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...
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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....
Simon Family JCC to participate in Family and Student Wellness Expo
Saturday, May 11, 11 am – 2 pm Bayside High School The Family and Student Wellness Expo connects families with local resources, cultivating a stronger sense of community as well as ensuring families remain informed of mental wellness, family engagement, and student...
Mary Alice Fobian Epstein
VIRGINIA BEACH - Mary Alice Fobian Epstein passed away March 29.Mary was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on September 30, 1938. She graduated from St. Gertrude’s High School in Richmond. Mary then became a registered nurse after graduating from Mary Immaculate School...
Anita Smith Kinsley
MERRIMACK, N.H. – Anita Smith Kinsley passed away on April 2.Beloved wife of the late David Kinsley, Anita was the devoted mother of Michelle Kinsley and Jeffrey Kinsley and his wife, Christine. She was the dear sister of Mannie Smith and his wife, Judy, and Debbie...
Betty Lou Legum
NORFOLK - Betty Lou Legum, a lifelong resident of Norfolk, passed away on April 13 at the age of 96.She was predeceased by her parents, Jesse and Rose Ruden Rafelman, Robin Legum Siegel, and her husband Charles “Sonny” Stuart Legum.After graduating from Maury High...
Shirley Rosen
PORTLAND, MAINE – Shirley Rosen, 93, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away March 22.Shirley, the daughter of Lena Shlanger Binder and Joseph Binder, was born in New York City, N.Y. on Dec. 16, 1930, on the Lower East Side. She graduated from Seward...
Jeffrey Alan Swartz
UERTO NUEVO, MEXICO - Jeffrey Alan Swartz passed away March 11 at his home. He left this world suddenly after an incomparable 71 years, having perpetually blazed his own trails.Son of the late Arthur F. Swartz and Raye Zfass Swartz-Keller, Jeff was born on February...
Mindy Kaufman Stergas
CHESAPEAKE - Mindy A. Stergas, beloved wife, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on January 13.She was born on September 21, 1961, in Maryland. Mindy was 62 years old at the time of her passing.Mindy led a life filled with simple pleasures and cherished moments. She...
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Knowledge is the answer
Israel’s war with Hamas has resulted in vocal and aggressive antisemitism that has not been witnessed in the United States for many generations.Jewish News is gathering and presenting some basic facts in this space to equip readers during this difficult time with the...
Be a reporter:Incident Reporting is critical to combating antisemitism
The American Jewish community is facing the most complex and dynamic threat environment in modern history. Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has warned that antisemitism in the U.S. is rising to historic levels; Jews are the target of...
Governor Glenn Youngkin signs bipartisan hate crime legislation
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin signed 100 bills, including SB7 and HB18 which safeguard Virginians from unlawful discrimination, hate crimes, and antisemitism on Tuesday, April 2. The Governor also vetoed four bills.“From day one, we have made combating...
Israel Today’s Amb. Brad Gordon issues community call to action
Ambassador Brad Gordon briefed the Tidewater community on current events surrounding the Israel-Hamas war and the impact of the conflict on the region and Washington, D.C. The March event brought 300 people to the Sandler Family Campus to learn more about the war and...
What’s happening on Virginia’s College campuses today:
A statewide Jewish community briefing • Wednesday, April 17, 7:30 pm, online The statewide organized Virginia Jewish communities will present an essential online briefing about the current university campus climate for Jewish college students and how communities are...
Passover seders and more in Tidewater
Looking for a seat at a seder or a way to learn more about Passover in Tidewater? Check out this listing to see all that is taking place for the holiday around town. ✡Chabad of Tidewater Passover SedersSeders are led by Rabbis Margolin and BrashevitskyFirst Night...
Yom Hashoah 2024 Community Holocaust Commemoration
Sunday, May 5, 6:45 pm Temple Emanuel The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater invites the community to attend the annual Holocaust Day Remembrance, Yom Hashoah.The Commemoration will feature survivor and scholar Dr. Mordecai Paldiel, a...
Middle School Movie
Sunday, April 14Cinema Café, Kemps River Something is happening for everyone on Sunday, April 14. While the rest of the family participates in Sunday Fun Day, middle school aged children can enjoy time at the movies with friends while the visibility of eye rolls will...
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club
Sunday, April 28, 10 am, Temple Emanuel The Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club will continue with its second book, The Great Partnership: Science, Religion and the Search for Meaning, which was a National Jewish Book Awards Finalist. Rabbi Sacks was...
Rabbi Israel Zoberman: recognized for 50 years of rabbinic service
Rabbi Israel Zoberman with his certificate of “surviving” 50 years (1974-2024) in the rabbinate. He received an Honorary Life Membership from the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) at its national convention last month in Philadelphia, Pa.In recognition of...
April Sunday Fun Day celebrates Spring
Sunday April 14, 1 – 4 pm Sandler Family Campus Gather friends and family and head to the Simon Family JCC for an afternoon of spring-themed games, music, crafts, and a sweet treat. Come see familiar faces and meet new ones.This event is hosted by PJ Library in...
Yom Ha’Atzmaut community gathering in honor of Israel’s76th anniversary
Sunday, May 19, 12-3 pm, Sandler Family Campus An afternoon for community members of all ages filled with all-things-Israel where attendees can learn more about Israeli people, art, music, food, and history through myriad activities led by Camp JCC, the Tidewater...