Jewish News staff report A group of Jewish philanthropists created Birthright Israel in 1999 with the goal of giving every eligible young Jewish adult around the world the opportunity to visit Israel. The 10-day, mostly free trip aims to motivate young people to...
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Embracing Mindfulness: A path to reflection, renewal, and legacy
During this sacred season, let us reflect on the impact we want to make on the world and how we can align our philanthropic goals with our values. Naomi Sedek As the High Holidays approach, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a new year, an opportunity for...
Nophar Tzilil Yarden wins Feldman Family Medical & Health Professions Student Scholarship
The recipient of the 2023 Feldman Family Medical & Health Professions Student Scholarship is Nophar Tzilil Yarden, a third-year medical school student at Virginia Commonwealth University. The scholarship is administered through Tidewater Jewish Foundation. Raised...
TOGETHER, we repair the world…every day
Super Sunday marks the start of UJFT’s 2024 Campaign Sunday, September 10, 10 am – 1 pm Amy Zelenka It’s that time of year – Super Sunday season. And United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is excited to follow the success of last year’s (2023) Community Campaign, which...
High Holiday Service Options in Tidewater
All area congregations offer High Holiday services. For exact times, ticket requirements, and virtual options, it is best to contact them in advance. CONGREGATIONS B’NAI ISRAEL CONGREGATION 420 Spotswood Ave., Norfolk, VA 23517 757-627-7358 bnaiisrael.org,...
High Holiday security: Be aware and prepared
Stephanie Peck While many area synagogues hire off-duty police officers or sheriff’s deputies during High Holiday services, Michael Goldsmith, regional security advisor for Secure Community Network, emphasizes the role each congregant plays in recognizing and...
The Hyatt in Virginia Beach: A new property and its cousin in Town Center
The former Belvedere Hotel motor lodge at the Virginia Beach oceanfront was replaced by the new Hyatt Place Oceanfront beginning two years ago, with the Hyatt opening its doors this past June. Within four days of opening, according to Matthew Krogsund, the hotel’s...
On Assignment with Lahav Harkov returns in November
Thursday, November 3, 12 pm The first session of the Israel Today series, On Assignment with Lahav Harkov, took place on Thursday, October 6, and was an exciting and informative conversation about the upcoming Knesset elections, related polling, and more. Harkov,...
Fall-themed Sunday Fun Day
Sunday, November 13, 1 - 4 pm, Simon Family JCC Gather friends and family and head to the Simon Family JCC for an afternoon of fall-themed games, music, crafts, and a sweet treat. See familiar faces, meet new and friendly people, and while Tidewater’s ShinShinim lead...
Family connects first three authors speaking at Jewish Book Festival
Dan Grunfeld Wednesday, November 2, 7:30 pm, Free Alla Shapiro, MD Monday, November 7, 12 pm, Tickets include lunch Letty Cottin Pogrebin Thursday, November 17, 7:30 pm, Free Family is at the forefront in the minds of the first three authors of the United Jewish...
Have you ever learned about the kabbalistic approach to the aleph-bet?
Conversation with author Mira J. Amiras and illustrator Josh Baum on Malka’s Notebook: A Journey into the Mystical Aleph-Bet Tuesday, November 29, 12 pm, Watch from home, Free Mira Z. Amiras was raised on her father’s tales of the Hebrew aleph-bet letters and their...
Leon Family Gallery
November–December Workshop: Monday, December 12, 12 pm Illustrations from Malkah’s Notebook will be on exhibit in the Leon Family Gallery at the Simon Family JCC. A hands-on creative workshop with Mira J. Amiras and local artist and Jewish educator, Sharon Serbin,...
United Against Hate— The DOJ’s Nationwide Initiative to Combat Acts of Hate
Wednesday, November 30 7:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Jewish Community Relations Council will host the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia’s United Against Hate program next month. This exciting program...
Sheldon Leavitt
Norfolk—Sheldon Joseph Leavitt, longtime resident of Norfolk, Virginia, originally from Chicago, Illinois, died Tuesday October 11, two days after his 100th birthday party. He is survived by three of his four children, Charles Hecht-Leavitt, Jonathan Leavitt, and...
Jack Mendel
Charlotte, N.C.—Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Jack Mendel, age 85, and a longtime resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away after a longtime battle with Parkinson’s disease surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vera, his...
Barbara Lenora Preddy
Gloucester, Va.—Barbara Lenora Preddy, 91, passed away quietly on October 6, 2022, at Walter Reed Convalescent Home in Gloucester, Va. She was born in Portsmouth to Lawrence and Ruby Estelle VanCollum. As a young girl, Barbara fell in love with and married Wade Louis...
Melinda Marcus Vooss
Norfolk—Melinda Marcus Vooss, 53, passed away October 23, 2022, in her home in Norfolk, Va., surrounded by her loving family. Melinda was born March 7, 1969, to Charles and Linda Marcus in Portsmouth, Va. She was a graduate of Norfolk Collegiate School and University...
David Gottesman, scion of Jewish philanthropic dynasty and Warren Buffett partner
(JTA)—David Gottesman, who carried on a family tradition of Jewish philanthropy while also becoming one of the most successful investors in the United States, died at 96 last month. Gottesman’s involvement in finance and Jewish causes began with his birth in...
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater & Simon Family JCC’s Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival 2022-2023
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater & Simon Family JCC’s Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival 2022-2023 To register for events, visit JewishVA.org/BookFest. The Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival is held in coordination with the...
Marty Einhorn Pavilion’s dedication brings smiles and memories
The dedication of the Marty Einhorn Pavilion took place on the practically perfect morning of Sunday, September 18. Jazz sounds of the Jimmy Masters Trio welcomed guests, lunch was served, and the...
JCRC interviews Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District’s candidates: Representative Elaine Luria (D) and State Senator Jen Kiggans (R)
The Jewish Community Relations Council posed a series of questions to the candidates running for Virginia’s Second Congressional District: Congresswoman Elaine Luria and State Senator Jen Kiggans. Their responses follow. JCRC strives to motivate, educate, and advocate...
Simon Family Passport to Israel recipient experiences some of “the best days” of her life
In the summer of 2020, my family had to cancel a trip to Israel due to the pandemic. I was disappointed that I wasn't going to experience Israel with my family, but I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to go with my second family, Capital Camps. I have...
Dear Readers: Legal Matters in the Jewish Community
Dear Readers, It happens to all of us. For some, more often than others. The reasons vary…it might be time to write a will, purchase a home, or establish a trust. Or, maybe a traffic accident (or violation) occurs, a dispute with neighbors brews, or an employment...
Area attorneys give glimpse into legal issues affecting Tidewater
Laws and regulatory issues impact everyone—from private citizen to business owner, from employee to retiree, and it seems everybody in between. In this special section, Jewish News surveys a few local attorneys to find out what’s trending, what’s coming, and how to...
UJFT hosts another successful Super Sunday
Thank you to all of the volunteers who attended and participated in United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Super Sunday on September 18. It was a beautiful day under the new Marty Einhorn Pavilion on...
Statement by President Joe Biden on breakthrough diplomacy in the Middle East
October 11, 2022 Today, I am pleased to announce a historic breakthrough in the Middle East. After months of mediation by the United States, the Governments of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to formally end their maritime boundary dispute and establish a permanent...