Standing on the steps of the United States Capitol, I was filled with a sense of gratitude and awe as I thought about the generations of Jews who came before me. I imagined how they must have viewed the United States’ overwhelming support for Israel as an unattainable...
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BeARS, books…and Coasties…OH MY!
Lieutenant Kelly Kuong and Chief Warrant Officer Melinda Skinner are part of a group of four United States Coast Guardsmen who serve as BeAR mentors at Chesterfield Academy Elementary School. From Jupiter, Fla., Kuong says of reading with her second grade BeAR...
Dear Readers: Celebrating Women
Dear Readers, Celebrating women - moms, mentors, colleagues, and friends - is always important, but especially appropriate as we approach Mother's Day next month. I’ve been fortunate to have had some pretty spectacular women in my life. . . starting with the first one...
Kim Simon Fink: Perpetual action. . . and motion
Kim is Mother. Kim is a season unto herself. Kim is a sister of perpetual action. She is always working on the next chapter and never plays by the book. She bore and broke out three children in her own image–a storyteller, a dancer, and a loyalist–mothered them,...
Marilyn Goldman: A mentor for life
With a personality as fiery as her signature red hair, Marilyn Wall Goldman was my first real boss and mentor, and then, my colleague and friend. In the summer of 1978, Dean Goldman suggested I call his mom, as I was looking for a summer internship and she was the...
Ellen Wagner: A generous example
If I had to sum up my mother in one word, it would be generous. My mom, Ellen Wagner, is generous with her love, her time, and her knowledge. She is always willing to open her home to anyone who might be alone for the holidays, she has a hard time saying no to...
Phyllis K. Belkov
Baltimore, Md.—Phyllis K. Belkov, 83, of Baltimore, Md., passed away on Saturday, November 27, 2021. She is survived by her beloved son, Cory (Terri) Belkov, and grandchildren, Michael and John Belkov. Phyllis was predeceased by her brother, Dr. Barry M. Katz: and...
Cheryl Leigh Myers
Chesapeake—Cheryl Leigh Myers passed away on November 17, 2021 in Chesapeake, Va. Cheryl was born on May 19, 1967 to Trudy and Coleman Krane. She attended Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, Kempsville High School, and University of Georgia. Cheryl was a proud entrepreneur...
OMCS Retired Sidney Pearl
Virginia Beach—After a long and fruitful life, Pops passed away November 25, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Pops was born September 8, 1930 in Antwerp, Belgium and immigrated to the United States when he was five years old. He was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. where...
Edward D. Shames
Virginia Beach—Edward D. Shames, age 99, passed away peacefully at home on December 3, 2021. Ed was born in Norfolk, Virginia on June 13, 1922, to the late David and Sadie Shames. In August 1942, Ed was called to duty in World War II. During the war, he was a member...
Barry William Trub
Bethesda, Md.—Barry William Trub, age 49, of Bethesda, Maryland passed away on Friday, November 26, 2021. Barry was born July 16, 1972 in Newport News, Va. Barry is survived by his parents Sara and Aaron Trub of Virginia Beach and his sister Lisa. A private funeral...
Frances Weintraub
Sarasota, Fla.—Frances (Francie) Weintraub passed away Thursday, December 2, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Moses and Lena Rosenstock. In 1936, with her parents and brothers Walter and Hans, Francie fled Germany and came to the United States. She lived in New...
Immigration attorney sought to help the stranger
This past year, the Ohef Sholom Temple Immigration Committee and Commonwealth Catholic Charities conducted a community-wide needs assessment and discovered an almost shocking and complete absence of affordable legal services for poor immigrants in Tidewater....
The Jewish response to climate change: Back from COP26, Hazon’s CEO reflects on what’s needed to combat the threat
(Baltimore Jewish Times via JTA)—Tens of thousands of leaders and activists from around the world, representing world governments, NGOs and environmental organizations, gathered in Glasgow, Scotland, earlier this month for the United Nations Climate Change Conference,...
Business in the Jewish Community
Dear Readers, Business can be very personal, despite the famous phrase from The Godfather. (You know the one…‘it’s not personal, it’s strictly business.’) In fact, business is often very personal. That’s what Lisa Richmon learned when she spoke to Josh Leibowitz and...
Back in Business. Dentist Josh Leibowitz returns home to ‘co-work’ with his friend, mentor, and father
‘Playing it safe’ used to be a nice way to say cop out. Today, however, safety is the national trend for young professionals returning to the parental home to invest and save money, work remotely, job hop virtually, spend more time with family—and avoid becoming a CDC...
Business as unusual. Avidan Itzhak returns home to refresh and recruit at Remedy Staffing
COVID pulls families apart. Covid brings families together. In May 2020, Avidan Itzhak returned home to Virginia where he continued to work as a corporate recruiter for a healthcare company. At that time, he had no intention to leave New York for the foreseeable...
The mystery of my Russian Grandpa Joe
Like so many immigrants who came to America around 1900, it took a great deal of courage to leave home. They came to escape persecution and hunger. They came not speaking English and often going to a kind relative they’d never met. My four grandparents were part of...
Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival celebrates National Jewish Book Month
Each year, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival celebrates National Jewish Book Month by inviting prominent and emerging authors to share their latest books and projects with the Tidewater...
Chrysler Museum partners with UJFT to diversify Hampton Roads’ cultural landscape
On Exhibit now through December 12, 2021 in the Glass Gallery at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk: If You Thirst for a Homeland: Flame-worked glass by Dafna Kaffeman. Admission to the museum is free and includes this exhibit.
This unique Hanukkah program celebrates a world of Jewish miracles
Ten years ago, Illya Buzunov never could have imagined that one day he’d be teaching Jews around the world how to prepare potato latkes. Until 2014, the Ukraine native didn’t even know he was Jewish. But that’s exactly what Buzunov, 24, will be doing on November...
TJF’s refreshed donor portal makes it easier to access and give online
Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s online donor portal recently received a visual upgrade. The update, which went live last month, aims to make the donor portal more accessible and straightforward for users. “We at TJF are committed to a positive donor experience. In...
Making Hampton Roads a more equitable community for all
What is racial equity? The phrase has been in the news, in communities, and in corporations with increasing attention of late. Simply put, racial equity means acknowledging that racism exists, working together to fix problems caused by discrimination, ensuring People...
The rabbi, spiritual care, and Beth Sholom Village
Beth Sholom Village is not a synagogue, but a skilled nursing and assisted living facility. At the same time, BSV is a Kosher facility and celebrates Jewish holidays and traditions, underscoring how it operates. Aside from Shabbat services, a Christian service and...
CARES Act provides $300 in charitable deductions for 2021
As December 31 approaches, tax filers should be aware of a provision in the CARES act passed last year for 2021. While many choose to file itemized deductions, those who utilize standard deductions on their federal taxes have a unique opportunity for additional...
What do the Strelitz International Academy and the Entrepreneurship and Business Academy at Kempsville High School have in common?
Strelitz International Academy is known for giving students a great foundation for life. SIA students graduate with the ability to apply to a range of excellent middle school and high school programs in the area, both public and private. Recently, a number of SIA...