Chesapeake – Barbara Carlson, a remarkable soul who dedicated her life to the pursuit of truth and beauty, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 11, 2026, in Chesapeake, at the age of 91. Born on April 9, 1934, and raised in New York, Barbara’s...
Month: June 2017
Archives
Thelma Laderberg
Norfolk –Thelma Laderberg passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at Harbor’s Edge in Norfolk, Virginia, at the age of 100. She lived a long, full, and deeply meaningful life—one defined by creativity, independence, devotion to family, and enduring...
Marvin Joel Merkle
Norfolk – Marvin Joel Merkle, 79, passed away peacefully, Thursday, January 22, 2026. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, the son of the late Harold Hyman and Eva Merkle. He is survived by his two daughters, Jenefer Dayle Snyder and husband...
Toby Flex Pekarsky
Virginia Beach – Toby Flex Pekarsky, age 85, passed away on January 11, 2026. She was born in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Fred and Belle Levin Flex. She was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Robert Jay Pekarsky, her sister Sally Flex Weinraub, her...
Gerald Martin Sandler
Norfolk – Gerald “Jerry” Martin Sandler, 88, of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on January 20, 2026. He was born in Norfolk on June 28, 1937, to the late Lou “Lovey” and Anna Rose Sandler. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife...
Samuel Leon Shapiro
Washington, D.C. – Samuel Leon Shapiro, a long-time Norfolk resident, died on January 17, 2026, in Washington, D.C. at the age of 86. He will always be remembered as a loving and beloved husband, father, and grandfather with a remarkable intellect, a gentle...
Albert P. Solomon
Virginia Beach – Dr. Albert “Al” P. Solomon, a devoted husband, father, and veteran, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025, in Virginia Beach at the age of 81. Born on July 31, 1944, Al lived a life marked by dedication to both his profession and his...
Gary Tabakin
Virginia Beach – Gary Tabakin, 70, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, left us peacefully on January 27. Born in Norfolk, he was the son of the late Burnley and Bobbi Tabakin. He was predeceased by his baby brother Matthew. A lifelong resident of Norfolk...
Spencer Alan Zahn
Virginia Beach – Spencer Zahn, 87, passed away in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on January 25, 2026. Born in Princess Anne County in 1938, he resided in Chesapeake, Virginia for over 50 years. Spencer retired from Civil Service as an auditor 32 years ago and...
Support for Beth Israel
Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, was set on fire predawn on Saturday, Jan. 10. Thankfully, no congregants or staff were injured, and the building was unoccupied at the time. The synagogue did have a security camera system, a fact which assisted in the...
Emergency Security Grant strengthens protection for Tidewater’s youngest members
Thanks to an emergency security matching grant from The Tepper Foundation, which is distributed through Jewish Federations of North America, and with the addition of contributions from community members, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is able to make...
Scam: “law enforcement” calls
Over the past two months, an all too familiar scam has reared its ugly head again. In this case, it involves someone spoofing a local sheriff’s or police department’s office phone number to call a potential victim. The caller usually tells the recipient that they have...
Stephanie Peck says goodbye to newspaper deadlines
This issue of Jewish News is Stephanie Peck’s last as assistant editor. She joined the paper in July 2023 and made the decision several months ago to step away from the hectic world of newspaper deadlines. The paper appreciates that she offered to remain at her desk...
Hampton Roads Community Foundation celebrates 75 years of philanthropic service to the community
Earlier this year, Hampton Roads Community Foundation celebrated its 75th anniversary with an event at the Chesapeake Conference Center.“Now more than ever, America’s non-profit sector is an absolutely critical component in the democratic and economic framework that...
The will to build, together
As we complete another incredibly successful year at Tidewater Jewish Foundation, I am heartened by the faith, trust, and confidence that is placed in us to safeguard personal heritage ideals.This past year, we grew our assets under management by 17%; 2% better than...
One of this year’s Hanukkah kids’ books offers a new sort of fairytale,z
Written and illustrated by “Bub,” Eight Fairy Nights is crafted to nurture a meaningful and fun Hanukkah experience.The story captures the magic of Hanukkah and illuminates the importance of “standing up for what we believe.”The book engages children intellectually...
Faith is not a supporting character
When I wrote my first piece about Nobody Wants This in Jewish News (December 2024), I analyzed its first season through the lens of the Argentine film Transmitzvah. In that essay, I highlighted how the film treated Judaism with humanity — characters who make mistakes,...
Chrysler Museum of Art takes steps to build a permanent Judaica collection
A collector of Judaica and a lifelong Norfolk resident, Clay Barr has launched an initiative with Chrysler Museum of Art to cultivate a permanent Judaica collection at the museum.When asked why a Judaica collection is important to the Chrysler Museum at this moment,...
USS Harry S. Truman Torah moves to a temporary home at Beth El
Twelve Beth El congregants, led by Rabbi Yoni Warren, Rabbi Jacob Herber USCG, and Admiral Herm Shelanski, Ret., were treated to a special morning minyon aboard the USS Harry S. Truman on Thursday, Oct. 30.Some may recall when the Truman was commissioned in 1998. Now,...
BeAR and Southern Packing deliver holiday goodwill
Just in time for Thanksgiving, the BeAR Literacy Project partnered with Southern Packing Corporation to donate 16 turkeys to the Norfolk Federation of Teachers. The turkeys were set aside for retired school employees, including teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria...
Eastern BBYO L’Dor V’Dor Convention
Eighteen teens from Tidewater BBYO attended Eastern Region’s annual L’Dor V’Dor Convention outside Asheville, North Carolina. The convention, which took place in mid-November, was Eastern Region BBYO’s largest gathering since the start of COVID, with more than 180...
Author explores story of brave Jewish women in the Warsaw Ghetto
New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth R. Hyman was a featured speaker of the Lee and Benard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival on Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Sandler Family Campus.Hyman shared the story behind her new book, The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto,...
Neighbors helping neighbors: JFS thanks volunteers for a meaningful Thanksgiving Season
This Thanksgiving season, Jewish Family Service of Tidewater extends heartfelt gratitude to the many volunteers who stepped forward to ensure that individuals and families in the community did not go without a holiday meal. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of...
From curiosity to compassion: Kids learn the impact of Tzedakah
Nearly 250 members of Jewish Tidewater gathered at the Simon Family JCC for this year’s Community Impact Day on Sunday, Nov. 23. Students from Congregation Beth El, Ohef Sholom Temple, and Temple Emanuel attended Religious School at the event instead of their usual...
Plan to participate in Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day
The opening of the 2026 legislative session in the Virginia General Assembly takes place in January. In anticipation, the Jewish Community Relations Council is preparing for one of its most impactful annual gatherings: Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day on Tuesday, February...
JCC Seniors Club Meeting
Wednesday, January 21,12 pm Sandler Family Campus JCC Seniors Club is for adults who are at least 55 years old who are interested in education, culture, and connections to others and the Jewish community.Join active seniors to learn what’s going on in the community...
Ohef Sholom Temple to host Taste of the Town II
Saturday, January 31, 2026 • 6 – 8:30 pm After last year’s Taste of the Town drew a wonderful crowd and received glowing feedback, Ohef Sholom Temple is “bringing it back – bigger, brighter, and even more delicious!”This year’s celebration will feature a festive...
Stem Odyssey – afternoon sessions for first and second graders
Tuesdays, Jan. 20 – Feb. 24 • 4 – 5 pm • Sandler Family Campus Harness heat energy, explore the properties of light and color, and put your sense of smell to the test. Students in grades 1 and 2 will examine curious optical illusions and create amazing sound...
Camp JCC registration: A Black Friday tradition
On Black Friday, November 28, registration for Camp JCC Summer 2026 opened.Opening camp registration on Black Friday is not an accident. Through the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and New Year’s seasons, families travel to be together and often have their own traditions of...
Temple Emanuel’s Wild West Casino Night is coming to town
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 7 - 11 pm, Temple Emanuel Giddy up and mark calendars for another fun night at the annual Temple Emanuel Casino Night. The event is riding into town with its Wild West theme – decorations, food, and attire.Cowboys and cowgals of all ages...
Kathleen Patricia Bronstein
VIRGINIA BEACH - Kathleen Patricia Bronstein, 78, died November 23, 2025.Born on July 19, 1947, in Long Beach, California, she was the daughter of the late John Francis Adams and Kathleen Patricia Adams. Kathleen graduated from Granby High School and DePaul Nursing...
Helene Berger Frost
VIRGINIA BEACH - After 13 courageous years of fighting Scleroderma, Helene Berger Frost, 78, peacefully passed away on November 26, 2025, surrounded by her adoring family.Through unwavering perseverance, she defied the conventions of medical expectations with her...