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SIA creates new initiatives to support their military families

SIA creates new initiatives to support their military families

Strelitz International Academy supports a large population of military families, including those serving in the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, NATO, the IDF, as well as other branches. Understanding the unique challenges military children face including frequent relocations,...

Women’s Philanthropy celebrates at Spring Lunch

Women’s Philanthropy celebrates at Spring Lunch

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Philanthropy gathered for its annual Spring Lunch at the Sandler Family Campus last month. The event served as both a celebration and thank you for a year defined by generosity, leadership, and community impact....

Security training: Important for everyone

Security training: Important for everyone

It was just a day after the twin horrors of March 12 – the attack on Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Mich. and the murder of an ROTC professor in class at Old Dominion University here in Norfolk – when I attended Friday night services in the Sinai Chapel...

Living well as the campaign reaches new heights

Living well as the campaign reaches new heights

As this article goes to press, the 2026 United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Community Campaign is very near $5.1 million and on track to hit a record goal of $5.2 million.    In a time that continues to see rising antisemitism and threats to Jewish...

Ari Mulligan wins IBMA Student Excellence Award

Ari Mulligan wins IBMA Student Excellence Award

For the second year in a row, a Strelitz International Academy fifth grader won the prestigious IBMA Student Excellence Award, with Ari Mulligan’s selection as this year’s Primary Years Program Recipient.  The IBMA (International Baccalaureate Mid-Atlantic) is a...

BBG gets new advisor

BBG gets new advisor

Tidewater BBYO recently welcomed Anya Dippold to Simcha BBG’s Advisory Committee.   BBYO advisors serve as positive role models, working in partnership with staff members to supervise and guide AZA and BBG chapters. Advisors empower each BBYO member to do...

KBH sells building, creates endowment

KBH sells building, creates endowment

And with stroke of a few pens, it was over!  The closing documents were signed, the checks issued, and Kehillat Bet Hamidrash/Kempsville Conservative Synagogue (KBH) was officially a congregation without a building – yet with a new endowment fund.  After...

Jewish News seeks a copywriter/editorial assistant

Jewish News seeks a copywriter/editorial assistant. The paper is looking for a passionate storyteller who can craft clear and compelling copy for the newspaper.  POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES • Write clear and persuasive copy with an emphasis on writing articles •...

Power of mentoring: How BeAR volunteers are changing young lives

In the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project, mentors do far more than help children improve their reading skills, they help them see what’s possible.  Each week, these caring volunteers meet with second graders in under-resourced schools, opening books, sharing...

Community supports hungry people in Tidewater

While many people are making plans for gathering with family and friends for Thanksgiving, not everyone is anticipating the holiday with excitement. Others are anxious, concerned about the increasing cost of food and cuts to programs that help feed their...

Thank you to our supporters who recently donated to Jewish News! 

Jewish News appreciates all who support the newspaper with generous contributions – whether in honor of or in memory of friends and loved ones or as a Friend of Jewish News. Friends of Jewish News Walter Fenska G-d Bless Israel Piotr and Charlotte Przyjemski Happy...

Congregation Beth El marks 175 years

Synagogues have always been the roots of a Jewish community.  Wherever Jewish people have gone, they have gathered for communal prayer and congregational support.  Jewish community provides a feeling of home in this big, often scary world.    For...

The story of Chuck and Donna

When I joined the Jewish Family Service board in 2020, I thought I knew what JFS was all about. Helping out in the community? Sure. Supporting seniors? Absolutely. But wow—I had no idea how deep their work really goes. I hadn’t even heard of PAM! I figured it was just...

1,000 books bring Jewish stories to Tidewater schools

When students in more than 300 Tidewater schools opened their library doors this fall, they found something new on the shelves: stories that reflect the richness of Jewish life and history. Thanks to the Konikoff Center for Learning of United Jewish Federation of...

The White Rose Project continues to strengthen Holocaust education

For decades, the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater has worked to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten. At the heart of this effort is the White Rose Project, an educational initiative that provides books to schools...

New advisors for Old Dominion AZA

Dr. Ben Rubenstein and Eric Miller joined the advisory committee last month for Tidewater BBYO’s Old Dominion AZA. BBYO advisors serve as role models working in partnership with staff members to supervise and guide AZA and BBG chapters. Advisors empower each BBYO...

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...

Introducing Next Gen 757:A new era for young Jewish adults in Tidewater

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Young Adult Division (YAD) has a new name and a new way of doing business. Now officially rebranded as Next Gen 757, this bold new identity reflects its mission, its members, and the vibrant future UJFT is helping to shape in...

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...

Virtual Super Sunday…How will it work? What will be the impact?

Sunday, September 14 United Jewish Federation of Tidewater will host its first all-virtual Super Sunday on Sunday, Sept. 14. In a multi-pronged approach to fundraising, volunteers will mail, text, email, and yes, call members of the Tidewater Jewish community to talk...

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...

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

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...

Five years in: A reflection on resilience, readiness, and relationship

When I began my journey with the Tidewater Jewish Foundation in July 2020, I walked into a world unlike anything we had known. It was the height of the pandemic.Introductions were made over Zoom and relationship-building required more persistence, patience, and heart...