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Dear Friends, Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) celebrates freedom as we recall the Exodus from Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. Family and friends at a seder, springtime, renewal, and freedom are just a few of the images that come to mind when we think about this most...
In her third floor speech since becoming a Congresswoman representing Virginia’s Second District, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans spoke about the importance of supporting Israel. The speech took place on Friday, March 10. The speech follows: Madam Speaker, I rise today to...
Dear Readers, When it comes to Passover, it appears I’m like most Jews world-wide because it’s my favorite Jewish holiday. As a child, I looked forward to my grandparents traveling from Philadelphia to be at our seder lead by my local grandfather. Now, I look forward...
Throughout the 2023 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly, state delegates and senators discussed issues that are important to the statewide Jewish community. Two of those pieces of legislation, the statewide adoption of the International Holocaust...
(JTA)—Chaim Topol won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of an immigrant to Israel, stepped off the stage in London to fight for his country, and had his sketches of Israeli presidents turned into postage stamps. But the actor was, by far, best known for his embodiment...
Thursday, March 30, 6:30 pm, Westin Virginia Beach Town Center Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities’ 2023 honorees for the 59th Annual Humanitarian Award include Andrew S. Nusbaum. Humanitarian Awards are presented to individuals who have demonstrated a...
Sunday, September 26, 5:30–7:30 pm Join the Sababa Social Club and the In[HEIR]itance Project in the Sandler Family Campus Sukkah for an introductory artistic salon that examines the history and lived experiences of the people of Hampton Roads in relationship to the...
Soul’s Cycles: A Ride Through the Chapters of Life Thursdays, Beginning October 7, 12 pm Each year, Jewish adults have the ultimate opportunity for renewal. The start of Rosh Hashanah, the head of the year, marks the beginning of a year-long journey of learning,...
Sunday, September 19, 5–7 pm Sandler Family Campus Sukkot is the only Jewish festival with the explicit commandment to rejoice, and PJ Library in Tidewater wants to celebrate with kids and their families. Join PJ Library in the sukkah for a pizza dinner, a life-sized...
Sunday, October 17, 1 pm In partnership with Old Dominion University’s Institute for Jewish Studies & Interfaith Understanding, the Jewish Community Relations Council is hosting an afternoon workshop to learn strategies to fight the rising tide of antisemitism....
Wednesday, October 13, 7:30 pm Actress, producer, author, and activist Noa Tishby, kicks off the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, and Community Partners’ 11th Annual Israel Today and Simon Family JCC’s...
On view in the Leon Family Gallery and throughout the Sandler Family Campus through October 31, 2021. Join the artist for a virtual reception: Sunday, September 12, 1:00 pm Tribes, Tribesmen, For the Young at Heart. Silkscreens, collages, photographs, sculptures, and...
Virginia Beach—Christine Hansen Rafal passed away peacefully in her home on August 24, 2021 in Virginia Beach. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born in Alexandria, Va. on December 2, 1949 to Mae and Henry Hansen, of blessed memory. Chris...
Philadelphia, Pa.—Stanley Saks, age 100, died August 24, 2021. Husband of the late Miriam Saks, father of Sandra Stern, Donna (Bernie) Greenberg, and Edward (Sherry) Saks; brother of Robert (Yetta) Saks; also survived by 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren....
(JTA)—Ed Asner, who trademarked a gruff, flawed, and loving persona as Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and in a spin-off series about journalism, has died at 91. “We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully,” the family...
(JTA)—Carl Levin, the Jewish Michigander who spent 36 years as a fierce inquisitor in the Senate, has died at 87. The Levin Center at Wayne State University Law School announced Levin’s passing on July 29. It did not give a cause of death, but Levin was diagnosed with...
Sunday, September 12, 10 am–1 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus Each year, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Super Sunday marks the biggest day of impact for Tidewater’s Jewish community. Scores of community members participate by answering the call...
Dear Readers, The High Holidays are about to arrive and I’m not certain that most of us are fully prepared to greet them. Uncertainty over COVID-19 lingers and might be even more so than in 2020, since at this time last year, we knew that the majority of congregations...
In preparation for Rosh Hashanah and the start of school, local Jewish educators share their learnings and longings for an academic and spiritual refresh. By nature, educators are positive people. Guarded optimism is a precious currency going in, out—and back into a...
The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Cabinet, led by co-chairs Barbara Dudley and Mona Flax, kicked-off the 2022 campaign year by going to camp…at the Simon Family JCC. On a beautiful (albeit rather warm) afternoon, members of the Women’s Cabinet...
SIA becomes first official Primary Years IB Programme in Tidewater Carin Simon After two years of candidacy, Strelitz International Academy (SIA) received full authorization this month as an International Baccalaureate® World School Primary Years Programme. For more...
For two busy years starting in 1986, a young Doron Kissinger Kaynar and his family made their home in Norfolk while serving as the shaliah at the Jewish Community Center of Tidewater on Newport Ave. Thirty-five years later, Kissinger Kaynar traveled from Israel...
When Byron Harrell walked into his first Hineni leadership fellowship event in 2017, he was a rising star financial advisor at Davenport & Co. He was familiar with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, having gifted money, knowing that it was dispersed to various...
Like so many other events planned in 2020, Ohef Sholom Temple’s Mitzvah Day had to be postponed in April of last year. Planning for the big day was already underway when everything seemed to come to an abrupt halt. One of the projects scheduled for Mitzvah Day was the...
Who would have thought 18 months ago, that we would still be speaking about COVID-19 as we approach another Jewish New Year? With our nation and world, we continue to combat the virus. But now we fight in a stronger position—with vaccinations—as we pivot daily and...
Elka Mednick As summer comes to a close and the High Holidays approach, annual concerns regarding conflicts between the academic calendar and the holidays are brought to the forefront. This year, the usual first day of school for public school students, the day after...