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Yom Kippur: When “Impossible” becomes “I’m Possible”
There is something about Yom Kippur that makes time feel different. Perhaps it is the haunting melody of Kol Nidrei, or the fasting, or simply the knowledge that Jews around the world are standing before the same ancient questions: Who have I become? What have I taken...
Mizrahi in Motion: Connecting through art, food, and movement
Two dozen or so women gathered to immerse themselves in Mizrahi culture on the evening of Sunday, August 23. The event was led by Jackie Dratch, creator of the Mizrahi Dance Archive, and organized by NextGen757, a community group for young Jewish adults ages 21 -...
Havdalah on the beach
It was another beautiful evening at the beach on Saturday, August 29, when 68 people (but who is counting) gathered in our backyard to celebrate Havdalah together.Known for separating the Shabbat from the ordinary weekdays, Havdalah is a joyful service and a great...
Senior Speaker Series features
Monday, October 19, 11 AM- 12:30 PM • Sandler Family Campus Dr. Louise B. Lubin Join Jewish Family Service for its Senior Speaker Series featuring Dr. Louise B. Lubin, Ph.D., presenting Decades of Memories: Honoring the Loss of Our Peers and Friends.Dr. Lubin, a...
A new BeAR year and a new school Annual kickoff
Thursday, October 8, 12 pm • Sandler Family Campus Sharpen the pencils, stack the books, and get ready: BeAR is heading back to school.The Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project’s annual kickoff of the school year is part reunion, part training, part eating, and a whole...
JFS Dementia Cafe
Monday, October 12, 1 –3 pm • Sandler Family Campus Jewish Family Service invites caregivers and individuals living with dementia to join its monthly Dementia Café. Held on the second Monday of every month, the Dementia Café provides a welcoming, supportive...
Tidewater Community Shabbaton
For one weekend, the diverse Jewish Tidewater becomes one. The Community Shabbaton is a chance to step away from the busyness of everyday life and experience the joy of Shabbat alongside neighbors from across the community. Participants of all ages, backgrounds, and...
In Their Own Words: American Jewish History Through Autobiography
Begins September 22, Tuesdays, 11 am • Sandler Family Campus Led by Rabbi Michael Panitz, this 10-week seminar brings to life the stories of Jewish men and women whose lives, experiences, and contributions helped shape the nation. Through their own words, participants...
NextGen 757 Pop-Up Shabbat
There is nothing quite like sitting around a vibrant Shabbat table to remind of the power of the Jewish people. When showing up for each other at the table, the local community remains strong, connected, and thriving.Pop-Up Shabbat is supported by the Richard Glasser...
Conversational Hebrew with the Shinshinim
October 19-May 24, Mondays, 5 pm • Sandler Family Campus Join the Tidewater Shinshinim for weekly conversational Hebrew classes designed to help participants build confidence in speaking and understanding modern Hebrew. Through interactive activities, games, real-life...
A thriving Jewish community starts with a healthy community: JFS partners with JScreen
Thursday, October 29, 6 pm, Sandler Family Campus Jewish Family Service of Tidewater is partnering with JScreen to bring important genetic testing and education to Tidewater’s Jewish community. The event is an opportunity to learn more about genetic testing,...
Jewish businessmen Joshua Kushner, Bob Iger buy Los Angeles Lakers for record $12.5b
(JTA) —Jewish businessmen Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner are purchasing the NBA’s storied Los Angeles Lakers in a stunning, record-setting $12.5 billion deal. The sale comes barely a year after the team’s controlling stake was sold for $10 billion to Mark Walter,...
America at 250 Spotlight:Tidewater Jewish Hero: Henry Scolnick, a community creator
Seventeen-year-old Henry Scolnick has already accomplished what many adults only hope to achieve. As the founder of Ballers Basketball, he has built far more than an adaptive sports league, he has created a community where children with unique abilities, teenage...
ODU ProfessorAmy Milligan receives award from national academic organization
In recognition of her leadership in combating antisemitism and fostering a safer, more welcoming campus environment for Jewish and Zionist students, Professor Amy K. Milligan, Batten Endowed Associate Professor of Jewish Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies at Old...
‘Have a problem, call the PM,’ says Netanyahu as he gives out his number in campaign video
(JTA) —TEL AVIV – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on August 23 posted what he described as his personal phone number and invited Israelis to contact him with their questions and problems. It was an election-season stunt that drew such a flood of...
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,...
Sweetness and shofars: Celebrating Rosh Hashanah with little ones
Rosh Hashanah is a special holiday, offering observers a sense of renewal and the opportunity for a fresh start. It is a time for reflecting on the previous year and considering what to do differently in the year to come. The concept might not immediately...
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
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
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
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...
When the shofar asks: Who am I?
Rosh Hashanah arrives each year carrying questions. What did I accomplish during the year that has passed? Where did I fall short? Whom did I help? Whom did I hurt? What needs to change? But beneath all these questions lies another, more...
Team Virginia Beach scores in Toronto
The JCC Maccabi Games and Access were held August 2-7 in two different host cities—Toronto and Kansas City. The Team Virginia Beach delegation went to the Games in Canada, joining more than 60 other delegations from nine countries. Eight athletes...
KBH celebrates first year on Sandler Family Campus
Fleischmann Lounge was filled with music as Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH) congregants, friends, and community guests – ages preschool to 90 – welcomed Shabbat to celebrate their first year on the Sandler Family Campus. Member Sid Bridge led a joyful...
In their own words: American Jewish history through autobiography
Tuesdays, Sept. 22 – Dec. 1, 11 am - 12:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus American history is filled with Jewish stories that helped shape the nation, yet many remain largely unknown. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, this 10-week course invites students to...
One community. One Shabbat. One unforgettable weekend.
What if the Jewish community of Tidewater spent Shabbat together? That is what is happening when PJ Library in Tidewater and the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, in partnership with Congregation Beth El, Temple Israel,...
Jewish leadership program empowers middle schoolers
For many families, formal Jewish education ends after the bar or bat mitzvah party’s festivities are over. But that doesn’t mean that seventh and eighth grade students aren’t itching to make a difference and make their voices heard. Or that their parents aren’t...
After school fall classes cover various interests
Camp JCC is preparing for an incredible lineup of after school classes for the fall, including a few returning fan favorites alongside some new additions. Programs are tailored for children 3 to 10 years old. Soccer Shots returns for future soccer stars, while...
Middle School Game Night
Saturday, October 10, 5 -7 pm Sandler Family Campus, Free Middle school students are invited to Game Night, an evening filled with games, laughter, friendship, and fun. Dinner will be provided. Whether challenging friends to classic favorites such as...
Virginia Symphony opens with Rosh Hashanah in mind
Thursday, September 10, 7:30 pm, CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts Sunday September 13, 2:30 pm, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will open its 2026/27 Season with Mahler’s Titan Symphony. Music Director Eric Jacobsen, the Macon...