Jewish News

Rabbi Mayer Abramowitz, who opened the doors of his Miami Beach synagogue to waves of Cuban exiles beginning in the early 1960s, has died. Abramowitz, who served Temple Menorah for 45 years, died Thursday, Feb. 2 at his home in Miami Beach. He was 97. He ministered to hundreds of young Jews who arrived in [...]

RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA)—Jules Sauer, a refugee from Nazi Europe who became one of the world’s leading gemstone and jewelry authorities, has died. Sauer, who was nicknamed “Gemstone Hunter” after discovering Brazil’s first emerald mine in 1963, died Wednesday, Feb. 1 in that country. He was 95. After finding the mine, German and English experts [...]

San Diego, Calif.—Susanne Clark Geshekter Smith passed away on Monday, January 30, 2017. Susanne was born on January 3, 1946 and was a resident of San Diego, California at the time of her passing. She is survived by her sisters Arlene Rephan (Jack) and Brenda Stein (Alan) and her husband, Robert Smith. Services took place [...]

Virginia Beach —Ronald G. Miller, father, died and left behind his partner of 17 years, David Fierman; three sons, Jay of Bridgeport, WVa., Scott of San Diego, Calif; and Dr. Andrew Miller of Virginia; 11 grandchildren, Austin, Jayne, Brent, Clarissa, Joseph, Jordan, Benjamin, Jalen, Samuel, Jacqueline, and John. Services were held at Ohef Sholom Temple. [...]

Norfolk —Charles Leslie Marks, 71, beloved husband, parent, Zayde, and brother, passed away suddenly at home on February 1, 2017. Charles, a gifted businessman, got his first taste of success independently running a Mr. Softee truck in New York City. After serving several years in the Navy, he returned to the Mr. Softee business in [...]

Livingston , N.J.—David Longman of Livingston, N.J. died at home on January 31, 2017. David, born Israel, was raised in Norfolk, Va. where he spent most of his life until moving to Florida and then, New Jersey later in life. He graduated from Maury High School while playing jazz professionally in his teen years. He [...]

Wethersf ield , Conn .—Rabbi Barton Leftin, former rabbi of Congregation Beth El, passed away. He is survived by his wife, Cathy; sons Avi (Maria) and Ben (Shill); grandson, Sid; and siblings Howard and Joan. Rabbi Lefitin graduated with a BA from Boston University, and an MA from Brown, with majors in Russian Literature and [...]

Thursday, March 2, 6:30 pm Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill, rabbi of Tidewater Chavurah, will begin a 10-week class on prayer book and biblical Hebrew. The first half will focus on learning the Hebrew alphabet and vowels, and the second part will be for the beginners and for people who know how to decode Hebrew, but want [...]

From Nazi Germany to Thalhimer’s Farm with author Robert H. Gillette March 19, 6:30 pm, Congregation Beth El Escape to Virginia follows the true story of two Jewish teenagers growing up in Nazi Germany who end up living on a farm outside of Richmond, Va. Eva Jacobson Loew and Werner T. Angress and their families [...]

Thursday, March 30, The Westin, Virginia Beach Town Center The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) will present a Humanitarian Award to Kim Simon Fink at its 2017 Tidewater Humanitarian Awards Dinner next month. Other honorees include Kenneth C. Alexander, Caroline J. McCartney, James K. Spore, and Craig S. Wansink. Additionally, Hands United Building Bridges [...]