(JTA)—Prince Charles of the United Kingdom called former British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks a “light unto this nation” at a tribute marking the end of Judaism’s 30 days of mourning since Sacks’ death. Prince Charles, whose title is the Prince of Wales, eulogized...
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James Wolfensohn, former World Bank president and Jewish philanthropist
James Wolfensohn, the World Bank president and philanthropist who helped shepherd Israel’s exit from the Gaza Strip, has died at 86. Wolfensohn died last month at his Manhattan home of pneumonia. His wife of 59 years, Elaine, died in August. Wolfensohn, who was born...

ORT student shows thanks by changing the world
Women’s American ORT, Organization for Rehabilitation and Training, has always been an educational and vocational game changer for students in the U.S. and around the world. Lifelong volunteer Sara Trub has been ORT-immersed for 48 years. An e-mail she received from a...
Student artwork from Elie Weisel Visual Arts Competition continues to inspire
Each year the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater sponsors the Elie Wiesel Visual Arts Competition. Hundreds of student artists from Tidewater, as well as nationally, create works of art that respond to various topics and guidelines which...
The state of anti-Semitism in America 2020: An interview with American Jewish Committee
One year ago, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) released a groundbreaking piece of research—the first-ever survey of American Jews on anti-Semitism in America. Released on the first anniversary of the deadly Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, the worst anti-Semitic...

Community project feeds frontline healthcare workers— one meal at a time
When the COVID-19 pandemic started breaking out across the United States, Pam Blais began receiving a slew of phone calls. A former 18-year-emergency department registered nurse, Blais had countless friends and co-workers that were suddenly thrust to the frontlines...
Evelyn Jacobson Salasky
Virginia Beach –Evelyn Jacobson Salasky, 95, died peacefully at the Terrace at Beth Sholom Village on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013. Evelyn was an elegant woman who always acted and dressed like a lady. Her quick smile and easy laugh put others at ease. She will be missed by...
Jeanette Goldberg Mink
Norfolk — Jeanette Goldberg Mink, 96, passed away at Beth Sholom Village on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. She was the former owner of Sarah Cohen Dress Shop of Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Born in Portsmouth, Va., she was the daughter of the late Anna Cohen Klein and Joseph...
Edith I. Kenner
Norfolk —Edith I. Kenner, 85, of the 500 block of Maycox Ave., died Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 in a local hospital. She was a native and lifelong resident of Norfolk, Va. and was the daughter of the late Abraham and Hannah Benenson Itzkowitz. She was preceded in death by...
Alfred Irving Horowitz
Norfolk —84, Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Alfred Irving Horowitz died peacefully Nov. 6 at home surrounded by family and friends. He spent 64 years with the love of his life, Jeannette, who preceded him in death. They have two children who survive them, Ronnie (Tracy) of...
My history with the family of Lee Harvey Oswald’s Jewish killer
NEW YORK (JTA)—We were sharing a pastrami sandwich and pickles at the Los Angeles landmark Canter’s Deli. I was 24. She was nearly 50 years older, with a piercing voice as loud as her flaming red wig. Her name was Eva Rubenstein Grant, and she was a little-known...
Rabbi Gershon Litt to be honored at Toras Chaim’s gala dinner
Sunday, Dec. 8, reception at 5 pm; dinner at 5:30 pm Since its inception 12 years ago, Toras Chaim has held an annual celebratory gala dinner and this year is no exception. With a dinner, theme of “Bringing Wisdom to the Stars,” the evening’s keynote speaker will be...
Israel Today Forum on diversity features voice of experience–Bedouin Israeli Diplomat
Thursday, Dec. 12, 7 pm Life as a diplomat in Israel’s Foreign Ministry can be a constant challenge. Most of a diplomat’s time is spent representing Israel as a positive, thriving, welcoming country, and always, always combating religious stereotypes, myths and biases...
Follow Me director to speak at Jewish Film Festival
Wednesday, Jan. 22 A variety of venues and film genres and a visit from two of the films’ directors are just some of what’s planned for the 2014 Simon Family JCC’s Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma* and Howard Laderberg. One director, Jonathan...
Inspiring Story
The Rage to Live Anna Andlauer Create Space, 2012 225 pages, $17.00 ISBN 978-1479322-2893 They were a band of broken children: From infants on the verge of death from exposure and starvation to young children, teenagers, and young adults who had lived through hell and...
On Potok
Chaim Potok: Confronting Modernity Through the Lens of Tradition Daniel Walden, Editor The Pennsylvania State University Press, 2013 184 pages Chaim Potok, who died in 2002, shared two things with your reviewer. We both graduated with Bachelor-of-Arts degrees in...
Knowledge is Power: Tidewater Jewish community Jewish genetic screening
Sponsored by Jewish Family Service Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 am–3 pm Simon Family JCC I have recently had the honor of attending two very special Shabbat services, the first at Congregation Beth El and the second at Ohef Sholom Temple. Both Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz of Beth El...
Last pages of Book Festival satisfy diverse groups
With good book sales and attendance, wonderful sponsors and concluding events, this year’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe* Family Jewish Book Festival was among the most successful at the Simon Family JCC. Closing events included Marion Grodin, a stand-up comedian, who had a...
TJF honors veterans at Jewish War Veterans Monument
Approximately 60 people attended Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s annual Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11. Philip Rovner, president and CEO of TJF, welcomed guests at the monument and Captain James Eilberg, SC, USN (Ret), officiated. Cantor Aaron...
2nd Annual Tour De Mensch Bike Ride and JWV Brunch a success
The Mens Club of Congregation Beth El teamed up with the Tidewater, Post 158, of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States to help organize the Second Annual Tour De Mensch Bike Ride followed by a community brunch on Sunday, Nov. 3. The Tour De Mensch is a 15-mile...
Holocaust Commission takes its show on the road
While many people spent the evening of Thursday, Oct. 31 shepherding children around seeking sweets, the Holocaust Commission sent its representatives to Roanoke for a different kind of solicitation. Elena Baum, Commission director and Mickey Held, former chair headed...
Remembering the Yom Kippur War at Temple Israel
Last month, Temple Israel commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. During the ceremony, Eitan Mor, a member of Temple Israel and a native Israeli, offered his memories in a speech titled “Impressions and Departed Souls.” These are excerpts from his...
Talk to the Hand: Global information operations for the Post-Coup Muslim Brotherhood
News reports claim that one of the last senior Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood (MB) leaders was taken into custody in late October, which may lead some to believe that the radical Islamist organization had been effectively defeated by the new Egyptian military government....
First steps taken to identify trove of Holocaust-era art found in Munich
BERLIN (JTA)—The extraordinary disclosure earlier this month that a trove of more than 1,400 vanished artworks were found in a Munich apartment has raised more questions than it has answered. What were these works, which were produced by masters such as Chagall,...
In the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, Israel brings its experience in disaster relief
(JTA)—Obviously wanting to get back to work as the medical manager of the field hospital set up by the Israel Defense Forces in the Philippines, Lt.-Col. Dr. Ofer Merin speaks hurriedly about the three days his team has been seeing patients in the typhoon-ravaged...
The ultimate “Eight Step” program
It is always great to be able to write about one of the greatest and most powerful holidays in our calendar. Given the time of year, I am obviously referring to Chanukah. Some find Chanukah powerful because of the military victory that we recall and yet we also all...