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...
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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...
Appreciation for Sandlers’ work in Tidewater and Romania
Dear Editor,As the mother-in-law of a Romanian, Elena, I am very appreciative of the Sandlers’ work in Romania.I’m a member of Ohef Sholom Temple and a relative newcomer to Hampton Roads (2011). We moved here after retiring to help care for our grand babies while...
Knowledge is key
Israel’s war with Hamas has inflamed vocal and aggressive antisemitism and anti-Zionism that has not been witnessed in the United States for many generations. Heated discussions have ensued, often with discrepancies about the facts.Helping to equip readers with basic...
Barr Foundation’s Torah Pointers gifted to The Fralin Museum of Art
First major gift of Judaica in the University of Virginia’s history The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia will expand its holdings with a promised gift of more than 150 Torah pointers, or yads, from Clay H. Barr and the Barr Foundation. This marks the...
Virginia’s Attorney General’s letter to UVA board calls for moral clarity
On Friday, March 1, Attorney General Jason Miyares wrote the UVA Board of Visitors about a student led BDS referendum at the school. The complete text of the letter follows: I write to you today with grave concern about the recent student-led referendum at the...
KIDdish
Welcome to Kiddish, 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! Harding Parkes Nusbaum Born...
Singer Steve Lawrence, son of a cantor and half of ‘Steve and Eydie’
Andrew Silow-Carroll(JTA) — Steve Lawrence, the Brooklyn-born son of a cantor who with his wife Eydie Gormé formed one of the most enduring popular singing duos during the golden age of the Las Vegas lounge act and television variety show, died Thursday, March 7 in...
Ronald J. Hurwitz
NORFOLK - Ronald J Hurwitz, aka Cap’n Ron, suddenly passed away on the afternoon of March 4. Ron was a long-time resident and local legend of Ocean View. Many remember him as the owner of Cap’n Ron’s Bar and Grill, formerly Harry’s Lounge, on Chesapeake Blvd. in the...
Lowell Steven Kronick
VIRGINIA BEACH - Lowell Steven Kronick, age 78, passed away on Saturday, February 24. He was born in New York City, N.Y. Rabbi Kronick was a pillar of strength and compassion in our community. Lowell left behind a legacy of love, service, and wisdom that will be...
Much to do for Purim in Tidewater
Calling all kings, queens, and righteous men! The joyous holiday of Purim begins this year on Saturday evening, March 23, or 13 Adar II, in the Hebrew calendar. Celebrating the Jewish victory over Haman, the reading of the Megillah teaches about acts of bravery in the...
Rise in antisemitism and antiZionism calls for increased advocacy and education
More than 400 Jewish leaders and professionals from 65 communities (including 10 from Tidewater) traveled to Washington, DC in January to meet with more than 190 members of Congress (or their legislative aides) to advocate for legislation that supports Israel, combats...
Local teens attend BBYO International Convention
Members of Tidewater’s two BBYO chapters – Old Dominion AZA and Simcha BBG – attended last month’s BBYO International Convention in Orlando, Fla.
Make a difference with BeAR
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” – Albert Einstein We all want to feel that we truly make a difference. Participating in the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project of the United Jewish Federation Tidewater is an easy and rewarding way to accomplish...
Build strength for a good life
“Strong legs, long life.” This is the mantra voiced by Tom Purcell during the LifeFit class he leads on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the Simon Family JCC. It is just one among many positive thoughts Purcell shares during every class – all promoting fitness and...
17 Jewish organizations push for passage of Antisemitism Awareness Act
Jewish Federations of North America on Wednesday, Feb. 21, led 16 American Jewish organizations in a joint letter to members of the House of Representatives reaffirming their support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of...
Mikvah appreciation
Dear Editor, Thank you so much for accepting my article to the Jewish News on the new Keilim Mikvah, the mikvah for immersing vessels. I have received several comments on how much people appreciated seeing this article featured and knowing that we have made the mikvah...
Knowledge is key
Israel’s war with Hamas has resulted in vocal and aggressive anti-Zionism and antisemitism across the globe. Many American Jews lack basic knowledge about Israel to converse with certainty about the sole democracy in the Middle East. Beginning with this column, in...
60th Annual VCIC Tidewater Humanitarian Awards Dinner to honor Laura Geringer Gross
Thursday, March 21, 5:45 pmThe Westin Virginia Beach Town Center Laura Geringer Gross is one of this year’s honorees for The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities’ (VCIC) 60th annual Tidewater Humanitarian Awards. Individuals and organizations who have made...
Cultivating young philanthropists: TJF’s B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy Program
Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s B'nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy Program instills the value of giving as early as birth. This innovative program teaches children and teenagers about philanthropy and how to actively participate in the process, shaping them into the...
Joan Nathan to headline Congregation Beth El’s 2024 Milton “Mickey” Kramer Scholar-In-Residence program
Friday, March 15 – Sunday, March 17, Congregation Beth El Best-selling and award-winning author Joan Nathan will be the featured guest speaker for the 2024 Milton “Mickey” Kramer Scholar-in-Residence program this month. This three-day event is open to the public....
The Israel-Hamas War: Ambassador Brad Gordon to brief the community
Tuesday, March 26, 7:30 pm Sandler Family Campus Not quite six months after Hamas used its base in Gaza to launch an unprecedented massacre in Israel’s south, calls for a ceasefire and a “two-state solution” have reached a fever-pitch. At the same time, more than 100...