TJF | Jewish News

From idea to impact: Community Impact Grants help strengthen Jewish Tidewater

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:07:25 +0000

Every organization has them: ideas discussed around board tables, programs waiting for funding, projects that could strengthen Jewish life, deepen engagement, expand educational opportunities, or bring people together in meaningful ways.

For Tidewater Jewish Foundation, helping turn those ideas into reality is exactly why Community Impact Grants exist.

Designed to strengthen Jewish life, the grants provide funding for projects and initiatives that create measurable impact throughout Jewish Tidewater. While many people associate grants with innovative new programs, Community Impact Grants support a broad range of needs, including special events, educational initiatives, collaborative programs, capital improvements, security enhancements, equipment purchases, and cultural experiences.

Past grants have supported everything from community-wide concerts and Holocaust remembrance programs to Jewish cooking experiences, campus engagement initiatives, playground improvements, broadcasting technology, and security upgrades.

“If a project has the potential to strengthen Jewish life and community, we want organizations to consider applying,” says Ann Swindell, TJF’s grants administrator.

One of the biggest misconceptions, according to Swindell, is that organizations must navigate the grant process alone. “I want organizations to know they don’t have to figure it all out by themselves,” she says. “If you have an idea, a question, or you’re not sure whether a project qualifies, call me. I’d much rather have a conversation early and help strengthen an application than have someone miss an opportunity because they weren’t sure where to start. These grants exist to support our community, and my goal is to help organizations successfully move from idea to impact.”

Over the years, Swindell has become a trusted resource for organizations throughout the application process, helping applicants think through project goals, measurable outcomes, budgets, timelines, and reporting requirements.

“Community Impact Grants aren’t about creating hurdles,” she says. “They’re about helping organizations create meaningful impact. I want applicants to view me as a resource from the first conversation all the way through final reporting.”

The current grant cycle closed July 10, but organizations that missed this deadline are encouraged to begin planning now for the next cycle, which opens November 15 and closes January 10, 2027.

The Simon family Legacy Society Celebration ignites vision for the future

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:55:41 +0000

Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s Simon Family Legacy Celebration on Wednesday, May 27 was an opportunity for communities to converge, gathering around a shared vision, shared responsibility, and shared purpose.

More than 100 TJF fundholders, community leaders, philanthropists, and Life & Legacy Ignite the Flame participants came together for an evening that felt less like a traditional event and more like a collective affirmation of where Jewish Tidewater is headed.

In addition to highlighting what has already been accomplished through TJF, the evening focused on what is now possible because of the community’s willingness to think bigger, lead boldly, and invest intentionally in the future of Jewish education, security, and cultural life.

In opening remarks, Britt Simon, president of the Simon Family Foundation, which sponsored the evening, reflected on the meaning of legacy and the responsibility of carrying values forward through philanthropy and communal leadership.

“Legacy is not measured only by what we build, but by the values we pass forward,” Simon said. “The true strength of any legacy is found in people; in the commitments we make to one another and to the communities we serve.”

During the event, attendees heard about the momentum Tidewater Jewish Foundation is building throughout the community and its vision to grow $500 million in permanent endowment with assets dedicated to strengthening and securing Jewish life in the region. Doing so follows TJF’s mission to build and guide more resources to empower Jewish life in Tidewater and beyond.

Keynote speaker Rabbi Daniel Cohen brought both inspiration and challenge to the evening, encouraging attendees to think deeply about purpose, impact, and the lives they are actively shaping.

The evening also marked a moment of continuity and leadership as Eddie Kramer, outgoing TJF chair, ceremonially passed the torch to Paul Peck, incoming chair, during a moving “passing of the light” ceremony that symbolized stewardship, trust, and the continuation of vision from one leader to the next.

A particularly joyful moment of the evening took place when guest Cantor Jason Schachter McKinney performed two spirited musical pieces that energized the room and inspired a sense of forward movement.

As flashlights illuminated the room during a communal rendition of This Little Light of Mine, the message of the evening was clear: the future of Jewish Tidewater is not something to wait for. It is something being built now – brighter together.

Britt Simon welcomes attendees at the 2026 Simon Family Legacy Society Celebration

Cantor David Proser, Rabbi Levi Brashevitsky, Rabbi Daniel Cohen, and Rabbi Shlomo Eisenberg.

Hampton Roads Real Estate Planning Council recognizes TJF’s Neil Rose and Randy Parrish

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:27:43 +0000

Tidewater Jewish Foundation is guided by a board and network of community leaders whose professional excellence and civic commitment help shape the way it stewards legacy, philanthropy, and the future of Jewish life in Tidewater. Their accomplishments extend far beyond the boardroom, strengthening institutions and communities throughout Hampton Roads.

Neil L. Rose, Esq., TJF’s treasurer and a board member, was recently named the 2026 recipient of the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council’s Distinguished Estate Planner Award. The honor recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and longstanding contributions to the field of estate planning.

A former IRS and Treasury Special Attorney, Rose has spent decades advising families, businesses, and nonprofits with integrity and expertise while also serving countless civic and Jewish communal organizations across the region.

At the same event where Rose was honored, Randy Parrish, TJF’s vice president and CFO, was recognized for his service as a past president of the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council.

“These recognitions reflect the caliber of leadership that exists within our community,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, president and CEO of Tidewater Jewish Foundation. “We are proud to work alongside individuals whose professional achievements are matched by their commitment to service, stewardship, and impact.”

TJF: Community projects intersect

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Thu, 28 May 2026 16:47:01 +0000

Tidewater Jewish Foundation is often a convener, bringing together organizations, ideas, and opportunities to strengthen the community. Sometimes, projects such as the Maria A. Mansbach Memorial Student Motivation Program and the Elie Wiesel Writing Competition intersect, ensuring the meaning of tikkun olam, repairing the world, comes into focus. Through educational opportunities supported by TJF, students both within and beyond the Jewish community are empowered to think critically, find their voice, and shape a better future.

For Janae Loudon, that impact is personal.

The rising ninth grader recently earned top honors in United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission’s Elie Wiesel Writing Competition. Loudon is also one of the newest participants in the Maria A. Mansbach Memorial Student Motivation Program, a mentorship and enrichment initiative facilitated through An Achievable Dream and funded by a supporting organization of Tidewater Jewish Foundation.

Loudon, who enjoys reading, creative writing, crafts, and spending time in nature, says entering the writing competition allowed her to challenge herself and express ideas.

“My essay was about learning from history and understanding others,” she says. “I chose it because I think people should learn from the past.”

Loudon says she felt both surprised and proud when she heard she had won.

The Mansbach Scholars program supports fifth through 12th grade students in Title 1 schools in Norfolk through mentorship, academic support, life-skills development, enrichment activities, and college preparation experiences. Students participate in workshops, field trips, collaborative projects, and exposure to college campuses and career pathways designed to help them envision a successful future.

“My favorite part has been hearing advice from mentors and learning about college,” Loudon says. “The program helped me feel more confident in myself and my writing.”

The Mansbach program recently expanded through a partnership between TJF and An Achievable Dream, a nationally recognized educational organization focused on helping students succeed regardless of socioeconomic background. Together, the partnership aims to equip students with the skills, confidence, and mindset needed for college, career, and life.

Elka Mednick, director of the Holocaust Commission, says, “For nearly three decades, the Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition has encouraged students to engage not only with the history of the Holocaust, but with its relevance today. Inspired by Elie Wiesel’s legacy of remembrance and moral responsibility, the competition invites young people to reflect on how lessons from the past can shape the choices they make in the present.”

Naomi Limor Sedek, Tidewater Jewish Foundation president and CEO, says Loudon’s achievement reflects the shared mission behind both programs.

“When organizations and programs come together around education, mentorship, and opportunity, we begin to see real community impact,” Sedek says. “The Mansbach Scholars program and the Elie Wiesel Competition both help students develop confidence, compassion, and critical thinking skills; qualities that shape individual futures in addition to strengthening our broader community.”

A summer that shapes a lifetime:Investing in Jewish campthrough One Happy Camper

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:40:31 +0000

What if there were a place where Jewish children could safely explore and express their heritage? A place where the values and traditions learned at home are not only reinforced but shared and lived among peers. A place where identity is not questioned but cultivated. Where friendships take root, and over time, grow into something lasting.

For the Hoffman family, that place was Jewish camp.

When Summer Hoffman attended BBYO International Kallah through a One Happy Camper grant, the experience became far more than a summer away. It became a turning point. As her father, Jason Hoffman, says, “BBYO Kallah gave Summer the space to explore what being Jewish means to her… it helped her connect with our community and ultimately led to her decision to embrace her Jewish heritage.”

That transformation is the very reason Jewish camp remains one of the most powerful investments a community can make in its future. At a stage in life when young people are still forming their sense of self, they are also the most open to influence. Jewish camp meets them in that moment. It surrounds them with shared language, ritual, and belonging, creating an environment where identity is not taught in theory, but experienced in real time.

Those early experiences, says Jay Kossman, a Tidewater Jewish Foundation board member, are “where identity starts to take hold… those experiences stay with people, and they shape how connected they feel later in life.”

Through the One Happy Camper program, TJF provides one-time, up to $1,000 scholarships to children who do not attend Jewish day school, ensuring more families can access this formative experience. It is not simply a grant, it is an intentional step along what TJF calls “The Journey,” a lifelong path of connection, leadership, and giving.

Now, TJF is looking ahead. With the goal of creating an endowed fund to support 20 campers annually, the Foundation is inviting the community to think beyond a single summer and toward a sustained investment in Jewish continuity.

That camp experience can become part of a donor’s legacy, extending forward so that the next generation has the same opportunity to discover, connect, and belong. Afterall, the question is not just where children spend their summers. It is who they become because of them.

To learn more about supporting One Happy Camper or to begin a conversation about establishing a lasting legacy through this initiative, contact Naomi Limor Sedek at Tidewater Jewish Foundation, nsedek@tjfva.org or 757-965-6109.

Renewal and responsibility: A partnership to sustain community impact

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:49:20 +0000

Each Passover, families gather around the seder table to retell the story of the transformation of a people moving from oppression to freedom and into a renewed sense of responsibility to one another. That spirit of renewal is guiding a meaningful partnership between Beth Sholom Village and Tidewater Jewish Foundation.

Beth Sholom Village has transformed to meet the evolving needs of seniors in Tidewater by reimagining how it carries forward a longstanding commitment rooted in one of Judaism’s enduring values: l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation. For decades, the Jewish community invested in Beth Sholom Village and its earlier iterations to ensure that seniors could live with quality, dignity, and meaningful opportunities for engagement.

Today, that legacy continues through a new philanthropic model. Beth Sholom Village is now a grantmaking organization focused on supporting programs that improve care, foster engagement, and ensure lives of dignity for seniors, particularly Jewish seniors, while also addressing senior needs throughout the greater Hampton Roads community.

By partnering with Tidewater Jewish Foundation to steward and administer the program, Beth Sholom Village is ensuring that these philanthropic resources are managed thoughtfully and positioned for long-term sustainability. While the Beth Sholom Village Grants Committee continues to guide funding decisions, TJF provides philanthropic expertise, administrative infrastructure, and investment stewardship that help charitable funds grow and continue supporting seniors.

For TJF, the partnership reflects its broader mission of working alongside Jewish organizations to strengthen philanthropy and sustain community impact. “Passover reminds us that transformation is part of the Jewish story,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO. “Our community’s institutions must also evolve so their values and generosity can continue to make a difference. We are proud to partner with Beth Sholom Village to help ensure that its legacy of caring for seniors continues to support our community for generations.”

“Beth Sholom Village has long been committed to supporting organizations that care for seniors and strengthen Jewish life in our region,” says Edie Schlain, chair of Beth Sholom Village’s Grants Committee. “Working with Tidewater Jewish Foundation allows us to continue that mission while ensuring our charitable resources are stewarded responsibly and positioned to create lasting impact.”

Like the Passover story, the partnership reflects a belief that renewal, when guided by purpose and community values, can lead to a stronger future.

Organizations navigating change or seeking to strengthen their philanthropic impact are encouraged to contact Tidewater Jewish Foundation to explore how partnership and stewardship can help sustain their work in perpetuity. Naomi Limor Sedek may be reached at nsedek@tjfva.org or 757-965-6109.

State of the Foundation: Securing Jewish life in Tidewater

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:32:09 +0000

The State of the Union. The State of the City. Most people have heard of or attended gatherings like these, where leaders reflect on the present and make projections about the future.

Last month, Tidewater Jewish Foundation did just that. Board members gathered for the Foundation’s annual State of the Foundation to strengthen the strategy forward. It was a purposeful pause to name both the successes and challenges of supporting Jewish life in Tidewater, and to align around a path ahead.

Over the past decade, TJF has helped turn local generosity into real support, fueling grants and long-term charitable funds that strengthen Jewish life across the region. In plain terms, the Foundation has been growing its ability to help; supporting organizations now while also building long-term stability that can carry the community through changing needs and future challenges.

The State of the Foundation gathering focused on what comes next. Board members heard from Eddie Kramer, TJF board chair and Paul Peck, chair-elect, about the Foundation’s forward-looking strategy, how it plans to secure the resources that sustain Jewish education, synagogue life, cultural programming, social services, and community wellbeing, so future generations are not forced to rebuild what can be secured today.

For Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO, those conversations often begin with something deeply human: people care, but they don’t always have the words, or a clear plan. “It’s not that they haven’t thought about their legacy, they just can’t always articulate it,” she says. TJF’s role is to help individuals and families, at any stage of life, define what they want to perpetuate and then struct-
ure a meaningful, lasting plan to support the Jewish community.

Community members who want to participate can begin with a simple conversation. Whether someone is early in their career, raising a family, planning for retirement, or reflecting on the legacy they hope to leave, TJF can help translate values into action, through donor-advised funds, legacy commitments, endowment planning, or other giving vehicles that align with personal goals.

The future of Jewish Tidewater is not abstract. It is built decision by decision, family by family. And it begins with asking one powerful question: What do I want my legacy to be?

To start the conversation about your own legacy, contact Naomi Limor Sedek at Tidewater Jewish Foundation, 757-965-6109 or nsedek@tjfva.org.

Richard Saunders, Lawrence Steingold, Ron and Wendy Brodsky.

Jason Hoffman, Fay Silverman, Anne Kramer, and Jay Klebanoff.

Paul and Stephanie Peck.

Susan and Andy Cohen.

Randy Parrish and David Camer.

Legacy conversations begin around the table

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:14:55 +0000

The table was already cluttered. Half-empty glasses, a bowl of pasta passed one more time, someone reaching for the last challah crumbs. It wasn’t a planned conversation. No agenda. Just a familiar meal, shared with people who knew one another well enough to speak honestly. Somewhere between dessert and coffee, the question surfaced: Why does giving matter so much to you?

Moments like these – unscripted, warm, and rooted in connection – are often where meaningful conversations about family values and legacy begin. Across generations, families have gathered around food not only to nourish the body, but to share stories, pass down traditions, and explore what matters most. These conversations don’t require formal meetings or legal documents. They happen naturally, shaped by each family’s rhythm, humor, and history.

Talking about legacy isn’t about perfection or preparedness. It’s about curiosity. It might start with a memory, how someone learned about giving from a parent or grandparent, or a simple question posed over dinner: What causes do you care about most? From there, values emerge. Justice. Responsibility. Lovingkindness. Memory. What can feel abstract on paper becomes deeply personal when spoken aloud.

In many Jewish homes, tikkun olam isn’t discussed as a concept. It’s practiced. It shows up in the causes families support, the values they model, and the way generosity is woven into everyday life. A shared meal becomes more than nourishment; it becomes a reminder that repairing the world often begins close to home, one conversation and one choice at a time.

Tidewater Jewish Foundation encourages families to embrace these moments and meet each other where they are. Through thoughtfully designed conversation guides, TJF offers simple prompts and reflections that help families talk about giving, values, and the Jewish future in ways that feel authentic, not intimidating.

“Legacy conversations don’t have to be heavy or formal to be meaningful,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO. “Some of the most powerful discussions happen when families are relaxed and present with one another. A shared meal creates space for listening, vulnerability, and connection. That’s where values are truly passed on.”

Whether it’s a Shabbat dinner, a holiday gathering, or a quiet weeknight meal, these moments offer an opportunity to begin, or continue, the conversation.

To request a complimentary conversation guide or to schedule a relaxed, no-pressure legacy conversation with a Tidewater Jewish Foundation team member, contact Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF president and CEO, at nsedek@tjfva.org

Advancing purpose in retirement: Giving back with intention

Tidewater Jewish Foundation Staff — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:35:22 +0000

The Jewish community is taught from an early age that giving back is not optional. Values such as tikkun olam and tzedakah shape how families show up for one another and how the community strengthens Jewish life for future generations. In retirement, those same values often take on new meaning. With more flexibility in time and, for many, greater stability in finances, retirement can open the door to deeper, more intentional philanthropy—giving that reflects both a lifetime of values and the legacy a person hopes to leave behind.

Tidewater Jewish Foundation believes this season can be a powerful opportunity to connect purpose with impact. With thoughtful planning, charitable giving can become a steady source of meaning in retirement, while also protecting the vitality of Jewish life in Tidewater.

Here are three ways TJF helps retirees turn intention into lasting impact:

1) Check in on tax and charitable planning

Retirement brings shifts in income, taxes, and long-term financial plans. TJF works alongside donors and their advisors to ensure charitable giving fits into the bigger picture. This may include strategies such as giving more in certain years, using a donor-advised fund to support organizations steadily over time, or exploring other tools that align with personal financial goals.

2) Involve the next generation

With more time in retirement, many donors find new opportunities to include children and grandchildren in giving conversations. TJF can help families use donor-advised funds to teach values, strengthen relationships, and pass down a tradition of generosity. Donors may also name children or grandchildren as successor advisors, so the family’s philanthropic spirit continues.

3) Build a legacy that strengthens Jewish life

Retirement is often when estate plans are updated—
making it an ideal time to consider a legacy gift. Donors may choose to name a fund at TJF as a beneficiary of retirement assets, create a permanent endowment to support community needs, or establish a family legacy fund that carries Jewish values forward.

“Retirement creates space for reflection and a powerful opportunity to be intentional about the legacy someone wants to leave,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, Tidewater Jewish Foundation president and CEO. “For many donors, philanthropy becomes one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen Jewish life today while ensuring the future is even stronger.”

TJF welcomes conversations with retirees and those planning for retirement who want to explore how charitable giving can bring clarity, purpose, and lasting impact to this next chapter.

Contact Naomi Limor Sedek at nsedek@tjfva.org or 757-965-6111 to begin the conversation.

Tidewater Jewish Foundation expands team with new COO

Jewish News VA — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:33:47 +0000

Russell “Russ” Cronin recently joined Tidewater Jewish Foundation as its new chief operating officer and vice president of operations. Cronin brings strong professional expertise and a local connection to the organization’s leadership team.

Raised in Virginia Beach’s Kempsville area, Cronin earned his bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Virginia Commonwealth University. After building a career that spans banking, corporate treasury, and community foundation leadership, he is returning to Tidewater with a perspective shaped by both financial stewardship and mission-driven service.

Cronin spent much of his career in banking, specializing in treasury and financial operations. He later transitioned into philanthropy, working with Adirondack Community Foundation, where he gained experience supporting donors and nonprofits through strategic giving. In 2019, he returned to financial institution leadership at Adirondack Regional Federal Credit Union, ultimately serving as its CEO.

For Cronin, TJF represents an opportunity to merge the best of both worlds – sound financial management and purposeful community investment.

“TJF is an organization that’s thinking long-term about sustainability, operational excellence, and lasting community impact,” Cronin says. “I’m excited to help TJF continue building the structure and momentum needed for the work ahead.” He adds, “I love investment management.”

Naomi Limor Sedek, TJF’s president and CEO, says she is thrilled to welcome Cronin and confident in what his leadership will bring to the foundation’s future.

“Russ brings a unique blend of financial leadership and community foundation experience,” Sedek says. “His expertise will strengthen our operations, build relationships with professional advisors and help TJF continue to advance our mission with excellence, integrity, and long-term vision.”

As he begins this chapter, Cronin says he is focused on listening, learning, and building strong relationships across the community – work he sees as essential to TJF’s continued growth and impact.

Russ Cronin may be reached at rcronin@tjfva.org.