Jewish News - April 12, 2021 Revised

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Southeastern Virginia | Vol. 59 No. 13 | 30 Nissan 5781 | April 12, 2021

10

Yom Ha’atzmaut Sunday, April 18

Beth Sholom Village got vaccinated

—page 8

16 Lorraine Fink Virtual Art Auction and Sale

17 TJF Legacy Donors to be honored

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19 Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles

Patricia & Avraham Ashkenazi and Alma & Howard Laderberg Present

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April 18 at 8:00pm, Drive In April 18-20, Virtual Cinema

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2 | JEWISH NEWS | April 12, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org

LETTER

JEWISH NEWS jewishnewsva.org

Dear Hampton Roads Friends and Family,

A

s you may have already heard, Rebecca Aleck Koltun, daughter of Virginia Beach native Audrey (Aleck) Koltun and her husband Scott, and the granddaughter of Helen and Warren Aleck, suffered a life-altering, horrific skiing accident on March 13.

Rebeca severely fractured her C1–C2 vertebrae which are very high up on her neck. This fracture has denied her the ability to breathe and eat on her own, and she is reliant on a ventilator 24/7. Rebecca has lost her ability to speak and to control all functions of her body including her arms and legs. This vibrant 21-year-old honor Rebecca Aleck Koltun student, soccer player, daughter, sister, and “super friend” to so many people was graduating this May from SUNY Binghamton with Honors and pursuing medical school in August.

Quadriplegia has shattered her dreams of all that and much more.

Rebecca has now moved from the ICU at DartmouthHitchcock Medical Centre to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Mass. Spaulding specializes in spinal cord injuries and was chosen by her Dartmouth Care Team, along with Audrey and Scott, to offer the very best option for Rebecca.

After she’s released from the rehab center many months from now, Rebecca will need 24-hour care. Audrey and Scott will need to re-fit their home to accommodate Rebecca’s needs, buy a van that will accommodate her ability to be transported for out-patient treatments, potential surgeries, and further out-patient rehab on a regular basis. That’s just the surface of what lies ahead.

As you can imagine, the costs are insurmountable and never-ending. Family and friends are exploring stem cell treatment options in the USA and Israel, electronic devices that can be implanted to possibly help Rebecca breathe on her own one day, and medical equipment that can be attached to simulate mobility. Insurance will only cover a fraction of these expenses.

Audrey and Scott are working remotely for their hometown jobs in Long Island so that their insurance stays active; yet, they stay

by Rebecca’s side 15–18 hours each day, keeping Rebecca their #1 priority every single moment.

Life will never be the same for Rebecca, but hopefully through the latest technology and research, as well as rehabilitation, she will become the very best version of herself that is possible.

Rebecca needs help. Many of the Aleck-Koltun Long Island friends are currently writing for funding, media awareness stories, connecting with the SUNY Binghamton campus, and The Christopher Reeve Foundation’s funding site, HelpHopeLive.org.

Please check this web link for Rebecca’s specific fundraising page through the Foundation.

There is also a post on CaringBridge.org for those who want to stay up-to-date on Rebecca’s progress and/or wish to leave a message for her and the family.

Audrey’s hometown roots are a critical connection now more than ever. Thank you in advance for your contribution. Most importantly, please keep Rebecca in your prayers every day.

Beth Sholom Village gets vaccinated. . . . . . . . . 10

Briefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Special Section: Camp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Torah Thought. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Lorraine Fink: Virtual Art Auction and Sale. . . 16

Romanian Jews celebrate Passover with Bereshit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

What’s Happening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Terri Denison, Editor Germaine Clair, Art Director Lisa Richmon, Staff Writer Sandy Goldberg, Account Executive Ronnie Jacobs Cohen, Account Executive Marilyn Cerase, Subscription Manager Reba Karp, Editor Emeritus United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Amy Levy, President Alvin Wall, Treasurer Stephanie Calliott, 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. ©2021 Jewish News. All rights reserved.

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Women Summer Men/Dad/Grads Healthcare Seniors Guide to Jewish Living

Friday, April 16/4 Iyar Light candles at 7:23 pm

“Everything I look at becomes a drawing.”

—page 15

Friday, April 23/11 Iyar Light candles at 7:29 pm Friday, April 30/18 Iyar Light candles at 7:35 pm Friday, May 7/25 Iyar Light candles at 7:41 pm

Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Friday, May 14/3 Sivan Light candles at 7:44 pm

A Time to Mourn, From Death to Renewal. . . . 23

Friday, May 121/10 Sivan Light candles at 7:53 pm

Yom Ha’atzmaut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Brith Sholom installs new board. . . . . . . . . . . . 10

April 9 April 23 May 14 June 28 June 11 July 2

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CONTENTS

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jewishnewsva.org | April 12, 2021 | JEWISH NEWS | 3

BRIEFS YEMEN’S JEWISH POPULATION, ONCE OVER 50,000, DROPS TO BELOW 10 (JTA)—Amid the ongoing civil war in Yemen, 13 Jews have immigrated to Egypt, leaving the country’s once vibrant community of at least 50,000 with a population of fewer than 10.

Some reports claimed that the Iranbacked Houthi rebels, who control part of Yemen, forced the Jews to leave. The Times of Israel reported that the refugees instead struck a deal with the Houthis to leave peacefully for Cairo.

They also reportedly refused an offer to go to Israel.

Other Yemeni Jewish families have left for the United Arab Emirates in recent months, according to The Times of Israel.

The UAE is newly on formal diplomatic terms with Israel after signing onto the Abraham Accords peace deal last year.

Tens of thousands of Yemeni Jews left for Israel shortly after its establishment as a state in 1948, spurred by the wave of anti-Semitism across the Arab world that the founding had triggered. A group of 19 Yemeni Jews were brought to Israel on a secret mission in 2016 coordinated by the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Attacks against Jews in Yemen had risen sharply since 2008, when a Jewish teacher was murdered in Raydah. In 2012, another Yemeni Jewish citizen was murdered in Sanaa, and a young Jewish woman was abducted, forced to convert to Islam and forcibly wed to a Muslim man. (JTA) 1 IN 4 AMERICAN JEWS HAS EXPERIENCED ANTI-SEMITISM SINCE 2016, ADL FINDS An annual survey from the AntiDefamation League found that a quarter of American Jews have personally experienced anti-Semitism in the past five years, and that most American Jews have witnessed anti-Semitic comments targeting others.

In that same time period, 9% of Jewish respondents said they have been the victim of an anti-Semitic physical attack.

In total, 63% of Jewish respondents reported that they had either witnessed or experienced anti-Semitism in the years since 2016, an increase from 54%

last year. The survey was taken in early January and includes responses from 503 Jewish-American adults. The margin of error is 4.4%.

The proportion of Jews who said they have experienced anti-Semitism or been the victim of a physical attack are slightly higher than they were last year, but are within the margin of error. Last year, 20% of Jews said they had experienced anti-Semitism over the past five years, while 5% reported being the victim of a physical attack.

In addition, 40% of respondents said they heard anti-Semitic comments directed at someone else over the past year. Some 59% of respondents said they feel Jews are less safe in the United States than they were a decade ago, similar to the figure from last year’s survey. (JTA)

THE LAST KNOWN JEW IN AFGHANISTAN IS LEAVING The man who has been known as the last Jew in Afghanistan for well over a decade is leaving for Israel, fearing that the U.S. military’s promise to leave the country will leave a vacuum to be filled with radical groups such as the Taliban.

“I will watch on TV in Israel to find out what will happen in Afghanistan,” Zabulon Simantov told Arab News.

Simantov, 61, said he will leave after this year’s High Holidays season in the fall.

His wife, a Jew from Tajikistan, and their two daughters have lived in Israel since 1998. But Simantov has stayed in his native Afghanistan to tend to its lone synagogue, located in the capital Kabul, through decades of violence and political turmoil, including a period of Taliban rule and the country’s war with the U.S. “I managed to protect the synagogue of Kabul like a lion of Jews here,” he said to Arab News.

Simantov, a carpet and jewelry seller, was born in the Afghan city of Herat, which decades ago was home to hundreds of Jews. He eventually moved to Kabul but fled to Tajikistan in 1992 before returning to the capital city.

Without him around, the synagogue will close, ending an era of Jewish life in the country that scholars believe began at least 2,000 years ago.

4 | JEWISH NEWS | April 12, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org

“If the Taliban return, they are going to push us out with a slap in the face,” Simantov told Radio Free Europe for an article on the exodus of many of the country’s minority populations. (JTA)

TOP NAZI OFFICIAL WHO SPIED FOR US WAS ALLOWED TO AVOID TRIAL UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1975 A top Austrian Nazi who was responsible for the murder of thousands of Jews avoided prosecution until his death in 1975 because he spied for the West, The New York Times reported.

Franz Josef Huber, a top Gestapo officer serving in Vienna who helped Adolf Eichmann round up and murder the Jews of Central Europe, was a wanted man in his native Austria for crimes against humanity, The Times article published Tuesday, April 6 said, citing newly released archive material.

But U.S. occupation and intelligence authorities thwarted an Austrian extradition request on bureaucratic grounds, as well as attempts by Nazi hunters to prosecute Huber, who had moved to Germany.

In that country he was given only a short probationary sentence and a fine.

The lenient treatment was because of Huber’s extensive network of contacts on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain, which he agreed to use to obtain information useful to Germany and the United States in the Cold War against the Soviet Union, according to The Times.

The Federal Intelligence Service of Germany made Huber retire in 1964 amid fears that his service would cause a public relations problem. He died 11 years later in Germany, where he had received a public service pension until his death. (JTA) YALE TO OFFER BEGINNER YIDDISH COURSES Yale will launch beginner Yiddish classes in the fall that will allow students to fulfill their language requirements, according to the Yale Daily News.

Yiddish studies now offered at the Ivy League university focus on reading for translation and research purposes rather than on spoken Yiddish. The courses did not count toward its language requirement, meaning students had to take them

as electives.

The beginner courses will likely develop into levels of increasingly advanced courses in Yiddish as a spoken and written language.

Recent decades have seen an increased interest in learning Yiddish among younger Jews. Just this month Duolingo, the language learning app, added Yiddish to the list of languages it offers on its app, and earlier this year the Yiddish Book Center released a new multimedia Yiddish textbook. (JTA)

ANTI-SEMITIC ASSAULTS WORLDWIDE DROPPED 2020 DUE TO PANDEMIC A 19% decrease in the number of anti-Semitic assaults recorded worldwide in 2020 from the previous year was attributed to lockdowns connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an annual report published Wednesday, April 7.

The lockdowns limited personal interactions generally, the authors of the Report on Anti-Semitism Worldwide said. There were 371 cases of physical assaults last year.

Vandalism, however, increased by 25%. Anti-Semitic activity against cemeteries and Holocaust monuments rose to 96 incidents “because these sites are open and unprotected,” the report by the Kantor Center at Tel Aviv University said.

The prevalence of anti-Semitic rhetoric increased online, as well, with much of it coming from conspiracy theorists writing or speaking about the pandemic.

Anti-Semitic vandalism against private property also fell, by 35%, to 84 incidents from 130 in 2019, “because people mostly stayed at home,” deterring would-be perpetrators, the authors said.

Moshe Kantor, the initiator of the Kantor Center and president of the European Jewish Congress, warned in a statement that the pandemic may have further ripple effects on anti-Semitism.

“We have yet to see the results of a younger generation forced indoors during a protracted period of their formative years, with the closure of educational institutions and employment and entertainment opportunities and exposed in some cases at the click of a switch or the touch of a screen to 24-7 anti-Jewish hate in online forums,” he wrote. (JTA)

T E MP LE ISRAEL P R E S E N T S

TORAH THOUGHT

From Yom HaShoah to Yom Ha’Atzmaut

A

t this sacred season of reconsecration to recollection, we are poised between Yom HaShoah’s monumental burden of sorrow and Yom HaAtzmaut’s transforming joy. We pause at this great twilight oscillating between the helplessness of Yeoush and Hatikvah’s hopefulness.

We turn to the Torah’s Book of Life that we may face the Shoah’s Book of Death.

These, too, are our Days of Awe, no less awesome than the fall ones, sanctified through our people’s blood and resolve, so curiously close to Pesach’s twin themes of bitter enslavement and ever promising redemption.

Parashat Shemini alerts us to the unexpected both in the human condition and the divine response. In the midst of the Tabernacle’s zenith of joyful dedication, two of the four sons of Aaron the High Priest who just a short while ago were all consecrated as Kohanim, are tragically consumed by fire. We are told and taught, though ponder we must, that the victims’ attendance to holy duties went awry.

The text reads, “Va’idom Aaron,” “And Aaron turned silent.” He had no words.

Perhaps he could find no words given the shock’s magnitude of a double loss of his dearest of the dear, while ironically performing their sacred service. “Va’idom Aaron,” yet conceivably Aaron chose not to speak that he may not utter, out of the depths of pain, blasphemous words offensive to God and mocking his own calling.

Thus, choosing to remain silent, but not necessarily speechless, was Aaron’s best possible option under terrifying circumstances that challenged him personally, as well as professionally, threatening to undo his very being. Insightfully, if not convincingly, a rabbinic commentary blames the disaster on the poor communication between the victims, Nadav and

Avihu, along with their familial failure to respect father Aaron and consult with Uncle Moses. Namely, it is ultimately our own conduct or lack of it, which determines the outcome and not necessarily the Divine’s actions.

At the risk of lifting a verse out of context of a sensitive text of theological quagmire, the following resonates with overwhelming relevance to Yom Ha’Shoah, which is observed, no accident, on the week of Shemini. “And your brethren the entire household of Israel will bemoan the srefa, the burning fire.”

You shall be holy for I am holy.

The following double parasha of Tazria-Metzora touches upon defiling body conditions that the rabbis attached an ethical dimension to. Leprosy becomes more than a skin ailment. With linguistic aid, it is the chosen metaphor for violation, not by God, but by one human being against another. To diminish one’s reputation, “Motzi Shem Ra,” was tantamount to no less than shedding one’s blood. A good name, “Shem Tov,” was to be a person’s crowning glory. No surprise, the sinfully genocidal Nazi ideology insisted on dehumanizing as a means for a person’s and our people’s total destruction in spirit and body.

Shall we all, the Shoah’s wounded survivors, choose Aaron’s approach of silence as a path though like him we profusely bleed, or use words, which our enemy manipulated with ease, to contend with a reality we are commanded to change? The covenantal call and cry is clearly our own, “You shall be holy for I am holy “ Ken Yehi Ratzon. Amen.

Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is the founder of Temple Lev Tikvah in Virginia Beach. He is honorary senior rabbi scholar at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church.

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Ruth’s Life Said a Lot About Her As a “pink lady” Ruth Goodman volunteered more hours than anyone else at the Norfolk hospital where she greeted visitors for years.

Before she died in 1995, Ruth arranged for a Hampton Roads Community Foundation bequest to forever give good health to the community she and her late husband Victor loved.

This year 15 students are studying to become physicians, physical therapists, nurses and other medical professionals thanks to scholarships generated by Ruth’s generosity. Many more Goodman Scholars will follow every year.

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ISRAEL

Interest in immigrating to Israel from US soars despite pandemic-era challenges Renee Ghert-Zand

W

hen Aaron Feinblatt moved to Israel in late February 2020, just as the first signs of the worldwide coronavirus outbreak were emerging, only one person wore a mask on his aliyah flight.

Feinblatt had no idea that masks would soon become the norm for him and everyone else, nor how COVID-19 would affect the first year in his new home.

“I got here two weeks before the country completely shut down,” he says. “With all the lockdowns and restrictions in the last year, I feel like I have been physically here but my aliyah hasn’t yet happened.”

Yet the 29-year-old lawyer from Philadelphia has no regrets about arriving when he did.

“I am thrilled to be here,” Feinblatt says.

“I’m healthy and I have a job with an Israeli start-up and I live a 10-minute walk from the beach in Tel Aviv. I would have pushed through and come here even if my aliyah date had been during the pandemic and not before it.”

Rather than diminishing interest in immigrating to Israel, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have fueled it. A total of 7,965 aliyah applications from North America were submitted in 2020, double that of the previous year. Over the first three months of 2021, the number of immigrants arriving in Israel from North America was up 30% over the same period a year ago.

“We’ve seen unprecedented interest since spring 2020,” says Marc Rosenberg, vice president for Diaspora partnerships at Nefesh B’Nefesh, which manages

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aliyah applications from North America and assists with immigration in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA. “Past national or international events sparked inquiries and applications, but never like this,” he adds.

A few factors are driving the increase, immigration officials theorize.

The pandemic has spurred people to reconsider their life priorities, giving greater urgency to the dream of living in Israel. The shift to remote work has enabled a growing number of people who want to move to Israel without giving up their U.S. careers to do so. The difficulty of travel and Israel’s ban on non-citizen entry (with some exceptions) is prompting some Americans who were frequent visitors to Israel, particularly retirees with grandchildren there, to relocate permanently.

And Israel’s early success combating the coronavirus and efficient rollout of vaccinations encouraged some of those already considering aliyah.

Making aliyah during the COVID-era has not been easy. The pandemic slowed the processing of necessary paperwork on both sides of the Atlantic. Israel’s government limited the operations of the country’s main airport for several weeks more than once, frustrating the scheduling of immigration flights.

With most of Israel’s adult population vaccinated, new COVID cases at their lowest levels in months and the country largely reopened, Feinblatt says he’s looking forward to doing the things he’d planned to do a year ago. Primarily he wants to make the social connections he missed out on before starting work.

“I had been looking forward to integrating, being out and about, learning and practicing Hebrew, and meeting people,” Feinblatt says.

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NATION

These names are being talked about to be the US anti-Semitism monitor Ron Kampeas

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Nancy Kaufman, the former CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, says that she had been in touch with the Biden administration about becoming this country’s newly empowered anti-Semitism monitor.

Kaufman revealed her contact in the Forward in a story about how progressive Jewish groups appear to be coalescing around her candidacy.

She confirmed it to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, saying that a number of people outside the administration urged her to apply for the job, so she made her interest known to people inside the Biden administration.

“I expressed interest and now I’m waiting to hear,” she says.

Kaufman isn’t the only one angling for the position, which reports on anti-Semitism overseas and presses governments to adopt measures to mitigate anti-Semitism. JTA spoke with four people close to the Biden administration who named a number of others who have been mentioned in chatter inside and outside the administration while noting that they could not confirm whether any of them were under formal consideration.

The list includes Abraham Foxman, the retired longtime leader of the AntiDefamation League, and Deborah Lipstadt, the prominent Holocaust historian at Emory University.

JTA reached out to all of those whose names are in circulation, but only a few replied—and confirmed that like Kaufman, they also had expressed interest in the job. One is Ethan Katz, a professor of Jewish history at the University of California, Berkeley. Mark Weitzman of the Simon Wiesenthal Center would only say that his name has cropped up in reporting on the issue.

Other replies were off the record and cannot be reported. In explaining their request to remain off the record, two candidates with whom JTA spoke cited

an age-old Washington maxim: The best way not to get a job in government is to campaign for a job in government.

Governments do not like to appear pressured into making hires.

Kaufman says she was not campaigning for the job, formally known as U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism. She says that she had campaigned for Biden, in senior positions in outreach to Jews, older adults and progressives, and with his victory there had been talk of a possible administration position. The only one that excited her, Kaufman says, was the State Department’s anti-Semitism envoy.

“I’m very enthusiastic about the prospect,” she says. “But there are a lot of good people out there.”

There are no front-runners. Kaufman says the administration had not reached the vetting stage, which the other applicants confirmed: They had not yet heard back from government officials who would be tasked with the formal hiring.

The Biden administration has made no sign that it is even considering a formal nomination beyond accepting applications.

“At this time, we do not have any details to share regarding a nomination for the special envoy position,” a State Department spokesman says .

One thing the administration must consider that its predecessors did not: Congress just elevated the job to ambassadorial level, meaning the envoy will have more resources and influence. The downside is that the nominee will have to be confirmed by an evenly divided Senate, where Republicans have already sought to scuttle a number of Biden picks.

Groups on the left—including IfNotNow, which has endorsed Kaufman for the job—want the anti-Semitism monitor to focus on white supremacists and to deemphasize Israel. They decried the last monitor under President Donald Trump, Elan Carr, for launching a campaign equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism.

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Here in alphabetical order are the names circulating among people who talk with people inside the Biden administration: Stuart Eizenstat, a longtime U.S. negotiator for Holocaust restitution Ira Forman, anti-Semitism monitor under President Barack Obama Abraham Foxman, retired longtime national director of the Anti-Defamation League Ethan Katz, professor of Jewish history, UC-Berkeley

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Nancy Kaufman, former CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women Mark Levin, longtime CEO of NCSEJ: National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry Deborah Lipstadt, Holocaust historian, Emory University Sharon Nazarian, senior vice president, international affairs, the AntiDefamation League Mark Weitzman, director of government affairs for the Simon Wiesenthal Center

jewishnewsva.org | April 12, 2021 | JEWISH NEWS | 7

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Tidewater to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut: Israel’s 73rd Independence Day Sunday, April 18, Sandler Family Campus Drive-Through celebration, 12–2:30 pm, free, limited tickets JewishVa.org/IsraelFest Drive-In Movie, 8 pm, $12 per person, limited tickets JewishVa.org/FilmFest

Y

om Ha’atzmaut, also known as Israel Independence Day, is an opportunity for the community to come together this year to celebrate the Jewish state in fun and safe ways.

Israel’s 73rd anniversary arrives when so many people have spent a year sheltered in place in their homes and are now ready to move about. To meet the desire to get out on a spring day, while remaining COVIDsafe, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC are presenting a ‘drive through’ of Israel—bringing the richness of Israel life home to Tidewater.

This Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration promises to surprise participants with its creative and festive atmosphere. Plus, since everyone remains comfortably in their vehicle, “no passport is needed to explore this Israel experience!” say the event’s planners.

Aulcie Perry.

FOR FAMILIES: Drive-Through Israel A Community Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration 12–2:30pm

F

amilies will be provided everything needed for a drive through tour of Israel.

The event is designed for participants to encounter the highlights of a trip to Israel, without ever leaving Virginia or their car.

Participants will get a taste of Jerusalem by placing a note in the Western Wall and haggling at the Shuk. Swimming with the fish in Eilat, catching up with the hipsters in Tel Aviv, and enjoying Bedouin hospitality in a desert tent are stops along the way. There’s also an opportunity to swing by a kibbutz to learn about community, ecology, and small farming. Then, on the way out, everyone gets to drive by Lake Kinneret’s bicycle path and check out the sights. Don’t miss this moving Israeli experience!

Registration includes a timed ticket. All cars must enter the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus within 30 minutes of the reservation time.

8 | JEWISH NEWS | April 12, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org

Reservations are required and must be made online.

Parents or grandparents are welcome to purchase an add-on Date Night Box. The box will include snacks, an Israeli game, and tickets to a virtual showing of Aulcie.

Boxes can be picked up when exiting the drive through tour of Israel.

For more information or to reserve tickets to travel through Israel, visit Jewishva.org/IsraelFest or contact Dave Flagler, director of Camp and Teen Engagement, at dflagler@ujft.org.

FOR ADULTS: Drive-In Movie: Aulcie Parking begins at 6:30 pm Film starts at 8 pm, includes snacks

U

nited Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s Patricia &

Avraham Ashkenazi and Alma & Howard Laderberg’s 28th annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presents Aulcie.

An inspiring film, Aulcie tells the story of Aulcie Perry, a remarkable athlete who captured the spirit of a nation, triumphant and victorious against all odds, and put Israel on the map. This movie has mature themes and is appropriate for adults.

Fun, kosher, Israeli movie snacks are included with the purchase of a ticket for the Drive-In. Tickets are $12 per person.

Aulcie will also be available to view virtually beginning April 18 for 72 hours. $12 per household.

For more information or to register, visit JewishVA.org/FilmFest or contact Jill Grossman, director, Arts + Ideas, at jgrossman@ujft.org or 757-965-9134.

YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK

Romania Jews enjoy heart-to-heart Passover celebration without face-to-face contact Lisa Richmon

L

ike Jews around the globe, Romanian Jews have their own history and reason to be proud to belong to the big family of Bereshit, where they learn together and celebrate Judaism.

“As we all turn to preparing for Pesah in our homes, I am proud to share what is taking place in Romania due in large part to your (United Jewish Federation of Tidewater) support!” Sandy Katz, Joint Distribution Committee’s senior director, strategic relations, wrote in an email last month. “The Jews in Romania started the month of Nissan with a full day of learning on the topic ‘Let My People Go— the story of Pesah for the whole world’ through the learnings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ” This third edition of online Bereshit, the flagship learning program organized

by FEDROM with the support of JDC, took place on Sunday, March 14. More than 500 participants attended the session in real time (both on ZOOM and Facebook) from more than 25 Jewish communities. Thanks to the popularity of Bereshit, which was built along the course of a decade, and the infrastructure of the Federation, JCCs, and communities, it succeeded to bring the Jews closer to their community in a virtual way.

The loyal fans of the Bereshit brand in Romania faced a completely changed format due to the pandemic. Katz says, “the ties formed throughout the past years with this program and each other, brought them in droves, even if it was online, with no direct socializing or faceto-face interaction.”

The learning sessions were led by volunteer speakers, who were connected to Rabbi Sacks and shared his teaching: Rav Rafi Ostroff, Rav Alex Israel, and Rav Aviad Tavori.

Additionally, the program included a Yiddish component, with two prominent

guests from the Yiddish world: Zalmen Mlotek, director of Yiddish Theatre from N.Y., and the session of Lia Koenig, the First Lady of The Israeli Theatre.

The day also included interactive parallel Limmud sessions, moderated by the JCC directors, in the style of a cafe-dilemma.

According to Katz, participants

Drive-Thru Israel

Travel to Israel Without Leaving Tidewater

The Kinneret

I am proud to share what is taking place in Romania

Tel Aviv Jerusalem

due in large part to your (United Jewish Federation of Tidewater) support!

The Negev

Eilat remained glued to their seats, even during the breaks, which included musical moments by beloved singers such as Meir Hermon, Cantor Emanuel Pusztai and Mordy Weinstein from Six13, as well as recordings of Rabbi Sacks.”

April 18

Trips depart beginning at noon

JewishVA.org/IsraelFest

This is part of a series of articles spotlighting local and overseas partner agencies that are beneficiaries of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s annual Community Campaign.

jewishnewsva.org | April 12, 2021 | JEWISH NEWS | 9

JEWISH TIDEWATER

IT’S A WRAP

Brith Sholom installs new board

I

n February, Brith Sholom held their first successful online elections, which were necessary due to the pandemic. The newly elected officers and board members were installed during a Zoom meeting on Sunday, March 7.

The installed officers and board members are: Joe Weintrob, president; Dave Lesser, vice president; Ed Landress, secretary; Jerry Sandler, treasurer. The at-large board members are: Beril Abraham, Sid Bass, Bruce Longman, Virgie McCall, Lonnie McCloud, David Proser and Ruth Rothman.

“Congratulations to the newly elected officers and board. We look forward to another term of wonderful activities,” Joe Weintrob said in his

President’s article in the March Brith Sholom Bulletin.

Brith Sholom continues to meet over Zoom the first Sunday of every month at noon and plays Bingo the third Sunday. In February, Tom Breitbeil of the Newport News Fire Department presented an outstanding program on safety and health for seniors. In March, Lori Golding Zontini talked about the many different farmers’ markets in the area. April’s meeting will include Jennifer Rossettini of the Hook Law Firm who will inform the group about senior legal issues.

For more information about Brith Sholom, contact LeeAnne Mallory at 757-461-1150 or Brith.Sholom1@gmail.com.

Beth Sholom Village gets vaccinated Marcia Futterman Brodie

J

ust like the rest of the world, Beth Sholom Village had been waiting.

Waiting for what all hoped would be the answer to the devastating COVID-19 virus. The answer came in the form of a shot that takes about 30 seconds. Then, three weeks later, a second shot.

On January 2 and January 23 at BSV, 15 CVS pharmacists walked into the building ready to administer the first and second round of shots. BSV’s internal team—department heads, administrators, and nursing staff organized, planned, and executed two very successful COVID-19 vaccine clinics. After the second clinic was complete, approximately 80% of the staff had taken the vaccine, and 99% of

the residents were vaccinated.

Two more clinics were added on February 13 and March 6 to allow additional staff and new hires to receive the vaccine.

When all was said and done, BSV took a collective sigh of relief. While this does not stop the pain and suffering that has been endured, it does offer hope—hope that is very much needed.

Summer Employment Opportunity The ADVENTURE begins…UJFT/Simon Family JCC A wonderful place to work!

Now hiring fun and creative staff for SUMMER CAMP 2021 Great opportunity to earn extra $$ for the summer.

Excellent Career Experience for College Students: Special Ed, Education or Early Childhood majors High School students (rising Juniors, Seniors) or graduates Positions Available: • Lead Counselors (High School graduates; minimum requirement) • Junior Counselors (HS rising Junior; minimum requirement) • Special Needs Counselors • Specialist for Activities: Sports, Music, and Arts, etc.

• Camp Nurse

Amy Weinstein gets vaccinated.

Staff Orientation: June 14-18 Camp JCC Adventure begins June 21- August 13 Last Blast (Post Camp): August 16-27 Application availble at www.simonfamilyjcc.org

Submit completed application to resumes@ujft.org Submit by mail to: United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Attention: Taftaleen T. Hunter, Director of Human Resources – Confidential 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach 23462 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 10 | JEWISH NEWS | April 12, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org

Beth Sholom Village staff after getting vaccines.

Marcia Futterman Brodie gets her shot at BSV.

camp Dear Readers,

F

or her birthday earlier this month, my daughter’s fiancé took her horseback riding.

Summer

Enrichment

She made a comment to me inferring that riding a horse would not be something

she could ever imagine me doing. “Oh contraire!” I replied. “One summer I was in the horseback riding unit at camp, and that’s about all we did.” At which point I launched into singing our unit’s song—from start to finish—surprising her, for sure, and taking me right back to “…the fields at the Grays…Camp Matoaka’s mounted unit…” The horses, my friends, the salt pills (yes, the counselors gave them to us at lunch), and all of the songs, galloped back into my mind.

Help your child improve skills and build confidence!

So, what’s the point of that story, you might wonder. It was a 12-day overnight Girl

On-Campus Group & Virtual Individual Options Intensive Reading, Math & Technology Enrichment, Summer Learning, Supportive Math & Academic Therapy Half & Full Day Offerings Grades 1 – 8

Scout camp and I was about 12 years old, and suffice it to say, it was way more than 12 years ago (times about 4, but I’m not really telling!), and I still recall every word of that silly multi-verse song. How is that possible? It’s because there’s just something magical about camp that sticks with campers and counselors for a lifetime. And, it doesn’t matter if it’s a local day camp or an overnight camp for two months or for six days…it is camp…a place where skills are mastered, fun is important, memories are built, and friendships made.

In 2020, very few camps opened to build those memories. This year, however, with increased vaccinations and an improved and informed understanding of how to mitigate

Learn more and register online:

cba-va.org/summer · 757.497.6200

the spread of COVID-19, more camps are opening their doors. As parents make decisions on choosing a camp for the summer, the process will involve asking questions about safety protocols, in addition to about activities and snacks. Most camps have plans, but since it’s never a good idea to assume, it’s important for parents to conduct that research and ask specific questions.

For readers with camp-age children or grandchildren, we hope this section offers some ideas of places to enroll them for the summer. Especially after the year we’ve all endured, what could be better for kids than having a good time and learning and making those lasting memories with other kids?

Whether you’re packing large duffle bags for weeks of long adventures or backpacks for the day, whether you’re traveling near or far, camp is camp and an experience that

r e S u mm

lasts a lifetime.

Wishing all potential campers, counselors, and families a happy and safe camp experience!

Coming May 10 To advertise, call 757.965.6100 or email news@ujft.org

Terri Denison jewishnewsva.org | April 12, 2021 | Camp | JEWISH NEWS | 11

camp Tips to keep kids’ rooms clean and organized

Camp JCC

C

Age 2–Teens June 21-August 13 Last Blast: August 16-27

amp JCC is back in person this summer and it will be better than ever!

Daily swimming, arts, and sports in the breeze, ice treats with friends before everyone leaves…at Camp JCC there is so much to do, with friends and great counselors, too.

At our traditional day camp, campers will get to experience a variety of fun and enriching activities, special costume and themed days, friendly competitions, and a lot of team spirit and comradery.

Camp days are so full of fun and fly by so quickly that we marvel at how we are not an overnight camp. Camp JCC campers will connect with friends, explore new things, and learn outside of the construct of school.

Through this, camp allows the opportunity for campers to grow into the brightest versions of themselves.

After this long pandemic period, camp is the perfect place for campers and counselors to come together in a safe (following COVID safety precautions) and nurturing environment to meet new people and build friendships that can last a lifetime.

The adventure of Camp JCC begins soon. We hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable summer!

To learn more or to register, contact Dave Flagler, director of Camp and Teen Engagement at dflagler@ujft.org or visit www.campjcc.org.

Jewish News Digital Edition 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.

12 | JEWISH NEWS | Camp | April 12, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org

(StatePoint) For the past year, many of us have lived, played, worked, and gone to school right at home, making clutter i nev it able — e sp ec i a l ly when it comes to kids’ bedrooms and playrooms.

No matter how many times parents tell their children to clean their rooms, the collection of clothes, schoolwork and toys seems to build endlessly.

Now that we’re moving into summer and preparing for new routines such as going to camp, is the perfect time to take charge of the mess with these tips to create a space that’s fun and functional for kids of all ages.

1. Prioritize Belongings. Start by considering what needs to go, what can stay and how much storage space you have available. Make it a family project by working with your kids to identify which items they love most and which things they could do without. Once you know what will be kept, prioritize space accordingly, keeping beloved items easily accessible.

2. Organize the Stuff. Find everything a home. Bins and baskets are ideal for small toys and games with tiny pieces, while drawers and shelves are perfect for larger items. For excess items, especially young children’s toys, use clear bins to store them in closets or under beds. Not only does this help tidy the room, but it can also make old things appear new again when they are pulled out of storage.

3. Create Labels. Getting belongings organized is one thing, but keeping them that way is another. A great way to ensure your hard work doesn’t go to waste is to label the bins or baskets. Labels make things easy to find when you need them and keep items organized when cleaning up.

Creating labels with colorful Duck Tape

is a kid-friendly DIY project that can help your kids feel in charge of the process.

4. File Away Papers. For older kids, schoolwork should be separated from games and toys, which can be difficult when learning from home and space is limited.

Important assignments and documents should be put in folders and binders to prevent them from getting lost and help keep the room looking neat.

Organizing school supplies and at-home desks doesn’t have to be a boring task. Customize folders for each kid or each subject with unique designs using printed Duck Tape Brand Duct Tape, or make labels with Duck Brand Chalkboard Tape.

5. Personalize with Décor. Once the room is clean and organized, take some time to add personal touches. Allowing children to pick colors and patterns for their room can really make them feel like it is their own. If you have the space, a table or a lamp can be a fun addition. If you want to keep things simple, showcasing photos of family and friends or displaying kids’ artwork can do the trick, too.

For additional home organization tips and DIY projects, visit duckbrand.com.

By making the cleaning and organizing process a fun activity, the hope is that children will be more likely to take ownership of the space and motivated to keep it in order moving forward. However, it doesn’t hurt to revisit the process regularly to keep things fresh.

camp Grants available for first-time campers to Jewish overnight camps Thomas Mills

A

s the world begins to safely open up, many families are beginning to look for activities for their children this summer. For those considering Jewish overnight camps, the Tidewater Jewish Foundation is partnering with the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s One Happy Camper program.

The program provides needblind grants of up to $1,000 to families with children attending a nonprofit, Jewish overnight camp for the first time.

One Happy Camper was envisioned as an outreach initiative for children who are not currently receiving an immersive, daily Jewish experience. The program provides need-blind grants of up to $1,000 to families with children

Chesapeake Bay Academy

attending a nonprofit, Jewish overnight camp for the first time. One Happy Camper has more than 160 traditional and specialty programs to choose from, providing plenty of options and variety for interested campers.

“Our partnership with the One Happy Camper program has helped many children in Tidewater attend Jewish camp,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO. “As the world begins to enter a sense of normalcy, One Happy Camper grants will not only help parents send their children to camp, it will also give campers an immersive Jewish experience, which was sorely missed last year because of COVID-19.”

Among the numerous families assisted by One Happy Camper in Jewish Tidewater, is the Lemke family, who were able to send both of their children to camp with the help of the program.

“As I changed my career, the prospect of paying for a sleep away experience was overwhelming,” says Shawn Lemke.

“I learned about One Happy Camper— supported by the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and Foundation for Jewish Camp—from my aunt and cousin. Now both of our children have received the wonderful gift of Jewish camp, thanks to Tidewater Jewish Foundation!”

To learn more about One Happy Camper grants, including eligiblity, and how to apply, visit jewishcamp.org/ one-happy-camper.

H

elp your child gain skills and build confidence this summer at CBA’s Summer Enrichment Camps!

On-campus small group and online individual options. Intensive Reading, Math and Technology, Summer Learning, Supportive Math and Academic Therapy available. Half and full day options available for grades 1–8.

Afternoon recreational activities featuring makerspace creations, athletics, art, and music support a well-rounded camp experience. 3 and 6 week programs offered June 21–July 30.

For more information, contact Kaitlyn Oelsner at koelsner@ujft.org or 757-965-6103. jewishnewsva.org | April 12, 2021 | Camp | JEWISH NEWS | 13

camp Tips to raise earth-conscious kids (StatePoint) Children are never too young to learn the importance of sustainability or begin adopting eco-friendly habits.

Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a great time to get started, and experts say it all starts with playtime.

“Kids are built to absorb information at a tremendous pace,” says Anna Yudina, senior director, Marketing Initiatives, The Toy Association. “During playtime especially, they form deep emotional connections to the values they’re learning.

This means that you can help your child embrace an earth-conscious mindset simply by making it fun.”

Check out these Earth Day tips and insights from The Genius of Play—a national movement to educate parents and caregivers about play’s vital role in child development: Eco-friendly, and recycle. For example, you can construct bird feeders from milk jugs and then have kids decorate them.

The best part? This is a sustainable DIY project that benefits wildlife, plus gives children an opportunity to observe flying visitors to the yard.

You can also craft your own musical instruments. For example, rain sticks, so-named because they mimic the natural sounds of rain, can be made by filling paper towel rolls with uncooked rice. Or, keep the beat using homemade maracas made by filling empty plastic bottles with dried beans. Finally, with just a few rubber bands and some glue, you can transform yesterday’s cereal box into a guitar. Now you have enough instruments to start your own band!

Learn through play: Kids can benefit from toys as early as one month old with sensory play that helps stimulate senses and develops motor skills. However, they develop habits and values that will last a lifetime during ages three through nine, the most. During these years, introduce toys that reinforce the importance of sustainability. For example, a plush sea turtle can help a younger child understand the connection between plastic pollution and the health of marine creatures. For a 14 | JEWISH NEWS | Camp | April 12, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org

tween or teen, a wind turbine science kit can build STEM skills and interest, while introducing the concepts of sustainable energy and climate change.

Outdoor fun: Warmer, longer days expand opportunities to play outdoors, be active and explore the natural world.

Build a nature scavenger hunt in your backyard or take an ecology walk and observe critters, rocks and leaves with magnifying glasses. Bonus: beyond boosting an appreciation for the environment, active play is critical for child development, helping hone coordination, balance and motor skills and setting the stage for a lifetime of good health.

Pretend play: Pretend play is key for developing curiosity and critical thinking, and there are many avenues for role-playing activities that teach the importance of sustainability. Using action toys, kids can be anything they want to be, from farmers to explorers to environmental superheroes. Pretend play also presents a fun way to introduce eco-friendly habits that kids

can adopt in their daily lives, like turning the water off while they brush their teeth or reducing their plastic footprint by opting for reusable products.

From building a mini greenhouse to studying animal habitats, there are tons of playful learning ideas for indoor and outdoor fun available at www.thegeniusofplay.org, a great online resource for parents.

Kids are absorbing new information all the time, especially when they’re having fun. To raise earth-conscious kids, incorporate environmental values into playtime.

The Hurrah Players

T

he Hurrah Players are back in person with Summer Camps and an outdoor show, Disney’s Jungle Book, in downtown Norfolk. For 37 years, local families and students have enjoyed our musical theater camps, classes, and Broadway-quality productions. Hurrah Players offers year-round classes in acting, Musical Theater and dance, along with Spring Break and summer camps. Dreams come true at Hurrah. www.hurrahplayers.com.

8 Weeks of Amazing Adventures!

June 21 - August 13 at the Simon Family JCC For ages 2 to teens Swimming, Sun, & Fun for Everyone Fishing, Color War, Arts, Sports, Friends & More!

VIRTUAL

OPEN HOUSE

Monday, April 26 at 8 pm

Interested in Jewish overnight camp, too?

Learn about Camp JCC 2021 and the program modifications that will be in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

To register for the Open House, visit CampJCC.org.

register at campjcc.org 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 | 757.321.2342

jewishnewsva.org | April 12, 2021 | JEWISH NEWS | 15

WHAT’S HAPPENING Lorraine Fink: We’re all in this together Virtual Art Auction and Sale Monday, April 12–Thursday, April 22 https://www.jewishva.org/Lfinkart

On view through May 10 in the Leon Family Gallery, Sandler Family Campus Terri Denison

A

rt is meant to be viewed and shared, according to Lorraine Fink, and sometimes, it can also assist a favorite organization.

“I just had a show at ODU where I donated the proceeds to the art department, and I’ve donated to Ohef Sholom Temple, and I was talking to Andrew (her son) and I said, ‘wouldn’t it be a neat thing to donate to the Simon Family JCC because they do good community service?’” says Fink.

“I was excited that my mom came up with the idea of doing a fundraiser for the JCC,” says Andrew Fink, a long-time JCC board member. Andrew recalls chairing the cultural arts committee more than 40 years ago for the JCC on Newport Ave. in

Norfolk and hanging his mom’s work there.

“This is sort of coming full-circle,” he says.

Andrew made a phone call on his mom’s behalf, and the first United Jewish Federation of Tidewater/Simon Family JCC virtual art auction and sale was put into motion.

For the auction, Fink selected 99 ink and watercolor paintings from her latest body of work. The paintings, which comprise playful objects,

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16 | JEWISH NEWS | April 12, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org

people, animals, and birds morphing into each other, are now on view in the Leon Family Gallery at the Sandler Family Campus.

At 96, there’s no slowing down this prolific artist, scholar, educator, and forever student. These particular works were created in an area of Fink’s home that offers an expansive view of the river and marsh. “When I sit and rest and enjoy my afternoon of drawing, I see all sorts of things,” says Fink.

“Everything I look at becomes a drawing.

“I can look at the water view and be drawing animals— some of them I make up.”

Fink says she had no idea where she was headed when she began this series. “I paint every day.

One year later, I had a stack of art.”

Each painting, Fink says, usually takes a day or two to complete. Initially working intensely on a piece for several hours, she’ll return to it the next day to “finesse it—adding or deleting” before she moves on to the next.

Women, animals, and birds figure prominently in the paintings offered for this auction.

Fink says she’s been a “birder” for some 50 years, fascinated with their folklore, appearance, behavior, and place in multiple cultures.

Fink traveled the globe with her late husband, Dr. H. William Fink, and says, “On many of our trips I took bird tours. In India, for example, I spent two days photographing birds.”

In Kenya, Fink saw birds that were six feet tall, and at home, where she’s lived for more than 60 years, she sits with her binoculars watching the herons, kingfishers, Canada Geese, red

Lorraine Fink

cardinals, and myriad others.

This collection also includes paintings of women—some with multiple profiles. The same goes for the animal images.

“Recently I’ve been putting musical instruments in my paintings,” says Fink.

“We went to the Symphony for many years. I love classical music.” But, don’t be surprised if an instrument isn’t recognizable, because she admits, “some I design.”

She’s been known to create and incorporate her own musical notes as well.

Some, she’s turned into Hebrew letters, and others are clearly artist interpretation.

Masks also feature prominently in these paintings—with people, animals, and birds all wearing them. And, there’s plenty of dancing, evoking joyful responses from viewers.

“We’re all in this together,” she says.

Being together is important to Fink.

She says she is delighted to show her works in the Leon Family Gallery, named in honor of Telsa and Arnold Leon. Telsa was a dear friend and fellow student of Charles Sibley at ODU. Fink is donating all of the proceeds from the auction to benefit visual arts programming at UJFT and Simon Family JCC. Viewing, bidding, and purchasing takes place at JewishVa.org/LFinkart.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Tidewater Jewish Foundation Legacy Donors to be honored at virtual event Tuesday, May 25, 7:30 pm, free

J

ewish Tidewater’s 339 legacy donors are among the 18,000 who will be honored at the first Legacy Donor Appreciation Event sponsored by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s (HGF) LIFE & LEGACY® initiative. The event will celebrate each of the donors from LIFE & LEGACY’s 71 partner communities who are securing the Jewish

future through their legacy gift.

The evening will feature the stories of donors from across North America who have made legacy commitments, as well as greetings and reflections from Harold Grinspoon, founder of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, the Foundation’s president.

Jonah Kaplan, an award-winning political and investigative reporter at WTVD, the ABC-owned station in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., will serve as the evening’s host.

“Through LIFE & LEGACY, we are sustaining vibrant communities so future generations will be able to enjoy our rich Jewish culture and heritage,” says Harold Grinspoon. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to honor all those who have

made a legacy commitment to date, and to encourage others to join us in this endeavor.”

Tidewater’s LIFE & LEGACY donors have made commitments to eight local organizations including Beth Sholom Village, Chabad of Tidewater, Congregation Beth El, Jewish Family Service, Ohef Sholom Temple, Strelitz International Academy, Temple Emanuel, and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater/Simon Family Jewish Community Center.

“We are excited to celebrate the 339 legacy donors here in Tidewater, along with the legacy donors from the other communities in the LIFE & LEGACY network, who have already committed to ensuring the long-term financial health of

Aulcie Perry’s Norfolk connection Aulcie at the Drive-In: Sunday, April 18, 8 pm Sandler Family Campus, $12 per person

LORRAINE FINK

valued Jewish Tidewater organizations,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, president and CEO of Tidewater Jewish Foundation. “It is our hope that every member of the Jewish Tidewater community will join us by making a legacy commitment to those organizations in our Jewish community they value.”

Those who have not yet had a chance to make a legacy commitment and would like to participate in the May 25 event may contact the organizations named above or Kaitlyn Oelsner, TJF’s director of philanthropy, at koelsner@ujft.org or 757965-6103. Legacy donors may register for the event at https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/2021LegacyDonorEvent.

Virtual Art Auction

Robyn Sidersky

D

o you remember the Virginia Squires, Norfolk’s very own basketball team?

The American Basketball Association team made a name for itself in the early 1970s— especially since the Squires continue to have the distinction of being the only professional basketball team the area has ever known.

Aulcie Perry, the legendary player who helped Maccabi Tel Aviv achieve a European Champions Cup championship, once dribbled a ball for the Squires—he was on the roster of the 1974–1975 team.

Perry was cut from the team in 1975 and went on to play for the Allentown Jets, the New York Knicks, and eventually landed on his feet in Israel.

Learn more about Perry’s incredible story as part of the Patricia & Avraham Ashkenazi and Alma & Howard Laderberg Virginia Festival of Jewish Film in association with the United Jewish Federation of

Tidewater and Simon Family JCC, in the movie Aulcie. Directed by Dani Menkin, Avraham Ashkenazi is one of the film’s producers.

Limited tickets are available for the drive-in movie, which is part of this year’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus.

Moviegoers will get to enjoy Israeli snacks and hear an interview with Menkin after the film. See page 16.

The movie will also be available virtually.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit jewishva.org/filmfestival.

Paintings by Norfolk artist Lorraine Fink Monday, April 12 – Thursday, April 22 On view in the Leon Family Gallery Lorraine Fink finds inspiration from her many travels and life experiences.

Rich in color and wonder, her art evokes feelings of both celebration and contemplation.

View, bid and purchase art at

jewishva.org/LFinkArt All proceeds to benefit Visual Arts programming and classes at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC.

jewishnewsva.org | April 12, 2021 | JEWISH NEWS | 17

WHAT’S HAPPENING NYC Cantor Azi Schwartz looks forward to sharing his love of Jewish liturgical music with Norfolk area audience Sunday, April 25, 7:30 pm, $36 Joel Rubin

H

e is the 40-year-old grandson of four Holocaust survivors from Hungary and Czechoslovakia who all emigrated to Israel where they met after the War. One grandfather was a cantor who inspired young Azi Schwartz’s love of liturgical music. That passion, and accompanying soaring voice, has taken him to the heights of the Jewish world, as senior cantor for the past dozen years at famed Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan.

“I was in a choir in Israel and the director received a job offer to come to New York City,” Schwartz says during a Zoom interview last month. “He said he would only take it if I could come with him. And so my wife, who was in medical school at the time, and our two children, moved to the United States.” She would return to Israel to complete her training to become a rheumatologist, and they would add two more to the family once they were back together again in America.

At Park Avenue Synagogue, Schwartz did not begin that shul’s tradition of international leadership in the creative interpretation of musical prayer. “It was that way before I was born, even before my grandfather was born,” he says. “We are tasked today with honoring that heritage and continuing to push it and reinvent it.

We support and cherish Jewish music like no other institution, and not just synagogue, anywhere in the world.”

Cantor Schwartz has found a worldwide audience because his music, widely available on the internet, is, in his words, “meeting people where they are. We have a responsibility to appeal to their sensibilities. The whole point of Judaism is L’dor va Dor. So, for instance, our adaptation of Adon Olam to I’ll be Back from Hamilton

Azi Schwartz.

was a good way to get to young people’s hearts and gain their attention.”

In fact, it got everyone’s attention that has seen that 2016 link.

At the Temple Israel event, attendees will see and hear that now famous rendition of Adom Olam, and many more from the Cantor’s vast video archive during a virtual program, created exclusively for and hosted by Temple Israel in Norfolk.

But, it’s not necessary to be a Temple Israel member or area resident to view this incredible program. In fact, all are encouraged to participate. “We’ll cover some ground from the bimah to Broadway, from the traditional to the popular. Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah will be there, Lecha Dodi and other iconic pieces.”

So, purchase a double chai ($36) ticket and settle back for an unforgettable concert and then live conversation that I am eager to moderate. “Music is very powerful in inspiring people and building community and connecting Jews to their hearts and to their traditions,” says Cantor (please call me Azi) Schwartz. “I’m very excited about this opportunity on April 25. I’m sorry I can’t be there in person, but still I can’t wait.”

To view a portion of the Zoom interview that Joel Rubin conducted with Cantor Schwartz and to purchase tickets, visit templeisraelva.org.

Visit us on the web jewishnewsva.org 18 | JEWISH NEWS | April 12, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org

Kehillat Bet Hamidrash/Kempsville Conservative Synagogue to host Art Auction Sunday, May 2, 7 pm

T

ired of looking at the same walls during this time at home? See an empty spot just calling out for a new piece of art? KBH has the solution!

Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH)—the Kempsville Conservative Synagogue—will hosts its 20th fundraising art auction—the first one online. This unique experience will feature early previews and the ability to set an automatic maximum bid for any desired works, days before the live auction begins.

Presented by the returning Marlin Art of Deer Park, N.Y., this year’s virtual event raises funds for KBH’s programs, ritual observances, building maintenance, and outreach efforts. Marlin Art offers a wide assortment of fine art, and sports and entertainment memorabilia. It has sold works for more than 45 years for charitable organizations. The company owns its expansive and diverse offerings which include an extraordinary range of artists, styles, and media. Auctioneer Rick Brandwein will offer framed works by Peter Max, Ansel Adams, Avi Ben-Simhon, Alex Galachansky & Tina Wissotsky, Slava Ilyayev and Romaro Britto—as well as some artists new to the KBH program.

The auction features works for all budgets. Early registration opens April 19, at 9 am, with registration, preview, and pre-bid/max bid beginning on April 29, at 9 am. Registration is required to preview

artwork and receive a bid number. The opening bid, with a full description of each piece, will be displayed. Marlin Art will ship all pieces, framed and ready to hang, to buyers’ homes within the Continental United States. Visit bid.marlinart.com for additional information.

This is a national program, so “feel free to share this information with friends and relatives.”

Located at 952 Indian Lakes Boulevard in Virginia Beach, KBH is celebrating 42 years as a congregation. The family-oriented synagogue offers a full range of religious and educational programming. It now hosts its 10 am Shabbat services on Zoom, but will open the building when conditions permit.

For more information about the auction or synagogue, email kbhsynagogue@gmail. com.

August Wilson at VSC April 14 through 25

V

irginia Stage Company will return with a live-staged reading of August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned, featuring Anthony Mark Stockard (from The Wiz and A Christmas Carol) as August Wilson.

In partnership with Norfolk State University Theatre Company and Virginia Arts Festival, the one-man show will Anthony Mark Stockard. take place at Virginia Arts Festival’s new outdoor venue, Bank Street Stage, in downtown Norfolk, with all COVID protocols and social distancing guidelines being followed.

For tickets and more information, visit www.vastage.org.

CALENDAR APRIL 12, MONDAY Newark Minutemen: A True 1930’s Legend About a Boxer Who Tries to Save a Nation’s Soul Without Losing His Own. A soon to be released movie, Newark Minutemen is a true 1930’s story about a Jewish boxer who fights for the mob and FBI to stop Nazis from taking over America. This is not a WWII story. It comes well before, and on American soil. The militia of Jewish mafia boxers, the Newark Minutemen, rise-up and fight Hitler’s American Nazi shadow party, as well as the greatest enemy of all—American complacency. Meet Leslie K. Barry a screenwriter, author, and executive producer. Free. 12 pm. For more information and to register, go to JewishVA.org/Bookfest or contact Patty Shelanski, Arts + Ideas manager, at pshelanski@ ujfjt.org or 757-452-3184.

APRIL 12, MONDAY–APRIL 22, THURSDAY Paintings by Lorraine Fink, Virtual Art Auction and Sale. On view in the Leon Family Gallery at the Sandler Family Campus. Lorraine Fink’s art is rich in color and wonder, evoking feelings of celebration and contemplation. She has generously donated 99 paintings to benefit Visual Arts programming and classes at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC. For more information, contact Kerri Cohen at Kcohen@ujft.org. To view, bid, and purchase art, visit www.JewishVA.org/LFinkArt. APRIL 13, TUESDAY Hatikvah: A lecture and concert with Israeli Musicologist Rok Aloni. In celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, join Israeli musicologist Roi Aloni as he presents a live, virtual, lecture, and concert from his home in Israel. Aloni’s refreshing approach to the world of classical music makes this program appropriate for all ages, even those with little to no musical knowledge. Using videos, recordings, and a live performance, he will share the origins and story behind the beautiful and meaningful Israeli national anthem. Presented through a partnership between United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC, Bender JCC of Greater Washington, Pozez JCC of Fairfax, and Weinstein JCC of Richmond. Free and open to the community with pre-registration required. 2 pm. For more information and to register go to JewishVA.org, or contact Jill Grossman, director, Arts + Ideas, at jgrossman@ujft.org or 757-965-6137.

APRIL 14, WEDNESDAY Celebration of Israel’s 73rd Anniversary with the Israeli Embassy. Join United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, along with the Embassy of Israel and Israel’s diplomatic missions across the United States to celebrate Israel at 73. Tune in for special guests, music, and more at this national Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration. Watch live on ‘Israel in the USA’ on Facebook, on the Embassy of Israel’s YouTube channel, or @IsraelinUSA on Twitter. 8 pm. Sign up to receive updates: bit.ly/IsraelAt73 APRIL 15, THURSDAY Worldwide celebration of Israel’s 73rd Independence Day. Join Jewish Federations of North America (UJFT’s national partner agency) to bid farewell to His Excellency Reuven Rivlin as he completes his term as Israel’s 10th president. With special appearances by Israeli Olympic gold medal hopefuls who are on their way to Tokyo this summer and Jewish athletes from around the world. 7 pm. Celebrate Team Israel with the global community, virtually, by registering at jewishtogether.org/yom-haatzmaut-2021.

APRIL 18, SUNDAY Drive-Through Israel, a Community Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration. Hop in the car and take a family road trip through Israel in celebration of her 73rd birthday. Learn, laugh, listen, and lounge on this interactive Yom Ha’atzmaut journey and find fun for all ages. Free and open

to the community. Advance registration for timed tickets is required. Presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC, taking place at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community. Participants will remain in their cars, COVID precautions in place. 12–2:30 pm. For more information, or to pre-register (required!) and reserve your time to travel through Israel, visit JewishVA.org/IsraelFest or contact Dave Flagler, director of Camp & Teen Engagement, at dflagler@ujft.org. See page 16 Drive-In movie in celebration of Israel@73! United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s Patricia & Avraham Ashkenazi and Alma & Howard Laderberg’s 28th annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presents Aulcie. Aulcie is an inspiring film that tells the story of Aulcie Perry, an athlete who captured the spirit of a nation, triumphant and victorious against all odds, and put Israel on the map. This movie has mature themes and is appropriate for adults. Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community. Parking begins at 6:30 pm.

Cars must be in place by 7:30 pm. The film begins at 8 pm. Participants will remain in their cars, COVID precautions in place. Conversation with director Dani Menkin directly following the movie.

Drive-In Tickets: $12 per person.

Virtual Screening is available to view beginning on April 18 for 72 hours. Tickets: $12 per household. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to JewishVA.org/FilmFest or contact Jill Grossman, director, Arts + Ideas, at jgrossman@ujft.org or 757-965-9134. See page 16.

APRIL 22–MAY 27, THURSDAYS The Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning presents OMG, Can You Believe?! In this 6-week course, taught by Rabbi Marc Kraus of Temple Emanuel, students will seek answers to the BIG questions around G-d and G-d’s relationship to humankind. This course will offer the tools to continue asking deep questions, probing personal beliefs, and rethinking the “G-d-question” that confronts everyone. Course cost: $179, scholarships are available. The Melton School of Tidewater is a part of the Konikoff Center for Learning at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. 9–10:30 am.

For more information about the Konikoff Center of Learning or to register, visit www.jewishVA.org/ KCL or contact Sierra Lautman, director of Jewish Innovation, at slautman@ujft.org or 757-965-6107.

APRIL 26, MONDAY Camp JCC Virtual Open House. Camp JCC is returning to in-person programming this summer.

Join this informational session to learn about Camp JCC 2021 and the plans to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Dave Flagler, director of Camp and Teen Engagement, will present and answer questions about what is in store for an amazing upcoming summer at the Simon Family JCC. 8 pm.

Visit tinyurl.com/wtk6pczb or contact Dave Flagler, at dflagler@ujft.org.

APRIL 26, MONDAY–APRIL 28, WEDNESDAY Virtual Cinema: Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles. In collaboration with the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s Patricia & Avraham Ashkenazi and Alma & Howard Laderberg Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, present a virtual screening of Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles. Join a conversation about food and film with Deborah Krohn, Ottolenghi’s academic guide, Bard Graduate Center associate professor, chair of Academic Programs, and coordinator for History and Theory of Museums, and Betsy DiJulio, nourish exhibiting artist, accomplished writer, and master educator on Wednesday, April 28 at 8 pm.

Tickets are $12 per household for virtual cinema with pre-registration required. If purchased by April 23, ticket includes sweet treats and tickets to see Nourish exhibit at MOCA. For more information on the 28th Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, and to register, go to JewishVA.org/Film Festival or contact Jill Grossman, director, Arts + Ideas, at jgrossman@ujft.org or 757-965-6137.

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.

Helen Mirren to play Golda Meir in upcoming film Golda It’s a Meir moment.

Academy Award winner Helen Mirren will portray Golda Meir, Israel’s only female prime minister, in an upcoming biopic set during the Yom Kippur War. Production on Golda will begin later this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The news follows the announcement last month of another star-powered production on Meir, a series titled Lioness led by Israeli actress Shira Haas of Unorthodox fame.

While Lioness will follow Meir from “her birth in Kiev to her American upbringing in Milwaukee, her role in the formation of Israel and her rise to become the new

nation’s first and only female prime minister,” according to a report in Deadline, Golda will focus on the turbulent Yom Kippur War period.

Along with the rest of Israel, Meir and her all-male cabinet were taken by surprise by the attack on the eve of the holiday in 1973 by Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian forces. The ensuing bloody conflict—chronicled in the recent acclaimed Israeli production Valley of Tears on HBO Max—shattered the nation’s growing sense of confidence at the time in an embattled region.

Golda will be directed by Israeli filmmaker Guy Nattiv, who won the 2018 Academy Award for best short for

Skin, a film involving neo-Nazis that he later made into a feature.

“As someone who was born during the Yom Kippur War, I am honored to tell this fascinating story about the first and only woman to ever lead Israel,” Nattiv said in a statement. “Nicholas Martin’s brilliant script dives into Golda’s final chapter as the country faces a deadly surprise attack during the holiest day of the year, a core of delusional generals undermining Golda’s judgment.

He added: “I could not be more excited to work with the legendary Miss Mirren to bring this epic, emotional and complex story to life.” jewishnewsva.org | April 12, 2021 | JEWISH NEWS | 19

OBITUARIES CHARLES EDWARD BARR BRANFORD—Charles Edward Barr, 92, passed away on March 13, 2021.

Born in Washington, DC, raised in Norfolk, Va., he resided in Baltimore, Md., South Orange, N.J., Manhattan, NYC, and ultimately retired to the Connecticut Shoreline in Branford.

Charles graduated in 1950 from the University of Virginia and, in 1954, he received his dental degree from the Medical College of Virginia. In 1961, he received a Master of Science degree in Periodontology and Oral Medicine from the Graduate School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania. Charles completed a fellowship in oral pathology in 1979 at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and was a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. He served as an officer in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1956. Charles spent most of his career working in oral medicine as an administrator, a researcher, and as a teaching professor. He was an associate professor of Oral Medicine at the University of Maryland, and chairman of Dental Medicine at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

Also, he was Professor of Dentistry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, ultimately attaining the honor of Professor Emeritus. He traveled extensively to South American countries and to the mid-East, lecturing and teaching in his field for the World Health Organization.

During his professional career, Charles was published in scientific journals and was the recipient of numerous awards and citations and, in 2006, he was honored as the outstanding alumnus of the Medical College of Virginia. In his later years, Charles continued to conduct research at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

As a volunteer, Charles was a docent for 17 plus years at the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, Conn. and at the Yale-New Haven Smilow Cancer Center in Guilford, Conn.

In 1956, Charles married Judith Keller, to whom he was devoted throughout their 57 years of marriage. Judith predeceased him in 2013. Together they had two children, Stephen Harry (Rebecca Vogel) and Vivienne Hanna

(Perry Braun). Sadly, his son predeceased him in 2002 and his daughter predeceased him in 2019. Charles had four grandchildren, Samuel Barr, and Jack, Nicole, and Andrew Braun. In 2015, Charles married Margo Merin, with whom he had a loving marriage until his death. Charles was a man who put ethics and morality first in both his thinking and his actions toward others.

He was a gentle man and a gentleman.

He did not need to tell anyone of his achievements; he knew what they were and that was fine with him. He will be extremely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Contributions to the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Virginia and to Temple Beth Tikvah in Madison, Conn. A memorial service took place via Zoom led by Rabbi Stacy Offner of Temple Beth Tikvah in Madison.

GALE CATHERINE GARNER NORFOLK—Gale Catherine Garner was born during a wind storm in Elkton, Md. to Mable Catherine and William Joseph Garner on March 2, 1941. She was raised in Elkton and Southampton County, Va. Gale left this world on February 11, 2021 after fighting a progressive illness for several years. As was her wish, she was cared for in her home and died peacefully, surrounded in love by her family, friends, and cats. Gale was a loving mother, sister, friend, nurse, women’s rights advocate, book club member, life-long learner, YMCA swimmer, mentor, published author, music-lover and cat-enthusiast. She was known for her uplifting, independent spirit, honest assessments and her bright smile.

Gale was preceded in death by the tragic loss of her beloved sons, Mark and Danny Durica; and her sister, Monica Fay Comegys. She is survived by her daughters, Amy (Dr. Jochen Gress) and Katie Durica; granddaughters, Amelia and Lily Griffin; sister, Janet Briggs (Jim); brother, William Garner (Pam), many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Gale was a dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse, trained in the tradition of Florence Nightingale at the historic Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing. She attended the

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University of Pennsylvania and Loyola University (Chicago), completing a B.S. in Nursing. After living for several years in Puerto Rico, Gale settled and raised her family in Tidewater. She continued her nursing career, always striving for professional and personal growth, a passion she inspired in others. Later she earned her MFA in Women’s Studies at Old Dominion University.

Caring for others, and empowering women and families was the center of Gale’s professional and personal life.

Early in her career she took part in medical relief operations abroad, and soon after she combined her personal, academic, and professional passions to continue helping others. She was a board member and enthusiastic volunteer for numerous local and national organizations, including the Friends of Women’s Studies Board at ODU, Portsmouth Area Resource Council (PARC), the H.E.R Shelter, The Virginia Nursing Association, National Women’s Health Network, and Young Audiences of Virginia, among others. Gale was an enthusiastic volunteer curator and board member of the Museum of Nursing History in Philadelphia.

Gale began her nursing career in 1962 as a Public Health Nurse in Philadelphia and was soon a nursing instructor at Northwestern University’s Wesley Memorial Hospital in Chicago. In the span of her long career, she specialized in home health, hospice, gerontology and psychiatric nursing. In 2016, 54 years after becoming a nurse, Gale retired from her last position as a psychiatric-mental health nurse at Jewish Family Service of Tidewater after 19 years, where she strove to provide patients the best possible holistic care.

Gale was a pioneering advocate for impaired nurses struggling with substance abuse. For over 30 years, she used her knowledge of mental health issues and chemical dependence to help others and raise awareness in the medical field.

She created and led the Peer Assistance to Chemically Dependent Nurses (PACDN) program for the Virginia Nursing Association, and was a facilitator for the support group for Impaired Health Professionals. Her caring guidance, kind

encouragement and loyal friendship are cherished in the local AA and NA community.

Gale was a lover of the arts, and music was a constant in her life. As a teenager, she was an accomplished oboe and clarinet player. She always sang in her church choir and delighted in attending choral concerts. From the time she was a student in Philadelphia, Gale eagerly attended all classical music concerts, theater performances and never left out a museum visit, where ever she lived or visited. She shared her passion with friends and passed this interest on to her children—becoming the proud mother of an opera singer and a fiber artist.

Gale was an active member of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church of Norfolk and was the Parish Nurse.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for the professional and loving care given by JFS Home Healthcare. She was treated by her former colleague, with genuine compassion and the highest standard of care.

A memorial service is planned for the summer. Donations to the cat rescue organization, Feral Affairs Network (feralaffairs.org), or the Music Fund at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church.

LAWRENCE J. GOLDRICH VIRGINIA BEACH—Lawrence J. Goldrich, 98, passed away at his home following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He is survived by his wife, Jan T. Goldrich; children, Patricia, Andrew, Vicki, and Lauren; and grandchildren, Samantha and Mikaela; his nephew, Bill Berger and wife Gail; great-nieces Dani (Seth) Pariser and Allison (Ben) Weinger, great-grandnephews Jay, Matt, and Mason, and great-grandnieces Farin and Quinn. He is also survived by cousins David (Linda) and Dinny Frankel, Marilyn Gilden (Irv), Janet Strauss, Joel Weissman, and their children and grandchildren, and cherished friends including Barry Rosengarten, Bart Frye, and Walter Page, among many others. Larry was preceded in death by his sister Maxine and brother-in-law Les Berger, and his niece, Gail C. Berger.

Born in New York to David and

OBITUARIES Bess Goldrich in 1922, Larry graduated from Far Rockaway High School in 1941, and entered the University of North Carolina. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and served four years before returning to UNC, where he joined Pi Lambda Phi and received a BA in American History in 1947.

He began his business career in construction and real estate development in 1948 in New York before moving the business to Virginia Beach in 1952 and founding Larrymore Organization, Inc. with his brother-in-law, Les Berger.

Recognizing the area’s potential, he developed residential and commercial properties throughout Norfolk and Virginia Beach, as well as Long Island, Manhattan, upstate New York, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and Nevada.

Larry loved his work, and could be found in his office in College Park Monday through Friday, even through his 95th year. Over the years, Larry was grateful for the dedicated support of numerous employees, including Regina, Chris, Karen, Erla, Ginny, Dennis, Brian, Donna, Randy, Scott, Dwight, Andre, and Willie.

Among his many professional affiliations, Larry served as president of the Tidewater Association of Home Builders, as Senior Life director of the National Association of Home Builders, as chairman of the NAHB Research Center, and as board member for the NAHB’s Housing Endowment Foundation.

An enthusiastic philanthropist, Larry founded the Lawrence J Goldrich Foundation and the Larrymore Foundation, which benefited non-profit organizations and causes throughout Hampton Roads.

Especially close to his heart was his alma mater UNC–Chapel Hill, where he chaired the annual giving council, co-chaired the Annual Giving Fund, and served on the Board of Visitors and the General Alumni Association board of directors. Larry founded and endowed the UNC Alumni Sculpture Garden and established the Chancellor’s Club, and was a loyal supporter and active volunteer and community advisory board member for 45 years at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Locally, Larry served on the Old

Dominion University President’s Council and the ODU Educational Foundation Board of Trustees, as well as on the boards of Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater, Virginia Stage Company, Virginia Opera Association, Chrysler Museum Advisory Board, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach SPCA, Tidewater Jewish Foundation, Beth Sholom Village, and was instrumental in establishing the Department of Jewish Studies at ODU. Larry was a member of Ohef Sholom Temple and past chairman of Ohef Sholom Foundation.

Recently, with his wife Jan, Larry made a legacy gift to the EVMS “Deliver on the Promise” campaign, establishing the EVMS Lawrence J. Goldrich Institute for Integrated NeuroHealth, the first of its kind in the area. It will provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition to his business and community activities, Larry was a man of many interests including boating, deepsea fishing, gardening, traveling, and the arts. He loved spending time in the yard surrounded by his canine family members.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Freda H Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care for all of their dedication

and support throughout his illness.

A small private memorial service was held in Virginia Beach. It was available to view remotely via Altmeyer Funeral Home at www.altmeyerfuneralandcremation. com/ or the Cremation Society of Virginia at https://www.vacremationsociety.com. A celebration to honor Larry’s life will be held at a later date. continued on page 22

Southside Chapel • 5033 Rouse Drive Virginia Beach • 757 422-4000

Chris Sisler, Vice President, Member of Ohef Sholom Temple, Board member of the Berger-Goldrich Home at Beth Sholom Village, James E. Altmeyer, Jr., President, James E. Altmeyer, Sr., Owner

Maestas Chapel • 1801 Baltic Ave. Virginia Beach • 757 428-1112

• Family owned and operated since 1917 • Affordable services to fit any budget

Chesapeake Chapel • 929 S. Battlefield Blvd.

Chesapeake • 757 482-3311

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www.altmeyerfuneralandcremation.com jewishnewsva.org | April 12, 2021 | JEWISH NEWS | 21

OBITUARIES continued from page 21

The family asks that donations in his memory be made to the EVMS Lawrence J. Goldrich Institute for Integrated NeuroHealth, the Ohef Sholom Temple Foundation Fund, the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, or the UNC Alumni Sculpture Garden.

MICHAEL J. GLASER VIRGINIA BEACH—Michael J. Glaser passed away on March 29, 2021 in Virginia Beach, Va. Care has been entrusted to Altmeyer Funeral Home Southside Chapel.

M. BARRON KESSER VIRGINIA BEACH—M. Barron Kesser, 79, passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, with his hand clasped in his wife’s and his family by his side.

Barry was a real estate developer and appraiser by trade, but a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle by heart.

Born in Norfolk, he was the son of the late Sylvia Finkelstein Kesser and Lewis Kernel Kesser. Barry attended Granby High School, but was forced to graduate from Virginia Beach High School, Class of 1959, when the Norfolk Public School System shut down in protest of integration. He also attended the University of Virginia and University of Georgia, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelors of Business Administration.

Barry was a community leader who donated his time and talents generously. He served as president of the board of the Norfolk Board of Realtors, the Norfolk Public Library, and the TOWN Foundation. He was a member of Congregation Beth El in Norfolk and Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach. He was also a member of Norfolk Masonic Lodge, No. 1, a devoted member of the Norfolk Rotary Club, a longtime member of Congregation Beth El’s board of directors, and president of his AEPi fraternity chapter.

Barry trained scores of professional students in real estate appraising, earned his amateur pilot’s license, raced Hobie Cats, was a lifeguard at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, a marathon runner twice over, and a self-taught auto mechanic.

Despite such varied achievements, his greatest gift was also his most widely

cherished: the ebullience and cheer he brought to every connection. Barry was as beloved by the tenants in his properties as he was by fellow runners on the Virginia Beach boardwalk as he was by his friends and peers, but still: no one loved him more than his wife and children. His life was a blessing.

Cherishing his memory are his beloved wife of 57 years, Kay Zedd Kesser; sister and brother-in-law Ellen and Joseph Fastow; children Bradley, Sonnia, Wendy, Susan, and Rob Benvenisti; and grandchildren Nathaniel, Rosie, Alivia, Ethan, Emma, Max, and Myles.

A private family funeral service was conducted at Congregation Beth El. The service was live streamed by the Temple at their website. The burial service was livestreamed on the funeral home FaceBook page, which can be accessed through www.hdoliver.com.

In the spirit of Barry’s devotion to Judaism, contributions in his memory may be made to Congregation Beth El in Norfolk or Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach, or any other Jewish organization. Online messages of condolence may be sent to the family through www.hdoliver.com.

DR. RUBIN KRAVITZ VIRGINIA BEACH—Dr. Rubin Kravitz, 92, passed away Saturday, March 20, 2021.

Rubin was born March 22, 1928 to Abe and Lilian Kravitz in Framingham, Massachusetts. He was a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston.

Rubin was a son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Rubin was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner. He had served as a Chancellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias. Rubin was the founder of the National Plastics Center and Museum. He was the chief pharmacist at Fort Monroe. Rubin enjoyed playing alto sax in two bands. He also enjoyed a good joke and a good milkshake.

A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Visit shrinershospitalsforchildren.org or savethemusic.org to make contributions in Rubin’s honor.

SHIRLEY KREGER LEVIN NORFOLK—Shirley Levin (née Kreger) was born in Norfolk and graduated from

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Maury High School. She worked at the Naval Base during WWII before joining her family business, AAA Building, and Plumbing Supply. She was a fixture there for more than 60 years.

She always had a kind word and funny joke for everyone. She had many talents and taught herself architecture and designed and built several residential properties. She was active in real estate and a savvy investor in the stock market. For many years she was an active member of B’nai Israel, Temple Israel, and Congregation Beth El. She was also a supporter of Brith Sholom, Hadassah, and other charities.

Her family was the most important aspect of her life and she was always willing to extend a helping hand and give motherly advice.

She is preceded in death by her husband Harvey Levin, her two brothers, Samuel Kreger and Sol Kreger, and a sister, Bernice Kreger. She is survived by her brother Arthur Kreger (Emmy Lou) her two children, Phyllis Jacobs and Barry Lance (Wendy); her four adoring grandchildren, Jason, Holly, Michael, and Kevin; four great-grandchildren, Blake, Dax, Becca, and Abby; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The service was livestreamed at facebook.com/ hdoliverfuneralapts. Contributions to the Parkinson’s Foundation or charity of choice. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.

ALYSON RACHEL LATTER GAITHERSBURG, MD.—With incredible sadness, we share the passing of Alyson Rachel Latter, “Aly,” age 32, on March 25, 2021.

She was born on October 25, 1988 in Gaithersburg, Md. She was a graduate of Thomas S. Wootton High School in 2006. Alyson continued her education at West Virginia University.

She is survived by her mother, Marla Kay Legum; father, Stephen Bruce Latter; brother, Zachary Aaron Latter; sister, Ashley Brooke Latter; sister in-law, Nataly Andrea Macias; grandmother, Shirley Legum; aunt, Betty Robbins; uncle, Marty Legum; cousins, Elise Robbins,

Lori Robbins, Aaron Robbins; lifelong best friend, Melissa Purisch.

She spent her career thriving in the restaurant industry and had a large group of friends. Her all-time favorite show was Grey’s Anatomy. Aly would find comfort in iced coffee, oversized sweatshirts, and coloring books. Her favorite genre of music was Country.

She loved watching The Washington Football Team (Redskins) with her little sister, while they sent hilarious tiktoks to each other all day. In the past few years, she became fond of baking treats and cooking delicious meals for her family.

Alyson’s passionate soul and caring being will never be forgotten.

Donations in memory of Alyson to a favorite charity. Services were private.

Sagel Bloomfield Funeral Care. www. sagelbloomfield.com.

ROBERTA “ROBBIE” LEVINE SILVER SPRING, MD.—Roberta Cohen Levine, age 86, of Riderwood Village, Silver Spring, passed away on March 17, 2021.

Devoted wife for 55 years of Dr. Stanley J. Levine who pre-deceased her in 2009. Loving mother of Debbie (Jonathan) Gottlieb of Bethesda, Md., and Gary Levine of Virginia Beach.

Adored grandmother of Maya (Drew) Novak, Seth Gottlieb and Libby and Macey Levine.

Known to all as Robbie, she was born in Brookline, Mass. and was a resident of Norfolk and Virginia Beach for 55 years before relocating to Riderwood Village in 2013. She was a member of Club 35, Brith Sholom and Congregation Beth Chaverim. Robbie enjoyed traveling, movies, crossword puzzles and political discussion. She was an avid cruiser having taken over 50 cruises all around the world. She was loved by all who knew her. Her memory will be a blessing.

AILEEN NORMA SPINELLA VIRGINIA BEACH—Aileen N. Spinella, 92, of Virginia Beach, passed away on March 21, 2021.

A funeral service took place in Princess Anne Memorial Park.

IN MEMORIAM

A Time To Mourn From Death to Renewal

Pandemic A dangerous new phenomenon entered our 2020 vision.

A novel virus would forever change our lives and our times.

Marching us from spring and falling into autumn without even looking.

Dementia Her normal eccentricity quickly magnified into the bizarre.

Storing ice cream in a “Frigidaire” microwave, becoming a flaming redhead, adamantly denying proof from brain scans, She had been struggling for some time to hide the unacceptable truth.

Resignation How quickly she moved from independence to locked in memory care.

From driving and swimming to no longer able to walk, She would try everything left in her power to hasten the inevitable.

Hospice Now she wanted to end her life, welcoming impending death.

I knew that sooner rather than later was “for the best “.

But my heart and my tears were still holding back.

Hungry She was still calling out her daughters’ three names.

Still craving and demanding her favorite ice cream, Funny, that’s what I would have wanted if I were dying.

The Mess The hard chocolate shell tested her weakened bite, Cracking into slivers that melted into blood colored stains.

Death can be so messy!

Waiting Hurry up and wait for death.

Her eyes shut closed, her arms reached out, grasping the empty air, Still holding on until her mother would take her hand.

Shiva The shiva candle is now burning low, Marking seven days of mourning since her burial.

Will this flame in my heart and mind ever truly be extinguished?

Yom Kippur She had our attention as we crowded her tiny room, Orchestrating us all in prayer on the eve of Yom Kippur, Imploring God to take her on the holiest day of the year.

Grief Grief is like an open wound Unable to hold together, bringing unexpected moments of pain, Healing will come, but not without leaving its scar.

Death You are like a long playing record, Mom It’s time for you to pull the plug. We will be okay!

Blessed with a final exhale, the corner of her lip turned up in smile.

Age She always said that age was just a number, But as you become an orphan, reality sets in, And you know you are next in line to die.

Trash Overwhelming daunting and terribly sad, An accumulation of 62 years now discarded in an industrial sized dumpster, Begging the question, “Is that all there is?”.

Burial There was stillness above as she descended into earth.

Dust to dust, her body enveloped in white pine, Letting go of the shovel along with my tears, it was time to say goodbye.

A Return Three weeks since her first visit, the mantis returned outside my window, Dressed to be seen in a glorious shade of green, she caught my eye from afar, Look at me! Everything must change, but life goes on.

Thanksgiving Giving thanks today for getting through this past year, Moving with my mom through anger and frustration, to helplessness, hopelessness, and despair.

I am so very grateful to God that she is no longer suffering!

The Mantis When once and for all time we parted for good, A mantis came to pray on my head and whispered in my ear, Listen to me! Thank you dear daughter, you have always been loved.

A Month How does a month go by in a minute, My heart is still a volcano, An incessant quiet ache susceptible to unexpected eruptions of anger and grief.

Cleaning Out Our parents no longer there, a home left with only memories and clutter.

What will be trashed and what will be saved?

Will our children even cherish what remains?

Home The house that Sonny built is no longer a home.

Like the body of one who dies, it is now just a shell.

To be transformed and infused with a new spirit, continuing to live on.

To Fly As I marveled at a flock of robins in December darting and feasting in a frenzy, A great blue heron simultaneously flew overhead, Urging me to nourish my Self, spread my own wings, and perhaps even soar.

– Jodie Frieden, Dec. 2020

jewishnewsva.org | April 12, 2021 | JEWISH NEWS | 23

Patricia & Avraham Ashkenazi and Alma & Howard Laderberg Present

Virginia Festival

Jewish Film of

April 26-28 In partnership with Virginia MOCA NOW ON VIEW Nourish Tickets & Information: JewishVA.org/FilmFest 24 | JEWISH NEWS | April 12, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org