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Puttering around at the Simon Family JCC
A common advertising refrain, “Membership has its benefits,” takes on extra meaning at the Simon Family JCC, where membership includes opportunities that feature fitness and swim options, cultural arts programs, clubs for all ages and interests, leagues, and an...
Kristallnacht: A turning point in Nazi persecution
November 9-10, 1938, Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass,” marked a critical escalation in Nazi persecution of Jews. This pogrom led to the destruction of more than 1,000 synagogues and 7,500 Jewish-owned businesses, resulting in the arrest of 30,000 Jewish...
JCRC Guide to 2024 Election created to keep voters informed
The Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater has compiled a Guide to the 2024 Election to provide the information needed to become an informed voter. Visit JewishVA.org/Election24 to determine which district is yours, which...
Holiday table conversation starters
When gathering for the upcoming High Holiday meals with family and friends, this might be the year to veer away from a discussion of politics. Instead, consider exploring a topic that is often overlooked, but is incredibly important –philanthropy. What better...
ZIM moves to Virginia Beach
Rabbi Meir Lessof joins Nissim Yochai, president of ZIM, and other dignitaries to affix mezuzot at ZIM’snew office building in Virginia Beach. The move from Norfolk marks more than 1,000 new job opportunities for Virginia Beach. Rabbi Meir Lessoff and Nissim Yochai,...
Welcome to Tidewater’s Great Jewish Bookshelf
An opportunity to deepen connections to Jewish heritage, culture, and contemporary thought A new initiative of the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the Great Jewish Bookshelf invites Jewish adults—or anyone interested in the...
Knowledge is Key. Some basic facts.
Iran funds approximately $700 million to Lebanon annually. Hezbollah effectively controls Lebanon, is stronger than many national armies and poses a significantly greater threat than Hamas. Hezbollah’s stated goal is the complete destruction of the Jewish state....
Donations 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 Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lines Virginia Hawks Carol Waters Barbara...
Beth Sholom Village and Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay collaborate to open Dozoretz Hospice House of Hampton Roads
The newly opened Dozoretz Hospice House of Hampton Roads is co-managed by Beth Sholom Village alongside Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay. As the first freestanding inpatient hospice house in the area, this facility represents a significant step forward in...
Concerned citizens form PAC to elect school board candidates
With a mission to support students-first candidates for the Virginia Beach School Board, Jody and Alan Wagner, along with a group of parents, educators, and members of the Virginia Beach community, have formed The Citizens Advocating for Responsible Education PAC...
Governor Glenn Youngkin signs legislation to combat bigotry
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin on August 28 signed HB 18 and SB 7 to expand criminal penalties against bigotry and close a serious gap in the code by ensuring ethnicity is explicitly recognized among the protected classes. Attorney General Jason Miyares. “I’m...
Rabbi Sacks Tidewater Community Book Club delves into Future Tense
The inaugural session of the Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Community Book Club took place on Sunday, Feb. 25 at Congregation Beth El. Participants included congregants of area synagogues as well as those without affiliation. As part of the series, sponsored by the Simon Family...
Antisemitism: A far deeper problem than can be imagined
America is experiencing a strong uptick in antisemitism, especially on our college campuses. Jewish students feel unsafe and numerous attacks have been registered. University presidents have struggled to admit that advocating for the genocide of Jews is against school...
Camp JCC is the place to be: Don’t miss out
Registration for Camp JCC Summer 2024 is off to a very promising start – after all, it is “the place to be” this summer. In fact, enrollment is significantly higher compared to this point last year, with many of the families who have registered new to camp. Based on...
Work at summer camp is inspiring
During the final days of staff training, camp directors across the country ask their teams to close their eyes and think about who their favorite camp counselors were and what was it about that person that made them special. What were their qualities? What interests...
A bag of kippot = memories for local caterer
Susan Byrne of Catering Concepts recently happened upon a bag of yamakas (kippot) – all from events where she had been the caterer. “It was fun to find them and have all of the memories come flooding back,” says Byrne. “Seeing those yamakas reminded me of viewing...
Make a difference with BeAR
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” – Albert Einstein We all want to feel that we truly make a difference. Participating in the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project of the United Jewish Federation Tidewater is an easy and rewarding way to accomplish...
Build strength for a good life
“Strong legs, long life.” This is the mantra voiced by Tom Purcell during the LifeFit class he leads on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the Simon Family JCC. It is just one among many positive thoughts Purcell shares during every class – all promoting fitness and...
Temple Emanuel’s Casablanca
Those who weren’t in Casablanca on Saturday, Feb. 3 missed out. Temple Emanuel’s Casablanca-themed Casino Night was the place to be and the numerous Ingrids and Humphreys in attendance can attest to that. It was an energetic, delicious, fun night on the town. Leslie...
Connect with ODU’s Jewish life
A strengthening Jewish presence is emerging at Old Dominion University – one that is quickly confirmed by all the activity on Old Dominion University’s Hillel’s accounts on Instagram and Facebook. ODU’s vibrant Jewish community is promoting a greater understanding and...
JCC Youth Basketball “Hoop It Up” at ODU
Old Dominion University’s basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 22 featured the Simon Family JCC Youth Basketball League during halftime. The popular JCC basketball youth league, now more than 60 years old, played on the ODU home court to an entertained crowd that cheered...
Dollars from the Tidewater Supports Israel Emergency Fund assist victims of terror
Thanks to our generous community, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) has raised almost $4.8 million since October 7 to support humanitarian, emergency, and wartime needs through the UJFT’s Tidewater Supports Israel Emergency Fund. The second largest...
17 Jewish organizations push for passage of Antisemitism Awareness Act
Jewish Federations of North America on Wednesday, Feb. 21, led 16 American Jewish organizations in a joint letter to members of the House of Representatives reaffirming their support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of...
Mikvah appreciation
Dear Editor, Thank you so much for accepting my article to the Jewish News on the new Keilim Mikvah, the mikvah for immersing vessels. I have received several comments on how much people appreciated seeing this article featured and knowing that we have made the mikvah...
Knowledge is key
Israel’s war with Hamas has resulted in vocal and aggressive anti-Zionism and antisemitism across the globe. Many American Jews lack basic knowledge about Israel to converse with certainty about the sole democracy in the Middle East. Beginning with this column, in...
Date with the State: Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day
On the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 7, a delegation of committed and proud Jews – ranging from ODU students to retirees – boarded a double-decker bus at the Sandler Family Campus in Virginia Beach destined for Richmond. There, we met up with other Jewish delegations...
Peace by Piece marks 25years of a unique partnership with JFS and Edmarc
February marked the 25th anniversary of Peace by Piece, a partnership between Jewish Family Service of Tidewater and Edmarc, a family-centered home health and hospice for children with life-threatening illnesses. Peace by Piece is an interfaith program for grieving...
Jewish Film Festival honors the victims of Hamas’ October 7 attacks in Israel
After three decades, the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma and Howard Laderberg, continues to evolve, bringing films that interest and excite, as well as meet the moment during times of turmoil. For the 31st annual festival, the Festival’s screening...
Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: Shorts, documentaries, and dramas
The lineup for the 31st Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg, includes shorts, documentaries, and dramas and takes place next month at various locations throughout Tidewater. The Festival begins on Sunday, Feb. 18, with a special...
JFS continues meal delivery program with new partner
Kelly Burroughs and Jody LaibstainJewish Family Service’s Home Delivered Meals program is a continuum of the organization’s food service programs. Geared to older and disabled adults throughout Virginia Beach who qualify, a steadfast group of volunteers has been...
Bar Mitzvah plans morph into supporting IDF soldiers for Mostofskys
In anticipation of her nephew’s bar mitzvah in January, Tehilla Mostofsky bought tickets to Israel last July. Along with her husband, Sholom, and her parents, who had not been to Israel in 25 years, she planned to stay for five days to celebrate with her family. The...