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Guiding
These Tidewater attorneys share a commitment to Jewish ethics
Stephanie Peck
The three Jewish attorneys profiled on the following pages have several common characteristics. First of all, Steve Brown, Bill Nossen, and Neil Rose all hail from the northeast, landing in Tidewater for various reasons.
These men demonstrate their commitment to Jewish values in their daily legal practice, and in their spare time, they are all active in the Jewish community – as synagogue volunteers and leaders and in leadership roles with Jewish agencies – United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Tidewater Jewish Foundation, and Jewish Family Service, among others.
And, finally, all three men share another preference: their favorite Jewish holiday is Passover.
Scott Alperin, Principal Attorney Laura Gadsby, Director of Care Coordination
Steven L. Brown
Firm
Tiffany & Brown
Specialty Creditors’ Rights
Education
Lehigh University
JD Marshall Wythe School of Law, College of William and Mary
Jewish organizations and involvement
Jewish Family Service vice president and Temple Emanuel first vice president, past co-president, board life member
Family
Wife: Beryl Brown
Children: Hunter, an attorney in Florida practicing mergers and acquisitions; Shelby, a third-year law student at Washington & Lee and president of the Student Bar Association; and Blake, who is working on a startup company and applying to medical school.
Favorite Jewish holiday
Passover. I remember growing up in New York and Connecticut and coming down to my grandmother’s house in Richmond and celebrating with 20 family members.
Legal
Most memorable Jewish milestone/ life cycle
The b’nai mitzvah of our children.
Most admired Jewish lawmaker
Golda Meir, the former Prime Minister of Israel and it’s only female leader. In the U.S., it would be Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. He is a strong supporter of Israel and has not changed his position even after someone tried to burn down the governor’s residence.
Personal legal milestone
Voted by my peers as Legal Elite, a Super Lawyer and a Top Lawyer by Coastal Virginia Magazine.
Most memorable case
Early, after going out on my own, I had a case with my former mentor, Alex Smith, representing the other side, concerning the burden of proof on the issue of good faith in a bankruptcy case. He even appealed the case. The parties created new law, and I still cite that case today.
How has an understanding and/or commitment to Jewish values entered into your decisions or actions as an attorney?
I am guided by several principles including Derch Eretz, in which I try to treat everyone with respect and act ethically as well as Tzedek, or doing the right thing.
William Nossen
Firm
Kalfus & Nachman
Specialty
Pre-litigation associate, handling plaintiff's personal injury cases.
Education
Seton Hall University School of Law
S.U.N.Y. Binghamton
Jewish organizations and involvement
A member of Congregation Beth El in Norfolk, teaching sixth and seventh graders in the synagogue’s Sunday school. Frequently lead portions of the Shabbat, Festival and High Holiday davening, and a member of the Shul and its Men’s Club’s board of directors.
Family
Wife: Leslie Jo Nossen, aka “Morah Jo,” married 25 years
Children: Lily Ann, who attends VCU and Sam, who attends William & Mary.
Favorite Jewish holiday
Passover. I love the family seders and the traditions that come with them.
Most memorable Jewish milestone/ life cycle
Completing the 11-month mourning period for my mom, Anne, of blessed memory. She passed from cancer on February 14, 2001.
Most admired Jewish lawmaker Yitzhak Rabin
Personal legal milestone
27 years of practicing law, and 27 years of ethically seeking justice for the clients and communities I represented.
Most memorable case
I successfully represented a client on appeal who had been convicted of armed robbery. I then convinced the Prosecutor's Office that he was innocent of the crimes charged against him and that all charges should be dismissed accordingly.
How has an understanding and/or commitment to Jewish values entered into your decisions or actions as an attorney?
As an attorney, and in accordance with long-held Jewish values, I continually strive to seek justice and practice my craft with the utmost professionalism. I am most proud of the ethical and professional reputation that I earned in every legal community I have practiced in.
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Legal
Neil L. Rose
Firm
Willcox Savage, P.C.
Specialty
Tax/Estate Planning and Administration
Education
UVA McIntire School of Business
JD UVA Law School
Master of Laws in Taxation Georgetown University Law Center
Jewish organizations and involvement
Beth El board member and past president, Beth El Foundation board member/secretary, Tidewater Jewish Foundation-treasurer and board member, Virginia Festival of Jewish Film screening committee.
Family
Bride: Gina (formerly Regina Handel)
Sons: Fred, Ryan (engaged to Jessica) and Jon (married to Maggie)
Grandchild: Avery Dog: Whitney the Whoodle
Favorite Jewish holiday
Being the youngest of six, I love large family gatherings such as seder and Rosh Hashanah with Gina’s brisket, a mountain of mashed potatoes, and the family. Our family tradition of reading from the old Haggadahs brings back memories of parents and aunts and uncles.
Most memorable Jewish milestone/ life cycle
Hard to forget our wedding on the bima at Beth El; as I watched my bride approach, she stopped, unintentionally, her train caught on the steps. Aunt Sarah from Pikesville, Md. got up and freed her, and our wedding continued. Rabbi Elkins and Rabbi Golinkin made for a longer service than some desired.
Most admired Jewish lawmaker Golda Meir vs Louis Brandeis?
Personal legal milestone
I was recognized by my peers to be admitted to the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
Most memorable case
As a young attorney, helping a retired nurse plan her estate to leave it all to Children’s Hospital of The King‘s Daughters, because those children needed it more than her relatives.
How has an understanding and/or commitment to Jewish values entered into your decisions or actions as an attorney?
Our legal system is based on the five books of Moses, a system of justice and judges. I was raised to always try to do the right thing.
As a lawyer helping my clients, I strive to fi nd out what they want to accomplish. Then I show them options to accomplish their goals and remind them to look at both sides of every issue to try and achieve a win/win and family harmony wherever possible.
Chapel
Denbigh
Maestas Chapel
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
Chesapeake Chapel
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Legal
The Ketubah – a Jewish marriage contract
Stephanie Peck
The ketubah, or Jewish marriage contract, has traditionally spelled out the groom’s obligations to his wife, including financial responsibilities and his commitment to provide for his bride’s basic needs, such as food, shelter, and intimacy. In the orthodox tradition, the ketubah serves as a legal, protective document that shields a woman in the event the marriage is dissolved. Two witnesses, unrelated to both the bride and groom, sign the ketubah, confirming that the groom agrees to its terms and the bride accepts them.
In many homes, the ketubah also serves as a work of art, displayed on the walls not only for guests to see but to also remind the married couple of their wedding day. Modern-day ketubahs contain language for a variety of relationships, including interfaith, LGBTQ+ and nonbinary couples and offer unique design features including metallic, paper cut, and pop art.
Several Tidewater couples share the stories behind their ketubahs and how the marriage contract features into their daily, married lives.
Rachel and Marc Abrams
As told by Rachel Married 25 years
While we don’t remember much about the process of picking our ketubah, we do remember we wanted
one that felt modern but still a bit traditional to match the spirit of our wedding that was being held at my childhood synagogue. We immediately loved the paper cut style of the one we chose.
The day before our wedding, after the rehearsal, our families and closest friends came together to witness signatures. The rabbi, Marc, and I were all signing it, along with two of our closest friends. I remember being really emotional... until it was time for our friends’ part of the ceremony. One of our friends was feeling so much stress about signing such a beautiful piece of art that he was just frozen in his seat, not wanting to put pen to paper! Everyone ‘eventually’ signed and it was perfect!
It has moved from our newlywed apartment in Pittsburgh to Philly to three houses in Virginia Beach and, in all of them, has hung in our bedroom. Nearly 26 years later, it's still a treasured piece and we love it!
Debbie and Shlomo Lubaton
As told by Debbie Married 39 years
Our ketubah is proudly displayed in our dining room, where we have many multigenerational gatherings.
Shlomo’s mother brought it from Israel, where Haim Ron from the Jewish Heritage Centre of Jerusalem designed it.
My childhood rabbi and my husband’s childhood
friend signed the ketubah on March 30, 1986.
My mother-in-law was not happy I framed it; she wanted me to hide it as an insurance of our marriage.
Stephanie and Paul Peck
As told by Paul Married 26 years
When my wife and I were getting married, we were unable to identify an artist or design that grabbed our simple tastes. It then occurred to me: What could be cleaner than the calligraphy on a Torah?
I asked Rabbi Aron Margolin if he knew a sofer, a scribe who writes Torah scrolls, mezzuahs, and the scrolls in tefillin, who might be willing to write a ketubah on parchment in the style of a Torah. After speaking with a New York-based sofer, the scribe first confessed he had never been asked to write a ketubah, but since it is fairly standard wording, he didn’t see how it could be that difficult.
The result is a beautiful, simple work of art. The black ink on the parchment matches the exact same words Jewish men promised their wives for centuries.
To the untrained eye, other than the signatures of one of our officiant’s, Rabbi Joel Zaiman (of blessed memory), and a dear friend, Jordan Slone, visitors to our home think it is just a section of a Torah that we have hanging on our wall.
Virginia General Assembly supports penalties for swastikas
The Virginia General Assembly this year voted to support House Bill No. 2783: Placing Swastika on Certain Property With Intent To Intimidate; Penalty.
It is now a Class 6 felony to place a swastika on certain property with the intent to intimidate. This bill includes placing or causing to be placed a swastika on (i) the private property of another without permission or (ii) a highway or other public place in a manner having a direct tendency to place another person in reasonable fear or apprehension of death or bodily injury.
The support of this bill provides an additional tool for law enforcement to fight antisemitism. It follows the same path as cross burning or placing a noose in a place to intimidate African Americans.
To read the details of the bill, go to https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/ HB2783/text/HB2783H.
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Jeffrey Brooke, Esq (757) 499-1841 www pbp-attorneys com
THE SMART WAY TO PASS IT ON
Estate
planning attorney Rob Goodman explains how TJF can help business owners blend financial strategy with a legacy of philanthropy.
TJF staff
When Rob Goodman sits down with a business owner to talk about succession planning, the conversation often turns to something deeper than profit margins.
“Family succession planning is a transition of values,” Goodman says. “With the transitions come development of knowledge, experience, skill sets and financial transition. An important aspect is the transmission of the family value system to future generations.”
It’s a philosophy Goodman has cultivated over decades as an attorney with Kaufman & Canoles, where he guides families through estate planning, business transitions, and charitable giving. For him, a successful plan is one that honors the business owner’s hard work while equipping the next generation to thrive. “I always say, don’t deprive your children of the pleasure of their own success,” he says. Whether it’s giving them responsibility for a new division, including them in strategic conversations, or letting them take the lead on philanthropic decisions, Goodman believes these moments build self-confidence, experience, and the ability to learn from mistakes. It offers the opportunity to strengthen family ties.
Goodman’s counsel often includes using creative
financial tools to maximize impact. A self-described “Microsoft Excel fan,” he builds models that show clients the difference between letting the IRS take a large cut and directing those funds to causes they care about. “When they see side-by-side comparisons, they can better understand how a charitable giving plan can also make business sense,” he says.
Donor-advised funds are one of his favorite vehicles for doing just that. “When you pass on, you can leave the IRA/401(k) retirement assets tax free to a donor-advised fund and provide your children, and those after, the opportunity to make charitable donations. The fund provides them the opportunity to stay engaged long after you’re gone.”
working with TJF, and the expertise they bring to the team,” he says. “Their investment policy is prudent, designed to avoid downside risk while keeping funds available for giving.
According to Goodman, Tidewater Jewish Foundation is the ideal partner for making these plans a reality. “I enjoy
That’s exactly what you want when building a legacy.” He encourages families to start early and make the process collaborative.
Goodman believes this blend of planning, giving, and shared experiences is what creates a lasting family narrative…a living legacy.
“When you involve children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren in the process, you create a tradition of learning and giving that can remain as part of your family culture,” he says.
For Goodman, succession planning is not just about handing off a business, it’s about handing down a vision for how to live and give well.
New casebook examines antisemitism and the law
“The law has the power both to oppress and to liberate,” Professor Robert Katz writes in the introduction to his groundbreaking new casebook examining how legal systems have wielded power over Jews across millennia, for good and ill.
Antisemitism and the Law (Carolina Academic Press, 2025) analyzes how legal systems have wielded power over Jews, and how Jews and their allies have mobilized the law to combat antisemitism. The casebook offers the first comprehensive examination of antisemitism in this unique and burgeoning area of legal scholarship from one of the nation’s leading scholars on the subject. ADL, the world’s leading organization combating antisemitism, provided major funding for its publication.
Katz is professor of Law and John S. Grimes Fellow at Indiana University McKinney School of Law and Affiliated Scholar at the Indiana University Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism. He is the founder and director
of The Center for the Study of Law and Antisemitism and a member of the American Bar Association’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism.
“This groundbreaking casebook fi lls a long-overlooked gap in legal education at a time when studying and understanding the nearly 3,000-year trajectory of antisemitism in the courts has never been more vital,” says Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO and national director. “We were pleased to provide major funding for this casebook, and we encourage its use in law schools and other educational institutions nationwide.”
of justice: the Spanish Inquisition, the Dreyfus Affair, and the Leo Frank case, among others; and the development of legal doctrines, statutes, and strategies to help pave the way for more tolerant societies: the Nuremberg Trials, U.S. civil rights laws, hate crimes legislation, and many more.
in their adoption,” Katz writes. “My aim is to make the subject of antisemitism and the law widely known, accessible within the legal community and beyond it.”
The 725-page volume tackles its subject in five parts, with opening sections devoted first to “Anti-Discrimination Law” and “Jewish Identity,” followed by “Antisemitic Speech” and its regulation; “Anti-Jewish Activities” and civil rights protections; and, finally, “Allies Against Antisemitism.”
Spanning three millennia of legal history, the casebook presents a robust understanding of the relationship between law and antisemitism, looking at travesties
Through a careful examination of judicial rulings, legal precedents, transcripts, and other records, Katz explores the legal system’s paradoxical role as both enforcer of Jews’ subordination and instrument for attaining their full citizenship.
“Until recently, few perceived the need for courses on law and antisemitism and the pivotal role that a casebook could play
Selected chapters can augment courses on race and the law, the First Amendment, cyberlaw, trusts and estates, torts, criminal law, international human rights law, comparative law, education law, law and religion, and Catholic law. General readers may approach this work as a historical narrative developed through primary sources, annotations, and commentary.
Professors teaching in this fi eld may request a complimentary copy at cap-press.com.
