The legacy of Hebrew Ladies Charity Society was celebrated during a warm and meaningful afternoon luncheon on Sunday, January 11 at Ohef Sholom Temple. The event honored more than a century of compassion, generosity, and hands-on service.
Stephanie Peck, JFS president, welcomed guests and set the tone for a gathering centered on gratitude, remembrance, and community pride. From the very beginning, it was clear that this was not only a look back at history, but a celebration of values that continue to guide Jewish life today.
At the heart of the program was honoring Dorothy Spitalney and Linda Samuels, the last two remaining members of Hebrew Ladies Charity Society. They were presented with tzedakah boxes, a symbol of a lifetime devoted to caring for others. The boxes represented not only their personal commitment, but the countless acts of charity carried out by generations of women who quietly ensured that those in need were never forgotten.
The room was filled with thoughtful details, such as the tin cans and mason jars filled with flowers and historic photographs that symbolized Jewish Family Service’s long-standing work feeding the hungry, a mission rooted in the same values championed by the Hebrew Ladies Charity Society.
Each attendee received a white handkerchief as a keepsake, representing the white handkerchiefs the original Hebrew Ladies used to collect spare change to help community members. This powerful symbol reflected the creativity, humility, and determination of the women who found ways to care for others with whatever resources they had.
The program also included a D’var Torah by Cantor Jen Reuben, grounding the gathering in Jewish tradition and reinforcing the values of tzedakah and communal responsibility that defined the Hebrew Ladies Charity Society from its founding.
Ellen Hundley gave the keynote address. She spoke about her family’s heritage, sharing the story of her great-grandmother, Fanny Brenner, the first member of Hebrew Ladies Charity Society in 1902 – bringing the organization’s history to life through a personal lens.
“My great-grandmother didn’t see this as charity—she saw it as responsibility,” Hundley said. “These women showed up for their community in quiet, powerful ways, and their work reminds us that caring for one another is how Jewish life has always been sustained.”
While the luncheon honored the past, it also looked ahead. Guests were reminded that the Hebrew Ladies Charity Society’s work continues today through Jewish Family Service, and that the legacy of caring for one another lives on through volunteering, generosity, and community involvement.
To volunteer with Jewish Family Service, donate, or leave a legacy gift, contact Brooke Rush, director of development, at BRUSH@jfshamptonroads.org.
Julie Kievit is Jewish Community Services manager for Jewish Family Service of Tidewater.
