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I hope we keep choosing to be the kind of people who hold the door open. Who check in. Who take the time to listen and who notice when a friend needs more than that. Who remember where we come from, and why it matters.”
— Olivia Reid Co-Valedictorian Class of 2025
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Betty Ann Levin
Tidewater’s Jewish community often gathers for commemorations and celebrations.
In fact, over the past several months, from Yom Hashoah to Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and for so many more occasions as well, we have gathered in area synagogues and on the Sandler Family Campus. Community members have shared with me how inspiring and motivating it is to see people of all ages unite (which is particularly apparent throughout the pages of this issue of Jewish News!).
Let’s come together again – this time for the Federation’s Biennial Meeting on Wednesday evening, June 11, in the Marty Einhorn Pavilion on our community campus. It’s an opportunity to reflect on both our successes and challenges of the last two years and to look forward with anticipation to new goals, new programs, and hope for a peaceful world.
Personally, I am grateful for our community’s leadership who have brought us to this point, especially for the UJFT presidents I have had the opportunity to work with over the last seven years. Now, I look forward to working with Mona Flax, UJFT’s next president, who will be installed at the Biennial Meeting.
I am also grateful for the lay and professional leadership of all our partner agencies and synagogues. At the meeting, we will have the opportunity to recognize lay leaders who have gone above and beyond over the last two years at these organizations and institutions, as nominated by his/her respective leadership, through the Joseph (Buddy) Strelitz Community Service awards.
We will also have the opportunity to recognize Linda Spindel with the first Tzedek Award. Few people demonstrate this Jewish value of justice, of giving to those in need, as Linda has and does. Through her leadership of and volunteerism at so many area organizations, Linda is a most deserving recipient. Let’s celebrate her together.
There are more leaders to recognize at the Biennial, and I look forward to seeing you.
Together, we are strengthening and perpetuating Jewish life in Tidewater, working every day to fulfill the mission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
Thank you for the role you play in building community.
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It is especially wonderful to see so many of our local,
Italy’s right-wing government, Israel’s former prime minister join call for Israel to end war in Gaza
Italy’s right-wing government has joined with Germany, France, Canada, and the United Kingdom in calling on Israel to end its military campaign in Gaza.
“The legitimate reaction of the Israeli government to a terrible and senseless act of terrorism is unfortunately taking absolutely dramatic and unacceptable forms, which we call on Israel to stop immediately,” Antonio Tajani, the Italian foreign minister, said in an address to parliament on Tuesday, May 27.
“The bombing must end, humanitarian assistance must resume as soon as possible, respect for international humanitarian law must be restored,” he added. Later, alluding to calls by U.S. President Donald Trump and some Israelis to see Palestinians leave Gaza en masse, he said, “The expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza is not and will never be an acceptable option.”
Tajani’s comments are notable because Italy’s government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is staunchly right-wing. Right-wing leaders have been the most durable supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but that has shifted, as both U.S. President Donald Trump and Germany’s new center-right chancellor, Friedrich Merz, have called for an end to the war.
Meloni’s government is under pressure to take a stronger stance against the war, with opposition parties backing a major demonstration calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state planned for Rome this month. Tajani’s comments came during a heated parliamentary debate in which the opposition leader said Israel is guilty of genocide in Gaza.
Tajani’s comments come amid a groundswell of criticism of the war, including from closer to home. Ehud Olmert, the former Israeli prime minister who preceded Netanyahu’s second election in 2009, wrote in Haaretz on May 27 that he believed the war was now “a private political war” for Netanyahu that in recent weeks had become indefensible for him.
“Yes, Israel is committing war crimes,” Olmert wrote, intensifying criticism he had made just days earlier when he said he believed Israel’s war conduct was verging on criminal.
Olmert’s comments came the same day that Israel rolled out a new aid distribution system in Gaza after months of not allowing any humanitarian aid into the enclave where 2 million Palestinians live. The system, which briefly paused after being overrun by crowds of food-seekers, has drawn criticism from aid agencies and others for requiring Gazans to travel long distances to receive assistance. (JTA)
Official who posted antisemitic rhetoric becomes Pentagon press secretary
Kingsley Wilson, a Department of Defense official who has repeatedly echoed antisemitic rhetoric online, will
serve as the Pentagon’s new press secretary, according to an announcement Friday, May 23.
Kingsley’s leadership has been integral to the DoD’s success & we look forward to her continued service to spokesman and a senior advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a post on X.
Wilson reposted the announcement to her X account, writing that she was, “Honored to serve President Trump and our warfighters .”
Wilson was appointed in January as deputy press secretary at the Pentagon and faced backlash from the Anti-Defamation League as well as several senators for a history of promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories. Last year, Wilson tweeted a neo-Nazi talking point about Jewish lynching victim Leo Frank, whose murder spurred the ADL’s creation.
The American Jewish Committee called for her removal in a post on X in March.
“Anyone who posts antisemitic conspiracy theories lifted right out of the neo-Nazi playbook should not be in public office,” the post read. “Kingsley Wilson, newly appointed @ DepPressSecDOD, is clearly unfit for her role.”
She has also tweeted several times in support of the “Great Replacement” theory, whose original version contends that Jews are orchestrating the replacement of majority-white nations with immigrants of color.
The Jewish Democratic Council of America also condemned the appointment in a post on Bluesky, writing, “Antisemitism has no place in government. This administration is infested with antisemitism.” (JTA)
Pope Leo XIV calls for ceasefire in address: ‘The cries of parents rise to heaven’
Pope Leo XIV renewed his calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, decrying suffering there and evoking the image of parents in Gaza who “clutch the lifeless bodies of their children.”
“From the Gaza Strip,” Leo said to an audience at the Vatican Wednesday, May 28, “rising ever more insistently to the heavens, the cries of mothers and fathers who clutch the lifeless bodies of their children, and who are continually forced to move about in search of a little food and water and safer shelter from bombardments.”
He added, “I renew my appeal to the leaders: cease fire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law.”
Since his election, Leo has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the Israeli hostages held there by Hamas. The statements follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who called for an investigation into whether there is a genocide being committed in Gaza and took several actions in support of civilians there.
Leo’s statement is significant because it is one of the first signals of his approach to Catholic-Jewish relations as well as relations between the Holy See and Israel. In addition to the ceasefire calls, Leo has promised to pursue CatholicJewish dialogue and reaffirmed a key church document
rejecting antisemitism.
“I pledge to continue and strengthen the church’s dialogue and cooperation with the Jewish people in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council’s declaration Nostra Aetate,” he wrote to Rabbi Noam Marans, the American Jewish Committee’s director of interreligious and intergroup relations.
While some of Francis’ statements on Israel and Gaza, including the “genocide” remark, concerned Jewish leaders, Marans said that he was taking a wait-and-see approach with the new pope.
“I do not expect major policy changes from Pope Francis to Pope Leo including regarding the situation in Gaza,” said Marans, who recently met with Leo. “We are watching and waiting to see how he continues to approach Catholic-Jewish relations positively while feeling the need to comment on the challenges that the Gazan population is experiencing.
During the address, Leo also made an appeal for peace in Ukraine and repeated the statements on Gaza in a post on X.
Last month, Leo wrote another post on X calling for aid to enter Gaza, two days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a “basic quantity of food” to enter Gaza after blocking all entry of humanitarian assistance for two months.
“The situation in the Gaza Strip is increasingly worrying and painful,” that post read. “I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to bring an end to the hostilities, whose heart-rending price is borne by children, the elderly, and the sick.” (JTA)
Anew report from Indiana University’s Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism reveals how anti-Israel campus groups — including Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Faculty for Justice in Palestine (FJP) — have built sophisticated online networks to spread radicalized content, coordinate protests, and incite harassment of Jewish students.
The report found a strong correlation between campuses with multiple anti-Israel groups and spikes in antisemitic incidents, especially after October 7.
More than 76,000 social media posts were analyzed, showing heavy use of emotionally charged images, glorification of terrorism, and ties to extremist groups like the Palestinian Youth Movement and the PFLP, a U.S.designated terrorist organization.
A separate report by the antisemitism watchdog, the AMCHA Initiative, found that campuses with FJP chapters saw significantly higher rates of assaults and death threats against Jewish students and longer encampment protests. (ADL)
Attorney General Jason Miyares secured a court victory last month that will compel AJP Educational Foundation, also known as American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), to comply with the Attorney General’s Civil Investigative Demand (CID).
“When charitable organizations operating in Virginia fail to follow the law, my office has a duty to act, and we will not allow legal delay tactics to interfere with that responsibility,” says Attorney General Jason Miyares. “I will continue to ensure that charitable organizations operating in Virginia follow the law.”
In October 2023, the Virginia Office of the Attorney General issued the CID to AMP regarding its noncompliance with the state’s charitable solicitation law and an investigation into allegations that the organization may have used solicited funds for impermissible purposes, such as benefiting or providing support to terrorist organizations.
AMP refused to comply fully with the CID and instead filed a petition to modify or set aside the demand. The Richmond City Circuit Court denied that petition in July 2024.
Despite that loss, AMP attempted to further delay compliance by continuing to refuse to respond to the CID, forcing the Attorney General to bring an enforcement action in January 2025.
Rejecting AMP’s latest effort to delay accountability while it pursued an appeal, the Richmond City Circuit Court issued an opinion that AMP shall comply with the CID.
AMP is a public nonprofit with its headquarters located in Falls Church, Virginia.
Report an antisemitic incident at www.Federation.JewishVA.org/IncidentReporting
In an emergency, always call 9-1-1 first.
If online reporting is not practical, contact local law enforcement and/or the relevant suspicious activity reporting authority.
Also contact Mike Goldsmith, Tidewater’s SCN Regional Security Advisor, at MGoldsmith@ujft.org or 844-SCN-DESK.
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The statement was signed by groups representing the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform movements as well as other major organizations.
Ben Sales
After a gunman murdered two people outside a Jewish museum, a wide range of major Jewish groups has asked the federal government to sharply increase its funding for religious institutions’ security to $1 billion.
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The request is one of several made by the coalition in the wake of the attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday, May 21, when a shooter killed two employees of the Israeli embassy. In the wake of the shooting, Jewish security analysts are assessing what went wrong, and how such attacks can be prevented in the future.
One piece of that prevention, says the Jewish groups’ statement, is more government funding.
“The apparently targeted attack on individuals attending an event at a Jewish museum and hosted by a Jewish organization represents an elevation in the threat level to the Jewish community, broadly, at a time of already heightened threats and issues,” the statement says, adding that the threat “requires governmental action commensurate with the level of danger.”
The statement was signed by groups representing the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform movements, as well as organizations including the Jewish Federations of North America, the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the Zionist Organization of America, the National Council of Jewish Women, Hillel International, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The lead signatory was the American Jewish Committee, which hosted the event at the museum.
They call for an increase to $1 billion for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which funds security for religious institutions and has historically funded a broad range of synagogues, Jewish community centers and Jewish day schools. There are annual negotiations over the size of the NSGP allocation, which was less than $300 million in 2024, and which was frozen for a time this year amid the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal government.
Jewish New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, in 2023 proposed an increase to $1 billion.
The statement also calls for the government to “dedicate funding to meet the urgent need for additional security personnel at Jewish institutions,” as well as for increased police funding.
The targeted attack represents an elevation in the threat level to the Jewish community
The statement said the attack was “the direct consequence of rising antisemitic incitement in places such as college campuses, city council meetings, and social media that has normalized hate and emboldened those who wish to do harm.”
It called for more government emphasis on fighting hate crimes and monitoring domestic terrorism. It also called on the government to hold “social media, gaming, messaging, and other online platforms accountable for amplification of antisemitic hate, glorification of terrorism, extremism, disinformation, and incitement.”
In recent years, social media platforms including Facebook and X, which is owned by senior Trump administration official Elon Musk, have loosened their restrictions on hate speech.
‘He
Security professionals urge Jewish institutions to expand the security perimeter at their events.
Andrew Lapin
On Wednesday, May 21, three-armed security officers stood guard as the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington held its annual meeting in the nation’s capital. On the agenda: discussions about the various ways antisemitic rhetoric can lead to violence.
Hours later, JCRC CEO Ron Halber says, he found out about the deadly shooting of two Israeli embassy staff at the Capital Jewish Museum. It was a nightmare come to life.
“It’s just godawful. There’s no other way to describe it. It was a horrific, antisemitic, anti-Israel, violent attack,” Halber told Jewish Telegraphic Agency the next day. “For years I’ve said in Washington, we’re lucky we’ve never had anything” of this magnitude attacking the Jewish community. “That record came to an end last night.”
the shooting, regarding security.
“The risks have continued to rise as antisemitism has risen and as anti-Israel behavior in America has risen and our security teams have worked so hard to keep up with that. They obviously didn’t succeed tonight but we will not stop until we’ve ensured the security of our community,” says Fingerhut.
The timeline of the attack is relatively clear and, to security analysts, troubling. According to reports, the attacker shot his victims, the couple Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, on the street outside the museum as the event, organized by the American Jewish Committee, was winding down.
..his behavior was almost literally screaming that there’s an issue here...
In the attack’s aftermath, Jewish community professionals including Halber are refocusing, again, on how to protect their institutions from threats. The shooting has also raised urgent questions: What went wrong? And what needs to change?
“Why they failed tonight we obviously have to figure out,” Eric Fingerhut, CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, said in an interview with JTA hours after
He then walked inside the museum, where an eyewitness says organizers offered him water and he remained for around 10 minutes until police arrived and he confessed to the shooting. Both elements of the incident — that the attacker was able to reach his victims outside the event and then proceed inside for an extended period of time — indicate missteps, according to security professionals.
“What concerned me as a seasoned law enforcement official is in all the work and the efforts that we put into training civilians, his behavior was almost literally
Jonathan Jacobs, MD, DMD, FACS
and trauma victims. I am senior surgeon for a group which travels to Honduras every January.”
“We had a security breach in our payroll system. Payday found it with their software and notified us immediately. In fact, the CEO called me personally to help us understand the problem and walked us through resolving the issue. Payday Payroll services helped us immensely!”
screaming that there’s an issue here,” says Paul Goldenberg, the former head of the Secure Community Network, which coordinates security for Jewish institutions nationwide. Goldenberg says that in a widely circulated video of the suspect entering the building, he appeared nervous and disheveled, with jerky movements.
Goldenberg says in the future, rankand-file attendees need to be aware of those signs — and act on them by alerting someone.
“The second he walked in after the shooting there should have been a plan,” adds Goldenberg, who is now the chief policy adviser and head of global policing
at Rutgers University’s Miller Center on Policing. “If we know that he just shot individuals outside, whatever security was in place, he never should have made it inside that building.”
Neither the AJC nor the museum immediately responded to JTA queries about who was responsible for security on that night. But by the next afternoon, five of the leading Jewish groups that focus on security put out a series of security recommendations for future events.
The recommendations focus principally on expanding the security perimeter of events; withholding the details of events and vetting attendees;
and coordinating with law enforcement or hiring security guards.
The AJC had done at least some of that: The invitation said the location would be “shared upon registration.”
“The Jewish community is already among the most hardened targets in the country,” Oren Segal, who oversees the ADL’s Center on Extremism, says. “Bulletproof glass and metal detectors are the norm. And the question is, how broad does the perimeter need to be for the Jews to feel secure?”
Leading up to the event, the museum was broadly conscious of threats. The day before the shooting, it had announced a new security grant from the local D.C. government — one that Halber says the JCRC had helped arrange — in connection to a new exhibit on LGBTQ Jews.
The $30,000 grant was meant to help the museum cover the costs of security guards both at the front desk and roaming around the museum “to make sure that everybody is safe and that we are prepared
in the event of an emergency,” executive director Beatrice Gurwitz told local news at the time. She added that the grant “also helps our staff prepare.”
After the shooting, Gurwitz and the museum’s board said in a statement they were “heartbroken by the murders,” vowing to reopen in the coming days “with all necessary security in place.”
In addition to the museum grant, Halber has also helped arrange state and local Jewish security grants in Maryland and Virginia. He is now urging increased funding of security at Jewish institutions — funding that has already seen massive boosts in recent years following 9/11, the mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue and other antisemitic attacks — and pushing the federal government to free up “billions” in more security funding for such centers.
That money, he believes, should not go toward major capital improvements like state-of-the-art monitoring systems; instead, he believes Jewish institutions are most in need of funding everyday operating costs to
pay security guards and other basic needs.
Halber adds that he did not blame the AJC, whose senior staff he knows personally, for any lapses. He also acknowledged that it’s impossible to fully secure oneself from all threats, while noting that the fact the victims were shot outside the venue suggested one proper course of action could be to “extend the perimeter around our institutions.”
“Resources are finite,” Halber says. “I know they did everything possible. There’s no blame to AJC on this. But how far can you extend the perimeter? One block, two blocks?”
Other Jewish community leaders with security expertise tell JTA that, while physical security measures remain crucial, they should not be expected to stop every attack.
springed. I am grateful in our situation that he didn’t just walk into the synagogue and want to kill Jews. It gave us an opportunity to escape 11 hours later.”
Instead of focusing on physical security, some Jewish leaders say, there should be greater attention paid to what they believe is the real security threat: virulent anti-Israel sentiment, online and in protest networks, that has risen in the months since Oct. 7, 2023, and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
We have to know that these things are possible — not probable, but possible.
“We have to know that these things are possible — not probable, but possible,”
Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who escaped from a hostage-taker at his former synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, in 2022, says. CytronWalker has credited his own security training with saving his life and those of his congregants.
Now the rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Cytron-Walker says Jews should have the expectation that their communal leaders “are doing everything they can to make sure that people can not only feel a sense of safety, but to actually have real security protocols in place that enhance our safety.”
Yet, he says, “We also have to acknowledge and understand that in any situation, there’s no way to be 110% secure.”
Cytron-Walker also famously gave his attacker tea when he entered the synagogue — something the rabbi says he’d do again as an expression of the Jewish value of welcoming guests. Asked about the 10 minutes the D.C. attacker spent in the museum after killing two people, Cytron-Walker says he doesn’t “see a specific parallel” between the two scenarios.
“This individual, it appears, wanted to kill Jews,” he says. “The gunman in my situation wanted to get a convicted terrorist
“I can’t help but think that the persistent demonization of Israelis and Jews, along with the constant glorification of terrorist groups at various events and protests since Oct. 7, created an environment that made this tragedy more likely,” Segal says. “These rhetoric and narratives have consequences.”
The ADL conducts extensive threat monitoring, but Segal says they had not been aware of the shooter’s identity prior to the attack. “He was not top-10-to-watch for us,” he says. “We can’t bat a thousand.”
But, he says, the ADL has been tracking groups “this person is associated with,” including the ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. In a statement on X, the latter group says they had “no contact” with the shooter since 2017 and, “We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it.”
Goldenberg also acknowledges that “I don’t think anyone in this business has ever seen a hotter environment than what we see right now.” And in that environment, he says, everyone, even regular attendees at an event, needs to stay on alert.
“Every single individual has a place when it comes to their own personal security and the security of people around them,” he says. “I’m not saying these people should be cops or behave like cops or counterterrorism specialists.”
But he adds, “What people cannot do in this environment is hesitate for a second if they see anything that is suspicious.”
With additional reporting by Ben Sales.
Claire Sufrin
The death of any young person at the hands of a terrorist is horrific. The death of a young couple on the verge of getting engaged to be married reverberates further.
The Mishnah tells us that to destroy any life is to destroy a world, but to destroy the lives of two people about to start weaving their individual lives into a shared existence. . .well, a world is not a large enough metaphor to capture what has been lost. Getting married, even just planning to get married, is one of the most hopeful things a person can do, second only to choosing to raise children.
When I heard about the murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky outside the Capital Jewish Museum, I thought about Matt Eisenfeld and Sara Duker, also a young couple, also friends of my friends, who were killed together in a Jerusalem bus bombing in 1996. I also thought about Marla Bennett, the young woman murdered alongside eight others in the 2002 Hebrew University bombing.
Like Sarah and Yaron, Marla was on the verge of becoming engaged — to Michael Simon, who is now my husband.
For the four years between 2002 and when we began dating, and into the early years of our relationship, her death was the single most defining event of Michael’s life. His pain was immeasurable. And I suffered for those first few years with the pain of knowing our love was built on a foundation of loss. I struggled with
feeling that I’d always be a second choice, a consolation prize, and always imperfect alongside the burnished image of a woman who would never grow old, and, no matter what her faults were in life, would never fall short as a wife or mother.
Now, I find myself wondering whether Michael feels that Yaron got off easy, by dying alongside Sarah, and not having to live the rest of his life in the shadow of her death. I will probably ask Michael, to be honest, as, after all this time, we can talk about Marla’s death without dissolving into puddles of pain, sadness, and anger. I know already that the answer will be no. Living, even in grief and with tremendous pain, is always better.
Our sons, who are 10 and 14, know about Marla. Years ago, we spent a day at the San Diego Zoo with Marla’s parents, who treated them not quite like grandchildren but still like very special people. They are friendly with a girl named for Marla, the daughter of her college roommate. I assume that as our sons grow older, they will understand better the horror of that bombing and others for Israel, for the Jewish people, for Michael, for me, and thus for them. For now, though, she belongs to our family’s prehistory, and their childish naiveté and self-centeredness lead them to think that those years don’t matter very much.
Sometimes I wonder: how did Michael and I do it? How did the pain
(Continued on page 10)
We
Please
and confusion contract enough that there was space for a new love to grow from fragile to strong, for a good marriage, a true partnership, two sweet children, and lives devoted to serving others? How is it that we argue now about how to load the dishwasher and not about whether we could ever possibly have a future together, whether Michael could have a future with any woman?
I remember the moment I decided I’d give Michael a chance, staring in the bathroom mirror, a little tipsy, at the Jerusalem restaurant where we had our first date in July 2006. It wasn’t particularly rational, and it was more than a little bit risky to take a chance on this broken man. It got a lot harder before it got easier, but eventually it became impossible to imagine my life without him or his without me. With time, I came to see that we were never building on loss, we were building beside it, its relative size diminishing as our relationship grew.
Now, as Sarah and Yaron’s families bury them and as our devastated community
looks for a path forward, I believe my family’s experience can help chip away at the question of where to go from here. I want to say that the answer is hope, that there is always hope, that hope is what brings us forward from pain into possibility, and yes, on some level, that is enough of an answer.
But the thing I’ve discovered about hope that I most want to share right now is that it isn’t always something you can sense or something you can recognize or be certain you have. It doesn’t always look like a diamond ring squirreled away in anticipation of an elaborate proposal, a beautiful wedding, and a delightfully shared future. Sometimes hope looks and feels like plain old foolishness, and the friends who
hear about it respond skeptically with worry and warnings.
My story — my family’s story — is a very small piece of a much larger whole,
the whole of the Jewish people, and the whole of all humanity, not just existing but persevering. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to anyone as something to replicate, were such a thing possible.
And yet, at a time like this, I am standing up to say: let’s not give up, not now or not ever. We must still believe, always believe, that there is potential for something better, even in the wake of the most difficult, most painful loss and even in the hardest moments when all we want is to crawl into a tiny hole and pretend that none of this exists, not evil, not despair, not any of it. We must continue taking chances, risking our hearts and our lives, and we must nurture whatever little glimmer of potential growth we may spot, not because we know what will be — we can’t — but because we need, in a way we can’t explain, to see how it might flower.
Soon we will mark 20 months since Oct. 7, 2023. It has been a grueling, unbearable time. Marla’s murderer was released from prison in exchange for Israeli hostages in January, as were the masterminds behind the bombing that killed Matt and Sara and dozens of others. The DC murders shattered whatever sense of safety we American Jews still had. It is tempting now more than ever to allow our grief to define us.
But if I know anything at all, it is this: pain and despair retreat into tzimtzum, into the sort of withdrawal that makes space for creativity, love, and growth, only when we plant our feet, stick our elbows out, and, like fools, insist that it do so. Without that, we won’t be able to see, let alone pursue, whatever tiny possibility of peace there might still be.
Claire E. Sufrin is editor of Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, published by the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, and co-editor of The New Jewish Canon: Ideas and Debates, 1980-2015. She lives in Evanston, Illinois, with her husband and children.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the
or its
Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 48 Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Religious Bigotry in Virginia Public Schools and Institutions of Higher Education to further expand his efforts to combat antisemitism at Virginia public schools and institutions of higher education. The order was issued on Tuesday, May 20 and announced at a Jewish American Heritage Month celebration at the Executive Mansion on Monday, May 19.
Surveys conducted since the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, uniformly find that incidents of antisemitism have increased, especially in classrooms and on campuses.
“No one should be unsafe in the classroom or on campus or feel targeted because of their religion or heritage. This Executive Order reaffirms and strengthens the Commonwealth’s commitment to safe educational environments free from discrimination and continues our actions against antisemitism and anti-religious bigotry in public schools and institutions of higher education,” said Governor Youngkin. “On Day One, I signed Executive Order 8 establishing the Commission to Combat Antisemitism. We have made tremendous strides implementing their recommendations, but our work is far from done.”
The Order directs the Secretary of Education, the Virginia Department of Education, and the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia to develop resources that will help local school divisions as well as colleges and universities prevent, track, report, and follow up on incidents of antisemitism and anti-religious bigotry.
Governor Youngkin and his team have taken several steps to combat antisemitism in Virginia:
• Day One Commission Established: Issued Executive Order Eight, establishing the Commission to Combat Antisemitism, chaired by former Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen. The Commission made several administrative and
legislative recommendations that have been championed by the Youngkin Administration in partnership with Jewish leaders across Virginia.
• IHRA Definition Adopted: Signed HB1606 into law, patroned by Delegate Anne-Farrell Tata and championed by then-Senator Siobhan Dunnavant, adopting the Working Definition of Antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) on May 26, 2016, including the contemporary examples of antisemitism, as the standard for training, education, recognition, and combat against antisemitic hate crimes or discrimination and for tracking and reporting antisemitic incidents in the Commonwealth.
• Hate Crimes Law Strengthened: Signed SB7 and HB18, patroned by Senator Bryce Reeves and Delegate Dan Helmer, into law, which adds ethnic origin to Virginia’s existing hate crime law, which already covered religion. This change better aligned state law with the IHRA working definition.
• Increased Security Funding and Training Post October 7th – Issued Executive Directive Six, to combat the rise in antisemitism and anti-religious bigotry. This directive enhanced security coordination for houses of worship and educational institutions, expedited $2.7 million in protective grants, and called for targeted campus safety plans and awareness initiatives to safeguard Jewish, Muslim, and other religious communities across the Commonwealth.
• Judaism, Jewish History, Holocaust Awareness Incorporated into History SOLs: Championed incorporation of antisemitism awareness, Holocaust awareness, and Jewish history into the 2023 K-12 History and Social Science Standards of Learning adopted by the Virginia Board of Education. The Virginia Department of Education
recently published relevant high-quality instructional guides that align with the 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning, integrating Jewish experiences in the United States pre- and post-American Revolution, pre- and post-World War II and the Holocaust, and in modern times. The Department, in partnership with the Board of Education, will continue to publish instructional materials with the History and Social Science instructional guides, thoroughly review, and adopt textbooks aligned to the 2023 Standards of Learning and will include instructional materials on the Department’s GoOpenVA Hub that are
accurate and complete in their coverage of Judaism, Jewish heritage and history, and Israel.
• Antisemitism Awareness Training for Law Enforcement: Beginning in September 2024, the Youngkin Administration partnered with CAM and the George Washington University Program on Extremism to host trainings on Global Extremism, Domestic Extremism, Campus Extremism and Antisemitism for Virginia law enforcement. Approximately 475 officers have been trained in two sessions at George Mason University and one at Virginia Tech. A fourth training event is planned at Old Dominion University.
ODU Hillel students
There is no denying that coffee and college have a legendary relationship, from fueling early-morning classes to sustaining late-night study sessions. But for college campuses, coffee and the places that serve it, are about more than just caffeine. These spaces create an opportunity for connection and support in a world that increasingly lacks these authentic human interactions.
Several Jewish students at Old Dominion University became aware a couple of months ago that their local, independently owned campus coffee shop was hosting an all-day fundraiser for the university’s Students Justice for Palestine (SJP) organization. While the ODU Jewish students agreed that it was within the purview of the coffee shop and the SJP to collaborate, they had a decision to make about their own engagement with the business. Some wanted to avoid the coffee shop on the day of the fundraiser, and others felt strongly that they would not return there even after the event.
Ben Rosenthal, president of ODU Hillel, says, “Our Hillel loves to grab a coffee together and hang out. Unfortunately, with this fundraiser, it meant that Hillel lost a place where we felt we could safely or ethically meet.”
The students approached Dr. Amy Milligan, their Hillel advisor and Jewish Studies professor, to ask for advice. Milligan brainstormed with them and other concerned Jewish faculty and staff. Although there were other locations on campus to purchase coffee and tea, it became very clear that, she says, “they weren’t upset about
the caffeine. They were upset about the lack of community space, about their world getting smaller.”
Milligan, who serves as a faculty fellow with the Academic Engagement Network, turned to her colleagues at AEN to ask for ideas. Within an hour, Sarah Livingston, AEN’s director of member engagement, sent a new, high capacity, Keurig and all the supplies needed to support the Jewish students, faculty, and staff at ODU.
“In the middle of an all-day meeting in NY I got a what’s app message from Dr. Milligan with all of the details of what was hurting her Jewish students and the Jewish faculty on campus,” says Livingston. “I immediately said – they should not have to drink coffee in a place that does not welcome them. With quick delivery I was able to get them everything they needed for a Jewish/Zionist coffee klatch. It was a joy to get messages of thanks for something that seemed small but was huge to these students.”
day Jewish students, faculty, and staff float in and out of Milligan’s office to enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, and to be in community with one another.
Staci Kohen, assistant director of academic recovery and support, describes the space, saying, “We love seeing our students create opportunities for us to gather in such a positive area. We’re very grateful that our students want to see us there so that we can build relationships with them. It’s important that we all know that we have each other!”
Students quickly turned their energy towards their new cafe, naming it with a fun wordplay, Am Yisrael CHAI Cafe, and discussing their first meet up. The group gathered on April 4 for the first time in Milligan’s office for their “launch” and have continued to meet there regularly. Although it is not a true coffee shop, throughout the
Emily Patyuk spent the majority of the afternoon with others sipping coffee on launch day and says, “It was like coming back home. Seeing all of the hatred that is going around, seeing something positive like this made me so happy–and of course the great coffee, too! I’m very grateful to have this Jewish friendly corner.”
Am Yisrael CHAI Cafe will continue to host scheduled meetups and is available for drop-ins whenever the Jewish Studies office is open. Community donors and parents have generously added to the supplies donated by AEN, ensuring that many more shared conversations will be had over coffee.
Follow @ODUJewishStudies on Instagram or Facebook to keep up to date with Jewish life at ODU.
TORAH THOUGHT
Rabbi Ari Oliszewski
Shavuot stands as one of the central pillars of the Jewish calendar, alongside Pesach and Sukkot—together forming the trio of ancient pilgrimage festivals to Jerusalem. But Shavuot carries a unique spiritual weight: It commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, a defining moment not only for the Jewish people but for all of humanity. Yet this day is far more than a commemoration; it is a living reenactment of Divine encounter. Each year, Shavuot invites us to stand anew at Sinai, to hear the voice of G-d speaking directly to us.
A powerful Midrash (Shemot Rabbah) teaches that when G-d gave the Torah, “the souls of all future generations were also present.” In other words, we were there. You and I, each of us in every generation, took part in that sacred covenant. The Torah is not merely a historical document or an ancient law code; it is a living, breathing relationship. Each time we study it, we renew our personal participation in that eternal moment.
What keeps the Torah alive today is not only its sacred origin, but its ongoing relevance. In each weekly parashah, we find new insights—messages that meet us where we are, speak to our personal challenges, and illuminate our contemporary realities. The Torah does not change, but we do. As we evolve, face new questions, and navigate modern life, we discover ever-deeper meanings in its timeless words.
Maintaining this tradition is not just an act of memory—it is an act of commitment. Every generation is called upon to receive the Torah as if for the first time, to study it with passion, and to pass it on with love.
The Mishnah teaches: “The study of Torah is equal to all other commandments” (Peah 1:1). Through study, we sharpen our moral compass, deepen our spiritual awareness, and draw closer to the Divine.
In our fast-paced, digital world— where attention is fleeting and traditions are often set aside—Shavuot reminds us that our spiritual heritage is not a relic, but a roadmap. Continuous Torah study grounds us and guides us through life’s complexities. It is no coincidence that in many communities, it is customary to stay up all night learning on Shavuot. This beautiful tradition symbolizes our unquenchable thirst for wisdom and our enduring connection to the Torah.
Knowing that this ancient text continues to inspire, shape, and guide us today is a profound blessing—one that defies measurement. Shavuot is not just an agricultural festival or a historical milestone. It is a spiritual invitation to reconnect, to rediscover, and to recommit. It calls on each of us to keep studying, to keep asking, to keep turning its pages with curiosity and reverence.
As Pirkei Avot (5:22) so wisely teaches:
“Ben Bag Bag said: Turn it over, and [again] turn it over, for all is therein. Look into it, and grow old and gray in it. Do not turn away from it, for you have no better portion than it.”
Our present and our future lie in our hands. All we must do is take the first step—open the book, open our hearts, and step once more into the living light of Sinai.
Chag Shavuot Sameach
Rabbi Ari Oliszewski is the rabbi at Temple Emanuel.
Linda Ausch
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Philanthropy Spring Lunch took place last month in the sun-filled Fleischman Lounge on the Sandler Family Campus. This event serves as a ‘Thank you’ for members of the Women’s Philanthropy who serve as volunteer campaign ambassadors and solicitors, as well as for Tidewater’s Lions of Judah (women donors giving $5,000 or greater to the Federation’s annual campaign).
This year’s lunch was particularly special, as it featured the food and stories of Chef Moshe Basson of the iconic Eucalyptus Restaurant in Jerusalem.
Betty Ann Levin, UJFT’s executive vice president, opened the lunch by welcoming the women, thanking Betsy Karotkin for her service as Women’s Philanthropy chair and Alica London Friedman for stepping into the role.
Karotkin then extended her welcome, explaining that the lunch was meant to celebrate the success of the Women’s Division campaign, thank serving members, and to welcome and install new members of the Women’s Philanthropy. She also noted that it had been 572 days since the awful and horrific attack on Israel – 572 days of captivity for those still held hostage in Gaza; 572 days of worry and stress for the families of those hostages.
“We long for the day,” said Karotkin, “When all of the hostages are returned to Israel and to their families. But even while we wait, wonder, and worry, we know we must move forward with the important work we are doing in building
and strengthening our community.”
Karotkin thanked everyone for caring, giving, and for asking others to give, reporting two exceptionally successful years of fundraising: “Even though I’m sorry to say that much of it is tied to the events of October 7th and afterward.”
The 2025 Campaign appears ready to surpass the success of 2024, at a current total exceeding $5 million, Karotkin told the group. The Women’s Division alone, she said, has topped $1.5 million from 416 donors.
Karotkin thanked and installed the 23 women whose terms of service were ending, but who’d agreed to serve another three-year term on Women’s Philanthropy: Debra Aleck, Susan Alper, Carol Brum, Debbie Casey, Susan Cohen, Leora Drory, Kim Fink, Alicia London Friedman, Randi Gordon, Kim Gross, Ellen Rostov Hundley, Betsy Karotkin, Cindy Kramer, Sierra Lautman, Amy Lefcoe, Ina Levy, Robin Mancoll, Stacie Hofheimer Moss, Judi Rosenblatt, Sara Jo Rubin, Carin Simon, Renee Strelitz, and Ellen Wagner.
In addition, five Women’s Philanthropy past chairs will move to honorary positions: Barbara Dudley, Mona Flax, Laura Gross, Amy Levy, and Janet Mercadante.
Finally, and with the kind of pride and pleasure that comes from watching a leader grow up and into her new role, Karotkin installed Alicia London Friedman as the new Women’s Philanthropy chair, saying, “Because our work is so vital, we need great leaders. And we can all be assured that under our new leadership with Alicia London Friedman, we [Women’s Philanthropy] will
stay relevant and strong. We look forward to a bright, invigorated future.”
In her first official act as chair, Friedman installed eight new and two returning Women’s Philanthropy members: Rachel Abrams, Elyse Cardon, Ellen Coley, Rachael Feigenbaum, Barb Gelb, Debbie Mandell, Lisa Roesen, Dylan Sandler, Deb Segaloff, and Megan Zuckerman.
The ladies then enjoyed a buffet lunch prepared by Chef Moshe Basson himself, after which Friedman presented her vision, thanking Betsy Karotkin for her mentorship, stewardship, and leadership of the Women’s Philanthropy. “Together, we are amazing. Together we bring so much to the table. And I couldn’t be more excited about the next two years!” she concluded.
Janet Mercadante then interviewed Chef Basson, asking him to talk about the amazing meal they’d just experienced. He discussed the meaning behind several of the dishes (including a grain dish enjoyed by King David).
All left the room feeling the spark of “something special” – perhaps it was as simple as the coming together of strong, smart, caring Jewish women.
The Women’s Philanthropy is a volunteer fundraising committee of the Annual Campaign of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. To make a gift or become involved with the Women’s Philanthropy, contact Linda Ausch at 757-965-6105 or LAusch@ujft.org.
TJF staff
It’s a classic American love story—football player meets a pretty girl. They begin a courtship, marry, and the rest is history.
Sixty-four years later, Helen and Warren Aleck still tell that story with a gleam in their eyes. Who knew that a chance high school romance would become the foundation of a lifelong partnership—one rooted in love, humility, and a quiet determination to give back?
From their hometown of Norfolk to their home in Florida, the Alecks have built a life steeped in values. But they’ve never preached those values. “We never told our daughters to be generous,” Helen says. “They saw it. In how we lived. In what we did.”
Their daughters, Debra Aleck and Audrey Aleck Koltun, grew up watching the steady rhythm of giving in their home—fundraisers, volunteer work, and donations made without a second thought. Giving was not an event. It was a way of life. They watched their parents act and mirrored what they saw –starting with selling Girl Scout cookies, organizing fundraisers, and dropping off a donation. Living their values.
Warren recalls his own father quietly delivering groceries from their family business to families in crisis. “If someone lost their home in a fire, my dad sent food. No questions. No recognition.” That model shaped Warren’s lifelong belief. “I didn’t wait to be called on to help—I made the call to help.”
Helen grew up in a household that welcomed guests at the Shabbat table and taught her that giving wasn’t reserved for those with abundance—it started with intention. “It’s not the amount,” she says. “It’s the intent. Start where you are.”
That same clarity of purpose now guides their charitable giving. Whether it’s a natural disaster, or a promising nonprofit advocating for disability access, the Alecks look for ways to respond to needs — but never hastily. That’s where Tidewater Jewish Foundation comes in. “TJF has made our giving smarter and easier,” says Warren. “They’ve vetted the organizations. They know the landscape — Jewish and secular — and they understand where our dollars can do the most good.” With TJF’s help, the Alecks have been able to streamline their giving, track their contributions, and make an even greater impact—without the paperwork and guesswork.
Their story is a quiet reminder that values—when lived consistently and passed down—create legacies that endure. Whether through charitable funds or simple acts of kindness, Warren and Helen have taught their family, and by extension, their community, what it means to live generously. “We’re not flashy people,” Warren says. “We just believe in doing what’s right.”
Tidewater Jewish Foundation is ready to help wherever each person is on their philanthropic journey. Visit foundation.jewishva.org to learn more.
At Norfolk Collegiate, our Arts & Innovation program is built on the foundation of student agency and creativity. We create a space where students are in control of their own learning, allowing them to take risks, explore their passions and make meaningful connections between what they learn and the world around them. Whether they’re developing a new solution to a real-world problem or creating art that reflects their unique perspective, students are at the heart of everything we do.
INNOVATION PROGRAMS & SPACES
• Award-Winning Robotics
• Computer Science
• Design Thinking & Engineering
• Innovation Hub
• MakerLabs
• Purdue University’s Engineering Projects in Community Service Program
ARTS PROGRAMS & SPACES
• Art Studios
• Fine Arts
• Hackney Theater
• Performing Arts
• Theatrical Production
• Theatrical Performance
Every class is designed to inspire students to take ownership of their learning, apply their skills in innovative ways and solve problems that matter to them. Learn more at NorfolkCollegiate.org/Arts-and-Innovation.
1 | Schedule your personal tour at 757.480.1495
2 | Explore online at NorfolkCollegiate.org
3 | Apply today for the 2025-26 academic year.
Accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools.
This has been another busy season of graduations – packed with awards, celebrations, and fabulous futures ahead for Jewish Tidewater’s graduates. Extending over the next six pages, many of those graduates are featured and celebrated, with each deserving a round of applause for their achievements.
Read what’s next for each.
Still, none of these incredible young people would be where they are without their fathers, who are far removed from the removed fathers of previous generations. Today’s dads are involved in their childrens’ lives in myriad ways – and apparently, are appreciated for it. In time for Father’s Day, the children of Rob Berz, Rabbi Michal Panitz, Aaron Peck, John Strelitz, and Eric Werner write about their dads with loving gratitude and admiration. The tributes begin on page 25.
One dad, Joel Rubin, writes about “dealing” with his son, Danny, on page 28.
The dealing in this case is with cards and in support of the younger Rubin’s Nadiv fundraiser, a Texas Hold Em Tournament to raise funds for Camp JCC.
The article is a fun read. Deal in!
For our final piece in this section, Jewish News asked several new fathers what they were most surprised about in their new roles as dads. Their responses on page 31 are certain to make seasoned dads (and moms) smile.
Happy Father’s Day to all Dads and Mazel Tov to all Grads!
Terri Denison Editor
Graduations are a time to recognize achievements, formally bid farewell to a valued educational institution, prepare for the next steps along life’s journey, and of course, to celebrate!
Jewish Tidewater has much to applaud with its graduates – the
Maury High School
Graduating with Honors, National Honor Society, Honorable Mention in District Art Contest
Next: James Madison University,
Sonya
in Political Science
Granby High School
International Baccalaureate Program
Next: American University
Adam is the son of Dr. Jennifer Rush and Dr. Jason Alper.
awards, impressive degrees, and outstanding plans are all worthy of celebrations.
Jewish News wishes all these graduates and their families the heartiest of Mazel Tovs!
Bethesda Chevy Chase High School
Certificate of Meritorious Service
Next: Penn State, majoring in Biology
Avital is the daughter of Avi and Karen Alpert and the granddaughter of Reuven and Judy Rohn.
Green Run Collegiate
Next: University of Virginia as a Posse Scholar. She plans to major in Commerce with a concentration in management and a minor in Environmental Studies on a preLaw track. She was also awarded a scholarship through the Green Run Collegiate Foundation.
Lindsey is the daughter of Rachel and Eric Anderson.
Norfolk Academy
Next: University of Virginia, majoring in Political Science
Zachary is the son of Romy Radin and Tony Armentrout.
College of Charleston
Communications major with a minor in Jewish Studies
Next: Event planning in downtown Charleston
Carly is the daughter of Gary Bartel and Shannon Slade.
Project Amplify Dual Enrollment in Virginia Weslyan University and Tidewater Collegiate Academy
Named Scholar of the Year 2022, Bronze and Silver Girl Scout Awards
Nisan is the child of Mara and Ken Bates.
Virginia Tech
Major in Mathematics and Computational Modeling and Data Analytics
Next: Two-year graduate program at Virginia Tech
Zachary is the son of Chad and Lynne Bornstein.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
Honor Graduate, National Honor Society, and founding member of Saints Endowment Council
Next: William & Mary and plans to study business
Aubrey is the daughter of Kenda Goldberg Council and Michael Council and the granddaughter of Kay and Don Goldberg.
Norfolk Academy
Next: Florida State University
Collin is the son of Drs. Rachel and Thom Crum.
Norfolk Academy
Eagle Scout, Renaissance Reading scholar, bagpiper with Newport News Police Pipes and Drums and Siren City Pipe Band, Master Scuba Diver
Next: Hampden-Sydney College
Luke is the son of Dr. Benjamin and Laura Pritchard Dobrin.
Cape Henry Collegiate
National Honor Society, Varsity Baseball
Next: Virginia Wesleyan University, commitment to play baseball at Virginia Wesleyan University
Ryan is the son of Robby and Tracy Dobrinsky.
Loyola Marymount
University Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies
Delta Zeta Sorority (VP Finance), Belles Service Organization (focused on domestic violence awareness and prevention in the Los Angeles area)
Next: Community director at The Washington Center in Washington DC where she will provide housing supervision, programming, emergency assistance, and community facilitation services for undergraduate students attending internships and seminars in D.C.
Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice
December 2024
Member of VWU Camerata traveling choir which performed at Carnegie Hall Honor Societies, Iota Alpha Tau: Choir Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma: Criminal Justice Honor Society
Next: Mortuary Science program at Tidewater Community College.
Mallory is the daughter of Beth Gerstein and William Gerstein and the granddaughter of Dorothy and Edwin Salomonsky.
University of South Carolina
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
Magna Cum Laude, Eta Sigma Delta International Honor Society for hospitality students, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Gamma Chi Chapter, Club Management Association of America, chapter board member, Sommelier level 1 certified
Next: International Hospitality graduate school master’s program and 9-month externship at Alotian Club, Arkansas.
Ethan is the grandson of Sandy and Anne Goldberg.
Loyola University New Orleans College of Business
Marketing/Finance
The College of Business scholarship awarded senior year
Next: Matt will join Strategies for Wealth as a Wealth Management Analyst in New York City.
Matthew is the son of Kim and Michael Gross.
First Colonial High School
Two-Time captain of FCHS Patriettes Dance Team, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, DanceSpace Dance Company.
Next: University of South Carolina
Megan is the daughter of Nancy and Phil Helman and the granddaughter of Dorothy and Edwin Salomonsky and Myra* and David Helman. *of blessed memory
Temple University
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre; University of the Arts
University of the Arts; Secretary of the Jewish Student Alliance, Distinguished Scholar/Artist Scholarship, Ira Brind Scholarship, Dean’s List
Next: Lizz is performing in a professional production of the musical Rent in Philadelphia and plans to move to New York City to pursue a career in musical theater. Lizz is the daughter of Dorothy Shiloff Hughes and Ralph Hughes.
Hebrew Academy Class of 2013
Johns Hopkins University
Honors graduate, Phi Beta Kappa
Next: Pursuing a master’s degree in international relations at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
Leo is the son of David Kamer and Marcia Samuels and grandson of Linda and Stanley Samuels.
Norfolk Academy
Next: University of Virginia
Ayla is the daughter of Gary and Jessica Kell.
Sarah Kosovsky
Ocean Lakes High School
Math and Science Academy
Norfolk Academy
Graduating with honors, 4.5 GPA, co-chair officer of National Honors Society, OLHS varsity field hockey team, The Stein Family College Scholarship 2025 recipient
Next: University of Virginia, majoring in Cognitive Science
Sarah is the daughter of Anna and Leon Kosovsky.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Master’s in clinical social work
Summa Cum Laude Honors
Abby is the daughter of Jeff and Stephanie Lichty and the granddaughter of Pearl and Richard Taylor and Elaine Lichty and Sherm Lichty (of blessed memory).
Honor Roll, Aerospace Team Founder, AllConference XC, Winter Track, Spring Track
Next: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Owen is the son of Susu Kulow and Keith Kulow.
Double major in commercial real estate, finance and hospitality tourism management
Next: Vice President of Commercial Land, Tristar Land
Hannah is the daughter of Robin and Matthew Mancoll.
Cape Henry Collegiate
Honor Roll, National Honor Society
Next: Emily will attend Young Judaea Year Course in Israel and then Allegheny College with a Trustee Scholarship.
Emily is the daughter of Lisa Finkel Leon and David Leon.
Hebrew Academy (SIA) class of 2018
Pace University
Lubin School of Business
Norfolk Academy
BBYO president, track, broadcasting captain
Next: University of Maryland
Silver is the daughter of Brad and Stacey Lerner.
Evan Nied
University of Virginia
B.A. in Politics with a minor in Entrepreneurship
Completed a year abroad at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, published in the James Madison University Undergraduate Journal for a personal essay on her greatgrandfather’s life before and after the Holocaust.
Next: Hayden is pursuing opportunities in creative strategy and marketing in New York.
Hayden is the daughter of Amy and Daniel Miller.
Jefferson and Echols Scholar, Dean’s List, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
Next: A management consulting internship at PwC Consulting in New York City. Next year, Evan plans to attend the UVA McIntire School to pursue an M.S. in Commerce.
Evan is the son of Emily and Joel Nied and the grandson of Renee and Stephen Caplan.
Kempsville High School, Entrepreneurship and Business Academy
Valedictorian, The Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Eagle Scout, E.E. Brickell Scholar, Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission, Virginia DECA State Officer, P.E.O Scholar Award
Next: University of Pennsylvania
Simone is the daughter of Emily and Joel Nied and the granddaughter of Renee and Stephen Caplan.
Hunter College High School, NYC
Norfolk Collegiate
Varsity Cross Country, Team Captain, Varsity Wrestling and Varsity Baseball. Works at Camp JCC during the summer and holidays.
Next: Radford University majoring in Kinesiology
Jack is the son of Cara Scheffres and Steve Poorman.
Hebrew Academy class of 2018
Maury High School
Member of National Honor Society, Honor Graduate; member of Maury Concert Orchestra (cello); holds rank of Ensign in Maury's NJROTC Unit; member of the sailing team and received ALL VISA Girls Skipper Award for the Fall 2024 Season; Member of Girl Scout Troop 396
Next: Old Dominion University with a spot on the sailing team
Emily is the daughter of Sean and Jennifer Priest.
Princess Anne High School
International Baccalaureate Program, National Honor Society, 3-time Basketball State Champion, 4-time Basketball Regional Champion, 2-year Varsity Basketball Captain, Varsity Cross Country and Lacrosse
Next: University of South Carolina, Darla Moore School of Business
Abby is the daughter of Jennifer and Steve Sabatino.
Kempsville High School
Starred in Applause NY production of Chicago
Next: Emory University
Jamie is the son of Jason Schechner and Danielle Schechner and the grandson of Steve (OBM) and Marge Schechner.
Entrepreneurship and Business Academy
Next: James Madison University
Nate is the son of Carin and Mike Simon and the grandson of Joan and Eric Joffe and Nancy and Sandy Simon of Atlanta. Hebrew Academy (SIA) class of 2018
Virginia Tech
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management & Analytics with a Minor in International Business
Next: ProLion, a cybersecurity company, as a Business Development Representative
Danial is the son of Benita and Joseph Watts. Hebrew Academy class of 2014
Salem High School
Next: Woodrow Wilson Vocational School
Josh is the son of Allison Whiteman and Eddie Whiteman.
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Norfolk Academy
Senior Speech with Distinction, Chesapeake Bay Fellows, Medical Scholars, Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Basketball, Varsity Lacrosse, One Love Club, ForTeens Club
Next: North Carolina State University Lucy is the daughter of Kate and BC Wilson and the granddaughter of Jo Ann and Buzzy Hofheimer.
If your graduate is not included here, submit their information by June 20 for the July 14, 2025 issue. Include: Graduate’s name, school, achievements, what’s next, and parents’ names. Email the information, along with a photo to speck@ujft.org. Be sure to put GRADUATE in the subject line.
Stephanie Peck
The role of Dad has evolved, from a staunch disciplinarian to a guiding light who changes diapers, drives carpool, and might even stay at home while Mom goes to work.
According to their children, these Jewish Tidewater dads are generous with their time, community leaders who go the extra mile, and men who are fully present in their children’s daily lives – cheering from the sidelines and beyond.
Happy Father’s Day!
Lily Berz and Amelia Berz
One thing to know about our dad is that he is a giver. Name a form of tzedakah and we promise you he’s off somewhere doing just that. At shul, he’s giving his time to the community. At work, he’s designing innovative schools that simultaneously send energy back to the grid and fill students with excitement to learn. At home, he is (very slowly) building our amazing mom her dream house and instilling the values of giving in his kids.
Being as busy as he is, our dad did not sacrifice his time with us as we grew up. Some of our fondest memories are based around just spending time together as a family. In short, our dad never does bare minimum; we believe it is people like him who give a little extra to everything they do that make the world a better place.
We could write so much more about our dad, but in the name of brevity, we’ll have to save the rest for a later date and sign off by wishing our dad a Happy Father’s Day with some much-needed rest.
Emily Panitz, Ezekiel Panitz, and Morris Benjamin Panitz
A tribute to our father, Rabbi Michael Panitz, on this year’s Father’s Day.
To our father, the teacher: whose mastery of a wide range of topics is as broad as it is deep; and whose lessons – whether in the college classroom or the synagogue – always enlighten and inspire.
To our father, the rabbi: who guides and supports his congregants with empathy, wisdom, and joy; who, like his own father, zichrono livracha, recognizes the necessity and significance of building a rabbinate deeply connected to adjacent communities: the academy, interfaith partners, and the broader Jewish community; and for whom the Torah is, indeed, a Tree of Life.
To our father, our father: who has instilled in us an enduring, lifelong commitment to learning and to Judaism; who, along with our beloved mother, has enriched our lives in so many ways; and who is, and continues to be, our foundation.
With gratitude and with love, Happy Father’s Day!
Lisa Goldberg, Ellen Rosenblum, and Stephen Peck
Our Dad, aka Poppa, is a Superhero and Olympic Champion as a father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He is the bedrock of our family, always leading by example when it comes to recognizing the importance of family, tzedakah, Israel, and in teaching us to be kind and generous to others.
A favorite family motto from Dad is “be strong like a bull.” By this he means for us to not only be physically tough but emotionally strong and believe in ourselves.
Dad’s home is always open for each of us as well as extended family and friends. He is a great listener and makes everyone feel important. He has taken us all over the world and on annual ski trips. Dad came to his grandkids’ birthday parties and graduations; attended baseball, golf, and swim matches, volleyball, basketball, and wrestling tournaments, debated politics, played cards, swam in the ocean, and took us for fancy dinners and enormous buffet brunches!
Dad’s thoughtful intelligence and kindness provide us with a compass to move forward with our own important life decisions. Our beloved Poppa is funny, sweet, sassy, intelligent, humble, generous, always fun to be with, and gives the best hugs and kisses in the whole world!
Halberg,
From the outside, our dad might seem like the loudest voice on the Norfolk Academy sidelines or the most animated player at a Cavalier tennis match. But anyone who knows him knows that behind the passion is a man with a heart as big as his voice.
He never missed a game, a recital, or a moment that mattered. He’s the dad who taught his sons-in-law how to ski, the grandpa—Yoni—who gets on the floor to play with Bella and Bea, building block towers and singing songs like it’s the most important meeting of his day.
What he’s taught us, more than anything, is the importance of showing up—not just for family, but for community. He’s a natural leader, and his deep commitment to the Tidewater Jewish community has shaped our lives. Through his work with the Federation, JCC, JFS, and unwavering support for Israel, he’s shown us that giving back isn’t a responsibility—it’s a privilege.
Philanthropy isn’t just something he does; it’s who he is. His generosity, integrity, and drive to lift others inspire us daily. We hope to carry forward his legacy of leadership and love—with the same passion, purpose, and presence he’s given us every step of the way.
Abby Werner, Andrew Werner, and Jacob Werner
We are the proud children of Dr. Eric Werner and are excited to share a few of our favorite things about him with the readers of Jewish News.
Our father loves to spend time with his family and friends. At frequent family dinners, he’s busy working the grill, sharing jokes, and engaging in healthy debates at the table. His head-thrown-back joyful laugh often rings out across the room, and he always ends the night doing the dishes.
Baking chocolate cookies with him are cherished memories, and over the last several years he’s thrown himself into other hobbies as well, from biking and paddle boarding to more recently playing the guitar. It’s exciting to watch his life-long love of learning extend beyond medicine to other enjoyable pursuits as he nears retirement, just as busy as ever.
Most importantly, our father is a loving partner to his wife (of 48 years!) Alice and a true role model to each of us. He never hesitates to offer guidance or lend an ear, and he delights in spending time with his six grandchildren.
Happy Father’s Day!
Abby, Andrew, and Jacob
Nadiv’s first Texas Hold Em Tournament was a big success and a thrill for this novice dealer
Joel Rubin
I am not a card player, nor have I played one on TV.
But when my son Danny Rubin, the founder of the young men’s Giving Circle (now part of the Campaign division of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater), Nadiv, asked if I would be a dealer for their May 13 Texas Hold Em tournament at the JCC, of course I said yes. Then I wondered whether I could handle it.
Organizers sent me a couple videos to watch, and on the day of the event, all 11 dealers, including other novices, got a tutorial from former UJFT professional Alex Pomerantz, a poker maven who came back from Baltimore as a volunteer to oversee the Tournament.
anted up $100 for the opportunity (with earlystage options to add-on another $50 more to continue). They ranged in age from 30 to past 80 (that one a woman who made it to nearly the final round). Most of the competitors
though were regulars from their own weekly games, relocating to Corporate Woods Drive for this one evening.
Thanks to Danny and his enthusiastic fellows, who this night raised money for JCC Summer Camp, all was be-seder (in order). There were plenty of chips (for eating and betting), decks, drinks, and decorations. Thanks mostly to the Federation’s able Amy Zelenka and Alex, every state mandated “i” had been dotted and “t” crossed to assure the games were as kosher as the sliders and pretzels.
Eighty-five “gamblers” from Oyster Point and Ghent to Little Neck and the North End were there, hungry to play, each having
I took Table 7, not knowing who would fill my eight chairs. Thankfully my gamers, though intense, were patient with this rookie dealer, helping me allow the “blind” (google it) to unfold before dealing two cards to each participant, then overseeing a first round of wagering and “burning” a card before the “flop,” placing three face up on the table. More checking, posturing and raising followed before a second burn and eventually my reveal of two more cards, creating a “community” of choices, from which these card sharks would determine their best hand of five from seven, before bulling or bluffing their way to the pot. I watched and waited for each outcome, then readied a shuffled second deck to deal again.
As players flamed out, the tables consolidated, with Alex distributing survivors to open seats, including at my number seven. At last, the big winner of a $500 Amazon gift card, Dalton Gilder, was crowned champion. I was exhausted
but thrilled, not just to have helped Danny, Sam Molofsky (Nadiv chair), his other Jewish gents, and the Summer Camp (which gleaned nearly $25,000 in proceeds), but to have been part of what should become an annual happening on the Sandler Family Campus.
The Hebrew meaning of Nadiv is “generosity” –appropriate, since each member donates at least $365 to the UJFT campaign annually “and does so gladly,” says Danny, “because of the many social, athletic, and other activities (like a yearly March Madness Bracket Challenge Pool).”
Texas Hold ‘Em though was their most ambitious undertaking yet, and the community responded, thanks to their love of the game, help from volunteers (including five BBYO’ers) and tolerance of first-time dealers, not yet ready for Rivers but clearly appreciated by the men of Nadiv.
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Stephanie Peck
Becoming a father is filled with surprises – adapting to a new lifestyle with a foreign bundle of joy. Three young dads from Jewish Tidewater share how their lives have changed since becoming a father and the unexpected dimensions of parenting.
My biggest surprise was that I didn’t know that you can love someone so much!
My biggest surprise is how exhausting, but rewarding it is being a father, and how quickly they grow up. Asher is 2 ½ years old and Emmett is only eight weeks right now, so I’m trying to savor the little things before they get to be little adults.
I would say that my biggest surprises as a new dad have been learning how many diapers a baby uses in a day and the fact that adding one tiny human to our family has resulted in multiple rooms full of clothes, baby gear, and toys.
all sizes, colors, models, and collections.
Thru June 15.
Nofar Trem
The Marty Einhorn Pavilion at the Sandler Family Campus was filled with laughter, conversation, and the unmistakable sense of unity on Thursday, May 1 for the second annual Israeli Chef’s Table Experience. Hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and presented by Avraham and Karen Ashkenazi, the sold-out evening was more than just a culinary event—it was a heartfelt celebration of Israel’s rich culture and enduring spirit, held in honor of Yom
Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s 77th Independence Day.
Chef Moshe Basson, a legendary Israeli culinary figure and founder of Jerusalem’s Eucalyptus restaurant, brought not only what felt like an endless supply of stunning dishes, but also a deep message of cultural pride and historical continuity. Drawing on biblical ingredients and centuries-old recipes, Basson used food as a vehicle to connect the Tidewater Jewish community to the land of Israel.
“The Israeli Chef’s Table Experience
was a beautiful evening from start to finish. Life is so constantly busy for everyone, and I felt grateful for an opportunity to reconnect with friends and make new ones – in a relaxed and enjoyable setting,” says Amy Lefcoe.
“It was such a great feeling to look out and see so many community members come together on this beautiful evening. While our hearts are heavy after so much sadness and tragedy from October 7th, this dinner brought us together to celebrate
our Tidewater community and connect with Israel in such a positive, joyful way,” says Jodi Klebanoff. “That evening, I felt tremendous pride and grateful to be surrounded by my community.”
Guests shared tables and stories, clinking glasses of Israeli wine in celebration of resilience, heritage, and shared purpose. For many, the night served as a reminder of the importance of standing together in support of Israel, especially in times of global uncertainty.
Jewish Family Service of Tidewater hosted the 21st Annual Run, Roll, or Stroll at the Sandler Family Campus on Sunday, May 4. The event kicked off at 10:30 am in the field behind the Simon Family Jewish Community Center. Despite rainy and uncertain weather, families, teams, and supporters gathered for a morning of fun, connection, and community spirit.
While the skies were gray, the energy was anything but. Children and adults alike embraced the activities, tackling an obstacle course packed with hula hooping, basketball throws, baseball swings, jump ropes, and even axe throwing. One of the highlights of the day was the bubble cannon,
which produced a mountain of bubbles and nonstop joy for all ages. “My daughters had an absolute blast—especially in the bubbles and running around with their friends,” says Ken Kievit. “Even with the rain, they didn’t want to leave!”
“This event is always about more than just the run,” says Kelly Burroughs, CEO of JFS. “It’s about celebrating our community, supporting our mission, and showing up for each other—even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.”
This year’s Run, Roll, or Stroll was made possible by the generosity of sponsors, who continue to make a direct impact on the lives of those JFS serves across Hampton Roads.
Leading the way was Ted Kaufman of Davenport & Co. as this year’s Lead Sponsor, joined by long-time supporters Lisa and Mark Delevie as Diamond Sponsors. Gold Sponsors were Ann and Robert Copeland, Robin and Todd Copeland, Renee and John Strelitz, Shari Friedman, Lawrence Steingold, and Lynn and Rachel Schoenbaum.
Community partners also provided generous sponsorship, including Davenport & Co., TowneBank, Merit 2.0, Southern Bank, Beth Sholom Village, Alperin Law, Altmeyer Funeral Home, Cinema Cafe, Changing Tides, Cooper Spong & Davis P.C., Garriott Maurer, PLLC, Payday Payroll, Jody G., and Hercules Fence.
“Each dollar raised, and every show of support helps JFS meet critical needs—whether that’s delivering meals, offering counseling, or providing care and comfort,” says Brooke Rush, JFS director of development. “Events like Run, Roll, or Stroll are a reminder of how generous and strong this community is.”
As JFS celebrates more than two decades of this tradition, the heart of Run, Roll, or Stroll remains unchanged: bringing people together for a cause that matters.
To support the mission of JFS or learn more about how to get involved, visit www. jfshamptonroads.org.
Nofar Trem
Last month, Adrianne Royes invited Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Danielle Hartman and Emily Patyuk, as well as a few friends, to spend an evening together filled with Israel culture and cuisine.
“A fun time was had by all. Guests were thoroughly pampered by our Shin-chefs with Israeli appetizers, a main dish of shakshuka, Israeli salad, tahini, and bread, followed by biscuit cake for dessert – all prepared and served by the girls,” says Royes.
During and after dinner, questions were answered, and a discussion of Israeli happenings took place. “The evening ended with smiles on everyone’s faces,” says Royes.
“We had the wonderful opportunity to bring the taste of Israel, and a bit of its spirit, into the home of these amazing ladies. Together, we prepared
authentic Israeli food, shared stories, laughed, and even discussed current events in Israel,” says Patyuk.
“It was an especially meaningful day, as it coincided with the release of Eden Alexander, an American
Tidewater Jewish Foundation is now accepting applications for Community Impact Grants — dedicated funding for new and innovative programs that make a difference.
These grants support projects and initiatives of local Jewish organizations that embody the spirit of tikkun olam — “repairing the world” — by promoting growth, engagement, and cultural vibrancy across Jewish Tidewater.
If your organization is ready to enrich, educate, or uplift our Jewish community, we invite you to apply.
recipients will be notified in August 2025.
Contact Ann Swindell at aswindell@tjfva.org prior to submitting an application regarding
Julie Kievit
Students from Old Dominion University’s Hillel, led by Dr. Amy Milligan, proudly participated in the school’s annual Out of the Darkness Walk, a national movement in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on Sunday, April 27. The event is part of a broader effort taking place across the country, bringing together thousands of people united by a mission to save lives and offer hope to those affected by suicide.
This year, ODU Hillel’s team was joined by members of Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, as well as by other members of the Jewish community, who came out to walk in solidarity with the students. Their presence underscored the importance of community support and emphasized
the role that Jewish organizations play in promoting mental health awareness and healing. As part of the walk’s message, participants wore beads to represent their personal connections to the cause—whether they’ve lost someone to suicide, struggle with their own mental health, or walk to support a loved one.
The walk also served as a prelude to Mental Health Awareness Month, observed nationwide in May. It’s a time to open dialogue, reduce stigma, and encourage those struggling to seek help.
Bringing conversations about mental health into the open can break the stigma and save lives.
If you or someone you know needs support, call Jewish Family Service at 757-459-4640 to connect with trained professionals who care.
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 speck@ujft.org with Mazel Tov in the subject line.
If you do not get a response or have a question, call 757-965-6100.
Wendy Juren
The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day was observed in Tidewater with a special presentation by Dr. Roger and Win Loria at the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk on May 8. United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission partnered with the MacArthur Memorial and the Virginia Holocaust Museum to host the well-attended event.
A Holocaust survivor, Dr. Loria was born in Antwerp, Belgium in 1940. Soon after his birth, the Nazis invaded Belgium. His family attempted to flee several times but were sent back to Antwerp. His father, who was not a Belgian citizen, felt that Loria and his mother would be safer on their own. Unfortunately, he was captured in France in 1942 and died of starvation in Auschwitz, one month before the war ended.
Loria and his mother had a much longer odyssey. In 1942 they made their way to France in search of his father. They were detained with other mothers and children in Vichy France or “Free France,” which was not free at all. After one escape they were deported to Rivesaltes, a transit camp in the south of France, where they lived in terrible conditions. Loria and his mother escaped and headed to the Swiss border, and as they got closer, Loria recalls, “We had to crawl on our bellies toward the barbed wire because the Germans had made ditches so you would slip and break your neck.”
Intercepted by the Swiss authorities and caught again, Loria and his mother were sent to a refugee camp within Switzerland, where they remained until the end of WWII. During this journey, Loria says that although he was just three years old by the time they were making their last escape, he often served as his mother’s eyes, since at one point she lost her glasses.
Win Loria, who is from Virginia, tells the story of her father as a GI during WWII. Her father’s participation in liberating the Ohrsdruf concentration camp, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany, and the first camp to be liberated by American forces, enabled him to have a deep understanding of her husband’s experience, she says.
Loria and his mother were repatriated back to Belgium from Switzerland after the war, and in 1949 they moved to Israel, where he served in the Israeli Army.
From Israel, Loria eventually moved to the United States to continue his education as a Rockefeller Foundation scholar. His extensive academic career spanned 52 years and thousands of medical and graduate students. Loria retired as an internationally recognized expert in virology and immunology and an emeritus professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College.
Only 10% of Belgium’s Jews survived the war. Loria closed his presentation with a reminder to the audience that they should not take for granted their basic civil liberties, especially now, and that it is everyone’s responsibility to call out hate and bigotry.
“People are not born hateful,” he says. “They learn it.”
A recording of the presentation is available on the MacArthur Memorial’s YouTube channel. For more information about the Holocaust Commission, contact Elka Mednick at emednick@ ujft.org or 757-965-6112.
Wendy Auerbach and Ellen Rosenblum Falling on the 82nd anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, this year’s Yom Hashoah community commemoration reminded Tidewater’s Jewish community of how important it is to remember those who perished in the Holocaust and honor those who survived.
More than 350 people gathered at Ohef Sholom Temple on Wednesday, April 23 for an inspiring and moving evening, which was presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission. The program included a very stirring D’var Torah by Rabbi David Bockman, which reflected on the atrocities of both the Holocaust and the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of awards for the Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition to middle and high school students who were challenged to reflect on the best ways to address and maintain the historical accuracy of the Holocaust
as the world moves into a more digital environment. The Holocaust Commission received more than 1,300 submissions this year, which included essays, poems, pieces of artwork, and video presentations. While many students from Tidewater entered, there were also entrants from as far away as Washington, Oklahoma, Texas, California, and Pennsylvania, and even from Afghanistan. To share a sample of some of the winning pieces, Holocaust commission member Elyse Cardon read Experience vs. Interpretation, the first-place winner in the senior poetry category by, a 10th grader at the San Jacinto Leadership Academy in San Jacinto, Calif.
Two dedicated teachers, Megan McKittrick of Norfolk Academy and Jenna Conner-Harris of Lake Ridge Middle School, were honored with the Esther Goldman and Ruthie Sherman Kroskin Awards, respectively, for their innovative approaches to teaching the Holocaust to their students. A record number of entries for these awards were received,
which speaks to the influence and value these educators place on this important history.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Irving Berkowitz, a Holocaust scholar and the son of Holocaust survivors. Most recently retired as the dean of Academic Affairs at Palm Beach State College, Berkowitz gave an inspiring speech that wove together personal reflections, the history of antisemitism and the Holocaust, and how they spearheaded the creation of the state of Israel. Berkowitz stressed that it is more important than ever for Jews to remember this brutal era and to stay united in the face of rising antisemitism.
The evening ended on a solemn note as six candles were lit and the names of those who perished and those who survived scrolled on a large screen.
A combination of Beth Chaverim and Temple Emanuel women, Beach Sisterhood held its first Bunco game at Ilene Kohen’s home in April. Several guests joined Beach Sisterhood for this entertaining event.
The group of 18 women had lots of fun trying to roll three dice and get the number needed for that round or three of a kind (a baby bunco) while avoiding the dreaded “snake eyes,” which would bring the score back down to zero. They also all loved the “Ghost” –an imaginary partner at one of the tables. The women, who say they “had a blast,” look forward to scheduling the next game.
Nofar Trem
Community members gathered at the Sandler Family Campus on Wednesday, April 30 to recognize Israel Remembrance Day (Yom HaZikaron) – a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks.
Leading the heartfelt ceremony were Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Danielle Hartman and Emily Patyuk, who guided attendees through an emotional tribute to the more than 25,400 lives lost in battle and violence. Among those remembered were Yulia Vakser Downov, Amit Mann, and Daniel Perez, brave soldiers and first responders who selflessly risked their lives on October 7, 2023, while protecting others. Perez’s body remains in Hamas captivity, and prayers were shared for his return, along with the return of all hostages still held.
The ceremony also honored the memories of combat soldiers Reef Harush, Shahar Friedman, and Eyal Mevorach Twito, by reading the final letters they wrote before going into battle and making the ultimate sacrifice. Their words were a powerful reminder of the personal courage and deep love they had for their homeland. Prayers were offered for the soldiers currently on the front lines, reflecting on the continued struggles for peace and security.
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 speck@ujft.org with Mazel Tov in the subject line.
If you do not get a response or have a question, call 757-965-6100.
A particularly moving moment came when Emily Patyuk performed If Tomorrow I Die, a song by Liran Danino, capturing the essence of sacrifice and hope with stunning grace.
As the ceremony drew to a close, it was clear the gathering was not just about mourning; it was about connection. Connection to stories, to names, to faces –each one an entire world and a promise to let their legacy live on – in everyone’s hearts, words, and actions.
To learn more about the Shinshinim program in Tidewater and other Israel-related programming, contact Nofar Trem, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Israel engagement manager at Ntrem@UJFT.org or visit JewishVA.org.
This year’s Lag BaOmer celebration hosted by Jewish Virginia Beach brought together more than 300 participants for an afternoon that balanced joy, depth, and community spirit — and showcased a Jewish presence that’s growing, young, and full of life.
Held at Hunt Club Farm, the event featured live music by David Cardon and Aaron Fast, a festive atmosphere, and Israeli-style food — all prepared and served by local community members.
Activities included archery, axe throwing, a petting zoo, tractor rides, a hookah lounge for adults, and children’s crafts led by the Shinshinyot, helping kids build their own bows and arrows in the spirit of Lag BaOmer.
Support for the event came from several generous sponsors, including Oshri Peretz and his locksmith company, HMark renovation and development group, and Boris Shilman, who provided crucial assistance in helping cover costs.
Rabbi Meir Lessoff offered reflections on the meaning of Lag BaOmer — its message of resilience, unity, and an eternal connection to Torah. His words led into a fire lighting ceremony in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. David Konikoff and Steve Konikoff lit the fire.
A 500-year-old Torah scroll, smuggled out of Iraq, preserved through generations and recently donated by Herb and Bina Zukerman, was unveiled.
Leave more than memories. Leave meaning.
For Edie Schlain, giving has always been a guiding value.
A lifelong supporter of Jewish causes, Edie established a legacy fund to benefit the organizations closest to her heart — a commitment that will strengthen our community for generations to come.
Through the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, Edie is ensuring that the values she lives by will continue making an impact, long into the future.
It all started with a conversation.
Let’s talk about your legacy. ���� foundation.jewishva.org aweinstein@tjfva.org ☎ 757-965-6111
Nofar Trem
Tidewater’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut community celebration marking Israel’s 77th Independence Day, took place Sunday, May 4 at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus.
Hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC, the afternoon was filled with engaging activities led by Camp JCC, UJFT’s ShinShinim, PJ Library in Tidewater, local synagogues, area Hillels, and more, showcasing Israeli heritage and culture. The campus transformed into a vibrant hub of music, culture, and community spirit, bringing together families and friends to honor Israel.
A commemoration of Israel’s independence, the event also served as
a testament to the enduring connection between Tidewater and the State of Israel.
“I enjoyed seeing the entire Tidewater community, the different synagogues, schools, organizations, and businesses that support the community, come together in unity and love for Israel and each other,” says Liba Eisenberg of B’nai Israel Congregation. “What a meaningful day of connection and strength. Am Yisrael Chai!”
“It’s always so nice to see so many of our community and friends converge on the Campus to celebrate Israel. Yom
Ha’Atzmaut reminds us how fortunate we are that Israel exists. It was a wonderful afternoon,” says David Leon, UJFT president.
“It is especially wonderful to see so many of our local, state, and federal elected officials in attendance” adds Leon. Visitors included US Representatives Jen Kiggans (VA2) and Bobby Scott (VA3), Delegate Michael Feggans, Virginia Beach City Council members Michael Berlucchi, Worth Remick, and Joash Schulman, and Virginia Beach City School Board members
Sharon Felton and Melinda Rogers. “Yom Ha'Atzmaut at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus is a funfilled and festival-like atmosphere that offers a chance for us to celebrate our shared connection to the State of Israel. Each year, I look forward to celebrating Israel with my family and deepening our connections with Tidewater’s Jewish community,” says Schulman.
To learn how to continue supporting Israel and know about all of UJFT’s year-round Israel programming, sign up for the Israel Action Update weekly newsletter, visit the Israel Resource Page at JewishVA.org/IsraelToday, or contact Nofar Trem, Israel Engagement manager, at NTrem@UJFT.org.
Harry Graber
Art, music, poetry, literature, film, animation, philosophy, religion, and much more await discovery every month for attendees of the Yiddish Club. The club is hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater on the Sandler Family Campus, the first Tuesday of every month. It is not necessary to speak or read the Yiddish language to attend, just to have a desire to know how Yiddish impacted and continues to impact the world. All who are interested are satisfied, all who peek in get an eyeful, and all who come are heartily welcomed.
“I was thrilled to hear about the decision by the Yiddish Club to broaden their scope and explore the great impact and culture of the language. I am very excited to have it join other Yiddish Clubs as near as New York City and as far away as Johannesburg, Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires, London, and San Francisco, share resources, and bring the magic of Yiddish to life here in Tidewater,” says Robin Mancoll, UJFT’s chief program officer.
Many are overcome with glee to hear the Yiddish phrases spoken to them by their loving parents and grandparents. Participants bathe in the warm nostalgia while others are excited to hear that Isaac Beshevis Singer’s Yiddish literature won him the Nobel Prize, that Moshe Shagal became one of the most proclaimed and prolific 20th century artists under the name of Marc Chagall, and that the famous Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, illustrated a Yiddish language book. These gems of information and more are available to Yiddish Club members.
Yiddish is not a language of past achievements alone, but one that is being taken up by a new generation of musicians, artists, poets, novelists, and filmmakers. Leading universities incorporate it into their academic programs, and historians, sociologists, and experts from other academic disciplines hold annual conferences.
Be part of a living, sparkling experience and help Tidewater show NYC what a Yiddish club is all about.
Contact Mia Klein, UJFT program coordinator/seniors program coordinator, at 757-452-3184 or MKlein@UJFT.org for more information.
An
In recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Arts + Ideas, in partnership with Ohef Sholom Temple, will host Sara Glass, LCSW, Ph.D., –therapist, author, and LGBTQ+ advocate.
Glass is the author of Kissing Girls on Shabbat: A Memoir, a candid and heartfelt account of her life growing up in the Hasidic Jewish community of Brooklyn’s Borough Park, while coming to terms with her queer identity. Her memoir is a poignant exploration of what it means to live authentically while honoring—and sometimes wrestling with— one’s heritage, family, and sense of belonging.
Ohef Sholom Temple’s book club selected Kissing Girls on Shabbat as its May read. Members met to discuss the memoir, providing an opportunity for readers to explore its themes more deeply and be able to attend the upcoming event with context and questions. Book club facilitator Nili Belkin says of the book, “I couldn’t put it down. Kissing Girls on Shabbat is all about the strength and bravery of one young woman as she goes against the odds to find her true self. This is a book I will encourage my daughters and granddaughters to read.”
The book was also featured in UJFT’s Konikoff Center for Learning’s Great Jewish Bookshelf Initiative in May.
Raised in a tightly knit Hasidic enclave, Glass shares in her memoir the experience of growing up in a world defined by strict religious observance and rigid gender norms. Her journey to self-acceptance involved not only coming out as queer but also finding the courage to redefine family, community, and faith on her own terms.
Glass lives in New York and operates a private therapy practice focused on LGBTQ+ clients and survivors of religious trauma. Her work centers on helping others reclaim their voices, embrace their truths, and live lives free from shame and silence.
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 speck@ujft.org with Mazel Tov in the subject line.
If you do not get a response or have a question, call 757-965-6100.
In a post on X one month after the release of Kissing Girls on Shabbat, Glass shared, “I worried that all my vulnerability would be futile, that no one would ever buy my book, that everyone would judge my choices. Instead, I was met with countless messages of support and dozens of DMs from people who can relate, that my words were validating. Here’s me saying that sometimes, it does turn out ok.”
Attendees to the June 25 event can expect thoughtful dialogue around topics such as reconciling faith and identity, healing after spiritual exile, and building inclusive Jewish communities. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and can be completed at www.JewishVA.org/Glass. For more information, contact Hunter Thomas at 757-965-6137 or HThomas@UJFT.org.
This event is funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission and held in coordination with the Jewish Book Council.
JUNE 5, THURSDAY
RoundTable Conversation: What’s Your Take? Agree to Disagree. Discuss, Don’t Dismiss. The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC invite members to discuss timely topics, from the war in Israel to the latest health technology and everything in between. Meets the first and third Thursday of each month. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information or to RSVP: visit www.Jewishva.org/RoundTable or contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org.
To Life: The Past is Present Book Talk. The Virginia Beach Public Library hosts this program in partnership with the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. In conjunction with Americans and the Holocaust library exhibit. Open to the public, designed for teens and adults. 6 – 7 pm. TCC/City Joint-Use Library, 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach. Information: visit https://libraries.virginiabeach.gov/programs-events/aath.
JUNE 8, SUNDAY
The Maccabeats. Get ready for a rockin’ show with America’s premier Jewish a capella group. Presented by B’nai Israel Congregation in partnership with the Konikoff Center for Learning of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and made possible by the Tidewater Jewish Foundation. $5/person, children under 3 are free. Food available for purchase. 2:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: visit Jewishva.org/Maccabeats.
JUNE 10, TUESDAY
Yiddish Club – For all! Embrace Yiddish culture, language, and history through music, film, poetry, and literature. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: visit www.Jewishva.org/YiddishClub or contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org.
JUNE 11, WEDNESDAY
2025 United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Biennial Meeting & Installation of Officers. 6:30 reception, 7 – 8 pm program. Sandler Family Campus under the Marty Einhorn Pavilion.
JUNE 14, SATURDAY
Americans and the Holocaust Guided Exhibit Tour. The Virginia Beach Public Library hosts this travelling exhibit in partnership with the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. 10 am – 4 pm. TCC/City Joint-Use Library, 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach. Information: visit https://libraries.virginiabeach. gov/programs-events/aath.
JUNE 16, MONDAY
JCC Book Club will discuss Sara Glass’s book Kissing Girls on Shabbat. Sara Glass visits Tidewater on June 25 to discuss her book with the community. Book Club meets the third Monday of each month. In person or via Zoom. 1:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: contact Mia Klein at Mklein@ujft.org.
BEGINNING JUNE 17, TUESDAYS
JUNE 18, WEDNESDAY
JCC Seniors Club goes to the Portsmouth Jewish Museum & Cultural Center. The bus leaves at 11:45 am for a tour and a new understanding of the history of the building and its projects. Club meets the third Wednesday of each month and is for adults who are 55+ looking to add education, culture, and connections to others and the Jewish community. Membership fee $15 per year. Lunch served at 11 am. Sandler Family Campus. Information: contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org.
JUNE 25, WEDNESDAY
An evening with Dr. Sara Glass, Author of Kissing Girls on Shabbat. Join Arts + Ideas at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Ohef Sholom Temple for a conversation with Dr. Sara Glass in recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month. 7 pm. Rainbow Cactus. Information and registration: visit JewishVA.org/Glass or by contacting Hunter Thomas at HThomas@UJFT.org.
JULY 17, THURSDAY
The Tzofim Friendship Caravan’s Community Performance. Don’t miss this vibrant performance by talented Israeli teens who bring the spirit of Israel and the Israeli Scouts to life through music, dance, and personal stories. Program presented as part of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the Simon Family JCC, and Community Partners’ 15th Annual Israel Today Series. 5:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: visit JewishVA.org/Friendship or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.
Understanding Zionism: The Return to the Jewish Homeland. This six-week online Melton course, taught by Sierra Lautman, explores Zionism’s religious, cultural, and political roots, and its relevance today. 6:45 pm. Online. Registration: JewishVA.org/Melton with code ZION50 for $129 off.
What We Carry. The Virginia Beach Public Library hosts this program in partnership with the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. In conjunction with Americans and the Holocaust library exhibit. Open to the public, designed for teens. 2 – 4 pm. TCC/City Joint-Use Library, 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach. Information: visit https://libraries.virginiabeach.gov/programs-events/aath.
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Dear Friends and Family,
We would like to thank you for your donations, food, phone calls, and Shiva visits during this trying time for our family. It means a lot to us!
In Loving Memory of Benn Lewis Richels
Jackie Richels, Elise & Asher Wolf, David, Natalie, Ira & Ellen Richels & Family
COCONUT CREEK, FLORIDA - Albert J. Brunn, 100, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Born in Berlin, Germany, in 1924 to Martin and Hertha Brunn, Albert’s early life was shaped by the profound upheaval of his time. As antisemitism swept through Nazi Germany, his parents made the heart-wrenching decision to send him to safety. Following the horrors of Kristallnacht in 1938, Albert boarded the last Kindertransport out of Germany, finding refuge in England with his older sister, Lilly.
In war-time London, Albert found not only safety but love. He met and married Ursula Liffmann, a fellow German refugee, in December 1944. Their bond, forged in resilience and shared hope, remained strong throughout their lives.
After the war, Albert was reunited with his parents in the United States, where he began building a new life with Ursula. They eventually settled in Rochester then Buffalo, New York, where they raised their family. Albert held a variety of jobs before pursuing a career as a stockbroker, a profession that reflected his belief in the promise of his new country. He loved America for giving him the opportunity to live the American Dream and practice his Judaism freely.
In 2005, Albert and Ursula retired to Coconut Creek, Florida. Ursula passed away before him, but Albert continued to live a meaningful life focused on family and his commitment to Israel, the Jewish community, and his synagogues.
Albert is survived by his three devoted daughters: Miriam Brunn Ruberg (Archie), Ruth Snyder, and Naomi Brunnlehrman (Steven). He was affectionately known as “Papa” to his five grandchildren: Jeremy (Rebecca), Adina (Ben), Uri (Alice), Joshua, and Aaron. His greatest joys were his seven great-grandchildren: Aliza, Jonah, Eli, Noah, Raphael, Noam, and Mia.
A funeral service was held at Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Chapel in North Lauderdale, Fla.
Albert Brunn’s life was a testament to hope and resilience. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Donations in his honor can be made to Temple Beth Am in Margate, Fl., Masorti Foundation of Conservative Judaism in Israel, or Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America
VIRGINIA BEACH - Benjamin Kevin Glaser, affectionately known as Kevin, passed away
unexpectedly at his home on May 15, 2025, at the age of 62.
Born in Norfolk and raised in Virginia Beach, Kevin was a proud graduate of Kempsville High School, Class of 1981. He went on to work side by side with his father at the family business, Stanley’s Furnishings, eventually taking over and continuing the legacy after his father’s passing in 2019. He found immense pride in working alongside his daughter, Bryce, at Stanley’s Furnishings as well.
Kevin was a devoted Freemason, following in his father’s footsteps and becoming an active member of Norfolk Lodge #1. He found great purpose in the brotherhood and tradition of the lodge.
Kevin found his peace and joy on the water—whether offshore fishing or cruising down Cocktail Creek, he was in his element with a rum and Coke in hand. A loyal father, friend, and grandfather, he was deeply committed to his family. He was a proud supporter of his son Austin’s ice hockey career and warmly opened his home as a billet to teammates over the years.
His role as a father and, more recently, as a grandfather, brought him immeasurable happiness.
Kevin’s laughter, generosity, and storytelling spirit will be remembered by all who knew him.
He is survived by his former wife of 30 years and mother of his children, Jacqueline Glaser; his daughter, Alexandra Bryce Glaser; his son, Austin Ridge Glaser and Austin’s wife, Savannah; and his beloved grandson, Benjamin Glaser, who carries on his name.
Kevin was predeceased by his father, Stanley Glaser, and his mother, Linda Drew Glaser.
A funeral service was held on at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments.
Big Kev often said, “Live for today.” He lived those words fully—and in his memory, we strive to do the same. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.
VIRGINIA BEACH - Ernest Martin Lendman (Ernie), 86, passed away on May 11, 2025.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Ernie was the son of the late Henry and Sarah Lendman. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Sheila Krotstein Lendman, and his brother, Stephen Lendman.
Ernie is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Etta Lendman; his daughter, Helen Prince, and her husband Michael of Virginia Beach; his son, Bernard Lendman, and his wife Susanne
of Reston, Virginia; and his grandson, Noah Lendman. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Natalie Steiner; brother-in-law, Michael Steiner; nephews, Adam Steiner and his wife Marieke, and Aaron Steiner and his wife Lauren, and great nieces and nephews.
Ernie will be fondly remembered by his many cousins and a wide circle of friends who will miss him deeply.
A proud Boston native, Ernie attended Boston University and graduated from the University of Miami. He was the founder and CEO of The Lendman Group, a pioneering company that transformed the job search landscape through the creation of the modern job fair. Throughout his life, Ernie served on numerous boards and generously supported a variety of charitable causes.
A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk. Online condolences may be shared with the family at hdoliver.com. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Diabetes Association.
SILVER SPRING, Md. - Dr. Leonard I. Ruchelman passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at the age of 91 in his home in Silver Spring, Maryland.
He was born on June 28, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York to Jacob and Sarah Ruchelman.
Leonard is survived by his wife Diana (Hoffberger) in a marriage that lasted over sixty-four years. His two children are Lauren Shaps (Zischa) of Ottawa, Canada and Charles (Cindy) Ruchelman of Silver Spring, Maryland. Leonard was the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren and the great grandfather of 32 great grandchildren. His siblings were Florence Schutzman (predeceased) and Stanley Ruchelman (Joan).
He graduated in 1954 with a B.A. from Brooklyn College and in 1963, from Columbia University with a PhD. in Political Science. He served in the US Army, 1954 – 1956, when he was stationed in Germany. He was a professor at a number of universities, culminating with Old Dominion University (1975 to 2008), where he also served as chair of the Department of Public Administration and Urban Affairs.
At ODU, he attained the rank of Eminent Professor. Among other honors, he was acknowledged as an outstanding professor of public administration by the Virginia Social Science Association. He was a prolific researcher and author, having published eight books and some 28 articles and book
chapters in the general area of public affairs. Though trained as a political scientist, he had a special interest in the subject of skyscraper development focusing how such structures impact the city. His book on the World Trade Center was published in 1974.
Funeral services took place at Wellwood Cemetery, Pinelawn, N.Y.
ROANOKE - Brian Jay Wishneff was born on October 16, 1952, and passed away on May 24, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. He was the son of the late Alvin Wishneff and Ruth Victor Wishneff.
Brian grew up with his parents, three sisters, and one brother in Norfolk. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s in urban planning from Virginia Tech where he later taught as a graduate professor. He began his career with the City of Roanoke in 1978 serving most of his time as the Economic Development Director.
In 1995, he left his work for the city to found a successful economic development, finance and consulting firm, Brian Wishneff & Associates. Throughout his time at the city and with his firm, Brian was involved in almost every important economic development project in the Roanoke Valley and Southwest Virginia over the past 40 years. He loved his work and helping people get projects done. While never looking for the headlines, his behind-thescenes work was instrumental in developing creative solutions to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. He was thoughtful and loyal and always developed an approach to solving problems using logic and reason. Brian also served terms on both the Roanoke City School Board and Roanoke City Council.
In addition to being a pioneer in the development of Roanoke City and numerous development projects in over 40 states throughout the United States, Brian was a sports enthusiast and devoted member of the communities around him. He was the coach of the renowned basketball team, the Killa Bees, for two generations and a baseball coach for many years.
His favorite teams were the Virginia Tech Hokies, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Boston Celtics. He also greatly enjoyed his regular poker group of 40 years where he claimed to be a regular winner. Brian was a valued member of the Temple Emanuel for 45 years and a member of the Roanoke Symphony Board. He was an active participant of the Huntington's Disease Society of
Chris Sisler, Vice President, Member of Ohef Sholom Temple, Board member of the Berger-Goldrich Home at Beth Sholom Village, James E. Altmeyer, Jr., President, James E. Altmeyer, Sr., Owner
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Brian met the love of his life, Andrea Wishneff, who would become his wife of nearly 50 years, at Virginia Tech. To get her to talk to him, he cleverly invented a fake class assignment: a custom questionnaire he claimed he needed for school, even though no such assignment actually existed.
In addition to his wife, he will be missed and dearly remembered by the last three letters of “BAEPT;” his children, Erik Wishneff and wife, Jane, Parker Wishneff and wife, Katie, Taylor Wishneff and fiancé, Charles Piot. He was the very proud grandfather of
Riley, Grayson, Avery, Sonny, and Bowie. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to be conscious and dynamic members of society and to always carry a sense of humor.
Brian is also survived by his sisters, Sandra Wishneff Lefcoe, Lynn Wishneff Robbins, and Sherry Wishneff Phillips (who all constantly competed to be his favorite sister) and was preceded in death by his brother, Wayne Wishneff and sister, Michelle Wishneff Robins.
A funeral service was held at the Temple Emanuel Cemetery in Roanoke. Donations to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Condolences may be shared with his family by visiting www.Oakeys.com.
In keeping with the ViBe’s 10-year anniversary celebrations, the Virginia Beach City Council recognized the ViBe Creative District with a Resolution at its meeting on Tuesday, May 20.
The City Council thanked ViBe co-founders Andrew Fine and Laura Wood and executive director Kate Pittman for their efforts.
Also at the meeting, an Andrew Fine Honorary Street Resolution Presentation by the City Council took place. Cypress Avenue, from 21st St to 17th St., will have new honorary name signs honoring Andrew Fine’s 50 years of community impact, philanthropy in the arts, and dedication to the central beach area now called ViBe. The City will recognize this honorary street name on all future publications of ViBe’s maps.
The ViBe Creative District is the “creative heartbeat of Virginia Beach, a place where hundreds of local artists are showcased, and dozens of diverse events take place each year,” says Kate Pittman. “Since 2015, the ViBe Creative District has been adding hundreds of works of public art to Virginia Beach’s bustling resort. Additionally, ViBe has fostered a growing neighborhood of small, locally owned creative businesses that make a notable
mark in Virginia Beach’s economy.”
Created in partnership with the City of Virginia Beach, the ViBe Creative District intended to spur economic development, attract residents and visitors to the once dormant neighborhood and to create a unique
sense of place at the resort. This central beach corridor provides an important cultural connection from the oceanfront beach on the east to the VB Convention Center and Sport Center to the west.
ViBe is a destination that stands for Virginia Beach.
This 1,100-square-foot exhibition explores how American society— including the government, military, refugee aid organizations, media, and the public—responded to Nazism, war, and the Holocaust during the 1930s and 1940s. Drawing on a rich collection of primary sources, it challenges the widely held belief that
Americans knew little and did nothing in response to the Holocaust as it unfolded. Instead, it paints a complex picture of a nation shaped by the Great Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism.
Visitors are invited to experience the exhibition and reflect on critical questions: What did Americans know?
What more could have been done? And how do we respond to injustice today?
The Virginia Beach Public Library will host a series of related programs in partnership with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission. All programs are open to the public and designed for both teens and adults.
This traveling exhibition toured 50 U.S. libraries from 2021 to 2023. Due to widespread interest from libraries and communities across the country, a second tour was developed for 2024 to 2026.
To learn more about the exhibition, visit exhibitions.ushmm.org.
Nomination + Installation
Recognition
David Leon OF OUTGOING PRESIDENT,
Mona Flax OF NEW UJFT PRESIDENT, WEDNESDAY JUNE 11
Acknowledgment OF OUTGOING COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Presentation
Linda Spindel OF THE TZEDEK AWARD,
Presentation
Debbie Mayer, Director of Clinical, Older Adult, and Adoption Services, Jewish Family Service OF HARRY GRABER JEWISH COMMUNAL PROFESSIONAL AWARD,
Presentation OF JOSEPH H.(BUDDY) STRELITZ COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD , (as of May 17) Charlie Nusbaum, Babbi Bangel, Anne Kramer, Carol Brum, Marcy Mostofsky, Charlie Firestone, Terry Blevins, Dr. Megan Lord, Yeela Mimrod, Deb Segaloff
RECEPTION • 6:30 PROGRAM • 7-8 PM
UNDER THE MARTY EINHORN PAVILION at t he Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach PM
Cocktails & kosher hors d'oeuvres RSVP Required
