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Growing up in the Bible Belt (Northern Georgia south of Chattanooga, Tennessee), Baptist bred Lauren Krajesky could never imagine where she would be today. “I have to pinch myself,” she says. “I really am in a dream job.” A decade after becoming an executive...
Every community has its keepers. As readers explore the congregations and organizations that comprise Jewish life in Tidewater in this issue’s Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater, it’s worth meeting some of the volunteers who safeguard myriad stories that came before...
What should a congregation do when a school’s enrollment grows year after year? Renovate the environment to match the dynamic energy, seems a reasonable response. Last December, volunteers at Temple Emanuel started this project by tearing down old coat...
Gathering community members, leaders, volunteers, and supporters for an afternoon rooted in gratitude, purpose, and hope, Jewish Family Service of Tidewater held its 67th Biennial Meeting on Monday, June 22 at the Fred Huette Garden in Norfolk. More than a...
Every community has its “must-do” list. In Tidewater, it’s easy to find great restaurants, festivals, beaches, and museums. But some of the most memorable experiences aren’t places to visit – they are ways people choose to be part of the community. Jewish life...
As educators prepare for a new school year, many are facing challenges that extend beyond academics. Rising incidents of antisemitism and other forms of bias, increasing polarization, and the need to foster safe classroom communities have made inclusive teaching...
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community recently teamed up with Norfolk Kayak Rentals for an eventful Sunset on the Water experience. Despite cloudy skies, the weather held out so that NextGen kayakers could enjoy time out on the water. ...
When Paul Peck talks about the future of Tidewater Jewish Foundation, he doesn’t begin with fundraising goals or financial projections. He begins with responsibility. “We’re the beneficiaries of the hard work of earlier generations,” he says. “It’s our obligation to...
Wishing Stanwood Dickman a very Happy and Healthy 91st Birthday on Friday, August 28. His family will be celebrating with him.
Sam Sacks was recently chosen Teacher of the Year in Savannah-Chantham County Public School System. He was also named Teacher of the Year for his school, New Hampstead, K - 8. A STEM coordinator, Sacks is known for his dedication to his students. As the...
Sunday, August 16, 6:30 pm New Realm Brewing Co. Matisyahu, the Grammy-nominated musician known for blending reggae, hip-hop, rock, and Jewish themes, will perform at New Realm Brewing Co. in Virginia Beach on Sunday, August 16. Through his music and personal journey,...
Saturday, August 29, 10 am, Roast Rider Coffee, Virginia Beach Benjamin Goldberg, of blessed memory, made Wendy Coleman Goldberg a mother, a founder of the Benjamin Goldberg Foundation, and most recently, an author. Instead of testing it or severing the bond, his...
The first week of Camp JCC set the tone for another unforgettable summer, as campers reunited with old friends, welcomed new ones, and embraced traditions that make camp feel like home. Centered around the Jewish value of chaverut (friendship), the week’s activities...
Tuesday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 22 As educators prepare for the coming school year, one goal remains essential: creating classrooms where every student feels safe, respected, and able to learn. The 2026 Tidewater Inclusive Educators’ Conference offers a powerful...
Norfolk – Gil Binder, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, life partner, uncle, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 95. Gil spent his early years on the Peninsula graduating from Newport News High School and later moved...
Virginia Beach – Judith Pearl Goodman passed away on June 6, 2026, at the age of 84. She was a resident of Virginia Beach. Mrs. Goodman was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Goodman and Hilda Deluty Goodman, and her brother, George Goodman. She...
Virginia Beach – Randi Ann Perrone-Kerfoot, 64, of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born on October 26, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York, to Theodore and Shirley (Katz) Perrone, Randi carried the spirit of her...
Virginia Beach – Molly A. Parro died peacefully in her sleep on June 20, 2026, in Virginia Beach. She was born in Detroit Michigan and was the daughter of the late Louis Ackman and Dorothy Lese. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Gary A. Parro;...
Virginia Beach – Lee Kallmeyer Singer, born April 2, 1934, in N.Y., N.Y., of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2026, 15 days after his 92nd birthday. He was predeceased by his parents Stanley Singer and Marion Kallmeyer Singer, his sister...
Atlanta – Today we remember and celebrate the life of Janice Kaplan Zivitz, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose kindness touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. Janice was the kind of person who made people feel welcome, cared...
For more than 60 years, the Simon Family Jewish Community Center has offered a dynamic youth basketball league that engages young athletes and their families. In recent years, one of the league’s most anticipated traditions has been the annual unveiling of team...
Thanks to gracious community members, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community has been on a roll with Pop-Up Shabbat dinners. The hosts who have opened their doors, hearts, and kitchens have done more than just cook a meal. They welcomed...
(JTA) — WASHINGTON – Alan Greenspan, the free markets champion whose longevity shaping the American economy was grist for the mills of Jewish pride and antisemitic conspiracy mongering alike, has died at 100. Greenspan, who led the Federal Reserve under...
A couple of weeks ago, Art Sandler casually, but enthusiastically, said, “We should publish a paper with all good news!”My response was something like, “Yeah. Right. Nothing about security or antisemitism or Israel or wars or . . .”“We’ve got so much good going on in...
(JTA) — Lizzi Heydemann didn’t plan what she was going to say to Pope Leo XIV.But when the Chicago rabbi found herself face-to-face with the new pontiff during a Vatican visit alongside a delegation of Chicago leaders, she thanked him for the way he has spoken about...
As this article goes to press, the 2026 Community Campaign of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater has passed the $5.2 million mark for the very first time. It’s a major milestone, and the Federation is incredibly grateful to the donors and community members who...
The fifth cohort of Shinshinim will arrive in Tidewater later this summer. Shinshinim is an acronym for Shnat Sherut, a year of service undertaken between high school and army service— when Israeli teens spend a year connecting with Jewish communities around the...
Bettie Minette Cooper remembered every person she met.Always known as Minette, she died on October 14, 2025, at 87 years young, leaving a legacy of commitment to family, her synagogue, the arts, and a variety of civic organizations and projects.Cooper’s story began in...
Naturally curious creatures, children interact with the world around them through play. This instinctive engagement becomes even more pronounced in natural environments, where exploration is open-ended and sensory-rich.As one study by the National Wildlife Federation...
Jewish community has long extended beyond geography, linking people across continents who often recognize a shared sense of belonging.Liora Zerbib knows about this feeling of belonging after spending several weeks with a Jewish host family in Ghent.Zerbib, an Israeli...
From postpartum recovery to perimenopause, women experience a range of life stages that can affect hormones and overall health.Dr. Kellie Frissora, a nurse practitioner and mother of three young children, understands how easily personal health can take a back seat...
A strong community is a healthy community. Thursday, October 29, 6 pm • Sandler Family Campus To support Tidewater’s growing Jewish community, Jewish Family Service of Tidewater is partnering with JScreen to host a life-saving educational event this fall. Whether...