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At the Vatican with Chicago’s mayor,a rabbi gave Pope Leo a White Sox kippah

Grace Gilson — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:34:11 +0000

(JTA) — Lizzi Heydemann didn’t plan what she was going to say to Pope Leo XIV.

But when the Chicago rabbi found herself face-to-face with the new pontiff during a Vatican visit alongside a delegation of Chicago leaders, she thanked him for the way he has spoken about the war in Gaza.

“I said, you know, it’s been a hard time over these past two years to be a rabbi, but I want to thank you for, in the midst of conflict, holding the humanity of everyone involved in the conflict,” Heydemann recounted.

Leo, the first American pope and a native of Chicago’s South Side, repeatedly advocated after his election last year for the release of the Israeli hostages as well as a ceasefire in the war in Gaza, which he has referred to as “vengeance” and “barbarity.” The comments angered some Jewish leaders who have interpreted them as unfairly targeting Israel, but for others including Heydemann, they have offered a template for how to criticize the war.

“You may be anti-war, but I do not hear you denouncing or degrading people,” Heydemann said she told Leo. “Thank you for holding the humanity of Israelis and Palestinians in the same breath and the same thought. It’s not something that is modeled very often.”

She added, “He seemed grateful, and like he knew exactly what I was talking about.”

Heydemann, the founder and leader of Mishkan Chicago, an independent Jewish spiritual community, had been invited by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to join a delegation of civic, business, and faith leaders traveling to Rome late last month. (Johnson has been a vocal critic of Israel who has drawn criticism himself from some Jewish leaders in Chicago.) She said she was the only rabbi to take part in the trip.

As she waited for the pope to enter a room where the delegation was assembled on Heydemann says she began weeping.

“What I reflected on is that he, maybe more than anyone in the world, is a religious leader with the world’s eyes on him,” Heydemann says. “He is beloved and critiqued constantly, and every rabbi in America has had a little taste over the last few years of that weight.”

While the interaction carried an unexpected emotional weight for Heydemann, it also came with a distinctive Jewish Chicago touch: a White Sox-themed kippah.

She says she included the kippah, which featured the Chicago White Sox logo on the exterior as well as a pomegranate on the inside, in a chest of Chicago-themed gifts presented to the pope on Thursday, May 28 during the visit as a nod to his lifelong devotion to the baseball team.

“We thought that would be a sweet point connection between me and the pope,” Heydemann says, adding that the pontiff’s typical white zucchetto looks “awfully like a kippah.”

“It brings us all joy to imagine that after a long day at work wearing the cream-colored one that matches his robes, maybe at the end of the day he’ll switch it out for a jersey material, White Sox kippah, and thinks fondly of sweet home Chicago, and the Jewish spiritual community gave it to him,” Heydemann adds.

A list of gifts that circulated in local media included another piece of Jewish paraphernalia: a tote bag with the words “Resisting tyrants since Pharaoh.” That’s a catchphrase from T’ruah, the rabbinic human rights group where Heydemann has been on the board. But the rabbi says the inclusion was an error: She was carrying the bag, not giving it to Leo.

Looking back on the meeting with the pope, Heydemann says her experience reflected a broader conviction about “building bridges, even in the presence of difference.”

“There’s too much at stake in our world for us to not be continuing to be in relationship with one another in the presence of differences,” Heydemann says.

Local nurse practitioner offers different approach to hormone health

Haley Bartel — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:09:07 +0000

From postpartum recovery to perimenopause, women experience a range of life stages that can affect hormones and overall health.

Dr. Kellie Frissora, a nurse practitioner and mother of three young children, understands how easily personal health can take a back seat during these life stages.

“I commonly saw patients for the same issue repeatedly,” Frissora says. “I heard over and over again, ‘My primary care said that my labs are normal, but I just don’t feel like myself. I don’t have the energy I once had. I’m just getting more exhausted than I usually do.’”

This reality led her to launch Frissora Functional Wellness, a fully virtual concierge functional medicine practice focused on hormone health and whole-body wellness. Frissora conducts all patient visits through virtual consultations.

Frissora worked as a nurse in a primary care setting for three years before becoming a nurse practitioner. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree as a family nurse practitioner in 2019 and has since worked in primary care and medical weight loss settings. She has also completed additional training through the Institute of Functional Medicine and the Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Training Academy.

Frissora says she often encountered patients whose symptoms persisted despite standard treatment. Many reported ongoing fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, anxiety, sleep issues, and other concerns – even when routine lab work appeared normal.

Those experiences steered her toward functional medicine, an approach that seeks to identify underlying causes rather than simply manage symptoms.

“Functional medicine really gives you not only the education but the desire to figure out why the patient is feeling the way they are and help get to the root cause,” Frissora says.

Unlike traditional visits that may center on a specificdiagnosis, Frissora says her approach explores multiple systems at once.

“We look at your lifestyle factors and your environmental factors, because what people don’t realize is that if they have a thyroid issue or a gut issue, or a hormone issue, it’s usually just one piece of the puzzle,” she says.

Frissora emphasizes that hormones affect people of all genders, influencing everything from brain and bone health to metabolism and stress response.
While functional medicine is sometimes viewed as alternative medicine, Frissora says her practice remains grounded in evidence-based care.

“We still use evidence-based medicine. We still use lab testing. We still go by clinical guidelines,” she says.

The process begins with a free 15-minute discovery call to determine whether a patient’s needs align with the services offered. Patients then complete a comprehensive wellness consultation, typically lasting about 90 minutes, during which Frissora reviews medical history, symptoms, and health goals before ordering individualized laboratory testing.

Services are not covered by insurance and are paid for out-of-pocket.

Depending on the testing required, results are generally reviewed within two to four weeks. From there, patients receive personalized recommendations that may include lifestyle modifications, nutritional support, and supplements or prescriptions when appropriate.

Frissora tells of an anonymized example of a patient who benefited from this approach:

A woman came in experiencing fatigue, weight gain, poor sleep, and brain fog. She had previously been told her lab work was normal, but her symptoms were significantly affecting her quality of life.

Using a functional medicine approach, Frissora evaluated nutrition, blood sugar regulation, stress, sleep habits, hormone balance, and lifestyle patterns. The patient was given a personalized plan that included targeted nutrition changes, lifestyle interventions, and evidence-informed supplementation.

Over time, the patient experienced improvements in energy, sleep quality, mental clarity, and overall well-being.

Frissora notes that while results vary, this type of approach can help identify contributing factors that may not be addressed in traditional symptom-focused care.

Frissora emphasizes that patient safety remains central to her practice.

“If I identify a condition that requires further evaluation, specialized treatment, or urgent medical attention, I coordinate care with the patient’s primary care provider and appropriate specialists,” she says. “This may include cardiology, oncology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, mental health providers, or other specialists.”

She says she views functional medicine as complementary to conventional care, with the goal of ensuring patients receive comprehensive treatment that addresses both medical conditions and lifestyle factors.

“It’s a partnership,” she says. “I want you to be as invested in your health as I’m going to be.”

Ultimately, she says, the aim is not just to treat symptoms, but to help patients return to a place where they feel good in their bodies.

“They can still feel like themselves. They can feel good, and they can love the way they feel.”

Knowledge is power:JFS to partner with JScreen for vital genetic testing event

Julie Kievit — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:06:02 +0000

A strong community is a healthy community. Thursday, October 29, 6 pm • Sandler Family Campus

To support Tidewater’s growing Jewish community, Jewish Family Service of Tidewater is partnering with JScreen to host a life-saving educational event this fall. Whether planning a family or looking to understand personal hereditary cancer risks, proactive screening and access to preventative genetic testing can help secure healthier futures.

Centuries of shared ancestry mean that people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent face significantly higher genetic health risks than the general population. Consider:

One in three to one in four Ashkenazi Jews carry a gene mutation for serious recessive conditions such as Tay-Sachs or Canavan disease. This is 10 times higher than the general population.
No symptoms. Most carriers show zero symptoms. Testing is the only way to know one’s status.
A 25% risk. If both parents carry the same recessive gene, there is a one-in-four chance their child will inherit the disease.
Cancer risks. Ashkenazi populations also face a much higher prevalence of BRCA gene mutations, which are linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
The event offers affordable genetic testing, emphasizing that knowledge is a key tool in early prevention and proactive health management. Attendees will gain insights into two primary screening options:

Hereditary Cancer Testing: Screens for BRCA1, BRCA2, and more than 60 genes associated with inherited cancer risks.
Reproductive Carrier Screening: Tests for Tay-Sachs, cystic fibrosis, and more than 260 other conditions passed to children.

Participants will receive genetic test kits to provide and submit a sample directly at the event. The kits can also be mailed from home using a prepaid mailer. Once submitted, Jscreen’s partner, Myriad Genetics, will provide a personalized cost estimate for the test. Since some insurance carriers do not cover the cost of the test, participants can self-pay a flat rate of $249. JFS will have limited financial assistance to cover the cost of testing for participants who cannot afford the fees.

Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools when it comes to protecting one’s personal health and supporting future generations. Bringing JScreen to Tidewater gives individuals and families access to information that can truly save lives.

And, since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this is the perfect time to make the commitment to dive into this important information. An $18 subsidized event entry fee covers case review and physician test order. The standard fee is $49.

Pre-registration is highly encouraged so testing kits can be prepared in advance. On-site registration will also be available.

For additional information, contact Julie Kievit, Jewish Community Relations Manager at JFS of Tidewater, at jkievit@jfshamptonroads.org.

Patrons of the Arts goes to Aviva Pembroke for cinema and connection

Heather Nevins — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:58:40 +0000

Members of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Patrons of the Arts gathered at Aviva Pembroke on Wednesday, May 20 for a screening of Once Upon My Mother. The film tells the story of a mother’s unwavering devotion as she helps her son, born with a clubfoot in 1963, overcome physical challenges and social barriers while navigating life’s ups and downs.

Patron of the Arts donors, Beth Scharlop (co-chair of the Jewish Film Festival) and Roger Schultz attended the event.

“We appreciate the Patron of the Arts program for its support of the Jewish Book Festival, Jewish Film Festival, and other Jewish cultural programs that enrich our lives in Tidewater,” says Scharlop.

As part of a broader collaboration with Beth Sholom Village and Aviva Pembroke, attendees were also given the opportunity to tour Aviva’s facility.
“We really enjoyed the screening of Once Upon My Mother and tour of the Aviva residences. As always, it is a more meaningful experience to watch films together and discuss them with community members,” says Schultz.

Fay Silverman, chair of Beth Sholom Village’s board of directors, says, “The Beth Sholom Village Board was grateful for the opportunity to support the Jewish Film Festival this past year. Providing meaningful Jewish-themed stories and cultural experiences is an important part of our community outreach and engagement efforts.

“We also want to congratulate the Patron of the Arts community on a very successful year. Beth Sholom Village is especially appreciative of the opportunity to share several of the films with residents at Aviva Pembroke, helping to bring these enriching experiences directly to our senior community,” says Silverman.

The film screening was part of the enhanced Patron of the Arts donor benefit structure, introduced for the 2025 – 2026 season, which focuses on creating exclusive artistic and cultural experiences for supporters. In addition to the film screening, qualifying donors receive increased access to Arts + Ideas guest speakers, pre-sale access to Jewish Film Festival tickets, and other opportunities.

The 2026 – 2027 Patron of the Arts season launches in July. To learn more about supporting Jewish arts and culture throughout Tidewater, contact Heather Nevins, UJFT’s development manager, at HNevins@UJFT.org or 757-452-6925, or visit JewishVA.org/SupportTheArts.

Bearing witness through art: students gather to see their work on display

Kyleigh Eyl — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:51:06 +0000

Throughout May, area students visited the Sandler Family Campus to view their artwork displayed in the Cardo.

The exhibit featured pieces from the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s annual Elie Wiesel Writing & Visual Arts Competition. For 29 years, students from around the world have submitted powerful entries inspired by the lessons of the Holocaust and the importance of remembrance, humanity, and hope.

The artwork on display reflected a wide range of emotions and perspectives, with students using different artistic styles and mediums to tell stories, honor survivors, and explore the impact of history through their creative expression.

In addition to celebrating the creativity and talent of the student artists, the exhibit also served as a meaningful reminder of the importance of preserving memory through the arts.

For more information about the Holocaust Commission or the Elie Wiesel Writing & Visual Arts Competition, contact Elka Mednick at emednick@ujft.org.

Alice Parker Hall beside her artwork, Pain Can’t Be Erased.

Hampton Roads Real Estate Planning Council recognizes TJF’s Neil Rose and Randy Parrish

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:27:43 +0000

Tidewater Jewish Foundation is guided by a board and network of community leaders whose professional excellence and civic commitment help shape the way it stewards legacy, philanthropy, and the future of Jewish life in Tidewater. Their accomplishments extend far beyond the boardroom, strengthening institutions and communities throughout Hampton Roads.

Neil L. Rose, Esq., TJF’s treasurer and a board member, was recently named the 2026 recipient of the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council’s Distinguished Estate Planner Award. The honor recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and longstanding contributions to the field of estate planning.

A former IRS and Treasury Special Attorney, Rose has spent decades advising families, businesses, and nonprofits with integrity and expertise while also serving countless civic and Jewish communal organizations across the region.

At the same event where Rose was honored, Randy Parrish, TJF’s vice president and CFO, was recognized for his service as a past president of the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council.

“These recognitions reflect the caliber of leadership that exists within our community,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, president and CEO of Tidewater Jewish Foundation. “We are proud to work alongside individuals whose professional achievements are matched by their commitment to service, stewardship, and impact.”

Rabbi Zoberman’s articles inserted into Congressional Record

Jewish News VA — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:26:21 +0000

Remembering the Liberation of Auschwitz, an article by Rabbi Israel Zoberman was inserted in the Congressional Record by Congresswoman Jen Kiggans in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The article focuses on a book written by Marc Saperstein, a distinguished rabbi, author, and scholar, titled Agony in the Pulpit: Jewish Preaching in Response to Nazi Persecution and Mass Murder, 1933-1945. Rabbi Zoberman draws attention to the relevance of the book today, amidst a surge of antisemitism, calling upon readers to learn from history, speak up, and act out before it’s too late.

A second article, Israel at 78, was inserted in the Congressional Record by Congresswoman Jen Kiggans in honor of Israel Independence Day. The article begins, “The world’s only Jewish state celebrates its 78th anniversary in the shadow of existential war with Iran and its proxies, fighting along its great American partner with shared values and interests.”

Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is the founder and spiritual leader of Temple Lev Tikvah, a reform synagogue in Virginia Beach, as well as Honorary Senior Rabbi Scholar at Eastern Shore Chapel.

TJF: Community projects intersect

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Thu, 28 May 2026 16:47:01 +0000

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 intersect, ensuring the meaning of tikkun olam, repairing the world, comes into focus. Through educational opportunities supported by TJF, students both within and beyond the Jewish community are empowered to think critically, find their voice, and shape a better future.

For Janae Loudon, that impact is personal.

The rising ninth grader recently earned top honors in United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission’s Elie Wiesel Writing Competition. Loudon is also one of the newest participants in the Maria A. Mansbach Memorial Student Motivation Program, a mentorship and enrichment initiative facilitated through An Achievable Dream and funded by a supporting organization of Tidewater Jewish Foundation.

Loudon, who enjoys reading, creative writing, crafts, and spending time in nature, says entering the writing competition allowed her to challenge herself and express ideas.

“My essay was about learning from history and understanding others,” she says. “I chose it because I think people should learn from the past.”

Loudon says she felt both surprised and proud when she heard she had won.

The Mansbach Scholars program supports fifth through 12th grade students in Title 1 schools in Norfolk through mentorship, academic support, life-skills development, enrichment activities, and college preparation experiences. Students participate in workshops, field trips, collaborative projects, and exposure to college campuses and career pathways designed to help them envision a successful future.

“My favorite part has been hearing advice from mentors and learning about college,” Loudon says. “The program helped me feel more confident in myself and my writing.”

The Mansbach program recently expanded through a partnership between TJF and An Achievable Dream, a nationally recognized educational organization focused on helping students succeed regardless of socioeconomic background. Together, the partnership aims to equip students with the skills, confidence, and mindset needed for college, career, and life.

Elka Mednick, director of the Holocaust Commission, says, “For nearly three decades, the Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition has encouraged students to engage not only with the history of the Holocaust, but with its relevance today. Inspired by Elie Wiesel’s legacy of remembrance and moral responsibility, the competition invites young people to reflect on how lessons from the past can shape the choices they make in the present.”

Naomi Limor Sedek, Tidewater Jewish Foundation president and CEO, says Loudon’s achievement reflects the shared mission behind both programs.

“When organizations and programs come together around education, mentorship, and opportunity, we begin to see real community impact,” Sedek says. “The Mansbach Scholars program and the Elie Wiesel Competition both help students develop confidence, compassion, and critical thinking skills; qualities that shape individual futures in addition to strengthening our broader community.”

Books for local schools are appreciated

Jewish News VA — Thu, 28 May 2026 15:42:13 +0000

Ghillian Porter-Smith, media specialist/librarian at Norfolk’s Larchmont Elementary School, wrote last month to express appreciation for books the school received from United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

“Thank you very much for the generous gift of books!” Porter-Smith wrote. “Our students are already checking them out! One student in particular who is very proud of his Jewish faith and heritage was over the moon when I showed him the new titles.”

The books were sent as part of The Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) Book Project, which brings Jewish stories to thousands of local students each year, many encountering this history and culture for the first time.

Carefully curated by a diverse volunteer committee of educators and community members, this year’s selections highlight the breadth of Jewish life while exploring universal themes such as identity, empathy, courage, and belonging.

Spanning elementary through high school, the books invite students to engage with meaningful questions, connect personal experiences to larger historical narratives, and develop a deeper understanding of both Jewish and American identity. The project is provided by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning, with generous support from the family of Rita Frank, in memory of Abraham E. Frank, and powered by local volunteers who help prepare and distribute the books. Through this collaborative effort, the initiative continues to foster curiosity, compassion, and meaningful conversation across classrooms throughout the region.

Summer at the Academy features wide range of camp options

Mike Connors — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:36:18 +0000

Norfolk Academy’s Summer at the Academy camps offer six weeks of excitement for students of all ages.

Starting this year on June 22 and running through the end of July, summer camps offer a perfect mix of adventure, learning, and lasting memories. From exciting outdoor activities and creative arts to team-building games and hands-on learning, programs are designed to keep kids engaged, active, and growing.

With experienced staff, including many Norfolk Academy teachers and coaches, as well as former campers who return to lend a hand, camps create a safe and welcoming environment. The camps focus on building confidence, friendships, and independence, and leave students wanting to come back year after year.

Athletics offerings include the ever-popular bike camp, as well as baseball, flag football, girls with sticks, and new this year, Zumba. If the fine arts are more the camper’s speed, offerings range from poetry, yoga, and theater to broadcasting, comic book creation, and of course, Slime Time.

Camps are available for students entering kindergarten through 10th grade and are not limited to Norfolk Academy families. Children throughout Hampton Roads may attend and busing is available.

For more information, including the full list of 2026 offerings, and to register, visit Norfolk Academy’s website: https://www.norfolkacademy.org/summer.

Mike Connors is the digital and social media specialist at Norfolk Academy.