Jewish News: January 22, 2024 Issue by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

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Southeastern Virginia | Vol. 62 No. 8 | 12 Shevat, 5784 | January 22, 2024

5 Annie Sandler is new JDC president

13 TJF’s 2023 Annual Report

Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day: Lobby and meet state leaders

14 PJ Library helps with Jewish gatherings

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25 Virginia Festival of Jewish Film

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2 | JEWISH NEWS | January 22, 2024 | jewishnewsva.org

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JEWISH NEWS

UPFRONT

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In unprecedented decision, Israel’s Supreme Court strikes down law limiting its power Ben Sales (JTA) — The Israeli Supreme Court has struck down a law that limited its power, an unprecedented decision nixing the one piece of legislation passed under the right-wing government’s effort to weaken the judiciary. The 8-7 decision published on Monday, Jan. 1 returns the fight over Israel’s court system to the fore after a months-long pause due to Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. Prior to Hamas’ Oct. 7 invasion of Israel, debate over the government’s judicial overhaul had divided the country, leading to massive protests and civil disobedience over what opponents said was a bid to undermine Israeli democracy. Amid that civil strife, the government passed a law in July removing the Supreme Court’s ability to strike down government decisions it deems “unreasonable,” a power used in the past as a check on executive power. The law was an amendment to one of Israel’s quasi-constitutional Basic Laws, and it passed without any votes from the opposition. The court heard challenges to it later in the year. The decision marks the first time for the court ever to strike down a Basic Law. While the specific law was struck down by a narrow majority, 13 of 15 justices wrote that the court does possess the authority to strike down Basic Laws. In the decision, former Chief Justice Esther Hayut wrote that the law was “extreme and irregular” and said it “departs from the foundational authorities of the Knesset, and therefore it must be struck down.” The decision moves Israel closer to a potential constitutional crisis, a scenario in which a country experiences an unsolvable dispute between two branches of government, at a delicate moment. Ahead of the court decision, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not said explicitly that his government would obey a court ruling striking down the law. Ministers in his government immediately criticized the decision, as well as the court’s decision to publish it during wartime. Netanyahu’s Likud Party called the decision “unfortunate” and said the court should not have ruled on an issue “at the heart of the societal disagreement in Israel when IDF soldiers from right and left are fighting and endangering their lives,” according to the Times of Israel. “The decision of the Supreme Court judges to publish the court decision during wartime is the opposite of the spirit of unity needed these days for the success of our soldiers on the front,” wrote Justice Minister Yariv Levin, an architect of the judicial overhaul effort, on Facebook. “In practice, the judges have taken all of the authorities, which in a democratic regime are split in a balanced way between three branches of government.” Israeli politicians on the center and left celebrated the decision. Yair Lapid, the leader of Israel’s parliamentary opposition, wrote on X, “The source of the state of Israel’s strength, the basis of Israeli power, is the fact that we are a Jewish, democratic, liberal, law-abiding state. The Supreme Court faithfully performed its duty today to protect Israel’s citizens.” On X, Benny Gantz, the leader of the centrist National Unity Party and a member of an emergency war cabinet, wrote that “the court decision must be respected.”

CONTENTS

Up Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Briefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Annie Sandler becomes JDC board president. .5 Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day: Feb. 7. . . . . . . 7 Rep. Ritchie Torres equates Hamas support to Jim Crow lynchings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Your Dollars at Work: BBYO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 International Holocaust Remembrance Day: ..12 TJF’s 2023 Annual Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 PJ Library Get Togethers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Amy Weinstein rejoins TJF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Opinion: Rabbi Noach Gruen. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Special Section: Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 What’s Happening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Rebecca Koltun’s unique Etsy site . . . . . . . . . 27 Keiliim mikvah opens at B’nai Israel. . . . . . . 28 Be a Reader inspires young minds. . . . . . . . . 29 Israel Connection Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SIA scientists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Camp JCC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

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Upcoming Deadlines for Editorial and Advertising Issue Deadline February 12 Foodie January 26 March 4 Mazel Tov February 16 March 18 Estate Planning March 1 April 8 Passover March 22

No one is more qualified than Annie to serve as president. Her passion and commitment for Jewish peoplehood is second to none.

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BRIEFS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Why some Golden Globes attendees wore yellow ribbon pins

ne of the movies that was up for best picture at the 2024 Golden Globes awards is about the Holocaust. One of the most notable displays during the ceremony alludes to a current attack on Jews. In the lead-up to the awards ceremony Jan. 7, advocates for Israeli hostages in Gaza worked to supply attendees with yellow ribbon pins to affix to their red-carpet garb. Terror groups in Gaza are still holding approximately 136 hostages, who were kidnapped when Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, sparking the ongoing war. Yellow ribbons are a longstanding symbol of readiness to welcome home prisoners or hostages. The Bring Them Home movement, which advocates for the Israelis held in Gaza, is distributing the pins as part of its effort to keep the hostages in public view. It was unclear in the days ahead of the ceremony how widely the ribbons would be taken up. Stars on the red carpet largely were not wearing the ribbons, although a handful, including Succession star J. Smith-Cameron, bore one, as did Jesse Sisgold, president of Skydance Media, and Jon Weinbach, writer of Air, a movie up for best comedy. (It did not win.) The ribbons represented a significant reference to contemporary politics during awards season, which has been expected as the Israel-Hamas war has gained widespread attention — and has sowed conflict — in the arts world. Local police reportedly geared up for potential protests outside the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, after protesters in favor of a ceasefire have sought to disrupt high-profile public events across the country over the last three months. Few of the films up for Golden Globe awards prominently feature Jewish stories or actors. Two exceptions were for best picture: Oppenheimer, the biopic about the Jewish father of the atomic bomb, and Zone of Interest, about the Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Hoss. Oppenheimer won for best dramatic movie, as well as for best actor (Cillian Murphy), best supporting actor (Robert Downey Jr.), best director (Christopher Nolan) and best original score. (JTA) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

South African national cricket team removes Jewish captain, citing anti-Israel protests

team, and David himself.” The statement said he would remain an “important and active member” of the team. Cricket South Africa had previously suspended Teeger while it investigated hate speech allegations against him after he expressed support for Israeli soldiers following Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked Israel. It later cleared him to return to the team. Strong anti-Israel sentiment in South Africa has been in the spotlight as the International Court of Justice hears genocide charges brought against Israel by the South African government. Many pro-Palestinian activists claim that Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians is apartheid, a term originally referring to the bygone regime of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa. About 50,000 Jews live in South Africa; many say they hope to emigrate, citing anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment as well as other challenges. (JTA) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Alanis Morissette uncovers her family’s Holocaust history on PBS’ Finding Your Roots

even-time Grammy Award winner Alanis Morissette explores her family’s Jewish past, which she said was kept a secret from her for most of her life, on the season premiere of the PBS celebrity genealogy series, Finding Your Roots.

at a Paris protest during the pandemic. A government spokesperson at the time, he decried “absolutely abject comparisons” between Nazi persecution and public health measures, a theme of anti-vaccine protests. A rising star in President Emmanuel Macron’s

“I think I found out that I was Jewish in my late 20s. I didn’t know,” Morissette tells host and Harvard University history professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. in the episode. Morissette, 49, was raised Catholic and is now a practicing Buddhist. But her mother, Georgia Mary Ann Feuerstein, was born in Hungary to two Holocaust survivor parents, Imre Feuerstein and Nadinia Anna Lauscher/Gulyas. As Gates explains, the family’s experience in the Holocaust was so traumatic that they kept their Jewishness a secret for many years. “I think there was a terror that is in their bones, and they were being protective of us and just not wanting antisemitism,” Morissette says. “So, they were doing it to protect us, sort of keeping us in the dark around it.” Morissette, who has sold more than 85 million albums worldwide and has performed in Israel multiple times, is the latest in a long list of celebrities to explore their Jewish ancestry on the show, which is in its 10th season. Past guests have included Pamela Adlon, Dustin Hoffman, Scarlett Johansson, and Paul Rudd. Later this season, the show will spotlight Jewish comedians Lena Dunham and Iliza Shlesinger; Jewish actor Michael Douglas; and Hamilton star Anthony Ramos and The View co-host Sunny Hostin, both of whom have Jewish heritage. (JTA)

Gabriel Attal, France’s new prime minister, has Jewish ancestry rance’s newest prime minister is getting attention for the two firsts he brings to the job: Gabriel Attal, at 34, is the country’s youngest ever prime minister, and its first to be openly gay. He says another facet of his identity also shapes him: His late father’s Jewishness. Attal’s mother raised him and his siblings in her Russian Orthodox Christian faith. But his father, the film producer Yves Attal, was Jewish, born in Paris to Tunisian Jewish and European Jewish parents. “My father said to me, ‘Perhaps you’re Orthodox but you’ll feel Jewish all your life, mainly because you’ll suffer antisemitism because of your name,’” Attal told Liberation in 2019. Attal is a common North African Jewish name and would be recognized as such in France, where there are large populations of Tunisian and Algerian Jews. Attal told Le Monde last year that he is “not a stranger to transcendence” and still celebrates Orthodox Easter, but he no longer considers himself a religious believer in part because his father, who had relatives deported during the Holocaust, would tell him, “God died at Auschwitz.” Attal was named on an antisemitic poster displayed

avid Teeger, a rising star on South Africa’s cricket scene, was removed as the country’s Under-19 team captain on the eve of the world championship competition. Cricket South Africa cited threats to Teeger, who is Jewish, and the team over Israel’s war in Gaza ahead of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, which South Africa is hosting. “We have been advised that protests related to the war in Gaza can be anticipated at the venues for the tournament. We have also been advised that they are likely to focus on … David Teeger,” the organization said in a statement. “CSA has decided that David should be relieved of the captaincy for the tournament,” Cricket South Africa added. “This is in the best interests of all the players, the SA U19

center-right Renaissance party, Attal was education minister until Jan. 9, when Macron selected him to replace Elisabeth Borne as prime minister. Borne resigned over differences with Macron over immigration after Macron backed legislation that made it easier to deport foreigners in France. Borne also derives a Jewish identity from her late father, a Holocaust survivor who died by suicide. The previous youngest prime minister is Laurent Fabius, a Socialist who was 37 when he started his twoyear stint in 1984. Fabius was born to Jewish parents who converted to Roman Catholicism and raised him in that religion. (JTA)

JEWISH TIDEWATER

JDC names Tidewater’s Annie Sandler president organizations in her home community, Terri Denison including United Jewish Federation of he American Jewish Joint Distribution Tidewater, Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, Committee (JDC), the leading Simon Family JCC, and as a founding Jewish humanitarian aid organizamember of the Sandler Center for the tion, announced that Tidewater’s Annie Performing Arts. Sandler was a recipient of Sandler — a noted Jewish, civic, and global the Virginia Beach Education Association’s philanthropic leader— is its new president, Whole Village Award and named one of following a unanimous vote by the board of the Influential Women of Virginia. She is directors last month. also the proud mother of four children and Sandler has served on JDC’s board since grandchildren. 2012, most recently as a vice president. Sandler serves on the board of the Her involvement in Jewish life and global Network of Jewish Human Service humanitarian relief efforts is informed by Agencies, the Commonwealth of Virginia extensive global travel and her flagship work Commission to Combat Antisemitism, revitalizing Jewish life in Romania and boland is a fellow of the Hadassah-Brandeis stering and innovating Israel’s social service Institute, where she was a founder and sector for more than 20 years. president. She has been deeply involved “I am honored to be trusted to lead this with the Jewish Federation system over incredible organization during this tumulthe years, especially in roles with JFNA’s tuous time in the world—a time when it is Art and Annie Sandler (center) with their family at the JDC board meeting in New York City in December 2023. National Women’s Philanthropy, as a Lion needed more than ever! I have watched JDC Touting Annie Sandler’s leadership style as “committed of Judah, and one of the first recipients of the Kipnistirelessly serve communities in distress across the globe, to collegiality,” Art says she is good at listening to others, Wilson Friedland Award. Sandler previously served on from Ukraine to Israel, and it has only reinforced my paswhich brings people and the organization together. the board of the New York City Ballet Choreography sion for its timeless work on behalf of the Jewish people,” “I am excited to continue working closely with the Institute and was a founder of Project Healthy Minds. says Sandler. JDC’s professional leadership and my board colleagues to “Our Tidewater Jewish community has worked with Tidewater’s Jewish community, she says, “absolutely” further the organization’s exceptional work in creating a JDC for many years to help countless individuals and influenced her commitment and drive to work with JDC. Jewish future that is strong and resilient for our children, communities in Israel, Eastern Europe, and elsewhere “Our community has been there for all the most importgrandchildren, and all who follow in our footsteps,” says around the world. The Tidewater/JDC partnership is a ant upheavals in recent Jewish history.” Annie Sandler. special one and we are so lucky to have Annie now at the “I had never been to Israel until after I got married,” she A passionate champion of the Jewish people and helm,” says Betty Ann Levin, executive vice president/ says. Her first trip there was a United Jewish Federation Israel, Sandler begins her tenure as JDC’s president after CEO, UJFT. “She cares so deeply about the Jewish people of Tidewater mission in 1984. With each subsequent decades of senior volunteer leadership positions at local, – really ALL people – and jumps in to immediately lend visit – including many JDC trips around the world with national, and international agencies. Among these are a hand, and support, whatever is needed, wherever it is her husband, Art – all which featured site visits to witness needed, without hesitation.” the impacts of the programs Tidewater supported, “We are fortunate to have someone as pasSandler says her desire to be more actively involved sionate as Annie to take the role of JDC president. grew. “To see immigrant populations actually being Her love of our global work, her leadership in so served was extremely impactful.” many roles over the years, her time in the field— The sense of “being a Jew, religiously, and part all are truly extraordinary!” says JDC CEO Ariel of a people resonates with her,” says Art Sandler. On Zwang. “I am confident she will serve as a strong her own, he says, she became a Bat Mitzvah. leader as all of us work together to navigate mul“Annie and I have been involved with JDC over tiple international humanitarian crises impacting 30 years. No one is more qualified than Annie to the Jewish people, Israel, and the global rise in serve as president. Her passion and commitment antisemitism.” for Jewish peoplehood, for ruach, is second to “It has always been my honor to represent us none. She lives it, is ready for the challenge and is (Tidewater),” says Sandler. “I didn’t get there on my recognized by her board as the person for the time,” own. . . I got there through Tidewater.” he says. Annie Sandler (holding the HOPE sign) with JDC leadership delegation in Israel in November 2023.

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Forever ISRAEL Helping Senate declines to consider Others Bernie Sanders’ bill on Israel Ron Kampeas WASHINGTON (JTA) — The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly declined to consider a bill advanced by Sen. Bernie Sanders to assess whether Israel is complying with U.S. human rights laws governing the American military aid it receives. The Senate voted 72-11 across parties to shelve the bill, which would have required the State Department to report to Congress within 30 days on Israeli compliance with international and U.S. human rights laws. All but one of the votes in favor were Democrats. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the single Republican who supported the measure. The motion to shelve the bill was advanced by Sen. Ben Cardin, the Jewish Maryland Democrat who chairs the Foreign

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Relations Committee. Sanders, a Jewish Vermonter who caucuses with Democrats and is the unofficial leader of progressives in Congress, spoke passionately on Tuesday, Jan. 16 for 10 minutes, flanked by two large photos of Palestinian children in Gaza waiting for food. International aid organizations say the coastal enclave is on the verge of starvation after more than 100 days of war between Israel and Hamas. Sanders pointed to Israel’s use of American weapons in its campaign against the terror group. “Almost 2 million people are trying to survive with an inadequate supply for food, water, medicine or fuel, and the humanitarian situation is getting worse by the minute,” Sanders said. “Hundreds

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of thousands of beautiful children are facing starvation. Given the scale of the destruction and the extensive use of American armed military equipment in this campaign, Congress must act and that is why we must have . . . the resolution. We must ensure that U.S. aid is being used in accordance with international human rights and our own laws.” Israel has said it is not obstructing the entry of aid, and blames the slowness of delivery on hapless humanitarian organizations. It also claims Hamas is stealing the aid. The war began on Oct. 7 when Hamas invaded Israel, killing approximately 1,200 and taking some 250 hostages. More than 23,000 Palestinians have died since Israel launched counterstrikes on Oct. 8, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Israel has said approximately third of the dead in Gaza are combatants. Sanders was a vocal defender of Israel’s war effort at first but has grown more critical of the campaign. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbied against the bill. “Take 45 seconds to email your Senators and urge them to vote NO on this dangerous resolution,” it said in an action alert to its membership. The bill “falsely implies that Israel is committing gross violations of human rights in its effort to defend itself from Hamas’ barbaric terrorist attack,” the alert said. It didn’t help Sanders that even among more left-leaning Jewish organizations there was less than full-throated support. Americans for Peace Now, which has called for a ceasefire, backed the bill. But J Street, the larger liberal Israel lobby, said in a statement that while it backed oversight of defense assistance to Israel, it had problems with the bill as written. Also opposing the bill was the Jewish Democratic Council of America, which, like AIPAC and J Street, fundraises for Democrats. JDCA said the bill could jeopardize aid to Israel.

VIRGINIA

Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day: Lobby and meet state leaders Wednesday, February 7 7 am - 4 pm, Richmond

Tidewater’s 2023 delegation at Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day.

Kirk Levy

ver the past three months, most of us in the Jewish community have been affected by events in Israel, rallies in the streets both here and abroad, and antisemitism on college campuses. We’ve questioned what can be done to show support for Israel and ensure that the United States remains a safe refuge from the overt discrimination that has been afflicted upon Jews throughout history. An opportunity to do all of this exists with Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day, also known as Date with the State. A delegation from Tidewater will head to the State Capitol to meet with groups from the Peninsula, Richmond, and Northern Virginia. Once there, partcipants will break into smaller groups and then meet with members of the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates to discuss issues of importance to local Jewish communities. Some of the issues on the table for this year’s Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day include combatting antisemitism, maintaining security funding for Jewish institutions, and making sure the Virginia Israel Advisory Board continues to help Israeli companies build and grow their U.S. operations. Last year at Date with the State, the Jewish communities in Virginia were especially fortunate to hear from the trifecta of Governor Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, and Attorney General Jason Miyares. All of them are expected to again take time out of their busy schedules to address the delegations over a statewide Jewish community lunch. To work with the Jewish Community Relations Council to prepare for the community’s annual visit to the General Assembly for Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day and/or to attend, visit JewishVA.org/DWTS or contact Julie Kievit at JKievit@ujft.org or 757-965-6110. $54 helps defray the cost of lunch and transportation. Registration is required by January 29. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Kirk Levy is Legislative Action Committee chair for the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

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jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 7

JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF THE UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION OF TIDEWATER

WITH THE

DATE STATE Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 • 7:00am - 4pm • Richmond Meet Hampton Roads' State Delegates & Senators

Share and discuss issues important to you, our Jewish community, and Hampton Roads including countering antisemitism, maintaining security funding for our Jewish institutions, ensuring that the Virginia Israel Advisory Board continues to help Israeli companies build and grow their U.S. operations, and more!

“Date With the State is the one day each year when the Jewish community has a powerful voice through numbers, and lets our elected officials know what is important to us. It is also empowering for our community to know that we have access to these leaders. This program is truly one of the most valuable things that we participate in each year.” -Rabbi Gershon Litt

“With the global resurgence of antisemitism, this has been quite a challenging year for the Jewish world and our Jewish Community in Tidewater. Date With the State provides a great opportunity to make Virginia a more tolerant, healthy, and prosperous place not just for Jews but for everyone.” -Brad Lerner

$54 includes kosher lunch & transportation. For more information & to reserve your seat on the bus (by 1/31) visit:

JewishVA.org/DWTS

8 | JEWISH NEWS | January 22, 2024 | jewishnewsva.org

ISRAEL

Ritchie Torres: Anti-Israel protesters celebrating Oct. 7 are like white people who cheered lynchings Ron Kampeas (JTA) — In a speech marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, Rep. Ritchie Torres likened protesters who have celebrated Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacres to white people in the Jim Crow era who celebrated after the lynching of Black people. “I was profoundly shaken not only by Oct. 7, but by the aftermath,” Torres, a Black Bronx Democrat, said Friday, Jan. 12 in a speech at Central Synagogue, a prominent Reform congregation in midtown Manhattan.

“I found it utterly horrifying. To see fellow Americans openly cheering and celebrating the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. And for me, the aftermath of Oct. 7 revealed a barbarity of the American heart that reminded me of an earlier and darker time in our nation’s history, a time when the public mobs of Jim Crow would openly celebrate the lynching of African Americans.” Protests have proliferated since Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists murdered some 1,200 people and brutalized thousands

more in an invasion from Gaza. They have grown as Israel has waged a war in Gaza to eliminate the terror group, and especially as casualties mounted: So far, more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. A number of the protests have decried the Oct. 7 violence on Israelis, but others have skated over the initial massacres or have embraced Hamas and described its atrocities as resistance. Torres, a member of the progressive caucus in Congress, has garnered a reputation as an unstinting supporter of Israel. He has duked it out online with fellow progressives in debates over Israel, a dynamic that has only intensified since Oct. 7. Torres is heavily funded by AIPAC and donors aligned with the pro-Israel lobby, and spoke at a massive rally for Israel in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 14. In his speech, Torres alluded to the controversies that assailed elite universities after the presidents of Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania told Congress that calls to commit genocide against Jews did not necessarily violate the schools’ codes of conduct. The ensuing uproar drove Harvard’s and Penn’s presidents to resign.

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“What we’ve seen in the aftermath of October 7, is appalling silence and indifference and cowardice from so called leaders in our society from institutions that we once respected and admired,” he said. “And if we as a society cannot bring ourselves to condemn the murder of innocents with moral clarity, then we must ask, what are we becoming as a society? What does that reveal about the depths of antisemitism in the American soul?” Central is a locus for some of the city’s wealthiest liberal Jewish families, many of whom are also firm supporters of Israel. Dr. Shonni Silverberg, the synagogue

president, introduced Torres as a champion of progressive priorities as well as an advocate for Israel, and noted that he is the first openly LGBTQ representative elected from the Bronx. “Ritchie remains steadfastly focused on the priorities of his South Bronx constituents, expanding access to safe and affordable housing, rebuilding New York economically and ensuring that no child goes hungry and that all receive a good education,” she said. “But he has also shown himself both in and out of Congress to be a great friend of the American Jewish community and Israel.”

jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 9

ISRAEL

A New Mexico home architect is selling ‘The Anne,’ a floor plan named ‘in honor of’ Anne Frank Andrew Lapin (JTA) — A team of home designers outside Albuquerque, New Mexico, has changed its marketing materials after drawing criticism on social media for offering a home plan it calls “The Anne,” which the company said was meant as a tribute to Anne Frank. A co-founder of Abrazo Homes told The New York Times that the title, alongside another floor plan named after Harriet Tubman, was meant “to pay homage to some of the most remarkable women in history.” The ad copy on Abrazo’s website was altered to remove references to Anne Frank, but the floor plan for the 1,750-square-foot single-family home remains listed on the site as “The Anne.” It includes an open-concept kitchen and an option for three to four bedrooms. “In her diary, Anne Frank discussed

her view of the seasonally changing tree,” the original ad copy read. “In honor of her, we have designed our Anne plan to maximize the view, we feel would be suitable for Anne herself.” Brian McCarthy, a co-founder of the company, told the Times that Abrazo has been naming floor plans after women historical figures since its founding 14 years ago. “We recognize that the language used in the plan description is insufficient and understand how it might come across as insensitive and lacking awareness,” he said in a statement. He added that the marketing materials had been updated in order to “more accurately communicate our intent to honor these women.” Anne Frank famously hid with her family from the Nazis in a small annex in an Amsterdam house, unable to leave for more than two years while she wrote her

10 | JEWISH NEWS | January 22, 2024 | jewishnewsva.org

This piece was originally published Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 in the Jerusalem Post’s special edition for the visit of President Joe Biden to Israel.

diary. The family was eventually discovered and deported to concentration camps, where Anne died. Her father then published her diary, which became a global bestseller and mainstay of Holocaust education. It has

also led to a long, odd cultural footprint, with fast-food restaurants, anti-vaccine advocates, and the musician Roger Waters all invoking her name in various, often tasteless ways over the years.

Local Relationships Matter

YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK

New year, new director, new programs for BBYO

MEET: Karen Joyner As the Chief Executive Officer at the Peninsula Foodbank, she believes the Foodbank not only distributes food but is also the spokesperson for those who otherwise don’t have a voice. “There are so many low income individuals who haven’t received any benefit from the recovering economy and those who because of their life circumstances need help every now and then. We are there to help ensure their voices are heard.”

“ Tidewater BBYO teens celebrate Global Shabbat.

Stephanie Peck he new school year began for BBYO with a new Tidewater city director, Evan Gordon. Forty teens are registered between the two chapters, OD (AZA for the boys) and Simcha (BBG for the girls). Last fall, BBYO Tidewater held two events to begin their year. The first, a pool party, was held in September at the home of the Nied family. Although inclement weather almost cancelled the event, the evening prevailed with s’mores served and new eighth and ninth graders meeting older members. In October, Tidewater’s BBYO members hoped to join the Peninsula BBYO for an evening at Top Golf. Due to a scheduling conflict, however, only Tidewater teens were able to attend. Other events in the fall included an OD fundraiser car wash (to raise money for the chapter and for Israel), a Simcha pumpkin-decorating activity, and an OD Sunday football watch-along. On Friday, Dec. 8, Global Shabbat took place on the Sandler Family Campus. Global Shabbat is a worldwide BBYO effort created to offer “a diverse array of thoughtful programming designed to bring the community together around the strength that Shabbat brings to our communities.” BBYO teens lit Hanukkah and Shabbat candles, had a pot-luck dinner, socialized, and competed in an impromptu, girls versus boys, basketball game. Gordon says that COVID caused the loss of some active members, when four BBYO chapters were combined to two. “My goal is to drive-up interest in BBYO and make it more known in Tidewater,” he says. “I’m looking at partnerships with other Jewish organizations to help promote the excitement of BBYO.”

“Since 2004, when I started with the Foodbank and got to know Payday Payroll, I have always felt that Payday has been involved and helped to build it’s business through positive support for others in the community, both non-profits and start up businesses. I particularly appreciate the generosity that Payday has shown to the nonprofits in our community.”

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–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BBYO is a recipient of funds from United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

BBYO September pool party at the Nieds’ home.

jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 11

ANTISEMTISM

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International Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27, 2024 Elka Mednick s Holocaust denial and antisemitism continue to spread at alarming rates, International Holocaust Remembrance Day provides an opportunity to learn and reflect upon this important event that connects in so many ways to the present environment. The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27 — the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau — as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day is a time to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, as well as millions of other victims, including Roma, disabled individuals, and political dissidents who suffered and perished under the Nazi regime. The day serves to ensure that the memories of those who who were lost and those who survived are honored each year. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is also a reminder of the importance of educating future generations about the history of the Holocaust and the dangers of hatred, prejudice, and discrimination. It presents an opportunity for people worldwide to reflect on past atrocities and reaffirm their commitment to promoting human rights, tolerance, and understanding. There are a number of ways to acknowledge the significance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and learn the lessons of the Holocaust, including reading a section in the Holocaust Commission’s To Life: The Past is Present, listening to an episode of the podcast, Stars Among Us, visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum or the Virginia Holocaust Museum, and encouraging a student to enter the Elie Wiesel Writing and Visuals Arts Competition. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To learn more about International Holocaust Remembrance Day, visit https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/ international-holocaust-remembrance-day. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To learn more about the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, visit www.holocaustcommission.org.

ISRAEL TIDEWATER

JEWISH TIDEWATER

FIRST PERSON

To our beloved TJF’s 2023 Jewish Annual Report: Community: Building today for a secure tomorrow A

We support the nation of Israel—or any nation—in defending its citizens from massive terrorist attacks. We reject any form of antisemitism as unbiblical. We bless the nation of Israel and Jews worldwide. We believe what God wrote in Numbers 24:9: “Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, and whoever curses Israel will be cursed.”

Signed: Pastor Archie Callahan Bridge Church, Virginia Beach Pastor Emeritus Clinton Brown First Baptist Church Bowling Brook Pastor James Smith Lampstand Christian Pastor Chris Amos Chr1st Fellowship Church, Norfolk Pastor James R. Boyd Seed of Faith Ministries, Virginia Beach Pastor Bruce E. Vann Rivers of Life Fellowship Church The Rev. Dr. Marty O’Rourke Church of the Messiah, Chesapeake Pastor Nile Gomez Church of the Messiah, Chesapeake Rev. Marlin Sharp Freedom Mentoring Dr. Daniel B. Goff Calvary Assembly of God, Virginia Beach Pastor Rich Pickens Rich Pickens Ministries, Virginia Beach Pastor Jimmy Flaskey True Vine Baptist Church Pastor Kevin Beggs Crossfire Ministries, Norfolk Pastor Todd Woolston Real Life Church, Virginia Beach Rev. Todd Woolston Christians United for Israel Rev. Dr. Eric R. McCaskill Alpha & Omega Network of Ministries, Hampton Gary Hamrick Roman Catholic Leader in New Creation Community, Chesapeake Liane Ridley Malchut Chayim (Kingdom Life Messianic Congregation) Trina Olson Keeny Director of Sonrise Ministry, Virginia Beach Pastor Bob Fox 757 Church Dr. Joseph Umidi Regent University Dean, Virginia Beach Rev. Neverette Yarbough Harvest Ministries, Yorktown Pastor Jonathan Carpenter Exmore Baptist Church Bishop Anne N. Gimenez Rock Church International, Virginia Beach Bishop E.W. Jackson, Sr. The Called Church Rev. Carlos Frias Iglesia Libres Para Adorar Ronald J. Atkinson, Jr YESUHA Transformational City Dr. Lynn Hardaway Blackwater Baptist Church, Virginia Beach Rev. Moses David ForeRunner Ministries Rev. Ray Boetcher The River Room Church May the peace and power of God protect and fill Israel today and always, Bob Fox

Charlie Nusbaum s chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s board, I am proud to present our 2023 Annual Report, which is inserted in this edition of Jewish News. Unfathomable events have taken place globally over the past year, with the crisis and war in Israel standing at the forefront. Despite the lack of warning, the strength and resilience of our community were apparent. The strategic planning and financial stewardship of our donors, combined with the success of our engagement activities and programs, positioned us favorably to respond to needs arising from this conflict. Our proactive approach to fund development and allocation has proven vital, enabling us to offer significant support and humanitarian aid where it is most needed. Along with the remarkable generosity of our donor community, TJF’s board members’ guidance have been essential in steering our strategic decisions towards such positive outcomes. In addition, TJF’s dedicated team of professionals works tirelessly with our donors to facilitate legacy and gift planning. Their expertise and personalized approach ensure that every contribution not only meets today’s immediate needs, but also secures a lasting impact for future generations. Through these combined efforts, we are creating a strong, interconnected Jewish community, both locally and around the world. Within TJF’s Annual Report, you’ll discover narratives of impact and generosity, of hope, and of the enduring legacy of our actions. These stories illustrate the transformative power of unity and shared commitment to the future of Jewish life and culture. I invite you to delve into this report, to draw inspiration from our collective achievements, and to envision the future we can build together. With ongoing community support, we can continue to make a significant impact, ensuring a world where Jewish life, culture, and people are not only safeguarded but flourish. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Charlie Nusbaum is chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s board.

jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 13

JEWISH ARTS & CULTURE TIDEWATER

PJ Library in Tidewater helps families gather with friends for Jewish-themed events get together on the third night,” says Lindsey Sarah Cooper Aftel. “It was a fun evening and something idewater residents are discovering we have been doing for years. We made the joy of celebrating Jewish values Hanukkah cookies, latkes, played games, and culture through PJ Library and had a delicious dinner. Ari even Get Together grants. Many know that PJ Library sends free, awardwinning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children from birth through age 12. What is not widely known is that PJ Library offers “Get Together” $100 grants to help families host Jewishthemed gatherings with friends. “We had a Hanukkah Rochelle Aviv (far left), teaches neighbors how to light the hanukkiah.

played I had a little Dreidel on the piano.” Get togethers can be anything from traditional Shabbat dinners to Jewish book clubs and playdates with other Jewish families. Last year, local requests included hosting a sleep-away camp style Shabbat, a Shabbat pizza party, gathering with Jewish families to celebrate simchas, milestones, and accomplishments, and a Havdalah service with crafts and games for the kids. The grants aim to enhance and elevate these gatherings. Rochelle Aviv took advantage of PJ Library expanding the grant to allow families to invite non-Jewish friends and neighbors to participate in the gathering. “We had some neighbors who were interested in learning more about Hanukkah,

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so we invited them over to celebrate with us! We had latkes, sufganiyot, and lots of dreidel and play time for the kids.” “Our main goal is to build community by giving people the incentive to do

Families light hanukkiot at Lindsey Aftel’s home.

something Jewish they may not have done otherwise,” says Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. “If they were already planning to get together, they can make it extra special with the $100 grant.” Families may apply up to three times before June 7, 2024. The process is: 1. Submit an online application detailing your Get Together plans with at least two other families. 2. Once approved, host your event within three to five days. 3. Complete a simple online report sharing details on your Get Together event.

Thru March 4.

Ari Mulligan plays I Had a Little Dreidel on the piano at Lindsey Aftel’s home.

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––––––––––––––––––––––––– Visit PJLibrary.org/GetTogether to apply for the grant or get ideas for celebrating holidays, hosting get-togethers, and creating unique experiences. Contact Sarah Cooper at Scooper@UJFT.org for more information.

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Amy Weinstein joins Tidewater Jewish Foundation as development strategist Staff report seasoned professional in the field of philanthropy and development, Amy Weinstein is rejoining Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s team as its development strategist in March. “Amy’s return to TJF marks a significant milestone for us,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF’s president and CEO. “Her profound connection to the Jewish community and her exceptional fundraising, development, and community relations skills are invaluable assets. We are confident that her contributions will greatly impact the growth and sustainability of our Jewish legacy.” When Weinstein served as TJF’s director of development, 2015 – 2017, she was responsible for developing the

Foundation’s relationships with affiliates to cultivate, solicit, and steward planned giving donors and prospective donors, regionally and nationwide. Recently, she volunteered as a member of TJF’s Strategic Planning Task Force and has been instrumental in shaping the strategic roadmap. In her new role as development strategist, Weinstein will capitalize on this experience, driving TJF’s vision for a sustainable Jewish future. As the development strategist, Weinstein will help shape the Foundation’s multi-generational endowment development plan, including teen philanthropy, LIFE & LEGACY, and Jewish Future Pledge programs. She will steward the organization’s planned giving

program, communicating its benefits to affiliated agencies, donors, and prospects. “Rejoining TJF in a strategic capacity is a true honor,” says Weinstein. “The opportunity to contribute to the Jewish community in such a meaningful way is incredibly fulfilling. I am eager to bring my experience and passion to this role, and I look forward to working with the team to achieve our ambitious goals.” Weinstein most recently served as vice president of marketing and development for Beth Sholom Village. She is a past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Hampton Roads, was director of development at Eggleston, and was the director of the Young Adult Division at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Weinstein holds a Master of Social Work from University of Pennsylvania and a graduate certificate of Jewish Communal Service from Gratz College. In 2015, she received her Certified Fund-Raising Executive designation.

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How Do They Get It So Wrong? Noach Gruen hy was it so hard for the university presidents of Harvard, Penn, and MIT to offer the most obvious directive of safety and stability to students of all faiths? How did college campuses become such tense places for Jewish students? I think the answer goes beyond antisemitism, although there definitely is plenty of that (especially considering most donors lack Ross Stevens’ backbone). To get a clearer picture of the ethical failures of secondary and tertiary education, it would be instructive to contrast it with traditional Jewish education. Traditional Jewish education celebrates and perpetuates values received by Hashem at Sinai. Religious Jewish students, as a whole, are proud of their heritage. By contrast, many elements of so-called higher education look to jar the public’s sense of right and wrong with

avant-garde cause célèbres. The unspoken philosophy of the “new normal” is: Old is dead. Traditional values are boring. We, with the wisdom of high-brow ivory tower training, have discovered ethical causes no one but us have the sophistication to appreciate. The moralistic veneer of these counter-culture messages has a certain appeal. But unfortunately, they reveal a hopelessly hypocritical weltanschauung. Let’s assume that the “hot” causes (like alternative energy sources, Palestinian nationhood, etc.) are legitimate efforts to invest in. But why not also emphasize being nice to your mother? Why constantly reaffirm tolerance of some, yet stand idly by as peaceful Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn are verbally and physically harassed? Why protest belligerently against Israel’s “war crimes” and not protest the chemical warfare, ethnic cleansings, etc. that Bashar al-Assad visits upon hundreds of

thousands of Syrians? Universities have the right, even obligation, to broadcast awareness of moral causes to the global community. But when they largely ignore other egregious moral catastrophes, they are revealed as, at best, hypocritical, if not clearly antisemitic. I am proud to teach Torah to my young charges in Portsmouth. In my classroom, like thousands of Torah classrooms around the world, we teach the classic pillars of our faith: Torah study, lovingkindness, and service of G-d. The pictures of great rabbinical figures hanging on the walls serve as a springboard to recount special stories of their sensitivity and righteous dedication to G-d and His people. They are the heroes in my classroom, not pop-culture celebrities. To restore society’s faith in the moral compass of university education, the global college community must promote kindness and tolerance for every cause, including one’s own family or religious Jews – and do so as fiercely as they do for Palestinians in Gaza. I’ll put my money on traditional Jewish education. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Rabbi Noach Gruen, MSEd, a Ghent resident, teaches Torah at Toras Chaim in Portsmouth.

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RE TIREMENT

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retirement Ready for retirement? Dear Readers, The life-changing decision to retire is sometimes based on one’s official full retirement age (depending on birth year) to receive the most Social Security benefits. For others, however, the decision can be based on health, financial stability, desires to spend more time with family and friends, more time

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relaxing, and additional days focusing on hobbies and travel. Whatever the reason, those who are most content in retirement stress the importance of planning for it – both financially and how those now unstructured days will be spent. Martin Brenner, Laurie Goldsticker, Herm Shelanski, and Steve Wohlgemuth are all leading happy and fulfilled retirement lives. Beginning on page 19 they share how they arrived at the decision to take the retirement leap and some of the activities that keep them engaged and looking forward to each new day. You might feel as if you can imagine them all smiling as they respond to Jewish News’ questions! I certainly did. An important aspect of retiring with a clear head is the ability to not be too concerned about finances, and to have prepared for providing for loved ones, as well as making philanthropic gifts. The article on page 24 discusses charitable giving and financial planning and how Tidewater Jewish Foundation may assist in achieving those goals. Where to live, how to plan for personal assistance if necessary, and other topics should also be considered when making the retirement decision. The advertisers in this section offer various options for those issues.

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Whatever retirement road you’re on, all of us at Jewish News hope it’s

smooth, and fun, too!

Editor

retirement

Successful At Retirement

Stephanie Peck erhaps Fred Rogers said it best: “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” The Tidewater retirees profiled here exemplify the wisdom of Mr. Rogers. A surgeon hones his woodcraft, a Navy vice-admiral masters a pizza oven, a third-generation jeweler pursues gardening, and a physician imparts knowledge to the next generation of doctors. All are happily retired, all share a desire to travel, and all speak of the joy in a new day.

Martin Brenner

was always involved with it at least partially up until my return. We were always a customer-driven business and, as my dad transitioned to a more part-time role, I continued to cultivate our customer service and added more custom design. I maintained that focus until the end. JN: When did you retire? MB: I retired December 21, 2023.

Martin Brenner

Jewish News: Where were you educated? Martin Brenner: I graduated from

Granby High School and then went to University of Georgia where I received a degree in business administration. JN: What was your work history? Did you

work anywhere besides Spertner Jewelers? MB: I worked for a year as a bartender in

Atlanta and then moved home to work in the store. I had previously worked there when I was 16, unpacking china barrels and working in the stock room. When I moved back, we had four locations, and I moved around and worked at all the stores, learning the business. During that time, we opened seven watch kiosks, called Time Square, and operated the jewelry department inside six Rices Nachmans department stores. By 1985, the Rices Nachmans stores had closed, and by 1990, the kiosks, which were in mall locations, became too expensive to operate. In 1995, we had three

jewelry store locations. We concluded that we were too little to be big and too big to be little – and I was ready to try something new. We closed all the stores except for one location, which my dad operated. I bought a computer education franchise which taught computer education to children. At the time, personal computers were not in every home, and there was a need to expose young children to technology. By 2000, the novelty of personal computers had worn off, and many people had computers and educational software at home. I closed the franchise and began an operation in the advertising specialty industry, providing cookies to major companies with an edible image of their logo. We provided cookies to companies such as DKNY, Motorola, Guess, WWE, and many others. The housing collapse and recession decimated the advertising industry, and we were also a victim of that fallout. I returned to Spertner’s full time about 2008. I never totally left the business and

is a volunteer program, and I’m looking at working with schools to show the kids how to plant a garden and how their food grows. JN: Is there an opportunity to use your

professional skills in volunteer work? MB: I’m not sure there is an opportunity

to work as a volunteer using my jewelry knowledge, but if there is something, I would certainly consider it.

JN: What convinced you to take the leap? MB: My lease was up at the end of 2023,

JN: What about travel? Do you have desti-

and I had already renewed it an additional two years beyond the initial five years. Business was good. I had a strong and loyal customer base; I honestly could have gone another two years, but I wanted to retire while I was still healthy enough to enjoy it. My wife retired the year before, because of COVID, and sometimes you have to just pick a point and say this is it.

MB: Travel plans include Miami,

JN: Do you have a plan for what you will

nations in mind? Yellowstone Park, Costa Rica, Amsterdam, Portugal. Too many to mention. JN: In general, are you glad you decided to

retire? What will you miss about working? MB: I am glad I retired. I will miss many

of my long-time customers and the social aspects of their visits. But I have no doubts about this being the right time for me. My advice is if you can afford it, don’t wait.

do with your time? MB: I’m not worried

about staying busy and engaged during my retirement. We will travel for sure. I plan to get my master gardener certificate. I love to read. I’m going to start slowly, enjoy my time not working, and gradually add new things as they present themselves. I’m not in a hurry to fill my day. JN: Will you

volunteer? MB: The master

gardener program

Martin Brenner

retirement –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

provided so much satisfaction, and I love working with the medical students now. I miss my patients and am always delighted when our paths cross but am thankful for the opportunity to focus on family and health.

Laurie Goldsticker, MD Jewish News: Where were you educated? Dr. Laurie Goldsticker: I spent my

undergraduate years exploring the grounds of University of Virginia before attending graduate school at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. JN: What was your work history? LG: I was fortunate to work with com-

passionate and skilled family physicians in Sentara Medical Group and Bayview Physicians Group in Tidewater. During the initial few years, I took care of newborns in the hospital nursery and residents of Beth Sholom Home, in addition to patients in the office. When I moved my practice to a location closer to my home, I transitioned to outpatient care only; I fulfilled my dream of being a neighborhood family doc like my childhood physician, Dr. Jerome Perlman. In addition to patient care, I had the opportunity to work with medical students in my office throughout my career. JN: Did you have a plan for what you

would do with your time? LG: I have always kept a “when I retire list,” with auditing college classes at the top. A couple of years prior to retirement, I expanded that list and am pleased that I have achieved several of the goals already! I took an online meteorology course a few years ago but am not yet of the age to audit ODU classes without charge. JN: Do you participate in volunteer work? LG: Absolutely! Our parents set an example

for us early on, with Dad serving as treasurer for Beth El and later volunteering his accounting skills at JFS, and Mom actively participating in Beth El Sisterhood and B’nai Brith Women. My first volunteer activity in retirement was with the Be A Reader program, which pairs volunteer mentors and elementary school students for an hour each week.

JN: Do you feel any health-

ier? Less stressed? LG: Unequivocally yes to

JN: Do you use your professional skills in

any way since retirement? Do people still call you for medical advice? LG: After a few months of retirement, and at the encouragement of my husband and daughter, I reached out to the Eastern Virginia Medical School contact who had placed medical students in our office and inquired about opportunities to volunteer as a retired physician. Much to my delight, I have had the opportunity to work with small groups of first- and second-year medical students as they learn the clinical skills needed to practice medicine. We meet regularly with standardized patients, in a setting that allows the students to become comfortable with communicating and examining patients. My husband and I continue to learn from medical journals, and I suspect we will always receive phone calls with medical questions. JN: What do you do to relax? LG: For me, retirement equals relaxation.

I am fortunate to have this time to spend with my parents and grandchildren. I continue to enjoy reading, assembling jigsaw puzzles, and playing the piano. And I’m

both questions! My health has improved significantly in retirement, and I was able to leave the stress at the office. JN: Do you have any advice

Drs. Gary Siegel and Laurie Goldsticker.

always looking for new Words with Friends opponents. JN: What about travel? What has been a favorite destination? LG: A favorite destination? Wherever our sweet grandchildren are! Being Bubby/Savta is the best! We gravitate toward the beach and Florida but love spending time in the winter in Colorado. JN: In general, are you glad you retired?

Do you ever miss working? LG: I am quite happily retired. I was

fortunate to have a profession which

for someone considering retirement? LG: I highly recommend it. Along with financial planning for retirement, focus on compiling a list of activities and hobbies that interest you. Once you’ve retired, start a new routine for your mornings – most of us need at least a little structure to our day. Try something new, volunteer, reach out to family and friends with regular phone calls and visits. It may take a year to settle into your new life, but it is worth the effort. JN: Last comments? LG: At some point, you will stop working.

If you are able, plan to do it while you can appreciate it. Enjoy this next chapter in life – you’ve earned it!

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Herman Shelanski Vice Admiral, USN Retired Jewish News: Where were you educated? Herman Shelanski, Vice Admiral, USN Retired: I have a Bachelor of Arts

General Science from University of Colorado at Boulder.

in Molecular, Cellular and Development Biology from University of Colorado at Boulder. I also have a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Space Systems 774 from Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. I earned a Doctorate in

JN: What was your work history? HS: I served 38 1/2 years in the United

States Navy and retired as a three-star Vice Admiral. Then I worked two years at Newport News Shipbuilding as vice president of Strategy and Business Development.

20 | JEWISH NEWS | January 22, 2024 | jewishnewsva.org

Herm and Patty Shelanski sight-seeing in Taormina, Sicily.

retirement JN: When did you retire? HS: I retired in 2018 from the Navy and

JN: Do you have any days just to relax? If so,

2021 from Newport News Shipbuilding. I still do some consulting and leadership presentations with my own limited liability corporation.

HS: We recently bought a cabin in

JN: What convinced you to take the leap? HS: For the Navy, I had basically reached

the age limit and limit for promotion. For Newport News Shipbuilding, I wanted to retire more fully.

what do you do? Dugspur, Va., near Floyd and about an hour east of Galax. It’s on a native trout stream for me to fly fish, though I need to commit to doing more of it! We love going up there to just relax, hike, visit the wineries, and the city of Floyd. I am on a journey to achieve excellence with my pizza dough and oven! I am happy with where I am but am always looking for new ideas and recipes. My next step is to get more into wood-fired, cooked, home-made bread. I am also an avid bike rider. JN: What about travel? HS: In 2023, we went to Scotland, mainland

Italy, and Sicily. We are planning to go to Normandy, France and Barcelona this year. JN: In general, are you glad you retired? Do

you ever miss working? HS: I am glad I retired. I do miss the Navy,

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Steve Wohlgemuth, MD Jewish News: Where were you educated? Dr. Steve Wohlgemuth: I received

JN: When did you retire? SW: December 31, 2019. I had just

my Bachelor of Science in biology from University of Connecticut in 1976. In 1979, I graduated from University of South Carolina with a master’s degree in marine biology. I then went to medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine and finished in 1983. I completed my surgical residency at EVMS, 1983-1988.

turned 64.

JN: What was your work history? SW: I joined Norfolk Surgical Group

in 1988 as a general surgeon; we joined Sentara Medical Group in the early 2000’s. I started doing bariatric surgery in 2000 and pretty much performed bariatrics exclusively since 2010. I started Sentara Comprehensive Weight Loss Solutions in 2003 and was medical director until retirement at the end of 2018.

JN: What convinced you to take the leap? SW: I’ve always felt surgeons are like ath-

letes. Our work is physically demanding, and, at some point, your skills are going to diminish. My father, a plastic surgeon, told me that, as a surgeon, you are better off retiring five years too soon as opposed to five minutes too late. I wanted to retire before my skills deteriorated. I wanted to go out as the best surgeon I could be. JN: Did you have a plan for what you would do with your time? SW: I have been interested in woodworking since I took shop as a kid. I built two wooden kayaks in my 30s and took a woodturning class at the Hermitage Museum about 25 years ago. I fell in love

the camaraderie, the mission, and the excitement. JN: Do you feel any healthier? Less stressed? HS: Definitely less stressed! The life of The Shelanski family dinner in their Sicilian villa.

JN: Did you have a plan for what you would

the Navy took a lot out of me, so I am living with a lot of aches and pains, particularly my back. But in general, I am in very good health.

do with your time? HS: Volunteer work and write a book on

JN: Do you have any advice for someone

being a captain of an aircraft carrier.

considering retirement? HS: Yes. It needs some planning. Lots of good books to read. For those with intense jobs like mine, it is good to fill part of the day with something meaningful and, of course, get quality family time. It is also the time to travel and do the things that were always put off because of work.

JN: Where do you volunteer besides Beth El? HS: I am an advisor to the City of Norfolk,

I serve on Military Economic Advisory Council, and I am on the board of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. I am chairman of the board of directors for the Trans Atlantic Council of the Boy Scouts of America. I serve on the board of directors of the VAW/VRC Foundation, which coordinates with the Hawkeye (the aircraft I flew) community and raises money to make sure all children of fallen aviators have college scholarships. JN: Do you use your professional skills in

some of your volunteer work? HS: Yes, leadership, strategy, and mentorship.

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JN: Last comments? HS: Patty and I had a choice of where to

go after retirement. We had family still in Philadelphia and houses both in San Diego and Norfolk. But our deciding factor was to go back to Norfolk. For most of our career, it was our home, where we still had the majority of our friends, and our Jewish community at Beth El was so important to us.

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retirement with turning and took some classes. I was pretty concerned about any possible hand injuries, so it wasn’t until my mid 50s that I really started to turn consistently. I started my business, WoogWorks, in 2015, with a simple website. After I retired, I hired a media consultant who redid my website and made it possible to sell products off the website. I’ve since gotten an Instagram page as well as an Etsy shop.

JN: Where do you volunteer? SW: When I was practicing, I was on the

boards of Ohef Sholom, Lee’s Friends and Norfolk Collegiate. Since retiring, I have not done much volunteering, as I’m plenty busy with twin grandsons who live locally.

SW: I do Pilates twice a week, physical therapy once a week, and play golf at least once a week. On those days when I don’t have any appointments or commitments, I’m usually in the shop working on orders or just playing around with some new ideas.

JN: Do you have any days just to relax? If so, what do you do?

JN: What about travel? SW: I do enjoy traveling but am also very

content to be home. I just got back from a 2 ½- week trip to South Africa. Since being there, I am very excited to start doing some more wildlife and nature photography. I’m trying to go to new places. Future trips are going to be the Galapagos Islands, the Far East, and the Middle East when things calm down.

happy retired. JN: Do you feel any healthier or less stressed? SW: Yes and yes. I didn’t realize how sleep deprived I was from 35 years of taking call. JN: Do you have any advice for someone considering retirement? SW: Absolutely, you need to actively prepare for retirement. You need a number of hobbies or passions to fill your days. I very carefully planned my increasing interest and involvement with woodworking to coincide with my retirement. JN: Last comments?

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JN: In general, are you glad you retired? Do you ever miss working? SW: I absolutely loved my career and loved it until the day I retired. Having said that, the only thing I miss are some of the people who were integral to my success. I didn’t realize how stressful my day-to-day life was until I stopped. It was such a weight off my shoulders to no longer worry about patients. I still get to use my hands in my woodworking. The bottom line is I am very, very

SW: I am also very fortunate that, within

eight months of my retirement, I had three grandchildren and now have four: twin boys who live in Norfolk and two granddaughters who live on the west coast. Being a grandparent is one of life’s greatest blessings. It’s one of the few things in life that isn’t over rated. People tell me I’m lucky to have woodworking to keep me busy, but there is no luck involved. It was an interest that I cultivated into a passion. You can’t wait till you retire to try and figure out what to do with the rest of your life. I have thought about this a lot, and, last year, I gave a grand rounds to the Department of Surgery at EVMS on how to retire successfully.

jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 23

retirement

Charitable giving and financial planning in 2024 T Scott R. Saal he New Year is always a time to reflect, as well as to start planning for the year ahead. As we consider financial plans in 2024, we encourage clients to consider the charitable impact they hope to make. Of course, many of us know the cornerstones of a successful investment strategy underlying an enduring financial plan, including tailoring an investor’s portfolio to their risk tolerance and to meet both short-term and long-term goals. Still, integrating philanthropy into a financial strategy can be both fulfilling and advantageous. While charity always comes from the heart, when thoughtfully planned, charitable contributions can offer various tax and other benefits. Our practice works closely with Tidewater Jewish Foundation to help clients implement charitable goals inside and outside of the Jewish community. In this regard, Naomi Limor Sedek and the TJF team are a wonderful resource and valued partners for clients seeking to make an impact in the community. Clients have worked with TJF to implement various giving strategies, including:

• Gifting appreciated securities • Setting up Donor Advised Funds • Funding charitable trusts • Making charitable IRA distributions • IRA beneficiary planning There are many charitable options to consider regardless of the size of an investor’s portfolio. Strategies as simple as donating a portion of an annual Required Minimum Distribution from a retirement account can save taxes and benefit a cause the donor cares about through a legacy gift. Anyone with charitable goals should talk with their financial adviser and start planning. I also encourage connecting with TJF to start a conversation, as TJF can become an invaluable member of a financial team. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Scott R. Saal, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner and managing partner at Virginia Wealth Management Group, Inc. Virginia Wealth Management Group is not an accounting firm and does not provide tax advice. Always seek the counsel of a qualified accountant when necessary.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: Shorts, documentaries, and dramas Hunter Thomas he lineup for the 31st Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg, includes shorts, documentaries, and dramas and takes place next month at various locations throughout Tidewater. The Festival begins on Sunday, Feb. 18, with a special event showcasing four Israeli short films honoring the victims of the tragic events of October 7, 2023 in Israel. One of the shorts, The Boy (2023), was written and directed by filmmaker Yahav Winner, whom Hamas terrorists murdered after he attempted to stall them to allow his wife and newborn daughter to escape. The additional three films are Sirens, Asa Turns 13, and Dear God. Not shying away from other timely topics, the Festival is featuring the 2023 film SHTTL, a one-shot drama filmed in Ukraine just six months before the Russian invasion in 2022. It was one of the most-praised films the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film’s Screening Committee viewed. “It is so unique to have a film entirely in Yiddish, set on location in a real-life shtetl – filmed in Ukraine just before the start of the war,” says Beth Scharlop, festival chair. The film, which is on the shortlist to represent Ukraine at the 96th Academy Awards, portrays a Jewish shtetl on the eve of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. The village the film is set in was built specifically for the film, less than 40 miles outside Kyiv. The crew built 25 buildings, including one of the largest hand-painted synagogues in the world, and collected historical artifacts from all over Ukraine to fill the sets. SHTTL will

screen at Naro Expanded Cinema on Monday, Feb. 26. The Big Saturday Night Celebration of Jewish Film, sponsored by Bank of America, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 24, showcasing the documentary Remembering Gene Wilder, a celebration of the life of actor, writer, director, and mensch, Gene Wilder. “So many of us grew up watching Gene Wilder,” says festival Screening Committee co-chair Mark Robbins. “This documentary gives us a great opportunity to look back and to introduce him to a younger audience. His films are just as funny today as 40 or 50 years ago.” The Big Saturday Night celebration features a dessert and champagne reception, and a conversation with the film’s director, Ron Frank. On Sunday, Feb. 25, the festival features The Catskills, a humorous and nostalgic tribute to what became affectionately known as the Borscht Belt. Stand-up comedians, former waiters, entertainers, and dance instructors recount tales of the resorts and bungalows that inspired films and television shows like Dirty Dancing and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Following the film, Steve Gold, who was featured in the film, will discuss what he remembers from growing up in his family’s bungalow colony in the Catskills. The Festival added weekday matinees for two films: Home, an Israeli drama about a young Orthodox man opening up a computer store in his religious Jerusalem neighborhood, and The Story of Annette Zelman, a Romeo and Juliet-style love story set in Nazi-occupied Paris and based on actual events. Home will be presented at Cinema

Café Kemps River on Thursday, Feb. 22, and Annette Zelman will be shown at Beach Cinema Alehouse on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Both films include a daytime and evening screening to accommodate patrons’ busy schedules. Individual tickets to most films are $12. Tickets to Remembering Gene Wilder and the Big Saturday Night Celebration of Jewish Film are $25. Full festival passes, which include tickets to all events, are $60 and available through January 31. Admission to the Celebration of Israeli Short Film is free, with a suggested donation to the United

Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Israel Emergency Fund. For tickets and a complete list of showtimes, venues, and more, visit JewishVA.org/FilmFest or contact Hunter Thomas, UJFT director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film is presented by the Alma & Howard Laderberg Restricted Fund of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.

jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 25

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Jewish Film Festival honors victims of Hamas’ October 7 attacks in Israel Sunday, Feb. 18, 2:30 pm Sandler Family Campus

Hunter Thomas fter three decades, the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg, continues to evolve, bringing films that interest and excite, as well as meet the moment during times of turmoil. For the 31st annual festival, the Festival’s screening committee felt it necessary to highlight the Jewish community’s pain following the tragic events of October 7, when Hamas terrorists murdered more than 1,200 people in southern Israel. The Festival begins with an event highlighting four Israeli short films. One of the shorts, The Boy (2023), was written and directed by filmmaker Yahav Winner, whom Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza murdered after he attempted to stall them to allow Shaylee Atary, his wife, also a filmmaker, to escape with their newborn daughter Shaya. Mother and daughter survived after hiding for more than 24 hours. The Israeli film sales and distribution company, Go2Films, who represented Winner, says, “In the wake of this tragedy, we find solace in the thought of celebrating Yahav’s life and work. Yahav’s short film, The Boy, unfolds a narrative that sheds light on life in Kfar Aza, the kibbutz of his upbringing, Shaylee Atary, Shaya and Yahav Winner. and numerous other Israeli villages along the border with Gaza. These communities have borne the heavy weight of losses during the ongoing attacks… To honor his memory and bravery, we are committed to screening The Boy in as many.places abroad as possible.” The Festival’s screening committee decided unanimously to show the film. “With the death of Yahav Winner, the need to showcase films that portray contemporary Israeli life became even more relevant,” says Beth Scharlop, chair of the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film. “We wanted to honor his memory and all who have been lost and to recognize the impact of war on daily life.” The Boy will be paired with three other short films selected by Go2Films following Winners’ death. According to Go2Films, each film is “born from the depths of Israeli reality, provid[ing] an unfiltered glimpse into the diverse narratives unfolding amidst the current conflict.” They include Sirens, Asa Turns 13, and Dear God. The films will be screened at the Simon Family JCC on the Sandler Family Campus. There is no cost to attend, but donations are suggested to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Israel Emergency Fund. For more information about the festival and to get tickets, visit JewishVA.org/FilmFest or contact Hunter Thomas, UJFT director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film is presented by the Alma & Howard Laderberg Restricted Fund of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Rebecca Koltun’s art creates positivity, joy, and customers Stephanie Peck hrough MadebyMouth on Etsy, Rebecca Koltun has sold approximately 200 unique pieces of art. Etsy is an online site where sellers list their handmade items and buyers find something unique to purchase. It is also where Koltun’s stellar, 5-star reviews showcase the enthusiasm of her original artwork, digital downloads, and holiday cards. In addition to her painting style, what sets Koltun apart from her fellow artists is her byline, “Everything painted by mouth by quadriplegic.” In March of 2021, when she was 21-years old, Koltun suffered a freak ski accident, leaving her unable to breathe on her own. “I was skiing with some friends in Vermont. While I do not recall the day itself, I was told that I had a very bad fall. I woke up in a hospital in New Hampshire, paralyzed from the neck down and attached to a ventilator,” she explains in an on-line interview. Koltun’s technique, painting by mouth, requires some assistance, as she is unable to change paint brushes on her own. Other than that bit of help, the rest of the process is completed by the artist herself, carefully adding detail to the serene landscapes she favors. “I never really had an interest in art. I was an athlete. I played soccer and basketball and I loved to run. I liked to doodle on pieces of paper, and I was pretty good at it but never considered myself an artist or interested in art,” she says. “I started painting at my rehabilitation center to strengthen my neck and get more range of motion. I was getting better and better at it, and I really liked the idea of being creative. I also relished in the fact that I was doing something that did not involve staring at a screen.” Koltun had an art sale in July where she sold notecards featuring her paintings. Some family friends asked if she would create Christmas cards to sell at their church, excited that they could sell numerous packs of cards. Once Koltun created those cards, she decided to make Hanukkah cards, as well as holiday-neutral cards. Six notecards and envelopes were packaged together and sold for $20 on Etsy. “I definitely notice myself progressing more and more each day that I paint. That’s something I miss about athletics – the constant desire to better yourself. I’m glad I found it in some shape or form in art,” she says. “I also love the positivity and joy that my art brings people. I think people are proud to have my work in their house and support my journey.” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Find Rebecca Koltun’s art at MadebyMouth on Etsy.

Coffee and Conversation at the Simon Family JCC Thursday, Feb. 29, 1 pm Sandler Family Campus

Mia Klein n recognition of Leap Year, the Simon Family JCC invites inquisitive members to get together and explore a diverse range of timely topics – from the pressing matters of the war in Israel to cutting-edge advancements in health technology. Participants are encouraged to bring articles that have sparked their curiosity or ask about topics that have left them pondering. The goal is to create an environment for open dialogue to flow freely, fostering engaging discussions on a variety of subjects. This event promises enriching conversations and reflects the communal spirit cherished by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. To RSVP or for additional information, contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org. Connect, share ideas, and indulge in meaningful conversations at the Simon Family JCC on this day that occurs only every fourth year.

Ann Zukerman Memorial Scholar in Residence with Rabbi Shafier February 9 – 10, B’nai Israel Congregation Sandler Family Campus

’nai Israel Congregation’s The Ann Zukerman Memorial Scholar in Residence will feature Rabbi Bentzion Shafier, author of many books, including The 10 Really Dumb Mistakes that Very Smart Couples Make. He is also the founder of theschmuz.com. Rabbi Shafier delivers cutting-edge Torah content and offers a weekly lecture that has been enjoyed world-wide for more than 10 years. Events with Rabbi Shafier begin Friday night at B’nai Israel and conclude Saturday evening at the Simon Family JCC. Contact B’nai Israel Congregation at 757-627-7358 or office@bnaiisrael.org for more information. jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 27

The

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Keiliim mikvah for new vessels and utensils now open

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Etsy Gruen It’s been a dream for many in Tidewater, and now it is a reality. Judaism invests in the mundane activity of eating with kedusha, special sanctity. . . eating kosher food, with the table upon which the food is eaten representing the holy altar, the mizbei’ach. The vessels and utensils (known in Hebrew as keilim) used for preparing food and for dining must also be given special holiness. In addition to providing people with holiness, a mikvah is used to sanctify new vessels and utensils before they are first used. Previously, Tidewater residents needed to use the indoor mikvah for immersing their vessels (or use a natural body of water like at the beach). This was not an ideal situation for many reasons, including that the physical layout of the mikvah made immersing keilim awkward and uncomfortable. But that problem is now history. Under the guidance of Rabbi Moshe Heineman, head of the renowned Star-K kashrus organization and master of Jewish law, The Norfolk Mikvah built a keilim mikvah (special mikvah designated for immersing vessels) by renovating an outdoor immersion pool the mikvah had but was not using. The keilim mikvah is located on the property of B’nai Israel Congregation to the rear of The Norfolk Mikvah. A transliterated blessing card – as well as a list of basic guidelines for immersing vessels and utensils – is located on site for users’ convenience. The keilim mikvah is open 8 am – 5 pm daily, 24/6. The project was made possible by Shmuel Yitzhak, who invests his heart and soul in Tidewater’s Jewish community, and Rabbi Sholom Mostofsky and Rabbi Shmuel Katz, the “boots on the ground” who worked tirelessly with contractors to get the keilim mikvah up and running. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Esty Gruen is director of The Norfolk Mikvah.

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Unravel stories and inspire young minds for a brighter and more literate future with BeAR Robin Ford t the start of 2024, the Be A Reader Literacy Program (BeAR) is poised to build on the incredible growth and literary exploration it experienced in 2023. With more than 100 students actively engaged, the impact is immeasurable, as BeAR fosters a lifelong passion for reading while cultivating mentorship bonds. BeAR’s success last year serves as a testament to the dedication of mentors and the enthusiasm of students. BeAR is a vibrant community of volunteers committed to literacy in Title I schools in Norfolk and Virginia Beach and is prepared to grow. BeAR isn’t just about words on a page; it is a transformative experience for everyone involved. Passionate and dedicated volunteers are always needed to join the Be A Reader literacy program. Anyone who believes in the power of mentorship and the joy of reading and has one hour a week to give, is welcome to be part of the fantastic team. BeAR volunteers help shape a brighter future for the next generation. Contact Robin Ford, BeAR coordinator, at rford@ujft.org or 757-321-2304.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY BETH SHOLOM VILLAGE

Director of Philanthropy

Beth Sholom Village (BSV), a non-profit organization located in Virginia Beach, is seeking a Director of Philanthropy and Community Relations to join our team. This role is essential in building relationships with donors, residents, families, and the community at large. The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of fundraising expertise, marketing talents, and the genuine commitment to enhancing the lives of seniors. Beth Sholom Village is a 501(c)3 organization that has been in existence for over 43 years. Our promise is to deliver more care to more seniors over more years. It is through this initiative that we look to preserve our superior reputation as a preferred provider in the senior living community. If you are passionate about philanthropy, committed to making a significant impression, and enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of seniors, we invite you to apply. Key Responsibilities • Develop and facilitate comprehensive fundraising and marketing strategies aligned with BSV’s goals and mission. • Develop and nurture relationships with donors, both individual and corporate, to secure financial support. • Plan and implement fundraising events, campaigns, and other initiatives to engage residents, families, staff, and the local community. • Work with marketing and communications teams to create compelling materials and stories that communicate our mission. Requirements • Bachelor’s degree • 2-3 years progressive experience • Attention to detail • Strong organizational skills • Ability to be flexible • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment • Knowledge and experience working with a donor database, included but not limited to Donor Perfect • Experience working in senior living communities and/or the nonprofit sector

Submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: kallsbrook@bethsholomvillage.com

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Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 29

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Norfolk artist Rick Seguso’s painting, KLEZMER for the JOYFUL SOUL, on exhibit at Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Exhibit runs through Saturday, Feb. 3

early 60 local writers and artists have been paired together for the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts’ exhibit, “Everyone Has a Story.” Rick Seguso, an artist, musician, and singer/songwriter, was inspired by an essay on klezmer by Virginia Beach-based author Debbie Burke. The two had never met, but Suffolk Center put them together with “Joyful” results: Burke’s essay is from her book KLEZMER for the Joyful Soul. When Seguso finished his painting after reading what Burke had written, he emailed her an image of it. The painting was, in fact, sold before the exhibit began, but allowed to be included in the exhibit before being shipped to its new owner in Florida. “I’m a musician and have done many music-related paintings but never one that highlighted klezmer. I love the music and have always taken an interest in the individual’s heritage,” says Seguso. “Like Debbie, my ancestors came to this country via New York around the same time frame.” “The body of work that coalesced to become klezmer was informed by suffering and pain, joy and mirth, and the disjointed paths that my family and thousands of others followed that eventually led them to settle in the U.S. The people and their stories are behind the music,” says Burke, who is a published author, writes about jazz in fiction and nonfiction and is also a jazz blogger. She operates a book editing business called Queen Esther Publishing LLC. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For more information, visit https://suffolkcenter.org/exhibit/everyone-has-a-story/.

30 | JEWISH NEWS | January 22, 2024 | jewishnewsva.org

IT’S A WRAP

Israel Connection Club connects in area homes Nofar Trem nited Jewish Federation of Tidewater is taking Israel Club on the road with Shinshinim Naomi Friedland and Maya Ostrov bringing their love and knowledge of all things Israel directly to area families’ homes. During Israel Connection Club, participants discover Israel’s unique geography, talk about (and Israeli sports-themed session hosted by Shikma Rubin. taste!) the wonderful foods of Israel, learn about wildlife there, or discuss some of Israel’s rich history. Hosts have the flexibility to choose a date that suits them, choose a session topic, and invite friends, neighbors, or family of the same age group to their home or a local playground. The Shinshinim bring a tailor-made, no-cost program to the hosts, aiming to inspire, excite, educate, and connect the attendees with Israel. “Our club session was full of fun games including a relay race, trivia, and friendly competition. All the kids had a blast, and we plan to do it again soon!” says Shikma Rubin, about the Israeli Israeli cooking-themed session hosted by Sierra Lautman. sports-themed session she hosted. “The kids had so much fun with Maya and Naomi,” says Sierra Lautman, who hosted an Israeli cooking session in her home. “Moving the Israel Club into homes was a great idea. We picked a Sunday night, invited eight kids over, and cooked Israeli food. We all learned how falafel and rugelach made their way into Israel; we practiced Hebrew words for the ingredients and had so many laughs. The best part was all I had to do was put out some cheese and crackers and take a few photos.” Whether for kids or an Israel-themed evening get-together for adults, there is something for everyone. To host an Israel Connection Club, visit JewishVA.org/IsraelClub or contact Nofar Trem at ntrem@ujft.org. For anyone who is interested in extending invitations to Jewish families, but requires assistance, Trem is available to help make the connections with families who live near the host. Israeli cooking-themed session hosted by Amie Harrell.

IT’S A WRAP

Camp JCC: Where fun happens all year

Third grade scientists take on oil spills A A Ally St. Pierre t Strelitz International Academy, students become International Baccalaureate® learners starting as early as six weeks old. A huge part of an IB® education is the IB® Learner Profile Traits, which include being principled, open minded, an inquirer, balanced, caring, a thinker, a communicator, a risk-taker, knowledgeable, and reflective. The young scholars embrace the IB® Learner Profile Traits in everything they do. Last November, third grade students in Allena Anglen’s class put on their science hats, wore their safety goggles, and demonstrated the traits of being an inquirer, risk-taker, knowledgeable, thinker, and reflective in their oil spill themed lab. To begin this lesson, the third graders gathered around as Anglen read two stories. The first was a realistic fiction about the 1989 Prince William Sound spill titled Prince William by Gloria Rand; the other book was a nonfiction text titled Deepwater Horizon by Nikole Brooks Bethea about the 2010 spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The students also Allena Anglen and her third-grade class attempt to clean up a looked at before and after simulated oil spill using disposable pipettes. images of bodies of water affected by oil spills, which encouraged them to reflect on how these spills not only affect the oceans, but life both inside and out of them. Then, the students became scientists. Anglen tasked the students to test different ways to clean up an oil spill by using pipe cleaners to represent animals in the oil-filled water. To attempt to get rid of the oil, students used a spoon, a fork, yarn, nylon stockings, cotton balls, and disposable pipettes. Unfortunately, the students realized that the pipe cleaner animals did not survive. The third graders also determined that prevention of oil spills was the best method to keeping the oceans clean. Throughout this process, Strelitz students learned that scientists fail at times, but that is the best way to learn and grow from past experiences. To wrap up the lab, Anglen asked her class, “how do we take this knowledge and move forward?” This question is not just relevant to the oil spill lab, but to any tasks her students may face in the future. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Strelitz International Academy is the community’s Jewish Day School and International Baccalaureate® World School for infants through grade 5. For more information, contact Ally St. Pierre, admissions and marketing manager, at 757-424-4327, ext. 4188 or astpierre@strelitzacademy.org.

Dave Flagler nother successful winter break camp wrapped up last month, concluding a fun-filled 2023 for Camp JCC. Covering two weeks of private school and public school closures, campers enjoyed winter themed crafts, indoor games, STEM projects, culinary creations (such as making chocolate balls and trail mix), Israeli culture with Abigail Walker, Corah Beasely, and Lena Aftel join other campers in community Shinshinim Maya “making snow.” and Naomi, weekly Shabbat celebrations, and free swim – all with friends and many favorite counselors from summer camp. Daily themes included igloos, polar bears, snowmen, snowflakes, and more. As part of the Camp JCC School Days Out program, families were able to choose from registering for several packages or for any individual days. As many school calendars do not align with each other, this option to customize schedules enabled campers to enjoy their class holiday parties, holiday travel plans, and all the fun of Camp JCC. Camp JCC School Days Out is open to everyone currently in Leon Shall, Johnny Aftel, and Payton Fowler “make snow.” kindergarten through fifth grade. More information, pricing, and registration can be found at www.campjcc.org. Registration is open for Spring Break and Passover break, and spots are already filling up. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To learn more about Camp JCC or to hear about year-round opportunities for teens in the community, contact Dave Flagler, director of Camp and Teen Engagement, at DFlagler@UJFT.org or 757-452-3182.

Coming soon in Jewish News February 12 – Foodie/Romance (Deadline: Jan. 26) March 4 – Mazel Tov (Deadline: Feb. 16) March 18 – 20th Estate Planning (Deadline: Mar. 1) April 8 – Passover (Deadline: Mar. 22) To advertise, call 757-965-6100 or email sgoldberg@ujft.org.

jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 31

WHAT’S HAPPENING

A Night in Casablanca . . . the beginning of a beautiful evening at Temple Emanuel Saturday, February 3, 7 pm, Temple Emanuel

Stephanie Adler Calliott “Round up the usual suspects” and head to the oceanfront for a great “Night in Casablanca.” From music to casino games and horse racing to great food and drink, everyone will want to be at Temple Emanuel’s Casino Night. It may be optional but don’t miss the chance to dress to impress with a fun outfit from the 40’s. “We’ll always have Paris,” but there’s nothing quite as fun as a night in Casablanca. Take it from Ingrid and Bogie, the silent auction will be chock full of goodies: restaurant certificates, a Colorado getaway, beautiful art, cooking classes, rugs, and more. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship” was never so true. Bring friends and make new ones and “win by a nose on the dark horse” in the horse races — the louder, the better. Then, turn “winnings” in for chances at great prizes. “Play it (again) Sam” with music from a great DJ, and experience an incrdible night in

a Moroccan Souk with draped ceilings and walls, carpets, and lanterns everywhere, and even two camels! “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine…” Get Mediterranean/Moroccan hors d’oeuvres along with wine, beer, mint teas, sodas, and Rick’s Vodka Marrakech Mules. Yum yum. “Here’s looking at you kid.” Consider scheduling a night to watch Casablanca before the big night. It’s definitely worth it – to be ready for being in a room filled with Humphrey Bogarts and Ingrid Bergmans hanging out at Rick’s Cafe! This spectacular evening is only $50/ person in advance ($65 at the door). And for those 40 or younger, it’s only $36/person. Get the best rate by registering in advance. It’s easy online with a credit card at http://bit.ly/CasablancaCasinoNight. For more information or to register and pay by check, contact Temple Emanuel at 757-428-2591 or tevboffice@gmail.com.

Stars Among Us: The Holocaust Commission’s new podcast Elka Mednick he Stars Among Us podcast, a collaboration between The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and WHRO, offers a compelling exploration of the lives of Holocaust survivors and liberators. The podcast features excerpted sections from the book, To Life: The Past is Present, providing a poignant perspective on the experiences of individuals as they reflect on their Holocaust experiences. Listeners can expect to embark on a profound journey through the lives of those who endured the Holocaust in their own words. Stars Among Us is a valuable edutainment resource for preserving and sharing these important narratives, ensuring that it is possible to continue to learn the lessons of the Holocaust. To access the Stars Among Us podcast and explore the remarkable stories of resilience and courage, visit www.holocaustcommission.org/StarsAmongUs, or another preferred podcast platform.

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To learn more about the Holocaust Commission and its programs, visit www.holocaustcommission.org, or contact Elka Mednick at emednick@ujft.org.

32 | JEWISH NEWS | January 22, 2024 | jewishnewsva.org

CALENDAR BEGINNING JANUARY 23, TUESDAYS Yiddish Club. The Yiddish Club is a vibrant hub for preserving and promoting the Yiddish language and its rich heritage. Meets the first Tuesday of each month. 1 pm. Simon Family JCC. Free. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/YiddishClub or contact Mia Klein at MKlein@ujft.org or 757-452-3184

JANUARY 29, MONDAY Christopher Gorham, author of The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America. Knowing the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the facts behind Israel’s historic commitment to peace are critical to understanding the region today. Presented as part of the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Unsung SHEroes of History series, a celebration of American women whose contributions to history have gone unrecognized through the passage of time. 6:45 pm. Zoom. Free. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org.

Taught by Barb Gelb

Love, Loss and Wisdom A new 6-week course

Discover the Jewish responses and rituals that take us through mourning and arrive at a place of healing.

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, THURSDAYS Love, Loss, and Wisdom: A 6-week Melton Course offered by Ohef Sholom Temple. Barb Gelb leads the class in the discovery of Jewish responses and rituals for mourning and arrive at a place of healing. This course is offered by Ohef Sholom Temple, through a partnership with the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. 7 pm. Zoom. Cost: $179. Receive $60 off by using the discount code TW60 at checkout. Additional scholarships are available upon request. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/Melton or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org.

FEBRUARY 3, SATURDAY A Night in Casablanca. Join Temple Emanuel for an exciting evening of casino games, a silent auction, horse racing, hors d’oeuvres, refreshing drinks, and an abundance of fun. $50 in advance, $55 at door, $36 ages 40 and under. 7-11 pm. Temple Emanuel. Register online with a credit card: https://tevb.org. All other forms of payment: tevboffice@gmail.com or 757-428-2591.

FEBRUARY 11, SUNDAY Words to Action: An Interactive Workshop for 7th-12th graders. Jewish youth will examine their identities and become equipped with constructive and effective responses to combat antisemitism and anti-Israel bias. Offered by UJFT in partnership with Ohef Sholom Temple, Congregation Beth El, and Temple Emanuel. 10 am - noon. Ohef Sholom Temple. Free. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/WordtoAction or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org.

FEBRUARY 18, WEDNESDAY A Celebration of Israeli Short Film. In memory of the victims of the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas, the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presents four short films: Sirens, Asa Turns 13, Dear God, and The Boy. All of these films provide an unfiltered glimpse into what daily life is like in Israel. 2:30 pm. Simon Family JCC. Free with a suggested donation to UJFT’s Israel Emergency Fund. Information and tickets: JewishVA.org/FilmFest

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 19, MONDAYS JCC Book Club. On Monday, Feb. 19, the JCC Book Club will discuss Speaking Yiddish to Chickens by Seth Stern. Meets the third Monday of each month. Join in person or via Zoom. 1:30 pm. Simon Family JCC. Free. Information: contact Sherry Lieberman at joeann124@aol.com.

FEBRUARY 22, THURSDAY Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: HOME. A young and recently married Orthodox man’s dream to open a computer store in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem turns into a violent nightmare when the entire neighborhood sees him as an existential threat. $12 or purchase a full festival pass for $60. 1:30 and 7:30 pm. Cinema Café Kemps River. Information and tickets: JewishVA.org/ FilmFest.

FEBRUARY 24, SATURDAY Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: REMEMBERING GENE WILDER. Born Jerome Silberman to an assimilated Milwaukee Jewish family – his childhood buddies called him Jerry - but the world would come to know him as Gene Wilder. In this affectionate and touching documentary, the full measure of Wilder’s gifts is on display, not only as a comedic actor but as a writer, director, and mensch. $25. Includes a conversation with the film’s director, Ron Frank, followed by a dessert and champagne reception. Sponsored by Bank of America. 7:30 pm. Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Information and tickets: JewishVA.org/FilmFest.

ONLINE • Thursdays, 7 - 8:30 PM • BEGINS February 1 $60 off for students with code TW60, scholarship info available on request

JEWISHVA.ORG/MELTON

Employment Opportunities Development Director, Community Campaign

The Director will organize and facilitate the activities of UJFT’s Men’s and Women’s divisions’ annual community campaign, including lay leadership development and succession planning; donor ratings, and assignments; outreach to new donors; recognition of donors. The position is a key senior role on the development team. Planning and budgeting of campaign events and programs, including those of campaign affinity groups. Responsible for personally managing a selected portfolio of donor prospects to engage, steward, and solicit. Bachelor’s degree with 3 or more years’ experience in fundraising or equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and skills required. Excellent written and verbal communications skills and customer service skills required. Experience in volunteer management.

Director of Development

This Director is responsible for developing an overall strategy of donor engagement and non-traditional resource development, including (but not limited to) affinity groups, giving circles, outreach events, grants, individual and corporate sponsorships, planned giving initiatives and other related engagement and fundraising opportunities. The position’s goal is to maximize financial resources while broadening the donor base. Director works closely with development department members to strategize how to connect donors with their philanthropic interests and UJFT’s priorities. Director will solicit, cultivate, and steward a portfolio of mid-level donors and prospects. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and 3-5 years of experience with donor engagement and solicitation. Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience.

Complete job descriptions at www.federation.jewishva.org Submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: resumes@ujft.org Attention: Taftaleen T. Hunter, Director of Human Resources – Confidential

Equal Opportunity Employment jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 33

OBITUARIES Lewis Greenhouse VIRGINIA BEACH - Lewis A. Greenhouse, 88, passed away December 20. A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Altmeyer Funeral Home. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Toby Ann Grim

VIRGINA BEACH - Toby Ann Grim, 76, passed away on December 6.

Born on May 12, 1947, Toby was the beloved daughter of Beatrice and David Alpert. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Marvin and Norman Alpert, her daughter Bonnie Ungar Dowdy, her granddaughter Julia Meredith Patish, and great-granddaughter Everly Hope Ungar. Toby, known for her love of cooking, was the center of family gatherings during the holidays. She worked for over 30 years

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

in the medical billing departments of Medical and Surgical Eye Specialists, DePaul Hospital, and later, Bon Secours Hospital. She is survived by her daughters, Dana Ungar Patish (Lawrence) and Heather Ungar Cardenas (Tony), her grandchildren Michael Brandon Ungar (Meagan), TJ Cardenas, Lauren Dowdy, Austin Dowdy (Clara), Melanie Faye Patish, Stacey Allison Patish, Jessica Arin Patish, and her great-grandchildren Addilyn Cook, Owen and Rylan Dowdy, Alexandria Cardenas, Lillianne and Mercy Ungar. A gathering of family and friends will take place in the spring to celebrate Toby’s life. Contributions can be made to the City of Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Department, Virginia Beach SPCA or a meaningful charity of one’s choosing. Altmeyer Funeral Home. May Toby Ann Grim’s memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Barbara Joy Helfant

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

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www.altmeyerfuneralandcremation.com 34 | JEWISH NEWS | January 22, 2024 | jewishnewsva.org

VIRGINIA BEACH - Barbara Joy Helfant, 94, passed away on December 10. Besides her parents, the late Murray and Fanny Wacke, Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband, Seymour, with whom she ran off and eloped when she was only 18. They remained married until Seymour passed away. She was also preceded in death by her loving sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Jerome Lambert. Barbara was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., and eventually moved with Seymour to Virginia Beach. As a young woman, Barbara was a ballet dancer and owned and ran her own ballet school. She was an actress and comedian and, along with a partner, Kitty Kimble, worked the Catskill Mountain circuit. After moving to Virginia Beach, Barbara became a real estate broker and remained such until she retired. She loved boating and playing golf with her husband and was always the life of the party. Barbara was an avid Mah Jongg player and loved to play Black Jack. But nothing and no one was more important nor more loved by her than her three grandchildren, Left behind to cherish her memory are her daughters, Jill (John) Simmelink and Andi (William) Helfant-Frye, her grandchildren, Rachel Simmelink Vinson of Virginia

Beach, Joanne Simmelink Wieworka of Richmond, and Justin Frye of New York City, and her great-grandchildren, Ryder, Mila, AJ and Izzy. She had a special place in her heart for all of her nieces and nephews, Sheila Josephberg of Palm Beach, Joan Irvine of Seattle, Robert Helfant (deceased), and Marvin Neuwirth, Freddie Neuwirth, and Robin Neuwirth, all of Wilmington, N.C. So…..keep your head up high, and, if ever in doubt, just shake it up baby and Twist and Shout! A small graveside memorial was held at Woodlawn Cemetery. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or an association of your choice. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Marcia Sachs Hofheimer

VIRGINIA BEACH - Marcia Sachs Hofheimer passed away peacefully on January 2. She was born on August 5, 1937 in the Bronx, N.Y. She is survived by her daughters Leigh (Jon) and Stacie (Marc), son, Joshua (Lisa), seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, and her dear brother, Dr. Warren Sachs (Karen). She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Tommy, in 1985, and by her second husband, Dr. Melvin Morrison, in 2010. Upon graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Marcia married Tom and began a fulfilling life as a wife, mother, independent business owner, and community leader. Marcia was beautiful and possessed a keen eye for beauty. For many decades, she worked as an interior designer and cultivated a deep love for reading, gardening, and nurturing her many friendships. She had a wonderful time with her second husband, Melvin, collecting glass art and traveling; during their 19 years together, they journeyed to all seven continents. Marcia was passionately committed to her Jewish community. In 1991, she became the second woman to serve as president of the board of directors of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. She also served as president of the local chapter of ORT and was a member of many other committees that, among other things, addressed the needs of Soviet Jewry and Holocaust remembrance. Along with her sister-inlaw, Joyce Strelitz of blessed memory, she

OBITUARIES founded the Tom Hofheimer Fund. Initially a medical exchange program working with physicians in the U.S. and Israel, it is currently focused on training young community leaders and sponsoring their visits to Israel to perpetuate a love of heritage in future generations. Funeral services were held at Ohef Sholom Temple, followed by a graveside ceremony at Forest Lawn. Donations in Marcia’s memory can be made to the Tom Hofheimer Fund, care of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Shyrlee Hurwitz

VIRGINIA BEACH - Shyrlee Belle Hurwitz passed away peacefully at her home on December 26. She was the beloved daughter of the late Albert Handen and Marie Livingston Handen of Baltimore, Md. Shyrlee was predeceased by her devoted husband, Harry J. Hurwitz. Shyrlee was very active in the lives of her children, Leslie (Mark) Rosenstock and Ron Hurwitz, grandchildren, Jason Rosenstock and Carrie Rose, and great grandchildren, Lilly Overstreet and Hunter Overstreet, as well as many relatives and friends. Shyrlee took great pride in and loved her family very much. We lived in a loving home, where the doors were always opened to the neighborhood. Our mom allowed us to have plenty of pets, especially Ron’s dog, Panda. Shyrlee was a supporter of many organizations, as well as a contributor and volunteer to her local community. Her main passion was teaching. She proudly received a B.A. in education from Old Dominion University in 1970 and taught for the Norfolk Public School System for 20 years. Some will remember her as the Girl Scout leader at Suburban Park Elementary School (Lilly’s of the Valley). Shyrlee lived life to the fullest, traveling and cruising around the world. One of her favorite places to visit was Israel. She loved golf, bridge, boating with her husband, Harry, and education. In addition, she found time to help her son, Ron, with the family business, Harry’s Lounge/Cap’n Rons. Sadly, the time for “beam up” is upon us as the continued voyages of your life await; Shyrlee was ever the avid Star Trek fan.

Mom, you will live on in spirit, guiding and protecting us as you always have. We will deeply miss you. A funeral was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Donations can be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation at www.tmcfunding.com or the charity of your choice. Altmeyer Funeral Home. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Gerald Coleman Jaffe

VIRGINIA BEACH - Gerald Coleman Jaffe – who friends called Jerry and family called Pop – passed away peacefully at home on January 6. Jerry was the youngest of Rachel and Solomon Jaffe’s nine children. In his wonderful 96 years, Jerry shared 70 anniversaries with his college sweetheart, Jean (Mimi). He was most proud of their three children, Susan (Alan), Ross (Eve), and Ellen (Tom), six grandchildren, Sarah (Derek), Eric (Kristen), Jenny (Dan), River, Julia, and Rachel, and his great grandson, Emmett. After graduating from Suffolk High School, Jerry served a short time in the Army and then attended William and Mary. Following graduation in 1950, Jerry returned to his hometown to run the family business, Suffolk Packing Company. For almost 40 years, Jerry worked tirelessly to provide the highest quality meats to his customers, while treating his employees like family. Jerry earned his pilot’s license when he was 16 and also enjoyed boating. He was active in the Suffolk Rotary Club and a local legend in the tennis community. In retirement, Jerry and Jean moved to Virginia Beach, where they created a beautiful home for welcoming their many friends and family – the door was always open. Pop loved playing with his grandchildren in the surf and sand, fishing with his gill net, and cooking with the fresh hauls from his garden. He also loved tennis, especially the years on the east court at Cape Henry Racquet Club with his dear tennis buddies, and played until his early 90s. In the words of family and friends, Pop was THE BEST. He embodied all the goodness in the world with his kind and gentle nature. He lived life with patience and understanding. His strength was his soft-spoken wisdom, reminding us to be good to each other and get along.

He spoke slowly and clearly and told you what he thought and how he felt. He nurtured those around him, loved unconditionally, and gave generously. When Pop embraced you with a hug and kiss, you felt love and goodness pour out of his heart and into your soul. Pop was truly a gentleman. He taught us that doing right by others was what mattered most. Pop lived with grace and humility. He was grateful to the very end, thanking his family and caregivers every day for being here and helping him. Thank YOU, Pop, for the immense joy you’ve brought to this world. Because of you, life is “more better.” Your beautiful, magnificent spirit is in all of us. A graveside service was held at B’nai Israel Cemetery. Donations to Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center or WestminsterCanterbury Hospice. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts.

consignment and retail boutique, Worth the Wait. After a successful 12-year run, Susan sold her business and retired to Florida, where she enjoyed a creative renaissance making jewelry out of vintage Mah Jongg tiles. Susan was a fixture at Mah Jongg games and tournaments, as well as bowling leagues, book clubs, foreign film clubs, art shows and operas. She was a beloved mother and wonderful host; she loved to cook, travel, make strangers laugh, and mentor young women she met throughout her life. Susan was predeceased by her older sister Mary Rolnick and two husbands, Paul Sincoff and Rabbi Philip Krohn. She is survived by two sons, Paul Sincoff and David Krohn, as well as her granddaughter, Sydney Sincoff. A celebration of her life was held at Congregation Brith Shalom in Houston, Texas. Susan requested donations be made to Brith Shalom. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts.

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PEABODY, MA. - Ephraim S. Katz passed away peacefully on December 24 in his sleep from a long illness with cancer. Ephraim was the beloved son of Stuart Katz and Margaret Gardner of London, dear brother of Mark Katz of Shiloh, N.C., Samuel Katz of Lynn, Mass., Matthew Katz of Brownfield, Maine and Dawn Roads of Greeenwich, Conn. Ephraim volunteered for 15 years at the Peabody Senior Center. He will be missed by many. Family and friends honored Ephraim’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home North Shore Chapel, in Peabody, Mass.

VIRGINIA BEACH – Benjamin Lagow, age 20, departed this world unexpectedly from sudden cardiac arrest due to possible hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on December 26 while at home. A sophomore at Hampden-Sydney College, Ben played on the Varsity Men’s Lacrosse team and was also active in the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He graduated from Norfolk Academy in 2022, where he captained the soccer and lacrosse teams his senior year. Ben was a beloved figure in the Upper School and indeed across the entire Norfolk Academy campus, recognized and admired for his outgoing personality, school spirit, and friendliness to all. It was for these personal qualities and his many achievements that he received the Charles Forsyth Wirth award. Ben was truly the unique individual who made everyone he spoke with feel like they were the most important person in the world at that moment. While he was born in New York City, Ben was a Virginia Beach kid through and through. Being outside, particularly on the water or sports fields, was where Ben was happiest. He grew up on the water, spending time with his grandfather wakeboarding and fishing. More recently, he found a passion for surfing. His time on the soccer and lacrosse

Ephraim Katz

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Susan Krohn

PORTLAND, Ore. - Susan Krohn, 74, of Hampton Roads, Va. and Estero, Fla., having lived a vibrant and full life, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at the Hopewell House in Portland, Ore. on Dec 29. Susan was born on Oct. 3, 1949 to Margaret and Edwin Scott in Pine Bush, N.Y. A voracious reader and gifted artist, Susan obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the Philadelphia College of Art. She went on to rise through the ranks of the Virginian Pilot as a marketing director, and then founded her own upscale women’s

Benjamin Louis Lagow

jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2024 | JEWISH NEWS | 35

OBITUARIES fields allowed him to play the sports he loved with the teammates and coaches he loved even more. More than just the life of the party, Ben was a deeply caring and loyal friend, boyfriend, teammate, brother, son, and grandson– willing to do anything for those he held closest. From a young age, Ben evidenced the endearing qualities that would define his success in high school and college: a natural leader, great sense of humor, always positive and friendly, and always willing to work hard. These traits are why he was not only a loving big brother to his siblings, Max and Cate, but also their best friend. They were also why he had such an outsized influence at Norfolk Academy; only someone with Ben’s personality and sincerity could compete on the lacrosse field – while also leading the “Dawg Pound” spirit club at other sporting events – and confident enough to interview faculty, including the Head of School, about their “secret crushes.” Ben is survived by his parents, Jen and

Chris Lagow, brother Max, sister Cate, grandparents Dr. Jonathan and Mrs. Dale Jacobs and grandmother Mrs. Martha Lagow, in addition to 12 aunts and uncles and 14 cousins. Funeral services were held at Ohef Sholom Temple. Memorial gifts to Norfolk Academy, which was a second home to Ben and played an integral role in nurturing him into the amazing young man that he was. He often expressed his desire and intention to give back to the school in any way that he could. Altmeyer Funeral Home. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Barbara Michaels Levy

BOCA RATON, FL - Barbara Michaels Levy passed away peacefully on December 23 at the age of 91. She was born on April 1, 1932 in Norfolk, Va., the daughter of the late Eva and Erwin Michaels. She was preceded in death by Albert (Albie) L. Levy, Esq. her loving husband of 39 years, her devoted brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Emanuel Michaels,

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DDS and Ada R. Michaels, and her caring nephew, Harlan Levy. Barbara graduated from Granby High School and, after college, she was a fixture in Michael’s, her family’s clothing store in downtown Norfolk. Her specialty was helping customers and as a buyer. She continued to support the store even when she lived in Clifton, N.J. with her husband. She and Albie built a wonderful life filled with travel, laughter, and love. After Albie died in 2004, Barbara moved to Florida, where she enjoyed spending time with her wide circle of friends from Virginia to California and from New Jersey to Florida. Barbara was a woman of substance and style. Part Dorothy Parker, part Elaine Stritch, part Diana Vreeland, Barbara had the sharpest of wits, penning poems to honor loved ones’ special occasions, belting classic show tunes, and appointing herself as everyone’s personal shopper, often all at the same time. Through her unconditional love, support and advice, positive attitude, and wonderful sense of humor, she was a true character and a one-of-kind wife, sister, aunt, and friend. We love her and miss her already. Barbara is survived by her nephew, Lawrence Michaels (Diana) of Atlanta, Ga., her nieces Rennata Levy of Calif., Hillary Michaels of Alexandria, Va., and Gayle Michaels of Alexandria, Va., and her grandnieces and grandnephew, Elizabeth Michaels of Atlanta, Ga., Rebecca Michaels of Atlanta, Ga., and Daniel Levy of San Diego, Calif. A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Ada R. Michaels Book Fund at Congregation Beth El or the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Bayla Goldberg Manis

MEMPHIS, TN - With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of Bayla Goldberg Manis, 86, on November 29. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Bayla is survived by her daughter, Terri Manis Struminger (Scot), two granddaughters, Jodie (Michael Weisman) and Brittany Struminger, two brothers, Aubrey (Joanne) Goldberg of Las Vegas, Nev., and Don (Kay) Goldberg of Suffolk, two sisters-in-law, Shirley Manis and Marcia (Tom) Fisher, both of Memphis,

a brother-in-law, John McDonald, of Wilmington, Del., and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Arnold Asher Manis, parents, Miriam and Meyer Goldberg, daughter, Jennifer Lynn Manis (who passed away in 1987 on the same date), two sisters, Beth (Alvin) Lansky of Memphis, Tenn., and Edie McDonald of Wilmington, Del., and a brother-in-law, Irving Manis, of Memphis, Tenn. Born October 23, 1937 in Newport News, Va., Bayla and her family later moved to Suffolk, where she graduated from Suffolk High School. She later graduated from Mary Washington College, then the women’s college of the University of Virginia, in Fredericksburg, Va. Upon graduation, Bayla returned to Suffolk and worked as a teacher until relocating to Memphis in August 1962 after getting married. Bayla’s life in Memphis was dedicated to taking care of her family, especially Jennifer, when she became ill at a young age. After Jennifer passed away, Bayla became an avid participant in the Memphis Jewish Community Center fitness classes, attending three days per week for more than 30 years. Upon Arnold’s retirement, she joined him at the fitness center a few additional days each week. She was also frequently seen there taking one or both grandchildren to ballet classes and attending dance recitals. Bayla was an avid sports enthusiast, playing basketball in high school and attending University of Memphis (then Memphis State University) basketball games. After giving up season tickets when the Tigers changed venues from the Mid-South Coliseum, Bayla didn’t miss a televised game. Watching them with her became a favorite family past time right up until her death, even from the hospital as she stayed warm under her Memphis Tiger fleece blanket. Family members also enjoyed Bayla’s knitting skills, continuing to use and cherish blankets she made for them. A funeral took place with burial in Baron Hirsch Cemetery. Donations to Baron Hirsch Synagogue, Temple Israel, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

OBITUARIES ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Marjorie Kroskin Marx

VIRGINIA BEACH - Marjorie Jane Kroskin Marx died on December 22 at her home at Atlantic Shores. Marjorie was born in Norfolk on July 19, 1926, to Hyman and Florence Kroskin of blessed memory. She was a graduate of Maury High School and attended Richmond Professional Institute to study art and fashion design. She had a lifelong love of art and painted in her later years. Her first job was working at Kroskin’s Naval Tailors after college. Marjorie was introduced to her future husband, George “Punchy” Marx, by her sister Carolyn Kroskin’s boyfriend, Herbert Bangel, a fellow student and fraternity brother of Punchy’s at UVA. They married on November 28, 1948 and moved to New Jersey. “Punchy” loved the ground that Marjorie walked on, and she loved him right back. They made a fantastic couple!!! Marjorie was always known as a spectacular beauty both inside and out. She lived the life of a 1950s housewife and raised her two children, Howard “Hank” Marx and Barbara Ann Marx. During her time in New Jersey, Marjorie was active and held leadership positions in many organizations, including Deborah Heart Hospital and the Ladies’ Auxiliary of Shrewsbury Hose Company (Punchy’s fire department). She was an active member of Congregation B’nai Israel, its Sisterhood, and Hadassah. Margie was known for her love of African violets and other plants, as an excellent baker and cook, and as a fantastic, caring mother, not to mention a great beauty. Her husband and love of her life, “Punchy,” passed away at age 58 in 1981. She ultimately moved to Florida to start a new chapter in her life. Her first grandson, Gordon, was born in 1982 and her second, Robert, was born in 1984. She doted on them as children and was a great Grannie to them. In Florida, she made new friends and became active in her condo association. She loved to travel and went to Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Tibet, Italy, and even an elephant-back safari in Nepal. She was a voracious reader, something that she continued all her life. After much nagging from Hank, she agreed to move back to Tidewater in 2010 to

be close to him and Barbara Ann. She settled at Atlantic Shores. Marjorie loved living there – making new friends, tending to her orchids and African violets, and serving on many committees: Resident Services, Employee Gift Fund and Food and Beverage. She was a member of Temple Emanuel. Marjorie lived to enjoy and love Gordon and Robert’s spouses, Sara and Martin, and her great granddaughters, Anina and Plia. She loved life and lived it to the fullest!!!! She was predeceased by her parents and her husband George “Punchy” Marx. She is survived by sister, Carolyn Bangel, son Howard “Hank” Marx (Carol), daughter Barbara Ann Marx, grandsons Gordon (Sara) and Robert (Martin), great granddaughters, Anina and Plia, cousin Judy Dobrinsky (Larry), niece Nancy Bangel (Mark Robbins), nephew Brad Bangel (Babbi), their children and grandchildren, and other cousins. Interment took place in New Jersey. Memorial donations may be made to Temple Emanuel, 424 25th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., 23451. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Marina Ponizovskaya

NOROLK - Marina Ponizovskaya passed away on January 10. A graveside burial was held for her at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Altmeyer Funeral Home. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Richard Rose

RICHMOND - Richard Shea Rose (a.k.a. Dad, Grandpa, Rich, Ricardo, Uncle Richie), passed away on December 13 at the age of 85 of complications from cancer. Richard was born in Richmond on June 4, 1938 to Sally Kolinsky (Harris), and Harry Rosenzweig. He grew up on the iconic Maplewood Avenue, where he developed many lifelong friendships. His early days were spent on ballfields, basketball courts, or helping out in his parents’ restaurant. Richard was a very proud alum of both TJ (Thomas Jefferson High School) in 1957, and the University of Richmond in 1961 with a BS in Economics. He was also blessed to make many deeper, lifelong friendships with his UR Phi Alpha (Rho) fraternity brothers. After a couple of years in banking after graduating, Richard was recruited to manage a furniture business, putting him on the path to becoming a serial retail entrepreneur.

His first test started in 1969 with Furniture Galleries on W. Broad St. In 1984, after boldly relocating to Virginia Beach, he partnered to open what became BestWay Rent To Own. It developed into a chain of 20 home furnishings, electronics, and appliance stores in Central and Southeast Virginia and North Carolina. This business spawned several other businesses over some years, including BestWay Tax Service, BestWay Autos, and BestWay Phones. In 2008, Richard became a partner/franchisee of wheel and tire stores – RNR Tire Express – which are thriving today. All of the businesses positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of customers and continue to help change the lives of many associates whom he influenced and mentored. Richard proudly served on, and contributed his great mind to, the boards of both of his synagogues and APRO, the national trade association for the rental industry. Richard was an avid golfer, loved traveling with Elsa, playing cards with the guys, and especially loved trips to casinos near and far. He was especially proud of getting Elsa hooked on golf and her becoming a city champion. Nothing was more important to Richard than his family and extended family. Richard was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister Thelma, brother-inlaw, Shelly, and ex-wife Henie. Richard is survived by his wife of 18 years, Elsa, his sons Ron (Melissa), and Jonathan (Sara), his grandchildren, Emily, Julie, Olivia, and Danny, Elsa’s children Lily, Julie, Marco, Jose, and Matthew, and Elsa’s grandchildren. A funeral was at Bliley’s in Richmond. Donations to the American Cancer Society, Tunnels to Towers, the Ronald McDonald House, St. Baldrick’s Foundation (for pediatric cancer research), C.A.T.S. (Children’s Assistive Technology Service), Jewish causes in support of Israel, or many other charities and causes Richard supported. –––––––––––––––––––––––––

Gail Anita Sandler

VIRGINIA BEACH – Gail Anita Sandler, age 84, passed away on December 12. Gail was a cherished member of our community. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering generosity touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her. She was a dedicated friend, loving spouse

to Gerald (Jerry) Sandler, and a nurturing parent to her beloved children Samantha Doran, Tammy Congel, and Anna Rose Barker, whom she lovingly referred to as her 3 STARS. Gail was also a beloved mother-in-law to Chris Barker, Frank Congel, and Mike Doran, who became part of her extended family. Her influence extended to her cherished grandchildren, Jared Doran, Leah Doran, Evan Barker, and Barrett Barker, bringing joy and laughter into their lives. Gail’s legacy will forever be remembered and cherished, as she leaves behind a testament of compassion and grace. Gail also leaves behind her brother, Chip Evans, and two sisters, Arlene Hunnicutt and Shelley Giambastroni. A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Altmeyer Funeral Home. –––––––––––––––––––––––––

Morris B. Schnitzer

CHESTERFIELD, Va. - Morris B. Schnitzer, 57 died December 25. Morris was born February 2, 1966. Arrangements are pending. Altmeyer Funeral Home. –––––––––––––––––––––––––

Inna Shvets

YORKTOWN - It is with great sorrow that the family of Inna Shvets announces her passing on January 5 at the Riverside Regional Medical Center. Inna was born in Dneprodzerzhink, Ukraine on November 4, 1946 and, in the last four years of her life, resided in Yorktown, Va. Meeting her future husband at age 16, she built a beautiful, loving home for him and her daughter through delicious cooking and unsurpassed homemaking skills. She never left a crumb unswept, a dish uncleaned or a closet unorganized. In 1979, the small family immigrated from Ukraine to the United States in pursuit of a better life. Settling in Virginia Beach, she continued to support her family by working outside of the home while never wavering to have a freshly cooked meal every evening. Inna received her favorite job title in 1997, when she became a “Grandma.” From birth to adulthood, her three grandchildren were enthusiastic beneficiaries of her love, infectious laughter and, of course, cooking. Inna and her husband were world travelers,

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OBITUARIES taking trips to Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. After moving to the Peninsula, the pair enjoyed walking the Noland Trail, Yorktown Beach, and the proximity of their daughter’s family living across the street. She is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Ovsey, her daughter Elina (Brent), her grandchildren, Jason, Allen, Julia, and her sister Bronislava (Michael), as well as many cousins and nephews, nieces and friends. –––––––––––––––––––––––––

Lewis B. Steingold

NORFOLK – Lewis B. Steingold, 86, passed away on December 31 after a brief illness. He was the son of Israel and Norma Tonelson Steingold. His sibling, Jeffrey M. Steingold (Sonia), predeceased him on November 22, 2023. Lewis was born on January 5, 1937 in Norfolk and spent his childhood in Richmond, where his family relocated to start a branch office of the Steingold family law firm. Lewis is survived by his devoted and loving partner of 47 years, Beth Rothman. Lewis and Beth enjoyed their time with friends from the Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club (ham radio operators), Tidewater Radio Convention, and the Lynnhaven Yacht Club, with its numerous social gatherings. Education was a priority in the Steingold family. Lewis received an undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and a law degree from University of Baltimore. He also served in the U.S. Army for 4 years. Lewis’ Jewish faith was very important to him. He was part of a large, extended family of cousins from the Steingold/Laibstain family, too numerous to mention individually. Family gatherings had to be held in large places to accommodate the sizable family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. A graveside service was held. Memorial contributions to American Heart Association, Jewish Family Service, or a charity of your choice. Altmeyer Funeral Home. –––––––––––––––––––––––––

Theresa Vita

NORFOLK - Theresa Mastracco Vita, known to most as Terri or “Grand Terri” to

her family, passed away peacefully in her home in Norfolk on December 7, with her husband, Joe, by her side. She was born on February 16, 1935. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecelia and Vincent Mastracco, Sr. and her grandson, Gregory Paul Vita. Terri is survived by her husband, Joseph Vita, their children Stephanie Salerno (Jim), Jimmy Vita (Karen), Betsy Cooper (Erik), and her grandchildren, Jason Vita (Eric), Ryan Vita (Sandra), Dana Chappell (John), Corey Salerno, Hannah Cooper, Tanhen Cooper, and Kacey Cooper. She is also survived by her brother, Vincent Mastracco (Suzanne), and their children, Anna, Sarah, and James, as well as five great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, friends, and neighbors from their homes in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Terri grew up in Norfolk, an alumna of Blair Middle School and Maury High School. She was an extrovert who loved participating in numerous activities that included cheerleading, bowling, walking, tennis, bridge, and mahjong, from which came many lifelong friendships. She played an integral role in supporting her family’s professional and entrepreneurial successes. Her father, known as “Mr. Jimmy,” was cofounder of Giant Open Air Markets and Tinee Giants. Terri was devoted to numerous charities over the years, especially Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Norfolk. Her most important roles, however, were as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, excelling at all. She always encouraged her family’s academic and professional endeavors and was so proud of her grandchildren, who attended some of Virginia’s leading colleges and universities. She leaves an incredible legacy of class, humor, kindness, and warmth that will be sadly missed. A mass was celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church followed by entombment at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Gregory Paul Vita Scholarship fund at pyramidatlanticartcenter.networkforgood.com, CHKD or a charity of your choice. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts.

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Norman Lear, Jewish creator of pioneering TV comedies including All in the Family Andrew Lapin (JTA) — Norman Lear, the Jewish TV pioneer behind iconic comedies of the 1970s and 1980s that helped bring social commentary and Black characters into the mainstream, died at 101 on Dec. 5. The decorated creator of All In The Family, The Jeffersons, Maude, Sanford and Son, and a host of other groundbreaking TV sitcoms, Lear lived and worked through just about every era of Hollywood comedy. A lifelong liberal in part, he said, because of hearing an antisemitic preacher on the radio as a child. Beginning in the 1970s, he donated large sums to progressive causes, and in 1980 he founded People for the American Way, an organization aimed at countering the influence of the Christian religious right wing in politics. He reached his 100-year milestone a few years ahead of peers Mel Brooks and Dick Van Dyke (both 96). But he had to say goodbye to other beloved longtime colleagues, including Carl Reiner (who died in 2020 at age 98), talent manager George Shapiro (who died in May at 91) and Betty White (who died shortly before her 100th birthday). Lear got his own documentary in 2016 and received a Kennedy Center honor, as well as just about every other award under the sun. Yet even as he notched the century mark, he continued to work, co-hosting Live In Front Of A Studio Audience, a series of TV specials in which celebrities recreate episodes of his old sitcoms, and executive-producing the recent remake of his show One Day At A Time, as well as the documentary Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It. Lear was born July 27, 1922, in Connecticut to Jewish parents who had Russian and Ukrainian ancestry. Lear celebrated his bar mitzvah, but later described himself to JUF News in Chicago “as culturally Jewish as I could be and proud to be Jewish, but I’m not a religionist of any kind.” He recalled that hearing antisemitic preacher Father Coughlin on the radio as a child helped fuel his interest in political activism. When Lear was 9, his father was sent to prison for three years for his part in a fraudulent get-rich-quick scheme, and his mother sent her son to live with relatives he barely knew in Brooklyn. Lear returned to Connecticut to finish high school, and later attended Emerson College in Boston for a stint, but dropped out to join the U.S. Air Force and flew bombing missions over Europe when he wasn’t entertaining fellow airmen. He moved to Los Angeles after the war and became a comedy writer in the budding television business. Over time, his many early projects — which also included Good Times, the first family show led by two Black parent characters — were seen as a crucial bridge to wider acceptance of Black stories in pop culture. Though Good Times was criticized for what many perceived as an over-reliance on catchphrases and stereotypes, his follow-up The Jeffersons gave American culture a robust and celebrated portrait of upwardly mobile Black middle-class life. All in the Family, which starred the “lovable bigot” Archie Bunker character, has also been appraised as one of the earliest TV shows to deal with antisemitism in the United States — though Lear’s intention to paint Archie’s opinions as abhorrent backfired when many viewers, including U.S. President Richard Nixon, decided they agreed with him. Lear’s support for liberal causes lasted through his later years. Shortly after turning 100 last year, Donald Trump reiterated an argument he had made as president — that American Jews endangered themselves by not supporting him. “Today, having recently turned 100, I read Donald Trump’s appalling words about American Jews, and I am nine years old again,” he tweeted. “The phrase, a horse’s ass, was an everyday expression when I was nine and it occurs to me again now.”

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