Norfolk – Leslie (Les) Friedman died at the age of 89 on May 15, 2026. He was born on April 26, 1937, and was a lifelong resident of Norfolk. He was the devoted son of Fannie Gurfein Friedman and Milton Levisohn Friedman, who were successful business...
Month: May 2017
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Barney Frank, the irascible Jewish progressive congressman who wrote landmark finance bill
(JTA) — Barney Frank, the irascible longtime progressive who strove for equal rights for LGBTQ Americans and coauthored the last major finance reform bill, has died at 86. The former Massachusetts congressman died in hospice care at home in Ogunquit, Maine,...
Tidewater BBYO makes its mark at Eastern Regional Spring Cultural Convention
Twenty Tidewater BBYO teens (11 AZA and nine BBG), along with City Director Courtney Krutoy and Simcha BBG Advisor Anya Dippold, attended Eastern Region’s Spring Cultural Convention, April 17-19 in Charlotte, North Carolina. More than 200 teens attended the convention...
SIA creates new initiatives to support their military families
Strelitz International Academy supports a large population of military families, including those serving in the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, NATO, the IDF, as well as other branches. Understanding the unique challenges military children face including frequent relocations,...
Toras Chaim brings internationally acclaimed child safety program to students, staff, and families
As summer approaches and children prepare for camps, day trips, and new environments, Toras Chaim Day School is making sure its students head into the season with something more than sunscreen and a packed lunch.This spring, the school brought in Debbie Fox and the...
A summer that shapes a lifetime:Investing in Jewish campthrough One Happy Camper
What if there were a place where Jewish children could safely explore and express their heritage? A place where the values and traditions learned at home are not only reinforced but shared and lived among peers. A place where identity is not questioned but cultivated....
New manager for Camp JCC
Christine Carnahan, Camp JCC’s new manager, will oversee daily camp operations as well as support campers and staff. She will also provide year-round support for the Simon Family JCC and related programs.A Virginia Beach native, Carnahan’s background is in retail...
Summer at the Academy features wide range of camp options
Norfolk Academy’s Summer at the Academy camps offer six weeks of excitement for students of all ages.Starting this year on June 22 and running through the end of July, summer camps offer a perfect mix of adventure, learning, and lasting memories. From exciting outdoor...
BeAR Literacy Project celebrates a year of growth and heart
The BeAR Literacy Project concluded another meaningful school year with its annual End-of-the-Year Mentor Luncheon, a celebration of the extraordinary volunteers whose time, patience, and compassion continue to change children’s lives.Approximately 140 students...
Yom Ha’Atzmaut brings community together for Israel @78
Jewish Tidewater gathered in full force for a Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration on Sunday, April 26 that was hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and presented by Avraham and Karen Ashkenazi. The event took place on the Sandler Family Campus.Marking Israel’s 78th...
Israeli Chef’s Table Experience brings community, culture, and cuisine together for Israel Fest
As part of this year’s Israel @ 78 celebration, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater hosted its signature Israeli Chef’s Table Experience, an evening that blended vibrant flavors, storytelling, and a deep sense of community connection.Held at the Sandler Family...
JFS’s 22nd Annual Run, Roll, Stroll: Races for fun and funds
Jewish Family Service of Tidewater raised vital funds for community services during its 22nd Annual Run, Roll, Stroll on Sunday, May 3, attracting nearly 300 participants to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for a 5K and community walk.Hundreds of community members,...
Security funding that Jewish groups call crucial is being held up by DHS
(JTA) — A shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security since Feb. 14 is halting the review of millions of dollars in security funding for nonprofits, leaving Jewish institutions and other vulnerable groups in limbo at a moment of heightened concern about...
Tidewater to celebrate Israel at 78
Israeli Chef’s Table - Wednesday, April 22, 7 pm Sandler Family Campus Yom Ha’Atzmaut - Sunday, April 26, 12 – 3 pm Sandler Family Campus As Israel continues to face a difficult moment, the bond between the nation and Jewish communities around the worldfeels...
In honor of Yom HaShoah: Charlotte’s story
How will the history of the Holocaust be told when the last witness, the last child or grandchild of a survivor has passed away? The records of the Holocaust are preserved in archives throughout the world. And sometimes archives are able to take an active role in...
Seder plates, oranges, and memories
A beautiful, high-end fancy seder plate might be the perfect centerpiece at the table. Other times though, the attraction might radiate from the memories of a beat-up, or a child-made, or an artistic piece that when placed on the table, manages to bring loved...
Passover seders around Tidewater
Compiled by Konikoff Center for Learning Looking for a Passover seder to attend this year? Check out these options and make a decision soon to secure a spot, as Passover begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 1. B’nai Israel Congregation Anyone who would like home...
Renewal and responsibility: A partnership to sustain community impact
Each Passover, families gather around the seder table to retell the story of the transformation of a people moving from oppression to freedom and into a renewed sense of responsibility to one another. That spirit of renewal is guiding a meaningful partnership between...
A sweet tradition: Operation Hamantaschen 2026
The Simon Family JCC welcomed families for Operation Hamantaschen on Sunday, March 1 – transforming the building into a vibrant hub of Purim celebration and connection. As families arrived, long rows of tables with rolling pins, flour, and an assortment of...
Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: powerful stories and shared experiences
For 10 days in February, audiences across Tidewater gathered in theaters not just to watch films, but to experience them together. The 33rd Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Simon Family JCC, transformed...
BeAR: A year of growth, gratitude, and a little bit of magic
In its 26th year of serving students in Norfolk and Virginia Beach Title I schools, BeAR has experienced meaningful change. This year, the program said goodbye to several devoted mentors whose steady presence shaped young readers in lasting ways. Their absence is...
A night of neon magic
The Sandler Family Campus was glowing with energy on Saturday, Feb. 21 for Neon Eras Kids Night Out. To set the mood, children were encouraged to arrive decked out in their brightest neon attire. Whether it was head-to-toe 80s fluorescent, 90s electric grunge, or...
JCRC shares Purim spirit with community partners through mishloach manot
This Purim, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater took the joy and spirit of the holiday outside the Jewish community through its Purim Boxes, or mishloach manot, initiative. Rooted in the Purim tradition of sending gifts...
Temple Israel to stage a Magical Gala
Sunday, May 3, 1 pm, Temple Israel A magical afternoon is planned for Temple Israel’s Annual Gala, an event that includes a deluxe luncheon and entertainment from Philadelphia magician Mike Miller. Miller, a past president of the Society of American Magicians,...
Purim with a purpose: Community delivers joy to area seniors
Jewish Family Service of Tidewater always looks forward to celebrating Purim, but this year felt especially meaningful. In addition to celebrating, the community made sure seniors living in assisted living facilities knew they were not forgotten. Purim is a...
Spring Break Adventure awaits at Camp JCC
April 6 – 10 9 am - 4 pm, Sandler Family Campus The countdown to Spring Break is officially on, with Camp JCC ready to transform a week away from the classroom into a memorable adventure. Designed specifically for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, the...
Beth El partners with 92NY to bring world-Class programming to Norfolk
Monday, April 6, 7:30 pmCongregation Beth El Congregation Beth El recently launched a partnership with the 92nd Street Y (92NY) in New York City, one of the world’s most respected cultural and intellectual institutions. Through this collaboration, Beth El will host...
Chrysler Museum of Art presents: Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina
Through May 31, 2026 A groundbreaking exhibition showcasing works by two pioneering female artists, Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina, is on view through May 31 at Chrysler Museum of Art. Organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts...
Yom HaShoah to commemorate, remember, and reaffirm
Monday, April 13, 6:45 pm, Congregation Beth El This year’s Yom HaShoah commemoration, presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission, features Dr. Milton Zweig as the keynote speaker. Yom HaShoah is a day of commemoration for the six...
Marjorie Jane Berger
Virginia Beach – Marjorie Jane Berger, born September 11, 1946, passed away on February 3 at the age of 79. She is survived by her brothers,Dr. Jeff Berger and Dr. Keith Berger, nine nieces and nephews, and her beloved cat, Willow. Margie was a...
Harold “Hal” Delevie
Los Angeles, Calif. – Harold “Hal” Delevie, a beloved husband, father, and community member, passed away on February 8, after a very long and fulfilling life. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Roberta “Bobbi” Delevie, his children Mark (Lisa)...
Harvey David Eluto
Raleigh, N.C. – Harvey David Eluto passed away on March 10, 2026. Harvey Eluto was the oldest child of Jerome and Ida Eluto. He is survived by his brother Larry of Brooklyn, N.Y. and sister Susan of Baltimore, Md. He is also survived by his wife, Harriett Snyder...