Jewish Tidewater

Archives

Stay Safe

Stay Safe

The High Holiday season is a sacred time for worship, reflection, and joy. It begins on the evening of Monday, September 22. “Our synagogues will see significant numbers of congregants coming to connect with their faith and the larger Jewish community,” says Mike...

Safety Tips

Safety Tips

In these trying times, advice from a security professional can go a long way to assuring personal and community safety in public, as well as, in private spaces. Here, Mike Goldsmith, SCN regional security advisor, offers a couple of easy-to-follow tips. Cybersecurity...

Why I believe in Tidewater’s Jewish tomorrow

Why I believe in Tidewater’s Jewish tomorrow

A year ago, I became chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation. I am extremely honored to be in this position, especially considering all of those who have previously served in this role. I only hope to fill their shoes while trying to help guide this amazing organization...

Stay Safe

Safety Tips

In these trying times, advice from a security professional can go a long way to assuring personal and community safety in public, as well as, in private spaces. Mike Goldsmith, SCN regional security advisor, will offer a couple of easy-to-follow tips here, and in the...

Super Sunday, reimagined Sunday, September 14

Super Sunday, reimagined Sunday, September 14

For decades, Super Sunday has been a flagship event in the lifecycle of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s community campaign. It’s been a day of community mobilization – bringing volunteers together in a room buzzing with energy, armed with phones, stacks of...

KBH to move to Sandler Family Campus

KBH to move to Sandler Family Campus

Virginia Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH), also known as Kempsville Conservative Synagogue, is entering a transformative new chapter as it prepares to relocate its synagogue from Indian Lakes Boulevard to the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish...

Tidewater’s new Shinshinim set to arrive

Tidewater’s new Shinshinim set to arrive

Tidewater is entering its fourth year of collaboration with the Jewish Agency for Israel to host Shinshinim (Israeli Emissaries) on their mission to share Israeli culture, knowledge, and experiences with community members of all ages. Shinshin is an acronym for Shenat...

Officers installed, awards presented at UJFT’s Biennial

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater held its Biennial meeting on Wednesday, June 11 at the Sandler Family Campus.The Fleder Multi-Purpose Room was packed with people from throughout the Jewish community who had come to cheer on award winners, to support new officers...

Be A Reader: Volunteer Mentors needed for 2025–2026 school year

Heading into its 26th year, the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project is growing, adding two new partner schools to the BeAR family: Newtown Elementary in Virginia Beach and Suburban Park Elementary in Norfolk.The growth translates to more second graders to support,...

Leading, learning, and looking ahead

Shinshinim supervisors from communities supported by the Zeff Family Foundation gather each year with Diana Zeff, along with staff from the Jewish Agency for Israel and The Adelson Shlichut Institute.For the second time, I had the privilege of serving on the planning...

Jewish Tidewater’s Graduates

Graduations are a time to recognize achievements, formally bid farewell to a valued educational institution, prepare for the next steps along life’s journey, and of course, to celebrate!In the June 2 issue of Jewish News, nearly 40 area graduates were featured. Here...

Steps on the Jewish Journey: The Hoffman family and One Happy Camper

When Summer Hoffman was 15 years old, she received a One Happy Camper grant that allowed her to attend a three-week residential camp, BBYO International Kallah. For her interfaith family—half Jewish, half Christian—it was more than just a summer getaway. It became a...

Connecting over caffeine at Am Yisrael CHAI Cafe

There is no denying that coffee and college have a legendary relationship, from fueling early-morning classes to sustaining late-night study sessions. But for college campuses, coffee and the places that serve it, are about more than just caffeine. These spaces create...

Street names for Andrew Fine in VIBE Creative District

In keeping with the ViBe’s 10-year anniversary celebrations, the Virginia Beach City Council recognized the ViBe Creative District with a Resolution at its meeting on Tuesday, May 20. The City Council thanked ViBe co-founders Andrew Fine and Laura Wood and executive...

Celebrations and observances abound in Jewish Tidewater

Dinners and luncheons with a famed Israeli chef, Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day), and Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) were among myriad gatherings that took place throughout Jewish Tidewater just prior to this issue going to press. All were well...

Sarah Kosovsky named 2025 Stein Family Scholarship recipient

A standout student, Sarah Kosovsky has been named the 2025 recipient of the Stein Family College Scholarship, the largest scholarship available to Jewish students in Tidewater. Awarded through the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, this prestigious scholarship provides up...

May is Jewish American Heritage Month

President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month in 2006, designating the month to acknowledge Jewish contributions to American culture, history, military, science, government, and more. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records...

Vote through May 4 in election for World Zionist Congress

Just a few days are left to vote in an election that gives American Jews an opportunity to directly shape Israel’s future.The U.S. election for seats in the 39th World Zionist Congress will help determine the balance of power in the legislative authority of a Zionist...

Federal cuts to food assistance devastate JFS Food Pantry

Recent federal budget cuts have significantly impacted food banks across the country, and the food pantry at Jewish Family Service is no exception.The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has eliminated more than $1 billion in funding for programs that helped schools...

Beth El’s new rabbi is a man of many talents

Jacob Herber arrives in Norfolk July 15 Cyclist, scholar, father, mentor, musician, soccer, hockey, and baseball fan, U.S. history buff, Coast Guard Chaplain…and rabbi.That pretty much describes Jacob Herber, who assumes the pulpit at Norfolk’s Congregation Beth El in...

David Elcott on the future of Liberal Democracy

“We were not ready for this.”With those sobering words, Dr. David Elcott opened his presentations during his visit to Tidewater earlier this month as part of the Konikoff Center for Learning. He spoke to students, faculty, and community at Virginia Wesleyan, members...