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BeAR CONNECTS GENERATIONS

BeAR CONNECTS GENERATIONS

In a world where technology often seems to pull people apart, the Be A Reader Literacy Project is bringing generations together. Senior adults in Norfolk and Virginia Beach are stepping up to mentor second graders in Title I schools, and in the process, they’re...

Simon Family JCC partners with Silver Sneakers and Renew 

Simon Family JCC partners with Silver Sneakers and Renew 

Reduced pricing at the movie theater is a widely known perk of achieving ‘senior’ status, but it is far from the only one. A benefit that assists in keeping that same age group healthy, fit, and engaged is less known, but arguably more beneficial. . . free membership...

LIFE-EXPERIENCED LIFEGUARDS AT THE SIMON FAMILY JCC

LIFE-EXPERIENCED LIFEGUARDS AT THE SIMON FAMILY JCC

Lifeguards are integral to most swimming pools – certainly to all the Simon Family JCC’s pools. While the aquatics team has had its share of seasoned guards, most tend to be teens and/or young adults. Two new employees, however, are out of the lifeguard-ordinary: Paul...

Virginia Tech student leader visits Israel 

Virginia Tech student leader visits Israel 

FIRST PERSON: A VIEW FROM ISRAEL  I was in Israel for 10 days through a structured university trip called Israel Authentic (part of the Tlalim Group). Eight students on the trip were from Boston University and seven were from Virginia Tech, where I am a rising...

KNOWLEDGE IS KEY 

KNOWLEDGE IS KEY 

SOME BASIC FACTS. • During Israel’s 1948 War of Independence, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion struck a deal with leaders of the Haredi community to exempt those whose full-time occupation was Torah study from mandatory military service. Arab citizens of Israel...

Your Dollars at Work

Your Dollars at Work

Birthright Israel brings 13,500 participants to Israel  As antisemitism reaches historic levels across the world, Birthright Israel participants will strengthen their Jewish identity and build relationships with the land and people of Israel when they need it...

Jewish Tidewater’s Graduates

Jewish Tidewater’s Graduates

Ayden Cohn Virginia Tech Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering and a Master of Science in Business Administration (Business Analytics).  Ayden was awarded the Virginia Tech Engineering Outstanding Master’s Student award. Next: Ayden will work as an engineer...

KNOWLEDGE IS KEY 

Knowledge is key – Some basic facts

In the third quarter of 2023, roughly 150,000 Palestinians from the West Bank were working in the Israeli economy. In Quarter 4, that went down to 17,000. (marketplace.org) The blue ribbon symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by...

Gratitude for To Life: The Past is Present

Gratitude for To Life: The Past is Present

Elka Mednick, director The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater:Thank you for the donation of To Life: The Past is Present. This book will be a useful addition to the Reference collection in Dinwiddie High School (DHS) Library.At DHS,...

Camp JCC: Where fun happens all year

Dave Flagler Another successful winter break camp wrapped up last month, concluding a fun-filled 2023 for Camp JCC. Covering two weeks of private school and public school closures, campers enjoyed winter themed crafts, indoor games, STEM projects, culinary creations...

Chesapeake’s Mayor West delivers statement against antisemitism

Stephanie Peck At Chesapeake’s City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28, Mayor Rick West read a statement unequivocally condemning the recent rise in antisemitism and standing in solidarity with those affected by antisemitism. Before his remarks, Mayor West noted that...

Germaine Clair, long-time Jewish News art director, retires

Terri Denison After 18 years, the April 3, 2023 issue was Germaine Clair’s last as art director for Jewish News. Germaine served as art director for the final Renewal magazine published by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater in the fall of 2004. By 2005, she was...

Have your cake and eat it too: A dual approach to charitable giving

Naomi Limor Sedek At Tidewater Jewish Foundation, a number of fund holders and donors enthusiastically embrace strategies for lifetime gifts and bequests. These champions of the “do it now” approach to charitable giving and their longstanding commitment to estate...

Volunteer in Israel with Masa

Due to the high demand for volunteer work in Israel, Masa has created Masa Volunteers, a new six-week volunteer program in Israel, turning compassion into action. This program, priced at just $350, offers various dates throughout December, January, and February,...

YAD’s Pop-Up Shabbat brings young adults together for Israel

Elana McGovern Since October 7, young adults have rallied in support of each other and Israel, culminating in a heartwarming Pop-Up Shabbat experience on November 17. To strengthen ties and contribute to the Tidewater Supports Israel 2023 Emergency Campaign, members...

Regent University issues statement on antisemitism

Regent University stands unwaveringly against the alarming rise of antisemitism on college campuses today. As expressed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews....

Meeting 2023 charitable goals does not have to be stressful

Naomi Limor Sedek In Tidewater and across the country, giving season is in full gear. The end of the year is a well-documented season of anxiety for many people, but meeting 2023 charitable goals does not have to be stressful. Tidewater Jewish Foundation is prepared...

Local Jewish Families in need

Kelly Burroughs Concerns in Israel have dominated most of our thoughts and prayers. The Jewish community’s generosity has enabled thousands of items and millions of dollars to be sent to support people in Israel. As hundreds of people came together on the Sandler...

JFS’s care for PAM clients continues even after life

Kelly Burroughs Jewish Family Service is often tasked with medical and end of life decisions for its Personal Affairs Management (PAM) clients. After-life decisions are also fulfilled, regardless of the deceased’s religious affiliation. For indigent clients who are...

JFS Food Pantry provides Thanksgiving meals

Stephanie Peck In anticipation of its Thanksgiving meal distribution, Jewish Family Service’s food pantry planned to open at 10 am on Tuesday, Nov. 21. By 8:30 am, however, cars lined up outside the Sandler Family Campus. By the scheduled opening time, 25 cars had...

JFS participates in military burial for 24 clients

Staff report Jewish Family Service, in conjunction with the Missing in America Project, performed a full military burial service at the National Cemetery in Quantico, Va. for the cremains of 22 non-Jewish veterans and two non-Jewish veteran spouses on October 27. The...

JFS Open House for Embrace Counseling

Tuesday, Nov. 28, 9 am – 12 pm • 260 Grayson Road, Virginia Beach Kelly Burroughs As Jewish Family Service continues to evaluate needs in the community, the evident lack of access to quality mental health services is more and more apparent. As part of the agency’s...

Striving for Tikkun Olam

Patti Wainger A prayer vigil in support of Israel was held at Congregation Beth El on Sunday, Oct. 29. Reverend Tim Giddens, director of Norfolk’s Ghent Area Ministry, (GAM), New Life Church’s Pastor, David McBride, and Congregation Beth El’s spiritual leader, Rabbi...

Marching again

Naomi Limor Sedek In 1987, when I was 12 years old, I hopped on a bus that was arranged by the local Federation that left from the JCC to march in Washington on Freedom Sunday for the Soviet Jews. That was 36 years ago and made such a vivid impression on me and shaped...

William & Mary students experience antisemitism

Stephanie Peck Prior to the terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, William & Mary students from various faith groups would come together on campus and a positive relationship existed between Muslim and Jewish students. This peaceful exchange collapsed when Hamas...

Craft a legacy, secure the Jewish future

Naomi Limor Sedek Nestled beside one of the area’s fastest-growing congregations, a new playground gleams under the sun. While it may appear as just slides and swings, it’s much more for the young Jewish families of B’nai Israel. Funded through a Tidewater Jewish...