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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...
Over six weeks, the 2024 Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival brought together bestselling authors, emerging voices, and an audience hungry for stories. The festival began with a look into history, as novelist Rachel Beanland transported attendees back...
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s 2025 Women’s Philanthropy Lion Tikva Chai Lunch took place on a cool, crisp day in the sunny and bright Fleishmann Lounge on the Sandler Family Campus. This annual lunch is a thank you for all women donors at the $1,800+...
More than a young men’s fundraising group for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Nadiv is a place to network, socialize, and learn about each other’s professional lives. On Friday, November 8, 12 Nadiv members toured the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Jonathan Beha, a...
On a cool Sunday in October, the Sandler Family Campus transformed into a magical Fall Wonderland for the 2nd Annual Strelitz Fall Festival. This signature Strelitz International Academy event brought the community together with delicious food, unique vendors,...
Fourth-grade students at Strelitz International Academy engaged in an exciting blend of STEM education and cultural exploration as part of the school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) on Tuesday, Oct. 16. Incorporating themes from recent...
Twenty-five years ago, Jewish Family Service and Edmarc, a children’s hospice program, partnered to develop Peace by Piece, an emotional safe haven for kids and teens who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Adult support groups for the caregivers are also...
The Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Program is celebrating a major milestone this year, and what better way to begin the year than with United Jewish Federation hosting the largest ever BeAR kickoff luncheon. Now in its 25th year, the BeAR program continues to ignite a...
Last month’s BBYO kickoff event had a great turnout with about 20 Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) boys and 16 B’nai Brith Girls (BBG) attending. The teens swam, ate pizza, caught up with old friends, and met some new additions to BBYO Tidewater. The night wrapped...
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...
Call them a well “oyled” machine.I am speaking of the quartet of Carol Smith, DeAnne Lindsey, Gina Rose, and Marlene Rossen who (along with Patty Shelanski) lead the unofficial culinary committee of the Congregation Beth El Sisterhood that plans, purchases, cooks, and...
Some events simply cannot be missed. Apparently, that was the thought when young students at Strelitz International Academy were covered up with proper fashionable paper plates, in addition to the special protective sunglasses, to view the Solar Eclipse on April 8 at...
Bittersweet tears flowed from many eyes on Sunday, April 7 as community members gathered for brunch at Congregational Beth El to celebrate the retirement of Pam Gladstone, Beth El’s executive director for the past 34 years.Gladstone’s tenure at the synagogue saw four...
As the weather gets warmer and summer gets closer, Camp JCC wrapped up another successful spring break camp. Covering one week for mostly public school closures, campers enjoyed spring themed crafts, indoor and outdoor games, STEM projects, a mini color war, and free...
In what may be the “sweetest” gala ever presented in its 31-year run, the 2024 Virginia Festival of Jewish Film celebrated the life and work of the late actor Gene Wilder during its “Wonka-themed” Saturday Night Celebration on Feb. 24. Remembering Gene Wilder was...
The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg wrapped up on Wednesday, Feb. 28. This year’s festival, which included five feature films in addition to a special event showcasing four Israeli short films, was attended by more than 600...
Those who weren’t in Casablanca on Saturday, Feb. 3 missed out. Temple Emanuel’s Casablanca-themed Casino Night was the place to be and the numerous Ingrids and Humphreys in attendance can attest to that. It was an energetic, delicious, fun night on the town. Leslie...
Thirty area Jewish teens attended BBYO’s bowling event at Pinboy’s on Sunday, Feb. 4. BBYO’s winter kickoff, the event was a perfect program, allowing potential members and newer members to meet older teens. Both Old Dominion AZA and Simcha BBG chapters led an opening...
More than 100 members of Brith Sholom gather at the Simon Family JCC on the first Sunday of each month to enjoy camaraderie, wonderful brunches, interesting speakers, and a variety of entertainment. The Independent Order of Brith Sholom (Covenant of Peace) was founded...
Rising antisemitism after the October 7 attacks in Israel was the impetus for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning and Jewish Community Relations Council to organize Empowering Students, a three-part series designed to help participants...
Strelitz International Academy began 2024 with an event that boosted school spirit as well as inspired students and families to participate in fundraising for the school. The first Strelitz International Academy Glow Run, which took place on January 19, served as the...
Despite it being a Tuesday, the spirit of Shabbat was alive and thriving at the Sandler Family Campus on January 23, as families gathered for a Shabbat at Home event. The second in a five-part series that explores ways to build ritual and tradition into Friday nights,...
Students in Lavette Ricks’ Early Years 3 class at Strelitz International Academy were inspired by Michael Rosen’s story, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt to go on their own ‘bear hunt’ at school. So, Ricks brought the story to life and created the experience for her...