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Jewish Tidewater’s Graduates

Jewish Tidewater’s Graduates

Graduations are a time to recognize achievements, formally bid farewell to schools, prepare for the next steps along life’s journey, and of course, celebrate! Jewish Tidewater has much to applaud with its graduates – the awards, impressive degrees, and outstanding...

Books for local schools are appreciated

Books for local schools are appreciated

Ghillian Porter-Smith, media specialist/librarian at Norfolk’s Larchmont Elementary School, wrote last month to express appreciation for books the school received from United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. “Thank you very much for the generous gift of books!”...

W&M Hillel: Success in Engagement 

W&M Hillel: Success in Engagement 

William & Mary has had a Hillel on campus for more than 60 years. Yet, 10 years ago there were only about 20 - 30 Jewish students attending programs annually. Meetings were held mainly in classrooms, and Entenmann’s and Krispy Kreme donuts was the fanciest kosher...

David R. Blevins

Virginia Beach  – David Robert Blevins died December 27, 2025, at age 84.   Born May 26, 1941, in Knoxville, Tenn. to Hansel and Marian Blevins, David lived most of his adult life in Montgomery, Ala. and Virginia Beach.  David earned his doctorate...

Jewish News seeks a copywriter/editorial assistant

Jewish News seeks a copywriter/editorial assistant. The paper is looking for a passionate storyteller who can craft clear and compelling copy for the newspaper.  POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES • Write clear and persuasive copy with an emphasis on writing articles •...

Rabbi Gershon Litt receives Birthright Israel award

Birthright Israel and Birthright Israel Foundation named Rabbi Gershon Litt the recipient of the 2025 Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize. The prestigious annual award recognizes an exceptional Jewish communal professional who has made a profound and lasting impact on the Jewish...

Ohef Sholom collects food for JFS Thanksgiving food drive

The Mitzvah committee at Ohef Sholom Temple completed its annual Thanksgiving Drive to benefit Jewish Family Service’s clients on Sunday, November 16.  The temple’s Religious School classes, along with other congregant’s generosity, made it possible to fill 30...

Siblings on the Sidelines: Fun and Israeli spirit off the court

Begins Wednesday, December 10 during most JCC basketball games Children can join Siblings on the Sidelines — a fun new program led by Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Noga Yaniv and Yarden Lahan — while their siblings compete in the Simon Family JCC Youth Basketball League....

Moses Ezekiel’s Botanical Garden artist statues

Sunday, December 14, at 2 pm Chrysler Museum of Art Samantha Baskind, PhD., distinguished professor of Art History at Cleveland State University, will speak on The Remarkable Journey of Moses Ezekiel's Norfolk Botanical Garden Artist Statues.    Sir Moses...

David Bruce Jorgenson

NORFOLK - David Bruce Jorgenson, age 83, departed this world on October 31, 2025.  David lived a life full of love. Just before he was born, his parents – Minnesota transplants to Los Angeles – rode a train back to rural Minnesota to be surrounded by his first...

Richard Siff

PORTSMOUTH - Richard Siff, devoted husband and father, passed away on November 11, 2025.  Born in Norfolk, Virginia, he was the only child of Leon and Doris Siff. Richard cultivated an early interest in electronics through amateur radio, which led to a...

David Louis Taetle

MCLEAN, VIRGINIA - David Louis Taetle, 75, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on November 15, 2025. Born in Washington, D.C., Mr. Taetle attended Bryant University before embarking on a long and successful career as a financial consultant to...

Be a hero in minutes. Simon Family JCC Annual Blood Drive

November 24, 2025, 11:00 AM–3:45 PM: Join the Simon Family JCC and Red Cross in the Jaffe Gymnasium, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, for a lifesaving blood drive.  Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and one donation can save up to...

Thank you to our supporters who recently donated to Jewish News! 

Jewish News appreciates all who support the newspaper with generous contributions – whether in honor of or in memory of friends and loved ones or as a Friend of Jewish News. Friends of Jewish News Walter Fenska G-d Bless Israel Piotr and Charlotte Przyjemski Happy...

AJC responds to election of Zohran Mamdani

The day following the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City, Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee, distributed the following email.  The world’s attention is focused on New York City with Zohran Mamdani winning the mayoral election, and I...

Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman turns 80

Celebrating his 80th birthday this month, Rabbi Israel Zoberman has packed a lot into his eight decades – including living on three continents. Tidewater has been his home since 1981.  Born on November 12, 1945, in Chu, Kazakhstan to Polish Holocaust survivors,...

Scolnick raises nearly $8,000 in 10 minutes 

Henry Scolnick gave a speech at this year’s Annual Aid Another Gala, an event sponsored by Aid Another, an organization founded to promote and empower individuals with disabilities through dance, music, art, educational assistance, recreational activities, and sports....

A Bissel of Yiddish

A combination of High German and Hebrew, Yiddish is a language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews.  In Tidewater, the Yiddish Club embraces Yiddish culture, language, and history with music, film, poetry, and literature at its monthly meetings. For...