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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...
They’re at it again! Local Mah Jongg Mavens Amy Levy and Stephanie Calliott are on a mission to make sure everyone has the opportunity to learn the game. With their contagious enthusiasm, Mah Jongg is fast becoming a multigenerational favorite — and now it’s the next...
The first installment of the Judaism and the Arts series invited participants to explore both the meaning and the beauty of one of Judaism’s most familiar symbols: the mezuzah. Attendees first learned about the history, symbolism, and spiritual significance of the...
Middle School programming began this year with the Middle School Movie Night on Saturday, October 25. After a pizza dinner, the participants melted various chocolate combinations over their popcorn and enjoyed more sweet, salty, and chewy treats throughout the...
Residents of Aviva Pembroke joined community members for the launch of Knots of Kindness, a knitting and crocheting circle in partnership with Jewish Family Service of Tidewater and Aviva Pembroke on Thursday, October 16. The gathering was filled with warmth,...
As food prices continue to rise and benefits such as SNAP decrease, more neighbors are struggling to put meals on the table. In fact, Jewish Family Service’s Food Pantry has seen a significant increase in visitors—people who never imagined they would need to ask for...
Rick Mersel is the author of All Revved Up and Ready to Go: My Life in Concert. He is a featured author 2025 Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival. Mersel will join his business partner and fellow Tidewater native Jessica Gordon for a conversation about...
Thursday, December 11, 7:30 pm There’s a story behind everything, and in December, master storyteller Corey Rosen will help people in Tidewater discover the power and joy of sharing theirs. A writer, performer, and longtime host for The Moth StorySLAM in San...
The new Israeli Youth Movement has officially kicked off in Tidewater with its first gathering – an amazing afternoon full of energy, creativity, and new friendships. At the first meeting, time was spent getting to know the kids through fun, interactive...
Annual project celebrates Shabbat, community, and unity Thursday, Nov. 13 – Saturday, Nov. 15, B’nai Israel\The Shabbat Project is an international grassroots movement that brings together Jews from all walks of life and all levels of observance to keep one Shabbat –...
Thursday, Nov. 20, 7:30 pm Sandler Family Who doesn’t love a good story and a good nosh? United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival will serve up both when Rachel Simons takes the stage at the Simon Family JCC for...
Schools across Norfolk and Virginia Beach are roaring to life as the Be A Reader Literacy Project kicks off another year with mentors meeting their new second-grade students – young readers who can use an extra boost of confidence and encouragement to help them...
Kids Night Out: Saturday, Nov. 22 5 – 9 pm , Sandler Family Campus Even though the calendar says November, the time to get excited about Camp JCC is now. The Simon Family JCC will host its first ever Camp JCC themed Kids Night Out this month, and summer camp...
VIRGINIA BEACH - Sally Adler was a force of nature — ahead of her time, deeply informed, and an inspiration to all who knew her. She will be remembered for her warmth, hospitality, and extraordinary culinary skills, as well as her tireless devotion to community causes...
NORFOLK - Roger Allen Bress, 65, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, surrounded by the family who adored him — a circle of love he built, nurtured, and protected his entire life. Born on February 22, 1960, to Phillip and Sondra M. Bress (Cohen), Roger filled...
SARASOTA, Florida - Renee Fritsch passed away after a brief illness on October 28, 2025, at age 93. Renee and her beloved husband Bob celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in June, and their life together was transformative. Renee grew up in the Catskills in...
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - Sandra Jean Deziel Smith, age 73, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, on October 14, 2025. Born in Minneapolis, Minn., on August 2, 1952, to the late Frederick T. Deziel and Dorothy A. Johnson...
VIRGINIA BEACH - Phyllis Steen passed away peacefully the morning of October 24, 2025, after a long illness. Earlier that week, she told her caregiver she was tired and wanted to “go be with Harvey,” her husband of 69 years whom she lost unexpectedly in...
Legacy 2025 L’ Dor V’Dor – From Generation to Generation Opening: December 6, 6:30 pm Sandler Family Campus Talk: Sunday, November 16, 4 pm Jewish Museum and Cultural Center Legacy 2025: Hampton Roads Jewish Artists of the Past arrives at the Simon Family Jewish...
(JTA) — When Susan Stamberg first sat behind the microphone to host a newfangled broadcasting venture called National Public Radio, in 1972, some board members had a concern: She sounded too Jewish. Though that wasn’t quite how they tended to phrase it, recalled...
I am sure you, like us, are filled with emotion after seeing the 20 living hostages returned home to Israel and their families. We continue to pray for the imminent return of the remaining hostages and for their families and loved ones to be able to give them...