Starting this year, the standard deduction has doubled, which will significantly reduce the number of taxpayers who itemize their deductions. If you are 70½ or older (or know someone who is), here is an easy way to help the Jewish community. Rather than simply take...
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In Jerusalem, Ruth Bader Ginsburg celebrates her commitment to tikkun olam
JERUSALEM (JTA)— Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg described how grateful she was for her Jewish heritage during a screening of a new documentary film about her life and career at the Jerusalem Cinematheque. “The demand for justice, peace and enlightenment...
Retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s Jewish legacy
NEW YORK (JTA)—Not an hour after Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement as associate justice on the Supreme Court, the National Council of Jewish Women tweeted its dismay. “Justice Kennedy’s retirement could drastically shift the balance of the Supreme Court, and...
Local rabbi represents community at Pride event
During the week in which the LGBTQAI community celebrates its local presence, Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill, spiritual leader of Tidewater Chavurah, represented the Jewish community at Hampton Roads Pride’s interfaith event on June 26 at New Life Metropolitan Community...
Brith Sholom’s move to Beth Sholom has been a win-win
Energetic president Joe Goldberg has led a 300% rise in membership “No heat, no bugs, no rain.” That’s how Joe Goldberg described the wise decision to move a July 1 pre-holiday cookout into the Pincus Paul Community Room at Beth Sholom Village. There were no...
Beth Sholom thanks Honor Campaign donors with reception and uplifting message
It is not immediately evident when walking into the Auburn Drive lobby, but all around the Berger-Goldrich Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center at Beth Sholom Village in Virginia Beach, a major renovation of patient rooms, corridors, and other spaces is underway....
YAD connects with Israeli Sister City, Kiryat Yam
The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater has a special bond with its Israeli sister city, Kiryat Yam. The coastal city is just 12km north of Haifa, and like Norfolk, is also known for its mermaids. After a mission trip to Israel in 2016, UJFT’s Young Adult Division’s...
Legal Matters
Legal Matters, July 16, 2018
Teens and seniors bond through Better Together at Beth Sholom Village
When Alisa Kosovsky got to Beth Sholom Village, she immediately walked over to sit with Lillian Kozak. The two are decades apart in age, but as close as ever. One is on the precipice of starting her life independent of her family—in college. The other is looking back...
Sandler Family Golf Tournament raises funds for three area organizations
Philanthropy was so intricately woven into the fabric of Reba and Sam Sandler’s family, that it should be no surprise that their children continue on their parents’ path. Perhaps one might suggest however, that equally important to their own generous gifts is that...
JFS award-winning home health aide is dedicated to her clients
When Jewish Family Service of Tidewater’s nurse’s aide Tiphaney Powell speaks about her clients, she does so with a great deal of respect, love, and admiration. After all, when your clients are two 93-year-old women and a 96-year-old man, a lot of life lessons may be...
The Birthright Israel Experience
I recently returned from leading my 38th Birthright Israel trip. Virginia-based students on this trip were from William and Mary, Christopher Newport University, and Old Dominion University. Students always ask if the trip gets old for me. After all, we go to mostly...
What America will offer Israel after the nuclear deal
WASHINGTON (JTA)—The moment the Iran nuclear deal becomes law, as seems increasingly likely given growing congressional support for the agreement, the focus of the U.S.-Israel conversation will shift to the question of what’s next. What more will Washington do to...
Will Obama and Netanyahu reconcile next year?
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Now that enactment of the Iran nuclear deal appears to be a sure thing, the profound and often personal disagreement between President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Iran is not about to go away. In the contemplative...
On Safari with a Sefer Torah
“Will you carry the Torah?” our trip captain asked me. “What would be involved?” I wondered aloud, contemplating the gravity of transporting, guarding and actually carrying a borrowed Sefer Torah in an army issue duffel through four South African countries over 10...
JWRP delivers again
What an amazing trip to Israel! Once again, women from Tidewater connected to their land, roots and Jewish values on the eightday Momentum Trip through the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project. Our community is proud to be part of this cutting edge movement that is...
Report from Israel
Having spent parts of June and July in Israel, the land in which I had the privilege to grow up, I was exposed once again to the vibrancy of Israeli society and democracy at the time of great and dangerous tumult in the Middle East. Obviously the “deal” with Iran...
Tom Hofheimer Young Leadership Mission to Israel The journey continues
Part two of a three-part series Halfway through the eight day journey of the Tom Hofheimer Young Leadership Mission to Israel, the experience continues to be overwhelming, exciting and thought-provoking. The Mission participants have already visited and met with...
Kids Connection New construction, elevated enrichment
When walking into the Simon Family JCC, there’s something new near the entrance. The expansive, open space is the new Kids Connection, a beforeand after-school enrichment program for Pre-K through 6th grade students. Part of the renovations taking place at the Sandler...
L’Shana Tova
Jewish Holidays 5776 Rosh HaShanah Sept. 13–15, 2015 Yom Kippur Sept. 22–23, 2015 Sukkot Sept. 27–Oct. 4, 2015 Simchat Torah Oct. 4–5, 2015 Hanukkah Dec. 6–14, 2015 Tu BiSh’vat Jan. 24–25, 2016 Purim March 23–24, 2016 Passover April 22–29, 2016 Yom HaShoah May 4–5,...
Iran deal will pass (or so says the math)
Does the Iran deal have the votes or not? Though President Barack Obama is vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard and Congress is in recess through Labor Day, there’s plenty of action on the agreement as lawmakers debate whether to vote with their colleagues, constituents,...
Here’s why Hamas and Israel may be secretly negotiating
TEL AVIV ( JTA)—After more than a decade of failed diplomacy, Israel could be close to signing a major agreement with the Palestinians. They’re just not the Palestinians you thought. After years of vowing not to negotiate with Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, Israel...
Beth Sholom Village holds annual board meeting
Neal Stern was installed as president of Beth Sholom Village’s board of directors at its annual board meeting on Wednesday, June 24. A long-time member of Beth Sholom Village’s board, Stern has served on its finance committee as well as on the board of The Freda H....
Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater
Welcome to Jewish News’ 2015 Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater. A resource for newcomers to Tidewater, as well as long-time residents, this year’s Guide continues to be jam-packed with information. The reason the Guide has so many pages is simple: Tidewater has an...
Pollard’s wait not over: Fight to bring him to Israel will outlast his release
WASHINGTON (JTA)—President Barack Obama will not alter the terms of Jonathan Pollard’s parole once he is released, a signal that Israel’s struggle to bring him to the country whose citizenship he has assumed will outlast his November release date. “Mr. Pollard will...
Tidewater mayors join AJC’s international initiative focusing on anti-Semitism
U.S. mayors across the country are joining an American Jewish Committee (AJC) initiative calling on their European counterparts to publicly address and take concrete actions against rising anti-Semitism. “We call upon mayors, municipal leaders and other officials in...
Tom Hofheimer Young Leadership Mission to Israel: The journey begins
Twenty young adults, all graduates of the Hineni! Institute for Leadership Development, boarded an airplane on Monday, June 22 bound for Israel. The Hineni! Institute for Leadership Development is the advanced leadership program for volunteers within the Young Adult...
What can Iran hide in 24 days? Answering the questions posed by the nuclear deal
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Congress has until mid- to late September to consider whether to reject the nuclear restrictions for the sanctions rollback deal reached by Iran and six major powers on July 14. Some of the debate is over the meaning of certain provisions in the...
Jewish Democrats Schumer, Engel to oppose Iran deal
NEW YORK (JTA)—Two of the most watched Jewish lawmakers in Congress announced that they will vote to disapprove of the Iran deal. Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Eliot Engel, Democrats from New York, both said that they had considered the issue carefully before their...
The proposed nuclear agreement with Iran—What can you do?
Every voice matters. It only takes a minute to call your senators and congressmen, and let them know how you feel, that a nuclear Iran is not in America’s best interest or that of America’s allies. Use the quick and easy talking points provided by the CRC at...
Next year in Tehran
Looking for a locale for your next vacation? How about Iran? Seriously, a quick Google search will lead you to discover that Iran is and has been listed in the top 20 tourist destinations for the past two years. No longer difficult to obtain a visa or direct flights...
Temple Israel offers helping hand to d’ART Center
On April 17 an explosion at the Selden Arcade caused damage to the d’ART Center and artists’ studios. The City of Norfolk closed the Selden and repairs are now underway. As one of her initial priorities as incoming executive director at Temple Israel, Nancy Tucker...