Special Section: Dads and Grads (2026)

DADS & GRADS

Dear Readers,

With graduations and closing award ceremonies taking place nearly daily, there’s much for families to celebrate. A glance at the 33 graduates we’re acknowledging in this issue, beginning on the next page, exemplifies the range of study and ages of Tidewater’s students – from high school diplomas to doctorate and dental degrees and from teens to parents. Jewish Tidewater’s graduates are impressive and clearly prepared to tackle their next challenges. Mazel tov!

Switching to Father’s Day (Sunday, June 21), we feature two men who not long ago were celebrated for their own outstanding achievements (in addition to their roles as dads).

The Honorable Aaron F. Kass was recently sworn in as a Judge of the Virginia Beach General District Court. His Investiture last month was attended by many in the community – family and friends. The photograph of his family assisting him with his robe is a treasure.

Skip Sacks, a long-time contributor to Jewish News (as was his late father, Hal Sacks), was honored earlier this year with HRACRE’s 2026 F. Craig Read Service Award. The article is on page 19.

Whether celebrating dads or grads, there’s something about those meals cooked on grills. We’ve got an article about some new trends; and for those who prefer to stay away from the heat, several advertisers in the section offer great places for dining.

Happy Father’s Day and Happy Graduation Days!

Thanks for reading,

Terri Denison Editor

Graduations are a time to recognize achievements, formally bid farewell to schools, prepare for the next steps along life’s journey, and of course, celebrate! Jewish Tidewater has much to applaud with its graduates – the awards, impressive degrees, and outstanding plans are all worthy of celebrations. Mazel Tov to all these graduates and their families!

Avi B. Cardon

Tidewater Collegiate Academy

Earned Advanced Diploma, along with Virginia Wesleyan University dual enrollment.

Next: Avi is staying local, excited to dive into the intersecting worlds of business and the creative trades

Avi is the son of Elyse and David Cardon.

Virginia Commonwealth

University School of the Arts

Magna Cum Laude BFA

Next: After some travel abroad, Bella will continue living in Richmond to expand her multi-disciplinary visual art practice while providing families lifestyle management support through expert home organization, personal assistance, and nannying

JEWISH TIDEWATER’S GRADUATES DADS & GRADS

Madeline “Maddie” Elyse Acosta

Kempsville High School

Graduating with Highest Honors, Varsity Field Hockey, All Region honorable mention

Next:Christopher Newport University majoring in Biology/ Health Science

Maddie is the daughter of Alison and Bernard Acoste and granddaughter of Bonnie and Bob Rothschild.

Brian Cohn

University of South Carolina

Bella is the daughter of Elyse and David Cardon.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with majors in Finance, Business Economics, Real Estate, and Risk Management – Insurance University of South Carolina

Outstanding Senior Award and graduated summa cum laude

Next: Brian will work as an advisor analyst at J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Palm Beach, Florida

Brian is the son of Lisa and Joel Cohn.

Hayden Caplan

Cape Henry Collegiate

Peer leader to the Class of 2029 at CHC; BBYO Regional Board Gizbor

Next: University of Arizona, Eller College of Business

Hayden is the son of Stacie and L.T. Caplan.

Kempsville High School

ATC Advanced Technology Center

Honor Roll

Next: JMU for Engineering

Jordan is the son of Dennis and Rochelle Cubitt.

DADS & GRADS

Washington and Lee University

Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Honors in Economics, Johnson Scholarship for Leadership and Integrity, Reynolds Scholarship in Business Journalism, John McKenzie Gunn Economics Scholarship

Next: Two-year Research Assistantship at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors

Joshua is the son of Beth and David Darrow.

Ursinus College

Bachelor of Arts in Finance

Next: Assistant Basketball Coach at Ursinus College

Gram is the son of Donna and Seth Eilberg and grandson of Susan and Jim Eilberg.

James Madison University

College of Business-Accounting with Honors

Next: Working at the accounting firm, Stewart & Company in Virginia Beach

Lindsey is the daughter of Tammi and Jerry Foer.

Dr. Ari Goldman

Auburn University

Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering

Next: Seeking a position designing and testing rocket propulsion systems Ari is the son of Dean and Dr. Ilene Goldman.

First Colonial High School

Honor graduate

Next: James Madison University

Lainey is the daughter of Stacey and Todd Goldman.

Cape Henry Collegiate

Cum Laude Society, Karl Tewes Award

Winner, First team TCIS lacrosse recipient

Next: University of Georgia

Ella is the daughter of Amy and Scott Goodove.

Charlie Gross

Frank W. Cox High School

Next: Loyola University New Orleans to study Entrepreneurship in the College of Business. He was selected as a MAGIS Scholar and awarded Loyola’s merit-based Cardoner Opportunity Grant

Charlie is the son of Kim and Michael Gross.

Western Albemarle High School

DADS & GRADS

Samantha “Sammi” Jankell

Oscar F. Smith High School

International Baccalaureate, National Honors Society, National Science Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta (National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society), Section Leader for the Mighty Marching Tigers

Next: Virginia Tech Honors College on a Pamplin Leadership Scholarship

Sammi is the daughter of Shayna and Peter Jankell.

Martin Jackson Lemke

Frank W. Cox High School

Senior class president, member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society officer, member of National Math Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, and National Social Studies Honor Society

Next: University of Virginia

Ethan is the son of Bradley and Sonnia Kesser and grandson of Kay and Barry (of blessed memory) Kesser.

Next: University of Richmond as a D1 pitcher

Martin is the son of Shawn and Ashley Lemke.

Brittany Johndrow

Baylor University-Doctorate of Pediatric Nursing

DNP project presented at 2024 NAPNAP Virtual Symposium

Next: Pursue position in pediatric primary care setting

Brittany is the daughter of Brian and Katherine McCann.

Sam Levin

First Colonial High School

Next: Virginia Tech, majoring in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology Management, Pamplin College of Business

Sam is the son of Betty Ann and Scott Levin and grandson of Susan and Mayer Levy, Carol Levin, and Elaine and Herbert Levin (both of blessed memory).

Western Branch High/ Cosmetology at Chesapeake Career Center

Graduating with Honors

Next: University of Mary WashingtonBiology major, Spanish minor

Carolena is the daughter of Steven and Brittany Johndrow.

Reese Longwater

Ocean Lakes High School

Math and Science Academy, Brock Center Environmental Studies Program, National Honor Society Publicity chair, and Bayfront Advisory Commission student member

Next: Virginia Tech to study Agribusiness

Reese is the daughter of Karen and Adam Longwater.

Bishop Montgomery High School, Torrance, California

Next: University of Alabama

Kendall is the daughter of Jim and Danielle McKechnie and granddaughter of Anne and Sandy Goldberg.

DADS & GRADS

Doctor of Dental Surgery

Next: Advanced Prosthodontics residency and Masters of Oral Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago

Anna is the daughter of Margaret Baumgarten and Max Mirovski.

Sophia Mirovski

College of William and Mary

Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Sciences, Summa Cum Laude

Next: Master’s in counseling, University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development

Sophia is the daughter of Margaret Baumgarten and Max Mirovski.

Hebrew Union College

Executive Master of Arts in Jewish Education

Next: Continue serving as director of Lifelong Learning at Ohef Sholom Temple

Alyson is the daughter of Martha and David Javinsky.

Elijah Morrissey

Granby High School

IB Graduate, Eagle Scout

Next: Old Dominion University

Elijah is the son of Alyson and Chris Morrissey.

University of Virginia

Bachelor of Science in Architecture, minors in Architecture History and Global Sustainability, High Honors

Next: Architectural Designer at Tymoff & Moss in Norfolk

Leia is the daughter of Alyson and Chris Morrissey.

Elijah Muhlendorf

The Hague School

International Baccalaureate diploma

Next: University of Virginia Elijah is the son of Alyssa and Jonathan Muhlendorf.

Caroline Wainger

Norfolk Academy

Next: Tulane University

Erin is the daughter of Jill and Brian Wainger and granddaughter of Kathy and Jerry Kantor and Patti and Jules Wainger.

DADS & GRADS

Max Salomonsky

Cape Henry Collegiate

National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Health and Medical Science Program Scholar, Senior Peer Leader, University of Maryland President’s Scholarship

Next: University of Maryland, majoring in Biology

Max is the son of Daniel and Jill Salomonsky.

Emily P. Weinberg

JMU Graduate Psychology Program, Applied Behavior

Helene Schulwolf

Tulane University

Major in Psychology and Linguistics, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Excellence in Linguistics Award, co-president of ACEing Autism, research assistant in lab, Dean’s List at eligible semesters

Next: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master’s in Speech Language Pathology

Helene is the daughter of Lisa and Neal Schulwolf.

Analysis Concentration

Master of Arts

Next: Board Certified Behavior Analyst for Augusta County Public Schools following the completion of her certification exam

Emily is the daughter of Lauren Lantz.

Chloe Rose Zuckerman

First Colonial High School and Governor’s School for the Arts, Musical Theatre Department

4-year Principal’s List graduate; GSA, Musical Theatre Department Graduation Speaker; numerous GSA and Virginia Musical Theatre productions

Next: Emerson College, BFA in Comedic Arts

Norfolk Academy

Next: University of Maryland

Erin is the daughter of Jill and Brian Wainger and granddaughter of Kathy and Jerry Kantor and Patti and Jules Wainger.

Got a Jewish Graduate?

If your graduate is not included here, submit their information by June 15 for the July 13, 2026 issue.

Chloe is the daughter of Megan and Steve Zuckerman and granddaughter of Leslie and Larry Siegel and Phyllis and Bob Zuckerman.

Include: Graduate’s name, school, achievements, what’s next, and parents’ names.

Email the information, along with a photo to news@ujft.org.

Be sure to put GRADUATE in the subject line.

DADS & GRADS

A new judge for Virginia Beach: The Honorable Aaron Kass

Haley Bartel

The Honorable Aaron F. Kass was sworn in on Friday, March 27 as a Judge of the Virginia Beach General District Court.

“Outside of being Melissa’s husband, and Jonah, Micah, and Alexa’s father, there is no greater privilege than this role,” Judge Kass said at his formal investiture on Friday, May 1 at the City of Virginia Beach Judicial Center. Together, his family assisted him in putting on his robe, an act symbolizing their support.

The opening invocation was led by Rabbi Jacob Herber of Congregation Beth El, and remarks were given by Joshua Baker of Waldo & Lyle, PC, David Lacy of Christian & Barton, LLP, and Matthew Foster of Bangel, Bangel & Bangel, LLP.

Kass formerly worked as a personal injury lawyer for Kass Law Firm, P.L.C. He is a graduate of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary, and he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University.

In his speech, Kass emphasized the importance of recognizing that attorneys face mental health struggles, such as anxiety and depression, at alarming rates, approximately 2-3 times greater than the general population.

“I hope, that while I’m ensuring the parties on both sides, on some of the most stressful days of their lives, feel heard and achieve justice, that I never forget that those of you advocating on their behalf have stressors as well. As the saying goes, you never know what someone has going on,” he said.

Kass extended his heartfelt thanks to his family, friends, and colleagues. “To say this is a team sport is an understatement, and you all are wonderful teammates,” he said, addressing the packed courtroom.

Delegate Michael Feggans, Senator Aaron Rouse, Delegate Andrew Rice, and Judge Aaron Kass.

DADS & GRADS

HRACRE honors Skip Sacks with 2026 F. Craig Read Service Award

Earlier this year, Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Astate presented Skip Sacks with the 2026 F. Craig Read Service Award in recognition of “his exceptional service and long-standing commitment to the organization and the commercial real estate community.”

The F. Craig Read Service Award honors individuals who have demonstrated sustained leadership, volunteerism, and dedication to HRACRE’s mission. Sacks exemplifies those values through decades of involvement and impact.

Sacks became involved with HRACRE in the mid to late 1990s, first serving on the Programs Committee and later chairing the committee for many years. In 2006, he and Scott Adams established the HRACRE Internship Program, which Sacks chaired for many years and helped shape into one of the organization’s most impactful initiatives.

In 2008, Sacks participated in HRACRE’s Strategic Planning Process, contributing to key initiatives that strengthened the organization’s role in the region, including enhanced legislative efforts, the revitalization of the HRACRE Presidents Council, and some of the earliest joint meetings among regional economic development offices. Sacks served on the HRACRE

board and executive committee for many years and was president in 2013. In 2013 and 2014, he taught “Legal Aspects of Commercial Real Estate” at Old Dominion University as part of HRACRE’s outreach efforts. His class, which frequently featured HRACRE members as guest lecturers, became the model for the expanded Internship Program. He says he is especially proud of the positive feedback he received from students, noting with humor that he never earned a single “chili pepper” on Rate My Professor.

In 2019, Sacks received the Robert M. Stanton Real Estate Teacher of the Year Award from ODU’s Strome College of Business.

In addition, Sacks served on the HRACRE REACH Foundation Board for several years and was president in 2024. During his tenure, he led the effort to create a permanent endowment for the HRACRE Internship Program. This endowment secures the program’s future, ensuring that students will continue to have access to meaningful commercial real estate internships for generations to come. The Internship Program endowment stands as one of Skip’s most significant and lasting contributions to HRACRE.

Along with all these volunteer efforts for HRACRE, Sacks finds time to occasionally write book reviews for Jewish News and assume the chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s Gift Acceptance Committee And, of course, he and is wife, Ellen, are the proud parents of Sam, Nate, and Hannah.

HRACRE is a commercial real estate organization serving Hampton Roads, focused on networking, education, and industry engagement. The organization brings together professionals across the commercial real estate sector to support collaboration and growth.

INVESTING IN DIGNITY. SUPPORTING VITALITY.

For generations, Beth Sholom Village has cared for older adults with compassion, dignity, and a deep commitment to community.

Today, through its inaugural community grant program, Beth Sholom Village is proud to support nonprofit organizations helping seniors across Tidewater/Hampton Roads remain active, connected, engaged, and supported

or fo Tidewater/ r Hampton a tion,

Rooted in the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world through care and action, this initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the lives of older adults throughout our region

Congratulations to the 2026 Grant Recipients

'nai Hospice House Service

B'nai Israel Congregation • Chabad Lubavitch of Tidewater • Congregation Beth El • Dozoretz Hospice House of HR • Habitat for Humanity of SHR • Hampton Roads Community Action Program

• Jewish Family Service of Tidewater (JFS) • Jewish Virginia Beach

• Judeo-Christian Outreach Center

• Meals on Wheels Chesapeake

• Chesape ke e h Sho illa ongratulations

• Meals on Wheels Virginia Beach • Mercy Chefs • Ohef Sholom Temple • Peninsula Agency on Aging • Primeplus Senior Centers • Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia • Seniors Unlimited Lifestyles • Strelitz International Academy (SIA) • Temple Israel • United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) • Va Veterans Services Foundation • VB Home

Now • Virginia Opera Association • Virginia Symphony

DADS & GRADS

FIRST PERSON I

buy this Father’s Day

gift every

year for my Jewish dad

My dad doesn’t want scotch, barbecue tongs or whatever else you might find on a curated gift guide. He just wants these socks.

Daci Platt

I’ve just scrolled through my first Father’s Day gift guide of the season and, once again, wondered why no one has ever made a gift guide for my specific brand of Jewish dad.

He’s not a barbecue dad or a sports dad. He’s undeniably a funny, silly Jewish dad, but he doesn’t want a book about Jewish humor — he tells the jokes, his way. He’s a golf dad, but he doesn’t want to read about golf, and he’s been playing for decades — why should he accept gear from someone who quit the high school golf team and falls asleep the moment the golf channel turns on (sorry Dad, but could you have picked a hobby with a little more energy)? He loves tech, but only when he discovers it and can tell me about it. He would not take kindly to my trying to introduce him to a new gadget. (See: His lackluster response to an Aura digital picture frame.)

My Jewish dad wants one thing and one thing only: socks with pictures of his family on them.

I know this because one year, after feeling guilty for sending him the same pair of socks with rotating photos of myself, my husband, and my kids year after year, I tried sending him a gourmet version of a treat he likes. He texted me: “Thanks. Next year please send socks with pictures on them.”

Message received, Dad! I went back to my old standby: Divvyup, a truly seamless service for printing photo gifts. Just choose your product (they used to only do socks, but have branched out into blankets, can coolers, stickers, and more), upload your photos and pick a color or pattern. They even have a pretty robust Hanukkah section with options that work for any time of year. (Pro move for a goofy Jewish dad: If you buy two different colors of socks with different photos on each, your dad might take it upon himself to wear one of each color — two Kveller dads have pulled this move.)

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go sift through my camera roll for this year’s perfect sock photo. You should too, so you can order your gift in time for it to arrive on Father’s Day!

This article first appeared on Kveller

Daci Platt is a pop-culture obsessed writer, amateur illustrator, audience engagement associate at Kveller, and mom of two girls. Like many social media managers, she has all but stopped posting on her personal accounts but you can find her in most places @dacijaye.

The Feldman Family Medical and Health Professions Student Scholarship

Apply by July 1 to Secure up to $40,000 in Scholarship Funding

Up to $10,000 a year for each recipient

The Feldman Family Medical and Health Professions Student Scholarship is awarded to Jewish students, or those who identify as Jewish, entering a qualifying Health Care Degree Program. Recipients must currently reside in Southeastern United States, with a preference for residents of Hampton Roads.

Apply at: foundation.jewishva.org AWARDED TO 2 STUDENTS EACH YEAR!