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As we approach the eighth-month mark since the heinous attack and massacre by Hamas against Israel on October 7, not a day goes by that I do not think about the death toll from that day and the hostages. We have offered many prayers over the past eight months, including incorporating prayers of the hostages into our Passover seders this year. Still, we continue to pray:
We pray for the hostages and their loved ones, who continue to live through unending horror.
We pray for the innocents who are victim to the war, human beings created in the image of God, the dead, the injured, the hungry, and the displaced. We pray for the soldiers in harm’s way, the wounded, and the maimed. May they return safely to the warm embrace of their closest ones.
All the while, our community has continued to support the humanitarian and emergency needs of Israel and her people. Since October 7, Tidewater’s Israel Emergency Fund has raised more than $4.8 million and allocated funds to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Jewish Agency for Israel’s (JAFI’s) Victims of Terror Fund and emergency relief efforts, Israel Trauma Coalition, Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces (FIDF), Magan David Adom, United Hatzalah, Zaka, ORT’s Kfar Silver Children’s Village, Neve Michael Children’s Village, and Hadassah Hospital.
Our community has also now raised more than $5 million in our annual community campaign. We will soon be allocating these funds locally and globally.
Over the last several months, our overseas partners have presented their respective requests to support both short-term and long-term humanitarian needs – particularly mental health needs – of Israelis. We are fortunate to be in a position where we can offer substantial support thanks to the generosity of our community. We will continue to update our community, through the Jewish News, and our other communications on your “Dollars at Work.”
In addition to monetary support, please take a moment to visit our resource pages at JewishVa.org which include opportunities for advocacy, as well as talking points and links for additional information.
Our resource pages and toolkits are consistently updated and communicated via our e-communications including, the weekly “How you can support Israel” email. Please do not hesitate to contact Nofar Trem, Israel Engagement manager, at NTrem@ujft.org, for assistance in this area.
Betty Ann Levin
Executive Vice President/CEOUnited Jewish Federation of Tidewater/Simon Family JCC
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Poll: Most NYers support pro-Palestinian protests but say encampments ‘crossed the line’ into antisemitism
Majorities of New Yorkers support peaceful student demonstrations for those suffering in Gaza but say recent campus pro-Palestinian protests have “crossed the line into antisemitism,” according to a poll released last month.
The Siena College poll of nearly 1,200 registered voters in New York state also found that majorities of New Yorkers support a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war but believe the “protests went too far” and justified police action in shutting them down.
According to the poll, 72% of respondents “support students with passionate views peacefully demonstrating in support of those suffering in Gaza.” Sixty-four percent say they “support an immediate ceasefire.”
But 70% say “the protests went too far, and I support the police being called in to shut them down.” And 61% agreed with the statement, “Demonstrators seem to have forgotten that Hamas started this war by killing 1,200 people and taking over 200 hostages. Now it feels like these demonstrations have crossed the line into antisemitism.”
A different survey by Quinnipiac University found that 55% of Americans said they opposed “the student protests being held on college and university campuses responding to Israel’s actions in Gaza”, while 36% said they supported the protests.
The New York poll, conducted as most protest encampments across the state and country were winding down, comes amid ongoing debate over the protests and police action to clear them. Supporters of the protests say the mass arrests amount to a violation of First Amendment rights, but many Jewish students and organizations have said the encampments created a hostile atmosphere for Jews and included numerous examples of antisemitic rhetoric and behavior.
Among Jewish respondents, 87% said the protests crossed the line into antisemitism, although the survey polled a relatively small sample size of roughly 130 Jews. A majority of Jews oppose a ceasefire, and Jewish respondents were divided on whether to support students peacefully protesting suffering in Gaza.
A majority of every political, racial, and income group agreed that the protests had featured antisemitism, although liberal, Black, and Latino voters, and those with lower incomes, were more split. (JTA)
The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to elevate the status of the Palestine delegation, a mostly symbolic action that nonetheless underscored Israel’s isolation as its war with Hamas enters its seventh month.
The resolution, introduced by the United Arab Emirates, passed 143-9 with 25 abstentions. The votes against included Israel and the United States.
The action is mostly symbolic: Full membership status can only be bestowed by the Security Council, where the United States holds a veto. The General Assembly passed a similar symbolic resolution in 2012, when it elevated the Palestinian observer delegation from being a non-member entity, the Palestine Liberation Organization, to the observer state of Palestine.
The new rights accruing to the Palestine delegation include the ability to submit or cosponsor proposals and amendments. It also means Palestine will be seated in alphabetical order with other countries, between Palau, which voted against the resolution, and Panama, which voted for it.
The more salient point of the session was to express international objection to how Israel has conducted its war with Hamas in Gaza, which the terror group launched with its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
The Palestinian delegation represents the PLO, which is a rival to Hamas, but which has decried Israel’s conduct.
Israel Ambassador Gilad Erdan, who frequently lambastes the U.N. for fixating on criticizing Israel, said elevating the Palestinian delegation’s status rewards Hamas for its terrorism. He tore up a copy of the U.N. charter at the podium to symbolize what he depicted as the General Assembly’s departure from the organization’s founding principles.
“You have opened up the United Nations to modern-day Nazism,” he said. “It makes me sick.”
U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood said the action undercut efforts to bring about a two-state outcome through negotiations. “There is no other path that guarantees Israel’s security and future as a democratic Jewish state,” he said. “There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live in peace and dignity in a state of their own.” (JTA)
Republican senators demand IRS investigate fiscal sponsor of Students for Justice in Palestine
Agroup of 16 Republican senators is asking the Internal Revenue Service to investigate nonprofits that support National Students for Justice in Palestine — including the group’s fiscal sponsor, the suburban New York nonprofit Wespac.
The senators’ letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, dated May 9, says the agency should investigate whether, by directing funds to NSJP, the nonprofits are supporting terrorism — which would violate their tax-exempt status.
“We should not need to remind you of the heinous support NSJP chapters across the country have voiced for Hamas, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization,” the letter says. “That support has exploded at NSJP chapter-led demonstrations in recent weeks.”
The recent wave of pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations — many of them organized by SJP chapters — has made the investigation especially urgent, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, the letter’s lead signatory, told New York Jewish Week. “The antisemitism that has popped up on college
campuses coast to coast is fundamentally un-American,” Ernst said, adding, “it is clear these organizations should not receive any favors from our government to do Iranbacked Hamas’s bidding on our own shores.”
The IRS is notoriously underfunded when it comes to enforcement, making it unlikely that the call will swiftly lead to an investigation.
Other signatories included Marco Rubio of Florida, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Ted Cruz of Texas and Mitt Romney, from Utah.
The letter cites a recent lawsuit filed by survivors of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which claims that NSJP collaborated with Hamas and has promoted its messaging in the months since the attack. It also refers to an existing investigation into one of the groups by Virginia’s attorney general.
The letter comes seven months after dozens of Jewish groups signed a letter in mid-October asking schools to withdraw funding for SJP due to its support for Hamas’ attack. On Oct. 12, NSJP released a “toolkit” lauding the Oct. 7 invasion as a “historic win,” and the senators’ letter argues that in the months since, the pro-Palestinian student group has continued to promote Hamas, including at the campus protests.
The other nonprofits named by the senators are the California-based Tides Foundation and Virginia’s AJP Educational Foundation.
Wespac’s tax-exempt status allows it to support a number of pro-Palestinian groups. A small nonprofit organization with the stated mission of “current affairs education,” it quietly facilitates funding for NSJP along with Within Our Lifetime, which has organized frequent pro-Palestinian street protests and endorsed Hamas’ attack.
Wespac — which is chaired by an anti-Zionist Jew named Howard Horowitz — facilitates funding for the groups by acting as a fiscal sponsor, which allows it to receive tax-exempt donations and grants for organizations that do not have nonprofit status, including NSJP. The arrangement allows NSJP to keep its finances out of public view and doesn’t require the fiscal sponsor to detail the funding it channels to other groups.
In its most recent tax filings, covering September 2022 through August 2023, Wespac reported $2.3 million in revenue. The Anti-Defamation League said in a 2022 report that Wespac sponsored a total of 15 groups related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, far more than for any other cause. (JTA)
The annual Sports Emmys were awarded last month, and a number of Jewish sports media personalities were honored. Tracy Wolfson won the award for outstanding personality/sideline reporter and Noah Eagle won outstanding personality/emerging on-air talent. Soccer broadcasting legend Andres Cantor won outstanding on-air personality in Spanish, and his Telemundo team won outstanding studio show in Spanish for its 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup coverage. (JTA)
Editor:
Coverage of Israel’s war with Hamas has been endlessly frustrating, which is not surprising given the one-sided anti-Israel bias exhibited by most major newspapers during the past 40 years.
This portrayal of Israel as the Oppressor and Palestinians as the Oppressed has prompted the protesting on college campuses. How many of these protestors know about the Palestinian’s hateful charter with the stated purpose of eradicating the Jewish State and how many are aware of the numerous opportunities for peace that the Palestinians have managed to refuse since the end of the 1967 war initiated by the surrounding Arab states?
The Gazan death toll, while tragic for non-combatants, is derived from the untrustworthy Hamas Health Ministry and is always characterized as being mostly women and children, with no mention of the thousands of terrorist combatants included in the total. Israel has neutralized 18 of Hamas’ 24 battalions, a fact that never gets reported.
When will the first intrepid reporter reveal why there are women and children residing in homes that Israel targets as the sites from which rockets were launched or because they are the homes of Hamas operatives? Why aren’t the Hamas combatants making sure their families are residing elsewhere? Why aren’t they moving their families into the tunnels they’ve spent hundreds of millions of dollars intended for humanitarian purposes to build? Does Hamas require women and children to stay with their combatant husbands and sons?
The world needs to understand that Hamas’ stated strategy to end the Jewish state is to make Israel unlivable for Jews. Their tactic is constant and indiscriminate rocket fire into Israel and now, murderous infiltration. It is a known fact that Hamas fights while embedded in schools, hospitals, and homes.
Both Israel and Gaza will be better places without Hamas.
Jay Klebanoff
Virginia Beach
An edited version of this letter ran in The Virginian-Pilot.
• 26 Iyar (Hebrew date for this issue of Jewish News) – Israel’s Six Day war began in 1967. (fushionglobal.org)
• During the third quarter of 2023, Palestinians working in Israel brought back roughly $1 billion in income. In the fourth quarter, that was around $79 million. (marketplace.org)
Report an antisemitic incident at www.Federation.JewishVA.org/IncidentReporting In an emergency, always call 9-1-1 first.
If online reporting is not practical, contact local law enforcement and/or the relevant suspicious activity reporting authority. Also contact Mike Goldsmith, Tidewater’s SCN Regional Security Advisor, at MGoldsmith@ujft.org or by calling 844-SCN-DESK.
Making final plans and writing a will can be difficult Thinking now about a future charitable gift can help you to leave a lasting legacy
Fred Ward’s estate gift established the Gertrude Ward Scholarship, named for his wife It has helped students pay for their college education since 2011
The best of friends starting in kindergarten, Todd Copeland and Sam Brooke went to school together, spent time in each other’s homes as young friends do, and even travelled to Israel together. But they wouldn’t have old age together, as Sam passed away in 1993, around his 25th birthday, due to a lost battle with leukemia.
Earlier this year, Todd and Robin Copeland established and endowed the Sam Brooke Memorial Medical IMPACT! Scholarship Fund in his memory. This scholarship (arranged through the auspices of the FIDF) benefits IDF soldiers who are cycling out of military service and wish to attend medical school in Israel.
“I wanted to keep Sam’s memory alive,” says Todd, who used his Donor Advised Fund at Tidewater Jewish Foundation to fund the scholarship.
“Sammy wanted to be a surgeon. He was a brilliant guy.” The fund aims to eventually support six students in medical school each year.
visiting and bringing us dinner.”
When Sam and Todd were 16 years old, Mindy Futterman, Ellie recalls, arranged a trip to Israel for them.
To honor a special person in your life with a gift that gives forever, visit us at Leaveabequest.org.
Sam went to Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, to Norfolk Collegiate, and then to Norfolk Academy where he played basketball. It was in the eighth grade that leukemia first struck. He fought the illness and went on with his life, graduating from UVA and entering medical school. The relapse came during his second year of medical school.
“We think naming this scholarship after Sam is the most wonderful thing,” says his mother, Ellie Brooke.
While appreciative and excited by Todd’s creation of the scholarship, Ellie doesn’t appear surprised by his decision. That’s because she personally knows about the kindness of the entire Copeland family. “When Sam was at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Bobby and Ann Copeland (Todd’s parents) were amazing to us. . .
Although Sam was undergoing chemotherapy at the time, he wouldn’t permit his illness to interfere with the trip. In Israel, the teens attended the Maccabi Games, took a cruise in Eilat, and so much more. Sam, Ellie says, had a deep feeling for Judaism and for Israel.
“Both were part of his identity. He was very involved with and caring for Israel.”
“Sam did more than most people would do,” says his father, Lenny Brooke. “When he was sick, he was very supportive of his parents and of his docs.”
One odd situation, recalls his father, was when Sam was a patient in UVA’s hospital. The very same medical students whom he had gone on rounds
with, were now doing rounds on him. Still, he managed to maintain a positive attitude and continued to study from his hospital bed.
“Sam was an inspiration to those who knew him—managing to complete his second-year medical school exams at the University of Virginia Medical School even while his life was ebbing away,” says his brother, Jeffrey Brooke.
The first scholarship recipient of the Sam Brooke Memorial Medical IMPACT fund is Sagi Yosef, who just began medical school at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is a Naval Intelligence Fighter (res) whose life was on pause while she volunteered for reserve duty rather than starting school. She writes, “Two days after I was on an operational cruise, I started studying medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. I felt a huge dissonance between where I am now and where I was just a moment before.”
It has been a hard transition from reserve duty to focusing on school. Yosef says, “In my worst nightmare, I didn’t think this was what the start of my studies would look like when I was informed that I had been accepted in August. To start the university while my friends were losing their lives in the Gaza war.”
“Sam was kind, bright, and considerate,” says Lenny. “He was smart beyond his years.”
Now, with the Copeland family’s generosity, says Jennifer Scher, vice president, MidAtlantic Region, FDIF, “this scholarship fund is a beautiful way to ensure Sam’s memory lives on and transforms lives long into the future.”
Before you join a counter-protest, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater encourages you to ask yourself:
• Is a counter-protest effective in supporting Israel?
• Does staging or attending a counter-protest serve the community’s support of Israel?
• Does counter-protesting put you or others in danger?
Here are some additional things to consider:
• Counter-protests create a moral equivalence between acts of Hamas and the Israeli government.
• Protests are highly emotional and are not the space for true, meaningful dialogue. They can also become heated and threaten the safety of participants.
• Counter-protests, more often than not, include or lead to antisemitic rhetoric, which leads to heated exchanges that many times results in physical contact between the individuals. This action is dangerous and can lead to people being arrested from both groups.
• Counter-protests can place an unnecessary strain on community resources, including law enforcement. It is law enforcement’s job to maintain order. Adding a counterprotest makes this task infinitely more complex.
• Many times, it’s a scuffle with a counter-protest that makes the news, not the protest itself.
• Any attempt to shut down a protest or fight against it will
notice, Changing Tides Home Care provided the necessary assistance. They have been responsive to my mother's needs and have kept the family informed by telephone, text and portal. I am very pleased with their services.”
-Andrew H. Hook, President of Hook Law Center
only make the counter-protesters look petty and small and will give more amplification to the protester's voices.
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater works with Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America on issues such as this. Tidewater’s Regional SCN Security Advisor, Mike Goldsmith, is constantly in touch with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, as they’re all working to make sure that nothing turns hatefilled or violent, while recognizing that people have the right to gather and express their views.
Remember, the job is not to prove our enemies wrong, but to win support for Israel.
We will continue to work to support Israel and to make sure our voices are heard.
Looking for real, tangible ways to support Israel? Visit: JewishVA.org/IsraelatWar23 or contact Nofar Trem, UJFT’s Israel Engagement manager at NTrem@ujft.org.
To report a protest or incident, go to JewishVA. org/Incidentreporting or contact Mike Goldsmith at MGoldsmith@securecommunitynetwork.org.
Robin Mancoll is senior director, Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Mike Goldsmith is Tidewater’s regional security advisor for Secure Community Network.
(JTA) — Israelis have long taken pride in two things: the long arc of Jewish history, and their relentlessly dark humor in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
For about a decade, the synthesis of those two qualities has been The Jews Are Coming, a sketch comedy show now in its sixth season on Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster.
Nearly every sketch in the show satirizes an event from millennia’s worth of Jewish and Israeli religious texts and history. Its guiding principle is irreverence.
The show’s catalog includes spoofs of the story of Purim and the invention of the mezuzah, but it also features joke after joke about the Nazis, the Spanish Inquisition, the Yom Kippur War, the destruction of the Second Temple in ancient times and any number of other lachrymose episodes of the Jewish past. In the opening credits and between sketches, the show displays the tools used in a ritual circumcision.
recurring character on the show, praises Israelis for their spirit of generosity after the attack.
“I saw how you’re volunteering, how you’re hosting guests, how you pile into vans to go and cheer up evacuees, or to dance with soldiers, to bring some happiness to this sad time,” he says. “You really surprised me. You’re a great nation, and you deserve to hear it.”
The closing video begins with Yael Sharoni, one of the show’s actors, dressed in robes indicating ancient times in front of what looks like a wall from the Old City of Jerusalem. Text on screen reads, “Jerusalem, 70 CE.”
So, after Oct. 7, the program confronted a question: What to do when the tragedy isn’t historical but current and — for many Israelis — ongoing?
Last month, we got our answer: In unprecedented times, The Jews Are Coming did something unprecedented: It got serious.
In two segments posted online, which opened and closed out a recent episode, the comedy show hardly aimed to elicit any laughs, but gave viewers a window into where Israelis’ heads are at more than seven months after Oct. 7.
Both sketches take place in what look like typical Jews Are Coming settings. In the opening video, the biblical Moses, a
“It was the morning of the ninth of Av,” she begins, looking troubled, in a reference to the day when the Second Temple was destroyed by the Roman Empire. “We were awakened by a terrifying noise. We didn’t know what was happening, until we understood that the Romans had started burning the temple.”
A second later, looking terrified, Sharoni’s character says, “Then we heard shrieking from the house next door.”
The scene shifts to a man in medieval garb, from Cologne in 1096, during the crusades, who picks up the narrative where Sharoni’s character left off. He is followed by Jewish survivors of the 1903 Kishinev pogrom, the 1929
Hebron massacre, Kristallnacht in 1938 and the Farhud, an antisemitic pogrom in Baghdad. Each describes witnessing the murder of Jews and their own fears of their families getting killed by violent antisemites.
Finally, the narrative shifts to a woman in contemporary clothes and full color, alongside the text, “Kfar Aza, 2023.” The community was one of the sites hit hardest by the Oct. 7 attack.
“Everyone asks if we can go on living with this,” she says. “We have no choice. We must carry on, step by step, and start rebuilding from scratch.”
The message is clear: With global attention increasingly turned to devastation in Gaza, the video relays the Israeli perspective that Hamas’ attack — which killed approximately 1,200 people, destroyed Israeli communities and took some 250 people hostage — is just the latest in a long line of antisemitic massacres that the Jews have overcome. It also reflects that Israelis’ focus remains on the tragedy of the Hamas attack and its aftermath rather than on the tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties.
“In October we got a slap in the face not just from Hamas but from all of history — from Pharaoh, Amalek, Haman, the Cossacks, the Mufti, Hitler — those who in every generation rise up against us,”
after a promo clip satirizing right-wing extremist murderers from Israeli history drew charges of political bias.
Orthodox rabbis have complained about depictions and invocations of Jewish tradition, and critics staged a protest against the show in 2020 that drew thousands of people. The show includes a disclaimer at the beginning of each episode that says “We apologize in advance” if anyone is offended.
The show’s creators appear wise to the fact that messages of shared destiny may ring hollow at a time when their country is both deeply traumatized and deeply divided. In the Moses segment, he cautions Israelis not to yield to the forces pulling them apart.
“Remember what you’ve been like in this time, without fighting or shouting or civil wars. And decide what kind of generation you want to be: a generation that destroys or a generation that builds. The future generations of the Jewish people are watching you now,” he says.
Because it is, after all, a comedy show,
Natalie Marcus and Asaf Beiser, the show’s creators, posted in a statement online. “At difficult moments, when the present is intolerable and the future is clouded with fog, the past has a special power: It’s a source of comfort, guidance, and, above all, a sense of proportion.”
Both videos, uploaded with English subtitles, are directed at an Israeli audience as well as a global one. And both, aiming for a unifying tone, come from a show that has divided Israelis in the past. Its premiere a decade ago was delayed for months
he adds, “Past generations are watching too, but that’s because there’s nothing better to do. We don’t have Netflix.”
Still, he ends on a hopeful note: “I know this is a tough time, but remember, I got past Pharaoh — you can get past this.”
Whether the message of Jewish endurance will register in today’s Israel and around the world is unclear. But online, where the segments took off as soon as they were posted, in part because of the addition of English subtitles, there were signs that they were hitting their mark.
Check out the segments at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt7EcV8h1Qo&t=86s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjwrV0wG9E0&t=28s
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(JTA) — More than 60 Jewish organizations across the political spectrum are lining up behind a bill that would establish a coordinator of government efforts to fight antisemitism.
The joint effort is an expression of American Jewish political solidarity not seen in years. Groups that signed a letter supporting the bill range from J Street on the left to the Zionist Organization of America on the right. The signatories include organizations whose leaders rarely share the same stage and who have accused each other at times of enabling antisemitism. They include Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative, Modern Orthodox and haredi Orthodox groups.
“This historic rise in antisemitism is being directly felt by Jews around the country.”
The letter, sent Wednesday, May 22 to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, acknowledged the ideological range of the signatories and said they “are united in our deep concern over the exponentially rising incidents of antisemitism in this country.”
It quoted statistics from the AntiDefamation League and American Jewish Committee documenting a sharp spike in antisemitism, and Jewish concern about it, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7.
“As you know, our community is currently facing a historic crisis of antisemitism not seen in a generation,” the letter said.
The letter was spearheaded by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs along with the ADL, the Reform Movement’s Religious Action Center, the AJC, and the National Council of Jewish Women. Such wall-to-wall Jewish comity has not been expressed since at least the George W. Bush administration.
The bill, called the Countering Antisemitism Act, is sponsored by North Carolina Rep. Kathy Manning and has bipartisan support. It would create a national coordinator to oversee the implementation
of the Biden administration’s strategy to combat antisemitism. The coordinator would also receive an annual assessment of violent antisemitism across the country from law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The position would complement the State Department’s antisemitism envoy, currently Deborah Lipstadt, who focuses on monitoring and combating anti-Jewish bigotry abroad. The bill would also designate an official in the Department of Education to monitor antisemitism on campus. The letter from the Jewish groups also said the bill would “promote Holocaust education, help us understand the threat of antisemitic violent extremism, as well as the spread of antisemitism online, and celebrate Jewish life by designating Jewish American Heritage Month in law, and more.”
Many of the groups joined a mass
rally in Washington, D.C., last November supporting Israel following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack and the ensuing war in Gaza. But even there, there were divisions among the groups over slogans and speakers.
Manning, a Jewish Democrat who once chaired the Jewish Federations of North America and who is retiring from Congress, has expressed frustration that the House’s Republican leadership has yet to advance the bill despite the broad support it has drawn. Speaking to the Jewish Democratic Council of America, she said Republicans appeared to be more interested in theater than in passing laws.
She referred to the high-profile Republican-led hearings where members of Congress have grilled the presidents of elite schools about campus antisemitism — questioning that led to the resignations of two Ivy League university presidents.
She singled out for ridicule the committee’s Republican chairwoman, her fellow North Carolinian Virginia Foxx, and New York’s Elise Stefanik, who has taken a lead in the questioning. Manning called those congresswomen “mean girls” and compared the hearings to reality TV.
“I want to talk to you about the value of education, which we all know has been a key value for the Jewish community,” Manning said. “I sit on the Education and Workforce Committee. For those of you who have not been paying attention, that committee has become something akin to the reality show Survivor. We have had contestants from a variety of universities trying to hold on to their jobs, while defending themselves against the most unlikely gladiators against antisemitism: mean girls Virginia Foxx and Elise Stefanik.” Jewish groups have praised Stefanik for her
tough questions of academic leaders but have also noted her past embrace of anti-immigrant rhetoric that echoes an antisemitic conspiracy theory.
The House last month passed a separate bill, the Antisemitism Awareness Act, that would define antisemitism for the purpose of applying it in civil rights cases brought against educational institutions.
That bill, however, received a surprising
amount of opposition in the House and is facing resistance in the Senate, insiders say. The prospects of a Senate defeat may help spur backing for Manning’s bill, especially given the overwhelming Jewish support evident in the letter.
At the heart of the fighting over the Antisemitism Awareness Act, on the left and the right, is how it hews to the International Holocaust Remembrance
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.”
“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.”
Alliance’s widely adopted yet controversial definition of antisemitism. Progressive Democrats who opposed the bill say the IHRA definition could chill and limit legitimate criticism of Israel. Conservatives on the right who endorse the charge that Jews killed Jesus — which has been disavowed by several large Christian denominations — say it renders that claim antisemitic.
Manning’s bill finesses those divisions
by politely nodding to the IHRA definition as useful — and then citing as its basis a far more concise and uncontroversial definition of antisemitism that appeared in a 2020 Holocaust education law.
Yet another bill, which would apply IHRA as a definition across a number of agencies, not just the education department, has only Republican backing and is seen as dead in the water.
See something, say something. But please don’t touch it.Robin Mancoll and Mike Goldsmith
Last month, Virginia Beach neighborhoods were again littered with antisemitic propaganda on fliers dropped by a national neo-Nazi hate group, the Goyim Defense League. These flyers, though not signaling a violent threat, are designed to harass, incite fear and outrage, and undermine community security.
To learn more about this organization, go to adl.org/resources/backgrounder/ goyim-defense-league.
Followers of the national group have been printing these flyers at home, placing them in Ziplock bags along with rocks, birdseed, or corn, and scattering them in residential areas on public streets – just shy of private property – across the country for a few years.
Despite pending laws to criminalize this activity, it will likely continue sporadically across different locations.
If someone discovers antisemitic flyers, stickers, or other materials – focused on hate against any group – the following steps should be taken:
1. If there’s a physical threat, call 911.
2. Do NOT touch the evidence, leave it where it was found and report the incident to the local police department’s non-emergency number.
• Virginia Beach 757-385-5000
• Norfolk 757-441-5610
• Chesapeake 757-382-6161
• Portsmouth
• Suffolk
757-393-5300
757-923-2350
3. Complete an Incident Reporting Form to alert Mike Goldsmith, Tidewater’s SCN Regional Security Advisor (RSA), Secure Community Network (SCN) national Duty Desk, and Robin Mancoll, JCRC senior director, at JewishVA.org/incidentreporting. If possible and safe to do so, please take a photograph of the material and submit it with the report.
Goldsmith is actively responding to these incidents, monitoring, and coordinating with SCN nationally, as well as with local, state, and federal law enforcement, to assist in investigating incidents of hate. The Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, in coordination with Tidewater’s SCN RSA, works with community leaders and lawmakers to educate about antisemitism and combat its spread.
The JCRC’s advocacy during past Virginia General Assembly sessions led to the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances Working Definition of Antisemitism to be used as a tool and guide to identify instances of antisemitism and train first responders, educators, and other public servants on how to respond to antisemitism and prevent hate crimes from happening; and most recently, adding ethnicity to the protected classes in the hate crimes code of Virginia. The JCRC will continue to advocate for policies that combat antisemitism.
Contact Mike Goldsmith at MGoldsmith@securecommunitynetwork.org or Robin Mancoll at RMancoll@ujft.org with questions.
Robin Mancoll is senior director, Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
Who doesn’t love a good cheesecake?!? For a group of people who are between 75 and 90% lactose intolerant, we must have a lot of chutzpah because we clearly won’t be denied our love of all things dairy.
When I moved to Israel, I was actually shocked to see families barbecuing on Shavuot. I had thought Shavuot was a dairy holiday and had somehow inferred from that tradition that eating meat on this holiday was forbidden.
There’s a certain mystery to Shavuot. In fact, Shavuot was not even its original name. In the Book of Exodus, it is called
Chag HaKatzir (Festival of the Harvest), and in the Book of Numbers, it is called Chag HaBikkurim (Festival of the First Fruits).
No one knows for sure how eating dairy on the holiday became customary among Ashkenazim. The first mention of the custom in Jewish literature is only dated to the late 14th century in the Sefer HaMinhagim (Book of Customs).
The religious explanations for the custom range from the Torah being compared to milk in the Song of Solomon to the belief that the Jewish people weren’t ready to eat meat when they got the kosher laws.
The theory I personally fi nd the most interesting is
the one that involves Shavuot being the day when children were inducted into heder (Jewish school) in Eastern Europe. It was tradition to celebrate the occasion with dairy since it was the most economical choice.
Whatever the case may be, I think likening Torah and learning with milk is a beautiful and accurate analogy that we should indulge in with a little cheesecake. I have made a number of cheesecakes in the past – a Bailey’s cheesecake and an Oreo cheesecake, which has been my favorite so far, but I am super excited to try my hand at a baklava cheesecake with pistachios, cardamom, rose water, and honey in a phyllo dough crust.
I am about to try it and put it on the menu soon. I can’t wait!
Eitan Altchuler can be reached at the Humusiya at the Sandler Family Campus or at ealtshuler@ujft.org.
Given our experience as retired American military leaders, we are very concerned about the security impacts of increasingly strained U.S.-Israel ties as Israel becomes a growing source of domestic division. We therefore feel compelled to declare that a strong Israel is vital to the United States national security, and it is imperative that America unequivocally stand by this indispensable ally.
Amid surging antisemitism in America and the world, following the largest one-day loss of innocent Jewish life since the Holocaust, U.S. support for the only Jewish state should be clear, unwavering, and not conditioned. The benefi ts of this partnership for the American people and this important region are many, and too valuable, to forsake.
around the world, are watching closely to see whether the United States will stand by one of its closest allies fighting in self-defense, even when the going gets tough.
Against these barbaric enemies, Israel stands on the front lines of the fight for civilization, the lone stable, democratic American ally in a critical, yet tumultuous, region. Israel is a visceral part of the West with its liberal democracy, ethnically diverse population, and support for individual rights. Even in facing adversaries who respect neither the laws of war nor human life, we believe Israel has fought in accordance with the laws of armed conflict.
Our militaries work hand in glove, sharing intelligence and military lessons, and co-developing cutting-edge defense technologies. More than any other American ally, Israel has always sought to defend itself by itself. Still, U.S. forces recently helped defend Israel against an Iranian onslaught. Israel’s military and intelligence services have also often protected U.S. soldiers and citizens and provided critical intelligence.
experience as retired American military leaders, we are very concerned about the security impacts of increasingly strained U.S.-Israel ties as Israel becomes a source of domestic division. We therefore feel compelled to declare that a strong Israel is vital to the United States national security, and it is imperative that America unequivocally stand by this indispensable ally.
America must support Israel as it restores its security, shattered on October 7, against Iran and its terrorist proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen that all seek to destroy the Jewish state. These forces are also enemies of the United States and everything we stand for. This Iranianbacked axis of terror, as well as other adversaries and allies
Outside the United States, Israel arguably has the most innovative economy in the world. It is a leader in nearly all the key technologies that will determine whether the global balance of power in the 21st-century continues to favor U.S.-led forces of freedom and democracy.
even Against these barbaric enemies, Israel stands on the front lines of the fight for civilization, the lone stable, democratic American ally in a critical, is a visceral part of the West with its liberal democracy, ethnically diverse population, and support for individual rights. Even in facing adversaries of war nor human life, we believe Israel has fought in accordance with the laws of armed conflict.
Israel has traditionally been the source of overwhelming bipartisan support. So it should remain. We can disagree, as all allies do, but signs of public division only embolden the forces of violence, instability, and extremism that threaten both America and Israel. When we stand together, however, peace and regional stability become possible.
Outside the United States, Israel arguably has the most innovative economy in the world. It is a leader in nearly all the key technologies that balance of power in the 21st-century continues to favor U.S.-led forces of freedom and democracy.
Israel also has one of the most capable militaries and intelligence services in the world, to America’s benefit.
antisemitism in America and the world, following the largest one-day loss of innocent Jewish life since the Holocaust, U.S. support for the only Jewish state clear, unwavering, and not conditioned. The benefits of this partnership for the American people and this important region are many, and too valuable, to forsake.
In these challenging times, we reaffirm our friendship and bond with the State of Israel—and urge all Americans to stand by our close friend and partner.
Israel also has one of the most capable militaries and intelligence services in the world, to America’s benefit. Our militaries work hand in and military lessons, and co-developing cutting-edge defense technologies. More than any other American ally, Israel has always sought U.S. forces recently helped defend Israel against an Iranian onslaught. Israel’s military and intelligence services have also often protected provided critical intelligence.
support Israel as it restores its security, shattered on October 7, against Iran and its terrorist proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen that all seek to Jewish state. These forces are also enemies of the United States and everything we stand for. This Iranian-backed axis of terror, as well as other adversaries and the world, are watching closely to see whether the United States will stand by one of its closest allies fighting in self-defense, even when the going gets tough.
VADM Herman A. Shelanski, USN (ret) was one of the signers.
Israel has traditionally been the source of overwhelming bipartisan support. So it should remain. We can disagree, as all allies do, but signs of the forces of violence, instability, and extremism that threaten both America and Israel. When we stand together, however, peace and regional In these challenging times, we reaffirm our friendship and bond with the State of Israel—and urge all Americans to stand by our close friend
barbaric enemies, Israel stands on the front lines of the fight for civilization, the lone stable, democratic American ally in a critical, yet tumultuous, region. Israel part of the West with its liberal democracy, ethnically diverse population, and support for individual rights. Even in facing adversaries who respect neither the laws human life, we believe Israel has fought in accordance with the laws of armed conflict.
Gen Frank McKenzie, USMC (ret.), Commander, U.S. Central Command
Gen Philip M. Breedlove, USAF (ret.), Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Commander US European Command
Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (ret.), Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
United States, Israel arguably has the most innovative economy in the world. It is a leader in nearly all the key technologies that will determine whether the global power in the 21st-century continues to favor U.S.-led forces of freedom and democracy.
ADM Timothy J. Keating, USN (ret.), Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
Gen Duncan J. McNabb, USAF (ret.), Commander, U.S. Transportation Command
has one of the most capable militaries and intelligence services in the world, to America’s benefit. Our militaries work hand in glove, sharing intelligence lessons, and co-developing cutting-edge defense technologies. More than any other American ally, Israel has always sought to defend itself by itself. Still, recently helped defend Israel against an Iranian onslaught. Israel’s military and intelligence services have also often protected U.S. soldiers and citizens and critical intelligence.
Gen C.T. “Tony” Robertson, Jr., USAF (ret.), Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, and Commander, Air Mobility Command
GEN David M. Rodriguez, USA (ret.), Commander, United States Africa Command
McKenzie, USMC (ret.), Commander, U.S. Central
Breedlove, USAF (ret.), Supreme Allied Europe, Commander US European Command Chilton, USAF (ret.), Commander, U.S. Strategic
J. Keating, USN (ret.), Commander, U.S. Pacific
McNabb, USAF (ret.), Commander, U.S. Command
“Tony” Robertson, Jr., USAF (ret.), Commander, Transportation Command, and Commander, Air Mobility
Rodriguez, USA (ret.), Commander, United Command
“Skip” Sharp, USA (ret.), Commander, United Command, ROK-United States Combined Forces and United States Forces Korea
Thurman, USA (ret.), Commander, United Command, ROK-United States Combined Forces and United States Forces Korea
Amos, USMC (ret.), 35th Commandant of the Conway, USMC (ret.), 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps
P. Giambastiani, Jr., USN (ret.), Vice Joint Chiefs of Staff Grass, USA (ret.), 27th Chief of the National
Jonathan W. Greenert, USN (ret.), 30th Chief of Naval
GEN Walter L. “Skip” Sharp, USA (ret.), Commander, United Nations Command, ROK-United States Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea
traditionally been the source of overwhelming bipartisan support. So it should remain. We can disagree, as all allies do, but signs of public division only embolden violence, instability, and extremism that threaten both America and Israel. When we stand together, however, peace and regional stability become possible. challenging times, we reaffirm our friendship and bond with the State of Israel—and urge all Americans to stand by our close friend and partner.
LtGen Ronald Christmas, USMC (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower & Reserve Affairs
LtGen Thomas Conant, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commander, United States Pacific Command
VADM Michael J. Connor, USN (ret.), Commander, United States Submarine Forces
VADM Bob Conway, USN (ret.), Commander, Navy Installations Command
LtGen Jon M. Davis, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant Marine Corps Aviation (HQMC) Pentagon
Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters Air Force
Lt Gen Eric Fiel, USAF (ret.), Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command
VADM Jeffrey Fowler, USN (ret.), 60th Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy
VADM Mark I. Fox, USN (ret.), Deputy Commander, United States Central Command
GEN James D. Thurman, USA (ret.), Commander, United Nations Command, ROK-United States Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea
Gen James F. Amos, USMC (ret.), 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps
Gen James Conway, USMC (ret.), 34th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
ADM Edmund P. Giambastiani, Jr., USN (ret.), Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
GEN Frank J. Grass, USA (ret.), 27th Chief of the National Guard Bureau
LTG Jeffrey W. Talley, USA (ret.), 32nd Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command
LTG David Fridovich, USA (ret.), Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command-USSOCOM
LtGen Kenneth Glueck, Jr., USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration; Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command
Lt Gen Mike Gould, USAF (ret.), 18th Superintendent, USAF Academy
Lt Gen Joseph Guastella, USAF (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force
LtGen Earl Hailston, USMC (ret.), Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces
ADM Jonathan W. Greenert, USN (ret.), 30th Chief of Naval Operations
Lt Gen Thomas J. Trask, USAF (ret.), Vice Commander, United States Special Operations Command
Gen Robert Neller, USMC (ret.), 37th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
ADM Paul Zukunft, USCG (ret.), 25th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
LtGen George J. Trautman, III, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant for Aviation of the United States Marine Corps
Gen William Begert, USAF (ret.), Commander, Pacific Air Forces, and Air Component Commander for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
LTG Keith C. Walker, USA (ret.), Director, Army Capabilities Integration Center
Harry and Martha Lee McCoy, childhood sweethearts, were married for 74 years They both died in 2019, but their legacies live on thanks to the fund they established to help their favorite Hampton Roads charities Your love can live forever, too Visit leaveabequest.org to learn more
ADM Bruce Clingan, USN (ret.), Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Africa/ Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples
RADM Fred L. Ames, USCG (ret.), Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
Gen Donald G. Cook, USAF (ret.), Commander, Air Education and Training Command
ADM Mark Fitzgerald, USN
MajGen Joseph T. Anderson, USMC (ret.), Commander, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
MG Joe Arbuckle, USA (ret.), Commanding General of the Operations Support Command, USA
RADM Garry Bonelli, USN (ret.), Deputy Commander, Navy Special Warfare Command
Maj Gen Jack J. Catton, Jr., USAF (ret.), Director of Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command
MajGen Mark Clark, USMC (ret.), Commanding General Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC)
MajGen Jon Gallinetti, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commander of Marine Forces Command
MajGen Donald R. Gardner, USMC (ret.),Commander, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander, 3rd Marine Division
Maj Gen Kenneth Israel, USAF (ret.), Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Airborne Reconnaissance, and Director of the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office
RADM Steven Kantrowitz, USN (ret.), Office of the Judge Advocate General
RADM Mary E. Landry, USCG (ret.), Commander, Eighth Coast
Pete Kramer was a quiet, yet influential man who believed that true legacy was not measured in financial wealth but in the values and actions one instilled in their children.
As Eddie Kramer prepares to step into his new role as board chair for Tidewater Jewish Foundation, his thoughts naturally turn to the impact his father, Herbert L. “Pete” Kramer, had on his life. For Eddie, Father’s Day is not just a time for celebration but also a moment for reflection on the values and lessons imparted by his father, who was known for his dedication to the principles of tikkun olam (repairing the world).
integration, left a lasting impression on him and his brothers. His father’s lessons on community service extended to their high school years, where Eddie and his brothers participated in community programs.
“Dad always believed that his sons were his legacy, and it was our responsibility to contribute, at a higher level.”
“My father left a legacy of compassion and community service,” Eddie says.
As the youngest of three brothers, Eddie vividly remembers his father’s unwavering commitment to helping others and standing up for justice. “He realized how to do all these things in the background,” Eddie says. “He never put himself out in front of it.”
Pete was involved in community service and social justice initiatives. Known for his generosity, he was often the first to contribute to local causes and help students with the cost of education. His involvement in the civil rights movement, including marching with local black clergy members down Granby Street in Norfolk, exemplified his belief in standing up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves. “He took a lot of heat for his stance, but he always stood his ground,” Eddie says with pride.
Eddie recounts how his father’s actions during challenging times, like speaking out against school closures in the 1950s due to
Eddie also credits his father for his business acumen and strategic thinking. After a successful career in law, Pete transitioned to property management and development, where he taught his sons valuable lessons about hard work and innovation.
“Dad was always a thinker and a doer. He inspired us to be proactive and to seek opportunities to make a difference.”
As Eddie prepares to lead TJF, he says he envisions a future where TJF continues to support the community by securing assets that will ensure the sustainability of the Jewish community, culture, and traditions.
Eddie’s involvement with TJF and other organizations is about honoring his father’s legacy and creating a lasting impact for future generations. He speaks passionately about engaging the community and encouraging participation in philanthropic efforts. “It doesn't matter how much you give, but that you join the party,” he emphasizes, highlighting the power of community involvement.
Reflecting on the future, Eddie emphasizes the importance of building a foundation for the next generation. “Our parents did so much to get us here. They equipped us to continue their work. It’s now our responsibility to ensure that legacy endures.”
This year’s graduation season began with plenty for Jewish Tidewater’s graduates and their families to celebrate.
Graduations provide time to recognize achievements, formally bid goodbye to a treasured educational institution, and move on to life’s next chapter. And celebrate!
This year, Jewish Tidewater has much to collectively feel proud of and celebrate – with so many graduating from respected schools, earning impressive degrees and awards, and planning rewarding futures.
Jewish News is excited to celebrate these outstanding graduates and cheer them on for their next steps. Mazel Tov!
If your graduate is not included here, please submit their information by June 28 for the July 15, 2024 issue. Include: Graduate’s name, school, achievements, what’s next, and parents’ names.
Email to: news@ujft.org. Be sure to put GRADUATE in the subject line.
Jonah Zuckerman
Cape Henry Collegiate
Next: University of South Carolina
Jonah is the son of Megan and Steve Zuckerman. Hebrew Academy class of 2017
Global Scholars Diploma, three-season varsity athlete in track, cross country, and tennis, Godol/President of OD AZA/BBYO
The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater has launched an internship program to connect Jewish youth with local businesses, spotlighting opportunities and strengthening community
Starting this summer with high school upperclassmen and expanding to college students next year, the program will match prospective interns with local businesses to highlight career opportunities and foster community growth
For businesses looking for interns and individuals looking for an internship, contact Elana McGovern, emcgovern@ujft org or visit jewishVA.org/intern
Stephanie Peck
Our dad has always been a very involved man in all aspects of our lives and those in the greater Jewish community. He prides himself on being an active member of society and specifically the Jewish community. He instilled in us, from the time we were little, that we are Jewish first, then American. Along with our mother, they always put our Jewish education first, and this is something we four girls, to this day, still value above all.
Amy Becker
Katie Becker
Jennifer Friedman
Lisa Klinger
He always is happy to share stories of his father, of blessed memory, and how he was an active part of his community, as well. Our dad is not only a talented lawyer, but chef, builder, problem fi xer, expert of all things, and a wonderful Zayde to 12 grandchildren. Of all those titles, we couldn’t be more proud to simply call him “Dad.”
“When the kids are laughing that dad doesn’t know what is going on, you’ve arrived. If kids think dad is cool, something has gone terribly wrong,” Jerry Seinfeld once mused.
Describing their dads ahead of Father’s Day, these adult children may have once subscribed to Jerry Seinfeld’s philosophy on fatherhood. With a little maturity, however, and maybe children of their own, these sons and daughters celebrate the men who have stood by their sides, offered advice, and provided their own laughs to accompany them on their journeys from childhood to adulting.
‘A Link in the Chain’ is a refrain we often hear at family gatherings – B’nai mitzvahs, weddings, Seders. That phrase embodies our dad, Bobby Copeland.
The ‘link’, we were taught, is what allows us as Jews to connect to our past and reach for our future. It recognizes the accomplishments and struggles of generations of Jews, honors the millions lost in the Holocaust, and expresses heartfelt grief for the brave men and women who fight for Israel – past and present.
Our dad, a man of great character, compassion, commitment, and loyalty, has shown us – his children, his 12 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren – by both word and deed, what it means to be a solid link in the chain of family, community, and continuity. (And this would never have happened without our mom, Ann Copeland, by his side.)
So, on this Father’s Day, while Jews in Israel and around the world face so many immediate and devastating challenges, all the Copelands, Brodys, and Klebanoffs want to thank Dad / Z for bestowing on us the honor and obligation of being a link in the chain!
With Love,
Stacy and Hyman Brody
Jodi and Jay Klebanoff
Scott and Jillian Copeland
Todd and Robin Copeland
Alex Graber
Zachary Graber
Danny Rubin
Jill Wainger
Ross Kantor
Growing up, you (almost) always appreciate the things that your parents do for you day to day. But there’s another view when you are grown up, maybe doing it yourself, and you can look back collectively and think about how it shaped you. You can appreciate decisions that you might not have realized were being made at the time and think about what you would’ve done differently. I think we’re very lucky to be able to say the answer is not much.
Our father dedicated his career to his community and helping other people, without taking anything away from us – which is something to be proud of and we’ll always appreciate. He was and is a great dad.
Our dad (affectionately known to his family as “JJ”) embodies the essence of a man dedicated to his family and his community. His life is a testament to the values of selflessness, humility, and unwavering commitment to others.
Family is paramount to JJ; he is deeply devoted to his wife of 52 years, Kathy, and together they have consistently shown up to support their children and grandchildren in every endeavor and milestone.
JJ’s sense of community extends far beyond his family. He has held leadership positions in countless organizations, including Congregation Beth El, Beth Sholom Village, CHKD, Norfolk Academy, JCC, JFS, United Way, the Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk Planning Council, Greater Norfolk Corporation, Azalea Festival, and multiple wine whole-saler organizations. He was awarded a humanitarian award by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), like his father before him. His actions are guided by the golden rule –treating everyone with respect and kindness – and he taught us this lesson by example.
Highly regarded by his employees as president of Broudy Kantor Co. for many decades, JJ never misses an opportunity to lend a helping hand, whether to someone he knows personally or a stranger in need.
A quintessential mensch, on Father’s Day and every day, we celebrate JJ’s thoughtfulness, generosity, and great sense of humor. His legacy of quietly caring for others is an inspiration to us all. It has cemented his place as a cherished and respected member of his community, and as the deeply loved patriarch of our family.
What my sister, Molly, and I have observed from our dad, Joel, is the responsibility that comes with being a member of the Jewish community. As kids, we assisted with Shabbat services at Beth Sholom Home in Virginia Beach. Our dad served in volunteer leadership roles at Beth Sholom and conducted services for residents year after year after year. He then was Temple Israel synagogue president, helped in various ways within the Federation, and completed 100 other small and large tasks over the decades – whatever the community asks of him, he always steps up.
That kind of consistency rubs off. When I moved back to Virginia Beach in my late 20s, it only made sense to get involved and volunteer with UJFT and, specifically, the Young Adult Division. From there, I have found ways to contribute at the Federation and through other Jewish agencies in town.
On Father's Day, my sister (who now lives in Northern Virginia) and I are grateful to have a father and mother who are terrific role models and show us what it means to live a life committed to the Jewish community.
Stephanie Peck
In honor of his 50 years in the rabbinate, Rabbi Israel Zoberman has received numerous local, state, and federal recognitions for this milestone achievement.
A member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Rabbi Zoberman received an Honorary Life Membership for his 50th year at the organization’s conference held in Philadelphia in March.
Additional acknowledgments of his milestone year include:
• The Virginia legislature passed Senate Joint Resolution 235 on March 4 in honor of Rabbi Zoberman’s 50th anniversary as a rabbi.
• Senator Mark Warner requested that an American fl ag be flown over the United States Capitol in honor of Rabbi Zoberman’s 50th anniversary. The rabbi then received a letter and certificate from Senator Warner accompanied by the fl ag.
• Representative Jen Kiggans congratulated Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman from
the House Floor on May 6 on his 50th year of service as a rabbi.
• Senator Tim Kaine sent Rabbi Zoberman a letter of congratulations on April 8.
• Mayor Bobby Dyer of Virginia Beach issued a proclamation, naming June 1, 2024 as Rabbi Israel Zoberman Day.
Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberdorf issued a similar proclamation on April 23, 1999, in honor of Rabbi Zoberman’s 25th ordination anniversary. Born in Kazakhstan to Polish Holocaust survivors, Zoberman spent
his early years in displaced persons camps in Austria and Germany before his family settled in Haifa, Israel. He was the first rabbi to earn a doctorate of ministry degree from the McCormick Theological Seminary, a seminary affi liated with the Presbyterian Church, USA. This experience led to his continued efforts in fostering interfaith ties in the community. In Virginia Beach, Rabbi Zoberman has led Congregation Beth Chaverim and Temple Lev Tikvah.
Hundreds of orthodox Jewish families rented homes in the Sandbridge section of Virginia Beach for the duration of this year’s eight-day Passover holiday. Families from outside of Virginia brought their traditions and kosher meals to Sandbridge, with 10 synagogues hosting prayer services in homes. Some borrowed Torah scrolls from Jewish Virginia Beach.
Kosher deliveries to the area were constant thanks to the coordinated efforts of several out-of-town caterers and local business Cater613. A dedicated Facebook group and WhatsApp chat kept visitors informed of area happenings and daily minyan schedules.
“Four or five years ago, we went to Motor World over Passover with our children and grandchildren. I saw all of these religious families and asked where they were staying,” says local Jon Becker, who just fi nished his third Sandbridge Passover in April. Most visitors are from New York and New Jersey and families tend to be multi-generational, says Becker. The majority are observant Jews, and often two or three families rent a house together.
Jewish Virginia Beach assisted a specialized team from New York to ensure compliance with kosher standards in the rented vacation homes. “A small team of Israeli guys with blow torches and counter covers showed up to get the kitchen ready,” says Dan Peck, a fi rsttime visitor to Sandbridge from New Jersey. “The whole experience was incredibly professional.”
Becker shares that the WhatsApp group is the only source that publicly unites this influx of tourists. “No one organizes this. There’s no formal program. No rabbi, not one person in charge.”
Rabbi Meir Lessoff of Jewish Virginia Beach draws parallels to his experience in Orlando, Fla., where a similar trend during
Passover led to the growth of Orthodox Jewish tourism. Lessoff believes that there is the potential for growth in this area, too, and he intends to promote tourism as a resource to benefit Tidewater’s Jewish community.
“Coming to Sandbridge for Passover is more affordable than going to Orlando,” adds Peck. He and his family plan to return next year.
“This is the most people I’ve seen,” says Becker, referring to the tourist population of Sanbridge during Passover this year. “When you want to be social beyond your family, people can walk down the beach and kibitz.
“Sandbridge finally caught on,” he adds. “We’ve watched the rental prices go up over the years.”
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Philanthropy Spring lunch took place last month in the Fleischman Lounge on the Sandler Family Campus. This annual lunch serves as a ‘Thank you’ event for members of Women’s Philanthropy who are volunteer campaign ambassadors and solicitors, as well as Tidewater Lions of Judah and other major women donors. This year’s lunch was particularly special as it featured the food and stories of Israeli chef, Yaniv Cohen (aka the Spice Detective).
Betsy Karotkin, Women’s Philanthropy chair, opened the lunch with a brief welcome and campaign report, noting that this year, Tidewater’s Jewish community (along with a few non-Jewish friends, neighbors, and allies) raised $10 million across its campaigns, including about $5 million from the Annual Campaign (more than $1.5 million from the Women’s Division alone!), about $4.8 million from the Israel Emergency Campaign, plus approximately $1 million from other campaigns and revenue sources. Karotkin thanked the women in the room for their generosity and leadership in helping to achieve this amazing total. She then introduced Chef Yaniv Cohen.
In Tidewater for a variety of events surrounding the community’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut observance, Chef Yaniv did not disappoint anyone at the women’s lunch. Not only did Chef Yaniv share his knowledge of the medicinal and healing properties of herbs and spices, but he also charmed the group with personal stories of his food journey.
When introducing Chef Yaniv, Karotkin shared that his “love of food began at early age, cooking alongside his mother in their family kitchen. Growing up in a Sephardic Jewish family with North African and Middle Eastern roots, food was a passion and a way of life… with each holiday having a unique set of incredible dishes... beautifully spiced up.”
Among the childhood memories Chef Yaniv shared was one when he ran and fell in the courtyard of his neighborhood. In protecting his face, his hand became
the victim of a sharp piece of glass. An elderly Moroccan neighbor ran out of her apartment with a jar of turmeric to rub into the wound, telling him in her heavily accented Hebrew, “Don’t worry. This will clean the wound and stop the bleeding.” To this day, Chef Yaniv keeps a bottle of turmeric in his pantry and another in his first aid kit. This neighborhood, filled with diversity – populated by Moroccans, Iraqis, Persians, Yemenites, Russians, and Jews of every stripe – is where his story began and where he developed his fascination with and love of spices.
Mona Flax, UJFT General Campaign chair, thanked Chef Yaniv, as well as the women in the room for their willingness to do the hard work of asking others to support the Federation alongside them. She also thanked the professional staff for their partnership in the fundraising and community building process.
Laura Gross, immediate past UJFT president, closed the event by encouraging everyone to attend the coming weekend’s Yom Ha’atzmaut observances at the Campus and to visit the Leon Family Gallery on the second floor of the Campus to see the moving HALL OF REMEMBRANCE exhibit, which lists the names and ages of all those killed by terrorists on and since October 7th in Israel.
Both Flax and Karotkin noted during their remarks that “We’re living in very tough times.” But, they said, it is gratifying to know that “we are all in this together and working hard to build a stronger, safer, more vibrant Jewish community.”
Women’s Philanthropy is working to make changes to allow everyone to strengthen one another, as well as all of Jewish Tidewater and the entire Jewish world. Am Yisroel Chai!
The Women’s Philanthropy is a volunteer fundraising committee of the UJFT Campaign. To make a gift or become involved with the Women’s Philanthropy committee, call or email Linda Ausch at 757-965-6105 or LAusch@ujft.org.
Photographs by Mark Robbins
“L’dor v’dor, from generation to generation, the Jewish community has remained strong and vital through acts of compassion, tzedakah and tikkun olam. […] We hope to encourage our children to follow the example of their parents and grandparents in working on behalf of the Jewish community at home and in Israel.”
— Jay & Jodi Klebanoff
Your Legacy Starts Now. Right now, in this very moment, you have the opportunity to making a lasting impact. Regardless of age, wealth or affiliation, you can help ensure future generations have the chance to embrace our Jewish heritage while supporting the causes that matter to you.
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Nofar Trem
Community members gathered in the beautifully decorated Marty Einhorn Pavilion on the Sandler Family Campus on the evening of May 16 for an Israeli Chef’s Table Experience with visiting Israeli chef, Yaniv Cohen. With his love and extensive knowledge of spices, Chef Yaniv Cohen captivated the participants with a unique and unforgettable Israeli tasting menu, expertly paired with exquisite Israeli wines.
The event served as a testament to the unity and strength of the Jewish community. “The evening was one of
the most unifying events I have been to at the UJFT. It brought together every facet of the Tidewater Jewish community. Seeing so many people enjoying the food in a beautiful environment is something we should do more often,” says Rabbi Gershon Litt.
“Oh, what a night! The setting sun and weather were the perfect accompaniment to Chef Yaniv Cohen’s amazing menu! Each dish was better than the next,” says Elyse Cardon. “You could repeat the exact same night every year and it would never get old. The entire evening was magical and so special!”
Chef Yaniv Cohen shared his story of how growing up in a Sephardic family in Israel guided his path in the culinary world and how he developed his career around spices. Early in his career, Cohen launched ‘The Spice Detective’ blog, which evolved into a bestselling cookbook, My Spiced Kitchen: A Middle Eastern Cookbook and established the acclaimed Israeli restaurant in Miami.
For more information about ways to engage in Israel education and support, contact Nofar Trem at ntrem@ujft.org.
The Be A Reader (BeAR) literacy project, dedicated to fostering a love of reading among 2nd grade students in Norfolk and Virginia Beach’s Title I schools, hosted an end-of-year appreciation luncheon for its mentors last month.
Gail Flax, BeAR chair, welcomed everyone and thanked the mentors for their hard work, patience, and unwavering belief in every student’s potential. It was a lively event where humorous and heartwarming stories were shared.
During the luncheon, mentors were applauded for their dedication to their students and given a chance to handpick summer reading books and projects for their students. This personalized approach ensures that each student receives books tailored to their interests and reading level, setting the stage for an enriching summer of reading adventures.
The generosity of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival enabled the mentors to pick out summer reading books for themselves.
The luncheon underscored the profound impact of mentorship in fostering a love for literature and learning. By recognizing the mentors’ role as champions of literacy, BeAR reinforces its commitment to empowering both mentors and students.
BeAR continues to inspire a lifelong love of reading, transforming lives one page at a time.
Join BeAR in empowering young minds and creating a brighter future through literacy! To become a BeAR mentor for the 2024/25 school year, or for more information about the BeAR program, contact Robin Ford at 757-321-2304 or rford@ujft.org.
Nofar Trem
The annual Tidewater community Yom Ha'Atzmaut gathering, held this year on Sunday, May 19 on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, was a vibrant recognition of Israel’s independence. The atmosphere was electric, as close to 2,000 community members were adorned in
blue and white, showing their love for Israel through many Israel-themed activities and crafts.
Attendees immersed themselves in kindness rock painting, making friendship bracelets for children at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Israel and Overseas partner Neve Michael, and
participating in an educational Israel scavenger hunt and an archeological dig, led by the Shinshinim, Camp JCC, PJ Library, Strelitz International Academy, local synagogues, and community partners. The event also provided many opportunities to participate in meaningful mitzvah projects. Participants wrote heartfelt letters for IDF combat soldiers and grieving families of fallen soldiers, donated to a canned goods drive and blanket collection for the SPCA, and created cards to accompany Hibuki (hug) dolls distributed by the JDC in Israel to displaced and traumatized children. All activities showcased the community’s commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Visiting chef Yaniv Cohen, also known as The Spice Detective, took attendees on a Middle Eastern spice exploration and educated them on various spices, their flavors, origins, and medicinal properties. Participants had the opportunity to create their own Shawarma spice mix, adding a personal touch to the culinary experience.
UJFT’s annual Yom Ha'Atzmaut community gathering served as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of the Jewish community – both locally and globally – and reinforced shared values and commitment.
For more information about ways to engage in Israel education and support, contact Nofar Trem at ntrem@ujft.org.
including a few international winners.
The 2024 Yom Hashoah Commemoration honoring the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, as well as liberators and righteous gentiles, brought the community together around awareness, sadness, honor, hope, and the understanding that each day it is possible to choose to do the right thing.
Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach hosted the annual event on Sunday, May 5. The evening served as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of the past and the importance of community remembrance as “we strive to apply the lessons of the Holocaust for good,” said Gail Flax, Holocaust Commission chair, in her welcome to guests.
Chloe Zuckerman sang the American and Israeli national anthems and Rabbi Ari Oliszewski of Temple Emanuel delivered the D’var Torah.
Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition winners were honored during the ceremony. These students were challenged to examine the value of family artifacts and personal identity as they intersect with the Holocaust and their lives today. Winners came from multiple schools and states,
Three educators who have dedicated their work to teaching about the Holocaust received the Commission’s Awards for Excellence in Holocaust Education. These individuals have played a crucial role in ensuring that the lessons of this dark chapter in history are never forgotten, and their efforts to inspire and inform students accurately will prove positive for the world.
The evening’s guest speaker, scholar and educator Robert Gillette, delivered a powerful speech on the importance of choice and positive actions. He emphasized the power of speaking up against injustice and hatred. His words resonated deeply with the attendees, underscoring the vital role each individual plays in shaping a more compassionate and inclusive society.
The lighting of memorial candles followed Gillette’s talk. Six candles were lit to represent not only the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, but also the 1.5 million murdered children; the brave liberators; survivors who came to call Tidewater home; and educators who dedicate themselves to teaching the era’s lessons.
Cantor Jennifer Rueben of Ohef Sholom Temple sang the K’El Malei
Rachamim memorial prayer, and Rabbis Rosalin Mandelberg of Ohef Sholom Temple and Michael Panitz of Temple Israel led the Kaddish for Shoah victims, infused with the names of some of the Nazis’ most notorious concentration camps. After the Kaddish, David Leon, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater president, closed the evening with a prayer for hostages being held by Hamas.
Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the power of individual voices and actions.
The program served as a reminder that while the Holocaust was a tragedy of unimaginable proportions, its lessons continue to resonate, inspiring all to stand up against hatred, bigotry, and intolerance in all its forms.
Following the Yom Hashoah observance, the Elie Wiesel Visual Arts Competition exhibit was on display for two weeks in the Cardo at the Sandler Family Campus, providing an opportunity to engage with the powerful artistic expressions inspired by the Holocaust.
If you are suffering from allergies or asthma, please contact us. We can help.
The annual car wash that benefits the Team Virginia Beach delegation for the JCC Maccabi Games & Access will take place again this year in the parking lot of the Sandler Family Campus.
This year’s games are in Houston, Texas. The athletes and their families are excited about their week-long trip in August.
Tickets are $10. The QR code on the back of each ticket provides an additional option to purchase multiple tickets online and to make donations to the delegation.
For additional information, contact Tom Edwards at tedwards@simonfamilyjcc.org.
Sierra Lautman
The Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is hosting a Celebration of Lifelong Learning to honor the dedication and achievements of those in the community who continue their Judaic education through JCC, UJFT, Melton courses, and synagogue partnerships. This event will also recognize the invaluable contributions of Jewish educators and directors of Jewish schools whose commitment to education is truly inspiring.
All learners are encouraged to invite their families and friends to share in this meaningful experience. The evening will feature a summery taco bar for dinner followed by an ice cream sundae bar for dessert. Children are welcome, highlighting that Jewish learning extends beyond graduation or a B'nai Mitzvah.
The event is free with a suggested donation, and all proceeds will support the ongoing impact of lifelong Jewish learning in Tidewater.
For more information or to register, visit JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@Ujft.org.
The April session of “Coffee and Conversation” was very thought-provoking with about a dozen participants sharing rich discussions. The group, with diverse Jewish backgrounds, found the dialogue both challenging and enlightening. While topics were open for discussion—excluding U.S. politics—most conversations centered on antisemitism. Each participant expressed their opinions, contributing to a vibrant exchange of ideas.
Everyone is invited to attend future sessions – with new participants and fresh topics especially welcome.
Coffee and Conversation is held on the first Thursday of each month at 1 pm. For more information or to RSVP for the next Coffee and Conversation, go to www.Jewishva.org/CoffeeandConvo or contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org.
JUNE 4, TUESDAY
Yiddish Club. A vibrant hub for preserving and promoting the Yiddish language and its rich heritage, the Yiddish Club meets the first Tuesday of each month. 1 pm. Simon Family JCC. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/YiddishClub or contact Mia Klein at MKlein@ujft.org or 757-452-3184.
JUNE 6, THURSDAY
Coffee and Conversation at the JCC. The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC invite curious members to gather to discuss timely topics. Bring an article that intrigues you or something you’ve read that has you stumped. 1 pm. Simon Family JCC. Information and registration: Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org. See page 34.
JUNE 7, FRIDAY
Community Shabbat Dinner. 5 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Tickets: $8/child, $12/ adult, $36/immediate family. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/HomeShabbat or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@ujft.org or 757-965-6107.
JUNE 9, SUNDAY
Car wash for Team Virginia Beach. Annual car wash benefits Team Virginia Beach’s delegation for the JCC Maccabi Games and Access in Houston, Texas this year. 1-3 pm. Sandler Family Campus. $10. Information: contact Tom Edwards at TEdwards@SimonFamilyJCC.org. See page 34.
JUNE 16, SUNDAY
Rabbi Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club. Not in God’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence. In partnership with the Konikoff Center for Learning and area synagogues. 10 am. Temple Israel. Free. Information and registration: JewishVA. org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org or 757-965-6107.
JUNE 17, MONDAY – AUGUST 9, FRIDAY
Camp JCC. Choose from one to eight weekly sessions or any combination. Extended care option available for additional cost. $335 for JCC members and $415 for JCC guests. Financial assistance available. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: contact Dave Flagler, director of Camp and Teen Engagement, at DFlagler@UJFT.org or 757-452-3182.
JUNE 18, TUESDAY
Now hiring fun and creative staff. Great opportunity to earn extra $$ for the summer.
Excellent Career Experience for College Students: Special Ed , Education or Early Childhood majors, High School students (rising Juniors, Seniors) or graduates
Minimum requirement 18 years old or high school graduate
CAMP SESSIONS: June 17 – August 9 All positions will serve as role models for campers and each other:
Minimum requirement 16 years old entering junior year of high school
STAFF ORIENTATION: JUNE 9, 10, 13, & 14
Employment Application available on the Simon Family JCC Camp JCC "Work at Camp” tab
End-of-Year Celebration of Life Long Learning. This special program acknowledges the contributions of teachers and students involved in the Konikoff Center for Learning’s ongoing courses and series. Entire community welcome. 5:30 pm. Marty Einhorn Pavilion on the Sandler Family Campus. Information: contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@ujft.org or 757-965-6107. See page 34.
Mary Duty
WHITE HOUSE, TENNESSEE - Mary Jane Duty, with eyes of blue, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 4, after a long, hard battle with cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones, where she spent her final days in the home of her youngest daughter in Tennessee.
She was born in Arlington, Tex., to Joe and Mary Beaver and was one of five children. Mary was a graduate of Sam Houston High School and later worked as a superintendent of Trammell Crow Construction. Mary also enjoyed the simple pleasures, including chatting with friend, quilting and sewing, fishing and hunting where she outshined the men, gardening and feeding the hummingbirds. She often spoke of her travels to Venezuela and had hoped to return some day. Mary had a great sense of humor and an uncanny ability to know things she really didn’t have firsthand knowledge of, almost like a mind reader.
She was to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband in June and
loved all her family.
She is pre-deceased by her parents, Joe and Mary Beaver, and her sister, Betty Gillum. She is survived by her husband, Randy Duty, of Buncombe, Ill., her daughters, Kim Wempa of Portland, Tenn., Kelly Alperin and her husband, Brian, of Norfolk, Va., Jayme Urich and her husband, Michael, of Cross Plains, Tenn., her brothers, Joe Beaver Jr. and wife, Dee, of Hickory Creek, Tex., and John Beaver of Broughton, Ill., and sister, Janda Hooper and husband, Steve, of Siloam Springs, Ark., niece Landa Ellsworth, nephew Lance Hooper, and niece Latisha Keith, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as her Yorkshire Terrier, Sophie.
Donations may be made to Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tenn. A memorial service was held on May 26.
Norma Janet Flax
NORFOLK - Norma Janet Flax, born in New York, New York, passed away on May 22 at the age of 95.
Norma was predeceased by her parents, Esther Sherris Ginsburg and Hyman Ginsburg, and her daughter, Patricia Flax-Jankosky. She is survived by her husband, Jack Flax, her brother, Ira Ginsburg, her daughter, Judith Flax-Rosenberg (Jerome Minskoff), her son-in-law, Michael Jankosky, her grandsons, Gregory Rosenberg, Bradley Rosenberg (Jennifer) and Tucker Jankosky (Francessa), her great grandchildren, Cole, Luke, Jonah and Otis, and her son, Jimmy Rocket.
A graveside service was held on May 28 at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Donations to Ohef Sholom Temple, MS Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Diane B. HoffmanWEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - Diane Berman Hoffman passed away on May 18.
Diane was born on July 31, 1927 in West Hartford, Conn. to the late Aaron Berman and Gertrude Wigransky Berman. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Herbert Sidney Hoffman, and her sister, Barbara Berman Levy.
Diane is survived by her daughter, Carol Hoffman Jason, and her husband, Joel, of Virginia Beach; daughter Barbara Hoffman Siegenfeld of Fairfield, Conn., and son Matthew Hoffman and his wife, Gail, of Boston. Diane treasured her nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren – Adam Jason (Marina) and their children Emily and Jack, Aaron Jason, Josh Jason (fiancée Gabrielle); Alex Siegenfeld, Allison Siegenfeld Pollack (Dan), and Max, Sophie, Zachary, and Hannah Hoffman.
Diane lived in her tennis whites and could always be found on a tennis court. After picking up a tennis racquet for the first time at age 42, she amassed a dizzying collection of trophies, titles, and several coveted “gold balls.” Her journey began in Massachusetts at Wightman Tennis Center and Belmont Country Club, before moving on to her home away from home, Longwood Cricket Club, in Chestnut Hill. She was known and beloved by all at Longwood as well as at Seaview Tennis Center in Palm Beach. Her tennis travels took her to countries as far away as Turkey, where she won the international seniors doubles tournament and took second place in the singles tournament. Her name is engraved on plaques at tennis clubs from Boston to Florida, with one of her proudest moments being her induction into the New England Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
A graduate of New York’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Diane began her career as a singer, dancer, and actress – even scoring a small film role. Upon her mother’s passing in 1976, Diane and her sister, Barbara, took over and successfully ran her mother’s finance company in Hartford for many years.
A few days shy of her 91st birthday in 2018, Diane broke the world record for the 90-94 age group in the 400 meters, while also breaking the U.S. record in the 100 and 200 meters. These feats were especially noteworthy because Diane was not a runner and had never competed in a track event. More impressive, however, was her ability to consume massive quantities of the most unhealthful foods imaginable without gaining a pound. But most extraordinary were her perpetual optimism and ability to connect with others through humor, genuine curiosity, self-deprecation, and warmth.
There was a private burial in Florida; a memorial service in Boston is planned for later.
Donations to The Genesis Foundation for Children (thegenesisfoundation.org) or the charity of the donor’s choice.
In the care of IJ Morris at Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches.
VIRGINIA BEACH - Arlene Elsa Losick, 81 passed away unexpectedly on May 17. She was born to Dorothy and Sidney Chernick in Kerhonkson, N.Y. on May 19, 1942.
Arlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mel. Left to cherish her memory are her son Heath (Beverley), daughter Sheryl (Leonard), grandchildren Tyler (Alex), Peyton (Jordan), Brandon, Sydney, and Dameon, great-grandchildren Liam and Solvi, and her long-time friend of 56 years, Pat.
Arlene owned and operated Armel Enterprises since 1972. She was very involved in the Jewish community, especially the synagogue, where she sat on the board of Sisterhood multiple times throughout her life. Arlene loved to bake, cook, and help plan events at the synagogue. She enjoyed Mahjong group weekly with the ladies, and she loved to travel with Mel. Arlene had a little daredevil in her as was evident by her enjoyment of a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon.
Family was the most important thing in her life, and she loved them deeply. Her family brought her joy and were her entire
world. Arlene enjoyed the fine arts, but saved her enjoyment of sports to only the ones that her grandchildren played. Nothing made her happier than seeing Heath play his trumpet in a concert, listening to Peyton sing, or receiving artwork from her grandchildren.
A memorial service in Arlene’s honor was held on May 22. Donations in Arlene’s memory to Kempsville Conservative Synagogue or K9 Justice League Https:// k9justiceleague.com/join-us/donate/.
VIRGINIA BEACH - Dr. Sidney B. Sward, 88, died peacefully in his sleep on March 18.
He was kind and generous and a loving husband and father who put the needs of others above his own.
A talented musician and PhD’d athlete, he taught at NSU for 32 years. He started his own cardiac rehab program called “Hearty Arteries.”
Sidney is survived by his adoring wife, Lynne, two daughters, Pamela Jo (Joe) and Dana, three grandchildren, Samantha, Elliott, and Zackary, and great grandchild, Bailey, sister Charna and family, and brotherin-law Michael and family.
His love of life was apparent to all and he will be greatly missed.
A memorial service was held May 21 at Ohef Sholom Temple.
Shelby Tudor
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND – Shelby Tudor 50, passed away on May 15, 2024 in Rockville, Maryland.
Shelby recently had a hip replacement because of years of chronic pain and unfortunately, a complication took her from us.
She was married for over 24 wonderful and exciting years to Ed, who says he knew from their first date that they would spend the rest of their lives together.
She was a sweet, funny, compassionate, adventurous, passionate, beautiful soul. When you were on her good side, you were in. She cared about family, animals, the environment, and most importantly, her fellow human beings.
Shelby worked at Tidewater Jewish Foundation as the Donor Services manager, where she was a beloved employee, 2011 – 2015. She was well regarded by so many among TJF’s donors and affi liates.
She spent over 10 years working for
children’s hospitals: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and most recently Children’s National in the Washington D.C. area. She helped to make sure the funding was there for children who needed it. With that in mind, there has been a tribute page set up for those that would like to make a donation to Children’s National in Shelby’s name. http:// www.childrensnational.org/ShelbyTudor
A celebration of her life took place in Silver Spring, Md.
Going Home Cremation & Funeral Care by Value Choice.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA. –Marilyn Barbara Werner, 94, died on May 26 at the AHAVA Memory Care Facility in Pittsburgh, Pa. The cause of death was Alzheimer’s disease.
Known to most as Barbsie, she was born in Hartford, Conn., to Edward and Vivian Goldman. She attended the West Hartford public schools, Hood College, Syracuse University, and the University of Hartford, from which she graduated summa cum laude in 1969.
In 1949, Barbsie married Howard M. Werner, a World War II veteran who later became an attorney and real estate developer. They enjoyed over 60 years of marriage, and raised three children: Roye Werner (Reid Andrews) of Pittsburgh, Eric Werner (Alice) of Virginia Beach, and Robby Werner (Liz) of Darien, Conn. Her children survive her, as do her beloved grandchildren, Lena Andrews, Jesse Andrews, Jacob Werner, Abby Werner Stone, Bronwyn Cunningham, Eve Andrews, Andrew Werner, and Doug Werner, and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, and by her brother, Dr. Richard Goldman.
A resident of Hartford and West Hartford for 89 years, Barbsie had many passions and interests. She was an exceptional hostess and loved making special meals for her growing family. She also loved dogs, the Red Sox, the UConn Huskies, Jazzercise, long walks with friends, Big-Band swing music (especially Sinatra), dancing, knitting, travel, and spending time with her friends. She was a devoted Democrat and supporter of Israel. After raising her children, she worked in the Registrar’s office at Trinity College, and in the management of Villas Tacul, a hotel the family owned in Cancun, Mexico. She also volunteered for Connecticut CASA (Court Appointed Special
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Approved by all area Rabbis and Chevrah Kadisha
Advocates for children), and for WHC-TV as a camera operator.
Barbsie was known for her kindness, friendship, generosity, and beauty, both inside and out. She loved to laugh. No one who knew her will ever forget her.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Connecticut Humane Society (https://cthumane.org/), 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111, or the Elizabeth Park Conservancy (https://elizabethparkct.org/), 1561 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117.
Jerry Zober
PEPPER PIKE, OHIO - Jerry Martin Zober
MD, born January 2, 1948 passed away peacefully on May 20 at age 76.
Jerry was the beloved husband of Barbara Zober (nee Abt) of Pepper Pike, devoted father of Aaron Zober of Los Angeles and Rabbi Benjamin (Rabbi Sara) Zober of Reno, Nevada, loving grandfather to Toby, Naomi, and Ramona, dear brother of Muriel (Gary) Hecht of Norfolk, Va. and beloved son of Shirley and Robert Zober of blessed memory.
Services were held on May 23 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Contributions in Jerry’s memory to Temple Emanu El (teecleve.org) or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Stephanie Peck
The Simon Family JCC hosted its annual Catch and Release Fishing Derby on Sunday, May 5. Nearly 100 anglers of all ages tried their luck at the pond, which was stocked with bass, catfish, and bluegill.
The largest catch of the day, according to Tom Edwards, athletics director at the Simon Family JCC, weighed 2 lbs. 14 oz. Nine prizes were earned throughout the afternoon for the biggest catch in a variety of age groups. Prizes included fishing rods, reels, and tackle boxes.
“The weather was great, and people of all ages participated,” says Edwards. “It was a lot of fun!”
When Max and Emma Bernstein married this spring, more than 15 friends from their days at Newport Avenue’s Jewish Community Center’s Shalom Children’s Center attended the wedding.
The friends all met at the JCC preschool 25 years ago and later went to Hebrew Academy of Tidewater together.
“We are all still close,” says Justin Kaplan, a member of the class.
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