WASHINGTON (JTA)—The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly agreed to condemn a U.N. Security Council anti-settlements resolution and the Obama administration for allowing it through. The resolution, which passed Thursday, Jan. 5 by a vote of 342– 80, said the...
Other News
Archives
Across the U.S., 16 JCCs get bomb threats in a single day
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Bomb threats were called in to at least 16 Jewish community centers and other institutions in seven states on Monday, Jan. 9. The calls were prerecorded in some cases and live in others, with the caller using voice disguising technology, and likely...
Donald Trump says Israel is being treated “very, very unfairly”
President-elect Donald Trump accused the Obama administration of treating Israel with “total disdain” hours after Secretary of State John Kerry’s speech rebuking the country’s settlement policy and offering his plan for Middle East peace. Trump spoke to reporters on...
Blaming Obama doesn’t advance the cause of Middle East peace
What did Secretary of State John Kerry say that caused former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren to say that U.S. policy toward Israeli has become “sad, tragic and dangerous?” That led Sen. Ted Cruz to say that Kerry and President Barack Obama are...
24th Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film
With the 24th season of the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film briskly underway, national and international movies, including documentaries and full feature dramas created by award winning Jewish writers and filmmakers, are being shown at multiple locales around...
Third Hanukkah party in Executive Mansion’s history hosted by Governor McAuliffe
Jewish community leaders, clergy, elected officials and professionals from across the Commonwealth gathered on December 14 at the Executive Mansion for an early Hanukkah celebration. Only the third such party held at the Mansion, Governor Terry McAuliffe and his wife...
Amy Brooke honored by BINA; school celebrates 10 years
BINA High School celebrated its 10-year anniversary honoring Amy Brooke on Dec. 9 and 10. Many alumni returned to Norfolk to be a part of the celebration, travelling from New York, New Jersey, and Maryland—several with young families—to catch up with their old...
Investing in the future of Tidewater’s Jewish community
It‘s never too early to think about how to leave your mark on the community and how you want to be remembered. Each year by using disposable income charitably, people make an imprint on the Tidewater Jewish community. That choice is an investment—whether it is making...
What Draws You… to volunteer, to give, to care?
Community-wide fundraising phone-a-thon Sunday, January 22, 9 am–1 pm Reba & Sam Sandler Family Campus Asking questions is one of the most time-honored traditions of Judaism, and the young adults organizing this year’s Super Sunday community-wide phone-a-thon have...
From Mumbai to March of the Living: Bringing Holocaust education to Jewish Indian teens
Last December I traveled to India with American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) Entwine. My peers and I connected with the Jewish community, particularly the Jewish Youth Pioneers (JYP), a young-adult delegation of Jewish-Indians who live in the greater...
TJF’s Life & Legacy program off to an exciting start
Since launching in September, the Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s Life & Legacy program has created new levels of excitement and engagement within the Tidewater Jewish community. The Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s Life & Legacy program is a four-year initiative...
Holocaust organizations, scholars and educators sound alarm on surge in hate crimes; issue call to action to lawmakers and citizens
(New York, NY)—In a powerful statement issued by an array of Holocaust institutions, scholars and educators from around the world (including United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission), an alarm is being sounded on the rise of groups that promote...
Simon Family JCC’s Meeting recognizes accomplishments and sets goals for Simon Family JCC
The 2012 Biennial Meeting of the Simon Family JCC took place on Wednesday, June 13. At the meeting, outstanding accomplishments for the Center were recognized, a president bid her farewell, and another was installed for a two-year-term. Sandra Porter Leon, outgoing...
Yeshiva Aish Kodesh’s tribute dinner honors Jordan Slone
More than 250 friends, family and supporters of Yeshiva Aish Kodesh, the Talmudical Academy of Norfolk, enjoyed a warm celebration of the area’s first and only Jewish Boy’s high school on May 20 at the school’s Tribute Dinner honoring Jordan Slone, founding president...
Congregation Beth Chaverim’s 30th anniversary
A grateful founding rabbi, I shall always remember and cherish the transforming birth of what we affectionately called, “the baby.” Much love and tenderness has been bestowed upon the fast-growing “baby,” remaining the newest synagogue in Hampton Roads and the only...
Federation-Synagogue grants program seeks to build a strong community
Continuing its yearlong effort to strengthen temples and synagogues in the Tidewater community, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater recently launched its Federation-Synagogue Grants program. Funds are being made available for innovative projects that will...
Payday Payroll Services wins Monarch Bank’s $50,000 ‘Top Flight’ Prize
“Hampton Roads has spoken and selected this year’s $50,000 winner,” Brad E. Schwartz, CEO of Monarch Bank, said in announcing Payday Payroll Services as the winner of its second annual communitywide contest. “Monarch Bank developed this award program to recognize top...
Performing Arts at the J receives gift from lover of music, Leah Wohl*
Many years before Leah Wohl passed away she requested that Ina and Moss Friedman become stewards of her estate. In addition to other organizations within the Jewish community, the Friedmans chose to sponsor the Performing Arts at the J for the next three years in her...
What makes the Yeshivas Aish Kodesh different
When friends from outside the community ask me what is different about teaching at an Orthodox Jewish boys’ high school, usually they are most curious about the religious aspects of the school. As a general studies teacher, I could easily answer that I don’t teach in...
Beth Sholom Village celebrates National Nursing Home Week
The nursing and activity staffs at Beth Sholom Village developed a week of special events that brought smiles to everyone’s faces—staff, visitors and residents—to celebrate National Nursing Home Week, May 14–18. A few of the highlights include: May 14 — Dress-Up Day,...
Beth Sholom Auxiliary installs new officers
The Auxiliary of The Berger-Goldrich Home held its Annual Spring Luncheon and Installation at The Home on Thursday, May 17. Following hors d’oeuvres in the lobby, the guests adjourned to the Pincus Paul Social Hall for lunch and the program. Introductory remarks were...
“Open debate on the situation in the Middle East”
Thank you, Madame President. Let me begin by thanking you, personally, for your outstanding leadership of the Security Council this month. Churchill once said, “In the time that it takes a lie to get halfway around the world, the truth is still getting its pants on.”...
Toras Chaim students attend political rally
Mitt Romney’s visit on Thursday, May 3 to Portsmouth was an exciting educational opportunity for the students of Toras Chaim. Seventh and eighth grade civics class students have been following the electoral process all year. Having them experience the process first...
JDC visitors from Hungary find abundant generosity in Tidewater
As a young child in Moldova, being Jewish meant two things to Zoya Shvartzman: her parents spoke a strange language at home, and she was pushed to be better than anyone else, particularly in school. The language wasn’t identified as Yiddish, nor was the expectation of...
Virginia Israel Advisory Board funded for FY2013 and FY2014 thanks to Tidewater and state-wide grass roots efforts
More than 320 notes and signatures were sent by the Tidewater community to Governor Bob McDonnell’s office, advocating for full funding for the Virginia Israel Advisory Board, $175,361 for FY2013 and FY2014. With this funding and a commitment for VIAB to remain an...
Jewish Council for Public Affairs Annual Plenum 2012 in Detroit
On May 5 I headed to Detroit for the annual Plenum of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, otherwise known as the JCPA, the Community Relations Council’s umbrella organization. The JCPA, the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community, serves as the...
Ohef Sholom’s Mitzvah Day: Social action and community
On the morning of Sunday, April 29, Ohef Sholom Temple’s sixth annual Mitzvah Day demonstrated tikkun olam with an emphasis on the environment, as well as helping those less fortunate. Its “Ohef Goes Green” theme helped kick off the efforts of the newest temple...
Nominate a Jewish Community Hero
The next time you’re out in the Jewish community, look to your left, look to your right; look at yourself. Chances are you’ll see a Jewish Community Hero. The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater wants to recognize these heroes, sharing the passion and dedication...
Bill Nusbaum honored at Ohef Sholom with Kaufmann award
Ohef Sholom Temple’s Men’s Club presented William L. Nusbaum with its prestigious Henry B. Kaufmann Award for Service to the temple and the community on Sunday, May 6. Emceed by the Honorable Lou Sherman, several speakers took the podium to praise Nusbaum’s...
Burle Usher Stromberg: Following in his father’s footsteps
“It warms my heart that there are so many exciting events taking place at HAT. Not only are we teaching our students, but we are also educating our parents, grandparents and siblings,” says Burle Stromberg, president of the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater board. When...
JCC embarks on first annual fundraising appeal
The Simon Family JCC serves many different needs in its role as a Community Center. In order to better help those who need assistance to benefit from the JCC’s resources, the center is requesting support from the community. As a recent letter outlined, there are many...
Toras Chaim celebrates 10th Anniversary
Toras Chaim recently hosted a gala dinner to celebrate its 10 years of providing Jewish education in Tidewater. The program opened with welcoming remarks from Ephriam Adler, the current president of the school. He emphasized that Toras Chaim was founded and continues...