Trip highlights JDC’s work post October 7
My most recent visit to Israel started with Havdalah services in Hostage Square. The weight of October 7 – the loss, the trauma, the sadness – hangs in the air and seeps into your pores. The realization of the challenges Israelis deal with all day, every day, is...
Five years of Konikoff Center for Learning building bridges
The Konikoff Center for Learning supports Jewish education in a variety of ways in Tidewater. With a goal of nurturing inter-denominational relationships between individuals and synagogues, David Konikoff drives the direction of the Center by sponsoring programming...
Purim party: A time-traveling celebration
The Sandler Family Campus was unrecognizable on Saturday, March 1, as partygoers stepped into Mordechai’s Time Machine for an unforgettable Purim celebration. Immersive décor transported guests across time and space — from a 1920s speakeasy to a garden of Eden. Every...
Vote through May 4 in election for World Zionist Congress – future of Israel at stake
(JTA) — Voting is now open in an election that gives American Jews a rare chance to directly shape Israel’s future.The U.S. election for seats in the 39th World Zionist Congress will help determine the balance of power in the legislative authority of a Zionist...
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JTA News
Bruce Pearl opens NCAA postgame press conference by calling to ‘bring the hostages home’
All three No. 1 seeds that are coached by Jews in the NCAA men's tournament are headed to the Sweet Sixteen.
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Columbia bans face masks in protests and acquiesces to other Trump administration demands
The changes are a bid to regain federal funding cut to penalize the school for its pro-Palestinian protests.
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Pro-Israel watchdog takes credit after Cornell pro-Palestinian activist is told to surrender to ICE
Fearing arrest, Momodou Taal had preemptively sued the Trump administration.
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The post Pro-Israel watchdog takes credit after Cornell pro-Palestinian activist is told to surrender to ICE appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
5 arrested for allegedly filming a music video in historic Indianapolis synagogue
Beth-El Zedeck was dedicated a century ago.
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The post 5 arrested for allegedly filming a music video in historic Indianapolis synagogue appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Latest News
David Elcott on the future of Liberal Democracy
“We were not ready for this.”With those sobering words, Dr. David Elcott opened his presentations during his visit to Tidewater earlier this month as part of the Konikoff Center for Learning. He spoke to students, faculty, and community at Virginia Wesleyan, members...
This year… Tidewater. Next year… Jerusalem.
Whenever a mission participant returns from Israel, their first and often fondest memories are of their tour guide. And for the past 10 plus years, Tidewater’s exclusive Israel tour guide has been the amazing Zalman Spivak, a unique combination of many fine skills and...
Passover: a holiday with myriad parts and favorites
The eight-day holiday of Passover begins this year with First Night Seder on Saturday, April 12 and continues through sundown on April 20. Many people observe the holiday by including favorite family recipes and traditions into their Seders. Others introduce current...
Nadiv’s social at Q-Masters Billiards scores a great break
Nadiv, the young professional men’s fundraising group for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, held a social event on Monday, Feb. 17 at Q-Masters Billiards in Virginia Beach.More than 25 men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s attended – some were Nadiv ‘regulars,’ while...
Israel at war: With Broken Hearts, We Stand Together
Community members gathered on Thursday, Feb. 25 for a poignant ceremony led by Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Danielle Hartman and Emily Patyuk, to commemorate more than 500 days of war in Israel and to honor the countless lives lost since October 7, 2023. The ceremony also...
Despite a snowy start, film fest goes off without a hitch
The 32nd Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film overcame a chilly beginning to deliver a week of outstanding films and vibrant community spirit across Virginia Beach and Norfolk.After a strong start on Sunday, Feb.16 with the Israeli film, Running on Sand, the...
Exploring Torah through dynamic dialogue
Deep learning and spirited conversation took place when Abigail Pogrebin and Rabbi Dov Linzer led a thought-provoking discussion at It Takes Two to Torah. Hosted by the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the event earlier this...
Beginning with B’nai Tzedek
For the Kass family, giving back is more than just a value — it’s a responsibility. When their son Jonah was preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, Melissa and Aaron Kass knew they wanted to instill the importance of community and responsibility. The B’nai Tzedek: Youth...
Other News
Purim in 2025
Of the many Jewish holidays that dot the calendar, one of my son’s favorites is Purim. For children, Purim is celebrated with costumes, festival foods like hamantaschen, donations to those in need, and a community reading of the Book of Esther, which joyously...
TJF & UJFT: The power of partnership
Members of Tidewater’s Jewish community annually support programs and initiatives that strengthen Jewish life locally, in Israel, and around the world through programs and initiatives not only funded, but, in some cases, are led by United Jewish Federation of...
Area congregations and organizations are hosting various Seders and Passover-related events this year.
✡️ Simon Family JCC Seniors ClubModel Passover SederLed by Rabbi David BockmanWednesday, April 9, 12 – 2 pmSimon Family JCCInformation: Mia Klein, programdepartment/seniors program coordinator, 757-452-3184 or MKlein@UJFT.org ✡️Beth ChaverimPassover Community Seder...
BeAR Literacy Project seeks more volunteers
The Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project has always been about resilience, adaptability, and community. The program even managed to create a space during the COVID-19 pandemic. As BeAR celebrates 25 years of fostering literacy among young students, it is navigating yet...
What’s Happening
Joey Newcomb: Live in concert. An evening of joy and unity
Wednesday, March 26, 5:30 pm Sandler Family Campus The Norfolk Kollel and Konikoff Center for...
Liel Leibovitz brings the Talmud to Tidewater with wisdom and wit
Thursday, April 3, 7:30 pm • Sandler Family Campus United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s...
Yom Hashoah: Community Holocaust Commemoration
Wednesday, April 23, 6:45 pm Ohef Sholom Temple The Holocaust Commission of United Jewish...
Israeli Chef’s Table Experience with Chef Moshe Basson
An extraordinary culinary journey is planned with the second annual Israeli Chef’s Table...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
John Louis Bachman
NORFOLK - John Louis Bachman, aged 45, of the 200 block of E. 41st Street, passed away on March 11, 2025. After a brief and courageous battle with...
Stuart Berman
ROCKVILLE, MD - Stuart Alan Berman passed away at the age of 78 on February 25, 2025.Beloved husband of Beverly Berman; devoted father of Scott...
Charles N. Cooper
NORFOLK - With profound sadness, we announce that Charles Neilson Cooper, age 89, died on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.Charles was born on July 13,...
Marilyn Miller
NORFOLK – Marilyn Miller passed away peacefully on February 18, 2025, at the age of 97.She is survived by two sons and her daughter-in-law.Marilyn...