Portsmouth —Rabbi Arthur Zanville Steinberg, 78, died Sunday, April 10, 2016.
He served as the rabbi of Temple Sinai in Portsmouth for 32 years.
Rabbi Steinberg was a native of Baltimore and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1959. He was ordained in June 1966 at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. He served for six years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. In June 2012, Rabbi Steinberg became Rabbi Emeritus at Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk.
A lifelong activist, he served his community through his involvement with the Portsmouth Community Services Board, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis, Child and Family Service Agency, The Children’s Care Fund, Tidewater Pastoral Counseling Services, the Generic Theatre of Norfolk, and as the Jewish Chaplain and Hillel advisor at Old Dominion University. He is also remembered for his service to the Churchland Interfaith Council, the Portsmouth Ministerial Association, the Portsmouth Torch Club, the American Red Cross, the Portsmouth Police Chaplain’s Bureau, the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM), and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He taught classes at area churches and local schools including Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College.
Some people may remember him as “Zanville the Pretty Good,” a magician known for lending his talents and humor to audiences young and old. For 11 years, he was a part-time classical music announcer on WHRO-FM.
Rabbi Steinberg is preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Louise Steinberg, and his brother, Steven, of Baltimore.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Wolf, son Jonathan Steinberg and wife Lesley, and daughters Gretchen Hudome and husband Rob, Jennifer Steinberg and wife Beth Anne Moon, Jill Bari Steinberg and husband Tom Gallagher, and Emily Chesla and husband Mark. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Harry and Allison Hudome; Caroline and Charles Steinberg; Marisol and Jacob Chesla; Zachary Gallagher; his honorary son, Burgess Hodges; and many, many extended family members.
Rabbi Steinberg had a way with people and with words, making a lasting impression on those he met, who, in turn, made a lasting impression on him.
The family requests that donations be made to Oasis Social Ministry, Ohef Sholom Temple Religious School, or Chevra T’helim Jewish Museum & Cultural Center.
A family graveside service was held in Olive Branch Cemetery. A memorial service took place at Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk, officiated by Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel.