I joined the United States Navy in 1980 to protect the very freedoms that allowed me to live and pray as my Jewish ancestors did. Growing up with the heavy knowledge of the Holocaust, hearing on the news the persecution of Soviet Jews in the 1970s, and understanding the millennia of global antisemitism faced by the diaspora, I knew that we as Jews in America were profoundly privileged. I recognized how precious America’s liberties truly were, and I chose to devote 38 years of my life to defending this nation—to giving back through service for all the freedoms it had bestowed upon my family.

 I was determined to serve openly as a Jew. I wanted our country to recognize that American Jews stood up and contributed far beyond the realms of science, law, and academia; we were willing to put our lives on the line and pay the ultimate sacrifice in uniform. I never asked for personal recognition or gain. I only wanted to ensure that my service—and the morals and ethics of my Jewish faith that guided it—would be remembered as an undeniable thread in the fabric of our military and our nation.

 Realizing for the first time that so many who came before me served bravely but are no longer remembered accurately in their faith sends a chill through me. It leaves me deeply dispirited to think that any Jewish service member could be mistakenly buried under a Latin cross—that being forgotten remains a distinct possibility.

 In Judaism, honoring and remembering the dead is one of our most sacred obligations (Chesed shel Emet), yet history has shown it was no longer a certainty. Witnessing the sacred work of Operation Benjamin and its partner initiative, Operation Levi, has completely restored my faith. They ensure that the sacred memory of those who went before me will be faithfully preserved.

A hunch that restored history

History is not preserved by accident; it endures because individuals choose to investigate and set things right. The entire mission began with a simple, unsettling, and paradigm-shifting observation by Operation Benjamin’s co-founder, Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter. Like me, most Jews who visit the Normandy American Cemetery are deeply inspired by seeing the Stars of David scattered among the graves. Yet, looking across that vast sea of white marble, Rabbi Schacter instinctively did the math. Knowing the true demographics of World War II service members, he realized Jewish soldiers were profoundly underrepresented among the endless rows.

 He shared this hunch with his close friend Shalom Lamm—an entrepreneur, cantor, and knowledgeable military historian. Together, they hired a summer intern to comb through military databases and archives. They quickly realized these Jewish heroes were not missing; they were misidentified and buried under Latin crosses. While the exact reasons for each case are lost to time, it is highly likely that many of these World War II soldiers changed their religious designations out of a realistic fear of Nazi capture or hid their faith due to the prevailing antisemitism among their fellow soldiers. Others, despite having the Hebrew mark stamped on their dog tags, were simply misclassified in the frantic, overwhelming rush of battlefield burials.

 Their first breakthrough was Private Benjamin Garadetsky, a Jewish GI buried under a cross in Normandy. But Rabbi Schacter and Shalom Lamm quickly discovered that correcting history would not be easy. They had to navigate dense military records to prove definitively
that the soldier was Jewish. Furthermore, to legally change a headstone, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), the federal agency tasked with overseeing and managing all of America’s foreign military cemeteries, requires the formal consent of the closest living relatives to correct the headstone. And they had to convince and overcome an initial reluctance of the ABMC who had complete authority over all American Cemeteries overseas and was not used to doing this. Schacter and Lamm convinced them that it was not only important to the Jewish community, but the right thing to do. This forced the team to launch extensive genealogical searches to track down living descendants for their signatures—a process that took more than a year and a half. Finally, with the family in attendance, they replaced the Latin cross with a Star of David in Normandy, and Operation Benjamin found its permanent name and its sacred calling. And in this process, they established a great partnership with the leadership of the ABMC and now can expedite the process to a matter of months.

The dead bring the living together

This past June 2, I was invited to take part in an Operation Benjamin ceremony at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Verdun, France—the site of some of World War I’s bloodiest conflicts. On the first day, we gathered to replace the Latin crosses with Stars of David for five Jewish American heroes: PVT Samuel Tamkin, PFC Barney Bardman, PVT Samuel Backer, PVT Hyman Aronoff, and PFC Maurice Akabas. One can only imagine the immense difficulty of conducting flawless genealogical research on soldiers who died more than a century ago, a testament to the tenacity, rigor, and devotion of Operation Benjamin.

 While we were there to honor these fallen soldiers, a profound truth became clear: they were there for us, too.

 Through this painstaking genealogical work, families who had no idea of their relation to these soldiers—or that other branches of their family even existed—were brought together, spanning from Israel to the far reaches of the United States.

 One such family member was Rabbi Wayne Franklin of Providence, Rhode Island, who received an unexpected, out-ofthe-blue call from Shalom Lamm. Fortunately, the surname Lamm carried historical weight for Rabbi Franklin due to a lineage of prominent rabbinic scholars, so he took the call. Shalom explained that they had discovered a Jewish soldier named Maurice Akabas buried under a Latin cross, and that research proved Rabbi Franklin was the soldier’s great-great-nephew.

 Flabbergasted and left speechless, Rabbi Franklin readily accepted Shalom’s invitation to join the delegation in Verdun. He knew he had distant relatives in Texas, where Akabas had enlisted, but his family had long since lost touch with them. Standing in that sacred space, looking upon his ancestor’s gravesite alongside long-lost relatives he was meeting for the very first time, the experience completely revived his family’s sense of strength. It reawakened a deep pride in both their country and their Judaism. Not only were the living giving value to the dead by restoring their Jewish identity, but the dead were giving value to the living by reuniting families and restoring pride.

Day Two: My participation in Operation Levi

On the second day in Verdun, June 3, I had the profound honor of participating in Operation Levi. Inspired by the achievements of Operation Benjamin, while working together to find a U.S. Jewish officer missing in action for 79 years, the Secretary General of the German War Graves Commission, retired German Brigadier General Dirk Backen, had his own “hunch” while visiting a World War I German cemetery and spotting a Latin cross marked with the name Levi.

 His investigation confirmed that Private Meyer Levi was indeed a Jewish German soldier who had been mistakenly buried under a Christian symbol. Recognizing that remembrance transcends nationality, General Backen contacted Shalom Lamm, inspiring a sister initiative named in Private Levi’s honor. The Operation Benjamin and Operation Levi genealogy and history teams now work hand in hand to find these soldiers and correct the history. It is an amazing collaboration.

 To witness this ceremony was deeply moving. As Jews, our memories of Germany are overwhelmingly dominated by the horrors of Nazism and the cataclysm of the Holocaust. Yet today, their modern war graves commission is doing breathtaking, sacred work to restore the identities of Jewish German servicemen of World War I—men whose heritage and headstones had been systematically targeted and erased by the Nazi regime during the occupation of France. By actively tracking down these forgotten graves and replacing the crosses with Stars of David, they are confronting their history with absolute moral clarity. It was a privilege to see Operation Benjamin recognize General Backen by presenting him with the first-ever Order of the Marble Star of David for his courageous leadership.

A final salute

Standing there over those two days, a rush of profound emotions filled my mind. I saw that the Meuse-Argonne cemetery is meticulously maintained to extend the ultimate respect to the fallen. Inscribed on its chapel wall are these remarkable words: “This chapel is erected by the United States of America as a sacred promise of a grateful people with its immortal dead.” This transforms a burial ground into a living legacy.

 During the ceremonies, Rabbi Schacter offered a blessing, the families spoke, and Kaddish was recited. Attendees watched with damp eyes as workers carefully removed the white marble crosses, wrapped them in white cloth, and replaced them with the symbol of Judaism. These crosses were not cast aside in anger; they had guarded these men with dignity for more than a century, and we bid them a respectful farewell.

 As the new Stars of David were unveiled, I added my own slow salute to each soldier. To stand there as a veteran, a Jew, in uniform, and a witness was an indescribable honor.

 How we bury our dead reflects how we value life. Thanks to the shared sacred work of Operation Benjamin and Operation Levi, heroes on both sides of a global conflict are finally memorialized accurately. In restoring their identity, they restored a piece of ourselves, proving that the bonds of family, faith, and country can never be broken.

Postlude

Joining us for the ceremonies was my friend Michael Oren—former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Knesset member, acclaimed author, and historian. Michael’s own father fought bravely in World War II during the famous Battle of the Bulge, giving him a deep personal connection to this sacred ground. Together, we reflected on how much the 250th anniversary of America means to the world—a milestone mirrored in the diverse men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and lie buried across Europe, as well as those still actively serving our nation today.

 We talked in awe of those early Jewish soldiers who took up arms not long after arriving on American shores, stepping forward despite the prominent domestic antisemitism of the era. They understood the vital importance of Jewish Americans fighting for national security. This enduring legacy of America’s global perception at 250 years is still critical to the State of Israel and the historical ties—both democratic and military—that have bound our two nations together through the centuries. It is a critical dialogue that must be heard and continued.

To learn more or support legislative efforts such as the Fallen Service members Religious Heritage Restoration Act, visit www.operationbenjamin.org.

 Our BeAR mentors spend one hour a week reading with a second grader in a local Title I school. That may not sound like much, but that hour can be the brightest part of a child’s week. Yes, we help children strengthen their reading skills, but we also provide something many kids desperately need: a caring adult who is there just for them.

 For active senior adults, BeAR is a wonderful way to stay engaged, connected, and involved in the community. Our mentors tell me all the time that they look forward to their BeAR day. They love hearing about their student’s week, celebrating their successes, and watching their confidence grow. Many of our volunteers say they signed up to help a child, but quickly realized the child was helping them, too.

 As we begin planning for another school year, now is the perfect time to think about becoming a BeAR mentor. One hour a week is so easy to do, and I have seen firsthand the difference it makes. I’ve watched children discover a love of reading, and light up when their mentor walks through the door. I’ve also watched volunteers find friendship, purpose, and joy in these relationships. It is a simple commitment that creates something truly special.

For more information about becoming a BeAR mentor, contact Robin Ford at 757-321-2304 or email rford@ujft.org.  

Pearlman’s work will be on exhibit in the Leon Family Gallery on the second floor of the Sandler Family Campus through August. Join the artist for an opening reception in the gallery on Thursday, June 25. The exhibition is supported in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. Thanks to the generosity of the artist, 100% of proceeds from art sales will benefit Arts + Ideas programming at the UJFT. For more information or to RSVP for the reception, visit JewishVA.org/Gallery or contact Hunter Thomas, UJFT director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965-6137.

Are you interested in becoming part of a child’s reading story? Contact Robin Ford at 757-321-2304 or rford@ujft.org. It’s never too early to think about making a difference.

Two years have flown by. My term as chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation is nearing its end. I have served with some of the most dedicated board members and staff anyone can ever be privileged to have, and it has been an honor I will never forget. Our Jewish community in Tidewater has some of the most amazing people to learn and work with. Thank goodness for my predecessors, who were always willing to listen and advise on a moment’s notice. The same can be said for my board and committee members. Their intelligence and wisdom are guiding lights, keeping this institution on course and doing everything it possibly can for the community it serves.

  TJF’s staff are some of the hardest working, dedicated professionals I have ever been associated with. I hope everyone has experienced the results of their work as we try to help our organizations become thriving institutions able to address the needs of our community.

  Those of us who serve at TJF have a singular motivation. We all hope we can secure our Jewish future by building strong foundations for the institutions that allow us to live Jewishly here in Tidewater. These accomplishments require hard work, sacrifice, vision, and perseverance. Legacy is not simply about dollars and cents. It is about making sure future generations have the same opportunities to gather, worship, learn, celebrate, and support one another that we have today.

  I served with Ron Kramer, Jerry Miller, Alvin Wall, Lawrence Steingold, Jody Wagner, and Charlie Nusbaum, and each generously shared their vision while helping me understand how important TJF is to our community. Hopefully, I’ve been able to keep that vision alive in some small way while helping prepare those who follow.

  TJF has, by any metric, been incredibly successful. In six years, we have grown our consolidated assets from $104 million at the end of 2020, to almost $200 million with almost $68 million in promises. Several years ago, Jody and Charlie helped develop a long-range plan calling for a tripling of assets and stronger succession planning. 

  Today, TJF has set its sights on an even bolder goal; reaching $500 million in assets under management to help secure the long-term strength of Jewish life in Tidewater. Naomi Sedek, TJF’s president and CEO, has worked tirelessly to implement this vision, and we are in far better shape because of her and TJF’s professional team.

I leave TJF in capable hands. Paul Peck will be a fabulous chair, and our succession plan is strong. My more than 20 years of service has been among the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I thank you for allowing me to serve. 

 For many of us, it can feel like just another Jewish ritual quietly tucked between two major holidays. But this year, through Amy Lefcoe’s six-week class, On Our Way to Mt. Sinai, I realized something deeper: the journey itself is the point.

 Pessach is not only about freedom from Egypt. It is about asking ourselves a much harder question: What am I still a slave to?

 Maybe it is anger. Ego. Fear. The need to control outcomes. The need to always be right. Maybe it is judgment. Maybe it is the endless distractions that keep us far from who we want to become.

 The Omer invites us into a process of refinement. Not perfection — refinement.

 Week after week, we explored the idea that Judaism does not expect us to erase our difficult character traits. We are human beings. We were created with complexity. But we are also expected to work on ourselves constantly. In Judaism, personal growth is not self-help. It is spiritual work.

 One sentence from the class stayed with me: “We are not what our nature is.”

 That idea is both comforting and challenging. We may naturally lean toward impatience, arrogance, resentment, anxiety, or anger — but those traits do not define us. They are simply the material we were given to work with.

 And perhaps that is why the people in our lives are there, too.

 Sometimes the people who challenge us the most are also the people helping us grow the most. Judaism teaches that our relationships become mirrors for our character. They expose what still needs healing.

 One of the strongest discussions we had centered around anger. Amy Lefcoe referenced the plague of frogs in Egypt: it began with one frog, but every time it was hit, it multiplied. Anger works the same way. Once we start “hitting the frog,” it grows bigger and louder and harder to stop.

 And often, anger comes from ego — from unmet expectations, from feeling unseen, unheard, or not in control.

 Judaism offers another path: humility.

 Not humiliation. Not thinking less of ourselves. But recognizing that we are not the center of everything.

 One insight I loved was: “Don’t take pride; take pleasure.”

 We are not the creators of every success in our lives. We are simply “cashing the check” that God gave us the opportunity to receive. We are responsible for the effort. God is responsible for the outcome.

 That shift changes everything.

 Because once life becomes less about “me,” gratitude naturally enters the picture.

 And gratitude is one of Judaism’s greatest foundations.

 It begins every morning with Modeh Ani, thanking Hashem for returning our soul to us for another day. Gratitude appears throughout our prayers, our blessings, our traditions. We are constantly reminded to notice the good. To recognize that even difficult moments may contain opportunities for growth.

 Lefcoe spoke often about bitachon — trust in God. Not passive trust, but active trust. The understanding that we still pray, try, work, and show up… while also recognizing that not everything is ours to carry.

 We hold so much weight on our shoulders. But maybe part of spiritual growth is learning to put some of it down. 

None of this is easy.

But perhaps that is exactly what the journey to Mt. Sinai is supposed to teach.

 Receiving the Torah was never only about standing at the mountain once, thousands of years ago. It is about asking ourselves, every single year:

Who do I want to be when I arrive there?

More humble?

More grateful?

Less judgmental?

More trusting?

Closer to God?

Closer to the person I was meant to become?

The truth is, we are all still on our way to Mt. Sinai.

Still learning.

Still refining.

Still trying.

And maybe that is the holiest part of the journey.

For more information about classes offered by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning, visit JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@ujft.org.

 Why should we, as Americans commemorate Yom HaZikaron?  We have our own Memorial Day and few of us have relatives that served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), let alone perished while in service.

 Yom HaZikaron is observed the day before the Israeli Independence Day.  In Israel it is a big deal, as almost everyone in the country served in the IDF and most also know or are related to someone who died in service of Israel.  The observation is quite stark and moving. The day starts with a one-minute siren at 8 pm, with a two-minute siren at 11 am, the following day. Drivers stop their cars on the road, wherever they are, to show reverence.  Public entertainment is closed, flags are at half-mast, and memorial services are held, with the main ceremony at Mount Herzl, the Israeli equivalent to Arlington Cemetery. The atmosphere is a deeply somber National Day of Mourning.

 This last December, Yom HaZikaron was brought home to Tidewater, with the passing of one of our own.  Just two days before his discharge from the IDF, Sargent Ari Goldberg z”l was tragically killed in an accident.  

 Ari was born while I was stationed in San Diego, California, with my wife Chava and two young children.  He was the middle child between Peter, Leah, Zev, and Zipporah. Ari grew up in Virginia, our Navy family moving to Tidewater when he was 10 years old.  He attended Toras Chaim Day School in Portsmouth, Blair Middle School for one year, and Maury High School, graduating class of 2020.  While attending Maury, he also attended Tidewater Tech where he earned certification in carpentry. Always industrious, he received his welding certificate from Tidewater Community College. A true son of Tidewater.  

 In 2022, Sargent Ari Goldberg z”l went to Israel for a year at Mechinat Ruach HaNegev. He arrived in Israel with a desire to connect with the Jewish people’s homeland and then fell deeply in love with all that Israel stood for.  During that year, he chose to make Aliyah and move to Dimona – a city that embraced him as their very own.  Following October 7, Sargent Ari Goldberg z”l saw his duty and enlisted in the IDF as a combat soldier in the Israeli Combat Engineering Corps, as missing out on the action in defense of the Jewish people and homeland was not an option for him.  He served multiple tours in Lebanon and Gaza as his unit’s designated marksman.  In fact, he was responsible for blowing up many of the tunnels, buildings, and private homes of terrorists from which Hamas and Hezbolah conducted their terror operations.

 The best description of Ari comes from his adopted Israeli family, the Fischs: “A creative and original soul who was always learning, always searching, and always pushing his own limits. He loved bringing people together, hosting friends, and preparing food and drinks with his own hands. His door was always open and his smile was always wide. Ari loved people deeply. He was warm, generous, and full of life, always welcoming others and ready to help anyone who needed it. He believed with all his heart in friendship, community, and caring for those around him, and he lived his life in a way that made everyone who met him feel at home.”  This was echoed by his family, friends, and fellow soldiers.

 Ari was also an inspiration to his family, with his younger brother Zev enlisting in the IDF and his younger sister Zipporah joining the US Navy.  His older brother Peter also served a tour in the US Air Force.

 Ari passed away on December 30, 2025, during Asara B’Tevet, Fast of 10th Tevet, commemorating the siege of Jerusalem. He was laid to rest in Soldiers Cemetery in Dimona, the city he loved.  The impact of his loss was felt throughout all of Israel.  We received calls from President Isaac Herzog and Ambassador Mike Huckabee.  Members of the Israeli Cabinet and Knesset came to Dimona to pay a shivah call.  The Chief Rabbi and Mayor of Dimona were keynote speakers at Sargent Ari Goldberg z”l’s funeral – all calling Ari a hero of Israel.

 Sargent Ari Goldberg z”l, a boy from Tidewater, truly cast a giant shadow.

 In Ari’s memory, his family, his adopted Israeli family and friends, and fellow soldiers are building a home in Dimona for Lone Soldiers (American and foreign soldiers fighting for Israel).  It will be a place where they can rest, feel they belong, host friends, and experience real moments of home, family, and community, just like Ari did for others.  Ari told his brother that he dreamed of buying a bigger house with more rooms so he could host more people.  We are committed to making his dream come true.  To create a place where the warmth and belonging that Ari shared with everyone around him will be felt.

The home will be called “Lev Ari,” the “Heart of Ari,” or “Heart of a lion” which Ari also had, in memory of the brave soldier Sargent Ari Malachi Goldberg, z”l. 

 One Home. One Heart. One Family.

 In early March, I joined 17 other Jewish women on a United Jewish Federation of Tidewater mission to the Jewish community of Buenos Aires, Argentina. I had no idea what to expect, but it didn’t take long to recognize two things simultaneously: The Jewish community in Buenos Aires is truly special; and the Jewish Federation of Tidewater is, too (especially it’s women!). 

 I’ve been on Federation missions before, with each one unique and memorable. Like my previous mission experiences, this mission’s itinerary allowed participants to see wonderful Jewish sites and hear from many impressive speakers. For the sake of sanity – yours and mine – I will not include every site we toured in this article. There is simply too much to say, so I’ll share some thoughts on a few of the places we saw and experienced. 

 We toured AMIA, the main Jewish institution in Buenos Aires (something like our own Federation as far as being an umbrella organization). AMIA assists the Jewish community in strengthening and perpetuating Jewish life in Argentina. Its priorities include social welfare, cultural issues, community funding, and management of Jewish cemeteries. Its highly secure campus (featuring a magnificent Agam sculpture in the courtyard and memorials to those who perished in the 1994 bombing there) also houses the offices of the Jewish Agency for Israel, where we met JAFI Shaliach, Eli Cohen, and several young adult alumni of JAFI’s Masa program. Today, these bright young people are working across the Buenos Aires Jewish community as teachers, rabbis, sports coaches, and schlichim – strengthening ties with Israel and the Jewish people. They serve as outstanding role models for the next generation and are well-prepared for community leadership.

 At the amazing ORT school (ORT Belgrano), we saw how the students from elementary to high school-age engaged in cutting edge science and technology, coding, business administration, and music and TV production. The students were bright, energetic, and confident as they presented their projects. It was very impressive! We were surprised to learn that there are more than 30 Jewish day schools in Buenos Aires. This school has more than 8,000 students (about 30% of which are not Jewish – which speaks to the quality of the educational programming). We ended our ORT Belgrano visit at Shabbat Sing-along with the youngest students and watched the Abba and the Ima light Shabbat candles and say the brachot over the wine and the challah. It brought back a lot of nostalgic feelings for those of us who recalled participating in Shabbat Sing-along when our own kids attended SIA and Hebrew Academy.

 Our visit at the LeDor VaDor Home for the elderly was incredibly moving and impressive. A state-of-the-art facility originally started with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), it is now self-sustaining. Visitors arrive and are immediately met with a spacious lobby flooded with natural light and soaring ceilings. LeDor VaDor features a beautiful synagogue, library, coffee shop/bakery, hair and nail salon, and even an optical department (whose available frames were incredibly stylish!). LeDor VaDor also provides physical and occupational therapy, with a full-service gym and expert rehab specialists. And yes, there is a waiting list to get in.

 Other stand-out experiences included attending the Megillah reading on Purim at the Amijai Synagogue, where we returned later in the week to celebrate Shabbat with the congregation. Rabbi Alejandro Avrug proved to be everything his reputation has said he would be: smart, energetic, engaging, and even a bit opinionated. The Shabbat service was truly mesmerizing, and as we stood with 1,000 others to turn to the back of the sanctuary and welcome the Sabbath Queen, we felt truly part of the Argentinean Jewish community. All of this I saw with my own two eyes, heard with my own two ears, and experienced with my whole soul. 

 During Shabbat dinner with the rabbi and other community leaders, we learned that in addition to his 1,000-strong congregation on an average Friday night, Avijai recently purchased a house not far from the shul, to serve as a place for young Jewish adults to hold services and programming. This location draws 150 – 200 worshipers every Shabbat. Their services are run by a young assistant rabbi (who is studying under Rabbi Avrug), and apparently it is the “place to be” for young Jewish singles and couples on a Friday night.

 Our trip was well-balanced. We had a terrific opportunity to “follow our Campaign dollars” to see where they are hard at work in places such as LeDor VaDor, ORT Belgrano and the JAFI Masa program (as well as others I haven’t described, such as the Jewish community medicine bank, Refuot, started by JDC and now run under the auspices of the Tzedaka Foundation. Refuot provides free prescription medicine across the entire country – to Jews and non- Jews, alike – to 50,000 patients).

 To balance the site visits, we had wonderful Argentinean culture opportunities; we learned to Tango, we saw street art, we visited one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world (and peaked in on a live rehearsal of Swan Lake, what a treat!), and we even experienced a cooking class. Yay for corn empanadas! 

 I went to Argentina, and I did buy a t-shirt (it wasn’t for me). But I came back with so much more. I am glad to know our Federation dollars are hard at work helping our people not just at home in Tidewater and in the US. Again, not my first mission… but I am always proud and gratified to see that because of the work we do here at home and the dollars that we raise… we are connected with Jews around the world. Those in need are not forgotten. We are one people, stronger when we are united. We all just must help a little bit more.

Amy Zelenka, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater chief development officer and Mission planner, contributed to this article.  

 We both grew up in Israeli youth movements, where values such as teamwork, responsibility, and caring for others are a big part of everyday life. Bringing that same spirit to Tidewater has been incredibly meaningful for us.

 One of our recent sessions focused on Israeli leadership. The kids learned about Israeli figures such as David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin, Rona Ramon, Hannah Senesh, and Theodor Herzl, and explored what made each of them a leader. Through games, projects, debates, and creative activities, they discovered that leadership is not just about being famous; it’s about taking initiative, listening to others, and working together. 

 Another favorite session was our Israeli inventions day, where we explored how Israel has influenced the world through creativity and innovation. The kids learned about inventions such as Waze, voicemail, cherry tomatoes, USB flash drives, Power Rangers, Rummikub, and drip irrigation, and then got hands-on time building models, playing games, and even designing their own inventions. 

 For us, the Israeli Eagles is about more than activities. It’s about creating a place where kids feel welcome, proud of their ideas, and connected to Israel and to each other. We are proud of this group and can’t wait to keep growing and learning together.

To join the Israeli Eagles and share in the excitement, contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.

Noga Yaniv and Yarden Lahan are Tidewater’s Shinshinim.

It’s kind of funny (pun intended) how many people are surprised to learn that for the past 10 plus years, I have been performing improv and sketch comedy. It’s been a wonderful journey that’s also given me the opportunity to produce shows and teach comedy to up and coming improvisors.

 Well, if you like good surprises, I have great one for you because a group of my very funny friends and I will perform a Whose Line Is It Anyway-style improv show at the Simon Family JCC on the Sandler Family Campus. These improvisors are some of the best comedians in the 757 region, many of whom have performed up and down the east coast. 

 If you’ve ever watched Whose Line, you know the magic lies in its spontaneity. The comedians step onstage with nothing but their quick thinking, years of comedic experience, and a handful of audience suggestions. From outrageous scenes to absurd character improvisations, every moment is created in real time. There are no scripts, no do-overs, and absolutely no safety net—just pure, unfiltered comedy.

 What makes our show truly special is the connection with the audience, whose ideas fuel the comedy, and who become part of the experience as the cast transforms simple prompts into laugh-out-loud moments. Whether it’s a surprising song, a perfectly timed punchline, or a physical gag that comes out of nowhere, the energy in the room is electric.

 We’ll deliver feel-good entertainment that’s smart, silly, and endlessly rewatchable, just in time for the wackiness of Purim. You’ll laugh until your face hurts, marvel at the performers’ creativity, and leave quoting jokes that were invented right in front of you.

 Don’t miss your chance to experience one of the funniest shows this season. Grab your tickets, bring your best suggestions, and prepare for a night where everything’s made up—and the laughter absolutely counts.

This event is presented by Rick Krupnick and Arts + Ideas at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Free and open to the community. Registration is required at www.JewishVA.org/Improv. Drink tickets will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Hunter Thomas, UJFT director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965-6137.