s d a D &ds a r G Supplement to Jewish News, June 6, 2022 jewishnewsva.org | June 6, 2022 | Dads & Grads | JEWISH NEWS | 13
Dads & Grads Dear Readers,
A
couple
of
weeks ago, it
seemed that everywhere
I
turned,
people were talking about
gradua-
tions. Were there more than usual, or were we all just so excited to have proper ceremonies at the appropriate
Deni Budman at her drive-by graduation celebration in 2020.
time and not the drive-by celebrations of 2020? Whatever the reason, a lot of diplomas were being awarded. Inspired by all the graduation activity, I sent a few emails to parents, friends, and colleagues asking for information about their 2022 grads, with an additional request to share the email with others. The exciting results of those queries—and many years of
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study—begin on page 16. Especially notable are the families with two, and even three graduates this season! Thank you to all who responded and to those who helped spread the word. Not to be left out, the entire class of 2022 Strelitz International Academy graduates is celebrated on page 15. Of course, there wouldn’t be any grads without the dads. Jewish News asked several ‘kids’ to tell us about their fathers. Beth Cohen Jaffe, Michael Nusbaum, and David, Miles, and Stephen Leon share the wisdom and inspiration they’ve learned from their dads, Bob Cohen, Charlie Nusbaum, and Arnold Leon. The piece begins on page 24. Mazel Tov to the Class of 2022 and Happy Father’s Day to the dads of all years!
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Terri Denison Editor
Dads & Grads Strelitz International Academy Class of 2022 Graduates SIA graduates will attend the following middle school programs this fall: Cape Henry Collegiate, Norfolk Collegiate School, Norfolk Academy, Old Donation School, and Princess Anne Middle. SIA is an International Baccalaureate World School. Back row: Leia Silverstein, David Ohana, Shanny Zach, Jonah Kass, Ava Dail, and Zachary Cohen. Front row: Alex Kerzner, Zack Harper, Flora Cardon, Gabriel Matilsky, and Eli Lomogda.
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Dads & Grads
Jewish Tidewater’s graduates excel Terri Denison
T
here’s a reason for the pomp and circumstance that surround most graduations—it’s a time to recognize achievements, formally bid goodbye to a treasured educational institution, and move on to life’s next
chapter and adventure.
Got a Jewish graduate? If your graduate is not in this section and you’d like them to
For parents, the feeling of pride and happiness for their children’s success is a feeling that one mom called “over the moon.” For graduates, there’s often a mix of excitement, sadness, and guarded anticipation for the future. And, this year, for the Jewish Tidewater community, there’s much to collectively feel proud of and celebrate—with so many graduating from respected schools, earning impressive degrees, and planning rewarding futures.
be celebrated in Jewish News, please submit their information by June 10 for the June 27, 2022 issue. Include: Graduate’s name, school, what’s next, and parents’ names. Email to: tdenison@ujft.org.
Jewish News is excited to celebrate these outstanding graduates and cheer them on for their next steps.
Thank you!
Mazel Tov!
Jonah Abrams Norfolk Academy Next: Christopher Newport University as part of the Presidential Leadership Program. Jonah is the son of Rachel and Marc Abrams.
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Courtney Anderson Landstown High School Next: Christopher Newport University as a member of the President’s Leadership Program and the Pre-Med Scholars Program. Courtney plans to major in Chemistry with a focus on medical research. Courtney is the daughter of Rachel and Eric Anderson.
Lily Auerbach Norfolk Academy Next: George Washington University, where she was awarded a Presidential Academic Scholarship. Lily is the daughter of Wendy Juren and Franklin Auerbach.
Dads & Grads
Jared Berklee Tulane University Next: Jared plans to take a year or two off to work at a law firm in New York and then intends to go to law school. Jared is the son of Betty and Ken Berklee.
Jemma Brodie Maury High School Next: Longwood University Jemma plans to major in Graphic and Animation Design. Jemma is the daughter of Marcia Futterman Brodie and Steve Brodie, of blessed memory.
Bella Rose Cardon Norfolk Academy Next: VCU where she plans to study art and psychology. Bella is the daughter of Elyse and David Cardon.
Ben Casey JMU Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences Next: Ben has his EMT certificate and is pursuing fire fighting and paramedic. Ben is the son of Debbie Casey and Martin Casey.
Madeline Torop Budman Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Master’s of Arts in Hebrew Letters Next: Continue at HUC-JIR with Rabbinic ordination in 2024. Madeline is the daughter of Terri and Steve Budman. Aaron David Budman Torop Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Master’s of Arts in Hebrew Letters Next: Continue at HUC-JIR with Rabbinic ordination in 2024. Aaron is the son of Betsy and Michael Torop.
Gabriella Diskin University of Virginia Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, Bachelor of Arts Gabi was the associate director of the Equity Collaborative at Batten and was active in the Center for Global Health Equity Student Advisory Board. Next: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to pursue a master’s degree. She is the daughter of Glenn and Esther Diskin.
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Jordan Dobrinsky JMU Class of 2021 with a degree in Business with a concentration in Marketing. Next: Jordan currently works in National Delivery for Apex Systems (IT staffing). Jordan is the daughter of Jodi and Andy Dobrinsky.
Noah Dobrinsky JMU Class of 2022 with a degree in Hospitality Management and a minor in Business from the Hart School of Hospitality Management. Noah is the son of Jodi and Andy Dobrinsky.
Audrey Fleder Tulane University Major in Sociology with a minor in Public Policy. Next: Audrey is taking a Birthright Israel trip in June and will begin a job search when she returns. Audrey is the daughter of Anne and Lawrence Fleder.
Reed Goldner Virginia Tech Next: Reed will be working for KPMG as an audit associate. Reed is the son of Sharon and Mark Goldner.
Phillip Goldstein University of Virginia Phillip graduated in three years with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Next: Phillip plans to work this year and apply to dental school. Phillip is the son of Laura and Keith Goldstein.
Rose Goodman University of California at Berkeley School of Law. Rose begins work this summer for the law firm Fried Frank in New York City. Rose is the daughter of Lynne Garson and Wayne Goodman.
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Dads & Grads
Rachel Goretsky Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University Master of Law and Diplomacy Rachel is the recipient of the Edmund A. Gullion Prize, which is awarded each year by the faculty of the Fletcher School to the student who best exemplifies high academic achievement combined with participation in the activities of the school and the promotion of its character as an academic community. Next: Working at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Rachel is the daughter of Sharon and Michael Goretsky.
Ben Levy Tulane University Degree in Political Economy and a minor in Real Estate. Next: Ben is working at Starwood Property Trust in Miami. Ben is the son of Amy and Kirk Levy.
Jacob Levy Georgetown Law School Next: He will join Kirkland & Ellis in New York City. Jacob is the son of Amy and Kirk Levy.
Nathan Levy The University of Chicago MBA from the Booth School of Business Next: He will join Boston Consulting Group. Nathan is the son of Amy and Kirk Levy.
Richard Tavss (R.T.) Maiden Cape Henry Collegiate Next: Davis College of Business and Economics at Radford University. R.T. is the son of Besianne Tavss Maiden and David Brown and Guy and Jodi Maiden.
Samantha Maiden Cape Henry Collegiate Next: University of South Carolina majoring in Retail Management. Sam is the daughter of Besianne Tavss Maiden and David Brown and Guy and Jodi Maiden.
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Zachary Maiden Hampden-Sydney College With a major in Spanish and a minor in Law and Public Policy. Next: After studying in Spain this summer, Zach will attend Tulane Law School in the fall. Zach is the son of Besianne Tavss Maiden and David Brown and Guy and Jodi Maiden.
Mariah Moss New York University Tish School of the Arts Bachelor of Fine Arts Next: Mariah plans to remain in New York City and hopes to land a career in movie production and acting. Mariah is the daughter of Suzanne and Gary Moss.
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Lily Mersel Norfolk Academy Recipient of the George Newton Award Winner for Excellence in the Study of Foreign Language. Next: North Carolina State University to study Genetics and Biology. Lily is the daughter of Rick and Laura Mersel.
Evan Nied Kempsville High School The Entrepreneurship and Business Academy Next: Evan will attend University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar and Echols Scholar. Evan is the son of Emily and Joel Nied.
Anna Mirovski University of Virginia Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Biology and minor in Russian Language and Literature. Next: Touro College of Dental Medicine. Anna is the daughter of Margaret Baumgarten and Max Mirovski.
Jack Rosenblum Vanderbilt University Next: Jack will start a new job at Starwood Property Trust in Miami this summer. Jack is the son of Ellen and Scott Rosenblum.
Dads & Grads
Helene Emma Schulwolf Norfolk Academy Honor Roll, Leadership Lab, Tunstall Three Sport Athletic Award 2019–2022, Elie Wiesel Writing & Visual Arts Competition 2022 Visual Art Chairpersons Award recipient. Next: Helene will attend Tulane University, majoring in Speech Pathology. Helene is the daughter of Lisa and Neal Schulwolf.
Itzik Sedek Indiana University Kelley School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Real Estate. Next: Itzik will start at American University Washington College of Law in the fall. Itzik is the son of Naomi Limor Sedek and Simon Sedek.
Tali Sedek New York University Master of Science in Accounting Next: Tali will begin working for PWC in Manhattan this fall. Tali is the daughter of Naomi Limor Sedek and Simon Sedek.
Abby Seeman Norfolk Collegiate School Next: Virginia Tech Class of 2026 to major in Dairy Science (pre-Veterinarian). Abby is the daughter of Patti and Paul Seeman.
Ethan Segerman Bullis High School in Potomac, Md. Next: Ethan plans to attend Northeastern University in Boston. He will spend his first semester abroad with one third of his class. Ethan is the son of Hallie and Charles Segerman. He is the grandson of Betsy and Ed Karotkin.
Lucy Siegel The University of San Francisco Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Next: Lucy will continue working for Edible Planet Ventures and Pulp Pantry. Lucy is the daughter of Lisa Bertini and Jack Siegel.
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Zoe Siegel, MPH Columbia University Master of Public Health from Mailman School of Public Health Next: Zoe will work for McCann Global Health as a strategist. Zoe is the daughter of Lisa Bertini and Jack Siegel.
Sydnie Simon Norfolk Academy Recipient of the John Connor Community Service Award. Next: University of Texas in Austin Sydnie is the daughter of Shelly and Britt Simon.
Shira Soria North Central University Doctorate in Business Administration with Honors. Next: Spending lots of time with family. Shira is married to Danny Soria.
Carey Stredler Norfolk Academy Carey is the recipient of the Victor and Joyce Ratnavale Science Award. Next: George Mason University. Carey is the daughter of Laura Carey and Andrew Stredler.
Joseph Strelitz Vanderbilt University Joseph graduated cum laude with a major in Human and Organizational Development and a minor in Business. Next: He will be working at KPMG in consulting in the Washington, DC area. Joseph is the son of Renee and John Strelitz.
Lauren Jeri Weinstein Norfolk Academy Next: Lauren will attend The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in the fall. Lauren is the daughter of Dena and Lee Weinstein.
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Dads & Grads
Tal Zach Norfolk Academy Recipient of the Tralor Cozart Nunnally German Award. She was also a student varsity athlete for swim and crew. Next: Tal will attend William & Mary as a pre-Medicine student. Tal is the daughter of Hila and Shachar Zach. The Levy family celebrates Ben’s graduation from Tulane.
Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2022. During this unique time we look to the men in our lives that have helped shape who we are today.
The Strelitz family celebrates Joseph’s graduation at Vanderbilt.
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‘Kids’ reflect on their dads Debbie Burke
W
hile every day is a great day to honor, appreciate, and love our dads (and the dads in our lives: grandfathers, sons, uncles, friends, and neighbors), this Father’s Day there’s even more reason to enjoy the holiday. It is the first summer in recent years that it’s possible to visit and be with loved ones with virtually no restrictions. May the sunshine be abundant, even on cloudy days! Jewish News asked a few local sons and daughters to share how their dads have impacted them…and how they continue to do so, even today, no matter their age.
the business side, he’s taught me not to be afraid to ask questions, no matter how big or how small, and treat people all the same way and help them all out. What is your dad’s favorite saying? When things are copacetic and everyone’s having a good time, he likes to borrow Adam Sandler’s saying that things go together “like lamb and tuna fish.”
Michael and Charlie Nusbaum.
Michael Nusbaum on his dad, Charlie Nusbaum In what way do you think your father has been an excellent role model for you? He’s definitely one of these “lead by example” types. He puts the community and his family and his faith before other items, and he prioritizes his life to be successful within the business world and outside of it. He takes the time to educate me and others in the business. I’m the third generation to come into the business. How has he been an inspiration to you in your work or your outside interests? Definitely in my passions, by encouraging me to find my role in the community. You don’t have to be the fundraising person; you can set up and coordinate events. On
What is your favorite childhood memory of him? I played sports all through my younger years and I’m still involved in coaching lacrosse. That passion for growing the game no matter what the sport is, passing knowledge on to the next generation, and his enthusiasm for watching every player on the team improve are my most profound memories of him. Where do you and your dad live now? We both live in Norfolk, about two miles apart. It’s far enough that we have that separation, but in an emergency, I can go across the bridge and help him out. How would you describe your commitment to the Jewish community? I’m proud of being Jewish and it’s something I’ve always been proud of no matter where I’ve been. We’ve been here a long time and have a deep family history in this area. There are large shoes to fill, but it’s a challenge I certainly welcome. I’m excited to carry that beacon forward to other generations of Nusbaums.
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Steve, David, Arnold, and Miles Leon.
Miles Leon, Stephen Leon, and David A. Leon on their dad, Arnold Leon
What is your dad’s favorite saying? Be careful!
In what way do you think your father has been an excellent role model for you? Despite challenges, he has lead an accomplished life and career, being the first in his family to graduate college and graduate school, and to achieve success in law and business. He worked hard and always makes a point to give back to his community, Israel, and his alma mater. He has never forgotten where he came from and remains well-grounded.
What is your favorite memory of him when you were growing up? We spent summers at the beach. We took family trips together; particularly memorable were those to Israel.
How has he been an inspiration to you today either in your work or your outside interests? He has a positive outlook on life. He never complains. He showed us that it is important to do well in school, to go to college, and to get good grades. He has always taken pride in our accomplishments and those of our families.
Where do you live and where does your dad live now? We all live in the Tidewater communities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach. How would you describe your commitment to the Jewish community? We think that it is important to give back and to be involved, to participate; not just with money but also with one’s time.
Dads & Grads What is your dad’s favorite saying? My dad always would say (and still says) to his children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren, “Make YOU proud of YOU.” This expression had so much significance in our family that my daughter, Aly, actually used it as the theme of her speech when she delivered the commencement address to her high school graduation class.
Beth Jaffee and Robert Cohen.
Beth Cohen Jaffe on her dad, Bob Cohen In what way do you think your father has been an excellent role model for you? My dad has instilled in me the core values that define who I am today. He always put his family first while maintaining a successful law practice. To this day, he is my go-to person for guidance and advice on virtually any subject. He taught me the art of negotiation, how to be a good listener, and always made me feel like there was nothing I couldn’t do if I put my mind to it. How has he been an inspiration to you today either in your work or your outside interests? I always respected my dad’s work ethic and how he treated people on a day-today basis. It served as a model for me throughout my 30-year career in marketing and public relations. Throughout my life, my dad always fostered and encouraged my love of art and design. He inspired me to create my own art studio and to start painting at the age of 60.
What is your favorite memory of him when you were growing up? Waiting for him to come home from work at night so we could eat together as a family where we would all share stories... but HE was always the best storyteller! (Of course, they were always a little bit embellished….) Where do you live and where does your dad live now? I am very blessed to have both of my parents still living in the same city with me. My dad is 93 and my mom is 90 and they celebrated 71 years of marriage on June 3. Although my husband and I are in Florida for the winter, we are so lucky to live so close to one another in Virginia Beach most of the year. I love hanging out with him at the Virginia House pool, where at 93, he is still swimming laps. How has he influenced you in terms of your relationship with your own children? Throughout my life, my dad always emphasized the importance of being honest, respectful, and keeping open lines of communication. We always knew he had our back and we could talk with him about anything without judgment. This is the framework that has guided me as a parent to my own children.
Happy Fathers Day
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Dads & Grads
Fishing Derby 2022 reels in some big ones T
he Simon Family JCC’s Annual Catch and Release Fishing Derby at Lake Sandler took place Sunday, May 22. The Annual Fishing Derby is the only day of the year that Lake Sandler is open to the public for fishing—and word is out that it’s a great place to “reel ‘em in.” Families, kids, teens, and adults all came out to cast, catch, and release all sizes of fish. A number of prizes were awarded, including fishing gear, gift certificates, camping equipment, and more. “I participated in the event not only because fishing is relaxing for me, but as a representative of Tidewater Jewish Foundation to help young anglers,” says Craig Bailey, TJF’s controller. “I showed one child how to properly tie a fish hook to the line with the uni-knot style. I also brought out several different fishing rods for everyone to see a variety of fishing equipment anglers can use.” Managed by the JCC’s Fitness, Aquatics, and Recreation Department, Tom Edwards weighed each caught fish. The winners were: •A ge nine and under: brothers Zackary and Luke Kingsland tied for biggest fish at 1 pound, 14 ounces. • Age 10–55: Andrew Hucke had the biggest catch of the day at 3 pounds, 7 ounces. •A ge 55+: Erin Edwards lead the day with a 1 pound, 6 ounce catch.
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