Jewish News Supplement - Mazel Tov! 02.26.2023

Mazel Tov!

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Dear Readers,

Longevity unwittingly turned into the theme for this issue’s Mazel Tov section. Doing so makes perfect sense, and frankly, I wonder why we’ve never done it before.

After all, when celebrating at weddings we hope the marriages will be “forever” and when a baby is born, a good, healthy, long life is anticipated for the little one.

Fortunately, Jewish Tidewater has plenty of solid marriages and active “long livers” who are celebrating milestone anniversaries and birthdays in 2023. These individuals and couples are busy making their marks on their families, at work, and within the community. The interviews begin on page 14. Whether together 10 years or married for 65, their responses are both wise and witty. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did. In fact, they are so uplifting that we plan to highlight more milestone couples in our next Mazel Tov section.

Sandy Goldberg, account executive for Jewish News and Pam Gladstone, long-time executive director at Congregation Beth El, both turn 80 this year. And both are still going strong. Read their interviews on pages 18 and 19.

An article on page 21 describes a wedding that took place earlier this month in Boston for couples who have been married a collective 125 years. Denied Jewish ceremonies in the Soviet Union, they’ve now had a chuppah, some with grandchildren attending!

On page 20, Beth Sholom Village shares two promotions deserving of “Mazel Tov!” And, if you’re about to plan an event…birthday, bar/bat mitzvah, or wedding, our advertisers offer plenty of suggestions and support.

Mazel Tov!

Terri Denison Editor

Milestone Mazel Tovs!

Terri Denison

Myriad local couples and individuals will celebrate milestone anniversaries and birthdays in 2023. Jewish News asked a few of them to share their secrets to healthy marriages and lives. From having fun to cherishing families, their responses are all heartfelt. Mazel Tov to those featured here and to everyone else celebrating this year!

JOAN AND ERIC JOFFE 50 Years

Jewish News: When and where did you meet?

Joan and Eric Joffe: We met on the beach in Clifton, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa in December 1968.

JN: What was most memorable about your wedding?

J&E: Our wedding on April 10, 1973 was during the time of the first Godfather movie. A good memory was our first dance to the music from the wedding in the movie. Thinking back now, 50 years later, our most treasured memories are those of our family members who were there to celebrate with us.

JN: What advice would you give yourselves of 50 years ago?

J&E: Married life is not a fairytale. It comes with many unpredicted ups and downs. Being best friends and supporting each other, no matter what will help you face anything together. Big hugs help too!!

JN: What has been your secret to staying together?

J&E: The secret to any marriage being successful is love, honesty, and respect. Respect is very important in any relationship, but especially in marriage.

JN: Do you have any advice for couples about to wed?

J&E: Marry a person with the same values as you, and make sure that you have a good relationship with his/her family.

STEPHANIE AND TYLER CASKILL 10 years

Jewish News: You are both Tidewater natives. When and where did you meet? Stephanie Jarvis Caskill and Tyler Caskill: We met in 2011 at a mutual friend’s house.

JN: What was most memorable about your wedding?

S&T: Having so many of our friends and family together—we went a little crazy and had a very insane guest list (more than 300 people)—but it was wonderful having our friends from college, local, extended family, and family friends all together to celebrate us.

JN: What advice would you give yourselves of 10 years ago?

S&T: Always look at the humor in life. When things are tough, it’s important to always have fun.

JN: What has been your secret to staying together?

S&T: We spend a lot of time as a couple. We love our family and our daughter, but we also prioritize ourselves a lot with trips alone, hobbies, etc.

Joan and Eric Joffe on their wedding day, April 10, 1973.

Eric and Joan Joffe (center seated) surrounded by their family.

Stephanie Jarvis Caskill and Tyler Caskill on their wedding day at Ohef Sholom Temple.

Tyler and Stephanie Caskill and their daughter, Carter Caskill at Disney World, December 2022.

MINETTE AND CHARLES COOPER 65 years

Jewish News: When and where did you meet?

Minette and Charles Cooper: In New York on a blind date through Marjorie Quarte, a senior in Minette’s house at Smith College who was dating Charles’s brother Joel.

JN: Charles, how did you convince Minette to move to Norfolk?

M&C: By Charles’s taking a law job in Norfolk.

JN: What was most memorable about your wedding?

M&C: Four things:

• Minette’s stepsister and Charles’s brother giving him a ½ bottle of scotch to calm Charles’s nerves to get him through the ceremony.

• Minette hiding the car to protect it from Chivaree.

• Minette’s two aunts preparing a meal to take with us. It turned out to be one chicken leg and two olives—so we missed dinner.

• Charles going for a swim the next morning and as he climbed out, they came to clean the pool.

JN: What advice would you give yourselves of 65 years ago?

M&C: You’re not marrying a person, you’re marrying a family.

JN: What has been your secret to staying together?

M&C: We agree on more things than we disagree on.

JN: Do you have any advice for couples about to wed?

M&C: Put your whole self into it or it won’t work.

JN: Anything else you’d like to add?

M&C: Have fun together.

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Minette and Charles Cooper at their wedding on June 22, 1958.

Minette and Charles Cooper dancing at a wedding in 2021.

Minette and Charles Cooper with their Norfolk family on Thanksgiving 2022.

SARAH AND BILL KEASEY 10 years

Mazel Tov!

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Jewish News: When and where did you meet?

Sarah and Bill Keasey: We met online May 5, 2008 on Bikerkiss.com. We both had Harleys.

JN: What was most memorable about your ceremony?

S&B: The most memorable was to have our wonderful family and friends surround us.

JN: What advice would you give yourselves of 15 years ago?

S&B: The advice would be…stay the course, be tolerant and forgiving, and realize none of us are perfect.

JN: What has been your secret to staying together?

S&B: Secret is no secret. It’s just love, trust and understanding.

JN: Do you have any advice for couples about to wed?

S&B: Good luck! It’s a bumpy road at times.

Bill and Sarah Keasey.

Sarah Keasey on her Harley.

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Pam Gladstone: Loving family and congregants at 80

Terri Denison

InAugust, Pam Gladstone, executive director for Congregation Beth El, turns 80. For more than three of her nearly nine decades, congregants, vendors, and visitors to Beth El have been accustomed to Pam’s friendly greeting at the sanctuary’s door or on the phone.

Cherishing relationships—especially with her family and congregants—helps keep Pam motivated and looking forward to her 80th!

Happy Birthday, Pam! And Mazel Tov on reaching this milestone!

Jewish News: Where are you from?

Pam Gladstone: I was born in Richmond, Va. I was married in 1963 and moved to Norfolk in 1966.

JN: Do you have siblings? If so, where are they?

PG: My sister, Sandy, passed away in 2013. My brother, Steve, lives in Delafield, Wisconsin.

JN: You’ve had a successful career at Beth El as the congregation’s executive director. How long have you been there and where did you work previously?

PG: I have served as the executive director of Beth El for 32 years. Prior to that, I worked part time at the Stadler Agency. We handled all types of insurance but specialized in self-funded health insurance plans for large companies. I was responsible for the enrollment and follow up for those companies. During that time and for many years before I joined the agency, I was very involved in Women’s American ORT. I served as president of the Norfolk and Virginia Beach chapters of Women’s American ORT and later became president of the southeast region of ORT.

JN: How many children and grandchildren do you have?

PG: I have two children and three granddaughters.

My daughter, Ann and her husband, Mark, live in Virginia Beach. Their daughter, Carly, is a graduate student at Norfolk State and will receive her master’s degree in social work in May.

My son, Ron and his wife, Robin, also live in Virginia Beach. Ron’s daughters, Amanda and Hilary live in Atlanta, Ga. and Arlington, Va., respectively.

JN: What do you like to do when you are not at Beth El?

PG: I love spending time with my family and find the time to do that as often as I can. I have made many wonderful friends over the years and enjoy spending as much time as I can with them. I also enjoy reading books on my kindle when I can find time.

JN: What is your secret to life?

PG: I was happily married for 56 years. My husband, Arty, passed away in 2019. I am so blessed that my children live in the area. Family is EVERYTHING to me. I have also loved being part of the Beth El family for the past 32 years. I will always

cherish the relationships I have with hundreds of congregants. They have become my family, too.

Beth El is my second home!

Pam Gladstone at four years old.

Pam Gladstone’s high school senior portrait.

Pam Gladstone.

Sandy Goldberg: Smiling, staying fit, and selling at 80

Terri Denison

Nextmonth, Sandy Goldberg, account executive at Jewish News, turns 80. If he hadn’t shared the news, no one would know. He’s always active…traveling with his wife Anne, busy with his family, entertaining, exercising at the Simon Family JCC, and working the phones and email selling advertisements for this newspaper.

About to enter his ninth decade, he’s

fully embraced the first eight as apparent in this interview.

Happy Birthday, Sandy! And Mazel Tov on reaching this milestone!

Jewish News: Where are you from?

Sandy Goldberg: I am from St. Louis, Mo.

JN: Where do your siblings live?

SG: Both my older brother and younger sister live near San Francisco, Calif.

JN: Where did you go to school?

SG: I graduated University of Missouri School of Journalism.

JN: You’ve had a successful career in media sales. Was that your plan or did you just discover that you were good at it?

SG: Discovered. At the end of my sophomore year, I was washing out of pre-dentistry and told an AEPi fraternity brother who told me to go into Journalism School. I told him I hate newspapers. He told me to major in advertising because you cut things out, paste them down, write funny things next to them and they give you Bs. It worked!

JN: Please name some of the places you’ve worked and what positions you held.

SG: NBC TV network, NYC, sales service; Grey Advertising, NYC, media buyer; Radio general manager and regional vice president in Toledo, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Dallas, and WGH Norfolk. I also did Cable TV ad sales at Cox Cable here in Hampton Roads.

JN: You’ve been married to Anne for 36 years. Do you keep each other active?

SG: We keep each other active by walking five miles/day and working out in a gym three to six hours/week.

JN: How many children and grandchildren do you have?

SG: Between us we have four children and four grandchildren.

JN: You and Anne travel a lot! How many countries have you visited?

SG: Nine.

JN: How many trips are on your schedule for 2023?

SG: We started the year in Mexico, a trip that began in late 2022. We have three more trips planned at two weeks each; St. Maarten, Italy with all four grandkids, and Mexico for Hanukkah.

JN: What is your favorite place to visit?

SG: Ireland, Anne was born in Dublin and has a huge and hospitable family there.

JN: You are a regular at some of the Simon Family JCC’s Fitness classes. Have you always been into exercise?

SG: No. The J has been a positive influence.

JN: Do you feel the exercise makes a difference in how you feel?

SG: Absolutely!

JN: You are an entertainer—always having people over to your home where you are

known for delicious and diverse menus. Where did you learn to cook?

SG: My Mom loved to entertain, and she made me her souse chef. She said “you entertain people at your home because you enjoy it…not because you think you will get invited back.”

JN: What’s your secret to life?

SG: My father’s advice…“that which you do well you enjoy and that which you enjoy you do well…the money will follow.”

JN: Anything else to add?

SG: Retiring from full time work to part time here at the Jewish News has made the last 15 years great fun and satisfying. I have no plan to fully retire yet.

Anne and Sandy Goldberg on one of their recent trips.

Sandy Goldberg at kindergarten age.

Sandy Goldberg during his Cox years, at 65 years old.

Sandy Goldberg with his grandson and son, Mike at University of South Carolina.

Mazel Tov: Leadership growth at Beth Sholom Village

The new administrator of the BergerGoldrich Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Lauren Schoenfeld recently achieved the difficult task of earning the Licensed Nursing Home Administrator certification.

Schoenfeld has served in several roles over her six years at Beth Sholom Village, directly supporting executive leadership and taking an active role in managing quality control and assessment. In 2021 she was promoted to director of executive administration and special projects, and in early 2022 began her Administrator in Training program. After completing the 9-month program that included 1,500 supervised hours covering more than 50 areas of nursing home practice, Schoenfeld passed her state and federal level exams to obtain the LNHA certification in January 2023.

Beth Sholom Village is very proud to have such talent within its team, setting high standards for the organization every day.

Recently promoted to director of philanthropy and marketing at Beth Sholom Village, Amy Weinstein has also taken on a significant volunteer leadership role within the community. Starting in January 2023, Weinstein became president of the Association of Fundraising ProfessionalsHampton Roads, Va. Chapter. She served on the board of AFP for several years and chaired National Philanthropy Day, the largest local celebration of non-profits and philanthropy, and the continuing education and programs committee. Weinstein was nominated and elected to the president role by a group of her peers—fellow fundraising executives in Hampton Roads.

Beth Sholom Village is very proud to have one of its own leaders at the forefront of the premier fundraising resource for professionals to learn, collaborate, and grow together.

David Abraham, is president and CEO of Beth Sholom Village.

David Abraham

Twomembers of the leadership team at Beth Sholom Village were recently recognized with promotions, new designations earned, and for their community-wide work. Mazel Tov Lauren Schoenfeld and Amy Weinstein!

LAUREN SCHOENFELD, LNHA

AMY WEINSTEIN, CFRE

Penny Schwartz

BOSTON (JTA)—Veiled brides holding white bouquets; a gold-colored chuppah; the signing of ketubahs, Jewish marriage contracts; lively Jewish music wafting through a social hall as guests danced the hora.

It had all the telltale signs of a traditional Jewish wedding. But the three couples were already married — and had been for a collective total of 125 years.

The event earlier this month was an opportunity for three Ukraine-born couples to have the Jewish ceremonies they could not have when they first wed, when Jewish practice was forbidden under communism in their country.

“It was my dream for many, many years and dreams come true,” says Elisheva Furman, who first married her husband

Fishel in Ukraine 50 years ago.

Held by Shaloh House, a Chabad Lubavitch organization in Boston that serves Jews from the former Soviet Union, the event was also an opportunity for Chabad rabbinical students to practice officiating at Jewish weddings.

Shaloh House launched a rabbinical training institute in 2021, after Rabbi Shlomo Noginski, an educator at the school, was stabbed eight times outside the building in a vicious attack that jolted Boston and especially its Jewish community.

“This wedding ceremony is a victory of love and kindness over oppression and hate,” says Rabbi Dan Rodkin, director of Shaloh House. “It is a testament to the strength of the Jewish people and the resilience of these Soviet-born couples, continued on page 22

They were denied Jewish weddings in the Soviet Union. So, these 3 couples just got married again.

Mazel Tov

continued from page 21

who want to celebrate their union in accordance with their faith and heritage.”

Rodkin himself grew up in Russia. The Chabad movement, which is especially strong in the former Soviet Union, where it was born, has sought to reach Jews from the region whose practices and connection to Judaism were attenuated by living under communism. Shaloh House offers a school, synagogue, and community center all focused on Boston’s substantial community of Russian-speaking emigres.

Growing up, despite antisemitic repression, Elisheva and Fishel Furman both say their families maintained a strong Jewish identity and privately observed Jewish holidays. But “it was dangerous” to show their faith in public, says Elisheva, the grandmother of four. So, when they got married, they did so only in a civil ceremony.

Their religious ceremony and the two others that took place, individualized for each couple, stretched for more than four

hours and featured a festive meal and desserts including traditional Ukrainian and Russian foods.

The event took place in the lead-up to the one-year anniversary on Feb. 24, of Russia’s invasion into the couples’ homeland that is under ruthless bombardment that is devastating Ukraine.

Rimma Linkova, who’s been married to Alexander Linkov for 40 years, and one of the other couples being married, has a cousin still in Ukraine. They talk regularly, she says.

The third couple was Sofya Hannah and Gedalia Gulnik, who used their Hebrew names.

Yelena Gulnik says she was thrilled to see her parents have a Jewish wedding, something she says her father was initially hesitant to do after so many years of marriage. The mother of three, whose kids attend Shaloh House’s day school, was born in Odessa and came in 1994 with her parents to Boston when she was 12 years old.

“My parents never had a chuppah, they never had a religious ceremony. They were not familiar with many religious Jewish traditions,” Gulnik says. “But it was an amazing opportunity. I don’t think they would have ever done this if Rabbi Rodkin hadn’t offered.”

Being at a wedding for her grandparents is “a little weird since you don’t see it every day,” Yelena’s oldest daughter says. “But it’s certainly exciting.”

Among the attendees were New England Patriots Jewish owner Robert Kraft, and his wife, Dana Blumberg, who themselves were married in November. Kraft, whose Campaign to Combat Antisemitism philanthropy launched in 2019, made a $250,000 donation following the attack on Noginski that helped start the rabbinic program.

“When I saw Rabbi Noginksi getting stabbed in my hometown of Boston, it hurt me,” Kraft says.

Noginksi has added his voice beyond Boston, speaking in Hebrew at a

Washington D.C. rally on antisemitism in July 2021, less than two weeks after the attack.

But while the attack was in the background at the wedding event, it was not the main focus as the families celebrated.

“The wedding has enormous meaning,” says Dmitry Linkov about his parents’ ceremony.

He was 5 when his family left Kyiv and settled in Boston. They lived secular lives when he and his younger sister was growing up, but he and his wife, active in Chabad in Chestnut Hill, now embrace more religious practice and observe Shabbat and keep a kosher home.

“What my parents have done tonight will be passed on for generations. It’s a blessing for our future generations,” Dmitry Linkov says.

He hopes the Jewish wedding ceremony inspires other Jews from the former Soviet Union who fled persecution.

“They are celebrating for a nation,” he says. “It’s pretty amazing.”