Norfolk – Lawrence Harold “Larry” Kirstein, 76, of Norfolk, Virginia, died Jan. 15, 2026.Mr. Kirstein is survived by his sisters and brother-in-law, Robert Grosinger, Rita and Dr. Pedro Paragas, and Ina Kirstein; nephews and nieces, Eric and Amy Grosinger, Jason and...
Month: June 2014
Archives
Abraham Foxman, transformative longtime director of the Anti-Defamation League
Ron Kampeas(JTA) — Abraham Foxman, the longtime leader of the Anti-Defamation League who for decades was the last word in post-Holocaust Jewish fury and forgiveness, died at 86 on Sunday, May 10.Foxman, a child survivor of the Holocaust, could be scathing and...
Congregation Beth El’s Visiting Scholar weekend to feature Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin
Friday, May 29 – Sunday, May 31 Congregation Beth El A dynamic and thought-provoking Visiting Scholar weekend planned and presented by Congregation Beth El, will feature Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, one of the most widely read and influential voices in contemporary Jewish...
Pre-Shavuot Neighborhood Hop
Sunday, May 17, 4 – 7 pm • TIDE by B’nai Israel Step out of the sanctuary and onto the porch. Join NextGen 757 for a high-energy journey through Ghent to prep for Shavuot.NextGen 757 joins TIDE by B’nai Israel to bring bite-sized learning, sweet treats, and great...
Post-Shavuot Seudah Shlishit& Havdallah experience
Saturday, May 30, 7 pm • Temple Israel Don’t miss this intentional gathering hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen757 in partnership with Temple Israel. Capture the “lingering magic” of Shavuot with a light dinner, guided discussions on modern...
Thank you to our supporters who recently donated to Jewish News!
Supporters of Jewish News help keep local Jewish journalism alive at a time when it feels as if it is disappearing almost everywhere else. Jewish News appreciates all who support the newspaper with generous contributions – whether in honor of or in memory...
Aiden Vonegloffstein named 2026 Stein Family Scholarship recipient
Long before leadership titles and community recognition, Aiden Vonegloffstein was learning what it meant to serve in the most ordinary moments. As a child, his mother taught him to notice when someone needed help, to carry groceries for a neighbor, to lend a...
Sam Linda: Lion King actor with JCC roots
The role of Uncle Henry in the Jewish Community Center of Houston’s production of The Wizard of Oz was Sam Linda’s first real experience on stage. He was eight years old. Linda says he knew then that he was hooked on acting – and he’s been performing ever since...
Hadassah advocates visit DC to press Congress on US-Israel relationship, antisemitism, and health
Tidewater’s Sharon Goretsky, past president of Hadassah Southern Seaboard Region, was among the group of 200 leaders of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, who arrived on Capitol Hill from across the country for the organization’s Day of Impact in...
Women’s Philanthropy celebrates at Spring Lunch
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Philanthropy gathered for its annual Spring Lunch at the Sandler Family Campus last month. The event served as both a celebration and thank you for a year defined by generosity, leadership, and community impact....
Bobby Friedman at Ninety-Five
In March of twenty six, dear friends, a milestone came alive— A shining, joyful moment: Bobby turning ninety five. From Philly roots to Waynesboro, she grew both bright and popular, A star whose appeal and laughter made each room feel spectacular. At RPI...
Ilana Peck Leibler makes the best of being stuck in Tidewater
In late February, Ilana Peck Leibler was in Norfolk, expecting to return to Israel after a quick visit with her family. The war in the Middle East, however, swiftly and drastically altered her plans. A Norfolk native, Leibler has lived in Israel for nine years....
Camp JCC presents Kids Night Out: Ultimate Bracket Bash
Saturday, March 21 5 - 9 pm, Sandler Family Campus Get ready to hit the court and experience the madness! Children, ages 4–12, are invited to the Ultimate Bracket Bash Kids Night Out. The evening kicks off with basketball relays where campers can showcase their...
Registration now open for Spring Break Camp
April 6 - 10, 9 am – 4 pm Sandler Family Campus When school is out, Camp JCC is in. Children currently in K-5th grade can look forward to a week filled with energy, friendship, and fun with a jam-packed schedule that includes free swim sessions in the indoor...
Conversational Hebrew with the Shinshinim, Session 3: Around Town
Mondays, March 9 - April 13, 5:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus Planning a trip to Israel or just want to feel more comfortable getting around in Hebrew? If so, join the Shinshinim, Noga Yaniv and Yarden Lahan, for Session 3 of Conversational Hebrew: Around Town....
Dream Doctors bring humanity in action to Tidewater
Tuesday, March 24, 7:30 pm Sandler Family Campus Israel’s renowned Dream Doctors Project—professional medical clowns who bring healing, dignity, and emotional support to patients and families in hospitals and humanitarian settings around the world – will visit...
Golda Day with the Shinshinim
Tuesday, March 17, 6 pm Sandler Family Campus Children and families are invited to join Shinshinim Noga Yaniv and Yarden Lahan for a delicious evening of games, crafts, and an ice cream social to celebrate Golda Meir, Israel’s first female Prime Minister. Kids...
Partners in Jewish Life: Discussing the new antisemitism
Tuesday, March 17, 6 –7:15 pm, Sandler Family Campus The upcoming evening of Partners in Jewish Life will center around a conversation about The New Antisemitism: Roots and Responses, inviting participants to explore how antisemitism has evolved over time—and how...
Two opportunities to learn and laugh with Miriam Anzovin
Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 pm and Thursday, March 12, 12 pm, Sandler Family Campus The community has two options to experience Jewish learning through the voice of Miriam Anzovin, the creator behind the beloved #JewishLoreReactions series on TikTok and Instagram. Known...
NextGen Happy Hour Shabbat
Friday, March 27, 5 – 7 pmSandler Family Campus Jewish adults between ages 22 and 40, are invited to begin the weekend with “Shabbat mode” at a NextGen Happy Hour Shabbat. Leave the stress of the work week behind and unwind in a relaxed, friendly...
A middle school event with friendly competition and a creative activity
Sunday, March 29, 12:30 – 2:30 pm Pinboys, Virginia Beach A fun afternoon of bowling and beading is planned for middle school students this month. Participants have the choice to hit the bowling lanes with friends, spend time creating beaded crafts, or...
Judaica Shop opens in Virginia Beach
The Blue Dove was “created out of love for my Jewish community,” says shop owner Lauren Broudy. A Tidewater native, she says she was shopping at The Painted Tree in the shops at Hilltop and noticed there were no Jewish-themed items. After some thought, she...
Baby & Me is back
Thursdays, 9 –10 am - Sandler Family Campus Parents, guardians, and their little ones are invited to participate in an hour of connection and fun every Thursday. Join for coffee and a sweet treat while babies enjoy age-appropriate activities and playful games...
Ashley Brooke Coleman
Virginia Beach – Ashley Brooke Coleman, age 46, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Barbara and Harvey Coleman. Ashley was a proud graduate of Norfolk Academy, University of Maryland, and Cumberland...
Helen Cohen Laibstain
Norfolk – After a brief illness, Helen Laibstain, 96 years old, died Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at her home. Born March 3, 1929, Helen was the daughter of Julius and Celia Shulman Cohen. Seventy-two years ago, Helen married the love of her...
Sylvia Bernstein Wagner
Omaha, Nebraska – Sylvia Bernstein Wagner, a pioneering civic leader, accomplished actress, and champion of social progress in Omaha, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026, at the age of 100. Her life was defined by principled...
Gilda Weber
Virginia Beach – Gilda Weber, aged 99, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Born on June 5, 1926, she lived a long life devoted to her family. Gilda was born in the Bronx, N.Y., and graduated from Beth Israel...
JFS volunteer honored as Food Bank Superhero of the Month
Laura Goldstein, a volunteer for Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, was recently honored by the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore as their Superhero of the Month. Goldstein was nominated and recognized for her dedication, compassion, and...
Sandler Family Campus hires new facilities director
Joseph Alex Frissora joined the Sandler Family Campus late last year as Facilities Director, working with Glenn Saucier until his retirement in December. Prior to joining the Sandler Family Campus, Frissora spent 14 years with the United States Coast Guard, where, in...
America’s Black-Jewish story gets an update on new PBS series featuring Henry Louis Gates, Michael Twitty and more
(JTA) — Passover may still be months away, but PBS is seating a diverse set of Jews down for a seder this month — casting the communal storytelling meal as an ideal entry point for exploring the complicated history of Black-Jewish relations in the United States....
HIAS shuts Vienna office that aided generations of refugees after Trump pulls funding
(JTA) — Since the end of World War II, Vienna has functioned as an Ellis Island for Jewish refugees from Europe and the Middle East, a place where survivors, dissidents and religious minorities arrived with little more than documents and hope, and departed toward new...
How Hamantaschen became a Purim staple
Today we think of hamantaschen, the triangle-shaped stuffed cookie, as the pastry of the Jewish holiday of Purim. But the original hamantaschen had no Jewish connection at all. According to Gil Marks in his landmark book, Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, the hamantaschen...