Encountering incidents of antisemitism—at school, in the neighborhood, or at work—is not unusual today, according to recent survey. When acts of bigotry take place, however, most people don’t know where to turn or whom to contact. The Jewish Community Relations...
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JCRC helps advocate for students
In preparation for the upcoming school year and High Holy Days, it is important to proactively communicate with school faculty about the Jewish holidays to ensure Jewish students have the opportunity to observe the holidays without penalty. While schools often try to...
The Cardo Friendship Table
If you’ve ever been in the Sandler Family Campus’ Cardo dining area around noon, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed a table with a group of lively, lovely seniors. Usually, the first four to show up are Vicki Corneille, Nona Lipsey, and Nancy and Steven Rosenberg....
Governor Youngkin appoints David Abraham to Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority
David Abraham, Beth Sholom Village’s president and CEO, was recently appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to serve on the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority. “I am pleased to appoint our newest board members to serve in their respective administration...
B’Tayavon: Simple Israeli “Salads”
B’Tayavon is equivalent to French’s Bon Appetit. In Jewish News, B’Tayavon is where locals share favorite recipes. This issue features Philip Sifen’s favorites. Philip Sifen Does it annoy you when you look for a recipe online; and you have to scroll through a research...
Tidewater Jewish Foundation hosts Sofer and educational experience for Tidewater
A unique educational experience for the Jewish community took place last month at the Sandler Family Campus. Hosted by Tidewater Jewish Foundation, the event, Grants in Action: Meet & Greet with a Sofer, offered an opportunity to meet a Sofer, learn what they do,...
Dynamic duo packs a Jewish punch in Tidewater
Isaac and Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik visited Tidewater for three days last month through the Milton “Mickey” Kramer Scholar-in-Residence Fund of the Congregation Beth El Foundation’s Tidewater Together Series. This in-person series was a follow-up to the variety...
Simon Family JCC Seniors Club redefines the perfect summer picnic
The Simon Family JCC Seniors Club figured out how to beat-the-heat at its July meeting. Stifling summer heat? Not with this group! The Seniors Club enjoyed an indoor picnic of kosher hamburgers and hot dogs (with all the fixins’), friends, and karaoke. JCC’s Yolanda...
Hadran Alach—We will return to you
No one likes to say goodbye. Teachers like to keep students connected. Learners like to keep the material in focus. Jews want to keep the traditions alive. “Hadran Alach”—We shall return to you; the opening words of a special tefillah (prayer) recited upon completing...
David Proser assumes helm of Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis and Cantors
David Proser, cantor at Kempsville Conservative Synagogue, Kehillat Bet Hamidrash, has recently been chosen to lead the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis and Cantors as president. The organization’s mission, according to Proser, is to provide an opportunity for local...
Beth El’s Patricia Sarah Ashkenazi Religious School has new director
Sharon Serbin recently joined Congregation Beth El as its new director of the Patricia Sarah Ashkenazi Religious School (PSARS). Serbin arrives in Tidewater from Pittsburgh, Pa., where she has worked in Jewish education for the past 30-plus years. An esteemed...
Actor in Steven Levenson/Jason Alexander production If I Forget has Tidewater connection
Previews began July 20 at the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles for the new play If I Forget, and a young actor with ties to Virginia Beach is playing the part of Joey. Jacob Zelonky, who has been in the Broadway tour of Billy Elliot, is one of three children of Barb...
Iran has retaliated against Jewish targets before. But the Soleimani killing isn’t changing Jewish security around the world.
JERUSALEM (JTA)—On March 17, 1992, a suicide bomber drove a truck into the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, killing 29 and injuring hundreds of others. Two years later, in the same city, on July 18, 1994, another bomber drove a truck into the AMIA Jewish center,...
Virginia’s first female, first Jewish Speaker: Eileen Filler-Corn
Diversity across the Commonwealth. Diversity in the House. Eileen Filler-Corn’s historical new role as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s first woman and first Jewish Speaker of the House of Delegates is big news, locally, nationally, and even in Israel. Since November,...
A resolution over Iran splits a tight group of moderate Jewish lawmakers
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Max Rose, Elissa Slotkin and Elaine Luria are the Jewish third of the “Gang of Nine,” moderate Democrats in the House with national security backgrounds from swing districts. It’s a tight group, as described by Politico last year: The nine Democrats...
Strelitz International Academy: Teaching to think globally, act locally
As an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program candidate school, Strelitz International Academy provides a global and inquiry-based education with a mission to nurture active, compassionate lifelong learners grounded by intercultural understanding and...
BINA High School’s Annual Thanksgiving Bake Sale raises funds and treats
Prepared with hundreds of pies, dozens of cookies, and breads, BINA girl’s high school held their annual Thanksgiving bake sale on Tuesday, November 26 at Dominion Tower to raise crucial operating funds. A second location at the World Trade Center allowed more...
Tasty Hanukkah twists and turns
Everyone loves latkes. Making them is another story. Is buying frozen potato pancakes or working with a mix the way to go? Some say, ‘most definitely,’ others, reply ‘No Way!’ This is the second article (of two) featuring serious cooks who ‘play with their food’ and...
Jewish Family Service receives and distributes warmth for the holidays
When a local Catholic church asked Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, “do you have people you want to help?” the question undoubtedly resulted in a community partnership full of good will and good cheer. Such was the case for JFS and Catholic Church of St. Stephen in...
Where there’s life, there’s legacy
That connection ran deep, milestone after milestone, family after family. “As a rabbinical family, we were so privileged to be part of people’s lives,” says Miriam Brunn Ruberg. “When a baby was born, we got the call. When that child grew up, Arthur was the rabbi for...
Make the most of year-end gifts: Charitable Giving tax benefits
Savvy donors are thoughtful about where and how they invest their charitable dollars. At the end of the year, consider these giving vehicles to help achieve your philanthropic goals and maximize tax savings. Open a Donor Advised Fund Use this “bunching” strategy to...
The Tell: Executive order disorder
WASHINGTON (JTA)—’Tis the season for so much news! In addition to another deadly attack on U.S. Jews, a much-anticipated British election and the announcement that Israel is going to have a third election in less than a year, President Trump issued an executive order...
We need to thank the unsung heroes keeping American synagogues safe
WASHINGTON (JTA)—When I was about 19 years old, I took my first trip to Europe. I marveled at its beauty, its culture, its history and its architecture. On this trip and many others that followed, I shed many tears as I visited the numerous synagogues, Jewish museums,...
Mel Brooks gets serious in HBO special— but there’s plenty of shtick, too
(JTA)—Mel Brooks’ new HBO special is a departure from the comedian’s typical belly-laugh fare. In place of the slapstick gallows humor—though there’s plenty of that, too, in Mel Brooks Unwrapped—is a more introspective, documentary-style reminiscence of his nearly...
Happy Hanukkah!
Dear Readers, The first Hanukkah candle is lit this year on the evening of Sunday, December 22, which means of course, the fourth will be lit on Christmas. While some might say that the Jewish holiday’s overlap with the most major of Christian days might result in...
Hanukkah in Tidewater
Tidewater is fortunate to have so many great Hanukkah events taking place around town this year. Check some of them out here. Saturday, December 14 Ohef Sholom Temple OSTY Chanukah Party Sunday, Dec. 15, 11:30 Am–2:30 pm Simon Family JCC Latkapalooza A day filled with...
Latkepalooza: A family celebration
A community celebration of Hanukkah, Latkepalooza features three children’s books and authors, a camp extravaganza, light lunch and latkes, raffle, crafts, and live music. Latkepalooza 2019 is a family-friendly mini-book festival filled with group activities, camp...
Ohef Sholom Temple celebrates 175 years with Gala
Nearly 300 people arrived at Ohef Sholom Temple on Saturday, November 16 for the Temple’s 175th Anniversary Gala. The evening was beyond expectations, and really offered something for everyone: a jazz quartet to start the party, a dance band, and a piano bar where...
Great Big Challah Bake celebrates five years
The Fifth Annual Great Big Challah Bake offered a chance to learn and experience the joy and mitzvah of making challah. Chaired by darcy Bloch, B’nai israel Congregation invited all Jewish women to participate in this event, which took place last month at the...
Following provocative panel on end-of-life issues, Hadassah seeks to rebuild presence in area
For its first event in Tidewater in recent years, national and regional leadership of Hadassah could only guess what the turnout would be for a program on ethical issues surrounding end-of- life. The event on Sunday, November 3 at the Simon Family JCC did not...
Super Sunday 2020: A perfect vision
Super Sunday is the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s annual phone-a-thon fundraiser dating back to the 1980’s. This year’s ‘community call’ had kid-friendly written all over it. A group of emerging leaders known as the Rishon committee, led by Amie Harrell,...
Leave the Holocaust out of your self-promotion, political agenda and profit-seeking
NEW YORK (JTA)—Here we go again: Just this month, two more cases of the abuse of Holocaust imagery have surfaced and created an international stir. In November, Russian figure skater Anton Shulepov wore an Auschwitz- themed costume during his free skating performance...
