Jewish News VA

Archives

Save the date for SIA’s golf tournament

Save the date for SIA’s golf tournament

Wednesday, September 10 • Virginia Beach National Golf Club Plans for the 36th Annual Strelitz International Golf Tournament, proudly known as the “Bob Josephberg Classic,” co-chaired by David Leon and Tim Thornton, are now in full swing.Each year, the event raises...

Bernice Peters Jacobs

VIRGINIA BEACH - Bernice Peters Jacobs, “Nici,” age 97, passed away on May 28, 2025. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and proud great-grandmother.Bernice was born in Richmond, Virginia, to parents, Robert S. Peters and Ida Coplan Peters. Bernice was preceded in...

Suzanne Snyder Jacobson

VIRGINIA BEACH - Suzanne Snyder Jacobson, 89, passed away peacefully at home on June 1, 2025.Suzanne was predeceased by her devoted husband of 64 years, Jack Burt Jacobson, of blessed memory. Suzanne is survived by her four daughters, Maryann Jacobson (Angela), Carol...

Bea Kocen Linas

Richmond – Bea Rueben Linas, 104, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2025.Born on April 2, 1921, Bea was known for her sharp sense of humor and her love of fashion. She was never without her meticulously curated jewelry or her signature lipstick. She was a...

David Blaine Sears

PORTSMOUTH - David Blaine Sears was born on March 19, 1963, and departed this life May 22, 2025. He was the son of Ronald Sears and Diane (Sears) Ruben.David was born in Portsmouth, Va., and left with his parents to Norfolk, Va., where he attended Hebrew Academy and...

Kiddish

Kiddish is a Jewish News column celebrating little people – their first introductions, milestones, simchas, and accomplishments. Sharing these special moments and achievements with Jewish Tidewater creates a collective kvell! Noa Hanna DratchBorn January 9,...

Leadership elected for Tidewater’s BBYO

Elections for Tidewater BBYO chapters took place on Saturday, May 10. The positions of president; vice president, programming; and vice president, membership are elected for a school-year term, while the other three positions are elected for fall and spring terms....

See something wrong? Report it!

Report an antisemitic incident at Federation.JewishVA.org/IncidentReportingIn an emergency, always call 9-1-1 first.If online reporting is not practical, contact local law enforcement and/or the relevant suspicious activity reporting authority.Also contact Mike...

Celebrations and observances abound in Jewish Tidewater

Dinners and luncheons with a famed Israeli chef, Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day), and Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) were among myriad gatherings that took place throughout Jewish Tidewater just prior to this issue going to press. All were well...

May is Jewish American Heritage Month

President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month in 2006, designating the month to acknowledge Jewish contributions to American culture, history, military, science, government, and more. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records...

The Maccabeats to perform Unity Concert

Sunday, June 8, 2:30 pm • Sandler Family Campus The Maccabeats are coming to town! Get ready for a rockin’ show with America’s premier Jewish a cappella group. Families across Jewish Tidewater are encouraged to attend.The concert is presented by B’nai Israel...

Herschel Blum

NORFOLK – Herschel Blum passed away on March 29, 2025, just weeks short of his 98th birthday. A private graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk.Family – daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren – and many friends miss him – but celebrate his...

Robert (Bob) Brotman

VIRGINIA BEACH – Born December 18, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, Bob was a fun-loving man who brought happiness to all those fortunate enough to have contact with him. Sadly, Bob passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025.Bob first caught sight of Margie Lewis at the...

Bernard “Bernie” Chovitz

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Bernard Chovitz passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025.Bernie is survived by daughter Phyllis Chovitz (Danny Gainsburg), son-in-law Phil Baker (Eileen), grandsons Izzy Gainsburg, Jesse Gainsburg, Nathan Baker (Molly), and great grandchildren...

Reatha Fay Kantor

VIRGINIA BEACH - Our beloved matriarch, Reatha Mirman Kantor (affectionately known as “Re”) passed away on April 25, 2025, at the age of 89.Reatha was born on August 7, 1935, in Norfolk, Va., the youngest child of Taft and Dora Mirman. She graduated from Maury High...

Sheila Van Dyke

PINEHURST, N.C. - Sheila Van Dyke, a woman of deep faith who had a gift for making close friends wherever she went, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025, at her home in Pinehurst, N.C., after an illness.Born in Malone, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late...

Vote through May 4 in election for World Zionist Congress

Just a few days are left to vote in an election that gives American Jews an opportunity to directly shape Israel’s future.The U.S. election for seats in the 39th World Zionist Congress will help determine the balance of power in the legislative authority of a Zionist...

May is Jewish American Heritage Month

Established in 2006 when President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month, the designated month acknowledges Jewish contributions to American culture, history, military, science, government, and more.The proclamation by President Bush was a...

Four generations make Matzah Ball Soup together

Earlier this month, Erica Reisner Ausch, with the assistance of her daughter, Linda Ausch, made Matzah Ball Soup with her grandson, Leo Woodward, and his family: Erika Woodward, and Ausch’s great grandchildren, Wells and Bridget Woodward. L’dor V’dor. Aunty Linda...

Ellen Manassee

NORFOLK - Ellen Manassee, a sharp, independent woman with a deep appreciation for the arts and culture, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2025, at Harbor’s Edge, where she had lived for the past 18 years. She was 90 years old.Born in the Bronx, Ellen carried her New...

Rebecca “Betty” Sacks

NORFOLK - Rebecca “Betty” Sacks, age 84, passed away peacefully at home on April 6, 2025.She is survived by her loving children, David (Kathy) Sacks, Steven Sacks, and Elisa (Chris) Luck; sister-in-law, Maryann Sacks; and nephew, Jonathan Sacks. She was preceded in...