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David Leon became the reigning Who Knows One? champion in Tidewater when he won the Jewish Geography competition against rival contestant, Anne Fleder. Micah Hart, creator of Who Knows One?, hosted a live show at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater...
For the first time since 2019, the American Jewish Committee convened its AJC Global Forum in person. More than 1,000 people attended the conference held at Temple Emanu-El in New York City to hear from world leaders and top experts, consider tough questions, and get...
When Molly Futterman’s kindergarten class at the Strelitz International Academy kicked off their IB unit with a focus on goal setting this past January, her friends had wonderful goals for themselves. Goals included scoring more soccer goals, learning to ride a bike...
Dear Readers, The medical profession has devoted tremendous resources to battling and preventing the COVID-19 virus since early 2020. Rightly so, vaccinations, masks, lockdowns, new treatments, and social distancing have dominated the world’s attention. But,...
Through the Virginia Beach-based Wagner Kapoor Research Institute, local ophthalmologists and vitreoretinal surgeons Alan L. Wagner, MD, FACS, FICS, FASRS, AME, and Kapil G. Kapoor, MD, FACS, FICS, are conducting trials of an FDA-approved study into gene therapy to...
Jewish News celebrates these 2022 graduates with their families and the community. Mazel Tov on these students' achievements and best of luck as they take their next steps.
Sometimes, a topic touches so close to one’s heart that it’s impossible to ignore it or turn away. On Wednesday, June 1, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Cabinet hosted its annual Spring Lunch at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach. The...
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC joined Jewish organizations across North America for Chalk Over Hate, an initiative of Artists 4 Israel to fight antisemitism through public art on Friday, June 3. “As the CEO of Artists 4 Israel, I am...
In late April, Annie Sandler, along with eight other board members and staffers of the JDC (Joint Distribution Committee) and student volunteers from Active Jewish Teens (AJT), traveled to Poland to visit Ukrainian refugees. The group had a rigorous schedule, first...
Dear Readers, A couple of weeks ago, it seemed that everywhere I turned, people were talking about graduations. Were there more than usual, or were we all just so excited to have proper ceremonies at the appropriate time and not the drive-by celebrations of 2020?...
SIA graduates will attend the following middle school programs this fall: Cape Henry Collegiate, Norfolk Collegiate School, Norfolk Academy, Old Donation School, and Princess Anne Middle. SIA is an International Baccalaureate World School. Back row: Leia Silverstein,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
Ever wonder how the books and authors are chosen for the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival? Last month, 20 community members, along with five staff professionals, took part in the Jewish...
Graduation ceremonies and celebrations for the Class of 2020, whether for high school, college, or graduate school, came to a screeching halt because of COVID-19. Another casualty of the pandemic. Still, imaginative celebrations took place via ZOOM, drive-by parades,...
Tzedek, tzedek tirdof: “Justice, justice you shall pursue” (Deut. 16:20). We, the Jewish faith leaders of Hampton Roads, are appalled not only by the murder of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis, but by the long procession of African-Americans who have been...
It doesn’t take a campus massacre or a pandemic for Virginia Tech students to bond with a charismatic and culturally distinct Israeli fellow, and to connect Jewishly. According to Sue Kurtz, executive director at Virginia Tech Hillel, students are nervous about the...
Over three dozen local Jewish women, led by mission co-chairs Annie Sandler and Mona Flax, along with JDC professional Sandy Katz, made the long trek to the Jewish communities of Minsk in Belarus and Sofia in Bulgaria…all through the “magic” of the internet. Following...
Strelitz International Academy Graduation was originally planned for June 2, but like nearly everything else this past spring, was postponed. A special outdoor, mask wearing ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 30 for these special graduates so that they could enjoy a...
For kids and families seeking some camp-like fun this summer, Camp JCC In the Cloud is ‘to the rescue!’ Unlimited access to online activities is FREE and available to anyone from anywhere. Different themed activities take place each week through August 14. At Camp...
Noya Azari is joining Camp JCC In the Cloud this summer as the camp’s Shaliach. A native of Tel Aviv, Noya Arazi, 23, was in Virginia Beach as a Camp JCC Shaliach in 2018. “Dance has always been a big part of my life,” sys Arazi. In fact, she is a certified Zumba...
After a national search, the Tidewater Jewish Foundation is ready to welcome Naomi Limor Sedek as its new president and chief executive officer. Coming from Nashville, Tennessee, Sedek’s lifelong work and passion for the promotion of Jewish life at the Jewish...
Tidewater’s Jewish community lost a giant on Saturday, June 6 with the passing of Kurt Rosenbach. Kurt was equally a man of vision and action. More than all of his volunteer service—often as founder or chair, he continued to press the community to realize financial...
Tidewater Jewish organizations secure more than $20.6-million in legacy commitments through LIFE & LEGACY® initiative Three hundred and twenty-five local donors have made 550 legacy commitments to support the Tidewater Jewish community since LIFE & LEGACY...