VIRGINIA BEACH - Elaine Dobken Lichty passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, at 89 years old. She was born in New Jersey on October 29, 1935.Elaine is preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Sherman “Sherm” Lichty, and her two brothers, Phillip and...
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Barbara Friedman Schechter
NORFOLK - A resident of Harbor’s Edge in Norfolk, Barbara passed away April 29, 2025, surrounded by family.Born with a congenital heart condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot (Blue Baby disease), she lived “way beyond years she thought possible,” with the advances of...
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...
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...
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...
Beach Sisterhood holds annual Hannukah celebration
Hanukkah came early to the 29 participants of this year’s Beach Sisterhood Hanukkah Party, which was held in Temple Emanuel’s social hall on December 10. Holiday foods such as latkes with a side of applesauce or sour cream and jelly filled munchkins, along with pizza...
Mazel Tov!
Benjamin and Allie Fues-Yarow on the birth of their daughter, Lennon Mae Fues-Yarow, on October 14, 2024. The family lives in Arlington, Va.Proud grandparents are Rick and Debi Yarow of Norfolk and Eric and Liza Fues and Heather McAfee of Bethesda, Md.Proud...
CommUNITY Play-In and Sing-along
Sunday, February 2, 4:30 pm, Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall, Norfolk State University The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with the City of Norfolk, will host its annual CommUNITY Play-In and Sing-Along concert.Members of the community who play any...
The Stephanie Nakasian Jazz Trio performs Jewish Roots of the Great American Songbook
Saturday, February 1, 6:45 - 9 pm Congregation Beth El Congregation Beth El will present The Stephanie Nakasian Jazz Trio performing songs by legendary Jewish songwriters and performers such as Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Barbra Streisand, and Irving...
Virginia Council BBYO Reunion: Teens of the 1970’s and 1980’s
Saturday, April 26 • Weinstein JCC, Richmond The first Virginia Council BBYO reunion for teens from the 1970s was held in 2010. Now, 15 years later, and during the 100th anniversary year of the founding of BBYO, another reunion is planned to take place in April.“If...
Ohef Sholom Temple’s Taste of the Town to celebrate Cantor Jen
Saturday, January 25, 5:30 – 8 pm Ohef Sholom Temple A food and wine experience in honor of “40 and Fabulous” Cantor Jen Rueben is slated to take place at Ohef Sholom Temple. Savor delicious bites from local restaurants, sip fine wines and craft beers, and toast to...
Barry Einhorn
NORFOLK - On Friday, December 27, 2024, Bernard (Barry) Isaac Einhorn, D.D.S., loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 95.Barry was born on October 7, 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Lillian and William...
Sheal D. Lisner
VIRGINIA BEACH - On Saturday evening, December 28, 2024, Sheal D. Lisner passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 86.He was born on November 22, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Louis and Anna Lisner, and was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and...
Stephen Alan Schechner, MD
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...
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,...
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...