Jewish News - 11.14.22 Issue

DRIVEN TO help others thrive and succeed.

Deeply rooted in the Hampton Roads community for 58 years, Checkered Flag is devoted to giving back to the thousands of loyal customers in our community. To that end, we partner with over 65 local educators, charities and community services to create economic opportunity, improve public health, education, and perhaps most importantly of all, inspire civic engagement and service. We’d like to help everyone in our community live their best life.

CheckeredFlag.com

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

Patriots owner Robert Kraft funds NFL TV ad about standing up ‘against Jewish hate’

Jacob Gurvis

(JTA)—Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner who donates heavily to Jewish causes, funded an advertisement that ran during the Sunday, Oct. 30 NFL matchup between the Patriots and the New York Jets urging NFL fans to “stand up against Jewish hate.”

The ad aired during a weekend in which NBA star Kyrie Irving shared a link to an antisemitic movie online and the message “Kanye is right about the jews” was projected at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, during a college football game between the University of Florida and the University of Georgia.

“There are less than 8 million Jewish people in this country. Fewer than are watching this game,” read Kraft’s 30-second ad, which featured simple white text on a black background, set to ambient music. “They need you to add your voice.” It was produced jointly by the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s foundation.

“We must do more to make people aware that antisemitism is a growing threat against Jews on social media and in com munities across the country,” Kraft said in

a statement. “I have committed tremen dous resources toward this effort and am vowing to do more. I encour age others to join in these efforts.

8 million

My hope is this commercial will continue to enhance the national con versation about the need to speak out against hatred of all types, and particu larly to stand up to Jewish hate.”

Kraft, whose estimated net worth is $10.6 billion, has donated millions of dollars to a variety of Jewish causes over the years—including Israel and numer ous Jewish institutions and programs in Boston, where his late wife Myra was a longtime leader at the Jewish federation.

The ad follows the recent controversy surrounding rapper Kanye West, whose ongoing antisemitic tirades led to the ter mination of his highly lucrative contract with Adidas.

The Jacksonville stunt was just one of a handful of antisemitic incidents in

CONTENTS

Nearly half of U.S. adults believe America should be a ‘Christian nation’ 6

VIAB: Israeli and U.S. space agencies welcome partnerships 7

U.S. Attorney’s office to host ‘United Against Hate’ 8

Online antisemites see opening as Musk takes over Twitter 10

Nancy Pelosi’s husband’s attacker spread conspiracy theories about Jews 11

TJF: Start thinking about end-of-year planning 12

Reform Rabbi to be knighted 13

Joe Perlov creates a new understanding of Israel’s map 14

Israel elects and Jewish groups are reticent about commenting 15

JDC country director speaks on efforts in Ukraine 16

Special section: The Holiday Season is About to Begin 17

Footwear designer Stuart Weitzman is ping-pong medalist 25

What’s Happening 26

BeAR literacy program 2022/23 school year 27

What’s Happening 28 Congregation Beth Chaverim celebrates 40 years 31

What’s Happening 32 Calendar 34 Obituaries 36

the city that weekend, where the same mes sage was displayed on another building and banners reading “End Jewish Supremacy in America” and “Honk if you know it’s the Jews” were displayed on Interstate 10. It is unclear how the Kanye statement was projected across the exterior of the Jacksonville stadium.

The University of Florida and the University of Georgia released a joint statement condemning the incident.

“We strongly condemn the antisemitic hate speech projected outside TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville after the FloridaGeorgia football game Saturday night and the other antisemitic messages that have appeared in Jacksonville,” the universities said. “The University of Florida and the University of Georgia together denounce these and all acts of antisemitism and other forms of hatred and intolerance. We are proud to be home to strong and thriving Jewish communities at UGA and UF and we stand together against hate.”

jewishnewsva.org

Published 20 times a year by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462-4370 voice 757-965-6100 • fax 757-965-6102 email news@ujft.org

Terri Denison, Editor

Germaine Clair, Art Director

Sandy Goldberg, Account Executive Debbie Burke, Copywriter

Marilyn Cerase, Subscription Manager Reba Karp, Editor Emeritus

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Laura G. Gross, President

Alvin Wall, Treasurer Mona Flax, Secretary

Betty Ann Levin, Executive Vice President

JewishVA.org

The appearance of advertising in the Jewish News does not constitute a kashrut, political, product or service endorsement. The articles and letters appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of this newspaper.

©2022 Jewish News. All rights reserved.

Subscription: $18 per year For subscription or change of address, call 757-965-6128 or email mcerase@ujft.org.

Upcoming Deadlines for Editorial and Advertising

Dec. 5 Holidays/Mazel Tov Nov. 13 Dec. 19 Year End/Education Dec. 2 Jan. 23 Foodie/Romance Jan. 6 Feb. 6 Invest/Retire Jan. 20 Feb. 20 Mazel Tov Feb. 3 March 6 Camp Feb. 17 March 20 Passsover March 3 April 3 Israel at 75 March 17

LIGHTINGQUOTABLE

Friday, November 18/24 Chehvan

Light candles at 4:36 pm

Friday, November 25/1 Kislev Light candles at 4:32 pm

Friday, December 2/8 Kislev

Light candles at 4:31 pm

Friday, December 9/15 Kislev

Light candles at 4:31 pm

Friday, December 16/22 Kislev Light candles at 4:30 pm

—page 14

Friday, December 23/29 Kislev Light candles at 4:35 pm

jewishnewsva.org | November 14, 2022 |

“My goal is to create honest, open conversation and understanding in order to better, not batter, Israel and the region.”

JewishNewsVA

Fewer than

Jewish people live in the United States

BRIEFS

ISRAEL AND LEBANON SIGN US-BROKERED MARITIME DEAL

After years of negotiation and military posturing, Israel and Lebanon signed a U.S.-brokered agreement that establishes maritime boundaries between the coun tries, allowing each to explore for fossil fuels unthreatened by the prospect of an attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, heading into an election and under fire from his rival, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who says the deal concedes too much, cast the deal as a his toric breakthrough.

“This is a diplomatic achievement,” Lapid said at the start of the Cabinet meeting, which approved the deal. “It is not every day that an enemy country recognizes the State of Israel, in a written agreement, in view of the international community.”

Lebanon has been among Israel’s most implacable enemies for decades, influ enced to a large degree by the Hezbollah terrorist militia which holds sway in much of the country. Lebanon’s president, Michel Aoun, sought to downplay any diplomatic significance to the deal.

“Demarcating the southern maritime border is technical work that has no polit ical implications or effects contradicting Lebanon’s foreign policy,” Anadolu news agency quoted him as saying.

Hezbollah backs the deal, but casts it simply as a means to accelerate devel opment in gas fields that are now under Lebanese sovereignty. Lebanon is cur rently deep in an economic crisis.

The sensitive nature of the agreement was evident in how it was finalized. Officials from both sides met in the Lebanese border town of Naqoura to finalize it, but media was barred. Amos Hochstein, the Biden administration offi cial brokering the deal, then traveled to Beirut and Jerusalem to obtain the signed documents from the countries’ leaders.

Lapid thanked Hochstein and President Joe Biden, who has been criti cized by Republicans for pressuring Israel into the deal. Lapid has said there was no pressure and that the deal is in Israel’s interests.

“Amos, I want to thank you and your

crew for all the great work—nothing less than great work in making the deal between us and Lebanon happen,” Lapid said at their meeting. “It wouldn’t have been possible without you and without the support of President Biden who was there for us all the way. His commit ment to Israel is deeply appreciated and your commitment to the whole process is deeply appreciated.”

Israel is ready to start mining at the Karish gas field south of the boundary, and Lebanon is planning to soon set up mining at its Qana field. (JTA)

JIMMY KIMMEL SKETCH POKES FUN AT KANYE WEST AND ANTISEMITISM

With a sketch video aimed at Kanye West, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel joked about a “cure” for antisemitism: “Yentanyl.”

Kimmel debuted the term, a mashup of the word “yenta” (Yiddish for gossip ing socialite) and the narcotic fentanyl, in a video for Jimmy Kimmel Live! view ers on Wednesday, Oct. 26. Or, as the generic name says on the bottle: “Meshuggenehonum” (a play on the word “meshuggeneh,” Yiddish for crazy).

“Does anyone else feel like we’re about to find out that for the past 20 years Kanye has been a Sacha Baron Cohen character?” Kimmel asked the audience in a seg ment addressing the multiple antisemitic remarks the rapper has made over the last few weeks.

The sketch leans heavily into American Ashkenazi humor, referencing bagels, Seinfeld , and side effects that include a “deep appreciation for Mel Brooks.” Patients are cautioned to call their doctors “if your guilt trip lasts more than four hours.”

Comments on the show’s social media pages have been mixed.

“I’m Jewish and this is funny—how ever—would this same video be allowed right now if it were about any other minority, race, or group of people?” one commenter wrote on Instagram. “I truly don’t think so and I find that interesting.”

Another person wrote, “Love your show. I was disappointed to see this being joked about. Antisemitism isn’t ever to be made light of.”

Jewish lifestyle blogger Shoshana Batya Greenwald, who frequently posts about

bigotry centered around a Jewish perspec tive, shared the video on her Instagram story with the caption: “In the light of things like ‘teaching both sides,’ here’s something for the antisemites out there. You’re welcome.” (JTA)

AS ITALY’S MELONI DOWNPLAYS FASCIST TIES, THOUSANDS MARCH IN PRAISE OF BENITO MUSSOLINI

Thousands marched to the grave of the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in Predappio on Sunday, Oct. 30, to com memorate the 100-year anniversary of his coming to power in Rome, days after the new Italian prime minister, whose party has fascist roots, decried the Italian race laws of the 1930s that targeted Jews.

The crowd of up to 4,000 wore all black and chanted praise for Mussolini, a key Hitler ally.

Far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has worried Italian Jews through her past connections to the Italian Social Movement, known as MSI, a neo-fascist party founded in 1946 by people who had worked with Hitler and Mussolini. Meloni’s current party, Brothers of Italy, is closely tied to the group, even housing its office in the same building where MSI operated and using an identical logo, a tricolor flame.

At age 19, Meloni told French television that, “Mussolini was a good politician, in that everything he did, he did for Italy.”

But on Wednesday, Oct. 26, Meloni appeared to distance herself from past statements. Italy never went through a denazification process, and members of the MSI served in the country’s first post war parliament.

“I have never felt sympathy or close ness to undemocratic regimes, fascism included, as I have always considered the racial laws of 1938 the lowest point in Italian history, a shame that will mark our people forever,” she told Italy’s lower house of parliament.

By the end of 1938, those race laws prohibited Jews from Italian schools and academia, politics, finances, the profes sional world, and other sectors of public and private life. The laws later expanded, making it illegal for Jews to marry nonJews or hire non-Jewish employees. Thousands of Italian Jews were killed

during the Holocaust.

The day after Meloni spoke, Italian police removed posters promoting the march in Predappio, the AP reported.

“This is a disturbing signal,” Gianfranco Pagliarulo, head of the National Association of Italian Partisans, which preserves the memory of World War II-era anti-fascist groups, told the AP. “It is evident that the victory of the nationalist right will lead to a resurgence of neo-fascist provocative attitudes.” (JTA)

SNYDER LOOKS INTO SELLING WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Dan Snyder, the Jewish owner of the Washington Commanders who is ensnared in a scandal involving sexual harassment in the team’s workplace, announced that he and his wife and co-owner Tanya Snyder are exploring a possible sale of the NFL franchise.

“The Snyders remain committed to the team, all of its employees and its countless fans to putting the best prod uct on the field and continuing the work to set the gold standard for workplaces in the NFL,” the team said in the statement.

Snyder has been under intense scru tiny since July 2020, when a Washington Post investigation revealed a series of allegations of sexual harassment and toxic workplace culture by former team employees, including the use of “Jewish slurs” by a high-ranking team executive.

The organization, and Snyder in particular, are under investigation by multiple entities, including Congress and the NFL. An initial NFL investigation into the team’s alleged toxic culture resulted in a $10 million fine in July 2021. Snyder stepped back from his dayto-day responsibilities as a result.

This past summer, Snyder asked to postpone a scheduled deposition in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform because of a trip to Israel to observe the anniversary of his mother’s death.

Snyder, who is a member of the Greater Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, purchased the team in 1999 for $800 million. According to a Forbes estimate, the franchise is now worth $5.6 billion. (JTA)

Sentara is proud to launch a new, innovative model of care for the communities we serve. Sentara Community Care brings neighborhood-level health and wellness services to historically marginalized and under-resourced communities to improve the individual’s health as well as the health of the whole community. Through Sentara Mobile Care and Sentara Community Care Centers, we are providing health services for our Medicaid, underinsured and uninsured community members right in their neighborhoods where they live, work, learn and play.

NATIONForever Helping Others

Nearly half of U.S. adults believe America should be a ‘Christian nation’

Andrew Lapin

(JTA)—Forty-five percent of American adults believe the United States should be a “Christian nation,” according to the results of a new survey published Thursday, October 27 by the Pew Research Center—the latest data point finding modern support for Christian nationalist sentiment that could threaten Jewish life in a pluralistic nation.

But Pew respondents had varying opin ions on what exactly the term “Christian nation” means.

reject other religious beliefs outright, has a strong historic overlap with antisem itism, and its most vocal modern-day adherents also spout antisemitic beliefs.

security advisor Michael Flynn have openly embraced Christian national ism alongside antisemitic beliefs, while even some U.S. civil servants have been outed as promoting antisemitic Christian nationalist views. Christian nationalists remain some of former President Donald Trump’s fiercest supporters.

Bill Goldback’s legacy lives on through the arts.

Bill, who died in 2007, left a donation in his will for the performing arts in Hampton Roads. The William A. Goldback Fund continues to support arts groups and other causes in our community.

Those who supported the idea “see a Christian nation as one where people are more broadly guided by Christian values or a belief in God, even if its laws are not explicitly Christian and its leaders can have a variety of faiths or no faith at all,” Pew researchers Gregory Smith, Michael Rotolo, and Patricia Tevington wrote in a summary of their findings.

Pew found that most people who sup port the idea of a “Christian nation” also reject specific ideas behind Christian nationalism, such as that of the federal government declaring Christianity the country’s official religion or advocating Christian religious values. A majority of all respondents also wanted to keep churches out of politics and believed Supreme Court Justices should not allow their religious beliefs to influence their decision-making.

A Pew spokesperson told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the survey didn’t include any questions about Jews and therefore couldn’t offer insight into what its implications toward Jews would be. Pew crafted the survey in an effort to understand the recent growth of Christian nationalist sentiments among some politi cians and members of the public.

Find out how you can leave your mark.

Visit LeaveABequest.org

Still, the concept of a “Christian nation” is a dangerous one for Jews. Christian nationalism, which holds that the United States should base its laws and identity around Christianity and discourage or

One of the 20th century’s strongest American proponents of Christian nation alism, minister Gerald L.K. Smith, was a virulent antisemite and Nazi sympa thizer who partnered with Father Charles Coughlin, distributed antisemitic lit erature nationwide, and supported the deportation of all “Zionists”; his final act was to build a massive statue of Jesus Christ in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

In recent years, right-wing politi cians like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and former White House national

The country’s most prominent antisemites and white supremacists are also Christian nationalists. Nick Fuentes, the founder of a white nationalist political group who has connections to Greene and fellow Republican Rep. Paul Gosar, has declared that “we need a government of Christians” and said “Jewish people can be here, but they can’t make laws.” Andrew Torba, the openly antisemitic founder of the social network Gab who has ties to Pennsylvania GOP gubernato rial nominee Doug Mastriano, has said he pushes Jews to “repent and accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior.”

A number of mass shooters in recent years, including the perpetrators of the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh and the Buffalo supermarket shooting earlier this year, also authored manifestos voicing support for the so-called “replacement theory,” which has its roots in Christian nationalism and holds that Jews and other minority groups are plotting to overthrow America’s white Christian majority. Fox News host Tucker Carlson has also endorsed the theory on his show.

Meanwhile, the label “Judeo-Christian,” commonly employed by Republicans to describe the idea of Jewish and Christian unity over general Christian principles, has been embraced by right-wing Jewish politicians in recent years.

Most respondents who supported the idea of the United States being a “Christian nation” themselves identified as Christian and Republican, according to Pew. One in six of the survey’s Jewish respondents supported the idea of the United States being a “Christian nation.”

The concept of a “Christian nation” is a dangerous one for Jews.

ISRAEL & VIRGINIA

Israeli and U.S. space agencies welcome private sector R&D and commercial partnerships to advance the $1 trillion space tech market

Israel is now a leading player in space tech.

“A private Israeli space venture recently pro pelled our nation into the club of four countries that have landed on the moon,” said Director General of the Israel Space Agency, Uri Oran, at a U.S.-Israel Space Tech event. The event took place at the Virginia Tech Briefing Center in Arlington, Va. on October 25.

A second $100-million privately funded and man aged mission called Beresheet 2 (Beresheet is the Hebrew name for the first book in the Bible, Genesis) is slated to launch in 2024. “As we trend towards a $1-trillion space market,” added Oran, ”one of the Israel Space Agency’s priorities is to develop a national infrastructure to be a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs to build private space ventures.”

Attended by representatives of space-related startups and established technology firms, as well as government and other stakeholders, the event fol lowed by just three weeks the first meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology held in the White House and led by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Yair Lapid launched the dialogue to establish a partnership on critical and emerging technologies.

NASA’s Dr. Eliad Peretz, lead researcher for New Space Missions at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, noted NASA’s openness to private sector participation when he briefed the group on access points for com panies to receive NASA funding to support its core research tasks, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.

Starburst Aerospace, an innovation catalyst and the only aerospace accelerator in Israel, is exploring establishing a startup accelerator program in Virginia to facilitate co-development between industry lead ers to solve the aerospace industry most pressing technological challenges, according to Noemie Alliel, managing director of Starburst Israel, who presented at the event. “The program will support pre-seed and seed-stage startups and focus on accelerating the product-market fit with key design partners from Starburst’s global ecosystem that will provide beta site and funding,” said Alliel.

The Virginia Israel Advisory Board (VIAB), a state agency developing economic, cultural, and educational connections between Israel and Virginia, hosted Space Tech along with the Arlington County Economic Development Agency and TYPE5, a space tech investment group. Dov Hoch, Virginia Israel Advisory Board’s executive director, says he is work ing with Aimee Rogstad Guidera, Virginia Secretary of Education, to develop a STEM education program involving Virginia students with the Israel lunar lander Beresheet 2. “We envision a learning program that will lead to launching a student digital payload to the moon, then a yearlong engagement with the lunar orbiter involving Virginia students communicating with and monitoring activities in space,” Hoch says.

“We were thrilled to partner with VIAB to host the US-Israel Space Tech Event in Arlington,” said Marian Marquez, acting deputy director of Arlington Economic Development. “Earlier this year, I met with Israeli tech companies in Tel Aviv that are driving space innovation with important commercial and defense applications, and we have many great compa nies here in Northern Virginia doing the same. Space Tech brought them together.”

The Arlington gathering built on momentum in space tech collaboration between Virginia and Israeli companies that started in 2021 when Wakefield, Va. based Mil-SAT partnered with Israel’s Over-SAT in a joint venture to create Cassiopeia Space Systems Inc. (CSS). CSS presented their RIGEL Satcom Terminal at Space Tech.

The venture’s initial $1-million funding came from the U.S.-Israel Bi-National R&D fund (BIRD) whose deputy executive director, Limor Nakar-Vincent, encouraged attendees to explore R&D partner ships with Israeli companies who can receive up to $1.5-million in non-dilutive funding.

“To me, Space Tech was the ‘first step’ in space-re lated partnerships between Virginia and Israeli companies,” says VIAB’s Hoch. “It was a marvelous follow-up to an event in 2021 when then-Gover nor Northam invited an Israeli Ministry of Defense unmanned systems delegation to Virginia. Also, last month, UVision, an unmanned Israeli defense con tractor, opened a facility in Stafford.”

NASA’s Dr. Eliad Peretz (right) holds a device that identifies and tracks space “garbage” to prevent collisions. Scout CEO Eric Ingram (left) from Norfolk, Va., developed the product.

Dov Hoch, Virginia Israel Advisory Board executive director, with a model of the private Israeli lunar orbiter Beresheet 2 (Hebrew for Genesis), the firstever double landing on the moon (on the Earth-Facing side and the dark side) scheduled to launch in 2024. Only four countries have landed on the moon.

ANTISEMITISM

U.S. Attorney’s Office to host ‘United Against Hate’

Wednesday, November 30, 7:30 pm Sandler

Family Campus, Free

Elka Mednick

UnitedJewish Federation of Tidewater’s Jewish Community Relations Council will host the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia United Against Hate, a program designed to help community members and leaders better understand what constitutes a hate crime, how to best report it to law enforcement, and where it goes from there.

Hate crimes versus hate incidents, the importance of reporting unlawful acts of hate, providing options for responding to incidents when situations do not con stitute a federal or state crime, and more will be covered at the event. Attendees will learn about how the U.S. Attorney’s Offices investigate hate, participate in hypothetical scenarios, and review video clips depicting real-life hate crime cases from recent years.

Jessica D. Aber, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, will lead the program. Aber received her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of Richmond in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from William & Mary Law School in 2006. Aber began her legal career as a law clerk for then-Magistrate Judge M. Hannah Lauck of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2006. From 2007 to 2008, she was an associ ate at McGuireWoods.

In March 2021, Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner recommended Aber and one other candidate to the White House. On August 10, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Aber to be the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of

Virginia. On October 5, 2021, her nomi nation was confirmed in the United States Senate by voice vote.

In a brief interview with Jewish News, Aber explains why her office is presenting the program and what is hoped will be gained by it.

Jewish News: What inspired the U.S. Attorney’s Office to create the United Against Hate program?

Jessica D. Aber: On May 27, 2021, Attorney General Garland issued a mem orandum on “Improving the Department’s Efforts to Combat Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents,” which emphasized the importance of prior itizing community outreach around hate crimes. The “United Against Hate: Identifying, Reporting and Preventing Hate Crimes” presentation, developed

Jessica D. Aber.

ANTISEMITISM

by the Department’s Hate Crimes Enforcement and Prevention Initiative, is designed to meet that objective. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia applied for and was proud to be selected for the first national phase of this important program.

JN: What does the Office see as a rea son(s) for the rise in hate crimes?

JA: According to the findings of the 2021 Congressional COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, following the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, there was a dramatic increase in hate crimes and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. A report supporting this Act found that there were nearly 3,800 reported cases of anti-Asian discrimination and incidents related to

COVID-19 between March 19, 2020, and February 28, 2021, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. During this time frame, race was cited as the primary reason for discrimination.

JN: How often does someone actually get prosecuted for committing a hate crime?

JA: According to the 2020 hate crimes data gathered by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting submitted by 15,138 law enforcement agencies, during that year there were 8,263 hate crime incidents involving 11,129 offenses.

It’s not clear how many of those reports resulted in actual federal or state prosecutions, but part of the reason that these numbers might seem low is that

hate crimes often go unreported. One of the goals of UAH is to explain how and why to report hate crimes, and to show that law enforcement really does care to learn about all hate incidents to ensure that they can be properly investigated.

JN: Where does the Office see the most increase of hate crimes? Why is this hap pening now, in 2022?

JA: There are a broad range of factors that could play into why any crime happens, and the causes behind an increase in hate crimes is similarly difficult to pin on any number of specific factors. What we at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia do know, along with its federal and state law enforcement part ners, is that one hate crime is too much. We want to see an end to all hate crimes. We hope that UAH will be the beginning of increased public awareness about hate crimes in the Eastern District of Virginia.

JN: Will this be an information session or will attendees leave with tools for dealing with and possibly preventing hate crimes?

JA: This presentation will cover three topic areas: Identifying Hate Crimes, Reporting Hate Crimes, and Preventing Hate Crimes. The goal of the presentation is to help local community members have a better understanding of hate crimes and how to report them to law enforcement.

Open to the entire community, the program will bring people of all faiths, races, and eth nicities together, along with law enforcement leaders from every municipality in the region, to foster a robust dialogue and create partner ships to fight against hate.

Registration is required by November 23. Email usavae.rsvp@usdoj.gov. For more information or to request assistance or accom modation, contact Rebecca Gantt at Rebecca. gantt@usdoj.gov, or Elka Mednick, UJFT’s JCRC assistant director, at EMednick@ujft.org.

With a combined 40 years of experience, whether you’re buying, selling or investing, we can assist you with all of your real estate needs.

your

We are pleased to welcome Ari Stein as a partner with our firm. As a former general counsel for a corporation based in Hampton Roads, Ari has learned about the challenges businesses face every day. As a skilled litigator, Ari knows how to use that knowledge to get results for his business clients. 208 Plume Street Suite 247 Norfolk VA 23510 (757) 935-9194

ANTISEMITISM

that Elon

over’: Online antisemites see opening as Twitter is handed over to Musk

Asaf Elia-Shalev

(JTA)—Online extremists emboldened by Kanye West’s recent antisemitic dia tribes and by Elon Musk’s pledge to loosen content moderation policies on Twitter after taking control of the social media platform last month have launched a new hashtag campaign targeting Jews.

“Now that Elon is taking over Twitter it’s time to finally put our skills to use,” wrote an anonymous user on 4chan, the hate-filled online forum. “There will be maximum chaos at Twitter over the next 48 hours so now is our time to strike while the iron is hot.”

We are concerned that Mr. Musk’s acquisition of Twitter may accelerate what ADL has seen repeatedly: the pushing out of marginalized communities from social media.

The 4chan user called on others to use the hashtag #TheNoticing while posting antisemitic content on Twitter, especially messages harping on the Nazi-inspired idea that Jews control the world through hidden machinations.

The resulting wave of hateful con tent on Twitter over the first two days of Musk’s ownership was highlighted by actor Seth Rogen, who is Jewish. He tweeted about the hashtag campaign to his 9.4 million followers on Friday, Oct. 28.

“Anyone want to see how much anti-semitism is thriving right now, just check the hashtag #TheNoticing,” Rogen wrote.

Rogen soon deleted the tweet, perhaps

because many Jewish users have argued that pointing to tweets by antisemites serves to amplify their hateful message.

Given Twitter’s importance as a global social media platform used by world leaders, media figures, and celeb rities, Musk’s takeover of the company is being closely watched. Many in the Jewish world are bracing in particular for changes that could lead to the further spread of racist and antisemitic ideas online.

The head of the Anti-Defamation League said Musk’s willingness to wel come Kanye West, the rapper who was suspended last month for antise mitic posts, back to the platform was worrisome.

“We are concerned that Mr. Musk’s acquisition of Twitter may accelerate what ADL has seen repeatedly: the pushing out of marginalized communities from social media,” CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement Friday, Oct.28.

Musk engendered controversy in the lead-up to his acquisition of the company when he vowed to end what he sees as practices of censorship on the platform. In a message to investors, Thursday, Oct. 27, however, he appeared to soften his stance. He said that free speech needed to be balanced with rules that would ensure Twitter is “warm and welcoming to all.”

Musk said his goal was to “have a common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner.” He added that Twitter “cannot become a free-for-all hellscape, where anything can be said with no consequences!”

Still, some Twitter users, including Jewish ones, said they are planning to leave the platform or at least that they expect it to become less hospitable or pleasant for them.

“Ugh. This place is gonna become a hotbed of hate, especially antisemi tism,” wrote user Ari Solomon with a link to a news article about Musk’s takeover.

NANCY EVANS

Ari Stein makes it his business to know

business.

‘Now

is taking

Man who allegedly attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband had spread conspiracy theories about Jews

Ron Kampeas

(JTA)—The man arrested for beating U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s hus band with a hammer after breaking into their San Francisco home in search of her had spread the theory online that Jews are to blame for the war in Ukraine.

San Francisco police arrested David DePape on Friday, Oct. 28 after Paul Pelosi struggled with a home invader who was attacking him. DePape was allegedly yelling, “Where is Nancy?” Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., at the time of the attack. Paul Pelosi, 82, was hospital ized, but is expected to recover.

A picture of DePape that emerged

after police named him as the alleged attacker suggests that he was actively engaged online with a slew of conspiracy theories, including ones about Pelosi, who has been a target of supporters of former president Donald Trump, and about Jews.

One of two websites DePape appar ently administered includes a category entitled “DaJewbs,” devoted to antisemitic conspiracy theories, including Holocaust denial. Numerous recent entries accuse Jews of being behind Russia’s war against Ukraine as a means of buying up the land.

“That’s some pretty sick Jewing going on if true,” said a post from Monday,

Oct. 24 featuring an antisemitic carica ture of a Jew. “Bomb the country into shit so the residents leave. Buy the land up for cheap.”

A post on Tuesday, Oct. 25 said, “The more Ukrainians die NEEDLESSLY the cheaper the land will be for Jews to buy up.”

DePape’s Facebook page appears to no longer be available, but CNN reported that it was replete with posts embrac ing the election denial lie peddled by Trump and his supporters, as well as transphobic content and unfounded the ories about the coronavirus vaccines. The network also spoke to people who knew DePape, including family members, who

said that he was disconnected from real ity and from his family.

DePape, who was charged with attempted homicide and other crimes, joins a growing list of alleged perpe trators of attacks fueled by conspiracy theories that spread online. The alleged gunman who killed 10 people in Buffalo, New York, in May, for example, ascribed to the “great replacement theory” which posits that Jews are behind an effort to replace white people with immigrants of color. The man identified as being the perpetrator of a recent shooting outside an LGBTQ bar in Bratislava, Slovakia, did as well; both men called for the murder of Jews.

TIDEWATER

JEWISH FOUNDATION

It’s time to start thinking about end-of-year planning

Naomi Limor Sedek

Winding down from the whirlwind of family High Holiday celebra tions and gearing up for Thanksgiving, I am reminded that our worldview is

relative. For example, instead of focusing on the volatility in the market this past quarter, we should take the long view over time that our investment strategy is meant to provide for the long-term sta bility of assets to assure the future of the

Tidewater Jewish Community.

Given the current short-term volatility in the market, now is the time to sit tight and remember that the Tidewater Jewish Foundation investment strategy takes a long view approach. Specifically, for TJF’s donor-advised fund holders who are ner vous about recent short-term decreases in fund balances, it is important to think about the long view and adding assets to those funds. When assets were added to the fund(s), donors received the charita ble deduction for the full amount of the original gift. While there may be less to recommend for distribution, it is import ant for donors to remember it is all relative and that they will have an opportunity to grow assets for charitable intent. Now, while the market is down, is a great time to add to the fund’s balance to enjoy (hopefully) better returns in the future.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR YEAREND TAX PLANNING

• Use appreciated assets to make a char itable gift in 2022. As in previous years, gifts of long-term appreciated assets (stock) remain a best practice. Such gifts not only provide a deduction to the donor, but also avoid the capital gains tax. Conversely, built-in loss assets generally should be sold (generating a tax loss) with the resulting cash proceeds donated, if desired. Note that, as in previous years, up to $3,000 of capital losses may be used to offset ordinary income.

• Consider donating to a DAF this year for maximum flexibility. If you are con sidering making a significant donation to charity over time but want a charitable income tax deduction today, consider adding funds to an existing donor-ad vised fund (DAF) or opening a new DAF. It can be especially beneficial to donate appreciated property, because by doing so capital gains taxation with respect to the contributed assets is eliminated.

TJF has an incentive match of $2,500 when a donor opens a DAF with a mini mum of $7,500.

• Look into an IRA charitable rollover.

The IRA char itable rollover, also known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD, is an attractive option because it can help satisfy the minimum distribution requirement without incur ring income tax, even for those who don’t itemize deductions. If the proposed legis lation expanding the amount and nature of rollovers is enacted, this option will become even more attractive.

• Consider taking advantage of energy incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act. When planning for 2023, consider taking advantage of the new and newly expanded and extended green energy incentives that are provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, including the tax credits for rooftop solar panels, insulation, electric vehi cle purchases, and energy-efficient home improvements. Each of these incentives has somewhat complex rules, and some do not go into effect until 2023, so careful research is required.

• Consider accelerating non-charitable gifts. The unified estate/gift credit of $12.06 million is scheduled to auto matically reduce to around $6 million beginning with transfers made in 2026. Accordingly, taxpayers who intend to make significant gifts (either during their lifetime or in the form of bequests) may want to consider accelerating some or all of those gifts early.

As with any significant tax and charitable planning, it is always advisable to carefully consider potential changes in the context of your complete financial profile and to consult your professional tax advisor.

Naomi Limor Sedek is Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s president and CEO. She may be reached at Nsedek@ujft.org.

Disclaimer: The Foundation does not provide tax advice. Please consult with your profes sional advisor before taking any action.

Naomi Limor Sedek.

ISRAEL

Reform rabbi to be knighted by Pope Francis for his work on Jewish-Catholic relations

Jackie Hajdenberg

(JTA)—A. James Rudin, a leading Reform rabbi and educator and the longtime director of interreligious affairs at the American Jewish Committee, will be knighted under the Papal Order of St. Gregory for his work on Catholic-Jewish relations.

He will become the ninth Jewish person to receive the honor in the Order’s nearly 200-year history. Other Jews so knighted include Walter Annenberg, the philanthropist and creator of TV Guide; the prominent Conservative rabbi Mordecai Waxman; Argentine interfaith advocate Rabbi León Klenicki; Rabbi David Rosen of the AJC; and various philanthropists, businesspeople, and musicians with Jewish ancestry.

The honor recognizes people whose work has supported the Catholic Church, which can include Jews focused on inter faith projects.

Earlier this year, Rudin, 88, published a memoir, The People in the Room: Rabbis, Nuns, Pastors, Popes, and Presidents, which recounts his many trips abroad during his time working at the AJC as part of his work to improve Jewish-Christian rela tions in the years after the Holocaust.

“For more than 50 years, Rabbi James Rudin has worked to advance CatholicJewish relations, and interfaith relations on a wider scale, with extraordinary skill, dedication, and success,” Cardinal Sean O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, said in a statement. “The impact of this work con tinues to grow as successive generations build on the foundation Rabbi Rudin has established.”

In his memoir, Rudin recounts how growing up in Alexandria, Virginia, among Southern Baptists, he and his Catholic classmates were singled out during a class reading on the New Testament and asked to leave the room. After graduating from rabbinical school at Hebrew Union College, Rudin served as

an Air Force chaplain in Japan and Korea, where he befriended a Catholic priest with whom he partnered to lead CatholicJewish programming. When he finished his service in the Air Force, Rudin served as a pulpit rabbi at multiple midwestern synagogues before joining the American Jewish Committee in 1968. He eventually became the AJC’s director of interreligious affairs and continued his work in the Jewish-Catholic interfaith space.

Rudin also founded the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Saint Leo University, a Catholic liberal arts uni versity in western Florida, where he is currently listed as a visiting professor and serves on the advisory board. The inves titure ceremony honoring him will take place on Nov. 20 on the Saint Leo campus.

Rabbi Eric J. Greenberg, director of the United Nations relations and strategic partnerships for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, helped nominate Rudin for the honor.

“This knighthood clearly demonstrates the evolving positive relations between Catholics and Jews,” Greenberg said. “Rabbi Rudin well deserves this historic, international honor.”

“This knighthood clearly demonstrates the evolving positive relations between Catholics and Jews.”

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Joe Perlov’s innovative map exercises create a new understanding of Israel throughout Tidewater

Elka Mednick

Israel expert Joe Perlov took Tidewater by storm with more than a dozen events over the course of just a few days—engag ing with hundreds of people from both the Jewish and general community.

Though Perlov focuses on the chang ing map of Israel, from the 23 border shifts that have occurred since 1948 and the many predating that, his events were anything but lectures. Perlov held inter active workshops in which he created the map of Israel and its neighbors in tape

on the floor and engaged his audience as participants in exploring myriad of topics from the parliamentary system in the Israeli Knesset to the international treaties that have created both tension and peace over the years.

During Perlov’s visit, he presented at the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, worked with a group of students at William and Mary’s Hillel, explored the cities of Israel with Strelitz International Academy students and domestic Israeli politics with AP govern ment students at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, and much more. Among the many pro grams Perlov led, the Israel Today community event on Wednesday, October 26, saw community mem bers learn the details of what makes Israel a Jewish state, the challenges and suc cesses of Israel, and the compet ing narratives that

inform the history and present in his signature program, Conflict in Context.

Perlov’s visit is sure to have a last ing impact on how people in Tidewater perceive Israel, its neighbors, and the complicated rela tionships both internationally and domestically. As Perlov says, “My goal is to create honest, open conversation, and understanding in order to better, not batter, Israel and the region.”

For more information about the Israel Today series, presented by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, and Community Partners, including all local synagogues and Jewish agencies, visit Jewishva.org/israeltoday or contact Elka Mednick, assistant director of the JCRC at emednick@ujft.org or 757-965-6112.

Joe Perlov with William and Mary Hillel students.

Joe Perlov and Strelitz International Academy students explore the geography of Israel.

Rebecca Fry, Joe Perlov, Elka Mednick, Principal Diron Ford, and Student Government Association president at Booker T. High School.

Joe Perlov.

Israel Today participants create the 1948 Israeli borders as sanctioned by the United Nations.

ISRAEL

After Israel’s election, these Jewish groups are reticent about speaking out about extremists

Ron Kampeas

WASHINGTON (JTA)—Few of the American Jewish groups who would not speak out about the prospect of extremists in government before Israel’s elections have done so the day after, even though Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right provocateur, seems headed for a position of power.

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the Jewish Federations of North America and B’nai B’rith International issued statements focused only on expressing gratitude for Israel’s robust democracy.

“As Israel determines the formation of its new government, it is clear that the Knesset—like the U.S. Congress—will include leaders of a wide range of differ ent political, ideological, economic, racial, and religious identities and perspectives,” AIPAC said in a statement.

Israel’s former prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, having secured a majority bloc of 62 to 65 seats, appeared headed back to power. The Religious Zionist Party, a bloc of three parties including Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit, looks set to win 14 seats, making it an attractive partner as Netanyahu seeks to form a governing coalition.

Ben-Gvir has been charged with crimes more than 50 times and convicted in eight cases, including once for provid ing support to a terrorist organization. He is a protege of Meir Kahne, the AmericanIsraeli Jewish extremist-turned-politician who advocated for openly racist policies. This election, he campaigned on a plat form that included loosening open-fire rules to include stone-throwers as legiti mate targets—and then traveled to a clash and pulled out his pistol.

The Biden administration is unlikely to deal with Ben-Gvir or anyone from his party should they secure a Cabinet posi tion or otherwise visit the United States, says Daniel Shapiro, a former U.S. ambas sador to Israel who is now a fellow at the

Atlantic Council.

“I doubt that the administration will work with anyone who advocates racist and bigoted policies, gauges and engages in anti-Arab incitement,” Shapiro says. “Biden’s strong defense of global democratic values will not make that pos sible. So if he’s a minister whose portfolio involves close coordination with us, that coordination will have to be conducted via others.”

An exception among the groups that declined to comment before the election was the American Jewish Committee. Its statement Wednesday, Nov. 2 did not name Ben-Gvir, but made clear the organization had concerns about his par ticipation in government.

“For AJC, and for many Jews in America, Israel, and around the world, past statements of some potential mem bers of the governing coalition raise serious concerns about issues we priori tize: pluralism, inclusion, and increased opportunities for peace and normaliza tion,” it said.

The large number of Jewish groups, mostly liberal, that spoke out before the election against bringing in Ben-Gvir were heartbroken in the wake of his showing.

A statement from leaders of the Reform Jewish movement named Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who heads the Religious Zionist Party. (The two parties ran as a single ticket with a third anti-LGBTQ Party, Noam.)

“Including Ben Gvir and Smotrich in the government will likely jeopar dize Israel’s democracy and will force the country to reckon with its place on the world stage,” the Reform movement’s statement said. “It will almost certainly lead to challenging moments in U.S.-Israel relations and will be painful for Jews worldwide who will not see the Israel they love and believe in reflected in these leaders, nor in the policies they pursue.”

Also speaking out was A Wider Bridge, a group that promotes Israel within the LGBTQ community and advocates for

LGBTQ rights in Israel. The former mission just became harder, the group said in a statement.

“LGBTQphobia has been their calling card,” the group said of the Religious Zionist Party, “but we are also concerned about policies they would implement that would harm women, Arabs, and Jews who don’t pray as they do.…

The new govern ment could be the most extreme and dangerous for many groups, includ ing our friends and colleagues in the LGBTQ community.”

Shapiro says Netanyahu under stands the risk of elevating Ben-Gvir and his ilk and could consider a coalition that brings in parties from the center and secure enough of a majority to keep out Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Netanyahu and President Joe Biden have a good relationship, and it is not in Israel’s interests to undercut that.

“A coalition that does not include [Ben-Gvir] will help avoid those disrup tions, which is something that now he should probably take into account,” he says of Netanyahu.

The major Jewish groups now hesitant to speak out may be planning to wait Netanyahu out in hopes that he cobbles together a coalition that does not include Ben-Gvir.

William Daroff, the Conference of Presidents CEO, told i24, an Israel-based

cable news station, that it was too early to engage on what the extremists mean for the future of the U.S.Israel relationship.

“When that coalition comes together, which we will not know tonight, we will not know tomorrow, we will engage at that time,” he said. “I think it’s very important that the Diaspora is in the mix, that we are seen as we are, as a vibrant part of what makes Israel the amazing country that it is.”

Susie Gelman, a major donor to an array of Jewish and pro-Israel groups over the years, says the election could be a game-changer.

“I think it’s going to put major pressure not just on U.S.-Israel relations, but clearly on the relationship between the American Jewish community and Israel.”

“It will be challenging for some major American Jewish organizations going forward because this guy is a racist,” Gelman says of Ben-Gvir. “He espouses terrorism. He talks about expelling Palestinians.”

Gelman says that not speaking out now—as the group she now chairs, the Israel Policy Forum, has done—misses the importance of the moment. She notes that some of the groups now declining to speak warned Netanyahu not to truck with Smotrich ahead of the 2019 election.

“I think it was disappointing that some organizations that took a public position on Ben-Gvir three years ago did not do so this time,” says Gelman, whose group advocates for a two-state outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “But they made a judgment call on that.”

Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Benjamin Netanyahu.

UKRAINE

JDC country director briefs community groups on ongoing efforts in Ukraine

Amy Zelenka

In a whirlwind stopover, en route to the JFNA General Assembly in Chicago, Karina Sokolowska, JDC’s (the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee) country director for Poland, gave a series of briefings to community groups in Tidewater. Sokolowska shared her expe riences of meeting Jewish (and other) Ukrainian immigrants at the border with Poland and providing them with a variety of assistance – from food and lodging to medical intervention to paperwork for eventual Aliyah to Israel.

Working in close collaboration with the Jewish Agency for Israel and Natan (the Israeli Center for Medical Assistance), Sokolowska and her professional col leagues and volunteers have taken in and assisted thousands of fleeing Ukrainian refugees—mostly women and children and the elderly (as most Ukrainian men aged 18—60 are forbidden to leave the country). Many of those crossing the border had been traveling for days to reach the safety of Poland. They came from the hardest hit areas of Ukraine—in the east and Crimea, traveling the width of the country to escape the devastating violence and destruction now defining their previous homes. JDC Poland has been and continues to assist these refu gees and seeks to address their physical and emotional wellness.

While 3,800 Jewish Ukrainian refugees are currently living in Poland, many more have passed through. A small number have returned to Ukraine; others have gone on to other countries in Europe; and still others have joined family in Israel. Those who have remained in Poland are just a tiny portion of the more than 1.2 million refugees who have crossed over since the war began in late February. The Polish government (and the local munici palities) have been very welcoming to the refugees – opening their hearts and their homes and offering them government benefits. Even before the war, more than

1 million Ukrainians were living and working in Poland. So, a large Ukrainian community already existed (although many young Ukrainian men returned to Ukraine at the outset of the war to help with the fighting). The Polish language is very similar to Ukrainian. And both coun tries share “Russian as a second language.”

Time and numbers continue to weigh heavy on the Polish society and econ omy. Jobs are scarce. Prices are high, and shortages abound. There is a real fear of “compassion fatigue,” which may ultimately result in backlash against the immigrants.

JDC is working with Jewish refugees to ensure safe housing and adequate food and medicine. They are making sure that children are in school and that fami lies are invited to Jewish holiday meals, observances, and celebrations. And they are providing social workers and psy chologists to address their mental and emotional needs.

“No one believed that their displace ment would be for more than a few weeks,” says Sokolowska. “All came believing that they would return home in a short while.” So, as the weeks and now months drag on, the reality is beginning to set in for many of these families. “They are starting to realize that they may not be going home.”

Additional efforts are being made to integrate these refugees into Polish soci ety—job skills training; daycare to allow moms to work; and an expansion of JDC’s welfare operation to address long-term needs for those who, realistically, will remain reliant upon assistance.

“At the beginning of the crisis,” Sokolowska explains, “our professional staff consisted of four people. Now we are 20 people! And a number of our new staff are from among the refugees themselves, including social workers and psycholo gists. The ‘new language’ of our workplace has become Russian, because we all learned to speak Russian in grade school, and so it is a way for us to communicate.”

There is another side to the Ukraine

crisis for JDC, and that is to continue finding ways to take care of vulnerable Jews still inside Ukraine. While millions have fled Ukraine, they represent only about 20% of the overall population, which means that 80% of Ukrainians remain in Ukraine.

JDC has long had a network of Chesed Centers throughout both Russia and Ukraine. Those centers were the epicen ters of assistance for Jews throughout the region, providing meals, socialization, medical and welfare checks, as well as a sense of community. The Chesed Centers in the war-torn areas of Ukraine are no longer viable, so JDC must find new ways of reaching out to the Jews still there, to ensure their continued safety and well-be ing. It’s a real challenge. And there is a new development just beginning to man ifest, whose size is yet unknown – the arrival of Jewish refugees from Russia.

JDC Poland finds its hands full as a result of the war in Ukraine, with no immediate end in sight, and no way to know how fast or how great the needs will grow. The situation is alarming and fraught with peril. But as a Jewish com munity half a world away, it is gratifying to know that JDC, Tidewater’s overseas service delivery partner, will do what it must and help where it can to save lives and assist those in need. This is thanks to the generosity of Federation donors in Tidewater and other Jewish communities across the country.

Kol Yisrael Aravim Zeh B’zeh. All Jews are responsible for one another. Could there be a better representation of that value than the work being done, on our behalf, by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee?

Amy Zelenka is United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s chief development offi cer. She may be reached at azelenka@ujft.org.

Karina Sokolowska, JDC country director, in front of photographs of Ukrainian Jewish refugees in Poland as she describes the work being done by JDC.

Robin Sidersky Weiner, Susan Morrison Sidersky, Danielle Danzing, and Sara Jo Rubin.

Barbara Dudley, UJFT Women’s Cabinet chair, with Karina Sokolowska, JDC Poland country director.

JDC’s Sandy Katz with Stacey Neuman.

The Holiday Season is About to Begin

Dear Readers, It

seems we just finished shaking the lulav for Sukkot and unrolling the Torah for Simcha Torah and here we are in mid-November preparing to set our Thanksgiving tables! And, for some of us, in addition to thoughts of turkey and sweet potatoes, we’ve got brisket and latkes on the mind. We’re getting ready for the holidays…all of them!

Back in the 1980s a colleague sheepishly asked me if I celebrated Thanksgiving. “YES!” I replied. Apparently, I was one of the first Jewish people he knew. Thanksgiving was always a big holiday in our home, and it still is. One of my favorite parts of the holiday is attending Ohef Sholom Temple’s annual Joint Thanksgiving Service with Freemason Street Baptist Church. Now in its 95th year, Debbie Burke’s article about the annual tradition is on page 23.

Less than one month after Thanksgiving, Hanukkah arrives.

An early Hanukkah gift appeared last month when the U.S. Postal Service unveiled its new Hanukkah Forever Stamp. It’s been a long time since there’s been a new design for Hanukkah stamps. Be sure to purchase them and then, perhaps, we won’t have to wait so long for the next new look. Page 24.

Each year, Chabad of Tidewater makes certain Norfolk and Virginia Beach have large menorahs in prominent positions for Hanukkah. The article about how it happens is on page 22.

Shopping local is always a good idea. To prepare for Hanukkah, we’ve checked in with several local Judaica shops, great places to pick up at least candles for the holiday. Of course, they offer so much more, including hanukiah, gelt, and dreidels. Page 20.

This section has some terrific advertisers that offer unique gift ideas and places to celebrate all of the holidays. Before shopping online, please check them out first.

All of us at Jewish News wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and good luck as you begin to prepare for Hanukkah. Our next issue, by the way, will feature many more articles for the Festival of Light s!

The Holiday Season is About to Begin

How Thanksgiving helped Jews carve out a piece of the American story

Yael Buechler

(JTA)—Thanksgiving seems to have all the right ingredients for a holiday that most American Jews can embrace: It doesn’t fall on Shabbat, its roots and message are nonsectar ian, and its only real ritual is a multi-course meal.

That’s why prominent Orthodox rabbis of the mid-20th century, including Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, gave Thanksgiving their hechsher (seal of approval). Shari Rabin, associate professor of Jewish studies and religion at Oberlin, says that American Jews are comfortable with Thanksgiving for the most part because “it’s not as directly connected to Paganism or Christianity as Halloween or Christmas.”

And yet like so many aspects of the American-Jewish experience, Jews didn’t accept Thanksgiving—and Thanksgiving didn’t accept the Jews—without some

struggle. Jews made sure that Thanksgiving was a day they could celebrate on equal standing with Christians.

Well before President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a federal holiday in 1863, there were national and local “proc lamations” that officially established a day of gratitude each year. In the first year of his presidency, on Oct. 3, 1789, George Washington issued a Thanksgiving procla mation by the new government, designating “Thursday the 26th day of November next” as Thanksgiving.

The proclamation calls for “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God”—religious, but not specifically Christian. Gershom Mendes Seixas, the cantor of New York’s Congregation Shearith Israel, welcomed the president’s declaration in what is regarded as the first Jewish sermon about Thanksgiving.

Washington goes on to urge gratitude “for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed”—a message consistent with his letter, one year later, to Seixas’s brother Moses, of Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, promising “liberty of con science” to all people, regardless of religious belief.

According to Laura Yares, assistant pro fessor of Religious Studies at Michigan State University, when the United States was in its nascent stages, “there was no blueprint for creating a non-sectarian public holi day.” Yares says that “in the long evolution of customs and language for celebrating Thanksgiving, we shouldn’t be surprised to find that there have been public figures who have used the cultural resources of their own traditions to describe Thanksgiving, includ ing Christian theology.”

Yares notes, “Since Moses Seixas’ letter to George Washington in 1790, Jews have

openly and publicly taken on the task of hold ing political leaders to the task of preserving America’s commitment to the separation of church and state.”

Thanksgiving this year arrives nearly one month before Hanukkah. Hanukkah cele brates the right of Jews to worship without being coerced into the ways of the majority. Thanksgiving celebrates the ways people of all faiths—and none—can express thanks on equal terms.

To paraphrase the late 19-century Jewish philosopher Ahad Ha’am’s maxim about Shabbat: More than the Jewish people have kept Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving has kept the Jews—and enabled them to consistently affirm their rightful place in these United States.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.

Nu Ñ ez Fi N e Jewelers

For all your jewelry needs

CUSTOM

Getting engaged or married soon? Jewelry from a chain store just won’t cut it. You want something unique. We can design that special mounting for your family diamond or supply you with the perfect diamond.

REPAIR

Your diamond is loose, or it fell out and you’re in a panic. Nunez can repair it for you right on the premises in our fully equipped shop. Where the owner/jeweler has 40-plus years of experience. Most repairs are done in 48 hours.

RESTORE

The ring on your finger is generations old, and you want to keep it in the best shape possible. You’d like to restore it. Nunez can restore your antique piece to the look of its original era so you can wear it with confidence.

The Holiday Season is About to Begin

Holiday shopping and Judaica needs met in four area gift shops

Debbie Burke

is sometimes better, especially in the case of something other than mainstream for this holiday season, as well as for everyday Judaica needs. Here are four shops in Tidewater where you can find interesting and one-of-a-kind items in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Smaller

The Auxiliary Gift Shop

Beth Sholom Village

Judaica and Gift Shop Congregation Beth El

When it opened about 40 years ago, The Auxiliary Gift Shop at Beth Sholom Village sold snacks and necessities for residents. In the 1980s, it went from a hospital-style gift shop to a boutique, carrying everything from snacks to most clothing and accessory needs.

The Hanukkah needs of the residents are minimal as they are not allowed to light candles in their rooms, and for that reason, the store offers a small assortment of electric menorahs, cards, gift bags, and wrapping paper. Also for sale are gift items like handbags, jewelry, wal lets, gloves, scarves, and boutique-style clothing.

The shop is a fundraising endeavor by The Auxiliary of Beth Sholom Village. The Auxiliary is a group of dedicated and creative volunteers who are committed to helping the residents at BSV. All profits go to assisting the residents with their needs and providing financial assistance to BSV. It is a place for residents to come visit, have a new face to tell stories to, and to get a positive mental lift when they can buy something new that makes them feel good.

For more information, call 757-420-2512 or visit bethsholomvillage.com.

One of the oldest Judaica gift shops in Tidewater clocks in between 60 and 70 years: Congregation Beth El’s Judaica and Gift Shop offers an array of Hanukkah Judaica, such as platters, dreidels (some of which are designer), Hanukkiah (in styles including a retro-shaped train, Noah’s Ark, spaceship, and traditional), candles, children’s games, puzzles, and books.

The shop also carries jewelry, tzeda kah boxes, mezuzot (which are purchased from an Israeli vendor), and kosher scrolls.

Other Judaica items include Seder plates, afikomen covers, Shabbat candle sticks, challah boards and covers, and items for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, wedding, and bris (with baby talits and kippahs); plus wedding glasses, Ketubot, and tallit for men, women, boys, and girls, made in Israel. The talit come with a matching kippah and bag.

The shop is managed by a commit tee of Beth El Sisterhood members. It is intended to be a source of income, as

well as a service and convenience for the congregants and community. Proceeds benefit many activities at Beth El that the Sisterhood supports, including the weekly Kiddush luncheons, Sunday Religious School, and camp scholarships.

For more information, call 757-625-7821 or visit bethelnorfolk.com.

Judaica Shop

Gift Shop

Temple Israel

The Judaica Shop at Ohef Sholom Temple carries a wide variety of Judaica and all of the necessary items for a Jewish home, such as mezuzot, Hanukkiah, Seder plates, Shabbat candlesticks, chal lah covers, and Havdalah sets.

Among the many items in the shop are designer pieces, children’s items, gelt, games, tallitot, kippot, and jewelry, as well as books, eco-friendly household items, and one-of-a-kind art from around the world. It is a frequent stop for Bar and Bat Mitzvah and wedding gifts

The shop periodically offers spe cial pop-up shopping events, especially around holidays, with Eco Maniacs, sell ing sustainable products of all sorts.

Operated by Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sisterhood, all profits are used to support the temple and its programs.

For more information, call 757-625-4295 or visit ohefsholom.org.

In addition to all of the new items in Temple Israel’s Gift Shop, the shop fea tures a large collection of items that have been donated, called its ‘L’Dor v’Dor’ section. There are no prices on these items; the temple asks only for a donation in return. These items have an added personal touch, too: If there is a story behind a particular item, the donor writes it down when they donate the item so the information can be passed along to the new family.

Among the items sold are Hanukkiah of all sizes and shapes (both electric and those that use candles) and a variety of dreidels (some that can be played with and others for display only). The shop also has decorations, books, mezuzot of all types, candlesticks, kippot, a small selection of tallit, kiddush cups, plat ters, shofarot, pictures, jewelry, and many other items.

The gift shop is managed by Temple Israel’s office staff, with all proceeds ben efiting the synagogue.

For more information, call 757-489-4550 or visit templeisraelva.org.

Dr. David Gilbert & Assoc. Optometrist gilberteyecare.com

Ohef Sholom Temple

The Holiday Season is About to Begin

Here come the giant menorahs again!

Chanukah Extravaganza: Sunday, December 18, 4 pm, Mt. Trashmore

Debbie Burke

According to Rabbi Aron Margolin, director of Chabad Tidewater, in the Hanukkah story, the small army of Maccabees fought for the right to worship God freely. “The purpose of the menorah is to share the idea that the United States is a free country and that we have freedom to worship in the way we like,” he says.

For the past 41 years, Chabad of Tidewater has held the annual menorah lighting at Mt. Trashmore and also puts up a giant menorah in Town Point Park in downtown Norfolk.

“The community LOVES the giant Menorah!” says Rashi Brashevitzky. “People enjoy seeing such a large display of light and freedom from the highway. It

instills a sense of Jewish pride.”

These large menorahs enable pass ersby to remember the miracles of the Hanukkah story and the message of reli gious freedom for all. But even giant menorahs need upkeep. Here’s a behindthe-scenes look at how they stay in tip-top shape.

The menorah has a special storage space during the year and is maintained with painting when needed. After being hauled to Mt. Trashmore, the meno rah is set up with a crane. A permit is obtained for the display and menorah lighting event, and power is attached. The menorah shines with electric light bulbs throughout Hanukkah, and is even lit with fire during the annual Chanukah

Rabbis Aron Margolin and Levi Brashevitzky go up to the top of the menorah in a lift to light the flames. Special hurri cane lamps and oil are used. At times, community leaders and elected officials join the rabbis at the top of the menorah.

One of the highlights for all the children in attendance is receiving a crisp $1 bill from

Dizzy the Dreidel, Chabad of Tidewater’s Hanukkah mascot. The events include music, hot latkes, donuts, the Glowy Giveaway, crafts, and more. This year is a special year for Jewish unity known as the Hakhel year, notes Brashevitzky, and the event will be “bigger and better.”

For more information, visit chabadoftide water.com or call 757-616-0770.

Rabbis Aron Margolin and Levi Brashevitzky prepare to light the menorah.

Celebrating at Chabad of Tidewater’s annual Chanukah Extravaganza.

Nearly a century and going strong: Interfaith effort brings togetherness in annual Joint Thanksgiving Service

Debbie Burke

Street Baptist Church and Ohef Sholom Temple have more things in common than may meet the eye: bring ing the community together, breaking bread, giving thanks, and observing their faith in prayer and song for an impressive 95 years.

Freemason

As the story goes, according to OST’s Rabbi Roz Mandelberg, the houses of wor ship shared an accompanist who was asked to play at both of their Thanksgiving ser vices. Since she couldn’t be in two places at once, Rabbi says, “She suggested that we join together. It was so successful that it became an annual event.”

The service alternates between the two congregations, with the clergy person from the non-host congregation offering the

sermon. It includes a greeting from both FSBC’s Deacon chair as well as OST’s president.

“Choirs are included, some times combined, and sometimes just from that year’s home con gregation,” Mandelberg adds. Ohef Sholom’s music direc tor, Chuck Woodward, was recently honored for 40 years at OST and has played the event for the duration. The original accompanist who started this amazing tradition was Emily LaBlanc Faber.

“This year will be my sev enth year taking part in the Joint Thanksgiving Service shared by Ohef Sholom Temple and Freemason Street Baptist Church,” says Pastor Robert Guffey of Freemason. “I love this service as it is an expression of great joy and a picture of how I think God sees the world—sis ters and brothers, children of God, together celebrating unity and cher ishing the diversity God has made of us.”

In fact, the service is held in such high esteem that Pastor Guffey says, “In 2016, when I was in the interview process to pos sibly become the next pastor of Freemason Street Baptist Church, learning of this service and its longevity was a positive influence in decision making.”

Reflecting on the inevitable message of the service, Duffey says, “It’s easy to say you are friends with someone…with only a passing ‘hello’ or wave on the street. It takes being invited and inviting someone into each other’s homes to make it true. Being together in real time makes it so much easier to actually get to know one another…and to actually find out how much we have in common and like each other!

“One of the problems of our current times is that many people do not spend time with someone who is different, or

who has a conflicting opinion, or is viewed through the lens of stereotype, indifference or, sadly, distaste, or hate,” says Duffey. “As human beings, God made us to be together and to work together in becoming a community. Being together, getting to know one another as human beings in person makes a big difference. It builds a sense of caring and empathy. It makes it possible not just to co-exist, but to want to cheer one another on toward becoming the best person and commu nity. It takes away fear and replaces it with love.”

This year’s Joint Thanksgiving Service will be held at Freemason Street Baptist Church on Wednesday, November 24, with a 6 pm reception followed by a 7 pm service, with a sermon from Rabbi Roz Mandelberg.

For more information, call 757-625-4295 or visit ohefsholom.org or freemasonstreet.org.

Freemason Street Baptist Church.

Ohef Sholom Temple.

Shorter days and turning leaves bring memories of holidays past. Mom preparing family dinners. Dad leading prayers. Kids running all over the house. These were festive (if not chaotic) times. But the kids are older now and our parents are too.

During the holidays we all deserve to be surrounded by family and friends: sharing stories, enjoying home-cooked meals, and having the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are loved.

This is what Commonwealth Senior Living communities offer during the holidays and every day. Our families are relieved to know that their loved ones are safe, happy, and enjoying the lifestyle they deserve.

The Holiday Season is About to Begin

U.S. Postal Service issues new Hanukkah Forever Stamp

With

the release of this vibrant new stamp, the U.S. Postal Service continues its tradition of issuing stamps for Hanukkah celebrations.

A dedication ceremony for the stamp was held last month at Temple Emanu El in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

“I remember looking for ward to Hanukkah as a child, especially the traditional foods, gifts, and games,” said Lori Dym, U.S. Postal Service managing coun sel for procurement and property law, who served as the dedicating official. “And now, on behalf of the 655,000 men and women of the United States Postal Service, I am honored to participate in the unveiling of our new stamp celebrating this joyous Jewish holiday.”

Dym was joined by Susan Krantz, president of Temple Emanu El; Rabbi Matt Cohen; Jeanette Kuvin Oren, the stamp’s designer and artist; Kathy Mulcahy, mayor of Orange Village, Ohio; and Darcy Hershey, congregant and administrative assistant at Temple Emanu El.

“Temple Emanu El is honored that the United States Postal Service approached our congregation to host the first-day-ofissue ceremony for the launch of the 2022 Hanukkah Stamp,” said Krantz. “We are proud that in selecting Temple Emanu El, the USPS recognized our long-standing passion for social justice, which is deeply embedded in our traditions. Our congre gants care about the world around us and engage in the ongoing work of helping to improve the world in which we live. Our temple is a Jewish institution of connec tion, gathering, learning, and practicing spiritual life. Working together we bring meaning to our lives and to the lives of others.”

“The miracle of Hanukkah came early this year (kind of)!” said Cohen. “While our Hanukkah menorahs are not yet kin dled, this communal celebration reminds us that despite all odds, throughout time and history, the lights of the Jewish

people have miraculously continued to grow brightly and illuminate the world with wholeness, blessing, and peace. Our Temple Emanu El family is honored to host this event and to welcome our friends from the Greater Cleveland Community into our sacred home.”

The stamp art features the design from an original wall-hanging. The fiber art was hand-dyed, appliquéd and quilted to form an abstract image of a hanukkiah.

The blue and purple colors are used to represent the sky, the greens and browns represent the earth. The bright yellows and oranges represent the Festival of Lights, as Hanukkah is also known. Along the bottom of the stamp, the words Hanukkah, Forever, and USA appear in white capital letters.

Jeanette Kuvin Oren was the stamp designer and artist. Ethel Kessler was the art director.

News of the stamps is being shared on social media using the hashtag #HanukkahStamp. Followers of the Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the stamp story at facebook.com/usps.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide.

The Hanukkah Forever stamp is sold in panes of 20. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1 ounce price.

WHO KNEW?

Footwear designer Stuart Weitzman is a Maccabiah ping-pong medalist

Jacob Gurvis

(JTA)—Stuart Weitzman has designed shoes for the likes of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. His iconic luxury footwear brand is sold in more than 70 countries.

Now he’s a Maccabiah Games medal winner—in table tennis.

It all started with a single victory over a friend in Connecticut.

shoes,” he says about his company.

This summer’s Games held extra sig nificance for Weitzman, who served as the U.S. team’s flag bearer. “As good an honor as that, I don’t know if I’ve ever had in my life,” he says.

“When I went, it was much more than playing ping-pong,” he adds.

Weitzman recalls ascending the ramp to enter the stadium and turning back to look out at the U.S. team’s 1,200person delegation, all waving miniature American flags.

“It was like a sea of patriotism. It was so beautiful,” Weitzman says. “I didn’t want to turn around and enter the sta dium, I was enjoying that so much. I don’t know how many times I’ve looked at that video of me walking in. I lost count. It was

a wonderful opportunity and a wonderful honor. I sure am glad it was offered to me.”

Weitzman’s relationship with Maccabi USA has also overlapped with another of his passions: Jewish philanthropy.

Through the organization’s Weitzman Challenge, Maccabi USA has a fund raising goal of $3 million by the end of 2022, which would unlock a $5 million matching grant from Weitzman, to sup port athletes and help subsidize the cost of participating in the Maccabiah Games. The organization has raised $1.8 million so far.

Last year, Weitzman endowed the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, which had pre viously filed for bankruptcy. He and his wife Jane (who is on the board of 70 Faces

Media, JTA’s parent company) have also supported the Israel lobby AIPAC, New York’s Jewish Federation and the Joint Distribution Committee.

“One day I woke up, I said, what am I going to do with my money? That was the big question in my life,” Weitzman says. “And I kind of figured it out, because I’m enjoying all aspects of my philanthropy.”

As a retiree, Weitzman also shares his entrepreneurial expertise with college students across the country, and serves on the board of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation.

He’ll be in Israel for the next Maccabiah Games, too. He just has one request.

“They should make a deal with Nathan’s or somebody because their hot dogs were horrible,” he muses.

“I beat this fellow up here in Greenwich at ping-pong, and he said, ‘You know, you’re good, you ought to go to the Maccabiah Games,’” Weitzman tells the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in a phone interview. “I said, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘I think you’d do okay. Because I did okay and you’re better than me.’”

This past summer was the 81-yearold’s third Maccabiah Games. He even won a bronze team medal—which he attributes to being retired and thus having more time to train.

The irony? “We don’t make ping-pong

“One day I woke up, I said, what am I going to do with my money? That was the big question in my life.”

Local Relationships Matter

MEET: David Abraham

“We have to provide exceptionally good care of our residents and give back to the community. That’s one of the reasons we encourage our staff to participate in supporting organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association. We have over 300 people on our staff who work, live and shop in our community. These people touch the lives of so many families and friends of our residents and they strive to make all these people feel a part of the Beth Sholom Village.”

Using Payday has been awesome. My CFO loves working with them. Before I arrived in 2008 we did our own payroll. Our system was so outdated we couldn’t do updates. Then we switched to Payday and everything became easy. There’s so much to know about payroll and there are constant changes such as Obamacare and employee classification that need expert knowledge. I rely on Payday to know all that and to educate me on what I need to know. That alone is a tremendous value added we get from using them.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Linda Cohen Loigman’s novel tells intergenerational story of matchmaking

Tuesday, December 6, 12 pm

Watch from Home–Register for the link to join

Reviewed by Joan Laderberg

The Matchmaker’s Gift: A Novel Linda Cohen Loigman St. Martin’s Press 320 pages, 2022

Do you believe in love at first sight? Do you believe in soulmates? The Matchmaker’s Gift is a dual-timeline novel about Sara Glikman Auerbach, and her granddaughter, Abby.

Sara is a female matchmaker or shad chanteh on the streets of New York’s Lower East Side in 1910.

It was interest ing to learn about Orthodox match making and that there were thou sands of Jewish matchmakers or shadchan in New York. Unsurprisingly, the business of match making was a male dominated field, and with Sara having the ability to see flashes at the edge of her vision (showing her that a couple is bashert, or meant to be), we learn the Shadchanim are very threatened by her successful matchmaking.

When Sara dies, her granddaughter, who in a twist of fate is a highly successful Manhattan divorce attorney, inherits her journals in which she recorded a lifetime of matches. As Abby reads the journals, she finds more questions than answers. Is her career right for her?

How could you not fall for a book with a gorgeous cover, home-made cinnamon babkas, a Pickle King, knish wars, soul mates, and a beloved grandmother with a saying for everything? Will Abby inherit her grandmother’s calling and become a modern-day matchmaker? Readers who enjoy romance with a little magic thrown

in and believe that “there is a lid for every pot” will love The Matchmaker’s Gift!

If you love the book as much as I did, or if you want to hear more before you read it, Loigman is one of the speakers for this year’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival, a pro gram of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC. Loigman is speak ing as part of the festival’s Arts + Ideas Book of the Month series, a collection of conversations surrounding books with intriguing topics, characters, and stories for book-club-style conversations that will allow the community to engage personally with some of this season’s most exciting authors.

Register at JewishVA.org/BookFest. For more information, contact Hunter Thomas, director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org.

The Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival is held in coordination with the Jewish Book Council, the longest-running organization devoted exclusively to the sup port and celebration of Jewish literature.

Linda Cohen Loigman.

JEWISH TIDEWATER

BeAR literacy program welcomes new and returning mentors for the 2022/2023 school year

TheJewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Be a Reader (BeAR) program held its Kickoff/ Workshop for the 2022/2023 school year on October 24. It was the first meeting of the group since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

It was a full house and everyone was excited as important topics were dis cussed, including navigating the school year, mentoring struggling second graders (many of whom have not been in school since their kindergarten year), healthsafety in a post pandemic world, building individual libraries for BeAR students, and reading, reading, reading!

Gail Flax opened the meeting with, “We are so happy to be out of hibernation

and back on track!” New volunteers heard from returning BeAR mentors and cap tains about their personal experiences with BeAR. There were meaningful dis cussions about how BeAR mentors can change a young person’s life, contribute to a strong self-esteem, and help these young students develop reading skills that will serve them throughout their entire life.

Being a BeAR mentor is rewarding and easily accomplished. BeAR provides the students with five books for their at-home library, school supplies, and a commit ment of one hour per week with a BeAR mentor throughout the school year.

To join the team of amazing volunteers and participate in the BeAR program in one of its Norfolk or Virginia Beach schools, contact Robin Ford, BeAR coordinator, at 757-321-2304, or rford@ujft.org.

Jewish News Digital Version

See the paper 3 days before the cover date: JewishNewsVa.org/digital.

To have the paper emailed, send your email address to news@ujft.org.

Robin Ford

Gail Flax leads a room full of BeAR mentors and captains in preparation for the 2022/2023 school year.

Jewish Book Festival guest highlights Jewish impact on Italian food

Monday, December 5, 7:30 pm

Watch from Home—Register for the link to join

Patty Shelanski

Cooking alla Giudia: A Celebration of the Jewish Food of Italy Benedetta Jasmine Guetta Artisan Books 352 pages, 2022

Italian food. Just those two words bring to mind so many wonderful things. Delectable pastas, cheese in more shapes, sizes, and tastes than you ever imagined, fine wine, the freshest ingredients, and breads that will persuade you to never go on another keto diet again. What those two words don’t do is make you think of Jewish food. And yet, Jewish food and Italian food are so intertwined that to separate the two is almost impossible. Benedetta Jasmine Guetta explores the culinary history of Jewish food in Italy in her beautiful new cookbook Cooking all Guidia: A Celebration of the Jewish Food of Italy

Guetta’s book, with more than 100 recipes, gives the reader not only the opportunity to make great dishes, but beautifully articulates the history, culture, and traditions of Jewish Italian food. Her book offers insight into the Jewish influ ence on traditional Italian dishes, as well as the ingredients themselves. Over the centuries, Jewish migrants from Spain, Eastern Europe, and more recently Libya, introduced new foods to the Italian main land—foods that over time have become synonymous with Italian food…such as eggplant, pine nuts, and raisins.

Of course, the political landscape has also shaped the recipes of Jewish Italians over the years. The ghettos of Italy subjected its inhabitants to pov erty, restriction of movement, and limited access to food supplies. The recipes that were born of necessity with meager ingre dients have become some of the most celebrated foods in Italy. Anyone who has had the pleasure of eating at one of the

famous restaurants in the Jewish Ghetto of Rome can attest to that!

A cookbook is only as good as its recipes and Guetta has included so many wonderful ones; all with com plete directions and many with historical and cultural notes as an aside to put the recipes into a Jewish context. All recipes are kosher and designated as either halavi (milk), basari (meat) or pareve.

I chose a handful of recipes to try, looking for those with readily available ingredients and ease of preparation, and staying away from those I knew would never taste like what I’ve eaten in Italy (deep fried artichokes!). Everything came out delicious, but I was most pleased with the desserts, two of which will be on my Passover Seder table this year.

I’m sure you will enjoy this book as much as I did as you explore Italian cui sine through a Jewish perspective.

Guetta will speak as part of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s and Simon Family JCC’s Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival. The event is free and will also include a cooking demonstration, streamed live from Guetta’s kitchen in Santa Monica, California. Registration is required in advance so audience members can receive the grocery list and recipe prior to the event.

Register at JewishVA.org/BookFest. For more information, contact Hunter Thomas, director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org.

The Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival is held in coordination with the Jewish Book Council, the longest-running organiza tion devoted exclusively to the support and celebration of Jewish literature.

Benedetta Jasmine Guetta.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Award-wining author Jessica Nordell to speak on overcoming unconscious bias

Thursday, December 8, 7:30 pm

Sandler Family Campus, Free

Explore the History Behind the Narrative!

Bias

in society is something everyone knows of and has encountered, but what about the unconscious bias within each person that informs everyday actions? Have you ever taken the time to examine the preconceived notions you have of an individual or group? Are those notions harmful or benign in your everyday life?

Award-winning author, science writer, and speaker Jessica Nordell wondered about those questions when as a freelance writer, she found increased success when pitching topics using a gender-neutral name.

In her new book The End of Bias, A Beginning: How We Eliminate Unconscious Bias and Create a More Just World, Nordell examines implicit bias and how it affects people and society.

Nordell will visit Tidewater as part of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival, in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, and Virginia Wesleyan University’s Robert Nusbaum Center. She will share her insights about how to tackle the unspoken biases that influence one’s behavior.

In her book, Nordell expertly weaves

years of rigorous research with nuance, compassion, and understanding in order to afford an open dialogue meant to uncover and minimize bias within society and within each individual to promote a positive change in mind and behavior. Nordell brings myriad tools to assist each person in beginning to remake themselves, the community, and the world.

For more details and to register for this event, visit JewishVA.org/BookFest.

Torah study gets prophetic

Tuesday, November 29, 7 pm

ATorah study class led by Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill, rabbi of Tidewater Chavurah, is finishing up Second Kings in November and plans to begin the prophets for whom books are named, starting with Isaiah. The Torah study is virtual on Zoom and open to everyone in the community.

The Book of Isaiah is a great place to join the class, because much of its poetry is lovely (and even familiar!), and it contains interesting messages.

To join, send Rabbi Ellen an email at rabbicantorejg@gmail.com.

BEYOND THE BIBLE The People of Israel in the World of Ancient Empires

INSTRUCTED BY RABBI MICHAEL PANITZ

Elka Mednick

Jessica Nordell.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

AND BERNARD JAFFE FAMILY JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL

Ms. magazine co-founder and author of Shanda to speak at Jewish Book Festival

Thursday, November 17, 7:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus, free

a shanda!” I remember the first time I heard that phrase—it came from Sally, one of the Sisterhood ladies who invited me to join their dinner table after Friday night services at my synagogue in Youngstown, Ohio. I had just started attending services and as a convert, I had a lot to learn. Sally and her friends taught me all of the Yiddishisms that I know.

I don’t recall exactly what story we were discussing when Sally first explained to me what shanda meant. Perhaps it was who wore red to services on Yom Kippur or whose daughter was getting a divorce, but sitting with a bunch of Jewish mothers and grandmothers, I heard my fair share of family secrets and scandals.

Shanda, Yiddish for shame or disgrace, is central to Letty Cottin Pogrebin’s newest book, Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy. In her book, Pogrebin, who is a co-founder of Ms. magazine and the author of 12 books, tells the story of three generations of her family, their desire to fit in and assimilate, and the secrets and shame they carried with them throughout their lives.

Mayim Bialik, actor, author, neurosci entist, and co-host of Jeopardy, says of the book, “The richness of Pogrebin’s stories, the complexity and beauty of her storytelling, and her devastatingly honest soul-baring make Shanda a powerfully stunning piece of life and art.”

Pogrebin’s story is universal, but the themes of trying to assimilate into American culture and appearing perfect in Ashkenazi

Jewish circles make Shanda especially rel evant for the Jewish community. So many people have carried family secrets or found out about long-held secrets after the pass ing of a relative. Everyone’s family harbors secrets, but Pogrebin’s story may make you question why some of those are secrets at all.

For more information or to register, visit JewishVA.org/BookFest. For additional questions, contact Hunter Thomas, direc tor of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org.

The Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival is held in coordination with the Jewish Book Council, the longest-run ning organization devoted exclusively to the support and celebration of Jewish literature.

Letty Cottin Pogrebin.

14, 12:00 pm

"Marjorie Margolies raised eleven children...when you finish reading 'And How Are the Children?' you may wish she had raised you. "

Christopher Shays, former Congressman (R CT)

Reba & Sam Sandler Family Campus

Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach

LEE

Hunter Thomas

“What

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Congregation Beth Chaverim celebrates 40th anniversary

Chad Bornstein

Established by five area families in 1982, Congregation Beth Chaverim is “House of Friends” in Hebrew. Initially, the group began meeting in each other’s homes, and as they grew, started meeting in local churches. With the commu nity’s support, the growing congrega tion built a temple on Stoneshore Road in Virginia Beach and its sanctuary in 2006, their home until 2018.

Today, Cantorial Soloist Jim Hibberd leads the congrega tion in worship each Friday night in the social hall of Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach. Services are also available on Zoom.

Congregation Beth Chaverim held a Champagne Reception at the Sandler Family Campus on Sunday, Nov. 6 to celebrate its 40th anniversary as the only Reform congregation in Virginia Beach. Look for photographs from the celebration in the next issue of Jewish News, as well as excerpts from some of the speakers, including past and present leadership, clergy, and educators, as well as children who grew up in the congregation.

Congregation Beth Chaverim wel comes all to join them on Friday nights. For more information, contact temple. office@bethchaverim.com or call Chad at 757-477-3585.

Chad Bornstein is president of Congregation Beth Chaverim. He may be reached at temple. office@bethchaverim.com.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

The aleph-bet, a mystical journey that even adults will love Presentation:

Tuesday, November 29, 12 pm, online Workshop: Monday, December 12, 12 pm, Sandler Family Campus

Art on view through December: Leon Family Gallery

Sierra Lautman

P art bedtime story, part poem, and filled with highly evocative illustra tions, Malkah’s Notebook: A Journey into the Mystical Aleph-Bet, is a love letter to the Hebrew alphabet. Written by Mira Z. Amiras and illustrated by Josh Baum, an Israeli artist and sofer (Hebrew for scribe), the book is divided into four parts, with four distinct styles of illustrations. Amiras takes readers through the kabbalistic jour

the nature of existence itself.

By offering a variety of opportunities centered on this profound and beautifully illus trated book, art lovers and Jewish scholars alike will find a way to connect with the story in Tidewater.

Forty of the books’ illustra tions are on display in the Leon Family Gallery at the Simon Family JCC through December.

online event is presented by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, and Community Partners’ 12th annual Israel Today series, as a part of the Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival. It is free and open to the community; registration is

Konikoff Center for Learning at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Local artist Sharon Serbin will lead attendees through Malkah’s Aleph-Bet workshop, Following the Journey of your Name In this workshop, participants will have the chance to investigate the kabbalistic approach to the letters of their name and then illustrate their name in a way that is personal and meaningful. No previous art experience or perceived talent is required. All materials will be supplied.

Mira J. Amiras.

Alan

Reba & Sam Sandler Family Campus

Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Beyond the Bible

Course begins: Thursday, December 1, 12–1 pm

Simon Family JCC

Four weekly sessions: $60

Rabbi Michael Panitz and Sierra Lautman

Last month, in a course offered by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning, Origins: Ancient Jewish History in International Context, students began to consider the answer to the question, “Where did the Jewish People come from?”

Next month, a new course, Beyond the Bible—The People of Israel, In the World of Ancient Empires, will continue to investigate the Jewish origin story through the world of the Greeks and the Romans. Scholars have more access to the general history of that time and place than previous centuries, and the task is to build up a picture of actual Jewish history, based on both personal sources and on what can be gleaned from the knowledge of the entire Mediterranean and Persian Gulf region.

This four-week course is considered a “second season” to the first, featuring some of the same characters, continuing down the same storyline, but can be equally enjoyed by those who joined the October Jewish history series and those who are just jumping in now. The course’s four sessions will cover nearly a millennium and the impact that other nations had on the development of the people of Israel.

The Persian period of Jewish history, which will be covered in the first class, was an important incubator in which post-bib lical Judaism first developed. The Persian emperors, more tolerant than their pre decessors, gave both geographical and cultural space for Jews to develop their distinctive history.

Persian overlordship gave way to Greek after the conquest of Alexander the Great. The principal challenge to the small Jewish nation in Hellenistic times was how to respond to the attractiveness of Hellenistic culture. Ultimately, the Jewish response, which students can discover in the second session, was neither assimila tion nor rejection, but the fashioning of a creative synthesis.

Greek rule gave way to Roman with the expansion of Roman rule across the Mediterranean in the 1st century BCE. Roman rule over the Jews of the land of Israel was harsh and oppressive, driving the Jews to a doomed rebellion in the year 66 CE. In suppressing that rebellion, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem’s Temple. The response to that unparalleled crisis launched Judaism on a new path, elements of which still exist today.

In the final session, students will exam ine how the Jewish people learn to cope with a new challenge: the overlordship of a rival monotheistic state—either Christian or Muslim.

To learn more or to register, visit JewishVA. org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman, director of Jewish Innovation, at SLautman@UJFT. org or 757-965-6107.

Hanukkah Sunday Fun Day

Sunday, December 11, 1–4 pm, Simon Family JCC

Families with children of all ages are invited to begin their Hanukkah festiv ities early at the Simon Family JCC with a special Sunday Fun Day.

Toddlers through teens will enjoy Hanukkah-themed crafts and glow-in-thedark games led by Camp JCC counselors and leadership. Middle-school students and teens will have a special experience with the Tidewater ShinShinim, Aya Sever and Alma Ben Chorin, baking sufganyot (jelly-filled donuts).

Sunday Fun Days at the Simon Family JCC are free and open to JCC members, Strelitz and Camp JCC families, YAD partici pants, and Tidewater synagogue members.

For more information, or to register, visit JewishVA.org/PJLibrary or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.

Kids Night Out: an evening of fun for kids

Saturday,

November

19, 6–10

pm Sandler Family Campus

Kids Night Out is back with a thankful theme!

Parents with Simon Family JCC family memberships can drop off their children at the JCC and then enjoy a night out on their own! Children, ages four through 12 years old, will get to enjoy a night filled with games, crafts, snacks, and swimming. Swim is lifeguard supervised for those who can swim without a flotation device.

And, just in time before Thanksgiving, the night will include a canned food drive

for the JFS Food Pantry. Those who would like to participate should bring non-perish able food item(s). Some ideas include boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing, canned corn, and green beans. Help make Thanksgiving better for families in need in Tidewater.

The cost is $20 per child. Each additional sibling is $15 (max of $50 per household).

Register by 4 pm on Friday, November 18 at the JCC Front Desk or call 757-321-2338.

Brith Sholom presents The 504 Trio Sunday, Dec. 4, 11 am, Masonic Temple

Brith

Sholom’s December’s social event will feature its deluxe brunch catered by Beth Sholom Village and a performance by a jazz trio. The 504 Trio’s musicians play and sing New Orleans Jazz with songs such as When the Saints Go Marching In A very special dessert will be served after the entertainment.

With higher quality entertainment comes higher costs, along with higher food costs, so this event is $10 per member.

Masonic Temple is located at 7001 Granby St. in Norfolk.

For information or to RSVP, email brith.sholom1@gmail.com.

Rabbi Michael Panitz

Employment Opportunity

CALENDARMarketing and Communications Coordinator

Tidewater Jewish Foundation (TJF) seeks an experienced candidate for the full-time position of Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Under the direction and in collaboration with the President and CEO, the Marketing and Communications Coordinator plays an integral role in the advancement of the Foundation’s mission – to support/promote charitable giving and ensure the future of the Tidewater Jewish community through philanthropic fund development.

The Marketing and Communications Coordinatior is the primary communications staff person for TJF, and is expected to provide the expertise needed to drive the planning and execution of a broad, multi-faceted marketing and outreach strategy.

Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or other related study path. Minimum 3 years of experience in direct marketing, such as leading strategy development and implementation, writing, and editing copy for print and digital viewership, and assessing effectiveness of marketing and communications efforts.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Complete job description at www.jewishva.org/TJF

Submit cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to: resumes@ujft.org

Attn: Taffy Hunter, Human Resources director. EOE

Employment Opportunity

Development Strategist

Virginia-based or remote considered

Tidewater Jewish Foundation (TJF) is a $125 million regional community foundation which supports the Jewish communities of Southeastern Virginia. TJF supports the development, investment, and management of endowment funds for numerous area agencies and synagogues including two Jewish day schools, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Beth Sholom Village, and Jewish Family Service.

The Development Strategist should integrate presentation delivery, have active listening skills, and probing techniques to cultivate relatedness through dialogue. In concert with and trained by the CEO, the Development Strategist will shape TJF’s multi-generational endowment development plan including teen philanthropy, LIFE & LEGACY, and Jewish Future Pledge Programs.

Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree with at least two (2) years’ experience in one or more of the following: marketing, financial planning, sales, community relations, development/fundraising, foundations and/or grant making. Non-profit experience not required; however, is a plus. Proficient use of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat, required. Salesforce experience a plus; ability to work within and understand customized database to include becoming proficient.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Complete job description at www.jewishva.org/TJF

Submit cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to: resumes@ujft.org

Attn: Taffy Hunter, Human Resources director.

EOE

NOVEMBER 15, TUESDAY

Tom Dugan stars in Wiesenthal, a one-man show that tells the inspiring true story of Simon Wiesenthal at the Well’s Theatre. Presented as a fundraiser for the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Proceeds will in part fund a performance the following day for students. 7 pm. To purchase tickets, visit vastage.org.

NOVEMBER 17, THURSDAY

The Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival presents Letty Cottin Pogrebin, author of Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy. 7:30 pm. Pre-registration required. For more information, 757-965-6137. To learn more or to register for events, visit JewishVA.org/BookFest. See page 30.

ORIGINS: Ancient Jewish History in an International Context , a 4-week course offered by UJFT’s Konikoff Center for Learning taught by Rabbi Michael Panitz. The Jewish religion has a core story: a narrative of our people’s early history. What, in fact, is the history behind the narrative? We can better understand our history—as well as our “story”—by exploring the international framework in which our people emerged. 12 pm. Course cost is $60 for 4 weeks and offers both in-person and online attendance options. For more information and to register, visit Jewishva.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at slautman@ujft.org or 757-965-6107.

NOVEMBER

19, SATURDAY

Kids Night Out at the Simon Family JCC . Children 4–12 years old. Swim is lifeguard supervised for those that can swim without a flotation device. 6–10 pm. $20 per child; each additional sibling is $15 (max of $50 per household). Register by 4 pm on November 18 at the JCC front desk or call 757-321-2338. See page 33.

Middle School Late Night Lock-in at the Simon Family JCC . Enjoy a Saturday evening with friends after hours at the Simon Family JCC. Bring a bathing suit, towel, warm clothes, and a flashlight. JCC will bring the snacks, tunes, fun, and special after-dark adventure. 6-10 pm. FREE and open to students in grades 6-8. For more information or to register, visit JewishVA.org/Lockin or contact Dave Flagler at DFlagler@UJFT.org.

NOVEMBER 20, SUNDAY

Mikvah Taharas Chaya’s formal inauguration to take place. 420 Spotswood Ave. 12–2 pm. mikvahnorfolk@gmail.com.

Jewish Museum of Cultural Center presents Rick Rivin on Jewish Roots of Modern American Architects. Part of the Arthur Z. Steinberg Memorial Lecture Series. The talk explores the work and backgrounds of Jews who have been recognized nationally and internationally for their impact on the architectural profession. 3 pm. 757-391-9266. www.jewishmuseumportsmouth.org.

NOVEMBER 21–DECEMBER 12 MONDAYS

Children in Israel Club, K–2nd grade. Kids get to experience what it is like to live in Israel though games, crafts, cooking, song, dance, and more. The class is led by JCC Israeli Shinshinim, Aya Sever and Alma Ben Chorin. 3:30–4:30 pm. Sign up at the front desk in advance or call 757-321-2338. $55 for JCC members/$70 for future members, covers all supplies, food, and more. Contact Nofar for questions: NTrem@UJFT.org

NOVEMBER 23, WEDNESDAY

Joint Thanksgiving Service with Ohef Sholom Temple and Freemason Street Baptist Church will be held at Freemason Street Baptist Church. 6 pm reception and 7 pm service. For more information, call 757-625-4295 or visit ohefsholom.org. See page 23.

NOVEMBER 30, WEDNESDAY

United Against Hate. Presented by U.S. District Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica D. Aber. 7:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Registration is required by November 23. Email usavae.rsvp@ usdoj.gov of contact Rebecca Gantt at Rebecca.gantt@usdoj.gov or Elka Mednick, UJFT’s JCRC assistant director, at EMednick@ujft.org. See page 8.

DECEMBER 1, THURSDAYS

Beyond the Bible—The People of Israel in the World of Ancient Empires, a four-week course offered by UJFT’s Konikoff Center for Learning taught by Rabbi Michael Panitz. 12–1 pm. Course cost is $60 for 4 weeks and offers both in-person and online attendance options. For more information and to register, visit Jewishva.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at slautman@ujft.org or 757-965-6107.

Send submissions for calendar to news@ujft.org. Be sure to note “calendar” in the subject. Include date, event name, sponsor, address, time, cost, and phone.

OBITUARIES

JOE SAMUEL FRANK

NEWPORT NEWS —Joe Samuel Frank, 79, passed away Thursday, October 27, 2022, in his beloved city of Newport News.

A lifelong resident of the community, Joe was born to Harry and Dorothy Lilyan Frank, of blessed memory, and prede ceased by his loving wife of 47 years, Jane Susan Glasser Frank. He is survived by their children: Shelly Ann Currin (Doug) of Newport News, Melissa “Missy” Clagg of Las Vegas, Nev., and Jason G. Frank (Jennifer) of Newport News; seven grandchildren, Justin and Jessica Currin, Brooks, Madison, and Bryce Clagg and Sydney and Carson Frank; brother Robert P. Frank (Leslie) and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joe Frank has always believed that to whom much is given, much is required. That philosophy led him to a career as an attorney and public servant who never stopped looking for ways to aid and better

his community. The enduring impact of his life’s work is evident throughout the city and will continue to benefit genera tions to come.

Joe grew up in an education-focused, civic-minded family. He graduated from Newport News High School, became pres ident of the Young Leadership Council of the local Jewish community, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, and was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2009. Joe attended the University of Virginia, graduating with honors, followed by a law degree. He began his legal career as an intern at the firm of Battle, Neal, Harris, Minor & Williams and served his country as a member of the Virginia Army National Guard, which awarded him a Bronze Star Medal. As a partner with David, Kamp & Frank, Joe represented businesses, individuals, public bodies and agencies, and charitable, not-for-profit, public service, and cultural arts organi zations, contributing more than 50 years

as a respected member of Virginia’s legal community.

As a teenager, Joe campaigned for City Council candidates and in 1960 addressed the Council in favor of the city purchasing its first ambulance. As an adult, he volunteered on numerous campaigns, and eventually became chair of the local Democratic Party. Joe served on the Newport News City Council with honor, integrity, and devotion for a total of 22 years, including two terms as Vice Mayor and became the City’s first elected mayor serving for 14 years from 1996 to 2010.

Memorial contributions can be made to Rodef Sholom Temple, the Newport News Police Foundation, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Weymouth Funeral Home.

DAVID GALLO

THE VILLAGES, FLA .—David Gallo passed away on a Saturday afternoon surrounded by his loving wife and closest friends. He led an incredible life, always looking out for his friends and family.

He was very dedicated to the art of medicine. Always trying to help others get to the right physician for treatment.

Established 1865

NORFOLK CHAPEL

1501 Colonial Avenue Norfolk 622-7353

LASKIN ROAD CHAPEL 2002 Laskin Road Virginia Beach 428-7880

CHESAPEAKE CHAPEL

Chesapeake 548-2200

Joe’s advocacy for his home commu nity reached far beyond Hampton Roads. He met with five different U.S. presidents, five prime ministers, and countless other national and international government, business, and non-profit leaders. The wel fare of the greater good was always his guiding force. He used every encounter to bring new opportunities and better quality of life to the people and com munity he served. Joe became one of the driving forces behind City Center, and encouraged the expansion of other companies like Canon, Ferguson, and the development of the Applied Research Center adjacent to the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. Joe also served as chairman of the Oyster Point Development Corporation and fought to protect Fort Eustis during the Base Realignment and Closure round. After his public service, Joe stayed involved with numerous projects and organizations focused on the betterment and growth of the city, including Christopher Newport University where he served as a member of the Campaign Executive Council and championed the creation of the Endowed Professorship in Jewish Studies. In May of 2022, Christopher Newport University unveiled and dedicated the Jane Susan and Joe Frank Atrium, in recognition of their shared and immense contributions and service to the City of Newport News.

Joe was laid to rest at Hebrew Cemetery, Hampton, Va. A community remembrance will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 6 pm at the Ferguson Center for the Arts, located on the campus of Christopher Newport University.

His generosity was his greatest virtue. He supported a multitude of charities, as well as a scholarship fund for medical students at the University of Illinois, his alma mater.

He is survived by his wife, Penny Gallo; his brother, Steve and his wife Joyce. His nephew Sam Gallo and niece, Dr. Elisa Gallo; his brother-in-law, Dr. William Pringle and sister-in-law, Karyn Pringle.

David always believed that you do all the good you can while you are on this earth. He certainly lived by that through out his life. His kindness, generosity, and great storytelling will be missed by all who knew him.

IRMA LIND KOPELOVE

PORTSMOUTH—Irma Lind Kopelove, 96, of the 3200 block of Dogwood Dr. passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2022 in her home.

She was born on October 15, 1926 in Mulheim, Germany, to the late Herman and Lina Lind. Irma was a member of Congregation Beth El in Norfolk and the former Gomley Chesed Synagogue in Portsmouth. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her hus band, Jacob Kopelove, and her brother, Arnold Lind.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr., Pamela B. Kopelove; two sons, Dr. David Joel Kopelove and Bernard G. Kopelove and his wife Bonnie; and five grand children, Ariel Grace Kopelove, Julian Lind Kopelove, Rachel Marissa Kopelove, Lauren Diana Kopelove, and Alana Jordan Kopelove.

A graveside service was held in Gomley

Chesed Cemetery, Portsmouth. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.Condolences may be made to the family online at www. SturtevantFuneralHome.com.

LAWRENCE PAKULA

BALTIMORE, MD.—Dr. Lawrence Charles Pakula, of Baltimore, Md., passed away on November 2, 2022 at the age of 89.

He is survived by loving children, Baila (Bruce) Waldholtz, Annette Pakula, Louis H.S. (Laura) Pakula, and Dale Elizabeth (Phil) Perreault; devoted brothers, Dr. Steve (Laurie) Pakula and Jerry (Denise) Pakula; adored grandchildren, Andrew (Glenna) Waldholtz, Dr. Lauren (Martin) Gregory, Jennifer (Greg) Antonucci, Frank Pakula, Elizabeth Pakula, Daniel Perreault, Sydney Perreault and Benjamin Perreault; loving great-grandchildren, Charles Waldholtz, Mason Antonucci, Connor Gregory, and Pierce Gregory. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Sheila Pakula (nee Sutland); son-in-law, Larry Kessel, and dear parents, Sidney and Dora Pakula.

Dr. Pakula grew up in Kansas City with his two brothers and two cousins.

Dr. Pakula is a graduate of Beloit College and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He fol lowed in his father’s footsteps and became a pediatrician. He completed his resi dency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Pakula served in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps and was stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines.

After his service in the Air Force, he returned to Baltimore to complete a post doctoral fellowship in Behavioral Aspects of Pediatrics, and a postdoctoral fellow ship in the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was an associate professor emeritus of pediat rics at Johns Hopkins and a co-founder of Pavilion Pediatrics in Lutherville, where he was a practicing pediatrician who cared for children for more than 50 years.

Dr. Pakula was a community volun teer and served on the boards of many organizations, including The Hospital for Consumptives of Maryland (Eudowood) Foundation Board, The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Council, and the board of the Robert Garrett Fund for the Surgical Treatment of Children. He is a past chair man and board and committee member of Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital.

Dr. Pakula loved to see his eight grandchildren and lived to see his first great-grandchildren, a blessing few may see. He loved to travel, especially with his wife Sheila. Now he joins Sheila for his final trip.

Funeral services and internment were private. Contributions in his memory may be directed to The Sutland/Pakula NICU at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, mail to: The Fund at the Johns Hopkins Medicine, Attn: Allison Baker, 750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202. For additional assistance, please call The Children’s Center Development office at 410-361-6396, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Sol Levinson & Bros.

CARL STRASS

VIRGINIA BEACH —Carl S. Strass, 82, of Sandbridge, passed away at home on July 10, 2022. He had been struggling with many health issues.

Carl was born on September 9, 1939 to Belle and Otto Strass in the Bronx, New York. Carl graduated from the Bronx High School of Science. With a scholarship, he received a J.D. in Law at Syracuse Law School, where he graduated at the head of his class in 1964.

His first law job was an honor ary appointment as law clerk to Judge Edmund Port in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York in Auburn, N.Y. He later moved to the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington DC. He retired from government service in 1997.

Carl and his wife Elaine married in 1965 and had three children, Jill, Nina,

and Rachel.

In retirement, Carl played bridge and achieved the Silver Life Master at The Bridge Club in Virginia Beach. He enjoyed friendships with diverse people in the community and doted on his cats. A generous host, Carl was gifted with an excellent sense of humor and a limitless supply of jokes and stories.

Carl was predeceased by his parents and daughter, Nina Strass, who passed in 2013. Carl is survived by his wife Elaine, his brother Alan Strass, and daughters Jill and Rachel.

The family requests donations be made in Carl’s name to a local animal shelter or house of worship.

Employment Opportunity

Director, Holocaust Commission

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater seeks an experienced candidate for the full-time position of Director, Holocaust Commission.

The Holocaust Commission’s mission is to foster an understanding of the uniqueness and magnitude of the Holocaust, while inspiring students, teachers, and our community to champion human dignity in our constantly changing world.

The Director provides dynamic leadership, direction, and coordination for the Commission, and supports the volunteer members in meeting Commission objectives. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree and/or commensurate experience with Holocaust studies, education, or related discipline. Minimum of three years’ experience working in non-profit organizations preferred, and experience working with volunteer leadership preferred.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

MAZEL TOV

Terrace administrator receives state-wide recognition

Complete job description at www.jewishva.org

Submit cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to: resumes@ujft.org Attn: Taffy Hunter, Human Resources director. EOE

Allison

Hechtkopf Whiteman, adminis trator of The Terrace Assisted Living at Beth Sholom Village, was recently awarded the Administrator of the Year Award by the Virginia Health Care Association and Virginia Center for Assisted Living (VHCA-VCAL).

Whiteman has worked in the longterm care industry for more than 18 years. She began her career with Beth Sholom Village in 2005 and has worked in various positions that prepared her for her role as administrator of The Terrace Assisted Living in 2020. Whiteman’s positive impact on BSV and its residents is noticed and appreciated.

Each year, the VHCA-VCAL Annual Awards Program celebrates the outstanding achievements of administrators, nurses, corporate staff, volunteers, and others who help make Virginia long-term care centers places of quality care for Virginia’s senior citizens.

Allison Hechtkopf Whiteman.