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FRONT
‘Unfathomably horrific’ to ‘major step towards a real peace’: US Jewish groups respond to Trump’s Gaza comments
Philissa Cramer
(JTA) — Reactions from partisan American Jewish groups to President Donald Trump’s proposals for Gaza — that “all” Palestinians leave and the United States “take over” the territory — began flowing in just as soon as their leaders picked their jaws up off the floor on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
The proposals — the latter of which was reportedly secret to even many in the Trump administration before the president aired it at a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — elicited sharp revulsion from liberal Jewish groups and excitement from those on the right.
Mainstream Jewish groups did not immediately respond but began to issue statements on Wednesday morning. The American Jewish Committee, for example, said it welcomed the support Trump expressed for the current Israel-Hamas ceasefire but expressed concerns about his norm-shattering proposals.
“At the same time, the President’s surprising, concerning, and confusing comments on an American plan to ‘take control’ and ‘own’ Gaza and the relocation of its population raise a wealth of questions – first among them the impact of the President’s announcement on the ongoing hostage-release agreement,” the group said in a statement.
Many groups did not strive for such balance.
“What do you even say about this absurd & dangerous press conference?” said Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, on social media. “Unfathomably horrific and cruel for Palestinians. So incredibly foolish re: US interests. And fundamentally at odds with Israel’s own future — because there is no Jewish, democratic Israel without Palestinian self-determination.”
And Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, said in a statement, “The notion that the United States is going to ‘take over’ Gaza, including with the deployment of U.S.
troops, isn’t just extreme — it’s completely detached from reality. In what world is this happening? Not the one we inhabit. Netanyahu praised his ‘out of the box’ thinking, but let’s be honest — it’s insane.”
Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the liberal pro-Israel lobby J Street, had previously expressed openness to the idea that Trump’s iconoclastic approach to Middle East politics could allow for an elusive breakthrough toward peace. On Tuesday night, he channeled none of that optimism.
“J Street cannot express strongly enough opposition to the ideas being put forward by President Trump regarding Gaza. There aren’t adequate words to express our disgust at the idea of forcible displacement of Palestinians with the assistance of the United States of America,” Ben-Ami said.
“We call on leaders around the world, political leaders in this country and, of course, Jewish communal leaders in this country to express in no uncertain terms that these proposals are absolutely unacceptable – legally and morally,” he added.
Most American Jews did not vote for Trump. Among those who supported him, the reaction to his Gaza proposals — which matched the vision laid out by Israel’s far-right — included excitement.
Mort Klein, who heads the Zionist Organization of America, called Trump’s plan for the United States to take over Gaza an “extraordinary declaration that could assure the end of the IslamicArab terrorist group Hamas, and secure southern Israel after decades of terrorist attacks and missile launches from Hamas in Gaza. It will also be a major step towards a real peace in the region.”
Klein added, “Trump’s move could enable Israel and the US to develop this oceanfront oasis as a paradise in the Middle East while giving Israel the land it needs to thrive as a technological, scientific, cultural and religious giant. I see G-D’s hand here ultimately fulfilling his promise to the Jews of sovereignty over all the Jewish land of Israel.”
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BRIEFS
The only Jew in Os´wie ‚ cim, Poland, can see Auschwitz from her home
Aparade of dignitaries and dozens of Holocaust survivors came to Oswiecim on Monday, Jan. 27 to pay tribute to the 1 million Jews who died there.
Some encountered the single Jew who lives there.
Hila Weisz-Gut, 34, moved from Israel to Oswiecim, the Polish town where the Auschwitz memorial and museum is located, in 2023 to join her boyfriend, a Pole whom she met on a Holocaust education trip.
Since then, she has drawn attention from international journalists and townspeople alike for being the only Jew living in the town that most starkly symbolizes the Nazis’ murder of millions of people just like her. Many members of her family were killed at Auschwitz, and her grandmother survived the camp.
“For me, it’s a statement that they tried to break us and exterminate us, but they failed,” Weisz-Gut told CNN about living in Oswiecim, where she can see Auschwitz from her bedroom window. “We are the generation that is here to say ‘you didn’t succeed. No more. Not again.’”
Weisz-Gut, who has a master’s degree in Holocaust studies from the University of Haifa, works at the local Jewish museum, which aims to draw attention to the town’s once-thriving pre-Holocaust Jewish community.
She married her Polish husband last year in the museum’s cafe, which is also the former living room of the town’s previous sole Jewish resident, a survivor named Shimson Kluger who died in 2000.
As Auschwitz hosted ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation, the museum and its synagogue — the only one in Oswiecim — opened their doors for attendees who wished to pray with a Jewish community.
Weisz-Gut told the Forward last year that she frequently visits the synagogue alone and asks visitors to the museum to help her say the Mourner’s Kaddish, a prayer that requires a minyan of 10 Jews, for her father. “I am my own community,” she said. (JTA)
Combative Jewish lawmaker
Randy Fine, a Trump favorite, wins Florida GOP House primary
Randy Fine, a Jewish Florida state senator whose bruising demeanor has made him a new favorite on the right, easily won the Republican primary for an open House seat.
An Associated Press estimate showed that Fine took more than 80% of the GOP vote on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The district is deep red, making his victory in the April 1 special election all but assured. He would replace Michael Waltz, who left Congress to become Trump’s national security advisor.
Fine decided to run in the district, even though he does not currently live there, after receiving an enthusiastic endorsement from President Donald Trump. On social media, he made clear the spiritual reason why
he ran. The northeast Florida district has few Jews but many conservative Christians.
“G-d saved @realDonaldTrump’s life so he could save the world,” the state senator wrote on X. “And tonight, both of them, powered by my amazing family and all of you who voted for me, put me one step closer to being able to help him do that. I swear I won’t let any of you down.”
Fine has used his Jewish and ardent pro-Israel background to court controversy. Soon after announcing his candidacy, he tweeted “#BombsAway” at proPalestinian Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, which Muslim-rights groups and the Anti-Defamation League condemned as a threat. (Fine denied he meant the remark as a threat.) In his home state he has called progressive Jewish critics “Judenrat,” a term denoting Jewish councils who helped the Nazis.
He has also clashed with the LGBTQ community and with local judges, and was formerly a close ally of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis until Fine became frustrated with DeSantis’ handling of antisemitism and Israel issues.
Many Jews have embraced him, and he received endorsements from the Republican Jewish Coalition and the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, whom he thanked on X after his victory with the message “Supporting Israel IS America first.”
Fine also has a legislative track record of fighting antisemitism, having passed laws in his home state to help law enforcement prosecute white nationalists. He recently prompted a textbook review for antisemitism and antiIsrael bias across Florida’s public university system. (JTA)
Bloomberg to fund UN climate body in response to Trump’s moves
Jewish billionaire and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg pledged to help cover U.S. financial commitments to the United Nations climate body after President Donald Trump said he would eliminate the funding and withdraw from the global Paris climate agreement.
The Republican president is repeating a policy decision he made at the start of his previous term in office in 2017, which similarly triggered a move by Bloomberg to uphold the country’s international climate obligations.
“From 2017 to 2020, during a period of federal inaction, cities, states, businesses, and the public rose to the challenge to uphold our nation’s commitments — and now, we are ready to do it again,” Bloomberg said in a statement posted by his philanthropic arm.
Money from Bloomberg and other unspecified U.S. climate donors will help fund the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which runs annual global climate negotiations and tracks countries’ greenhouse gas emissions.
Bloomberg, among the richest people in the world, made his fortune in financial information and media. He has long been dedicated to fighting climate change
and serves as U.N. special envoy focused on the issue. He is also a prolific philanthropist, having donated billions of dollars to a wide range of causes.
Though he is not known for emphasizing Jewish philanthropy, he has become one of the largest individual donors to Israeli charities since the start of the war in Gaza. He gave $44 million to Israel’s Magen David Adom ambulance service and committed $28 million to help rehabilitate Israeli communities targeted by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack.
Trump’s positions on climate, energy, and the environment put him at odds with the growing concern about these issues among Jewish communal organizations in the United States. The most recent sign of the wave is the first-ever donation by the Schusterman family foundation to a nonprofit focused on climate action.
Concern about the climate crisis has been especially salient amid the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, whose severity, experts say, can be linked to increasingly erratic patterns of rainfall and drought.
The fires were highlighted in the announcement of the Jewish Funders Network of a workshop for Jewish donors who want to focus on climate, and in an essay by the head of the Jewish climate group Dayenu suggesting arenas where it might still be possible to make a difference despite Trump’s installation in the White House. (JTA)
Vandalism at Columbia
Anti-Israel protestors vandalized two Columbia University buildings, flushing cement down toilets and spraying red paint on the façade on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Graffiti personally attacking the school’s Dean, IDF soldier Keren Yarhi-Milo, and others were stenciled on the buildings. A manifesto published by the group claiming responsibility described the vandalism as an act of resistance.
Columbia condemned the incidents, saying “acts of vandalism of University buildings and property and attempts to harass and intimidate members of our community are unacceptable and abhorrent and will not be tolerated at Columbia.” This follows growing tensions on campus, including anti-Israel statements being shouted in classes and disruptions of Israel-related courses. (ADL)
Books categorized
Atrove of books that Nazi Germany looted from Jews during the Holocaust is finally being categorized and preserved at Brandeis University, which ended up with more of these books than any other institution after WWII. The books, ranging from popular novels to chemistry texts to prayer books, can shed light on a lost community. This effort comes at a timely moment, since the books can serve as witness of a sort to the catastrophe of the Holocaust as the last living survivors age. (ADL)
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NATION
SPEECHWRITER FIRED OVER WHITE NATIONALIST TIES APPOINTED TO HIGH-LEVEL STATE DEPARTMENT ROLE
Philissa Cramer
(JTA) — The Trump administration has ignited criticism by giving a high-level State Department portfolio to a man whom Donald Trump’s White House fired in 2018 for speaking to a conference of white nationalists.
Darren Beattie is Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s pick for acting undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, a position that would require Senate confirmation to be made permanent.
Beattie, who identifies on the social network X as a “proud Jew,” was fired as a speechwriter during Trump’s first term for appearing at a 2016 conference of the H.L. Mencken Club, which the Southern Poverty Law Center designates a “white nationalist hate group.” Trump later appointed him to a commission monitoring Holocaust memorial sites, from which he was removed during the Biden administration.
Now, Beattie is returning in a much more influential role. The undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs
shapes communications coming from the State Department, including about extremism and terrorism.
“In plain terms, Darren will be shaping America’s messaging to counter terrorism and combat violent extremism, something he’s been doing at Revolver for years now,” the right-wing news site Revolver, which Beattie founded, said in a post announcing that he would be taking a leave of absence to serve in the State Department.
“I have been given the great honor of serving once again in Trump’s administration, this time in the Department of State,” Beattie wrote in a statement published on Revolver explaining his departure. “Helping Secretary Rubio and my esteemed colleagues in the State Department fulfill President Trump’s agenda will require every ounce of my focus and energy.”
News of Beattie’s appointment drew rapid criticism from those alarmed by his track record of consorting with white supremacists, derogatory comments about women and minorities, and promotion of
conspiracy theories — including about the assassination attempt on Trump last year and about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot by Trump’s supporters.
“Darren Beattie has no place in a role representing American values abroad as Acting Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,” the Anti-Defamation League said on the social network X. “Throughout the years, Beattie has participated in several conversations and events organized by notorious racists, antisemites, and white supremacists and has continuously promoted an array of conspiracy theories, including those related to the Jan. 6 insurrection and the ‘Great Replacement’ theory, embraced by antisemites and white supremacists.”
Beattie, whose doctoral dissertation at Duke University focused on the Nazi philosopher Martin Heiddeger, relished the criticism, according to a report in Jewish Insider, which also uncovered criticism by Beattie of Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Beattie fits into the isolationist flank of the Republican Party that is now playing an influential role U.S. foreign policy.
JDC IN ISRAEL
A special connection to a returned hostage and work with Israel seniors highlighted
Ariel Zwang
I know you join me in the joy we all feel for the return of Israeli hostages.
Each one of the hostages is special to many people, especially their families who have long waited for their return. It also turns out we have a special connection to one of the hostages, Gadi Mozes. Gadi will be 81 years old this month and is a worldrenowned agronomist who has made major contributions to the development of field crops and wastewater management.
Gadi is also the father of our partner Moran Mozes from the Up60+ Guidance Center team in the Western Negev. The Up60+ Centers help Israeli seniors age actively and successfully, offering health and wellness training, digital literacy, and volunteer opportunities. Moran, a senior program professional in the eldercare field, has remained close to us during her father’s ordeal. For example, she shared her experiences with the JDC Israel team at a special presentation on the 100th day of the hostages’ captivity. She noted how strong her father was, despite concerns for his health. His survival is a testament to that resilience and spirit.
As Hadas Minka-Brand, Ph.D, executive director of JDC-Israel, shared
from her reserve duty with the IDF Hostage Unit, “I had the profound honor of standing beside Moran and her brothers, our hearts pounding with anxiety as we awaited Gadi's return, surrounded by the masses in Gaza. In those tense moments, our prayers were fervent, hoping for his safe arrival home. For 482 days, Gadi fought for his survival, and his children showed remarkable resilience—a clear testament to the bravery they inherited from their father. This is not just Gadi's story; it is the story of Israel, the story of the Jewish people, and the story of the courageous community of Kibbutz Nir Oz.”
The perseverance of Israel’s older adults is an untold story in the recent conflict and a JDC accomplishment. For example, elderly Israelis from the Up60+ Centers across the country volunteered as part of our emergency response efforts to support evacuees displaced to the region. They ran social activities, helped with basic needs such as shopping, adopted individual families, guided them through their dislocation, and even served as local tour guides.
Israeli seniors have turned out for their country despite the war’s toll on
their lives. Tens of thousands of elderly in Israel’s North and South are still facing accelerated cognitive and physical decline because of displacement and isolation, disrupted routines, and diminished access to service.
That’s why one of our current emergency response priorities is to create “Blue Zones”—places across Israel where we will restore and support the health, wellbeing, and resilience of Israeli seniors and ensure they have long lives filled with dignity. We need to train more than 450 health professionals and volunteers in advanced elderly care and create selfempowerment activities for 15,000 of the hardest-hit seniors. We also need to
expand our community caseworkers to reach an additional 30,000 older adults in distress and get them the support they need.
In communities across Israel there are accomplished and brave Israeli seniors like Gadi and we must be there to support them.
We pray for the return of the remaining hostages and stand shoulder to shoulder with their families, with Israel, and Jews around the world.
Ariel Zwang is CEO of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). JDC is a recipient of funds from United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
A LOVE THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME
Gadi Mozes, who was released from Hamas captivity on Thursday, Jan. 30. (X/Twitter)
Hostages released under ceasefire deal
Editor’s note: The release of hostages held in Gaza is a developing story. At press time, the number of hostages remaining in Gaza is 79, of whom 23 are set for release during the current ceasefire; 35 are thought to be living. These three articles are just a sample of the stories and events taking place surrounding the hostages’ release.
8 hostages, including 5 Thai nationals, return to Israel following chaotic scenes in Gaza
Philissa Cramer (JTA) — Eight hostages returned to Israel in two separate releases on Thursday, Jan. 30, following scenes of chaos and intimidation as the terror groups that abducted them handed them over to the Red Cross.
Agam Berger, the last woman soldier remaining in Gaza, was released first, after Hamas forced her to walk across a stage and pose with a certificate. In Israel, she was reunited with her family and was set to be reunited with the four other women soldiers with whom she had been held until their release on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Gadi Mozes and Arbel Yehud, civilians who had been abducted by the group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, were released separately. They were made to walk through a dense crowd of Hamas supporters in front of the home of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Khan Younis before reaching representatives of the Red Cross.
Additionally, five Thai nationals who were not part of the current ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas also returned to Israel, where Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with the Thai ambassador. Three Thai nationals remain hostages in Gaza, of whom two are known to be dead.
Islamic Jihad released a video of Yehud and Mozes, neighbors from Kibbutz Nir Oz, embracing before their release. According to Israeli media, Yehud’s reunion with Mozes marked the first time she had seen another Israeli since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Mozes, 80, was one of the oldest hostages remaining in Gaza. He had previously been seen alive in a hostage video released by Islamic Jihad in December 2023; another hostage seen on tape that day was later found dead. His partner Efrat was murdered on Oct. 7.
Yehud was abducted with her partner, Ariel Cunio, who remains a hostage in Gaza, as does his brother David, whose wife and children were released in a previous ceasefire in November 2023. Yehud’s brother Dolev was murdered on Oct. 7.
Condemning the chaotic scenes from Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered a delay in the release of the Palestinian security prisoners that Israel had committed to free in exchange for the hostages, until Hamas and mediators could assure him that hostages released in the future would be safe.
IN
GADI
MOZES, THE OCTOGENARIAN FREED FROM GAZA, ISRAELIS SEE AN ICON OF THEIR COUNTRY’S HARDY ‘KIBBUTZNIK’ SPIRIT
Ben Sales
(JTA) —The chaotic hostage release on Thursday, Jan. 30, which saw a crush of fighters push two captives through a restless crowd, shocked viewers and sparked a crisis in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
It also left Israelis with at least one lasting image: Hostage Gadi Mozes, 80, walking upright among the masked gunmen, with what appeared to be the faintest of smiles on his face.
To many Israelis, the photo symbolized not only the resilience of an elderly hostage after almost 16 months of captivity; it was also a testament to the particular Israeli way of life Mozes embodies.
Several of the posts emphasized that Mozes is a kibbutznik — a resident of the border community of Nir Oz who, before Oct. 7, 2023, was known for his potato farming. But to Israelis, the word “kibbutznik,” especially when applied to an octogenarian, connotes more than just an address.
While Israel’s kibbutz movement has declined over the past 40 years, in the early days of the country — Mozes’ youth — the kibbutz symbolized a pioneering ethos, a hardy work ethic and a communitarian spirit. In past decades, kibbutzniks comprised a disproportionate share of Israel’s military and political leadership.
To some of those who shared the photo of Mozes, that’s the message that came through.
“He’s the salt of the earth, a classic kibbutznik,” one Israeli posted on X.
“Wow Gadi Mozes, 80-year-old kibbutznik, made of humanity’s toughest stuff,” Ram Shefa, a former Israeli lawmaker, posted on Facebook above the photo. “Welcome back to the community of Nir Oz and Israel.”
“We have Gadi Mozes, an 80-year-old alpha male, a strong kibbutznik,” wrote another Israeli on Facebook. “Survived for a year and a half and returned a hero.”
The photo is the latest instance, during this ceasefire, of Israelis turning
Agam Berger.
Yarden Bibas.
Gadi Mozes. Arbel Yehud.
HOSTAGES RELEASED
an image of the hostages’ suffering into a symbol of national pride. First, Mia Schem’s post-release tattoo “We will dance again” became a mantra for survivors of the Nova music festival massacre. Most recently, Emily Damari’s hand — with fingers blown off — was transformed into the “rock on” symbol and was quickly adapted into a variety of graphics. More recently, Jews around the world paid homage to Agam Berger, another hostage released Jan. 30, who braided her fellow captives’ hair ahead of their release.
Mozes’ story had already spread across Israel before his release — how he attempted to negotiate with terrorists to spare his family, and how
his longtime partner, Efrat Katz, was killed on Oct. 7. Her daughter and two grandchildren were also taken hostage and released in the November 2023 ceasefire, as was Mozes’ ex-wife.
The Israeli government released footage of Mozes reuniting with his three children, where his smile was replaced by tears as he hugged and kissed them and, according to local reports, learned for the first time that Katz had died on Oct. 7.
But first, the kibbutzik persona shone through. One of the videos shows him sitting on a couch, moments before seeing his children, and saying in a hoarse voice, “I will do everything I can to rehabilitate Nir Oz.”
Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon released from Gaza in smooth handovers
(JTA) — The oldest living AmericanIsraeli hostage exited Gaza, one of three Israelis Hamas released on Saturday, Feb. 1 in accordance with the terms of a ceasefire deal.
Keith Siegel, 65, was released after a seaside ceremony in Gaza City where he briefly walked across a stage and waved, a performance that Hamas has required of the hostages it has recently freed. He was wearing a hat and walked on his own, though he appeared to be supported by two Hamas terrorists as he mounted the stage and descended from it.
Viewing her husband via video for the first time since November 2023, when she was released during a previous ceasefire,
Aviva Siegel exclaimed, “Here he is! He looks good!” on a video distributed by the Israeli government. She was accompanied by the couple’s son Shai, whose survival when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, was unclear to her and her husband while she was a hostage.
Subsequent footage showed Keith Siegel, who moved to Israel as a young adult from his native North Carolina, flashing a thumbs-up sign after being turned over to Israeli troops and embracing his family in the hospital.
Siegel was released shortly after two other hostages, Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon.
Bibas, 35, is the father of the only children who remain in Gaza. He appeared
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in a hostage video in November 2023 that showed him responding to being told that his wife, Shiri, and sons Ariel and Kfir, had been killed. Israel has never confirmed Hamas’ allegation that the mother and young children were dead but has said there are “grave concerns” about them and did not insist on their release prior to that of living men.
In a video that Israel released, Bibas embraced his parents upon their reunion. Kalderon, 54, was abducted with two of his children from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Sahar, 17, and Erez, 12, were released during the November 2023 ceasefire after 52 days in
captivity. Israel released a video showing Kalderon, who greeted friends outside the hospital where he was taken, embracing all four of his children.
In a change, the handover process on Feb. 1 went smoothly and contained little of the unruly crowds that had characterized other recent hostage releases.
Groups of hostages have been released periodically since the current ceasefire began on Jan. 19. Sagui Dekel-Chen, an American, is on the list to be released during the current ceasefire, while the other American, Edan Alexander, would be released only if the ceasefire is extended.
MEET: Jonathan Jacobs, MD, DMD, FACS
JTA staff
Ofer Kalderon.
Keith Siegel.
Meeting with Netanyahu, Trump doubles down on relocating
Palestinians from Gaza
Ben Sales (JTA) — President Donald Trump doubled down on his controversial efforts to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, telling reporters that he would hope to resettle most if not all in neighboring countries, perhaps permanently.
Trump made the comments at the start of a White House meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump was less equivocal in his statements on other issues — including the future of the current Israel-Hamas ceasefire, normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and his plans to counter Iran.
Netanyahu did not comment on the relocation plans. In response to questions about the ceasefire, whose second stage
is now being negotiated, he repeated his vow to achieve the goals his government has set out in the war that began with Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Those include both releasing the hostages held by Hamas and dismantling the terror group. The ceasefire’s second stage may place those goals in tension, as it is meant to include the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Here’s some of what Trump and Netanyahu said in their first meeting since Trump returned to office.
Trump on relocating Palestinians from Gaza
Since his inauguration last month, Trump has pushed Egypt and Jordan, which have peace treaties with Israel, to resettle
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, Tuesday, Feb. 4.
USA & ISRAEL
Palestinians from Gaza on their territory. Both countries’ leaders have rebuffed the requests, but Trump expressed confidence that they would accede to his demand. He said people have “no alternative” but to leave the enclave, which he compared to “hell.”
“They say they’re not going to accept. I say they will… I think that Gaza, maybe, is a demolition site right now. If you look at Gaza, there’s hardly a building standing and the ones that are are going to collapse. You can’t live in Gaza right now, and I think we need another location. And I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy.”
“You look over the decades, it’s all death in Gaza. This has been happening for years, it’s all death. If we can get a beautiful area to resettle people permanently in nice homes where they can be happy and not be shot, and not be killed, and not be knifed to death like what’s happening in Gaza… The whole thing is a mess.”
When asked how many Gazans he hopes to resettle: “All of them. We’re talking about probably a million-seven people, a million-seven, maybe a millioneight. But I think all of them can be resettled in areas where they can build a beautiful life and not worry about dying every day.”
Trump was also asked about whether he supports building “Jewish settlements” in Gaza, and later “Israeli settlements.” Far-right Israeli leaders, and a segment of the population, support building Israeli settlements in Gaza, which were evacuated nearly 20 years ago. It was unclear whether Trump understood the question. He responded, “I don’t see it happening. It’s too dangerous for people. Nobody can go there.”
Trump on a Saudi-Israel normalization deal
Trump and Netanyahu have both expressed a desire for a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia,
which would build on the Trumpbrokered agreements between Israel and four Arab countries. Speaking about the chances for a deal, Trump was noncommittal.
“We’re going to see, and we’re dealing with a lot of people, and we have steps to go yet, as you know. Maybe those steps go forward, and maybe they don’t. We’re dealing with a very complex group of people — situation and people. But we have the right man, we have the right leader of Israel, he’s done a great job and we’ve been friends for a long time… I think we have a combination that’s very unbeatable, actually.”
He was also asked whether Saudi
leaders were demanding a Palestinian state in exchange for a deal with Israel, as has been widely reported. He said they weren’t.
“Everybody’s demanding one thing, you know what it is? Peace. … We want people to stop being killed. Everybody’s demanding one thing, very simple: Peace.”
Netanyahu and Trump on the future of the ceasefire
The current IsraelHamas ceasefire took effect one day before Trump entered office, and his negotiating team was reportedly key to making it happen. Netanyahu punted on whether Trump or former President Biden deserved more credit for the deal — though he
praised Trump. And both refrained from elaborating on whether, or how long, the ceasefire will hold.
Netanyahu: I support getting all the hostages out and meeting all our war goals. That includes destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities and making sure that Gaza never poses a threat to Israel again…. Three goals. Not one, not two, three goals, and I will meet all three goals, and I think the president can help enormously.
Trump: “We’re going to get this thing wrapped up. We’re going to get it done… We’re faced with a very complex and difficult situation, but we’ll solve, we’ll solve the problem.”
YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK
JDC updates Tidewater on Ukraine after 1,000+ days of conflict
Terri Denison
Now in its third winter of war, the plight of Ukraine’s Jews and Jewish communities is no longer headline news. Israel, hostages, Gaza, a U.S. election, plane crashes, protests, antisemitism, wildfires, and so many other news-capturing events have diverted the world’s attention from the needs in Ukraine.
To remind the world, or at least Jewish Tidewater, of the continued need of support for Ukraine, Inna Vdovychenko, a member of JDC’s Ukraine Crisis Team, visited Virginia Beach last month to update some members of the community on the continuing devasting situation in her
beloved Odesa. She was joined by Eliza Prince, JDC’s senior development officer, and Annie Sandler, JDC board president.
A teacher in “her previous life,” Vdovychenko thanked everyone for being willing to listen to the condition of her country and the people living there. Ukraine, she said, is now the “capitol of amputations of the world” as the “shellings have become much worse than before.”
Prior to the war, Ukraine was home to approximately 200,000 Jews. Now, that number is about 150,000. Those who have made the decision to stay often do so because men are not permitted to leave and the women don’t want to abandon their husbands, brothers, fathers, sons.
Odesa, where Vdovychenko lives, is situated 275 miles south of Kyiv on the Black Sea. Vdovychenko shared that the first mayor of Tel Aviv, Mayor Dizengoff, lived in Odesa, which explains why Tel Aviv’s architecture and layout of the city so closely resembles that of Odesa’s.
Prior to the war’s start on Feb. 24, 2022, Odesa’s estimated Jewish population was 35,000. Today, it is 23,000, as the majority of the Jews continue to live there – many are elderly and cannot leave. Of those who have left, however, Vdovychenko expects very few to return.
“Everyone thinks,” Vdovychenko said, “that Odesa is the most Jewish city in the Former Soviet Union.”
Photograph courtesy JDC.
Home to nine ports (only three are currently operational), 12 universities, 10 theaters, and many markets, Odesa had been a robust, cosmopolitan city.
Now, more than 1,000 days into the crisis, attacks continue – targeting both infrastructure and civilians. When the sirens sound in advance of the incoming drones and missiles, Vdovychenko says there’s little to no time to get to a shelter, of which there are not enough. After the attacks, the community regularly loses power, water, public transport, internet, and phone service. In fact, the power grid
has been attacked 1,000 times since Oct. 2022. To demonstrate the condition of the water, Vdovychenko held up a small bottle of what looked like tea. When she said it was what came from the tap, there were audible groans in the room on the Sandler Family Campus.
Homes, hospitals, schools, and malls have been destroyed.
Vdovychenko sleeps on the floor of her closet at night out of fear of attacks.
The accumulated stress, she says, is extremely wearing, especially on the children and elderly, who also are sleeping
Ukraine Crisis: JDC’s Impact in Numbers
(as of December 2024)
54,800+
vulnerable Jews in Ukraine have received assistance since the start of the crisis
36,300+
vulnerable Jews receiving ongoing emergency aid, like food, medicine, homecare, and evacuation services
40,000+
refugees provided vital necessities like food, medicine, and psychosocial aid
1.6+ MILLION pounds of humanitarian aid delivered to Jews in Ukraine and those who have fled to Moldova
in makeshift shelters and often in the cold, as heat is usually non-existent. Communication – phone and internet – is also poor, as the absence of power makes it impossible.
Inflation is another source of suffering. Since 2022, gasoline prices are up 80%; electricity is up 83%, and bread and milk have increased 30%. A typical senior receives an average of $71 to $90 per month. Vegetable borscht, Vdovychenko says, is now a luxury. “A Pensioner must spend up to 50% of their pension to eat one plate of borscht a day (no protein),” she says.
Vdovychenko shared stories of hardship and heartbreak for all ages. She spoke of a woman who puts a brick on her stove to warm her hands, of a mother caring for her disabled child, of all who suffer from lack of clean water, of the flights of stairs that must be climbed because the elevators can’t operate, of the children who cannot go to school and must sleep in corridors to be safe from incoming bombs.
Expressing appreciation to United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and other donors, Vdovychenko said that
9,000+ refugees receiving ongoing assistance from JDC and local Jewish communities in Europe
67,600+ calls fielded by emergency hotlines and Heseds
29,000+
Jews in need provided winter relief, including coal, blankets, and heaters
6,900+
internally-displaced persons (IDPs) have received life-saving assistance from JDC and local Jewish communities in Ukraine
in Ukraine, “We have a network of 16 Heseds – Jewish Centers – that were established by JDC, seven flagship JCCs, and about 3,000 volunteers and teens who are connected to BBYO. If we had not built this network with the support of your Federation, we would not be as efficient now as we are.”
As the devastating situation rages on, Ukraine’s Jews are clearly in distress. Still, in the face of this ongoing conflict, JDC continues lifesaving care for tens of thousands of Ukraine’s most vulnerable Jews. Vdovychenko helps distribute that care.
Through all the trauma, Vdovychenko said JDC “instills Jewish values, Jewish hope.”
“I’m a vessel of people’s grief and I’m full,” she said.
“Let’s not forget Ukraine,” said Sandler.
At the conclusion of Vdovychenko’s presentation, the most often asked questions were, “What can we do? How did we not know?”
Vdovychenko’s response: “Please share these stories. We have hope. Thank you.”
JDC, a partner agency, is a recipient of funds from United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
e pride ourselves with the same high standard of exceptional care you have come to expect. Please come by for a tour… we’d love
JEWISH TIDEWATER
Thank you for helping us make this a successful year. We look forward to working with you in the new year.
Dora Lee Taylor
Realtor
VM (757) 456-1713 doraleetaylor@howardhanna.com
Shirley Stein
Realtor
cell (757) 434-5808 sherlstein@aol.com
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DOING DUE DILIGENCE
TJF staff
As the year begins, many people are recommitting to the charities they hold dear – whether as donors, volunteers, board members, or a combination of roles.
In Tidewater, and across the nation, hundreds of thousands of charities contribute to meaningful causes every day. Tidewater Jewish Foundation plays a vital role in supporting the community’s charitable efforts, helping individuals align their giving with their passions.
Situations occasionally arise when individuals are approached by unfamiliar charities or newer organizations as potential donors. TJF’s team is ready to assist in gathering essential information, ensuring donors can confidently support any organization—whether it is wellestablished or just starting out.
While most charities operate ethically and are governed by dedicated board members and experienced professionals, rare instances of mismanagement or impropriety does take place. For this reason, TJF recommends conducting due diligence, particularly for the following reasons:
• Protecting reputations: Supporting
a charity that is later associated with a scandal can have unintended consequences for donors.
• Assessing risks: It’s important to confirm that an organization is not facing unusual legal or financial challenges.
• Avoiding scams: With fraudulent schemes on the rise, a careful review of charities is more important than ever.
One of the key benefits of organizing philanthropic efforts through a fund at TJF is having access to the team’s expertise and community knowledge. The TJF team monitors the status of longstanding organizations, investigates emerging ones, and provides insights to maximize the impact of charitable contributions.
Tidewater Jewish Foundation is dedicated to helping donors make informed decisions, ensuring their generosity leads to meaningful change. For those with questions about a potential gift or the standing of a particular charity, the TJF team is eager to assist to ensure that every charitable endeavor is impactful and effective.
For more information, contact Naomi Limor Sedek at 757-965-6109 or nsedek@tjfva.org.
Roger Schultz, a Tidewater Jewish Foundation board member, with Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO.
Ellen Rostov Hundley: Giving, learning, and legacy
TJF staff
A philanthropic journey is personal and often begins with a simple conversation.
For Norfolk native Ellen Rostov Hundley, this journey has been a natural extension of the values instilled by her family and her commitment to community – all culminating in a legacy of giving.
Growing up, Hundley was surrounded by role models who demonstrated the importance of giving through their involvement in Jewish and civic organizations. “My parents never told me what to do. . .they showed me what to do,” she says. “They lived their values, and I absorbed them without even realizing it at the time.”
These lessons were carried by Hundley into her 30-plus-year career with Virginia Beach City Public Schools. There, she introduced students to community projects, nonprofit organizations, and charitable campaigns,
challenging, Hundley found comfort in TJF’s support. “Naomi (Limor Sedek) and her team made everything easy and comforting,” Hundley says. “They met me where I was and patiently guided me through each step, making a difficult conversation feel natural and impactful.” Going through the process allowed not only Hundley but also her sister, Jane Rostov, and eventually Joe’s parents, Jane and Rob Rostov, to honor Joe’s memory in a meaningful way.
“Creating the fund was therapeutic in a way, not only for me but for Joe’s parents, who will partner in the fund,” Hundley says. “It allowed our entire family to celebrate Joe’s life with purpose.”
“Ellen’s story highlights how deeply personal philanthropy can inspire broader impact,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF’s president and CEO. “Her partnership with TJF and bringing her family together in philanthropy is building a stronger
community and setting an example for others to follow.”
“Starting a fund doesn’t require hundreds of thousands of dollars — it
begins with a conversation,” Hundley says. “For many of us, the gift we create won’t be realized until we’re gone, but planning today is how we secure tomorrow.”
Anne Rostov, Joe Rostov, of blessed memory, and Ellen Rostov Hundley.
JEWISH TIDEWATER
IN ISRAEL
FIRST PERSON FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE: AN EMOTIONAL ENCOUNTER WITH ISRAEL
Sierra Lautman
The dichotomy I recently experienced during my first trip to Israel is a testament to the emotional complexities of the country. Organized by the iCenter in partnership with the JCCA, this journey brought 24 JCC professionals together for a Mifgash (Encounter) that Matters. Over three days, we were immersed in stories of resilience and tragedy, oscillating between overwhelming despair and uncontainable pride. By the end, I realized the profound truth in what an Israeli JCC professional told me: “Don't fight it, feel it. What you're feeling is Israel.”
Our first day began at the Nova site, which had little significance prior to October 7, but is now scarred by the events of that morning. On the bus, each of us was given a placard with the story of a Nova victim. Mine bore the name of Shahar Gindi, a 25-year-old justice advocate who loved to travel. She and her partner, Almog, embodied kindness, even amidst tragedy. At her memorial, I lit a candle, mourning not just a collective loss but an individual—a vibrant life cut short. It was an emotionally heavy start to the day, but only the beginning.
displacement reinforced the community’s resilience and determination to heal. Educators took lessons from their time as evacuees to change the education model in most schools in Sderot once they returned.
We then met Youssef Alziadna, a Bedouin minibus driver who saved 30 lives during the Nova Festival tragedy. His account of risking everything to rescue young Israeli Jews after a client called him saying, “Youssef, save us,” was both harrowing and inspiring. “I am a Bedouin,” he said, “I'm an Arab, I’m an Israeli, and I am proud to call Israel my home.”
We met Maayan, the granddaughter of released hostage Yocheved Lifshitz and a member of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, on the second day. Her recounting of the days leading up to her grandparents’ capture and the excruciating wait for Yocheved’s release left us all viscerally feeling the cruelty of uncertainty. Later, we walked with Maayan through Hostage Square. The juxtaposition of bustling progress against the displays of unresolved trauma and mourning was impossible to ignore.
short distance to Beit Avi Chai, where we met Israeli musician Shai Tsabari. We were treated to an experience that transcended a concert as Tsabari’s songs were interspersed with discussion about how he has spent the past 14 months traveling around Israel to sing at shivas of those who have died in the war.
“Give me your hand my brother
It’s sunset time
A delightful moment, no unnecessary words
In my dreams, your figure appears
A moment of peace
Spreads on my face”
-Translation from Shai Tsabari's song, M’alei D’mamah (Silence Above Me)
From the Nova site, we traveled to Moshav Tkuma where we met Dganit Bar Hai. On October 7, the community, armed only with the training of our biblical ancestors and determination, created an illusion of strength by banging pots and honking horns, deterring attackers. Dganit now helps people heal through agriculture. Survivors and soldiers work the land, their physical labor grounding them in a homeland that continues to bear their grief and hopes. Watching the smoke from Gaza just 5 kilometers away, I felt the tension between devastation and the human capacity to rebuild.
This tension followed us to Sderot, where educators shared their efforts to support displaced youth. They spoke about how teens who had been traumatized into silence were given responsibilities to help them find meaning and purpose, including delivering meals to older adults, reading to younger children, and performing other small but meaningful tasks. Witnessing their transformation during
In Jerusalem, we met Adar Sharif, a farmer from Gesher Haziv who evacuated his wife and children but stayed on his land despite ongoing threats to protect his crops. His story of resilience and the reality of diving under his truck to avoid rocket fire was heartwrenching and inspiring. He remained dedicated to preserving his land and livelihood and protecting his 20 foreign workers for 14 months as Hezbollah rained rockets down on his fields.
After our conversation with Sharif, we drove the
The following day, we met with staff and fellows from the Inter-Agency Task Force to discuss the challenges and aspirations of young Israeli Arabs. During a breakout session, I spoke with Fadi, a man in his late 20s from Tel Aviv who lost eight family members who lived in Gaza. Fadi shared the fears he’s faced since October 7. He says he now avoids speaking Arabic in public, ignoring phone calls until he’s home. He spoke with candor about navigating his dual identity as an Arab and an Israeli and the guilt he has carried since the war’s start. When visiting a Jewish friend’s shiva for her husband, killed in combat, he worried she might reject his presence or blame him for the conflict. Even when she welcomed him, he couldn’t shake the displaced guilt for atrocities he never committed. Fadi’s story highlighted the unique emotional dichotomy faced by many Israeli Arabs today, mourning losses on both sides while feeling caught in between.
I stayed with my cousin David and his family in Tel Aviv for a few days before the program began. I watched the sunset over the Mediterranean with my family, ate Golda ice cream with David, met Maya and Naomi (Tidewater’s ShinShiniot from last year) to shop in the Shuk, and ate lunch on the beach. Teddy, my six-year-old cousin,
Sierra Lautman, Maya Ostroff, and Naomi Friedland.
Sierra Lautman picks lemons at Moshav Tkuma.
JEWISH TIDEWATER IN ISRAEL
corrected my accent, and three-year-old Emanuelle sang songs she learned in Gan. The contrast to the joy and happiness we experienced every day in Israel, to the sirens that woke us at 2:30 in the morning before a rocket hit Teddy’s friend’s school in Ramat Gan, was sobering.
After the program ended, I returned to David’s house for dinner before my flight home. As I helped put my little cousins to bed in their safe room, I struggled to process a whirlwind of emotions. The devastation of loss, my pride in Israel’s resilience, and the recognition of my privilege as
Re-Introducing TTRIBUTE
RIBUTE CCARDS ARDS
a Jew in the diaspora during this war weighed heavily on me. Weeks later, the dissonance remains.
This trip has forever altered my connection to Israel. I don’t just know her; I feel her. The dichotomy of despair, hope, grief, and pride mirrors the country’s essence. I can't wait to return.
Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, may be reached at SLautman@ UJFT.org.
Current Tribute card (shown right) by Arlene Kesser is also available to purchase.
Cards can be purchased individually, written with a personalized note inside and mailed to the recipient. Or the cards can be purchased as a set for you to mail at your leisure.
JCC, iCenter, and Shorashim professionals at Moshav Tkuma.
ARTS & CULTURE
Jewish postwar epic The Brutalist picks up 10 Oscar nominations, with ACompleteUnknown close behind
Andrew Lapin (JTA) — A postwar epic about a Holocaust survivor, a contemporary comedy about Holocaust tourism and a biopic of a Jewish musical legend helped lend a formidable Jewish presence to last month’s Oscar nominations.
Meanwhile, nominations for a documentary about the West Bank and a docudrama about the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre of Israeli athletes also kept Israel in the conversation. The nominations announcement, delayed multiple times by historically destructive Los Angeles wildfires, arrived amid calls to cancel the Oscars altogether out of deference to the fire’s victims.
Whether or not there is an awards ceremony this year, The Brutalist, a three-plus-hour historical drama starring Adrien Brody as a fictional Hungarian Jewish architect inspired by real Jewish designers, is well positioned with 10 nominations, tied for second-most of the year. Those included the major categories of best picture, director, lead actor for Brody, original screenplay, supporting actress for Felicity Jones, and supporting actor for Guy Pearce. The film was also nominated in the categories of original score (for work by British Jewish composer Daniel Blumberg), cinematography, editing, and production design.
category in 2002 for playing another Holocaust survivor, in The Pianist. Jones, who is not Jewish, plays his character’s wife, who is a Hungarian convert to Judaism; Pearce plays a WASPy industrialist who employs Brody’s character while letting slip some sinister views about Jews and immigrants.
The other Jewish movie with Holocaust ties to earn awards attention is A Real Pain, which follows two Jewish cousins on a tour of Poland to commemorate their survivor grandmother’s passing. It received two nominations: supporting actor for Kieran Culkin and original screenplay for the film’s writer-director-star, Jesse Eisenberg. Eisenberg based the film on his own experience reconnecting with his family’s Polish Jewish heritage; his co-star Culkin, who is not Jewish, is heavily favored to win the supporting actor trophy.
Directed by 36-year-old Brady Corbet, filmed in Hungary as a substitute for Philadelphia, and steeped with details of the Jewish immigrant experience, the film has been heavily lauded this awards season. It could repeat the success of last year’s heavily nominated epic about a Jewish genius, Oppenheimer, which went on to win best picture and numerous others.
The Brutalist has also been the subject of some late-breaking controversy, as members of the film’s crew recently admitted to using artificial intelligence to craft some aspects of the movie — including perfecting the Hungarian accents for Brody and Jones, a crucial detail of their performances. (The revelation came after voting for Oscar nominations had already closed; Corbet has defended what he said was a very limited use of AI and said the actors’ performances are “completely their own.”)
Brody, who spoke Hungarian for the role and is a favorite in the best actor category, is the son of a Jewish father and Hungarian artist mother. He also won in this
Nominated films about Israel and the Palestinian territories, meanwhile, took on new dimensions in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. September 5, a docudrama about the journalists who covered the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis and massacre of Israel’s athletic delegation by the Palestinian terror group Black September, was nominated for original screenplay. The film was shot before Oct. 7, 2023, but its hearkening back to another Israeli hostage crisis has led to the film being accused in some corners of being “Zionist propaganda.”
Notably, the best documentary category nominated No Other Land, co-directed by an Israeli-Palestinian filmmaking collective. That film, which chronicles the Israeli military’s orders to destroy the Palestinian villages of Masafer Yatta in the West Bank from the perspective of the villagers, was also shot almost entirely before Oct. 7. But it has become a rallying cry of sorts for Israel’s critics in the movie world. Its directors have decried Israeli “apartheid” in awards speeches, and the movie remains without a U.S. distributor despite racking up prizes across the globe.
(Another Israel-themed documentary contender, The Bibi Files, was shortlisted for the category but not nominated; meanwhile in the international feature category, From Ground Zero, a movie shot in the Gaza Strip and submitted by Palestine, also failed to make the final list of nominations after clearing the shortlist.)
In lighter Jewish stories, the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown strummed its way to eight nominations, including for best picture. Lead actor Timothée Chalamet, who has notable Jewish heritage and does his own singing as Dylan, was also nominated, as were co-stars Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Melissa Barbaro as Joan Baez; the film also received nominations for best director, costumes, sound, and adapted screenplay. It was based on the book Dylan Goes Electric by Jewish author and musician Elijah Wald.
The film itself is light on Jewish content but does include a brief glimpse of Robert Zimmerman’s bar mitzvah (before he became Dylan) in a photo album as a symbol of the life he left behind to become a folk singer.
In the lead actress category, Jewish performer Mikey Madison scored a nomination for playing a stripper and sex worker who is descended from Russian immigrants in Anora. Neither the character, nor the young son of a Russian oligarch with whom she jumps into a whirlwind marriage, are explicitly defined as Jewish, but a stray menorah plays a key role as a weapon in one scene.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Strong — who has Jewish heritage — was nominated for best supporting actor for playing the virulently anti-Communist Jewish lawyer and Donald Trump mentor Roy Cohn, in Trump-critical biopic The Apprentice. His co-star Sebastian Stan was also nominated in the lead actor category for playing Trump, for a movie the now-president had tried to stop from being released.
Other nominees had notable Jewish connections, as well. Jewish super-producer Marc Platt was nominated for producing Wicked, a best picture contender, for which Jewish composer Stephen Schwartz (who also wrote the Broadway musical’s original music) was also nominated for original score. And in the best original song category, Jewish songwriter and erstwhile nominee Diane Warren — who has now been nominated 16 times without winning a competitive Oscar — received another nod for the WWII film The Six Triple Eight, about the U.S. military’s only all-Black female regiment to serve in the war.
Jewish composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein also has a connection to The Only Girl in the Orchestra, nominated for best documentary short: the film focuses on bassist Orin O’Brien, who became the first woman in the New York Philharmonic when Bernstein hired her.
The year’s most-nominated film, the Netflix drama Emilia Pérez — a Spanish-language French musical about a trans cartel boss, which picked up 13 nominations — also has an unexpected Jewish tie-in. The doctor who performs the gender-reassignment operation on the main character is Israeli and sings a Tel Aviv-set duet with nominated actress Zoë Saldaña.
Adrien Brody.
Valentine’s Day
Food&Romance
Dear Readers,
We’re now nearly mid-way through Foodie February – a time for comfort foods to get us through those cold and darker days and nights, as well as romantic meals to share with loved ones – whether new dates or forever partners.
Most first and early dates center on, or at least somehow involve, a meal. If not a formal dinner, a movie date might include popcorn, a ball game a hot dog, and a hike a picnic. That’s why for our lead article for this Food and Romance section, Stephanie Peck checked in with eight area couples to learn what they ate on their first dates. The range is vast – from a mom’s sandwiches to fancy-shmancy-upscale restaurants and nearly everything in between. Their stories are fun to read and begin on the next page.
When David Leon shared with me over this past Thanksgiving weekend that he bakes, we knew Jewish News had a story about to rise. Along with David, Joel Nied and Scott Rosenblum tell readers what enticed them to learn and perfect the art of baking. Page 24.
Long-time Norfolk residents all surely know Charlie’s Diner on Granby Street in Ghent. The restaurant’s new owner, Yogev Kremisi, is serving up kosher food at Charlie’s Middle Eastern Cuisine and getting rave reviews. Page 30.
A well-known name in the culinary world, Michael Solomonov has a new cookbook, Zahav Home, and a couple more restaurants, too. The article about him and his longtime collaborator, Steven Cook, can be found on page 28
Mid-February also brings the practically national holiday of romance, Valentine’s Day. Trying to think of a gift or a place to dine? Our advertisers offer some terrific options.
Wishing you a B’tayavon! – or Bon Appetit! – and a month filled with all kinds of love,
Terri Denison Editor
Food&Romance
First meals turn to forever dates
Stephanie Peck
A shared meal can lead to a good laugh, a lifelong romance, or a future business venture – and sometimes, all those things and more. ❦ For these eight couples, first dates that included peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, COVID dating, and dancing at the top of Chicago’s John Hancock Building resulted in ceremonies under the chuppah. Even if what was on the menu didn’t matter, the memories clearly do.
Sharon and Mark Goldner
(as told by Sharon)
Mark and I met during the summer of 1991.
Before sharing a meal, we had a few drinks at Worrell Brothers at the Oceanfront. A few days later, Mark made me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Later, his mother said, “If I had known she was Jewish, I would have made her something better than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
Our first real dinner date was at Rockafeller’s, where we enjoyed the conversation and the views. I wasn’t sure it was going to work out because he wanted three children and I said two, but we figured it out…
Stephanie and Sam Steerman (as told by Stephanie)
We met at a big New Year’s Eve party at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in 2005. This photo is from that night. Sam was in medical school at Jefferson, and I was an admissions director at Drexel.
Our first meal together wasn’t until Valentine’s Day, and, because of Sam’s ‘busy schedule’ (insert my eye roll), it was only dessert. That said, it was a delicious chocolate dessert at the popular Alma de Cuba restaurant. Since that time, Sam has taken me out for a full dinner many times. Cheers!
Callah and Brandon Terkeltaub (as told by Callah)
Brandon’s first jobs were at Steinhilber’s and Ruth’s Chris, so we had no shortage of delicious date nights early on in our relationship.
One of the first memories I have is of Brandon saving up for a very nice white tablecloth dinner for one of our first dates. He borrowed his dad’s car and was so nervous that he accidentally left the headlights on when we went into dinner.
When we came out, the battery was dead, and he had to call for a jump. He was so embarrassed, but I thought it was really cute how flustered he got. Plus, we got to hang out longer while we waited for a jump.
Joslyn and Ari Stein (as told by Ari)
Joslyn and I met in 2008 at a Halloween party in Portland, Oregon. The next day we went to a diner for coffee and donuts. Neither of us can remember the name of the diner, or the kind of donuts we ate, but they must have been delicious, because I called my mother immediately after we left and told her that I had just met my future wife.
Jody and Alan Wagner (as told by Jody)
On our second date, Alan and I went to Benihana on Michigan Ave. in Chicago. Back in 1976, a Japanese chef cooking food in front of us was very special!
Food&Romance
We shared a fancy drink from a porcelain buddha, which memento we still have today. After dinner, we walked to the John Hancock Building to go dancing on the top floor. On our path, Alan found a $10 bill on the ground—I think he took it as a sign, and three years later we were married!
Also, our dates in downtown Chicago almost always included caramel corn, and especially Garrett’s popcorn.
Patti and Jules Wainger
(as told by Patti)
Iam originally from Birmingham, Alabama and met Joan London when we went to Goucher College in Baltimore together. During our first week, as freshmen, Joan had two guys coming up from the Medical College of Virginia (Fred Rosenblum and Jules). She told me not to mention my age (I was 17 at the time), because they wanted seniors. Fred and Jules flipped a coin to see who would go out with whom. That was our first date.
Our second date was at the Chesapeake Room in downtown Baltimore, an upscale seafood restaurant. I was impressed, because we had no income as students! Jules ate hamburgers and tuna fish all week so he could afford to take me to dinner on Saturday nights!
Jules was a perfect gentleman, and I just looked forward to seeing him. The Chesapeake Room became our favorite restaurant.
Betsy and Erik Cooper (as told by Erik)
Betsy and I have always enjoyed nice meals over our 34 years of marriage. On one of our first dates, we went to dinner at La Galleria, which was then a new restaurant in downtown Norfolk. The waiter immediately recognized Betsy from her shop at the Waterside Festival Marketplace. He took her order for dinner, but I had to remind him to take mine. We proceeded to have a nice conversation, and we were both enjoying our dinner experience, but as the various courses started being served, I noticed some issues. He took Betsy’s drink order, but not mine. He would offer Betsy pepper for her salad, but not me. When the main courses came, he offered Betsy parmesan cheese, but again, not me. This continued throughout the meal. And when he came to check on our table, he would only talk to Betsy.
When we had finished our dinner and the check was delivered to the table, the waiter handed the bill to Betsy. As I was paying the tab, I mentioned to her that I didn’t think the service was great. Betsy asked why because she thought the service was stellar. I then mentioned all of the issues I saw that evening. We both had a good laugh, and didn’t hold it against the restaurant as it became one of our go-to restaurants in town. The waiter must have been nervous as the restaurant was new and it was his first job. We still get a good laugh from this memory.
Emily and Ben Leon
(as told by Emily)
Our first official date was on March 13, 2020, at Esoteric in Virginia Beach. This was the same day I drove back to Virginia Beach from my then home in NYC due to the scare of COVID. We shared a couple of plates including duck tacos and a hummus platter. We have enjoyed going back routinely ever since. They also have a great happy hour!
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Food&Romance
Tidewater dough boys
Stephanie Peck
Baking is a science that requires the precise chemistry of all ingredients. One misstep and a decadent dessert devolves into a tragic mess, a puffy souffle deflates into a cavernous hollow, or a delicate confection becomes a misshapen blob. ❦ David Leon, Joel Nied, and Scott Rosenblum have each perfected their art of baking through trial and error. For Jewish News, they share when they became bakers and how the hobby brings them joy.
David Leon
President of United Federation of Tidewater and a past president of Strelitz International Academy, David Leon is a Portsmouth native who once owned a trash hauling business.
Jewish News: How long have you been a baker?
David Leon: Five years.
JN: What prompted you to start baking?
DL: I've always cooked a lot and wanted to learn how to bake but was afraid to try. When the pandemic started, I asked Tami Arnowitz for her challah recipe and any pointers. She invited me to a zoom challah class at her new synagogue in Westchester, N.Y. I enjoyed it and realized it wasn’t as scary or difficult as I had imagined.
From there, I tweaked and modified her recipe as I learned new things and taught myself other recipes I found online.
JN: You work in the baking industry. How is it different from baking at home for yourself?
DL: As friends and family ate my creations, many suggested that I sell my challahs or start a bakery. Having had my own business before, I knew this was something I didn’t want to do.
Alvin Wall suggested I work at a bakery/restaurant next door to where he and his wife, Nancy, do pottery. About two and a half years ago, I started working at Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry a few hours a week for fun. I don't really bake much there – mostly I do prep work and make various prepared foods. But I’ve learned new recipes and skills. The serving sizes are much larger, and I use large commercial equipment which
I enjoy.
They have an open kitchen so it’s funny to see the reaction of people I know when they see me working there most Thursday afternoons. I’ve had to use much self-control not to eat the extra food which is always available and hidden from view from the customers.
JN: How often do you bake? Do you share your baked goods?
DL: I mostly bake challah, which I do for Shabbats when my girls are with me. I like that I’m creating Jewish food memories for my girls.
I also like the reaction from sharing with friends and family. I’ve made challahs for my niece and nephew’s weddings and for our family Rosh Hashanah luncheons and other gatherings.
If I’m invited to a Shabbos dinner, I will usually bring one of my challahs. I
sometimes think this is the only reason I’m invited! For family Hanukkah gifts, I frequently bake cinnamon babka or Mandel bread. And for Pesach, I like to make my own matzah. Now I understand why many people give away baked goods.
JN: What is your favorite thing to bake?
DL: Challah is my favorite and most frequent thing to bake. But I also enjoy making cinnamon babka, Mandel bread and soft pretzels. I’ve made bagels a few times but they’re a lot of work.
JN: Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share with Jewish News?
DL: It’s funny how some people are so secretive with their recipes. I’ve found that most recipes are very similar, and I don’t mind sharing mine. (page 26)
Joel Nied
Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Joel Nied is a partner at the law firm Price Benowitz LLP. He serves as president of the Virginia chapter of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) and as a board member of Beth Sholom Home and Tidewater Jewish Foundation, among others.
Jewish News: When did you start baking?
Joel Nied: I’ve cooked since college, but the baking began in earnest probably around 2016.
Jewish News: Did someone or something inspire you to bake?
JN: I read somewhere that one of the best ways to instill a sense of the importance of Judaism in your kids is to light candles every Friday night. And what better way to get them to look forward to it than offering some freshly made challah?
I sought out a recipe that was low effort, as opposed to one that looked or tasted perfect, with the idea that if it was easy to make, I would do it more often. As it turned out, I managed to come up with a recipe that is easy to make and tastes and looks fantastic. As a result, I’ve made it pretty much every Friday for the past seven to eight years. Family and other people who have had it, love it. I bring it to neighborhood happy hours and the neighbors love it (even though they don’t know what it is) and I send them to my son in college. It’s a big hit and easy to make. Everyone should do it. Don’t strive for perfection. Just do it.
Jewish News: How often do you bake? JN: Pretty much every Friday for challah.
David Leon.
But I realized quickly that baking (and food in general) was a great way to introduce my kids to the broad spectrum of Jewish traditions and our collective heritage. As a result, I look out for food from everywhere. We regularly make fazuelos for Purim (OK, technically not baking, but it involves dough), strawberry jelly and chocolate sufganiyot for Hanukkah and, whenever we’re in the mood, khachapuri and, of course, babka.
Jewish News: What is your favorite thing to bake?
JN: Khachapuri is something the family goes crazy over whenever we make it. But the crowning achievement is babka. I am not exaggerating when I say our babka is possibly the best on the East Coast. Maybe the country. That’s not just me. It’s so good that someone consumed one so quickly, it almost killed him; he sucked it into his lungs and had to go to the hospital.
I’ve taught Simone, my daughter, the recipe and technique and she can replicate my results. Please don’t ask whether it’s chocolate babka. That’s like asking whether a martini is a gin martini. Of course it’s chocolate. Simone, however, did come up with a babka where one helix is cream cheese frosting and the other is a pecan/cinnamon filling. It’s awesome. We bake other things (like a confection we call “Cakepocalypse”), but there’s no connection to Judaism, other than the fact that we make it.
Scott
Rosenblum
Food&Romance
Jewish News: How long have you been a baker?
Scott Rosenblum: I took my first Baking & Pastry class in 2022 as part of the curriculum in culinary school.
JN: You have worked in prestigious restaurants. How is baking in a professional environment different from baking at home?
SR: Baking in a professional kitchen is very similar to baking at home. Both are very exacting and require meticulous attention to detail. The main difference is that at work I must follow the executive chef’s recipe, while at home, I can be more creative and adventurous with ingredients and flavors.
JN: How often do you bake?
Baking is not just a hobby for Scott Rosenblum, who is retired from pediatric dentistry. A recent graduate of Culinary Institute of Virginia, this Tidewater native now works as a fulltime chef. He’s worked at Inn by the Sea in Portland, Maine, Primo in Rockland, Maine, The Surf Club in Miami, and Chef and the Farmer in Kinston, N.C. In Virginia Beach, Rosenblum’s kitchens include TuLu, Eurasia, and Yorkie’s.
SR: I enjoy baking, so I do it as often as I can. I get a special sense of accomplishment when I make something delicious from scratch that my guests really enjoy.
JN: What is your favorite thing to bake?
SR: Some of my favorite things to bake include focaccia bread, profiteroles, and biscuits.
JN: Anything you’d like to add?
SR: As Julia Child famously said, “A party without cake is just a meeting.”
Scott Rosenblum.
David Leon’s Mandel Bread
“Mandel bread reminds me of my grandmother who made it frequently,” says David Leon. “She never wrote down her recipe, but with help of various recipes that friends shared and the internet, I've created one that combines them all to a certain extent.”
Ingredients:
2 sticks of softened butter (16 tablespoons) or 1 cup vegetable oil or olive oil for Parve
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 to 1 tsp salt
1 cup of lightly toasted chopped almonds
1/2 cup mini-size semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Ground cinnamon and granulated sugar for dusting
Directions:
• Mix butter/oil and sugar until combined, then add eggs one at a time. After the eggs are combined, add vanilla.
• Lightly toast the chopped almonds for 6 to 7 minutes. Let cool and set aside. If they’re added while still hot, it will melt the chocolate chips which you don’t want to do.
• Sift together all the dry ingredients and add them slowly to the sugar/ egg mixture.
• Once the dough is smooth and sticky, pour the almonds and optional chocolate chips in and mix.
• Place dough on wax or parchment paper, cover with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours (at least 2) or overnight.
Food&Romance
• Lightly oil your hands and form 3 long rows with the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet (I line the cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup). Each strip of dough should be 3-4 inches wide. They will spread out a lot during cooking, so make sure you leave enough space between the rows. A trick used by my Grandma Frieda is to shape the logs of dough using an oldfashioned metal ice tray (the ones with the handle and curved edges) as a mold.
• Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. While Mandel bread is baking, in a flat shallow dish, combine 3⁄4 cup of sugar with enough cinnamon to turn the mixture light brown. It’s best to eyeball this – it shouldn’t be too brown or too white.
from everyone in the house, which makes it rise. When everyone eats it, the love is redistributed in the household. If it doesn’t rise, there are bigger problems than a flat challah. Just make it.”
Ingredients:
• Take the Mandel bread out and turn the oven down to 300 degrees. Slice the Mandel bread into biscotti sized pieces (~1").
• Roll each cookie into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Put the pieces back upright on the cookie sheet. Sprinkle excess cinnamon sugar on top of the pieces.
• Bake for another 20 minutes until they’ve achieved the texture you desire. The longer they stay in the oven, the crisper they will be. If the slices are big or wide, you might need longer than 25 minutes. Keep an eye on it and don’t over-bake, as this cookie tends to dry out quickly. Store in an airtight container.
Joel Nied’s Challah
“Make it. It’s easy,” says Joel Nied about his challah recipe. “I’ve done all the hard work already by identifying the right ingredients and the process. At this point, I’ll be insulted if I don’t hear from someone that he/she read this article but didn’t try the recipe. There’s a legend that what makes challah dough rise isn’t the yeast, but rather the love in the house. The dough sucks up the love
3 1/2 cups (or better yet, one pound two ounces) bread flour (Bob’s Red Mill Artisanal bread flour is what you should use.)
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 tablespoon
Fleischmann’s active dry yeast
2 eggs
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup grapeseed oil (do not use vegetable oil - use grapeseed oil!)
2 eggs
.9167 cup warm water (it’s a 2/3 cup + 1/4 cup)
Directions:
• Add honey, warm water, and yeast (in that order) into bowl. Wait until yeast starts foaming.
• Add oil and eggs. Mix.
• Add flour and salt. Knead by hand or use mixer with dough hook for 5 minutes.
• Cover and put in warm place (like an oven with the light on/set at 100 degrees) for 1.5 hours (or in refrigerator overnight). If the air is dry, put a mug of steaming water next to the dough (except in refrigerator!).
• Put dough on floured surface and separate into 4 or 6 pieces, depending on the braiding style (look online for instructions). Roll into long pieces (around 15 inches each) and braid.
• Let rise for 40 minutes in a warm place.
• Brush with a scrambled egg.
• Put in an oven at 350 degrees on the lower third rack for 24 minutes. Or, if you make 2 challahs with the dough, 21 minutes.
• Let cool for at least an hour.
• Light candles. Drink wine. Eat. If you eat it while the challah is still warm, it is like an unglazed doughnut. If you eat at room temperature, it is like great challah.
Aleeza Ben Shalom of Jewish Matchmaking still works to help people find their bashert Food&Romance
Lior Zaltzman
Kveller – In the spring of 2023, Jewish Matchmaking showed the world the complexity and the beauty of finding your Jewish bashert — your soul mate. While none of the couples featured on the Netflix dating show wound up finding their happy ever after, they gained valuable insight into how to go about looking for love, and some of them even wound up getting engaged and married not long after the show to people they met on their own.
That was all thanks to the matchmaker at the helm of the show, Aleeza Ben Shalom, an Orthodox Philadelphia transplant who lives with her family in Israel. And while season two of Jewish Matchmaking is on hold, Ben Shalom and her desire to help others find romance isn’t. Earlier this month, she released Matchmaker, Matchmaker, a tome full of the delightful dating anecdotes that viewers learned to love in Jewish Matchmaking, flanked with her pearls of wisdom and advice. Some will be familiar, like her “date ’em till you hate ’em” principal, while others are new exciting tricks to add to the toolbox of anyone who is dating or has a loved one who is.
“high quality human,” the kind of person one should be on the lookout for when searching for a potential spouse.
Ben Shalom’s advice feels solid for how to be human in the world. The concept of a “high quality human” can also apply to platonic relationships. Anyone can be a highquality human, she says, “you just have to work really hard at it.”
Ben Shalom brings her vibrant, positive spirit to the book. It’s the love and the dating stories that take center stage here. Instead of the prescriptive “do this, don’t do this” found in other dating manuals, she aimed to include content that is relatable to anyone who’s had a hand at modern dating. “You read it and you’re like, ‘Oh my, I’ve been there. That happened to my friend, that happened to my co-worker…” she says.
When it comes to the concept of “bashert,” Ben Shalom acknowledges that there’s “a lot of pressure on that word,” with people often believing that if something’s “meant to be” it means that “everything should just always work.”
“It’s not written for Jewish readers,” Ben Shalom says, or at least, not only Jewish readers, adding that the target audience for her book is “marriage-minded singles who want to find a loved one, or for anybody who wants to play matchmaker.” Jewish wisdom does weave itself into the book, and attuned readers will notice that some of the characters in the anecdotes she shares are Jewish or Israeli like the story of Ron, a veteran amputee and one of Ben Shalom’s clients who she describes as a
“Being your soulmate, being your bashert, being meant for each other, does not equal perfect relationship, no problems ever,” she says. “It’s like they’re perfectly imperfect for you. That’s what bashert is. They’re exactly what you need and what you don’t need. It doesn’t mean you’re going to have no issues in life.” Ben Shalom wants daters to ask themselves, “Who do you want to walk to the hospital with? Who do you want to go to a funeral with? Who do you want to deal with debt or challenges or losses? That’s the person that you want to pick.”
About the second season of Jewish
Matchmaking, Ben Shalom says, “The world and the Jewish world is so complicated. There’s war.” You can’t film.
Ben Shalom has seen her work vastly shift since October 7. “So many more people are very intentional about wanting to date Jewish,” she says. “People who said, ‘I date anybody, it doesn’t matter’ are [now] like, ‘No, I need to marry somebody Jewish. There’s a lot more going on in the Jewish world, and I don’t feel like somebody will understand me if they’re not Jewish.’ And they’re right, they won’t fully understand them. So there’s been a lot more of a buzz for Jewish singles to
Feeling ever so beautiful in jewelry from G Marie
date only Jewish matches. I would say that people are also feeling like, ‘Oh my gosh, the whole world is in crisis, the world is falling down and everything’s unstable. I need a partner now!”
Ben Shalom hopes that people pick up matchmaking in the same way they pick up her book. “I want to make sure that people know this is not just for singles. This is for anybody who wants to be matched, or anybody who wants to help match. I think that’s what I would want somebody to know: Here are incredible tools and stories that you can learn to set yourself up, set up a friend, help this one and help that one.”
OPERATION HAMANTASCHEN
CELEBRATE PURIM WITH PJ LIBRARY IN TIDEWATER! MARCH 9 • 1-4PM • SIMON FAMILY JCC
Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon of making hamantaschen with friends and family! While your treats bake, you can arrange Mishlochei Manot (gift baskets) for local organizations and agencies that support the Jewish community.
Don’t forget to wear your costume! SEATS LIMITED. REGISTER TODAY!
Food&Romance
Michael Solomonov aims to simplify Israeli classics for home cooks in Zahav Home
(JTA) — A lot has changed since the
Gather your courage, don your costume, and prepare to travel through time!
Open to the Tidewater Jewish Community ages 22-45
SATURDAY, MARCH 1 • 8PM SIMON FAMILY JCC
of Jewish communal venues across the United States — marking a slight departure from their last launch, when in addition to a range of Jewish and non-Jewish venues, the pair also had a series of appearances at Williams Sonoma stores.
At a time when some Jewish creatives and personalities have openly questioned whether they are welcome in non-Jewish spaces, Cook says he and Solomonov have a different reason for sticking to a Jewish circuit.
of his restaurants, some of which
What the protesters haven’t done, Solomonov and his longtime collaborator Steven Cook said, is dampen appetites for
“Since Oct. 7, we are busier than ever,” Cook said during a launch event in New York City last fall for the duo’s third book, named for their first, and highly acclaimed, restaurant.
“We all know how challenging it is out there right now,” Cook said. “Fortunately, for us it is a lot of noise. Our customers have doubled down in their support for us.”
Cook’s comments came during an appearance with Solomonov at the Streicker Center at Temple Emanu-El on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the day that Zahav Home hit shelves. Their tour took them on a circuit
“It is a built-in audience for what we do,” Cook says. “Jewish communities have been incredibly supportive of all of our books, and we got enthusiastic responses when we started making inquiries.”
Neither Cook nor Solomonov had planned to write a third cookbook after releasing Zahav in 2015 and Israeli Soul in 2018. But then came the pandemic.
“On March 16, 2020, everything stopped,” the partners write in the introduction to their book. “In a matter of a few hours, we went from more than four hundred employees to zero employees.”
The two men, who had then been business partners for 16 years, lived a block apart at the time.
“At the time that lockdown happened, we had been going to Zahav every single day for 13 years,” Cook says. “All of a sudden, we couldn’t go there anymore. Our days were spent doing laps around this park. We thought our businesses would wither away, so in an effort not to be so depressed, the
Food&Romance
conversation turned to, ‘What did you cook for dinner last night?’ or the lunch I made for my family every day.”
Solomonov says, “Being able to cook for our families and then to have things to discuss and a creative outlet was cathartic.”
The partners realized they had a theme for a book, which they started in 2021 and completed the following year.
“We decided that since we were going to focus on home cooking, we would shoot in an actual home kitchen,” Cook says. “Mike lost the coin toss, and everything was shot in his house. Everything in the book was cooked start to finish from scratch. Nobody was handing us preprepped ingredients. The recipes were improvised along the way.”
The book is made up of 125 recipes, all of which have Israeli and/or Jewish roots. So, there is Eastern European matzo ball soup and Moroccan harira; Shira’s potato kugel flavored with parsley and dill; and phyllo bourekas stuffed with Swiss chard and feta.
Many of the recipes in Z ahav Home appeared in their other books but have been streamlined for the home cook. Their chraime, for example, a North African fish stew typically eaten on Shabbat, was prepared with a whole fish in Zahav. In Zahav Home, the recipe calls for boneless fish filets.
“We grew up a little,” says Solomonov. “The Zahav recipe is more fussy. I like to think that over the years we have changed, and this is more realistic for the home cook. We are cooking for our families, on weeknights, with a time crunch which forces you to take different directions for the same recipe.”
The book starts with photos and descriptions of some of the condiments and spices that you would need to have on hand to cook some of the food in the book, such as baharat, a sweet and savory spice blend; pomegranate molasses; the fermented mango condiment amba; and smoked cinnamon, which they use in their lentil soup and kebabs.
Solomonov and Cook have been using these ingredients for years. But another thing that’s changed since they opened Zahav 16 years ago — and maybe in part because of their influence — is that those ingredients have become relatively easy to obtain.
“People are more familiar with the pantry ingredients that are fundamental to the food that we cook,” says Cook. “Certainly, you can find a jar of harissa in any supermarket in America. And the quality and availability of tahini and everything else have improved.”
Although Cook says you don’t have to be Jewish to use the book — and their restaurants have a following that goes beyond Jewish diners — the authors do assume some familiarity with Jewish culture. They describe, for example, their Spatchcock Chicken recipe with Hungarian Seasoning as being perfect for Shabbat.
“I feel like ‘Shabbat’ is in the New York Times crossword puzzle so it’s fair game,” says Cook.
Harder to detect might be the fact that almost all the recipes in the book would be accessible for cooks who keep kosher. The book does not advertise itself as comporting with traditional Jewish dietary laws, but none of the recipes call for non-kosher ingredients, including shellfish or non-kosher meats, and only one mixes meat with milk, a forbidden combination under the laws of kosher eating.
“That is our guiding idea at Zahav,” says Cook. “It is not a kosher restaurant, but we never serve traif, and we never mix meat and milk. But we couldn’t resist [including a recipe for] those meatballs mixed with parmesan cheese. We left that in there as a little Easter egg for people to find.”
The philosophy has extended far beyond Zahav. The pair’s other restaurants — Laser Wolf, Dizengoff, and K’far — do not serve pork or shellfish. (They do serve non-kosher meat and, unlike Goldie, do not carry kosher certification.) Last year, they opened Aviv, a cross between Zahav and Laser Wolf in Miami, complete with a charcoal grill and fresh Yemeni flatbread.
Also last year, they opened a new restaurant called Jaffa Bar in Philadelphia.
“It breaks our kosher streak,” says Cook. “It is a seafood bar.”
But while the food is the main point of their joint business, CookNSolo, in the post-Oct. 7 world they see their latest book as being about more.
“We are seeking ways to either connect to the community or find joy in challenging times,” Solomonov says, “and we are hoping that this book will provide a little bit of that.”
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Food&Romance
New kosher restaurant in Ghent
Stephanie Peck
Charlie’s Middle Eastern Cuisine opened in Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood in November. The intimate and friendly kosher restaurant is supervised under the Vaad HaKasharus of Tidewater.
Yogev Kremisi, the restaurant’s owner, also owns Dream the La Cream, an ice cream parlor in Virginia Beach. He says he searched for seven months to find a restaurant location – landing at the site of longtime diner, Charlie’s Café on Granby Street.
A native Israeli who is now a U.S. citizen, Kremisi met his American wife in Israel, where he worked in mediterranean cuisine.
Kremisi says he is pleased with the early response to this new venture and is working on the restaurant’s website and establishing accounts with delivery services Uber Eats and Door Dash. A Shishi menu, carry-out for Shabbat, is also available. Kremisi says his favorite dish on the Charlie’s menu is the Chef Kabob plate, since “it’s completely made from zero.”
What’s next for Kremisi?
“Kosher dairy, maybe,” he says.
VIRGINIA FESTIVAL JEWISH FILM
Presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg
Yogev Kremisi at Charlie’s Middle Eastern Cuisine.
JFS Chanukah Gift Program makes more memories
Kelly Burroughs Traditions are so important for children – giving them a sense of belonging to something special that becomes part of their identity. Lighting the menorah at Hanukkah, for example, is one such tradition.
For 32 years, the Jewish Family Service Chanukah Gift Program has helped families celebrate the festive holiday. The generosity of Tidewater’s Jewish community and others who support the mission of JFS make it possible.
Although Hanukkah is not just about the gifts – it is a time of celebration and joy – children look forward to it every year, along with a few presents. For parents who are struggling financially, it can also be a time of stress and shame. “It is so hard for me as a parent to know I have to ask for help,” says one father of three who receives support from JFS. “But I am so grateful to your donors. Please let them know how much my family appreciates your help.”
“The generosity of the community is overwhelming!” says Debbie Mayer, who has managed this project since its beginning. “I am always so impressed by others who are willing to help!”
Each year, local Jewish children and teenagers fill out a “wish-list.” The lists are selected by generous shoppers who purchase the items and bring them to JFS, or who make cash or gift card contributions so that a staff member or volunteer may do the shopping. Families can also “shop” for free from the collection of children’s books, Hanukkah decorations, or Judaica. The items on the children’s wish lists range from art supplies and Barbie dolls to “dream list” items like bicycles.
This year, one young boy wished for a new bike. His mother cautioned him that a new bike might not be something they could afford, and not to get his hopes up. On the first night of Hanukkah, the family gathered to light their menorah. After the lighting, the mother asked her son to go to the garage to get something for her. As he opened the door, he cried out with delight at seeing the shiny new bike that someone had purchased and donated just for him. Jumping up and down, he just yelled “Thank you!!” over and over before hopping on the bike and taking it for a test ride. The mother, with tears in her voice, sent a video to Mayer at JFS.
To all donors who helped this child and so many other children and families enjoy the holiday JFS extends a big “Thank you!”
MARCH MADNESS
Young professional men’s fundraising division of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Annual Bracket Challenge Fundraiser
VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF JEWISH FILM
32ND ANNUAL
ne of the nation’s longest-running Jewish film festivals, the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg, entertains, educates, and engages the Tidewater community by presenting world-class films, repertory cinema, and programs that are inspired by Jewish or Israeli history, heritage, and values.
Running on Sand
Sunday, February 16 • 2:30 pm
Kramer Family Theater at Cape Henry Collegiate 1320 Mill Dam Road, Virginia Beach
Director Adar Shafran • 104 min • Israel • 2023
Hebrew with English subtitles • Drama
Aumari, a young Eritrean refugee living in Israel, is about to be deported back to his home country. After a spontaneous escape attempt at the airport and a case of mistaken identity, Aumari is assumed by Maccabi Netanya fans to be their new Nigerian soccer star. With no sporting talent, but hailed as a hero, he unites and uplifts the floundering squad, all while hiding his true identity. Amid their quest for victory, he finds himself falling for the team owner’s daughter, risking exposure.
Awards
NOMINEE, 4 Categories | Israeli Academy Awards 2023
WINNER, Best Debut Film | Haifa International Film Festival 2023
WINNER, Best Film | Israeli Film Festival in Paris 2024
Cinema Cafe Kemps River, 1220 Fordham Drive
Virginia Beach
Director Amnon Carmi • 85 min • United States • 2024 • English (Captioned) • Comedy
Ahigh school teacher in the Bronx loses funding for the school musical and convinces his fellow statistics teacher, secretly a recovering gambling addict, to help him cheat at an underground card game run by the Hasidic Jewish community. The plan goes awry with mounting consequences, but help comes at an unexpected time from the least likely people.
For tickets and additional information: JewishVA.org/FilmFest
The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film is presented by the Alma & Howard Laderberg Virginia Festival of Jewish Film Restricted Fund of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.
Tickets
The BIG Saturday Night Celebration of Jewish Film: $30
Tickets for all other films: $14
THE BIG SATURDAY NIGHT CELEBRATION OF JEWISH FILM Midas Man
Sponsored by Harry Laderberg, Linda (Laderberg) and Leigh Baltuch, and Mallory (Stark) and Romney Laderberg, in memory of their dear brother, William Laderberg.
Hors d’oeuvres, cocktail hour and open galleries begin at 6 pm. Dessert reception to follow, featuring live music and karaoke from John Lennon Tribute Star Tim Beasley.
Saturday, February 22 • 7 pm
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art 2200 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach
Director Joe Stephenson • 112 min • United Kingdom 2024 • English (Captioned) • Biography, drama
On Thursday, November 9, 1961, Brian Epstein descended the stairs to a cellar in Liverpool and changed the world forever. When Epstein watched The Beatles perform, he saw something no one else could – a glimmer of gold. Jewish, closeted, and having grown up as an outsider who had failed at pretty much everything, he was a 26-year-old with something to prove and who wanted to tear up the rulebook.
Awards
WINNER, Best Film in Festival | Birmingham Film Festival 2024
VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF JEWISH FILM
October H8te
Presented in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, & community partners’ 14th annual Israel Today series.
Sunday, February 23 • 2:30 pm
Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center at Virginia Wesleyan University 5817 Wesleyan Drive, Virginia Beach
Director Wendy Sachs • 100 min • United States 2024 • English (Captioned) • Documentary
Executive Producer Debra Messing’s and Director Wendy Sachs’ searing documentary explores the explosion of antisemitism on college campuses, on social media, and on America’s streets in the aftermath of October 7, 2023. The film features interviews with Debra Messing, Michael Rapaport, Sheryl Sandberg, Congressman Ritchie Torres, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, Dan Senor, Noa Tishby, and Bari Weiss, among others.
Bad Shabbos
Preceded by the short film We Should Eat.
Monday, February 24 • 7:15 pm
Naro Expanded Cinema, 1507 Colley Avenue, Norfolk Director Daniel Robbins • 84 min • United States 2024 • English (Captioned) • Comedy
Audience Award Winner at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, Bad Shabbos proves that even Shabbat can go haywire. This off-beat comedy centers around an engaged interfaith couple who are about to have their parents meet for the first time over a traditional Shabbat dinner. Things spiral faster than you can say “hamotzi” when an accidental death gets in the way.
Directed by Daniel Robbins and co-written by Zack Weiner, this chaotic “one-night-in-New-York” story turns family dinner into a sidesplitting disaster of biblical proportions.
Starring Kyra Sedgwick, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, David Paymer, Milana Vayntrub, Jon Bass, Meghan Leathers, Catherine Curtin and Ashley Zukerman.
Awards
WINNER, Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature Tribeca Film Festival 2024
We Should Eat
Director Shaina Feinberg • 2024 • English • Comedy
Acomedy about family, identity, and the immense anxiety over what to order for dinner.
Starring Alysia Reiner (Orange Is the New Black Feldshuh (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Murders in the Building ), Joel de la Fuente ( Dead ), Bob Ari ( Kissing Jessica Stein ( The Sack Lunch Bunch).
June Zero
Presented in partnership with the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
Wednesday, February 26 • 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Beach Cinema Alehouse
941 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach
Director Jake Paltrow • 105 min States 2022 • Hebrew, Spanish with English subtitles
• Historical drama
T2025 Virginia Festival of Jewish Film Screening Committee
• Condiments (ketchup, mustard, pickles, and relish, etc.)
• Snack foods (cookies, crackers, pretzels, etc.)
Learn more about JFS’s food assistance programs at jfshamptonroads.org/services/food-assistance
Kids Night Out
he 1961 preparations for the execution of Adolf Eichmann, a principal architect of the Holocaust, are revisited in a gripping and surprising new vision from American filmmaker Jake Paltrow. Shot on 16mm film and based on true accounts, June Zero is told from the unique perspectives of three distinct figures: Eichmann’s Jewish Moroccan prison guard, an Israeli police investigator who also happens to be a Holocaust survivor, and a precocious and clever 13-year-old Libyan immigrant.
Saturday, February 22
Kids Night Out babysitting is available at the Simon Family JCC for the BIG Saturday Night Celebration of Jewish Film. Registration is required in advance. Space is limited. Register at JewishVA.org/KNO.
Aviva Pembroke opens to a packed house of admirers
Joel Rubin
“Stunning” was the most frequent word heard as Beth Sholom Village and its friends in the Jewish community celebrated the official opening of Aviva Pembroke with development partner Pembroke Square Associates inside the seven-story structure off Constitution Drive in Virginia Beach.
“This is where dignity meets compassion,” said Allison Hechtkopf, executive director, who added that the facility is already “fostering meaningful connections” among the several dozen residents who have moved in since
early December.
“Leasing is going extraordinarily well,” said David Abraham, president and CEO of Beth Sholom Village, which operates Aviva Pembroke and its 153 apartments – 121 for independent seniors and 32 for assisted living and memory care.
Aviva offers an impressive array of amenities, including a café, dog park,
"Recently my mother required 12 hour per day personal care assistance. On short 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
indoor pool and spa, gym, fire pits, pickleball court, covered parking, a salon, and wellappointed one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, the model furnished through the generosity of Grand Furniture.
The partnership with Pembroke Square was pivotal in making Aviva
Pembroke a reality.
“We bought the 800 acres that became Pembroke Mall in the early 1960’s and broke ground in 1965,” said founder Fred Napolitano, Sr. “But over the years people started shopping online, and we knew we had to repurpose the property. Aviva Pembroke is our first new building.” An even larger for-rent apartment complex is coming along with new entertainment, shopping, and a hotel, joining Target and other stores that remain after the redevelopment.
Ribbon cutting ceremony: Vince Olivieri, Ramsay Smith, Fred Napolitano, Sr., Allison Hechtkopf, Jay Kossman, Mayor Bob Dyer, Larry Siegel, David Abraham, and Councilman Michael Berlucchi.
Fred Napolitano, Sr.
IT’S A WRAP
“It took a team with a sterling track record to make this happen,” Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer told a packed room of attendees. Dyer noted that the demand for quality housing for seniors is growing. “By 2030, 25% of our population in Virginia Beach will be 65 and over.” Aviva Pembroke, thanks to Beth Sholom Village’s excellent reputation, is leading the way in meeting this demand with a lifestyle-focused approach, featuring gourmet dining experiences, engaging book clubs, wine clubs, and outings.
“I really love it here,” said Grant Narelle, one of the charter residents.
“It’s been a wonderful few months so far,” added resident Alice Buxbaum.
Several residents attended Aviva’s
first once a month Sabbath morning service, organized by Danny Rubin and his family, that was held on January 18 in the spacious community room. Resident Madeline Rossitini played piano as Rubin and his sons, Niv and Shai, led prayers and aliyot over a Torah that will have a permanent home in a wooden ark being built at Aviva. Beth El and Temple Israel are supplying tallises. “I expect turnout to rise as more people in the community and here at Aviva learn about this brief (60minute) but lively program,” says Rubin. The next Shabbat service is Saturday, February 15, and the public is invited.
For more information on leasing a unit at Aviva, visit www.avivapembroke.com or call 757-963-8423.
Premier of What We Carry film features Col. Shames
Elka Mednick
The final installment of the What We Carry film series, featuring the remarkable story of Colonel Edward Shames, premiered at the Sandler Family Campus on Monday, January 27. Held on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the event drew an engaged audience to honor the legacy of Col. Shames and all Holocaust survivors and liberators.
Colonel Edward Shames, who passed away on December 3, 2021, was the last surviving officer of the renowned “Band of Brothers” - Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. A Jewish officer during World War II, Shames played a crucial role in liberating the Dachau concentration camp and was deeply affected by his experiences.
After Gail Flax, Holocaust Commission chair, welcomed the audience, Commission member Deb Segaloff provided an overview of the What We Carry program, explaining the process of creating the film that captured Shames’ Holocaust experience.
A presentation by Rev. Dr. Carroll Starling, a retired Naval Chaplain and ODU professor of education, provided historical context, delving into the experiences of concentration camp liberators. Starling spoke of
the psychological impact of their mission, describing the moral injury soldiers such as Shames endured when confronting the unimaginable atrocities of the Holocaust. Starling emphasized the soldiers’ limited
prior knowledge about the camps and the long-term psychological ramifications they faced. His nuanced discussion highlighted the complex emotional landscape these soldiers navigated, transforming their wartime experiences from mere historical facts into a deeply human narrative of trauma, resilience, and witness.
As the number of Holocaust survivors and liberators dwindles, programs such as What We Carry become increasingly vital in ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten.
The moral injury that liberators such as Shames endured stands as a testament to the enduring impact of individual stories in the face of unimaginable adversity, and the ongoing commitment to education and remembrance. Through events such as this premiere and the continued efforts of the Holocaust Commission, the legacy of survivors and liberators lives on, educating and inspiring new generations to stand against hatred and intolerance.
To learn more about What We Carry and request it for a classroom, business, or community group, visit www.jewishva.org/whatwecarry. To learn more about the Holocaust Commission, visit www.holocaustcommission.org, or contact Elka Mednick at emednick@ujft.org.
Cantor Elihu Flax and Jay Kossman.
Dr. Carroll Starling speaks before the film.
Linda Ausch
PROUD TO BE!
On a very chilly Sunday morning last month, Mona Flax, president-elect of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Jodi Klebanoff, past UJFT Women’s Philanthropy chair, Amy Zelenka, UJFT chief development officer, and I travelled to the 2025 International Lion of Judah Conference in Atlanta. Throughout the conference, we were four extremely proud women from Tidewater, participating in an emotional, inspiring, and powerful experience.
The opening plenary and overall theme of the conference was “Proud to be!” A highlight from that session was the presentation of the very first Ruth Bader Ginsburg award to Israel’s first lady, Michal Herzog, who eloquently expressed her gratitude. “I am deeply moved by this unique honor,” she said. “I accept it on behalf of the brave and resilient women of Israel, who – since October 7th – have demonstrated their strength on all fronts: as mothers, daughters, sisters, fighters, caregivers, and as voices for victims who cannot speak for themselves; and especially, their tireless struggle to bring the hostages home.” In response, the crowd of 1,700 women in the plenary hall began the chant, “BRING THEM HOME! BRING THEM HOME!”
The conference was made even richer by the inclusion of a house band, The Shuk Music Group, which played throughout various plenaries each day. Israeli superstar, and 2024 Israeli Eurovision representative Eden Golan, opened the conference performing her song, Hurricane Monday morning’s plenary was “Proud to be a Zionist.” Among others, this session featured Rachel Goldberg, whose son Hersch Goldberg-Polin was murdered in the tunnels of Gaza in August 2024. Goldberg’s remarks were gut-wrenching and inspiring, all at once. And with her, an overarching theme of resiliency began weaving itself throughout the conference (especially in the sessions relating to October 7). To talk about resilience, one must talk about the events that precede its necessity. And so, 1,700 women pulled out their Kleenex and
would reach for them again and again for the next two days.
Amos Hochstein, then senior advisor to the US President for Energy and Investment, had been a pivotal actor in the Middle East, serving as chief negotiator of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire and leading negotiations for the US across the region. He spoke with Liz Shrayer, president
a Network of support,” Natalie Sanandaji, a Nova Festival survivor, spoke of her harrowing experience that day and of how she narrowly survived the festival massacre. Her traumatic experience led her to transform her life – she switched career paths and now works for Jewish advocacy and fighting antisemitism. Also in this session was Sigal Manzuri, a mother
and CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, about the status of negotiations and thoughts on if or how the presidential transition may impact those negotiations. Hochstein explained how negotiations were being done and about the various outcomes, noting that nothing was certain (including the then-impending ceasefire that was being “pre-announced.”) Along with other speakers, Hochstein was hopeful, but cautious about “getting his hopes up too high.” Hope, however, was another overarching theme throughout the conference.
At a breakout session, “The Nova Festival Survivors and Families: Building
of three. On October 7, her world changed forever, as Hamas terrorists murdered her two beautiful daughters, Norelle and Roya, along with Norelle’s fiancée, Amit Cohen, at the Nova music festival. Sigal endured the notification of her daughters’ deaths 48 hours apart. Since that day, she and her husband Menashe and their 15-year-old son, Shai, have been advocating for all the victims and to honor the memories of Norelle, Roya, and Amit, who she described as “three rare flowers who grew and blossomed with endless love and devotion of their parents and their family and friends around them.”
A similarly powerful conversation
with families of hostages and a returned captive, Aviva Siegel, were featured at another session. Siegel was held hostage for 51 days, while her husband Keith (an American Israeli), was still being held in Gaza at the time of the conference. (He was released on Feb. 1 (See page 9) “It was the worst thing any human could go through,” she said. “They tortured my Keith, and they tortured the young girls with us. I saw fear in their faces.” The entire panel, including Siegel, agreed that it was important to share their loved ones’ stories to make sure that the world hears about what took place.
About hearing from these families, Jodi Klebanoff, a Tidewater Lion, says, “The courage, strength, and resiliency demonstrated by these families is unlike anything I have ever witnessed in my lifetime. They have traveled the world tirelessly for months, under the most excruciating circumstances, in their fight to bring the remaining hostages home.”
In addition to Israel, other places of Jewish struggle were not forgotten at the conference. UJFT’s overseas partner, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) has been addressing the needs of Israelis from its very founding, and has revved up its support since October 7. Still, it also continues to operate around-the-clock in the Jewish communities of Ukraine, now in its third winter of war. Inna Vdovychenko, a member of JDC’s Ukraine Crisis Team, addressed a breakout session sharing some of the coping techniques that she and her colleagues employ as the war drags on. Hearing her story, alongside those of fellow-professionals Talia Levanon, CEO of the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC); and Yael Raz, director of the Fund for the Victims of Terror of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), brought an extra appreciation for the work taking place in the field – the sacrifices the professionals are making (self, family, friends, etc.) and the vital work they are doing.
On the final day of the conference, eyes puffy from shedding endless tears and still a bit overwhelmed by the stories and
Jodi Klebanoff, Amy Zelenka, Mona Flax, and Linda Ausch.
testimonies heard, it must be said that the group also felt tremendous empowerment and pride.
A plenary session, “Proud to be a Lion,” highlighted Federation’s impact on communities that are local, in Israel, in Ukraine, and around the world. Having heard throughout the conference from individuals whose lives have been transformed by Federation’s support, and reflecting on the horrific, unimaginable firsthand accounts and testimonies from hostage family members whose loved ones were murdered on October 7, and learning from experts what might be expected in the coming days, weeks,
months, and years… the group’s brains and hearts were full to bursting.
The courage, strength, and resiliency demonstrated by these families is unlike anything I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.
The closing plenary – “Proud to be Jewish” – brought everyone together for a final time to hear from inspiring philanthropists and brave allies of the Jewish people. Anila Ali, a native of Pakistan, Muslim activist, and women’s rights activist, spoke passionately about her rejection of hatred in general, and Hamas in particular, and of her support for Israel. Actress and social activist, Patricia Heaton, spoke about using her visibility to support causes close to her heart. She is a celebrity Ambassador for World Vision
and founder of the October 7th Coalition (O7C) – a Christian movement aimed at supporting and protecting the Jewish community. Both women have been targeted, bullied online and in person, and have withstood tremendous pressure from their respective communities to sit down and be quiet. And yet they will not. Both subscribe to the belief that only love can conquer hate. And both risk their well-being and livelihoods to fight for what is right. Amazing women.
Mona Flax, a Tidewater Lion, says that it’s truly amazing how “collectively and individually, we do the work and get the job done.”
Klebanoff adds “that it never ceases to amaze me, how ordinary people can do the most extraordinary things to make a difference.”
We are PROUD. Bring them HOME. Am Israel CHAI.
Linda Ausch is United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Development director. She may be reached at lausch@ujft.org.
Patsy Cline, film festival, and exercise
JCC Seniors Club
The JCC Seniors Club members had an incredible time at last month’s meeting. ‘Patsy Cline’ was back in the building and had everyone singing along and tapping their feet to her timeless tunes.
Members also got a sneak peek of this year’s Virginia Festival of Jewish Film’s trailer. Plus, Brendan Lampley from Sentara introduced the club to Bingocize, a new class blending exercise and fun that will be held soon at the Simon Family JCC. Next month, Seniors Club members gear up to collaborate on
a mock trial, stepping into roles as attorneys, witnesses, and jurors to bring the courtroom to life in a fun and engaging way. Something new and exciting takes place every month at the club, which is for adults who are 55+ and desire to add education, culture, and connections to others and the Jewish community. The Seniors Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Simon Family JCC.
To join or learn more about the club, contact Mia Klein at MKlein@ UJFT.org.
Inspired by their parents and grandparents, the Glasser boys—Bern, Jake & Ross, along with their partners, have continued the family legacy of giving by establishing donoradvised funds (DAFs) through Tidewater Jewish Foundation.
As they look toward the future, they hope to inspire others in their generation to step up.
“Our parents always told us that a strong community doesn’t happen on its own— it’s built by the people who care enough to get involved. That’s a legacy we hope to carry forward.”
– Ross Glasser
Start a commitment-free conversation and start building your legacy today!
foundation.jewishva.org
foundation@tjfva.org
757-965-6111
Mia Klein
Kathy Whatley (Patsy Cline) with Marty Marin. Kathy Whatley (Patsy Cline) sings to the crowd. Kathy Whatley (Patsy Cline) and Philip Liebman.
An unfiltered look with Shahar Dekel
Nofar Trem
Nearly 200 people gathered for a powerful and emotional conversation with Shahar Dekel, a photographer and IDF reservist soldier, and Jay Klebanoff, a former United Jewish Federation of Tidewater president, on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Held at the Sandler Family Campus, the event offered a unique, unfiltered glimpse into the life of a soldier and the profound humanity behind the lens of his camera.
Dekel, a resident of Kibbutz Nahal Oz, shared his personal experiences, including the traumatic events of Oct. 7, when his community was brutally attacked, and how he showed up at his base on Oct. 8 with nothing but a few pairs of underwear and his camera.
Speaking about his creative journey, Dekel explained how his camera became his lifeline and shield, helping him process the sudden change in his life and capturing all the human moments he and his unit experienced during their preparation for combat.
Dekel’s message resonated with the audience as he emphasized the humanity behind the war. “Serving in the army post-October 7 is hard because you are so hurt and affected by what just happened to your country and the people you love, but every day, I would try to calm down and remind myself that I don’t want to be like them. I don’t want to be a war machine seeking revenge and retaliation. We went in with the mindset that we are just people
At the event’s close, Dekel expressed his gratitude to the audience. “Visiting Virginia and sitting here with you all really makes me feel like people still love and support us,” he said, underscoring how the divisive and negative climate surrounding the current conflict has affected these courageous soldiers.
Dekel’s photographs are on exhibit in the Leon Family Gallery in the Simon Family JCC throughout February.
For more Israel resources and to preview upcoming Israel Today events, visit JewishVA.org/ IsraelToday or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.
Shahar Dekel in the Leon Family Gallery.
Shahar Dekel and Jay Klebanoff.
JEWISH TIDEWATER
NEW ADA-COMPLIANT DOORS ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY AT SANDLER FAMILY CAMPUS
Sierra Lautman
In a significant step toward greater inclusivity and accessibility, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, located on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, recently installed 13 new ADA-compliant doors. This initiative was made possible through the generous support of the Beazley Foundation.
The new doors, which open automatically using a push-button or fob-swipe system, remove physical barriers for members and visitors. Installed over four months, the upgrades included entryways to restrooms, locker rooms, the fitness
center, and the path connecting the pool area to the locker rooms.
“I was exceptionally pleased to be asked by Sierra Lautman to assist in securing funds for this project,” says Harry Graber, UJFT’s former executive vice president. “The muchheralded Beazley Foundation has supported the Sandler Family Campus in the past, and it was only natural to approach them for assistance with this worthwhile project.”
The doors’ installation represents UJFT’s commitment to making the campus more welcoming and accessible for all – ensuring the entire
Experience Stories That Inspire, Challenge, and Connect
The Big Saturday Night Celebration of Jewish Film: Featuring MIDAS MAN ● Feb. 22 ● Hors d’oeuvres, drinks, dessert, open galleries, live mu sic, and Beatles karaoke!
Powerful Documentaries: Witness OCTOBER H8TE Feb. 23 ● A thought-provoking look at modern antisemitism ● Followed by a panel discussion.
Unforgettable Stories: From the off-beat comedy BAD SHABBOS (Feb. 24) to the historical drama JUNE ZERO (Feb. 26), there’s something for everyone!
This is NOT your average movie night!
community can benefit from its programs and spaces without restriction.
Over the past 18 months, UJFT has worked to expand accessibility options for its programs, thanks to the generous support of the Bartel Family in honor of their parents and grandparents, Alan and Dolores Bartel. Depending on the program location, accommodations—including closed captioning services for online programming, interpreting services for Deaf or non-English speakers, assisted listening devices, sensory tools, and more—are available upon request.
With these enhancements, UJFT reaffirms its dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can participate fully and meaningfully.
FEBRUARY 16 2:30 PM running on sand YANiv Cinema Cafe Kemps River THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20 2:30 PM 7:30 PM Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22 7:00 PM midas man
Kramer Family Theater at Cape Henry Collegiate
Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Tidewater’s Great Jewish Bookshelf welcomes new subscribers
Sierra Lautman
Off to an exciting start, the Great Jewish Bookshelf is engaging readers throughout Tidewater with powerful stories and new ideas. Even though the year is already underway, there’s still time to register for the subscription program. Late registrants can also select books for any previous months they have missed, ensuring a complete experience.
March Books
In January, participants selected from Mother Doll by Katya Apekina, Pumpkinflowers by Matti Friedman, and The Letter in the Scroll by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. March brings another opportunity for discovery, with options such as Goyhood by Reuven Fenton, recommended by Cantor David Proser; Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew by Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby; and How the Talmud Can Change Your Life by Liel Leibovitz, whose author visit to Tidewater is scheduled for April 3.
GreatJewishBookshelf
book lovers. When selecting a book, subscribers can join a community roster featuring the names of other readers who picked the same title. See someone familiar? Reach out and share thoughts on the book. Encounter a new name? Send a message, meet for coffee, or start a discussion group.
Those who host a conversation with friends or new connections are eligible for up to $50 reimbursement for food and beverages. Share the gathering’s date, a photo of the event, and a photo of the receipts with Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org to receive reimbursement.
Subscriptions are just $60 per year (or $78 for home delivery). Don’t miss the opportunity to discover powerful stories, thought-provoking ideas, and meaningful conversations.
Applications now open for JELF
Students who seek loans for higher education may now apply to JELF – Jewish Education Loan Fund. The deadline is April 30, 2025.
JELF offers 0% interest loans for full-time students from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia (excluding metro DC) who attend accredited schools in the U.S. Current applications are for the full 2025-26 academic year or August 1 - September 30 for the spring/summer 2026 semester(s).
For 65 years, JELF has provided 0% interest loans to students from these states. JELF recycles more than $9 million at a 99% student repayment rate.
The Great Jewish Bookshelf is about more than reading—it’s about building a community of learners and
Register at JewishVA.org/GJB or contact Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation at UJFT, for more information at Slautman@UJFT.org.
To learn more about getting involved or to donate, go to jelf.org.
Play with a purpose! March Madness and Poker: Nadiv launches two spring fundraisers
Sam Molofsky
Nadiv, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s young Jewish men’s fundraising division, is planning two fun community events this spring. All proceeds support scholarships for Camp JCC in summer 2025. The group’s goal is to raise $25,000 between both events.
March Madness starts now
The first fundraiser is the group’s annual March Madness Bracket Challenge.
Basketball expertise is not required!
Brackets for the NCAA basketball tournament can be both purchased and progress tracked online. First place will win a $500 Amazon gift card plus a seat in the new Nadiv Poker Night in May. Second place wins a $200 Amazon gift card and a poker seat while third place takes home a $100 Amazon gift card and a poker seat.
One bracket is $25, three brackets are $60, and five brackets are $90. The NCAA tournament kicks off on Sunday, March 16, but brackets are available to
buy now. Visit JewishVA.org/Madness to purchase brackets.
A Full House
In May, Nadiv will stage an even more ambitious fundraising event: a communitywide poker tournament. Slated to take place on Tuesday, May 13, 6 - 9 pm at the Sandler Family Campus, the goal is to have 100 poker players.
The buy-in is $100, and re-buys are $50. Terrific prizes are planned for the entire night and specifically for people
who reach the final table. One top prize is free entry to a poker tournament at Rivers Casino.
Nadiv seeks sponsors for the poker tournament. To register for the tournament or become a sponsor, visit federation.jewishva.org/nadiv-poker.
Space at the poker table is limited. Sign up now and get ready to compete!
For additional information, contact Amy Zelenka, UJFT chief development officer, at azelenka@ujft.org.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
CELEBRATE TU B’SHEVAT IN TIDEWATER
The Jewish New Year of the Trees, Tu B’Shevat starts on Wednesday, Feb. 12. In the 17th century, Kabbalists created a ritual for the holiday that is similar to a Passover seder. Several options to participate in a modern version of the Tu B’Shevat seder are listed here. The holiday is also a tree-planting festival in Israel, with Israelis and Jews around the world planting trees in honor or in memory of loved ones and friends.
Tu B’Shevat: The Blessing of Noticing our Natural World
Ohef Sholom Temple
Friday, February 7, 6:30 pm
Ohef Sholom Temple
Dr. Abbey Pachter will deliver the sermon, sharing insights from her book, A Monarch in Winter.
Tu B'Shevat Seder
Congregation Beth Chaverim
Wednesday, February 12, 6:45 - 8:45 pm,
Temple Emanuel Social Hall
RSVP: www.tevb.org/event/tu-b39shevatseder.html
The New Christian Zionism: A panel discussion
Monday, March 3, 6 pm Hampton and Newport News rooms of Old Dominion University’s Webb Center
Amy Milligan
“You can count on me. I’ll be there.” It was a simple text message, but one that meant a great deal to me.
In the last year, I have watched a relationship blossom between ODU Hillel and the Institute for Jewish Life and Interfaith Understanding and Regent University’s Israel Institute, Israel Coalition, and Christians United for Israel. Without hesitation, they have accepted our invitations and stood alongside us.
That is why I hope you will join me at an upcoming shared event
on The New Christian Zionism. This is an opportunity to stand together and to learn from an accomplished panel. The panel features Dr. A.J. Nolte of Regent University, Dr. Carrie Wood of Regent University, and Dr. Antipas L. Harris of Old Dominion University.
In addition to being an engaging event, it’s a chance to show up and thank those who have been standing with us.
For more information on this and other upcoming events, follow @ODUJewishStudies on Facebook and Instagram or contact Dr. Amy Milligan at amilliga@odu.edu.
Tu B'Shevat Seder and class
Jewish Virginia Beach
Wednesday, February 12, 7 pm, Jewish Virginia Beach
RSVP is required at www.jewishvb.org.
Tu B’Shevat Seder
Ohef Sholom Temple
Thursday, February 13, 6:30 pm
Ohef Sholom Temple
Celebrate Tu B'Shevat with food tastings inspired by Israel’s seven species, blessings, and a meaningful seder. Followed by a potluck dinner featuring an interactive culinary experience.
Information and RSVP: 757-625-4295 or ohefsholom.org.
A HISTORY
OF HATRED: NEW COURSE EXPLORES THREAT OF ANTISEMITISM
Six-week
course begins Tuesday March 18, 6:45 pm, online
Sierra Lautman
In moments of collective astonishment about the state of the world, there’s an underlying awareness that much of what is taking place is not new. Antisemitism has resurfaced with alarming intensity, taking on new and deeply troubling forms.
In the aftermath of October 7, understanding the forces behind this enduring prejudice is more urgent than ever.
In response to this critical need, the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is offering an insightful course: A History of Hatred: The Ever-Present Threat of Antisemitism. This six-week exploration will trace the roots and evolution of antisemitism from its early encounters with Christianity and Islam, through the racial ideologies that fueled the Holocaust, and into the ideological frameworks of communism and Islamism. Participants will engage with the contemporary realities of antisemitism, examining how age-old tropes are reinterpreted and weaponized in today’s polarized political environment.
Guided by Dr. Amy K Milligan, this course offers an opportunity to unpack the persistence and pervasiveness of antisemitism while developing the tools to recognize its patterns and rhetoric in modern discourse.
The series costs just $50, thanks to generous underwriters (a significant reduction from the standard $179 fee).
For more information or to register, visit JewishVA.org/Melton or contact Sierra Lautman, UJFT senior director of Jewish Innovation at SLautman@UJFT.org.
ODU Hillel students and students from Regent’s Christians United for Israel, Israel Coalition, and Israel Institute at ODU’s Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding October 7th memorial event.
CALENDAR
FEBRUARY 10, MONDAY
YAD Tu B’Shvat Seder. Led by Zalman Spivak, Israel guide and educator. Experience some of the themes of the holiday. 6 pm. Simon Family JCC. Free. Information and pre-registration required: Contact Elana McGovern at emcgovern@ujft.org.
FEBRUARY 13, THURSDAY
The Genius of Israel film screening. ODU’s Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding and The Israel Institute at Regent University look into a nation that has managed to thrive against all odds. This new CBN Films documentary explores religious and cultural traditions that make Israel one of the most innovative and resilient democracies on earth. 7 pm. Regent University. Information: Amy Milligan at amilliga@odu.edu.
FEBRUARY 16, SUNDAY
Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: Running on Sand. A young Eritrean refugee deported from Israel is mistaken for the new foreign player of a struggling football team. 2:30 pm. Cape Henry Collegiate. $14. Information and tickets: www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest. See page 32.
FEBRUARY 17, MONDAY
JCC Book Club discusses One Hundred Saturdays by Michael Frank. Meets the third Monday of each month. Join in person or via Zoom. 1:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Free. Information: Contact Mia Klein at Mklein@ujft.org.
Camp JCC School Days Out: President’s Day. Crafts, sports, gaga, and free swim. K – 5th grades. Select individual days or any 5- or 10-day winter or spring camp bundle. 9 am - 4 pm with extended options available, 8 am – 6 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: www.campjcc.org or contact Dave Flagler at Dflagler@ujft.org.
FEBRUARY 19, WEDNESDAY
Seniors Club – Mock Trial. Members step into roles as attorneys, witnesses, and jurors to bring the courtroom to life. Meets the third Wednesday of each month and is for adults 55+. 12 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Free. Information: Contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org. See page 37.
Career Launch-Summer Employment Workshop. An interactive Career Exploration night, designed for high school students exploring career paths. 6 - 7:30 pm. Simon Family JCC. Information: Contact Elana McGovern at emcgovern@ujft.org.
FEBRUARY 20, THURSDAY
RoundTable Conversation: What’s Your Take? Agree to Disagree. Discuss, Don’t Dismiss. Meets the first and third Thursday of each month. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Free. Information or to RSVP: www.Jewishva.org/RoundTable or contact Mia Klein at MKlein@UJFT.org.
Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: Yaniv. After funding is cut for the school musical, a teacher resolves to earn it back by cheating at an underground card game run by the Hasidic Jewish community. 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Cinema Café Kemps River. $14. Information and tickets: www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest. See page 32.
FEBRUARY 22, SATURDAY
The BIG Saturday Night Celebration of Jewish Film: Midas Man . Hors d'oeuvres, cocktail hour, and open galleries at 6 pm. 7 pm movie. Dessert reception and live music from John Lennon Tribute Star Tim Beasley. Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. $30. Information and tickets: www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest. See page 32.
Kids Night Out. Drop off children for a night filled with crafts, games, snacks, and swimming (children who can swim without a floatation device). 4 - 12-year-olds may attend. Pack a kosher-style dinner for participants. Lifeguard supervised. 5 - 9 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: https://jcc.jewishva.org/kids by 4 pm Friday, February 21.
FEBRUARY 23, SUNDAY
Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: October H8te. Followed by a panel discussion. 2:30 pm. Virginia Wesleyan University. $14. Information and tickets: visit www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest. See page 33.
Contemporary Israel: A Guide for the Perplexed. Dr. Bryan Daves, professor in the School of Public Affairs at American University, specializing in politics of the Middle East, discusses the political landscape in modern day Israel. 2 pm. Jewish Museum and Cultural Center. $20 or $60 for the four-part series. $10 student tickets with ID. Information: visit www.jewishmuseumportsmouth.org.
FEBRUARY 24, MONDAY
Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: Bad Shabbos. An engaged interfaith couple are about to have their parents meet over Shabbat dinner when an accidental death gets in the way. 7:15 pm. Naro Expanded Cinema. $14. Information and tickets: visit www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest. See page 33.
FEBRUARY 26, WEDNESDAY
Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: June Zero. Shot entirely on 16mm film, Jake Paltrow’s film examines Adolf Eichmann’s trial, capturing the empathy and humanism amidst the atrocities committed during WWII. 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Beach Cinema Alehouse. $14. Information and tickets: www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest.
FEBRUARY 27, THURSDAY
The Nosh: Taking a Bite Out of Hard Conversations. Discussion guided by Old Dominion University’s Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding’s Dr. Amy K. Milligan. This month, along with Dr. Simon J. Bronne, dean of the College of General Studies and Distinguished Professor of Social Sciences at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, discuss The Golden Age of American Jews is Ending by Franklin Foer. 6:45 pm. Online. Free. To view additional session details and register for this JCRC and Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater partnership event: www.JewishVA.org/Nosh.
MARCH 2, SUNDAY
Jews from the Arab Lands: The Forgotten Refugees. Rabbi Michael Panitz, Jewish historian, rabbi, and professor of history and religious studies, discusses Israel’s resettlement of Jewish refugees from Arab lands. 2 pm. Jewish Museum and Cultural Center. $20 or $60 for the fourpart series. $10 student tickets with ID. Information: www.jewishmuseumportsmouth.org.
MARCH 3, MONDAY
The New Christian Zionism: Conversations in a World after October 7. An interactive event where panelists discuss their experiences as Christian Zionists in a post-October 7 world. Sponsored by Old Dominion University’s Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding and The Israel Institute at Regent University. 6 - 7:30 pm. Old Dominion University Webb Center. Information: Contact Amy Milligan at amilliga@odu.edu.
MARCH 9, SUNDAY
PJ Library in Tidewater’s Operation Hamantaschen. Reserve a time slot to make hamantaschen. Come in costume. 1 - 4 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: Contact Sarah Cooper at SCooper@ujft.org.
IDEAS OBITUARIES
Alexander Portnoy
KYRIAT YAM, ISRAEL - Alexander Portnoy passed away on January 6, 2025, in Israel.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Tatiana Portnoy; sister, Maya (Portnoy) Beglatzi; son, Felix Portnoy (Erinn), daughter, Natalie Kalman (Yossi); and grandchildren, Amelia and Dalia Portnoy, and Noa, Ariel, Tamar, and Libby Kalman. He is also remembered by many loving relatives and dear friends, and is predeceased by his late parents, Fruma and David Portnoy.
The funeral was held in Kyriat Yam, Israel.
Mary M. Shroyer
FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA – Mary Martin
Shroyer, 91, died on January 22, 2025. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Norman C. Shroyer.
She was born November 25, 1933, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Clynt Allen Martin and Anna Stoner Martin, and lived over 54 years in Franklin, Va.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Susan Muller (Peter) of Blairsville, Ga.;
son, Michael (Leslie) of Virginia Beach, Va.; grandchildren Amy Shroyer Lightbourn (James) of Norwalk, Conn.; Lauren Ulich (Austin) of Greenville S.C.; Sam Muller (Megan) of Greenville, S.C.; Aaron Shroyer of Washington, D.C.; and three great-grandchildren: Landon, Linnea, and Lyle Lightbourn of Norwalk, Conn.
Mary started her career as a kindergarten teacher but then focused her attention on the family after her children arrived. She volunteered for many organizations over the years including East Pavilion, the Hospital
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Mary loved her bridge and book clubs, where other members often commented about her great sense of humor. Mary and Norm both relished their core group of friends in their “Friday Night Group” and the weekly social gatherings.
Mary and Norm also traveled around the world after Norm’s retirement; she was always ready for a travel adventure.
Over the last few years, Mary fought dementia with the same grace, kindness, and sense of humor she exhibited her whole life. When told that her oldest great grandson had just taken his first steps while pushing a toy wagon, she quipped, “he should come here to the Village: everyone here has a walker.”
The family requests donations to The Village at Woods Edge in Franklin, Va.
No service is planned. www.wrightfuneralhome.org
Alan "Famous Uncle Al" Stein
VIRGINIA BEACH - Alan Stein, also known as “Famous Uncle Al,” passed away on January 11, 2025.
Alan was born in New York on February 7, 1937, and lived a long and storied life. He was the son of the late Sam and Irene Stein. He was a veteran of the US Army. While residing in New York he was a professional bowler, managed a bowling alley, and owned a sporting-goods store.
In 1974, Alan (Al) moved his family to Virginia Beach where he worked as site superintendent for Sir Galahad Homes. He made a name for himself at the old Tidewater Racquet Club as one of the best racquet ball players in town and was willing to challenge anyone to a match until he was in his early 70’s.
Al was an avid fan of men’s slowpitch softball and played for years in the
Tidewater area. He loved to play poker, regularly playing with his friends and associates for many years.
Al opened his first restaurant, Steins Delicatessen, in Pembroke Mall and later opened Al’s Fast Foods on Atlantic Avenue. Eventually, Uncle Al (a name he was proudly dubbed at a niece’s wedding reception) opened a little restaurant on Shore Drive called Famous Uncle Al’s Hot Dogs and Fries. Over the years numerous other locations of Famous Uncle Al’s Hotdogs were opened with Uncle Al’s involvement, some of which are still in existence today. He was particularly proud of his role in bringing the New York style Boars Head Brand of hot dogs to Tidewater.
Quick to smile and an avid conversationalist, Uncle Al’s character had a way of fostering laughter, excitement, and memorable moments. Those memories of Uncle Al will last in the hearts and minds of the fans of his unique personality.
Alan Stein is survived by a sister, a son and a daughter, several grandchildren, a great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life was held in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Rd Chapel. Charitable donations can be made to Hope for Life Rescue, 610 Jack Rabbit Road, Suite3, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
Online condolences may be made to his family at hdoliver.com.
Ara Sue Summers
CORDOVA, ALABAMA - Born October 12, 1937, to Evelyn Jean and Floyd Summers, Ara Sue Summers passed away peacefully on January 17, 2025.
She is survived by her four children: Elizabeth Leeor, Richard Riccio, Hope Riccio, and Laura Devine. Ara was also a proud grandmother to five grandchildren:
OBITUARIES
Nicole Gleaton, Jennifer Riccio, Zachary Hinson, Sara Little, and Matthew Hinson, as well as four great-grandchildren: Grayson Gleaton, Mila Little, Donnell Little, and Theo Little.
Ara spent 20 years as a devoted military spouse before pursuing her dreams of earning a degree in business administration. She was hardworking, determined, and never afraid to speak her mind. Her feisty personality kept those around her on their toes.
She loved classical music, poetry, and Broadway musicals. After retiring, Ara fulfilled a lifelong dream of teaching by working as a paraprofessional for Virginia Beach Public Schools.
Ara was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts, Laskin Road Chapel.
The family asks that Ara's memory be honored by performing an act of kindness for a friend or stranger.
Dr. Jesse Charles Zedd
VIRGINIA BEACH - Dr. Jesse Charles Zedd, age 77, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2025. He was best known for his personality, generosity, and sense of humor.
Jesse received his undergraduate degree from Campbell University, his master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Old Dominion University, and his doctor of education degree from Virginia Tech.
He was a licensed guidance counselor for 31 years in the Newport News City Public Schools. His memberships included the Virginia Counselors Association, the Peninsula Counselors Association, Rodef Sholom Temple, and Brith Sholom.
He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Sylvia and Ben Zedd, his loving wife of 41 years Elinor Goldberg Zedd, and his brother-in-law Alan Goldberg (Myrna). Survivors include: his son Joshua Fredric Zedd (Keely); granddaughter Cadence Zedd; brother-in-law, Ricky Goldberg (Iris); and sisters-in-law, Rona and Jeanie Goldberg; nephews, Jordan and Ben; niece Emily; lifelong friends Andrea Meltzer and David Liebman; cousin Kay Kesser, and a large extended family.
A service was held at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts, Norfolk Chapel. Burial took place at Hebrew Cemetery Hampton. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hdoliver.com.
Flight attendant in DC plane crash was Jewish youth group alum
(JTA) — One of the flight attendants killed in the recent plane crash in Washington, D.C., was an alumnus of a Jewish youth group with a passion for travel and a talent for comedy.
Ian Epstein, one of the four flight attendants on American Eagle Flight 5342, was an alumnus of the pluralist Jewish youth group BBYO, the group posted to Facebook on Thursday, Jan. 30. He is one of 67 victims of the crash Wednesday, Jan. 29 over the Potomac River, in which an army helicopter collided with a passenger plane.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn
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the loss of Ian Epstein, an AZA alum, who tragically lost his life in the plane crash at Reagan National Airport yesterday. Ian was a proud member of our Movement and attended our summer leadership camps at Perlman in 1987,” BBYO posted, referring to the organization’s Pennsylvania camp.
Commenters shared recollections of him, including one who called him “always a lively, high-spirited person.”
Several said they had known him and his sister from their time with the youth group.
Epstein’s love for seeing new places was clear from his online posts. According to his LinkedIn profile, before becoming
a flight attendant in 2020 for the travel opportunities the job offered, he founded a travel agency and worked as an RV salesman. According to an Instagram account he kept active around a decade ago, Epstein lived in an RV at one point and posted photos from his destinations, writing in one post, “Travel as much as you can as far as you can as long as you can, life is not meant to be spent in one place.”
“He died doing what he loved,” his ex-wife Debi Epstein told the Queen City News. He was a father of two, and his daughter is getting married in eight
weeks, she said. “That was just our last conversation with him and her, was about the wedding.”
Epstein was known for his sense of humor, and since his name was publicized, a video of him delivering jokes and oneliners during in-flight announcements on a regional flight to Charlotte has gone viral on TikTok, with more than a million views.
“There is absolutely positively not to be one ounce of mopey-ness or groaning on this plane,” he says at one point. “Welcome aboard, everybody, we’re glad you’re here.”
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TU B’SHEVAT
FIRST PERSON
Tu B’Shevat: Time to notice nature
Abbey Pachter, PhD
Rabbi Wolf Zitomirer was an innkeeper in a village. A Jewish wagon driver entered and asked for a glass of wine. When he was about to drink it without saying a blessing, the rabbi stopped him and asked, “Do you realize all that God had to do so that the grapes would grow and people could make wine?” The man then said the blessing, and the rabbi answered, “Amen!” (Attributed to Meorot HaGedolim)
The thing is…what happens if we don’t notice nature all around us?
What if I hadn’t retrieved one nearly frozen caterpillar?
He would have become frozen food—a winter snack for a bird, squirrel, or mouse. Not a bad thing in the web of life. What else resulted from noticing that one caterpillar?
He inspired many A-Ha! moments. Caring for “Spot” changed me on a different level. I internalized how similar we are in structures, functions, and communication, to all living creatures. All living beings are related. The miracle of life itself is our common connection.
How does this relate to Tu B’Shevat? Although most traditional cultures mark the end of winter, it was more than 2,000 years ago that our Jewish ancestors began to celebrate spring. Shevat marks the beginning of the agricultural season in Galilee. Centuries later, Hillel declared that the New Year of Trees would consistently happen on the 15th— the full moon—of the month of Shevat.
Hillel advised refraining from harvesting local fruits until their trees matured over three years. “Donate the fourth year’s fruits for charity and taxes. After that, you may have their fruit.”
I read that young Hillel was a woodchopper. I suspect he was hired to cut trees for a variety of reasons: to remove those diseased or dead, cut for firewood or clear land for building. He probably noticed their differences.
Hillel might have discerned that some trees, like spring’s earliest flowering almond trees, have bitter fruit. We open the hard seed and eat the almond nut inside. Other fruits have soft, edible parts covering a hard, inedible pit, like olives and dates. The third kind of fruits are soft so we can eat the whole fruit—like the figs abundant here in Tidewater. Hillel must have looked closely to notice and appreciate similarities and differences among all the trees. We can, too.
Shortly after the founding of Earth Day in 1970,
The Jewish New Year of the Trees, Tu B’Shevat starts on Wednesday, Feb. 12
Jewish people realized, hey, we do that! We began to infuse Tu B’Shevat with environmental awareness by including these different kinds of fruits and the grains prevalent in Eretz Yisroel. Kind of a “Back to the Future” thing.
Tu B’Shevat is now considered a festival of nature, full of wonder, joy, and thankfulness for creation in anticipation of the renewal of the natural world. During this festival, Jews recall the sacred obligation to care for the world, and the responsibility to share the fruits of the earth with all.–ReformJudaism.org
leaves will soon give off oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide from the air. That’s something to celebrate!
There are other signs that spring is coming. The bare trees helped me notice the returning bluebirds. What I would miss if I didn’t see them!
What if none of us noticed the bits of nature before us every day? Would it all disappear? What if we stopped noticing Nature at all?
To a large degree, we have. Political changes threaten the safety of the air and water we need to live. A widespread willingness to desecrate natural places, like the unspoiled arctic wilderness and oxygengiving Amazon depresses me. Tu B’Shevat has become associated with the more widely experienced Earth Day, which will have its 55th anniversary this April 22. Recognizing both brings me some hope that this could still change. We must turn back to honoring the lessons of our ancestors and all those today who recognize the gifts of God and nature that sustain us and all life.
We protect what we love. We love what we come to know, like I got to know the tiny caterpillar that became a beautiful butterfly.
Tu B’Shevat is a time to stop, look, and appreciate the natural world around us. Even in our back yards. While in Israel the rainy season is winding down, here it’s still winter. We may have snow, rain, or sunshine—sometimes all in the same day.
But things are happening. Rain soaks the ground and initiates a shift in the internal pressure in tree roots, creating sap, which for trees is like our blood. Each day gets a little longer. Longer days and the warmth of sunshine on trees starts the sap rising. Once it reaches limbs and twigs, buds start to grow. Even a brief thaw begins to swell them.
If we look carefully, we can see the swelling buds. On Tu B’Shevat, we say the tree’s life cycle begins again. The
Even in these cold months, look for all the small signs of life. Bundle up and go outdoors. Take a walk in one of our beautiful parks and natural areas. Notice the trees in your neighborhood. Are they budding? Listen to the birds. Download an app like Cornell’s Merlin to identify their songs.
Put out some peanuts, suet, bird seed, and fresh water. Notice the different shapes of the beaks of birds that come. Darwin realized they evolved to handle different foods so birds share nature’s resources. They will find tiny insect eggs, flower seeds, and last summer’s detritus for their nests if we just give them a chance. On a warm day, you might notice a butterfly. We just have to look, and celebrate what’s all around us. Let’s start with the trees.
Dr. Abbey Pachter is the author of A Monarch in Winter: Biography of a Butterfly. A member of Ohef Sholom Temple, Pachter lives in Virginia Beach where she is working on her next book.
Tribute cards available from JFS
One of the best ways to remember or recognize loved ones is to send a card. Whether to celebrate someone’s birthday or bar or bat mitzvah or to honor someone who has passed, one option is to pay tribute to them with a card benefitting JFS’s programs.
To purchase a card with a personalized message, contact Brooke Rush at 757-321-2238 or brush@jfshamptonroads.org. The donor’s choice of one of six cards will be personalized and mailed within 24 business hours. Another way to purchase cards is to go to jfshamptonroads.org/ how-to-help/send-a-card.
In addition, cards are available to purchase in a variety pack of five for $36. These can be mailed to the donor or picked up at the JFS or JCC offices.
All funds raised by the sale of these cards go to support JFS programs. For more information about JFS, visit www.jfshamptonroads.org.
From Executive Producer Debra Messing and Director Wendy Sachs, this searing documentary explores the explosion of antisemitism on college campuses, on social media, and in the streets of America in the aftermath of October 7th, 2023.
