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.

I was honored to represent the City of Virginia Beach at the 2025 Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, convened by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, December 2 – 4 in New Orleans. The summit brought together local and national elected officials to better understand the growing threats facing Jewish communities, share practical strategies, and strengthen coordinated responses to antisemitism and other forms of hate. Attending was important to me, both as a public servant and as a citizen, neighbor, and human being.

 My connection to the Jewish community goes back to childhood. My earliest and longest-standing friendship is with someone who is Jewish, and some of my earliest experiences with faith and tradition came from sitting around his family’s Shabbat table, attending temple from time to time, and being welcomed into moments of celebration and reflection. Over the years, I have built many other friendships with Jewish neighbors and colleagues. I have always admired the way the Jewish community consistently shows up for others, particularly underserved communities, and the long tradition of Jewish leadership in the struggle for civil rights, equality, and justice. I see those values lived out every day across Hampton Roads, including in Virginia Beach.

 Our region is fortunate to have strong Jewish institutions whose impact extends far beyond their own faith community. The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, Jewish Family Service, and synagogues provide leadership, services, and support that benefit people throughout the region. Their work strengthens civic life and reflects a deep commitment to the well-being of the entire community.

 I experienced that leadership firsthand early in my service on City Council. Following the tragic mass shooting in Virginia Beach on Friday, May 31, 2019, Council Member Abbott and I were tasked by the mayor and city manager with helping to organize a remembrance event for the victims, their families, and the community. My first call was to Robin Mancoll at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Her experience bringing faith communities together made her an essential partner. Early Monday morning, June 3, we gathered in UJFT’s boardroom with faith leaders and community partners who shared a commitment to a common purpose: honoring those we lost, supporting those who were hurting, and helping the city begin to process the tragedy. The resulting event, Virginia Beach Remembers at Rock Church, remains one of the most meaningful moments of my public service. It would not have happened without the leadership, coordination, and compassion of UJFT and the interfaith partnerships that came together in that moment.

 As a former president of Hampton Roads Pride, I have also seen the Jewish community’s support in the movement toward LGBTQ equality. That support remains consistent and meaningful, and it continues to make a real difference in advancing dignity and fairness for all.

 My interest in this topic is also informed and strengthened through my collaborative relationship with my colleague Council Member Joash Schulman, who is Jewish. Joash and I are friends, and we were long before either of us served in elected office. I have long admired his dedication to public service and to making Virginia Beach a better place to live for all people. Joash, his wife, and family are actively engaged with their synagogue, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the JCC, and many other community organizations. In spite of the fact that Joash and I belong to different political parties and sometimes vote differently, I have never questioned his commitment to our community or the goodness of his character.

 I have personally witnessed antisemitic remarks directed at Joash through official email, on social media, in person, and even inside City Council chambers. On multiple occasions, some protesters deliberately targeted him, directing their remarks about the war in Gaza and their opposition to the actions of the government of Israel at Joash personally, in my belief solely because he is Jewish. This conduct was not isolated or incidental. It occurred repeatedly, including in public forums where civil and respectful discourse should be expected. Witnessing this was deeply troubling and clarifying. It strengthened my resolve not only to stand up for my friend, but also to confront antisemitism directly, to deepen my understanding of its causes, and to stand firmly and unequivocally with the Jewish community.

 All these experiences, combined with my strong beliefs against hate and discrimination, are why attending the summit mattered to me. Public service carries a responsibility to confront intolerance directly. Forums such as the Mayors Summit reinforce the role local elected representatives play in protecting community safety, promoting understanding, and standing up for the dignity of every resident. The summit offered an opportunity to learn from colleagues across the country while reaffirming a shared responsibility to ensure Virginia Beach remains a place where people are safe, valued, and respected.

 The conversations at the summit were candid and, at times, sobering. Antisemitism is rising in the United States and around the world. The threat is persistent and evolving. At the same time, the summit focused on practical action. There was strong emphasis on coordination among civic leadership, law enforcement, emergency management practices, faith organizations, and interfaith partners. Effective preparedness and response require more than operational readiness. They require cultural awareness, respect for religious practices, and trust built well before a crisis occurs. These elements are essential to ensuring dignity, safety, and clarity during any emergency response.

 Recent acts of violence and hate, including the attack at Bondi Beach in Australia and incidents here in the United States, underscore the urgency of this work. They also reinforce the importance of strong, preexisting relationships. In Hampton Roads, coordination among community organizations, faith-based and interfaith partners, law enforcement, and public safety agencies provides a strong foundation. These partnerships allow incidents of hate to be reported, addressed, and responded to in ways that prioritize safety while maintaining respect and dignity. Still, complacency is not an option. Hate can surface in universities, neighborhoods, online spaces, or through isolated individuals. Remaining vigilant is essential.

One of the most important takeaways from the summit was a reminder that progress is built through relationships, and Virginia Beach already has a strong foundation. Longstanding partnerships among city leadership, public safety, faith communities, and community organizations continue to support this work. At the same time, the effort requires widening the circle. Combating hate and discrimination is not the responsibility of any one community or institution. It depends on welcoming more voices into these efforts and strengthening connections across cultures, neighborhoods, and lived experiences. I encourage everyone who is interested in this topic to lean in, get to know your elected representatives and city officials, share what matters to you, and help build momentum around a shared commitment to safety, dignity, and mutual respect.

 That work must include leaders and residents from Asian, Hispanic, Black, LGBTQ, and other communities, as well as representation from diverse faith traditions, whose experiences and perspectives are essential to shaping effective strategies. Ongoing dialogue, careful listening, and collaboration across communities strengthen the ability to confront hate in all its forms.

 As part of this continued commitment, Virginia Beach will ensure Holocaust Remembrance Day is recognized on January 27. This day honors the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers of unchecked hatred, indifference, and dehumanization. Remembering this history reinforces a responsibility to confront hate early and decisively, wherever it appears.

 I am grateful to the Combat Antisemitism Movement for convening the summit and for the opportunity to represent Virginia Beach. Continued engagement in this work remains essential. Most importantly, the relationships shared with the Jewish community in Hampton Roads have shaped my life, strengthened the broader community, and continue to inspire a shared commitment to justice, dignity, and compassion.

For International Holocaust Remembrance Day, German historian Thomas Kemper will visit Tidewater to speak about his discoveries while investigating the history and fate of the Gonsenhauser and Bachenheimer families during the Holocaust – the families of Tidewater’s Mark Gonsenhauser and Joan Joffe.

 Among the many stories he will share, Thomas will talk about Augusta Gonsenhauser’s last weeks during which she was transported to and murdered in Estonia, as well as history on Helmut Gonsenhauser and his half-brothers, and the shocking truth about Helmut’s childhood friend who turned out to be a rabid Nazi.  Thomas will reveal some of the documents he unearthed such as a letter from Helmut’s father to the school principal begging in vain for him to allow Helmut to stay at the school.  Thomas will also explain why, as a Catholic, he became so interested in what happened to the Jews of the neighboring towns during the Nazi era, especially that of the Gonsenhauser family.  How Thomas met and became friends with the Gonsenhausers and his personal struggle to understand the entire tragedy, will also be disclosed.

 In late September 2024, members of the Gonsenhauser family, travelling from various countries, met in Frankfurt, Germany to start an amazing journey organized by Thomas. The culmination of the trip would be at the laying of seven Stolpersteinen (stumbling blocks) outside the house originally occupied by the Gonsenhauser family in the small Northern German town of Bad Berleberg.  Stolpersteinen have metal plaques attached to them, and they replace cobble stones outside houses previously occupied by Jewish families who left Germany or were murdered during the reign of the National Socialists (Nazis).  They can be seen in many cities and towns throughout Europe.  Each Stolperstein has the name and fate of individual family members inscribed on them.   

 Everyone had arrived at the Frankfurt hotel by the morning of September 20 and was handed a beautifully produced booklet containing hour by hour details of the journey we were about to embark on. Produced by Thomas, the booklet was typical of the care and time he put into every aspect of his research into the Gonsenhauser family.  The booklet also contained more than 30 pages of Gonsenhauser history.  For that first day, Thomas had arranged for an afternoon tour to what had been a huge covered market that was also used as an assembly point for the deportation of Frankfurt’s Jews. The part of the building – underground and empty and eerily quiet – where the doomed Jews were assembled, is now a memorial to those lost. Thomas arranged for a member of the Jewish museum to lead the tour. 

 The next day, Thomas took us to the site of the Jewish hospital where Augusta Gonsenhauser worked. Augusta Gonsenhauser (nee Bachenheimer) was the third wife of Moritz Gonsenhauser (Joan Joffe and Mark Gonsenhauser’s grandfather).  Augusta’s sister, Johanna Gonsenhauser (Joan and Mark’s grandmother), had died giving birth to Joan and Mark’s father, Helmut. We also visited the Jewish children’s home where Augusta’s son, Werner Gonsenhauser, had lived. By coincidence, this building was close to the Frank family home before Anne, her sister, and parents fled to Holland.  

 On the third day, we departed Frankfurt and drove to our next hotel in a small town called Oberkirchen. On the way, two of our stops were at buildings in separate towns where Helmut Gonsenhauser had served his apprenticeships. Later that day, Thomas gave an organ recital in memory of Augusta Gonsenhauser. 

 The next day, we went to the small town of Wetter where we visited the old synagogue, now a museum, displaying artifacts donated by descendants of the Bachenheimers who had lived in the town.  We also visited the nearby Jewish cemetery where Bachenheimer ancestors were buried in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

 On the fifth day, we made our way to the town of Bad Berleberg for the laying of the Stolpersteine. A large contingent from the local population attended, including the press, with TV cameras. The town’s mayor addressed the crowd, and high school students sang Shalom Chaverim, which touched us all.  There, we visited a school which Helmut Gonsenhauser attended, as well as two local cemeteries, which contain the graves of many Gonsenhauser ancestors. 

 The following day, we toured the larger town of Schmallenberg which is near Oberkirchen and Bad Berleberg, where we also saw some Stolpersteinen dedicated to family members, and the Synagogenstrasse memorial. 

 Thomas Kemper’s presentation on January 27 offers Tidewater the chance to witness this history through the eyes of the researcher who revived it. His work reminds us that remembrance is more than reflection—it is an effort to restore dignity, confront truth, and ensure these stories continue to guide future generations.

For more information and to register, visit jewishva.org/IHRD, or contact the Holocaust Commission. The program is free.                                                                                                                                            

 That is what I did, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience.  

 My dear friend, and Hampton Roads native, Amy Falk Weinberger, invited me to join her for a retreat in Costa Rica.  Amy, along with her husband Steve, daughter Erin, and son-in-law Gabe, own The Flo Retreat Center in Uvita, Costa Rica.  Amy envisioned ways to utilize the space and bring her girlfriends together, and as a result, The Sisterhood & Chocolate Retreat for Jewish/Jewish Adjacent* Women was born.

 In July of 2024, I joined 14 other women from Florida, Maryland, and New York for a week at Flo.  Most of us didn’t know each other, yet the connection was immediate and real.  Enjoying morning coffee in the outdoor living room while listening to monkeys and spotting toucans was a treat.  We began each day with gentle stretching in the yoga studio and then took advantage of opportunities to hike, swim in waterfalls, tour local farms, and explore outdoor markets.  Meals, and of course chocolate, were enjoyed at the communal table in the indoor/outdoor dining room.   Shabbat and Havdalah were celebrated with warmth and unity.  We were a group of new friends in the jungle surrounded by beautiful and exotic flora and fauna.  What a gift!  

Being at Flo felt like going to camp, but even better.  A retreat, not a resort, the accommodations are not fancy, but comfortable with A/C and hot water.  Participants leave hairdryers at home and enjoy delicious meals while partaking in exciting activities –  “letting go and just being yourself” in a tropical paradise. I was so taken with the experience that I joined Amy as co-host for 2025, wanting to help bring this incredible opportunity to more women.

 For our second season we added surf camp and art workshops to the already amazing itinerary.  We had a few returnees, as well as a new group of women from North Carolina, Virginia, and California. 

 Tidewater’s Stephanie Adler Calliott said “Yes” to the invitation.  She loved being creative and getting to “hang ten” (or five, in her case).  “I can’t decide if I enjoyed eating gourmet meals at Flo or visiting the local restaurants more – turns out Uvita is a foodie town,” she says.  “I do know that the experience is one I would repeat.  I am a summer camper at heart.”

 For me, I can’t wait to return as co-host for 2026.  Waterfalls, hiking, art, nature, delicious food, and sisterhood – all part of the Costa Rica vibe – and ready to help women break out of their routine and indulge their inner child.  

Information is available at www.florretreatcenter.com. Select “retreats” and scroll to Sisterhood & Chocolate for Jewish/Jewish Adjacent Women, July 14 – 21.  Retreats are also available for career women and women of color. Why should cool Jewish women have all of the fun?

*Jewish adjacent refers to individuals who may not be Jewish themselves, but who are closely connected to the Jewish community through family, partnership, or shared values.

When I first heard about the Partners in Jewish Life program, I struggled to fully grasp what it was all about. From what I understood, it seemed connected to the idea of chevruta, a form of paired learning that I have always deeply appreciated and practiced during my leadership training at the Rutemberg Institute in Haifa. Still, the concept felt a bit abstract.

 On Wednesday, Dec. 17, however, that understanding came to life in the most beautiful way. While my children enjoyed engaging and playful activities led by Camp JCC, I participated in the second edition of Partners in Jewish Life. What a joyful surprise it was. Participants were intentionally paired with people they might not normally interact with, creating space for genuine dialogue and discovery. Together, we explored a booklet inspired by the teachings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, focusing on the concept of Tikkun Olam and our shared responsibility to repair the world.

 The richness of the discussions was inspiring. Listening, questioning, agreeing, disagreeing, and reflecting alongside members of our community from different institutions, backgrounds, and perspectives reminded me of the power of Jewish learning when it is done collectively. Partners in Jewish Life is more than a study series, it is an invitation to build bridges, strengthen relationships, and engage deeply with Jewish values in a respectful and meaningful way.

 As we look ahead to the next edition, studying Jewish Identity on February 12, I encourage everyone in our community to participate, with this challenge: bring a friend. Be open, be curious, and be prepared to engage in thoughtful conversation with people who may think differently than you. That is where growth happens. That is where community is built.

 I look forward to learning together again.

Partners in Jewish Life is presented by the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, in partnership with the Rabbi Sacks Legacy.

For more information about Partners in Jewish Life or to register, visit JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, at SLautman@UJFT.org. 

Through the Personal Affairs Management program, JFS met Frances. Frances loved three things deeply: her country, her health, and chocolate.

Born at the start of the 20th century, Frances lived through eras most of us only read about. During World War II, she proudly served in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps—a voluntary military support unit that paved the way for women in the U.S. armed forces. She never married and had no children, but she lived an independent, determined life for as long as she possibly could.

When age and illness eventually made that independence impossible, Jewish Family Service was called in to help. Frances, now suffering from severe dementia, was placed in a care facility where she could be safe—but she could no longer speak or express herself clearly. Even her strong, beautiful past was, in many ways, locked away.

Still, her PAM guardian visited regularly, and even when words failed, they searched for something—anything—that could spark joy or connection. Then, one day, it happened.

Frances was handed a Hershey’s chocolate bar.

Her face softened. Her eyes lit up. For a moment, something familiar returned. From then on, every visit included a chocolate bar—sometimes two. It became a quiet ritual, a bridge between her past and the present.

Years passed. Frances’s 100th birthday was approaching—an extraordinary milestone. Her care team planned a joyful celebration: cake, party hats, decorations, music, and guests. But Frances didn’t understand the party was for her. She sat quietly at the table, distant and still, her party hat slightly askew.

Then her guardian placed several Hershey’s bars in front of her.

Slowly, carefully, Frances reached out. She began to move the chocolate bars across the table, one by one. She didn’t say a word—but her hands told the story. In that small act of engagement, surrounded by sweet reminders of something she still loved, Frances celebrated a century of life in her own unique way.

At JFS, we are reminded time and again: connection doesn’t always come through conversation, sometimes it comes through patience, attention—and a little bit of chocolate.

This is how we honor dignity. This is how we heal the world… one person at a time.

Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Jewish Family Service is dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community. With your help, we can continue healing the world, one person at a time.
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Every gift made to JFS goes back into the community and helps PAM clients such as Francis. Tax-deductible donations to Jewish Family Service of Tidewater may be made at jfshamptonroads.org.

We also accept nonperishable food items for our Food Pantry and new clothing items for our PAM clients, as well as hygiene items, that can be dropped in the donation bin outside of the Sandler Family Campus entrance.

Every act of kindness matters. Stand with us in bringing hope, dignity, and care to those who need it most. As we say at JFS, you never know when you’ll need help, but you’ll always know where to find it.

Meril Amdursky is a Jewish Family Service of Tidewater board member.

Ed Kramer is chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s board of directors.