Liel Aisikowitz

Liel, 17, grew up in Yerucham and brings a global perspective shaped by her eight years living in Canada before returning to Israel. Growing up between cultures, she developed a deep appreciation for connection, identity, and community—values that inspire her work as a Shinshin.
In high school, Liel majored in chemistry and mechatronics, while also dedicating her time to youth leadership through Tzofim and volunteering in a Hebrew school abroad. She is a thoughtful and adaptable individual who enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with others.

Liel describes herself as both structured and spontaneous—organized when it comes to responsibilities, but always ready for a last-minute adventure. Her perfect day, she says, is “relaxing at the beach, soaking up the sun.”

She says she applied for the Shinshinim program because “I know what it feels like to live outside of Israel and not really understand what’s going on. I want to be someone people can turn to—to ask questions and form a real connection, beyond what they see online.”

Liel is especially passionate about sharing what she loves most about Israel: its hospitality, its food, and the sense of unity that connects people across differences.

Evyatar Olswang

Evyatar, 18, comes from the moshav of Kidron and brings a strong passion for creativity, leadership, and community-building. A self-described “creative and social person,” he has spent years involved in youth leadership, guiding both younger children and teens in his local youth movement.

In school, Evyatar majored in philosophy and theater fields that reflect both his intellectual curiosity and his love for artistic expression. He is also an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, drawing, journaling, and spending time in nature.

Evyatar has already built strong connections to American Jewish life. He attended a Jewish summer camp in Pennsylvania and participated in a Bronfman Fellowship seminar in New York, where he engaged in conversations about Jewish identity and community.

He says he applied for the Shinshimim program because “I care deeply about people, community, and Jewish life. I want to create spaces where people feel comfortable asking questions, expressing themselves, and building real connections.”

His experiences volunteering, especially after October 7th, when he helped organize aid efforts and community initiatives, have strengthened his commitment to meaningful service and leadership.

When he’s not leading or creating, Evyatar is likely found hiking outdoors, cooking, or planning his dream future travels around the world.
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Both of these young Israelis share a deep desire to connect with the Tidewater community—not just by sharing facts about Israel, but by building authentic relationships that bring Israel to life in personal and meaningful ways.

Throughout the year, they plan to lead programs, visit schools and synagogues, and engage with people of all ages. Whether through conversation, culture, or creativity, their goal is to strengthen the bond between Israel and the Tidewater Jewish community.

To learn more about the program, apply to become a host family, or find ways to get involved, visit JewishVA.org/Shinshinim or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.

For more information on upcoming Israel-related programs, visit JewishVA.org or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org. Save the date for next year’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut gathering on Sunday, May 16, 2027.

For more information on upcoming Israel-related programs, visit JewishVA.org or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.

Celebrate Israel’s 78th Independence Day, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, while connecting with friends, embracing Israeli culture, and strengthen community ties – bringing together families, friends, and organizations in Tidewater.

 This year’s gathering offers a chance to support Israel during a challenging time. Yom Ha’Atzmaut is not just about reflecting on Israel’s history, but also about deepening the connections between local Jewish families and their ties to Israel. It’s a moment to stand united and celebrate the resilience and spirit of Israel.

 The afternoon will be packed with activities for all ages, from hands-on experiences for kids to opportunities for adults to connect and engage. Enjoy authentic Israeli barbecue, delicious food, and synagogue-led programs that bring the essence of Israel to life. Everyone can join in the fun and make meaningful memories.

 In addition, representatives from Virginia Hillels will be available to offer high school students and their families time to explore Jewish life on college campuses—an important opportunity and consideration for those planning their future.

 One of the highlights of the day will be the Israeli marketplace hosted by ESEK. With more than 20 curated collections, it is a chance to meet Israel through the stories of its people — from Nova Music Festival survivors featured in the NOVA Collection to Israel Defense Forces reservists working to keep their businesses going while serving. From handmade jewelry and Judaica to artisanal foods, every item has a story, and every purchase is a meaningful way to show support.

 More than anything, the day is about connection— whether it’s reconnecting with old friends, meeting new faces, or simply coming together as one. 

 Tidewater’s Yom Ha’Atmzmaut events are presented by Avraham and Karen Ashkenazi, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, and Simon Family JCC, and made possible through the generous support of Simon Family Foundation and the Helen G. Gifford Foundation.  

For more information and to register, visit JewishVA.org/YH or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org. 

Yom Ha’Atzmaut Sponsors:

Avraham and Karen Ashkenazi

Palms Associates

Simon Family Foundation

Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission

Helen G. Gifford Foundation

Harbor Group International

American Israel Public Affairs Committee

Payday Payroll Services

S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co.

Gentry Locke Attorneys

Eide Bailly

The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller

Wilks, Alper, Harwood & McIntyre, PC

The Spindel Agency

Allegra Marketing Print Mail

Ensuring a safe day focused on fun

Due to global events and in our ongoing commitment to the safety of the community, enhanced security measures will be in place for this year’s Yom HaAtzmaut celebration. We appreciate your partnership in helping us create a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all.

Please read carefully and plan:     

• RSVP is required for all attendees.
Those who have not RSVPd in advance will be asked to provide information upon arrival and should expect delayed entry.

• A valid photo ID is required for entry.
Having your ID ready will help expedite the check-in process. 

• Please allow additional time for arrival and entry.
This will ensure adequate time for parking, security screening, and check-in. 

• Metal detectors will be in use.
All attendees will be screened upon entry, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited.

• Travel light.
We strongly encourage guests not to bring large bags (with the exception of diaper bags). All bags are subject to inspection.

• Security protocols will be in place throughout the event.
These measures are designed to support a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. 

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and shared commitment to community safety. We look forward to celebrating together.

 The residency was led by CEO Tsour Shriqui and professional medical clown Nimrod Eisenberg, who traveled from Israel to introduce local healthcare professionals, educators, and community members to the growing field of therapeutic medical clowning. Even amid the ongoing war in Israel, the pair remained committed to the visit and successfully made their way to Tidewater, bringing with them both expertise and a powerful message about resilience and healing.

 During their time in Hampton Roads, Shriqui and Eisenberg visited hospitals, care facilities, and schools. Their schedule included stops at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, and the Jones and Cabacoy Veterans Care Center, as well as visits with students in the Health and Science Academies at Bayside, Maury, and Deep Creek High Schools. At each location, they demonstrated how humor, play, and human connection can reduce anxiety, build trust, and support patients and caregivers.

 “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from The Dream Doctors Project and see firsthand the joy they bring to pediatric care,” says Robin Kantor of CHKD. “Children need so much more than medicine to heal, and this experience brought an extra dose of laughter and connection to our patients and staff. We are especially thankful to United Jewish Federation of Tidewater for making this meaningful day possible.”

 Members of the broader Tidewater community gathered for a special evening program on March 24 to learn more about Dream Doctors and the global impact of medical clowning. Through interactive demonstrations and storytelling, Shriqui and Eisenberg showed how nonverbal communication, improvisation, and empathy can help patients cope with fear and uncertainty. At the same time, they spoke candidly about how the wars in Israel over the past two and a half years have shaped their work, particularly in hospitals, emergency response efforts, and trauma recovery settings.

 By the end of the residency, the impact of their visit was clear. Healthcare professionals gained new tools, students were introduced to an unexpected approach to patient care, and community members left with a deeper understanding of the healing power of humor. Eisenberg reflected that despite the packed schedule, the warmth of the Tidewater community made the experience unforgettable, and every person he met along the way left a lasting impression.

 This residency was presented as part of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, and Community Partners’ 15th Annual Israel Today Series.

For more information on upcoming Israel Today events, visit JewishVA.org/IsraelToday or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org. 

Yom Ha’Atzmaut – Sunday, April 26, 12 – 3 pm Sandler Family Campus

As Israel continues to face a difficult moment, the bond between the nation and Jewish communities around the world
feels especially powerful. Marking Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, is both a celebration and a meaningful show of solidarity—an opportunity to remember the sacrifices that led to the establishment of the State of Israel, honor those who safeguard it today, and renew a commitment to its future.

 Jewish Tidewater kicks off its Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrations with the third annual Israeli Chef’s Table Experience on Wednesday, April 22. This signature event highlights Israel’s rich culinary culture while creating space for community. Guests will enjoy a kosher three-course menu crafted by this year’s chefs-in-residence, Ben and Zikki Siman-Tov, the rising culinary stars behind New York City’s Buba Bureka and authors of the acclaimed cookbook Eat Small Plates. Their cooking reflects the spirit of modern Israel—deeply rooted in tradition while shaped by diverse regional influences. Throughout the evening, the chefs will share personal stories that highlight the deep ties between food, culture, and heritage, creating an experience that celebrates the flavors and spirit of Israel around the table.

 “Small plates, for us, are not necessarily about the size. It’s about the concept of sharing with others and creating on a table, dishes that are meant to be eaten all together, and the joy of people combining different flavors and textures and building their own bites,” says Ben Siman-Tov. His philosophy — that food is interactive, communal, and celebratory — is at the core of Eat Small Plates and the way the two chefs cultivate gatherings.

 The annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Celebration takes place on Sunday, April 26. This community-wide festival honors Israel’s 78th Independence Day and celebrates the enduring connection between Israel and Tidewater. Families, friends, and all synagogues from across the region will participate in an afternoon of Israeli culture, music, food, and interactive activities for all ages. 

 A new menu for the celebration will feature authentic Israeli cuisine and barbecue, bringing the flavors of Israel to life. The event will also include an ESEK Israeli marketplace. An organization committed to supporting Israeli small businesses and highlighting the stories behind their products, ESEK will bring to Tidewater more than 20 curated collections, including the NOVA Collection, showcasing creations by survivors of the Nova Music Festival, as well as offerings from IDF reservists working to sustain their businesses while serving their country. The diverse array of crafted items will include artisanal chocolates, olive oils, jewelry, and Judaica, allowing for great shopping. 

 Together, these events reflect the many ways Israel’s culture, creativity, and spirit continue to inspire Jewish communities around the world. From the flavors of Israeli cuisine to the music, traditions, and stories that define the country’s vibrant society, Yom Ha’Atzmaut brings the community together to celebrate Israel’s independence, as well as the resilience and unity of the Jewish people.

To purchase tickets or a table for the Israeli Chef’s Table, go to JewishVA.org/YH.

To learn more about the Yom Ha’Atzmaut volunteer opportunities, events, and registration, visit JewishVA.org/YH or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.

 In the days leading up to Purim, volunteers assembled festive boxes filled with hamantaschen, the traditional triangular pastries enjoyed during the holiday, along with warm Purim greetings. The volunteers then delivered the boxes to local leaders, partner organizations, and community institutions that collaborate with and stand alongside the Jewish community across the region.

 Purim celebrates the Jewish people’s survival in ancient Persia as told in the Book of Esther, and is marked by joy, costumes, festive meals, and giving. By sharing mishloach manot throughout the community, the JCRC extends the celebration beyond its walls, offering a gesture of gratitude to the individuals and organizations that strengthen and support the local Jewish community. Virginia Beach Sheriff Rocky Holcomb and Commanding Officer of the Virginia Beach Third Precinct, Captain James Gordon, were among the many recipients who sent their heartfelt appreciation for being included in this initiative and for the community’s steadfast partnership. 

 In addition to receiving festive mishloach manot, all recipients were invited to join Jewish Tidewater’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Celebration on April 26 at the Sandler Family Campus. 

For information on the Jewish Community Relations Council, Community Volunteer Days, and the Tidewater Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Celebration, visit JewishVA.org or contact Nofar Trem at Ntrem@UJFT.org. 

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater invites community members to “roll up your sleeves” and be part of its monthly Volunteer Days – a welcoming, hands-on opportunity to connect with others while making a meaningful impact in the community.

Pack Purim boxes (mishloach manot) for community partners and organizations that support and work with the local Jewish community on February 20. As Purim approaches, (March 2 – 3), this project is a way to live out the holiday’s values of gratitude, friendship, and unity. Volunteers will help assemble these boxes, which include traditional hamantaschen and messages of appreciation for allies and partners.

 On March 27, Volunteer Days will shift focus to preparing for one of the highlights of the communal calendar: the Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Celebration on Sunday, April 26. Lend a hand in the preparations as Tidewater gets ready to celebrate Israel’s 78th Independence Day with joy, pride, and community spirit.

 UJFT Volunteer Days takes place once a month. People are welcome to join for one project or many—whatever works. It’s an easy, flexible way to give back, meet new people, and strengthen Jewish life in Tidewater.

For more information or to sign up for upcoming Volunteer Days, visit JewishVA.org/volunteer or contact Sierra Lautman, UJFT senior director of Jewish Innovation, at slautman@ujft.org.

A rare opportunity to encounter Israel through one of its most human, inspiring lenses will take place when United Jewish Federation of Tidewater hosts members of Israel’s renowned Dream Doctors Project. Professional medical clowns, the group brings healing, dignity, and emotional support to patients and families in Israel and around the world.

 For more than two decades, Dream Doctors has been fully integrated into medical teams in 33 hospitals, trauma units, and humanitarian missions. Their work isn’t just entertainment, it’s evidence‑based therapeutic care, using empathy, improvisation, humor, and nonverbal communication to reduce anxiety, build trust, and support recovery.

 During this special evening, Tsour Shriqui, Dream Doctors CEO, will be joined by some of the professional medical clowns who comprise the Dream Doctors team. Together, they will share their unique journeys and provide insight into their work in hospitals, emergency response situations, and humanitarian programs. They will reflect on their experiences since October 7 and other high-pressure situations and offer a behind-the-scenes look at their “No War Zone” initiative, showing how compassion and creativity become vital tools as they collaborate with medical teams to support patients in the most challenging environments.

 The event is part of a larger five‑day residency that will include hands‑on workshops with local healthcare providers, arts organizations, and students. The community event, however, is the centerpiece: an evening of uplifting storytelling and behind‑the‑scenes insight into what it means to bring comfort in moments of fear, instability, and loss. The visiting speakers will illustrate how Israel shows up for its own people as well as for communities worldwide through Dream Doctors’ service in disaster zones as part of the Israeli Army Medical Corps reserve, bringing their skills to field hospitals and international humanitarian missions.

 Free and open to the community, this program is presented as part of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, and Community Partners’ 15th Annual Israel Today Series. 

 If interested in being involved in the residency or having Dream Doctors speak to a group, contact Nofar Trem. For more information on this and other Israel Today programs, visit JewishVA.org/IsraelToday or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.

 Spencer, an award-winning expert on urban warfare with more than 25 years of service in the United States Army, brought clarity, context, and moral urgency to an often confusing landscape of war, media narratives, and misinformation. Drawing on firsthand experience and global research, he connected lessons from the battlefields of Israel, Ukraine, and beyond to explore the tactical, ethical, and humanitarian dimensions of modern warfare. 

 Throughout the evening, which was moderated by Jay Klebanoff, a past United Jewish Federation of Tidewater president, Spencer stressed that clarity and facts are essential during war. He examined the unique challenges of fighting in dense urban environments, including Hamas’s deliberate tactics that exploit civilian infrastructure and complicate military operations.

 “No army in the world has ever had to face what Israel has faced. Israel has had to fight this war with the civilian population not able to flee the danger through border crossing,” said Spencer. “The law of war requires achieving the goal quickly to minimize harm. Every day, stopping the battle while their hostages are being tortured in tunnels to drop the leaflets and military maps, fly in speaking drones, and spend the time making phone calls into Gaza, warning the civilians to get out of harm’s way, which cost them the element of surprise. They chose to do so to minimize civilian casualties, even if it meant taking longer to achieve the goal.” 

 Spencer also addressed the intense global pressure on the Israel Defense Forces, noting that misinformation and incomplete narratives can obscure realities on the ground and shape public perception in ways that do not reflect the complexity of modern warfare.

 “There are so many reasons why I say that there is an aversion to the truth on what Israel is supposed to be doing verses what Israel is doing, and the fact that they have done more to protect civilians than the law requires or frankly, than what we would have done, because they have the spirit of the IDF which has a moral and ethical code not to target civilians and do no harm. These morals are present in their actions and everything that I have seen,” Spencer said.

   “There is always a balance between humanitarian concern and meeting the military mission. There has never been a military in the history of modern war other than the IDF that has fed the enemy’s population in enemy territory while the enemy is holding their hostages.” 

 “Mr. Spencer provided real-world, unfiltered examples of what is really happening in Gaza. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this eye-opening experience. Perhaps the best part of Mr. Spencer’s remarks came during his summary, where he explained his positive outlook for the future of not only the Middle East, but the entire world,” says Sean Adams, Deputy Chief, Virginia Beach Police Department. 

  “I truly wish the entire community at large had heard John Spencer in person,” says Megan Zuckerman, JCRC Israel chair.  “We all see and hear the constant deluge of biased misinformation about Israel. John shed light on the conflict in an objective, informed, and refreshingly unbiased way based on decades of urban military expertise. He told the truth about Israel in a way everyone needs to hear.”

Klebanoff calls the discussion “an eye-opener for attendees. Major Spencer also described the unprecedented steps the IDF takes to let civilians know to evacuate before an area is bombed. Unfortunately, according to Spencer, in some cases, the civilians refuse to leave or are not allowed by Hamas to leave.”

 While in Tidewater, Spencer also appeared on CBN’s 700 Club, where he expanded on these topics with Gordon Robertson, president of the Christian Broadcasting Network. During the interview, Spencer discussed the scale and sophistication of Hamas’s terror tunnel network in Gaza. He emphasized that fully dismantling Hamas is an extraordinarily complex challenge that extends beyond battlefield victories and requires sustained pressure, intelligence, and long-term strategy. Spencer also addressed the moral and operational dilemmas Israel faces in confronting an enemy that exploits civilian infrastructure, reinforcing his view that Israel’s actions must be understood within the realities of modern urban warfare. The interview may be viewed on CBN.com.

 Israel in Focus was brought to Tidewater through a Jewish Federations of North America partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, American Jewish Committee, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. 

To learn more about the Jewish Community Relations Council of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, all area synagogues, and Community Partners’ 15th Annual Israel Today Series, visit JewishVA.org/IsraelToday or contact Nofar Trem, UJFT’s Israel engagement manager, at NTrem@ujft.org.