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On a beautiful September afternoon, just days before Rosh Hashanah, Tidewater’s Ruby Lions gathered at Jodi Klebanoff’s home for a luncheon celebrating friendship, philanthropy, and the impact of women’s leadership.Alicia London Friedman, Women’s Philanthropy chair,...
A full house gathered at Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 15, for the annual Cantors and Chazanim Concert, an evening that brought together cantors, rabbis, and musicians from congregations across the Tidewater Jewish community.Now in its fourth...
For 38 years, golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and friends of Strelitz International Academy have come together for a day that is about much more than golf. This year, that tradition reached a new milestone.The 38th Annual Bob Josephberg Classic & Strelitz...
More than 50 women gathered on the top floor of the Assembly building in downtown Norfolk for the Lev Sara Bikkur Cholim Inaugural Dinner in March. Lev Sara Bikkur Cholim is a committee founded by Shari Berman, Shana Danziger, Liba Eisenberg, Dee Slone, and Michal...
For the past 13 summers, Erica Ausch has led hour-long water aerobics classes for fellow residents at the Oceans Condominiums on Atlantic Avenue. “Raise hands, bring them over your head, then down to your sides,” Ausch calls out. “Kick right side, arms out, then left,...
Families gathered at the Sandler Family Campus on Friday, August 21 for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s and PJ Library’s annual End-of-Summer Shabbat.The celebration was originally planned as a pool party, but unexpected weather required a change of plans....
Two dozen or so women gathered to immerse themselves in Mizrahi culture on the evening of Sunday, August 23. The event was led by Jackie Dratch, creator of the Mizrahi Dance Archive, and organized by NextGen757, a community group for young Jewish adults ages 21 -...
It was another beautiful evening at the beach on Saturday, August 29, when 68 people (but who is counting) gathered in our backyard to celebrate Havdalah together.Known for separating the Shabbat from the ordinary weekdays, Havdalah is a joyful service and a great...
“Unforgettable” is an appropriate way to describe Camp JCC’s 2026 summer. The season was packed with exciting field trips, spirited theme days, new campers, and an incredible staff team, including the additions of Christine Carnahan as camp manager, and Blake Sisler,...
The JCC Maccabi Games and Access were held August 2-7 in two different host cities—Toronto and Kansas City. The Team Virginia Beach delegation went to the Games in Canada, joining more than 60 other delegations from nine countries. Eight athletes...
A new school year at Strelitz International Academy began on Monday, August 17 with the school’s faculty and staff welcoming both new and returning students to SIA for the 2026–2027 school year. In a special surprise, the Virginia Beach Police Department...
Fleischmann Lounge was filled with music as Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH) congregants, friends, and community guests – ages preschool to 90 – welcomed Shabbat to celebrate their first year on the Sandler Family Campus. Member Sid Bridge led a joyful...
Gathering community members, leaders, volunteers, and supporters for an afternoon rooted in gratitude, purpose, and hope, Jewish Family Service of Tidewater held its 67th Biennial Meeting on Monday, June 22 at the Fred Huette Garden in Norfolk. More than a...
As educators prepare for a new school year, many are facing challenges that extend beyond academics. Rising incidents of antisemitism and other forms of bias, increasing polarization, and the need to foster safe classroom communities have made inclusive teaching...
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community recently teamed up with Norfolk Kayak Rentals for an eventful Sunset on the Water experience. Despite cloudy skies, the weather held out so that NextGen kayakers could enjoy time out on the water. ...
The JCC Senior Club took a trip to the Edgar Cayce A.R.E. Center at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Wednesday, June 17. Boarding a charter bus, the 30 participants first stopped at the Session Café located in the original hospital building at the top of...
Rabbi Mike Moskowitz brought a thoughtful approach to allyship as a spiritual practice during a June 10 program at the Sandler Family Campus. Presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Arts + Ideas and Konikoff Center for Learning, the event was part of...
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) unfolded this year as a wide-ranging exploration of art, identity, history, and belonging. It also marked the kickoff of the Outstanding Jewish Americans in Tidewater...
Shavuot celebrates receiving the Torah, but for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community, it also became an opportunity to strengthen relationships, deepen Jewish learning, and explore what it means to grow together. Through two gatherings, one...
The first week of Camp JCC set the tone for another unforgettable summer, as campers reunited with old friends, welcomed new ones, and embraced traditions that make camp feel like home. Centered around the Jewish value of chaverut (friendship), the week’s activities...
Members of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Patrons of the Arts gathered at Aviva Pembroke on Wednesday, May 20 for a screening of Once Upon My Mother. The film tells the story of a mother’s unwavering devotion as she helps her son, born with a clubfoot in...
Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s Simon Family Legacy Celebration on Wednesday, May 27 was an opportunity for communities to converge, gathering around a shared vision, shared responsibility, and shared purpose.More than 100 TJF fundholders, community leaders,...
This year, Shavuot celebrated 3,338 years since the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. To this very day, Jews continue to study the Torah, cherish it, and hold it close. The Torah serves as guidance on how to live and make the world a better place.SIA’s Primary Years...
Throughout May, area students visited the Sandler Family Campus to view their artwork displayed in the Cardo.The exhibit featured pieces from the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s annual Elie Wiesel Writing & Visual Arts...
Ninety-seven poker players filed onto the Sandler Family Campus to compete in Nadiv’s Texas Hold ’Em tournament for the chance to win various prizes, including a $500 Amazon gift card on Tuesday, May 12. The event raised more than $25,000 with most of those...
Every year, we count the Omer between Pessach and Shavuot. Seven weeks. Forty-nine days. 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...
The BeAR Literacy Project concluded another meaningful school year with its annual End-of-the-Year Mentor Luncheon, a celebration of the extraordinary volunteers whose time, patience, and compassion continue to change children’s lives.Approximately 140 students...
Jewish Tidewater gathered in full force for a Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration on Sunday, April 26 that was hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and presented by Avraham and Karen Ashkenazi. The event took place on the Sandler Family Campus.Marking Israel’s 78th...
As part of this year’s Israel @ 78 celebration, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater hosted its signature Israeli Chef’s Table Experience, an evening that blended vibrant flavors, storytelling, and a deep sense of community connection.Held at the Sandler Family...
Jewish Family Service of Tidewater raised vital funds for community services during its 22nd Annual Run, Roll, Stroll on Sunday, May 3, attracting nearly 300 participants to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for a 5K and community walk.Hundreds of community members,...
A lively BBQ on B’nai Israel Congregation’s patio took place on Sunday, May 3 for families who have joined the Norfolk Jewish community over the past two to three years. Rabbi Shlomo and Liba Eisenberg, whose leadership of the shul began in July 2023, hosted the...
During BBYO’s Rush Week, both Simcha BBG and OD AZA were able to host successful programs. Rush Week is when BBYO chapters host events that are targeted towards new members, in an attempt to attract more people to get involved and join. On...