Month: October 2021

Archives

Locals complete Boston Marathon

Locals complete Boston Marathon

Howard Roesen and Tom Purcell, Simon Family JCC’s Wellness director, ran the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20.  It was Roesen’s first Boston Marathon and Purcell’s third.  Both avid runners have completed a lot of marathons over their years of friendship,...

Yom HaZikaron and Sargent Ari Goldberg z”l

Yom HaZikaron and Sargent Ari Goldberg z”l

This month holds many holidays for Israel and the Jewish people.  The biggest and most important being Pesach, our redemption from Egypt, Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, and Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, commemorating the founding of the State of...

Reba Karp, editor emeritus, Jewish News

Reba Karp, editor emeritus, Jewish News

1936 - 2026  Reba Karp held the distinction of sitting in the editor’s chair at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, editing this, and other publications, longer than anyone else. Reba passed away on March 17 after providing this community with more than three...

Security training: Important for everyone

Security training: Important for everyone

It was just a day after the twin horrors of March 12 – the attack on Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Mich. and the murder of an ROTC professor in class at Old Dominion University here in Norfolk – when I attended Friday night services in the Sinai Chapel...

Argentina . . .what can I tell you?

Argentina . . .what can I tell you?

I will begin this article with a disclaimer: I am not a writer. And I’ll go one step further and admit that I have no idea how to start this article or how to title it. But despite all that, here I go – jumping in with both feet!  In early March, I joined 17...

Living well as the campaign reaches new heights

Living well as the campaign reaches new heights

As this article goes to press, the 2026 United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Community Campaign is very near $5.1 million and on track to hit a record goal of $5.2 million.    In a time that continues to see rising antisemitism and threats to Jewish...

Probate: What does it mean?

Probate: What does it mean?

Probate is the court-supervised legal process of validating a deceased person’s will, settling their debts, and distributing their assets to beneficiaries. It can be, but not necessarily, a confusing procedure, and therefore something to consider when making estate...

Camp JCC fills days with fun, friendship, and spirit

Camp JCC fills days with fun, friendship, and spirit

From themed weeks to unforgettable traditions, Camp JCC aims to keep the energy high throughout the summer.   Favorite camp events include the Color Run and Apache Relay, Lip Sync Showcase, Camp JCC Gala, and Carnival Colossal. Daily fun happens with spirit...

Securing Houses of Worship:Countering Active Threat Training (CATT) 

Sunday, March 22, 3 pm First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk Active threat situations are unpredictable and can unfold quickly—often ending within three to five minutes. Recognizing warning signs and knowing how to respond can save lives. In collaboration with Jewish...

JCC Lifeguard Josef Patar celebrates citizenship 

His story could be a novel. . . and a page-turner, at that.   This past December, Josef Patar added a chapter he’s been trying to write for a while. . . he became a naturalized U.S. citizen.  With several supporters, including a couple of friends from Ohef...

Milestone anniversaries worth celebrating

A wedding anniversary of any number is reason to celebrate, yet milestone anniversaries traditionally get special attention.  Reaching a milestone is no easy feat and so Jewish News asked three of area couples about their secrets to the foundation of their...

Erica Ausch celebrates her 90th with family and friends 

Family and friends gathered on a Saturday evening in January to celebrate an extraordinary milestone as Erica Reisner Ausch turned 90 years young. Her daughters – Jodie Woodward, Linda Ausch, and Bonnie Laibstain — brought together those who know her best and love her...

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...

Jonathan Zur honoredat ODU’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance

The Hugo A. Owens Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Award was presented to Jonathan C. Zur at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance in January. Zur is president and CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. Robin Mancoll,...

Bruce Waldholtz to receive a VCIC Tidewater Humanitarian Award

Thursday, March 26, Westin Virginia Beach Town Center The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities will hold its 62nd annual Tidewater Humanitarian Awards event this month. These awards honor individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to...

Holocaust Commission marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day

The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater hosted a moving community gathering in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. Held on the Sandler Family Campus, the program brought people of all ages together to...

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...

Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day highlights bipartisan support

Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day once again brought voices from across the Commonwealth to the State Capitol, underscoring a simple but powerful truth: showing up matters.  Nearing the midpoint of the 2026 General Assembly session, Jewish community members...

Learning, leading, and connecting: Israeli Eagles in action

Over the past few months, we have had the joy of leading the Israeli Youth Movement, Israeli Eagles, in Tidewater. Each month, kids from across the community gather to learn about Israel, build friendships, and grow as confident, curious, and caring young leaders....

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

Sunday, March 8, 6 PM 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...

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 

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

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...

Books to share, stories to love

Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8, Sandler Family Campus A PJ Library book swap families won’t want to miss is about to begin.   Starting April 6, collection boxes located in the Sandler Family Campus lobby and at Strelitz International Academy will accept...

Camp JCC presents Kids Night Out: Ultimate Bracket Bash

Saturday, March 21 5 - 9 pm, Sandler Family Campus Get ready to hit the court and experience the madness! Children, ages 4–12, are invited to the Ultimate Bracket Bash Kids Night Out.  The evening kicks off with basketball relays where campers can showcase their...

Registration now open for Spring Break Camp  

April 6 - 10, 9 am – 4 pm  Sandler Family Campus When school is out, Camp JCC is in. Children currently in K-5th grade can look forward to a week filled with energy, friendship, and fun with a jam-packed schedule that includes free swim sessions in the indoor...

Conversational Hebrew with the Shinshinim, Session 3: Around Town

Mondays, March 9 - April 13, 5:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus Planning a trip to Israel or just want to feel more comfortable getting around in Hebrew? If so, join the Shinshinim, Noga Yaniv and Yarden Lahan, for Session 3 of Conversational Hebrew: Around Town....