VIRGINIA BEACH - Stephen Alan Schechner, MD, was born in Norfolk, Va., on December 2, 1944, to Hedy Hauer and Joseph Schechner, MD. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Daniel Herbert Schechner.Steve graduated valedictorian from Norfolk Academy, received a...
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Jewish Tidewater and beyond in 2024
For the global Jewish community, the year’s beginning contained a heaviness as the war in Gaza continued to escalate, hostages were still held, and antisemitism ramped up to levels not experienced in most of our lifetimes.Campus protests, threats against synagogues,...
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JCRC interviews Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District’s candidates: Representative Jen Kiggans (R) and Missy Cotter Smasal.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater posed a series of questions to the candidates running for Virginia’s Second Congressional District: Congresswoman Jen Kiggans and Missy Cotter Smasal. Their responses follow. JCRC...
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Candidates for U.S. Senator respond
With permission to reprint from Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington and Washington Jewish Week, this is a recent Q&A with candidates for the U.S. Senate, Senator Tim Kaine and Hung Cao. Printed are the candidates’ responses to two questions...
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Letters offer support to Jewish community for October 7
In recognition of the first anniversary of the brutal attacks by Hamas, several elected officials and retired U.S. military leaders issued letters in condemnation of the atrocities and in solidarity with the Jewish community. Among those sending letters were U.S....
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Knowledge is Key
Some Basic Facts: A majority of Americans (61%) say the U.S. should play a role in diplomatically resolving the Israel-Hamas war. Still, more want the U.S. to play a minor role (37%) than a major one (24%). An additional 19% would prefer for the U.S. to play no...
Senator Tim Kaine visits Sandler Family Campus
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine spent a couple of hours at the Sandler Family Campus last month chatting with members of Tidewater’s Jewish community about a host of issues, including Israel’s war with Hamas.
The Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community is celebrating 20 years!
To commemorate this milestone 20th anniversary, Jewish News is planning a special section in the May 13 issue.We invite you to share your personal stories, memories, and photos of being on the Sandler Family Campus since 2004.Think about all the reasons that brought...
Chrysler Museum of Art: Camp with an art focus
Does your child’s summer include Fantastic Creatures or 3D Illusions? How about painting, sculpting, or mosaics? For campers who attend Camp Art Stars at the Chrysler Museum of Art, the answer will be “Yes!”At Camp Art Stars, campers will find inspiration behind the...
Checking out the Solar Eclipse at the Sandler Family Campus
Some events simply cannot be missed. Apparently, that was the thought when young students at Strelitz International Academy were covered up with proper fashionable paper plates, in addition to the special protective sunglasses, to view the Solar Eclipse on April 8 at...
Next Rabbi Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club: The Great Partnership: Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning
Sunday, April 28, 10 am, Temple Emanuel In The Great Partnership: Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning, the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks challenges traditional perspectives on the intersection of science and religion. The Rabbi Sacks Tidewater Community Book...
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...
Friends of Jewish News
Recent donors to Jewish News: Walter FenskaVirginia HawksCarol WatersBarbara KledzikMr. and Mrs. Charles LinesPeter PrzyjemskiTerri and Steve Budman In memory of Carole Bernstein All contributions are appreciated and help the paper fulfill its mission of being a link...
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...