Lecominster, Mass. –Alvan J. “Al” Tall, age 91, died peacefully at home on July 26, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.

He was diagnosed with Diffuse Lewy Body Dementia five years ago. For 60 years, he was the beloved husband of Sandra (Gibber) Tall, devoted father of David and his wife Sandy of Leominster, Jeffrey and his wife Rebecca of Virginia Beach, and Deborah and her husband Andrew Namiot of Ashland, Mass. Loving brother of Edna Klebanow of Jerusalem, Israel and the late Dorothy Ozer.

Al was born on December 29, 1925 and was the adored son of the late Esther (Lowenberg) and Harry Tall. Cherished grandfather of Shira, Norman, Evan, Caleb, Mitchell and Ilana, Jacob and Bennett. Loving uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, and dear friend to so many.

Al graduated from English High School in 1944 and immediately enlisted and served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II . He graduated from Northeastern University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and received his MBA from Northeastern in 1958. Al had an impeccable sense of integrity, was charismatic, personable, and had a gift for working alongside people. Prior to starting his own company, he was the director of personnel and labor relations for the Foster Grant Company.

In 1966, he founded Alpha Rho, Inc. The company has grown to become the largest plastic box manufacturer in the Northeast.

Although he was the youngest of his siblings, he was extraordinarily protective and caring of his widowed mother and two older sisters. Although his sister Edna had moved to Israel some years ago, there was still a daily phone call. When Edna called, he would say, “My shvester” (sister in Yiddish).

Alpha Rho was an integral part of Al’s life, and although he was successful in business, more important to him were the people he employed. He cared deeply for those who were part of the family business and the well-being of his employees was always a top priority. He created a profit-sharing plan for his employees, offered funds, brought in doughnuts, and was a mentor to so many who came through his office door.

On hot summer days, it was Al who ran to Dairy Queen to bring back Dilly Bars, ice cream novelties, and cold drinks for his employees. His son, David said, “My dad was always giving. He was a true mensch, in every sense of the word.” Al had many accomplishments to be proud of, but there was no doubt, the most cherished aspect of his life was his family. His daughter Deborah recalls, “Mom and dad met on Nantasket Beach and it was love at first sight.”

They married on June 23, 1957 and theirs was a true love story. They were soul mates. They held tightly to one another for 60 years.

Among his greatest gifts was his unconditional love for so many. Over the years, he offered guidance to many and had a passion for Judaism and a love for Israel. He was a member and past president of Congregation Agudat Achim of Leominster, as well as a member of Congregation Beth Israel of Worcester.

He also served on the Brotherhood at Agudat Achim, was on the board of education and a member of the Jewish War Veterans. He was an Eagle Scout and a licensed pilot, a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and earned his instrument flight rating. Al also loved dogs and rescued many strays. Some became family pets. Al suffered a subarachnoid brain hemorrhage in June 2000 and after an extensive stay in Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital and rehab in Boston, he returned home.

The past 17 years were a gift; with many special occasions celebrated and memories shared.

Services were held at the Levine Chapels in Brookline with burial in the Tifereth Israel of Everett Cemetery.

The family asks that each person who loved Al share a random act of kindness. Be like Al: leave a generous tip, rescue a dog, take time to listen, take a friend to lunch, be present. Donations may also be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O., Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD, 21741 or MSPCA/Angell Animal Medical Center, 350, South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130, or a charity of one’s choice.

Jeff Brotman, who co-founded the members- only retail giant Costco and was the chairman of its board of directors, died at his home outside Seattle.

Costco Wholesale Corp. said Brotman died early Tuesday, August 1 at 74. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Raised in Tacoma, Washington, Brotman formed Costco in 1982 with partner James Sinegal. By 2016 Costco had 85 million members and $9 billion in annual sales, making it the country’s third largest retail chain after Amazon and Walmart.

Brotman was an active philanthropist, donating to the arts and health-related causes, and to Democratic political candidates. He also supported Jewish causes, and frequently cited the influence of his childhood rabbi, the late Richard Rosenthal of Temple Beth Israel in Tacoma.

In 2014 he donated nearly $1 million to Temple Beth El in Tacoma to build a preschool and day care. The synagogue was formed with the merger of his childhood congregation and another local synagogue.

“The congregation launched me into being a responsible adult,” Brotman told The News Tribune of Tacoma at the time. “I was interested in doing something for them where I thought it would have a major impact.”

Brotman’s grandparents emigrated from Romania to Saskatchewan, Canada. His father, Bernie, operated a chain of retail stores in Washington state and Oregon.

Brotman earned a degree in political science from the University of Washington and attended its law school. He and his brother, Michael, started Bottoms, a jeans store for young women, and Jeffrey Michael, a chain of men’s stores.

He was an early investor in Howard Schultz’s Starbucks coffee empire and was involved in several other retail ventures.

Brotman and Sinegal opened their first Costco warehouse in 1983 in Seattle. The company now operates 736 warehouses around the world.

He was married to the former Nordstrom executive Susan Thrailkill. The couple had two children. Other survivors include two grandchildren.

Brotman was a supporter of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle.

“Helping the disadvantaged, encouraging diversity, fostering a community that treats its people well—these were values I learned from my parents as well as in Sunday school, values from Rabbi Richard Rosenthal, my rabbi at Temple Beth El, and my grandfather, who helped with the movement to plant trees in Israel,” Brotman said in a statement that appears on the federation’s website. “When I see some of the fundamental unfairness built into the system for people who are less fortunate, and couple that with my family’s tradition of helping others, I am compelled to act, compelled to give what I can to help.” (JTA)

Virginia Beach —Alex Morris Berkowitz of Virginia Beach, passed away on Friday August 18, 2017 at the age of 73. He fought a short and courageous battle with cancer and was surrounded by loved ones throughout.

He was the beloved husband of Elise Zelinger Berkowitz for 50 years, father to Sheri Rosenberg (David), Jay Berkowitz (Cheryl) and Jeffrey Berkowitz (Mandy). He was the doting grandfather to his three grandsons, Noah, Evan, and Jack. He was the younger brother of Sue Ellen Teach (Seymour) and was predeceased by his mother and father, Bell and Jack Berkowitz, of blessed memory.

Born and raised in Norfolk, Alex was a graduate of Maury High School and Old Dominion University. He was an entrepreneur who was successful in many ventures, and most recently as the founder and owner of First National ATM of Virginia for the last 25 years.

Alex was happiest surrounded by family and friends—with many, he celebrated more than 60 years of friendship. Known as a gentle man, Alex always had a smile on his face and sincerely enjoyed the opportunity to make others around him happy. He never met a stranger and touched the hearts of everyone he encountered. He was a student of life and loved long chats, learning about other people.

Alex was an avid collector of vintage and muscle cars. He loved buying and selling rare vehicles and had a fascination for anything with a motor—including various boats, a Sears & Roebuck moped (which the family still owns), and once, even an electric bicycle. He frequently cooked Sunday family dinners—enjoying grilling and slow roasting meats.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to loving friends and family near and far who have sent their well wishes and have kept Alex in their hearts throughout his short battle. The family is especially appreciative of Dr. Barbara Parks in Virginia Beach and Dr. William Jarnagan and his team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York for their excellent and gentle care of Alex.

The funeral was held at Ohef Sholom Temple. Alex was laid to rest at a graveside service at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Following the burial, the meal of consolation was held at Ohef Sholom Temple.

The family requests donations to a charity of the donor’s choice. Please continue to keep his memory in your hearts and forever remember his warm smile and kind eyes.

Virginia Beach —Arnold S. Cohen, 74, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 26, 2017.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Rose (Schlessenger) Cohen.

Arnie was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1943. He was a graduate of Virginia Beach High School (1961) and attended Richmond Professional Institute where he received a BS in Retailing. At a young age, Arnie served honorably in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Upon completion of his service, he opened Arnie’s, a local provider of beach apparel, located at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. After 35 years in business, he resigned to focus on “things I never got to do in the summer.” Following his retirement, he continued to be involved in the local business community as a property-owner and landlord for several oceanfront entertainment businesses.

Arnie’s greatest passions were for traveling abroad and the latest technology. Arnie had a special place in his heart for his longtime companion and pet dachshund, Brinkman.

Arnie is survived by his niece, Wendy Lessard and nephew, Dr. Richard Hoffman and their children.

A graveside funeral service was held in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with Cantor David Proser officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Arnie’s favorite charity, at https://www.redcross.org/ donate/. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be shared with the family and friends at www.hdoliver.com.

Norfolk—Howard Melvin Laderberg, 93, died peacefully August 24, 2017, at Beth Sholom Home.

He was a native of Portsmouth, but resided in Norfolk for the last 30 years. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Alma Goldstein Laderberg. He was the youngest child and last one of his immediate family left to cherish the memories of his parents, Bessie (Sifen) and Will Laderberg (of Poland and Russia, respectively), and siblings Albert, Paul, Sol, Evelyn and Flo.

He is survived by his children, William and Harry Laderberg and Linda (Leigh) Baltuch of Norfolk and Romney Laderberg of Boston, Mass.; his grandchildren Sheila Laderberg Tarasiuk (Dawid), Daniel Baltuch (Ilana), Julie Laderberg Morano (William) and Rachel Baltuch (fiancé Brian). Remembering their beloved Pop-Pop are Amelia Morano, Alice Tarasiuk, and Eliyahu, Yaakov, Eliezer and Chananya Baltuch. Sisters-in-law Thelma Laderberg and Freida Goldstein are among many family and friends who will remember him.

He was a proud WWII Army Air Corp veteran, stationed at Fairfield-Sulsun Army Air Base, which was renamed Travis Air Force Base. He worked on weights and balances for the aircrafts.

A lifelong businessman, his first experiences in the business world were at the family’s Laderberg’s Department Store in downtown Portsmouth, where he worked as a child during the depression. That was followed by other family businesses, The Economy Shoppe with brother Paul, High Point Furniture Outlet with brother Sol. After Sol’s retirement, sons William and Harry joined him at HPFO until it closed.

He grew up attending Chevra T’Helim Synagogue in Portsmouth. He was a longtime member of Gomley Chesed Synagogue, being very active on the board of directors for many years. He was also a member of Temple Israel.

His generous philanthropy can be felt far away in Israel, as well as at such local agencies at ACCESS College Fund, The Foodbank of Southeast Virginia, Beth Sholom Village, Jewish Family Service, and the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, which he initially presented in memory of his beloved wife, Alma. He was honored to be in the position to help others near and far.

In 1970, he received the United Jewish Appeal Leadership Award. He was the Gomley Chesed Synagogue Men’s Club recipient of the Blue Yamulke Man of the Year in 2005.

He thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of his tennis buddies until he hung up his racquet at age 84. He immensely enjoyed family activities, giving so many family members great memories for so many years of holiday gatherings at his home.

The Howard Laderberg Family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the following: Carmen B. Johnson (8.5 years) and Leslie Daniels (4.5 years) of Jewish Family Service, who lovingly cared for Mr. Laderberg as though a member of their own families. Other valued members of JFS who cared for Mr. Laderberg over the past 9 years include Frances, Tiphaney and David.

The entire family is very grateful for the presence of Beth Sholom Village, the new home provided for him for the past five years. The comprehensive and compassionate care he received from the entire staff was exceptional. The family liked knowing he was living at a place where, quite literally, everyone knows your name.

A memorial service was held at Beth Sholom Village with Rabbi Michael Panitz and Cantor Elihu Flax officiating. Burial was private.

Memorial gifts of meaning can be made to Beth Sholom Village, ATT: Claire Roth, 6401 Auburn Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464, or to a charity of one’s choice. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be offered to the family through www.hdoliver.com.

Norfolk —Gail A. Littman, 79, passed away September 1, 2017.

She was the widow of Abraham Littman and is survived by a daughter, 3 sons, a brother, a sister, 7 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and loving companion Tom Whinnery.

Graveside services were held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts.

Virginia Beach —Shirley S. Macon, 91 passed away on August 12, 2017.

A lifelong resident of Tidewater, Shirley graduated from Maury High School in 1944 and immediately married her high school sweetheart, Lawrence Macon. Shirley remained at Larry’s side throughout his various business ventures, first as a cashier at the United Cigar Drug Store, then as a sales clerk at Macon’s Camera Shop and later, Allied Brands. Her role as first mate continued during their retirement years cruising the Chesapeake Bay until Larry’s passing in 2012. However, her most satisfying career was taking on the role of Grandma Shirley. Nothing could stop her from any of her three grandchildren’s activities, and she relished each and every event.

She was a member of Congregation Beth El.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Larry, and her son, Jonathan. Survivors include her son and daughterin- law, Clay and JoAnn Macon, her three grandchildren, Conrad Macon, and his wife Meredith, Sylvia Macon and Emily Macon, and one great-grandchild, Rose Macon.

Shirley’s family is most grateful to the staff of the Terrace at Beth Sholom Home and Sentara Leigh Hospital for their caring and professional assistance during Shirley’s final days.

Funeral Services were conducted graveside at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz officiating. Contributions to the Terrace at Beth Sholom, or the charity of choice. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be offered at www.hdoliver.com.

Virginia Beach —Carol Buxbaum Waranch “A woman of valor, who can find? For her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31. Carol Buxbaum Waranch, age 89, peacefully passed away Thursday, August 17, 2017 in her home.

She was born March 11, 1928 in Queens, New York to the late Julius and Margie Weiner Buxbaum. She and her late husband, Stanley Waranch, were happily married for 69 years.

She is survived by her four daughters, their spouses and families: Suzanne Gruelle (Dennis), Caren Alexis (Peter), Andrea Stein (James) and Diane Garfinkel (Eric). She will also be greatly missed by her 11 grandchildren: Lauren Shomaker (Brett), Jill Jacobson (Lowell), Evan Berger (Kate), Jonathan Alexis (Natalie), Matthew Alexis (Davis), Michael Stein, Brett Stein, Daniel Garfinkel, Jamie Garfinkel, Cary Garfinkel and Julia Garfinkel, as well as her five great grandchildren: Hannah and Eva Shomaker, Elliott Jacobson, Sally and Kathryn Alexis.

She is also survived by her loving sibling, Stuart Buxbaum (Marilyn) and her sister-in-law, Shirley Liss, brother-inlaw, Seeman Waranch (Doris), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Carol spent her childhood years in New York until she moved with her family to Hampton Roads, Virginia. She excelled in academics and attended Westhampton College in Richmond, Virginia at age 16. Upon graduation, she married Stanley and they moved to Norfolk to begin their lives together.

Carol was active in the community serving as president of the Tidewater Section of the National Council of Jewish Women and involved in the Ohef Sholom Temple Sisterhood. Raising four daughters and supporting her husband as he pursued his career were truly her main priorities. She enjoyed working in the garden, and attending the symphony and opera. In addition, she was an avid reader and knitter. Grandma Carol was famous for her intricate baby blankets for each of her grandchildren knitted with tender, loving care. She was a gracious hostess —opening her home on every Jewish holiday to family, friends, and newcomers to the community.

Mom, your welcoming ways and warm heart will always be remembered by your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We love you.

Funeral services were officiated graveside at Forest Lawn Cemetery by Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg. Memorial donations to Ohef Sholom Temple Floral Fund, The Strelitz Diabetes Center, Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, or a charity of the donor’s choice. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments.

Virg inia Beach —Stanley Waranch, 91 years old, peacefully passed away on August 12, 2017 in his home after a long illness.

He was born February 9, 1926 in Norfolk, Virginia to the late Eldridge and Nellie Brodsky Waranch. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Carol Buxbaum Waranch, as well as his four daughters, their spouses and families: Suzanne Gruelle (Dennis), Caren Alexis (Peter), Andrea Stein (James) and Diane Garfinkel (Eric). He will also be greatly missed by his 11 grandchildren: Lauren Shomaker (Brett), Jill Jacobson (Lowell), Evan Berger (Kate), Jonathan Alexis (Natalie), Matthew Alexis (Davis), Michael Stein, Brett Stein, Daniel Garfinkel, Jamie Garfinkel, Cary Garfinkel and Julia Garfinkel, as well as his five great grandchildren: Hannah and Eva Shomaker, Elliott Jacobson, Sally and Kathryn Alexis. He is also survived by his loving siblings: Shirley Liss, Seeman Waranch (Doris) and brother-in-law, Stuart Buxbaum (Marilyn) and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Stanley grew up in Richmond, Virginia. After attending University of Virginia, he served in the U.S. Army. During this time, Stanley entertained the troops as “Stan the Record Man,” a radio disc jockey. A life long love of music remained and singing along with Frank and Dean were his specialty. The highlight of his return to Richmond was meeting the love of his life, Carol and, after 69 years, it was clearly a good decision.

Newly married, they settled in Norfolk. Stanley was soon invited into his father-in-law’s building business in Virginia Beach. He showed up to work in a business suit, tie, and briefcase in hand, however; he was promptly told to go home and change into his field clothes. Within a short time, Stanley was back in the office and took charge growing Buxbaum and Waranch into a successful company. Thus began a lifetime career in the home building business. In 1962, he served as president of the Home Builders Association of Virginia. By 1972, Stanley was proud to be elected president of the National Association of Homebuilders, recognized in the national Homebuilders Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C. and continued to be a lifetime director. For at least 20 years, he served in the prestigious position of chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board of Atlanta.

Stanley delighted in the travel opportunities and treasured the life long friendships he made along the way. Despite his other commitments, Stanley stayed devoted to his community. He was president of the Tidewater United Way Campaign, the first president of the Tidewater Builders Association, and was inducted into their hall of fame. Recently, Tidewater Builders Association honored him by creating the “Stanley Award,” given annually to local homebuilder professionals. Additionally, he served on the board of directors of Ohef Sholom Temple, chaired the board of Tidewater Community College and served on the board of directors at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

While accomplishing so much in his professional endeavors, Stanley’s greatest pride and joy was always his family. He cherished his time with each of them and having everyone all together was even better.

After a private burial, a memorial service officiated by Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg took place at Ohef Sholom Temple, followed by a meal of consolation in Kaufman Hall. Memorial donations to Ohef Sholom Temple Torah Fund, Eastern Virginia Medical School, The Strelitz Diabetes Center or a charity of your choice.

H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts.

Virginia Beach —Michel Zemil, 83, died Sunday, August 20, 2017 in a local hospital.

He was a native of Washington, DC and a resident of Hampton Roads since 1976. He was the son of the late Abraham and Elizabeth Luftig Zemil and was preceded in death by his sister Roni Packer.

He was a a United States Air Force Veteran of the Korean War, and retired from Crawford House Furniture after 20 years employment. He was a member of Temple Israel and the Greenbrier Country Club. He was an avid golfer.

He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Susan Bronstein Zemil of Virginia Beach and his children; Beth Paradis and her husband Michael of Virginia Beach and Bret Zemil of Denver, Colorado, his brother, Herb Zemil of Maryland and his grandchildren, Mariah and Mason, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside funeral service was held in Forest Lawn Cemetery by Rabbi Michael Panitz.

Memorial donations may be made to Temple Israel. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com.

A monument in Hungary commemorating Jewish slave workers later murdered in the Holocaust was defaced.

At least three marble plates signifying Jewish headstones were smashed last month in Balf, a town located 120 miles west of Budapest, the Jewish weekly Szombat reported.

A government spokesman issued a “strong condemnation” of the act, which police are investigating. There are no suspects.

The monument, which comprises dozens of marble tablets in the shape of headstones, was unveiled in 2008. The positioning of the headstones evokes a group of people walking – meant to honor the memory of those forced to work there by pro-Nazi Hungarians before they were murdered.

Those commemorated in the monument are victims of what the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem calls the death marches of Hungarian Jews through Austria in the spring of 1945. The previous year, Hungarian Interior Minister Gabor Vajna pledged to provide the German Reich with 50,000 Jewish men and women as slave laborers.

By 1945, Hungary’s fascist Arrow Cross handed over 76,209 Jews to the Germans “on loan” until the end of the war. After an arduous march from Budapest at the height of winter, in which thousands died, the survivors arrived in a weakened state to the border and were handed over to the Germans. Some were forced to dig trenches, other to build structures.

Of the 35,000 Hungarian Jewish forced to work in the Lower Danube Gau area, a third died of starvation, exhaustion and diseases. To prevent the spread of epidemics, Nazi guards would shoot anyone suspected of being ill. (JTA)

A Brooklyn couple killed in a house fire was remembered as “genuine,” “righteous” and “devoted to family” at their joint funeral.

Mourners spilled outside a Borough Park chapel for the joint funeral of Howard and Evelyn Gluck, who were killed early that morning in a blaze that ripped through their two-story, woodframed home in the haredi Orthodox Jewish neighborhood.

Howard was 61 and worked for a hardware company. Evelyn was 59. The couple had four children, three living in New Jersey, as well as grandchildren.

As fire engulfed the home they had lived in for nearly four decades, the couple’s 17-year-old daughter, Chana, stood on the roof shouting for someone to help her parents, who were trapped inside, the New York Times reported. Chana was rescued by firefighters and admitted to the hospital for smoke inhalation. She attended the funeral for her parents that afternoon supported by family members.

The cause of the fire is being investigated and it is not clear if there were working smoke detectors in the home.

Hundreds of mourners attending the funeral heard eulogies of the Glucks delivered in Yiddish.

“They were just so special,” their son Yeidel said tearfully.

Speakers were set up in the parking lot allowing the overflow to hear the remarks, according to the Times. (JTA)

November 5–19

Simon Family JCC’s annual Lee & Bernard Jaffe* Family Jewish Book Festival returns with the promise of a great series of author engagements and to expand participants’ minds on such topics as:

• Mindfulness and de-stressing,
• How the short stories of the Forward helped inspire and inform readers of immigrant life,
• The impact of tracing one’s family history,
• The dynamic society and culture that is Israel today, and
• How students are changing what it means to live a Jewish life.

To view the full line-up and to RSVP, visit simonfamilyjcc.org/jewishbookfestival or contact Erin Dougherty, Simon Family JCC director of cultural arts, at 757-321-2341.

*of blessed memory

- Erin Dougherty

Monday, October 30, 7:30 pm
Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus

What would you say to your childhood hero if you had the chance to meet? In June, thousands of Israelis got the opportunity to do just that when Bruce Smith, Joe Montana, “Mean” Joe Greene, and 16 other NFL Hall of Famers went to Israel.

Over the last 18 years, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has sponsored the sport of football in the state of Israel. Kraft has helped to build the sports facilities, reputation, and culture in Israel through the American Football in Israel league. The pro-football players were in Israel as part of an eight-day goodwill mission led by Kraft, which culminated in the grand opening of the Kraft Family Sports Campus in Jerusalem.

“It is so special to bring the best of the best to ever play my favorite sport to my favorite country in the world,” Kraft told The Jerusalem Post.

Tidewater native, Virginia Tech legend, and NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith and his wife, Carmen, visited sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Western Wall, and Yad Vashem, and were baptized in the Jordan River, among their many experiences in Israel.

Hear directly from Bruce Smith about his time in Israel at this free, open to the community event. RSVP required.

Contact Melissa Eichelbaum at meichelbaum@ujft.org for more information, or visit jewishva.org/touchdownisrael to RSVP. (required)

Tuesday, October 17, Simon Family JCC
Continuing Legal Education: 12–4 pm, $150 includes class and lunch
Society of Professional networking event: 6–7 pm, $10 cover
Community event: 7:30–8:30 pm, free

A quick, one-day trip to Tidewater by Dr. Mark Goldfeder will include three opportunities to learn and engage—a Continuing Legal Education course, a networking event, and a community event.

Goldfeder, a senior lecturer and Spruill Family Senior Fellow for the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University, will discuss the comparative approach of secular law versus Halacha when he leads a three-credit CLE class for attorneys. This event is In partnership with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Community Relations Council and Society of Professionals, together with the Norfolk Kollel.

“Rabbi Goldfeder is uniquely qualified as a lecturer—he is an ordained rabbi, law school professor, attorney, and leading advocate against the BDS movement,” says attorney Jeffrey Brooke.

Goldfeder has been an adviser to the United Nations on Israel, and he runs an Israel fellowship program for freshmen at Emory. Last November, Goldfeder gave a keynote lecture at the United Nations on drawing lines between religious discrimination and the First Amendment. His CNN op-ed, Obama administration was hypocritical on UN’s Israeli settlements vote, examines the hypocrisy and perceived bias toward Israel. He’ll discuss this during the free and open to the community event and also speak about Israel’s relationship with the United Nations and how it relates to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Prior to the community event, Goldfeder will lead a brief discussion on the legal aspects of boycotts and de-legitimization for the UJFT’s Society of Professionals. This networking event will include wine, beer, and light appetizers.

“I am excited to hear what he has to say and to welcome him as the Norfolk Area Community Kollel’s first ever continuing legal education (CLE) presenter,” says Brooke.

For more information or to RSVP for these events, visit JewishVA.org/Goldfeder.

Sunday, November 12, 1–5 pm, Simon Family JCC

Bringing people together of all backgrounds, religious affiliations, and ages to nurture, mentor, and celebrate Jewish life and learning for an afternoon is Tidewater Limmud’s goal.

In addition to offering interactive breakout sessions led by community members and professional educators, Tidewater Limmud includes discussions facilitated by Rabbi Michael Panitz, author Ezra Glinter, and Rabbi Barry Schwartz, director of The Jewish Publication Society.

Tidewater Limmud is presented in coordination with Global Day of Jewish Learning and the Simon Family JCC’s Lee & Bernard Jaffe* Family Jewish Book Festival, in partnership with the Board of Rabbis and Cantors of Hampton Roads.

Join the journey with Tidewater Limmud— after all, everyone has something to learn and something to share.

For more information or to register, visit SimonFamilyJCC.org/Limmud or contact Melissa Eichelbaum at 321-2341.

*Of blessed memory

A Call for Presenters:
Tidewater Limmud

Based on the concept that everyone should be a student and that anyone can be a teacher, Tidewater Limmud offers an opportunity for community members to teach a workshop on any and all areas of Jewish content. Take part in this festival of Jewish culture through shared learning by teaching about a favorite Jewish topic such as Jewish art, texts, food, literature or Israeli politics, technology, culture, or any other Jewish or Israel-related topic.

Since diversity is a core principal of Tidewater Limmud, the workshop can be presented in a variety of ways (lecture, workshop, film, panel, or debate, for example). Presenters of all backgrounds and ages are welcome.

$18 to attend or present as Limmud’s success depends on its band of presenters. Without presenters there would be no Limmud! Presenters are not paid.

For more information on becoming a presenter, or to submit a proposal, visit SimonFamilyJCC.org/Limmud or contact Melissa Eichelbaum at 321-2341.

Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman on the insertion of his article on his summer trip to Poland, Lithuania, and Israel, along with Charlottesville’s tragic events, into the Congressional Record by Congressman Scott Taylor.

Politics, Faith, and the Making of American Judaism
Peter Adams
Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan
Press, 2014, 230 pages
ISBN: 978-0-472-07205-7

Peter Adams is a former journalist who teaches English at Old Dominion University. His study recounts the story of American Jewry in the 19th century and its history of immigration and integration into mainstream American society. The author relies extensively on archival research, substantiating his chosen trajectory with numerous illuminating quotes from a rich variety of seminal newspapers of that period, such as the New York Times, Philadelphia Ledger, Washington Chronicle, Cincinnati Daily, Harper’s Monthly, and Vanity Fair, to mention just some of the most well-known publications. In addition to these primary journalistic sources, Adams also draws from a wide range of secondary literature that explores various aspects of this scholarly itinerary.

In order to provide a clearer picture of its multifaceted panorama, a short synopsis of the book’s various chapters follows.

The first four chapters explore America as the Jewish “Promised Land,” its first crisis caused by General Ulysses Grant’s expulsion of Jews from his military territory, Lincoln as a supporter of the “Israelites” and the Civil War triggering a wave of anti-Semitism, due to the common prejudice that Jewish merchants were profiting in various ways from this national conflict.

The next four chapters deal with the Jewish participation in the rapidly expanding cotton industry, the Confederate ideology, Southern Jewry, and the increasing advice and encouragement by Jewish community leaders to their co-religionists to “Americanize as Fast as You Can.” This slogan targeted especially the swelling masses of Eastern European Jews, who were sometimes perceived by the already well-established German Jewry as uneducated and old-fashioned and thus a possible embarrassment if not an impediment in their own social success and political empowerment.

The final four chapters trace the growing influence of the Jewish vote, the progressive prosperity of the Jewish community, the rise of some of their members into the world of finance and politics, but also their renewed discrimination during the Gilded Age, and—mutatis mutandis—the dramatically escalating violence against Jews in Eastern Europe towards the end of the 19th century and their mass migration into the New World: “Between 1904 and 1908 alone, a total of 672,000 Eastern European Jews disembarked on American shores.” That number incidentally already exceeds the total German-Jewish population at the beginning of the Third Reich.

The concluding chapter, “A Judaism for the American Century,” highlights topics such as the government consideration of Jewish settlements in autonomous regions, in other words “Jewish reservations,” the “Galveston Plan,” that intended to divert large numbers of Eastern European Jews away from New York and towards Texas which turned out to be a plan with modest success, Zionism as a movement torn between “oriental aberration,” and ultimate salvation from the Final Solution of the Holocaust, and ultimately the religious re-organization of Judaism as “Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform.”

The study is complemented by more than 20 visuals, including various cartoons from satirical journals as well as photos of influential American politicians and important representatives from various Jewish communities. Extensive notes, an exhaustive bibliography including a long list of over 30 newspapers and periodicals and a detailed index of names and topics conclude this erudite and eloquent study. Despite its academic rigor, it is very reader friendly, telling an epic tale in all its complexity with a sparkling clarity. It can be highly recommended to anyone interested in Jewish culture, American history, and their common national destiny—and after the recent events in Charlottesville —more than ever.

Frederick A. Lubich, PhD is professsor of German at Old Dominon University.

This book was also reviewed in Jewish News in the January 12, 2015 issue.

Norfolk —Commander Harold (Hal) Howard Sacks, U. S. Navy Retired, died on September 8 after a long illness.

Hal will be mourned by Annabel, his wife of 65 years, his daughter Judy and son Skip (Ellen), his five grandchildren, Jonathan (Hava) Anderson, Micheline (Roger) Brown, Nathan, Samuel and Hannah Sacks, and his great-grandchildren Eli and Noa, as well as numerous cousins. He will be remembered by members of the Tidewater Community and especially the Jewish Community which he served for more thatn 40 years in both lay and professional roles. He will also be remembered by his former shipmates with whom he served during a 20 year naval career, in particular the loyal crew and officers he commanded in Vietnam, who continue to value the experiences and associations they shared.

Hal was born August 2, 1930 in The Bronx, New York City, New York. He attended public schools there and graduated from De Witt Clinton High School before his 17th birthday; he went on to Syracuse University where he majored in English and graduated shortly before turning 20 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950. Hal immediately entered Columbia University and received a Master of Arts degree in American Literature and was awarded a New York State High School English Teaching Certificate based on studies at Columbia Teachers’ College.

Deferred from military service to finish his education at Columbia, Hal enlisted in 1952 and graduated from Naval Officer Candidate School in December of 1952 with a reserve commission, reported to his first ship (USS Owen–DD536) and immediately deployed in January of 1952 to the combat zone in Korea. The USS Owen, operating in Wonsan Harbor, was taken under heavy fire more than 10 times—Ensign Sacks was cited for his cool behavior while standing watch on the open bridge during enemy fire.

Hal went on to become a regular naval officer and served on USS Stickell (DDR- 888) as Fire Control Officer, on the heavy cruiser USS Des Moines (CA134) as Combat Information Officer, at the Fleet Training Group, Guantanamo Bay Cuba, as Combat Information and Navigation Instructor/ Inspector, and as Staff Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron Twelve. Ordered to postgraduate school in 1960, Hal then served as officer in charge of the Electronics Intelligence Unit of the Naval Scientific and Technical Intelligence Center, prior to commencing a one year in-country tour in Vietnam as Chief of Special Research on the staff of General Westmoreland (Commander U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam). Hal was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He then served as Executive Officer of USS Gyatt (DD-712) and Commanding Officer of USS Steinaker (DD-863) which deployed to Vietnam in 1968. Hal was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V for his service in Vietnam, and then reported to Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare Force, Atlantic Fleet, as Assistant Chief of Staff (Intelligence) from which billet he retired in 1972, having been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

An 11-year career in business followed as Hal became general manager of Checkered Flag Motor Car Company and subsequently general manager of Checkered Flag Honda. Hal retired from that position to become assistant executive director of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater in 1983 with primary responsibility as Campaign director, having served as volunteer vice chairman of the Annual Campaign in prior years.

Over the years Hal served as adjunct faculty, teaching college freshman English for George Washington University, San Diego State University, and Tidewater Community College.

Having served as UJFT Campaign director for six years, during which the Annual Campaign almost doubled in size, Hal created the Tidewater Jewish Foundation (TJF). Beginning with a fledgling endowment fund of about $300,000, the Foundation grew to more than $20 million by the time he retired in 1995. As executive director emeritus, Hal was able to participate in the growth of the Foundation to its present stature with assets in excess of $100 million.

After retirement, Hal created the Dominion Consulting Group through which he personally facilitated the creation of over a dozen foundations, including the United Way of South Hampton Roads Foundation, the Virginia Opera Foundation, as well as Jewish foundations in North Carolina, Florida, New York, California, and Utah. Among Hal’s fundraising legacies is the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, which was created to provide a central location for Jewish community agencies in Tidewater.

Hal’s volunteer service includes: membership on numerous local charitable agency boards, founding member of the United Way Keel Club, member and panel chair of the United Way Fund Distribution Committee, member Norfolk Public Library Foundation Board, member Jewish War Veterans Post 158, and a dedicated Lion for many decades.

Hal was an accomplished chef as well as a writer, and served as Book Review editor of the Jewish News and its various iterations for 33 years. He published Hal’s Navy, a military memoir, and Passing in Review, a selection from three decades of reviews. Hal donated the proceeds from sales of his books and raised additional funds to create an archive for the Jewish News, which was subsequently named the “Hal Sacks Jewish News Archive” in his honor.

A memorial service conducted by Hal’s beloved family took place at H.D Oliver. Hal spent his life in service to his family, his friends, his community, and his country. His life was extraordinarily full and there should be no tears shed for this fortunate man who lived life to its fullest.

Memorial donations are requested for the Annabel and Hal Sacks Unrestricted Fund of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation. Online condolences may be shared at www.hdoliver.com.

VIRGINIA BEACH—Stephen Allen Schneider passed away on September 5, 2017.

He was born on December 31, 1935 to Larry and Henrietta Schneider. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and later became a successful salesman and business owner. Steve was an avid poker player, loved old movies, music, and sports. He always had a good joke to share with everyone. He loved to laugh and lived life to the fullest. He certainly was one of a kind.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Maurice, and two children, Karen and Kevin Schneider. He is survived by the love of his life June Williams; his three children, Stephen M. Schneider and wife Sheila, Joseph D. Schneider and wife Maria, and Rebecca Kraemer; and his five grandchildren, Jessica, Madison, Stephen James, Jordan and Rebekah.

Cantor Elihu J. Flax officiated his service, which took place at Altmeyer Funeral Home.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.altmeyerfh.com.