This morning, I had a phone call with a former summer camper of mine. She is now a first-year student at George Washington University in DC, and she wanted to talk to me because she is beginning to explore the idea of becoming a rabbi. When I called at the time that...
Month: August 2020
Archives
Topping Off: Another milestone for Aviva Pembroke and Virginia Beach senior living
A crowd of community members, including principal project partners and future residents, gathered on Friday, March 22 to celebrate another significant milestone towards the completion of the newest Virginia Beach senior living community, Aviva Pembroke. The level of...
Knowledge is the answer
Jewish News is gathering and presenting some basic facts for this space to equip readers during this difficult time with the confidence needed to engage in conversation about Israel. This information is from Jewish Federations of North America, as of April 8. Six...
Iran attacks Israel: How we got here and what might happen next
Ben Sales(JTA) — On Saturday night, April 13, Iran fired more than 200 missiles and drones at Israel.The unprecedented attack — from Iranian soil to Israeli territory — is the most direct confrontation ever between the two longtime adversaries. It threatens to spiral...
A view from Israel: Motzi Shabbat
It was Saturday night.One of my lecturers and I were on a Zoom call with a bubbly and cheerful English lecturer from Mexico planning a collaboration between our students. My phone rang and I saw it was my administrative coordinator, calling at 9 pm – which only means...
Forward features To Life: The Past is Present
Earlier this year, the Forward wrote about the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s book, To Life: The Past is Present, including six of the publication’s stories. The article, with two of the stories, is reprinted here with permission....
Senator Tim Kaine visits Sandler Family Campus
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine spent a couple of hours at the Sandler Family Campus last month chatting with members of Tidewater’s Jewish community about a host of issues, including Israel’s war with Hamas.
Congresswoman Jen Kiggans visits Sandler Family Campus after first trip to Israel
Most first trips to Israel don’t begin with a tour of carnage, but Congresswoman Jen Kiggans’ did. In addition to meeting with families of hostages from the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, Kiggans and the other 14 members of Congress on the AIPAC trip spent time at Kibbutz...
Tidewater: Get ready to be charmed and laugh with Phil Rosenthal
Saturday, April 20, 7 pm, Harrison Opera House He made it clear in Ireland. The same in India. And, of course, in Tel Aviv. Phil Rosenthal of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil is Jewish. In a brief phone conversation this week, when asked why he manages to insert being...
The Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community is celebrating 20 years!
To commemorate this milestone 20th anniversary, Jewish News is planning a special section in the May 13 issue.We invite you to share your personal stories, memories, and photos of being on the Sandler Family Campus since 2004.Think about all the reasons that brought...
Celebrating Moms
Nothing prepares a woman for motherhood, a role which requires on-the-job training. Parenting books and podcasts abound, if she has the time and energy to read and listen; after all, she has just spent the day…cooking, driving, bathing, feeding, hugging, entertaining,...
The Auxiliary of Beth Sholom Village: A beacon of support for Jewish seniors
Standing as a shining example of community service and support for Jewish seniors in Tidewater, The Auxiliary of Beth Sholom Village’s membership exceeds 600 dedicated women. The Auxiliary is a non-profit organization that takes great pride in backing Beth Sholom...
Beth El Sisterhood stepped up to “Serve” Joan Nathan
Call them a well “oyled” machine.I am speaking of the quartet of Carol Smith, DeAnne Lindsey, Gina Rose, and Marlene Rossen who (along with Patty Shelanski) lead the unofficial culinary committee of the Congregation Beth El Sisterhood that plans, purchases, cooks, and...
Checking out the Solar Eclipse at the Sandler Family Campus
Some events simply cannot be missed. Apparently, that was the thought when young students at Strelitz International Academy were covered up with proper fashionable paper plates, in addition to the special protective sunglasses, to view the Solar Eclipse on April 8 at...
Beth El bids farewell to Pam Gladstone after 34 years
Bittersweet tears flowed from many eyes on Sunday, April 7 as community members gathered for brunch at Congregational Beth El to celebrate the retirement of Pam Gladstone, Beth El’s executive director for the past 34 years.Gladstone’s tenure at the synagogue saw four...
Spring fun at Camp JCC
As the weather gets warmer and summer gets closer, Camp JCC wrapped up another successful spring break camp. Covering one week for mostly public school closures, campers enjoyed spring themed crafts, indoor and outdoor games, STEM projects, a mini color war, and free...
Community Shabbat Dinner for families
Friday, June 7, 5 pm Sandler Family Campus After a year of learning how to make Friday night Shabbat dinners memorable in the Shabbat@Home series, it’s time to bring it all together.Cap off the year with a heartwarming community dinner at the Simon Family JCC,...
Coffee and Conversation at the JCC – Keep this conversation going!
Thursday, May 2, 1 pm, Sandler Family Campus It’s time for another round of Coffee and Conversation at the Simon Family JCC. After the enjoyable turnout and lively discussions from the last gathering, it is time to get together and do it again.In recognition of Jewish...
Next Rabbi Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club: The Great Partnership: Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning
Sunday, April 28, 10 am, Temple Emanuel In The Great Partnership: Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning, the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks challenges traditional perspectives on the intersection of science and religion. The Rabbi Sacks Tidewater Community Book...
Simon Family JCC to participate in Family and Student Wellness Expo
Saturday, May 11, 11 am – 2 pm Bayside High School The Family and Student Wellness Expo connects families with local resources, cultivating a stronger sense of community as well as ensuring families remain informed of mental wellness, family engagement, and student...
Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month: A journey through art at the Chrysler Museum
Wednesday, May 15, 2 pm In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, the Chrysler Museum of Art is hosting a special guided tour to explore the rich tapestry of Jewish culture and heritage through art. The tour is in partnership with United Jewish Federation of...
Elie Wiesel Student Art Competition showcases powerful reflections on the Holocaust
Temple Emanuel: Sunday, May 5Sandler Family Campus: Monday, May 6 – Wednesday, May 15 Organized by the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the annual Elie Wiesel Student Art Competition recently concluded with a formidable display of...
Senior Health and Fitness Day Health Fair, Honest Aging with Rosanne Leipzig, and Senior Prom – All in one day!
Wednesday, May 29, Simon Family JCC on the Sandler Family CampusSenior Health and Fitness Fair: 9 am - 12 pm • Rosanne Leipzig: 12 pm • Senior Prom: 4 pm The Sandler Family Campus will be bustling with joy and activity catering to the vibrant senior community with...
Mary Alice Fobian Epstein
VIRGINIA BEACH - Mary Alice Fobian Epstein passed away March 29.Mary was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on September 30, 1938. She graduated from St. Gertrude’s High School in Richmond. Mary then became a registered nurse after graduating from Mary Immaculate School...
Anita Smith Kinsley
MERRIMACK, N.H. – Anita Smith Kinsley passed away on April 2.Beloved wife of the late David Kinsley, Anita was the devoted mother of Michelle Kinsley and Jeffrey Kinsley and his wife, Christine. She was the dear sister of Mannie Smith and his wife, Judy, and Debbie...
Betty Lou Legum
NORFOLK - Betty Lou Legum, a lifelong resident of Norfolk, passed away on April 13 at the age of 96.She was predeceased by her parents, Jesse and Rose Ruden Rafelman, Robin Legum Siegel, and her husband Charles “Sonny” Stuart Legum.After graduating from Maury High...
Shirley Rosen
PORTLAND, MAINE – Shirley Rosen, 93, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away March 22.Shirley, the daughter of Lena Shlanger Binder and Joseph Binder, was born in New York City, N.Y. on Dec. 16, 1930, on the Lower East Side. She graduated from Seward...
Jeffrey Alan Swartz
UERTO NUEVO, MEXICO - Jeffrey Alan Swartz passed away March 11 at his home. He left this world suddenly after an incomparable 71 years, having perpetually blazed his own trails.Son of the late Arthur F. Swartz and Raye Zfass Swartz-Keller, Jeff was born on February...
Mindy Kaufman Stergas
CHESAPEAKE - Mindy A. Stergas, beloved wife, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on January 13.She was born on September 21, 1961, in Maryland. Mindy was 62 years old at the time of her passing.Mindy led a life filled with simple pleasures and cherished moments. She...
Amy Ettinger, who inspired readers with her life-affirming essays on dying, succumbs to cancer at 49
(JTA) Amy Ettinger, an author and creative writing instructor who chronicled the last months of her life in articles for the Washington Post, died March 20 from cancer at her home in Santa Cruz, California. She was 49.Ettinger’s essays focused on the things she was...
Friends of Jewish News
Recent donors to Jewish News: Walter FenskaVirginia HawksCarol WatersBarbara KledzikMr. and Mrs. Charles LinesPeter PrzyjemskiTerri and Steve Budman In memory of Carole Bernstein All contributions are appreciated and help the paper fulfill its mission of being a link...
Knowledge is the answer
Israel’s war with Hamas has resulted in vocal and aggressive antisemitism that has not been witnessed in the United States for many generations.Jewish News is gathering and presenting some basic facts in this space to equip readers during this difficult time with the...