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America’s Black-Jewish story gets an update on new PBS series featuring Henry Louis Gates, Michael Twitty and more

Jackie Hajdenberg

(JTA) — Passover may still be months away, but PBS is seating a diverse set of Jews down for a seder this month — casting the communal storytelling meal as an ideal entry point for exploring the complicated history of Black-Jewish relations in the United States.

The meal can be seen in Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History, which airs on Tuesday evenings, and it features a diverse set of Jews — including many who are Black — discussing the role that the Exodus story plays in both Black and Jewish traditions.

The conversation does not avoid difficult topics that challenge the conventional wisdom that having gained freedom from slavery represents a clear parallel for Jews and Black Americans.

“Something that I often think about during Passover is every year we commemorate our freedom as Jews,” says Nate Looney, director of community safety and belonging at the Jewish Federations of North America, in a clip shared exclusively with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “But as Black Americans, we’re often told to ‘get over slavery,’ and ‘forget about it.’”

The four-episode docuseries explores the historical rifts and alliances between Jewish and Black Americans and is hosted by Harvard University historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. It comes during Black History Month — and as questions have simmered about whether the last several years have irreparably harmed the historic kinship between Jewish and Black Americans.

It argues that the relationship between Black and Jewish

Americans wasn’t set in stone during the civil rights movement when Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel marched in Selma with Martin Luther King Jr., but was shaped by centuries of history, and continues to be shaped by oppression and white supremacy.

Among those at the table with Looney are Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, senior rabbi of New York’s Central Synagogue; cookbook author and culinary historian Michael Twitty; writer Jamaica Kincaid; David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker; and Rabbi Shais Rishon, also known as MaNishtana.

The series explores key moments in the histories of Black and Jewish Americans, and how those moments ran parallel and crossed paths over the past five centuries. It covers the transatlantic slave trade, the overlaps between the Great Migration and Jewish immigration from Europe, the lynching of Leo Frank, the civil rights movement, the Crown Heights riots, the 2017 Unite the Right rally, and post-Oct. 7 activism.

“A lot of previous conversations about [Black and Jewish relations] really just look at that golden era or just look at the divisions that have come in the last decades, but we’re trying to take a holistic view about how race and caste [were] established in America,” Sara Wolitzky, co-executive producer and director of the docuseries told eJewishPhilanthropy.

Black and Jewish America features a variety of academics, activists, writers, and celebrities, including Rev. Al Sharpton, Jewish studies professor Susannah Heschel (the rabbi’s daughter), actor Billy Crystal, activist and professor Cornel West, and playwright Tony Kushner.

The episodes run every Tuesday at 9 pm, ET until Feb. 24.

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BRIEFS

Penn calls Trump administration demand for list of Jewish employees ‘disturbing and unconstitutional’

The University of Pennsylvania rebuked the Trump administration in a court filing last month for what it called “disturbing and unconstitutional” requests for a list of its Jewish employees.

“Singling out organizations and individuals for such an invasion of privacy based on their actual or presumed religious affiliation would be deeply troubling under any circumstances,” the university wrote in a filing in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “It is particularly chilling in light of the persecution that often has followed the compilation of lists of Jews in particular.”

The university’s response was endorsed in separate court filings by Rabbi Rick Fox, the executive director of MEOR Penn, Rabbi Gabriel F. Greenberg, the executive director of Penn Hillel, and Rabbi Menachem Schmidt, the co-executive director of Chabad at Penn.

The university’s filing marked the latest blow in a battle between the school and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which filed a federal complaint against Penn in November for allegedly refusing to comply with a subpoena that sought contact information about Jewish employees on its campus.

“Against a backdrop of rising antisemitism, the prospect of forcible, nonconsensual disclosure of personal information — including not only personal phone numbers and email addresses but also home addresses, which may provide individuals’ physical locations — poses a visceral threat to Jewish employees’ safety and security,” the university’s filing continued.

The EEOC first began investigating allegations of antisemitism at Penn in December 2023, the same month that the school’s president, Liz Magill, resigned after she was criticized for refusing to say that calls for the genocide of Jews violated the school’s code of conduct.

While the EEOC has not accused Penn of violating antidiscrimination laws, its petition said it was unable to complete its investigation without contacting Jewish employees about the university’s response to allegations of antisemitism.

Several groups representing Jewish faculty and students at Penn also filed a motion to intervene in the EEOC’s case, writing that “compiling and turning over to the government ‘lists of Jews’ conjures a terrifying history.” (JTA)

Vance omits mention of Jews from Holocaust Remembrance Day statement

V

ice President JD Vance made a statement marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day that failed to mention either Jews or Nazis, igniting further Jewish criticism of the vice president from both sides of the aisle.

The statement was the latest in a series of comments Vance has made that have triggered concern regarding his hesitancy to call out antisemites in the conservative movement.

“Today we remember the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust, the millions of stories of individual bravery and heroism, and one of the enduring lessons of one of the darkest chapters in human history: that while humans create beautiful things and are full of compassion, we’re also capable of unspeakable brutality,” Vance tweeted Jan. 27.

“And we promise never again to go down the darkest path.”

His post included photos of the vice president and his wife Usha visiting a Holocaust memorial site, meeting representatives and signing a guestbook. Vance visited Dachau last year.

Tablet, the Jewish digital magazine that promotes conservative ideas but has drawn a line of skepticism around the vice president, swiftly criticized Vance’s comments.

“Thank you Mr. Vice President for this unique commemoration of the Holocaust that manages to avoid mentioning Jews or condemning Nazis,” the site’s Twitter account posted. The post was retweeted by Jews across the political spectrum, including pro-Palestinian activist and former Congressional candidate Cameron Kasky, and its sentiments were echoed by many other Jews.

“It really takes effort on the part of Vice President Vance to issue a Holocaust Remembrance Day statement like this without any mention of six million Jews lost, the Jewish people, Nazis, or the issue of antisemitism,” Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, tweeted.

Other Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio as well as the official White House statement, mentioned Jews or antisemitism in their own commemorations of the holiday.

American Jewish groups have anxiously parsed Vance’s approach to antisemitism over the last few months. The vice president has previously failed to condemn a college student’s antisemitic question; remains close with Tucker Carlson; and has said several times that antisemitism is not a problem in the conservative movement. “We have far more important work to do than canceling each other,” he said at a Turning Point USA conference in December. He has also said that stopping immigration is the best way to combat antisemitism. (JTA)

Man arrested after ramming car into Chabad’s Brooklyn headquarters

Aman rammed his car multiple times into Chabad’s world headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, on Jan. 28, igniting fear and drawing top city officials to the scene.

The man drove into a side entrance of 770 Eastern Parkway, the Hasidic movement’s headquarters, then reversed before accelerating again into the entrance multiple times. The impact knocked a door off its hinges as a crowd gathered, according to footage.

No one was injured in the incident, which took place at 8:45 pm as the Chabad community marked the anniversary of the death of the movement’s penultimate leader, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson.

“A car just drove into the side doors of 770 at Chabad

Headquarters. Baruch Hashem, there are no injuries,” Yaacov Behrman, a Crown Heights activist who works as a public relations liaison for Chabad headquarters, tweeted as the incident unfolded. “Witnesses report the driver yelled for people to move as he drove in. It appears intentional.”

The assailant, who drove a car with New Jersey license plates and was dressed in shorts despite the extreme cold, was arrested at the scene. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the incident was being investigated as a hate crime but that it was too early to speculate about the assailant’s mental state.

Tisch, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Attorney General Letitia James held a press conference outside the building, where they denounced the crime and offered details about the preliminary investigation.

Tisch said the man had been arrested by officers already stationed outside 770 Eastern Parkway and that a bomb squad had found no explosive devices. She said her department was increasing patrols outside all houses of worship.

Mamdani called the incident “deeply alarming,” mentioning Schneerson’s yahrzeit specifically and noting the significance of the site and the date “to so many in New York and around the world.”

“Any threat to a Jewish institution or place of worship must be taken seriously,” Mamdani, whose response to previous incidents outside synagogues has drawn criticism.

“Antisemitism has no place in our city, and violence or intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers is unacceptable. I stand in solidarity with the Crown Heights Jewish community, and I’m grateful to our first responders for taking swift action.” (JTA)

ADL: Leading AI models vary in ability to detect and counter antisemitism

Six major AI models show varied ability in detecting bias against Jews and Zionists/Zionism and identifying extremism, according to a new ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) AI Index released last month. This AI index is the first comprehensive evaluation of how large language models (LLMs) respond to antisemitic and extremist content, based on more than 25,000 LLM chats, 37 topical sub-categories, and assessments conducted by both human and AI evaluators.

The Index assessed OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, DeepSeek, Google's Gemini, xAI's Grok, and Meta's Llama and identified substantial variation across models in their ability to detect and counter antisemitic and extremist narratives. Models were typically better able to identify and refute anti-Jewish tropes like Jews controlling the media and the financial system than anti-Zionist and extremist theories, with models tending to struggle most with effectively countering extremism.

In addition, some models actively generate harmful content in response to relatively straightforward prompts, such as YouTube script personas saying “Jewish-controlled central banks are the puppet masters behind every major economic collapse.” (ADL)

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INTERNATIONAL

HIAS SHUTS VIENNA OFFICE THAT AIDED GENERATIONS OF REFUGEES AFTER TRUMP PULLS FUNDING

Asaf Elia-Shalev (JTA) — Since the end of World War II, Vienna has functioned as an Ellis Island for Jewish refugees from Europe and the Middle East, a place where survivors, dissidents and religious minorities arrived with little more than documents and hope, and departed toward new lives.

That role has come to an end: HIAS is shutting down its Vienna operations and laying off dozens of employees who worked there, following the Trump administration’s decision to halt the U.S. refugee program and terminate the federal grant that funded the Resettlement Support Center in Austria, which HIAS had operated for more than 25 years.

HIAS says the move has left more than 14,000 Iranian religious minorities — including hundreds of

Jews and thousands of Baha’i, Christians, Zoroastrians, and Sabean Mandaeans — stranded in Iran after having already been vetted and approved for resettlement in the United States. Several hundred Eritrean and other asylum seekers in Israel have also lost their pathway to resettlement following the closure.

“This decision leaves thousands of families in danger, with no pathway to safety,” Beth Oppenheim, HIAS’ chief executive officer, says.

The Trump administration has said the suspension of the refugee program is necessary because local communities lack the capacity to absorb additional arrivals, citing concerns about assimilation. In an executive order, the White House said refugee admissions should resume only if they align with U.S. national interests and

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do not compromise public safety, national security, or taxpayer resources.

Oppenheim says HIAS continues to advocate for the restoration of refugee admissions and the reopening of lawful pathways for people fleeing religious persecution and continues to provide services to thousands of refugees and asylum seekers around the world.

“For generations, the United States has stood as a beacon for those fleeing religious oppression, and we will fight to preserve that legacy,” Oppenheim says.

The closure of the Vienna office marks the end of an institution whose history closely mirrors the modern history of Jewish displacement.

Known then as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, HIAS began operating in Vienna in the aftermath of World War II, when Austria became a central transit country for Jewish survivors leaving displaced persons camps across Europe. During that period, the organization helped resettle roughly 150,000 Holocaust survivors to communities in the United States, Canada, Australia, South America and later Israel.

Jews from the former Soviet Union as they resettled in the United States and other countries. For U.S.-bound refugees, the Vienna office coordinated case preparation, documentation and interviews with American authorities.

Singer-songwriter Regina Spektor and Google co-founder Sergey Brin are among the many prominent Jews who passed through Austria on their journey from the Soviet Union to the United States.

For generations, the United States has stood as a beacon for those fleeing religious oppression, and we will fight to preserve that legacy

“If your family arrived in the postwar period, or through the Soviet Jewry movement, HIAS’ office in Vienna may have been their gateway to the United States,” Oppenheim says. In its modern form, HIAS’ operations in Austria became a U.S.-funded Resettlement Support Center in 2000, operating under contract with the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. One of nine such centers worldwide, the Vienna-based operation focused primarily on Iranian religious minorities and vulnerable asylum seekers in Israel.

Vienna again emerged as a refugee crossroads after the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, when thousands of Jews fled Soviet-backed repression and passed through Austria on their way to new homes overseas. In later decades, the city became a key waypoint for Jews leaving the Soviet Union, particularly from the late 1970s through the late 1980s.

During that period, Vienna served as the first stop in what became known as the “Vienna-Rome pipeline,” the migration route used by more than 400,000

Between 2001 and 2025, HIAS says it resettled more than 33,000 people from Iranian religious minority communities to the United States through the Austria center and its suboffices. The work was conducted under the Lautenberg Amendment, a U.S. law first enacted in 1990 to facilitate the resettlement of Jews from the former Soviet Union and later expanded to include persecuted religious minorities from Iran.

Since Trump paused refugee resettlement on his first day in office, no one has entered the United States through the Lautenberg program.

‘Don’t be a wimp’: Josh Shapiro, Philly DA Larry Krasner spar over ICE-Nazi comparisons

Andrew Lapin (JTA) — The Jewish governor of Pennsylvania this month rebuked one of his state’s most visible elected officials for comparing ICE officers to Nazis, leading to a protracted war of words between the two men.

The spat between Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, Democrats with a long-running rivalry, comes amid a rise in such incendiary comparisons used to describe weeks of chaotic Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz recently invoked Anne Frank when discussing ICE, and was criticized by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, among others. Celebrities like Bruce Springsteen and Stephen King have also compared ICE to the Gestapo. Some Jews, including those with connections to the Holocaust, have also made such comparisons as ICE’s behavior in the streets of Minneapolis and other cities has become more aggressive and deadly.

For Shapiro, such waters are proving especially difficult to navigate. Shapiro holds higher office aspirations and has become more vocal in his criticisms of ICE while also saying his office is more open to collaboration with agents.

The fight began last month when Krasner, a pugilistic progressive prosecutor, called ICE “a small bunch of wannabe Nazis” at a rally amid speculation that ICE could turn its attentions to his city. Then, musing about when Trump’s term ends, Krasner likened his own office to Nazi hunters like Simon Wiesenthal.

“If we have to hunt you down the way they hunted down Nazis for decades, we will find your identities, we will find you, we will achieve justice, and we will do so under the Constitution and the laws of the United States,” he said.

Shapiro, in response, called Krasner’s comments “abhorrent” and “wrong, period.”

“We need to bring down the rhetoric, bring down the temperature, and create

calm in the community,” the governor said in an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier.

Other state officials, including Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, who has vocally allied with the pro-Israel Jewish community, also condemned Krasner’s remarks. So did the White House, whose press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared video of Krasner’s comments and asked, “Will the media ask Dems to condemn?”

That didn’t deter Krasner, the son of an Evangelical minister mother and Russian Jewish crime novelist father who enlisted to fight Nazis in World War II. Instead of “bringing down the temperature,” the DA, who does not identify as Jewish, escalated.

“Gov. Shapiro is not meeting the moment,” Krasner told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “The moment requires that we call a subgroup of people within federal law enforcement — who are killing innocent people, physically assaulting innocent people, threatening, and punishing the use of video — what they are.”

He added, “Just say it. Don’t be a wimp.”

The interview came days after Krasner doubled down on ICE-Nazi comparisons during a CNN appearance, when he also claimed that white supremacists had threatened him with the gas chamber.

“There are some people who are all in on a fascist takeover of this country who do not like the comparisons to what happened

in Nazi Germany,” Krasner told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. “The reality is, they’re taking almost everything they do out of the Nazi playbook. And I say that as the son

of a volunteer who served in World War II, who explained his experiences to me.”

Speaking to the Inquirer, Krasner went on to quote Rabbi Joachim Prinz, who fled Nazi Germany for the United States, became a civil rights and Zionist activist, and delivered a famous speech entitled The Problem of Silence at the March on Washington in 1963.

“Bigotry and hatred are not the most urgent problem,” the DA quoted Prinz. “The most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful, and the most tragic problem is silence.”

Krasner continued, “A reminder, Mr. Governor: Silence equals death.” Referring to ICE, he said, “These are people who have taken their moves from a Nazi playbook and a fascist playbook.”

NATION PURIM

How Hamantaschen became a Purim staple

Rachel Ringler

Today we think of hamantaschen, the triangle-shaped stuffed cookie, as the pastry of the Jewish holiday of Purim. But the original hamantaschen had no Jewish connection at all. According to Gil Marks in his landmark book, Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, the hamantaschen we eat on Purim — and increasingly throughout the year as American bakeries and bakers have embraced them as an evergreen option — are based on a medieval German pastry stuffed with poppy seeds. It was called mohntasche, from the German words for poppy seed (mohn) and pocket (tasche).

By coincidence, mohn sounds like Haman (Hamohn in Hebrew), the supervillain of the Purim story who plotted to annihilate the Jews of Persia. German Jews, writes Marks, “renamed this

Teutonic cookie as hamantasch ..meaning ‘Haman’s pocket.’” It was common, in Jewish communities all around the world, to prepare foods for Purim that somehow alluded to Haman, his body, the clothes he wore, or to other characters in the Purim story. In eating those pastries, writes Marks, a person “symbolically erases Haman’s name.”

Following the Black Plague in the 14th century, many German Jews fled their homes and migrated eastward, bringing their poppy seed stuffed pastries with them.

Shmil Holland, a restaurateur, expert on Eastern European Jewish food, and author of the cookbook, Schmaltz, says that over time, this “haman’s pocket” cookie became associated with Purim in Eastern Europe, and poppy seed became the “ultimate Purim filling.” But other

fillings gained popularity, too.

The choices were limited by the time of year and what was available in the markets and the cellars of Eastern Europe. Since Purim falls at the end of winter, the abundant fresh fruits and berries, like cherries, strawberries, and raspberries found in the woods and orchards of that region in the warm weather were not an option. Winter fare such as dried fruits, nuts, poppy seeds, honey, or kasha (buckwheat) was.

In Poland, says Holland, hamantaschen were sometimes stuffed with “dried pears that were soaked in water or alcohol, then chopped and mixed with walnuts.” Jews in Bukovina (an area that is divided today between Ukraine and Romania), Serbia and Moldova filled their holiday cookies with a walnut paste combined with honey.

Following a Purim-like story of their own, the Jews in Bohemia and Czechoslovakia (today’s Czech Republic and Slovakia) embraced a special hamantaschen filling called povidl (known as lekvar in the United States) which is a thick spread made from slow cooking the dark purple Damson plums that are harvested in Eastern Europe at the very end of summer. After the fruit and its peel are cooked for 48 hours on a low flame, says Holland, they become a sweet paste. It lasts for months when kept cool in the basement, and it was used in kugels, strudels, cakes, and blintzes in central and Eastern Europe. Those same plums are used, too, to make slivovitz, the fiery, high proof plum brandy.

According to Holland, about 300 years ago a Jewish shopkeeper named David Brandeis was accused of selling poisoned povidl to a Christian family.

After eating Brandeis’ povidl, the Christian customers fell ill — one of them died — and Brandeis and his caramel-like confection were blamed. Brandeis was imprisoned. An investigation uncovered, however, that the person who died met his end from the flu, and not from anything purchased from Brandeis. So, just as the Jews in Persia were saved from Haman’s evil plot at the last moment, so, too, were David Brandeis and the Bohemian Jewish community in Brandeis’ town. As fate would have it, Brandeis was released from jail four days before Purim. To commemorate that miracle, the Jews of that region forever after filled their hamantaschen with the thick, sweet plum spread.

While most Purim baked goods are sweet, symbolic of a sweet future, there were savory options, too. In Poland, says Holland, kasha, a widely available grain, was prepared with fried onions, seasoned with salt and black pepper, stuffed into the triangle-shaped pastry, and then topped with whole poppy seeds.

In Israel today, stores begin filling up with this Eastern European pastry weeks before Purim. You can still get the classic poppy seed filling, but the choices today spread across the culinary spectrum. “Every year,” says Holland, “fillings get more creative. You can get hamantaschen filled with pastry cream and chocolate.” Of course, here in the United States we also have an expansive list of flavors that become part of the always-changing Jewish food landscape. It all started with one humble poppy seed pastry.

This article first appeared in The Nosher.

HOW DID THE MOST ADULT BOOK IN THE BIBLE TURN INTO A KIDS HOLIDAY?

The story of Purim is decidedly not family-friendly, yet it offers little ones unique access into a holiday where everything is upside-down.

Rob

Kutner

(JTA) One of the main advantages for Jewish kids in a Christian world is that — thanks to Purim — they get two “Halloweens.” And for parents, it’s nice to get double use out of that overpriced probably-toxic-plastic monstrosity you rush-ordered from Amazon on October 28. More broadly, Purim celebrations are probably the most accessible entry point for getting the littles to associate Judaism with “fun.” Passover strains mightily to do this, and sometimes succeeds. Hanukkah succeeds, but at the price of sometimes becoming a sad Christmas knockoff.

Purim is just unlimited sweets, grown-ups making fools of themselves, and kids getting to be loud. Game over.

But for anyone who actually reads the original “whole Megillah,” there’s a lot going on in there that’s very far from fun. And extremely far from “family-friendly.” Raging alcoholism. Domestic strife. Female exploitation. Genocidal antisemitism. Slaughter in the tens of 1,000s. Literal asphyxiation, 11 times over.

So how did that dark, telenovela-like book become the only Jewish holiday when we’d even think of having a “Carnival?”

One reason is, Megillat Esther, or the Book of Esther, is famously the only book of the Bible where God is never mentioned. In a way, this frees up a spirit of irreverence, bordering on blasphemy. Purim stands apart from other, more theologically formulaic Jewish narrative holidays with its wild roller coaster narrative. And this briefly gives the religion of rules a refreshing “anything goes” vibe.

Purim has also served some historical functions that give it a different flavor. For some, it’s a sly way to knock back down to earth the high and mighty. And/or a cathartic storyline to insert whatever villain is currently threatening the Jewish people. And finally, with its only halachic orders involving how to celebrate, Purim has been

a great avenue for much-needed escapism.

But to get back to the story: How can it be so readily boiled down and leeched of its naughty adult parts? Perhaps because the basic tale is very simply hero and villain: an unlikely underdog girl gets to be royalty and fight and defeat a twodimensionally cartoonish villain. It almost comes across as a Disney movie.

All of which was apropos for me recently, because I’m a professional screenwriter who was actually hired to adapt the Purim story into a family-friendly film. I read the previous drafts — one where they adapted it so literally it would have been rated X, the next where they went to the other extreme and made it about Esther

and her wacky talking animal friends.

I was the Goldberglocks asked to find the balance, and it was an interesting challenge. I had to find ways to make some of its barbarities more palatable — for example, reducing King Ahasuerus into an innocent, gullible dupe of Haman so he could be an actual love interest for Esther that we like, rather than what he actually was like. And I tried to bring a little silliness to Haman, so that his actual terrifying plans could be felt to be more ridiculous and unlikely.

It didn’t hurt that I’d been producing and sometimes appearing in Purim spiels (staged, often riotously comedic re-stagings of the Book of Esther) for more than 20 years.

I knew the story had so many unlikely twists and turns, hidden identities, incredible coincidences, it was an endless mine of possibility.

And I think, in a way, this is why it’s actually a good thing that Megillat Esther has been popularly boiled down to a kiddie-version. Because the main theme of the story, and holiday, “v’nahafoch hu” (Hebrew for “and it all got turned upside down”), is an extremely powerful Jewish idea that shines through it. Ever since the Golden Calf, we Jews have been trying

to get the world to not take human-made institutions too seriously and reminding everyone that everything can change in a flash. As well as the idea that we live behind masks that hide our true selves.

Kids may come to Purim celebrations dressed as everything from princesses to Pokemons, and not understand a word of that ancient thing being sung up on the bimah. But they see the big authority figures in their lives not taking themselves too seriously, the hallowed halls of their synagogue briefly turned into a free-for-all where hierarchy is temporarily abandoned. And, even when they know or intuit that Big Sad Adult Things Are Happening in the world, they feel powerfully how the Jewish people respond to, and survive, them: through unfettered joy and celebration of what we have, and our continued peoplehood. And that’s an even better value for that costume than getting to use it twice a year.

Rob Kutner is an Emmy-winning comedy writer and author who has written for The Daily Show, CONAN, and Marvel. His comedic book of Jewish history The Jews: 5,000 Years and Counting (HINT: a perfect bar/bat mitzvah gift!) arrived last year just in time for Purim! This article first appeared on Kveller.

PURIM 2026

The festival of Purim begins this year on the evening of Monday, March 2 and runs through Tuesday, March 3.

Recounted in the Book of Esther, the holiday commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of Haman. Purim is generally celebrated with joy, fun, and downright silliness. Carnivals, costumes, Purim spiels (skits or plays), Hamantaschen cookies, and for some, alcohol, all contribute to the holiday’s festivities.

Other Purim traditions include sending food gifts (mishloach manot) to friends and neighbors and giving to the poor (matanot l'evyonim.

Federal building with murals by Jewish artists at risk of sale, demolition

(JTA) — A federal building in Washington D.C. known for its murals crafted by important Jewish artists is at risk of demolition.

Now, activists are calling on New York City’s Jewish Museum for support to prevent the sale — and possible destruction — of the Wilbur J. Cohen Building.

The Jewish Museum recently concluded a retrospective of one artist whose work appears in the building, Ben Shahn.

In a letter to Jewish Museum leadership, artist-activists asked for support, citing President Donald Trump’s previous destruction of artistic landmarks as a real estate developer in New York City and a broader, nationwide record of preservation failures in the past.

“The United States has a woeful record of respecting, preserving, and restoring its public art, especially compared with older and less wealthy countries,” the letter said. It added, “We’d like to ask you to join in calling for a halt to the sale and destruction of this landmark building and its inspirational art.”

The letter was spearheaded by a trio of Jewish artists — Elise Engler, Joyce Kozloff and Martha Rosler — and currently has more than 300 signatures. Another petition aiming to preserve the building was launched in November, led by a group called the Living New Deal.

The Jewish Museum has expressed sympathy to the cause but not said whether or how it might heed the

Architects of Being

activists’ calls.

“The Jewish Museum, like all other collecting museums, is deeply committed to the stewardship of art and architecture as part of our shared cultural legacies,” director James Snyder says.

He adds, “We have been attentive to this issue since it emerged, and we stand with other art world leaders, artists, and preservationists in advocating for the protection and preservation of these historic murals, while we also work to advance further strategies to ensure their safekeeping.”

General Services Administration, began selling other federal buildings on its list late last year in a process called “accelerated disposition.” This would permit a quick sale with limited public input.

The Trump administration is in the process of moving staff out of the Cohen building, a requirement for its sale. Should the Cohen building ultimately be sold to a private buyer, there is no guarantee that the artworks will be preserved, the activists say. But the GSA says otherwise.

The Cohen Building, which houses staffers from multiple government agencies, is sometimes referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the New Deal” due to the style and content of the frescoes painted directly onto the walls. Completed in 1940, the building was a project of President Franklin Roosevelt’s economic and social plan known as the New Deal. Artwork for New Deal projects celebrated the working class in a new American style and were made to be accessible to the public.

Jewish artists including Shahn, Philip Guston, and Seymour Fogel contributed murals to the Cohen Building. Sculptures by archaeologist/ sculptor Emma Lu Davis, GermanAmerican sculptor Henry Kreis, and Richmond Barthé, a fixture of the Harlem Renaissance, can also be found throughout the building, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It is extremely difficult to remove frescoes from the walls they are painted on.

The agency that oversees the U.S. government’s real estate, called the

“As designated by Congress, the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building is required to be sold within two years of the building being vacated,” Marianne Copenhaver, a spokeswoman, says. “The building is still occupied. GSA has engaged art conservation professionals to evaluate the current condition of the New Deal art and identify any necessary conservation measures.”

The building’s namesake helped write the 1935 Social Security Act and later served as the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The provision that permits the sale was tacked onto a water bill passed in January 2025. The sale reflects the GSA’s sweeping mandate to cut costs under the Trump administration. One of the officials playing a leading role in that effort is Josh Gruenbaum, a Jewish attorney who was appointed commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service, the GSA office that makes purchases on behalf of the government. Gruenbaum has been named a senior advisor to Trump’s Board of Peace and has said he is using his FAS role to counter antisemitism.

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Deni Avdija becomes first Israeli to be selected as an NBA All-Star

Jacob Gurvis

(JTA) — Portland Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija’s meteoric rise has officially reached a new stratosphere, as the 25-year-old forward has become the NBA’s first-ever Israeli All-Star.

Avdija was named an All-Star reserve for the Western Conference on Sunday, Feb. 1, an expected but deserved nod after the northern Israel native finished seventh in AllStar voting with more than 2.2 million votes, ahead of NBA legends LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Avdija’s breakout performance this season has earned him repeated praise from James and others across the league.

Avdija’s star turn began last year in his first season with Portland, when he further captured the adoration of Jewish fans across Israel and the U.S. But he took another step forward this season, averaging 25.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game. His points and assists clips are by far the best of his career, and rank 13th and 12th in the NBA, respectively. He’s considered a front-runner for the league’s Most Improved Player award.

For close observers of Israeli basketball, Avdija’s All-Star selection is the culmination of a promising career that began as a teenage star with Maccabi Tel Aviv and made him the first Israeli chosen in the top 10 in an NBA draft.

“Deni Avdija being named an NBA All-Star reserve is an unbelievable achievement in the mind of every Israeli basketball fan,” Moshe Halickman, who covers basketball for the popular Sports Rabbi website, wrote in an essay for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “This is a dream come true for many — a dream that became realistic and even a musthappen during his breakout season — but something that in his first five seasons in the NBA never came across as something that was going to be real.”

Halickman, who has covered Avdija in Washington, D.C., and in Israel, wrote that Avdija is not only considered the greatest Israeli hooper of all time, but perhaps the best athlete to come out of Israel, period.

Oded Shalom, who coached Avdija on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Under-15 and Under-16 teams, echoed that sentiment in a recent profile of Avdija in The Athletic.

“Even though he is only 25, I think he is Israel’s most successful athlete in

—Andrew H. Hook President of

history,’’ Shalom said. “We’ve had some great gymnasts — and I hope everyone forgives me for saying it, because we’ve had some great athletes — but I think Deni has become the greatest.”

Avdija’s ascension has also come against the backdrop of the Gaza war and a reported global rise in antisemitism, which he has said affects him personally.

“I’m an athlete. I don’t really get into politics, because it’s not my job,” Avdija told The Athletic. “I obviously stand for my country, because that’s where I’m from. It’s frustrating to see all the hate. Like, I have a good game or get All-Star votes, and all the comments are people connecting me to politics. Like, why can’t I just be a good basketball player? Why does it matter if I’m from Israel, or wherever in the world, or what my race is? Just respect me as a basketball player.”

Now, Avdija’s talents will be on display at the NBA All-Star Game, on Sunday, Feb. 15, in Los Angeles.

Steven Spielberg wins Grammy, becoming 9th Jew in elite EGOT ranks

Philissa Cramer

(JTA) — The legendary director Steven Spielberg has become the ninth Jew to secure “EGOT” status after winning a Grammy for producing a documentary about the music of John Williams.

Spielberg was awarded the Grammy for producing Music by John Williams, which won best music documentary, before the televised ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 31. The win makes him the 22nd person to win the coveted quartet of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards.

Spielberg has won three Oscars, including best picture for the 1993 Holocaust drama Schindler’s List; four Emmys for TV programming including two World War II dramatic miniseries; and a Tony for producing the Broadway show A Strange Loop.

Spielberg adds to a large proportion of Jewish artists to win all four of the top entertainment awards. Nine of the 22 EGOTs have been Jewish, including the first person to ever reach the status, composer Richard Rodgers. Rodgers and Marvin Hamlisch, who was also Jewish, are the only people to have added

a Pulitzer Prize to the EGOT crown.

The most recent Jewish winner before Spielberg was the songwriter Benj Pasek, who secured the status in 2024 with an Emmy.

One of Spielberg’s more celebrated recent works was a drama based loosely on his own Jewish family. The Fabelmans, released in 2022, earned him three Oscar nods — for best picture, best director, and best screenplay — but no wins.

In promoting that movie, Spielberg said antisemitic bullying when he was a child had informed his sense of being an “outsider,” which he translated into his filmmaking.

Schindler’s List, meanwhile, spurred the creation of the USC Shoah Foundation, a leading center for preserving Holocaust testimonies that has also recently embraced the task of preserving stories of contemporary antisemitism, too.

“It was, emotionally, the hardest movie I’ve ever made,” Spielberg said about his most decorated movie — for which John Williams earned an Oscar for the score. “It made me so proud to be a Jew.”

JEWISH TIDEWATER

TURNING THE PAGE: 2026 JAHM BOOKS ANNOUNCED FOR TIDEWATER SCHOOLS

Sierra Lautman

One of the annual initiatives of Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), which takes place in May, is the distribution of books to local schools. Through this program, thousands of students encounter Jewish stories, many for the very first time.

The 2026 JAHM book list was carefully curated by a volunteer selection committee of educators and community members. This year’s titles invite students to explore Jewish life in all its diversity.

2026 JAHM selections

High School

High school students will explore complex questions of identity and moral responsibility through a range of contemporary and historical narratives. Dear Mr. Dickens by Nancy Churin tells the true story of Eliza Davis, a Jewish woman who challenged Charles Dickens over antisemitic portrayals in Oliver Twist, offering students a powerful example of speaking truth to power. In The Summer of Lost Letters by Hannah Reynolds, a teen uncovers her

grandmother’s Holocaust-era love letters, revealing long-buried family secrets and reshaping her understanding of identity and memory. Playing with Matches by Suri Rosen follows an Orthodox Jewish teen navigating school, family expectations, and a secret life as a matchmaker, balancing tradition with self-discovery.

Middle School

Middle school selections blend humor, heart, and reflection. Finn and Ezra’s Time Loop by Joshua S. Levy is a funny, magical story about two boys reliving their bar mitzvah weekend, learning important lessons about friendship and growth along the way. In Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein, a shy boy approaching his bar mitzvah discovers courage through an unexpected friendship. Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky tells the true story of a Montana community that stood up to antisemitism, demonstrating how courage and unity can create change.

Elementary School

For younger readers, the selections introduce Jewish values through accessible, engaging stories. Ping Pong Shabbat by Ann D. Koffsky follows a young ping-pong champion who must choose between a tournament and honoring Shabbat. The People’s Painter by Cynthia Levinson and Evan Turk is a picture book biography of Ben Shahn, a Jewish immigrant artist who used his art to fight injustice. Lola Levine Is Not Mean! by Monica Brown and Angela Dominguez introduces a spirited second grader learning about kindness, mistakes, and friendship in a multicultural world. Jason Belongs by Audrey Ades and Jason Schachter McKinney centers on McKinney’s story

as a Black Jewish child searching for belonging and learning to embrace his whole identity. McKinney will be in Tidewater this May to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month.

“These books were chosen not just because they tell Jewish stories, but because they spark conversation,” says Lorna Orleans, a JAHM selection committee member. “Our committee reviewed books for elementary, middle, and high school students, and because we were a diverse group of reviewers, we were able to select a wide range of titles that reflect American Jewish life in all its many forms. Subjects ranged from helping young children understand practices like sitting shiva to stories of teens navigating identity, courage, and belonging.”

The JAHM Book Project holds special meaning for the Tidewater Jewish community. The program is generously supported in memory of Abraham E. Frank, the beloved son of committee member Dr. Rita Frank, whose legacy continues to inspire learning, compassion, and connection.

“Abraham loved books from his earliest years” says Frank. “I know he would be delighted to share that love with other children throughout Tidewater.”

While the books are provided through the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the project is a community effort. Volunteers are needed throughout February to help pack the books and prepare them for delivery to schools.

If interested in volunteering or supporting the JAHM Book Project, contact Sierra Lautman, UJFT senior director of Jewish Innovation, at SLautman@ujft.org or 757-965-6107.

Beth Sholom Village launches new grant program to support seniors

Aging with dignity is a cornerstone of a strong community. Increasingly, that dignity is defined not only by care, but by connection, purpose, and opportunity. Through the newly launched Beth Sholom Village Grant Program, Beth Sholom Village is investing in innovative ways to help seniors across Tidewater remain active, vibrant, involved, and engaged as they age.

Rooted in Jewish values and a longstanding commitment to compassion, responsibility, and tikkun olam, the call to repair the world, the grant program reflects Beth Sholom Village’s evolving mission to support older adults both within its community and far beyond. The program is designed to empower nonprofit organizations that are reimagining what it means to age well.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for funding to support new or existing programs that serve seniors. Grant proposals may focus on essential services, but Beth Sholom Village is especially interested in creative, forwardthinking ideas that address unmet needs, programs that reduce isolation, build skills, spark joy, and help seniors stay connected to their communities.

“This grant program is about more than meeting basic needs; it’s about possibility,” says Fay Silverman, board chair of Beth Sholom Village. “We want to encourage organizations to think creatively about how seniors can continue to learn, contribute, and thrive. No idea is too far-fetched if it helps seniors age with dignity, purpose, and engagement.”

Silverman notes that meaningful solutions often come from organizations working closest to the community, those who understand both the challenges seniors face and the opportunities to address them in fresh, impactful ways.

While Beth Sholom Village is the owner and steward of the grant program, grant administration is provided by Tidewater Jewish Foundation, ensuring a transparent, consistent, and equitable application and review process.

The application period opened January 15, 2026, and will remain open through March 15, 2026. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying are encouraged to review grant guidelines and criteria before submitting a proposal.

More information about the Beth Sholom Village Grant Program, including eligibility details and application access, is available at bethsholomvillage.com.

“Payday is very forward thinking and is always up on potential changes. We have also been impressed by Payday’s contingency planning. Whenever there is a potential

Accommodations for open participation at Sandler Family Campus

Providing accommodations for everyone who visits the Sandler Family Campus is an ongoing commitment for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Simon Family JCC. The campus facilities continue to be at the forefront of making certain all may visit and take advantage of the events, programs, classes, and fitness opportunities.

The automatic doors for the main entrance, bathrooms, and other entrances in the building, for example, may be

opened with the push of a button, so that anyone requiring assistance, young and old alike, may enter. An elevator is also a staple of the campus, bringing patrons to the second floor for the Fitness Center, meeting rooms, and business offices.

UJFT hosts myriad programs and events to enrich Jewish learning, innovation, and celebration of the arts. These programs include the annual Jewish Book Festival and Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, speakers for the Community

Relations Council and Israel Today programs, as well as classes offered by the Konikoff Center for Learning. Anyone who wants to attend these programs or classes is offered several accommodations at registration. For the hearing impaired or non-English speakers, interpreting services, assisted listening services to amplify sounds, preferential seating, and closed caption options are offered. Participants can opt for sensory fidget tools or noise-reducing headphones. The visually impaired

are offered audio recordings when written materials are involved. UJFT and JCC staff are available to assist online registration when help is needed.

In a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, or political stance, it’s no wonder that accommodations are provided for those in need.

To request accommodations, find a drop-down menu of options on any event page or contact Sarah Cooper at Scooper@ujft.org.

JEWISH TIDEWATER

Virginia Beach City Council honors UJFT’s Jewish Community Relations Council and Holocaust Commission for International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Elka Mednick

In a strong demonstration of civic partnership and solidarity with the Jewish community, the Virginia Beach City Council issued an official resolution on January 20 proclaiming January 27, 2026 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in the City of Virginia Beach. The resolution recognized United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, its Jewish Community Relations Council, and its Holocaust Commission for their leadership in Holocaust education and their ongoing work to counter antisemitism across Hampton Roads.

Accepting the honor on behalf of the community were Mona Flax, UJFT president; Betty Ann Levin, UJFT executive vice president and CEO; Hunter Thomas, director of Arts + Ideas; and Elka Mednick, Holocaust Commission director.

The proclamation marked the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to

remembrance, historical truth, and combating hate in all forms. Council members emphasized the importance of public institutions partnering with community organizations, such as UJFT, which promote acceptance, strengthen democratic values, and confront rising antisemitism with education and action.

The resolution highlighted the Holocaust Commission’s extensive programming, including educator resources, the Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition, and public commemorations for both International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Yom HaShoah. It also acknowledged To Life: Holocaust Stories of Hampton Roads Survivors, Liberators, and Rescuers as a historical resource.

The City Council urged all residents to honor the victims of the Holocaust, learn its lessons, and join in the shared responsibility of building a more compassionate and inclusive community.

Food & Romance

Valentine’s Day

Food&Romance

Dear Readers,

For whatever reason, whenever “there’s a little romance,” food inevitably manages to be a major ingredient of the story. Romantic dinners, picnics, wine tastings, walks with ice cream cones, movies with tubs of popcorn. . . the list of romantic encounters paired with food is practically endless, and explains why we’ve combined the two topics in this section.

Consider the feature that begins on the next page, about four couples’ engagement stories. Once past the “YES!” and perhaps the shock of the moment, food is part of their narratives . . . at restaurants and home celebrations with family and friends. And, of course with rings. . .the proposals all involved rings.

Travelling from Tidewater for any reason nearly always includes a transfer at a hub airport. Notably the busiest is Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and one that travelers like to avoid in order to avoid the crowds. Now, there’s a reason to think positively about a layover there. . . a new Jewish deli that Food Network star Duff Goldman just opened. The article is on page 22.

Additional articles in the section cover the opening of a Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn store, a service at Ohef Sholom Temple celebrating milestone anniversaries, and one about making use of a family meal to have honest conversations about legacy.

Whether dining alone, with friends, family, or a romantic partner, all of us at Jewish News wish you a hearty B’tayavon!

Terri Denison Editor

Food&Romance

Engagement stories filled a nce a nd surprise

When it’s time to propose, the days of going it alone and private are a thing of the past. It used to be that all that was necessary to become engaged was a couple in love and a ring.

Family, friends, and photographers to capture the moment, are all part of today’s engagement event. Each event, however, always come with a twist. . .a special place, a surprise, a perfectly planned personal moment that the couple will, hopefully, treasure forever.

Four Tidewater-connected couples share their magical engagement stories with Jewish News for this section. While all are unique, each did involve a couple in love, a ring, and a photographer.

Not one, but two engagements took place in the Zelenka family over the past 12 months

As told to Terri Denison

From the time they were babies, Adam Zelenka and his brother, Sam Zelenka, were regular fixtures around the Sandler Family Campus– whether at the then-Hebrew Academy of Tidewater (now Strelitz International Academy) or JCC Summer Camp as campers then CITs and later counselors, or just visiting their mom, Amy Zelenka in her office upstairs at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

Both brothers (about five years apart with Adam being the older), went on to attend and graduate from Virginia Tech and start their adult lives. Both were also fortunate to meet their future life partners (now fiancées) a few years ago. And both will soon marry the loves of their lives

Adam and Caroline

Adam, a software engineer in the aerospace industry, lives and works in Northern Virginia.

Caroline Coppersmith, his fiancée, is a Writing Center coordinator at American University. The couple chose to have their engagement photos taken at a park near their home where they walk their dog. They wanted to have a place that was a landmark to them that they could revisit and always celebrate the day of their engagement. The couple will marry this April in Chadds Ford, Pa.

Sa m a nd Christa

A commercial property manager at SL Nusbaum Realty Co., Sam and his fiancée, Christa Van Geluwe, a speech language pathologist at Ivy Rehab, live in Virginia Beach.

Sam proposed to Christa at First Landing Park near the water. He also wanted a place they could always revisit. For the proposal, Sam secretly hired a photographer and said, “let’s go get our pictures taken.”

They left First Landing to go tell her parents, where a surprise party was waiting that included his parents and brother, along with friends.

Food&Romance

We began with brunch in downtown Los Angeles (our friends “shockingly” cancelled on us when we were already on the way, turning it into a romantic table for two), followed by a “spontaneous” trip to LA’s famous flower market, where we built a bouquet together. Next, we went to get manicures — admittedly not so subtle — before picking up lunch from one of our favorite local cafes. While we ate, we scrapbooked in our shared bullet journal that I had made Deni for our one-year anniversary.

favorite ice cream shop, which was only blocks away, was closing in 15 minutes. Celebratory balloons in hand, we all paraded down Abbot Kinney Boulevard to close down Salt & Straw — collecting cheers and “Mazel Tovs” from passersby. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

The couple got married in October 2025 at the Chrysler Museum of Art.

Deni Budman and Jacob

Gurvis have a perfect engagement day in LA

Jacob Gurvis

As I set out to plan my proposal to Deni, I knew pulling off a complete surprise was likely off the table. We had been dating for seven and a half years, and we had gone ring shopping together. Still, my goal was to put together a fun day with enough red herrings to keep her on her toes!

Nikki Grossman and Tim Thornton engagement worth waiting for

As told to Terri Denison

We changed for dinner and set out for the Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area, a sprawling park where I had scoped out a spot with a gorgeous view of the L.A. skyline framed by mountains. A photographer hid behind a tree, waiting to capture the moment. When the light was just right, I got down on one knee. Luckily, she said yes!

This Virginia Beach couple’s romance began in high school when Tim Thornton, trying to earn money to purchase a car, held summer jobs at Coyote Café, a once popular Beach restaurant and at Ocean Ices, a cart

After snapping a few more pictures and calling our families, Deni and I went to dinner, where we shared a bottle of champagne and I told her the full story of my proposal planning. The only thing I didn’t reveal was the final (planned) stop of the night. After dinner, we went to a bar where nearly a dozen of our closest friends waited to surprise Deni and celebrate with us.

Then, in the spur of the moment, we realized our

selling flavored ices at the Oceanfront.

At the same time, Nikki Grossman was working as a summer manager for Ocean Ices. During one fateful shift, Nikki worked the cart with Tim, which happened to be located in front of the Elvis stage at the Oceanfront, presenting ample opportunities for sarcastic and silly comments and laughs. With a connection made, the young couple started to date.

Different colleges in different states, the long distance, and other boy and girlfriends resulted in Nikki and Tim remaining friends but not being romantically involved. Then, in 2007,

Nikki returned to town and they began to date again, now as young adults.

Seven years later and still dating, in 2014, Nikki and Tim, along with their friend Wess Sandler and his date, travelled to Steve Sandler’s home in Anguilla for a weekend of celebration; and a surprise proposal. Sandler arranged to have a photographer on the beach when Tim proposed to Nikki on his 30th birthday, April 3. Tim muses that he chose that date so that he’ll never forget. He also recalls that Nikki’s scream

Jody’s Popcorn opens new retail store Food&Romance

A small factory retail store recently opened at Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn’s Norfolk manufacturing facility – making in-person purchasing of the artisan popcorn again doable for Tidewater residents.

While it’s always possible to purchase the popcorn from the company’s website, Jody Wagner, president of Jody’s Popcorn, says, “We are excited to provide this outlet in Norfolk for customers. This location, along with Jody’s Popcorn’s participation at the Painted Tree in Virginia Beach, provides grab-and-go shopping, which was unavailable after Jody’s closed its Oceanfront store.”

At the new store, Wagner says, “We always have our famous Recipe 53 Caramel Corn, Double Cheddar, and Chocolate Drizzle Popcorn options available.” In addition to these regular popcorn items, customers will find exclusive deal opportunities,

she says, such as seasonal and limitededition flavors.

As a bonus to shopping at the factory outlet, Wagner adds, “If anyone plans to come to the store and wants a quick tour of our manufacturing operation, please let me know in advance so we can arrange it.”

Whether for a gift, to serve guests, or simply to enjoy as a snack, the koshercertified popcorn is made with premium ingredients such as real butter and nonGMO kernels, is gluten and preservative free, and is always made in Norfolk.

Jody’s Popcorn also offers the option to have bags custom labeled for use in connection with weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs.

Jody’s Popcorn is located at 2842 Cromwell Road in Norfolk. The store is open 8:30 am3:30 pm, Monday-Friday.

&Romance

A Food Network star opens a Jewish Deli at America’s busiest airport

Evelyn Frick

As a rule, I don’t eat at the airport. It’s not that I don’t want to. I’ve just given up on finding an airport restaurant that seems appetizing. Terminal food always appears clumsily made with ingredients that look anything but fresh, resulting in concoctions that are too heavy and too greasy. Presented with those depressing options, I prefer to stick with just a cold ginger ale from the bookstore, thanks.

But the next time I find myself at Atlanta’s HartsfieldJackson International Airport, I think I might finally, thankfully, break my rule. That’s because chef Duff Goldman just opened his first restaurant there, a Jewish deli called Duff’s Deli + Market.

Yes, you read that correctly. The 51-year-old Jewish pastry chef and owner of Baltimore’s Charm City Cakes, perhaps best known for his Food Network reality show, Ace of Cakes, has opened a deli. But from Goldman’s

perspective, this foray into savory is a completely natural one. “Before I was a pastry chef, before TV, before any of that, I was a kid who grew up eating at Jewish delis. Those places shaped my understanding of food as comfort, as culture, and as community,” Goldman says. “Opening a deli felt like coming full circle and paying tribute to the food I grew up loving.”

And what a tribute it is. In Goldman’s estimation, what makes a great Jewish deli is its soul, and Duff’s Deli + Market certainly has a lot of that. The vibe of the space is whimsical — the restaurant’s decor is mostly peachy salmon (think lox). The menu is decorated with smiling cartoon food. The multi-tier, colorful cakes Duff is known for are on

display throughout the restaurant. The menu includes classic deli fare, such as a hot pastrami sandwich (Goldman’s favorite item on the menu), the lox platter, matzah ball soup, a bagel and schmear, and black and white cookies. But there are some twists, too; like the sliced brisket on rye with tiger sauce, the craft dessert-themed cocktails at the bar and the cake jars from Charm City Cakes. For travelers with a connection to catch and no time for the full sit-down experience, the gourmet market component offers plenty of pre-prepared salads, sandwiches, drinks, and more — a welcome reprieve from the sameness of terminal take-away.

This article first appeared on The Nosher.

Ohef Sholom

Temple

An annual tradition at Ohef Sholom Temple, congregants’ milestone anniversaries in 2026 will be recognized during Friday night services.

“Celebrating these remarkable milestones in love and commitment” brings all couples who attend the Shabbat service and have a milestone anniversary this year – from five years to 65 years – under a chuppah

Whether you’re walking down the aisle or gathering with family and friends to celebrate a cherished event, our downtown Norfolk waterfront venue is the perfect place for your celebration. Our event specialists will work with you closely to transform your vision into an unforgettable celebration, incorporating stunning decor and exquisite cuisine.

Let’s start planning your unforgettable event today.

Food&Romance

Legacy conversations begin around the table

TJF Staff

The table was already cluttered. Half-empty glasses, a bowl of pasta passed one more time, someone reaching for the last challah crumbs. It wasn’t a planned conversation. No agenda. Just a familiar meal, shared with people who knew one another well enough to speak honestly. Somewhere between dessert and coffee, the question surfaced: Why does giving matter so much to you?

Moments like these – unscripted, warm, and rooted in connection – are often where meaningful conversations about family values and legacy begin. Across generations, families have gathered around food not only to nourish the body, but to share stories, pass down traditions, and explore what matters most. These conversations don’t require formal meetings or legal documents. They happen naturally, shaped by each family’s rhythm, humor, and history.

Talking about legacy isn’t about perfection or preparedness. It’s about curiosity. It might start with a memory, how someone learned about giving from a parent or grandparent, or a simple question posed over dinner: What causes do you care about most? From there, values

emerge. Justice. Responsibility. Lovingkindness. Memory. What can feel abstract on paper becomes deeply personal when spoken aloud.

In many Jewish homes, tikkun olam isn’t discussed as a concept. It’s practiced. It shows up in the causes families support, the values they model, and the way generosity is woven into everyday life. A shared meal becomes more than nourishment; it becomes a reminder that repairing the world often begins close to home, one conversation and one choice at a time.

Tidewater Jewish Foundation encourages families to embrace these moments and meet each other where they are. Through thoughtfully designed conversation guides, TJF offers simple prompts and reflections that help families talk about giving, values, and the Jewish future in ways that feel authentic, not intimidating.

“Legacy conversations don’t have to be heavy or formal to be meaningful,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO. “Some of the most powerful discussions happen when families are relaxed and present with one another. A shared meal creates space for listening, vulnerability, and connection. That’s where values are truly passed on.”

Whether it’s a Shabbat dinner, a holiday gathering, or a quiet weeknight meal, these moments offer an opportunity to begin, or continue, the conversation.

To request a complimentary conversation guide or to schedule a relaxed, no-pressure legacy conversation with a Tidewater Jewish Foundation team member, contact Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO, at nsedek@tjfva.org

schen with friends ng three time slots o problem! Families come to stop by njoy our Sunday rim activities costumes are —for kids and -ups alike!

Spots are limited. Grab your time at :00, 1:45 or 2:30 !

Pre-registration required

Celebrating a Living Legacy: Honoring Hebrew Ladies Charity Society IT’S A WRAP

Julie Kievit

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

Jewish tradition and reinforcing the values of tzedakah and communal responsibility that defined the Hebrew Ladies Charity Society from its founding.

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.”

Brooke Rush, director of development, at BRUSH@jfshamptonroads.org.

Julie Kievit is Jewish Community Services manager for Jewish Family Service of Tidewater.

IT’S A WRAP

FIRST PERSON

When dialogue unites: One table, three rabbis, and a shared hope.

Rabbi Ari Oliszewski

I experienced one of those moments that reaffirms why sincere dialogue remains one of the most powerful tools we have as a society, on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Around a shared table sat three rabbis—Rabbi Shlomo Eisenberg of Congregation B’nai Israel, representing Orthodox Judaism; Rabbi Jacob Herber of Congregation Beth El, from the Conservative movement; and Rabbi Roz Mandelberg of Ohef Sholom Temple, from Reform Judaism.

Each coming from a different school of thought, the rabbis gathered not to debate, not to emphasize differences, but to speak, listen, and build together. The conversation took place as part of my podcast, Shmoozin’ with Rabbi Ari, a space created precisely for this purpose: to foster genuine, human, and meaningful encounters.

The idea for this podcast was born from a desire to showcase all the beauty and goodness of the Tidewater Jewish community to the world, and in doing so, to further spread love for the Jewish people, our traditions, and our culture.

This latest episode—the fifth since launching this project, supported by Temple Emanuel —far exceeded any expectations. In an atmosphere of camaraderie, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose, the conversation touched on personal journeys and communal stories.

Gatherings like this are not merely symbolic—they are necessary. They remind us that respect does not require uniformity, that disagreement need not become

hostility, and that authentic dialogue has the power to transform realities.

Our Sages expressed this idea beautifully in the Talmud: “Elu ve’Elu Divrei Elohim Chayim”, “These and those are the words of the Living God” (Eruvin 13b). We may not all think alike, yet each voice can carry truth. And when we learn to listen to one another with respect, the future—both as a community and as a society—is secure.

If three rabbis from different movements can sit together—not merely to avoid conflict, but to think about how to build, how to support, and how to contribute to collective growth—then the message is clear: it can be done. We can dialogue. We can dream. We can build community.

Those who wish to watch or revisit this meaningful encounter can do so on YouTube (Shmoozin’ with Rabbi Ari) or on Facebook, where we continue to create spaces for dialogue, connection, and hope.

I have no doubt that this fifth episode of Shmoozin’ with Rabbi Ari left us with a simple yet powerful lesson: when people truly listen to one another, something changes. Differences stop being walls and begin to become bridges.

May we continue to strengthen the bonds that unite us day by day, creating networks of connection, respect, harmony, and fraternity—so that together we may contribute to the growth and beauty of this extraordinary world we share.

Beth El travels to North Carolina Museum of Art

Terri Denison

An enriching day trip for Beth El congregants and friends took place last month when the group travelled to the North Carolina Museum of Art to experience the exhibit, The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt. The exhibition, which was widely acclaimed in New York, will travel next to Boston. It is open through March 8 at NCMA in Raliegh, N.C.

Spearheaded by Clay Barr, the participants enjoyed a curator-led tour of the exhibition, followed by lunch at the museum’s restaurant. After lunch, the group toured the newly installed Judaica Gallery, guided by Sean Burrus, North Carolina Museum of Art’s curator of Judaica.

story of Queen Esther was depicted in art and popular culture, expressing the ideas of political and religious freedom in the age of Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-69).

NCMA’s material for the exhibit says, “In the

living with new freedom in more tolerant Amsterdam, celebrating Purim became a meaningful expression of Jewish culture.”

In addition to paintings, the exhibit contains a variety of artifacts including an Esther Scroll, a silver Purim collection cup, and a Tebah Cover, among other items.

The Book of Esther exhibition demonstrates how the

1600s and beyond, the Book of Esther was a key source of inspiration for diverse communities in Holland, both Jewish and Christian. For immigrant Jewish communities

“It was such a great opportunity to see a world class exhibition,” says Barr. “The enthusiasm from all in attendance was a credit not only to the quality of the exhibit, but also to the educational input of the curators who led the tour.”

The trip was part of

Congregation Beth El’s initiative with the arts, which has also included docent led tours at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk.

--Bambi Tzuri

HUMANITY IN ACTION DREAM DOCTORS

MARCH 24 • 7:30 PM

THE REBA AND SAM SANDLER FAMILY CAMPUS

Learn how professional medical clowns fully integrated into medical teams across Israel and around the world use humor, empathy, and creativity as therapeutic tools in hospitals emergencies.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Securing Houses of Worship: Countering Active Threat Training (CATT) Sunday, March 22, 3 pm First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk

Active threat situations are unpredictable and can unfold quickly—often ending within three to five minutes. Recognizing warning signs and knowing how to respond can save lives.

In collaboration with Jewish Community Relations Council, a local pastors’ group, and Secure Community Network, the first of what is envisioned as many interdenominational training sessions will take place next month at First Presbyterian Church in Ghent.

Mike Goldsmith, Secure Community Network’s Regional Security Advisor for Tidewater, will present an introduction to Countering Active Threat Training (CATT)—a foundational course designed for faith-based institutions and houses of worship, and open to every member of the community.

This one-hour course requires no prior security background and covers the basics of situational awareness and practical, real-world guidance to help protect yourself, your family, and your community.

Participants will learn how to recognize suspicious or potentially dangerous behavior, how to respond if a situation becomes life-threatening in everyday settings such as a church, synagogue, grocery store, or restaurant, and how to react to different threat scenarios.

First Presbyterian Church is located at 820 Colonial Avenue in Norfolk.

RSVP required by March 18 to www.TinyURL.com/HOW26.

Midyear matters: BeAR needs more volunteers

read, talk, and connect with a caring adult.

At this point in the school year, the commitment is both minimal and necessary. Mentors spend just one hour a week reading one-on-one with the same child. There are no lesson plans, no teaching background required, just consistency, conversation, and encouragement.

That single hour can change how a child sees reading and themselves.

Those who thought they “missed the window” to volunteer, but are interested, now is the time. The window is open! Midyear mentors are essential, deeply appreciated, and immediately impactful.

The need is real. The time commitment is manageable. And the difference that mentors make will last far beyond this school year.

For more information, contact Robin Ford at 757-321-2304 or rford@ujft.org.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Camp JCC presents Kids Night Out: Neon Eras

Saturday, Feb. 21, 5 – 9 pm

Sandler Family Campus

Kate-Lynn Cipolla

As the community gathers for the Big Saturday Night celebration of Jewish Film, parents no longer must choose between cultural enrichment and childcare. Camp JCC will present a vibrant alternative for the younger generation: the Neon Eras Kids Night Out.

Children ages 4–12 are invited to step into a time machine of “Neon Nostalgia.” To make the night truly shine, children are encouraged to arrive decked out in their brightest neon attire. Whether it’s head-to-toe 80s fluorescent, 90s electric grunge, or Y2K shimmer, those bold colors will pop under the blacklights.

with a Certified Lifeguard present. To ensure the kids stay fueled for the fun, parents are asked to pack a dinner for their children to enjoy before the main festivities begin. As the night winds down, everyone will watch a movie and eat popcorn. Extended flexibility will also be offered for parents attending the Big Saturday Night film event. If the film runs past the 9 pm event conclusion, simply reach out in advance to coordinate a later pickup time.

RESCHEDULED:

A Feminist Lens: Celebrating Joan Roth

Thursday, March 19, 7:30 pm

Sandler Family Campus

Hunter Thomas

Internationally acclaimed photographer Joan Roth will visit Tidewater for an evening that pairs film and conversation with a gallery exhibition spotlighting five decades of her art and activism. Originally scheduled for February 3 before winter weather complicated plans, the evening has been rescheduled for March, coinciding with Women’s History Month.

The program will begin with a screening of A Feminist Lens: The Art & Activism of Photographer Joan Roth, followed by a live conversation featuring Laura Gross, Joan Roth, and the film’s executive producer/ writer Melanie Roth Gorelick. The event is free and open to the community; registration is required at JewishVA.org/Roth.

Plans are for a night packed with activities designed to burn off energy and spark creativity. The evening kicks off with a Glow Party, featuring neon games and a Friendship Bracelet station where children can craft and trade handmade mementos, followed by a free swim session in a supervised, safe environment

To ensure a smooth wrap-up for staff, all children must be picked up by 10:30 pm. Spaces are limited, so secure spots soon for the ultimate Saturday win-win at JewishVA.org/KNO.

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

Directed by Pamela French, the documentary offers an intimate portrait of Roth, tracing how she has used her camera to advocate for homeless women in New York City, document leaders in the U.S. Women’s Movement from the 1970s to today, and illuminate the diverse lives of Jewish women around the world.

Complementing the film program, a companion exhibition of Joan Roth’s photography is on view in the Simon Family JCC’s Leon Family Gallery through March 27.

Roth’s body of work, spanning portraits, reportage, and long-form projects, has helped shape public understanding of Jewish women’s lives in the U.S. and around the globe, while also amplifying voices at the margins.

For more information, contact Hunter Thomas at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965- 6137.

Join Camp JCC for School Days Out on Presidents’ Day

Monday, February 16, 9 am – 4 pm, Sandler Family Campus

Kate-Lynn Cipolla

Looking for the perfect plan for Presidents’ Day? When school is out, Camp JCC is in with School Days Out.

Children currently in K-5th grade can look forward to a day filled with energy, friendship, and fun. Highlights include free swim in the indoor pool, arts and crafts, gym games, and other projects alongside counselors and friends.

This day can be selected individually or as a part of any 5- or

10-day bundle. Whether looking for a single day of childcare or more, enrollment is flexible. To learn more or to register, visit www.campjcc.org. While School Days Out hours are 9 am – 4 pm, an extended care option is available 8 am – 6 pm.

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

Israeli actor Michael Aloni, star of TheStronghold, to speak at Virginia Festival of Jewish Film

Sunday,

Hunter Thomas

Feb.

Michael Aloni, the Israeli actor and director best known in the United States for his roles in Shtisel, The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem, and We Were The Lucky Ones, will speak at the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film. Aloni is one of the stars of The Stronghold, the 2024 Israeli war drama about a group of IDF soldiers stranded in the Sinai Desert during the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

The festival will present The Stronghold as its kickoff film at Virginia Wesleyan University. Aloni is expected to introduce the film and take part in a moderated conversation following the film. Audience members will also have

15, 2:30 pm, Virginia Wesleyan University

the opportunity to ask questions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael to our festival,” says Beth Scharlop, co-chair of the festival. “Inviting special guests to these films is what separates a film festival from just going to the movies and creating an experience. Michael is so well known in the U.S. compared to other Israeli actors, so it’s really a big deal.”

The festival begins with The Stronghold, but it doesn’t end there. Additional film screenings include:

The Ring

MIRIAM ANZOVIN

M A R C H 1 1 + 1 2

REBA AND SAM SANDLER FAMILY CAMPUS

Known for her humorous and thoughtprovoking reflections on Jewish texts, identity, and culture, Anzovin reimagines how ancient wisdom can speak to modern life Experience oppor tunities in Jewish learning like you’ve never seen it before!

Jewish Learning as Jewish Identity

March 11 • 7:30PM

The Song of Serach: Jewish Lore, Memory, and Storytelling Workshop

March 12 • 12:00pm

Both events are free and open to the community Pre-registration is required

his estranged daughter, searching for a ring that once saved his life during the Holocaust and may hold the key to his family’s past.

Tatami and the Big Saturday Night Celebration of

Saturday, February 21, 7:30 pm

Cape Henry Collegiate

An Iranian judo champion and her coach face a life-altering ultimatum at the world championships, forced to choose between family safety and defying an authoritarian regime. Followed by a dessert reception.

The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue

Sunday, February 22, 2:30 pm

Cape Henry Collegiate

On October 7, 2023, retired Israeli general Noam Tibon races across a country under siege to rescue his family from a terrorist attack, relying on instinct and courage in a relentless journey.

The Blond Boy From

Monday, February 23, 7:15 pm

Naro Expanded Cinema

Antoine returns to his childhood neighborhood in Algiers, reconnecting with memories of family, faith, and the vibrant, multicultural world that shaped him.

For the Love of a Woman

Wednesday, February 23, 2:30 & 7:30 pm

Cinema Cafe Pembroke Meadows

A woman’s journey through 1970s Israel unearths a love story and a gripping mystery, linking her life to secrets buried in the 1930s.

Tickets to the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film can be purchased at www.JewishVA. org/FilmFest. Tickets are $45 for the BIG Saturday Night Celebration of Jewish Film and $15 for all other films. Kids Night Out babysitting is available at the Simon Family JCC for the BIG Saturday Night Celebration of Jewish Film. Registration is required in advance. Space is limited. Register at www.JewishVA.org/KNO.

The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film is presented by the Alma & Howard Laderberg Virginia Festival of Jewish Film Restricted Fund of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach and Norfolk through grants from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission and the Norfolk Arts Commission.

For more information about the festival, contact Hunter Thomas, director of Arts + Ideas at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965-6137.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Virginia Arts Festival presents Joshua Bell and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

Saturday, March 7, 7:30 pm, CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News

Sunday, March 8, 3 pm, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach

Virginia Arts Festival staff

For its opening weekend celebration, Virginia Arts Festival will present Joshua Bell and Academy of St. Martin in the Field in concert. Bell will lead performances of Romantic masterworks by Camille Saint-Saëns and Antonín Dvorák.

With a career spanning almost four decades, GRAMMY® Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell is one of the most celebrated artists of his era. He has performed all over the world and is music director of the legendary chamber orchestra, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Bell identifies strongly with his Jewish heritage, particularly through his mother. Her family roots trace to Israel and Minsk, while Bell’s father was an Episcopalian priest, giving him a blended cultural upbringing. Bell often credits his mother’s strong will and the Jewish tradition of parental involvement and education for shaping his discipline

and work ethic. He describes himself as culturally Jewish and recalls growing up attending bar mitzvahs. Music serves as a spiritual force in his life, embodied by his 1713 “Gibson-ex-Huberman” Stradivarius, an instrument deeply connected to Jewish musical history.

The London-based Academy of St. Martin in the Fields has been among the most celebrated orchestras since its founding in 1959 and has been led by Bell since 2011.

Camille Saint-Saëns was a Parisian prodigy who served as organist in ancient cathedrals, taught at the Paris Conservatoire, and gained international fame for his operas. He was enjoying the peak of his professional success in 1880 when he composed his Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61 for legendary virtuoso Pablo de Sarasate. Bell will revisit this titan of the violin repertoire that he recorded with the Orchestre

Symphonique De Montréal when he was only 22 years old.

The Academy was founded as a conductorless ensemble, and continuing this tradition, Bell will play-conduct Antonín Dvorák’s Symphony No. 8 in G major—a rare and impressive feat. Dvorák’s rags-to-riches story is one of hard work, finely-tuned skill, and Czech patriotism that got him noticed by the European establishment and out of provincial obscurity. By 1890, his works were programmed in concert halls from Britain to the United States, and he was acknowledged at home for his burgeoning international reputation

of Science, Literature and Arts in 1889. In response, he composed his joyous eighth symphony, replete with overt references to Czech folk music idioms. He had finally gained the power to shrug off his German publisher who insisted on Germanlanguage movement titling, instead favorite his native Czech. The work was a bold example for composers to explore their national traditions in the symphonic form, and a joyous celebration of his Bohemian identity through music.

For tickets, go to vafest.org, call 757-2822822, or visit Virginia Arts Festival box office

The Uni ted Jewish Federation of Tidewater is launching a communi ty nomination campaign to recognize Outstanding Jewish Americans whose stories are rooted in Tidewater, past and present.

This May and during the America@250 period, selected nominees will be hig hlig hted in Jewish News and across UJFT platforms.

We’re seeking:

Jewish Americans who live or have lived here and made a signif icant difference, locally or nationally.

Jewish Americans whose legacy lives on throug h their family and communi ty in Tidewater, across generations.

Friday, February 20 and Friday, March 27

10 am – 3 pm, Sandler Family Campus

schen with friends ng three time slots

o problem! Families come to stop by njoy our Sunday rim activities costumes are —for kids and -ups alike!

Spots are limited. Grab your time at :00, 1:45 or 2:30 !

welcome to join for one project or many—whatever works. It’s an easy, flexible way to give back, meet new people, and strengthen

JewishVA.org/volunteer or contact Sierra Lautman, UJFT senior director

SABABA BEACH CAMP PLANS A BOWLING EXPERIENCE

Saturday, February 21, 7 – 9

Campers who have attended Sababa Beachaway, possible new Sababa Beachaway campers, and their families, are all invited to attend a Sababa Beach Camps Bowling Experience.

The evening includes two hours of bowling, soft drinks, snacks, a chance to meet the directors, reconnect with friends, and learn about Sababa Beach Camps, a Jewish sleepaway

summer camp experience in Virginia Beach.

Parents can drop off, stay to hang out, or bowl with the group.

The cost is $10 per bowler, free for nonbowlers. The exact location will be shared upon registration at https://commonpoint.givecloud. co/SababaBeachCamp or email info@ sabababeachaway.org.

Improv at the JCC

Saturday, March 7, 7 pm Sandler Family Campus

Rick Krupnick

It’s kind of funny (pun intended) how many people are surprised to learn that for the past 10 plus years, I have been performing improv and sketch comedy. It’s been a wonderful journey that’s also given me the opportunity to produce shows and teach comedy to up and coming improvisors.

Well, if you like good surprises, I have great one for you because a group of my very funny friends and I will perform a Whose Line Is It Anywaystyle improv show at the Simon Family JCC on the Sandler Family Campus. These improvisors are some of the best comedians in the 757 region, many of whom have performed up and down the east coast.

If you’ve ever watched Whose Line, you know the magic lies in its spontaneity. The comedians step onstage with nothing but their quick thinking, years of comedic experience, and a handful of audience suggestions. From outrageous scenes to absurd character improvisations, every moment is created in real time. There are no scripts, no do-overs, and absolutely no safety net— just pure, unfiltered comedy.

What makes our show truly special

is the connection with the audience, whose ideas fuel the comedy, and who become part of the experience as the cast transforms simple prompts into laugh-outloud moments. Whether it’s a surprising song, a perfectly timed punchline, or a physical gag that comes out of nowhere, the energy in the room is electric.

We’ll deliver feel-good entertainment that’s smart, silly, and endlessly rewatchable, just in time for the wackiness of Purim. You’ll laugh until your face hurts, marvel at the performers’ creativity, and leave quoting jokes that were invented right in front of you.

Don’t miss your chance to experience one of the funniest shows this season. Grab your tickets, bring your best suggestions, and prepare for a night where everything’s made up—and the laughter absolutely counts.

This event is presented by Rick Krupnick and Arts + Ideas at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Free and open to the community. Registration is required at www.JewishVA. org/Improv. Drink tickets will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Hunter Thomas, UJFT director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965-6137.

JCC Maccabi Games and Access interest meeting

Thursday, February 19, 6 pm Sandler Family Campus

Ready for the experience of a lifetime? Attend this meeting to learn about this summer’s JCC Maccabi Games and Access, happening August 2–7 in Toronto, Canada. The Games are open to Jewish teens, ages 13–17; Access program is open to ages 12–22.

Learn how to be part of the fun, competition, and friendship that make Maccabi unforgettable. Information at JewishVA.org/MaccabiMeet.

WHAT ’ S HAPPENING

Dream Doctors bring humanity in action to Tidewater

Tuesday, March 24, 7:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus

Nofar Trem

A rare opportunity to encounter Israel through one of its most human, inspiring lenses will take place when United Jewish Federation of Tidewater hosts members of Israel’s renowned Dream Doctors Project. Professional medical clowns, the group brings healing, dignity, and emotional support to patients and families in Israel and around the world.

For more than two decades, Dream Doctors has been fully integrated into medical teams in 33 hospitals, trauma units, and humanitarian missions. Their work isn’t just entertainment, it’s evidence-based therapeutic care, using empathy, improvisation, humor, and

nonverbal communication to reduce anxiety, build trust, and support recovery.

During this special evening, Tsour Shriqui, Dream Doctors CEO, will be joined by some of the professional medical clowns who comprise the Dream Doctors team. Together, they will share their unique journeys and provide insight into their work in hospitals, emergency response situations, and humanitarian programs. They will reflect on their experiences since October 7 and other high-pressure situations and offer a behind-the-scenes look at their “No War Zone” initiative, showing how compassion and creativity become vital tools as they collaborate

with medical teams to support patients in the most challenging environments. The event is part of a larger five- day residency that will include hands - on workshops with local healthcare providers, arts organizations, and students. The community event, however, is the centerpiece: an evening of uplifting storytelling and behind-the-scenes insight into what it means to bring comfort in moments of fear, instability, and loss. The visiting speakers will illustrate how Israel shows up for its own people as well as for communities worldwide through Dream Doctors’ service in disaster zones as part of the Israeli

Army Medical Corps reserve, bringing their skills to field hospitals and international humanitarian missions. Free and open to the community, this program is presented as part of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, and Community Partners’ 15th Annual Israel Today Series.

If interested in being involved in the residency or having Dream Doctors speak to a group, contact Nofar Trem. For more information on this and other Israel Today programs, visit JewishVA. org/IsraelToday or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 15, SUNDAY

The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presents: The Stronghold. Sinai Desert, 1973: Israeli soldiers face impossible choices during the Yom Kippur War as their outpost is besieged. A young lieutenant and an army doctor must decide between a desperate last stand or a perilous gamble. $15. Virginia Wesleyan University. 2:30 pm. Information and tickets: www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest.

FEBRUARY 16, MONDAY

Camp JCC School Days Out: President’s Day. For children currently in K-5th grade. Campers can look forward to arts and crafts, games and sports, free swim, and other fun projects with old and new friends alike. This day can be selected individually or as a part of any 5- or 10-day bundle. Sandler Family Campus. Information and to register: www.campjcc.org or Kate-Lynn Cipolla, KLcipolla@ujft.org.

Book Club. The Most Human by Adam Nimoy is this month’s book. The author will join via Zoom. The group meets every third Monday of the month at 1:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus. Information: Jewishva.org/Adults or contact Sarah Cooper at SCooper@ujft.org.

FEBRUARY 18, WEDNESDAY

Senior Club. Join active seniors to find out what is going on in the community and how to get involved. Meets every third Wednesday of the month at 12 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: www.jewishva.org/Adults or contact Sarah Cooper at SCooper@ujft.org.

FEBRUARY 19, THURSDAY

The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presents: The Ring. A devout Israeli journeys to Budapest with his estranged daughter, searching for a ring that once saved his life during the Holocaust and may hold the key to his family’s past. $15. Cinema Café Kemps River at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Information and tickets: www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest.

FEBRUARY 19, THURSDAY

Roundtable Conversation. For those who love a spirited debate, join community members of all ages for conversations involving current events, politics, and much more. Meets every first and third Thursday of the month. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information: www.jewishva.org/Adults or Sarah Cooper at SCooper@ujft.org.

FEBRUARY 21, SATURDAY

Camp JCC Kids Night Out: Neon Eras. Children, ages 4-12, are invited to a night of neon nostalgia and high-energy fun. The night kicks off with music and a glow party, followed by free swim with friends. JCC members: $25 per child, $15 for siblings (max $55/household). Potential members: $30 per child, $20 for siblings (max $70/household). Sandler Family Campus. 5 -9 pm.

Parents attending the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film’s Big Saturday Night Celebration must pick up their children by 10:30 pm. Register: www.JewishVA.org/KNO.

Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presents: Tatami (The Big Saturday Night Celebration of Jewish Film). An Iranian judo champion and her coach face a life-altering ultimatum at the world championships, forced to choose between family safety and defying an authoritarian regime. $45 for the Big Saturday Night Celebration. Cape Henry Collegiate. 7:30 pm. Information and tickets: www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest.

FEBRUARY 22, SUNDAY

Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presents: The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue. On October 7, 2023, retired Israeli general Noam Tibon races across a country under siege to rescue his family from a terrorist attack, relying on instinct and courage in a relentless journey. $15. Cape Henry Collegiate. 2:30 pm. Information and tickets: www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest.

FEBRUARY 23, MONDAY

Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presents: The Blond Boy from the Casbah. Antoine returns to his childhood neighborhood in Algiers, reconnecting with memories of family, faith, and the vibrant, multicultural world that shaped him. $15. Naro Expanded Cinema. 7:15 pm. Information and tickets: www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest.

FEBRUARY 25, WEDNESDAY

Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presents: For the Love of a Woman. A woman’s journey through 1970s Israel unearths a love story and a gripping mystery, linking her life to secrets buried in the 1930s. $15. Cinema Café Pembroke Meadows. 2:30 and 7:30 pm. Information and tickets: www.JewishVA.org/FilmFest.

MARCH 1, SUNDAY

Operation Hamantaschen. Join PJ Library in Tidewater at the Simon Family JCC for a joyful Purim celebration. Make hamantaschen with friends and family, offered in three time slots: 1 pm, 1:45 pm, and 2:30 pm. Not baking? No problem! Families are welcome to stop by anytime to enjoy Sunday Funday Purim activities. As always, costumes are encouraged. Information or register: JewishVA.org/PJL or contact Blake Sisler at BSisler@ujft.org.

MARCH 7, SATURDAY

Improv Night, presented by Rick Krupnick. Celebrate Purim with laughter! Rick Krupnick is bringing a crew of the region’s funniest improvisors to the Sandler Family Campus for a fast paced, laugh out loud Whose Line–style show. Performers will take audience suggestions and spin them into hilarious scenes right on the spot. 7:30 pm. Free and open to the community, registration required. Drink tickets available for purchase. Register: JewishVA.org/Improv or contact Sarah Cooper at SCooper@UJFT.org.

MARCH 11, WEDNESDAY

Tik-Tok Talmudist Miriam Anzovin brings her sharp wit and contemporary lens to Jewish learning in an engaging presentation. Known for her humorous and thought-provoking reflections on Jewish texts, identity, and culture, Anzovin reimagines how ancient wisdom can speak to modern life. Her work blends insight, authenticity, and creativity, making the study of Torah both accessible and deeply relevant today. 7:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Information and registration: JewishVA.org/Anzovin.

MARCH 15, SUNDAY

Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse. The powerful documentary offers an intimate look at the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of Maus, exploring how personal trauma, cultural catastrophe, the Holocaust, and political unrest have shaped Spiegelman’s life and work. A conversation with the film’s directors will follow. Chrysler Museum of Art. 2 pm. Tickets are included in the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film full festival pass. Stand alone tickets are $8 for Chrysler Museum of Art members and $16 for non-members. Register: JewishVA.org/Muse. Presented by the Chrysler Museum of Art in partnership with the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film and the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

MARCH 24, TUESDAY

Dream Doctors: Humanity in Action. At a time when the world feels fractured and overwhelming, Israel’s Dream Doctors offer a powerful reminder of what brings people together. They will provide firsthand insight into their innovative, evidence-based approach to healing that blends medicine, humor, creativity, and empathy. Sandler Family Campus. 7:30 pm. For more information on this and other Israel Today programs, visit JewishVA.org/ IsraelToday or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@ujft.org.

OBITUARIES

Howard J. Bernstein

GALLOWAY, N.J. – Howard J. Bernstein, 93, passed away on January 22, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ida and Benjamin Bernstein, and his sister, Selma Shefferman.

Howard is survived by his loving wife, Shirley, his high school sweetheart, with whom he shared a wonderful life and a marriage of over 72 years. He is also survived by his daughter, Caren Bernstein, his son, Dr. Robert Bernstein (Lisa Ehrich), his five grandchildren, Matthew Appelbaum, Laura Appelbaum, Allison Bernstein (Andy Garin), Emily Bernstein (Alex Broad), and Jill Bernstein (Mickey Borgenicht), and his five great-grandchildren, Zoey and Zack Garin, Miles and Ren Broad, and Quinn Borgenicht. In addition, Howard is survived by his brother-in-law, Dr. Eugene Myers, and by loving nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews, all of whom spent many happy hours in Margate, N.J. enjoying

summer Cousins’ Camp, Shirley’s amazing food, and Howard’s humor, counsel, and barbecue skills.

Howard was born on October 19, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was raised from an early age in Atlantic City, N.J. He graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1950, and from Temple University with a B.S. in accounting in 1954. Howard served with the U.S. Army, 1954-57, in Germany. Howard was a partner in the accounting firm of Marshak, Kalter, and Bernstein, which became Bernstein, Cohen, Simpson, Gilbert, and Horowitz.

He was active in many local and state community activities, including serving as president of the Atlantic Cape May Chapter of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants, and on the State Society’s board of trustees and ethics committee. Howard was also president and chair of the board of the Seashore Gardens Living Center and served on the board of trustees for 50 years. At the time of his death, Howard remained active as a member of the Mosaic Foundation, which enriches senior living. Howard served on the

board of trustees of Beth El Synagogue for 40 years, and as treasurer for two terms. He was also a president of the Jewish Community Center in Margate, N.J., and was a member of the board of trustees of the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties. He served on the Federation Foundation board, as well. He was a member of the board of Margate Terrace, dedicated to affordable housing for seniors, and served as both secretary and treasurer of the board.

For his lifetime of service and dedication to the accounting and Jewish communities, Howard was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Atlantic Cape May Chapter of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants, and with the National Trustee Award by the National Association of Jewish Aging Services, and with the Cassman Award for Leadership by the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties.

Howard’s favorite activity, other than spending time with his family, was golfing. He was a treasurer of the Linwood County Club, and no matter the weather, even during tax season, Howard could be found on the Linwood golf course playing with his favorite foursomes.

A private burial was held. A Celebration of Life honoring Howard’s life and legacy was held at Beth El Synagogue in Margate. The family requests donations to Mosaic Foundation, P.O. Box 352, Absecon, N.J. 08201, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Robert Buckman

VIRGINIA BEACH – Robert “Bob” Buckman, passed away peacefully at his home on January 13, 2026.

Bob was a loving husband, father, grandpa, and friend. His greatest legacy was the love he had for his preceded in death wife, Ittie (Edye) Buckman; children, Larry and Terri Buckman; daughter-in-law, Katie Rubio; and his grandchildren, Lailen and Kelsey Buckman, and Mia Rubio.

His funeral took place at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk. Shiva was held immediately following. Donations to the Mended Hearts Inc. (https://mendedhearts. org/), where he was a proud volunteer for many years.

Barbara Carlson

CHESAPEAKE – Barbara Carlson, a remarkable soul who dedicated her life to the pursuit

of truth and beauty, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 11, 2026, in Chesapeake, at the age of 91.

Born on April 9, 1934, and raised in New York, Barbara’s journey was marked by a deep passion for the arts and an unwavering commitment to sharing knowledge and inspiration with those around her.

Throughout her life, Barbara worked as a teacher, teaching English as a second language. She also served as a docent at a museum, where she delighted in guiding visitors through history and art, igniting curiosity and appreciation in all who listened. Her love for the written word transcended into her work as a published poet, where she masterfully captured the intricacies and truths of the world with grace and eloquence.

Barbara’s spirit was one of boundless creativity and intellectual curiosity. She had an extraordinary ability to observe the world keenly and translate her insights into poetry that resonated deeply with readers. Her writings will continue to inspire and touch the hearts of many for generations to come.

Preceded in death by her beloved parents, Murray and Helen Bresow, Barbara leaves behind her cherished daughter, Laurie Carlson, along with a host of friends and admirers who were touched by her warmth, wisdom, and kindness.

A memorial service was held at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Barbara Carlson’s legacy is one of inspiration and enlightenment, and though she may have departed from this world, her words and the memories she created will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know her.

Thelma Laderberg

NORFOLK –Thelma Laderberg passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at Harbor’s Edge in Norfolk, Virginia, at the age of 100.

She lived a long, full, and deeply meaningful life—one defined by creativity, independence, devotion to family, and enduring friendships.

The beloved daughter of Fay Cooper Myers, Thelma carried forward a strong spirit and a love of self-expression that shaped every chapter of her life. She attended the College of William & Mary, where her lifelong passion for the performing arts flourished. Acting was one of her greatest joys and proudest accomplishments. She performed

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in plays during her college years and beyond, subsequently appearing in the Norfolk Little Theatre. In her later years, she shared her love of the stage by teaching acting to children at the Jewish Community Center, inspiring confidence, imagination, and self-expression in generations of young performers. She still found time to read to the visually impaired at WHRO for over 30 years.

In addition to her artistic talents, Thelma was a successful businesswoman who with her husband, ran the Dolly and Bobby Shoppe and later The Place and was admired for her independence, determination, and her refreshing honesty—she always told you exactly what she thought, without apology.

She was strong-willed, sharp-minded, and deeply engaged with the world around her.

Thelma was married to her beloved husband, Albert Laderberg, of blessed memory, for 54 years until his passing in June 2001. Their life together was one of love, partnership, and shared devotion to family. In her later years, Thelma made her home at Harbor’s Edge, where she was surrounded by a warm and vibrant community. She was intimately involved in the life of the community and created lasting programs like Thelma’s Follies. There, she enjoyed companionship, conversation, and the continuation of the deep friendships that meant so much to her throughout her life.

She is survived by her children, Wendy Konikoff (Albert), Steven Laderberg (Abbie), and Bruce Laderberg; her grandchildren, Dena Laderberg, of blessed memory, Michael and Bryan Konikoff, and Beth, Corey, Jody, Danny, and Kevin Laderberg; and her 10 great-grandchildren, who were a source of great pride and joy.

Services were held at HD Oliver Funeral Apartments in Norfolk, followed by burial in the Gomley Chesed Cemetery in Portsmouth. Donations may be made in Thelma’s memory to Beth El Temple, Harbor’s Edge Foundation, or WHRO.

Thelma Laderberg will be remembered for her talent, her candor, her fierce independence, and the love she gave so freely to family, friends, students, and community. Her life was a performance filled with purpose, heart, and unforgettable presence.

Marvin Joel Merkle

NORFOLK – Marvin Joel Merkle, 79, passed away peacefully, Thursday, January 22, 2026.

He was born in Richmond, Virginia, the son of the late Harold Hyman and Eva Merkle. He is survived by his two daughters, Jenefer Dayle Snyder and husband Michael and Heather Umberger; and two grandchildren Brayden Douglas Snyder and Dylen Evan Keller and a host of loving friends and family.

A graveside service was held at Gomley Chesed Cemetery by Rabbi Jacob Herber.

Toby Flex Pekarsky

VIRGINIA BEACH – Toby Flex Pekarsky, age 85, passed away on January 11, 2026.

She was born in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Fred and Belle Levin Flex. She was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Robert Jay Pekarsky, her sister Sally Flex Weinraub, her niece, Tara Blacher Ropelewski, and her five beloved miniature schnauzers.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, son, Michael Scott Pekarsky, daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Duncan Pinnock, her three step grandchildren, Stephen, Amy, and Ben Pinnock, her niece and husband, Leslie (Blacher) and Edward Gottschalk, great nieces and nephew, Clarissa and Nathan Gottschalk and Hannah Ropelenski-Brack, and many loved cousins.

She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth and attended Old Dominion University. Toby was most proud of her “Putting Hubby Through” degree while Bob attended the Medical College of Virginia, School of Pharmacy. She practiced real estate for 20 years. In her retirement years, she started a successful crafting business called “Adventures in Art” with hand-painted designs on upscale clothing. She also participated in animal rescue efforts, helped children develop their reading skills, was a docent at the Virginia Aquarium and helped with their children’s Discovery Program.

She was a member of Temple Emanuel and contributed to many organizations and animal rescue groups.

A graveside service was held at The Jewish Cemetery of the Virginia Peninsula, in Hampton, Virginia. The service was conducted by Rabbi Michael Panitz.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Altmeyer Funeral Home and Cremations, Southside Chapel.

Gerald Martin Sandler

NORFOLK – Gerald “Jerry” Martin Sandler, 88, of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away

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peacefully at his home on January 20, 2026.

He was born in Norfolk on June 28, 1937, to the late Lou “Lovey” and Anna Rose Sandler. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Gail Anita Sandler, his brother, Jack Sandler, and son in-law, Michael Doran.

Jerry is survived by his three daughters: Samantha Doran, Tamara Congel, and Anna Rose Barker; his son in-law Chris Barker and four cherished grandchildren, Jared (Maddie), Leah, Evan, and Barrett. He is also survived by his loving sister-in-law, Jackie Sandler, nephew Greg (Michelle Sandler), Shari Patish,

and many dear cousins.

Jerry will be remembered most as an influential, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and steadfast friend who invoked humor in every facet of his life. This was his way of lifting spirits and bringing a smile and laugh to those around him.

After graduating from Granby High School, earning his bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion College, and later receiving his master’s degree from the University of North Carolina, he dedicated his career to being a life-long educator and proudly retired as director of Guidance and Counseling for

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Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

In addition to this honorable achievement, Jerry served eight years in the United States Coast Guard Reserves as a hospital corpsman, and over 20 years as compassionate volunteer in his community for the American Red Cross and the BeAR Literacy Project; receiving outstanding awards of recognition.

He was also deeply involved in the Jewish community, serving as president of many Jewish social organizations and as a board member and treasurer of Brith Sholom Center of Virginia. His commitments to giving back were shared among other interests and activities he enjoyed throughout his life; most notably, playing tennis, golf, swimming, and traveling with dear friends and family.

He will be truly missed by all who knew him.

A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk with Rabbi Michael Panitz officiating. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Samuel Leon Shapiro

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Samuel Leon Shapiro, a long-time Norfolk resident, died on January 17, 2026, in Washington, D.C. at the age of 86.

He will always be remembered as a loving and beloved husband, father, and grandfather with a remarkable intellect, a gentle soul, and a lifelong passion for travel and learning.

Samuel was born in June 1939 in Demblin, Poland to Mira Yontef and Abraham Gedanken. With his mother, he spent the war in the Demblin-Irena forced-labor Luftwaffe camp. When the camp was liquidated in 1944, he was transferred to the Nazi HASAG munitions camp in Czestochowa, Poland where he was liberated by the Red Army in January 1945. He fled post-war antisemitic violence in Poland with his mother and father, Israel Shapiro, and lived in Displaced Persons camps in occupied Bavaria before immigrating to the United States and settling in Norfolk in January 1951.

He graduated from Maury High School in 1957 where he starred on the school’s “Quiz ‘Em on the Air” quiz bowl team, earning the attention and affection of his future wife, Helen Walker. He went on to study at the University of Virginia as a Dupont

Scholar, where he earned his undergraduate and medical degrees, and completed his residency at Thomas Jefferson School of Medicine in Philadelphia. After an internship in neurology at the University of Virgina and service in the Navy Medical Corps, he returned to Norfolk where he practiced as a neurologist for over 40 years. He was a founding partner of the Norfolk Diagnostic Clinic and highly esteemed by colleagues and patients.

Samuel was active in retirement and continued to give generously of his time and expertise, particularly to Eastern Virginia Medical School where he served as clinical faculty and an admissions interviewer. He was also a frequent guest lecturer in medical history at Johns Hopkins Medical School. His work at Chesapeake Care Clinic was a source of satisfaction and pride. Retirement gave him the opportunity to devote himself fully to his interests in medical history and travel along with his wife Helen and family.

Samuel was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Helen Walker Shapiro, and by his parents, Mira and Israel Shapiro and Abraham Gedanken. He is survived by his sons, Stephen Shapiro (Benoit Wohlgroth) and David Shapiro; his daughter in-law, Sandy Shapiro; his grandchildren, Samantha Shapiro and Nathan Shapiro; his brothers, Moses and Solomon; and by many cousins in Canada and Curaçao.

A graveside service was held at Hebrew Cemetery in Norfolk. Live streaming was available through the H.D. Oliver Facebook page. The family requests donations to Chesapeake Care Clinic, HIAS, or any other charity of choice.

Albert P. Solomon

VIRGINIA BEACH – Dr. Albert “Al” P. Solomon, a devoted husband, father, and veteran, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025, in Virginia Beach at the age of 81.

Born on July 31, 1944, Al lived a life marked by dedication to both his profession and his country.

A man of faith and community, Al was a cherished member of Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk.

Al is preceded in death by his loving parents, Syd and Harry Solomon. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Gilda Solomon of Virginia Beach, and his son, Arik Solomon of Georgia, who will carry forward his memory

with love and reverence.

A graveside service was held when Al was laid to rest at Albert G. Horton, Jr., Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia, honoring his service and dedication to his country.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Altmeyer Funeral Home and Cremations, Southside Chapel. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy of service and love will remain in the hearts of those who knew him.

Gary Tabakin

VIRGINIA BEACH – Gary Tabakin, 70, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, left us peacefully on January 27.

Born in Norfolk, he was the son of the late Burnley and Bobbi Tabakin. He was predeceased by his baby brother Matthew.

A lifelong resident of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Gary graduated from Indiana University (go Hoosiers!) and received his master’s in business administration from the University of Wisconsin. He spent his extensive career with the multigenerational Meyers & Tabakin furniture company, where he continued the family tradition of doing business in an ethical and friendly manner. Gary carried those values, established 120 years ago, proudly into the 21st century.

Gary’s greatest source of joy was his family. Left to cherish Gary’s memory are his beloved wife of 47 years, Kevin Tabakin and his three sons, Michael, Ames, and Brian (Hollie), as well as his brother, Scott (Lori), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends were an integral part of Gary’s life, and he leaves behind a community of close friends who loved him dearly for his generosity, kindness, compassion, and dry wit.

Gary was deeply involved in Jewish life, both locally and nationally. He passionately believed that the local synagogue was the most important aspect of the Jewish community and he contributed countless hours to that tenet. He was past president and board member of Temple Emanuel where his legacy of service will last for generations thanks to his mentorship of clergy and congregants. Gary served for many years on the board of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) where his influence and

inspiration helped improve synagogues throughout the country. His support spanned many areas of life important to him, including his advocacy for the LGBTQIA community.

Gary most enjoyed time with his family and friends. He especially loved holiday celebrations (he was the king of Seder entertainment), delighted in good food, and always looked forward to his weekly poker game.

A service was held for Gary at the Laskin Road chapel of H.D. Oliver, followed by a graveside service at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Gary’s name to Temple Emanuel, USCJ, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

His family asks that whenever you sit down to enjoy a bowl of strawberry ice cream, please take time to savor every bite and think of Gary.

Spencer Alan Zahn

VIRGINIA BEACH – Spencer Zahn, 87, passed away in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on January 25, 2026.

Born in Princess Anne County in 1938, he resided in Chesapeake, Virginia for over 50 years. Spencer retired from Civil Service as an auditor 32 years ago and enjoyed playing cards, gardening, and collecting old tools during his retirement.

Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters: Tina Nadzan and Lisa Zahn; three grandchildren: Jamie, Kelly, and Alan; and one great grandson: Paxton, as well as great friend and ex-wife Eva Zahn and family members / friends.

Spencer was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Center Park North. A memorial will be held at a later date and will be announced in advance. Condolences to the family may be offered at www.hollomon-brown.com.

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May the Source of Peace send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.