Other News

I have been fortunate to travel to Israel three times in my life; once with the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia during my senior year of high school, once in 2015 with the Tom Hofheimer Hineni! mission and then again, this past summer, with the UJFT Journey Home...

For the first time in its 83-year history, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) has expanded its physical presence beyond its Richmond home base, establishing an office on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach. The opening of the...

Several times throughout his recent busy visit to Tidewater, Rick Recht publicly proclaimed his admiration for our Jewish community. A popular musician who travels throughout the nation, he spoke of our community’s inclusivity—how much we did together, regardless of...

Leading up to the Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival and the arrival of Jane Isay, author of Unconditional Love: A Guide to Navigating the Joys and Challenges of Being a Grandparent Today, who has plenty of advice on grandparenting, Jewish News asked...

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...

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...

(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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

NEW YORK (JTA)—This is a momentous time—not only because it is Judaism’s most sacred season, but also because as we welcome 5776, we in North America are also welcoming Pope Francis, one of the most inspiring religious leaders of our time. Rather than hiding in...

(JTA)—One conspiracy theory making the rounds is that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s various Iran-related confrontations with President Barack Obama are part of a Sheldon Adelson plot to turn American Jews into Republican Party voters in 2016. Even if one rejects...

There is a face behind every tragedy. A real family living in a neighborhood. A real person possessing a name. A real child clutching a toy. Teaching about the Holocaust is teaching about people. It is not just about dates and places and religions. It’s about people....

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...

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...

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...

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...

(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...

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...

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...

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...

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...