Southeastern Virginia: Chesapeake • Norfolk • Portsmouth • Suffolk • Virginia Beach
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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
NORFOLK - Reece Livingston passed away on November 13, 2024 at the age of 90. He is survived by his loving partner, Merle Cogen; his children, Robin (Moss) Cohen (Durham, N.C.), Philip Livingston (Rehoboth Beach, Del.), and Barry Livingston (Buford, Ga.); his...
VIRGINIA BEACH - It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Martin Sheffer on November 19, 2024. He died peacefully, surrounded by family. He was 86 years old. Marty was born in the borough of Queens, New York City to the late Cecelia (Green) Sheffer and...
Lenny Brooke 90 years old The former owner of Southern Packing Corporation, Lenny Brooke has been married to Ellie for 63 years and is nearly as active as ever. His son, Jeffrey Brooke says, “Even now after my father has turned 90, he still calls on a few customers...