Longtime Jewish community leader Jay Weinberg was honored for his wide range of distinguished legal and community service achievements with the 2024 Rule of Law award by the Virginia Law Foundation on Oct. 16 at the Virginia Holocaust Museum.
At the program attended by more than 100 friends, family and members of the legal community, he was recognized by a number of speakers as an outstanding citizen lawyer who has devoted his career to advancing the Rule of Law and the highest ideals enshrined in the principles of the Nuremberg Military Tribunal and the International Court of Justice.
Irving Blank, a longtime friend and community leader, made the award presentation.
“It’s an honor and privilege to present this prestigious award to Jay Weinberg,” he noted. “He fully represents the spirit of the Rule of Law in all that he has accomplished. His passion always has been the Rule of Law.”
During the program, Jay Weinberg was recognized for his lay leadership on the Board of the Virginia Holocaust Museum since its founding, and along with Marcus Weinstein, in the establishment of the permanent Nuremberg Courtroom many years ago at the Museum.
He is a past president of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and a recipient of its Distinguished Community Service Award.
He is a past president, a longtime member and volunteer at the Jewish Community Center of Richmond. In the book, “The Center – From Generation to Generation,” he was recognized for his “manner and style of leadership as inclusive and welcoming … and admired for his dedication and service.
He also served as president of Congregation Beth Ahabah and served on the Board of Beth Sholom Home of Virginia.
He is past Chairman of the Council for America’s First Freedom and is a recipient of a Brotherhood Citation from the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Neilson J. November Award from the Virginia Holocaust Museum. He previously served on the Board of Directors of Markel Corporation and First Capital Bank. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Florida Atlantic University Foundation, Inc. and the Virginia Holocaust Museum.
Jay Weinberg was a member of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University from 1992-2001 and served as its Rector from 1997-1999. He also was Vice Chairman of the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Authority Board until 2001.
As a member of both boards, he was intimately involved in such achievements as strategic planning for the University and the VCU Health System, the establishment of the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park, and the establishment of VCU’s School of Engineering.
He also served as a member of the VCU Real Estate Foundation Board and Chairman of the VCU Honors Campaign Committee.
Jay Weinberg earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Virginia in 1955 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia Law School in 1959.
He is Chairman Emeritus of Hirschler Fleischer, Attorneys and was a member of its Real Estate Section. His law practice focused on land use and zoning matters. He practiced law for more than 50 years and handled virtually all aspects of real estate law, from acquisition and financing to the development of apartment complexes, residential communities, shopping centers, and industrial parks.
He has been a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers since 1982. He has been included in The Best Lawyers in America for real estate since its initial publication in 1983, Chambers USA, America’s Leading Business Lawyers, 2003 -2009, Virginia’s Legal Elite by Virginia Business Magazine, One of the Top Lawyers in Richmond, and held an ”AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell.