Virginia Beach – Dr. Margaret Ruth Carson Zimmerman passed away peacefully in her home on November 26, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Born in Toronto on December 1, 1936, Dr. Zimmerman’s life was defined by service and intellect. After graduating from The...
Jewish News VA
Archives
Edith Weiner
Virginia Beach – Edith Weiner passed away on December 31, 2025. Funeral services were held graveside in the Garden of Kind David in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. A shiva minyan was held at the home of Karen S. (Weiner) Lamb, Edith’s beloved daughter-in-law and...
Alan David Stein
Virginia Beach– Alan David Stein, 88 years young, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a life defined by love, joy, and deep connection to family, friends, and community. For 64 devoted years, he shared a remarkable love story with his wife, Brenda. Married...
Marilyn Comess Lacey
Virginia Beach – Marilyn Comess Lacey, 93, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Marilyn was born to Esther and Morris Comess on January 6, 1932, in Norfolk, Virginia. She was predeceased by her sister, Dianne Kay, and...
Harriet Robins Goodove
Virginia Beach– Harriet Robins Goodove, age 83, passed away on January 5, 2025. Raised in the close-knit Ghent community, Harriet graduated from Maury High School before attending the University of Georgia, where she earned not only her degree, but also met her...
Nancy M. Friedman
VIRGINIA BEACH – Nancy M. Friedman passed away on November 7, 2025. Nancy was born July 25, 1940, in Raleigh, N.C. to the late Macy and Willard Clifton. A military man, Will moved the family to Norfolk when Nancy was a little girl, and it was here that she spent...
AJC responds to election of Zohran Mamdani
The day following the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City, Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee, distributed the following email. The world’s attention is focused on New York City with Zohran Mamdani winning the mayoral election, and I...
A letter to the nonresident children of the donors of the Tidewater Jewish community
We got your letter. Initially, my thought was that you were young firebrands who wanted to shake up the world. Then I re-read what you wrote. And I thought about it for a while. Then I thought some more. And then I concluded you are propagandistic...
Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman turns 80
Celebrating his 80th birthday this month, Rabbi Israel Zoberman has packed a lot into his eight decades – including living on three continents. Tidewater has been his home since 1981. Born on November 12, 1945, in Chu, Kazakhstan to Polish Holocaust survivors,...
Scolnick raises nearly $8,000 in 10 minutes
Henry Scolnick gave a speech at this year’s Annual Aid Another Gala, an event sponsored by Aid Another, an organization founded to promote and empower individuals with disabilities through dance, music, art, educational assistance, recreational activities, and sports....
Jay Kossman recognized as an ODU Alumni Association Alumni Honoree for 2025
The ODU Alumni Association celebrates distinguished and outstanding ODU graduates, as well as friends of the University, who have excelled in their professions and made lasting impacts on their communities and #MonarchNation. Honorees may be recognized as...
A Bissel of Yiddish
A combination of High German and Hebrew, Yiddish is a language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. In Tidewater, the Yiddish Club embraces Yiddish culture, language, and history with music, film, poetry, and literature at its monthly meetings. For...
Sally Segal Adler
VIRGINIA BEACH - Sally Adler was a force of nature — ahead of her time, deeply informed, and an inspiration to all who knew her. She will be remembered for her warmth, hospitality, and extraordinary culinary skills, as well as her tireless devotion to community causes...
Roger Allen Bress
NORFOLK - Roger Allen Bress, 65, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, surrounded by the family who adored him — a circle of love he built, nurtured, and protected his entire life. Born on February 22, 1960, to Phillip and Sondra M. Bress (Cohen), Roger filled...
Irene Ann (Renee) Fritsch
SARASOTA, Florida - Renee Fritsch passed away after a brief illness on October 28, 2025, at age 93. Renee and her beloved husband Bob celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in June, and their life together was transformative. Renee grew up in the Catskills in...
Sandra Jean Smith
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - Sandra Jean Deziel Smith, age 73, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, on October 14, 2025. Born in Minneapolis, Minn., on August 2, 1952, to the late Frederick T. Deziel and Dorothy A. Johnson...
Phyllis Wallach Steen
VIRGINIA BEACH - Phyllis Steen passed away peacefully the morning of October 24, 2025, after a long illness. Earlier that week, she told her caregiver she was tired and wanted to “go be with Harvey,” her husband of 69 years whom she lost unexpectedly in...
Jewish Artists of the Past
Legacy 2025 L’ Dor V’Dor – From Generation to Generation Opening: December 6, 6:30 pm Sandler Family Campus Talk: Sunday, November 16, 4 pm Jewish Museum and Cultural Center Legacy 2025: Hampton Roads Jewish Artists of the Past arrives at the Simon Family Jewish...
An emotional reunion for all
I am sure you, like us, are filled with emotion after seeing the 20 living hostages returned home to Israel and their families. We continue to pray for the imminent return of the remaining hostages and for their families and loved ones to be able to give them...
October 7 remembrances
Throughout the world, the nation, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Tidewater, events took place marking Oct. 7, 2023 –recalling the horrors of that day, while praying for the safety and release of the 48 remaining hostages still in Gaza at the time.In addition to the...
TowneBank: Conducting business and building relationships in Tidewaterfor more than a quarter of a century
As this community’s bank for more than 25 years, TowneBank offers exquisite service to meet the complete financial needs of individuals and organizations. The bank is dedicated to being the bank of choice for nonprofits and associations, local businesses,...
Local firm has wide reach when purchasing investment properties
Cohen Investment Group (CIG) is a privately owned commercial real estate investment firm specializing in multifamily apartments and self-storage properties. The firm’s strategy is to identify and acquire well-located real estate assets below replacement cost...
Tidewater teen attends BBYO summer program
International Kallah is where BBYO members from across the globe come together to explore their Jewish identity and learn about their shared Jewish heritage, all while enjoying adventures in a beautiful camp setting. It takes place for 20 days during the summer at the...
Mike Goldsmith, security expert, speaks with seniors
The online world can be confusing and scary for people of all ages. That is why on Wednesday, Sept. 17, Secure Community Network’s Regional Security Advisor for Tidewater, Mike Goldsmith, spoke with the JCC Senior’s Club about recognizing common scams. Protecting...
Beth El celebrates 175 years
Saturday, November 8, 7 pm Congregation Beth El will celebrate 175 years of Jewish life in Tidewater with an evening featuring music, food, drinks, and highlights of the past 175 years – as well as insights into the future. This evening is for celebrating...
Luncheon honoring Hebrew Ladies Society
Sunday, January 11 Ohef Sholom Temple Jewish Family Service will host a special luncheon to celebrate the remarkable legacy of the Hebrew Ladies Society of Tidewater. Established in 1902, this pioneering group of women laid the foundation for what would later become...