Special Section: Dads and Grads (2026)

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DA D S & G R A D S

Dear Readers, With graduations and closing award ceremonies taking place nearly daily, there’s

R I S T O R A N T E

much for families to celebrate. A glance at the 33 graduates we’re acknowledging in

I N S P I R E D

Tidewater’s students – from high school diplomas to doctorate and dental degrees

B Y

I T A LY

this issue, beginning on the next page, exemplifies the range of study and ages of

and from teens to parents. Jewish Tidewater’s graduates are impressive and clearly prepared to tackle their next challenges. Mazel tov!

Switching to Father’s Day (Sunday, June 21), we feature two men who not long ago were celebrated for their own outstanding achievements (in addition to their roles as dads).

The Honorable Aaron F. Kass was recently sworn in as a Judge of the Virginia Beach General District Court. His Investiture last month was attended by many in the community – family and friends. The photograph of his family assisting him with his robe is a treasure.

Skip Sacks, a long-time contributor to Jewish News (as was his late father, Hal Sacks), was honored earlier this year with HRACRE’s 2026 F. Craig Read Service Award. The article is on page 19.

Whether celebrating dads or grads, there’s something about those meals cooked on grills. We’ve got an article about some new trends; and for those who prefer to stay away from the heat, several advertisers in the section offer great places for dining.

Happy Father’s Day and Happy Graduation Days!

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DA D S & G R A D S

JEWISH TIDEWATER’S GRADUATES

Graduations are a time to recognize achievements, formally bid farewell to schools, prepare for the next steps along life’s journey, and of course, celebrate!

Jewish Tidewater has much to applaud with its graduates – the awards, impressive degrees, and outstanding plans are all worthy of celebrations.

Mazel Tov to all these graduates and their families!

Madeline “Maddie” Elyse Acosta Kempsville High School Graduating with Highest Honors, Varsity Field Hockey, All Region honorable mention Next:Christopher Newport University majoring in Biology/ Health Science

Hayden Caplan Cape Henry Collegiate Peer leader to the Class of 2029 at CHC; BBYO Regional Board Gizbor Next: University of Arizona, Eller College of Business Hayden is the son of Stacie and L.T. Caplan.

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

Avi B. Cardon

Bella Rose Cardon

Brian Cohn

Jordan Cubitt

Tidewater Collegiate Academy

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts

University of South Carolina

Kempsville High School ATC Advanced Technology Center

Earned Advanced Diploma, along with Virginia Wesleyan University dual enrollment.

Next: Avi is staying local, excited to dive into the intersecting worlds of business and the creative trades Avi is the son of Elyse and David Cardon.

Magna Cum Laude BFA Next: After some travel abroad, Bella will continue living in Richmond to expand her multi-disciplinary visual art practice while providing families lifestyle management support through expert home organization, personal assistance, and nannying Bella is the daughter of Elyse and David Cardon.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with majors in Finance, Business Economics, Real Estate, and Risk Management – Insurance University of South Carolina Outstanding Senior Award and graduated summa cum laude

Honor Roll Next: JMU for Engineering Jordan is the son of Dennis and Rochelle Cubitt.

Next: Brian will work as an advisor analyst at J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Palm Beach, Florida Brian is the son of Lisa and Joel Cohn.

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DA D S & G R A D S

Joshua Darrow

Graham Eilberg

Washington and Lee University

Ursinus College

Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Honors in Economics, Johnson Scholarship for Leadership and Integrity, Reynolds Scholarship in Business Journalism, John McKenzie Gunn Economics Scholarship

Bachelor of Arts in Finance

Next: Two-year Research Assistantship at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors

Next: Assistant Basketball Coach at Ursinus College Gram is the son of Donna and Seth Eilberg and grandson of Susan and Jim Eilberg.

Joshua is the son of Beth and David Darrow.

Lainey Goldman

Ella Goodove

First Colonial High School

Cape Henry Collegiate

Honor graduate

Cum Laude Society, Karl Tewes Award Winner, First team TCIS lacrosse recipient

Next: James Madison University

Lindsey Foer

Dr. Ari Goldman

James Madison University

Auburn University

College of Business-Accounting with Honors

Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering

Next: Working at the accounting firm, Stewart & Company in Virginia Beach

Next: Seeking a position designing and testing rocket propulsion systems

Lindsey is the daughter of Tammi and Jerry Foer.

Ari is the son of Dean and Dr. Ilene Goldman.

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Lainey is the daughter of Stacey and Todd Goldman.

Next: University of Georgia Ella is the daughter of Amy and Scott Goodove.

DA D S & G R A D S

Charlie Gross Frank W. Cox High School Next: Loyola University New Orleans to study Entrepreneurship in the College of Business. He was selected as a MAGIS Scholar and awarded Loyola’s merit-based Cardoner Opportunity Grant Charlie is the son of Kim and Michael Gross.

Samantha “Sammi” Jankell Oscar F. Smith High School International Baccalaureate, National Honors Society, National Science Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta (National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society), Section Leader for the Mighty Marching Tigers Next: Virginia Tech Honors College on a Pamplin Leadership Scholarship

Brittany Johndrow

Carolena Johndrow

Baylor University-Doctorate of Pediatric Nursing

Western Branch High/ Cosmetology at Chesapeake Career Center

DNP project presented at 2024 NAPNAP Virtual Symposium Next: Pursue position in pediatric primary care setting Brittany is the daughter of Brian and Katherine McCann.

Graduating with Honors Next: University of Mary WashingtonBiology major, Spanish minor Carolena is the daughter of Steven and Brittany Johndrow.

Sammi is the daughter of Shayna and Peter Jankell.

Ethan Kesser

Martin Jackson Lemke

Sam Levin

Reese Longwater

Western Albemarle High School

Frank W. Cox High School

First Colonial High School

Ocean Lakes High School

Senior class president, member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society officer, member of National Math Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, and National Social Studies Honor Society

Next: University of Richmond as a D1 pitcher

Next: Virginia Tech, majoring in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology Management, Pamplin College of Business

Math and Science Academy, Brock Center Environmental Studies Program, National Honor Society Publicity chair, and Bayfront Advisory Commission student member

Next: University of Virginia Ethan is the son of Bradley and Sonnia Kesser and grandson of Kay and Barry (of blessed memory) Kesser.

Martin is the son of Shawn and Ashley Lemke.

Sam is the son of Betty Ann and Scott Levin and grandson of Susan and Mayer Levy, Carol Levin, and Elaine and Herbert Levin (both of blessed memory).

Next: Virginia Tech to study Agribusiness Reese is the daughter of Karen and Adam Longwater.

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DA D S & G R A D S

Kendall McKechnie

Anna Mirovski

Sophia Mirovski

Alyson Morrissey

Bishop Montgomery High School, Torrance, California

Touro College of Dental Medicine

College of William and Mary

Hebrew Union College

Next: University of Alabama

Doctor of Dental Surgery

Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Sciences, Summa Cum Laude

Executive Master of Arts in Jewish Education

Kendall is the daughter of Jim and Danielle McKechnie and granddaughter of Anne and Sandy Goldberg.

Next: Advanced Prosthodontics residency and Masters of Oral Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago

Next: Master’s in counseling, University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development

Next: Continue serving as director of Lifelong Learning at Ohef Sholom Temple

Sophia is the daughter of Margaret Baumgarten and Max Mirovski.

Alyson is the daughter of Martha and David Javinsky.

Elijah Morrissey

Leia Morrissey

Granby High School

University of Virginia

IB Graduate, Eagle Scout

Bachelor of Science in Architecture, minors in Architecture History and Global Sustainability, High Honors

Anna is the daughter of Margaret Baumgarten and Max Mirovski.

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Elijah is the son of Alyson and Chris Morrissey.

Next: Architectural Designer at Tymoff & Moss in Norfolk Leia is the daughter of Alyson and Chris Morrissey.

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Next: Old Dominion University

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DA D S & G R A D S

Elijah Muhlendorf

Max Salomonsky

Helene Schulwolf

Erin Wainger

The Hague School

Cape Henry Collegiate

Tulane University

Norfolk Academy

International Baccalaureate diploma

National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Health and Medical Science Program Scholar, Senior Peer Leader, University of Maryland President’s Scholarship

Major in Psychology and Linguistics, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Excellence in Linguistics Award, co-president of ACEing Autism, research assistant in lab, Dean’s List at eligible semesters

Next: University of Maryland

Next: University of Virginia Elijah is the son of Alyssa and Jonathan Muhlendorf.

Next: University of Maryland, majoring in Biology Max is the son of Daniel and Jill Salomonsky.

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

Next: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master’s in Speech Language Pathology Helene is the daughter of Lisa and Neal Schulwolf.

Got a Jewish Graduate?

Caroline Wainger

Emily P. Weinberg

Chloe Rose Zuckerman

Norfolk Academy

JMU Graduate Psychology Program, Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

First Colonial High School and Governor’s School for the Arts, Musical Theatre Department

Master of Arts

4-year Principal’s List graduate; GSA, Musical Theatre Department Graduation Speaker; numerous GSA and Virginia Musical Theatre productions Next: Emerson College, BFA in Comedic Arts Chloe is the daughter of Megan and Steve Zuckerman and granddaughter of Leslie and Larry Siegel and Phyllis and Bob Zuckerman.

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

Next: Board Certified Behavior Analyst for Augusta County Public Schools following the completion of her certification exam Emily is the daughter of Lauren Lantz.

If your graduate is not included here, submit their information

by June 15 for the July 13, 2026 issue.

Include: Graduate’s name, school, achievements, what’s next, and parents’ names.

Email the information, along with a photo to news@ujft.org.

Be sure to put GRADUATE in the subject line.

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DA D S & G R A D S

From generation to generation.

A new judge for Virginia Beach: The Honorable Aaron Kass

The lessons.

The traditions.

The responsibility to care for one another.

This Father’s Day, celebrate the legacy of those who shaped your life by creating one of your own.

Through Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s Life & Legacy program, you can support the future of Jewish life and help ensure the values you cherish continue to inspire tomorrow.

Because the greatest inheritance is purpose.

Haley Bartel Kass formerly worked as a personal injury The Honorable Aaron F. Kass was sworn in on lawyer for Kass Law Firm, P.L.C. He is a graduate Friday, March 27 as a Judge of the Virginia Beach of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the General District Court.

College of William and Mary, and he obtained “Outside of being Melissa’s husband, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown Jonah, Micah, and Alexa’s father, there is no University. greater privilege than this role,” Judge Kass said In his speech, Kass emphasized the at his formal investiture on Friday, May 1 at the importance of recognizing that attorneys face City of Virginia Beach Judicial Center. Together, mental health struggles, such as anxiety and his family assisted him in putting on his robe, an depression, at alarming rates, approximately 2-3 act symbolizing their support. times greater than the general population.

The opening invocation was led by Rabbi “I hope, that while I’m ensuring the parties Jacob Herber of Congregation Beth El, and on both sides, on some of the most stressful The Investiture program for the Honorable Aaron F. Kass. remarks were given by Joshua Baker of Waldo days of their lives, feel heard and achieve justice, & Lyle, PC, David Lacy of Christian & Barton, LLP, and Matthew that I never forget that those of you advocating on their behalf Foster of Bangel, Bangel & Bangel, LLP. have stressors as well. As the saying goes, you never know what someone has going on,” he said.

Kass extended his heartfelt thanks to his family, friends, and colleagues. “To say this is a team sport is an understatement, and you all are wonderful teammates,” he said, addressing the packed courtroom.

Judge Kass is sworn in by the honorable Kevin M. Duffan.

Melissa Kass holds a JPS Tanakh.

The Kass children, Jonah, Micah, and Alexa, assist their father in putting on his robe.

ffoundation.jewishva.org fo undation.j.j.ewishva.org 757-965-6111 18 | JEWISH NEWS | JUNE 1, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org

Delegate Michael Feggans, Senator Aaron Rouse, Delegate Andrew Rice, and Judge Aaron Kass.

DA D S & G R A D S

HRACRE honors Skip Sacks with 2026 F. Craig Read Service Award Earlier this year, Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Astate presented Skip Sacks with the 2026 F. Craig Read Service Award in recognition of “his exceptional service and long-standing commitment to the organization and the commercial real estate community.”

The F. Craig Read Service Award honors individuals who have demonstrated sustained leadership, volunteerism, and dedication to HRACRE’s mission. Sacks exemplifies those values through decades of involvement and impact.

Sacks became involved with HRACRE in the mid to late 1990s, first serving on the Programs Committee and later chairing the committee for many years. In 2006, he and Scott Adams established the HRACRE Internship Program, which Sacks chaired for many years and helped shape into one of the organization’s most impactful initiatives.

In 2008, Sacks participated in HRACRE’s Strategic Planning Process, contributing to key initiatives that strengthened the organization’s role in the region, including enhanced legislative efforts, the revitalization of the HRACRE Presidents Council, and some of the earliest joint meetings among regional economic development offices.

Sacks served on the HRACRE

board and executive committee for many years and was president in 2013. In 2013 and 2014, he taught “Legal Aspects of Commercial Real Estate” at Old Dominion University as part of HRACRE’s outreach efforts. His class, which frequently featured HRACRE members as guest lecturers, became the model for the expanded Internship Program. He says he is especially proud of the positive feedback he received from students, noting with humor that he never earned a single “chili pepper” on Rate My Professor.

In 2019, Sacks received the Robert M. Stanton Real Estate Teacher of the Year Award from ODU’s Strome College of Business.

In addition, Sacks served on the HRACRE REACH Foundation Board for several years and was president in 2024. During his tenure, he led the effort to create a permanent endowment for the HRACRE Internship Program. This endowment secures the program’s future, ensuring that students will continue to have access to meaningful commercial real estate internships for generations to come. The Internship Program endowment stands as one of Skip’s most significant and lasting contributions to HRACRE. Along with all these volunteer efforts for HRACRE, Sacks finds time to occasionally write book reviews for Jewish News and assume the chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s Gift Acceptance Committee. And, of course, he and is wife, Ellen, are the proud parents of Sam, Nate, and Hannah.

HRACRE is a commercial real estate organization serving Hampton Roads, focused on networking, education, and industry engagement. The organization brings together professionals across the commercial real estate sector to support collaboration and growth.

Ellen, Sam, Hannah, Nate, and Skip Sacks.

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Today, through its inaugural community grant program, Beth Sholom Village is proud to support nonprofit r/ r Hampton organizations helping seniors across Tidewater/ Tidewater/Hampton Roads remain active, connected, engaged, and supported.

Rooted in the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world through care and action, this initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the lives of older adults throughout our region.

Congratulations to the 2026 Grant Recipients

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20 | JEWISH NEWS | JUNE 1, 2026 | jewishnewsva.org

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DA D S & G R A D S FIRST PERSON

I buy this Father’s Day gift every year for my Jewish dad My dad doesn’t want scotch, barbecue tongs or whatever else you might find on a curated gift guide. He just wants these socks.

Daci Platt I’ve just scrolled through my first Father’s Day gift guide of the season and, once again, wondered why no one has ever made a gift guide for my specific brand of Jewish dad.

He’s not a barbecue dad or a sports dad. He’s undeniably a funny, silly Jewish dad, but he doesn’t want a book about Jewish humor — he tells the jokes, his way. He’s a golf dad, but he doesn’t want to read about golf, and he’s been playing for decades — why should he accept gear from someone who quit the high school golf team and falls asleep the moment the golf channel turns on (sorry Dad, but could you have picked a hobby with a little more energy)? He loves tech, but only when he discovers it and can tell me about it. He would not take kindly to my trying to introduce him to a new gadget. (See: His lackluster response to an Aura digital picture frame.)

My Jewish dad wants one thing and one thing only: socks with pictures of his family on them.

I know this because one year, after feeling guilty for sending him the same pair of socks with rotating photos of myself, my husband, and my kids year after year, I tried sending him a gourmet version of a treat he likes. He texted me: “Thanks. Next year please send socks with pictures on them.”

Message received, Dad! I went back to my old standby: Divvyup, a truly seamless service for printing photo gifts. Just choose your product (they used to only do socks, but have branched out into blankets, can coolers, stickers, and more), upload your photos and pick a color or pattern. They even have a pretty robust Hanukkah section with options that work for any time of year. (Pro move for a goofy Jewish dad: If you buy two different colors of socks with different photos on each, your dad might take it upon himself to wear one of each color — two Kveller dads have pulled this move.)

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go sift through my camera roll for this year’s perfect sock photo. You should too, so you can order your gift in time for it to arrive on Father’s Day!

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This article first appeared on Kveller.

Daci Platt is a pop-culture obsessed writer, amateur illustrator, audience engagement associate at Kveller, and mom of two girls. Like many social media managers, she has all but stopped posting on her personal accounts but you can find her in most places @dacijaye. jewishnewsva.org | JUNE 1, 2026 | JEWISH NEWS | 21