Dan Senor, a bestselling author (Start-up Nation, The Genius of Israel), and Tikvah faculty member, notes that alumni of Jewish Day schools are twice as likely to have a proud Jewish identity and four times as likely to support the state of Israel. In a world where children are constantly bombarded with a barrage of antisemitic rhetoric by social media influencers and even peers, it’s more urgent than ever to give them a safe environment to express Jewish pride, connect to Jewish heritage, and freely speak their minds. 

 While Jewish Tidewater is an active community offering elementary school students various Hebrew school and day school options, as well as extracurricular opportunities for high school-aged students, an unmet need exists for a Jewish program for middle school aged students.

 Enter Tikvah’s Millstone Scholars program, an international Jewish educational and intellectual organization that brings together Jews to explore big ideas about Jewish identity, Israel, liberty, and the future of Jewish life.  The program offers classes and social opportunities for seventh and eighth graders to connect with each other and their Jewish heritage, while learning about the heroic story of modern Israel and the Jewish experience in America.  

 The Tidewater cohort is organized in partnership with the Konikoff Center for Learning of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and is nondenominational and nonpartisan. Jewish students of every background are welcome. All that is required is a thirst for Jewish knowledge and a desire to grow Jewish pride.

 The cohort will be taught by Rabbi Pinchas Zimmer, a member of UJFT’s Jewish Innovation Steering Committee, and community engagement director at B’nai Israel. Classes begin in October, after the High Holidays. The day and time will be set to best suit the students and their families. Space is limited.

 Parents interested in additional information can contact Sierra Lautman, director of Jewish Innovation at UJFT, at slautman@ujft.org or 757-965-6107, or call/text Rabbi Pinchas Zimmer at 757-614-3155. Learn more about Tikvah at tikvah.org/millstone.

Thursday, Nov. 13 – Saturday, Nov. 15, B’nai Israel\The Shabbat Project is an international grassroots movement that brings together Jews from all walks of life and all levels of observance to keep one Shabbat – celebrated in a spirit of global Jewish unity. First launched in South Africa in 2013, the Shabbat Project has spread to more than 1,500 cities across the globe.

 The concept is simple: Jews from across the spectrum – religious, secular and traditional, young and old, from all corners of the world – unite to experience one full Shabbat together.

 In partnership with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the Shabbat Project is about creating a new Jewish future based on Jewish unity, pride, and values. The Shabbat Project transcends the barriers that seem to separate and is an opportunity to rejuvenate family and community life, restore Jewish pride and identity, and strengthen Jewish unity across the globe.

 All events take place at B’nai Israel Congregation, 420 Spotswood Avenue. Funding is available. 

 For more information and to register, contact Rabbi Zimmer at rabbi.zimmer@bnaiisrael.org  or 757-614-3155 or visit www.tidewatershabbatproject.com.

Challah Bake 

Thursday, Nov. 13, 7 pm $10

There’s nothing like homemade challah!
Join for a fun night of baking and inspiration.

Kabalat Shabbat Service and Shabbat Dinner 

Friday, Nov. 14 Service: 4:40 pm 

Dinner: 6 pm (childcare available)

$25/adult, $15/children ages 3-13, no charge/under 3 years old, or $85/family

A spirited and musical welcome to the Shabbat with guests, the Traveling Chassidim.

Havdalah Concert

Saturday, Nov. 15, 7:15 pm

No charge

Bidding Shabbat farewell with a lively and uplifting concert by the Traveling Chassidim.