NORFOLK - Dr. Howard Kesser, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and devoted husband, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on August 26, 2025.Born on May 9, 1934, to Leah Salsbury Kesser and Clifford Kesser, Howard lived a life marked by dedication—to...
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Phillip Morton Levy
Cocoa Beach, Fla. - Phillip Morton Levy passed away on August 26, 2025, at the age of 94, surrounded by the love of his family and memories of a well-lived life.Born in Newport News to Nathan and Sara (Sassi) Levy, Phil’s generous spirit, unwavering integrity, humor,...
Babette Odessky Lustig
VIRGINIA BEACH - Babette Odessky Lustig, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025, at the age of 98, surrounded by her family.She was born on December 9, 1926, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Alice and Bernard Lustig....
A bissel of community Yiddish
A bit of Yiddish has managed to slip into everyday language. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear people of all backgrounds talk about chutzpah. And most who do, have no idea they’re speaking Yiddish, a language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews.A combination of...
Last chance to join Hebrew for Beginners: A 6-week course
Begins: Tuesday, August 12 5:30 pm • Sandler Family Campus Have you always wanted to read and speak Hebrew but didn’t know where to start? Whether completely new to the language or looking to refresh skills, Hebrew for Beginners is a place to begin the...
Robert Sanford Cohen
Virginia Beach – Robert Sanford Cohen, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and respected attorney, passed away peacefully at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy of deep integrity, enduring friendships, and unwavering commitment to both his...
Dr. Mark Greenspan
NORFOLK - Dr. Mark Greenspan, 88, passed away August 5.Mark is survived by his wife Betty Kay Greenspan and her children, along with his children Jeffrey, Amy-Ann, and John-Jay.A service took place at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Norfolk Chapel followed by interment at...
Scott Schreier
WESTFIELD, N.J. – Cherished husband and father, beloved son and brother, Scott Gordon Schreier, passed away on July 20 after a brief but valiant battle with colon cancer.Words cannot accurately express the magnitude of this loss for his wife of 17 years, his...
Gordon Andrew Zedd
NOROLK – Gordon Andrew Zedd, 59, passed away July 31 in Norfolk, the city where he was born and spent much of his life.He was the son of Judith Golding Zedd and Ronald Burt Zedd, both of blessed memory, and the older brother of Barton. A graduate of Norfolk Academy,...
Jewish Tidewater’s Graduates
This year’s graduation season continues with plenty for Jewish Tidewater’s graduates and their families to celebrate.The June 3 issue of Jewish News recognized 41 outstanding graduates. We knew, however, that there were more grads for Jewish Tidewater to be proud of...
Tiny Art Auction for Ukraine
Sunday, August 4, 12 – 4 pmVoodoo Brewing Co., Virginia Beach Voodoo Brewing and local art educators are teaming up to create a benefit for the Ukranian Humanity Center.Twenty-five Virginia Beach art teachers created tiny masterpieces responding to the theme, “Summer...
Win two passes to Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience
Through Thursday, September 5Virginia Beach Convention Center Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience sheds new light on what the world thought it knew about Claude Monet. Presented by the Virginia Arts Festival and produced by Paquin Entertainment Group, the...
Knowledge is key – Some basic facts
In the third quarter of 2023, roughly 150,000 Palestinians from the West Bank were working in the Israeli economy. In Quarter 4, that went down to 17,000. (marketplace.org) The blue ribbon symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by...
Gratitude for To Life: The Past is Present
Elka Mednick, director The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater:Thank you for the donation of To Life: The Past is Present. This book will be a useful addition to the Reference collection in Dinwiddie High School (DHS) Library.At DHS,...
Car wash for Team Virginia Beach
Sunday, June 9, 1-3 pm • Sandler Family Campus The annual car wash that benefits the Team Virginia Beach delegation for the JCC Maccabi Games & Access will take place again this year in the parking lot of the Sandler Family Campus. This year’s games are in...
Friendships continue for Shalom Children’s Center alumni
When Max and Emma Bernstein married this spring, more than 15 friends from their days at Newport Avenue’s Jewish Community Center’s Shalom Children’s Center attended the wedding. The friends all met at the JCC preschool 25 years ago and later went to Hebrew Academy of...
Jerry Zober
PEPPER PIKE, OHIO - Jerry Martin Zober MD, born January 2, 1948 passed away peacefully on May 20 at age 76. Jerry was the beloved husband of Barbara Zober (nee Abt) of Pepper Pike, devoted father of Aaron Zober of Los Angeles and Rabbi Benjamin (Rabbi Sara)...
Yom Ha’ Atzmaut: A community gathering in honor of Israel’s 76th anniversary
Sunday, May 19 • 12 – 3 pm • Sandler Family Campus Yom Ha’ Atzmaut, commemorating Israel @76, is a day for people of all ages to come together to learn about Israeli people, art, music, food, and history.Presented by Avraham and Karen Ashkenazi, the United Jewish...
Knowledge is key
Jewish News is gathering and presenting some basic facts to equip readers during this difficult time with the confidence needed to engage in conversation about Israel and antisemitism. GenocideThis word is being used by protestors on campuses to describe Israel’s...
Virginia Beach School Board adopts resolution for Jewish American Heritage Month
During the Virginia Beach School Board meeting (via a consent agenda) last month, a Resolution was adopted in support of Jewish American Heritage Month, which takes place each year in May. The Resolution was read by Shannon Kendrick School, a member of the School...
Andrew Fink: Finding the land to choosing art
Twenty years ago, Andrew Fink was instrumental in the land acquisition, construction, and completion of the Sandler Family Campus. His involvement with the Campus continues today as he serves on several committees and boards. Jewish News: You were instrumental in the...
Bobby Copeland and Bob Josephberg, co-chairs of the Simcha Campaign, recall good times
The epitome of distinguished and versatile leaders, it was no surprise that Bobby Copeland and Bob Josephberg took on the roles of co-chairs of the Simcha Campaign. As co-chairs, all aspects of the Sandler Family Campus project – fundraising, design, construction,...
Marketing the Simcha Campaign to build and introduce the Sandler Family Campus
Developing a marketing campaign for the fundraising of the largest infrastructure endeavor Tidewater’s Jewish community had ever attempted was a huge undertaking. Without hesitation, the challenge was met with creativity, collaboration, and commitment.The committee...
Celebrating 20 years: Sandler Family Campus and TJF’s legacy
This year, the Sandler Family Campus celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades as a cornerstone for Tidewater’s Jewish community. Tidewater Jewish Foundation has been a partner from the outset, playing a critical role in the campus’s development and...
Community Seder in Virginia Beach
Jewish Virginia Beach celebrated its third annual Passover Seder at 757 Events with more than120 participants. Led by Rabbi Meir Lessoff, the prevailing sentiment of the evening was one of unity and resilience, affirming 'Am Israel Chai' – the Jewish people will...
Ohef Sholom Temple’s Kiddush Cup:A Golf Tournament
Wednesday, May 22, 1 pm Cypress Point Golf Course Golfing buddies are about to have an opportunity to swing their clubs together for a fantastic cause – Ohef Sholom Temple. The Ohef Sholom Temple Kiddush Cup promises an afternoon of fun golfing, an upbeat reception...