75 Years of Jewish News - Special Section 5.23.22 by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

75 years of Jewish News 1947–2022

Supplement to Jewish News, May 23, 2022 jewishnewsva.org | May 23, 2022 | Anniversary | JEWISH NEWS | 15

75 years of Jewish News

Dear Readers,

y first connections with Jewish

Harbor Group International Harbor Group Harbor Group would like to International International congratulate would like to would like to congratulate congratulate

T he T he T heN ews J ewish ewish N News ews JJewish on its 75th anniversary! on its 75th anniversary! on its 75th anniversary!

News took place in the mid-1970s

when, as an active teen in Tidewater’s Jewish community, my name and photo would sporadically appear on its pages. As I renewed my activity in the community as a young adult, I’d find my name mentioned for serving on one committee or another, and always, with extreme dependability, the paper would magically appear in my mailbox. Other than becoming its editor, my personal experience with the paper is not all that unique. Over the course of 75 years, thousands of people have been featured within its pages and tens of thousands more have received the paper in the mail. For some, Jewish News is their only source of Jewish-oriented news, where they learn about events taking place in the community, and, so often I hear, how they keep up with obituaries. For others, it reinforces connections and educates. Whatever the reasons readers take the time to peruse its pages, all of us who work on the paper appreciate the readership and comments we receive about its look, advertisers, and content. That’s because we’re committed to producing a paper we can all be proud of.

Norfolk • New York • Baltimore Los Angeles • Tel Aviv Norfolk • New York • Baltimore Norfolk New York • Baltimore Los •Angeles • Tel Aviv Los Angeles • Tel Aviv

An NBC television director once told me, “It can always be better if your name is on it.” Like the editors before me, I consider his words daily. Thank you all for reading and for being a part of this, our 75th Anniversary edition. Mazel Tov to Jewish News!

Terri Denison Editor

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75 years of Jewish News

Jewish News: The details…because its always about the details Terri Denison

articles about their upcoming or recently taken place events. And, while no longer on UJFT staff, Wynston Hammack continues to upload the paper’s news to its website and send its emails.

newspaper serving Jewish Tidewater has been an integral component of the community since 1947. While its name, size, and frequency have evolved over the years, its mission has remained remarkably consistent: to inform and As far as the paper’s connect Tidewater’s Jewish community— locally, nationally, and globally. size, that’s mainly been The Norfolk J. C. C. ( Jewish Community Council) News, UJF News, UJFT Virginia a story of growth. News, Southeastern Virginia Jewish News, and Jewish News are just some of the various names that have adorned the paper’s masthead over the years. Speaking of contributors, Jewish News The paper’s calendar has also rolled welcomes articles and letters from outside with the times. It has been published sources—synagogues, schools, organizamonthly, bi-weekly, weekly, and now is on tions, and individuals. Guidelines are a 20 times per year schedule. posted on the paper’s website. As far as the paper’s size, that’s mainly Two people who are integral to the been a story of growth. Originally four paper’s look and solvency aren’t actually pages per issue, in recent years, Jewish employees at all…they are outside conNews has printed to up to 64-page editions. tractors. For 17 years, Germaine Clair has Jewish News is owned and operated by been Jewish News’ art director, working her United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, magic with the paper’s limited resources, making it a non-profit publication. While sharpening and cropping images, squeeznot actually on the paper’s staff, many ing articles, and occasionally, even who work at UJFT contribute to its operspreading some. Sandy Goldberg, who ations, including Dana Jones, CFO, and calls this his “retirement gig,” has been her finance team: Anca Czyzewski and selling ads for Jewish News since 2009. Thomas Roberts who take care of revHe’s one of the main reasons for the enue…coming and going; paper’s increased pages. Patty Malone and Marilyn Jewish News is printed Cerase in administration in Frederick, Maryland who maintain the circuby the Frederick News lation list; Carlos Noriega Post and is mailed on the and D’Ontre Hudson who Friday prior to the Monday times a year the paper calmly handle IT chalpublication date from is published lenges; Taffy Hunter, Gaithersburg, Md. Who Human Resources director, knew? Communication who takes care of everywith the production staff at thing in that arena; and, of the printer is almost entirely course, Betty Ann Levin, via email and online portals UJFT/Simon Family JCC CEO/executive (unless, of course, there’s an emergency). vice president, who oversees all activities Everyone at FNP is professional, patient, of the Federation. In addition, depending polite, and clearly takes pride in their on their department, many contribute product.

What you do benefits us all. Congratulations on 75 years of Jewish News!

Dollar.Bank

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75 years of Jewish News

Jewish News editors make certain the paper evolves Terri Denison

Temple Israel applauds the Jewish News for 75 years of documenting our community history

Founded in 1954 7255 Granby Street • Norfolk, VA 23505 (757) 489-4550 • templeisraelva.org templeisraelva1954@gmail.com 18 | JEWISH NEWS | Anniversary | May 23, 2022 | jewishnewsva.org

n the paper’s 75-year history, surprisingly few have served as editor. In fact, many of the first editions list no editor at all, but rather the executive of the Norfolk Jewish Community Council (in one instance Sydney S. Abzug) and in others, just editorial boards, comprised of men (they were all men) such as Stanley Gross, a local advertising executive. Two stand-out editors who changed the course of what was once a four-page newsletter, are Marilyn Goldman and Reba Karp. Both happen to be my mentors. In 1980, Marilyn hired me at Tidewater Virginian, a magazine once owned by the area chambers of commerce, and now known as Virginia Business. That’s also where I first met Reba, who would occasionally write for the publication. I began my stint as editor when Reba retired, following her directions on myriad aspects of the paper. It was 1967 that Marilyn Goldman began working at the paper, then Jewish Community Council NEWS. In 2014, for a community commemorative issue, she wrote: “Like many women of my time, I stayed home raising my three children

She has crossed swords with many on her concepts of how a Federationowned newspaper can escape, be independent, and still serve the community in which it’s published.

and wrote freelance for several publications. Ephraim “Fri” Spivek probably saw my work and called me to come in for an interview at the council’s office on Spotswood Avenue in Norfolk. Whatever arrangements were made dealing with a job description, hours, and pay are lost in memory. But I do recall the council’s small office space, which meant that I would work at home laying out the paper in my kitchen. “Fri and I quickly developed a close working relationship, in which I greatly benefited from his intellect and worldview. He accepted my insistence on a policy that included the wider Jewish community, even outside when it was appropriate, although, it was not to everyone’s satisfaction. Still, he never told me to drop an editorial and dealt with whatever controversy arose without involving me. I wasn’t totally immune, however, after each edition I received plenty of irate calls, and sometimes a compliment. It was all part of the job.” (Note: Not much has changed.) Goldman’s ad agency husband, Dan Goldman, believed the paper should include advertising. “It has an upscale market to attract advertisers,” he said, “Advertising adds interest, readership, and eventually will pay for the publication.’’ While these were all valid arguments,

75 years of Jewish News

Marilyn Goldman.

Reba Karp.

each time Goldman approached the subject to the Federation, it was rejected. After nearly two years, the Federation agreed on the proposal. Goldman made the news a front-page headline: Advertising Acceptance Milestone for UJF News. The story was even picked up by the national

wire service JTA, the Jewish Telegraph Agency. And, with that, the Goldmans had impacted, to this day, the staying power of the paper. Goldman’s last issue was 12 pages in 1970—a jump from the original four. In that last issue, of Goldman, Spivek wrote: She has crossed swords with many on her concepts of how a Federation-owned newspaper can escape, be independent, and still serve the community in which it’s published....” Reba Karp came and went a couple of times as editor, but stayed the longest in the chair. Karp first arrived as editor and put out

the first UJF News in tabloid format on Oct. 6, 1973. In 2014, she wrote: “I didn’t stay very long that first time, as I was to leave for other jobs twice before I returned for the third time on May 28, 1978. This time I stayed and remained as editor of the UJF Virginia News until I retired in 2004.” Like Goldman, Karp took on challenges, embarking on ambitious projects of her own design. In Sept. 24 1984, UJFT published its first four-color magazine, Renewal. “In the beginning, we had six issues a year, plus a newspaper every other week,” she wrote. Karp added pages, increased frequency, added color, and created the Renewal magazine. Today she is editor emeritus for Jewish News. In 2004, like Marilyn Goldman, I received a call from the Federation’s executive vice president. My first reaction

when Harry Graber suggested I become editor was “absolutely not.” Harry was not easily dissuaded. A couple of meetings later, I was excited about the prospect and was working with Reba on a transition. Following in the footsteps, or editorial marks, of Marilyn and Reba, I’ve also attempted to keep the community’s paper moving forward. Jewish News is now full color and we’ve increased the number of pages of each issue, generally based on advertising. In 2012, we launched the Jewish News website, which includes an e-edition. The Hal Sacks Jewish News Archives was established in 2016. And, at the start of the pandemic, we began emailing the issue the Friday before publication date. The editor’s job for this publication is about more than marking up copy and assigning articles. The question is, Who’s next?

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75 years of Jewish News

Jewish News advertisers celebrate longevity

dvertising in the Jewish News (then UJF News) began in 1969, a turning point for the newspaper. As the paper has met challenges and not only survived, but thrived, so have the advertisers within this issue. The timeline of their founding—some even centuries before the paper got its start—offers an inspiring perspective on these Jewish News business associates. Mazel Tov to all!

1865 H. D. Oliver 1850 1728 Funeral Norfolk Congregation Apartments, Beth El Academy Inc.

1844 Ohef Sholom Temple

1855 Dollar Bank

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1917 Altmeyer Funeral Homes

1883 Vandeventer Black

1949 Temple Emanuel

1948 Norfolk Collegiate

1954 Temple Israel

1950 Hampton Roads Community Foundation

1971 Gilbert Optical

1964 Checkered Flag

1972 Sentara

Contributing to Jewish News made easy

t is not unusual for Jewish News to receive donations—in honor or in memory of someone—or often, in appreciation for receiving this mostly free newspaper. Unfortunately, doing so hasn’t been easy for the donor. Now, that’s changed with the establishment of an online link, making it a quick process to make that contribution. Since its inception, Jewish News has been mailed free of charge to Jewish households throughout Tidewater, to friends outside of the area, and to the paper’s business and organization partners. While Jewish News has always requested those outside of Tidewater pay a subscription fee of $18 per year—a small amount to assist in covering some print and mail costs—no one has ever been denied a requested subscription. To support Jewish News as it continues its mission to inform, inspire, educate, and connect Jewish Tidewater and beyond, go to www.JewishNewsVa.org/donate. Of course, those who prefer using a check over online financial transactions, may mail to: Jewish News 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 For whatever the reason, all contributions are appreciated.

1975 Kitchen Barn

1975 Spindel Agency

1977 Kempsville Conservative Synagogue: Kehillat Bet Hamidrash

1985 Harbor Group

1988 Aldo’s Ristorante

1985 Payday

1988 Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyer

1992 Wall Einhorn & Chernitzer

1995 Einstein Bros. Bagels

2002 The Talbot on Granby

2006 Harbor’s Edge

2005 Ruth’s Chris Steak House

2010 Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute

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75 years of Jewish News

Better quality cooking tools from around the world. Since 1975.

Hal Sacks Jewish News Archives preserves community’s past for the future Terri Denison

Hilltop North Shopping Center 757-422-0888 · kitchenbarnonline.com

Congratulations Jewish News on 75 years of excellence.

Kempsville Conservative Synagogue KBH founded 1977 kbhsynagogue@gmail.com

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al Sacks was a man of many words and a visionary. An author of two books and the Jewish News Book Review editor for more than 30 years, among his many activities within Tidewater’s Jewish community, Sacks spent several years on a personal mission to benefit the community—using his written and oratory skills, as well as his subtle, yet effective power of persuasion. Sacks single-handedly conceived and initiated the gargantuan, multi-year project to catalog, scan, and preserve (then) 69 years of Tidewater Jewish News and Renewal magazine issues. Sacks’ goal from the start was to make it possible for

75 years

everyone—community volunteers and professionals, nostalgia seekers, genealogists, historians, students, or family members—to have access to issues, which until then, were safely stored, but unavailable to the public. In March 2016, the Hal Sacks Jewish News Archives officially went live on the Jewish News website. Sacks was the force—in every way— behind the archives, which not only preserves the Jewish News, but preserves the Tidewater Jewish community’s history. He pushed to get the project done, donated the proceeds from his book sales to the project, and raised funds to ensure that the costly, but very important project continued. Anyone, anywhere in the world can go online and search and browse decades of world and community events, and people, whose names and faces and stories are told in Jewish News. Six years later, the archives continue to be updated. And, it’s all because of the vision and persistence of Hal Sacks. The Hal Sacks Jewish News Archives can be found at JewishNewsVa.org.

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Forever Helping Others

75 years of Jewish News

Bill Goldback’s legacy lives on through the arts.

Create a Jewish legacy for the community you love through planned charitable giving . . .ask us how

Bill, who died in 2007, left a donation in his will for the performing arts in Hampton Roads. The William A. Goldback Fund continues to support arts groups and other causes in our community.

Ron Spindel

rspindel@spindelagency.com

a member of The Frieden Agency

Find out how you can leave your mark. Visit LeaveABequest.org

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Jody Balaban

jbalaban@spindelagency.com

Chris Lyon

christopherlyon@friedenagency.com

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75 years of Jewish News

JTA brings global Jewish news to community papers… including Jewish News Terri Denison

hen it comes to national and global news, JTA is the primary source for Jewish News. Dubbed the “Jewish AP,” the Jewish Telegraphic Agency has reported on issues of Jewish interest and concern, as well as of Jewish culture and pride since it was founded in 1917. With reporters around the globe and throughout America, JTA provides articles that “reflect the wide spectrum of religious, political, and cultural identity that exists among Jews today,” as described on its website. Articles posted by JTA range from late-breaking news and discussions of sensitive topics to celebrity interviews and

obituaries to book reviews and recipes and it seems, everything in-between—if there’s a Jewish angle. Jewish News is among the more than 70 Jewish publications and websites that subscribe to JTA for Jewish-oriented content. Subscribing to JTA allows Jewish News to offer award-winning and informative articles to readers in each issue. Jewish News has published JTA articles since the 1980s. Headquartered in New York, JTA is part of 70 Faces Media, a not-for-profit corporation governed by an independent board of directors. The organization maintains that it has no “allegiance to any specific branch of Judaism or political viewpoint.”

Congratulations to the Jewish News for 75 years of keeping the Jewish community informed, uplifted, and connected. Your work makes Hampton Roads stronger and better. 757-455-5582

norfolkacademy.org

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Founded in 1949 as the beach shul for summering city-dwellers, Temple Emanuel is a conservative-affiliated synagogue, distinguished by its informality and warmth.

We welcome members with a wide variety of religious observance. Our community is extremely accepting of diverse ways of being Jewish and expressing Jewish identity. We eagerly anticipate the arrival of our new Rabbi, Ari Oliszewski, who graduated from the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano.

www.tevb.org • 424 25th St. • Virginia Beach, VA 23451 •757 428 2591