Knitting and the Holocaust. Two things that most people would not automatically connect. Tanya Singer, founder of the research project, Knitting Hope, seeks to explore this connection through knitted textiles created during the Holocaust. Whether a ragged baby blanket...
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Congregation Beth El is open and active
Be happy it’s Adar!! That is how Deb Segaloff, president of Congregation Beth El, encourages members to get excited about Purim—the Purim Shpiel, Megillah reading, and hamentaschen taking place at the synagogue on Wednesday, March 16 at 5:45 pm. That is just one of...
Former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir is a hero to Ukrainians in the fight against Russia
(JTA)—The most prominent Jewish figure in Ukraine right now is the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky. The runner-up may well be another country’s famous Jewish leader. Golda Meir, the fourth prime minister of Israel and a native of Kyiv whose family fled amid...

Three generations connected through storytelling
Storytelling is an ancient tradition, one that keeps generations connected—l’dor v’dor. Author Corey Rosen reached and inspired a few generations in Tidewater when he visited February 15–16 as part of the Simon Family JCC and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s...
Chabad of Tidewater’s Family Havdallah Glow Party a huge hit
After Shabbat on Saturday, February 5, families from across Hampton Roads gathered in Chabad House to welcome the new week in style. Children and parents prepared for the Havdallah ceremony by decking themselves out in glow accessories of all kinds. The lights...
Unorthodox podcast to record live in Tidewater
Thursday, April 7, 7:30 pm, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art What do actress Mayim Bialik, Great British Baking Show contestant Jürgen Krauss, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, and Presbyterian Pastor Henry Brinton have in common? They have all been guests of the...
Palestinians show growing support for two-state solution, poll finds
JERUSALEM (JTA)—A nearly equal majority of Israelis and Palestinians back a two-state solution, a new poll shows, but the Palestinians’ support is rising. Support among Israelis is at 53 percent, a decline of 2 percentage points since December, and at 52 percent among...
Jewish Family Service, WHRO Public Media, Chrysler Museum and EVMS present Live Each Day: A Talk with Jane Gardner
Sunday, September 17, 2 pm Chrysler Museum of Art, free As a television news anchor, Jane Gardner faced intense pressure, deadlines, and other challenges. But it is off the air where she has faced her toughest challenge of all: fighting cancer—not just once, but four...
Largest number of schools ever represented at a Holocaust Commission Educators’ Conference
The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater held its Educators’ Conference, Words Matter: Now More Than Ever, July 26–27. For the 13th Biennial offering, chairs Gail Flax and Ina Leiderman could not have been more thrilled with the results....
Newly remodeled Leon Family Gallery features artists from around the globe
The Leon Family Gallery has a fresh, updated appearance—just in time for the new season of exhibits. Located on the second floor of the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, the new look and feel of the gallery offers a blank canvas to contrast the lively discussions on...
Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater
Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater, August 14, 2017
He came. He commented. They loved it.
Laughter hung in the air long after the end of comedian Elon Gold’s set during the Simon Family JCC’s first Laughter on the Lawn event. More than 400 community members gathered to partake in the hilarity. “He was so funny,” says Joel Rubin, “I’ve never heard anyone...
Federation powers up new campaign with annual kickoff
Ignites year-long celebration of Israel @70 Tuesday, September 12 Reception: 6:30 pm; Program: 7:30 pm free and open to the community Sandler Family Campus The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater will launch a year-long celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday, as it...
MIRIAM COHEN WEISBERG
Norfolk —Miriam (Cohen) Weisberg, 94, passed away peacefully in her home on July 5, 2017. A native of Norfolk, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Sarah Cohen. Miriam was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devoted wife of Harry Weisberg for...
JEAN MEDWAY SNYDER
Virginia Beach —Jean Medway Snyder of Virginia Beach peacefully passed away at home in the presence of her loving family on May 1, 2017. As the family matriarch, Jean was a singularly devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to those around...
HENRY SCHWARTZ
Virginia Beach —Schwartz, Henry K. 92, Delray Beach, Fla., passed away July 2, 2017. Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Marilyn Schwartz; daughters, Mindy Schwartz Katz (Jeffrey) and Ellen Schwartz (David), grandchildren, Carly Katz (Gregory), Rachel Feldman and...
TOM RUSSEL
Norfolk —Thomas Gilbert Russel, 70, died May 25, 2017, at his home. He was born in Philadelphia, the eldest child of Chester and Sally (Mendenhall) Russel. He was educated in the public schools of Catonsville, Md., and received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering...
REBECCA ROSENBERG RUBIN
NORFOLK—Rebecca Rosenberg Rubin, 90, was born in Cuba in 1927 and died peacefully Thursday, June 29, 2017. She is survived by her son, Dr. Burt Rubin of Norfolk, and Ann Rodgers of Nags Head, N.C.; her daughter, Lisa Maki and her husband, Alan of Lunenburg, MA; and a...
JOSEPH SACKLER GOODSTEIN
Norfolk —Joseph Sackler Goodstein, 87, died peacefully at his home on July 1, 2017. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of Hilda and Louis Goodstein. He is survived by his “bride” of 62 years, Joan Hyman Goodstein; his beloved children Jeffrey Richard Goodstein...
CHARLES H. DECHTER
Virginia Beach —Charles H. Dechter, 100, passed away at home on Sunday, June 25, 2017 accompanied by his daughters Lisa Dechter Spiegel and Aimée Dechter, son-in-law David Spiegel, and caregivers, Sabrina Dixon and Sherin Douzart. Charles lived most of his life in...
Beth Sholom Village
At its annual meeting on June 21 (see article on page 27), Beth Sholom Village honored several employees who have been with the organization for 30 or more years. They include: Carolyn Tolman, Lana Chapman, Carolyn Dukes and Mary Parker.
Vintage Jewish fashion photography on display next month
August, Leon Family Art Gallery A Vintage Jewish fashion photography exhibit from the collection of Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, and the Bernard H. and Miriam Oster Visual Documentation Center, will be on display in the Leon Family Art...
Why volunteering matters
Volunteering isn’t something to put off until you have extra time and money. There are numerous reasons why the returns far outweigh the time invested, especially during lean times. Alene and Ron Kaufman both volunteer at Jewish Family Service. “Everyone has some...
Want to help bless and beautify Beth Sholom Home?
No Jewish home, or even room, is complete without a kosher mezuzah on the door post. That will certainly be the case when the renovation of the Berger-Goldrich Home is completed by next summer. (see article on page 27) By donating a minimum of $1,000 to the Honor or...
Netanyahu defends suspending the Western Wall agreement. Here’s how.
(JTA)—American Jewish leaders are calling it a betrayal. They say that 17 months after achieving a historic agreement to provide a non-Orthodox space at Judaism’s holiest prayer site, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reneged in a Cabinet vote Sunday, June 25,...
Chief Rabbinate says list of rabbis is not a blacklist
(JTA)—The Israeli Chief Rabbinate says that its list of foreign rabbis has been misconstrued, and that the list does not imply that those rabbis cannot be trusted to vouch for the Jewish identities of their followers. On Saturday, July 8, JTA reported on a list of...