A shining, joyful moment: Bobby turning ninety five. 

From Philly roots to Waynesboro, she grew both bright and popular,

A star whose appeal and laughter made each room feel spectacular.

At RPI she studied hard, her future wide and deep, 

Till one day on 34th Street, fate took a sudden leap. 

She spotted someone playing handball—“Who is that handsome guy?” 

Her friend replied, “You don’t know Boodie Friedman? You two will surely fly.”

He asked her out not once but twice—each time she had a previous plan,  

The third? A boat in choppy seas—she said, “no way,” to that brave young man. 

Still, he tried again, and that fourth ask would be a start,

To a love that lasted seventy years, two souls, one beating heart.

On their first date she told him straight, “You’re going to marry me,” 

He laughed—but she was right, of course, as everyone could plainly see. 

She left her path as a physical therapist and built a life instead, 

With Boodie, her beloved prince, the one she chose to wed.

Now Norfolk is her kingdom where she’s lived a life so grand, 

Three children—Alan, LynneDee, Penny—her extraordinary band. 

Each morning with her crossword and her trusty orange slice, 

Though sometimes she’ll switch to a banana—for something different and nice.

Mom emphasized education and studying with thoughtful care,

Penny became an accomplished teacher, an educator extraordinaire. 

LynneDee supported children with unique special needs, 

Alan ensured pharmacy information would not mistakenly mislead. 

She writes, creates, imagines—Temple Israel knows it well, 

Her plays brought joy and laughter and the stories she could tell. 

A friend so true and trusted, with a Yiddish lilt so sweet, 

Who loves key lime and chocolate delights—her favorite dessert treats.

Bobby’s a Mahjongg Maven through and through, a knitter with great flair, 

A reader who librarians greet with joy when she is often there. 

When weather’s fine she jokes, “I played pickleball today!” 

Her kids all know she’s teasing—but they go with it anyway.

Working at UJF with Sonny Lefcoe—witty, warm, a dear, 

Who knew he’d be her mayechutan in a later, blessed year? 

With Darryl’s dental wisdom, panache, and charms galore, 

It’s clear that Bobby’s son Alan certainly did score. 

And family wove through friendships—how life can intertwine, 

Bobby’s mechutanim, Morty and Esther—were oh so very divine. 

Allan—a mister fix-it and believe us, this is not fakery, 

He made delicious bread at Richmond’s Weiman’s Bakery. 

For Bobby, mishpocheh is the center of her life, 

Mentor, guide, role model, mother and wife. 

Grammy to her grands and greats, each one a cherished treasure— 

JD, Andrea, Lee, and Orly—names she speaks with pleasure.

As if that wasn’t enough, great love abounds much more,

Generations continue to expand—it warms Bobby to the core. 

Penny’s joys are Allie, Ross, and Grace who joined the crew, 

Then Shane, Hugh, Maya, Vera—great grand blessings, too.

At ninety five she’s thriving still, silver hair and manicured nails,  

Driving off to Wegmans and home again to check her numerous emails. 

From her perch at the Oceans, watching surf and sky unfold, 

She speaks to her heavenly prince in whispers soft and bold.

So, Mom and Grammy, on this day, with hearts that overflow, 

With all our love, all our lives—and thanks—for countless ways you glow. 

May this small Mother’s Day surprise bring joy that brightly thrives, 

For the woman we adore so much—Bobby at ninety five.

— Your Children

 This year’s theme was travel, which made the room feel fun and welcoming. The little touches, such as globes and mini suitcases that tied into the theme, gave everyone something light and enjoyable to talk about while also taking time to appreciate their meaningful work.

 Many different volunteer groups are involved at Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, so it was special to have them all together in one place. Some volunteers help with PAM filing, while others are Meals on Wheels drivers who deliver food to those who need it, along with food pantry volunteers who make sure families have access to groceries, as well as knitters, quilters, and crocheters who create handmade items with care. Tax preparers even donate their time and expertise to help others during tax season.

 JFS depends on its volunteers. The organization truly could not run without them. Along with the generous donations from the Jewish community, the volunteers are what keep everything going and allow JFS to support so many individuals and families in need.

 The luncheon was not fancy, but it didn’t need to be. It felt genuine and heartfelt, which made it meaningful. People had the chance to connect, share stories, and just feel appreciated for what they do.

 The event took place at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, which continues to be a central place for Jewish life in Tidewater.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering, donating, or learning more about Jewish Family Service, can contact Julie Kievit, Jewish Community Relations Manager, at 757-321-2318 or jkievit@jfshamptonroads.org. Giving even a little bit of time can make a big difference.

 Each day featured specific themes: Camp Takeover included tie-dying shirts; Passover Day focused on decorating matzah covers; Nature Day involved exploration and journaling; and Arts Day featured clay sculpting, dancing, and magic tricks. The week ended with Parent Trap Day, inspired by the Disney film The Parent Trap, where campers made friendship bracelets, completed an obstacle course, and watched the movie.

 Families maintained flexibility by enrolling for individual days or bundling the full week for savings. This customizable scheduling allowed campers to balance spring travel and family time with the activities at Camp JCC. By providing diverse programming and convenient registration, the camp delivered a streamlined and engaging experience.

To learn more about Camp JCC, Kids Night Out, School Days Out, children’s classes, and more, contact Kate-Lynn Cipolla, Camp JCC director, at klcipolla@ujft.org or 757-321-2306.

  In a time that continues to see rising antisemitism and threats to Jewish communities all over the world, the Federation is resolved to bring light and joy and Jewishness – whether it is through Arts & Ideas programs; the Konikoff Center of Learning and all of its educational opportunities; or the Jewish Community Relations Council and its proud and constant advocacy and support for all, here at home or in Israel. Or maybe it’s through the Federation’s allocated support for the amazing Jewish agencies and organizations who deliver specialized services to the Jewish community.

 If “living well is the best revenge,” then UJFT’s goal is to enable living well – for us, for our children, for our neighbors, and for those we may never have the chance to meet.

 All of these programs and services cost money. And it’s the UJFT Community Campaign (and its remarkable donors, who give year after year) which help bring these services to all who want and need them.

 So, whatever “living well” means to each person – being healthy, being secure, or being inspired to build a closer relationship with God, the Federation hopes you’ll support the programs and services of the Jewish community with a gift of support for the UJFT Campaign –
which ultimately brings so much wellness in the world.

 The three options to make a gift of support to the 2026 UJFT Community Campaign are: 

• Online via the Federation’s secure website at www.jewishva.org/donate. 

• Call or email Amy Zelenka, UJFT’s chief development officer, at 757-965-6139 or azelenka@ujft.org. 

• Mail a check to: United Jewish Federation of Tidewater
5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200
Virginia Beach, VA  23462
(Note: 26 Community Campaign on the check). 

Amy Zelenka is United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s chief development officer.

To help Jewish News readers understand probate, Judy Rosenblatt, a Commissioner of Accounts for the Virginia Beach Circuit Court, agreed to answer some questions concerning the process. In her role as Commissioner of Accounts, Rosenblatt supervises fiduciaries and audits accountings and other filings by administrators and executors of estates, trustees of trusts, and foreclosure trustees, among other proceedings. 

Jewish News: What is the first thing the family needs to do?

Judy Rosenblatt: Find the will. If the will is not with the decedent’s other important papers, contact the bank or investment institution the decedent used or an attorney, if known.

JN: What is probate?

JR: “Probate” specifically refers to the act of submitting the will to the Clerk of the appropriate Circuit Court and “proving” with appropriate documentation or testimony from witnesses that the will is valid (that is, that it was signed and witnessed properly).

The term “probate” is also used in reference to the processes involved in qualifying as a personal representative and administering the decedent’s estate.

JN: How do you know if a will must be probated? 

JR: Probating a will is not always necessary.  For example, there may be no property that passes by will or the amount passing by will is less than $50,000.

Additionally, qualification is not necessary to transfer a motor vehicle title.  In these circumstances, the will is probated and proved and recorded and nothing further is done.  Other instances where formal qualification or administration may not be required are joint accounts with right of survivorship in banks, savings institutions, or credit unions.

The payment of life insurance proceeds, IRAs, retirement plan benefits, and other accounts or assets made payable to a specific person also do not need to be probated. The transfer of real estate to a surviving spouse also occurs outside of the estate.

JN: Where should the will be probated?

JR: The person who wants to qualify takes the original will and original codicils (if any), a certified death certificate, driver’s license or passport, and a personal check to the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court that has jurisdiction over the will.

Virginia does not have a separate probate court. The will should be probated in the Circuit Court of the city or county where the decedent resided or where the decedent owned real estate; or if none, where the decedent died or has any estate.

If the decedent died in a nursing home or similar institution, then that person’s residence is presumed to be where he or she resided prior to becoming a patient at such home.

JN: What types of reports are required by law?

JR: Notice of Probate: Within 30 days after probate and qualification, the personal representative sends a notice to the beneficiaries and heirs that the will has been probated.

Inventory: The personal representative files an inventory which lists all probate assets at their date-of-death values.  This is done within four months.

Accountings: The personal representative files an accounting every year. The accounting details what has occurred in the estate since the last report and lists all assets of the estate, all distributions and ending assets which remain.

JN. Any other advice?

JR: All cities in Virginia have a good website to assist you as you go through this process.  Both Norfolk Circuit Court and Virginia Beach Circuit Court have information online to assist you.  Norfolk has a Probate Process Manual.

Growing up in Norfolk’s West Ghent neighborhood, Kossman’s early connection to Jewish life was more cultural than religious, he says. It wasn’t until he spent nearly 30 years away, primarily in Connecticut, that his understanding of Judaism began to take shape in a more meaningful way. Through study and guidance by a Chabad rabbi, he developed a deeper appreciation for the principles that continue to influence him today.

Among them is tikkun olam: the call to repair the world.

“That idea isn’t theoretical,” Kossman says. “It’s something you’re meant to live out in how you show up, how you support, and how you contribute.”  That belief has become the foundation of his philanthropic philosophy. 

 Alongside his wife, Joyce, Kossman takes a strategic approach to philanthropy, prioritizing institutions that educate, equip, and create lasting impact. Their giving reflects a belief that strong organizations don’t just meet immediate needs; they shape people, strengthen communities, and extend their influence over time.

  That commitment has not gone unnoticed. In 2025, Kossman was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Old Dominion University, an acknowledgment of his sustained contributions of time, talent, and resources in service to the broader community.

 Rather than focusing on short-term outcomes, Kossman is drawn to long-term influence. “We focus on supporting institutions that help people learn how to think and lead,” he says. “If you invest in that, the return isn’t immediate, but it is lasting.”

 That same thinking shapes his views on sustaining Jewish life. Kossman believes some of the most important investments happen early, through experiences such as Jewish day school and camp. “That’s where identity starts to take hold,” he says. “It’s where relationships are formed, where people build lifelong friendships, meet their partners, and begin to understand what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

 In those environments, he sees more than education or recreation. He sees continuity taking root. “You have to invest early,” he adds. “Those experiences stay with people, and they shape how connected they feel later in life.”

 As a member of Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s board of directors, Kossman brings this same strategic lens to conversations around legacy giving, particularly when it comes to engaging future donors.  “One of the biggest challenges is helping people understand the ‘why,’” he says. “If you can connect people to the purpose behind giving, if they understand the impact, that’s what sustains it.”

 For Kossman, legacy isn’t about a final gift or a single decision. It’s about aligning values with action, again and again.

 Favorite camp events include the Color Run and Apache Relay, Lip Sync Showcase, Camp JCC Gala, and Carnival Colossal. Daily fun happens with spirit days such as Crazy Hair Day, Tacky Tourist Day, Neon Day, and Tie-Dye Day, along with summer staples such as H2O Day, Watermelon Wednesday, and the Stars & Stripes Pool Party.

 Every morning at Camp JCC begins with Boker Tov, a camp-wide celebration of songs, cheers, and laughter, setting the tone for a joyful day, and each week closes with Shabbat blessings, songs, and, of course, challah for all.

Camp JCC is the ultimate all-in-one day camp summer experience—offering something for every child. Campers swim twice daily (including instructional swim), play sports, create arts and crafts, explore nature, and participate in music, drama, and classic camp games like gaga.

 Open to children of all backgrounds, faiths, and abilities, Camp JCC is a welcoming, inclusive community where kids can try new things, build confidence, and make lasting friendships. 

Camp JCC has a strong commitment to safety, low camper-to-staff ratios, and a caring team that ensures every child feels seen, supported, and successful. 

“Camp JCC is more than just camp, it’s a place where kids grow,” says Betty Ann Levin, executive vice president, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC.

 Fun and values go hand in hand at Camp JCC. All activities are designed to help campers build confidence, character, and connection through core Jewish values:

• Simcha (Joy): Celebrating each day with laughter, energy, and positivity. 

• Chaverut (Friendship): Building meaningful relationships rooted in kindness and respect.

• Ometz Lev (Courage): Encouraging campers to try new things and step outside their comfort zones.

• Arvut (Community): Creating a strong sense of belonging through shared traditions and experiences.

• Achrayut (Responsibility): Teaching accountability and leadership in everyday moments.

• Kehilah (Inclusivity): Welcoming and celebrating campers of all backgrounds.

Through these values, Camp JCC creates a community where every camper feels they belong—and leaves with skills that last far beyond summer.

For information, go to campjcc.org.

Kate-Lynn Cipolla is director of Camp JCC. She may be reached at klcipolla@ujft.org.

Summer camp season is around the corner, and the Secure Community Network (SCN) is launching its first-ever Camp Security Initiative Webinar Series, designed for camp administrators, counselors, parents, and campers. This program is intended to provide practical guidance to help in preparations for a safe and secure summer.

Protecting Campers: Safety Guidance for Counselors, is the subject of the webinar taking place on April 22. It will offer practical instruction for counselors on situational awareness, camper supervision, and reporting suspicious activity. The session includes a live Q&A period with security professionals.

SCN also offers a list of essential safety questions for parents to ask prior to sending their children to summer camp. 

 Some of the questions are:

1. Has the camp had a Threat, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment performed and has it developed a plan to implement identified security and safety issues?

2. How is access to the camp controlled for visitors and vendors?

3. What is the procedure for handling a missing camper?

4. How does the camp communicate emergencies to campers, staff, and families?

The complete list of questions with details, is available at securecommunitynetwork.org.   

Since launching in April 2024, SCN’s Camp Security Initiative has trained more than 5,000 camp-related individuals, conducted more than 100 site assessments, and helped secure $2.2 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funding.

 This principle has been expressed by none other than King Solomon in the book of Mishlei (Proverbs): “As water reflects a face back to a face, so too does the heart of one person reflect the heart of another.” Our feelings and beliefs are sensed by those we encounter. Those feelings are sensed and then reflected back to us in the same way. When we express love, trust, and belief in someone else, we enable the other person to feel the same way about us. These positive feelings form the bonds of close relationships and are the foundation for continued inspiration and motivation to set high standards and accomplish goals which we may think are out of our reach. When we know someone loves us and believes in us, we can accomplish otherwise impossible tasks and withstand greater trials and tribulations knowing that we have the support we need to maximize our potential.

 The success of educators is inseparable from a closely developed relationship which is invested in over the course of a year or more. When learning is outsourced primarily to technology, however, a critical conduit is removed. Effective learning is built on trust, responsiveness, and human connection. This is echoed in social-emotional learning research which emphasizes that teachers create the environments and relationships in which students can thrive academically and emotionally. It is the relationship which is at the core of success.

 The presence of technology and its impact on our lives have been exponential. What is relevant today may already be irrelevant tomorrow. Simultaneously, our access to, and dependence on, cell phones and other tech has also increased. This has not only been true in our personal lives. In schools, screens have become ever-present on desks, in backpacks, and in lesson plans. The prevailing assumption has been that “more technology naturally leads to better learning.” Yet a growing body of data suggests that this assumption deserves to be revisited.

 As various sectors have begun to grapple with the balance between technology and the school environment, much of the discourse has been focused on students. Countless articles, news stories, and laws have attempted to comment on students’ distractibility, their dependence on devices, and their struggle to stay engaged. Far less attention has been paid to those who are meant to model the behaviors, interactions, and relationships we hope to instill: parents and teachers. Children learn not only from what we say, but from what we demonstrate. When teachers rely on screens as the primary conduit for instruction and engagement, the result is the implicit message being sent to children: mediated interaction is preferable to human connection.

 A visit to many schools will find that a typical classroom has a significant portion of its learning, especially in the formative elementary and middle school years, relegated to visual platforms. While these tools can be valuable supplements and play a significant role in differentiated instruction and data-driven education, their use raises a fundamental question: Is school solely about information transfer? If education is reduced to content delivery, then a screen may indeed suffice. But schools have never been only about information. They are equally about the development of the whole child intellectually, socially, and emotionally. 

 Eating away even further at the teacher-student relationship is “technoference,” the intrusion of technology into in-person interactions. When a teacher or student engages with, or via, a screen, the relational link is severed. Instead, a message, however unintentionally, is sent that the device is more important than the person in the room. The mere presence of a cellphone or tablet has been shown to reduce the quality of interaction, diminishing trust, closeness, and the depth of conversation. Perhaps most insidiously, screens foster a state of “absent presence,” in which individuals are physically together but mentally elsewhere, separated by their digital worlds. How can a teacher sitting at the desk bond with a student as they stare away in the opposite direction at a projector screen. How can students form a bond with one another when they remain individuals processing information from their own lens?

 Digital tools in the classroom can crowd out opportunities for hands-on learning and direct social interaction with teachers and peers. For younger students, this loss is even more significant as language development, cognitive growth, and emotional regulation depend on the back-and-forth responsiveness of an engaged adult.

 At its core, the relationship between teacher and student relies on the ebb and flow of interaction that blends the realms of physical, psychological, and emotional. When technology dominates the classroom, the harmony is disrupted. If we want attentive, socially capable, and emotionally healthy children, we must ensure that our classrooms remain places where human connection is central and where teachers teach not only with content, but with presence.

Rabbi Aryeh Kravetz is head of school at Toras Chaim.

In conversation at the Sandler Family Campus, Anzovin was asked two primary questions: How can Jewish individuals reclaim their voice on social media? And what would she say to someone struggling with fear while trying to show up authentically as Jewish? 

Anzovin’s honest response was empowering. She admitted that she still feels a flash of anger when faced with those she calls, the “modern Romans,” the ignorant and hateful commenters who mirror historical adversaries. However, she views this anger not as a burden, but as a vital tool to have when the “Romans are coming,” because they will indeed come, time and time again.  Anzovin suggests that a “healthy amount of anger” provides the momentum needed to defend Jewish identity. The key, she says, is to channel that fire into productive action: using it as fuel to dive deeper into study, learning, and teaching. “By turning the heat of antisemitism into the light of education, we ensure that our authenticity remains our strongest defense and our most radiant contribution to the world.”

Inspired by the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Anzovin brought a magnetic energy to the Tidewater community during her residency. Her daily practice of Daf Yomi has lit a fire within her—one that warmed the entire room as she spoke. With a blend of wit, charm, and an unapologetic passion for Talmudic studies, Anzovin did something remarkable: she ignited a collective desire to engage in Daf Yomi, a global cycle of studying one page of Talmud each day, completing the entire text over the course of about seven and a half years. 

Anzovin’s residency was a reminder that Jewish texts are not just history, but a living dialogue. Now, it’s Tidewater’s turn, so get ready. The community will begin its own deep dive into Daf Yomi this fall, with plans to build small cohorts learning together in anticipation of the next global cycle beginning in summer 2027.

To learn more about studying Daf Yomi, and to look for upcoming courses, visit JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation, at SLautman@ujft.org. 

To get involved with NextGen or learn more about upcoming opportunities to learn with small groups of adults, ages 22- 45, contact Hannah Yasemsky, NextGen engagement coordinator, at HYasemsky@ujft.org.