Hal Sacks is a man of many words.
Literally.
The author of two books, Hal’s Navy and Passing in Review and countless Jewish News articles and book reviews, Sacks has spent the last few years on a personal mission to benefit the community—using his written and oratory skills, as well as his subtle, yet effective power of persuasion.
Sacks single-handedly conceived and initiated the gargantuan, multi-year project to catalog, scan and preserve 69 years of Tidewater Jewish News and Renewal magazine issues. Sacks’ goal from the start was to make it possible for everyone—community volunteers and professionals, nostalgia seekers, genealogists, historians, students or family members—to have access to issues which until now were safely stored, but unavailable to the public.
Recognizing Sacks’ efforts in some way was paramount to Terri Denison, Jewish News editor, and Jay Klebanoff, president of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. With instant approval from the UJFT board, and Sacks himself—who was both humbled and honored—the project has been officially named The Hal Sacks Jewish News Archives.
“Hal was the force—in every way— behind the archives, which not only preserves the Jewish News, but preserves the Tidewater Jewish community’s history,” says Denison.
“He pushed to have it done, he’s donated the proceeds from his book sales to the project, and he continues to raise funds to ensure this costly, but very important project continues,” Denison says.
“Now, anyone, anywhere in the world can go online and search and browse decades of world and community events, and people, whose names and faces and stories are told in our newspaper. And, it’s all because of Hal.”
The Hal Sacks Jewish News Archives can be found online. Make a donation to this ongoing project, or get more information by emailing news@ujft.org, or by calling 757-965-6100.
This month in history in Jewish News…
March 24, 2006
Kosher Week took place March 26–March 29. Sponsored by Chabad of Tidewater, the week’s events included booths at Farm Fresh with information about keeping kosher, as well as samples of kosher products, a Kosher Food Show at the Simon Family JCC and a proclamation by Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim that the week of March 26 be “Kosher Week” in the City of Norfolk.
March 15, 1996
Bernard and Zelma Rivin were among the community leaders to be honored at Tidewater’s 1996 Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner for the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
March 28, 1986
During the groundbreaking for the Joseph H. Strelitz Family and Pre-School Center in Israel, Neil Perlman, executive director of the JCC, met and discussed the summer Shlichim program with staff of the Matnas (JCC) in Pardes Katz. Two young Israelis from Pardes Katz were to be selected and trained by the American Zionist Youth Foundation to work in the Tidewater JCC Summer Camp as junior counselors.
March 12, 1976
Valerie Harper of Rhoda fame was a surprise participant in the Couples Mission to Israel. Harper, a personal friend of Penny Almog, visited the Almogs in Norfolk the previous year and spoke to a group from the Women’s Division of the UJF. Participants in the one-week Mission included Joseph (Buddy) Strelitz Mission leader), Dr. and Mrs. Zvi Almog, Betty and Sidney Berg, Ella and Sol Brewer, Terry and Norman Cohen, Barbra Dixon, Bebe and Harry Goldman, Mollie and Albert Heller, Roz and Zeke Landres and Mildred Malkin.
March 1, 1966
The 14th Annual community-wide Purim Coronation Ball, sponsored by the Norfolk Jewish Community Center was scheduled for Saturday, March 19. Contestants for Queen Esther 1966 included Daryl Raskin, Marilyn Salasky, Terry Bigio, Kathy Lombart, Lorie Friedman, Susan Webne, Sanda Blumenthal, Laurie Holzsweig, Barbara Zetlin, Beth Front, Janet Bromberg, Linda Blum, Gail Breman, Susan Zelinger, and Nancy Nusbaum. In addition to a teen fashion show and the selection of Queen Esther by “local prominent judges,” dancing took place to the music of Ben Dale and the Cl-Ops.
March 1, 1956
Following a “most eloquent presentation by Lt. Colonel Ruth Berman of the Israeli Army,” approximately 300 men and women pledged $107,360 toward the 1956 United Jewish Fund on February 21 at Temple Israel.
To browse or search the Jewish News Archives, click here.