“The directions said we could take inspiration from anywhere such as inspiring people, places we love, landmarks, quotes, or historic events,” says Gruber. “For me it was an easy choice.” Turns out the Hawaiian-born third generation Filipino American and so-called “Army brat” was married to Larry, a Jewish sailor whom she met in New Jersey. “So, I was a Navy wife and then became an Army mom” when her twin sons enlisted, one of whom subsequently graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. 

In fact, 26 of her family members have been in one military uniform or another, having collectively given 300 years of service to their country. “And I was a procurement analyst for the Navy for 22 years,” adds Gruber, “so clearly I have a feel for these men and women.” Indeed Larry was assigned to ships for 17 of his 22 years in the Navy, “so I had the main role in raising the kids.”

No wonder Gruber opted to include the logos of all five military branches in her quilt pattern. “I hope it inspires more people to respect those who serve and thank them and their families for their sacrifices.” 

Grossman’s late dad was in the Navy, but the Hopewell/Petersburg native chose to highlight the plight of those of her faith in her design. “Frankly I am very upset with how our government is treating immigrants today, considering how many Jews came to America to escape persecution.” Grossman’s 16”x20” block (same size as Gruber’s) reminds that Jews fled pogroms in Eastern Europe and came to this country, most passing by the Statue of Liberty, erected in the New York harbor in 1886. “As most of us know, Emma Lazarus’ poem called The New Colossus, which is on the statue, includes the words, ‘give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’ Those words speak to me, so I decided to use the welcoming of foreigners, and particularly Jewish ones, as my theme.”

A former president of her synagogue, Grossman sewed a pair of ships on her piece. The first one is coming to America over blue waves in the early 1900’s, its passengers greeted by a hand offering friendship. The second boat, however, recalls ones that brought Holocaust refugees to America’s shores, through dark and ominous seas, and were turned away.  “I don’t know whether anyone else sending in quilt blocks will focus on religious freedom, but it is a very important issue for me.”

Visit the project website at visitwilliamsburg.com to see what others have submitted.  

Sometime this year, Visit Williamsburg will stitch the sections, as many as 4,000 are expected, into one huge birthday quilt, unveil it in April and then display it at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center. No doubt these two Hampton Roads Jewish crafters will drive there to see how hundreds of other creative countrymen and women chose to commemorate this nation’s rich diversity.

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 After months of cleaning, sorting, and donating nearly 50 years of accumulated items, KBH has entered the next stage of its journey as a Conservative synagogue in Tidewater.  Centrally located in shared space on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community and no longer burdened by the responsibility of maintaining a building, synagogue members are refocused on their core mission of religious observance and fellowship.

 Since moving to the campus, membership has grown, Shabbat morning attendance has increased, more members are taking part in leading services, and new monthly programs for children are in place.  Kiddush luncheons continue each week, with members lingering to talk and connect after services.  Even the prayers seem to sound better.

 Although KBH meets in the warm,
multi-use Fleischmann Lounge, members look forward to celebrating events and activities throughout the campus – from Shabbat dinners to outdoor services.  Each Shabbat morning, the congregation is surrounded by meaningful reminders of its history: beloved works of art and the Tree of Life adorn the walls, the new ark for the Torah scrolls features a familiar parochet, and the Ner Tamid has been thoughtfully reimagined from the previous one.  Soon the memorial plaques will find a new home on newly created yartzheit boards.  

 KBH is proud to be part of Tidewater’s Jewish community and delighted to be a religious presence on the Sandler Family Campus.  With a focus on community and the Jewish future, KBH is also honored to have a place within the Tidewater Jewish Foundation.  Selling the building was not a move backward – it was a step forward.

Services are held each Shabbat morning at 10 am.  All are welcome. Bring identification for campus security.  For more information, email kbhsynagogue@gmail.com or visit kbhsynagogue.org.  

 Last month, Tidewater Jewish Foundation did just that. Board members gathered for the Foundation’s annual State of the Foundation to strengthen the strategy forward. It was a purposeful pause to name both the successes and challenges of supporting Jewish life in Tidewater, and to align around a path ahead.

 Over the past decade, TJF has helped turn local generosity into real support, fueling grants and long-term charitable funds that strengthen Jewish life across the region. In plain terms, the Foundation has been growing its ability to help; supporting organizations now while also building long-term stability that can carry the community through changing needs and future challenges.

 The State of the Foundation gathering focused on what comes next. Board members heard from Eddie Kramer, TJF board chair and Paul Peck, chair-elect, about the Foundation’s forward-looking strategy, how it plans to secure the resources that sustain Jewish education, synagogue life, cultural programming, social services, and community wellbeing, so future generations are not forced to rebuild what can be secured today.

 For Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO, those conversations often begin with something deeply human: people care, but they don’t always have the words, or a clear plan. “It’s not that they haven’t thought about their legacy, they just can’t always articulate it,” she says. TJF’s role is to help individuals and families, at any stage of life, define what they want to perpetuate and then struct-
ure a meaningful, lasting plan to support the Jewish community.

 Community members who want to participate can begin with a simple conversation. Whether someone is early in their career, raising a family, planning for retirement, or reflecting on the legacy they hope to leave, TJF can help translate values into action, through donor-advised funds, legacy commitments, endowment planning, or other giving vehicles that align with personal goals.

 The future of Jewish Tidewater is not abstract. It is built decision by decision, family by family. And it begins with asking one powerful question: What do I want my legacy to be?

To start the conversation about your own legacy, contact Naomi Limor Sedek at Tidewater Jewish Foundation, 757-965-6109 or nsedek@tjfva.org.

In 2025, JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) loaned $2.3 million in 0% interest loans to almost 500 students, allowing Jewish students to pursue higher education without the burden of interest-bearing debt. Among those supported, five Jewish students from Tidewater were awarded $25,750. 

 JELF is the only Jewish organization in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to offering interest-free loans for higher education. Since 2015 alone, JELF has provided 3,864 loans, totaling nearly $17 million across a five-state region, which includes Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia (excluding metro DC). JELF is proud to maintain an exceptional 99% student repayment rate for nearly 20 years. 

 As the 2026-2027 academic year approaches, Jewish students are invited to apply for interest-free loans for college, graduate school, or vocational programs. The application is open through April 30, 2026, at jelf.org/app. 

 Locally, JELF collaborates with Jewish Family Service of Tidewater. This partnership is dedicated to supporting Jewish students in Hampton Roads, ensuring they have the financial support to pursue and complete their educational goals. 

To be eligible for a JELF loan, applicants must: 

• Be a permanent resident of Fla., Ga., S.C., N.C., and Va. (excluding metro DC) 

• Be enrolled full-time in a degree granting program 

• Be in good academic standing 

• Be a U.S. citizen or have lawful immigration status 

• Provide a cosigner who lives in the U.S. 

• Plan to accept the federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans 

Unlike traditional financial aid, JELF loans help cover both educational and living expenses including rent, food, books, and travel. By eliminating interest, JELF saves borrowers thousands of dollars and helps ease the growing student debt crisis affecting more than 45 million Americans. 

 Through its sustainable, interest-free loan model, JELF ensures that every dollar repaid is reinvested to support the next generation of students, strengthening a continuous cycle of educational opportunities. At a time when tuition and inflation place increasing pressure on families, the partnership of committed community donors remains critical to helping Jewish students pursue—and achieve—their educational goals. 

For more information about JELF or to support its mission, visit jelf.org or call 770-396-3080.

 Nearing the midpoint of the 2026 General Assembly session, Jewish community members representing the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Peninsula, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the Jewish Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington gathered in Richmond to meet with lawmakers, share personal stories, and advocate for policies that protect Jewish life and strengthen the broader community.

 Students, clergy, lay leaders, and longtime advocates filled legislative offices throughout the morning, engaging in conversations about security funding for synagogues and nonprofits, efforts to confront antisemitism, and the importance of ensuring Jewish students feel safe and supported in K–12 schools and on college campuses.

 During the afternoon program, Virginia’s newly inaugurated statewide leaders spoke, signaling a tone of partnership. 

 Governor Abigail Spanberger offered a clear commitment: her administration will stand up to antisemitism, protect Jewish neighbors and families, and show up for the community in moments of both remembrance and celebration. She emphasized that Jewish Virginians should feel safe and proud in every corner of public life and reaffirmed her longstanding support for a strong U.S.–Israel relationship grounded in shared democratic values and shared security.

 Attorney General Jay Jones spoke about continuing and strengthening statewide efforts to confront antisemitism, including building on the antisemitism task force established by the previous administration as a vehicle for communication, accountability, and partnership with community stakeholders. 

 Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi echoed the call to confront hate in all its forms and stressed the importance of collaboration among Virginia’s diverse communities.

 For many participants, Advocacy Day was about more than policy priorities — it was about relationships. “It’s a way for our voices to be heard,” says Kirk Levy, JCRC Legislative Action chair. 

First-time attendees saw how accessible their elected officials can be. Veteran advocates deepened connections built over years of engagement. Legislators heard directly from constituents about the real-world impact of rising antisemitism and the importance of proactive measures to safeguard institutions and uphold civil discourse.

 As the legislative session continues, the conversations begun in Richmond will carry forward. Advocacy Day serves as a reminder that civic engagement is not a one-day event but an ongoing responsibility. By showing up — respectfully, thoughtfully, and united — Virginia’s Jewish community continues to shape the policies that affect its future and to affirm its enduring role in the civic life of the Commonwealth.

Learn more about the Jewish Community Relations Council’s visit to Richmond, or add your name to the interest list for Advocacy Day 2027 by emailing Kyleigh Eyl at Keyl@ujft.org. 

 The 2026 JAHM book list was carefully curated by a volunteer selection committee of educators and community members. This year’s titles invite students to explore Jewish life in all its diversity.

2026 JAHM selections

High School 

High school students will explore complex questions of identity and moral responsibility through a range of contemporary and historical narratives. Dear Mr. Dickens by Nancy Churin tells the true story of Eliza Davis, a Jewish woman who challenged Charles Dickens over antisemitic portray- als in Oliver Twist, offering students a powerful example of speaking truth to power. In The Summer of Lost Letters by Hannah Reynolds, a teen uncovers her grandmother’s Holocaust-era love letters, revealing long-buried family secrets and reshaping her understanding of identity and memory. Playing with Matches by Suri Rosen follows an Orthodox Jewish teen navigating school, family expectations, and a secret life as a matchmaker, balancing tradition with self-discovery.

Middle School 

Middle school selections blend humor, heart, and reflection. Finn and Ezra’s Time Loop by Joshua S. Levy is a funny, magical story about two boys reliving their bar mitzvah weekend, learning important lessons about friendship and growth along the way. In Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein, a shy boy approaching his bar mitzvah discovers courage through an unexpected friendship. Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky tells the true story of a Montana community that stood up to antisemitism, demonstrating how courage and unity can create change.

Elementary School 

For younger readers, the selections introduce Jewish values through accessible, engaging stories. Ping Pong Shabbat by Ann D. Koffsky follows a young ping-pong champion who must choose between a tournament and honoring Shabbat. The People’s Painter by Cynthia Levinson and Evan Turk is a picture book biography of Ben Shahn, a Jewish immigrant artist who used his art to fight injustice. Lola Levine Is Not Mean! by Monica Brown and Angela Dominguez introduces a spirited second grader learning about kindness, mistakes, and friendship in a multicultural world. Jason Belongs by Audrey Ades and Jason Schachter McKinney centers on McKinney’s story as a Black Jewish child searching for belonging and learning to embrace his whole identity. McKinney will be in Tidewater this May to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month.

“These books were chosen not just because they tell Jewish stories, but because they spark conversation,” says Lorna Orleans, a JAHM selection committee member. “Our committee reviewed books for elementary, middle, and high school students, and because we were a diverse group of reviewers, we were able to select a wide range of titles that reflect American Jewish life in all its many forms. Subjects ranged from helping young children understand practices like sitting shiva to stories of teens navigating identity, courage, and belonging.”

 The JAHM Book Project holds special meaning for the Tidewater Jewish community. The program is generously supported in memory of Abraham E. Frank, the beloved son of committee member Dr. Rita Frank, whose legacy continues to inspire learning, compassion, and connection.

 “Abraham loved books from his earliest years” says Frank. “I know he would be delighted to share that love with other children throughout Tidewater.”

 While the books are provided through the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the project is a community effort. Volunteers are needed throughout February to help pack the books and prepare them for delivery to schools.

If interested in volunteering or supporting the JAHM Book Project, contact Sierra Lautman, UJFT senior director of Jewish Innovation, at SLautman@ujft.org or 757-965-6107.

 Rooted in Jewish values and a long-standing commitment to compassion, responsibility, and tikkun olam, the call to repair the world, the grant program reflects Beth Sholom Village’s evolving mission to support older adults both within its community and far beyond. The program is designed to empower nonprofit organizations that are reimagining what it means to age well.

 Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for funding to support new or existing programs that serve seniors. Grant proposals may focus on essential services, but Beth Sholom Village is especially interested in creative, forward-thinking ideas that address unmet needs, programs that reduce isolation, build skills, spark joy, and help seniors stay connected to their communities.

 “This grant program is about more than meeting basic needs; it’s about possibility,” says Fay Silverman, board chair of Beth Sholom Village. “We want to encourage organizations to think creatively about how seniors can continue to learn, contribute, and thrive. No idea is too far-fetched if it helps seniors age with dignity, purpose, and engagement.”

 Silverman notes that meaningful solutions often come from organizations working closest to the community, those who understand both the challenges seniors face and the opportunities to address them in fresh, impactful ways.

 While Beth Sholom Village is the owner and steward of the grant program, grant administration is provided by Tidewater Jewish Foundation, ensuring a transparent, consistent, and equitable application and review process.

 The application period opened January 15, 2026, and will remain open through March 15, 2026. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying are encouraged to review grant guidelines and criteria before submitting a proposal.

More information about the Beth Sholom Village Grant Program, including eligibility details and application access, is available at bethsholomvillage.com.

 Accepting the honor on behalf of the community were Mona Flax, UJFT president; Betty Ann Levin, UJFT executive vice president and CEO; Hunter Thomas, director of Arts + Ideas; and Elka Mednick, Holocaust Commission director.

 The proclamation marked the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to remembrance, historical truth, and combating hate in all forms. Council members emphasized the importance of public institutions partnering with community organizations, such as UJFT, which promote acceptance, strengthen democratic values, and confront rising antisemitism with education and action.

 The resolution highlighted the Holocaust Commission’s extensive programming, including educator resources, the Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition, and public commemorations for both International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Yom HaShoah. It also acknowledged To Life: Holocaust Stories of Hampton Roads Survivors, Liberators, and Rescuers as a historical resource. 

The City Council urged all residents to honor the victims of the Holocaust, learn its lessons, and join in the shared responsibility of building a more compassionate and inclusive community.

  This critical funding comes at a time when Jewish communities across the nation are prioritizing safety in response to heightened concerns. Locally, the grant offers synagogues, day schools, and the Simon Family JCC the opportunity to have additional hours of security guard coverage, ensuring that families can feel confident their youngest members are protected during worship, learning, and programming.

  As part of this emergency grant, UJFT is also committed to engaging in a series of bridge-building efforts spearheaded by Tidewater’s Jewish Community Relations Council and partnership with Secure Community Network. Some of the efforts will involve leveraging the community’s security expertise to support local faith-based organizations outside of the Jewish community.  This may include, but is not limited to, safety assessments, security training, and support accessing federal security funding.

  UJFT is appreciative of The Tepper Foundation and JFNA for recognizing the urgency of this need.

 For more information on the Tidewater Community Security Program, contact Mike Goldsmith at MGoldsmith@securecommunitynetwork.org.