
Vote through May 4 in election for World Zionist Congress
Just a few days are left to vote in an election that gives American Jews an opportunity 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...

Mezuzah is up at Aviva. Shabbat Service and Ark Dedication will add to the community’s appeal to current and future Jewish residents
Cantor Elihu Flax to serve as part-time chaplain • Saturday, May 17, 10 am With a number of its Jewish and even some non-Jewish residents looking on, Cantor Elihu Flax affixed a fully kosher Mezuzah on the front door of Aviva Pembroke senior housing, located at...

Celebrating Moms
Laura Gauld, an educator in Bath, Maine, describes a mother’s role in three, distinct stages. To a young child, a mom is a drill sergeant: “Brush your teeth before bed,” or “Hold my hand when we cross the street.” In the middle years, the mom becomes a manager: “Don’t...

May is Jewish American Heritage Month
Established in 2006 when President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month, the designated month acknowledges Jewish contributions to American culture, history, military, science, government, and more.The proclamation by President Bush was a...
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JTA News
Chicago mayor donned keffiyeh for Arab Heritage Month event, sparking outcry from Jewish groups
"Symbols matter," said a representative of the Combat Antisemitism Movement about Brandon Johnson's attire.
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The post Chicago mayor donned keffiyeh for Arab Heritage Month event, sparking outcry from Jewish groups appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
The invitation said, ‘No Jews.’ The response from campus officials, at least, was real.
A social media post sent Jewish leaders and campus officials at the Savannah College of Art and Design into action.
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The post The invitation said, ‘No Jews.’ The response from campus officials, at least, was real. appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Trump administration restores student visas, but impact on pro-Palestinian protesters is unclear
The about-face comes amid mounting criticism over the crackdown from Jewish groups.
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The post Trump administration restores student visas, but impact on pro-Palestinian protesters is unclear appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Deborah Lipstadt says Trump’s campus antisemitism crackdown has ‘gone way too far’
In an interview, Lipstadt warned against a "potential weaponizing" of antisemitism.
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The post Deborah Lipstadt says Trump’s campus antisemitism crackdown has ‘gone way too far’ appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Latest News

And then there were none. We need to pick up the mantle
In 2010 when the Holocaust Commission conceived of what would become the What We Carry program, its previously robust survivor Speakers Bureau was beginning to shrink. Witnesses to history continued to leave us, but eventually the program grew, and consisted of films...

“Man Smart, Woman Smarter”: The witty influence of a mom, wife, and daughter
I’ve been trying—unsuccessfully—to get Naomi Limor Sedek, president and CEO of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, to listen to this song for weeks now. Man Smart, Woman Smarter, by Grateful Dead, has always made me smile, not just because of its catchy tune, but because...

YAD women welcome Passover in a sweet way
A small group of “exhausted-from-Passover-prepping” YAD women took time out on a Thursday evening to come together, swap advice, share stories, and create beautiful kosher for Passover dessert charcuterie boards.Combining classic sweets such as jelly rings, chocolate...

Tidewater Teens attend BBYO’s Spring Cultural Convention
Eastern Region’s BBYO teens gathered for the annual Spring Cultural Convention at Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie, S.C. earlier this month. Eastern Region is comprised of three councils: Virginia Council (all of Virginia excluding Northern Virginia), North Carolina...

Half of Holocaust survivors alive today will be dead in 6 years, new analysis finds
(JTA) — Almost all of the Holocaust survivors alive today will be dead in 15 years, a new projection by a leading organization advocating for their compensation finds.While the timeline is something of an actuarial inevitability — the Holocaust ended 80 years ago,...

Forgetting isn’t an option
Survey after survey reports that fewer adults and even fewer young people are aware of the Holocaust, or at least of its scale. In fact, denying the Holocaust or its enormity continues to gain followers and receive prominent placement on the national stage. With books...

Federal cuts to food assistance devastate JFS Food Pantry
Recent federal budget cuts have significantly impacted food banks across the country, and the food pantry at Jewish Family Service is no exception.The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has eliminated more than $1 billion in funding for programs that helped schools...

Beth El’s new rabbi is a man of many talents
Jacob Herber arrives in Norfolk July 15 Cyclist, scholar, father, mentor, musician, soccer, hockey, and baseball fan, U.S. history buff, Coast Guard Chaplain…and rabbi.That pretty much describes Jacob Herber, who assumes the pulpit at Norfolk’s Congregation Beth El in...
Other News

Four generations make Matzah Ball Soup together
Earlier this month, Erica Reisner Ausch, with the assistance of her daughter, Linda Ausch, made Matzah Ball Soup with her grandson, Leo Woodward, and his family: Erika Woodward, and Ausch’s great grandchildren, Wells and Bridget Woodward. L’dor V’dor. Aunty Linda...

Model Senior Seder celebrates Passover traditions
More than 60 active adults gathered for a meaningful Model Passover Seder on Tuesday, April 9. Led by Rabbi David Bockman of Congregation Beth El with Dave Flagler, Simon Family JCC’s camp director, on guitar, the event took place at the Sandler Family Campus. The...

Great Jewish Bookshelf builds community
It started with a simple question during a meeting of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Innovation Steering Committee: If children have the privilege of receiving Jewish-themed books monthly through PJ Library, why shouldn’t adults have their own version? PJ...

Three-year Jewish visual art project with three partners underway
The Jewish Museum and Cultural Center - JMCC (formerly Chevra T’Helim synagogue), United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, and the Chrysler Museum, are collaborating to present a special series of events. A three-year project, L’Dor v’Dor (from Generation to...
What’s Happening

Music, mental health, and community: “Orchestrating Change”
Wednesday, May 15, 7 pm Sandler Family Campus Jewish Family Service and NAMI (National Alliance on...

Registrations rolling in for Nadiv Poker Night
Tuesday, May 13, 6 pm • Sandler Family Campus The first-ever Nadiv Poker Night is set for...

Understanding Zionism: A journey into the Jewish Homeland
Six-week course begins Tuesday June 17, 6:45 pm, online The Konikoff Center for Learning of the...

Travelling exhibit, Americans and the Holocaust to visit Virginia Beach
Wednesday, May 21 - Wednesday, July 2 • Virginia Beach Public Library TCC Joint-Use Library As the...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
Ellen Manassee
NORFOLK - Ellen Manassee, a sharp, independent woman with a deep appreciation for the arts and culture, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2025, at...
Rebecca “Betty” Sacks
NORFOLK - Rebecca “Betty” Sacks, age 84, passed away peacefully at home on April 6, 2025.She is survived by her loving children, David (Kathy)...

Pope Francis, who advanced church’s relationships with Jews
(JTA) — Pope Francis, who significantly advanced the Catholic Church’s relationship with Jews by actively promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and a...
Dana Cohen
NORFOLK - Dana Cohen, 92, passed away peacefully in her home on April 6, 2025.She was born in Lwow, Poland, the daughter of the late Mauricy Sygal...