Marco Island, Fla. – Joan Naomi Thompson, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026. She leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion, and family that will continue to live on through the generations.Joan was the...
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Senior Speaker Series features
Monday, October 19, 11 AM- 12:30 PM • Sandler Family Campus Dr. Louise B. Lubin Join Jewish Family Service for its Senior Speaker Series featuring Dr. Louise B. Lubin, Ph.D., presenting Decades of Memories: Honoring the Loss of Our Peers and Friends.Dr. Lubin, a...
JFS Dementia Cafe
Monday, October 12, 1 –3 pm • Sandler Family Campus Jewish Family Service invites caregivers and individuals living with dementia to join its monthly Dementia Café. Held on the second Monday of every month, the Dementia Café provides a welcoming, supportive...
Tidewater Community Shabbaton
For one weekend, the diverse Jewish Tidewater becomes one. The Community Shabbaton is a chance to step away from the busyness of everyday life and experience the joy of Shabbat alongside neighbors from across the community. Participants of all ages, backgrounds, and...
In Their Own Words: American Jewish History Through Autobiography
Begins September 22, Tuesdays, 11 am • Sandler Family Campus Led by Rabbi Michael Panitz, this 10-week seminar brings to life the stories of Jewish men and women whose lives, experiences, and contributions helped shape the nation. Through their own words, participants...
NextGen 757 Pop-Up Shabbat
There is nothing quite like sitting around a vibrant Shabbat table to remind of the power of the Jewish people. When showing up for each other at the table, the local community remains strong, connected, and thriving.Pop-Up Shabbat is supported by the Richard Glasser...
Conversational Hebrew with the Shinshinim
October 19-May 24, Mondays, 5 pm • Sandler Family Campus Join the Tidewater Shinshinim for weekly conversational Hebrew classes designed to help participants build confidence in speaking and understanding modern Hebrew. Through interactive activities, games, real-life...
Merle S. Becker
Princeton, NJ – Merle Louise Skoler Becker, 91, of Princeton, died on August 20, 2026, at Princeton Medical Center following a brief illness.Merle was born on June 6, 1935, in New York City to Sam Skoler, an accountant, and Dorothy Fraiman, a homemaker. Merle’s mother...
Edythe Colton Harrison
Boca Raton, Fla. – Edythe Colton Harrison, a Virginia civic leader, arts advocate, legislator, and political pioneer, whose career was closely identified with Norfolk and the development of performing arts in Virginia, passed away peacefully in the presence of her...
Blanche Bowman Nusbaum
Virginia Beach – Blanche Bowman Nusbaum, 90, passed away peacefully in her home at Westminster-Canterbury on September 1, 2026.She was born in Richmond, Va. to the late Jane Myers Bowman and Louis O. Bowman, Sr. and was preceded in death by her beloved husband,...
Myra Lipkin
Boca Raton, Fla. – Myra Lipkin passed on August 31, 2026, at the age of 88.Born on January 31, 1938, Myra was a resident of Boca Raton, and the aunt of Marty and Ina Leiderman.
A journey of science, spirit, and the arts
My journey with the arts began in 1958, born out of a weekly compromise. Every Saturday, my childhood was split between the spiritual tradition of the temple and the creative freedom of the art studio. This early dual education shaped my perspective, and by the age of...
Joan Carole Bass Baydush
Lewisville, N.C. – Joan Carole Bass Baydush, 82, recently of Lewisville, N.C. and formerly of Norfolk, Va., died peacefully after a prolonged illness.A warm welcoming smile, a tender touch, a kind manner, a keen intelligence, a passion and excitement for life and a...
Rita Gamsey Burnat
Atlanta – Rita Gamsey Burnat, daughter of the late Milton Linwood Gamsey and Rosalind Gamsey, passed away on June 5 at her home in Atlanta, at the age of 74.She was predeceased by her son Kyle Burnat. Rita is survived by her son Lawson Burnat and daughter-in-law Laura...
Dean Joel Casper
Norfolk – Dean Joel Casper, age 86, was born on August 22, 1939, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Jennie Goodman Casper and Israel Casper. He passed away on May 29, 2026, at Beth Abraham Homes.He is survived by his partner, Anna Karp, and his children: Scott Casper, Tracy Casper...
Alan David Galumbeck
Tazewell, Va – Alan David Galumbeck, 81, a technical guru for Landmark Communications at The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk and with The Weather Channel in Atlanta, died June 7 in Tazewell, Va, after a battle with cancer.Alan was predeceased by his parents, Ella and...
Linda Sinowitz
Virginia Beach – Linda Louise Lillian Linde Sinowitz, 75, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease and several other conditions.Born on December 12, 1950, in New York, Linda was the beloved daughter of William...
Marsha Del Rosario Wilks
Virginia Beach – Marsha Del Rosario Wilks, 87, passed away in her home on April 12, 2026.She was born in California to Gregorio and Stella Del Rosario.She is survived by her husband Jay Wilks of 40 plus years, sister Triva Stanton, brother Jessel Curry, one grandson...
Rabbi Zoberman’s articles inserted into Congressional Record
Remembering the Liberation of Auschwitz, an article by Rabbi Israel Zoberman was inserted in the Congressional Record by Congresswoman Jen Kiggans in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.The article focuses on a book written by Marc Saperstein, a...
JCC hosts National Senior Health & Fitness Day
Wednesday, May 27, 9 am – 12 pm • Sandler Family Campus The Simon Family JCC invites seniors to celebrate National Senior Health & Fitness Day – a free event that promotes “Stay Active at Any Age!” with fun activities for health and community...
Erica Unger
Virginia Beach – We are deeply saddened to share that Erica Unger passed away on April 11, 2026, just three days before her 95th birthday.Born in Vienna, she was a Holocaust survivor who went on to live a rich and vibrant life marked by travel, meaningful...
Lawrence Kirstein
Norfolk – Lawrence Harold “Larry” Kirstein, 76, of Norfolk, Virginia, died Jan. 15, 2026.Mr. Kirstein is survived by his sisters and brother-in-law, Robert Grosinger, Rita and Dr. Pedro Paragas, and Ina Kirstein; nephews and nieces, Eric and Amy Grosinger, Jason and...
Congregation Beth El’s Visiting Scholar weekend to feature Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin
Friday, May 29 – Sunday, May 31 Congregation Beth El A dynamic and thought-provoking Visiting Scholar weekend planned and presented by Congregation Beth El, will feature Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, one of the most widely read and influential voices in contemporary Jewish...
Pre-Shavuot Neighborhood Hop
Sunday, May 17, 4 – 7 pm • TIDE by B’nai Israel Step out of the sanctuary and onto the porch. Join NextGen 757 for a high-energy journey through Ghent to prep for Shavuot.NextGen 757 joins TIDE by B’nai Israel to bring bite-sized learning, sweet treats, and great...
Post-Shavuot Seudah Shlishit& Havdallah experience
Saturday, May 30, 7 pm • Temple Israel Don’t miss this intentional gathering hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen757 in partnership with Temple Israel. Capture the “lingering magic” of Shavuot with a light dinner, guided discussions on modern...
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