Jewish News

Norfolk—Frances Sinker Berger, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 31, 2020 in a local hospital. She was a longtime clerk for Newport Pharmacy and later Colley Pharmacy in Ghent for many years. Born in Kenbridge, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Lena Gordon Sinker Weger and Samuel C. Sinker. She was preceded [...]

Norfolk—Shirley Farfel Berman of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away at home on July 14, 2020, at age 86. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was the valedictorian of her class. She received her college degree at Old Dominion University while a mother of four children. She was the daughter [...]

Virginia Beach—Eli Saul Chovitz, 90, died on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 in Virginia Beach, Virginia surrounded by his loving family and friends. Eli was born in Boston, Mass. on May 5, 1930, the son of Philip and Bessie Chovitz. He was a longtime resident of Portsmouth, Va. and a graduate of University of Virginia law [...]

Norfolk—Aaron Benjamin Cohen, 76, passed away July 26, 2020. A native of Lakewood, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Louis and Marion Cohen. He was a retired CPA who excelled in his private practice and made long-term connections with many of his clients. He enjoyed being involved in both Jewish and community [...]

Chesapeake—Stanley Edward “Stan” Garfin, 83, passed away after an extended illness on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 in a local hospital. Stan was born in Mason City, Iowa to the late Sam and Florence Garfin. Stan was a graduate of the University of Iowa with a major in speech and communications. He started his career in [...]

Norfolk—Penny Laster (83) passed away peacefully on August 6, 2020. Born Emily Elizabeth in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., she was always known to family, friends, and neighbors as Penny. She is predeceased by her loving husband, Don of more than 40 years and by her beloved daughter, Joy Atkinson. Penny is survived by her children Don [...]

Norfolk—Lenore Shapiro of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away on July 24, 2020. She was born on December 4, 1931. Arrangements entrusted to Altmeyer Funeral Home–Southside Chapel.

Wynnewood, Pa.—Morris V. Shelanski, M.D., called “Doc” by many, passed away peacefully at home in Wynnewood, Pa, the morning of 23 July 2020. He lived a long and fruitful life and he leaves us one month shy of 99 years of age. The son of Lithuanian immigrants, Dr. Shelanski grew up poor in South Philadelphia [...]

What if United Jewish Federation of Tidewater could fund one Jewish agency that developed one sustainable-development volunteer program for hundreds of young Jews to perform Tikkun Olam in a dozen countries around the world? It can and it does. Jewish Agency for Israel knows that young Jews are choosing social activism over Judaism. With Project [...]

From Reform to ultra-Orthodox and everything in between, Tidewater congregations in pursuit of prayer, have advanced more technologically in the last few months than in 30 years. Prior to 2020, rabbis and temple executives had no reason to believe they would become tech genies, directing congregants to their YouTube channel for High Holiday services or [...]