Finances and Taxes

To prepare for the end-of-year, consider these guidelines when getting your paperwork in order for the last weeks of 2025.
Randy Parrish, Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s vice president and CFO, offers the following:

• Max out retirement contributions. Utilize “catch-up” contributions of an extra $7,500 for ages 50 and above, and new “super catch-up” of $11,250 for ages 60 – 63 if plans allow.
• Withdraw the required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts to avoid a tax penalty. If the RMD is not needed, avoid the tax on that income by having the custodian make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your retirement account in lieu of the RMD. QCD’s aren’t deductible gifts, but they avoid paying tax on the withdrawal.
• Contribute to a 529 Virginia College Savings plan for a tax deduction or tax credit. Consider a “super-funding” strategy that allows contributing five times the annual gift exclusion per beneficiary account, $95,000 in 2025 (or double that if both spouses contribute).
• Consider a conversion from a traditional retirement account to a ROTH IRA. Dollars converted each year are taxable, but it is often a good strategy when combined with other tax-saving opportunities.
• Remember the importance of charitable giving. Charitable deductions in 2025 may be worth more than in tax year 2026 when a new “floor” based on 0.5% of adjusted gross income excludes a portion of gifts from being deductible.
  • Additionally, deductions in 2026 will be capped at a tax savings rate of 35% for high income taxpayers with a 37% marginal tax rate.
• Consider maximizing the value of a 2025 charitable deduction by opening a donor-advised fund (Tidewater Jewish Foundation can help) with several years’ worth of normal annual gifts that can then be recommended as charitable grants from the new fund over
• the next several years. This “bunching” strategy is often followed
• by use of the higher standard deduction in the following years.
• Gifts of appreciated assets like marketable securities continue to be a great strategy by parting with a low-cost asset in exchange for a deduction at the higher market value.
• Review insurance policies and their beneficiaries. Consider donating ownership of excess life insurance policies that may no longer be needed to charity.
• Spend remaining funds in a flexible spending account to avoid any lapse at the end of the plan year.

Fitness and Health

Tom Purcell, Wellness director at Simon Family JCC, offers this advice when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle in the midst of year-end celebrations.

• Focus on consistency with a schedule you can stick with. When time gets crazy with parties, family, friends, and shopping, shorten your workouts or add activity into your day.
• Park at the far end of a parking lot to achieve more steps in your day.
• Perform bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, dips, and crunches while watching TV.
• Ask your family and friends to go for a walk after dinner.
• Head to the gym in the early hours before your day starts.
• Complete shorter workouts but at a higher intensity based on your ability.
• Write in a journal each day, or place a reminder on your phone calendar, to commit to achieving something healthy on a daily basis. Fifteen minutes each day = 1 hour 45 minutes each week!

Wellness Experiences

Simone Cassidy, a Norfolk native, and her husband, Chris, have started a new business called Vivoro, which delivers holistic, concierge-level, judgment-free careentirely online.

From weight management and longevity to hormonal health, skin vitality, and sexual wellness, Vivoro blends medical expertise with lifestyle coaching so members can make sustainable changes. And…its approach is practical and positive: no kale-only diets or midnight yoga marathons required.

“As we step into the new year, Vivoro is here to walk beside you on your wellness journey — with thoughtful, clinician-led care, modern medications, and real-life support for how you eat, move, sleep, and live,” says Cassidy. “We go beyond ‘quick fixes’ to help you build sustainable, healthy habits that honor your body and your future. Our aspiration is that everyone has access to a personalized plan that meets them exactly where they are and helps them get where they are meant to go.”

For more information, visit vivoro.com.

Family Conversations

While surrounded by family this holiday season, take advantage of this time together to have conversations about end-of-life.

Liana Marasca, advance planning specialist at Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory, suggests having open and honest conversations about personal wishes to ensure that they are honored – including topics such as burial versus cremation or a preferred final resting place. “What better opportunity to take care of this now than to wait for tomorrow when emotions run high, funds may be running low, or our health may prevent us from taking care of matters. The peace of mind this creates is truly the best gift you can give,” Marasca adds.

According to Roger Seay, funeral director and manager of the pre-planning department at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, preplanning relieves families of the burden of having to make several immediate decisions and gives them more time and energy to focus on healing and remembrance.

Looking for a place to celebrate New Year’s Eve?

• Ruth’s Chris invites revelers to cap off 2025 with a stellar fine dining experience and perhaps a glass of wine or handcrafted cocktail. Extended hours on December 31 are 4 – 10:45 pm. Guests can then enjoy the Virginia Beach Ball Drop at the Town Center ‘Last Night on the Town’ festivities right outside the door.
• Hilton Norfolk The Main offers a night of dancing, delicious food, and great company to countdown to 2026. Entertainment across The Main includes the Ballroomwith DJ Hutch, Grain, Gabraham Lincoln, and Brian Sewell. Wristbands and package deals are available.
• At the Cavalier Hotel resorts, celebrate in style across all three hotels: Historic Cavalier Hotel, Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, and Embassy Suites by Hilton. A New Year’s Eve Package includes a one-night stay for two and exclusive access to the Cavalier Resort’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration, The Midnight Lotus Ball, inside The Historic Cavalier Hotel.

New Year’s Resolutions

“The marking of time is a strong pulI to evaluate ourselves. Setting a New Year’s resolution that will actually stick is the challenge,” says Louise B. Lubin, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She suggests asking the following:

• Who can support and encourage you?
• Go from ‘should’ to ‘want.’ What really matters to you?
• Find your ‘why.’ It’s important to know.
• Switch from ‘what is wrong’ to what you want to achieve.
• Start small.
• Build your motivation. What feels good and enjoyable?

Steve Waranch, Clinical Psychologist and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, stresses the importance of self-awareness – looking at yourself from a distance. It is a quality of emotional maturity that develops in people over time. It has been called mentalization, mindfulness, and observing ego.

In some individuals, this awareness doesn’t develop very well, and, in others, it develops and is lost, either temporarily or permanently. In making New Year’s resolutions, he suggests “looking at yourself and thinking about making a constructive change.” Self-awareness and self-determination, he says, can be useful.

“Resolutions are essentially wishes people have. You can learn a lot about yourself if you understand what you wish for and why,” Waranch adds.

Marcia Samuels, Psy.D., a Licensed Clinical Psychologist suggests the following: Instead of setting strict New Year’s Resolutions, consider adopting New Year’s Aspirations. “While resolutions often feel rigid—where one misstep can mean failure for the year — aspirations invite us to keep striving, even after setbacks,” Samuels adds. She offers an example: rather than resolving to lose 15 lbs. or go to the gym four times a week, aspire to live a healthier lifestyle. “This broader goal allows for flexibility and growth, letting you adjust your strategies as needed.” By choosing positive, holistic aspirations, you can focus on continuous improvement and well-being throughout the year. Why not reflect on what you truly want to achieve, and set an aspiration that inspires you?

De-clutter

With a few quiet days, this might be a good time to do a little straightening with your surroundings. Pick just one or two items to tackle. That might be all it takes to feel a little lighter.

• Clean out your car.
• Toss old receipts.
• Shred old documents. The IRS recommends keeping records for three years, though
  an accountant should be consulted before disposing of any past returns or paperwork.
• Donate old clothes.
• Opt for online statements in place of paper mail.

Shopping for a special gift?

Visit a Jewish News advertiser for a unique present or gift certificate. These retailers offer a bit of everything for everyone on your gift list. See their ads in this issue.

• Kitchen Barn
• Gilbert Eyecare
• G Marie Luxuries
• Nunez Fine Jewelers
• Decorum Furniture
• Wahi Rug and Carpet

Emily Post provides a list of service people who might be worthy of this extra gratitude at year’s end and suggested gratuity:

• Nanny, babysitter, or day care provide: The equivalent of one week’s pay
• Housekeeper or cleaning service: The equivalent of one service
• Private nurse, live-in aid, or nursing home employees: A gift
• Barber or hairdresser: The equivalent of one service
• Personal trainer and massage therapist: The equivalent of one service
• Pet groomer and dog walker: The equivalent of one service
• Pool cleaner: Up to the cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew
• Garage attendant: $10- $30 or a small gift
• Newspaper delivery person: $10- $30 or a small gift
• Doorman, handyman, building superintendent: Between $25 and $100 each
• Landscaper: Up to the cost of one service to be split among the crew
• Tutor and coach: The equivalent of one service
• Teacher: A gift card or present.
  

On the website aarp.org, details about tipping mail carriers are outlined. “The U.S. Postal Service prohibits mail carriers from accepting cash tips, but you can give a noncash equivalent, such as a gift certificate to a local restaurant, of up to $20 in value.” Similarly, in some cities and counties, the people who pick up the garbage and recyclables are government workers and are prohibited from accepting tips, so check the jurisdiction’s website to find out the rules.

Generational attitudes differ on this subject. Last year, Bankrate, a consumer financial website, found 40 percent of Gen Xers and 46 percent of boomers think tipping culture in the U.S. has spiraled out of control. However, that same survey estimated that 80 percent of Americans said they planned to give holiday tips to house cleaners and other service workers.

The younger generations also live cash-less for the most part; their currency is digital, so the traditional holiday card to insert cash or a gift card is foreign to them. Lizzie Post, the great-great-granddaughter of the etiquette expert Emily Post, says she frowns on giving holiday tips via apps, like Venmo or Cash App. This method is less personal; plus, it may be awkward asking a service provider for their Venmo.

Tom Purcell, wellness director at Simon Family JCC, shares that some personal trainers receive gifts, cards, letters, and tips, though not all do. “I would say about half (of our clients) do some form of gratitude.”

Purcell theorizes about this inconsistency, “We are one service industry that does not receive tips on a regular basis – unlike massage therapists, hairdressers, servers, and transportation. We see our clients several days per week and the other services are not as frequent.”

If cash gifts are not in the budget, a personal note that expresses gratitude goes a long way, especially when it’s someone who receives tips throughout the year.

Jewish News: Share a little bit about yourself and your background and when and why you joined Chrysler Museum’s team?
Mia Laufer: I’m originally from Brooklyn, but I’ve moved around a lot in the last 15 years for graduate school and work opportunities. I’m a specialist in 19th and early 20th century art, and I’ve worked on several projects with Jewish themes over the years (including a dissertation on Jewish collectors of Impressionism). Most recently, I worked as a curator at the Des Moines Art Center in Iowa. I moved to Norfolk in January 2025 to join the Chrysler Museum team. I was really impressed by the Museum’s collection and the staff’s dedication to building on that foundation to tell more complicated and diverse stories about art and culture.

JN: Chrysler already owns Judaica. How do you foresee the acquisitions from this fundraising initiative expanding the museum’s current ownership of Judaica?
ML: Right now, the Chrysler Museum has a small (but growing!) collection of Judaica, and several of those artworks are already on view. But it isn’t large enough to have a strong presence in our galleries. Jewish traditions have been practiced for millennia and on at least six continents, but our collection doesn’t reflect that scale or diversity. Ideally, this fundraising initiative would lead to acquisitions across the Museum’s collection. As the European art curator, I want the Museum’s collection to reflect the vibrancy of Jewish communities across Europe, from pre-Inquisition Iberia to 17th-century Netherlands, from shtetls in the Pale of Settlement to artist enclaves
in Paris.

JN: How do you determine what to purchase? Is there anything significant you’re hoping to acquire as part of the new Judaica collection?
ML: We have a list of specific kinds of Judaica we’re especially interested in adding to the collection. For example, one of our top priorities is to acquire European Judaica from ca. 1400-1550. (Right now, the earliest work of Judaica in the collection is from ca. 1750.) I think it would be powerful to display a work like that as an introduction to the European art galleries in conversation with Christian and Islamic art objects from the same era. That way, Museum visitors are introduced to European art through the lens of religious diversity.

JN: Aside from acquisitions, you mentioned partnerships with other museums who might loan pieces to Chrysler. Could you please share how these relationships would benefit our local museum?
ML: Building the Chrysler Museum’s Judaica collection will take time as we wait for the right objects to become available. In the meantime, I’ve been working with a colleague at another museum to arrange some long-term loans. The plan is to borrow artworks for a year or two, allowing Jewish art and culture to have a more visible presence in the Chrysler Museum’s galleries while we take our time to locate and acquire artworks that are the best fit for the Museum’s collection.

JN: If members of the local Jewish community own historical pieces, would you be interested in looking at their collections for possible inclusion in the exhibit?
ML: Another way the local Jewish community can contribute is to consider donating Judaica from their own collection. What we’re looking for is very specific, but if you have Judaica you’d like to donate, please reach out via artdonations@chrysler.org.

JN: Anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Jewish News?
ML: We’re interested in acquiring Judaica in a broad sense. This could include art, ritual objects, rare books, manuscripts, and other items of the past and present related to Jewish culture, religion, and traditions.

 From a banana shaped menorah – a Banorah – to Dinokkah the Hanukkah inflatable lighted dinosaur – which stands at six feet tall and comes with a15v blower motor inflation system – (both for purchase on moderntribe.com) Jews can delight in the celebration of these eight days and nights with a playfulness that few other Jewish holidays deem appropriate.

In addition to parties with latkes, games with dreidels and gelt, and of course the lighting of the candles, a plethora of products are now available to make Hanukkah more fun and at times, silly.  And the merchandise is available for purchase at local Judaica shops, online, and in all sorts of department stores. 

If kitschy pajamas, for example, are a preferred style for the Festival of Lights, kveller.com offers a range of Hanukkah-themed sleepwear from household names such as Anthropologie, Hanna Andersson, and Old Navy. The entire family can even illuminate at night, wearing the Hanukkah Glow in the Dark pajamas from Children’s Place.

Irina Komarovsky surprises her son, Palmer, with Hanukkah-themed pjs each year, ever since he was a baby. “It’s usually on the first night that he gets them,” she says. On the second night, mother and son wear them during dinner with Komarovsky’s parents, Palmer’s babushka and dedushka.

 Since moving to Virginia Beach, Rabbi Ari Oliszewski and his family have discovered fun holiday-themed merchandise for many celebrations.

Bringing their own traditions from Argentina and Brazil, they’ve happily added this new custom to family life. Since they light the Hanukkiah each night, what could be better than wearing festive pajamas for the occasion? For eight nights straight, they say they wear their sleepwear with “joy and celebration.”

 “Being able to live and embrace everything that Judaism offers us is truly a blessing that fills our hearts and souls,” says Rabbi Ari.

 Amy Metzger “won” her banana hanukkiah at an annual Hanukkah “white elephant” gift exchange with family. “We gladly accepted the banana – yet the candles do not stand well without a little finagling!” she says. Metzger acquired her headband of dreidels from Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sisterhood’s Judaica Shop where she has been the buyer for more than nine years.

“Beginning from Rosh Chodesh Kislev, I love setting the tone for Hanukkah with whimsical, slightly wacky holiday items and traditions that create lasting memories for my family. Of course, we enjoy the classics—Hanukkah cookie decorating, donut decorating, and latkes—but every year I try to add something new and delightfully quirky to our repertoire,” says Liba Eisenberg, wife of Rabbi Shlomo Eisenberg of B’nai Israel Congregation.

One of their family favorites is a Hanukkah-themed Trouble game, a gift from grandparents in Rochester, New York. With children ages 4 – 11, the Eisenbergs play the board game on the long, dark winter afternoons, and it has become one of those signature ‘Hanukkah is coming!’ items in their home. The Eisenbergs also own oversized Hanukkah pop-it sensory toys that they fill with melted chocolate and turn into edible treats. Their kids top them with everything from pretzels and popcorn to sprinkles, berries, marshmallows, even pickles and chips— whatever is in the pantry. “It’s hilarious and delicious!” After hardening, the chocolate treats pop out and are enjoyed throughout Hanukkah.

One year, Eisenberg and her family made a menorah out of Fruit Loops and Mike & Ikes. Last year, in honor of the holiday of light, she surprised the family with a laser tag set from Amazon, and they spent one night of Hanukkah playing laser tag outside in the dark. “It was just as fun for the adults as the kids!

“These playful and unexpected items have turned into incredible experiences and memories we will cherish forever,” says Eisenberg.

 If the Hanukkah bin at home is lacking whimsical decorations, Target can supply endless kitsch. Kveller.com has
again assembled a list of tchotchkes that will be the envy of every home on the block. Not to be outdone by Christmas celebrants, the Hallmark six-pair holiday earring set should be a conversation starter in line at Harris Teeter. Even the dog can get in on the Hanukkah action with a brushed fleece dog bandana.

Hannah Diehl Testa and her husband, Kevin Testa, reside in Charleston, S.C., where she is a consultant and he works in sales. In September, they were married at the Historic Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach.

Julia Rosenblum Hartley, and her husband, Doug Harley, live in Seattle, where she is in her second year of residency in family medicine and he is a research engineer with Blue Origin. Their dream wedding, overlooking the beach at Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, was upended by Mother Nature who created a rain-soaked weekend. Fortunately, Plan B had been strategized beforehand and everything moved inside, seemingly seamlessly. 

Both the Hartleys and the Testas were married days before their weddings in front of a justice of the peace, since their officiants would not be recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. According to an article on theknot.com, a wedding site, this courthouse approach to saying “I do” satisfies the legality of the marriage, provides for more flexibility during the ceremony, and allows loved ones to officiate. The Testas recited their vows as the bride’s aunt, Laurie Seigel, officiated. A friend of the groom’s served as officiant at the Hartleys’ September wedding.

Also, that month, Becca Schwartzman, a transition specialist at Ivymount School in Rockville, Md., married Alec Gershen, an associate at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP in Washington D.C., at the Westin Philadelphia where Rabbi Andrew Markowitz officiated. 

 When asked what was special about the wedding, Becca’s parents, Susan and Eric Schwartzman, say, “Aside from having our family and friends join us in celebrating Becca and Alec’s marriage, what touched us most was the Groom’s Tisch, the Bedecken, and the signing of the Ketubah. These customs—honoring the groom and the bride as individuals and then joyfully uniting them before they walked down the aisle to the chuppah, felt sacred and was wonderfully festive. We loved that Becca and Alec chose to make these traditions part of their wedding.”

In May of 2027, Rachael Stromberg will marry her high school sweetheart, Sean Miller, at the Chrysler Museum, in a ceremony officiated by Rabbi Roz Mandelberg. Rachel works as an early childhood educator at Edlavitch D.C. JCC while completing a Speech Language Pathology Master’s Program, and Sean is a business analyst at McKinsey and Company.

All four couples opted for a black-tie dress code. Several other planning details have evolved as this new generation weds. These current brides curated this very personal milestone with their own twists. For starters, the three married couples shared wedding updates and registry on theknot.com, an option not available to previous generations.

Testa and Gershen added signature accents to their celebrations. Hannah and Kevin incorporated heirlooms on their wedding day, including their parents’ wedding pictures on the cake table, an ‘in memory of’ table with pictures, and the same cake topper on their wedding cake that had adorned the Diehls’ wedding cake a generation ago. Hannah’s robe, worn during hair and makeup, was made with lace from her mother’s wedding dress.

The Gershens, who met at summer camp, had signature drinks at their wedding, each with a connection to camp, plus a Mojito named for their dog, Mordi. Becca designed personalized matchboxes, also featuring their beloved pet.

Changing into a reception dress adds a second chapter to the wedding event and another chance for the bride to express her style. Both Testa and Gershen changed from a wedding gown to a party dress in the later hour. Alec Gershen even changed from his black tuxedo into a white dinner jacket for the remainder of the evening.

The Hartley wedding included another trend that took flight in 2025 – the color green. A New York Times article shares that 11 percent of couples chose sage as their prominent color choice this year. Bridesmaids in this wedding wore sage green dresses, and the organic theme continued over the dance floor where white flowers amidst lush greens descended from the ceiling, dotted with large disco balls for a party vibe.

An ice cream trolley offered a selection of flavors and toppings as the cake stood nearby, ready for slicing. Ellen Rosenblum, Julia’s mother, says her favorite part of the night was the couple’s first dance. “They love each other so much, and they smiled the whole time.”

Awarded annually by The Helen Diller Family Foundation, up to 15 Jewish teens receive $36,000 each for their leadership efforts to change the world. The awards website notes that “Young people have the power and passion to create ripples of good and repair the world.”  

In middle school, Henry founded Ballers Basketball, a league for neurodivergent students in Hampton Roads. The league holds weekly winter practices that draw dozens of participants and neurotypical volunteers. 

Henry’s younger brother, Oliver, has autism. “For me, tikkun olam means inclusion,” Henry says in his video profile for the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award. He and Oliver did everything growing up together, Henry explains, and the older Scolnick wanted his brother to have every opportunity. This goal sparked the creation of Ballers Basketball. 

Henry is also a founding member of Cape Henry’s Upper School Service Council and the president of the Volunteerism Club. In both roles, he engages his peers in the school’s community outreach and service learning with the goal of improving the lives of others.

The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award ceremony was held in August at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. Henry spent a few days before the event at a Shabbaton with the other recipients. The teens also spent time with past awardees.

Lauren and Aaron Scolnick, Henry and Oliver’s parents, attribute much of Oliver’s success in life to his older brother. “Oliver was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was three years old. From that moment on, we worked tirelessly to provide him with every possible support and service in the hopes that he would lead a happy and fulfilling life—full of joy, friendship, and laughter. The number of services he has received is countless at this point, but we can say with absolute certainty that having Henry as his big brother has been the most meaningful and significant intervention of all.”

Additionally, through the Horn School of Entrepreneurship at University of Delaware, Henry was named one of the Top 100 Emerging Innovators this year. He and two other Cape Henry Collegiate students stood out among a group of highly competitive applicants from 34 nations and 25 states. This program celebrates young changemakers committed to turning ideas into action and provides them with recognition and visibility.

In an email announcement of the award, Will Tragert, head of Cape Henry’s Upper School, commended the teen, saying, “This is a tremendous achievement. Henry has worked for years in support of special needs children. He has grown remarkably as a leader and community advocate, and I am thrilled to see his efforts recognized far beyond Cape Henry.”

 “Giving kids like Oliver the opportunity to feel included, to feel accepted, means the world to me,” Henry shares. The league includes players with Downs Syndrome, and those who are nonverbal or who need a wheelchair. “Everyone can come together with a sense of belonging.

“I’m learning that leadership isn’t just about being in charge, but about bringing people together, making connections, and lifting others up.”

As a geriatric social worker and licensed nursing home administrator, Rappaport worked at Beth Sholom Village as the administrator of The Terrace, 2015 – 2020. Now, two former BSV employees have joined forces with Rappaport as senior care consultants at Golden Lifestyle Partners: Kay Kirschman, previously a social worker and discharge planner at The Berger Goldrich Home, and Allison Hechtkopf, who held many titles at BSV, Aviva Pembroke, and Freda A. Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care. 

“Beth Sholom Village was home to an exceptional team, and we’re thankful for the experiences that shaped our time there.  We’ve each moved forward with gratitude and positivity, ready to begin new chapters.  Working together again allows us to better serve our community and help families navigate senior living with clarity and understanding from a new point of view,” says Rappaport.

Golden Lifestyle Partners specializes in providing senior living placement services, transitional care coordination, and health care advocacy to seniors and their families within Tidewater. They help compile a list of senior living communities that best suit a family’s needs by identifying budget requirements and the extent of care necessary for the senior. In addition, Golden Lifestyle Partners assists with transitional care coordination from the hospital to home or to skilled nursing/rehabilitation care. They also provide home care coordination and ongoing patient advocacy. 

A locally owned and operated business, Golden Lifestyle Partners offers local expertise. With more than 25 years of experience working with seniors in numerous capacities, Rappaport stresses that her company’s “strength comes from our deep roots in the community and the trust we’ve built with local families. 

“Our mission is simple – to guide you and your loved one toward the best decision with care, honesty, and compassion.”

 Pete Nunez, the store’s co-owner and a jeweler, has more than 40 years’ experience in jewelry design and restoration. His many awards, including one as “Jewelry Repair Shop Manager of the Year” for his craftsmanship and management, are reflective of why customers return again and again for jewelry purchases and repairs. 

Another testimonial to their reputation and workmanship comes from Goldbar Jewelers, a business that has closed its doors and referred their loyal customers to Nunez.

“With a leap of faith in 2005, Pete and I opened Nunez Fine Jewelers. We are stunned to see how fast 20 years have gone by,” says Debbie Nunez, co-owner, manager, and designer. “We’ve enjoyed meeting and serving so many people in our community, doing everything from jewelry repairs, custom designs, appraisals, or watch services. We look forward to our daughter serving the next generations as time marches onward. Jewish News has been a wonderful partner in getting our name out 

After working for 80 years, Leonard retired from the family business at age 95 due to the COVID pandemic. He passed away three years later. His brother, Harry, worked until six weeks before his passing in 2012 at the age of 91. 

Second generation Laibstains and first cousins David and Jeff, recently made the decision to close the store’s doors after this successful, 86-year run. 

“Jeff and I have been in the business for 40 years,” says David Laibstain, who says he had the good fortune of working alongside and learning from his dad and uncle for more than half that time.

In addition to being grateful for those years with his mentors, David says he’s also appreciative of his wife, Jody, who along with Jeff’s wife, Bonnie, supported them during their entire careers.  “They were ‘Saturday widows,’” he says. “Jody’s family was in retail, so she understood, still it was tough when I wasn’t able to join her with friends for Saturday activities. 

“She was understanding of all the long hours we worked.”

Bonnie Laibstain, Jeff’s wife, shares the history of Virginia Furniture Company and what the store has meant to generations of customers.

Jewish News: Virginia Furniture Company has been in business for many decades. Do you know what inspired Harry and Leonard Laibstain to start it?

Bonnie Laibstain: Harry, David’s father, was 19 years old and Leonard, Jeff’s father, was only 15 years old when they started Virginia Furniture Company in 1939. They were inspired by cousins in the family who were already in the furniture business and knew it was a good business to get in to.

Have other family members worked for Virginia Furniture Company? 

Several cousins worked at the store in their younger years on occasional Saturdays as teenagers for extra pocket money. Richard Miles, who has been retired for a while now, worked for our family business for about 40 years and was like family. He did a terrific job and the customers loved him. I started working at Virginia Furniture at the start of COVID in 2020. It was an extremely busy time because people were home, receiving stimulus checks, and wanted to make changes in their home decor and purchase new furniture. David was out of the store for about four months for health reasons. I jumped in and learned the family furniture business very quickly to help Jeff in David’s absence. I have enjoyed selling and stayed on for nearly six years now. 

When did Jeff and David start working for the business? 

David and Jeff have both been in the family business full time since 1986 – nearly 40 years.

How did Harry and Leonard share the responsibilities of the business? 

Harry did more of the merchandising, while Leonard took care of the financing, accounting, and record keeping. 

How have David and Jeff divided up the workload?

The apples don’t fall far from the trees– David took after his father and was sales and merchandising focused, while Jeff took after his father doing all the financing, accounting, and record keeping for the business. 

The company has a 4.9-star rating on Google. How have you managed to keep customers so happy? 

We have 160 reviews on Google. It’s really not rocket science. Honestly, we just treat people the way we would like to be treated. Customer service is hard to find these days. We truly pride ourselves on excellent customer service!

How have changes to the economy impacted furniture sales? Have you felt the impact of tariffs on business? 

Inflation has made it more difficult for our customers to make purchases and make payments. In addition, people buying online from competitors has also made an impact on our business.

What prompted the decision to close the store? 

After 86 years as a family business, and working six days a week, we have decided now is a good time to retire. We all have many plans to look forward to in the future.

What are David’s and Jeff’s plans for the future? 

David has turned a hobby of refurbishing and refinishing vintage furniture into a 

business. Jeff and I are looking forward to traveling and doing many things that we haven’t had the time to do before now.

Anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Jewish News? 

We have been serving the community for over eight decades. Several generations of families have been with us for many years. We know Harry and Leonard would be very proud of us for all we have done to carry on the family legacy into our 86th year.