Special Section: Estate Women and Moms (2026)

Mother’s Day

Celebrating M oms & W omen

Dear Readers,

Regular readers of Jewish News know that we list donations to the paper on page 5. We generally wait until we have several before running them, which is why the listing isn’t in each edition. This time, however, in honor of Mother’s Day, we’re making an exception and printing just the one donation that’s been made since the last issue. That’s because I know Mother’s Day was important to Helen Koltun and it just seemed appropriate not to delay.

Sunday, May 10 is the day we officially celebrate Mother’s Day this year, but ideally, shouldn’t we appreciate our moms and the dynamic women in our lives –grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and friends – every day? I like to think so, and hope that I do.

In this section that’s what we aim for.

An article on the next page, for instance, features women who are members of Hadassah, specifically Sharon Goretsky, who recently went to Washington, DC to meet with more than 100 bipartisan Congressional offices about a variety of issues, including women’s health. That’s taking charge.

Members of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women Philanthropy held their Spring Luncheon last month and celebrated their accomplishments. The article and photographs are on page 16.

Plus, we have a story about Ilana Peck Liebler who planned a 10-day trip to Norfolk and got stuck due to the war with Iran, as well as a piece about Bobby Friedman who just turned 95.

Celebrating these women – and those in your lives – is a good thing to do all the time. Right?

Happy Mother’s Day!

Terri Denison Editor

Hadassah advocates visit DC to press Congress on US-Israel relationship, antisemitism, and health

Jewish News staff report

Tidewater’s Sharon Goretsky, past president of Hadassah Southern Seaboard Region, was among the group of 200 leaders of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, who arrived on Capitol Hill from across the country for the organization’s Day of Impact in March. Their mission was to urge lawmakers to maintain a strong US-Israel relationship, to confront antisemitism, and to protect women’s health.

The advocates held more than 100 meetings with staff for members of the House and Senate.

continuing discussions in Congress about America’s support for Israel.

“Hadassah has never sat on the sidelines, and we are not going to do so at this pivotal moment,” says Carol Ann Schwartz, National president. “We brought the combined strength of our nearly 300,000 members, donors, and supporters directly to Congress to stand firm against antisemitism, to uphold the strategic US-Israel alliance, and to safeguard the health and well-being of women everywhere.”

Hadassah’s Day of Impact reflects the organization’s broader national advocacy network, which mobilizes members across all 50 states to engage policymakers at the federal, state, and local level.

Among the meetings, Goretsky says that the one with a staff member of Senator Mark Warner’s was particularly productive. “He has Israeli family,” she says.

She also had a good meeting with staff from Congresswoman Jen Kiggan’s office.

One of the most impactful portions of the day, according to Goretsky was a lunch where four U.S. Senators – Elissa Slotkin, Marsha Blackburn, Jacky Rosen, and James Lankford – spoke to the group. “It was excellent,” she says.

Hadassah’s coordinated advocacy effort took place amid record numbers of antisemitic incidents in the US and

Hadassah’s priority issues include increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which will protect American communities at risk of terrorist attack; support for medical innovation and US-Israel medical partnerships, including the MIRACLE Act; and expanded federal investment in women’s health research, particularly for conditions that disproportionally affect women.

Hadassah also reaffirms its commitment to advancing women’s health priorities through expanded research, inclusive clinical trials and stronger protections for personal health data.

Goretsky is a national board member for Hadassah and serves as chair of both the Zionist Affairs Department and Nurse and Allied Health Professionals Council.

Celebrating M oms & W omen

Linda Ausch

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Philanthropy gathered for its annual Spring Lunch at the Sandler Family Campus last month. The event served as both a celebration and thank you for a year defined by generosity, leadership, and community impact.

Alicia London Friedman, Campaign chair, welcomed attendees and described the “wonderful and successful year” of events and fundraising. The luncheon honored volunteer campaign ambassadors (members of Women’s Philanthropy), as well as Lions of Judah—women contributing $5,000 or more annually.

Friedman thanked Betty Ann Levin, executive vice president; Amy Zelenka, chief development officer; and Linda Ausch, Women’s Development director; and offered a touching tribute to her mother, Joan London, who was in attendance, acknowledging her as a lifelong source of inspiration.

Mona Flax, UJFT president, shared an encouraging campaign update, noting that the 2026 Community Campaign has surpassed $5.1 million and is on track to hit or exceed its goal of $5.2 million, with the Women’s Division contributing an impressive $1.5 million from 417 donors—already exceeding last year’s total.

Flax then called Annie Sandler, past Women’s Campaign chair and current president of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, to install new Women’s Philanthropy members. Sandler gave a special shout out to retiring member Judy Rosenblatt for nine years of service and thanked Debra Aleck for agreeing to serve another term. She then welcomed new members: Rebecca Auerbach, Stacie Caplan, Amy Gladstein, Nichole Kushner, Laura Wingett, Nikki Shapiro Roth, Laura Goldstein, and Ellen Rosenblum.

A special lunch inspired by the book, eat small plates, was next. Lunch was followed by a lively Q&A with cookbook authors Zikki and Ben Siman-Tov, moderated by Deb Segaloff. The discussion was entertaining and uplifting as Ben charmed the audience while holding the couple’s newborn daughter and Zikki spoke to the mechanics and details of the ingredients they love. Both agreed that food was not just important for its nutrition and caloric intake, but for bringing people together… whether from the same community or across divides.

Betty Ann Levin closed the event with her own thanks to the women in the room and others not present – for caring and for doing the vital work of giving and asking others to give, so that together, all can continue to strengthen the Tidewater Jewish community.

Celebrating M oms & W omen

Bobby Friedman at Ninety-Five

In March of twenty six, dear friends, a milestone came alive— A shining, joyful moment: Bobby turning ninety five.

From Philly roots to Waynesboro, she grew both bright and popular, A star whose appeal and laughter made each room feel spectacular.

At RPI she studied hard, her future wide and deep, Till one day on 34th Street, fate took a sudden leap. She spotted someone playing handball—“Who is that handsome guy?” Her friend replied, “You don’t know Boodie Friedman? You two will surely fly.”

He asked her out not once but twice—each time she had a previous plan, The third? A boat in choppy seas—she said, “no way,” to that brave young man. Still, he tried again, and that fourth ask would be a start, To a love that lasted seventy years, two souls, one beating heart.

On their first date she told him straight, “You’re going to marry me,” He laughed—but she was right, of course, as everyone could plainly see. She left her path as a physical therapist and built a life instead, With Boodie, her beloved prince, the one she chose to wed.

Now Norfolk is her kingdom where she’s lived a life so grand, Three children—Alan, LynneDee, Penny—her extraordinary band. Each morning with her crossword and her trusty orange slice, Though sometimes she’ll switch to a banana—for something different and nice.

Mom emphasized education and studying with thoughtful care, Penny became an accomplished teacher, an educator extraordinaire. LynneDee supported children with unique special needs, Alan ensured pharmacy information would not mistakenly mislead.

She writes, creates, imagines—Temple Israel knows it well, Her plays brought joy and laughter and the stories she could tell.

A friend so true and trusted, with a Yiddish lilt so sweet, Who loves key lime and chocolate delights—her favorite dessert treats.

Bobby’s a Mahjongg Maven through and through, a knitter with great flair, A reader who librarians greet with joy when she is often there.

When weather’s fine she jokes, “I played pickleball today!”

Her kids all know she’s teasing—but they go with it anyway.

Working at UJF with Sonny Lefcoe—witty, warm, a dear, Who knew he’d be her mayechutan in a later, blessed year?

With Darryl’s dental wisdom, panache, and charms galore, It’s clear that Bobby’s son Alan certainly did score.

And family wove through friendships—how life can intertwine, Bobby’s mechutanim, Morty and Esther—were oh so very divine.

Allan—a mister fix-it and believe us, this is not fakery, He made delicious bread at Richmond’s Weiman’s Bakery.

For Bobby, mishpocheh is the center of her life, Mentor, guide, role model, mother and wife.

Grammy to her grands and greats, each one a cherished treasure— JD, Andrea, Lee, and Orly—names she speaks with pleasure.

As if that wasn’t enough, great love abounds much more, Generations continue to expand—it warms Bobby to the core.

Penny’s joys are Allie, Ross, and Grace who joined the crew, Then Shane, Hugh, Maya, Vera—great grand blessings, too.

At ninety five she’s thriving still, silver hair and manicured nails, Driving off to Wegmans and home again to check her numerous emails. From her perch at the Oceans, watching surf and sky unfold, She speaks to her heavenly prince in whispers soft and bold.

So, Mom and Grammy, on this day, with hearts that overflow, With all our love, all our lives—and thanks—for countless ways you glow. May this small Mother’s Day surprise bring joy that brightly thrives, For the woman we adore so much—Bobby at ninety five.

— Your Children

Celebrating M oms & W omen

Ilana Peck Leibler makes the best of being stuck in Tidewater

Terri Denison

In late February, Ilana Peck Leibler was in Norfolk, expecting to return to Israel after a quick visit with her family. The war in the Middle East, however, swiftly and drastically altered her plans.

A Norfolk native, Leibler has lived in Israel for nine years.

“I came home to visit my parents, Grandma Nancy and Zayde, and other extended family,” says Leibler. “It was supposed to be a 10-day trip and instead, it has turned into two months.”

Not only is Leibler not where she lives, she’s not near her new husband, Meir Leibler.

A Lone Soldier (an Israel Defense Forces member who serves without immediate family in Israel), Leibler met her husband during Reserve Duty after Oct. 7.

The couple planned their wedding to take place in June 2025, but as Liebler muses, “Iran messed that up.

We got married on Aug. 5, instead.”

At the time Leibler boarded her flight in Israel with Norfolk as her destination, she admits she knew there was a possibility that travel issues might occur, as murmurs of war were brewing. She says, however, she was not dissuaded from making the trip because, “I really wanted to see my family.”

When asked if this was the first time she and her husband had been separated, she was quick to laugh, “We’re not separated, we are just not physically together.” In truth though, it is not their first ‘physical separation’ in their young marriage. . . “Three days after we got married, Meir was called into Reserve Duty, and we were apart for three weeks.”

While her husband is serving, communication, she notes, is limited.

“We have a What’s App group with all the wives of the soldiers and we get daily updates that everything is going well, but aside from that, communication is very limited,” says Liebler.

Being so far away from her Israeli home, Leibler says, “I am very concerned about my family and friends in Israel, but I am very fortunate to have my family and friends in Norfolk.”

Since Leibler works remotely, “I have been able to work, and my company is very understanding and accommodating during these difficult times.”

Still, she can’t recall the last time she has spent this much time Norfolk since she was 16 years old.

The forced stay hasn’t been all bad. “The weather has been amazing,” says Leibler. “I ended up being here for Purim and Pesach – and even joined a gym.”

And there’s been an added bonus for her family: “I went to Bishulm Culinary School in Yaffa while I was living in Israel, so my parents have definitely enjoyed me cooking for them.”

For Leibler, though, she says, “I can’t wait to get back to my husband and my blind dog Stevie.”