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May is Jewish American Heritage Month

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

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...

Gerald Bloom

VIRGINIA BEACH - Gerald Bloom (Gerry), 85, passed away on February 18 from a chronic illness. He was born in the Bronx, New York on September 18, 1938, to Sidney and Rose Bloom.Gerald was adored. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Harriet, son Marc...

Rebecca H. Hermelin

VIRGINIA BEACH - Rebecca H. Hermelin, 73, passed away at home on February 23.She was born on August 25, 1950 in Norfolk to Al and Bea Hermelin, of blessed memory. A brilliant student, Rebecca graduated at the top of her nursing class and worked as a registered nurse...

Violet Kauder

NORFOLK - Violet Kauder, age 93, passed away on February 26. Violet was born in New York on February 9, 1931. Services were private. The funeral was handled by Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens.

David Erwin Langbord

VIRGINIA BEACH - David Erwin Langbord, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on December 28 at the age of 68. Born on May 10, 1955, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, David lived a remarkable life filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful...

Marvin J. Posner

NORFOLK - Marvin J. Posner passed peacefully at the age of 96, surrounded by family on February 23 at Harbors Edge in Norfolk, Virginia. He was born in Richmond, Virginia on April 7, 1927. Marvin was preceded in death by parents George and Francis Posner, his loving...

Albertine Rubin

VIRGINIA BEACH - Albertine Rubin passed away February 9, in her home, surrounded by family, after battling cancer and heart disease. She was born March 4, 1942, in Fez, Morocco. She was a veteran of the Israeli army and a hairdresser for over 50 years. She had a...

Bernard J. Semel

NORFOLK - Bernie Semel, 73, died on February 22. Predeceased by parents Margaret (Jimmie) Semel and Sidney Semel, he is survived by sisters Judy Rohn (Reuven) and Debbie Evans (Mark); niece Karen Alpert (Avi) and their children, Avital and Eliav; ex-wife Tricia...

Ohef Sholom Sisterhood Shabbat to feature Betty Ann Levin

Friday, March 6, 6:30 pm • Ohef Sholom Temple The Women of Ohef Sholom Temple Sisterhood’s Annual Sisterhood Shabbat will feature Betty Ann Levin, executive vice president/CEO for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC. She will speak on “The...

JFS continues meal delivery program with new partner

Kelly Burroughs and Jody LaibstainJewish Family Service’s Home Delivered Meals program is a continuum of the organization’s food service programs. Geared to older and disabled adults throughout Virginia Beach who qualify, a steadfast group of volunteers has been...

Three local men volunteer near Gaza

Eitan Mor, Nathan Goldin, and Norman Goldin volunteered in Israel for two weeks in January. “Israel faces an existential threat, and I wanted to help and show my support,” says Norman Goldin. Both Goldins are physicians and hoped to provide medically related services....

First dates, first meals

While not every first date is centered around a meal, most involve some sort of dining, even if it’s not fancy fare or a sit-down meal. When Jewish News asked these couples to share their first dining experiences together, one unexpected result was that the settings...

Blazing Saddles marks a half-century of hilarity — and controversy

Stephen Silver(JTA) — The phrase “that movie could never be made today” has probably been said more about Blazing Saddles than any other movie in history. Mel Brooks’ spoof of Hollywood Westerns is full of the N-word and racial and ethnic jokes, and gay stereotypes...

Shabbat at Home: Nurturing family ties through rituals and creativity

Despite it being a Tuesday, the spirit of Shabbat was alive and thriving at the Sandler Family Campus on January 23, as families gathered for a Shabbat at Home event. The second in a five-part series that explores ways to build ritual and tradition into Friday nights,...

The Art of Judaica: Tradition, Ritual, and Ceremony

Sunday, February 18, 2 pm, Torggler, Christopher Newport University, Newport News Abigail H. Meyer, museum educator for Judaica and Jewish Material Culture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, will discuss her work with the Met’s Judaica collection in...

Join the Israel Trail Challenge and help Israel

Through Sunday, May 19, Simon Family JCC The popular Israel Trail Challenge is back. Instead of trekking all 622 miles of the actual Israel Trail, Simon Family JCC members and exercise enthusiasts can sign up to hike, jog, walk, dance, row, or swim the equivalent...

2nd Annual Daffodil Blooming Day

Sunday, March 3, 1 – 3 pmJewish Museum and Culture Center The Jewish Museum and Culture Center is continuing its participation in the Daffodil Project, whose mission is to remember and honor the 1.5 million children who were murdered during the Holocaust, as well as...

Lewis Greenhouse

VIRGINIA BEACH - Lewis Greenhouse passed away peacefully on December 20. Lew was born in 1935 and graduated from Syracuse University in 1957. Due to the war and the draft, he joined the army that same year and served until 1959. After the Army, he moved to Norfolk...

Malcolm “Mal” Bruce Gutterman

VIRGINA BEACH - Malcolm (“Mal”) Bruce Gutterman, 84, passed away peacefully on January 21, surrounded by his loving family. Mal was born to Norman and Rose Silver Gutterman in Norfolk, Virginia. Mal attended Norfolk public schools and graduated from Maury High School....

Virginia Morrisette

VIRGINIA BEACH - Virginia Morrisette, affectionately known as Mom, Grandma, Mamoo, and Sister, bid her final farewell on January 28. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her home in Virginia Beach. Virginia was born on April 23, 1936, in Tazwell,...

Harvey Leonard Nissman

VIRGINIA BEACH - Harvey Leonard Nissman passed away on January 25 at the age of 74.Harvey, a devoted father, brother, and esteemed psychiatrist, leaves behind a legacy of profound compassion and commitment to the well-being of others. Born in Brooklyn, NY to the late...