ROANOKE - Brian Jay Wishneff was born on October 16, 1952, and passed away on May 24, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. He was the son of the late Alvin Wishneff and Ruth Victor Wishneff. Brian grew up with his parents, three sisters, and one brother in Norfolk. He...
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Dr. Leonard I. Ruchelman
SILVER SPRING, Md. - Dr. Leonard I. Ruchelman passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at the age of 91 in his home in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was born on June 28, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York to Jacob and Sarah Ruchelman. Leonard is survived by his wife Diana...
Ernest Martin Lendman
Virginia Beach - Ernest Martin Lendman (Ernie), 86, passed away on May 11, 2025. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Ernie was the son of the late Henry and Sarah Lendman. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Sheila Ktotstein Lendman, and his brother Stephan...
Benjamin Kevin Glaser
VIRGINIA BEACH - Benjamin Kevin Glaser, affectionately known as Kevin, passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 15, 2025, at the age of 62. Born in Norfolk and raised in Virginia Beach, Kevin was a proud graduate of Kempsville High School, Class of 1981. He went on...
Albert Brunn
COCONUT CREEK, FLORIDA - Albert J. Brunn, 100, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Born in Berlin, Germany, in 1924 to Martin and Hertha Brunn, Albert’s early life was shaped by the profound upheaval of his time. As antisemitism swept through Nazi...
Lag Baomer – Flames with Life
This year’s Lag BaOmer celebration hosted by Jewish Virginia Beach brought together more than 300 participants for an afternoon that balanced joy, depth, and community spirit — and showcased a Jewish presence that’s growing, young, and full of life. Held at Hunt Club...
Beach Sisterhood plays Bunco
A combination of Beth Chaverim and Temple Emanuel women, Beach Sisterhood held its first Bunco game at Ilene Kohen’s home in April. Several guests joined Beach Sisterhood for this entertaining event. The group of 18 women had lots of fun trying to roll three dice and...
Attorney General Miyares secures court decision requiring American Muslims for Palestine to comply with investigation
Court rejected nonprofit’s efforts to delay oversight Attorney General Jason Miyares secured a court victory last month that will compel AJP Educational Foundation, also known as American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), to comply with the Attorney General’s Civil...
Street names for Andrew Fine in VIBE Creative District
In keeping with the ViBe’s 10-year anniversary celebrations, the Virginia Beach City Council recognized the ViBe Creative District with a Resolution at its meeting on Tuesday, May 20. The City Council thanked ViBe co-founders Andrew Fine and Laura Wood and executive...
Governor Glenn Youngkin issues Executive Order to expand efforts to combat antisemitism at Virginia Schools
Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 48 Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Religious Bigotry in Virginia Public Schools and Institutions of Higher Education to further expand his efforts to combat antisemitism at Virginia public schools and institutions of...
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! Jewish Tidewater has much to applaud with its graduates – the awards, impressive...
Hanukkah happenings in Jewish Tidewater
Light up the holiday by attending one or more of these community-oriented experiences. With some events geared for children and others for adults, some in Virginia Beach and others in Norfolk, plenty of options are available to celebrate Hanukkah with community. Chag...
Catholic Church of St. Stephen creates holiday cheer for thousands
For the eighth consecutive year, clients at Jewish Family Service of Tidewater have been adopted by members of the Catholic Church of St. Stephen in Chesapeake. Carol Ehrbar, who coordinates this project for St. Stephen each year, helped collect more than 3,000 gifts...
‘Knitting for Others’ helps other keep warm
Tuesdays 10 am – 12 pm Sandler Family Campus A mighty group of knitters meets every week to create beautiful blankets, scarfs, and hats to donate to Jewish Family Service to be distributed to those who need an extra bit of warmth. The group welcomes knitters of all...
Hanukkah stamp has an updated look
The United States Postal Service’s new Hanukkah stamp celebrates the holiday with an image of a hanukkiah, the nine-branch candelabra used on Hanukkah. Designed by art director and stamp designer Antonio Alcalá, the image was created in ink; the irregular lines of the...
Stephen Lee Goldstein
Norfolk – Stephen Lee Goldstein, 83, passed away on Dec. 7, 2024 at home with his family by his side, after a long battle with chronic kidney disease. Steve was born in Norfolk on September 1, 1941 to the late Sol and Esther Goldstein. He graduated from Maury High...
Leslie Brown Zedd
Bethesda, Md. – Leslie Brown Zedd, born May 19, 1938, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 6, 2024, at her home. She was the daughter of the late Mary Wiener Brown and Oscar Abraham Brown. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Morton Miles Zedd, and her...
Knowledge is key
Jewish News continues to gather and present some basic facts to equip readers with the confidence needed to engage in conversation about Israel and antisemitism. • Israel’s government is a parliamentary democracy and has three branches: executive, legislative,...
Maximize 2024 tax benefits with smart year-end giving
As the end of the year approaches, individuals and families are considering ways to maximize the financial benefits of their charitable giving. Tidewater Jewish Foundation offers guidance to help donors make informed decisions that align with their financial goals...
Philanthropy can start young
Some say it’s never too early to learn about generosity and tzedakah. That seems to be a prevailing philosophy for Alyson Gross and Michael Yaary, parents of two-year-old Asher. Instead of gifts for his recent birthday party, the Strelitz International Academy...
Seniors Club plans its annual holiday party
Wednesday, December 18, 12 pm YNOT PIZZA Landstown Commons Open to all JCC Seniors Club members and gamers, the Seniors Club annual holiday party includes a White Elephant Gift exchange (up to $10), for which all attendees should bring a gift. The Seniors Club...
Square Up for Maccabi Team Virginia Beach
In preparation for the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games in Tucson, Arizona, Team Virginia Beach is holding a fundraiser. . . Square Up for Maccabi. The 50/50 football square fundraiser involves no skill, talent, or knowledge of football, but it is an opportunity to win up to...
Lev Ayzenshtok
NORFOLK - Lev Ayzenshtok, 86, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2024. Born in Russia in 1938 to Aleksander and Riva Ayzenshtok, Lev was a Holocaust survivor whose life was a testament to resilience and strength. After surviving the horrors of World War II, Lev...
Elizabeth I. Cohen
VIRGINIA BEACH - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Ilene Ochs Cohen (Beth), who passed after a long illness on November 19, 2024 at the age of 72. A native of Norfolk, she graduated from Norview High School and spent most of her...
Beverly H. Diamonstein
NEWPORT NEWS - Beverly Hicks Diamonstein, the widow of the late Delegate Alan A. Diamonstein, passed away on November 10, 2024. When you think of Beverly, two things come to mind immediately. First, she lived the expression “she did everything a man did, only...
Lawrence Beryl Kreitzer
VIRGINIA BEACH - Lawrence Beryl Kreitzer, lovingly known as Larry to friends and family, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 8, 2024 at the age of 81. Born on December 14, 1942, in Philadelphia to Harry and Selma Kreitzer, both of blessed memory,...