Annie Sandler: Buenos Aires is electric, close-knit, and full of wonder
“Electrifying,” is how Annie Sandler, JDC president, enthusiastically describes Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina. One of her first trips as president of JDC, the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization, was to travel to this South...
A Leap of Faith: meeting previously unknown family members who survived the Holocaust
My father, Gustave Hershkovitz, was born April 24, 1931, in Colojvad, Transylvania, the younger of Rozalia Lazar and Fred Hershkovitz, my grandparents, two children. His was a very religious family and he fondly remembered going to synagogue with his beloved...
Six films. Ten days. Unforgettable stories.
February 15 - 25 The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film returns for its 33rd year with a fresh slate of films that spans history, suspense, and true‑life heroism—from the Yom Kippur War saga The Stronghold to the international sports thriller Tatami, the October 7th...
Man charged with setting fire to Mississippi synagogue targeted it due to its ‘Jewish ties,’ FBI
(JTA) — The suspect arrested for allegedly setting fire to a Mississippi synagogue on Saturday, Jan. 10 confessed to the FBI that he had targeted the congregation due to its “Jewish ties.” Stephen Spencer Pittman was charged on Monday, Jan. 12 with maliciously...
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Jerry Lippman was a Jewish newspaperman who refused to play by the rules
The longtime publisher of the Long Island Jewish World, who died in September, proved that community papers could do real journalism.
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The post Jerry Lippman was a Jewish newspaperman who refused to play by the rules appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Hochul challenger (and lieutenant) says US should halt arms sales to Israel
Antonio Delgado is married to a Black Jewish filmmaker who joined him on a trip to Israel when he was in Congress.
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The post Hochul challenger (and lieutenant) says US should halt arms sales to Israel appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
King David is having a moment in Christian pop culture. We would do well to join in.
The rabbi author of a book on David says the ancient Israelite king's time is now.
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The post King David is having a moment in Christian pop culture. We would do well to join in. appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Circumcision could be ‘child abuse’ if done wrong, UK prosectors warn after deaths
The warning has triggered debate among Jews over the appropriate level of regulation.
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The post Circumcision could be ‘child abuse’ if done wrong, UK prosectors warn after deaths appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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Latest News
Support for Beth Israel
Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, was set on fire predawn on Saturday, Jan. 10. Thankfully, no congregants or staff were injured, and the building was unoccupied at the time. The synagogue did have a security camera system, a fact which assisted in the...
Showing up matters: Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day returns
Community advocacy strengthens security, combats antisemitism, and builds lasting relationships. Tuesday, Feb. 10, Richmond As the 2026 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly gets underway this month, one message is clear: showing up matters. That’s why...
2025 Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism
I was honored to represent the City of Virginia Beach at the 2025 Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, convened by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, December 2 - 4 in New Orleans. The summit brought together local and national elected officials to better understand the...
German historian to share stories of discoveries with local connection
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 7 pm, Sandler Family Campus For International Holocaust Remembrance Day, German historian Thomas Kemper will visit Tidewater to speak about his discoveries while investigating the history and fate of the Gonsenhauser and Bachenheimer families during...
Amy Milligan named a Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Awardee
The Jewish Education Project, an organization with the mission to inspire and empower educators to create transformative Jewish experiences, last month announced its annual Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award recipients—individuals across the United...
Retirement for Beth Dorsk: Her day is her own
A Virginia Beach native, Beth Koonan Dorsk retired as a hospice nurse in 2025. She agreed to share with Jewish News some of her reasons for retiring and how it’s working out. Jewish News: Where were you educated? Beth Koonan Dorsk: Flagler Medical Assistant...
Israel in focus: MAJ. John W. Spencer shared his views on modern conflict
An informative program, Israel in Focus: Hamas’ War – Truth and Consequences, featuring internationally respected scholar and military analyst MAJ. John W. Spencer, USA (Ret.), took place on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Sandler Family Campus. Presented as part of the 15th...
A Sisterhood and Chocolate Retreat in Costa Rica
What do you do when a childhood friend asks if you want to go on an adventure with other cool Jewish women? And chocolate is involved? You say, “YES, I AM IN!” That is what I did, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. My dear...
Other News
Emergency Security Grant strengthens protection for Tidewater’s youngest members
Thanks to an emergency security matching grant from The Tepper Foundation, which is distributed through Jewish Federations of North America, and with the addition of contributions from community members, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is able to make...
Scam: “law enforcement” calls
Over the past two months, an all too familiar scam has reared its ugly head again. In this case, it involves someone spoofing a local sheriff’s or police department’s office phone number to call a potential victim. The caller usually tells the recipient that they have...
Attorney General Miyares calls on Virginia K–12 Schools to adopt IHRA Definition of Antisemitism to protect Jewish students
In a letter sent earlier this month to all Virginia K–12 school superintendents and school boards, Attorney General Jason Miyares urged them to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into their codes of conduct and...
Advancing purpose in retirement: Giving back with intention
The Jewish community is taught from an early age that giving back is not optional. Values such as tikkun olam and tzedakah shape how families show up for one another and how the community strengthens Jewish life for future generations. In retirement, those same values...
What’s Happening
A Feminist Lens: The Art & Activism of Photographer Joan Roth with Joan Roth and Melanie Roth Gorelick
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 7:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus Internationally acclaimed photographer Joan Roth...
Bring Tu B’Shevat to life PJ Library in Tidewater’s Tu B’Shevat Sunday Funday
Sunday, Feb. 1, 1 - 3 pm, Sandler Family Campus Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the Trees, is a...
Partners in Jewish Life: A meaningful encounter through learning and connection
Next session: Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 pm, Sandler Family Campus When I first heard about the...
Ohef Sholom’s Taste of the Tropics:
Saturday, Jan. 31, 6-8:30 pm Ohef Sholom Temple A lively island-themed evening featuring...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
Dr. Margaret Carson Zimmerman
Virginia Beach – Dr. Margaret Ruth Carson Zimmerman passed away peacefully in her home on November 26, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Born...
Edith Weiner
Virginia Beach – Edith Weiner passed away on December 31, 2025. Funeral services were held graveside in the Garden of Kind David in Woodlawn...
Alan David Stein
Virginia Beach– Alan David Stein, 88 years young, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a life defined by love, joy, and deep connection to family,...
Marilyn Comess Lacey
Virginia Beach – Marilyn Comess Lacey, 93, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Marilyn was born to...