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I’ll be honest with you. I have never been a big fan of mass produced hamantaschen. I am generally not a sweets guy, but what I always found particularly underwhelming was the thick crust. When I worked in a bakery in Israel, we would start selling “oznei haman”...
Dear Editor,As the mother-in-law of a Romanian, Elena, I am very appreciative of the Sandlers’ work in Romania.I’m a member of Ohef Sholom Temple and a relative newcomer to Hampton Roads (2011). We moved here after retiring to help care for our grand babies while...
The inaugural session of the Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Community Book Club took place on Sunday, Feb. 25 at Congregation Beth El. Participants included congregants of area synagogues as well as those without affiliation. As part of the series, sponsored by the Simon Family...
Israel’s war with Hamas has inflamed vocal and aggressive antisemitism and anti-Zionism that has not been witnessed in the United States for many generations. Heated discussions have ensued, often with discrepancies about the facts.Helping to equip readers with basic...
The Truman Holocaust Torah was returned to its home aboard the USS Harry S. Truman on Sunday, March 3 after being safeguarded at Temple Israel for the past year while the ship underwent repairs.The ceremony for the Torah’s return, which took place onboard the ship at...
VADM Herman Shelanski (retired) and Captain USS Harry S Truman 2016-2019It was President Truman who, despite contrary advice from his cabinet and closest advisors, was the first head of state in the world to recognize Israel on May 14, 1948. For this boldness, Hyman...
My family’s winter visit to Israel was a gift for my 50th birthday. This trip held special significance as my mother, born to Holocaust survivors, accompanied me, along with one of my brothers who hadn’t set foot in Israel for 31 years. Our journey was not a typical...
First major gift of Judaica in the University of Virginia’s history The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia will expand its holdings with a promised gift of more than 150 Torah pointers, or yads, from Clay H. Barr and the Barr Foundation. This marks the...
America is experiencing a strong uptick in antisemitism, especially on our college campuses. Jewish students feel unsafe and numerous attacks have been registered. University presidents have struggled to admit that advocating for the genocide of Jews is against school...
On Friday, March 1, Attorney General Jason Miyares wrote the UVA Board of Visitors about a student led BDS referendum at the school. The complete text of the letter follows: I write to you today with grave concern about the recent student-led referendum at the...
Addressing the sensitive topics of money, mortality, and family relationships can be challenging, especially when it involves estate planning. The hesitation to have the discussion often stems from the perceived complexity and emotional weight of making decisions...
Registration for Camp JCC Summer 2024 is off to a very promising start – after all, it is “the place to be” this summer. In fact, enrollment is significantly higher compared to this point last year, with many of the families who have registered new to camp. Based on...
Israel’s war with Hamas has resulted in vocal and aggressive anti-Zionism and antisemitism across the globe. Many American Jews lack basic knowledge about Israel to converse with certainty about the sole democracy in the Middle East. Beginning with this column, in...
On the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 7, a delegation of committed and proud Jews – ranging from ODU students to retirees – boarded a double-decker bus at the Sandler Family Campus in Virginia Beach destined for Richmond. There, we met up with other Jewish delegations...
Thursday, March 21, 5:45 pmThe Westin Virginia Beach Town Center Laura Geringer Gross is one of this year’s honorees for The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities’ (VCIC) 60th annual Tidewater Humanitarian Awards. Individuals and organizations who have made...
While in Bucharest, Romania with JDC earlier this year, Annie Sandler was recognized by the Romanian government with Romania’s “Grand Officer of the National Order for Merit.”The ceremony took place on International Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27. Sandler was...
Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s B'nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy Program instills the value of giving as early as birth. This innovative program teaches children and teenagers about philanthropy and how to actively participate in the process, shaping them into the...
February marked the 25th anniversary of Peace by Piece, a partnership between Jewish Family Service of Tidewater and Edmarc, a family-centered home health and hospice for children with life-threatening illnesses. Peace by Piece is an interfaith program for grieving...
Thursday, March 7, 7:30 pm It promises to be a moving experience. More than 1,000 high school students will descend on Norfolk for the Regional High School Dance Festival this week. One of the thrilling highlights of that visit for these talented and highly motivated...
Friday, March 15 – Sunday, March 17, Congregation Beth El Best-selling and award-winning author Joan Nathan will be the featured guest speaker for the 2024 Milton “Mickey” Kramer Scholar-in-Residence program this month. This three-day event is open to the public....
Sunday, May 5, 6:45 pm, Temple Emanuel Yom Hashoah is a day of commemoration for the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, as well as a remembrance of those who survived the Holocaust, particularly those who made Hampton Roads their home. Tidewater’s evening...
Sunday, April 14, 12 pm, Temple Israel In keeping with its longstanding tradition, Temple Israel will observe its platinum jubilee anniversary with ample helpings of Jewish music and Jewish food. Tickets and sponsorships, of course, are available. The 70th anniversary...
Two online conversationsAllison Gilbert with Dr. Amy K. Milligan: Monday, March 25, 6:45 pmLinda Dayan Frimer: Wednesday, March 27, 12 pm Voices echo through time, periodically serving as a springboard for societal change. In one such echo, the stories of Elsie...
Tuesday, March 26, 7:30 pm Sandler Family Campus Not quite six months after Hamas used its base in Gaza to launch an unprecedented massacre in Israel’s south, calls for a ceasefire and a “two-state solution” have reached a fever-pitch. At the same time, more than 100...
Mediterranean Blues featuring Melos Sunday, March 17, 2 pm, Sandler Family Campus The return of Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department’s VBGIGs (Virginia Beach Globally Inspired Gatherings), a series of free and low-cost public performances taking place throughout...
VIRGINIA BEACH - Gerald Bloom (Gerry), 85, passed away on February 18 from a chronic illness. He was born in the Bronx, New York on September 18, 1938, to Sidney and Rose Bloom.Gerald was adored. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Harriet, son Marc...
VIRGINIA BEACH - Rebecca H. Hermelin, 73, passed away at home on February 23.She was born on August 25, 1950 in Norfolk to Al and Bea Hermelin, of blessed memory. A brilliant student, Rebecca graduated at the top of her nursing class and worked as a registered nurse...
NORFOLK - Violet Kauder, age 93, passed away on February 26. Violet was born in New York on February 9, 1931. Services were private. The funeral was handled by Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens.
VIRGINIA BEACH - David Erwin Langbord, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on December 28 at the age of 68. Born on May 10, 1955, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, David lived a remarkable life filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful...
NORFOLK - Marvin J. Posner passed peacefully at the age of 96, surrounded by family on February 23 at Harbors Edge in Norfolk, Virginia. He was born in Richmond, Virginia on April 7, 1927. Marvin was preceded in death by parents George and Francis Posner, his loving...
VIRGINIA BEACH - Albertine Rubin passed away February 9, in her home, surrounded by family, after battling cancer and heart disease. She was born March 4, 1942, in Fez, Morocco. She was a veteran of the Israeli army and a hairdresser for over 50 years. She had a...
NORFOLK - Bernie Semel, 73, died on February 22. Predeceased by parents Margaret (Jimmie) Semel and Sidney Semel, he is survived by sisters Judy Rohn (Reuven) and Debbie Evans (Mark); niece Karen Alpert (Avi) and their children, Avital and Eliav; ex-wife Tricia...