To do a job well, one must have the proper tools. A carpenter might need a specific saw for a type of wood to be cut, a photographer might need a special lens to capture a tiny creature, and educators need the most up-to-date information and methods to teach and...
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Lessons learned from moms
What one (or two) thing(s)—of the probably many—have you learned from your mom? We posed the question to several women, and not surprisingly, their responses are filled with respect, admiration, love, and even some humor. How fortunate these women are to have had such...
Unorthodox takes a Southern spin in Tidewater
A live recording of “the universe’s leading Jewish podcast” had everyone laughing at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art on Thursday, April 7. The Unorthodox podcast team visited the “Paris of the mid-Atlantic,” as Tidewater was referred to by host Liel Lebovitz,...
Tidewater Ukraine Emergency Fund raises and distributes dollars
The severity of the war in Ukraine, its inhumane treatment of civilians, and devasting destruction, is apparent to anyone watching or reading the news. What is not found in the main-stream media, however, is that at the start of the war, Ukraine was home to more than...
Tidewater Chavurah acquires Torah scroll
Through the efforts of its rabbi, Ellen Jaffe-Gill, Tidewater Chavurah has received a Torah scroll to use during Shabbat and holidays. Rabbi Jaffe-Gill acquired the scroll through the Jewish Community Legacy Project, an organization that helps small congregations with...
Congressman McEachin visits Sandler Family Campus
The first Virginia Congressman to sign the bipartisan Pascrell-Latko letter, demanding increased funding to protect synagogues and houses of worship, Congressman Donald McEachin visited the Sandler Family Campus for a quick conversation and lunch with a diverse group...
JFS continues mission for mental health and wellness
Support is urgently needed. Throughout the past year, Jewish Family Service, in partnership with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, has been highlighting the importance of mental health and wellness through a series of events. These events are part of JFS’ 18th...
Community invited to participate in 2022 Holocaust Commemoration events
Reading of the Names on Zoom Wednesday, April 27, 10 am–2 pm Contact hhorwitzintune@yahoo.com to reserve a spot. Yom Hashoah Commemoration Wednesday April 27, 6:45 pm Congregation Beth El Masks are required. The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of...
Ketanji Brown Jackson brings up a Black-Jewish civil rights alliance in confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Whether he meant to or not, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz gave Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, an opportunity for a breather in the middle of a contentious day of confirmation hearings on Tuesday, March 22. Cruz, who...
Passover 5782
Dear Readers, This might be the year that we all get to dust off most of our Haggadahs, and maybe even polish the silver as we return, hopefully, to some more traditional Seders. While last year’s smaller outdoor Seders were a welcome step forward from the previous...
Ma Nishtana or Why is this year different?
Instead of asking, “Why is tonight different from all other nights?” the first of the traditional four questions asked by the youngest child at the Seder, Jewish News asked local rabbis, “Why is Passover this year different from the last two years?” With the pandemic,...
Operation Hamantaschen joins forces with Sunday Fun Day
PJ Library in Tidewater, in partnership with Strelitz International Academy and Camp JCC, gathered with the community at the Sandler Family Campus for a Purim celebration on Sunday, March 13. Dressed in colorful costumes ready to participate in Operation Hamantaschen,...
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater & the Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival 2020–2021*
*Events shown only through October 29 All events are open to the community with RSVP or tickets required and will take place virtually until further notice. For more information about the Festival, to register, sponsor, or volunteer, contact Patty Shelanski at...
Warren Karesh: A man of insight and integrity
Dr. Warren G. Karesh passed away on Tuesday, August 25, quieting a voice that added greatly to our Jewish community. Warren and his wife, Mimi, were active participants in United Jewish Federation of Tidewater activities throughout their time in Hampton Roads. Warren...
32nd Annual Strelitz International Academy Golf Tournament draws 107 golfers
On Tuesday, September 15, a perfectly crisp morning, the Strelitz International Academy 32nd Annual Golf Tournament, affectionately known as the Bob Josephberg Classic, took place on the Bayville Golf Club course. Sporting face-coverings and hand sanitizer, many...
Local teens interview Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District’s candidates, Representative Elaine Luria (D) and Scott Taylor (R)
Leila Abrams is a ninth grade student in Princess Anne High School’s International Baccalaureate program. She served as a Virginia Senate Page under Senator Jen Kiggans of the 7th Senatorial District throughout the 2020 Virginia General Assembly Session. This past...
Village to Neve Michael Village. Your Dollars at Work provide an abundance of love
It takes a Virginia village to sustain Neve Michael, the Israeli children’s village located in Pardes Hanna in the northern region of Israel. Neve Michael is a seven-acre campus housing the only multi-disciplinary children’s home in Israel to offer a wide range of...
Virginia 2020 Elections Important deadlines
Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 — Absentee Voting Begins Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 — Last day to register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at your registrar’s office Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 — Last day to request an absentee ballot via the mail-in form Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020...
High Holidays 5781 Special Section
In the most recent issue of Jewish News, we wrote about area synagogues preparing for this most unusual High Holiday season. As we go to press, much of those congregations’ work is complete with boxes and bags of honey and cakes and memorial books and prayer books...
Without traditional High Holiday Food Drives, fear of fewer food donations rises
In past years, many area temples and synagogues have supported the Jewish Family Service food pantries through their High Holiday food drives. But this year, with most buildings closed, there will not be bins or trucks available to collect food on Yom Kippur. JFS...
Study: More than one in 10 Americans under 40 thinks Jews caused the Holocaust
(JTA)—More than one in 10 American adults under 40 believes that Jews caused the Holocaust. That’s one finding from a survey published Wednesday, Sept. 16 trying to gauge Holocaust knowledge among millennials and Generation Z, a cohort ranging in age from 18 to 39....
Helping each other: COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
Dedicated to caring for Jewish Tidewater’s most vulnerable community members and protecting its vital institutions, the COVID-19 Emergency Fund of the Tidewater Jewish Community has distributed more than $100,000 to assist these populations and agencies....
High Holidays 5781 Special Edition
Dear Readers, For the first time in the vast majority of our lifetimes, most of us will ‘attend’ High Holiday services by watching computer screens, tablets, televisions, and perhaps even our phones. While these strange circumstances brought on by the COVID-19...
Your Vote is Your Voice Series explains new laws and procedures and encourages participation
The former and late Supreme Court Justice, Louis Brandeis, once noted, “The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen.” Regardless of party affiliation, voting is a constitutional right—one that must be...
Tidewater synagogues work overtime to embrace the essence of Rosh Hashanah and touch members they can’t see
A sanctuary overflowing with people in prayer, ties, and high heels has been the picture of High Holiday success for more than a century. Local buzz about a stirring sermon is the new year cherry on top. Two universal truths hit home this year with COVID-19: Modern...
Former State Treasurer, UJFT director, and Jody’s Popcorn president brings a full bag of rich and relevant experience to new leadership role as Tidewater Jewish Foundation chair
Saying thank you during a pandemic was Jody Wagner’s first order of business as the new chair of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation. In a short video on Facebook, she said: “Thank you to our donors for making sure our community has the resources it needs, and to our...
Super Sunday—Today, Tomorrow, Together
Sunday, September 13, 10 am–1 pm The past year has brought extraordinary challenges to the entire planet which have resulted in massive changes to the way we all do “business.” The Jewish community of Tidewater has certainly not been exempt from those changes—as...
5781/2020: When prayers for a sweet ‘new’ year started early and ended late
When it comes to praying for a sweet New Year, this community is in overtime. Since Pandemic 2020 hijacked every aspect of life and living in March, synagogues have been immersed in the overnight challenge of implementing ways to touch members without physical...
JCC in the Cloud: That’s a wrap!
After six fun-filled weeks, this year’s virtual camp, Camp JCC in the Cloud, concluded on August 14. What began as uncharted territory is now a new, innovative way to connect with area children and teens. Camp JCC collaborated with Happy Camper Live to create this...
Strelitz International Academy made a match for Jewish education
When Randi and Steve Gordon were looking for ways to honor Steve’s parents, Tavia and Freda Gordon, of blessed memory, they knew approaching Strelitz International Academy to create a match program would be a ‘match made in Jewish education heaven.’ The Gordons were...
Federation and Foundation’s one day campaign raises nearly $8,000 for new Tidewater Mikvah
Earlier this month, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Tidewater Jewish Foundation teamed up to raise funds for the new Tidewater Mikvah. The brief, one-day campaign raised nearly $8,000 for the project. “This was a very successful campaign,” says Sarah Lipman,...
Dr. Jerry McQuain joins Freda H. Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care of Tidewater as medical director
The Freda H. Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care of Tidewater recently welcomed Dr. Jerry McQuain as medical director. McQuain earned his master of physical therapy degree at West Virginia University, graduating valedictorian of his class. He received his medical...