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Support for those who are homeless in the community

When driving up to Congregation Beth El, a group of homeless people are frequently seen across the street at New Life Church waiting to get in to have a meal. Riding down Colonial Avenue, an old woman might be seen pushing a grocery cart with all her belongings in it,...

B’Tayavon: Something new for Passover

Falling in the spring, as it does each year, Passover is a great time to take advantage of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially after enjoying delicious soups and stews during the chillier winter months. Springtime and Passover and asparagus seem to all meet at the...

Super Sunday committee members consider the source of their activism

Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018 Nine young Jewish professionals have come together to form the Super Sunday Steering Committee to help develop and plan the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s phone-a-thon. The committee has chosen a theme based on the popular board game,...

JDC exhibit, Repairing the World: Frame by Frame

A photographic window into Jewish life around the world December In Our Care, Alison Wachstein, Russia 2013 Inspired by a group of philanthropists who traveled around the world photographing Jewish communities and individuals helped by JDC, the Repairing the World:...

Vayetze (Genesis 28:10-32:3)

With the blessing and urging of both father Isaac and mother Rebekah, Jacob leaves home. Indeed, he flees. There are two reasons for his hasty departure: Esau’s wrath and the need for a proper bride. The complex and conflicting dynamics in the household of Abraham’s...

Dr. Mark Goldfeder visits Sandler Family Campus for a trio of events

The Norfolk Kollel, in partnership with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Community Relations Council and Society of Professionals, hosted Dr. Mark Goldfeder for a series of events on October 17 at the Simon Family JCC on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus....

The Janet Gordon Annual Mah Jongg Day: Playing with a purpose

In 2010, the Janet Gordon Mah Jongg Tournament began as a tribute to Janet Gordon and as a way to raise funds for Beth Sholom Village, the community’s only Jewish skilled nursing, rehab, and assisted living facility. Seven years later, it is still that and so much...

Flying high and winning gold

Hearing Wes Sandler describe skydiving is much like listening to Brad Pitt’s character describe fly fishing in the film, A River Run’s Through It; equal parts science, art, adventure, and passion—and for the lucky listener, the excitement of gaining a glimpse into a...

Where there’s a WILL there’s a way…

Can you believe it is already November? As the days get shorter and the leaves continue to fall, we think about the end of the calendar year and all of the things we hoped or planned to get done before year-end. What did you say you were going to do this year? Were...

Grants available for first time Jewish overnight campers

Tidewater Jewish Foundation is launching the One Happy Camper program in partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp. The initiative provides need-blind grants of up to $1,000 to families with children attending nonprofit Jewish overnight camp for the first time....

Anti-Semitic incidents surge in United States, ADL says

NEW YORK (JTA)—Anti-Semitic incidents in the first nine months of 2017 have risen 67 percent over the same period last year, according to the Anti- Defamation League, which factored in a string of bomb threats largely attributed to a Jewish man in Israel. On the...

Jewish groups wary of proposed federal tax overhaul

WASHINGTON (JTA)—Jewish groups expressed dismay at some of the provisions of a tax overhaul that President Donald Trump and Republicans hope to complete by the end of this year. The overhaul, broadly, slashes taxes and compensates for them to a degree by reducing...

Larry David’s Holocaust joke was an offense—against comedy

NEW YORK (JTA)—In a famous episode of Seinfeld, Jerry is upset that his dentist, a recent convert to Judaism, is already telling Jewish jokes. He complains to the dentist’s former priest. “I wanted to talk to you about Dr. Whatley,” Jerry says. “I have a suspicion...

Challah Bake 2017

In a delightfully busy night filled with flour and community, 150 women gathered to mix, knead, and braid at Tidewater’s 3rd Annual Great Big Challah Bake. Held on Thursday, Oct. 26 at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, the women-only event offered the...

No Frill Bar & Grill celebrates 30th anniversary

Jerry Meltsner arrived on the shores of Norfolk from his hometown of Philadelphia via Los Angeles in 1983. His first stop in town was to run the food service operation at Stanley Peck’s Bessie’s Place, which morphed into the Boat House—a concert and party venue where...

The Quality Shops celebrates 100 years in business

Founded as a hat store in Portsmouth in 1917 by Morris H. Rapoport, The Quality Shops is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year as a family owned and operated business. And, let’s face it, in today’s retail climate, that is a major accomplishment. Specializing in...

Bruce Smith made a great impression on everyone…including me

Thank you Harry Minium. On July 1, the topic of Minium’s column in the Virginian-Pilot sports section was a life-altering trip to Israel in June by one of Tidewater’s most renowned athletes and residents, NFL Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith. On Monday, Oct. 30,...

For a vandalized Philadelphia Jewish cemetery, it’s a new beginning

A Philadelphia cemetery vandalized in February has been repaired with the help of donations from around the world. Last month, Mayor Jim Kenney was part of the first official tour of the refurbished Mount Carmel Cemetery, which had 275 gravestones destroyed in the...

MARILYN WITMAN

Virginia Beach —Marilyn Witman, 87, passed peacefully in her sleep on Oct. 19, 2017, at Beth Sholom Terrace. Born in Bronx, N.Y., to Nathan and Leah Rapport, Marilyn was married for 40 years to Herbert Cooper, deceased 1991. She lived in Queens, N.Y.; Fords, N.J.;...

LINDA TUCKMAN SCOTT

Virginia Beach —Linda T. Scott, 74, passed away unexpectedly at home Saturday, October 21, 2017. She was born in California to the late Sara Swersky Tuckman and Arthur Jacob Tuckman, and was the widow of Jay Scott. She was a graduate Florida University. She is...

OLA FAYE WEISBERG

Virginia Beach —Ola “Faye” Weisberg, born in 1934 in Greenville N.C., passed away in her California home on October 7, 2017. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Herman Weisberg, sister Viola Chitty, brother Donald R. Meeks; children Michael Luper,...

MAYER A. SARFAN

Norfolk —Mayer A. Sarfan, 89, passed away on October 21, 2017. He was a native and lifelong resident of Newport News. He started working as a teenager at Newport News Shipbuilding, while attending Newport News High School, until leaving for the University of Virginia...