Jewish Book Festival 2025
For more than 40 years, this annual celebration of Jewish writers, books, and ideas has brought together bold voices and fresh perspectives. From Israel and her neighbors to Jewish tradition, from comedy to cuisine, from telling history to telling YOUR story, there...
A journey of hope:reflections from my trip to Israel
This summer, I traveled to Israel for my niece’s wedding. It was a joyous occasion, full of laughter, dancing, and the kind of celebration that reminds us what it means to live fully and proudly as Jews. Surrounded by family, I felt the timeless bond that ties us to...
Locals celebrate Sukkot in their home sukkah
Sukkot – also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths – celebrates the fall harvest and commemorates the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the desert after their Exodus from Egypt. The week-long Jewish festival is celebrated by building, dwelling, and...
Kehillat Bet Hamidrash marks new chapter with joyful relocation to Sandler Family Campus
Puts out welcome mat to new congregants With music, prayer, and community spirit, Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH), Kempsville Conservative Synagogue, has entered a new chapter in its nearly five-decade history On Saturday, September 6, KBH held its first Shabbat service...
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JTA News
Billie Eilish, Benedict Cumberbatch join UK concert that raised $2M for Palestinian charities
The sold-out event in London also featured Jewish comic Amelia Dimoldenberg.
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The post Billie Eilish, Benedict Cumberbatch join UK concert that raised $2M for Palestinian charities appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
University leaders among 100+ signatories to Jewish letter decrying Trump’s campus antisemitism wars
The letter came as an immigration judge ordered Mahmoud Khalil to be deported.
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The post University leaders among 100+ signatories to Jewish letter decrying Trump’s campus antisemitism wars appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Yair Golan: On this Rosh Hashanah, Israel’s reckless government needs to hear the voices of Diaspora Jews
An Israeli opposition leader says "Jews around the world need to confidently and boldly speak up now for the Israel they love and need."
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The post Yair Golan: On this Rosh Hashanah, Israel’s reckless government needs to hear the voices of Diaspora Jews appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
For Jewish communal professionals, internal rifts pose the greatest barrier to hope, survey finds
Just a quarter of Jewish communal professionals often feel hopeful about the future, a study by M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education, found.
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The post For Jewish communal professionals, internal rifts pose the greatest barrier to hope, survey finds appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Latest News
Hope and joy in 5786
As we enter this High Holiday season of reflection and renewal together, I am reminded that these holidays invite us to pause, look inward, and reconnect—with our traditions, our communities, and with our loved ones. This year, more than ever, we are reminded of the...
Introducing Next Gen 757:A new era for young Jewish adults in Tidewater
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Young Adult Division (YAD) has a new name and a new way of doing business. Now officially rebranded as Next Gen 757, this bold new identity reflects its mission, its members, and the vibrant future UJFT is helping to shape in...
Sukkot 5786
Jewish Tidewater celebrates Sukkot with an array of events throughout the region. All listings are open to the public. Chabad of Tidewater Community Sukkot Dinner and Dessert in the Sukkah Monday, October 6, 7:30 pm Suggested donation $18/person RSVP:...
Mini-Golf fundraiser was a big success
On Sunday, September 14, I hosted a charity mini golf fundraising tournament at the Sandler Family Campus. We had 25 people show up to play and donate to Jewish Family Service. The tournament was split into three rounds. The first round was a normal round, and...
Attorney General Miyares publishes new Virginia Rules Resources to combat antisemitism
RICHMOND, Va. — Attorney General Jason S. Miyares announced the publication of a new Virginia Rules lesson focused on combating antisemitism. The announcement was made in August. This new module will be added to the broader Virginia Rules program, which provides...
Honey’s sweetness at Rosh Hashanah
Honey is an integral ingredient for Rosh Hashanah, as Jews worldwide dip both challah and apples into this golden, syrupy liquid as part of their New Year traditions. But honey comes from a bee, an insect that stings and creates pain. Why isn’t the sweet apple enough...
Area Jewish college students celebrate and observe holidays away from home
Each year, more than 200,000 Jewish students leave home to attend institutions of higher learning in the United States and Canada. Most of these teenagers have celebrated the High Holidays with their families their entire lives – never apart from them. Still, these...
A Sephardic Rosh Hashanah
Ashkenazi traditions are so pervasive in Jewish American communities, that many – Jews and non-Jews – think that those traditions are THE Jewish ways to observe and celebrate holidays. Those of Sephardic and Mizrahi heritage would most likely disagree.In fact, a new...
Other News
Stay Safe
The High Holiday season is a sacred time for worship, reflection, and joy. It begins on the evening of Monday, September 22. “Our synagogues will see significant numbers of congregants coming to connect with their faith and the larger Jewish community,” says Mike...
A Bissel of Yiddish | A bissel of Yiddish for Yom Kippur
A combination of High German and Hebrew, Yiddish is a language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. In Tidewater, the Yiddish Club is embracing Yiddish culture, language, and history with music, film, poetry, and literature at its monthly meetings. For...
Harry Graber guides JCC Seniors Club through Chrysler Museum
Even in retirement, Harry Graber, former executive vice president of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, continues to be an active and beloved presence in the community. His dedication has never wavered, and he remains committed to sharing his time, talents, and...
Safety Tips
In these trying times, advice from a security professional can go a long way to assuring personal and community safety in public, as well as, in private spaces. Here, Mike Goldsmith, SCN regional security advisor, offers a couple of easy-to-follow tips. Cybersecurity...
What’s Happening
Community Commemoration of October 7
Monday, October 6 9 am Sandler Family Campus Join Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Noga Yaniv and Yarden...
Hebrew Ladies Charity Society to be honored at luncheon
Sunday, January 11 Ohef Sholom Temple Jewish Family Service will host a special luncheon to...
JFS preparing for Thanksgiving Drive
Friday, November 21, 10 am – 12 pm Jewish Family Service will host its annual Thanksgiving Drive...
Chanukah Gift Drive launch
Begins Friday, October 31 Jewish Family Service is launching its annual Chanukah Gift Drive...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
Birdie Glanzer Brundage
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA - Birdie Glanzer Brundage, 95, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away on September 3, 2025. Born...
Larry W. Dobrinsky
NORFOLK - It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Larry Wallis Dobrinsky, who passed away on September 7, 2025, at the age of 85. ...
William Jeremy Baughan
NAGS HEAD, N.C. - William Jeremy Baughan, known as Billy, passed away on August 14, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was 50 years...
Susan Margolin Brewer
NORFOLK - Susan Margolin Brewer, 88, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025.Born on September 30, 1936, in Baltimore, Maryland, Susan was the...