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New city director named for Tidewater BBYO

New city director named for Tidewater BBYO

Courtney Krutoy has joined Tidewater BBYO as its new city director.“After a long search, we have found the right person who has BBYO knowledge, a dedication to this role, and who is excited to jump in,” says Lauren Revenson, regional director, BBYO’s Eastern...

Power of community

Power of community

This past November in Washington, DC, a small group of colleagues and lay leaders from our Jewish community joined thousands of Jewish leaders from around the world at the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) General Assembly (GA).Personally, I drew much...

The Sacred Lights of Chanukah

The Sacred Lights of Chanukah

The fragile yet formidable Chanukah candles We tenderly lit, daringly defy the suffocating  Darkness around us and in us, Soothing and softening, we pray, all who  Their magic of evoked memories of elation And trepidation with oil – dripping levivot (Potato...

The original Hanukkah lights

The original Hanukkah lights

If you free associate on the word “Hanukkah,” it is likely that among your first mental images will be a Hanukkiyah –  maybe a craft project, the work of your own Sunday School-age hands? Or the family’s customary menorah when you were a child? Or an inheritance...

Hanukkah happenings in Jewish Tidewater

Hanukkah happenings in Jewish Tidewater

Light up the holiday by attending one or more of these community-oriented experiences.  With some events geared for children and others for adults, some in Virginia Beach and others in Norfolk, plenty of options are available to celebrate Hanukkah with community. Chag...

Knowledge is key

Knowledge is key

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,...

Philanthropy can start young

Philanthropy can start young

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...

The now ubiquitous mazel tov

The now ubiquitous mazel tov

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 Emergency Relief Fund

Hurricane Emergency Relief Fund

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...

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...

TJF relaunches Life & Legacy Plus program

Kickoff event: Thursday August 15, 5:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus Life & Legacy, now branded as Life & Legacy Plus, is being relaunched by Tidewater Jewish Foundation. Life & Legacy Plus is a four-year extension of the partnership program of the Harold...

Christians United for Israel 2024 Summit

Last month, I attended the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Summit. The event was a powerful demonstration of solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people, bringing together thousands of supporters from diverse backgrounds.From the moment I arrived, the atmosphere...

An archival journey through Tidewater Jewish history

“Cardboard is evil!” At least it is when it’s backing for a framed document from 1878. As a result, when the volunteers who staff the Archive at Ohef Sholom Temple came across a framed document from 1878 that was backed with cardboard, the document was removed from...

First Person – A secret weapon – Mitzvot Matter

I hear it over and over again – “Mi K’amcha Yisrael” – Who is like you the Jewish people?Enter the world of mitzvot – our secret weapon. How could that be? After all, what is a mitzvah? It’s a commandment in the Torah, which is 3,500 years old. How could doing a...

Myths vs. realities: Understanding Tidewater Jewish Foundation

Guided by the principles of tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), Tidewater Jewish Foundation is dedicated to creating permanent resources for the Jewish community. The many facets of community involvement in which TJF is engaged have caused some...

Meet Tidewater’s new Shinshinim

Tidewater is starting its third year working with the Jewish Agency for Israel, hosting Shinshinim (Israeli Emissaries) to bring Israeli culture, knowledge, and experiences to people of all ages. Shinshin is an acronym for Shenat Sherut – a year of service given by an...

SIA receives TJF grant for Stop the Bleed and first aid kits

A recent Tidewater Jewish Foundation grant enabled Strelitz International Academy to purchase 50 enhanced emergency first aid and Stop the Bleed kits, significantly improving and enhancing the school’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities.In addition to...

Building more than bridges

Children signing brachot in American Sign Language (ASL). Students harmonizing with hand-drumming while singing Oseh Shalom. Kids laughing while playing drama games they learned at day camp. ASL interpreters at community events. What’s going on?Sharon Serbin is going...

Tu B’Av: One way to a man’s heart

A minor Jewish holiday, Tu B’Av is celebrated as a holiday of love. This year, it begins on the evening of Sunday, August 18 and ends at nightfall on Monday, August 19. There are few gestures that say “I love you” quite like making someone a meal. But as a chef, I...

Winner of passes to Beyond Monet

Sherry Lieberman is the winner of the Jewish News contest for two passes to the Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Sponsored by the Virginia Arts Festival, the Monet experience showcases more than 400 of Monet’s most iconic...

Israeli, Australian, American Jews medal at the 2024 Olympics

Windsurfing to wrestling – Jewish athletes earned at least 16 medals (at press time) at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.The stories about these Olympians are all interesting – even for those who don’t care all that much about sports. Read about them at JTA.org. Gold medals...

Educators’ Conference asks “Who Will Tell Our Story?”

The successful 16th Biennial Educators' Conference, hosted by the Holocaust Commission and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, offered invaluable resources and insights to educators dedicated to teaching about...

Celebration of Lifelong Learning: A year of growth and commitment

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,...

Toras Chaim students visit Maimonides Health Center residents

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...

Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project celebrates another fantastic year

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...

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...