VIRGINIA BEACH - EJulie Wendy Comess, passed away on August 18, 2025.She was born on September 29, 1967, to Sonya C. and Alan B. Comess, and lived a life dedicated to the service of caregiving, education, and advocacy.She graduated from Norfolk State University with a...
Month: October 2022
Archives
Timothy Cooper
NORFOLK - On July 23, Timothy Cooper lost his battle with a series of overwhelming illnesses, leaving a multitude of friends, relatives, and former members of the Naro Expanded Video to fondly remember this extraordinary man.With highly developed interests that...
Dorothy Stavin Goldman
VIRGINIA BEACH - Dorothy Stavin Goldman, known by most as “Dottie,” passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.She courageously battled cancer since 2019. She fiercely fought with strength, bravery, determination, and plenty of humor...
Abe Goldstein
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...
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...
Isadore “Izzy” Meizlik
VIRGINIA Beach - Isadore “Izzy” Meizlik, 84, passed away on June 20, 2025.Born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Izzy was a proud Jewish man and a retired NYPD police officer.He was married to his beloved wife, Mary Cornwell, for 47 years. She was his life partner and constant...
Dolly Pachter
VIRGINIA BEACH - Ethel Jane “Dolly” Pachter (nee Rothbart) passed away peacefully on June 17, 2025.The moment after delivering her on October 10, 1924, their devoted family physician said, “That’s our Dolly.” The name stuck.Having lived beyond 100 years, her...
Delle Elaine Rayner
CLEVELAND, OHIO - Delle Elaine Rayner, aged 75, passed away on July 3, 2025.She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio to Irv and Zerda Malikin. The Malkin family had three children, including Delle’s brothers Greg and Robert.Delle is survived by her two children,...
Jacklyn Flum Richels
VIRGINIA BEACH - With profound sadness and deep love, we announce the passing of Jacklyn Flum Richels, who died on June 22, 2025, at the age of 78.Born on May 16, 1947, Jackie was the heart of her family as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother,...
Albert Charles Selkin
NORFOLK - Albert Charles Selkin died peacefully at home on June 26, 2025, at the age of 83.He was a graduate of Granby High School, Old Dominion University, and the University of Virginia Law School. Albert was a dedicated and well-respected attorney and a devoted...
Annette Charlotte Spivak
VIRGINIA BEACH - Annette “Honey” Spivak passed away peacefully on June 15, 2025.Born January 23, 1933, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Honey lived to bring joy, love, comfort, compassion, and kindness to the people in her world, the Jewish value of “tikkun olam.” Honey’s...
Dr. Stanley Weinstein
CHESAPEAKE - Dr. Stan Weinstein passed away peacefully in his sleep at home surrounded by loved ones on June 10, 2025, after a lifetime of meaningful impact on family, friends, mentees, colleagues, strangers, everyone who met him, and, of course, Mathematics.His...
Israel’s strike on Iran: How we got here, what we don’t know and what happens next
Israel’s strike on Iran starting early Friday, June 12 followed a dizzying 24 hours in which the international community rebuked Iran for its nuclear malfeasance, Iranian officials said they would retaliate by accelerating nuclearization and signs piled up of a...
Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries
TCC/City Joint-Use Library, 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach • Through Saturday, June 28 This 1,100-square-foot exhibition explores how American society—including the government, military, refugee aid organizations, media, and the public—responded to Nazism, war,...
Charlotte rabbi: The antisemitic attacks are painful.The silence from our trusted partners is excruciating.
Rabbi Asher Knight(JTA) — My family has lived in Colorado for generations. I was in touch with my mother and cousins following the firebombing attack on people marching to call attention to the hostages held in Gaza. In my mind, I can visualize exactly where it...
World Zionist Congress election results: Surge in US turnout, Reform slate wins most
(JTA) — More than 230,000 American Jews voted in the 2025 election for the World Zionist Congress, setting a new turnout record and nearly doubling participation compared to the last election five years ago, according to preliminary results released Thursday, June 5...
FBI, DHS issue warning of ‘elevated threat’ to Jewish and Israeli communities
The FBI and DHS have released several similar announcements in recent years warning of potential attacks motivated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. In the wake of two violent attacks on Jewish community events in recent weeks, the FBI and Department...
Israel trip reconnects us with Shinshinim, strengthens purpose for Nadiv
In late May, my wife, Shikma, our two boys, and I visited Israel with the primary goal to see Shikma’s family: her grandma, sister, nieces, aunt, uncle, and cousins.We spent several days in apartments in Ra’anana and Hod HaSharon eating great meals and catching up on...
Steps on the Jewish Journey: The Hoffman family and One Happy Camper
When Summer Hoffman was 15 years old, she received a One Happy Camper grant that allowed her to attend a three-week residential camp, BBYO International Kallah. For her interfaith family—half Jewish, half Christian—it was more than just a summer getaway. It became a...
Turn taxes into a tool for building the future of Jewish Tidewater
What if a donation today could help shape a stronger Jewish community—and reduce a future tax burden?Thanks to the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and Virginia’s Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits (EISTC) program, individuals and businesses who believe in the...
Medical Directives versus Medical Orders
An 84-year-old woman in the intensive care unit asked if the facility had a copy of her advance medical directive to support her healthcare wishes. The doctor explained that, in the hospital, this legal document did not serve the purpose she intended and instead...
Parents gift therapy practice to daughter
Dr. Michael S. Weissman and his wife, Brina, opened Churchland Psychological Center in 1981, serving Hampton Roads for nearly 45 years.As clinical director, Weissman offers individual adult psychotherapy, family and marital counseling, and psychological testing, while...
Dr. Louise Lubin inspires JFS staff with message of self-compassion and resilience
Amid the demands of social services work, the staff at Jewish Family Service of Tidewater recently gained valuable insights and inspiration during a seminar led by Dr. Louise B. Lubin, a distinguished clinical psychologist with 40 years of experience.With a focus on...
Strelitz International Academy’s Carin Simon attends Life & Legacy conference
Carin Simon, director of advancement at Strelitz International Academy, joined Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s Naomi Limor Sedek and Amy Weinstein at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s Life & Legacy Leadership Conference last month.“I feel so fortunate to have had...
From pantry to advocacy: JFS of Tidewater speaks to VB Council about compassionate service
Jewish Family Service of Tidewater presented at the formal session of the Virginia Beach City Council on Tuesday, May 27. JFS was nominated by Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer, Councilmen Michael Berlucchi of District 3, and Joash Schulman of District 9 in recognition...