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Probate is the court-supervised legal process of validating a deceased person’s will, settling their debts, and distributing their assets to beneficiaries. It can be, but not necessarily, a confusing procedure, and therefore something to consider when making estate...
Jay Kossman doesn’t think about legacy as something distant or abstract. For him, it’s a daily practice shaped by intention, experience, and a deep sense of responsibility to others. Growing up in Norfolk’s West Ghent neighborhood, Kossman’s early connection to Jewish...
From themed weeks to unforgettable traditions, Camp JCC aims to keep the energy high throughout the summer. Favorite camp events include the Color Run and Apache Relay, Lip Sync Showcase, Camp JCC Gala, and Carnival Colossal. Daily fun happens with spirit...
Wednesday, April 22, 2 - 3 pm, online Summer camp season is around the corner, and the Secure Community Network (SCN) is launching its first-ever Camp Security Initiative Webinar Series, designed for camp administrators, counselors, parents, and campers. This program...
Ask any adult to reflect on their schooling, and they are unlikely to remember a worksheet or a video. They will, however, remember the teacher who sparked curiosity, who believed in them when they struggled, and the teacher who noticed when something was wrong. Many...
The Ultimate Bracket Bash was a slam dunk success, bringing a high-energy mix of play and creativity to the Sandler Family Campus. The evening kicked off in the gym with plenty of laughter as the kids engaged in lively games with balloons and took turns shooting...
Miriam Anzovin’s two-day residency with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning highlighted the impact of authentic storytelling on shaping Jewish identity. Anzovin’s approach moves beyond flat narratives, instead using personal experience...
Kids headed home with flour-dusted aprons, neon-colored fingertips, and the kind of ear-to-ear grins that only come from a day of pure discovery, are good indications that Kyra Jones and Reagan Goode are back in action with their interactive classes. These once-a-week...
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Tidewater Jewish community gathered at the Sandler Family Campus on Thursday, March 19 for a screening and conversation with internationally acclaimed photographer Joan Roth. The evening featured A Feminist Lens: The Art and...
For the second year in a row, a Strelitz International Academy fifth grader won the prestigious IBMA Student Excellence Award, with Ari Mulligan’s selection as this year’s Primary Years Program Recipient. The IBMA (International Baccalaureate Mid-Atlantic) is a...
Tidewater BBYO recently welcomed Anya Dippold to Simcha BBG’s Advisory Committee. BBYO advisors serve as positive role models, working in partnership with staff members to supervise and guide AZA and BBG chapters. Advisors empower each BBYO member to do...
Tuesday, May 12, 6 pm: dinner; 7 pm: game play, Sandler Family Campus The Nadiv Young Professional Men’s Campaign Division of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater will hold its second annual Texas Hold’em Fundraising event next month. Last year’s inaugural event sold...
Laura Goldstein, a volunteer for Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, was recently honored by the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore as their Superhero of the Month. Goldstein was nominated and recognized for her dedication, compassion, and...
Joseph Alex Frissora joined the Sandler Family Campus late last year as Facilities Director, working with Glenn Saucier until his retirement in December. Prior to joining the Sandler Family Campus, Frissora spent 14 years with the United States Coast Guard, where, in...
(JTA) — Passover may still be months away, but PBS is seating a diverse set of Jews down for a seder this month — casting the communal storytelling meal as an ideal entry point for exploring the complicated history of Black-Jewish relations in the United States....
(JTA) — Since the end of World War II, Vienna has functioned as an Ellis Island for Jewish refugees from Europe and the Middle East, a place where survivors, dissidents and religious minorities arrived with little more than documents and hope, and departed toward new...
Today we think of hamantaschen, the triangle-shaped stuffed cookie, as the pastry of the Jewish holiday of Purim. But the original hamantaschen had no Jewish connection at all. According to Gil Marks in his landmark book, Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, the hamantaschen...
The story of Purim is decidedly not family-friendly, yet it offers little ones unique access into a holiday where everything is upside-down. (JTA) One of the main advantages for Jewish kids in a Christian world is that — thanks to Purim — they get two “Halloweens.”...
(JTA) — Portland Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija’s meteoric rise has officially reached a new stratosphere, as the 25-year-old forward has become the NBA’s first-ever Israeli All-Star. Avdija was named an All-Star reserve for the Western Conference on...
(JTA) — The legendary director Steven Spielberg has become the ninth Jew to secure “EGOT” status after winning a Grammy for producing a documentary about the music of John Williams. Spielberg was awarded the Grammy for producing Music by John Williams, which won...
One of the annual initiatives of Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), which takes place in May, is the distribution of books to local schools. Through this program, thousands of students encounter Jewish stories, many for the very first time. The 2026 JAHM...
Aging with dignity is a cornerstone of a strong community. Increasingly, that dignity is defined not only by care, but by connection, purpose, and opportunity. Through the newly launched Beth Sholom Village Grant Program, Beth Sholom Village is investing in innovative...
Providing accommodations for everyone who visits the Sandler Family Campus is an ongoing commitment for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Simon Family JCC. The campus facilities continue to be at the forefront of making certain all may visit and take...
In a strong demonstration of civic partnership and solidarity with the Jewish community, the Virginia Beach City Council issued an official resolution on January 20 proclaiming January 27, 2026 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in the City of Virginia Beach....
When it’s time to propose, the days of going it alone and private are a thing of the past. It used to be that all that was necessary to become engaged was a couple in love and a ring. Family, friends, and photographers to capture the moment, are all part of today’s...
A small factory retail store recently opened at Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn’s Norfolk manufacturing facility – making in-person purchasing of the artisan popcorn again doable for Tidewater residents. While it’s always possible to purchase the popcorn from the...
The table was already cluttered. Half-empty glasses, a bowl of pasta passed one more time, someone reaching for the last challah crumbs. It wasn’t a planned conversation. No agenda. Just a familiar meal, shared with people who knew one another well enough to speak...
The legacy of Hebrew Ladies Charity Society was celebrated during a warm and meaningful afternoon luncheon on Sunday, January 11 at Ohef Sholom Temple. The event honored more than a century of compassion, generosity, and hands-on service. Stephanie Peck, JFS...
I experienced one of those moments that reaffirms why sincere dialogue remains one of the most powerful tools we have as a society, on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Around a shared table sat three rabbis—Rabbi Shlomo Eisenberg of Congregation B’nai Israel,...
An enriching day trip for Beth El congregants and friends took place last month when the group travelled to the North Carolina Museum of Art to experience the exhibit, The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt. The exhibition, which was widely acclaimed in New York,...
Sunday, March 22, 3 pm First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk Active threat situations are unpredictable and can unfold quickly—often ending within three to five minutes. Recognizing warning signs and knowing how to respond can save lives. In collaboration with...
Halfway through the school year may not feel like the moment to start something new, but for BeAR, it is one of the most critical times to step in. The Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project needs additional mentors for Willard Model Elementary (Norfolk) and...