EDMONTON, ALBERTA - It is with deep sorrow, enduring love, and immense gratitude for the time we had together, that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, Zaidie, and friend, Abe Goldstein.Abe passed away surrounded by the love of his family — his...
Month: September 2014
Archives
Dr. Howard Kesser
NORFOLK - Dr. Howard Kesser, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and devoted husband, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on August 26, 2025.Born on May 9, 1934, to Leah Salsbury Kesser and Clifford Kesser, Howard lived a life marked by dedication—to...
Phillip Morton Levy
Cocoa Beach, Fla. - Phillip Morton Levy passed away on August 26, 2025, at the age of 94, surrounded by the love of his family and memories of a well-lived life.Born in Newport News to Nathan and Sara (Sassi) Levy, Phil’s generous spirit, unwavering integrity, humor,...
Babette Odessky Lustig
VIRGINIA BEACH - Babette Odessky Lustig, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025, at the age of 98, surrounded by her family.She was born on December 9, 1926, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Alice and Bernard Lustig....
JDC’s president reports on global initiatives
It’s now been 18 months of “on the ground” visits since I began my presidency of JDC. One of my personal goals when I took office was to visit the global communities we serve, especially those I had not previously visited. In my first year I visited Israel three...
Safety Tips
In these trying times, advice from a security professional can go a long way to assuring personal and community safety in public, as well as, in private spaces. Mike Goldsmith, SCN regional security advisor, will offer a couple of easy-to-follow tips here, and in the...
A rabbi walked into a convention of Lutherans — and rebuked their ‘one-sided’ debate on Israel
(JTA) — Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, arrived at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly with decades of experience building ties between the Lutheran and Jewish communities.But on Wednesday, July 30, as...
Super Sunday, reimagined Sunday, September 14
For decades, Super Sunday has been a flagship event in the lifecycle of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s community campaign. It’s been a day of community mobilization – bringing volunteers together in a room buzzing with energy, armed with phones, stacks of...
On Monday my son was sworn into the IDF. I spent that afternoon protesting the Israeli government.
(JTA) — On Monday, July 28, my son was inducted into the IDF. He started thinking about joining as a hayal boded, a “lone soldier” (someone who makes aliyah alone with the intention of serving) while in high school. After his friend was murdered by Hamas terrorists at...
NEA board rejects members’ proposal to sever ties with ADL
(JTA) — The board of directors for the National Education Association, the United States’ largest teachers union, rejected a proposal by its delegates to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League.The rejection on Friday, July 18, came after the delegates’ proposal...
Five years in: A reflection on resilience, readiness, and relationship
When I began my journey with the Tidewater Jewish Foundation in July 2020, I walked into a world unlike anything we had known. It was the height of the pandemic.Introductions were made over Zoom and relationship-building required more persistence, patience, and heart...
Combating antisemitism on Virginia’s college campuses
Hamas’s attack on the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023, caused a massive surge in anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiments across the United States, and notably, on college campuses. Virginia’s university and college campuses were not immune to protests and...
UJFT joins more than 100 Jewish communities to urge Congress to adopt 6-point security plan
Nearly 400 Jewish leaders representing more than 100 Jewish communities across the nation gathered in Washington, DC on Wednesday, June 25 for the United for Security Emergency Leadership Mission to advocate for policies that enhance security for the Jewish...
Officers installed, awards presented at UJFT’s Biennial
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater held its Biennial meeting on Wednesday, June 11 at the Sandler Family Campus.The Fleder Multi-Purpose Room was packed with people from throughout the Jewish community who had come to cheer on award winners, to support new officers...
Jewish Family Service and Beth Sholom Village continue their support of Jewish seniors
Beth Sholom Village’s Auxiliary recently awarded Jewish Family Service a gift that makes it possible for 20,000 meals to be provided to hungry people in Tidewater. Collaborative projects between Jewish Family Service and Beth Sholom Village have taken place for...
Using an IRA to leave a Legacy:A conversation with Wendy Goldberg, CPA
Wendy Goldberg has spent nearly 30 years helping clients make smart financial decisions. As a CPA and founder of her own practice, she brings a personal and practical approach to advising clients—especially when it comes to aligning financial planning with...
Netanyahu leaves White House without fanfare or announcements
(JTA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the White House after two days of meetings with the Trump administration — but without the public appearances or breakthrough announcements of his previous trips.Instead, Netanyahu released multiple statements...
Be A Reader: Volunteer Mentors needed for 2025–2026 school year
Heading into its 26th year, the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project is growing, adding two new partner schools to the BeAR family: Newtown Elementary in Virginia Beach and Suburban Park Elementary in Norfolk.The growth translates to more second graders to support,...
Leading, learning, and looking ahead
Shinshinim supervisors from communities supported by the Zeff Family Foundation gather each year with Diana Zeff, along with staff from the Jewish Agency for Israel and The Adelson Shlichut Institute.For the second time, I had the privilege of serving on the planning...
Celebrating every moment and every year
What do Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Mel Brooks, Charlie Firestone, Susan and Jim Eilberg, and Alice and David Titus have in common? Aside from the first three not living in Tidewater, all are Jewish, more than 80 years old, active in a variety of pursuits, and...
Striving for ‘healthy longevity’
Balance and moderation in eating increases the chances of living a longer and vital life.“A lifetime of making healthier food choices and maintaining an active lifestyle contributes to a positive health span, not just a long lifespan,” says Judy Mitnick, Registered...
Beth Sholom Village charts bold future with new home and renewed mission
Taking another step forward, Beth Sholom Village is relocating its offices to space within Jewish Family Service at the Sandler Family Campus. This move represents more than a change of address; it reflects a deepened commitment to area seniors and a renewed vision...
A first Bissel of Yiddish
A bit of Yiddish has managed to slip into everyday language. It’s not uncommon to hear people of all backgrounds talk about shlepping and shmoozing. And most who fling words such as glitz and shtick, have no idea they’re speaking Yiddish, a language historically...
Programming for seniors abound at the Simon Family JCC
Trips, Yiddish, debates, games, and so much more are available for seniors to explore at the Sandler Family Campus. Seniors are generally considered to be anyone 55 years old and above.For specific days and times and to learn more, go to jcc.jewishva.org or call...
Jewish Tidewater’s Graduates
Graduations are a time to recognize achievements, formally bid farewell to a valued educational institution, prepare for the next steps along life’s journey, and of course, to celebrate!In the June 2 issue of Jewish News, nearly 40 area graduates were featured. Here...
S. Daniel Abraham, Slim-Fast creator and Israel peace advocate
(JTA) — S. Daniel Abraham, an American billionaire who grew his fortune on his diet company Slim-Fast Foods and spent his life advocating for peace between Israel and its neighbors in the Middle East, died on June 29 at 100.Abraham was born in New York in 1924 and...
SIA celebrates Class of 2025 • Strelitz International Academy alumni return
Graduation is always a meaningful and emotional milestone at Strelitz International Academy. For the fifth-grade students, some of whom have been part of the SIA community since infancy, it marks a moment to reflect on their growth and prepare to spread their wings as...
Mah Jongg Mondays are serving up more than bams and cracks
Meets every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Monday (except holidays), Sandler Family Campus Mah Jongg Mondays are going strong.Stephanie Calliott and Amy Levy have presented and entertained at some fantastic teaching sessions—with more to follow. Nearly 30 enthusiastic women have...
Community celebrates lifelong learning
Jewish Tidewater gathered on Thursday, May 29 to celebrate Jewish learning across the lifespan. Bringing together clergy, educators, and organizational leaders from across denominations and institutions, the evening was a powerful display of unity and a shared...
Unity Concert is all about Jewish pride and community
More than 450 people joined B’nai Israel to welcome the Maccabeats to the Sandler Family Campus for the Unity Concert last month.The concert was made possible by a Tidewater Jewish Foundation Community Impact Grant and organized in partnership with the Konikoff Center...
JFS celebrates employees and 30th anniversary of the PAM program
Dorothy Salomonsky honored for 30 years of service Jewish Family Service of Tidewater recently hosted an Employee Appreciation event, honoring the dedication and long-standing service of its staff and highlighting a landmark anniversary for both the agency and one of...
Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sisterhood Rummage Sale
Friday, August 15 and Sunday, August 17, 9 am – 2 pm Jewelry, Judaica, artwork, and picture frames are just a few of the categories of items that will be available at Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sisterhood Rummage Sale. Linens, furniture, hobby-related items, books, movies,...