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Filling the sukkah with kindness

Filling the sukkah with kindness

This Sukkot, Jewish Family Service celebrated the holiday’s spirit of gratitude and community by launching its “Fill the Sukkah” Food Drive — an initiative that combined tradition with tzedakah.  Instead of decorating a traditional sukkah this year, JFS invited...

Mike Goldsmith, security expert, speaks with seniors

Mike Goldsmith, security expert, speaks with seniors

The online world can be confusing and scary for people of all ages. That is why on Wednesday, Sept. 17, Secure Community Network’s Regional Security Advisor for Tidewater, Mike Goldsmith, spoke with the JCC Senior’s Club about recognizing common scams. Protecting...

Biased reporting in the media

Biased reporting in the media

Editor: Ever since Oct.7, 2023 this country (and around the world) has seen a strong upsurge in antisemitism.  Much of this originates with right-wing white supremacists and the left Muslim pro-Palestinian sectors.  But a large contingent also comes from...

Blake Sisler joins UJFT staff 

Blake Sisler joins UJFT staff 

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater recently announced the addition of Blake Sisler as the new coordinator of Youth and Family Engagement. Sisler will oversee PJ Library and Shalom Baby programs as well as support Jewish learning initiatives offered through the...

Stay Safe

Stay Safe

The High Holiday season is a sacred time for worship, reflection, and joy. It begins on the evening of Monday, September 22. “Our synagogues will see significant numbers of congregants coming to connect with their faith and the larger Jewish community,” says Mike...

A Bissel of Yiddish | A bissel of Yiddish for Yom Kippur

A Bissel of Yiddish | A bissel of Yiddish for Yom Kippur

A combination of High German and Hebrew, Yiddish is a language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews.  In Tidewater, the Yiddish Club is embracing Yiddish culture, language, and history with music, film, poetry, and literature at its monthly meetings. For...

Harry Graber guides JCC Seniors Club through Chrysler Museum

Harry Graber guides JCC Seniors Club through Chrysler Museum

Even in retirement, Harry Graber, former executive vice president of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, continues to be an active and beloved presence in the community. His dedication has never wavered, and he remains committed to sharing his time, talents, and...

Be A Reader: Volunteer Mentors needed for 2025–2026 school year

Heading into its 26th year, the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project is growing, adding two new partner schools to the BeAR family: Newtown Elementary in Virginia Beach and Suburban Park Elementary in Norfolk.The growth translates to more second graders to support,...

Leading, learning, and looking ahead

Shinshinim supervisors from communities supported by the Zeff Family Foundation gather each year with Diana Zeff, along with staff from the Jewish Agency for Israel and The Adelson Shlichut Institute.For the second time, I had the privilege of serving on the planning...

Striving for ‘healthy longevity’

Balance and moderation in eating increases the chances of living a longer and vital life.“A lifetime of making healthier food choices and maintaining an active lifestyle contributes to a positive health span, not just a long lifespan,” says Judy Mitnick, Registered...

A first Bissel of Yiddish

A bit of Yiddish has managed to slip into everyday language. It’s not uncommon to hear people of all backgrounds talk about shlepping and shmoozing. And most who fling words such as glitz and shtick, have no idea they’re speaking Yiddish, a language historically...

Programming for seniors abound at the Simon Family JCC

Trips, Yiddish, debates, games, and so much more are available for seniors to explore at the Sandler Family Campus. Seniors are generally considered to be anyone 55 years old and above.For specific days and times and to learn more, go to jcc.jewishva.org or call...

Turn taxes into a tool for building the future of Jewish Tidewater

What if a donation today could help shape a stronger Jewish community—and reduce a future tax burden?Thanks to the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and Virginia’s Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits (EISTC) program, individuals and businesses who believe in the...

New assistant camp director for Camp JCC

Kate-Lynn Cipolla has joined United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s full-time professional staff as assistant camp director at Camp JCC.Cipolla is a familiar face on the Sandler Family Campus, having spent more than eight years serving in a...

Connecting over caffeine at Am Yisrael CHAI Cafe

There is no denying that coffee and college have a legendary relationship, from fueling early-morning classes to sustaining late-night study sessions. But for college campuses, coffee and the places that serve it, are about more than just caffeine. These spaces create...

Lag Baomer – Flames with Life

This year’s Lag BaOmer celebration hosted by Jewish Virginia Beach brought together more than 300 participants for an afternoon that balanced joy, depth, and community spirit — and showcased a Jewish presence that’s growing, young, and full of life. Held at Hunt Club...

Tidewater’s Yom Ha’Zikaron Ceremony

Community members gathered at the Sandler Family Campus on Wednesday, April 30 to recognize Israel Remembrance Day (Yom HaZikaron) – a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks. Leading the heartfelt ceremony were...

Beach Sisterhood plays Bunco

A combination of Beth Chaverim and Temple Emanuel women, Beach Sisterhood held its first Bunco game at Ilene Kohen’s home in April. Several guests joined Beach Sisterhood for this entertaining event. The group of 18 women had lots of fun trying to roll three dice and...

Local VE-Day observance features Holocaust survivor

The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day was observed in Tidewater with a special presentation by Dr. Roger and Win Loria at the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk on May 8. United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission partnered with the MacArthur...

ODU Hillel walks to shine a light on mental health

Students from Old Dominion University’s Hillel, led by Dr. Amy Milligan, proudly participated in the school’s annual Out of the Darkness Walk, a national movement in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on Sunday, April 27. The event is part of a...

An Evening of Israeli Culture and Connection

Last month, Adrianne Royes invited Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Danielle Hartman and Emily Patyuk, as well as a few friends, to spend an evening together filled with Israel culture and cuisine. “A fun time was had by all. Guests were thoroughly pampered by our Shin-chefs...