More than a weekend: How one Shabbat brought Jewish Tidewater Together
“We’re all Jews here. They just do Jewish different, but we’re all Jews.”It was a simple observation, shared by one child with another during the inaugural Tidewater Community Shabbaton. But those words captured the spirit of a weekend when differences took a back...
Milestone anniversaries worth celebrating
Anniversaries are measured in years, but these couples say the real story is in the small things: a question about basketball, a slice of cheesecake, a paper on Herbert Marcuse. Married from five to 50 years, these four area couples share how they met, what they have...
Michael Oren visits Tidewater to share perspective on Israel
Commentators across the political spectrum have expended countless words to describe and explain the current moment in Israel and the state of the U.S.-Israel relationship.In Tidewater last month, Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States (2009-2013),...
Six Jewish takeaways from the midterm elections
(JTA) —The sheer size and geographic scope of the Republican wipeout Nov. 3 makes it hard to read anything definitive into the results beyond a nationwide repudiation of President Donald Trump (and his candidate selections). The fallout will have a range of...
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JTA News
Israel approves $31.5 million plan to strengthen Jewish education in North America
The initiative, developed with North American Jewish communities, comes amid growing concerns over declining Jewish identification and weakening ties to Israel among younger generations.
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Pope praises the bond uniting the Catholic Church with the people of Israel
The interfaith gathering comes amid growing antisemitism around the world.
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The post Pope praises the bond uniting the Catholic Church with the people of Israel appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
3 years after Bedouin hero rescued 30 people on Oct. 7, Israel destroyed his family’s homes
Youssef Ziadna’s plight throws into relief long-simmering tensions over homes for Bedouin in the Negev desert.
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‘Manhattan icon’ Stanley Zabar dies at 94
Plus, Jessica Tisch accepts WJC Herzl Award and calls for "courage to confront" anti-Jewish hate.
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The post ‘Manhattan icon’ Stanley Zabar dies at 94 appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Latest News
JCOC is one of 24 local agencies toreceive grants from Beth Sholom Village
At 65 and 73, William Dority and Margaret Babonis represent seniors, the fastest growing cohort of people experiencing homelessness in the United States. And it’s why the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center in Virginia Beach was able to secure a grant from Beth Sholom...
New inductees of Fine Family Academy of Educators include Eric Werner
The Fine Family of Academy Educators held a ceremony in September to honor its latest inductees, including Eric J. Werner, MD.Established in 2019 by the Fine family and community supporters, the Fine Family Academy of Educators is part of the Macon and Joan Brock...
Honoring a legacy of advocacy: Dorothy Salomonsky retires after more than three decades of transforming guardianship
After more than three decades of visionary leadership, unwavering advocacy, and profound dedication, Dorothy Salomonsky is retiring from Jewish Family Service of Tidewater. Her departure marks the conclusion of a monumental career that not only built the foundation of...
Heroism on a ski lift:Major Metzger’s strong hold
Major Metzger, a student at Virginia Beach Middle School, was with family and friends at Wintergreen Ski Resort in January 2025, when he committed an act of bravery that saved another child from a 16-foot fall and earned him the Carnegie Medal for Heroism.“All I could...
Shari Dozoretz Friedman to be honored as Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer
Shari Dozoretz Friedman will receive the Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Hampton Roads Chapter at its National Philanthropy Day Awards Presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 10.“One of the biggest honors of my life is...
Legacy cannot be built from the sidelines
On a Saturday evening in Tel Aviv, I found myself dancing along the boardwalk. Nearby, a couple in their 80s danced to the music, seemingly without a care in the world. Families strolled along the waterfront. Friends gathered. Children played. It was ordinary. It was...
Feldman Family Scholarship invests in three future healthcare professionals
For 33 years, Dr. William Feldman cared for children and families throughout Hampton Roads. But his commitment to improving lives extended well beyond his medical practice. With his wife, Mary, Feldman believed that one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen the...
Tidewater BBYO’s annual kickoff started with Havdalah, ended with games
Tidewater BBYO held its annual fall kickoff event on Saturday, Sept. 19. Launching what will be an incredible year, the program started with a Havdalah on the beach where everyone took the time to begin the year as a community. Next, at Beachside Social, teens spent...
Other News
Trump says US aid to Israel will stop at the end of the year
(JTA) – President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Nov. 3 said that the United States would halt billions of dollars in annual aid to Israel by the end of 2026, potentially ending decades of military funding for one of America’s closest allies in the Middle East.“We were...
Dancing beyond our circle
A little less than a month ago, I received an unexpected message from someone who got my name from the Simon Family JCC. She was looking for information about Israeli folk dancing.At first, I assumed she might be interested in joining our weekly rikudim classes, which...
New strategic plan for UVA’s Hillel
The Brody Jewish Center (Hillel at the University of Virginia) announced a new strategic plan for 2026-2029, which will support the nearly 1,000 students who engaged in educational programs at the Center last year, more than 90 students in leadership development...
A first-of-its-kind Virginia Beach grant helps artist leap into glass
When Virginia Beach opened applications for its first-ever Individual Artists Support Grant, Rachel “RJ” Jaffe knew it was meant for artists like her.“It was designed for people like me that are actively working and sharing their art and have these grand projects but...
What’s Happening
Michael Oren visits Tidewater to share perspective on Israel
Commentators across the political spectrum have expended countless words to describe and explain...
Light up Hanukkah at PJ’s Around the Menorah
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 4:30 - 6:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus Families are invited to celebrate...
Give back, then raise a glass!Join NextGen, NADIV, and JFS tohelp with Thanksgiving food drive
Pack: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 5:30 – 7 pm, Sandler Family CampusDistribute: Friday, Nov. 20, 10 am – 12...
Shimmy, bloom, and connect: A NextGen Women’s Rosh Chodesh celebration
Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 - 8 pm • Simon Family JCC Calling all NextGen women (ages 22–45ish) for...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
Keith Harrison Bangel
Virginia Beach – Keith Harrison Bangel, born March 23, 1952, in Portsmouth, Virginia, passed away on October 24, 2026, at the age of 74.He was the...
Jerome L. Cohen
Virginia Beach – Jerome L. Cohen 83, of Virginia Beach, died October 18, 2026.Born in Bronx, New York, he was the son of the late Leonard Cohen and...
Adele Gitterman Cutler
Boca Raton, Fla. – Adele Cutler passed away peacefully in her home on September 23, 2026.As a young girl, she lived in the Ogontz section of...
Ida “Becky” Rebeca Levin
Virginia Beach – Ida Rebeca “Becky” Levin, born on April 9, 1962, in Cuba, passed away on October 23, 2026, in Virginia Beach at the age of 64.Becky...