Sam Nossen | Jewish News

Safety Tips

Sam Nossen — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 21:47:32 +0000

In these trying times, advice from a security professional can go a long way to assuring personal and community safety in public, as well as, in private spaces. Here, Mike Goldsmith, SCN regional security advisor, offers a couple of easy-to-follow tips.

Cybersecurity

There is no escaping the online world, says Goldsmith. “Most of the business we used to conduct in person (banking, shopping, etc.) has moved onto the internet. While this allows us to be efficient and conduct business without leaving our house, it also opens us up to risk from cyber criminals,” he says. These individuals (or groups of individuals) use various methods to attempt to steal identities or lure people into scams that drain bank accounts. Fortunately, there are ways to increase online safety.

Goldsmith suggests these easy to implement tips to prevent falling victim to scams and cyber theft:

Keep accounts secure by using complex passwords or pass phrases. Use both upper- and lower-case characters, as well as special characters such as %,$,&. Do not share passwords! Additionally, a password manager can help with this task. Do not use passwords tied to personal information such as birthdates or initials.
Be wary of suspicious emails. Think before clicking on any link in an email, especially if you don’t recognize the sender or did not expect the message. If you receive an unexpected email for what appears to be a legitimate source, go to the company’s website and make contact through their customer service system.
Enable multi-factor authentication on your accounts.
Make sure your software is up to date.
Back up all important files on a secure external storage device or a secure cloud-based platform.

“We can all be more secure online by using these methods,” says Goldsmith.

See something wrong? Report it!

Report an antisemitic incident at www.Federation.JewishVA.org/IncidentReporting

In an emergency, always call 9-1-1 first.

If online reporting is not practical, contact local law enforcement and/or the relevant suspicious activity reporting authority.

Also contact Mike Goldsmith, Tidewater’s SCN Regional Security Advisor, at MGoldsmith@ujft.org or 844-SCN-DESK.

Area Jewish college students celebrate and observe holidays away from home

Sam Nossen — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:39:44 +0000

Each year, more than 200,000 Jewish students leave home to attend institutions of higher learning in the United States and Canada. Most of these teenagers have celebrated the High Holidays with their families their entire lives – never apart from them.

Still, these university students have found ways to observe and celebrate the holidays… and to enjoy them.

Casey Barkan

University of Virginia
Going into college, I was nervous about how I was going to keep my family traditions throughout the High Holidays. But I found new communities and traditions through the Hillel and Chabad that kept the high holidays meaningful for me.

Micah Baum

Tufts
I typically go to the Conservative services offered at Tufts Hillel.

I am further from home than a lot of people so I can’t really go home during the High Holidays, but it’s a welcoming place that honestly offers as good an experience as I can get away from home.

Sam Nossen

William and Mary
For me, celebrating Rosh Hashanah at school is very similar to celebrating it at home; I attend dinner at Chabad in the evening and then services in the morning. The rabbi and rebbetzin make being away from home for the holidays easier by providing me with an opportunity to eat a homecooked meal, connect with fellow Jews, and participate in something that gives me a sense of normality.

While being at school for Rosh Hashanah can’t beat being at home, having a place to go and feel welcome is nice.

Jack Gross

Tulane
During the year for Shabbat, I either go to Chabad or Hillel. Generally, for the High Holidays, I go to Hillel so I can celebrate the holidays with fellow Jewish students. Not only is it a great way to practice our religion but also an opportunity to meet other Jewish students.

I would say being at school is arguably better than being at home because it provides me with an opportunity to meet new people and gain new perspectives of how people practice Judaism. However, nothing beats sitting around a table eating a homemade Rosh Hashanah meal with family and friends.

Amy Milligan helps make a difference for students across the country

Sam Nossen — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:51:59 +0000

The Israel on Campus Coalition’s (ICC) National Leadership Summit (NLS) is a three-day conference open to Jewish college students across the country, with the aim to “address today’s critical issues and inspire student leaders.”

This year, the largest gathering of pro-Israel students took place July 27 – July 29 in Washington, DC, and hosted more than 1,000 Jewish students, faculty, and activists. Participants listened to leading Jewish figures in law, business, and activism while strengthening their advocacy skills and enhancing their understanding of the challenges that Israel and Jews face.

Dr. Amy Milligan, associate professor of Jewish Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies at Old Dominion University and member of the Academic Engagement Network, served as part of the first-ever AEN faculty delegation sent to the ICC’s National Leadership Summit. Milligan was one of 50 AEN delegates.

“I can’t speak for all the faculty present, but I think it is fair to say that for most of us, it reinforced our ‘why,’” Milligan says.

AEN seeks to empower and educate university faculty so they can help “oppose the denigration of Jewish and Zionist identities, promote academic freedom, and advance education about Israel.”

Milligan says she became involved in AEN prior to October 7 but got more involved after a weeklong workshop with approximately 25 other fellows in January 2025. Working closely together since, she says they provide each other with support and advice.

Although AEN does not directly support students, Milligan says, “there is a ripple effect of their investment as it directly impacts students through the education and leadership of faculty.” AEN provides faculty with education and resources, but more than anything, AEN gives faculty a network of peers that “lessen the feeling of isolation so many of us experience.”

“The Summit reminded me that I’m not alone, and that we have both the responsibility and the power to make a difference. My advice to others who want to get involved in advocating against antisemitism and anti-Zionism is to start by educating yourself about the diverse experiences of Jews globally, the history of Zionism, and the nuances of the Israeli Palestinian conflict,” says Milligan.

Team VB goes to Maccabi

Sam Nossen — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:24:49 +0000

For five hot days, July 27 – August 1, TeamVB’s four-person squad competed against delegations from across the country, plus Ukrainian, Israeli, and Canadian delegations at the JCC Maccabi–Access Games in Tucson, Arizona.

Returning athletes from Tidewater joined athletes from various regions of the United States to field teams in boys’ 3v3 basketball and girls’ soccer, while one local athlete continued to dominate in Access, for Jewish athletes ages 12-22 with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The teen delegation from Virginia Beach was led by Tom Edwards, Simon Family JCC athletics director and accompanied by supportive family members including Tal, Tamir, and Hila Zach, as well as Lauren Karp Scolnick and Brigitte Bryant Gottlieb.

The weeklong Olympic-style games kicked off with an opening ceremony that featured comedian Eitan Levine, Israeli DJ Artifex, and speakers such as Israeli Olympian Judoka Ori Sasson and U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani. The almost 1,300 Jewish 13- 17-year-olds sang and danced at one point, creating a mosh pit in front of the stage. After, the tired teens left the venue and went home with their host families, with pleas from organizers to get good sleep and hydrate.

Ashten Konikoff and Leo Gottlieb opened day one play in 3v3 17U boys’ basketball with three games, ultimately losing all three but fighting hard throughout. Simultaneously, Shanny Zach and her mixed 17U girls’ soccer team from Carolina/Cleveland/Tucson/Miami Beach/Long Beach/San Antonio/San Diego played their first couple of games. The team ultimately lost both games, but Shanny made multiple jaw-dropping saves to keep them close.

On day two things really started to heat up; 14-year- old Oliver Scolnick medaled twice, a bronze medal in bowling and a gold in the 25-meter swim. #TeamVB also experienced a first when Tamir Zach, a #TeamVB alumnus and spectator, was bestowed a Midot Medal for his spontaneous volunteering as a soccer coach and as a united swimmer in the pool for the Access swim races.

Ashten and Leo’s team also found their groove, going 2-1, including pulling a huge upset over Indianapolis. After which, the boys’ basketball teams did their JCC Cares project, creating boxes of snacks and hygiene products for local teens in need.

That same evening, participants had a chance to destress and let loose with a big night out at a huge arcade and movie complex in downtown Tucson.

The Access Games came to a close with a luscious closing ceremony breakfast, which graciously acknowledged all the amazing people involved in lifting the inclusive program to ever greater heights. This was also the first day of the playoff bracket for Leo and Ashten’s squad, who earned the number four seed, facing Colorado/Vancouver/Memphis/Kentucky. After a tight game, the squad suffered a crushing defeat.

Shanny’s team put up a valiant effort against the number one team from Philadelphia/Boston in the bronze medal match later that day.
Sadly, they were unable to come away with a medal, but their persistence, sportsmanship, and camaraderie were extremely commendable.

The closing party in Tucson concluded a week of passion, competition, and teambuilding, giving competitors the opportunity to hang out, talk, and eat with fellow athletes from other delegations.

Onward to the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games & Access in Kansas City, Kansas! To support our local Maccabi TeamVB go to JewishVA.org

Oliver Scolnick.

Tamir Zach, Tal Zach, Hila Zach, Shanny Zach, Lauren Karp Scolnick, Oliver Scolnick, Brigitte Bryant Gottlieb, Tom Edwards, Leo Gottlieb, Ashten Konikoff.

Leo Gottlieb and Ashten Konikoff.

Safety Tips

Sam Nossen — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:02:48 +0000

In these trying times, advice from a security professional can go a long way to assuring personal and community safety in public, as well as, in private spaces. Mike Goldsmith, SCN regional security advisor, will offer a couple of easy-to-follow tips here, and in the next several issues of Jewish News.

Situational awareness, Goldsmith says, is an important part of personal security strategy. Being aware of one’s surroundings allows the possibility of detecting potential threats earlier, and “that gives us extra time to react and protect ourselves and may deter potential attackers as they generally want to take a victim by surprise, thereby reducing the chance of resistance,” says Goldsmith.

Steps to take to increase situational awareness:

Keep your head up and eyes out. Scan your environment for potential issues.
Do not get distracted by electronic devices. Wait until you are in a safe spot before checking your phone. Also, realize that earbuds or headphones will mask noises that might alert you to an issue.
Have a plan. Do not dally when transitioning from one area to another. Move with purpose and direction.

As always, contact Tidewater’s SCN Regional Security Advisor, Mike Goldsmith, with any questions or concerns.

Combating antisemitism on Virginia’s college campuses

Sam Nossen — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:47:07 +0000

Hamas’s attack on the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023, caused a massive surge in anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiments across the United States, and notably, on college campuses. Virginia’s university and college campuses were not immune to protests and encampments, in which protesters espoused antisemitic rhetoric such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Virginia’s Attorney General Jason Miyares and Governor Glenn Youngkin have diligently worked with lay and religious leaders in the Commonwealth to craft executive orders aimed at combating the increase in antisemitism after October 7. One such act, signed on May 19, 2025, directs state leaders and universities to develop resources that will help track instances of antisemitism and bigotry. Miyares and Youngkin have been strong supporters of the Jewish communities and have cracked down on universities that have allowed antisemitism to fester.

In conjunction with state and local governments, Jewish student organizations have worked to combat antisemitism and create safe places for Jewish students to study, socialize, and go about their lives.  

When asked about the steps their universities have taken to combat antisemitism, Old Dominion University’s Hillel advisor references a focus on inclusion, while the Hillel directors at William & Mary, Virginia Tech, George Mason, and University of Virginia cite their schools’ commitment to the safety of students and willingness to participate in Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative. The initiative’s stated goal is to “create a campus climate where Jewish students feel comfortable expressing their identity.” 

Rabbi Gershon Litt, who serves as the Hillel director for William & Mary, says that he was proud of President Katherine Rowe and the administration’s commitment to Jewish students. “W&M has been an exemplar in how to make Jewish students comfortable,” he says.
W&M has seen few antisemitic incidents on campus, but when they have happened, the administration has taken swift and decisive action. “Taking decisive action is imperative to showing a marginalized population that you care,” Litt says.

Jewish students on campus know that they have a supportive and caring administration, according to Litt, saying that the students also have a safe haven at the Shenkman Jewish Center, where Hillel is housed. “Feeling supported, cared for, and listened to has been the recipe for success at William & Mary,” he says.

Meanwhile, Virginia Tech has struggled with antisemitism, with allegations of antisemitism being levied against the Students for Justice in Palestine organization, as well as the school itself. The tension between students came to a head during a multi-day pro-Palestine encampment in late April 2024, resulting in 82 people being arrested, 53 of whom were students. Since then, the school, along with Virginia Tech’s Hillel, has taken steps to prevent future acts of antisemitism. President Tim Sands participated in Hillel’s College and University Presidents Summit on combating antisemitism, the goal of which was to share best practices and learn from peer institutions about how to create a safe campus for all students. “The safety of students and staff is our highest priority—first, foremost, and always,” says Amanda Herring, Virginia Tech’s Hillel director. Herring works with students and staff to create an environment where Jewish students can thrive. 

Northern Virginia’s George Mason has had issues with antisemitism and is one of four schools in the DMV that are having their federal funding threatened by the Trump Administration due to antisemitism. But Rabbi Daniel Novick, GMU Hillel director, says, “Mason Hillel has worked hard to ensure that George Mason is a community where Jewish students can thrive.”

Paul Alvin, George Mason’s chief brand officer, notes that the threats to GMU’s funding stemmed from an incident where GMU students participated in an encampment on George Washington University’s campus in 2023.

“The university has been present at Jewish communal events to show allyship and support and has offered free security resources and personnel when requested,” says Novick. George Mason has taken large steps to counter antisemitism and create a large and diverse campus community, he says. 

At University of Virginia, Annie Wienberg, Hillel director, emphasizes communication and coordination. In conjunction with Hillel, “UVA organized an antisemitism training day” and “committed more of their academic programming to focus on the conflict,” she says.
Expressing a place where she believed UVA’s administration could help improve conditions on campus, Weinberg says, “It is my belief that student-led groups are oftentimes the spaces where exclusion can occur.”

Weinberg says she is eager to work with UVA to help educate student leaders on what real inclusion entails. UVA Hillel cultivates a welcoming environment for all Jewish students by having a “menu of experiences that allow students to choose their own adventure,” creating a space that can meet “a diverse set of student needs and interests.” 

In a joint statement co-written by 40 Jewish faculty members at UVA and published in the Cavalier Daily last month, faculty members admonished the Trump administration’s weaponization of antisemitism. The faculty noted that they have “heard the word antisemitism used more in the last 18 months than we did in the immediate aftermath of August 11 and 12, when President Donald Trump called the neo-Nazis who marched on our campus ‘very fine people.’” Homing in on the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across America, they wrote that “Dismantling this programming will only make antisemitism worse, as Jews are a minority globally and at the University.” The Jewish faculty and staff emphasized that although they are wholeheartedly opposed to antisemitism, they believe it has been weaponized as a means to suppress “politically disfavored speech.”

The Jewish people are a diverse and inclusive group and Dr. Amy Milligan wants Old Dominion University’s Hillel to represent that inclusivity. In addition to serving as ODU’s Hillel advisor, Milligan is the Batten Endowed Associate Professor of Jewish Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies and director of ODU’s Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding. She details this diversity, saying, “There is no singular way to be Jewish, therefore, it is important to create a welcoming space. We know that, just like a family, we may not always agree, but we are always there to support each other.”

Jewish students at ODU are encouraged to support their fellow Jewish students and pick the activities with the group that they find fun or meaningful.  

Multiple Jewish organizations provide resources and tools for Jewish students and their families to help them prepare for life on campus and stay safe during an important time in their life. 

Resources for students and parents

Support for students and their parents is available in various forms and from several experienced organizations, in addition to each university’s Hillel or Jewish department.

ADL: ADL provides resources to help families prepare their children for school at all levels. adl.org
Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL): ADL, Brandeis Center, Hillel International, and Gibson Dunn offer the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line, which allows students to report an antisemitic incident and pro bono legal counsel from legal professionals. legal-protection.org
Hillel International: Campus for All, a program of Hillel International, aims to educate and empower college students, leading to a safer, more welcoming, and more inclusive “campus for all.” hillel.org
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater: UJFT’s Jewish Community Relations Council offers a Back-to-School Antisemitism Toolkit which provides links and information aimed to help prepare Jewish students for possible antisemitism on campus. federation.jewishva.org

Zionism class provides deeper understanding of Israel for participants

Sam Nossen — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:38:35 +0000

The Konikoff Center of Learning aims to “inspire individuals to deepen their Jewish knowledge and connection.” As part of this goal, KCL offers courses by the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning.

One such course is “Understanding Zionism: The Return to the Jewish Homeland.” The course, recently taught by Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, spanned six sessions. Participants analyzed texts covering Zionists’ struggle for a Jewish Homeland and Israel’s place in modern Jewry.

During the first class, Lautman and participants discussed the theoretical forms of Zionism and issues that led Jews to seek a Jewish nation. The three main groups were Labor Zionists, who spoke of returning to the holy land and creating a type of socialist commune; Religious Zionists, who believed Jews were destined to return to Judea and renew Jewish religious life; and Political Zionists, who wanted Jewish statehood to be recognized by world powers.

During classes two and three, the learners continued to read through texts and discuss the evolution of Zionism from early Jewish settlers in the late 1800s to the creation of Israel in 1948. Focusing on the practical aspect of creating a Jewish state, learners spoke about the struggles Jewish migrants had with farming, and the evolution of Zionism after the British took control of Mandated Palestine and subsequently ceded control to the UN.

The ideas discussed in the first three sessions culminated in class four; participants discussed Israel’s declaration of independence and the controversial nature of legislation that declares Israel to be a Jewish nation-state while also being a democracy.

Sessions five and six focused on the Jewish diaspora’s relationship with Israel and what the future holds for Israel. A major takeaway was the importance of the Jewish Diaspora in the continued existence of Israel and the rift that has seemingly grown between Israel and the Diaspora resulting from the varying opinions held by Jews around the world regarding Israel and Gaza.

At the end of the class, participants expressed how the course provided them with “a deeper understanding of the yearnings for a Jewish homeland from the first calls for a homeland in the 19th century to the fulfillment of a nation-state in 1948 to the modern 21st century world.”

To learn more about programs and classes offered by Konikoff Center for Learning, go to JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, at SLautman@UJFT.org.

Families of Lifeguards at the Simon Family JCC

Sam Nossen — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:42:32 +0000

The summer of 2025 is a special year for the swimming pool at the Simon Family JCC, with a record number of 40 guards, enabling the pool to remain open throughout the summer without closures due to staff shortages. But what is truly unique about the summer of 2025 is the multitude of siblings and familial relations on staff.

One pair of siblings is Tom Edwards and his brother, Michael Lapinski. When asked about what it was like to work with his brother, Edwards, the Simon Family JCC’s athletic director, says, “I communicate really well with him, [and] we also laugh a lot with each other.” Lapinski, who has been a lifeguard and first responder for much of his life, joined Edwards at the JCC after COVID and became a trusted colleague and important member of Edwards’ staff.

In addition to four groups of siblings working together, two parent-child pairs are also collaborating. In 2024, Paul Mulcahy and his son Quinn worked as lifeguards at the JCC, and this year, Mulcahy’s daughter Grace is joining the JCC family as a swim instructor. Mulcahy, now 63, started his lifeguarding career in high school and continued throughout college, after which he worked as a helicopter rescue swimmer for 10 years. About working with his kids, Mulcahy says, “It’s fun; I like seeing them take charge, and my son Quinn was hired first, so I guess he’s my boss.”

Tara Clark and her daughter Mia are also working together at the JCC this year. Although Clark has yet to have a shift with Mia, she says that she “was excited by the idea of working with my daughter.”

Working with family is special, and this year, the pool at the Simon Family JCC is a place where families can work, play, and enjoy the summer weather together.

The Metzger Outdoor Aquatic Center opens most days at 11:30 am and offers activities ranging from swim lessons to aquatic workout classes and plenty of free swim and frolic time. The Dreyfus Family Indoor Aquatic Center, which features a heated therapy pool and more, opens most days at 5:30 am. For specific times and to get the pools’ current temperatures, go to simonfamilyjcc.org.