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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...
Probate is the court-supervised legal process of validating a deceased person’s will, settling their debts, and distributing their assets to beneficiaries. It can be, but not necessarily, a confusing procedure, and therefore something to consider when making estate...
Jay Kossman doesn’t think about legacy as something distant or abstract. For him, it’s a daily practice shaped by intention, experience, and a deep sense of responsibility to others. Growing up in Norfolk’s West Ghent neighborhood, Kossman’s early connection to Jewish...
From themed weeks to unforgettable traditions, Camp JCC aims to keep the energy high throughout the summer. Favorite camp events include the Color Run and Apache Relay, Lip Sync Showcase, Camp JCC Gala, and Carnival Colossal. Daily fun happens with spirit...
Wednesday, April 22, 2 - 3 pm, online Summer camp season is around the corner, and the Secure Community Network (SCN) is launching its first-ever Camp Security Initiative Webinar Series, designed for camp administrators, counselors, parents, and campers. This program...
Ask any adult to reflect on their schooling, and they are unlikely to remember a worksheet or a video. They will, however, remember the teacher who sparked curiosity, who believed in them when they struggled, and the teacher who noticed when something was wrong. Many...
Miriam Anzovin’s two-day residency with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning highlighted the impact of authentic storytelling on shaping Jewish identity. Anzovin’s approach moves beyond flat narratives, instead using personal experience...
Kids headed home with flour-dusted aprons, neon-colored fingertips, and the kind of ear-to-ear grins that only come from a day of pure discovery, are good indications that Kyra Jones and Reagan Goode are back in action with their interactive classes. These once-a-week...
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...
(JTA) — The director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center resigned on Tuesday, March 17, citing his objection to the Iran war and claiming that Israel tricked the United States into entering. “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,”...
(JTA) — A shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security since Feb. 14 is halting the review of millions of dollars in security funding for nonprofits, leaving Jewish institutions and other vulnerable groups in limbo at a moment of heightened concern about...
Each Passover, families gather around the seder table to retell the story of the transformation of a people moving from oppression to freedom and into a renewed sense of responsibility to one another. That spirit of renewal is guiding a meaningful partnership between...
The Sandler Family Campus was glowing with energy on Saturday, Feb. 21 for Neon Eras Kids Night Out. To set the mood, children were encouraged to arrive decked out in their brightest neon attire. Whether it was head-to-toe 80s fluorescent, 90s electric grunge, or...
This Purim, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater took the joy and spirit of the holiday outside the Jewish community through its Purim Boxes, or mishloach manot, initiative. Rooted in the Purim tradition of sending gifts...
Jewish Family Service of Tidewater always looks forward to celebrating Purim, but this year felt especially meaningful. In addition to celebrating, the community made sure seniors living in assisted living facilities knew they were not forgotten. Purim is a...
(JTA) — Speaking from Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Feb. 19, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, Eric Fingerhut, laid out his assessment of the state of Jewish life in America. “The state of the Jewish union in America is strong,...
After 35 years of service on the Norfolk Police Department fighting crime as a police officer, advancing through the ranks to become Norfolk’s Chief of Police, then on to a second career as an Assistant City Manager for Norfolk, Mike Goldsmith was more than entitled...
(JTA) —During the recent Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations’ mission to Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that Jews around the world stand strong and unified in support of Israel and against antisemitism. “Fight, fight, fight,” he...
(JTA) — Jewish hockey star Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal Sunday, Feb. 21 to clinch a gold medal for the U.S. men’s hockey team, its first since 1980. The New Jersey Devils star center, who had scored twice in Team USA’s semifinal win, sent the puck...
Applications for the 2026-2027 Academic Year accepted through April 30 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...
Family and friends gathered on a Saturday evening in January to celebrate an extraordinary milestone as Erica Reisner Ausch turned 90 years young. Her daughters – Jodie Woodward, Linda Ausch, and Bonnie Laibstain — brought together those who know her best and love her...
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater recently established the position of NextGen Engagement coordinator, a re-imagined role designed to strengthen connection and community among Jewish young adults in Tidewater. Hannah Yasemsky is the first person to assume the...
Thursday, March 26, Westin Virginia Beach Town Center The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities will hold its 62nd annual Tidewater Humanitarian Awards event this month. These awards honor individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to...
The recent Mizrach class and hands-on glass workshop offered by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning provided a journey from learning to creating. The experience began with a class led by Rabbi Ari Oliszewski, who explored...
While school was out on Monday, Feb. 16, campers spent Presidents’ Day getting active and inspired at Camp JCC’s School Days Out program. To celebrate American Heart Month, the day’s theme was all about heart health. Campers began the morning by...
Joseph Alex Frissora joined the Sandler Family Campus late last year as Facilities Director, working with Glenn Saucier until his retirement in December. Prior to joining the Sandler Family Campus, Frissora spent 14 years with the United States Coast Guard, where, in...
(JTA) — Passover may still be months away, but PBS is seating a diverse set of Jews down for a seder this month — casting the communal storytelling meal as an ideal entry point for exploring the complicated history of Black-Jewish relations in the United States....
(JTA) — Since the end of World War II, Vienna has functioned as an Ellis Island for Jewish refugees from Europe and the Middle East, a place where survivors, dissidents and religious minorities arrived with little more than documents and hope, and departed toward new...
Today we think of hamantaschen, the triangle-shaped stuffed cookie, as the pastry of the Jewish holiday of Purim. But the original hamantaschen had no Jewish connection at all. According to Gil Marks in his landmark book, Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, the hamantaschen...
(JTA) — Portland Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija’s meteoric rise has officially reached a new stratosphere, as the 25-year-old forward has become the NBA’s first-ever Israeli All-Star. Avdija was named an All-Star reserve for the Western Conference on...
(JTA) — The legendary director Steven Spielberg has become the ninth Jew to secure “EGOT” status after winning a Grammy for producing a documentary about the music of John Williams. Spielberg was awarded the Grammy for producing Music by John Williams, which won...
A small factory retail store recently opened at Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn’s Norfolk manufacturing facility – making in-person purchasing of the artisan popcorn again doable for Tidewater residents. While it’s always possible to purchase the popcorn from the...