The evening began with Havdalah, marking the close of Shabbat and setting the tone for an unforgettable night. 

Attendees were treated to live glassblowing demonstrations as a glass menorah was crafted. Guests spun dreidels, reconnected with old friends, made new ones, enjoyed kosher food and drinks, and danced the night away to the beats of DJ Carneyval – all the elements creating an energy that kept the crowd buzzing. 

 he event drew a diverse crowd that included newcomers, lifelong residents, and those who traveled back to the area to reconnect with their Jewish Tidewater roots. Adding to it’s inclusivity, people from every part of Tidewater’s Jewish community could be found together at this special celebration.

“Now more than ever, it’s important for us to come together and rediscover why being Jewish matters,” says Sam Dreyfus, the event’s organizer. “Our community has the potential to be vibrant—not just a source of strength and connection for us, but a meaningful asset for the broader Hampton Roads region.” 

The night wasn’t just about a Hanukkah celebration—it was a movement to strengthen bonds and reignite the spark of Jewish life in Hampton Roads. As attendees departed, many were already looking forward to the next gathering – Purim. 

 Frozen Flames reminded everyone that Jewish Tidewater is poised to shine brighter than ever.   

Elana McGovern is United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Young Adult Division director.

Summer employment workshop: Wednesday, February 19, Sandler Family Campus

Interested in the Hampton Roads job market or in returning home for a career opportunity?  Through a new partnership with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater hopes to better support young Jewish individuals with their careers and lives in Hampton Roads. 

This program will offer high schoolers, college students, and post grads a chance to learn about local summer jobs, internships, and job opportunities. 

Information for students and their families to connect with these programs can be found at Jewishva.org/CareerLaunch. The program also includes a series of workshops designed to support students and young adults in navigating the application process and to learn about career choices. Two workshops are planned for early 2025 with sessions designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue summer jobs, internships, and full-time positions with confidence.

Future plans include hosting a series of events where a career counselor from the Hampton Roads Workforce Council is available at the Simon Family JCC for individual conversations with students as they go through their journeys.

As the program progresses, local students, as well as students at Hillels across Virginia, will have access to this information. For businesses not already involved in the Workforce Council’s programs, there will be opportunities to learn how to host an intern or post a position that will be marketed throughout the region.

This partnership marks an exciting time as Jewish Tidewater looks to support young adults who want to return or make the area a home where they can find success within their careers and personal lives.

For more information, contact Elana McGovern, UJFT Young Adult director, at emcgovern@ujft.org.

Super Sunday embodies the strength of Jewish Tidewater. With many “regular” volunteer callers (and several new ones) taking their spots at the tables with phones in hand, the room was a wonderful illustration of multiple generations – all making calls to help build and strengthen Jewish community at home and abroad. The Nadiv men’s division of the Annual Campaign turned out in large numbers, inspiring all around them with their energy and commitment to the future of the Tidewater Jewish community. 

During Super Sunday, volunteers reached more than 200 fellow community members, raising nearly $160,000 for the Campaign. Call backs with additional pledges continue to trickle in from voicemails left and text messages sent during Super Sunday.

This year’s Super Sunday also provided an opportunity for callers to let the community know that last year’s Israel Emergency Campaign has been “folded into” this year’s annual campaign. But for those wishing to make a separate Israel Emergency gift, UJFT is happy to take it and turn it around immediately to assist with needs on the ground in Israel. UJFT’s Campaign Team remains vigilant. And should the need arise, or if asked by national leaders to once again run an Israel Campaign alongside the Annual Campaign, there will be no hesitation. 

Many of the Federation’s Super Sunday donors have been giving to the Campaign for years and years – some more than 50 years (Golden Givers, as they are called). This year, those donors (and others) were asked if they might be interested in learning about endowment opportunities available from Tidewater Jewish Foundation. It’s an amazing way to show support for a beloved community, in perpetuity.

Special shout-outs to some Super Sunday regulars: Alene Kaufman, Jewish Innovation Committee chair, KBH first vice president, and a long time community leader, exemplifying dedication and service as the annual tally-keeper throughout the day; the Rubin family, spanning three generations, made calls while sharing their legacy tzedakah and involvement in Jewish communal life; community leaders such as Kelly Burroughs, CEO of Jewish Family Service of Tidewater; Amy Weinstein, chair of Strelitz International Academy’s board; David Leon, UJFT president; and Betty Ann Levin, UJFT executive vice President/CEO. These individuals and their organizations reflect the connectedness of Tidewater’s Jewish community, with a collective commitment to supporting local and global Jewish causes through the Annual Campaign.

Finally, to everyone who answered the call, text, or voicemail and supported the annual campaign, thank you. Todah Rabah. Pledges support local Jewish agencies and programs, as well as address the most pressing needs of Jewish communities in Israel, Eastern Europe, and the Former Soviet Union (including the Jews of war-torn Ukraine), Latin America, India, and anywhere in the world that Jews find themselves vulnerable or at-risk.

“Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making Super Sunday a day of connection and purpose,” says Amy Zelenka, UJFT chief development officer. “As the Jewish New Year approaches, we are grateful for a supportive community which continues to engage with and support one another. Together we can repair the world.”

Elana McGovern is UJFT’s YAD director.

Last month, 25 Jewish women met one evening at the home of Betsy Karotkin, UJFT Women’s Philanthropy chair, to meet and greet one another and to discuss the significant impact of Jewish women – all while learning to bake “Betsy’s Famous Rugelach.” The event was filled with laughter, connection, and celebration.

Women of all ages, backgrounds, and community involvement engaged in heartfelt conversations, sharing personal stories about their unique Jewish “journeys.” A walk around the room revealed snippets of conversations which could only have been heard at a gathering of Jewish women. Stories about Jewish geography, old BBYO and sorority connections, adventures in being a day school parent, Jewish camping, kosher food options in Tidewater, and other commonalities connected the women throughout the evening.

From seasoned community leaders to young women just beginning to get involved in the Jewish community, each participant brought a unique perspective and a shared sense of responsibility for the Jewish people.

“We, each of us, is responsible for one another, for our people, and for keeping the Jewish community alive,” said Karotkin. “And each of us can play a role in supporting the Tidewater Jewish Community. We can lead a mission to visit Jewish communities overseas; we can be youth group advisors or Jewish educators; we can serve on the boards and committees that steer the programs we need and love; we can be donors, and we can ask others to join us. In the end, we can all be proud of our individual and collective contributions to the community.”

The women gathered around Karotkin’s kitchen to watch her carefully roll out the dough – “just about this thick,” she said – sprinkle the cinnamon, spread the chopped nuts (or not!), then slice and roll from the wide side. As the kitchen filled with the unmistakable aroma of baking dough and caramelizing butter, the group learned the secrets behind “Betsy’s Famous Rugelach” – it’s best when made with friends.

At the evening’s end, everyone braved the chilly wind coming off the Lynnhaven River to head home with fresh rugelach, a bevy of new friends and connections, and the promise of future combined events with YAD and Women’s Philanthropy members. These opportunities to connect across generations and work together to take care of one another and all Jewish people will continue.

Elana McGovern is the director of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Young Adult Division.

So far this year, YAD has attended a Norfolk Admirals game, hosted a Happy Hour, gotten together for Shabbat, and advocated for the Jewish community.

Events such as the Admirals game and Happy Hour are great for new and old members looking to gather with other Jewish families and folks in a casual setting. YAD also hosted several successful Pop-Up Shabbats, geared either for couples, families, or military members.

Through these Pop-Up Shabbats, young Jewish adults and their families have been able to connect and celebrate Shabbat together.

YAD also joined the wider Tidewater Jewish community at this year’s Jewish Advocacy Day. This was a great opportunity for YAD members to get involved with civic engagement and foster connections with the larger Jewish community.

YAD has more exciting plans and initiatives in store for the future, including cultural events, Pop Up Shabbats, volunteer opportunities, and networking happenings. Stay in the loop by following YAD on Facebook and by receiving its newsletter.

YAD is for young Jewish adults ages 22 – 45. Whether new to the area or have lived in the community for years, YAD is always an inclusive and active community with the aim of creating connections, memories, and making a positive impact in the community.

To learn more, join, or attend a Pop-Up Shabbat, contact Elana McGovern at emcgovern@ujft.org.