When I first walked off the plane into the Ben- Gurion Airport, I stepped straight onto a large bus that took me to my home for, what I believed, was just the next four months. I first noticed that Israel was not just a large desert, but it was more of a wonderland...
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Interest-free loans available for higher education for Jewish students
JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) has assisted the Jewish community since 1889 when the doors of the Hebrew Orphans’ Home first opened in Atlanta, Georgia. Since its inception, JELF has served the five-state region of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South...
Reduce your taxes with an IRA Gift in 2018
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...
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...
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...
Mazel Tov to the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater HAT Class of 2015
Time flies. Cliché, but true. That is surely what all HAT parents felt about their children at the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater’s commencement ceremony, held on June 4. As parents, it’s difficult to comprehend the passage of time between cribs and baby bottles and the...
Sixty-five and counting!
Dear Readers, Ten thousand baby boomers are turning 65 each day in this country. That’s a lot of daily additions to the ‘senior pool,’ though I bet that most celebrating those birthdays cannot believe they’re actually ‘seniors.’ That said, the ‘Seniors of 2015’ remain...
Throughout Hillary Clinton’s life and career, U.S. Jews have been close at hand
WASHINGTON (JTA)—From the man who married her grandmother to the man who married her daughter, from working a room full of bar mitzvah guests on behalf of her husband’s political career to headlining major pro-Israel events during her own, Hillary Rodham Clinton’s...
Jewish groups celebrate Supreme Court ruling extending gay marriage rights
WASHINGTON (JTA)—How often do you get the opportunity to pack “109 years,” #LoveWins and the rainbow colors into 140 characters? That’s how the American Jewish Committee celebrated the Supreme Court ruling Friday, June 26 extending marriage rights to gays throughout...
TripAdvisor CEO: A tech exec with a soft spot for Israel
NEW YORK (JTA)—When Stephen Kaufer, the CEO of TripAdvisor, an $11 billion company that runs America’s leading user-generated hotel review website, thinks back to all the places he has visited, one stands out as his favorite. Jerusalem. “Oh my gosh, looking at all of...
Seven things about Triple Crown winner American Pharoah—and his Jewish owner
NEW YORK (JTA)—On Saturday, June 6, a brawny three-year-old colt named American Pharoah took to the Belmont Stakes racetrack and became the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. The win has not only rocked the sports world, but is also a triumphant stand for Ahmed...
Ohef Sholom Temple’s Woodstockley Gardens: a picnic with a 1960s flair
Perfect weather, a great crowd, terrific music, delicious food and a wonderful time at “Woodstockley Gardens” combined to make Ohef Sholom Temple’s Congregational Picnic a resounding success. Held on Saturday, May 9 in neighboring Stockley Gardens, the area was...
Student art exhibit completes the Holocaust Commission’s 2015 Elie Wiesel competitions
The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s successful 2015 Elie Wiesel Visual Arts exhibit came to a close on June 1. The show featuring student work was held at the Old Dominion University Virginia Beach Center for one month. Student...
HAT students learn about Civil War during adventurous field trip
Hebrew Academy fifth graders had an exciting learning adventure, stepping back in time to experience life during the Civil War. Students visited Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, Va. A 424-acre historical campus,...
Legal Matters in the Jewish community
Dear Readers, At one time or another, everyone needs an attorney. Buying a home? Need a will? How about a pre-nup? Adoption? Divorce? Fender bender? Incorporating? Hiring? Firing? The list goes on and on. Fortunately, Tidewater has attorneys who are qualified and...
Chris Kraus joins Ohef Sholom Temple as its first director of Family Learning
Ohef Sholom Temple’s Long Range Plan in 2006 envisioned engaging a full-time educator for its Religious School, but it wasn’t until 2013 when the Religious School Strategic Plan called for putting the vision into action. Throughout 2014, Linda Fox-Jarvis, then...
The Mothers Circle empowers women raising Jewish children
Dynamic conversations and religious discussion riveted the Klezmer Room at the Sandler Family Campus with participants of The Mothers Circle. Over the last nine months, 10 women who were not raised Jewish, but are married to Jewish men, de-mystified Judaism, learned...
Hineni! graduates meet with Hofheimers before leaving for Israel
On Tuesday, June 2, Marcia Hofheimer and Joyce Strelitz and family, on behalf of the board of the Tom Hofheimer Fund, hosted the participants of the upcoming Tom Hofheimer Young Adult Mission to Israel for a special nesiah tovah (good journey) gathering. Twenty...
What will the ADL lose when Foxman leaves?
NEW YORK (JTA)—If there’s one thing that can be said of longtime Anti-Defamation League leader Abraham Foxman, who is stepping down this month after nearly 30 years at the helm, it’s that he never holds back from speaking his mind. In an age of canned, anodyne...