Congregation Beth El recently launched a partnership with the 92nd Street Y (92NY) in New York City, one of the world’s most respected cultural and intellectual institutions. Through this collaboration, Beth El will host monthly livestream events featuring nationally renowned speakers, thinkers, authors, and musicians, bringing world-class programming to Tidewater’s Jewish community.

 The partnership allows Congregation Beth El to offer access to high-caliber conversations and musical performances that would otherwise require travel to major metropolitan areas. Each month, Beth El opens its doors for a communal viewing experience, complete with light refreshments, creating opportunities for participants to gather, connect, and engage with ideas shaping contemporary life.

 Programs in the series explore topics such as democracy, literature, history, culture, and current affairs. Speakers come from leading roles in journalism, academia, public policy, and the arts. The series reflects Beth El’s ongoing commitment to lifelong learning, Jewish values, and thoughtful engagement with the wider world.

 In April, Beth El will livestream a 92NY conversation between The New Yorker correspondent Nicholas Lemann and New York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor. Lemann will discuss his memoir, Returning: A Search for Home Across Three Centuries, which reflects on his experience growing up Jewish in New Orleans.

 Lemann, a son of German Jews who grew up in a world of privilege, had an unconventional Jewish upbringing. Aware of the contradictions of being Jewish in the South, Lemann chafed at its strict racial hierarchy and his relatives’ eagerness to be accepted in a subtle but distinctly antisemitic environment. The memoir follows Lemann’s path as he rejects assimilated society, embraces Judaism, and chooses to raise his children in a Jewish world. 

 “We are thrilled to bring the energy and excellence of 92NY programming to Norfolk,” says Beth Berman, Beth El’s coordinator for the series. “This partnership creates a wonderful opportunity for our congregation and the wider community to come together around meaningful ideas, music, and shared conversation.”

Congregation Beth El is located at 422 Shirley Avenue in Norfolk. Admission is $5. RSVPs are encouraged. Details are available at www.bethelnorfolk.com.

 After months of cleaning, sorting, and donating nearly 50 years of accumulated items, KBH has entered the next stage of its journey as a Conservative synagogue in Tidewater.  Centrally located in shared space on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community and no longer burdened by the responsibility of maintaining a building, synagogue members are refocused on their core mission of religious observance and fellowship.

 Since moving to the campus, membership has grown, Shabbat morning attendance has increased, more members are taking part in leading services, and new monthly programs for children are in place.  Kiddush luncheons continue each week, with members lingering to talk and connect after services.  Even the prayers seem to sound better.

 Although KBH meets in the warm,
multi-use Fleischmann Lounge, members look forward to celebrating events and activities throughout the campus – from Shabbat dinners to outdoor services.  Each Shabbat morning, the congregation is surrounded by meaningful reminders of its history: beloved works of art and the Tree of Life adorn the walls, the new ark for the Torah scrolls features a familiar parochet, and the Ner Tamid has been thoughtfully reimagined from the previous one.  Soon the memorial plaques will find a new home on newly created yartzheit boards.  

 KBH is proud to be part of Tidewater’s Jewish community and delighted to be a religious presence on the Sandler Family Campus.  With a focus on community and the Jewish future, KBH is also honored to have a place within the Tidewater Jewish Foundation.  Selling the building was not a move backward – it was a step forward.

Services are held each Shabbat morning at 10 am.  All are welcome. Bring identification for campus security.  For more information, email kbhsynagogue@gmail.com or visit kbhsynagogue.org.  

A new initiative dedicated in memory of Shirley Farfel Berman a”h, Lev Sara Bikur Cholim is being created to extend a loving hand to individuals in the community—and beyond—who are in Norfolk for medical care. 

This evening is an opportunity to learn about the program, hear from guest speaker Elise Wolf, as well as a tribute to Shirley Berman.

 Lev Sara Bikur Cholim’s mission is to provide comfort, support, and practical assistance during challenging times, offering the following services: 

• Shabbos kits – Complete kits including grape juice for Kiddush and Havdalah, challah, tea lights, hospital candles, and reading material. 

• Stocked pantry and freezer at B’nai Israel – prepared and portioned lunches, dinners, and snacks for weekday and Shabbos. 

• Hospitality for visiting families – warm accommodations and support for family members visiting loved ones receiving care. 

• Visitation – thoughtful volunteers offering visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and homebound individuals.

 Lev Sara Bikur Cholim is building its volunteer network. Volunteers are needed for cooking, driving, and visitation. Those who would like to be part of this effort are encouraged to reach out at levsarabikkurcholim@gmail.com.

Berman was the beloved mother of Stuart, Bruce, and Douglas Berman, and Paula Berman Lefkowitz. She is remembered for a life quietly devoted to others, spending much of her time volunteering as a compassionate and supportive advocate and companion for cancer patients and the elderly. 

To attend the event and learn more, go to www.bnaiiIsrael.org/event/levsarabikurcholim.

Members of KBH synagogue are excited to unveil a brand-new Shabbat services format designed for children and families.

 Once a month, KBH, in partnership with Tidewater Shinshinim, will hold a special program designed to make services fun and incorporate its new home – the Sandler Family Campus – in a fresh way.

 The first Shinshinim Kids Shabbat is called Escaping Egypt: Escape Room. Led by the Shinshinim, Noga Yaniv and Yarden Lahan, participants will solve puzzles, look for clues, and “find their way” out of Egypt over the course of an hour. The children will then return to Shabbat services for concluding prayers and a Kiddush lunch with all congregants.

 “We are thrilled to begin the next chapter of our synagogue on the Sandler Family Campus with a dynamic set of Shabbat services,” says Rona Proser, KBH co-president. “The Campus gives us opportunities to draw on the entire building to foster Jewish learning and make every Shabbat memorable. We hope young families will join us!”

 Future dates for Shinshinim Kids Shabbat are April 18, May 16, June 27, and July 18.

 KBH membership is not required to attend the Shinshinim Kids Shabbat, and there is no participation cost. For more information and to register, visit JewishVA.org/Shinshinim or contact KBH Synagogue at KBHsynagogue@gmail.com. Be sure to register, so KBH has a headcount. 

 Spearheaded by Clay Barr, the participants enjoyed a curator-led tour of the exhibition, followed by lunch at the museum’s restaurant. After lunch, the group toured the newly installed Judaica Gallery, guided by Sean Burrus, North Carolina Museum of Art’s curator of Judaica. 

The Book of Esther exhibition demonstrates how the story of Queen Esther was depicted in art and popular culture, expressing the ideas of political and religious freedom in the age of Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-69).

NCMA’s material for the exhibit says, “In the 1600s and beyond, the Book of Esther was a key source of inspiration for diverse communities in Holland, both Jewish and Christian.  For immigrant Jewish communities living with new freedom in more tolerant Amsterdam, celebrating Purim became a meaningful expression of Jewish culture.”

In addition to paintings, the exhibit contains a variety of artifacts including an Esther Scroll, a silver Purim collection cup, and a Tebah Cover, among other items.

“It was such a great opportunity to see a world class exhibition,” says Barr.  “The enthusiasm from all in attendance was a credit not only to the quality of the exhibit, but also to the educational input of the curators who led the tour.”

 The trip was part of Congregation Beth El’s initiative with the arts, which has also included docent led tours at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk.

Ohef Sholom Temple 

A lively island-themed evening featuring local restaurants, signature cocktails, and craft beverages, Ohef Sholom Temple’s Taste of the Tropics plans to be every bit as tasty and fun as last year’s Taste of the Town.

In addition to all the delicious dishes from local restaurants, Chef Derak Green, of Cooking with Greens, will conduct a cooking demonstration. A Norfolk based culinary brand founded by Derak and Anita Green, Cooking with Greens is “dedicated to making healthy, flavorful home cooking simple, joyful, and accessible.” Chef Derak Green has been featured on FOX’s MasterChef (2024) and is known for engaging, educational, and entertaining cooking demonstrations that inspire audiences to cook.

 The dress for the evening is Island attire, so pull out those Hawaiian shirts.

 Tickets are $65 per person or $120 per couple. The event is open to the community. Contact the temple’s office to secure tickets at 757-625-4295 or go to ohefsholom.org.

After last year’s Taste of the Town drew a wonderful crowd and received glowing feedback, Ohef Sholom Temple is “bringing it back – bigger, brighter, and even more delicious!”

This year’s celebration will feature a festive island theme, highlighting the best food, drinks, and community in Hampton Roads. Guests are encouraged to dress in favorite island attire.

Local spirits, wine, and beer, along with a vibrant array of Caribbean, Hawaiian, American, Latin American, Colombian, Puerto Rican, and Middle Eastern cuisines will flow throughout the evening. Attendees will also have an opportunity to win from an exciting selection of raffle items, including themed gift baskets, gift certificates to some of the area’s most popular restaurants, and more.

Tickets are $65 per person or $120 per couple. Visit ohefsholom.org to purchase tickets for this fun and festive evening. For more information, contact Ellen Hundley at 757-477-5882 or erhundley2010@gmail.com.

Giddy up and mark calendars for another fun night at the annual Temple Emanuel Casino Night. The event is riding into town with its Wild West theme – decorations, food, and attire.

Cowboys and cowgals of all ages (21 and over) will join old friends and make new ones dressed in their finest western attire.
Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar as part of admission. There will be door prizes and more fun than “you can shake your stick at (and that’s a wild west stick we’re talking about).”

The proceeds from this event help sustain vital synagogue activities including educational programs, holiday celebrations, and community outreach and assistance.

Tickets include gaming tables (all done in fun), horse racing, amazing food, an open bar, and more. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a killer silent auction of restaurant certificates, garden art, home furnishings, gift cards to boutiques, artwork, and more.

Admission is only $50 for online tickets or $65 at the door. Special pricing is available for those 40 and under – only $36. Yee haw!

Buy tickets for this fun evening at: https://www.tevb.org/event/CasinoNight2026. And don’t wait as last year’s Casablanca-themed event was a full house.

For more information, contact Temple Emanuel at 757-428-2591 or https://www.tevb.org/event/CasinoNight2026

See you around the saloon, podners!

Temple Emanuel is located at 424 25th street in Virginia Beach.

The temple’s Religious School classes, along with other congregant’s generosity, made it possible to fill 30 bags with 12 different non-perishable items for those in the community who are in need. 

Ellie Goldstein, Lindsey Aftel, Ellen Hundley (Mitzvah committee co-chair), Ellen Coley (Mitzvah committee co-chair), Carol Brum, and Lauren Epstein assisted in organizing and securing specific items for the collection. 

Temple Israel

“When we are gone, who will tell our stories?”

That’s a compelling question that the survivors of the Holocaust ask, as do the liberators and the Righteous Among the Nations of WWII. Now their children, the second generation, and even the grandchildren ask, “Who will tell Papa’s story? Who will remember what Mother experienced?”

 The answer: “We will.” 

Teach the Shoah, along with those reading this article, will tell the stories. Teach the Shoah trains people of all ages, generations, and backgrounds to share testimony-based stories and lessons of the Holocaust. Its programs challenge ignorance and hate by building personal connections across generations, faiths, and identities.

 The organization trains storytellers to do this important work, not to become professionals, but to share these stories: at synagogues, local schools, at family gatherings. Together, voice can be given to people who cannot speak today. Interested individuals can do this work with Teach the Shoah. 

 Temple Israel invites the entire Tidewater community to two impactful and innovative programs with Teach the Shoah. 

 Dr. Deborah Fripp, TTS founder and executive director, is travelling from Singapore, and Lynne Feldman, TTS director of Holocaust Scholarship and general manager, is traveling from Israel to lead the events. Along with local TTS instructor and teller Tanya Wisoker, they will help participants step into history through story, including the story of local liberator Bill Jucksch. 

Havdalah program

Saturday, December 6, 5:30-7:30 pm

Sharing Their Stories: Voices of Resistance and Liberation in the Holocaust: A program of remembrance and inspiration connecting to the past through the power of storytelling

  This 90-minute program interweaves powerful firsthand accounts with historical context, bringing to life moments of resistance in the ghettos and the camps, and the moment of liberation. Three authentic stories anchor the evening: two stories of Jewish resistance and the courage of the underground, and the moving story of local American liberator William John “Bill” Jucksch. Historical framing between each story deepens understanding and connects the personal to the larger history. 

The evening concludes with space for reflection and conversation.

Workshop

Sunday, December 7, 9:30-11:30 am

Exploring Their Stories: Transforming Testimony into Story 

 How is Holocaust testimony transformed into meaningful, memorable stories?

 In this two-hour program, participants will learn about Teach the Shoah’s unique method for shaping testimony into story. The program begins with an example story and ends with an open discussion. Along the way, participants will discover tools for listening deeply, giving and receiving appreciation, and finding the story within testimony. This is an interactive experience for anyone who believes memory must be carried forward.

All programs are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Contact the Temple Israel office: 757-489-4550 or templeisraelva1954@gmail.com.