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It’s now been 18 months of “on the ground” visits since I began my presidency of JDC. One of my personal goals when I took office was to visit the global communities we serve, especially those I had not previously visited. In my first year I visited Israel three...
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. Mike Goldsmith, SCN regional security advisor, will offer a couple of easy-to-follow tips here, and in the...
(JTA) — Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, arrived at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly with decades of experience building ties between the Lutheran and Jewish communities.But on Wednesday, July 30, as...
For decades, Super Sunday has been a flagship event in the lifecycle of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s community campaign. It’s been a day of community mobilization – bringing volunteers together in a room buzzing with energy, armed with phones, stacks of...
(JTA) — On Monday, July 28, my son was inducted into the IDF. He started thinking about joining as a hayal boded, a “lone soldier” (someone who makes aliyah alone with the intention of serving) while in high school. After his friend was murdered by Hamas terrorists at...
(JTA) — The board of directors for the National Education Association, the United States’ largest teachers union, rejected a proposal by its delegates to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League.The rejection on Friday, July 18, came after the delegates’ proposal...
When I began my journey with the Tidewater Jewish Foundation in July 2020, I walked into a world unlike anything we had known. It was the height of the pandemic.Introductions were made over Zoom and relationship-building required more persistence, patience, and heart...
Hamas’s attack on the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023, caused a massive surge in anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiments across the United States, and notably, on college campuses. Virginia’s university and college campuses were not immune to protests and...
Virginia Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH), also known as Kempsville Conservative Synagogue, is entering a transformative new chapter as it prepares to relocate its synagogue from Indian Lakes Boulevard to the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish...
The Konikoff Center of Learning aims to “inspire individuals to deepen their Jewish knowledge and connection.” As part of this goal, KCL offers courses by the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning.One such course is “Understanding Zionism: The Return to the...
The Simon Family Jewish Community Center’s Fleischmann Lounge was filled with warmth and excitement as members of the Seniors Club gathered for their July meeting, which included the formal installation of the club’s 2025–2026 Executive Board.The new officers are:...
The men of Nadiv visited Camp JCC on Friday, July 25 to spend the afternoon with campers and see firsthand the impact of the group’s fundraising efforts.Nadiv, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s young men’s fundraising group, donated more than $25,000 to assist...
Over the past year, we have had the privilege of creating a second home in Tidewater, through the open arms, hearts, and doors of the amazing people we have met. We eagerly seized the incredible opportunity to engage with everyone we could, knowing that we would learn...
Women’s Philanthropy proved again that when you mix limoncello with purpose and a passionate group of women, magic happens.Held last month in the Sandler Family Campus’ Fleishman/Moss Lounge, Girls’ Night Out – Round 2 brought together a vibrant group of women for an...
Tidewater is entering its fourth year of collaboration with the Jewish Agency for Israel to host Shinshinim (Israeli Emissaries) on their mission to share Israeli culture, knowledge, and experiences with community members of all ages. Shinshin is an acronym for Shenat...
The summer of 2025 is a special year for the swimming pool at the Simon Family JCC, with a record number of 40 guards, enabling the pool to remain open throughout the summer without closures due to staff shortages. But what is truly unique about the summer of 2025 is...
A bit of Yiddish has managed to slip into everyday language. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear people of all backgrounds talk about chutzpah. And most who do, have no idea they’re speaking Yiddish, a language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews.A combination of...
Looking to add something fun and thought-provoking each month? The JCC Book Club, led by the always enthusiastic Adrienne Royes, might be the answer. Each month, the group explores a compelling book (sometimes two) – and occasionally gets to chat with the author.The...
Thursdays, September 11- November 20 11 am, Sandler Family Campus The fundamental lesson emphasized about Judaism is the belief in One God. In fact, Judaism’s most important prayer is an excerpt of a speech from Moses to Israel, repurposed as a declaration made to...
As summer transitions into fall, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater annually takes deliberate steps to ensure Jewish students, families, and professionals are recognized and respected in their schools, workplaces, and...
Surrounded by stacks of colorful books, the BeAR team is deep into preparations for the 2025–2026 school year, which is BeAR’s 26th year of inspiring young readers.Be A Reader (BeAR) partners with Title I schools to support second grade students who need a little...
Teens in 8th through 12th grade are invited to join Tidewater’s BBYO for its fall kickoff event.The $10 registration fee includes two hours of play and drinks (soda, lemonade, and water). Light snacks will be provided, and additional food will be available for...
Begins: Tuesday, August 12 5:30 pm • Sandler Family Campus Have you always wanted to read and speak Hebrew but didn’t know where to start? Whether completely new to the language or looking to refresh skills, Hebrew for Beginners is a place to begin the...
Virginia Beach – Robert Sanford Cohen, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and respected attorney, passed away peacefully at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy of deep integrity, enduring friendships, and unwavering commitment to both his...
Virginia Beach – Jonas Michael Goldman, born on April 26, 1989, in Norfolk, Va., passed away on July 13, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Va., at the age of 36.From an early age, Jonas was a comedian, athlete, music lover, doting son, and everybody’s friend. Jonas was deeply...
VIRGINIA BEACH - Elaine Dobken Lichty passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, at 89 years old. She was born in New Jersey on October 29, 1935.Elaine is preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Sherman “Sherm” Lichty, and her two brothers, Phillip and...
NORFOLK - A resident of Harbor’s Edge in Norfolk, Barbara passed away April 29, 2025, surrounded by family.Born with a congenital heart condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot (Blue Baby disease), she lived “way beyond years she thought possible,” with the advances of...
NORFOLK - Richard “Rick” Allen Schechter, born on August 18, 1965, at Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, departed this life on July 18, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia. He was 59 years old.Rick was a man of many talents and passions. An avid woodworker, he...
VIRGINIA BEACH - With heavy hearts and profound respect, we commemorate the vibrant life of Allen Arthur Steckenberg, affectionately known as “Steck,” who passed away on July 19, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.Born on August 28, 1941, in New York, Steck lived a...
(JTA) — Tom Lehrer never identified closely with his ancestral Judaism. But the famed satirist and mathematician, who died Saturday, July 26 at 97, wrote one of the first popular songs about a Jewish holiday.(I’m Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica debuted in 1990,...
Saved from the rubble: the story of Israel’s PhotoHouse In May 2023, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater hosted Ben Peter, owner of Tel Aviv’s PhotoHouse and grandson of its founder Rudi Weissenstein, for Tidewater’s community celebration of Israel @ 75....
Jewish News appreciates all who support the newspaper with generous contributions – whether in honor of or in memory of friends and loved ones or as a Friend of Jewish News. Friends of Jewish NewsWalter FenskaMr. and Mrs. Peter Przjemski In honor of the tenure of...