More than 100 Brith Sholom members gathered at the Simon Family JCC on Sunday, Feb. 5, to learn the results of the 2022–2024 election. The newly elected officers are President, Dave Lesser; Vice President, Ray Rebby; Treasurer, Joe Goldberg; Secretary, Ed Landress. The six Members-at-Large are: Bruce Longman, David Proser, Sue Ellen Teach, Ruth Rothman, Virgie McCall, and Beril Abraham. These results were followed by the typical deluxe brunch for which the group has become known.
The newly elected board looks forward to bringing back the pre-COVID monthly brunches including relevant, informative speakers or entertainment, as well as an occasional educational road trip. In the past, the group has traveled to Richmond to tour the Holocaust Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts, and Beth Ahabah Synagogue, founded in 1789, one of the oldest in America. The trip to Monticello and the visit to the Philadelphia Jewish Museum were also informative. Closer to home, the group has had excursions to Jamestown and Yorktown and cruised on the Spirit of Norfolk and the American Rover.
The next four months of programming for Brith Sholom offers plenty of variety. On March 12, the new officers will be installed by Bruce Longman, past president. A special afternoon is planned on March 19 to see Finding Nemo, Jr performed by the Hurrah Players at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, followed by dinner. On April 2, the group will hear from David Abraham, CEO and executive director of Beth Sholom Village about Aviva, a new senior apartment facility developed through a partnership between Pembroke Square Associates and Beth Sholom Village to be built near Town Center. On May 7, Eric Whitman, a physical therapist, will offer tips on staying physically healthy. June 4 will feature Brith Sholom’s favorite singing group, Fond Memories, performing oldies music.
Every Sunday program is followed by a delicious Kosher buffet brunch catered by Beth Sholom Village. For just $5, members enjoy scrambled eggs or quiche, blintzes, bagels and lox, fried potatoes, white fish salad, tomatoes and onions, as well as a variety of beverages and desserts.
After selling its building, Brith Sholom met monthly at Beth Sholom Home for many years. However, this became impossible due to COVID 19. After many months of meeting by Zoom, the organization’s new temporary home is the Simon Family JCC until Aviva opens in mid-2024 where they will have a permanent meeting place.
Although Brith Sholom is best known as a social group, it is also a charitable one. This year, the organization distributed funds to 18 agencies and institutions to further Jewish education in Tidewater. In addition, Brith Sholom conducts annual food drives to benefit the Jewish Family Service Food Pantry.
Yearly dues are $25 per person. For more information on membership, contact Rhoda Ehrlich at 757-408-8001. For more information on the organization or programming, contact LeeAnne Mallory at Brith.Sholom1@gmail.com.
–Rona Proser