
Hostages released under ceasefire deal
Editor’s note: The release of hostages held in Gaza is a developing story. At press time, the number of hostages remaining in Gaza is 79, of whom 23 are set for release during the current ceasefire; 35 are thought to be living. These three articles are just a sample...

First meals turn to forever dates
A shared meal can lead to a good laugh, a lifelong romance, or a future business venture – and sometimes, all those things and more. ❦ For these eight couples, first dates that included peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, COVID dating, and dancing at the top of...

32nd Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film
One of the nation’s longest-running Jewish film festivals, the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg, entertains, educates, and engages the Tidewater community by presenting world-class films, repertory cinema, and programs that...

JDC updates Tidewater on Ukraine after 1,000+ days of conflict
Now in its third winter of war, the plight of Ukraine’s Jews and Jewish communities is no longer headline news. Israel, hostages, Gaza, a U.S. election, plane crashes, protests, antisemitism, wildfires, and so many other news-capturing events have diverted the world’s...
Special Section
Check out our E-Edition
Electronic replica of our print edition
JTA News
‘Beyond comprehension’: Leaders in Israel, US and worldwide mourn Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas and Oded Lifshitz
An Argentine official announced on Wednesday that the country would declare a day of mourning for Shiri Bibas and her two boys, who were Argentine-Israeli citizens.
--
The post ‘Beyond comprehension’: Leaders in Israel, US and worldwide mourn Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas and Oded Lifshitz appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Connecting refugees to jobs is a win-win for employers and refugees. This Jewish humanitarian is making it happen.
Refugees tend to work hard, are loyal to their employers and often are more willing to relocate than other hires because they lack local roots, Gideon Maltz says.
--
The post Connecting refugees to jobs is a win-win for employers and refugees. This Jewish humanitarian is making it happen. appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
We couldn’t save the Bibas boys, but we can still choose life
As hostage bodies come home to Israel, a grieving writer draws on the historic resilience of the Jewish people.
--
The post We couldn’t save the Bibas boys, but we can still choose life appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Israel grieves as bodies said to be of hostages Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, Oded Lifshitz return from Gaza
"I didn’t do enough to save them," said an Israeli onlooker paying final respects to four captives coming home in coffins.
--
The post Israel grieves as bodies said to be of hostages Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, Oded Lifshitz return from Gaza appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Latest News

‘Unfathomably horrific’ to ‘major step towards a real peace’: US Jewish groups respond to Trump’s Gaza comments
(JTA) — Reactions from partisan American Jewish groups to President Donald Trump’s proposals for Gaza — that “all” Palestinians leave and the United States “take over” the territory — began flowing in just as soon as their leaders picked their jaws up off the floor on...

Thank you to our supporters who recently donated to Jewish News!
Jewish News appreciates all who support the newspaper with generous contributions – whether in honor of or in memory of friends and loved ones or as a Friend of Jewish News. Friends of Jewish News Terri and Steve BudmanMr. Walter FenskaMr. and Mrs. Donald FriedmanDr....

A special connection to a returned hostage and work with Israel seniors highlighted
I know you join me in the joy we all feel for the return of Israeli hostages.Each one of the hostages is special to many people, especially their families who have long waited for their return. It also turns out we have a special connection to one of the hostages,...

Tidewater dough boys
Baking is a science that requires the precise chemistry of all ingredients. One misstep and a decadent dessert devolves into a tragic mess, a puffy souffle deflates into a cavernous hollow, or a delicate confection becomes a misshapen blob. ❦ David Leon, Joel Nied,...

Aviva Pembroke opens to a packed house of admirers
“Stunning” was the most frequent word heard as Beth Sholom Village and its friends in the Jewish community celebrated the official opening of Aviva Pembroke with development partner Pembroke Square Associates inside the seven-story structure off Constitution Drive in...

Premier of What We Carry film features Col. Shames
The final installment of the What We Carry film series, featuring the remarkable story of Colonel Edward Shames, premiered at the Sandler Family Campus on Monday, January 27. Held on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the event drew an engaged audience to honor...

Proud to Be!
On a very chilly Sunday morning last month, Mona Flax, president-elect of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Jodi Klebanoff, past UJFT Women’s Philanthropy chair, Amy Zelenka, UJFT chief development officer, and I travelled to the 2025 International Lion of Judah...

Tu B’Shevat: Time to notice nature
The Jewish New Year of the Trees, Tu B’Shevat starts on Wednesday, Feb. 12 Rabbi Wolf Zitomirer was an innkeeper in a village. A Jewish wagon driver entered and asked for a glass of wine. When he was about to drink it without saying a blessing, the rabbi stopped him...
Other News

Doing due diligence
As the year begins, many people are recommitting to the charities they hold dear – whether as donors, volunteers, board members, or a combination of roles.In Tidewater, and across the nation, hundreds of thousands of charities contribute to meaningful causes every...

Ellen Rostov Hundley: Giving, learning, and legacy
A philanthropic journey is personal and often begins with a simple conversation.For Norfolk native Ellen Rostov Hundley, this journey has been a natural extension of the values instilled by her family and her commitment to community – all culminating in a legacy of...

From despair to hope:an emotional encounter with Israel
The dichotomy I recently experienced during my first trip to Israel is a testament to the emotional complexities of the country. Organized by the iCenter in partnership with the JCCA, this journey brought 24 JCC professionals together for a Mifgash (Encounter) that...

New kosher restaurant in Ghent
Charlie’s Middle Eastern Cuisine opened in Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood in November. The intimate and friendly kosher restaurant is supervised under the Vaad HaKasharus of Tidewater.Yogev Kremisi, the restaurant’s owner, also owns Dream the La Cream, an ice cream...
What’s Happening

Tidewater’s Great Jewish Bookshelf welcomes new subscribers
Off to an exciting start, the Great Jewish Bookshelf is engaging readers throughout Tidewater with...

Applications now open for JELF
Students who seek loans for higher education may now apply to JELF – Jewish Education Loan Fund....

Play with a purpose! March Madness and Poker: Nadiv launches two spring fundraisers
Nadiv, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s young Jewish men’s fundraising division, is...

Celebrate Tu B’Shevat in Tidewater
The Jewish New Year of the Trees, Tu B’Shevat starts on Wednesday, Feb. 12. In the 17th century,...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
Alexander Portnoy
KYRIAT YAM, ISRAEL - Alexander Portnoy passed away on January 6, 2025, in Israel.Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Tatiana Portnoy; sister,...
Mary M. Shroyer
FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA – Mary Martin Shroyer, 91, died on January 22, 2025. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Norman C. Shroyer.She was born November...
Alan “Famous Uncle Al” Stein
VIRGINIA BEACH - Alan Stein, also known as “Famous Uncle Al,” passed away on January 11, 2025.Alan was born in New York on February 7, 1937, and...
Ara Sue Summers
CORDOVA, ALABAMA - Born October 12, 1937, to Evelyn Jean and Floyd Summers, Ara Sue Summers passed away peacefully on January 17, 2025.She is...