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...
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Thank you to our supporters who recently donated to Jewish News!
Jewish News appreciates all who support the newspaper with generous contributions – whether in honor of or in memory of friends and loved ones or as a Friend of Jewish News. Friends of Jewish NewsWalter FenskaMr. and Mrs. Peter Przjemski In honor of the tenure of...
UJFT joins more than 100 Jewish communities to urge Congress to adopt 6-point security plan
Nearly 400 Jewish leaders representing more than 100 Jewish communities across the nation gathered in Washington, DC on Wednesday, June 25 for the United for Security Emergency Leadership Mission to advocate for policies that enhance security for the Jewish...
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...
Be A Reader: Volunteer Mentors needed for 2025–2026 school year
Heading into its 26th year, the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project is growing, adding two new partner schools to the BeAR family: Newtown Elementary in Virginia Beach and Suburban Park Elementary in Norfolk.The growth translates to more second graders to support,...
A first Bissel of Yiddish
A bit of Yiddish has managed to slip into everyday language. It’s not uncommon to hear people of all backgrounds talk about shlepping and shmoozing. And most who fling words such as glitz and shtick, have no idea they’re speaking Yiddish, a language historically...
BBYO holds spring kick-off
Tidewater BBYO had its spring kickoff at Surge Adventure Park, a multi-adventure trampoline park, ninja course, and arcade in Virginia Beach on Saturday, Feb 8. Eighteen teens attended the event, connecting with Jewish friends over pizza and an afternoon of fun. Henry...
Purim in Tidewater
The holiday of Purim begins this year on Thursday, March 13.Plenty of opportunities exist in Tidewater to participate in Purim festivities to commemorate Haman’s failed plot to destroy the Jews of Persia.The reading of the Megillah, Purim Carnivals, Purim Parties, and...
Operation Hamantaschen:A time to bake tasty cookies and perform a good deed
Sunday, March 9, 1 - 4 pm Sandler Family Campus PJ Library in Tidewater’s annual Purim celebration, Operation Hamantaschen – a day of baking hamantaschen and preparing a mitzvah project – offers three time slots this year (1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm), to make the cookies...
Abby Jane Buchberg
VIRGINIA BEACH - Abby Jane Buchberg, 74, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2025.Born to Benjamin and Alma Wilgard on January 21, 1951, in Norfolk, Va., Abby grew up in Portsmouth before moving to Atlanta, Ga. There she met the love of her life, Stephan Andrew...
Leonard S. Frieden
NORFOLK - Leonard S. (Lenny) Frieden, born in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 31, 1927, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025, at the age of 97.He was predeceased by his parents, Anna and Samuel Frieden; his sister, Yetta Bornstein; and his two brothers, Joseph...
Joseph Henry Hecht
NORFOLK - Joseph Henry Hecht died peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Lake Taylor Transitional Hospital in Norfolk, at age 99.Joseph was a native and lifelong resident of Norfolk, having been born on July 21, 1925, to Irving and Yetta Leibowitz Hecht. Joseph...
Catalina Carmen Mantel
VIRGINIA BEACH - Catalina Carmen Mantel passed peacefully on February 14, 2025, just shy of 91.She was a kind, sweet, and elegant soul who loved people and chocolate. So, passing on Valentine’s Day was bittersweet and apropos.Catalina was born in Montevideo, Uruguay...
Edward Benjamin Ostroff
VIRGINIA BEACH - Edward Benjamin Ostroff passed away on February 15, 2025, at the age of 82.He was the son of Dr. Jacob J. Ostroff and Mary Ostroff of Baltimore, Maryland. Ed prepared for a life of caregiving and service at Baltimore City College High School (’59),...
Gideon Riess
VIRGINIA BEACH - Gideon Riess, a man whose warmth and wit enriched the lives of all who knew him, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the age of 86.Born on September 10, 1938, in Ramat Gan, Israel, he spent his final days in Virginia Beach,...
Susan Waters
VIRGINIA BEACH - Susan B. Waters, a vibrant and cherished soul, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Va., at the age of 70.Born on June 10, 1954, in Newport News, Va., Susan lived a life full of passion, drive, and love that left an...
Thank you to our supporters who recently donated to Jewish News!
Jewish News appreciates all who support the newspaper with generous contributions – whether in honor of or in memory of friends and loved ones or as a Friend of Jewish News. Friends of Jewish News Terri and Steve BudmanMr. Walter FenskaMr. and Mrs. Donald FriedmanDr....
32nd Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film
One of the nation’s longest-running Jewish film festivals, the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg, entertains, educates, and engages the Tidewater community by presenting world-class films, repertory cinema, and programs that...
Applications now open for JELF
Students who seek loans for higher education may now apply to JELF – Jewish Education Loan Fund. The deadline is April 30, 2025.JELF offers 0% interest loans for full-time students from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia (excluding metro...
Celebrate Tu B’Shevat in Tidewater
The Jewish New Year of the Trees, Tu B’Shevat starts on Wednesday, Feb. 12. In the 17th century, Kabbalists created a ritual for the holiday that is similar to a Passover seder. Several options to participate in a modern version of the Tu B’Shevat seder are listed...
Alexander Portnoy
KYRIAT YAM, ISRAEL - Alexander Portnoy passed away on January 6, 2025, in Israel.Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Tatiana Portnoy; sister, Maya (Portnoy) Beglatzi; son, Felix Portnoy (Erinn), daughter, Natalie Kalman (Yossi); and grandchildren, Amelia and...
Mary M. Shroyer
FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA – Mary Martin Shroyer, 91, died on January 22, 2025. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Norman C. Shroyer.She was born November 25, 1933, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Clynt Allen Martin and Anna Stoner Martin, and lived over 54 years in Franklin,...
Alan “Famous Uncle Al” Stein
VIRGINIA BEACH - Alan Stein, also known as “Famous Uncle Al,” passed away on January 11, 2025.Alan was born in New York on February 7, 1937, and lived a long and storied life. He was the son of the late Sam and Irene Stein. He was a veteran of the US Army. While...
Ara Sue Summers
CORDOVA, ALABAMA - Born October 12, 1937, to Evelyn Jean and Floyd Summers, Ara Sue Summers passed away peacefully on January 17, 2025.She is survived by her four children: Elizabeth Leeor, Richard Riccio, Hope Riccio, and Laura Devine. Ara was also a proud...
Dr. Jesse Charles Zedd
VIRGINIA BEACH - Dr. Jesse Charles Zedd, age 77, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2025. He was best known for his personality, generosity, and sense of humor.Jesse received his undergraduate degree from Campbell University, his master’s degree in guidance and...
Statements on the ceasefire and hostage deal
Wednesday, January 16, 2025 President Joe BidenToday, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed...