Ohef Sholom Temple 

A lively island-themed evening featuring local restaurants, signature cocktails, and craft beverages, Ohef Sholom Temple’s Taste of the Tropics plans to be every bit as tasty and fun as last year’s Taste of the Town.

In addition to all the delicious dishes from local restaurants, Chef Derak Green, of Cooking with Greens, will conduct a cooking demonstration. A Norfolk based culinary brand founded by Derak and Anita Green, Cooking with Greens is “dedicated to making healthy, flavorful home cooking simple, joyful, and accessible.” Chef Derak Green has been featured on FOX’s MasterChef (2024) and is known for engaging, educational, and entertaining cooking demonstrations that inspire audiences to cook.

 The dress for the evening is Island attire, so pull out those Hawaiian shirts.

 Tickets are $65 per person or $120 per couple. The event is open to the community. Contact the temple’s office to secure tickets at 757-625-4295 or go to ohefsholom.org.

After last year’s Taste of the Town drew a wonderful crowd and received glowing feedback, Ohef Sholom Temple is “bringing it back – bigger, brighter, and even more delicious!”

This year’s celebration will feature a festive island theme, highlighting the best food, drinks, and community in Hampton Roads. Guests are encouraged to dress in favorite island attire.

Local spirits, wine, and beer, along with a vibrant array of Caribbean, Hawaiian, American, Latin American, Colombian, Puerto Rican, and Middle Eastern cuisines will flow throughout the evening. Attendees will also have an opportunity to win from an exciting selection of raffle items, including themed gift baskets, gift certificates to some of the area’s most popular restaurants, and more.

Tickets are $65 per person or $120 per couple. Visit ohefsholom.org to purchase tickets for this fun and festive evening. For more information, contact Ellen Hundley at 757-477-5882 or erhundley2010@gmail.com.

• Rachael Feigenbaum, a new Women’s Philanthropy member and past chair of the Holocaust Commission, spoke with conviction about the Commission’s mission to educate and inspire: “to foster under-
  standing of the Holocaust’s magnitude and uniqueness—while inspiring students, educators, and community members to uphold human dignity in a changing world.”
• Elka Mednick, representing the Jewish Community Relations Council, shared how the JCRC stands for dialogue, justice, and Jewish values. She also highlighted the impactful Be A Reader (BEAR) program, which for more than 22 years has promoted literacy in local schools through weekly volunteer reading sessions. “Through leadership, education, advocacy, and collaboration, we address key issues with Jewish values and respect for diversity at our core.”
• Hunter Thomas, Arts + Ideas director, spoke of the power of Jewish cultural expression—from books and film to exhibitions, performances, and signature events such as Yom HaAtzmaut. His remarks underscored how the arts can deepen understanding and bring the community together.
• Kelly Burroughs, CEO of Jewish Family Service, closed the evening by spotlighting the critical support JFS provides—from transportation and care management to counseling, special needs services, and food assistance. Guests helped support JFS by bringing pantry staples such as baby food, cereal, and pasta—underscoring the night’s commitment to giving back. Burroughs also mentioned an upcoming celebration of the Hebrew Ladies Charity Society, to be held January 11, 2026, at Ohef Sholom Temple. “If you have any memorabilia from your parents or grandparents that were involved back in the day we would love to hear from you,” she said.
  

Between speakers, attendees enjoyed time to schmooze, sip, and savor the evening together—making new connections and strengthening old ones.

Linda Ausch says, “We’re already planning our next Plus 1 event for the fall — because let’s face it, everything’s better when shared – the laughs get louder, the stories get better, the night gets more fabulous — and it’s the perfect chance for friends to learn more about who we are and what we’re all about.”

Ellen Rostov Hundley is outreach chair of Girls Night Out Round 2 Event for Women’s Philanthropy.

Donations accepted: Monday, June 2 – Monday, August 11: 10 am – 2 pm (except on Fridays)

Preparations for Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sisterhood’s Rummage Sale are now underway, which means that Sisterhood women and temple staff are getting ready to accept donations of items to be sold. Now is the time, then, to consider what’s hiding in garages and attics or taking up space in cabinets that could use a new home and help fund programs at Ohef Sholom.

Beginning Monday, June 2 (except on Fridays), these items will be welcomed for sale: Jewelry, art, decorative items, linens, dishes, glasses, cookware, small appliances, electronics, office supplies, holiday items, children’s items and toys, crafts and hobby related items, sporting goods, luggage, handbags, wallets, backpacks, books (fiction, nonfiction, gardening, cooking, history, travel, Judaica and children), albums and DVDs, (No VHS or cassette tapes).

Furniture and rugs will be accepted August 4 – 13 only.

The proceeds from the Rummage Sale are used by the Sisterhood to assist the Temple with Religious School, Oneg Shabbats, flowers, and more.

For more information, contact Ellen R. Hundley at erhundley2010@gmail.com.