttner, Sam Kuttner, and Zachary Zivitz; her son-in-law Jacob Kuttner; her significant other David Hirsch; her beloved sisters Nancy Kanter and Betty Delman; along with lifelong

friends who became family over the years. Janice’s legacy is found not only in the family she raised and loved so deeply, but in the countless lives she touched with her generosity, empathy, and unwavering kindness. She had a remarkable ability to bring comfort, laughter, and light to those around her.

Though she will be profoundly missed, the love she gave so freely will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Her memory will remain a blessing to her family and friends forever.

A funeral service took place at Arlington Memorial Park.

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

Alan Greenspan, longtime Fed chairman who inspired Jewish pride and antisemitic conspiracy

Ron Kampeas (JTA) — WASHINGTON – Alan Greenspan, the free markets champion whose longevity shaping the American economy was grist for the mills of Jewish pride and antisemitic conspiracy mongering alike, has died at 100.

Greenspan, who led the Federal Reserve under presidents of both parties for 18 years, died Monday, June 22. He was married to veteran NBC correspondent Andrea Mitchell.

“Alan passed away at our home this morning at the age of 100 from complications of Parkinson’s disease,” Mitchell said in a statement she shared with her employer. “He was a giant of a man who helped shape the U.S. economy for decades under presidents of both parties, but was always honest in acknowledging his mistakes.”

The “mistakes” he acknowledged included first and foremost the housing bust in 2008, two years after he retired as Fed chairman.

“Yes, I’ve found a flaw,” he confessed in congressional testimony that year when Rep. Henry Waxman, the Jewish California Democrat, asked Greenspan if he regretted his laissez faire approach to keeping interest rates low. “I don’t know how significant or permanent it is. But I’ve been very distressed by that fact.”

Greenspan’s Jewish profile was low key: He was a member of two predominantly Jewish clubs, Harmonie in New York and Hillcrest in Los Angeles. He rarely if ever headlined Jewish events, but he campaigned in the Jewish community for his favored candidates, including for Ronald Reagan in 1980, when the Republican ousted Jimmy Carter from office.

He was among a coterie of Reagan advisers who assured Jewish leaders in a New York meeting that Reagan would be a better friend to Israel than Carter, who had clashed with the government of Prime Minister Menachem Begin.

Because of his prominence, Greenspan became an avatar of postwar Jewish success. When Sen. Joe Lieberman became in 2000 the Democratic vicepresidential candidate, commentators reflexively named Greenspan as one of the prominent Jews who had helped create an environment that paved the way for Lieberman’s ascent.

Greenspan’s successors as Fed chair, Ben Bernanke, and then Janet Yellen, were Jewish; by the time Yellen assumed the job in 2013, that fact seemed hardly worth mentioning.

That didn’t spare Greenspan from being fodder for antisemitic conspiracy theorists. Hutton Gibson, the extremist who shaped the views of his son, Hollywood

megastar Mel Gibson, placed Greenspan at the center of his fantasies of Jewish malign influence and once said Greenspan should be hanged.

By the time he assumed the Fed chairmanship in 1987, Greenspan was a prominent Republican deeply involved in economic politics. President Richard Nixon named him chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers in 1974; he assumed the position just after the scandal-plagued Nixon resigned and then worked throughout President Gerald Ford’s term.

Greenspan, a prominent analyst and consultant since his early 20s, had in 1967 joined Nixon’s presidential campaign as a top domestic affairs consultant.

He came to Republican politics by way of his infatuation with the works of Ayn Rand, the Russian-born Jewish philosopher whose extreme libertarianism wrapped up in didactic, potboiler novels like The Fountainhead shaped generations of post-World War II conservatism. He invited Rand to his swearing-in as chairman of the White House council.

rates steered the U.S. economy through its massive 1991-2001 boom, and helped the economy recover from the crisis precipitated by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. But his laissez-faire policies also were blamed for the 2000 dot-com bust and the 2008 mortgage crisis; his critics said he gave banks too much freedom, leading to abuses.

Born in 1926 in New York City, Greenspan was steered toward music school by his mother, a Jew of Hungarian descent. His father worked as a stockbroker and financial analyst. Greenspan attended the prestigious Julliard school and played saxophone in swing bands. On breaks between gigs, he was a voracious reader, and a book on markets led him to leave Julliard for New York University, where he studied economics.

He preserved his love for music throughout his life. Eric Alterman, the liberal Jewish commentator, recalled his conversation with the Fed chair after an introduction by Mitchell.

Still, for all his attachment to Rand’s philosophy of rationalist self-interest, which she dubbed “Objectivism,” Greenspan was known above all for his caution in addressing the government’s role in distributing resources and addressing inequality.

Reagan tasked him with reforming Social Security, and some of the recommendations of the commission Greenspan headed became law. At the time, he said he had to temper his ideals, which would have scrapped the system, in order to reform a system which kept millions of retired Americans solvent.

“Do I like the present Social Security system? No,” he told The New York Times in 1983. “If you asked me whether it would be necessary in the ideal society, I’d say no. Our type of economy is far removed from where I would like to see it, but you have to be careful about moving from one type of society to another.”

A throwaway line in a 1996 televised speech referring to the “irrational exuberance” of investors caused markets to plunge and reinforced for Greenspan the importance of caution in whatever he said.

His caution and his maintenance of low interest

“I have you on CD with Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd,” Alterman, a pop music enthusiast, recalled saying. “How did you like my playing?” Greenspan said. “Better than your monetary policy,” Alterman said, and Mitchell ended the conversation.

Greenspan’s only survivor is Mitchell, whom he married in 1997 in a ceremony officiated by Jewish Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The Genesis Prize, the organization that awards people for commitment to Jewish values, in a social media post on June 22, said Greenspan’s virtues exemplified Jewish values.

“One of Greenspan’s guiding principles was a Jewish value of l’dor v’dor — from generation to generation: decisions made today should not mortgage our children’s future,” the organization said. “Another was cheshbon hanefesh, or moral self-accounting and self-critique. After the 2008 financial crisis, Greenspan — a vocal proponent of free market policies — publicly acknowledged where his assumptions had fallen short, demonstrating a willingness to reconsider prior convictions in light of evidence.”

Alan Greenspan.

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Welcome to the table with NextGen

Hannah Yasemsky

Thanks to gracious community members, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community has been on a roll with Pop-Up Shabbat dinners.

The hosts who have opened their doors, hearts, and kitchens have done more than just cook a meal. They welcomed Shabbat with open arms, creating a sanctuary for the NextGen community and fostering meaningful connections around the table.

The spark behind the magic

Design a JCC Youth Basketball team jersey

Teresa Knecht

For more than 60 years, the Simon Family Jewish Community Center has offered a dynamic youth basketball league that engages young athletes and their families. In recent years, one of the league’s most anticipated traditions has been the annual unveiling of team jerseys, each featuring creative themes, names, logos, and designs that bring added excitement to the season.

For the upcoming 2026–27 season, the JCC is expanding that tradition by inviting children in grades K–5 to take part in the creative process – encouraging them to design original team names and logos for the league.

A panel will review the entries and select a group of finalists. Those designs will be presented for a public online vote beginning September 1. Winning designs will be announced in October and become the official team names and logos for the season. At least eight winners will be selected, giving multiple young designers the opportunity to see their work featured on the court.

Participants are asked to create original designs that include a team name, clear and readable text, a cohesive color scheme, and a logo that visually represents the team.

This initiative thrives because of the vision and generosity of Jess and Jake Glasser, whose impact on Jewish life is felt every single week. Through their dedicated support, NextGen members are doing far more than just attending dinners. These casual, warm gatherings naturally break down barriers, turning strangers into lifelong friends while weaving a tighter, more supportive local Jewish network. Ultimately, every meal becomes an opportunity to celebrate shared heritage, honor traditions, and experience the pure happiness of being Jewish together.

An invitation to host

NextGen is looking for new hosts, ages 22–45, to be a part of this rewarding experience.

Hosts do not need to be professional chefs or have massive dining rooms. All that is needed is a willingness to welcome others. Whether hosting an intimate gathering or a larger backyard potluck, each host’s hospitality helps shape the future of this vibrant community.

To learn more about this initiative, financial reimbursement options, or how to host, visit JewishVA.org/NextGen or contact Hannah Yasemsky at Hyasemsky@ujft.org.

Submissions are open through August 14, 2026.

Submit designs at JewishVA.org/Contest. Contact Tom Edwards, Simon Family JCC athletics director, at TEdwards@SimonFamilyJCC.org or 757-321-2308 for more information.

Free Mazel Tov listings!

Tell Jewish Tidewater about your simchas and have a photo published in Jewish News to remember for years to come. Up to 100 words and photo at no charge.

Send your listing and photo to HBartel@ujft.org with Mazel Tov in the subject line.

If you do not get a response or have a question, call 757-965-6100.

Danny and Shikma Rubin and guests.

Josh and Bo Lepchitz and guests.

John and Erma Dupon and guests.

Rachel and Aviv Faraj and guests.

Save Sight!