Andrew Lapin (JTA) – When the director of the Chabad-Lubavitch center in Williamsburg, Virginia, pitched a local arts and culture festival last month on the idea of holding a public menorah lighting to celebrate Hanukkah, he thought it made sense. “We look to bring...
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Tidewater’s Annie Sandler is installed as JDC president
Terri Denison Annie Sandler, who was installed as the new president of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) on December 5 in Manhattan, visited with Israeli President Herzog and his wife Michal on a JDC solidarity mission to the country in November....
Germaine Clair, long-time Jewish News art director, retires
Terri Denison After 18 years, the April 3, 2023 issue was Germaine Clair’s last as art director for Jewish News. Germaine served as art director for the final Renewal magazine published by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater in the fall of 2004. By 2005, she was...
Have your cake and eat it too: A dual approach to charitable giving
Naomi Limor Sedek At Tidewater Jewish Foundation, a number of fund holders and donors enthusiastically embrace strategies for lifetime gifts and bequests. These champions of the “do it now” approach to charitable giving and their longstanding commitment to estate...
Doubling impact – Matching gifts from employers
Todd Holcomb More companies are prioritizing Corporate Social Responsibility than ever before. With this focus, employee matching gifts are becoming more common, and are one of the simplest and most efficient ways a donor can increase the impact of their philanthropy....
Volunteer in Israel with Masa
Due to the high demand for volunteer work in Israel, Masa has created Masa Volunteers, a new six-week volunteer program in Israel, turning compassion into action. This program, priced at just $350, offers various dates throughout December, January, and February,...
Barbara Friedman Leibowitz
VIRGINIA BEACH – Barbara Friedman Leibowitz, 89, died peacefully at home on September 2. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Murray and Esther Friedman, her brother, Richard Friedman, and her husband, Phillip (Buddy) Leibowitz. She is survived by her sister, Iris...
Herbert Bernard Luria, IV
VIRGINIA BEACH – Herbert Bernard Luria, IV passed away on September 4, in his newly adopted home of Virginia Beach, Va., from a difficult battle with cancer. Born on March 11, 1947, in Birmingham, Ala., Herbert was predeceased by his parents, Elaine Daniel Luria and...
Robert (Bob) H. Saucier, LTC US Army retired
HAMPTON – Dad passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at home in Hampton, Virginia, at the age of 103. Dad, the oldest of three children, was born in Oconto, Wisconsin in 1920. He joined the Army in 1942 and was stationed at Brooklyn Army Terminal, New...
Dr. Alfred M. Schulwolf
NORFOLK – Dr. Alfred M. Schulwolf, 90, passed away on September 8. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Helen A. Schulwolf, his brother Benjamin Schulwolf, and his parents, Leopold and Faye Schulwolf, all of blessed memory. He is survived by his sons Neal (Lisa),...
Ellen Van Os
NORFOLK – Seven days following her 100th birthday, our mother, Ellen Van Os, left us. Ellen was a life affirming woman who loved to have fun, was the finest dancer, and absolutely defined perseverance. Born and raised in Norfolk, Ellen and her teenage friends enjoyed...
Rosh Hashana Special Section
Happy 5784! Rosh Hashanah Section September 2023
Everything my college student needs to know he learned at synagogue
Rabbi Dave Levy (JTA) — Last week we did it: My wife and I dropped our eldest son off for his first year of college. As you can imagine, it is a heady, emotional moment. There is pride and joy mixed with anxiety and the bittersweet sense that this primary chapter of...
Are self-driving cars kosher?
San Francisco rabbis weigh in as robotaxis flood the city’s streets Liz Dovrat (J. The Jewish News of Northern California via JTA) Ask a rabbi about self-driving cars and you’d better be ready for a long answer. Self-driving cars — also known as robotaxis, autonomous...
Local participation in Birthright Israel flourishes
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...
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...
Tashlich takes place in various forms in Tidewater
Stephanie Peck This year celebrates the sixth, worldwide Reverse Tashlich, an effort to tackle the global pollution problem by cleaning up our waterways. Tashlich comes from the Hebrew word, meaning “to cast.” Each Rosh Hashanah, Jews cast away their sins during the...
B’nai Israel welcomes new rabbi
Stephanie Peck At first glance, Rabbi Shlomo Eisenberg, B’nai Israel Congregation’s new rabbi, looks like a yeshiva student. Tall and lean, he has a generous smile and a warm welcome. After a few minutes of conversation, however, his composure and focus suggest a...
Sam Sachs “brings the party” to a party celebrating life after cancer.
Lisa Richmon Few would deny that Jenny Sachs can hold her own. She’s a mom, practicing psychologist, and singer in a five-person band with her husband Matthew, a child and adult psychiatrist. During the pandemic, Sam, their 11-year-old son and only child, was...
Tidewater teens compete in JCC Maccabi Games in Florida
Stephanie Peck Ten teen athletes from Tidewater travelled to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to participate in the JCC Association of North America’s 41st Maccabi Games last month. Along with Tom Edwards, athletics director for the Simon Family JCC, these teens braved the...
Jewish Family Service: Outreach during the holidays
Stephanie Peck Among its many activities, Jewish Family Service attempts to make all the major Jewish holidays better for those who might need a bit of a boost or metaphorical hug. Prior to Rosh Hashanah, for example, Jewish Family Service will deliver holiday gift...
Beach Community Shul built on passion
Following four years of service to Orlando’s Jewish community, Rabbi Meir and Adina Lessoff have brought their passion and commitment to Virginia Beach. Their mission: to reach Jews in search of a deeper connection to their heritage. Arriving as newcomers to Virginia...