Month: September 2015

Archives

Hannah Yasemsky joins UJFT in newly formed position

Hannah Yasemsky joins UJFT in newly formed position

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater recently established the position of NextGen Engagement coordinator, a re-imagined role designed to strengthen connection and community among Jewish young adults in Tidewater. Hannah Yasemsky is the first person to assume the...

Learning and creating with Mizrach class and workshop 

Learning and creating with Mizrach class and workshop 

The recent Mizrach class and hands-on glass workshop offered by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning provided a journey from learning to creating.   The experience began with a class led by Rabbi Ari Oliszewski, who explored...

A heart-healthy President’s Day at Camp

A heart-healthy President’s Day at Camp

While school was out on Monday, Feb. 16, campers spent Presidents’ Day getting active and inspired at Camp JCC’s School Days Out program.   To celebrate American Heart Month, the day’s theme was all about heart health. Campers began the morning by...

Launch of Lev Sara Bikur Cholim

Launch of Lev Sara Bikur Cholim

A new initiative dedicated in memory of Shirley Farfel Berman a”h, Lev Sara Bikur Cholim is being created to extend a loving hand to individuals in the community—and beyond—who are in Norfolk for medical care.  This evening is an opportunity to learn about the...

Tidewater BBYO updates website

Tidewater BBYO updates website

When Courtney Krutoy took on the role of Eastern Region BBYO City Director - Tidewater last year, she noticed that BBYO’s digital presence on United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s website was both buried and outdated. Krutoy worked with Teresa Knecht, marketing...

KBH to kick off creative Shabbat services for families 

KBH to kick off creative Shabbat services for families 

Saturday, March 21,10:30 am, Sandler Family Campus Members of KBH synagogue are excited to unveil a brand-new Shabbat services format designed for children and families.  Once a month, KBH, in partnership with Tidewater Shinshinim, will hold a special program...

Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse to screen at Chrysler

Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse to screen at Chrysler

Sunday, March 15, 2 pm, Chrysler Museum of Art Few works have transformed Holocaust storytelling as profoundly as the graphic novel Maus. When Art Spiegelman won the 1992 Pulitizer Prize, it was the first time a graphic novel earned that honor, signaling a cultural...

NextGen Happy Hour Shabbat

Friday, March 27, 5 – 7 pmSandler Family Campus Jewish adults between ages 22 and 40, are invited to begin the weekend with “Shabbat mode” at a NextGen Happy Hour Shabbat.   Leave the stress of the work week behind and unwind in a relaxed, friendly...

Judaica Shop opens in Virginia Beach

The Blue Dove was “created out of love for my Jewish community,” says shop owner Lauren Broudy.  A Tidewater native, she says she was shopping at The Painted Tree in the shops at Hilltop and noticed there were no Jewish-themed items. After some thought, she...

Baby & Me is back

Thursdays, 9 –10 am - Sandler Family Campus Parents, guardians, and their little ones are invited to participate in an hour of connection and fun every Thursday.   Join for coffee and a sweet treat while babies enjoy age-appropriate activities and playful games...

Ashley Brooke Coleman

Virginia Beach – Ashley Brooke Coleman, age 46, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026.   She was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Barbara and Harvey Coleman.  Ashley was a proud graduate of Norfolk Academy, University of Maryland, and Cumberland...

Helen Cohen Laibstain

Norfolk – After a brief illness, Helen Laibstain, 96 years old, died Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at her home.   Born March 3, 1929, Helen was the daughter of Julius and Celia Shulman Cohen.   Seventy-two years ago, Helen married the love of her...

Sylvia Bernstein Wagner

Omaha, Nebraska  – Sylvia Bernstein Wagner, a pioneering civic leader, accomplished actress, and champion of social progress in Omaha, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026, at the age of 100.   Her life was defined by principled...

Gilda Weber

Virginia Beach – Gilda Weber, aged 99, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.   Born on June 5, 1926, she lived a long life devoted to her family.  Gilda was born in the Bronx, N.Y., and graduated from Beth Israel...

JFS volunteer honored as Food Bank Superhero of the Month

Laura Goldstein, a volunteer for Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, was recently honored by the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore as their Superhero of the Month. Goldstein was nominated and recognized for her dedication, compassion, and...

Sandler Family Campus hires new facilities director

Joseph Alex Frissora joined the Sandler Family Campus late last year as Facilities Director, working with Glenn Saucier until his retirement in December. Prior to joining the Sandler Family Campus, Frissora spent 14 years with the United States Coast Guard, where, in...

How Hamantaschen became a Purim staple

Today we think of hamantaschen, the triangle-shaped stuffed cookie, as the pastry of the Jewish holiday of Purim. But the original hamantaschen had no Jewish connection at all. According to Gil Marks in his landmark book, Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, the hamantaschen...

How did the most adult book in the Bible turn into a kids holiday? 

The story of Purim is decidedly not family-friendly, yet it offers little ones unique access into a holiday where everything is upside-down. (JTA) One of the main advantages for Jewish kids in a Christian world is that — thanks to Purim — they get two “Halloweens.”...

Deni Avdija becomes first Israeli to be selected as an NBA All-Star

(JTA) — Portland Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija’s meteoric rise has officially reached a new stratosphere, as the 25-year-old forward has become the NBA’s first-ever Israeli All-Star.   Avdija was named an All-Star reserve for the Western Conference on...

Steven Spielberg wins Grammy, becoming 9th Jew in elite EGOT ranks

(JTA) — The legendary director Steven Spielberg has become the ninth Jew to secure “EGOT” status after winning a Grammy for producing a documentary about the music of John Williams.  Spielberg was awarded the Grammy for producing Music by John Williams, which won...

Turning the Page: 2026 JAHM books announced for Tidewater schools

One of the annual initiatives of Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), which takes place in May, is the distribution of books to local schools. Through this program, thousands of students encounter Jewish stories, many for the very first time.  The 2026 JAHM...

Beth Sholom Village launches new grant program to support seniors

Aging with dignity is a cornerstone of a strong community. Increasingly, that dignity is defined not only by care, but by connection, purpose, and opportunity. Through the newly launched Beth Sholom Village Grant Program, Beth Sholom Village is investing in innovative...

Accommodations for open participation at Sandler Family Campus

Providing accommodations for everyone who visits the Sandler Family Campus is an ongoing commitment for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Simon Family JCC. The campus facilities continue to be at the forefront of making certain all may visit and take...