Month: July 2018

Archives

Time to reflect

Time to reflect

As the High Holidays approach and we prepare to welcome the year 5787, I find myself reflecting on the past year in our Tidewater Jewish community and all that I witness and experience.  Throughout the summer, I watched children playing and relishing their time...

Building partnerships, strengthening community safety

Building partnerships, strengthening community safety

Temple Emanuel leadership recently welcomed Virginia Beach Chief of Police Paul Neudigate, members of his command staff, and 2nd Precinct Commander Captain James Gordon for a series of conversations focused on partnership, communication, and community safety. Joining...

Camp JCC finishes a memorable season

Camp JCC finishes a memorable season

“Unforgettable” is an appropriate way to describe Camp JCC’s 2026 summer. The season was packed with exciting field trips, spirited theme days, new campers, and an incredible staff team, including the additions of Christine Carnahan as camp manager, and Blake Sisler,...

Reverse Tashlich: Repentance as environmental action

Reverse Tashlich: Repentance as environmental action

The ritual of Tashlich is an all-encompassing symbolic representation of the High Holidays. This process of releasing sins into the river comes directly from the book of Micah, verse 19: “He will again have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou...

Rosh Hashanah Craft and Cookie Workshop

Rosh Hashanah Craft and Cookie Workshop

Monday, September 14, 5 - 6 pm - Sandler Family Campus Start the new year with Tidewater’s new Shinshinim, Liel Aisikowitz and Evyatar Olswang, along with PJ Library in Tidewater. Families are invited to a Rosh Hashanah Cookie and Craft Workshop, where children and...

Jewish Trivia Night

Jewish Trivia Night

Tuesday, September 1, 7 – 9 pm, Smartmouth Brewery United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community gathers to kick off a month of holiday celebrations. Connect with friends, meet new people, and engage in friendly competition during a special trivia game...

Rosh Hashanah Buzz

Rosh Hashanah Buzz

Sunday, September 6, 5 – 7 pm Sandler Family Campus Get ready to celebrate a sweet New Year and prepare for Rosh Hashanah with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community (ages 22–45ish). The event will honor Tikkun Olam—the Jewish value of repairing the...

Ruby H. Schwarzschild 

Lakeland, Fla. – Ruby Hainer Schwarzschild of Norfolk, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026 in Lakeland, Fla.   She was a dedicated mother, wife, grandmother, chef, artist, and beloved pillar of her community.  Ruby was born in Norfolk on March 13,...

Dolly Parton’s Jewish connections

Singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Dolly Parton died Tuesday, August 25 at the age of 80. The outpouring of grief was immediate and universal.  “PJ Library and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation team are sad to learn of the passing of musician, philanthropist,...

Thank you to our supporters who recently donated to Jewish News!

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 of...

History preserves the past — memory preserves a people

My friend, the historian Niall Ferguson, recently posted something remarkable on social media.  Reflecting on the resurgence of antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and what he called the “anti-history” engulfing much of the world, Ferguson reached a painful...

Standing witness in Verdun: Restoring identity to fallen heroes 

Vice Admiral Herman Shelanski, USN (Retired) I joined the United States Navy in 1980 to protect the very freedoms that allowed me to live and pray as my Jewish ancestors did. Growing up with the heavy knowledge of the Holocaust, hearing on the news the persecution of...

Meet the guardians of Tidewater’s Jewish history

Every community has its keepers. As readers explore the congregations and organizations that comprise Jewish life in Tidewater in this issue’s Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater, it’s worth meeting some of the volunteers who safeguard myriad stories that came before...

Temple Emanuel’s Religious School gets inspired renovation

What should a congregation do when a school’s enrollment grows year after year? Renovate the environment to match the dynamic energy, seems a reasonable response.    Last December, volunteers at Temple Emanuel started this project by tearing down old coat...

Where community begins

Every community has its “must-do” list. In Tidewater, it’s easy to find great restaurants, festivals, beaches, and museums. But some of the most memorable experiences aren’t places to visit – they are ways people choose to be part of the community.  Jewish life...

NextGen community connects at Sunset on the Water

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community recently teamed up with Norfolk Kayak Rentals for an eventful Sunset on the Water experience. Despite cloudy skies, the weather held out so that NextGen kayakers could enjoy time out on the water. ...

Building on a strong foundation: Paul Peck to lead TJF

When Paul Peck talks about the future of Tidewater Jewish Foundation, he doesn’t begin with fundraising goals or financial projections. He begins with responsibility. “We’re the beneficiaries of the hard work of earlier generations,” he says. “It’s our obligation to...

Birthday

Wishing Stanwood Dickman a very Happy and Healthy 91st Birthday on Friday, August 28. His family will be celebrating with him.

Achievement

Sam Sacks was recently chosen Teacher of the Year in Savannah-Chantham County Public School System. He was also named Teacher of the Year for his school, New Hampstead, K - 8. A STEM coordinator, Sacks is known for his dedication to his students.  As the...

Matisyahu to perform in Virginia Beach

Sunday, August 16, 6:30 pm New Realm Brewing Co. Matisyahu, the Grammy-nominated musician known for blending reggae, hip-hop, rock, and Jewish themes, will perform at New Realm Brewing Co. in Virginia Beach on Sunday, August 16. Through his music and personal journey,...