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Richard Allen Schechter

NORFOLK - Richard “Rick” Allen Schechter, born on August 18, 1965, at Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, departed this life on July 18, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia. He was 59 years old.Rick was a man of many talents and passions. An avid woodworker, he...

Allen Arthur Steckenberg

VIRGINIA BEACH - With heavy hearts and profound respect, we commemorate the vibrant life of Allen Arthur Steckenberg, affectionately known as “Steck,” who passed away on July 19, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.Born on August 28, 1941, in New York, Steck lived a...

Officers installed, awards presented at UJFT’s Biennial

Officers installed, awards presented at UJFT’s Biennial

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater held its Biennial meeting on Wednesday, June 11 at the Sandler Family Campus.The Fleder Multi-Purpose Room was packed with people from throughout the Jewish community who had come to cheer on award winners, to support new officers...

Annette Charlotte Spivak

VIRGINIA BEACH - Annette “Honey” Spivak passed away peacefully on June 15, 2025.Born January 23, 1933, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Honey lived to bring joy, love, comfort, compassion, and kindness to the people in her world, the Jewish value of “tikkun olam.” Honey’s...

Dr. Stanley Weinstein

CHESAPEAKE - Dr. Stan Weinstein passed away peacefully in his sleep at home surrounded by loved ones on June 10, 2025, after a lifetime of meaningful impact on family, friends, mentees, colleagues, strangers, everyone who met him, and, of course, Mathematics.His...

Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries

TCC/City Joint-Use Library, 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach • Through Saturday, June 28 This 1,100-square-foot exhibition explores how American society—including the government, military, refugee aid organizations, media, and the public—responded to Nazism, war,...

Turn taxes into a tool for building the future of Jewish Tidewater

What if a donation today could help shape a stronger Jewish community—and reduce a future tax burden?Thanks to the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and Virginia’s Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits (EISTC) program, individuals and businesses who believe in the...

Save the date for SIA’s golf tournament

Wednesday, September 10 • Virginia Beach National Golf Club Plans for the 36th Annual Strelitz International Golf Tournament, proudly known as the “Bob Josephberg Classic,” co-chaired by David Leon and Tim Thornton, are now in full swing.Each year, the event raises...

Bernice Peters Jacobs

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...

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....

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...

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

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...