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Jon Polin(JTA) —When I walked into the small, ramshackle gymnasium that is our humble synagogue on Shabbat morning this past week, pictures of the 14 children from the congregation who would be starting first grade on Monday decorated the walls. It must have been one...
A year ago, I became chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation. I am extremely honored to be in this position, especially considering all of those who have previously served in this role. I only hope to fill their shoes while trying to help guide this amazing organization...
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...
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...
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...
A combination of High German and Hebrew, Yiddish is a language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. Efforts are underway to keep the language alive through clubs, Youtube videos, classes, books, and performances.In Tidewater, the Yiddish Club is making a comeback....
Sunday, September 21, 7 pm, $9 (half a chai*) - $36 Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) will come to life through 1,500 years of Jewish art with the virtual presentation, The Art of the High Holidays.Presented by Jewish Art Education,...
Saul Brodsky credits his Jewish faith to his mother, Wendy Einhorn Brodsky. “My mom is genuine about her Jewish identity and practice,” he says when describing the trajectory of his Jewish journey beginning in Norfolk attending Temple Israel to studying at a yeshiva...
Over three warm and engaging Thursday mornings this summer, the Simon Family JCC became a hub of reflection and connection for parents. Led by Rabbi Aryeh Kravetz, the “Bagels & Balance” series invited participants to explore the art of positive parents, focusing...
The Israel on Campus Coalition’s (ICC) National Leadership Summit (NLS) is a three-day conference open to Jewish college students across the country, with the aim to “address today’s critical issues and inspire student leaders.”This year, the largest gathering of...
The phrase that best describes the recently completed Camp JCC Summer 2025 is “tremendous growth.” In addition to the number of campers this past summer, “tremendous growth” refers to the growth of the Camp JCC program over the past five years.In summer 2025, more...
This past June, I participated in the Jewish Federation of North America’s 2025 LGBTQ+ Pride Month mission to Israel, the first trip of its kind in nearly a decade. I joined nearly 100 LGBTQ+ Jewish leaders representing 26 Jewish Federations from across North America....
NORFOLK - Jane Leterman Frieden, born in Norfolk, Virginia, on September 19, 1928, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the age of 96.She was predeceased by her beloved husband of nearly 76 years, Leonard S. (“Lenny”) Frieden; her parents, Jack and...
MIDLOTHIAN - Dr. Barry L. Kurzer, retired Chesterfield dentist, died on June 25, 2025, during a diagnostic heart procedure, following several years of heart problems.Dr. Kurzer graduated from the University of Richmond in 1974 and from the Medical College of Virginia...
VIRGINIA BEACH - It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Burke W. Margulies, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and esteemed attorney, whose life was marked by unwavering dedication to his family, profession, and community.After earning his...
VIRGINIA Beach - Isadore “Izzy” Meizlik, 84, passed away on June 20, 2025.Born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Izzy was a proud Jewish man and a retired NYPD police officer.He was married to his beloved wife, Mary Cornwell, for 47 years. She was his life partner and constant...
VIRGINIA BEACH - Ethel Jane “Dolly” Pachter (nee Rothbart) passed away peacefully on June 17, 2025.The moment after delivering her on October 10, 1924, their devoted family physician said, “That’s our Dolly.” The name stuck.Having lived beyond 100 years, her...
CLEVELAND, OHIO - Delle Elaine Rayner, aged 75, passed away on July 3, 2025.She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio to Irv and Zerda Malikin. The Malkin family had three children, including Delle’s brothers Greg and Robert.Delle is survived by her two children,...
VIRGINIA BEACH - With profound sadness and deep love, we announce the passing of Jacklyn Flum Richels, who died on June 22, 2025, at the age of 78.Born on May 16, 1947, Jackie was the heart of her family as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother,...
NORFOLK - Albert Charles Selkin died peacefully at home on June 26, 2025, at the age of 83.He was a graduate of Granby High School, Old Dominion University, and the University of Virginia Law School. Albert was a dedicated and well-respected attorney and a devoted...
VIRGINIA BEACH - Annette “Honey” Spivak passed away peacefully on June 15, 2025.Born January 23, 1933, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Honey lived to bring joy, love, comfort, compassion, and kindness to the people in her world, the Jewish value of “tikkun olam.” Honey’s...
CHESAPEAKE - Dr. Stan Weinstein passed away peacefully in his sleep at home surrounded by loved ones on June 10, 2025, after a lifetime of meaningful impact on family, friends, mentees, colleagues, strangers, everyone who met him, and, of course, Mathematics.His...
Israel’s strike on Iran starting early Friday, June 12 followed a dizzying 24 hours in which the international community rebuked Iran for its nuclear malfeasance, Iranian officials said they would retaliate by accelerating nuclearization and signs piled up of a...
TCC/City Joint-Use Library, 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach • Through Saturday, June 28 This 1,100-square-foot exhibition explores how American society—including the government, military, refugee aid organizations, media, and the public—responded to Nazism, war,...
Rabbi Asher Knight(JTA) — My family has lived in Colorado for generations. I was in touch with my mother and cousins following the firebombing attack on people marching to call attention to the hostages held in Gaza. In my mind, I can visualize exactly where it...
(JTA) — More than 230,000 American Jews voted in the 2025 election for the World Zionist Congress, setting a new turnout record and nearly doubling participation compared to the last election five years ago, according to preliminary results released Thursday, June 5...
The FBI and DHS have released several similar announcements in recent years warning of potential attacks motivated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. In the wake of two violent attacks on Jewish community events in recent weeks, the FBI and Department...
In late May, my wife, Shikma, our two boys, and I visited Israel with the primary goal to see Shikma’s family: her grandma, sister, nieces, aunt, uncle, and cousins.We spent several days in apartments in Ra’anana and Hod HaSharon eating great meals and catching up on...
When Summer Hoffman was 15 years old, she received a One Happy Camper grant that allowed her to attend a three-week residential camp, BBYO International Kallah. For her interfaith family—half Jewish, half Christian—it was more than just a summer getaway. It became a...
What if a donation today could help shape a stronger Jewish community—and reduce a future tax burden?Thanks to the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and Virginia’s Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits (EISTC) program, individuals and businesses who believe in the...
An 84-year-old woman in the intensive care unit asked if the facility had a copy of her advance medical directive to support her healthcare wishes. The doctor explained that, in the hospital, this legal document did not serve the purpose she intended and instead...
Dr. Michael S. Weissman and his wife, Brina, opened Churchland Psychological Center in 1981, serving Hampton Roads for nearly 45 years.As clinical director, Weissman offers individual adult psychotherapy, family and marital counseling, and psychological testing, while...