Month: May 2022

Archives

Virginia Symphony opens with Rosh Hashanah in mind

Virginia Symphony opens with Rosh Hashanah in mind

Thursday, September 10, 7:30 pm, CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts Sunday September 13, 2:30 pm, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will open its 2026/27 Season with Mahler’s Titan Symphony. Music Director Eric Jacobsen, the Macon...

Diane B. Aftel

Norfolk – Diane Zaba Aftel, 87, of Norfolk, passed away peacefully in her home on August 15, 2026.  She was born to the late Benjamin Zaba and Ruby Hillman Zaba. Diane was always very close to her late uncle, Sam Hillman, and her younger brother, Dr. Joel Zaba....

Dr. Steven J. Becker

Burke, VA – Dr. Steven J. Becker, 78, died on August 9, 2026, in Burke, Virginia.   Born on June 6, 1948, in Jersey City, N. J., Steven is remembered as a loving husband and father, a man with a wonderful sense of humor, and a dedicated dentist....

Barbara Rae Soroko Bowden

Virginia Beach – Barbara Rae Soroko Bowden died June 29, 2026, in her home in Virginia Beach.   Born in Portsmouth, Va. She was the daughter of the late Oscar Soroko and Mildred Hilles Soroko.  Barbara will be remembered for her kindness, warmth, and...

Lois (Cohen) Greenebaum

Baltimore, Md. – Lois (Cohen) Greenebaum passed away peacefully at the age of 95, surrounded her beloved family.   A highly intelligent and thoughtful woman, she led her life with integrity, strong values, purpose, and wisdom. She was the definition of a...

Edward Legum

Norfolk – Edward Legum, 97, of Norfolk, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Norfolk and raised in Berkley, Eddie was the son of the late A.J. Legum and Bessie Padrasic Legum. He graduated from Maury High School and...

Jack Sanford Moscovitz

Portsmouth – Jack Sanford Moscovitz, 90, a lifelong resident of Portsmouth, Va., peacefully passed away on July 1, 2026, with family by his side.   Born on November 5, 1935, in Norfolk, he was the only child of Louis and Bluma Moscovitz, of blessed memory....

Ruby H. Schwarzschild 

Lakeland, Fla. – Ruby Hainer Schwarzschild of Norfolk, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026 in Lakeland, Fla.   She was a dedicated mother, wife, grandmother, chef, artist, and beloved pillar of her community.  Ruby was born in Norfolk on March 13,...

Dolly Parton’s Jewish connections

Dolly Parton’s Jewish connections

Singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Dolly Parton died Tuesday, August 25 at the age of 80. The outpouring of grief was immediate and universal.  “PJ Library and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation team are sad to learn of the passing of musician, philanthropist,...

History preserves the past — memory preserves a people

My friend, the historian Niall Ferguson, recently posted something remarkable on social media.  Reflecting on the resurgence of antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and what he called the “anti-history” engulfing much of the world, Ferguson reached a painful...

Standing witness in Verdun: Restoring identity to fallen heroes 

Vice Admiral Herman Shelanski, USN (Retired) I joined the United States Navy in 1980 to protect the very freedoms that allowed me to live and pray as my Jewish ancestors did. Growing up with the heavy knowledge of the Holocaust, hearing on the news the persecution of...

Meet the guardians of Tidewater’s Jewish history

Every community has its keepers. As readers explore the congregations and organizations that comprise Jewish life in Tidewater in this issue’s Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater, it’s worth meeting some of the volunteers who safeguard myriad stories that came before...

Temple Emanuel’s Religious School gets inspired renovation

What should a congregation do when a school’s enrollment grows year after year? Renovate the environment to match the dynamic energy, seems a reasonable response.    Last December, volunteers at Temple Emanuel started this project by tearing down old coat...

Where community begins

Every community has its “must-do” list. In Tidewater, it’s easy to find great restaurants, festivals, beaches, and museums. But some of the most memorable experiences aren’t places to visit – they are ways people choose to be part of the community.  Jewish life...

NextGen community connects at Sunset on the Water

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community recently teamed up with Norfolk Kayak Rentals for an eventful Sunset on the Water experience. Despite cloudy skies, the weather held out so that NextGen kayakers could enjoy time out on the water. ...

Building on a strong foundation: Paul Peck to lead TJF

When Paul Peck talks about the future of Tidewater Jewish Foundation, he doesn’t begin with fundraising goals or financial projections. He begins with responsibility. “We’re the beneficiaries of the hard work of earlier generations,” he says. “It’s our obligation to...

Birthday

Wishing Stanwood Dickman a very Happy and Healthy 91st Birthday on Friday, August 28. His family will be celebrating with him.

Achievement

Sam Sacks was recently chosen Teacher of the Year in Savannah-Chantham County Public School System. He was also named Teacher of the Year for his school, New Hampstead, K - 8. A STEM coordinator, Sacks is known for his dedication to his students.  As the...

Matisyahu to perform in Virginia Beach

Sunday, August 16, 6:30 pm New Realm Brewing Co. Matisyahu, the Grammy-nominated musician known for blending reggae, hip-hop, rock, and Jewish themes, will perform at New Realm Brewing Co. in Virginia Beach on Sunday, August 16. Through his music and personal journey,...

Ann Rae Gershman

Richmond, Va. – Ann Rae Gershman, 93, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, friendship, and resilience.  Born on March 20, 1933, Ann Rae grew up in Norfolk, Virginia, where her intelligence and determination were evident from...

Eliana Dori Gordon

Fairfax, Va. – Eliana Dori Gordon, affectionately known as Ellie, passed away suddenly on July 14, 2026, in Fairfax, Virginia.   Born on July 3, 1998, Ellie lived a vibrant and meaningful life, leaving us far too soon at the age of 28.  A devoted...

Howard I. Horwitz

Norfolk – Howard Irving Horwitz passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026, with his family by his side. He was 78 years old.   Howard was born and grew up in Richmond, Va., the son of Seymour and Esther Fishman Horwitz, of blessed memory. He graduated from...

Pauline Sod Levin

Norfolk – Pauline Sod Levin passed away surrounded by her loving family on July 26, 2026.   She was born in Temple, Texas, on July 17, 1931, to Bertha and Joseph Sod. When she was four years old, her family – including her brother Louis – moved to Norfolk,...

Renie Teitelman

Silver Spring, Md. – Renie Teitelman (nee Becker), passed away peacefully at the age of 97 at her home at Riderwood Village, Silver Spring MD, on Monday July 27.   Renie was a native of New York City, a longtime resident of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and a...