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KNOWLEDGE IS KEY
Jewish News continues to gather and present some basic facts to equip readers with the confidence needed to engage in conversation about Israel and antisemitism.
• Israel’s government is a parliamentary democracy and has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
• The executive branch is headed by a prime minister who is the coalition leader of the Knesset. After an election, the president of Israel formally asks whichever party leader is most likely to be successful in forming a government to attempt to do just that and piece together a majority coalition. (myjewishlearning.com)
Benjamin Netanyahu owed his victory in the 2022 Israeli elections partly to a change in election rules promoted by his political opponents in 2014. Netanyahu and his allies had a small but clear majority of seats in the Knesset, but they won the popular vote by only a razor-thin margin.
One reason his Knesset majority was bigger than his popular vote victory is that three parties in the outgoing Knesset each got less than 3.25% of the popular vote (raised from 2% in 2014) – so they got no seats in the new parliament.
Another reason Netanyahu won decisively was that two small parties in the antiNetanyahu camp didn’t join forces with bigger parties. (cnn.com)
• The legislative branch is comprised of the Knesset, which has 120 members. Members are elected to the Israeli legislature via proportional representation. Voters opt for a particular party rather than a specific candidate. Parties are awarded seats in the Knesset based on the proportion of the vote they capture. (myjewishlearning.com)
• 40 parties ran in the 2022 election, of which 13 got more than 0.5% of the popular vote. Some parties represent the interests of specific segments of society — such as religious Jews, Sephardic Jews, or Israeli Arabs — or particular issues, like environmental protection. (cnn.com)
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BRIEFS
Argentina seizes trove of Nazi memorabilia
Police in Argentina seized a trove of Nazi weapons and memorabilia, including dozens of guns, uniforms, and busts of Hitler, in their latest discovery of Nazi relics in a country that gave refuge to Nazi leaders.
The federal police’s anti-mafia division uncovered the items during a raid last month in Quilmes, a city near Buenos Aires. They seized over 60 firearms from a home, including 43 rifles with Nazi eagle markings, pistols, bayonets, and machine guns, and arrested a man.
According to the ministry of security, the investigation was made with the police of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of an investigation into international weapons trafficking. Argentina’s national security minister, Patricia Bullrich, said the country had seized “weapons and parts from a dark and tragic era of humanity.”
Argentina has had an anti-discrimination law since 1988 that criminalizes trafficking in such objects. Professionals from the Holocaust Museum of Buenos Aires participated in the raid and confirmed that the objects violated the law.
Argentina was a refuge for Nazis after World War II. Adolf Eichmann was captured in the northern area of Buenos Aires in 1960. Nazi war criminals Joseph Mengele and Erich Priebke also made their way to Argentina.
In October 2018 Argentina’s Jewish political umbrella organization revealed excerpts from tens of thousands of documents about World War II that shed light on the Nazi influence on the country and the Nazi war criminals who hid here.
Meanwhile, Nazi relics — and items forged by their admirers — have continued to circulate. In June 2016, a collector from Argentina paid $680,000 for Nazi underpants and other memorabilia. Last year, police raided and closed a publisher that was distributing Nazi literature. (JTA)
Streaming platform Twitch bans the word ‘Zionist’
Alivestreaming platform popular among video gamers updated its hate speech policy last month to ban the word “Zionist” when used as a coded slur directed at individuals or groups of people.
The move by Twitch, an Amazon-owned platform with more than 240 million active users, comes after increased scrutiny, including from a prominent lawmaker who recently sent company executives a letter in which he alleged that the platform “emboldens” antisemitism.
In an announcement, the company explained, “We prohibit the use of terms that may not be harmful or abusive in isolation, but can be used as a slur or to denigrate others in certain contexts.”
Under the policy, it’s permissible to say “Zionist” when commenting on the ideology or political movement that led to the founding of Israel.
“Using the term to refer to the political movement, whether in a supportive or critical way, does not violate
our hateful conduct policy,” Twitch wrote in a post. “Our goal isn’t to stifle conversation about or criticism of an institution or ideology, but to prevent coded hate directed at individuals and groups of people.”
The platform’s community guidelines page was updated to explain further how the policy works: “We treat ‘Zionists’ as a proxy for Jews or Israelis if the word is used in a context to promote harm or violence, or when used to make dehumanizing comparisons or perpetuate antisemitic stereotypes.”
It offers examples of allowed and prohibited uses of the word. “Zionist settlers keep encroaching Palestinian borders” would be allowed, but “Zionist [name of animal]” would not be.
Last month, Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York, who is known as one of the most vocal pro-Israel advocates in the Democratic party, called on Twitch to rein what he characterized as rampant antisemitism on the platform or face potential Congressional scrutiny. Torres highlighted recent statements by major Twitch streamers connected to the Israel-Hamas war.
For example, Torres pointed out that Hasan Piker, a streamer with nearly 3 million followers, has downplayed or denied the significance of sexual violence by Hamas during the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. Piker has also said Orthodox Jews are “inbred” and called a Jewish person a “bloodthirsty pig dog.”
The Anti-Defamation League also called on Twitch to do more to combat antisemitism on the platform.
Twitch’s decision to restrict certain users of the word “Zionist” follows a similar policy change made in July by Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram.
The revision to Twitch’s guidelines follows the company’s apology for leaving in place a signup hurdle that some Israelis said was keeping them from using the platform. The company said it had implemented a safeguard to prevent violent content from being shared after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and had not removed it, making it harder for Israelis to sign up. (JTA)
Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for attorney general, wants FBI to question pro-Hamas protesters
Pam Bondi, whom President-elect Donald Trump has tapped to be his attorney general, said last year that campus protesters who express support for Hamas should face FBI questioning.
Trump named Bondi, who served as Florida attorney general from 2011 to 2019 after his first pick, the scandal-plagued former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew following meetings with Republican senators, who apparently made clear that allegations of sexual predation and drug use, which he has denied, would bury him.
Bondi’s confirmation process is expected to face fewer hurdles.
Jewish Insider uncovered an interview Bondi gave Newsmax, the conservative news outlet, last year about
the spike in anti-Israel protests on American campuses following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which sparked Israel’s multi-front war.
“The thing that really was troubling to me, these students in universities in our country — whether they’re here as Americans or if they’re here on student visas — and they’re out there saying, ‘I support Hamas,'” she said in the Oct. 23, 2023, interview. “Frankly, they need to be taken out of our country, or the FBI needs to be interviewing them right away when they’re saying, ‘I support Hamas. I am Hamas.’ That’s not saying I support all these poor Palestinians who are trapped in Gaza.”
A number of protests in the weeks after the attacks included people who praised the attacks, although most protesters focused on condemning Israel’s counterattacks and on the suffering of Gaza Palestinians. Over the past year-plus, some hardline pro-Palestinian activists have continued to evince support for Hamas.
The Republican Party platform, released in July, calls for the deportation of noncitizens who back Hamas and terrorism, and pledges to “make our college campuses safe and patriotic again.” Trump and his advisers have also called for deporting foreign students who organize proHamas protests.
The platform does not recommend the investigation of Americans who express rhetorical support for the terrorist group, as Bondi did in her interview, a path that could trigger First Amendment challenges.
Bondi, one of Trump’s earliest and most steadfast backers in his bid for the presidency, advised him during his first impeachment proceedings. She has a record of pro-Israel statements, lining her up with most of Trump’s other cabinet picks, though she has also lobbied for Qatar’s government.
Some Jewish Republicans were wary of Gaetz because he voted against emergency defense assistance for Israel, also opposed a bill that would codify an official definition of antisemitism, and invited a Holocaust denier to the State of the Union address. (JTA)
Unrest at Sarah Lawrence
Masked anti-Israel protesters took over a campus building at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, barricading themselves in on Friday, Nov. 22. The National Students for Justice in Palestine group claimed that this was part of a wider campaign, and praised the demonstration, saying “we DEMAND that they disclose their financial investments and they DIVEST FROM DEATH.”
ADL’s NY/NJ regional team criticized the protest, noting that “This does nothing to foster peace between Israelis and Palestinians; it only disrupts life on campus and fosters an increasingly hostile environment for Jewish students and faculty on campus.”
At the conclusion of the event, ADL thanked the administration and campus police for making sure that all students were safe, and posted online “we hope that there will be appropriate consequences for any students who violated the school's code of conduct.” (ADL)
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NATION
Who are the Jews in Trump’s inner circle?
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Luke Tress (JTA) — Stephen Miller. David Friedman. Jared. Ivanka.
These names, and a few others, became familiar to American Jews over the four years of the first Donald Trump White House. Depending on the day, and their political views, Jews looked on them with pride or scorn, hope or disappointment. In addition to shaping the course of the first Trump administration, they became symbols of and conduits for the president’s relationship with the Jewish community.
Now, four years later, as Trump prepares to reenter the White House, some of that cast of characters is back while others have dropped off the stage. Other Jewish figures are making their entrances for the first time. Some come from Trump’s time in the worlds of media and business, others from his decade in politics, still others from his family.
Here are the Jews to know in Donald Trump’s inner circle.
Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
No two Jews drew more attention than Trump’s daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Coming to the White House from the social circles of wealthy New York City millennial life, the couple was seen as a relatively liberal, moderating influence on a president who had never before held office.
They both served as White House advisers and took central roles in the administration. Kushner had a wide-ranging portfolio spanning everything from negotiating a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada to running Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign to brokering the normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states known as the Abraham Accords.
They were also in some ways the Jewish face of the administration, making appearances at Jewish sites and hosting members of the cabinet for Shabbat dinner. Particularly at the beginning of Trump’s term, their Jewish observance — they have attended Orthodox synagogues and send their kids to Jewish day school — drew curiosity and scrutiny.
After Trump’s 2020 loss, the family moved to Miami and sat out Trump’s most recent reelection campaign. In 2022 Ivanka said she and Kushner would step back to focus on family life. Kushner said he would focus on his business and the couple’s children.
Kushner suggested to The New York Times in October that the pair would remain outside of politics if Trump won the election, though more recent reports suggest he may be involved in some way with Trump’s Middle East policy.
The couple is not entirely separated from their work in the first Trump administration. Kushner runs a multi-billion-dollar investment firm tied to Arab states in the Gulf, raising ethics concerns about overlap with government affairs. The Democrat-led Senate Finance Committee opened an investigation into Kushner’s firm in June, though its future is uncertain.
Stephen Miller
One of Trump’s most hardline advisers on immigration during his first term, and one of that White House’s most polarizing figures
— will serve as Trump’s deputy chief of staff.
During Trump’s first term, Miller was an architect of some of the administration’s most divisive actions on immigration, including the family separation policy and the travel ban on a number of Muslim-majority countries. A broad range of Jewish officials and groups criticized those policies and called for Miller’s resignation.
Over the last four years since Trump was voted out, Miller launched a firm called America First Legal that bills itself as a conservative response to the ACLU, and was involved in Project 2025, the controversial compilation of proposals for a second Trump term. He and his wife, who wed in 2020, have also had three children.
This year, Miller used nativist rhetoric at Trump’s controversial rally in Madison Square Garden last month.
“America is for Americans and Americans only,” Miller said, adding that U.S. citizens were having their jobs “looted and stolen.”
In an interview last month with Fox News, Miller said Trump would begin deporting undocumented immigrants immediately after taking office. In multiple interviews, he has outlined plans to deport millions of migrants, renewing Jewish groups’ concerns.
“The invasion will end the instant that he takes the oath of office,” Miller said.
Steve Witkoff
A real estate businessman and Trump’s golf buddy, Steve Witkoff will be the Middle East envoy.
In that role, Witkoff, 67, will take the spot occupied by Jason Greenblatt in the first part of Trump’s first term. As was the case when Greenblatt entered the administration, Witkoff has no Middle East diplomatic experience.
Witkoff has been friends with Trump since the 1980s, when he bought Trump a sandwich after they worked on a real estate transaction. Witkoff has also praised Trump for his friendship after one of Witkoff’s sons, Andrew, died at a rehab facility.
Miriam Adelson
Miriam Adelson, a prolific donor to Republican, pro-Israel and Jewish causes, is carrying on the legacy she built with her late husband, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
Adelson has remained a force in Republican politics, and has stayed close to Trump since her husband’s death in 2021. She donated $100 million to a campaign committee supporting Trump’s candidacy. (Her estimated net worth is $35 billion.) During the campaign, she introduced Trump before he gave a speech on fighting antisemitism.
Adelson was born in Tel Aviv and reportedly spends much of her time in Israel. She is the publisher of the country’s largest print newspaper, Israel Hayom, which her husband founded.
Boris Epshteyn
A longtime aide to Trump and political strategist, Boris Epshteyn often spoke for Trump on television during the 2016 campaign and advised his 2024 campaign.
Epshteyn served as a special assistant in the Trump administration during Trump’s first term and reportedly wrote a controversial
JEWISH TIDEWATER
statement for Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2017 that did not mention Jews.
Epshteyn, an investment banker and finance attorney, also collaborated with Rudy Giuliani on trying unsuccessfully to overturn the results of the 2020 election and appeared with Trump in court in New York last year. Epshteyn was charged with felonies for election tampering in Arizona this year and pleaded not guilty.
Epshteyn moved to the United States from his native Moscow in 1993 at the age of 11.
Epshteyn has reportedly sparred with Musk over decisions during the presidential transition.
Howard Lutnick
Howard Lutnick, the billionaire head of finance firm Cantor Fitzgerald, is the co-chair of Trump’s transition team.
He raised campaign funds for Trump and has taken on a prominent role on the president-elect’s team in recent months, speaking for Trump in the media, and earning plaudits from Trump family members and the campaign.
He has been in touch with Kushner about hiring and Musk about budget policy, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Lutnick is a supporter of pro-Israel causes including the first responder group United Hatzalah and Birthright.
Elizabeth Pipko
Elizabeth Pipko, the GOP national spokesperson from New York, is one of Trump’s leading Jewish surrogates.
Pipko is a former model and often advocates for Jewish and pro-Israel causes. She was born to a family of immigrants from the former Soviet Union who settled in New York. Pipko grew up in New York City, where she attended the Orthodox Park East Day School in Manhattan. A rabbi from Park East Synagogue officiated her 2019 wedding, which took place at Mar-aLago, Trump’s Florida resort.
Pipko was a staffer for Trump’s 2016 campaign. She said later that she had kept the position secret because she feared it would hurt her modeling career due to animosity toward Trump in the modeling world.
In 2019, Pipko was a spokesperson for a group called Jexodus that encouraged young Jews to leave the Democratic Party.
Lee Zeldin
As a congressman representing a Long Island, New York, district from 2015 to 2023, Lee Zeldin was an avid defender of Trump.
Zeldin kept a distance from Trump, who was then unpopular in New York, during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign. During that campaign, Zeldin leaned into his Jewish background to rally Orthodox communities, telling voters in Brooklyn about how his grandfather founded a synagogue and how his mother taught at a Brooklyn yeshiva.
After he lost, he joined the board of the Republican Jewish Coalition and maintained ties with Trump and his reelection campaign. He was an early endorser of Trump’s bid to retake the White House.
Trump rewarded Zeldin by choosing him to helm the Environmental Protection Agency. While in Congress, Zeldin mainly voted against environmental protection legislation.
Sid Rosenberg
Sid Rosenberg, a New York shock jock, said he voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 but soon became a Trump convert, after initially dismissing his seriousness as a candidate. On his show, he has backed Trump and his policies, including seeking to eject migrants from the United States.
Rosenberg become a pro-Israel advocate after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. He vaulted into national prominence when he appeared at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, where he mocked comparisons between the rally and one held by American Nazis there in 1939.
Will Scharf
Will Scharf, who has worked as an attorney for Trump and defended him on TV, has been chosen as White House staff secretary, a key role managing which information the president sees.
Scharf, 38, was raised modern Orthodox in New York City and Florida, according to a 2023 profile in Jewish Insider, and attended Phillips Academy in Andover, an elite non-Jewish private prep school in Massachusetts. He told Jewish Insider that he lays tefillin every day and attends Shabbat services at Chabad.
ISRAEL
Canada, Netherlands among countries pledging to arrest Netanyahu following ICC warrant
Ron Kampeas (JTA) — WASHINGTON — For Benjamin Netanyahu, the world just got a little smaller.
Israel’s prime minister has long touted his worldwide network of relationships and years of experience working with foreign leaders. But now that the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for his arrest, he’ll face incarceration if he sets foot in countries where he once strode with ease.
In 1996, he was the first Israeli prime minister ever to visit Ireland. Now, the country has pledged to abide by the warrant if Netanyahu lands there.
In 2016, the Dutch prime minister extended a “warm welcome” to Netanyahu as the two leaders stood side by side in Amsterdam.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, the Netherlands pledged to arrest him if he returns.
The United States, like Israel, is not a party to the ICC, and has condemned the warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
But the same cannot be said of its neighbor to the north: Canada, which once exported tens of millions of dollars’ worth of arms to Israel, has now said it will abide by the ICC warrant as well.
The countries’ pledges put Israel, which has long feared the prospect of international boycotts, in uncharted waters.
Franklin, a former top staffer for Jewish organizations who now works as a government consultant, using Netanyahu’s nickname.
In addition to Canada, the Netherlands, and Ireland, Switzerland has also said it will abide by the warrants. A number of other Western countries, including Britain, France, Italy, and Sweden, remained non-committal. Others that are led by conservative ideological allies of Netanyahu — including Austria, Argentina, and Hungary — have said they will ignore the warrants.
More than 120 countries — a majority of the world — are signatories of the statute establishing ICC. In principle, that means Netanyahu and Gallant risk arrest if they travel to any of them. But in reality, the countries are split.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, the ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity over Israel’s conduct in Gaza. It also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, a Hamas commander believed to be dead.
The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were themselves an unprecedented step. But it quickly became clear that the warrant for the prime minister also carried concrete consequences for Israel’s standing in the world — and even among countries it considered allies. Aside from damaging Israel’s foreign relations, the warrant puts a serious crimp on Netanyahu’s ability to travel as he seeks to defend the country’s conduct in its multi-front war.
“This may boost Bibi’s hometown cred and bunker mentality, but Israel is now a pariah,” tweeted Shai
Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, framed his agreement to comply as other countries did — less in agreement with the court’s conclusions and more as a matter of abiding by international law.
“As Canada has always said, it’s really important that everyone abide by international law,” Trudeau said in a press conference. “This is something we’ve been calling on from the beginning of the conflict. We are one of the founding members of the International Criminal Court, International Court of Justice. We stand up for international law, and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts.”
Switzerland also said, according to Reuters, that its obligations under the 1998 Rome Statute, which established the ICC, required it to abide by arrest warrants.
Other countries were less definitive. Officials in France and Britain recognized the independence of the ICC, but declined to say whether they would act on the warrants.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the court “the primary institutional institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes in relation to international law,” according to The Telegraph, but added that “Israel has a right to defend itself in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy, and Hamas and
Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terror groups.”
Argentine Prime Minister Javier Milei, a staunch ally of Israel’s, decried the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant as “an act that distorts the spirit of international justice.” Milei added in his statement, “This resolution ignores Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself against constant attacks by terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.”
A statement posted by the Hungarian ambassador to the United States, on behalf of the country’s Foreign Ministry, said the decision “brought shame to the international court system by equating the prime minister of a country attacked with a diabolical terrorist attack and the leaders of the terrorist organization that carried out the diabolical attack.”
The warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest comes more than a year after the ICC issued a warrant for the arrest of Vladimir Putin over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Countries have been split over enforcing that warrant as well — Putin traveled to Mongolia, a signatory, without incident — but U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged all of the parties to the ICC to “fulfill their obligations” to the court when it comes to Putin.
In Israel’s case, the Biden administration has criticized the decision, and President-elect Donald Trump is likely to go further: In his first term, he sanctioned the ICC for contemplating cases against American personnel. Biden removed the sanctions, but Trump’s incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz, hinted on X that they may be invoked again. “You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC & UN come January,” Waltz said.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, said he would introduce legislation to take action against countries that abided by the warrants.
Such a law already exists, passed in 2002 after the United States invaded Afghanistan in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attack. It says the president can use “all means necessary” to free a U.S. citizen or a citizen of an allied country held on a warrant issued by the ICC. One nickname for the law is “The Hague Invasion Act,” and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican, suggested that it could be more than a nickname.
“The ICC is a kangaroo court and Karim Khan is a deranged fanatic,” Cotton said on X, referring to the court’s chief prosecutor. “Woe to him and anyone who tries to enforce these outlaw warrants. Let me give them all a friendly reminder: the American law on the ICC is known as The Hague Invasion Act for a reason. Think about it.”
Hanukkah is coming! Hanukkah is coming!
Thanksgiving and all its preparations and celebrations are now over – a signal not to take a breath, but rather to focus on the next holiday: Hanukkah.
Without missing a beat, it seems, congregations and schools are gearing up for a festive Hanukkah season, parties are about to start, and shopping is underway to relieve some of the outright panic that is anticipated over the next few weeks. Since the holiday is on the ‘late side’ this year (the first night is Dec. 25), many events are slated to take place pre-Hanukkah, prior to schools’ winter breaks and family vacations.
While Hanukkah will be the feature section in the next issue of Jewish News, this is a good time to mark some dates, particularly of those taking place prior to the holiday, to get in the spirit. . . before everyone and everything is like a dreidel. . . spinning out of control!
Shabbat Shenanigans featuring Junior Maccabees
Friday, December 6, 6 pm, Temple Israel
This program will feature sacred song, an interactive Jewish story, and Shabbat soul food for dinner. Children ages 12 and under will have a challenge to face: Like the Maccabees of old, they will find the sanctuary in a disheveled state. Their job will be to find the hidden menorah, put it back on its base, and (symbolically) re-light the oil lamps. Children will also be taught how to fashion s’vivonim (dreidels). RSVP to Temple Israel, 757-489-4550.
Frozen Flames
Saturday, December 7, 7 pm, Perry Glass Studio at the Chrysler Museum of Art
A festival of lights, latkes, and libations, this event is open to the Tidewater Jewish community, ages 22-45ish. $36/person, $54 including a +1.
For tickets and more information: JewishVA.org/FrozenFlames.
Drinks & Dreidels
Thursday, December 17, 6 pm, Ohef Sholom Temple
A Hanukkah celebration for adults with latkes, vodka, an improv show, trivia competition, and more. $18/person until December 10; $25/person starts on December 11. For information, ohefsholom.org.
Jewish Family Service’s Chanukah Gift Program
This program provides holiday gifts to local Jewish children and teens in financially
struggling families. Many gifts are used by these children throughout the year.
How to help:
• Purchase new, unwrapped gifts, both fun and practical, for specific children and teens in need.
Donors may call JFS at 757-459-4640 for children’s wish lists.
• Go shopping and buy some extra items.
• Purchase gift cards from Amazon, Target, fast food restaurants, movie theaters, and grocery stores.
• Send a tax-deductible cash/check/credit card donation, and JFS will do the shopping.
All Hanukkah donations must be received by December 6. Checks should be made payable to Jewish Family Service of Tidewater and sent to JFS, Attn: Maryann Kettyle, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 400, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Gifts can also be dropped off in-person at JFS’s counseling office: Embrace Counseling, 260 Grayson Road, Suite 200, Virginia Beach, Va.
Jewish Family Service assists local Jewish families in need at all times of the year and will keep any surplus donations for use throughout 2024-2025. For more information, contact Maryann Kettyle, JFS case manager, at 757459-4640 or MKettyle@jfshamptonroads.org.
Look for more Hanukkah happenings, a peak at some local dreidel collections, and plenty of other Hanukkah articles in the Dec. 16 issue of Jewish News.
Mom and Dad the Lifestyle ey Deserve
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757-347-1732
Terri Denison
NATION
Texas Jews are ‘deeply concerned’ about Christian material in proposed public school curriculum
Jacob Gurvis (JTA) – Most of the time, as senior rabbi of Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, Rabbi Mara Nathan’s focus is on Jewish families. But she’s currently finding herself thinking about Christian ones, too.
That’s because the Texas State Board of Education voted 8-7 on Friday, Nov. 22, to adopt a public school curriculum that refers to Jesus as “the Messiah,” asks kindergartners to study the Sermon on the Mount, and presents the Crusades in a positive light.
The curriculum, Nathan says, “gives Christian children the sense that their family’s religion is the only true religion, which is not appropriate for public school
education, at the very least.”
Nathan is among the many Texans raising concerns about the curriculum, called Bluebonnet Learning.
The critics, who include Jewish parents and organizations as well as interfaith and education advocacy groups, say Bluebonnet — which will be optional but which schools would be paid to adopt — inappropriately centers on Christian theology and ideas. They have been lobbying for revisions since it was first proposed in May, offering detailed feedback.
“The first round of the curriculum that we saw honestly had a lot of offensive content in it, and was proselytizing, and did not represent Jewish people well,” says
Lisa Epstein, the director of San Antonio’s Jewish Community Relations Council. Those critics say most of their specific suggestions have been accepted, but they remain concerned.
“Looking at the revision, we still feel that the curriculum is not balanced, and it introduces a lot of Christian concepts at a very young age, like resurrection and the blood of Christ and the Messiah, when kids are just really too young to understand and they don’t really have a grasp yet completely of their own religion,” she adds. Epstein, who testified at a hearing on the proposal in Austin, has a child in
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high school and two others who graduated from Texas public schools.
The Texas vote comes as advocates of inserting Christianity into public education are ascendant across the country. Political conservatives are in power at the national level and the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority has demonstrated openness to blurring church-state separation.
President-elect Donald Trump has signaled support for numerous initiatives to reintroduce Christian doctrine into public schools, from supporting school prayer to endorsing legislation that would require public school classrooms to display the
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Ten Commandments. (One such measure in Louisiana was recently blocked by a federal judge.)
In Texas, Bluebonnet’s advocates say the curriculum would elevate students’ learning while also exposing them to essential elements of cultural literacy. They note that the curriculum includes references to a wide range of cultures, including ancient religions, and that the religious references make up only a small fraction of the material.
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While the Supreme Court has ruled that public schools can teach about religion, they cannot prioritize one religion over another in that instruction. So, Bluebonnet’s inclusion of Christian and Bible stories in lesson plans drew scrutiny from the start — which grew after the Texas Tribune reported that a panel required to vet all curriculum proposals included Christian proponents of incorporating religion in public education.
In September, The Texas Education Authority’s curriculum review board published hundreds of pages of emails from members of the public along with whether the critiques had resulted in changes. Some did, the board noted, but many others were rejected.
A coalition of Jewish groups submitted 37 requested changes
“They’ll elevate the quality of education wstudents by giving them a well-rounded understanding of important texts and their impact on the world,” Megan Benton, a strategic policy associate at Texas Values, which says its mission is “to stand for biblical, Judeo-Christian values,” said during the hearing, Education Week reported. Texas Values called criticism of the proposed curriculum an “attack on the Bible.”
The Texas Education Agency solicited the proposed curriculum, which would join a menu of approved options, as part of a pandemic-era effort that waived some transparency laws, meaning that its authors are not fully known. But The 74, an education news organization, reported that a publishing company co-founded by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee contributed content to the curriculum.
Trump tapped Huckabee, a pastor and evangelical favorite, to become his ambassador to Israel.
For some in Texas and beyond, Bluebonnet represents a concrete example of how the national climate could ripple out into local changes.
“A lot of things, we think they’re outside of our community, or outside of our scope, like we hear these things, but are they really going to impact us?” says a Jewish assistant principal in the Richardson Independent School District north of Dallas who asks to remain anonymous. “But I think now that it’s becoming a potential reality, a friend was asking me, would Richardson adopt this? Is this something that is really going to happen in our community?”
A coalition of Jewish groups submitted 37 requested changes to the initial curriculum proposal. Epstein says the San Antonio JCRC specifically objected to language in some lessons that evoked “antisemitic tropes” and textual inaccuracies in referencing the story of Queen Esther, as well as offensive references to the Crusades and language that explained the birth of Jesus as the messiah.
One passage invited students to imagine “if you were a Crusader,” Epstein says, referring to the Christian knights of the Middle Ages who sought to conquer the Holy Land, massacred communities of Jews and are venerated by some on the Christian right.
In the case of the Esther lesson, the original curriculum recreated an aspect of the Purim story in which Haman drew lots to determine when to kill Jews in the Persian Empire — to teach probability. Nathan calls that lesson “subversively antisemitic.”
“In ancient Persia [drawing lots] was a way of helping someone make a decision, and the game was called Purim,” the initial text read. “Ask students to choose a number from 1 to 6. Roll a die and ask the students to raise their hand if their number was rolled.”
“This is shocking, offensive, and just plain wrong,” Sharyn Vane, a Jewish
parent of two Texas public school graduates, said at a September hearing, according to the New York Times. “Do we ask elementary students to pretend to be Hitler?” (Historical simulations have widely been rejected by educators for all grades.)
Both lessons were revised after feedback from Jewish groups and others, but Epstein and Nathan say the changes were not adequate. A new prompt asks students to describe “the journey of a Crusader” in the third person, but it still sanitizes the murder of many Jews and Christians during the Christian quest to conquer Jerusalem, Epstein charges.
And while the Purim lots activity was dropped, Epstein notes that a specific lesson plan about Esther — a beloved figure among evangelical Christians — also includes a reference to God, which the Megillah, the Jewish text telling the Purim story, famously does not do. She says that inaccuracy was not addressed in the revisions.
revisions that had been made thus far but says it still “reject[s] the current version of the curriculum.”
“We agree that students should learn the historical contributions of various religious traditions, but ADL’s analysis of the originally proposed curriculum found that a narrow view of Christianity was overwhelmingly emphasized, there were few mentions of other faiths and the curriculum baselessly credited Christianity with improved societal morality,” the group said in a statement. “Although improvements have been made, the materials still appear to cross the line into teaching religion instead of teaching about religion.”
Public schools should be places where children of all religious backgrounds feel welcomed and accepted.
In a statement, San Antonio’s Jewish federation, under which the JCRC operates, also acknowledged the changes that were made after its feedback but expressed concern over what it called “an almost solely Christian-based” perspective with “inaccuracies” and content that is inappropriate for elementary school students.
“We are not against teaching a broad range of religious beliefs to children in an age-appropriate way that clearly distinguishes between ‘beliefs’ and ‘facts,’ and gives appropriate time and respect to acknowledging many different religions,” the federation said. “Public schools should be places where children of all religious backgrounds feel welcomed and accepted.”
The newer version of the curriculum also did not address the federation’s concerns about language referring to Jesus as “the Messiah,” written with a capital “M,” and references to “the Bible,” rather than “the Christian Bible” specifically, as the federation had urged the curriculum’s creators to adopt.
The Austin branch of the AntiDefamation League, which was also involved in the efforts, also applauded the
Texas AFT, the state’s outpost of the American Federation of Teachers, a leading teachers’ union, also opposes the curriculum. “Texas AFT believes that not only do these materials violate the separation of church and state and the academic freedom of our classroom, but also the sanctity of the teaching profession,” the union said in a statement.
Some Republicans on the Texas Board of Education expressed reservations about the curriculum’s quality and age-appropriateness, separate from its religious content.
Nonpartisan and interfaith groups like Texas Impact and Texas Freedom Network have also been involved in efforts to oppose the curriculum, as has the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Epstein says a Sikh parent also testified at one of the hearings, asking for her faith’s traditions to be incorporated into lesson plans to provide more religious perspectives.
“Some of the people who were against it were not Jewish, and just were [against] the way that the curriculum was being put together pedagogically,” Epstein says. “But there were both Jewish and non-Jewish people there, and also some Christian folks who were there who were opposed to such an overtly Christian curriculum.”
The Richardson assistant principal says she saw in the financial incentive to adopt the curriculum — districts that do so will get
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up to $60 per student — an inappropriate assertion of support by the state. Many Texas districts are cash-strapped after legislators declined to substantially increase school funding last year.
“There is such a push in education for high-quality instructional materials,” says the assistant principal, who has three elementary school-aged children. “They’re pushing this so hard, and even potentially putting up funding for it if you adopt it, but it’s not a truly highquality curriculum.”
Rabbi Nathan says she’s not sure how much opponents of the curriculum can
do, but she stresses the importance of local advocacy — especially since the curriculum is not required.
“I think reaching out to your local school board and communicating with local teachers in your community is going to be key,” she says. “
But she says that the intensity of the proposed curriculum would undercut any counter-programming by representatives of other faiths.
“It’s not presented as, ‘Here’s what Christians believe,’” Nathan says about Bluebonnet. “It’s presented as, ‘Here is the truth.’ There’s a difference.”
ANTISEMITISM
Justin Trudeau condemns antisemitism after Montreal pro-Palestinian protest where Netanyahu is burned in effigy
Ben Sales
(JTA) — Justin Trudeau said Canada’s government would not tolerate antisemitism after a violent pro-Palestinian demonstration in Montreal where protesters burned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in effigy.
The Canadian prime minister was one of several officials to condemn the protest, which opposed a NATO conference on Friday, Nov. 22 and after which three protesters were arrested. It was one of a series of anti-Israel actions that have led to fallout in the Quebec metropolis, from the shuttering of a cafe in the city’s Jewish General Hospital to the cancelation of an Israeli-made film at a local festival.
“What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling,” Trudeau said in a statement on Saturday, Nov. 23. “Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them.”
The demonstrators, many of whom came from student groups, protested the Western military alliance due to members’ support for Israel in its multi-front war. According to Canadian media reports, demonstrators smashed windows, burnt vehicles, attacked police officers and set off smoke bombs and fireworks during the protest.
Nova Scotia. “This was anarchy. It was an engagement in violence and hatred on display in the city of Montreal.”
He added, “Those behaviors are unacceptable, and we condemn them, and in particular the hatred and antisemitism that was on display, in the strongest possible terms.”
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, an umbrella Jewish Canadian body, called the protest “a terrifying display of violence, hate, and anarchy” and called on Canada’s leaders to do more to fight antisemitism.
The group said in a statement, “Fires were lit, businesses vandalized, and Jewish Canadians once again felt unsafe in their own country. Our political leaders
need to stop excusing extremism. Police must enforce the law. And all Canadians must take antisemitism seriously—NOW.”
company’s statement said. “This franchisee’s actions are not only a breach of our franchise agreement, but they also violate the values of inclusion and community we stand for at Second Cup.”
In a statement, Deborah Lipstadt, the U.S. State Department’s antisemitism envoy and a Holocaust historian, condemned the “Final Solution” comments and added, “The antisemitic rhetoric that fueled the anti-NATO riots in Montreal sends a clear signal. Jew hatred incites violence, disrupts national security, and erodes democracy.”
Elsewhere in Montreal, RIDM, a documentary film festival, canceled the screenings of an Israeli filmmaker’s movie due to pro-Palestinian protests. The film by IsraeliCanadian Danae Elon, Rule of Stone, takes a critical lens on Israeli policy. According to a description on the festival website, the film focuses on Jerusalem stone, which is used as the facade for buildings in the Israeli capital. It examines “the erasure of Palestinian history and the gradual exclusion of its people,” and “reveals the contrasts and often invisible violence of its buildings and architecture.”
But the festival announced that two screenings were canceled. The statement said Elon had withdrawn the film following “consultations by RIDM with all concerned parties,” and that the festival would be changing its submission criteria.
“Danae Elon is an Israeli-Canadian filmmaker whose films have been accompanied by RIDM, and we recognize her personal commitment to criticizing and questioning the state of Israel,” the festival’s statement said. “However, the film’s inclusion in our programming has disrupted our relationships with important partners, including members of the community actively supporting the Palestinian people.”
Attendees could be seen waving Palestinian, Lebanese, and Iranian flags as well as one with the hammer and sickle, a communist symbol. Some protesters held a banner reading “intifada” in Arabic, a reference to violent Palestinian uprisings against Israel.
At one point, a group of protesters burned an effigy bearing the words “Netanyahu to the Hague,” a reference to the recent warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest issued by the International Criminal Court. Canada is one of several countries to confirm that it would arrest Netanyahu based on the warrant.
“This was nothing like lawful, peaceful protest,” said Bill Blair, Canada’s defense minister, at a conference in Halifax,
The Nov. 22 demonstration came one day after a participant in another anti-Israel demonstration was filmed saying “Final Solution is coming your way, the Final Solution.” The term “Final Solution” was the Nazi euphemism for the Holocaust.
The protester in question was later identified as the owner of two franchises of Second Cup, a Canadian coffee chain, located at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital. The company said in a statement that it is closing those locations and terminating the owner’s contract. It will continue paying staff and plans to reopen under new management, according to the CBC.
“Second Cup has zero tolerance for hate speech,” the
The festival was the second Canadian cultural event last month to draw pro-Palestinian protest. The Giller Prize, a prestigious literary award, was given amid a boycott by authors protesting its sponsors’ ties to Israel.
In Toronto, a small pro-Palestinian protest featured, according to critics who shared photos on social media, a demonstrator dressed as Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the moments before an Israeli soldier killed him and someone holding a sign reading “Free flights to Amsterdam,” an apparent allusion to the attacks on Israeli soccer fans that took place there last month. A Jewish political pundit was reportedly arrested after he refused police instructions to leave the scene.
Justin Trudeau.
Year- end decisions
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Year-end decisions
Dear Readers,
December 31 has had the distinction of being the last day of the calendar year since the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582, and yet, its arrival always seems to take many of us by surprise.
I’m sure you know what I mean. . . the sudden urgency to make those last-minute payments, to get those business papers in order, to donate, to get that check in the mail, to submit that application, to take care of those pesky details, to make some serious decisions. . . all before the clock strikes midnight to signal the start of a new calendar year.
One of those decisions might be whether to sell or purchase a home. In our Generations at Work Together series, we ask three sets of mother-daughter realtors if now is an appropriate time to make that kind of move. Their responses begin on page 20.
For some, the end of the year is really about how the next one begins. Stephanie Peck speaks with three mental health professionals for tips on how to best approach 2024’s end to make the best start to 2025. The article is on page 17.
Amy Zelenka writes about the importance of contributing to United Jewish Federation of Tidewater on page 19 and Randy Parrish discusses maximizing tax benefits with year-end giving on page 24.
While the list of potential decisions (including what gifts to purchase for the holidays!) is long, we’ve addressed a few here in the hopes of offering just a bit of assistance, to relieve even a tiny bit of stress.
No matter the topic of the year-end decisions you are set to make for 2024, all of us at Jewish News hope those verdicts set the stage for a smooth entry into 2025.
Terri Denison Editor
Year-end decisions
LETTING GO AT YEAR-END FOR A BETTER BEGINNING
Stephanie Peck
As the 2024 calendar year nears the finish line, one pervasive question is: How is it possible to leave behind the stresses and anxieties of the past 12 months and approach 2025 with renewed hope and opportunity? With ongoing wars and hostilities in the Middle East headlining the news each day and an exhausting election season that has left some Americans hopeful and others on edge, the question looms, “On January 1, can we possibly start fresh?”
“The New Year is like a reboot of your computer. It’s a chance to re-set your mind on what you can do and put old stresses behind,” says Debbie Mayer, director of clinical, older adult and adoption services at Jewish Family Service of Tidewater.
blog post, she writes, “Our culture values how much you can do in less time than someone else. Time is money, and status is being too busy.”
Mayer suggests reflecting on the positive aspects of the past year and trying to carry those ideas and memories forward.
Matthew Sachs, MD, MPH, MBA, who practices child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry, encourages preparing for the new year with the Golden Rule in mind. “If we treat others how we want to be treated, watch how many of our problems will disappear. Look at the response you get from someone just by holding the door open for them.” For those who do feel wronged, Sachs suggests striving for the higher road; one day, the other person may see the errors of their ways and return. He promotes adhering to a higher standard. “You will feel proud of yourself, maintaining your moral compass.”
Anxiety and worry create stress that, ideally, can be learned to be better managed in the new year.
Louise B. Lubin, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist, recommends reducing the sense of time pressure, a component of daily lives often resulting in a loss of sleep, worrying about how to get it all done. In a
4) Relevant: if cholesterol, weight, or blood pressure is high, better health is a perfectly relevant goal;
Lubin refers to this state as hurry sickness. “It can dominate your life, so you have difficulty slowing down even on a vacation.”
Sachs suggests using the holiday season and new year to its fullest. “This has been a very polarizing year, not only in United States politics but in Israel’s fight against terrorism. Not everyone will agree with each other.” However, he sees no reason to excommunicate people over different opinions. “Good friends are hard to find. Family is forever. Losing them over political views would be tragic. It’s time to come back together, to heal any wounds.” The end of the year, he says, is a perfect time to mend any broken relationships.
Setting realistic goals for the new year can help the transition into 2025. Mayer recommends a few, small goals, like starting each day with one positive thought.
Lubin discourages setting goals that are too big, too many, and not specific enough. Instead, she suggests the SMART approach, choosing goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time bound. Sachs, who also promotes the SMART method, offers this example: If a goal is to exercise more often and be more fit:
5) Time allotted: it should be possible to accomplish the feat within the year, so next year a different SMART goal may be chosen.
Focusing on enhanced personal care is another improvement to be made in the new year. Lubin offers some simple recommendations to breathe easier in 2025. She begins with getting to know one’s body clock; paying attention to one’s peak periods during the day, and not trying to do two things at once. Rushing often leads to a poorer result.
Next, Lubin promotes deceleration, finding the discipline to do things more slowly. Eat, walk, and talk more slowly. Take brief times out during the day. When faced with a delay, approach it as found time. Choose to drive in the right lane instead of the left. When it’s not possible to cut back or slow down, vary the rhythm. Always try and take some time out, even for a few minutes. Alternate head and hand work when possible. Change positions often.
Lubin also suggests reducing an awareness of time. Notice how often the phone or watch is being checked and make an effort to reduce those times. Reduce time on the computer and TV and let the cell phone go to voicemail. Consider creating a ritual where time is not acknowledged – just be and not do. For many, that is what the Sabbath is all about.
Consider these tips:
• Pay attention.
• Achieve more by doing less.
• Practice saying “No.”
• Before adding a new activity, subtract an old one.
1) Be specific: pick a number of times to exercise per week;
2) Measurable: be able to see objective progress;
3) Achievable: if running hurts, change to a low impact approach;
• Learn to schedule and break tasks into specific steps and prioritize them.
Most achievable goals are moderately demanding, realistic, measurable, and written down.
Try to identify what is really important in the new year, as it will help to plan time in a way that will be better for both mental and physical health.
Debbie Mayer.
Louise B. Lubin, Ph.D.
Matthew Sachs, MD, MPH, MBA.
Year-end decisions
Looking back and looking forward
Amy Zelenka
Year end is fast approaching, and with it comes an opportunity to look back and assess… Did I do all I wanted to do over the past 12 months? Did I accomplish my goals? Stick with my New Year’s resolutions? Make the world better in some small way?
Year end is a chance to set and re-set goals, and one place to start might be with tzedakah. In a year full of darkness for Israel and the Jewish people, we can all bring a bit of light and hope. Please consider making a gift to the 2025 UJFT Annual Campaign.
Your gift will bring light to the families of hostages and hostage survivors in Israel, as well as those displaced families seeking to rebuild their lives. Your gift will take care of elderly Jews in Ukraine – now heading in to their
third winter of war (which promises to be the worst one yet, with an electrical grid so heavily degraded by repeated Russian attacks).
Your gift will help college students dealing with intimidation and threats from the disgusting antisemitic “protests” taking place on college campuses throughout the country. Your gift will help fund increased security throughout the Jewish community of Tidewater, hardening our physical locations and providing training against possible threats. And your gift will help bolster the local programs and services we fund right here at home, which make this the community we love.
When you look back on this year… this sad, shocking, frightening, and maddening year… will you be satisfied with your actions? Please consider a gift of support for the
Jewish community at home and around the world through the Federation’s Annual Campaign.
To make a gift, call UJFT’s campaign department at 757-965-6115, email pmalone@ujft.org, or visit jewishVA.org. If you received a pledge card in the mail earlier this year, now is a great time to fi ll it out and return it. And if you receive a phone call from one of our callers in the coming days and weeks, please say yes. You’ll be touching more lives than you can imagine. Here's looking forward to a better year ahead for all of us. Am Yisroel Chai!
Amy Zelenka is chief development offi cer for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. She may be reached at azelenka@ujft.org.
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Year-end decisions
GENERATIONS AT WORK TOGETHER
In Jewish Tidewater, several fortunate parents work alongside their adult children, and sometimes, with other family members. In this issue, Jewish News highlights generations who work together in the world of real estate.
Linda Fox-Jarvis and Stephanie Jarvis Caskill
Stephanie Peck
Linda Fox-Jarvis never imagined that one of her children would want to join her real estate business. “It is a rewarding career, but it is also a 24/7 job and takes a toll on your family life,” says Fox-Jarvis who has sold real estate since 1982, regularly placing in the top 1% of realtors across the nation.
Working with her daughter, Stephanie Jarvis Caskill, has been a dream come true for Fox-Jarvis, saying she loves their collaboration and receives great joy from the association. Fox-Jarvis also says she is proud of what her daughter has accomplished –Caskill is now Team Leader of The Linda Fox-Jarvis Team.
Caskill says she learned to sell real estate from her mother, first starting on the administrative side and then growing into the role of lead agent. “I can attribute all my knowledge to her.”
Linda Fox-Jarvis
The Linda Fox-Jarvis Team, BHHS RW Towne Realty Residential Real Estate
Jewish News: How do you collaborate professionally with each other?
Linda Fox-Jarvis: We talk multiple times a day about the day-to-day business, challenges, etc. We sit down and meet physically at least once a month to go over our year-todate sales goals vs. actual sales, as well as to discuss our marketing and advertising, technology opportunities, client appreciation events, team building activities, etc.
JN: Do you find generational differences in your approach to real estate? If so, what are they?
LFJ: Yes. Stephanie is more geared toward technology, online software/resources and social media than I am in terms of our marketing and services. I tend to like “snail mail” and print advertising. I think both perspectives give our clients the best of both worlds in terms of marketing their home, communications, and other real estate services we provide. We always take our clients’ lead in terms of communication – i.e. some are big on texting, others emailing, and many prefer communicating by phone. It often is a generational thing.
JN: What have you learned from each other?
LFJ: I've learned a lot from Stephanie. I admire her confidence, patience, and team orientation. She really cares about our clients and our team members, and it shows. I am also so impressed at how she serves all of our clients – no matter their age – no matter their price range. And they share that they love and respect her knowledge, professionalism, and caring approach.
JN: What advice would you give to other family members who work together?
LFJ:
• Don't micromanage each other.
• Respect each other’s perspective and ideas – get out of judgment and into curiosity.
• Communicate – talk often.
• When you do have a disagreement and maybe didn’t say or do the right thing, say you are sorry. Don’t let your pride get in the way.
JN: Do you have any advice that pertains to real estate as the end of the year approaches?
LFJ: If you are thinking of selling a home at the end of 2024, NOW is definitely a good time! It’s more of a seller’s market right now. Waiting until next year and the spring, there will most likely be a lot more homes on the market and more competition.
Stephanie Jarvis Caskill
The Linda Fox-Jarvis Team, BHHS RW Towne Realty Residential Real Estate
Jewish News: How do you collaborate professionally with each other?
Stephanie Caskill: We work exceptionally well together, especially as a mother-
daughter team! Each of us has distinct roles within the business, yet we maintain constant communication throughout every transaction. We typically align on business decisions and have a deep trust in one another, which makes our professional relationship incredibly strong.
JN: Do you find generational differences in your approach to real estate? If so, what are they?
SC: Somewhat, but overall we share the same core values and foundation for our business, which makes our approach to transactions and negotiations very similar. When it comes to marketing, we bring the best of both worlds. I focus on social media, photography, and video, while Linda handles the fundamentals and knows what consistently works. This combination has proven to be highly successful.
JN: What advice would you give to other family members who work together?
SC: Maintaining open communication is key! It’s a learning process to figure out what works and what doesn’t. It’s very important for both parties to feel like they are “winning” in this situation and I do feel that we have that.
JN: Is the end of the year a good time to sell a home?
SC: Absolutely! Many clients ask me whether they should list their home during the holidays or wait until later. I typically recommend getting it on the market now. As we approach spring, competition increases significantly, with a surge of homes hitting the market in March and April. Additionally, the holiday season often brings increased listing activity. Buyers tend to have more time off work to view homes, and we frequently see new buyers entering the market as they visit family during the holidays and decide to relocate to the area.
Stephanie Jarvis Caskill and Linda Fox-Jarvis.
generational differences do exist, this mother-daughter duo, both graduates of Old Dominion University, divide their expertise: Nancy Evans helps buyers and sellers; Heather Evans manages properties for absentee owners.
“We both have found our niche and both love what we do,” Nancy Evans says.
Nancy Evans
Property Management / Real Estate Sales
Jewish News: How and when did you begin your career in real estate?
Nancy Evans: I was licensed in 1986 as a sales agent and became a managing broker in 1992. In 2021, I decided to step back from management and go back to my roots as a sales agent.
JN: How do you collaborate professionally with your daughter?
NE: When we have owners who are undecided on renting or selling, we work together to give them their best scenarios to help make a decision. We also brainstorm ideas for marketing and growing our business.
JN: Do you find generational differences in your approach to real estate?
NE: I enjoy doing things old school; in fact, I still writes checks.
JN: What do you admire in each other?
NE: Regarding my daughter, I admire her ability to take care of her family, while maintaining her status as a top property manager within the company.
JN: Would you recommend a year-end sale or purchase of a home?
NE: Real estate is always a good investment. Rates appear to be coming down and inventory is low, making it a great time for buyers and sellers.
JN: Any additional comments?
NE: While we don’t always come to the table with the same ideas, we are able to collaborate and come up with an effective game plan to help our clients in achieving their goals.
Heather Evans Property Management / Real Estate Sales
Jewish News: How and when did you begin your career in real estate?
Heather Evans: I followed in my mother’s footsteps, becoming a sales agent in 2003
and transitioning to property management in 2012. I was a sales agent for a few years and made the transition to property management, which better suited my family.
JN: How long have you worked together?
HE: We’ve worked together since I became licensed in 2003.
JN: Do you find generational differences in your approach to real estate?
HE: Use of technology is the biggest
difference. My mother, however, is gradually coming on board.
JN: What do you admire in your mom?
HE: I admire her determination, work ethic, and attention to details.
JN: What advice would you give to other family members who work together?
HE: Communication and understanding of methods of doing business are important. Being open to each other’s ideas is key.
Year-end decisions
Janet Porter Kramer and Kathryn Kramer
Stephanie Peck
One unique aspect about this motherdaughter realtor duo – Janet Kramer and Kathryn Kramer – is their succession into real estate. Kathryn Kramer entered the field fi rst and encouraged her mom to pivot from a career in architecture to selling homes. “Usually, the son or daughter goes into the family business; in my case, I benefitted from Kathryn’s success to springboard a second career,” Janet Kramer says.
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Realtor
Residential Real Estate
Jewish News: How do you collaborate professionally with each other?
Janet Kramer: The best thing about working together is we provide continued coverage and support to our clients. If one of us goes out of town the other is there to meet their needs, whether it is showing properties, assisting with contractors or writing offers.
JN: Do you fi nd generational differences in your approach to real estate? If so, what are they?
JK: The biggest difference for me is the use of social media. Kathryn is really great at creating and promoting her listings and sales on different social platforms. I could take a page from her playbook so to speak and step it up a bit.
JN: What have you learned from each other?
JK: In this business you never have two transactions which are the same. I often look to Kathryn to offer an interpretation or approach from a different perspective on contracts in an increasingly changing market. She looks for my perspective when her clients are considering ideas about modifying or changing their home.
JN: What advice would you give to other family members who work together?
JK: When I decided to switch careers and become a realtor, Kathryn thought it was a great idea, and without hesitation helped me navigate the transition to real estate, which was almost 13 years ago. We are so fortunate to have both a great working relationship and a personal one as well. Business is business and family bonds are strong, but you need to be able to separate the two.
JN: Do you have recommendations for readers if they’re considering a year-end sale or purchase of a home?
JK: Approaching the end of the year is the best time to buy a home. There are not as
many lookers, and prices tend to be discounted slightly. However, inventory often is less than in the spring. The benefit if you are selling a home, is people looking during this time period are usually serious buyers. You may need to be patient; it typically takes longer to sell a property during the winter months.
JN: Any additional comments?
JK: I am so proud of my daughter’s hard work and accomplishments.
Kathryn Kramer
Howard Hanna Residential Real Estate
Jewish News: How do you collaborate professionally with each other?
Kathryn Kramer: The easy answer is that my mom is a brilliantly talented architect, so I consult her frequently to assist with re-working spaces, drawing up sketches for modifications, or laying out a new room. Beyond that, we have purchased properties together, own vacation rentals together ,and have flipped properties together. As far as our real estate sales business, we cover for each other when needed and talk daily to workshop different scenarios and situations. In real estate, every deal is different and has unique challenges and nuances. Having my mother’s perspective, guidance and insight is invaluable.
JN: Do you find generational differences in your approach to real estate? If so, what are they?
KK: I have to push her to use technology and social media more than she would like, but she is pretty savvy in her own right.
JN: What have you learned from each other?
KK: My mom is grounded, reliable and even keeled. I am fiery and passionate. She keeps my feet on the ground and tells me when I am being unreasonable.
JN: What advice would you give to other family members who work together?
Chris Sisler, Vice President, Member of Ohef Sholom Temple, Board member of the Berger-Goldrich Home at Beth Sholom Village, James E. Altmeyer, Jr., President, James E. Altmeyer, Sr., Owner
Year-end decisions
KK: Family comes fi rst, and you have to compartmentalize drama personally or professionally. At the end of the day, I always realize that she gave me the life, education, drive, and values that make me who I am, so helping her when I am able is the least I can do to repay her immeasurable gifts to me.
JN: Do you have recommendations for readers if they’re considering a year-end sale or purchase of a home?
KK: Do it!! There are wonderful properties out there sitting for the first time in years.
We finally have great properties, good deals and favorable terms simultaneously. Most economists are projecting the market will pick up when rates come down or the active spring market takes hold. Nevertheless, there are several great opportunities now.
JN: Any additional comments?
KK: Working with my mother is an honor and a privilege. Having a partner that understands and appreciates you on the deepest levels is a wonderful steppingstone to build a successful business. I recognize how fortunate I am. I would have it no other way.
"Recently my mother required 12 hour
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
Janet Porter Kramer and Kathryn Kramer.
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Year-end decisions
MAXIMIZE 2024 TAX BENEFITS WITH SMART YEAREND GIVING
TJF staff
As the end of the year approaches, individuals and families are considering ways to maximize the financial benefits of their charitable giving. Tidewater Jewish Foundation offers guidance to help donors make informed decisions that align with their financial goals while also supporting the community.
“Year-end giving strategies can help donors significantly reduce their tax liability while supporting meaningful causes,” says Randy Parrish, TJF vice president and CFO. “With careful planning, donors can utilize charitable tools that provide substantial tax savings and amplify the financial advantages of their contributions.”
an IRA directly to certain charitable funds to satisfy their Required Minimum Distributions without incurring additional income tax. This tax-efficient strategy enables donors to leverage their retirement funds for philanthropic purposes without impacting their taxable income.
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TJF partners with donors and their financial advisors or attorneys to create personalized giving strategies. One effective option is to donate appreciated assets, such as stocks, directly to TJF. This approach allows donors to bypass capital gains taxes while securing a deduction for the asset’s total market value.
“Gifts of appreciated assets can reduce a donor’s taxable income, providing a financial benefit to the donor and enabling impactful giving,” says Parrish.
For donors over 70½, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) present another opportunity. Donors can transfer up to $105,000 in 2024 from
The Virginia Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit Program offers another financial incentive. By contributing to this program before year-end, donors receive a 65% tax credit on their Virginia taxes for 2024. “The tax credit program is a powerful tool for year-end giving,” says Parrish, a licensed CPA. “It offers a substantial tax credit for donors while supporting scholarships for Jewish day school students—a true win-win.”
Parrish says that “now is the ideal time to explore these options. By planning your giving before year-end, you can maximize the financial benefits and position yourself for a strong start in 2025.”
Along with donors’ financial advisors or attorneys, TJF can help create a plan to optimize tax savings and achieve meaningful impact.
TJF does not offer tax advice. For more information, contact Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO at 757-965-6109 or nsedek@tjfva.org, or Randy Parrish at 757965-6104 or rparrish@tjfva.org.
Randy Parrish.
Year-end decisions
Decide now to launch a healthy lifestyle
According to fitness, nutrition, and medical experts, the time of year is totally unimportant when it comes to ditching bad habits and striking up new ones. But, as the year-end approaches, this seems like a perfect time to make the decision to make as many adjustments as possible to maintain and improve one’s health.
Consider these simple steps: (Pun intended!)
1) Living in Tidewater, it’s rarely too cold or too wet to get out and walk. It’s not news that engaging in simple cardiovascular exercise weekly can help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood levels and improve posture and muscle tone. Not motivated to walk alone? Grab a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or an acquaintance. The conversation and social interaction will help your mental attitude, too.
“Today’s the day,” according to Tom Purcell, wellness director at the Simon Family JCC. Purcell does not believe in New Year’s resolutions nor waiting to improve on wellness. He suggests implementing fitness into your current schedule right now –even without going to the gym if time constraints are an issue. Body weight exercises, for example, can be done anytime and anywhere. And, according to Purcell, they will pay dividends if you are consistent. Subtle changes, like climbing the steps instead of using the elevator, or parking farther away from the grocery store, will add to the quality of your life going forward, he says.
Rewards Checking
2) Everyone’s heard the phrase, “you are what you eat.” It only makes sense then, that eating healthy will contribute to being healthy. Seek out some local produce and fi sh, say no to that extra piece of cake, limit that red meat, drink water. Make sure there are cut carrots and celery in the fridge to grab for a snack instead of that bag of chips or anything that is ultra-processed.
Once these simple decisions on food
turn into habits, the scales will also be lighter.
3) Securing a doctor, dentist, or optometrist appointment doesn’t happen overnight anymore. So, get your 2025 calendar now and start making those appointments. It is always better to ward off a problem than be crushed by it later.
Enjoy the fresh air, the crunch of the carrots, the checking off of those appointments, and your extra energy as we all say goodbye to 2024 and hello to a healthy 2025!
Year-end decisions
Summer jobs, internships, and full-time careers for young adults to get a boost from UJFT’s new program
Career exploration workshop: Wednesday, January 15, Sandler Family Campus Summer employment workshop: Wednesday, February 19, Sandler Family Campus
Elana McGovern
Interested in the Hampton Roads job market or in returning home for a career opportunity? Through a new partnership with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater hopes to better support young Jewish individuals with their careers and lives in Hampton Roads.
This program will offer high schoolers, college students, and post grads a chance to learn about local summer jobs, internships, and job opportunities.
Information for students and their families to connect with these programs can be found at Jewishva. org/CareerLaunch. The program also includes a
series of workshops designed to support students and young adults in navigating the application process and to learn about career choices. Two workshops are planned for early 2025 with sessions designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue summer jobs, internships, and full-time positions with confidence.
Future plans include hosting a series of events where a career counselor from the Hampton Roads Workforce Council is available at the Simon Family JCC for individual conversations with students as they go through their journeys.
As the program progresses, local students, as well
as students at Hillels across Virginia, will have access to this information. For businesses not already involved in the Workforce Council’s programs, there will be opportunities to learn how to host an intern or post a position that will be marketed throughout the region.
This partnership marks an exciting time as Jewish Tidewater looks to support young adults who want to return or make the area a home where they can fi nd success within their careers and personal lives.
For more information, contact Elana McGovern, UJFT Young Adult director, at emcgovern@ujft.org.
• State-of-the-Art Fitness Center: 40+ free group fitness classes, no-wait equipment, personal training options.
• Indoor + Outdoor Aquatics Center: Year-round lap swim, lessons, therapy pool
• Youth + Adult Sports Leagues: Basketball, soccer, t-ball, swim, + more! Stop in at the front desk or contact our Membership Director at LEllard@UJFT.org or 757-321-2338.
Just add hot water?
Rachel Ringler (JTA) — For most of Jewish culinary history, anyone seeking to make matzah balls faced one major choice: sinkers or floaters?
In the 20th century, with the advent of home-cooking conveniences, another decision joined the one about density: from scratch or from a box?
Now, in an era of niche food products, home cooks have a new set of matzah ball options: freeze-dried, fl ash-frozen, and flecked with furikake, the Japanese seasoning mix including seaweed and sesame seeds.
As soup season descends, a growing number of new efforts are underway to remake Jewish culture’s most iconic comfort food for the harried home cook. Both legacy brands and new startups are getting into the matzah ball game, aiming to simplify production so that a bowl of steaming, tasty soup can always be just minutes away.
Nooish, which hit shelves in September, is a just-add-hot-water option that comes in a paper ramen container, emblazoned with iconography and lettering that subtly reflects American Jewish visual culture.
Shalom Japan, the Brooklyn JewishJapanese fusion restaurant, has recently launched a mail-order matzah ball ramen kit that allows home cooks to replicate its signature dish.
And even Manischewitz, the vaunted kosher brand that launched in 1888 as a matzah producer, has innovated on its longstanding line of box mixes. Now, Manischewitz matzah balls can be found in many supermarkets’ freezer sections.
The trend has prompted debate among Jewish food icons, many of whom have their own recipes and traditions for the soup that is a mainstay of Shabbat and holiday tables from the onset of cozy season until Passover in the spring.
Calling matzah balls “the supreme Jewish comfort food,” Joan Nathan, the matriarch of the Jewish food world, says she believed the readymade options are unnecessary and likely subpar.
“Matzah balls are so easy to make. They
don’t take any time at all,” she says. “It probably takes less time to make them than to buy them.”
But Adeena Sussman, author of the cookbooks Sababa and Shabbat says, “Not everyone has a great matzah ball recipe or the wherewithal to make matzah balls. It’s a hard time to be a Jew. Even a little Jewish comfort, by adding hot water to a matzah ball mix, I am all for it. I think it’s great.”
Some of the new products offer a spin on the classic dish.
Shalom Japan’s mail-order kit includes two soup packets that come with matzah balls, packets of noodles, scallions, soup mandels, and a spicy sauce. Consumers need only to boil water, stick in the packets of soup to heat them, remove the packets and put the noodles into the same boiling water to generate their own version of matzah ball ramen. (Add your own furikake.)
“That dish is the dish people think of the most when they think of our restaurant,” says Aaron Israel, Shalom Japan’s co-founder with his wife Sawako Okochi. “It helps define us.”
Sarah Nathan, the creator of Nooish, meanwhile, touts the “clean” ingredients in her product — no MSG, less salt than other instant soups on the market, and high-end flavorings from Burlap and Barrel, the Jewish spice startup.
As a busy executive at food brands such as Chobani and Just Date, Nathan, 37, often found herself turning to instant soup when she didn’t have time to cook from scratch. But after helping plan a virtual Jewish food festival during the pandemic, she realized that none of her go-to brands reflected her own culture.
“Why can’t I get matzah ball soup instantly?” Nathan recalls thinking. “It’s so hard to make, hard to get, and it’s expensive. But it is also a love language.”
This fall, after years of testing and product development, she brought Nooish to the market. The vegetarian, certified kosher soups come in packages of four for $40 or 18 for $125. Its name is a mashup of
“new,” and “Jewish.”
Sussman sampled the soup and says she was initially skeptical because of its appearance — until she added hot water.
“They are like space food, freeze dried. When you look at it, it is dry and powdery with flecks of dried herbs. Until it is rehydrated you have no idea what is going to happen,” she says. “I was pleasantly surprised with the matzah ball. It was better than I thought it would be.”
In the first week after Nooish launched, Nathan says she sold mostly to friends and family. In the second, orders poured in from around the world, including from places where cooking is impractical or impossible — including on a naval ship. Now, she’s touting its utility for organizations that want
to send soup to their constituents but want to avoid ordering pricey restaurant delivery or setting up temporary distribution centers from their own kitchens.
The company’s social media is highlighting a comment from a Hillel employee who wrote, “Our Hillel sends soup to students who are not feeling well. Nooish has revolutionized how we do it — no more freezers, no more defrosting, no more complicated requests from campus dining.”
“A convenience food that ties into super great comfort food memories and associations can fill a hole for people,” Sussman says. “Can’t you see every mom sending it to their kid in their college dorms? I would want to.”
IT’S A WRAP
Women’s Philanthropy hosts an Israeli chef at its Annual Lion Tikva Chai Luncheon
Linda Ausch
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s 2025 Women’s Philanthropy Lion Tikva Chai Lunch took place on a cool, crisp day in the sunny and bright Fleishmann Lounge on the Sandler Family Campus.
This annual lunch is a thank you for all women donors at the $1,800+ level of giving, as well as for all women serving on the Women’s Philanthropy committee. Mona Flax, UJFT Annual Campaign chair and past Women’s Philanthropy chair, opened the lunch asking: “Who would have predicted where we would be a year from the last Lion Tikva Chai lunch?” citing October 7th, the hostages, and antisemitism – just a few of the horrific events taking place. “I think we can all agree these are anything but normal times and they haven’t been normal for over a year,” she said.
After pausing for a moment of reflection—in support and solidarity with Israel – Flax announced the campaign totals, which (as of November 12) stood at just more than $4.1million from 644 individual donors – an impressive increase of 5.7% from the same group of donors in last year’s campaign.
Jodi Klebanoff, also a past chair of UJFT’s Women’s Philanthropy, celebrated the milestone givers in the Women’s Campaign, which included:
• 2 new Emerald Lions of Judah (women giving $25,000+)
• 2 new Ruby Lions of Judah (women giving $10,000+)
• 2 new Israel@75 Level Lions of Judah (women giving $7,500+)
• 10 new Lions of Judah (women giving $5,000+)
• 2 new Tikvas (women giving $3,600+)
• 6 new Chai Society Donors (women giving $1,800+)
The names of the community’s Endowed Lions of Judah (LOJE’s) of blessed memory, were then recited – a tradition at this event.
After calling the names of the LOJE’s of blessed memory, women who many in the room knew and loved, Klebanoff declared each of them an Eshet Chayil – a woman of valor, whose memories “remain a blessing for our community and for each of us.”
Betty Ann Levin, UJFT executive vice president, then presented a special award to Karen Jaffe. The KipnisWilson/Friedland Award (named for Lion of Judah founders Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland, of blessed memory) recognizes extraordinary women who’ve set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism in their communities. Jaffe will “officially” be recognized for this award in January at the International Lion of Judah conference in Atlanta, alongside women from other Jewish communities across North America.
A role model and an inspiration for all who support and work on behalf of the Federation and its campaigns, Jaffe received plenty hearty “Mazel Tovs!” on this well deserved recognition.
Alicia London Friedman introduced the event speaker, Naama Sheffi, author of The Jewish Holiday Table and founder of the Jewish Food Society – a New York-based non-profit which preserves and celebrates Jewish culinary heritage through a digital recipe archive.
In addition to the Jewish Food Society, Sheffi launched a partner organization in Tel Aviv called Asif: The Culinary
Institute of Israel, whose mission is to explore the diverse and creative food culture of Israel.
When Friedman asked Sheffi during their moderated discussion, “What was the event or particular moment in your life that inspired your career in food?” Sheffi immediately knew the answer. She recalled when her then-boyfriend (now husband) brought her home to meet his family. His “Nona” (grandmother) prepared the entire meal, somehow (as if by magic) fitting 18 family members around a table in a tiny Tel Aviv apartment, to enjoy a special Shabbat dinner. When Sheffi (who was raised on a kibbutz, and was not accustomed to delicious food) asked about the recipes, Nona explained they were all inside her head – nothing was written. For Sheffi to learn to prepare them, Nona demonstrated. Over the years, Sheffi wrote down as many recipes as she could. The result was her landing in the culinary field as both a chef and an archivist.
The women enjoyed a terrific sampling of Sheffi’s recipes – pulled from her cookbook and catered by the Cardo Café (Sheila Swartwood assisted by Chad Eichelberger). Everyone chatted about how unique the flavors were and which dishes they liked best.
The event was another example of Jewish Tidewater’s generousity, warmth, enthusiasism, and passion about the work it does to build and strengthen the Jewish people. Even Naama Sheffi acknowledged the warm, hospitable feeling she got as soon as she arrived on the Sandler Family Campus.
Linda Ausch is UJFT Women’s Campaign director.
Amy Lefcoe and Darcy Bloch.
Betty Ann Levin and Karen Jaffe.
Beth and Nathan Jaffe, Karen Jaffe, and Susan Alper.
Amy Levy, Rachel Abrams, Megan Zuckerman and Leslie Siegel.
Betty Ann Levin and Nancy Levin.
Joan Joffe and Carin Simon.
Ellen Rostov Hundley, Robin Mancoll, and Rosanne Simon. Darcy Bloch, Jody Laibstain, and Rosanne Simon.
Joan Joffe and Martha Glasser.
Stacy Brody and Sandra Porter Leon.
Jodi Klebanoff, Naama Sheffi, and Barbara Dudley.
Joan London and Alicia Friedman.
Karen Jaffe, Susan Eilberg, and Paula Blachman.
Robin Mancoll and Debbie Casey.
Joan Joffe, Cindy Kramer and Laura Miller.
Shaye Arluk, Carin Simon, and Kristy Foleck.
Renee Strelitz, Ashley Zittrain, and Rachel Feigenbaum.
Linda Spindel and Darcy Bloch.
Naama Sheffi and Mona Flax. Randi Strelitz and Nikki Shapiro Roth.
Nadiv members tour USS Eisenhower
Sam Molofsky
More than a young men’s fundraising group for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Nadiv is a place to network, socialize, and learn about each other’s professional lives.
On Friday, November 8, 12 Nadiv members toured the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Jonathan Beha, a colonel in the
US Air Force and a member of Nadiv, arranged for the visit on the carrier.
The tour offered many highlights, including:
• Walking along the flight deck, which is more than three football fields long.
• Experiencing the command bridge above the flight deck, which offers a birds-eye view of the operations below.
• Standing inside a hangar that holds up to 90 aircraft at a time.
The USS Eisenhower maintains approximately 5,000 sailors while at sea. The ship is currently docked in Norfolk for routine maintenance and repairs after a recent deployment to the Middle East.
Nadiv is a thriving young professional group under UJFT’s Men’s Division. The group has two big fundraisers planned for 2025 – a March Madness bracket challenge and an inaugural, community-wide poker event scheduled for Tuesday, May 13 at the Sandler Family Campus.
All Nadiv men give at least $365 to UJFT’s annual campaign.
To join Nadiv or to provide a sponsorship or a prize for
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an upcoming Nadiv event, contact Amy Zelenka, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s chief development officer, at azelenka@ujft.org.
Sam Molofsky is Nadiv chair.
WITH
• Bistro and Café • Housekeeping Services
• Concierge Services
• Dog Washing Station
Nadiv members gather inside the USS Eisenhower for a special tour led by Nadiv member and US Air Force Colonel Jonathan Beha.
Jonathan Beha, Seth Lubaton, Dave Flagler, Sam Rachaelson, Sam Molofsky, Mark Gamsey, Ryan Benton, ShinShinim Emily Patyuk, Andrew Kramer, Yoel Lev, Adam Walker, Yoni Glaser, and Jason Friedman.
PHILANTHROPY CAN START YOUNG
Some say it’s never too early to learn about generosity and tzedakah. That seems to be a prevailing philosophy for Alyson Gross and Michael Yaary, parents of two-year-old Asher.
Instead of gifts for his recent birthday party, the Strelitz International Academy student requested diapers – all to be donated to Jewish Family Service.
“Asher loved celebrating his second birthday with friends and family this year,” says Alyson Gross Yaary. “The highlight of his birthday was chocolate cake and a bounce house.
“We asked Asher’s friends and family to bring diapers and wipes to donate to JFS instead of presents. We want to make sure Asher grows up knowing how important it is to give tzedakah and help those in need. We also want to emphasize the importance of spending time with family and friends over getting gifts and presents.”
REUVEN AND DEVORAH ZINN HAVE A NEW BABY BOY
Berel David Zinn, named after Bernard Daniel Jason, his late great grandfather, was born on October 24, 2024 to Reuven and Devorah Zinn in Cedarhurst, N.Y.
Mazel tov to his parents and big brother, Noam Zinn, as well as to his grandparents Marcy and Michael Mostofsky and Harry and Holly Zinn, and to his great grandparents, Nancy and Stanley Peck, Barbara Silverstein, and Shia and Phyliss Lome.
Asher Gross with diapers to be donated to Jewish Family Service.
Accountant Melvin R Green
endowed a scholarship at the Hampton Roads Community
Foundation His goal? To give future students opportunities he never had Today, years after his passing, Green’s gift continues to support students
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Increase your understanding of modern Jewish art
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 pm,
Chrysler
Museum
Your gift can live forever, too Visit leaveabequest.org to learn more
Rick Rivin
A renowned expert from Georgetown University, Ori Soltes, PhD, will offer a survey of 20th-century modern Jewish painting for the initial program of the Tidewater Jewish Visual Arts Advisory Board. The board was recently created by the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center in Portsmouth, in collaboration with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and The Chrysler Museum.
Dr. Soltes is a professor of art, philosophy, political history, and theology at Georgetown University. In his book, Fixing The World, Soltes includes artists who depict Jewish themes and symbols as well as individual biographies of painters, stylistic analysis, and thematic interpretations. The concept of Tikkun Olam, repairing or fi xing the world–is a common thread among most of these artworks.
This informative program is open to the public.
Admission is $18 per person, and $9 for students with ID. Tickets are available in advance at www.JewishVA.org/JewishArt and will also be available at the door. The lecture will be followed by a reception.
SQUARE UP FOR MACCABI TEAM VIRGINIA BEACH
In preparation for the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games in Tucson, Arizona, Team Virginia Beach is holding a fundraiser. . .
Square Up for Maccabi.
The 50/50 football square fundraiser involves no skill, talent, or knowledge of football, but it is an opportunity to win up to $5,000 on Superbowl Sunday, February 9, 2025.
Help Team Virginia Beach go to the largest sports festival for Jewish teens, by purchasing some squares at $100 each. Visit JewishVA.org/buysquares for full details and to enter picks for the $100/square.
Seniors Club plans its annual holiday party
Wednesday, December 18,
12 pm
YNOT PIZZA Landstown Commons
Open to all JCC Seniors Club members and gamers, the Seniors Club annual holiday party includes a White Elephant Gift exchange (up to $10), for which all attendees should bring a gift.
The Seniors Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Simon Family JCC. This club is for adults who are age 55 and over who are interested in adding education, culture, and connections to others and the Jewish community.
To RSVP for the holiday party, contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org.
Ori Soltes, PhD.
Great Jewish Bookshelf
Help Sustain Jewish Organizations in Tidewater
Your legacy gift today will help ensure a strong Jewish community for the next generation.
Through Life & Legacy Plus, your gift of any size can be customized to fit your dreams, lifestyle, family, and finances. Connect with us or one of our community partners for a commitment-free conversation and explore how you can make an impact today.
LIFE & LEGACY COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN TIDEWATER
• B’nai Israel Congregation
• Beth Sholom Village
• Chabad of Tidewater
• Congregation Beth El
• Jewish Family Service of Tidewater
• KBH Kempsville Conservative Synagogue
• Ohef Sholom Temple
• Simon Family JCC
• Temple Emanuel
• United Jewish Federation of Tidewater
Learn more at foundation.jewishva.org/legacy or contact: Amy Weinstein | 757-965-6114 | aweinstein@tjfva.org
Coming soon in Jewish News
December 16 Hanukkah
January 20 Invest/Retire
February 10 Foodie/Romance
March 3 Mazel Tov
To advertise, call 757-965-6100 or email sgoldberg@ujft.org.
on the Friday prior to the publication date.
CALENDAR
DECEMBER 2, MONDAY
Moon Circle celebrates a tradition that spans thousands of years – a monthly holiday known as Rosh Chodesh, meaning “head of the month.” Presented by UJFT’s Konikoff Center for Learning. 6:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Free. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org.
DECEMBER 3, TUESDAY
Yiddish Club. Share a love for Yiddishkeit with new and old friends. Meets the first Tuesday of each month. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Free. Information and RSVP: JewishVA.org/YiddishClub or contact Mia Klein at MKlein@ujft.org or 757-452-3184.
DECEMBER 4, WEDNESDAY
Eddie Shapiro, author of Here’s to the Ladies, presented by Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival. This cabaret-style evening celebrating the lives of theatrical women and the songs they brought to life, features live music in partnership with Zeiders American Dream Theater and ROÙGE Theater Reinvented! 7:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Tickets $10 for JCC members, $14 for non-members. Registration required: JewishVA.org/Shapiro.
DECEMBER 5, THURSDAY
RoundTable Conversation: What’s your take? Agree to Disagree. Discuss, don’t dismiss. Gather to discuss timely topics, from the war in Israel to the latest health technology and everything in between. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information or to RSVP: www.Jewishva.org/RoundTable or contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org.
DECEMBER 7, SATURDAY
Frozen Flames: A Festival of Lights, Latkes, and Libations. Glass blowing, drinks, and a celebration of fire and ice for Jewish young adults in Tidewater. Presented by the Young Adult Division of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Open to all Jewish adults ages 21-45ish. 7 pm. The new Chrysler Glass Studio. Tickets: $36. $54 with a +1. Registration required: JewishVA.org/frozenflames.
DECEMBER 8, SUNDAY
PJ Library in Tidewater’s Ben Gurion Day. Join Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Emily and Danielle, as they celebrate the life of Israel’s founder and first Prime Minister, Ben Gurion, through activities, crafts, and more. 1 – 3 pm. Simon Family JCC. Information: JewishVA. org/PJLibrary or contact Nofar Trem at ntrem@ujft.org or 757-321-2334.
DECEMBER 14, SATURDAY
Kids Night Out – Glow Party Edition. Members and guests can drop off their children for a night filled with glow sticks, dancing, games, snacks, and lifeguard-supervised swimming (children who can swim without a floatation device). For children, ages 4 - 12. Pack a kosher-style dinner for your child(ren). 5 - 9 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Register: https://jcc.jewishva.org/kids by 4 pm on December 13.
DECEMBER 15, SUNDAY
What is Modern Jewish Art? A Lecture by Ori Soltes, PhD. A look at Jewish art of the 20th and 21st centuries will investigate connections to the ancient roots of Jewish identity and explore its meaning amidst the Jewish experience in modern times. Presented by the Jewish Museum & Cultural Center at the Chrysler Museum of Art in partnership with the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Jewish Art Education. 2 pm. Chrysler Museum of Art. $18 general admission, $9 students/military with ID. Registration: JewishVA.org/JewishArt or contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org or 757-452-3184. Information about the event: contact Myrna Teck at Teck.JArtEd@gmail.com.
frozen frozen Flames Flames
Saturday, December 7
7:00 PM
@ The NEW Perry Glass Studio at the Chrysler Museum of Art with special guest DJ all the way from LA
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Lev Ayzenshtok
NORFOLK - Lev Ayzenshtok, 86, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2024.
Born in Russia in 1938 to Aleksander and Riva Ayzenshtok, Lev was a Holocaust survivor whose life was a testament to resilience and strength.
After surviving the horrors of World War II, Lev went on to pursue a career in engineering, becoming a respected professional in his field in Russia. His dedication to his work reflected his determination and intellect, qualities he carried with him throughout his life.
Lev married the love of his life, Raisa Vinarova, and together they built a strong and loving family. He took immense pride in raising their children and in the life they created together. Lev’s devotion to his family was unwavering, and he cherished the time spent with them.
He is survived by wife Raisa, children, and grandchildren. Lev will be remembered for his perseverance, his love for his family, and the wisdom he shared with all who knew him.
A service to honor Lev’s life was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Rabbi Panitz officiated.
Lev’s legacy of strength and love will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know him.
Elizabeth I. Cohen
VIRGINIA BEACH - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Ilene Ochs Cohen (Beth), who passed after a long illness on November 19, 2024 at the age of 72.
A native of Norfolk, she graduated from Norview High School and spent most of her life in the Hampton Roads area. The greatest joys in her life were spending time by the pool and any time spent with her grandchildren (biological and bonus).
She is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, Michael F. Cohen, loving brother Robert J. Ochs, daughters Jennifer Carson (Kirk), and Jaime Dean (Ricky), and grandchildren Austin (Sienna), Ciera, Brandon, Ricky, and Jade (Michael). She will be
treasured and greatly missed by numerous other family and friends.
Services were held graveside at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Israel Zoberman officiating. Condolences may be left online at www.altmeyerfh.com. May her memory be a blessing.
Beverly H. Diamonstein
NEWPORT NEWS - Beverly Hicks Diamonstein, the widow of the late Delegate Alan A. Diamonstein, passed away on November 10, 2024.
When you think of Beverly, two things come to mind immediately. First, she lived the expression “she did everything a man did, only backwards and in high heels.” And yes, she loved to dance. More on that later.
Secondly, if you know the Broadway musical, A Chorus Line, start singing the song ONE to yourself. Here’s a start to help you: “She walks into a room and she’s uncommonly rare, very unique, peripatetic, poetic, and chic… She walks into a room and you know from her maddening pose, effortless whirl, she’s the special girl… ONE singular sensation, every little step she takes… ONE thrilling combination every move that she makes….” You get the picture.
Beautiful inside and out, Beverly had a sense of style, grace, and fashion. She made everyone she met feel like they were the most important person in the world. She was wise, strategic, and would offer insights and ideas to governors, senators, legislators, and friends without them knowing it!
An authentic Southern belle, Beverly was gentle and gracious on the outside and made of steel inside.
Leaders of the community, Edwin Joseph, Walter Segaloff, Joe Frank, and others sought her out for advice.
Beverly was a huge asset in Alan’s public service and political journey. She made speeches throughout Virginia when Alan ran for the Democratic National Committee and Lt. Governor. She attended and organized countless events for candidates running for all offices, and she wasn’t afraid to raise some money too.
Lynda Robb can tell you what an asset it was to have Beverly travel with her when Chuck ran for Governor. Beverly provided him wise counsel, unwavering support, and made campaigning fun and meaningful. Lynda continued to rely on Beverly’s advice
throughout Chuck’s career in public office. Beverly was key to raising money for Lynda’s Virginia Women’s Cultural History Project.
Beverly may have grown up in Cuckoo, Virginia, but she could easily fit in with the most sophisticated folks on Wall Street or the film industry in LA.
When then Attorney General, Mary Sue Terry, decided to run for Governor, Beverly was by her side. “Indispensable” is the word Mary Sue uses to describe Beverly’s value and help to her statewide campaign.
Beverly was passionate about empowering women in politics. She relished attending the Democratic National Convention where Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman nominated for Vice President. Beverly had a special fondness for former Texas Governor Anne Richards and enjoyed accompanying her in Texas for a celebration of Women in Texas’ History. Both Mrs. Johnson and Lynda’s sister, Luci, relied on Beverly for support and enjoyed campaigning together in Virginia. To put it simply, Beverly was a huge fan and supporter of Hillary Clinton. Beverly believed that women leaders in various fields, such as business, public office, education, architecture, and the arts, brought immense value to every organization.
Shortly after marrying Alan, Beverly, and her cherished friend and neighbor, Jaci Segaloff, decided to collaborate and organize an annual book and author luncheon to raise funds for Hadassah. Beverly also contributed to Jaci’s annual fashion show fundraiser for Hadassah. Did we mention that Beverly even modeled early on to earn extra money and clothes? She was highly sought after by the region’s top stores, including The Famous, Miller and Rhoads, Thalheimers, and more. Beverly was truly a beauty.
Beverly was also deeply passionate about the arts. In her local community, Beverly was involved with the Peninsula Fine Arts Center. When then Christopher Newport University President Paul Trible proposed merging PFAC with the University, he turned to Beverly for help. Edwin Joseph had already given the University the old Warwick High School property. Trible wanted to use the building as the foundation for the University Arts School. Beverly had a clear vision for this project. She invited Paul and Rosemary Trible to New York City, took them to the Zoo in Central Park, and asked them to imagine a similar colonnade on the face of the high school. She
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also arranged a meeting with internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei.
The Ferguson Center for the Arts is the realization of Beverly’s vision, with an assist from Alan (who chaired the House Appropriations and Higher Education Committee).
Former Newport News Mayor Joseph Frank also asked Beverly to lead a major project for the city to restore Lee Hall. Beverly did this too, seemingly moving mountains effortlessly.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts was Beverly’s real love and joy. She took pride in the fact that Virginia was the first state to have a state-supported museum. Beverly dedicated almost 16 years of her life to the museum, serving as a member of the museum board appointed by three Governors and, later, the museum foundation board. It’s no wonder that when Beverly was involved with VMFA, and Alan was in the legislature, that the appropriations for the museum were always approved by the legislature and Governor.
Beverly’s passion for the museum was truly inspiring. Major museum supporters like the McGlothlins, the Lewis’s, and the Gottwalds can attest to her hard work and dedication.
Like everyone else, Beverly had her challenges. She was a single mother with four children to support. It was a tough time, but Beverly never gave up. In a time when single women with children were considered risky, her first checking account was approved by Old Point National Bank, inspiring her lifelong loyalty.
When Alan and Beverly were dating, Alan was like the sixth member of the tribe. He loved spending time with Beverly’s children. After six years of dating, Beverly finally said ‘yes’ to Alan’s proposal. They married on October 28, 1972. Alan adopted all four children and made them his own.
Beverly relied on these children to help with Alan’s political endeavors and took great pleasure in bringing them to special events where they could meet many of our nation’s political leaders.
Remember how Beverly loved dancing? Well, Alan’s father, Bill, loved dancing with Beverly and instilled that love in his son, Alan. When things got tough at the Virginia General Assembly, Beverly would call Alan and tell him not to make weekend plans. She’d pack a weekend bag for the two of them
and make reservations at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center for Saturday night. Alan and Beverly would spend a weekend in New York visiting museums and literally dancing the night away on Saturday.
Beverly grew up as the oldest of five children. Her siblings are Olivia Ryan, who still lives in Louisa, her brother Joel Hicks (deceased), Cherylle Lang from Mineral, and Delpha Hicks (also deceased).
A life well-lived, Beverly’s life was filled with love and dedication to her family and community. She was a strong believer in the best of humanity, a loyal Democrat who believed the government’s role was to serve people, and a friend who was always there for a good laugh, a glass of wine, a fun trip, or just to be there for her loved ones. She was also a devoted wife and mother.
Now, Beverly can dance whenever she wants, in any direction she chooses, and listen to the music of all the Broadway musicals she loved and attended.
She’s truly one-of-a-kind, the ONE singular sensation.
Lawrence Beryl Kreitzer
VIRGINIA BEACH - Lawrence Beryl Kreitzer, lovingly known as Larry to friends and family, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 8, 2024 at the age of 81.
Born on December 14, 1942, in Philadelphia to Harry and Selma Kreitzer, both of blessed memory, Larry grew up with strong values that shaped his life. Those values became the foundation for his devoted service in the U.S. Navy, where he served his country with pride as a radioman on the USS Guadalcanal. Throughout his life, Larry embodied a deep sense of duty and honor that never wavered.
In the 1980s, Larry met the love of his life, Elaine, through his close friend, Billy. They were married in 1987, beginning 37 years of steadfast companionship, love, and partnership. Together, they built a beautiful, blended family they affectionately call “5N-ALL.”
A dedicated loan officer for over 30 years, Larry discovered a passion for golf in his retirement, enjoying the game as a cherished pastime. A lifelong fan of the Washington Redskins, Larry brought his loyalty and enthusiasm to each season, supporting his team through every victory and setback with relentless spirit.
Larry is survived by his beloved wife,
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Elaine, and their children: Angela Holcombe, Jennifer (Keith) Richmond, Jennifer (Doug) Harmon, Mitchell (Summer) Lebow, and Rebecca (Oren) Smith. His memory will also live on through his grandchildren—Jared Holcombe, Mackenzie Holcombe, Kenneth Charles Lebow, Jaxson Smith, Oliver Smith, and Kaitlyn Rose Lebow—and his great-grandchildren, Emilia Holcombe and Nathaniel Holcombe.
A graveside service was held at Woodlawn Cemetery in the King David Section. Donations to the American Kidney Fund.
Lawrence will forever be remembered for his devotion to family and the joy he found in
time spent with those dear to him. His spirit lives on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.
Reece Livingston
NORFOLK - Reece Livingston passed away on November 13, 2024 at the age of 90. He is survived by his loving partner, Merle Cogen; his children, Robin (Moss) Cohen (Durham, N.C.), Philip Livingston (Rehoboth Beach, Del.), and Barry Livingston (Buford, Ga.); his siblings, David (Sheila) Livingston, Barbara (Allen) Bookoff, Bonnie Livingston, and Phyl (Howard) Cherry; his sister-inlaw, Sandy Livingston; his grandchildren,
Chris Sisler, Vice President, Member of Ohef Sholom Temple, Board member of the Berger-Goldrich Home at Beth Sholom Village, James E. Altmeyer, Jr., President, James E. Altmeyer, Sr., Owner
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Meredith Cohen, Caitlyn (Kenneth) CaseCohen, Jared Livingston, Jacob Livingston, and Chloe Livingston; and his great grandchildren, Ellis, Fern, Alayah, and Lauryn.
He was predeceased by his wife, Lucille Livingston (nee Shilling); his siblings, Elinor Rubinstein and Charles Livingston; and his parents Tresa and Sidney Livingston, and Hilda Livingston.
Reece attended City College High School in Baltimore and Towson State Teachers College, where he was a powerhouse athlete in baseball, basketball, and soccer. He was an All-Mason-Dixon conference goaltender for the Towson soccer team and was inducted into the Towson Hall of Fame in 1975 and the Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame in 2013.
Reece coached the University of Baltimore soccer team to its divisional championship in 1963. Reece’s love of sports remained throughout his life, playing recreation league softball, coaching little league baseball and refereeing high school and college basketball. He was an avid Orioles and Colts fan.
Reece’s love of teaching began at Rodgers
Forge Elementary School in Baltimore, but his interests quickly switched to the business world. He had a very successful 45-year career in the food and beverage industry, first with Pepsi/Allegheny Beverage Corporation and then Stewart Sandwiches/Squire Foods.
He was a man of great integrity, honesty, warmth, and humor in both his personal and professional lives.
Services were held at Sol Levinson’s Chapel in Pikesville, Md. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation/Breakthrough T1D, PO Box 5021, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or Temple Israel, 7255 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23505. www.sollevinson.com.
Martin S. Sheffer, Ph.D.
VIRGINIA BEACH
- It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Martin Sheffer on November 19, 2024. He died peacefully, surrounded by family. He was 86 years old.
Marty was born in the borough of Queens, New York City to the late Cecelia (Green) Sheffer and Jack P. Sheffer. He
received a B.A. and M.A. in political science from Hunter College of The City University of New York and a doctorate in the same subject from The New School for Social Research in New York City. His areas of specialization included constitutional law, the American Presidency, and political theory. Over a career spanning nearly 50 years, he taught at Old Dominion University, Tuskegee University, Tidewater Community College, Virginia Wesleyan College, and at the Princeton and Georgetown campuses for The Junior State of America Summer School. He published several books as well as articles in scholarly journals and law reviews. He genuinely cared for and about his students and kept up relationships with many of them, writing recommendations for hundreds of them as they moved on to law school and graduate studies. His primary emphasis always was being in the classroom teaching, where he loved to challenge students to think critically.
Marty was a man of many interests and talents. While an undergraduate, he was a member of the Hunter tennis team. He played the trumpet and led a small band,
The King’s Men, which provided dance music at fraternity parties. Marty served his country for six years as a member of the National Guard. He was an excellent cook, and he loved to prepare gourmet meals for family and friends. He was a news junkie who followed several newspapers, cable networks, and analytical magazines daily. He was a member of numerous professional and civic organizations, and he was a founding member of Common Cause. In addition, he was a longstanding, and sometimes heartbroken sports fan, supporting through thick and thin the Mets, Jets, Knicks, and the Montreal Canadiens. However, he saved his passion for the Dodgers, his favorite team since childhood.
Marty will be dearly missed by Lois, his wife of 60 years; son Andrew, daughter-inlaw Meredith, granddaughters Alexandra and Megan, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bruce and Toni, and grand-dog Nigel.
Donations to the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Red Cross, the Alzheimer’s Association, or a charity of one’s choice.
Arthur Frommer, ‘wandering Jew’ who launched a travel guide empire
Andrew Silow-Carroll (JTA) — Arthur Frommer, whose empire of travel guidebooks led one interviewer to call him the “quintessential wandering Jew,” died Monday, Nov. 18 at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He was 95.
Starting in 1957 with the bestselling Europe on 5 Dollars a Day, Frommer rode a wave of postwar wanderlust among an expanding middle class that had the means and leisure to explore the world in ways once reserved for the very rich. (Frommer later updated the book’s title due to inflation.)
Six decades later his company’s books, some 350 titles, had sold more than 75 million copies. Before his death, he and his daughter Pauline Frommer, the co-president of FrommerMedia and editorial director of Frommer’s Guidebooks, published more than 130 active titles and co-hosted The Travel Show, a syndicated radio show; wrote regular syndicated columns, and contributed to the blog for the company’s eponymous online consumer travel website.
“I’ve always regarded travel as a superb learning experience,” he told Hadassah magazine in 2016. “It opens your imagination, expands your consciousness and brings you to understand other lifestyles, cultures, philosophies, and theologies.”
Arthur Frommer was born on July 17, 1929, in Lynchburg, Virginia; his parents were Jewish immigrants from Poland and Austria. They lived for a time in Jefferson City, Missouri, before moving to New York City when he was 14. He attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn and worked as an office boy at Newsweek. He earned a political science degree from New York University. At Yale Law School, from which he graduated in 1953, he was an editor of the Yale Law Journal
He wrote his first manual, 1955’s The G.I.’s Guide to Travelling in Europe, while serving in Berlin in a U.S. Army intelligence unit. After returning to New York, he joined the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, one of the first “white-shoe” firms to hire both Jews and gentiles.
On his first of many return vacations to Europe, he was inspired to write Europe on $5 a Day. Later, he enlisted local authors to write an ever-expanding series of guidebooks to Europe and beyond. For many years, according to Frommer, the company’s books made up close to 25% of all travel guides sold in the United States.
In 1977 he sold the brand to Simon & Schuster; in 2013, he bought it back from Google, which had acquired it the year before.
In the 2004 raunchy teen comedy EuroTrip, an actor
playing Frommer meets a group of young travelers who had been using a Frommer guide throughout the movie, and offers a job to the book’s fiercest devotee. For years moviegoers thought the very British character was Frommer himself. Frommer was offered the cameo but turned it down because of scheduling demands.
In the Hadassah interview, he credited his parents, Nathan and Pauline, with inspiring his intellectual curiosity. “My sister, Jeanne, and I both had books no matter how little else we had,” he said. “Respect for education was a part of our Jewish heritage.”
He also described a trip he took in 2011 to his mother’s birthplace of Lomza, Poland, where he located his grandfather’s tombstone and learned more about the vibrant Jewish life there before the Holocaust.
“My whole life, I had heard stories about how horrific Poland was and how happy my relatives were to leave it,” he said. “Being there you saw the other side. They had vibrant communities, gorgeous temples, and fertile countryside. For the first time, I realized they had lost something by leaving.”
Frommer’s first marriage, to Hope Arthur, ended in divorce. He is survived by his second wife, Roberta Brodfeld; his daughter Pauline; stepdaughters Tracie Holder and Jill Holder, and four grandchildren.
$60,000 $60,000
THE LARGEST SCHOLARSHIP IN JEWISH TIDEWATER UP TO $15,000/YEAR
APPLY DECEMBER 1 – MARCH 1
ELIGIBILITY
The Stein Family College Scholarship is dedicated in loving memory of Arlene Shea Stein who was unable to finish college due to financial hardship.
Administered through the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, this annual college scholarship is awarded to Hampton Roads Jewish students entering college. Applicants are evaluated on financial need, Jewish/community engagement, and academic potential. Learn more and apply at foundation.jewishva.org
