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The Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater celebrated a remarkable year of Jewish education with a Celebration of Lifelong Learning event last month. This year, dedicated learners deepened their knowledge of Jewish history, thought,...
The fifth and sixth grade girls from Toras Chaim took a trip to the Maimonides Health Center in Virginia Beach on Monday, June 10.An innovative idea of Kayla Weinreb to teach her students about the act of chessed (kindness) while bringing joy to the Center’s...
After achieving plenty of recognition and success during the 2023- 2024 school year, the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project is now planning for the 2024-2025 school year.During this school year, BeAR worked with more than 100 second-grade students in Norfolk and...
A variety of activities and events designed for adults 55+ are offered by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Simon Family JCC. Whether participants are eager to meet new friends, dive into a great book, or engage in stimulating discussions, there’s...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Time flies! While it feels like just yesterday the Strelitz International Academy’s Class of 2017 graduated, seven years have passed and these students are graduating from high school.Last month, these alumni and their parents returned to SIA for a special Senior...
All area congregations offer High Holiday services. For exact times, ticket requirements, and virtual options, it is best to contact them in advance. CONGREGATIONS B’NAI ISRAEL CONGREGATION 420 Spotswood Ave., Norfolk, VA 23517 757-627-7358 bnaiisrael.org,...
Stephanie Peck This year celebrates the sixth, worldwide Reverse Tashlich, an effort to tackle the global pollution problem by cleaning up our waterways. Tashlich comes from the Hebrew word, meaning “to cast.” Each Rosh Hashanah, Jews cast away their sins during the...
Stephanie Peck Among its many activities, Jewish Family Service attempts to make all the major Jewish holidays better for those who might need a bit of a boost or metaphorical hug. Prior to Rosh Hashanah, for example, Jewish Family Service will deliver holiday gift...
Following four years of service to Orlando’s Jewish community, Rabbi Meir and Adina Lessoff have brought their passion and commitment to Virginia Beach. Their mission: to reach Jews in search of a deeper connection to their heritage. Arriving as newcomers to Virginia...
Financial aid applications for 2023-24 school year re-open. Deadline: September 30, 2023 With more than 45 million Americans in some form of outstanding interest-bearing student loan debt, 0% interest loans can help save borrowers thousands of dollars in high...
Sierra Lautman Israeli Scouts from the Tzofim Friendship Caravan visited Tidewater on July 28 for the first time in four years. Their performances bridge the gap between Israeli and American culture, demonstrating the power of music and unity in fostering connections...
Nofar Trem A blazing sun over the Metzger Outdoor Aquatic Center at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center helped make certain temperatures were up – in a good way – for Sunday Fun Day in August. The afternoon was a heartwarming convergence of community members,...
Shira Li Bartov (JTA) — To prepare for their role in creating Adam Sandler’s latest movie, crew members hit the Toronto bar and bat mitzvah circuit. Production designer Perry Blake and set decorator Julia Altschul, guided by a local consultant on the Jewish...
On Wednesday, June 19, I had the honor of joining leadership from our Jewish community, as well as leadership from Jewish communities and organizations around the country to hear Israeli President Isaac Herzog address a joint session of the United States Congress. I...
In response to the Knesset’s vote earlier today (July 24, 2023) on the Reasonableness Law, Jewish Federations of North America issued the following statement: “The Jewish Federations of North America are deeply pained over the growing polarization we have witnessed in...
When I booked my flights for the 2018 Association of Holocaust Organizations conference held in Mobile, Ala., I did not think about extending my trip to visit the then brand-new National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, a two-hour drive north. I vowed...
Prophet $50,000+ Anonymous United Jewish Federation of Tidewater – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Righteous $20,000 - $49,999 Dozoretz Family Fund Edward Kramer Cindy & Ronald Kramer Celia K. Krichman* Charitable Trust Laura & Jerrold Miller Deb & Peter...
Rainbows, rocket ships, and red, white, and blue spirit are just some of the themes that filled Strelitz International Academy’s classrooms this summer, keeping SIA’s summer session busy both inside and outside of the classroom. To maintain excitement and engagement,...
This past spring, the Young Adult Division (YAD) of the United Jewish Federation rolled out a program that’s now rolling fast on its own. Since March, the Federation has offered four Shabbat dinners for young Jewish adults that are hosted by community members. Thanks...
Summer is full of passion, so it is particularly fitting that Tu b’Av takes place during this warm season, this year on August 1. Sort of the “Jewish Valentine’s Day,” Tu b’Av is historically a grape harvest festival during which matchmaking was encouraged and love...
Nearly $650,000 in scholarship donations were secured for the 2022-2023 school year through Tidewater Jewish Foundation, an approved scholarship foundation under the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credits program. These funds have supported families...
At Tidewater’s celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, visitors to the Sandler Family Campus’ Fleischmann Lounge saw a collage of photographs, news articles, and scanned documents telling a 150-year-old story. Through a partnership with...
Maimonides, or the Rambam, lived from 1138 until 1204, and remains one of the most prolific Torah scholars of all time, as well as a noted physician whose treatises on such conditions as asthma, diabetes, hepatitis, and pneumonia influenced future generations of...
According to the World Health Organization, 55 million people are experiencing dementia worldwide in 2023. Symptoms include memory loss, anxiety, personality changes, and difficulty performing familiar tasks. Caregivers are often unprepared to handle the onset of...
Varied activities in various spaces at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center provide seniors a range of options for meetings, creativity, volunteering, learning, dining, socializing, and even a bit of competition. The Fleischmann Lounge, for example, is a vibrant,...