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Nearly 200 people gathered for a powerful and emotional conversation with Shahar Dekel, a photographer and IDF reservist soldier, and Jay Klebanoff, a former United Jewish Federation of Tidewater president, on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Held at the Sandler Family Campus, the...
The incredible BeAR volunteers regularly demonstrate what it means to serve, inspire, and share a little extra love wherever they go. Two dedicated Larrymore BeAR captains, for example, were recently spotted at Chesterfield Academy Elementary.Larrymore captains Irene...
For one special hour before winter break, BeAR Literacy Project volunteers filled classrooms, libraries, and cafeterias with holiday cheer and the magic of reading. Students were treated to a whirlwind of fun that celebrated the joy of books and included festive story...
A heartfelt celebration that brings together students, families, and friends to honor the special bonds between generations, Strelitz International Academy’s annual Grandparents and Grandfriends Day achieved its goals. The event was marked by warmth, gratitude, and...
A trip that brought the stories of Hampton Roads’ Jewish history to life was the culmination of From the Shtetl to the South, a 10-week course hosted by the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Participants joined Rabbi Michael...
Camp JCC wrapped up another successful Winter Camp to conclude a fun filled 2024. More than 50 children attended the camp during the two weeks of school holiday closures, enjoying the “Camp JCC Winter Cabin” with each day featuring its own song as its theme for the...
The alarming rise in antisemitism and hate crimes was the topic for a gathering of community leaders hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Jewish Community Relations Council and Holocaust Commission on Thursday, December 12. Meredith Weisel, regional...
Hanukkah came early to the 29 participants of this year’s Beach Sisterhood Hanukkah Party, which was held in Temple Emanuel’s social hall on December 10. Holiday foods such as latkes with a side of applesauce or sour cream and jelly filled munchkins, along with pizza...
Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union and Deputy Secretary of both Treasury and State, visited Tidewater on Monday, Nov. 18 to discuss his new book The Art of Diplomacy – How American Negotiators Reached Historic Agreements that...
Nearly 200 members of Tidewater’s Jewish community gathered at the Simon Family JCC for the first-ever Community Impact Day on the last Sunday of November. Partnering with 18 local non-profits and seven Jewish camps, participants raised more than $700 while fostering...
Cars started lining up down Corporate Woods Drive at 8 am on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, eagerly waiting for the Jewish Family Service Food Pantry to begin its Thanksgiving food distribution. Busy volunteers and staff were loading carts carrying bags of...
The 2024 Tidewater Shabbat Project was once again a smashing success. The weekend began with the Travelling Chassidim leading Friday night services at B’nai Israel Congregation on Nov. 15. The synagogue came alive as everyone joined together in dance while singing the...
The fifth and sixth grade girls from Toras Chaim took a trip to the Maimonides Health Center in Virginia Beach on Monday, June 10.An innovative idea of Kayla Weinreb to teach her students about the act of chessed (kindness) while bringing joy to the Center’s...
After achieving plenty of recognition and success during the 2023- 2024 school year, the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project is now planning for the 2024-2025 school year.During this school year, BeAR worked with more than 100 second-grade students in Norfolk and...
Adults over the age of 55 visited the Simon Family JCC to celebrate National Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 29. The day was filled with fun, laughter, health, and fitness – deeming it a huge success.Vendors from all over Tidewater offered information...
The sun shone brightly on Sunday, June 2 as students and their families from the Strelitz International Academy Mitzvah Club gathered at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for a beach cleanup event that blended service with fun.The day began with laughter as children...
In a time of unprecedented antisemitism, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater organized a workshop on combatting antisemitism in the arts. The event, held on Wednesday, May 15 at the Chrysler Museum of Art, focused on creating a more inclusive and welcoming...
Time flies! While it feels like just yesterday the Strelitz International Academy’s Class of 2017 graduated, seven years have passed and these students are graduating from high school.Last month, these alumni and their parents returned to SIA for a special Senior...
Blue and White Fun Run a big (and messy!) success Jewish Family Service’s 20th Annual Run, Roll, or Stroll was held on Sunday, May 19 on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community. In conjunction with Yom Ha’Atzmaut activities, the campus...
Laughter, camaraderie, and the unmistakable spirit of Tidewater’s Jewish community filled the Sandler Family Campus’ Fleder Multipurpose Room on the evening of May 15. The occasion was the Simon Family Legacy Society’s celebration event dedicated to honoring those who...
Hundreds of orthodox Jewish families rented homes in the Sandbridge section of Virginia Beach for the duration of this year’s eight-day Passover holiday. Families from outside of Virginia brought their traditions and kosher meals to Sandbridge, with 10 synagogues...
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Philanthropy Spring lunch took place last month in the Fleischman Lounge on the Sandler Family Campus. This annual lunch serves as a ‘Thank you’ event for members of Women’s Philanthropy who are volunteer campaign...
Community members gathered in the beautifully decorated Marty Einhorn Pavilion on the Sandler Family Campus on the evening of May 16 for an Israeli Chef’s Table Experience with visiting Israeli chef, Yaniv Cohen. With his love and extensive knowledge of spices, Chef...
The Be A Reader (BeAR) literacy project, dedicated to fostering a love of reading among 2nd grade students in Norfolk and Virginia Beach’s Title I schools, hosted an end-of-year appreciation luncheon for its mentors last month.Gail Flax, BeAR chair, welcomed everyone...
The annual Tidewater community Yom Ha'Atzmaut gathering, held this year on Sunday, May 19 on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, was a vibrant recognition of Israel’s independence. The atmosphere was electric, as close to 2,000 community members were adorned in...
The 2024 Yom Hashoah Commemoration honoring the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, as well as liberators and righteous gentiles, brought the community together around awareness, sadness, honor, hope, and the understanding that each day it is possible to choose to...
In February, Jewish News featured a story about Aloha Hearts, fused glass ‘worry hearts’ created by Hawaiian Barry Gitelson. These glass hearts have since been distributed to Israeli children in Sderot as part of Youth Futures, a program that assists at-risk children...
When thinking of Passover, the word ‘order’ typically comes to mind — which, of course, is the meaning of seder.Last month, however, Ohef Sholom turned the ‘order’ of Passover on its head with a fun, interactive Passover experience.On Sunday, April 21, Ohef Sholom...
Jewish Virginia Beach celebrated its third annual Passover Seder at 757 Events with more than120 participants. Led by Rabbi Meir Lessoff, the prevailing sentiment of the evening was one of unity and resilience, affirming 'Am Israel Chai' – the Jewish people will...
In the heart of the Sandler Family Campus, the Joe Fleischmann Lounge at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center becomes a hub of joy and celebration every first Friday of the month at 12:30 pm. This lively celebration is a special initiative of the JCC Seniors Club...
Volunteers are heavily relied on to help with the continued success of Jewish Family Service of Tidewater’s programs. The community of volunteers makes an incredible impact on the lives of the people served by the organization, with thousands of volunteer hours logged...
Rugelach baking evening unites Jewish women in Tidewater Last month, 25 Jewish women met one evening at the home of Betsy Karotkin, UJFT Women’s Philanthropy chair, to meet and greet one another and to discuss the significant impact of Jewish women – all while...