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Love may be a universal theme, but the way it is portrayed can vary profoundly from one work to another. This is evident in the series Nobody Wants This and the film Transmitzvah. Both productions, available on Netflix, revolve around dilemmas involving Judaism,...
Career exploration workshop: Wednesday, January 15, Sandler Family Campus Summer employment workshop: Wednesday, February 19, Sandler Family Campus Interested in the Hampton Roads job market or in returning home for a career opportunity? Through a new...
Jewish News continues to gather and present some basic facts to equip readers with the confidence needed to engage in conversation about Israel and antisemitism. • Israel’s government is a parliamentary democracy and has three branches: executive, legislative,...
Some say it’s never too early to learn about generosity and tzedakah. That seems to be a prevailing philosophy for Alyson Gross and Michael Yaary, parents of two-year-old Asher. Instead of gifts for his recent birthday party, the Strelitz International Academy...
Sitting in a movie theater, watching a favorite show, or listening to the radio, most Jewish people can’t help but chuckle when Hebrew or Yiddish vernacular is heard, as if they’re the only listener privy to this inside joke. But how, and when, did the phrase “mazel...
Hurricane Helene struck the east coast as a powerful Category 4 storm, bringing wind speeds exceeding 140 mph, a once-in-a generation storm surge, and more than 15 inches of rainfall. This caused widespread flooding and damage across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North...
It has been just over a year since Jewish Family Service’s Counseling program moved off the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community to its old digs on the second floor of 260 Grayson Road and rebranded itself as Embrace Counseling. ...
Since I was a little girl, I’ve always liked Poppies. I remember when they taught us about law-protected flowers, you know, those that you can’t pick – even if it’s your deepest desire. Out of the list, poppies were my favorite. I still can’t figure out what drew me...
Twenty-five years ago, Jewish Family Service and Edmarc, a children’s hospice program, partnered to develop Peace by Piece, an emotional safe haven for kids and teens who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Adult support groups for the caregivers are also...
The Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Program is celebrating a major milestone this year, and what better way to begin the year than with United Jewish Federation hosting the largest ever BeAR kickoff luncheon. Now in its 25th year, the BeAR program continues to ignite a...
In recognition of the first anniversary of the brutal attacks by Hamas, several elected officials and retired U.S. military leaders issued letters in condemnation of the atrocities and in solidarity with the Jewish community. Among those sending letters were U.S....
Some Basic Facts: A majority of Americans (61%) say the U.S. should play a role in diplomatically resolving the Israel-Hamas war. Still, more want the U.S. to play a minor role (37%) than a major one (24%). An additional 19% would prefer for the U.S. to play no...
Etsy Gruen It’s been a dream for many in Tidewater, and now it is a reality. Judaism invests in the mundane activity of eating with kedusha, special sanctity. . . eating kosher food, with the table upon which the food is eaten representing the holy altar, the...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
Philissa Cramer (JTA) — Elon Musk, the tech titan who is under fire for his role in amplifying antisemitism on his social media platform X, visited Israel on Monday, Nov. 27 and toured the devastation at a kibbutz ravaged by Hamas on Oct. 7 alongside Prime Minister...
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....
Ron Kampeas WASHINGTON (JTA) — Organizers of a pro-Israel rally at the National Mall in Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 14, claim that 290,000 people showed up for the event, making it one of the largest gatherings of Jews in U.S. history at a time when an ongoing war in...
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...
Richmond, Va. — Attorney General Jason Miyares joined a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas calling for the prompt removal of foreign student visa...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...