Stephanie Peck

Archives

Brushing up on retirement with the Konikoff brothers

Brushing up on retirement with the Konikoff brothers

Albert, Stephen, and David Konikoff’s father, Arthur, was an architect, but “because we couldn’t draw or use our hands so well, we went into dentistry!” says Albert, the oldest of four siblings. The brothers also have a sister, Sharon Berger.Now, after decades of...

Experts: Develop financial plan early for a secure future

Experts: Develop financial plan early for a secure future

Janet Mercadante Since many people spend money that they don’t have, Mercadante stresses, “No matter what you’re earning, live within it.” She counsels college grads and retirees with the same advice: “It’s going to take a little while to figure out how much you’re...

Virtual personal training now available at Simon Family JCC

Virtual personal training now available at Simon Family JCC

Among the many ways – classes, gym workouts, personal trainers – it offers to help members stay fit, the Simon Family JCC is adding another alternative: virtual personal training. In this option, participants and trainers work remotely via a digital platform, allowing...

New city director named for Tidewater BBYO

New city director named for Tidewater BBYO

Courtney Krutoy has joined Tidewater BBYO as its new city director.“After a long search, we have found the right person who has BBYO knowledge, a dedication to this role, and who is excited to jump in,” says Lauren Revenson, regional director, BBYO’s Eastern...

Letting go at year-end for a better beginning

Letting go at year-end for a better beginning

As the 2024 calendar year nears the finish line, one pervasive question is: How is it possible to leave behind the stresses and anxieties of the past 12 months and approach 2025 with renewed hope and opportunity? With ongoing wars and hostilities in the Middle East...

Linda Fox-Jarvis and Stephanie Jarvis Caskill

Linda Fox-Jarvis never imagined that one of her children would want to join her real estate business.  “It is a rewarding career, but it is also a 24/7 job and takes a toll on your family life,” says Fox-Jarvis who has sold real estate since 1982, regularly...

Nancy Evans and Heather Evans

Born and raised in Hampton Roads, Nancy Evans understands the region’s neighborhoods, which helped her from the start of her career in real estate to find homes suitable for her clients. Seventeen years after entering the field, Evans’s daughter, Heather, joined her...

Janet Porter Kramer and Kathryn Kramer

One unique aspect about this mother- daughter realtor duo –  Janet Kramer and Kathryn Kramer – is their succession into real estate. Kathryn Kramer entered the field first and encouraged her mom to pivot from a career in architecture to selling homes. ...

Mitzvah Projects deserve their own “Mazel Tov!”

Becoming a bar or bat mitzvah is a multi-faceted time for 13-year-olds and their families.  Preparations for this special milestone include studying Jewish history and Hebrew, learning how to conduct a Shabbat service, interpreting a parsha, and applying its...

Mazel Tov! Beryl + Leonette Adler

Beryl Adler95 years old A retired estates attorney with Pender & Coward, Beryl Adler is a Norfolk native. He attended Taylor Elementary, Blair Junior High School, and Maury High School – all in Ghent. Married for 69 years to Leonette, whom he met at a dance at...

The now ubiquitous mazel tov

Sitting in a movie theater, watching a favorite show, or listening to the radio, most Jewish people can’t help but chuckle when Hebrew or Yiddish vernacular is heard, as if they’re the only listener privy to this inside joke. But how, and when, did the phrase “mazel...

John Stein brings a taste of New York to Tidewater

Start spreading the news…Ess-a-Bagel has made its way from New York to Tidewater. Baker’s Crust Bagel, a new concept by restauranteur John Stein, is now open at The Shops at Hilltop. The eatery features a full menu of Ess-a-Bagel bagels, deli sandwiches, and Three...

Community commemorates October 7, 2023

Around the globe, Jewish communities held ceremonies, services, and other events in commemoration of the first anniversary of October 7.   In Tidewater, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared October 7 as an official state day of remembrance for victims of the horrific...

Lay leaders with legal degrees utilize their expertise for the community

Lay leaders are integral to the functioning of Jewish Tidewater. With multiple synagogues, day schools, and various agencies meeting myriad needs of the community, Jewish Tidewater’s lay leadership helps steer the missions and define the goals of each organization, as...

Generations at work together

Editor’s note: There was a time when it was practically expected that children would work in their parents’ business or profession when they reached adulthood. The nature of the business didn’t matter – from a mom-and-pop shop to a real estate office to a medical or...

Puttering around at the Simon Family JCC

A common advertising refrain, “Membership has its benefits,” takes on extra meaning at the Simon Family JCC, where membership includes opportunities that feature fitness and swim options, cultural arts programs, clubs for all ages and interests, leagues, and an...

Getting through the fast day

Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Friday, October 11 Fasting for 25 hours is no easy feat. Hunger pangs, headaches, and general malaise typically set-in by midday, after the last morsel of food went down at dinner the previous night. Jews who observe the Yom Kippur fast...

Full-Scale Exercises test local readiness

More than 100 people participated in a full-day, active shooter simulation last month to test the City of Norfolk’s preparedness in the event of a critical incident. Together with the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Ohef Sholom Temple, and the Secure Community...

Healing with tattoos and empathy

The journey to healing can take many roads. Two of those paths – therapy and art – intersected earlier this summer in Israel. Leyla Sandler participated in the process.A licensed, independent clinical social worker in Virginia and Washington D.C., Sandler has worked...

LIFE-EXPERIENCED LIFEGUARDS AT THE SIMON FAMILY JCC

Lifeguards are integral to most swimming pools – certainly to all the Simon Family JCC’s pools. While the aquatics team has had its share of seasoned guards, most tend to be teens and/or young adults. Two new employees, however, are out of the lifeguard-ordinary: Paul...

Dancing through each day: Susan and Allan Donn

Susan Donn has no plans to slow down.  “I am enormously busy, but I don’t know what I do!” she laughs, explaining how this 82-year-old occupies her days. After a long career as a commercial interior designer, and an attorney-husband who still works full-time,...

Nancy and Jay Lazier: Two very busy and productive people

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pa., Nancy and Jay Lazier did not cross paths, even though their mothers knew each other through Hadassah. Not until a Hillel mixer at University of Michigan, where Nancy was a freshman and Jay, a sophomore, did they meet. “We were too young...

New Judge in Virginia Beach: Scott Flax

The Honorable Scott Joseph Flax was sworn in on May 1 to begin his eight-year term as a Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit Court. He is the third Jewish circuit court judge to be appointed in Virginia Beach, following the Honorable Jerry Friedman and Honorable Alan...