Southeastern Virginia: Chesapeake • Norfolk • Portsmouth • Suffolk • Virginia Beach
Archives
(JTA) — Speaking from Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Feb. 19, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, Eric Fingerhut, laid out his assessment of the state of Jewish life in America. “The state of the Jewish union in America is strong,...
Supporters of Jewish News help keep local Jewish journalism alive at a time when it feels as if it is disappearing almost everywhere else. Jewish News appreciates all who support the newspaper with generous contributions – whether in honor of or in memory...
After 35 years of service on the Norfolk Police Department fighting crime as a police officer, advancing through the ranks to become Norfolk’s Chief of Police, then on to a second career as an Assistant City Manager for Norfolk, Mike Goldsmith was more than entitled...
(JTA) —During the recent Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations’ mission to Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that Jews around the world stand strong and unified in support of Israel and against antisemitism. “Fight, fight, fight,” he...
And with stroke of a few pens, it was over! The closing documents were signed, the checks issued, and Kehillat Bet Hamidrash/Kempsville Conservative Synagogue (KBH) was officially a congregation without a building – yet with a new endowment fund. After...
The State of the Union. The State of the City. Most people have heard of or attended gatherings like these, where leaders reflect on the present and make projections about the future. Last month, Tidewater Jewish Foundation did just that. Board members gathered...
(JTA) — Jewish hockey star Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal Sunday, Feb. 21 to clinch a gold medal for the U.S. men’s hockey team, its first since 1980. The New Jersey Devils star center, who had scored twice in Team USA’s semifinal win, sent the puck...
Applications for the 2026-2027 Academic Year accepted through April 30 In 2025, JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) loaned $2.3 million in 0% interest loans to almost 500 students, allowing Jewish students to pursue higher education without the burden of...
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 Jewish...
His story could be a novel. . . and a page-turner, at that. This past December, Josef Patar added a chapter he’s been trying to write for a while. . . he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. With several supporters, including a couple of friends from Ohef...
A wedding anniversary of any number is reason to celebrate, yet milestone anniversaries traditionally get special attention. Reaching a milestone is no easy feat and so Jewish News asked three of area couples about their secrets to the foundation of their...
Family and friends gathered on a Saturday evening in January to celebrate an extraordinary milestone as Erica Reisner Ausch turned 90 years young. Her daughters – Jodie Woodward, Linda Ausch, and Bonnie Laibstain — brought together those who know her best and love her...
In conjunction with Community Impact Day, and as part of Jewish Tidewater’s celebration of Jewish Book Month, community members and clergy gathered on the Sandler Family Campus to explore the importance of Jewish books, the distinction between books of a Judaic nature...
What do you do when a childhood friend asks if you want to go on an adventure with other cool Jewish women? And chocolate is involved? You say, “YES, I AM IN!” That is what I did, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. My dear...
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 7:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus Internationally acclaimed photographer Joan Roth will visit Tidewater for an evening that pairs film and conversation witha new gallery exhibition spotlighting five decades of her art and activism. The program will begin...
Sunday, Feb. 1, 1 - 3 pm, Sandler Family Campus Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the Trees, is a Jewish holiday that marks the “birthday” of trees and celebrates a connection to the land, nature, and renewal. Once tied to the agricultural calendar in Israel, it is now a...
Next session: Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 pm, Sandler Family Campus When I first heard about the Partners in Jewish Life program, I struggled to fully grasp what it was all about. From what I understood, it seemed connected to the idea of chevruta, a form of paired...
Saturday, Jan. 31, 6-8:30 pm Ohef Sholom Temple A lively island-themed evening featuring local restaurants, signature cocktails, and craft beverages, Ohef Sholom Temple’s Taste of the Tropics plans to be every bit as tasty and fun as last year’s Taste of the...
Thursday, Jan. 22, 5:30 pm Sandler Family Campus The next installment of the Judaica and the Arts series presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning, invites community members to explore Jewish tradition through both learning and...
A new initiative begins this season: the PJ Library Challah Train – the delivery of Shabbat baskets to local families, one home at a time, creating a chain of kindness and connection throughout Tidewater. Each week, a nominated family will receive a basket containing...
After a week filled with laughter, stories, and connection, Corey Rosen’s residency in Tidewater concluded—but the stories he helped surface will continue to resonate. Presented by the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater as...
Virginia Beach – Dr. Margaret Ruth Carson Zimmerman passed away peacefully in her home on November 26, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Born in Toronto on December 1, 1936, Dr. Zimmerman’s life was defined by service and intellect. After graduating from The...
Virginia Beach – Edith Weiner passed away on December 31, 2025. Funeral services were held graveside in the Garden of Kind David in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. A shiva minyan was held at the home of Karen S. (Weiner) Lamb, Edith’s beloved daughter-in-law and...
Virginia Beach– Alan David Stein, 88 years young, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a life defined by love, joy, and deep connection to family, friends, and community. For 64 devoted years, he shared a remarkable love story with his wife, Brenda. Married...
Virginia Beach – Marilyn Comess Lacey, 93, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Marilyn was born to Esther and Morris Comess on January 6, 1932, in Norfolk, Virginia. She was predeceased by her sister, Dianne Kay, and...
Virginia Beach– Harriet Robins Goodove, age 83, passed away on January 5, 2025. Raised in the close-knit Ghent community, Harriet graduated from Maury High School before attending the University of Georgia, where she earned not only her degree, but also met her...
VIRGINIA BEACH – Nancy M. Friedman passed away on November 7, 2025. Nancy was born July 25, 1940, in Raleigh, N.C. to the late Macy and Willard Clifton. A military man, Will moved the family to Norfolk when Nancy was a little girl, and it was here that she spent...
Virginia Beach – David Robert Blevins died December 27, 2025, at age 84. Born May 26, 1941, in Knoxville, Tenn. to Hansel and Marian Blevins, David lived most of his adult life in Montgomery, Ala. and Virginia Beach. David earned his doctorate...
With New Year’s resolutions known to drive gym crowds, Simon Family JCC’s JFiT gym got in shape early to offer three unique, budget-friendly services to kickstart sustainable routines without hassle or high costs. And, while JCC membership offers myriad benefits and...
There is something deeply familiar—and deeply Jewish—about gathering around books. The Great Jewish Bookshelf taps into that instinct by offering participants the opportunity to receive a carefully curated selection of Jewish-themed books every other month – opening...
A visit to the Simon Family JCC inspires. During the Thanksgiving holiday, I visited the Simon Family Jewish Community Center of Tidewater (the JCC), a place I had visited before, but never truly experienced as it was meant to be lived. My earlier encounter had been...
This was another tough year for the global Jewish community – the continued war in Gaza, the escalation of antisemitic acts and outright discrimination, a slew of misinformation about Israel, the killings of two Israeli Embassy employees, and raised security alert...