Jewish Tidewater

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Playground for Sandler Family Campus focuses on nature

Playground for Sandler Family Campus focuses on nature

Naturally curious creatures, children interact with the world around them through play. This instinctive engagement becomes even more pronounced in natural environments, where exploration is open-ended and sensory-rich.As one study by the National Wildlife Federation...

The books that made me a BeAR

The books that made me a BeAR

We all carry certain books with us long after childhood ends. They sit quietly on the shelves of our memory; dog-eared, underlined, loved, while shaping who we become and teaching us how to dream. Some stories came easily. Others were challenging, the kind where you...

Dive into summer at theMetzger Outdoor Aquatic Center

Dive into summer at theMetzger Outdoor Aquatic Center

If you’re feeling ready to beat the summer heat poolside, you’re in luck. The Metzger Outdoor Aquatic Center opened on Saturday, June 6, marking the start of the Simon Family JCC’s seven-day-a-week summer pool season.The outdoor pool opens daily at 11:30 am, closing...

The responsibility and reward of service

The responsibility and reward of service

Reflections on leadership, legacy, and the future of Jewish Tidewater Two years have flown by. My term as chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation is nearing its end. I have served with some of the most dedicated board members and staff anyone can ever be privileged to...

TJF: Community projects intersect

TJF: Community projects intersect

Tidewater Jewish Foundation is often a convener, bringing together organizations, ideas, and opportunities to strengthen the community. Sometimes, projects such as the Maria A. Mansbach Memorial Student Motivation Program and the Elie Wiesel Writing Competition...

Jewish Tidewater’s Graduates

Jewish Tidewater’s Graduates

Graduations are a time to recognize achievements, formally bid farewell to schools, prepare for the next steps along life’s journey, and of course, celebrate! Jewish Tidewater has much to applaud with its graduates – the awards, impressive degrees, and outstanding...

W&M Hillel: Success in Engagement 

W&M Hillel: Success in Engagement 

William & Mary has had a Hillel on campus for more than 60 years. Yet, 10 years ago there were only about 20 - 30 Jewish students attending programs annually. Meetings were held mainly in classrooms, and Entenmann’s and Krispy Kreme donuts was the fanciest kosher...

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,...

All aboard the PJ Library Challah Train

A new initiative begins this season: the PJ Library Challah Train – the delivery of Shabbat baskets to local families, one home at a time, creating a chain of kindness and connection throughout Tidewater.  Each week, a nominated family will receive a basket containing...

Jewish Tidewater and beyond in 2025

This was another tough year for the global Jewish community – the continued war in Gaza, the escalation of antisemitic acts and outright discrimination, a slew of misinformation about Israel, the killings of two Israeli Embassy employees, and raised security alert...

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

Supporters of Jewish News help keep local Jewish journalism alive at a time when it feels as if it is disappearing almost everywhere else.Jewish News appreciates all who support the newspaper with generous contributions – whether in honor of or in memory of friends or...

A lesson in Tikkun Olam at Jewish Family Service

When you hear the phrase Tikkun Olam—healing the world—you might picture simple acts of kindness: delivering meals, visiting the sick, or donating clothes. That’s what I imagined too when I joined the Jewish Family Service board in 2020. But I quickly realized I had...

Feldman Family Scholarship honors two recipients for 2025

When Dr. William and Mary Feldman created the Feldman Family Medical and Health Professional Scholarship Fund through Tidewater Jewish Foundation, their goal was to unite two lifelong passions, Judaism and medicine, by supporting Jewish students pursuing healthcare...

Glenn Saucier retires from role at Sandler Family Campus

After serving as the facility director of the Sandler Family Campus for more than 18 years, Glenn Saucier will retire on Dec. 31, 2025.The Sandler Family Campus houses the offices of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, Jewish Family Service,...

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...