Women & Moms
Mother’s Day
Dear Readers,
Mother’s Day is just “around the corner” signaling the paper’s annual celebration of women.
In this section, we offer tributes to six incredible moms, a piece from Eddie Kramer about the smart women he’s been fortunate to have been surrounded by, an article about young women getting together for some pre-Passover fun, and more.
We hope you enjoy the articles and maybe even get inspired by them, as well as by our advertisers when you’re thinking about gifts and where to celebrate the marvelous moms in your lives.
Jewish News wishes everyone – especially all moms – a very happy and healthy Mother’s Day!
Editor
with your gift selections since 1975.
Stephanie Peck
celebrating moms & women
Celebrating MoMs
Laura Gauld, an educator in Bath, Maine, describes a mother’s role in three, distinct stages. To a young child, a mom is a drill sergeant: “Brush your teeth before bed,” or “Hold my hand when we cross the street.” In the middle years, the mom becomes a manager: “Don’t forget your cleats,” or “I’ll pick you up after school.” By the time her children are grown, a mother evolves into a consultant: “Do the benefits out way the risks?” or “Should you get a second opinion?”
These Tidewater mothers, profiled here by their children, have served these roles and more, creating Jewish homes filled with love, humor, culture, and wisdom.
Dianne epplein
Meira Epplein and Rochelle Chimenes
Having Dianne Epplein as your mother is truly the ultimate role model for a strong woman seeking to do good in the world. From an early age our mother had significant expectations of her daughters, which included not only academic excellence but caring about others. She demonstrated this in her own life in many ways, particularly through her profession as a pediatric physical therapist. In addition to her main career as a physical therapist, our mother taught childbirth preparation classes to pregnant women because she loved supporting them through this important time.
When she first started her own practice, she worked out of our home – Meira was often called in to play with her patient, to distract and help as Mom assessed the child and demonstrated exercises for the parents.
She also sent Meira to an inclusion pre-school, where she got to learn alongside differently abled classmates, a truly fantastic experience, with the added benefit of spontaneous visits to Mom in a nearby therapy room.
Many nights, after our family dinner, she could be heard on phone calls with friends who needed a sympathetic ear. Her concern for and interest in others led her to offer our guest room to friends in need of temporary lodging and opera singers from out of town.
She easily makes new friends wherever she goes, and her friends often express how much they appreciate her.
Beyond her obvious impact on children and their families and the arts community which she whole-heartedly supports, she has imparted to her daughters the ultimate importance in making a difference in this world.
Despite living across the Atlantic Ocean from Rochelle, she is still very involved in her life and in that of her teenage daughters. It is a wonderful thing to know you can count on your mother to be there for you, even in your 50s!
aliCia FrieDMan
Hallie and Jamie Friedman
Pickleball enthusiast, avid walker, lover of laughter, foodie, great listener, engaging talker, generous giver, patient, stylish, beautiful, culinary expert, and entertainer extraordinaire—these are just a few words that capture the essence of our mom.
Her continued devotion to our Jewish community has inspired us to get involved in our communities in Denver and New York City where we have found fulfillment and community.
Mom, you are a friend like no other, showing us the true value of deep, lasting friendships. We can’t imagine a day without calling you — whether it’s to chat or to seek your wisdom on life’s many decisions. Your love and guidance mean the world to us.
We love you endlessly — Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
Standing: Meira Epplein, Noa Jacobson (Meira’s daughter), Jeff Jacobson (Meira’s husband), Juliette Chimenes (Rochelle’s daughter), Renaud Lagache (Rochelle’s husband), Nina Chimenes (Rochelle’s daughter), Cy Jacobson (Meira’s son) and Rochelle Chimenes. Seated: John Patton and Dianne Epplein.
Hallie, Alicia, and Jamie Friedman.
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celebrating moms & women
aMy leFCoe
Jenny Lefcoe Wallach, Mattie Lefcoe Brooke, and Rose Lefcoe
You’d think writing about your mom would be easy—after all, you’ve known her your whole life. Think again.
Sure, we could talk about the good times we’ve shared. The laughter, the memories, the lessons. But somehow, it still wouldn’t be enough. At least not for us.
Because we don’t just have a mom. We have a teacher. A role model. A guide. A mentor. A best friend. Trying to capture her in words feels impossible—there’s just too much to say. But still, in some small way, we want to try.
Amy Lefcoe is a giver in the truest sense of the word. She gives to her family, her community, the Jewish people, and the world. Tirelessly. Relentlessly. Passionately. She doesn’t just hope for change—she makes it happen. She leads with strength and fights for what’s right, a true soldier in G-d’s army.
She loves deeply, and people love her back. She listens when no one else does. She understands. She lifts others up, runs projects, fuels organizations, and raises funds when no one else will. She speaks truth, sparks growth, and inspires action.
But before all that—she’s our mom.
She’s the one waiting up to hear we’ve landed safely. The one reminding us to drink water and take care of ourselves. The one praying for us when life gets hard. The one who sends us home with chicken soup, warm hugs, and endless love.
Her love has shaped us into who we are. She is our anchor, our safe place, our constant. And we are her world, just as she is ours.
It’s a bond words can’t fully capture—but we hope this comes close.
We love you, Mommy.
Thank you for everything.
Mattie Brooke, Amy Lefcoe, Jenny Wallach, and Rose Lefcoe.
celebrating moms & women
Deb segaloFF
Sabine and Emma Segaloff
Our mom, Deb, is an incredibly kind, generous, compassionate, and creative human being. She loves to read, cook, bake, make art, walk, do puzzles, and spend time with her family and friends.
Growing up witnessing our mom’s extensive involvement in the Jewish community has instilled in us a profound sense of Jewish identity and community. Alongside our dad, Peter, our mom has nurtured our deep love for Judaism through a commitment to Jewish education, observing countless holidays, family trips to Israel, and weekly Shabbat dinners as a family.
Throughout her work in Holocaust education, her time on the Virginia Council of Human Rights, and in her personal life, our mom has channeled her passion for justice into action and passed onto us a responsibility to do the same. In all her endeavors, she has shown us how to be effective leaders who value listening and learning.
By sharing her love of making art, our mom has forever encouraged us to express ourselves as individuals. In every moment of our lives, our mom has been our biggest champion. We are immensely grateful for her unconditional love, her kindness, her guidance, and her support. We love you, Mom!
linDa spinDel
Kevin Spindel
You may know her as Linda Spindel, friend, former president of Ohef Sholom Temple or longtime volunteer with various organizations such as Jewish Family Service, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, and the Children’s Museum, to name a few. But to me, my daughter Jordan, and my son Jake, she is Mom and Nana.
Moreover, she is truly an inspiration. We are inspired by the relentless time, energy, and care she has given back to the community that this family has been a part of for many generations. We are inspired by the commitment and support she has for her entire family. We are inspired by the genuine kindness and compassion she has for all people, especially those less fortunate.
From the many vacations we have spent together, to the holidays celebrated in Virginia Beach, to the countless trips she and Ron make to see us in Atlanta; we all cherish every moment we get to spend with her. To see the incredible bonds she has forged with both Jordan and Jake warm our hearts. We all feel very lucky to have her in our lives and if you know her or are related to her – then we know you feel the same.
We are so proud to call her Mom and Nana.
Peter, Emma, Sabine, and Deb Segaloff.
Ron, Jordan, Jake, Linda, and Kevin Spindel.
Happy Mother's Day!
Kevin tabaKin
Michael, Ames, and Brian Tabakin
Our mom has always had a passion for learning and for teaching. Growing up, she made sure our education included Judaism. Saturday morning pancakes and then off to temple. Friday night Shabbat dinners and holiday meals gave us both beautiful, family memories and an enduring love for brisket and kugel.
We were her first bar-mitzvah students, paving the way for the many she has tutored over the years. A doorway to her becoming a Sunday School teacher and further engaged in her passion for Jewish education.
She loves music: melodies of prayer and orchestral classics. We grew up with the sounds of her playing piano and listening to Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf during van rides to swim meets. Mike most carries this love of music, though his tastes vary from hers; he’s been to upward of 1,000 concerts!
Our mom has also always loved nature. From very early on, we can remember her describing a need to be by the ocean. Ames never fully understood this until he found the mountains.
But one lesson our parents taught us is to not wait on your dreams. When our mom reached remission from cancer in 2004, they moved up the timeline on moving closer to the beach.
Her favorite is to spend time on the beach with as much family as possible. Having all three sons home or together at once is always the goal.
Thanks for being such an amazing mom!! We love you!
Michael, Kevin, Brian, Gary, and Ames Tabakin.
Man Smart, Woman Smarter: The witty influence
Eddie Kramer
I’ve been trying—unsuccessfully—to get Naomi Limor Sedek, president and CEO of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, to listen to this song for weeks now. Man Smart, Woman Smarter, by Grateful Dead, has always made me smile, not just because of its catchy tune, but because it so perfectly reflects the dynamic of my life. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by brilliant, funny, fiercely loving women who have shaped me in ways I can only begin to explain. And truthfully, they’ve made me smarter—whether I liked it or not.
It started with my mother, Florence Kramer, who had more talents than I could ever list. She gave me my love of gardening, my competitive streak, and a can-do attitude that refuses to back down. One of
my favorite memories of her happened at one of my brother Jeff’s wrestling matches. It wasn’t going well—so badly, in fact, that she could barely watch. But when two men nearby started yelling “kill him!” in reference to Jeff’s opponent, she sprang into action. All five feet, two inches and 120 pounds of her marched straight up to them, pointed her finger in their faces, and said, “Mister, that’s my son you’re telling him to kill!” They didn’t say another word for the rest of the meet. That was my mom— sharp, courageous, and unwavering when it came to defending her family. My wife, Anne, on the other hand, takes a slightly different approach. Through the years, she has been my most enduring source of grace and wisdom. Her patience grounds me. Her
sense of humor matches mine, which keeps us laughing—even when the going gets tough. But what really sets her apart is her quiet intelligence. I’ve always joked that she never says anything unless she knows she’s absolutely right. In 45 years of marriage, I’ve maybe won five arguments—and none of those were even worth winning. These days, before I make a questionable decision or say something debatable, I run it by her. And if I have to ask? My kids will be the first to tell me I already know the answer. This brings me to my daughter, Carra, who is every bit as fierce and brilliant as my mom. She works harder than anyone I know. By age 12, she had already outpaced me intellectually. I remember a friend once confiding in us, concerned that her newly graduated son still didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life. I tried to reassure her, saying, “At 42, I’m not sure I know what I want to do either.” And, without missing a beat, my daughter chimed in, “Then why do I have to listen to you?” Thank goodness wisdom usually trumps intelligence, because I looked her straight in the eye and said, “Because your mom said so.”
Through it all, we’ve navigated life with humor, love, and a shared belief in the importance of community. These women have inspired me to grow, to serve, and to lead by example.
As chair of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, I carry their influence with me every day. The strength, clarity, and conviction they bring to our family have helped shape my values and how I approach leadership. They’ve taught me that legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind—it’s about how you live, how you lift others up, and how you use your voice to build a stronger, more secure community for the next generation. Their impact is woven into the initiatives we support at TJF and into the very fabric of the Jewish future we’re working together to sustain for my children, your children, their children, and beyond.
celebrating moms & women
YAD women welcome Passover in a sweet way
Amy Zelenka
A small group of “exhausted-from-Passover-prepping” YAD women took time out on a Thursday evening to come together, swap advice, share stories, and create beautiful kosher for Passover dessert charcuterie boards.
Combining classic sweets such as jelly rings, chocolate covered marshmallows, and jelly fruit slices… with relative “newcomers:” sour gummie bears and rainbow sprinkled
nonpareils, the women used their creative culinary skills to make beautiful, colorful, and delicious boards.
Rounding out the boards, they added slices of rainbow cake and coconut macaroons. And to ensure its nutritional balance, they included beautiful, dried apples and apricots – thus achieving a truly tasteful balance of “all things sweet and Pesedik-y.”
Some planned to share their board at a seder they were
attending, while others hoped to satisfy the dessert cravings of guests at their own seder tables (hoping to get a piece or two, before the kids came triumphant – having located the afikomen!).
Perhaps sweetest of all… the event provided a reason to gather with one another in the days leading up to Passover, to talk about family, community, traditions, and the things in life that really matter.
Four generations make Matzah Ball Soup together
Earlier this month, Erica Reisner Ausch, with the assistance of her daughter, Linda Ausch, made Matzah Ball Soup with her grandson, Leo Woodward, and his family: Erika Woodward, and Ausch’s great grandchildren, Wells and Bridget Woodward. L’dor V’dor.
Dara Pomerantz works on her board.
Hailey Foer with her board.
Erin Hunt and Jennifer Waldholtz Antonucci.
Heather Barnes builds her board.
Pati Oliszewski displays her Passover candy charcuterie board.
Amy Zelenka - obviously finding something hilarious to laugh about.
Leo Woodward, Erica Reisner Ausch, Linda Ausch, Erika Woodward, Wells Edison Woodward, and Bridget Jolie Woodward. Aunty Linda Ausch shows Wells and Bridget how to make matzah balls.