Virginia Beach —A. Bernard “Bernie” Stein, 94, passed away on December 30, 2016.

He was born and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Morris and Lena (Lurie) Stein. He worked there and in Roanoke and Norfolk.

He retired as a district manager from Reliable Stores Corporation, a major retail home furnishings chain. His favorite hobbies were traveling, going to the beach, and out to dinner with friends and family. He was predeceased by his loving wife Rae, and sister Rita, of blessed memory.

He is survived by his daughter Ilene Stein, of Norfolk, and sons Alan and his wife Susan Stein, and Marc and his wife Barbara Stein, all of Virginia Beach and his grandchildren Cara Stein, Lori Stein and her husband Brandon Fisher, Zak Stein, and Shayna Russo and her husband Adam, and great grandchildren Hudson, Parker and Dylan.

He served in the armed forces as a B-17 bombardier and flew patrols along the Atlantic coast during World War II . He was a member of Masonic Temple for many years.

He resided at the Terrace at Beth Sholom and was known for his sense of humor and singing. The family would like to thank the staff at The Terrace, in particular Josey, for their dedication, excellent service and compassion.

A graveside funeral service was conducted by Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Donations to The Terrace or charity of your choice. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be offered through www.hdoliver.com.

Film industry heavyweights gathered to remember Hollywood actresses Carrie Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, at a private memorial service in Los Angeles.

Actors Stephen Fry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Meg Ryan, Candace Bergen, Meryl Streep, Ed Begley Jr., Jamie Lee Curtis and Penny Marshall were among the guests who attended the memorial Thursday, Jan. 5 for Fisher, who portrayed Princess Leia in the 1970s Star Wars film series, the New York Daily News reported. George Lucas, the series’ director, also was in attendance.

Fisher, who was Jewish, died Dec. 27 after suffering a heart attack aboard an airplane. She was 60.

Reynolds, who launched her storied career in the iconic film musical Singin’ in the Rain, died a day later of a stroke. She was 84.

Fry, who like Paltrow is Jewish, bonded with Fisher partly over their experiences fighting depression, the Daily Mail reported. He was one of five people, including Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, who offered eulogies at the event before some 120 guests, according to the Daily Mail.

“All the tributes circled back to Billie and how much Carrie loved her,” Fry, 59, told People magazine of the event held at a Beverly Hills venue.

Sunday, February 19, 10 am–1 pm, Simon Family JCC

The delicious aroma of fresh baked goods will flow through the halls of the Simon Family JCC during Operation Hamantaschen. Filled with assorted fruit jams or other sweet confections, these tasty triangular shaped cookies, otherwise known as Hamantaschen, are traditionally served during Purim.

Each year, this family baking event generates about 1,500 cookies, which are distributed to U.S. troops overseas, Israel Defense Forces, and Jewish Family Service clients.

Meticulously organized with stations for rolling and cutting, filling and folding, and egg brushing, the event makes it possible for everyone to roll up their sleeves and partake in the baking process. Last year, more than 100 community members of all ages participated, including BBYO teens, Hillel students, young families, and grandparents.

Children and teens will also make greeting cards thanking the troops for their dedication and service. The cards will accompany each package of Hamantashen.

This free event is open to the community. Babysitting will be available.

Presented by Children, Family and Camp department of the Simon Family JCC, UJFT, and PJ Library. For more information or to sign up, visit Jewishva.org/OperationH or call 757-321-2342 by February 13.

Registration opens February 1

Camp JCC, the Simon Family JCC’s popular summer program for children two years old through grade 11, begins accepting registrations for new and returning campers on Wednesday, February 1.

Families are encouraged to sign up early to ensure their children have a reserved space. Camp JCC begins on June 19 and concludes on August 11. Two weeks of post camp, August 14–25, are available for children grades pre-K through 6.

The theme for the entire summer is Adventures Through Time. Each week will introduce a new era with activities to match, taking kids from the Wild West to the Roaring 20s and into the Sweet 60s, among other memorable time periods.

Along with Preschool, Elementary, Teen, and Counselor in Training camps, the JCC will again offer an all-inclusive camp experience, Yachad (together in Hebrew), for children with special needs. Campers can attend all sessions, or sign up for a week or two.

For more information, including registration forms, special incentives, scholarship information, and a camp calendar, visit www. SimonFamilyJCC.org/Camp, or call 757-321-2306.

Sunday, February 26, 7:30 pm
Old Dominion University’s Goode Theatre

The perfume of Persian nights will transport the audience into a fragrant evening of stories, song, and surprises.

An original show, it explores the Persian Jewish woman’s experiences as a child fleeing Iran, an immigrant adapting to a new home, a college student wishing to move to a dorm by defying her traditional father, a writer making it in America, and an immigrant celebrating Thanksgiving.

The show features works by Persian powerhouse writers, Gina Nahai, Angella Nazarian, Farideh Goldin, Esther Amini, and Dora Levy Mossanen.

The production is a collaborative event sponsored by Old Dominion University’s Institute for Jewish Studies & Interfaith Understanding and ODU Theatre/ODURep and the Jewish Women’s Theatre of Los Angeles.

Tickets are $15. For more information, call ODU’s Arts and Letters box office at 757-683-5305.

Norfolk —Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Ann Giat passed away as gently as she lived on January 14, 2017 at Beth Sholom Village where she was cared for the last year of her life. She was 88 years old.

Met and Virginia Opera lover, glass blower and self taught accountant, rescuer of cats and Siamese aficionado, European pastry cook and tailored fashionista, Ann was the epitome of grace, ability and culture.

Born to Lucia and Oskar With in New York City in 1928, she and her sister Ruth roller-skated down the city avenues and traveled the trains to every corner of the city as girls. Shortly after their father left the family, their maternal grandparents came to assist, but while here the Nazis closed the borders of their native Romania, and they were forced to remain in the United States while family members left behind perished in the Holocaust. The family got through the Depression running a candy store in the Yorkville section of Manhattan.

Ann showed artistic talent and intelligence from a young age. She was New York City spelling-bee champion in her age group, and honored by the Mayor as having the second-highest IQ in the City. She attended the High School of Music and Art and later took classes at the Arts Students League.

Through a mutual friend in Brooklyn, Ann met and then married Ouriel Giat, whose family had emigrated in 1929 from what would later become Israel.

They made a family home in West Hempstead, Long Island where their children Laura, Daniel, and Matthew were raised before a move in 1966 to Fairfield, Connecticut. Ann cultivated art and reading in her children. She began memorable, warm, religious, and holiday events at home that have become traditions in the family.

Ann’s garden was always full of roses, forsythia, and azalea. From her sewing machine came velvet dresses for Laura, suits for Daniel and Matthew, pajamas, coats, and little hats. There was always a present on their beds when they woke on their birthdays. Many years later her young grandchildren found little presents in the mail beautifully wrapped with cards in her elegant script that said simply, “I love you.”

Ann rose through the secretarial pool at the regional office of Coca Cola to become New England Branch Operations Manager, first in Westport, Connecticut, and later in Manhattan, a career from which she retired in 1992.

When she retired, having trained many young women seeking to make their way in business services, she found a new life in the quieter inlets and neighborhoods of Tidewater Virginia just blocks away from her daughter Laura. There, she served on the hospital auxiliary of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital as its accountant, and helped find funding for nursing scholarships for more young women. She also served as accountant for the auxiliary of Virginia Opera for many years. She was an amateur etymologist and excelled in the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Ann is survived by daughter Laura and her husband Rabbi Larry Forman, by grandchildren Aaron and Jordana, and by great-grandchildren Annabella and Myles; by son Daniel and his wife Jane, by grandchildren Rebecca and Julian, and by great-grandaughters Elisabeth and Olivia; by son Matthew and his wife Nataliya, and grandson Andrew.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring, in the city of her birth, New York. Donations to the American Cancer Society.

Atlanta —Barbara Frank Golsen, 81, passed peacefully on January 15, 2017.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mickey and Maurice Frank; daughter, Mindy Golsen; son, Carey Golsen and brother, Perry Leonard Frank, of blessed memory.

She is survived by her loving husband, Charles Golsen; son, Rick Golsen and daughter-in-law Julie; sister, Helene Frank Grablowsky and her husband Bernie; sister- in-law, Sherry Zimmerman Frank; grandkids: Alan Golsen and wife Sarah; Mindi Golsen Friedman and her husband Howard; great grandchildren: Michael, Mia, Hattie and Lila. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mrs. Golsen was a native Atlantan who grew up in Morningside and attended Grady High School. She was an accomplished realtor and bookkeeper. She was devoted to her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Sign online guest book at www.edressler.com. Donations may be made to Congregation Etz Chaim, the Atlanta Radio Club or a charity of your choice.

A graveside service was held at Crestlawn Cemetery. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta.

Newton, Mass .—Ruth Horlick, 86, passed away on January 9, 2017.

Beloved wife of Robert C. Horlick. Cherished mother of Linda Cole, Lawrence Horlick and his wife Lisa. Adoring grandmother of Jeremy Cole and his wife Gail, and Katie Cole, Thomas Cole, Jack Solomon. Loving great grandmother of Michaela and Mackenzie Cole, Kali and Anthony Neydon. Dear sister of the late Jane Lawentman. Loving sisterin- law of Paul Horlick and his wife Joan. Cherished Aunt of Sheryl Greenspan and her husband Avram. Admired great aunt of Shaina and Hannah Greenspan.

Graveside services were held in the Newton Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to the Perkins School for the Blind, 175 N. Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Levine Chapels, Brookline.

Virg inia—Rosalyn Landres, 84, daughter of Nathan and Frances Davidson, passed away peacefully on January 10 surrounded by family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ezra (Zeke) Landres of New York. She is survived by her four children, Julie Krachman and husband Al, Diana, Mark and husband Bryan, Jack and wife Lisa, and four grandchildren Natalie, Elyse, Alexa and Ellie.

Roz was born in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Boston University with a degree in English. She was a member of the drama club and through this developed a lifelong love of theater and opera. She taught English and volunteered to help teach Granby Elementary students to read. Her passion for education led her to establish the Ezra Landres Fund for Excellence in Education.

In 1955, Roz moved to Norfolk after marrying Zeke and joined Temple Israel where she was an active member for more than 60 years in all aspects of the synagogue from the Sisterhood to the choir to the minyan. She served on the boards of the Jewish Women’s International, the Norfolk JCC, Young Audiences (where she helped bring professional performing artists into schools), and the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. She also served as president of Jewish Family Service, president of the Hebrew Ladies Charity, and was a lifetime member of Hadassah, Brandeis and B’nai B’rith Women.

Roz had a love of traveling and traveled the world including many trips to Israel. Wherever she traveled she met and made friends and typically ran into people she knew!

Roz was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, great-aunt, grandmother and friend who will be missed dearly.

A private service was held in Northern Virginia. Donations to the Temple Rodef Shalom Building Fund.

NEWPORT NEWS—Marilyn Lewitt Nochimson passed away Tuesday January 24, 2017.

She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 56 years, Dr. Robert M. Nochimson, her son, Dr. Geofrey Nochimson (Lisa) of Williamsburg, daughter Debbie Wilson (Ken) of Norfolk, and grandchildren Joel and Benjamin Nochimson, Yaakov, Miriam and Sima Wilson.

She was predeceased by her parents, Mr. Louis and Mrs. Fannie Lewitt, her twin brother Irwin, her older brother Herbert Lewitt and her sister Jean Lippman.

She was born on April 13, 1938 in Thomasville, Georgia. She attended the University of Alabama and then transferred to the University of Georgia where she graduated with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education in 1960.

Marilyn was a wonderful and caring wife, mother and grandmother. She married Bob in 1960 and moved to Tidewater in 1964. Marilyn and Bob raised their family in the Denbigh section of Newport News. She was an outstanding teacher and taught at the Jewish Community Center preschool, Newport News Public Schools, and eventually taught 14 years at Paul Burbank Elementary School in Hampton. In all these positions, she nurtured hundreds of pre-school students. Bob and Marilyn often ran into former students and parents who expressed their gratitude to Marilyn for the wonderful start to their education. Among her many awards, she was chosen as Teacher of the Year at Paul Burbank. However, her greatest accomplishment was her family. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and was so proud of everything they did.

Bob and Marilyn were devoted members of the Rodef Sholom Temple. Marilyn was a stalwart member of the Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education, National Council of Jewish Women, and the Rodef Sholom Temple Sisterhood. Marilyn was a charming, warm and beautiful “Southern belle” and will be remembered for her sweetness, tenacity, and always having a kind word and bright smile for anyone she met.

Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association—Southeastern Virginia Chapter, The Sarfan Early Childhood Center—United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, or Rodef Sholom Temple. Graveside services were at the Jewish Cemetery of the Virginia Peninsula.

Portsmouth —Melvin Herman Ornoff, 93, of the 5600 block of Rivermill Circle, passed away Monday, January 16, 2017 in a hospital.

A native of Norfolk, he was a retired pilot in the US Army Air Force and US Air Force during which he served in World War II , the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was a member of Temple Beth El, past president of Gomley Chesed Synagogue, and a member of the American Legion, Jewish War Veterans, P47 Thunderbolt Pilots Assn. and the DAV.

Survivors include his wife, Frances Hilda Ornoff; a daughter, Marsha Ornoff Merkle and husband Marvin Joel of Portsmouth; two grandchildren, Jenefer Dayle Snyder and husband Michael and Heather Keller Umberger and husband Troy; and three great-grandchildren, Brayden Douglas Snyder, Dylen Evan Keller and Seth Troy Umberger.

A graveside service was held in Gomley Chesed Cemetery by Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz. Sturtevant Funeral Home.

Virginia Beach —Frances Sont Smith, 98, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Beth Sholom Village.

Frances grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia, the daughter of the late Samuel and Ethel Sont. In addition to her parents, Frances was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Leon, as well as her four siblings.

Frances and Leon owned and operated Wythe Lanes, a bowling alley in Hampton, Virginia for 40 years. After retirement, she continued to help out her family members at Riverdale Delicatessen and later at Philly Style Steaks. Frances was a past president of the Ladies Auxiliary at Adath Jeshrun Synagogue where she also served as a volunteer for many years. She was very much a people person and known as the “Dancing Queen” at Beth Sholom Village.

Frances is survived by her son Mannie ( Judy); two daughters, Anita (David, deceased) and Debbie (John); six grandchildren; three great grandchildren and a host of extended family.

A graveside service was held in Hebrew Cemetery in Hampton.

Frances’ family would like to thank the staff of Beth Sholom for the kindness and care extended to her.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.altmeyerfh.com. Donations may be made to Beth Sholom Village.

Thursday, March 30, The Westin, Virginia Beach Town Center

The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) will present a Humanitarian Award to Kim Simon Fink at its 2017 Tidewater Humanitarian Awards Dinner next month. Other honorees include Kenneth C. Alexander, Caroline J. McCartney, James K. Spore, and Craig S. Wansink. Additionally, Hands United Building Bridges (HUBB) will receive the Distinguished Merit Citation.

Fink is a past president of Ohef Sholom Temple, former chair of the Holocaust Commission of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, a member of UJFT’s Women’s Cabinet, and a former member of the board of Old Dominion University’s Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding. She currently serves as chair of the board of ForKids.

The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities works with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success through inclusion. During the past 10 years, the number of programs conducted annually by VCIC increased by more than 600%. Locally, the organization trains high school students and educators to reduce bullying and stereotypes. Additionally, local colleges, businesses, and community group regularly participate in VCIC workshops that promote understanding and respect.

To purchase a seat at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater/Tidewater Jewish Foundation table, contact Tammy Mujica at tmujica@ujft.org or 757-965-6124.

From Nazi Germany to Thalhimer’s Farm
with author Robert H. Gillette
March 19, 6:30 pm, Congregation Beth El

Escape to Virginia follows the true story of two Jewish teenagers growing up in Nazi Germany who end up living on a farm outside of Richmond, Va.

Eva Jacobson Loew and Werner T. Angress and their families made difficult decisions as they faced growing anti-Semitism, exclusion, and evil. Freedoms were taken away and hopes and dreams for their future became uncertain.

The book tells the story of their transition from a life of security, love, and happiness to a lifelong journey of courage, perseverance, and honor.

Read the book and then meet the author, Robert H. Gillette at Congregation Beth El.

This free and open to the public event will include a dessert reception. RSVP to Beth El at 757-625-7821.

Thursday, March 2, 6:30 pm

Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill, rabbi of Tidewater Chavurah, will begin a 10-week class on prayer book and biblical Hebrew. The first half will focus on learning the Hebrew alphabet and vowels, and the second part will be for the beginners and for people who know how to decode Hebrew, but want to learn more about word structure and meaning.

It will meet at Rabbi Ellen’s home, 4661 Priscilla Lane, Virginia Beach. For more information, call Rabbi Ellen at 464-1950 or email rabbicantorejg@gmail.com.

Wethersf ield , Conn .—Rabbi Barton Leftin, former rabbi of Congregation Beth El, passed away.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy; sons Avi (Maria) and Ben (Shill); grandson, Sid; and siblings Howard and Joan.

Rabbi Lefitin graduated with a BA from Boston University, and an MA from Brown, with majors in Russian Literature and Ancient Slavic Languages. Before entering Rabbinical School at the Jewish Theological Seminary, he worked in Great Neck, N.Y., teaching at a local college, as well as at the Hebrew High School and running its Youth House.

He served pulpits in Beverly, Mass., Norfolk, Va., Waterbury, Conn. (where he earned a PsyD in Divinity in Counseling), and Sunrise, Fla. (where he also served as a prison chaplain). His lifelong love of Soviet Jewry was reflected in his two trips to Russia on missions of support. In addition, during his lifetime, he was associated with three Camps Ramah (Ohai, Wisconsin and New England).

A graveside funeral was held at Emanuel Cemetery in Wethersfield, Conn.

Livingston , N.J.—David Longman of Livingston, N.J. died at home on January 31, 2017.

David, born Israel, was raised in Norfolk, Va. where he spent most of his life until moving to Florida and then, New Jersey later in life.

He graduated from Maury High School while playing jazz professionally in his teen years. He also built and sailed small sail craft. He was a 1941 graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.S. in chemical engineering. He worked in the chemical industry after college and later entered business and operated grocery stores in the Norfolk area for many years.

David began playing tennis before and after retirement and enjoyed many years on the tennis court. He played tennis five times a week until his late 80s. David, along with his wife, Mimi, were long-time members of Temple Israel in Norfolk.

He will be greatly missed by his many friends and relatives in the Norfolk area. He is survived by his wife of nearly 72 years, Miriam, and his three children Howard and wife Ellen of Livingston, N.J., Susan Saunders and husband, Marshall of Livingston, N.J. and Thomas, and wife Mona of Scarsdale, N.Y. His grandchildren who loved “Grandpa” are Haley, Adam, Ariel, Michael, Benjamin, Emily, Max, and Eli.

Funeral services were conducted at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Funeral Home in Livingston, N.J. with interment at Beth El Cemetery in Paramus, N.J. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. One suggestion is the Southern Poverty Law Center, which was one of David’s favorite causes.

Norfolk —Charles Leslie Marks, 71, beloved husband, parent, Zayde, and brother, passed away suddenly at home on February 1, 2017.

Charles, a gifted businessman, got his first taste of success independently running a Mr. Softee truck in New York City. After serving several years in the Navy, he returned to the Mr. Softee business in Norfolk, growing his fleet of ice cream trucks into what would become Truck Fleet Repair, the largest independent truck repair facility in the region. Beyond his reputation as an esteemed and savvy businessman, Charles was revered as a man who devoted time and energy to his family, to strengthening the Jewish community, generously donating to local charities, and finding new ways for “tikkun olam,” helping to heal the world.

Within his family and close friends, he will be most remembered for his infectious smile, enormous heart, easygoing attitude, fierce loyalty, pride, and joy for his children and grandchildren, and a deep, abiding devotion to his adoring wife of 25 years.

He is survived by his wife Nancy; his stepchildren Scott (Jae Lee) Millstein, Rachael (Gerry) Coakley, and Deborah (Josh) Kronenberg, and his grandchildren Todd, Curran, Carter, Ephram, Graham, and Eleanor; his sister Carole, his nephew David, his niece Karen and their families.

Funeral services were held at Ohef Sholom Temple with Rabbi Israel Zoberman and Cantor Wally Schachet-Briskin officiating. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Norfolk Chapel.

Donations to Sentara Heart Hospital, Sentara Foundation Hampton Roads, 6015 Poplar Hall Drive, Suite 308, Norfolk, VA 23502.

Virginia Beach —Ronald G. Miller, father, died and left behind his partner of 17 years, David Fierman; three sons, Jay of Bridgeport, WVa., Scott of San Diego, Calif; and Dr. Andrew Miller of Virginia; 11 grandchildren, Austin, Jayne, Brent, Clarissa, Joseph, Jordan, Benjamin, Jalen, Samuel, Jacqueline, and John.

Services were held at Ohef Sholom Temple. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

San Diego, Calif.—Susanne Clark Geshekter Smith passed away on Monday, January 30, 2017.

Susanne was born on January 3, 1946 and was a resident of San Diego, California at the time of her passing.

She is survived by her sisters Arlene Rephan (Jack) and Brenda Stein (Alan) and her husband, Robert Smith.

Services took place at Temple Emanu El in San Diego with Rabbi Devorah Marcus and Rabbi Martin Lawson officiating. Interment took place at El Camino Memorial Park.