Sunday, November 23, 10 am – 12 pm Sandler Family Campus
Members of the Tidewater community will come together next month for Community Impact Day, a morning dedicated to learning, giving, and strengthening community connections. Now in its second year, the event will take place at the Simon Family JCC and is a partnership between Ohef Sholom Temple, Congregation Beth El, Temple Emanuel, Tidewater Jewish Foundation, PJ Library in Tidewater, and the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, which drew nearly 200 participants and raised more than $700 for local and national causes, this year’s Community Impact Day promises more opportunities for families to make a difference together.
At the heart of the event is the Mitzvah Mall, a hands-on giving experience where children and families can learn about local non-profit organizations – Jewish and non-Jewish – and donate small amounts to support their missions. Each dollar given helps teach the next generation that every act of tzedakah, no matter how small, can create real impact.
“Community Impact Day is all about showing our children that kindness and giving are active, joyful parts of Jewish life,” says Sharon Serbin, education director at Congregation Beth El. “When they meet the people doing this work and make their own choices about giving, they begin to see themselves as changemakers.”
Alongside the Mitzvah Mall, families can also explore the Jewish Camp Fair, which will feature representatives from a wide variety of Jewish overnight and day camps. The fair offers parents and children a chance to discover programs that best fit their interests, values, and sense of adventure. “No two families are alike,” says Dave Flagler, UJFT’s director of camp and teen engagement. “This is a chance to find the camp that feels like home and to learn how Jewish camp experiences strengthen identity and lifelong friendships.”
The event’s collaborative nature continues to be its hallmark. Religious School students from Ohef Sholom Temple, Congregation Beth El, and Temple Emanuel will come together for the morning’s activities, learning about Jewish values through hands-on engagement.
“It’s beautiful to see all our congregations and community organizations unite for this shared purpose,” says Alyson Morrissey, director of Lifelong Learning at Ohef Sholom Temple. “This is tzedakah in action.”
As Jewish Tidewater prepares for another meaningful Community Impact Day, the message remains clear: “When we come together, with our children, our synagogues, and our partners, we create ripples of kindness that extend far beyond a single morning.”
For more information about Community Impact Day or family learning opportunities, contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org
