(JTA) — Yoni Asher’s voice was steady but his urgency was unmistakable. “I ask anyone coming to Efrat Katz’s home to tell me they are there, I have not heard from them for four hours,” he said on Israel’s government-run Kan radio. “Them” for Asher was his...
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Moroccan Jews and Israelis reportedly all safe in devastating quake
Philissa Cramer, Eliyahu Freedman (JTA) — Jews and Jewish sites appear to have largely been spared following the devastating earthquake that struck Morocco late Friday, Sept. 8, killing more than 2,600 people, injuring thousands more, and plunging some of the poorest...
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...
Summer through a Jewish lens
Lounging on the beach and ziplining through tropical forests aren’t the only ways to have fun and interesting summer days. For some in Jewish Tidewater, it’s incorporating something Jewish into a trip, camp, or activity. Here, we highlight a few such ‘Jewish Summers’...
Beth Sholom Village sells existing senior health care and housing campus
New name for community is Maimonides Healthcare BSV will continue as provider at new sites In response to national trends that threaten the financial viability of stand-alone skilled care nursing facilities, Beth Sholom Village (BSV) recently sold its 120-bed skilled...
2023 UJFT Biennial Meeting honored past and present leadership and volunteers
The Marty Einhorn Pavilion on the Sandler Family Campus was the setting for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s 2023 Biennial Meeting on Wednesday, June 14. After a 30-minute reception, the meeting began at 7 pm. Nearly 150 members of Jewish Tidewater turned out...
Women draw inspiration from Julie Platt, JFNA chair
In the beautiful Rodriguez room at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach, more than 50 women from the Jewish community celebrated the approaching end of a very successful 2023 United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Community Campaign and witnessed the...
Changes and growth for Jewish Family Service
Jewish Family Service of Tidewater was incorporated in 1948, after having spent decades under various names. Like its name, the agency has continuously evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. Through a process of strategic planning and from...
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Secure Community Network partner to bolster community safety and security
Mike Goldsmith, law enforcement veteran to Advise, direct and develop community security program The Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America, and the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater,...
Moses Myers House: Local Treasure
Last fall, members of the Norfolk City Council discussed selling four city-owned properties in order to save the expense of maintaining them. Three of them are historic homes. One is the Moses Myers House. According to a November 29, 2022 article in the...
Five reasons to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut in Tidewater
Sunday, April 30, 12–4 pm, Sandler Family Campus Celebrate Israel as she turns 75 at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s and Simon Family JCC’s annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration at the Sandler Family Campus this month. Right here in Tidewater, it’ll be...
Dear Readers: Passover
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...
Marty Einhorn Pavilion’s dedication brings community together— in a new, outdoor structure
The dedication of the Marty Einhorn Pavilion took place on a practically perfect Sunday morning earlier this month. The bright blue sky hosted puffy white clouds, the jazz sounds of the Jimmy Master’s Trio welcomed guests, lunch was tasty, and the program, paying...
High Holiday updates on COVID and other safety protocols for area congregations
According to the results of a recent COVID poll (the New York Times Morning Section, Aug. 22, 2022), “One of the central findings is how much attitudes have changed since the spring. Americans are less worried about the virus today.” How does this translate...
A “Super Day” planned for the Sandler Family Campus
Sunday, September 18, beginning at 12 pm Dedication of Marty Einhorn Pavilion, 12 pm Super Sunday, 1–4 pm • Sunday Fun Day, 1–4 pm It’s being called “Super Duper Sunday” because of all of the exciting activity on tap at the Sandler Family Campus on Sunday,...
Jefferson: Democracy’s success depends upon freedom of belief, expression, and practice
Two hundred forty-five years ago, in October 1776, the first General Assembly of our Commonwealth appointed a five-man Committee of Revisors to review the existing laws and redraft them for an independent Virginia. Much like it goes today, primary responsibility was...
Camp JCC Orientation Kicks Off
Before the start of Camp JCC’s 2022 summer season, Camp JCC counselors, CITs (counselors in training), specialists, leadership, and support staff were invited to attend a four-day orientation at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus. The agenda was packed full of...
Jewish groups condemn Texas elementary school shooting, but only some push for action
WASHINGTON (JTA)—After the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed at least 19 children and two adults on Tuesday, May 24, an array of Jewish groups issued statements that fell into two categories: generalized grief and recommendations for action. The groups who...
Israel’s 74th celebration is a day to remember in Tidewater
Thousands of people visited the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community for a celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut on Sunday, May 1. The Israel Independence Day celebration was the first large-scale in-person event for the holiday since before...
Number of antisemitic incidents surged in 2021, according to latest ADL tally
(JTA)—The number of antisemitic incidents recorded by the Anti-Defamation League in the United States in 2021 reached an all-time high, according to a new report by the group. The 2,717 incidents identified in news articles by the ADL or reported to the ADL directly...
Marty Einhorn Pavilion set for completion next month
In almost perfect coordination with the appearance of spring flowers, a new outdoor structure at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus is making its own debut. The Marty Einhorn Pavilion is rapidly taking form, with an anticipated completion of early next month....
Yom Ha’Atzmaut Sunday, May 1, 12–4 pm, Sandler Family Campus
Five reasons to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut in Tidewater There will be something for everyone at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s and Simon Family JCC’s annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration. By taking a tour of Israel outdoors on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family...
Security training for the Jewish community
The continued threat to Jewish institutions throughout the nation prompted the formation of Secure Community Network in 2004 as the official homeland security and safety initiative of the organized Jewish community in North America. Dedicated to securing synagogues,...
Klal Yisrael— We are one people, responsible for one another.
Community Members, Through our partner agencies JDC, The Jewish Agency for Israel, and World ORT, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is on the ground in Ukraine, home to more than 200,000 Jews, every day of the year, helping the most vulnerable and supporting...
Jewish Community in Ukraine faces crisis
JDC's Ukraine Response Ukraine’s vibrant Jewish community is one of the largest in the world, home to an estimated 200,000 Jews. The current situation with Russia (as of Feb. 23) has convinced some in this Jewish community to leave, others to prepare to fight, and...
The Four Corners of the World: Israel Today offers a celebration of World Wildlife Day
Tuesday, March 1, 7:30 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus Free, registration required: JewishVA.org/IsraelToday Admired for his engaging and boundary-pushing photography, Roie Galitz is equal parts passion and commitment in his pursuit to get the best shots of...
29th Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film • February 24–28, 2022 Presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg
A Starry Sky Above The Roman Ghetto Thursday, February 24, 7:30 pm Cinema Café Kemps River 1220 Fordham Drive, Virginia Beach Tickets: $12 Director Giulio Base | 100 min Italy | 2020 | Italian with English Subtitles | Not Rated Led by a talented ensemble of young...
Time to wrap it up: 2021
Most general media publications are leading their end-of-year wrap articles with the Capitol riot on January 6 and are including mentions of vaccines, climate change, and wealthy folks’ space rides. For Jewish News, however, our wrap is focused on the Jewish...
The Jewish response to climate change: Back from COP26, Hazon’s CEO reflects on what’s needed to combat the threat
(Baltimore Jewish Times via JTA)—Tens of thousands of leaders and activists from around the world, representing world governments, NGOs and environmental organizations, gathered in Glasgow, Scotland, earlier this month for the United Nations Climate Change Conference,...
Happy Hanukkah!
Dear Readers, It’s been eight years since we celebrated Thanksgivukah…when the holidays of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah converged. Here we are again…almost. This year the first night of Hanukkah begins on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, which creates the opportunity...
Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival 2021-2022
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater & the Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival 2021–2022 The annual celebration of Jewish writers, books, and ideas, Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival provides...
Two Important Conversations
Ignorance is not bliss: Israeli American actress, activist, and author Noa Tishby to speak on advocating for Israel Wednesday, October 13, 7:30 pm Free and open to the community with in-person and online options available, RSVP (required) at JewishVA.org/IsraelToday...