Yes, it is December and I’m sure you have been inundated with “Giving Opportunities,” but how will the new tax laws for 2018 impact your taxes and your charitable giving? Millions of Americans will take the increased standard deduction and lose the incentive to...
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More than 2,000 handmade Jewish stars hung throughout Pittsburgh
More than 2,000 handmade Stars of David were hung throughout Pittsburgh. The stars, created by more than 1,000 volunteers from around the world, were hung on Saturday, Nov. 17 by 40 volunteers. Each star—some crocheted, some made with leather—had a heart in the...
How a rabbi saved four Torah scrolls from being destroyed in the California wildfires
(JTA)—The death toll and damage continue to rise in California in the wildfires ravaging the state. Like other Californians, Jewish residents evacuated their homes and are dealing with the devastating fallout of the fires. Synagogues, camps, and a day school have all...
End of Year giving opportunities for you and your family
At this time of year, most think about other people, friends, and family. This year, I hope you will also think about your community and the many ways to make a difference. Several exciting programs and matching gift opportunities are available through Tidewater...
Community stands up to hate on Shabbat
On a bright and cozy fall Saturday, I arrived to Temple Emanuel’s Shabbat morning service, to men and women walking toward the door, to cars lining the streets and even propped up on the grass. Three policemen were standing guard by the front door, and two by a table...
A new year and beginning for Congregation Beth Chaverim
How fitting that Congregation Beth Chaverim’s first service in its new home was for Simchat Torah. This holiday was an extremely special occasion for the congregation as they not only turned the Torah scrolls back to the beginning, but brought them to rest in a new...
Local teens attend AIPAC High School Summit
America’s bipartisan pro-Israel organization, AIPAC holds the Schusterman Advocacy Institute High School Summit in Washington, DC each year for students from across the country. More than 500 teenagers attended the summit this year, including two members from...
Fundraiser exceeds Toras Chaim expectations
Toras Chaim conducted their 36-hour matching campaign fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 14. The campaign goal of $40,000 was met within the first four hours of the event. Ultimately, Toras Chaim raised more than $60,000 from over 230 donors. This success comes as Toras Chaim...
Chanukah Gift Program assists parents and children—all year long
Donors to Jewish Family Service of Tidewater’s Chanukah Gift Program probably know how much joy they bring to the children who receive the gifts. What they may not know is how much of a burden they lift off of the parents. Without these gifts, many families would have...
Jewish Family Service of Tidewater gets new chief executive officer
Kelly Burroughs, MA, LAC, BHP, CCTP recently joined Jewish Family Service of Tidewater as the agency’s new chief executive officer. She replaces Betty Ann Levin, who joined United Jewish Federation of Tidewater in July as its executive vice president. Burroughs brings...
Jewish War Veterans Post 158 seeks new members, ramps up activity
When U.S. Naval Lt. Commander Adam Goldberg was stationed in Rhode Island, he was an active member of its Jewish War Veterans Post. So, in 2013 when he was transferred to Norfolk, Va., it was only natural to him that he join JWV Post 158, one of the oldest chapters in...
Celebrating 70 Years of heroes and hope: Israel’s Lone Soldiers and FIDF
The brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) put their lives on the line each day to protect the hopes and dreams inspired by the Jewish state. Since 1981, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) has supported the defenders of Israel with educational...
Beth El Schmoozes at the Shore
For the fourth consecutive year, members of Beth El enjoyed another beautiful summer Sunday at the beach with the annual Schmooze at the Shore by playing in the sand, swimming in the bay, eating a tasty dinner, spending time with friends and meeting new people. It was...
Teens choose Jewish summers
Josh Bensink Program: Kutz Camp Affiliation: Union for Reform Judaism Have you ever woken up from an amazing sleepover with your closest friends and said to yourself “that was the most fun I’ve ever had!”? Has it ever happened 26 times in a row? I had the pleasure of...
A French reconnection
I never thought of myself as a child survivor until April 2011, when the Yom Hashoah guest speaker was Ruth Kap Hartz. It must have been an act of fate, “beshert,” that I met Ruth, herself a child survivor. When she spoke about her experience as a child, hidden in the...
Tom Hofheimer Young Leadership Mission to Israel: The journey continues
Final installment of a three-part series The Tom Hofheimer Young Leadership Mission to Israel took place June 22 until June 30. This Mission experience was so powerful, so emotional and so impactful that participants are still talking about it. In their own words:...
Inspirational start to the New Year at Campaign Kickoff
The Jewish High Holidays are an annual reminder of what it means to be Jewish, inspiring personal growth and commitment, not just to one’s self, but to the greater Jewish community. A great motivator to start 5776 on a positive note, through awareness and action, can...
High Holidays 5776
Dear Readers, While the High Holidays seem to be on the “early” side of the calendar this year, I had the feeling on my walk this morning that it was time. Maybe it’s a seasonal sensation…since kids are back in school, it’s dark when I get up, as well as at...
Morton Goldmeier: March 4, 1924–August 25, 2015
A driving force behind much of Tidewater’s Jewish community, Morty Goldmeier passed away on Tuesday, August 25 at age 91. In an interview with Karen Lombart for Jewish News in 2010, Goldmeier said, “The manner in which one chooses to live his life should be based on...
New Business Directory available
The Business & Legal Society of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater recently launched the 2015–2016 Business & Legal Directory, a source for Jewish professionals in Tidewater. This online directory may be found by visiting...
BSV’s Terrace receives top report
The Terrace at Beth Sholom Village, an assisted living facility, earned a violation- free inspection report that resulted in a three-year license renewal. “We could not be prouder of Pam Guthrie, administrator, Robin Gordon, director of nursing and the entire team at...
Does Donald Trump know the difference between Hamas and Hezbollah?
(JTA)—Donald Trump has called the Iran deal “terrible” in recent months. But in an interview on Sept. 3, the current Republican front-runner revealed some gaps in his knowledge of the Middle East. Trump spoke with Hugh Hewitt, a popular conservative radio host, who...
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...