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Tidewater teen attends BBYO summer program

Tidewater teen attends BBYO summer program

International Kallah is where BBYO members from across the globe come together to explore their Jewish identity and learn about their shared Jewish heritage, all while enjoying adventures in a beautiful camp setting. It takes place for 20 days during the summer at the...

Filling the sukkah with kindness

Filling the sukkah with kindness

This Sukkot, Jewish Family Service celebrated the holiday’s spirit of gratitude and community by launching its “Fill the Sukkah” Food Drive — an initiative that combined tradition with tzedakah.  Instead of decorating a traditional sukkah this year, JFS invited...

Mike Goldsmith, security expert, speaks with seniors

Mike Goldsmith, security expert, speaks with seniors

The online world can be confusing and scary for people of all ages. That is why on Wednesday, Sept. 17, Secure Community Network’s Regional Security Advisor for Tidewater, Mike Goldsmith, spoke with the JCC Senior’s Club about recognizing common scams. Protecting...

BBYO holds a successful fall event 

BBYO holds a successful fall event 

Thirty-five members and prospects (17 AZA and 18 BBG) gathered at Top Golf to kick off the new programming term for BBYO. Sports, socializing, and snacks were enjoyed by all.   To learn about more programming, contact Courtney Krutoy, city director - Tidewater...

A joyful splash to end the summer

A joyful splash to end the summer

Families of all ages gathered at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus for the annual End of Summer Shabbat Dinner and Pool Party on Friday, August 22. Hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the multigenerational event brought together more than 150...

Mini-Golf fundraiser was a big success

Mini-Golf fundraiser was a big success

On Sunday, September 14, I hosted a charity mini golf fundraising tournament at the Sandler Family Campus. We had 25 people show up to play and donate to Jewish Family Service.  The tournament was split into three rounds. The first round was a normal round, and...

Lag Baomer – Flames with Life

This year’s Lag BaOmer celebration hosted by Jewish Virginia Beach brought together more than 300 participants for an afternoon that balanced joy, depth, and community spirit — and showcased a Jewish presence that’s growing, young, and full of life. Held at Hunt Club...

Tidewater’s Yom Ha’Zikaron Ceremony

Community members gathered at the Sandler Family Campus on Wednesday, April 30 to recognize Israel Remembrance Day (Yom HaZikaron) – a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks. Leading the heartfelt ceremony were...

Beach Sisterhood plays Bunco

A combination of Beth Chaverim and Temple Emanuel women, Beach Sisterhood held its first Bunco game at Ilene Kohen’s home in April. Several guests joined Beach Sisterhood for this entertaining event. The group of 18 women had lots of fun trying to roll three dice and...

Local VE-Day observance features Holocaust survivor

The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day was observed in Tidewater with a special presentation by Dr. Roger and Win Loria at the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk on May 8. United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission partnered with the MacArthur...

ODU Hillel walks to shine a light on mental health

Students from Old Dominion University’s Hillel, led by Dr. Amy Milligan, proudly participated in the school’s annual Out of the Darkness Walk, a national movement in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on Sunday, April 27. The event is part of a...

An Evening of Israeli Culture and Connection

Last month, Adrianne Royes invited Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Danielle Hartman and Emily Patyuk, as well as a few friends, to spend an evening together filled with Israel culture and cuisine. “A fun time was had by all. Guests were thoroughly pampered by our Shin-chefs...

Yom Hashoah 2025 Honors and Remembers

Falling on the 82nd anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, this year’s Yom Hashoah community commemoration reminded Tidewater’s Jewish community of how important it is to remember those who perished in the Holocaust and honor those who survived. More than 350...

Israel’s 77th anniversary is celebrated with joy and unity

Tidewater’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut community celebration marking Israel’s 77th Independence Day, took place Sunday, May 4 at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus. Hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC, the afternoon was filled with engaging...

Moms and flowers and bagels… Oh my

On a glorious spring Sunday morning, 10 young moms came together for a fun brunch and flower arranging workshop.Hostess Bo Lepchitz and her sister, Sunny, provided a plethora of floral options and the ladies “went to town.” Everyone created a beautiful centerpiece to...

YAD members enjoy post-Passover chametz

Young area adults with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Young Adult Division gathered at Hank’s Filling Station on Tuesday, April 22 for a Happy Hour to celebrate the end of the Passover holiday. Two dozen participants enjoyed drinks and plenty of post-Passover...

Sunday Fun Day: Down on the farm

Sunday, April 6 turned into a very warm and sunny day for Sunday Fun Day at Hunt Club Farm. The event sold out and had a waiting list of families that wanted to join the farm fun. Families put on their sunscreen, hats, and tennis shoes and arrived at the first...

Bat Mitzvah girl gives the gift of reading to BeAR Literacy Project

When Kenna Werby celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, March 29, she didn’t just mark a major milestone in her own life – she made a lasting impact on the lives of countless young readers in Tidewater.For her Bat Mitzvah project, Kenna chose to support the Jewish...

Model Senior Seder celebrates Passover traditions

More than 60 active adults gathered for a meaningful Model Passover Seder on Tuesday, April 9. Led by Rabbi David Bockman of Congregation Beth El with Dave Flagler, Simon Family JCC’s camp director, on guitar, the event took place at the Sandler Family Campus. The...

Great Jewish Bookshelf builds community

It started with a simple question during a meeting of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Innovation Steering Committee: If children have the privilege of receiving Jewish-themed books monthly through PJ Library, why shouldn’t adults have their own version? PJ...

Toras Chaim students share Purim joy

On the Tuesday prior to Purim, in coordination with Rabbi Levi Brashevitsky, the seventh and eighth grade boys from Toras Chaim took a trip to Harbor’s Edge in Norfolk to deliver Mishloach Manos packed at the school.The boys had a special opportunity to dance and talk...

Axes and apps for YAD

A dozen young Jewish Adults from United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s YAD division got together last month for an evening of food, drinks, and… axe throwing!Josh Leibowitz, YAD chair, distinguished himself as the most improved thrower (while still guarding his...

BBYO was busy in March

Tidewater BBYO had an active agenda last month. The teens volunteered, socialized, and celebrated Shabbat as part of their March calendar.During Operation Hamantaschen for PJ Library at the Simon Family JCC, the teens set up the event, baked, and delivered the...

Operation Hamantaschen: A sweet gathering

An excellent community turnout greeted Operation Hamantaschen’s return to the Simon Family JCC on Sunday, March 9.The JCC was abuzz with cookie-making and engagement for people of all ages. BBYO volunteers jumped to the challenge of setting up for the event, running...