(JTA)—A prosthetic leg that belonged to a Russian Jewish immigrant to Lake Providence, Louisiana. An 8-foot neon sign from a hotel that advertised as the only establishment with an “up to date kosher kitchen” in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Two organs from the now shuttered...
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Who’s running the show in Israel between elections? An explainer.
JERUSALEM (JTA)—With Israel coming up on its second election in five months with no ruling coalition in power, some may be asking who is actually running the government. They needn’t worry—at least not very much. Israelis went to the polls in April expecting to elect...
Senate unanimously condemns anti-Semitism with resolution co-introduced by Senator Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON (JTA)—The Senate unanimously approved a resolution condemning anti-Semitism, the latest congressional bid to address an issue that has roiled American politics. The resolution passed Thursday, June 13 was introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Tim...
Harold Grinspoon’s LIFE & LEGACY inspires locals
Harold Grinspoon is active, intelligent, quick to crack a joke, and he is only 90 years old. A true renaissance man, he has traveled far and wide, owned and operated a successful business, and has recently begun creating massive art installations, many of which are...
Eurovision in Israel: Celebrating global connections through music
Tel Aviv lit up with magic during the week of May 13 for the 64th annual Eurovision Song Contest. With all of Europe’s eyes on Israel, Tel Aviv did not disappoint. In 2018, Netta Barzili, representing Israel, was announced the winner of the 63rd Eurovision Song...
Where We Disappear, Simon Fink’s directorial debut set to premiere in Los Angeles
Friday, June 21, 7 pm The feature film, Where We Disappear, directed by Norfolk native Simon Fink, is getting its world premiere in Los Angeles at the historic TLC (Grauman’s) Chinese Theatres. The film is the official selection of the 2019 Dances With Films festival....
Temple Israel bonds over kabobs
No great community event ever happens without mountains of work being done behind the scene. The recent Israel Fest was certainly no exception. Norfolk’s Temple Israel offered festivalgoers a tasty—and healthy!—reprieve from the heat of the day in the form of cool,...
Community meets with Congressman Donald McEachin
At a meeting with Jewish community leaders last month, Representative Donald McEachin of Virginia’s 4th congressional district, said that his “passion and love of Israel comes from learning from his father (who was an army veteran), that you don’t abandon your allies,...
The UK is finally taking Labour’s anti-Semitism seriously
(JTA)—On a recent speaking tour in North America, I was asked repeatedly about anti-Semitism in the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn’s Labour has become an existential threat to British Jews, and audiences smartly inquired what could be done to stop growing...
A lost song and a grandson’s tribute
In Vilden Vald—Aaron Tessler ft. Zemiros Choir The Holocaust’s devastation brought about not only the decimation of the Jewish people in body, but also immeasurable losses to Jewish culture. Countless and precious pieces of memory, history, and tradition disappeared...
Ambassador casts a new light on Israel
Ambassador Ido Aharoni spoke at Ohef Sholom Temple as part of the Community Relations Council of the United Federation of Tidewater and community partners’ 8th annual Israel Today series on Wednesday, May 8. As a member of Israel’s Foreign Service for 25 years, and as...
Temple Israel holds first Women’s Seder
After a great deal of thought, discussion, planning, negotiating, shopping, cooking, and implementing—not to mention the counting, hard boiling and peeling of no fewer than 96 eggs—Temple Israel held its first Women’s Seder on April 24, 2019. TI member Shirley...
YAD’s Purim party provides an evening escape to Fabulous Las Vegas
A little piece of the Las Vegas strip popped up in Tidewater on the evening of Saturday, March 19. The occasion? The Young Adult Division of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s What Happens at Purim, Stays at Purim party. Nearly 200 revelers joined in the...
LeDor VaDor: the Senior Home in Buenos Aires
by Amy Zelenka Sixteen members of the Tidewater Jewish community recently returned from a mission to the Jewish community of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sponsored by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the mission allowed local donors to “follow their campaign...
Sandler Family Campus hosts new homes for birds
Hoping to take advantage of the natural open landscape, Tom Edwards, Simon Family JCC sports and recreation director, has placed five birdhouses around the Sandler Family Campus. Edwards crafted four new bluebird nest boxes made of cedar. The handmade birdhouses are...
UJFT donors strengthen Jewish identity 5,000 miles away
This year, nearly 15,000 children and adults will participate in the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) camp programs. The most well known of JDC’s camps is Szarvas, in Hungary, which attracts 1,500 campers from 20 different countries. Not all Jews...
The Virginia bus to Israel keeps on rolling
“What makes each trip unique for you?” After returning from leading my 27th Birthright Israel trip, this question continues to be asked. This past winter season was somewhat unique because of the security situation in the Holy Land. Birthright Israel mandated that...
Summer Camp
Dear Readers, With so much to say about, reminisce about and learn about summer camp, there never seems to be a shortage of articles and topics for the Jewish News annual camp section. We begin this year with a fun piece about famous people and their Jewish overnight...
Wine tasting event fills to capacity, garners praise
The UJFT Business & Legal Society and the Maimonides Society kicked off the new year on Sunday, Feb. 21 with one of their most successful events since the professional societies began in 2011. More than 80 Jewish professionals gathered at the Holiday Inn North...
Scholar in Residence program connects students to the Jewish community
Last fall, Hebrew Academy instituted a Local Scholar in Residence program to enhance the Jewish education experience by connecting students to the broader Jewish community. Fifth graders enjoyed visits from local clergy who opened up these young minds with various...
Statewide Jewish community praises the General Assembly for forceful condemnation of the anti-Israel bds movement
RICHMOND, VA—(March 9, 2016) The Jewish Communities across the Commonwealth jointly thanked the General Assembly for its bipartisan support of House Joint Resolution 177, a forceful condemnation of the discriminatory and anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions...
Tidewater women have the world at their Doorstep
February brought the Jewish women of Tidewater together to hear from two different, but equally fascinating emissaries. The Women’s Cabinet Outreach and Engagement Committee welcomed Zoya Schvartzman to its second in a series of three “PLUS ONE” events on Wednesday,...
Prospect of Trump nomination poses dilemma for Jewish Republicans
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Donald Trump’s surging candidacy has sent shivers through the ranks of the Republican elite and created deep anxiety among Jewish Republicans, some of whom are so unnerved they are prepared to vote for Hillary Clinton if Trump wins the nomination. Yet...
Cape Henry Collegiate’s Global Connections students prepare for trip to Israel
“So, what are your views on Donald Trump?” asks Joyce Schwartz, an English literature teacher at Ramot Yam School in Michmoret, Israel. Her students stare at the Skype screen in silence, awaiting an answer to one of the most politically loaded questions of the moment....
Beth Sholom Village easily passes inspection
Five state surveyors walked into Beth Sholom Village’s The Berger Goldrich Home unannounced for an annual state survey earlier this month. The three-day inspection of The Home received three minor isolated tags (deficiencies). The average number of tags for a...
3rd Annual Tidewater Together scholar challenges community to think about the future
Rabbi Eric Yoffie knew he would be speaking to a wide cross-section of the Jewish community as the Milton “Mickey” Kramer Scholar-in-Residence for the 3rd Annual Tidewater Together, which took place February 4–7. What he didn’t know was if his Jewish audience—of all...
February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month
From 2009 until 2015, February was known throughout Jewish communities as Jewish Disability Awareness Month. This year, there’s a new name and a more encompassing vision: February is now Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). Established by the...
2016 Super Sunday exceeds expectations
“Game Over!” said Jeremy Krupnick, 2016 Super Sunday Steering co-chair, as he approached his fellow committee members after the Tidewater Jewish community’s annual Super Sunday phone-a-thon on January 31. “You aren’t going to believe this,” Krupnick said, as he...
Remembering and moving forward — AMIA in Argentina
Sixteen members of the Tidewater Jewish community recently returned from a mission to the Jewish community of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sponsored by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the mission allowed local donors to “follow their campaign dollars” to one of...
How Justice Scalia’s death impacts five cases that matter to Jews
WASHINGTON (JTA)—With the sudden passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, the Supreme Court is now split 4-4 between liberals and conservatives, throwing into doubt how the court will rule on a raft of cases—including several watched by Jewish organizations. Scalia, who was...
Gomley Chesed’s lions come home to Beth El
Gomley Chesed Synagogue’s Lions of Judah—bronze-like sculptures with fierce snarling mouths and red-glowing eyes—were objects of affection for generations of that once vibrant Portsmouth congregation. But neither the lions, most of the active members, or the memories...
Rebuilding homes and faith through Bridges
I’ve always been fascinated with Judaism because of the many layers of my faith that I see in various aspects of modern day life. With that strong presence, one of the most challenging opportunities we have today is to educate and learn from all types of spiritual and...