From Reform to ultra-Orthodox and everything in between, Tidewater congregations in pursuit of prayer, have advanced more technologically in the last few months than in 30 years. Prior to 2020, rabbis and temple executives had no reason to believe they would become...
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Shalom Baby! Shalom Tidewater!
Shalom Ya’ll! Two programs at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater are designed to say ‘welcome’ with a ‘Jewish Southern-hospitality flair. Shalom Baby is a project that welcomes babies to the Jewish community and Shalom Tidewater welcomes Jewish people moving to the...
The Neighborhood Harvest delivers on its promise to deliver and disrupt
Don’t call John Stein a disruptor. Those who know him best describe Stein as a gentle soul who avoids self-promotion and harsh words. The Baker’s Crust and Neighborhood Harvest CEO they see is always ready to rally behind an innovative food product or service that...
Strelitz International Academy made a match for Jewish education
When Randi and Steve Gordon were looking for ways to honor Steve’s parents, Tavia and Freda Gordon, of blessed memory, they knew approaching Strelitz International Academy to create a match program would be a ‘match made in Jewish education heaven.’ The Gordons were...
Federation and Foundation’s one day campaign raises nearly $8,000 for new Tidewater Mikvah
Earlier this month, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Tidewater Jewish Foundation teamed up to raise funds for the new Tidewater Mikvah. The brief, one-day campaign raised nearly $8,000 for the project. “This was a very successful campaign,” says Sarah Lipman,...
Dr. Jerry McQuain joins Freda H. Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care of Tidewater as medical director
The Freda H. Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care of Tidewater recently welcomed Dr. Jerry McQuain as medical director. McQuain earned his master of physical therapy degree at West Virginia University, graduating valedictorian of his class. He received his medical...
Jeff Lawson to speak at Beth Sholom Auxiliary’s Spring Luncheon
Thursday, April 11, 11:30 am If April showers bring May flowers, what brings Jeff Lawson, WVEC Channel 13’s chief meteorologist, to Beth Sholom Village? The Annual Spring Luncheon presented by the Beth Sholom Auxiliary. Lawson will discuss “What’s Up with the...
Run for the Health of it!
Jewish Family Service of Tidewater’s 9th Annual Run, Roll or Stroll Neptune’s Park at 31st Street, Virginia Beach 8K Run, 5K Run/Walk or 1 Mile Run/Walk Sunday, May 5 Runners and walkers know that running and walking help boost numerous health benefits such as weight...
“Laughing like a Jew”
Julia Child often laughed about her experience being raised as a child on tuna noodle casserole in Southern California. It wasn’t until she was in her 20s and sat down to her first Parisian meal that she knew in her heart that she was actually French. Myself, I didn’t...
Rabbi Litt’s Teen Trip to New York
“This year’s trip to New York was fabulous. It changed my perspective on Judaism and I had an awesome time,” says Hannah Yarow, a student at Maury High School. Since 2002, the Norfolk Kollel has annually taken Jewish teens to New York for a weekend to never forget....
Temple Israel creates exciting Outreach Program with Synagogue Federation Grant
Temple Israel’s Outreach Program is not your mother’s outreach. The newly launched series of events that are part of the innovative program are mostly offsite, not necessarily religious, yet still provide a context that shows the warm and welcoming nature of the...
A time to honor and remember Yom Hashoah 2013, Sunday, April 7
6:45 pm How often do memories of life during the Holocaust seep into Frank Grunwald’s mind? Every day—maybe 15 times or maybe 30—says this year’s guest speaker for the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s commemoration of Yom Hashoah,...
Zachor
The word my mother, Linda Gissen, sculpted so beautifully, for every congregant to see and be reminded: REMEMBER. Remember the Holocaust. As very young Jewish children, our hearts and minds were indelibly ingrained with images and histories of the Holocaust. We were...
This year at AIPAC
I recently returned from attending my first AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington D.C. I admit that I was overwhelmed by the experience and find it almost impossible to describe the amazing amount of knowledge and emotion I was exposed to at the conference. I can’t...
Jewish Women’s Salon program elicits inspired answers to ‘Who’s Your Esther?’
None of the nearly 40 women who attended the Jewish Women’s Salon live event “Who’s Your Esther,” on Feb. 17 knew what to expect when they arrived at 10 am. By the time the event ended at 11:45 am, though, the resounding cries of “Is it really over?” and “You must do...
Hoops
The annual “Varsity vs. Veterans” charity basketball game to benefit the athletic department of Yashivas Aish Kodesh (YAK) was held in the Jaffe Gym on the Sandler Family Campus on Thursday, March 7. A great crowd supported the cause and took their chances at winning...
Community celebrates Purim
It was fishnets and hamentashen as the Temple Israel Players presented their annual Purim spiel to an (almost) SRO crowd last month Temple Israel’s congregation knows to expect the unexpected on Purim: for the past several years, the Players have enriched each Megilla...
Programs educate and inspire at Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum and Cultural Center continues to present quality educational and cultural arts programming to celebrate and highlight the Jewish legacy and contribution to Tidewater. Sunday, March 3, concluded the successful 2012-2013 lecture series: A Minority in...
Women celebrate at festive seder
The response to the 2013 Tidewater Women’s Outreach Seder, held at the Simon Family JCC on March 17, was evident before the first bite of egg matzoh crossed a lipsticked mouth. Women from all affiliations and backgrounds made reservations early, and the Seder drew...
Happy Passover! Begins at sunset Monday, March 25
NEW YORK (JTA)—We have a love-hate relationship with boundaries. We hate being confined or told what to do. Boundaries limit our individuality, intrude upon what we want to do and sometimes feel like an arbitrary obstacle to getting what we want. For children, limits...
As trip began, Obama and Netanyahu were all smiles
JERUSALEM (JTA)—President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it’s safe to say, haven’t always been the best of friends. The leaders of two closely allied countries, they’ve have had a relationship described more often as tense than anything else. But...
When do you feel most Jewish?
For me, it was at summer camp. I was able to find a connection with the divine under the trees and in the hills of Northern California, with other young, liberal Jews. I felt like I belonged; that the universe was safe; that I could touch something almost magical in...
The changing face of Pro-Israel activism in America highlighted at AIPAC brunch
More than 200 people gathered on Sunday, Feb. 10 for brunch at Ohef Sholom Temple and for an inspiring America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) event. Following a delicious brunch prepared by the Men’s Club of Ohef Sholom, who joined with the Sisterhood, Young...
Joel Richard Nied: Going to the Hill
“Ice cream and cake, ice cream and cake...” are the words repeated throughout the video that Joel Nied put together as an invitation to his son’s fifth birthday party. The short, which is extremely entertaining, has clarity, energy, rhythm and packs a punch, much like...
Shmulik Kraus, Israeli singer and composer
JERUSALEM (JTA)—Israeli singer and composer Shmulik Kraus, who helped in the evolution of Israeli music, has died. Kraus, a recipient of the Minister of Education and Culture Award for Life Achievement, died Feb. 17 after being hospitalized 10 days earlier with swine...
Laurence R. Goodman
Norfolk—Laurence R. Goodman, June 26, 1922–February 13, 2013 Beloved husband of Iris (Berman), father of Jerilyn, Jeffrey (Jeannie), and Rebecca (Ron Stone), grandfather of Jared (Becky Seel) and Sarah, and great-grandfather of Lena; loving son and brother of Joel...