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Dear Friends, Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) celebrates freedom as we recall the Exodus from Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. Family and friends at a seder, springtime, renewal, and freedom are just a few of the images that come to mind when we think about this most...
In her third floor speech since becoming a Congresswoman representing Virginia’s Second District, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans spoke about the importance of supporting Israel. The speech took place on Friday, March 10. The speech follows: Madam Speaker, I rise today to...
The recent terrorist murder in Israel of two Jewish boys from Har Bracha in the Arab village of Huwara fills the Jewish world with sadness. Yet, it is the extrajudicial response by religious settlers to the killings which resulted in widespread civilian destruction in...
Anyone who has traveled by the Pembroke Square area in the last few weeks might have seen exciting developments taking place on the corner by Target. Aviva Pembroke, the premier senior community that is being created in partnership by Beth Sholom Village and Pembroke...
We joined the Tidewater delegation for Jewish Advocacy Day in Richmond on Wednesday, Feb. 8. In the morning, we all met to ride the bus to Richmond at the Simon Family JCC—you could feel the excitement. After six months of working with the community, meeting people,...
NADIV, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s young men’s Giving Circle, recently completed this year’s giving process at the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center in Portsmouth. On a Sunday evening in February the members were hosted for a dinner, learned about the...
Luca Calliott proves that one can never begin reading the Jewish News too early.
Almost 50 early morning risers boarded a bus to Richmond for Virginia’s annual Jewish Advocacy Day on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the delegation joined nearly 200 citizen...
International Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed this year by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission with the publication of To Life: The Past Is Present, Holocaust Stories of Hampton Roads Survivors, Liberators, and Rescuers. This collection...
Dear Readers, Longevity unwittingly turned into the theme for this issue’s Mazel Tov section. Doing so makes perfect sense, and frankly, I wonder why we’ve never done it before. After all, when celebrating at weddings we hope the marriages will be “forever” and when a...
Jewish News: When and where did you meet? Minette and Charles Cooper: In New York on a blind date through Marjorie Quarte, a senior in Minette’s house at Smith College who was dating Charles’s brother Joel. JN: Charles, how did you convince Minette to move to Norfolk?...
Caught on Camera: Dani Weinstein says she wants to read Jewish News to see who she knows in each issue.
This year’s JCC Maccabi Games is slated to take place in San Diego, California, which means the Simon Family JCC is busy recruiting athletes to join its eight-member delegation. For athletes who have traveled with and competed for the Simon Family JCC’s delegation in...
A new column for Jewish News, B’Tayavon will feature a recipe from a local chef in each issue. The first is from Philip Sifen who shares his recipe for Shakshuka. Enjoy! Shakshuka Philip Sifen Servings: 2 Allergens: Wheat and Eggs Shakshuka is basically peasant food,...
Supplement to Jewish News February 14, 2022.
Tzedakah is more than a financial transaction. Giving builds trusting relationships and includes contributions of time, effort, and insight. Tzedakah—philanthropy and charity—as well as Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) are concepts and values that are carried...
The Simon Family JCC Swordfish Winter Swim team is undefeated through its first four swim meets. Jacob Gynan, head coach and Waverly Howard, assistant coach, have lead the Swordfish to virtual swim meet victories over JCCs from Mid-Westchester, N.Y., Milwaukee, Wisc.,...
Children from kindergarten through second grade participated in the Israel Club, a new after school class at the Simon Family JCC on Monday, January 31. The idea of creating an Israel Club stemmed from the desire to build connections between the next generation and...
(New York Jewish Week via JTA)—It was the best of Twitter. It was the worst of Twitter. During the long agonizing hours of Saturday, January 15, during which a rabbi and three congregants were held against their will at a Dallas-area synagogue, social media performed...
On his first day in office, Saturday, January 15, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an Executive Order establishing a commission to combat antisemitism in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The order states: “The Commonwealth of Virginia has been a pioneer for religious...
vamuseums.org A late 19th century oil painting of Lewis Nusbaum, an early member of both Ohef Sholom Temple and Beth El, is a finalist in the Virginia Association of Museum’s annual competition for Virginia’s most endangered artifact. The oil painting is one of many...
Anyone who has ever attended a Jewish Family Service of Tidewater event, participated in Run, Roll or Stroll, ordered a Basket of Hope centerpiece for a celebration, or made a charitable gift to JFS, likely encountered Sue Graves. For more than two decades, Graves has...
Dear Readers, Whether one eats to live or lives to eat, food is always a discussion. And, somehow, food is often tied to romance and friendship. Speaking of food and friendship, in November, a friend came to town with three copies of Israeli-born British chef Yotam...
A catering mentor once told Shari Berman, ‘We eat with our eyes.’ As a young kosher caterer, art lover, and teacher, she took his words to heart and allowed her brain to release childhood memories. “When I was in high school, my mother’s culinary talent impressed...
(JTA)—Bob Saget, the comedian and actor famous for playing a wholesome sitcom father figure, but who never lost his flair for raunchy comedy, has died at 65. Saget died shortly after performing in Orlando, on Saturday January 8, where he had delivered a show with his...
Along with Jewish communities around the world, we recently shared our Hanukkah candle lightings with friends, families, and our community. From the annual Chabad of Tidewater celebration at Mount Trashmore (the 40th year of lighting that particular menorah!), to...
In an interview which aired December 8 on CBN, Congresswoman Elaine Luria spoke about her concern with the growing number of her Democratic colleagues publicly espousing anti-Israel views. “I’ve always viewed the U.S. support for Israel as incredibly strong,” Luria...
A successful local dentist, Dr. David Konikoff understands the importance of all sorts of education, and uniquely, that of dental education. Konikoff also believes in helping others where and when he is able. And so, he and his family made a $1 million gift to...
When walking into Strelitz International Academy, one of the first things to see is the school’s four core values posted in the lobby: Kavod (Honor), Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World), Torah v’Lishma, and Kehillah (Community). As Tidewater’s Jewish Community Day...
On Saturday, December 4, on the seventh night of Hanukkah, members and friends of Kehillat Bet Hamidrash/Kempsville Conservative Synagogue gathered to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Beginning with Havdalah and continuing with lighting a chanukiyah inside and...
(JTA)—When Ed Shames described his Jewish self, he used the term “tough SOB.” Shames, the oldest surviving member of the legendary Easy Company parachute infantry regiment, could also have added “patient.” Shames, who died Dec. 3 at age 99 at his home in Virginia...