Barry Einhorn

NORFOLK – On Friday, December 27, 2024, Bernard (Barry) Isaac Einhorn, D.D.S., loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 95.

Barry was born on October 7, 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Lillian and William Einhorn. The family moved to Norfolk when Barry was 15 years old, where he attended Maury High School and met his lifetime partner, Lois Friedman. After high school graduation, Barry attended the University of Virginia, where he received his BA degree. He then attended Medical College of Virginia Dental School, receiving his D.D.S. in 1954. After two years in the Navy, he joined Dr. Bernard Battleman’s pediatric dentistry practice, before venturing out on his own in 1962.

Barry looked forward to going to the office every single day! His patients enjoyed their visits to the dental office where they could pick a toy out of the treasure chest and step on the clown’s nose. When he was in his 90s, his former patients still recalled the fun times they had in his office. Barry became very active in the dental society, was president of the Tidewater Dental Society, the Virginia Society of Pediatric Dentistry and the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry and was a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Barry and his wife, Lois, were members of Temple Israel for 65 years, where he served in many volunteer roles, rising to president in 1968. They both taught in the Sunday School, where he served as the principal. Even after his presidential term ended, Barry remained very active in all aspects of synagogue life, leading services, chairing committees, and serving on the board. He was always one of the first to volunteer, even working in the kitchen.

His involvement in the Jewish community extended far beyond the temple, including serving as president of the Jewish Community Center. Barry and Lois enjoyed working together and were the founding chairs of the Virginia Festival of Virginia Film. In addition, they were especially proud of creating and running Operation Understanding Hampton Roads (OUHR) for 10 years, where Jewish and African American teens experienced one another’s cultures in a year-long program that included civil rights trips.

Barry was also very active in the broader community, especially in humanitarian projects, serving on the board of the Dwelling Place with Lois, chairing the African American – Jewish Coalition and the local chapter of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. One of his fondest projects after retirement was reading the newspaper on the radio for the visually impaired with Lois. For 29 years, WHRO Voice listeners could hear “I’m Barry and I’m Lois – we’re the Einhorns” twice a month on Monday mornings.

Professional, religious, and community activities aside, Barry’s greatest love of all was his family, especially Lois, his wife of 72 years. He is also survived by his brother Gerald (Dianne); his daughter, Wendy Brodsky (Ronald); his daughter-in-law, Susan Einhorn; his grandchildren, Will and Jay Einhorn (April), Marlene Schulman (Jonathan), and Saul Brodsky (Adina); and his great grandchildren, Charlotte, Belle, and Brooks Einhorn, Noah and Talia Schulman, and Tehila Brodsky. He was preceded in death by his son, Martin (Marty) Einhorn.

Funeral services were held at Temple Israel. Burial took place at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Temple Israel, 7255 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23505 or the Lois and Barry Einhorn & Family Fund c/o Tidewater Jewish Foundation, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200, Va. Beach, VA 23462.