On Sunday, May 12 we celebrate Mother’s Day—honoring moms, grandmothers, and, in fact, all important women in our lives…including, in my case, daughters! Our first article is an interview with Bill Hearst about his inspiring and always gracious mom, Helen Gifford, of...
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Rabbi Joseph Telushkin teaches kindness in a speech to Norfolk Academy’s Upper School
If Rabbi Joseph Telushkin could change America in just one way, he would start at home with the words that parents speak to their children. Many children earn praise for things like academic achievement, athletics, artistic performance, and even their physical...
The Jewish community’s impact on Alyssa and Jonathan Muhlendorf, a LIFE & LEGACY™ donor story
The Tidewater Jewish Foundation (TJF) recently celebrated a successful second year of its LIFE & LEGACY program. During the community celebration in March, one set of donors, Alyssa and Jonathan Muhlendorf, shared their reasons for giving. The following is an...
Be on the lookout for the refreshed Hineni!
Hineni, HERE I AM! For those who don’t know, Hineni!, is the young leadership program of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Designed 10 years ago to build and nourish leaders, Hineni! is a highly successful program that takes place on alternate years. Hineni!...
YAD Mitzvah Purim party recalls Bar and Bat Mitzvah days
Tidewater’s young Jewish adults showed up ready to party at YAD’s Purim party on Saturday, March, 23. It took no time for the popular ‘DJ Richard’ to get the party going with dance hits, games, and glow necklaces as young adults celebrated the festive holiday. This...
Recent JDC Study Mission to the Philippines
This is an open thank you letter to our community, the Tidewater Jewish community, for its unwavering support and care for Jewish communities around the world. This care takes into account our strong values of tikkun olam, the concept of leaving the world a better...
Passover 5779
Dear Readers, Passover is in the air. The kinda light, kinda panic feeling arrives each year along with the blossoms and warmer temps. The sense that something good, something unifying, uplifting, and yes, even that something happy is about to take place, comes with...
$17-million reasons to celebrate
Community gathers to celebrate second year of the LIFE & LEGACY™ program Tidewater Jewish Foundation (TJF) honored its community partners and donors at the 2nd annual LIFE & LEGACY event on Monday, March 18. The evening celebrated the success of the...
Men’s trip to the Rebbe’s Ohel
Its dark and cold, and practically the middle of the night. It’s 4:30 am on Wednesday, January 16 and this morning, I’m standing with a group of eight others, ready to embark on a journey unlike any other I’ve experienced. To be honest, as we load the minibus, which...
Congresswoman Elaine Luria spoke in support of a resolution condemning Anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry
WASHINGTON—In a speech on the House Floor on Thursday, March 7, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), a 20-year Navy veteran, spoke in support of a House resolution condemning anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry. The resolution passed later that day, 407–23. A...
Brith Sholom hosts myriad speakers
Among Brith Sholom’s many activities, the club often features informative and engaging speakers at its meetings. Jerry Sandler, program chairman, has arranged speakers from such places as the F.B.I, the Virginian-Pilot, and the Red Cross. And, Congresswoman Elaine...
Israel’s Threat Matrix: A survey of the challenges on Israel’s borders and beyond
Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, and community partners’ latest Israel Today expert, visited Tidewater February 19–21, where he spoke to more than 1,100 people. The senior vice...
Leon Family Gallery – Faces: Portraits from Madonna to the Pope by Hanoch Piven
Giving the art of caricature an innovative look while shedding new light on today’s most familiar faces, Israel Today Artist-in-Residence’s Hanoch Piven’s caricatures have appeared in major American magazines and newspapers such as Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone,The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times. His work has also appeared in publications in Spain, France, England, Norway, Italy, and Israel.
First person: Wearing my heart on my sleeve
Earlier this summer, a group of 37 local community members traveled to Israel on the Federation’s Journey Home Mission to Israel. The week-long, interactive mission was designed to enable participants to follow their campaign dollars to the sites and programs funded by the UJFT’s Annual Campaign. It was also an opportunity for Federation young leaders to closely interact and share experiences with more seasoned leaders, with each group inspiring the other.
A new president for the Jewish New Year at Temple Emanuel
At a congregational meeting on June 5, 2018, Dr. Steven Warsof, a man respected for his myriad admirable traits, became the new president of Temple Emanuel by unanimous vote. As he addressed his congregation for the first time as president, Warsof recognized two congregants who worked to build their spiritual home a firm foundation.
Community honors Harry Graber at retirement celebration
After 30 years of dedicated service to Tidewater’s Jewish community, Harry Graber retired on June 30. Attended by hundreds of well-wishers, a celebration in his honor took place on June 14 at the Sandler Family Campus. Graber served from 1988 to 2003 as executive vice president of Jewish Family Service, followed by 15 years as executive vice president of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
2018 Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater
Here is the 2018 Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater. It features information on the following: Jewish Holidays 5779, Community Resources, Camps, Community Centers, Congregations, Education, Foundation, Services and Organizations, Social Services, Youth Groups and Cemeteries.
CBN hosts Israel’s UN Ambassador for 700 Club interview and lunch
Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon began his remarks at a luncheon last month at CBN’s Founder’s Inn by noting that it is “usually a bad sign when there’s a room full of people coming to talk about Israel.” Looking around the room with a big smile, he continued, “but today looks different. This room is full of friends!”
First person: Beginning at the first border
The desert sun beat down on us as we stood on a hill, gazing out at what was forbidden for us to enter—the Gaza Strip. On approach to this overlook from the north, we drove past dozens of patches of scorched earth, remnants of fires from recent Palestinian terrorist attacks. Gazan terrorists utilized the winds and dry conditions to their advantage by sending flaming kites and balloons to Israel, which destroyed painstakingly cultivated crops and forests.
Second year for Nadiv ends with donation to JFS Food Pantry
Twelve months of lunch meetings with engaging speakers concluded with a shopping spree at Lidl in Virginia Beach on July 18. That’s when the group bought nearly $500 in groceries for the Jewish Family Service (JFS) food pantry. It also donated about $400 additional funds so JFS can purchase more food at a later date.
Surprising, inspiring, or just plain crazy? Decide for yourself
“Maybe one day when I get older, I will move to Israel and join the IDF.” We’ve all thought about it. Whether it was daydreaming for a split second or two in class at Hebrew Academy (like me), at Sunday school, or even while sitting around the family dinner table. Even with the best intentions, reality eventually gets in the way, and very few actually make it to Israel. Izzy Ezagui, however, was one of those brave foreigners who knew his place was in the Israeli army.
Blue Yarmulke celebrates honorees
Three area conservative congregations had their annual Men’s Club Blue Yarmulke breakfast at Temple Israel on Sunday, April 15.
Medical cannabis significantly safer for older patients with chronic pain than opioids
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev research BEER-SHEVA, Israel, February 14— Medical cannabis therapy can significantly reduce chronic pain in patients age 65 and older without adverse effects, according to researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and...
L’Shanah Tovah 5777
5776: The year in review and more.
Donald Trump supporters launch push for American ‘swing state’ votes in Israel
JERUSAlEM (JTA)— On behalf of Donald Trump, Republicans this month launched a get-out-the-vote campaign geared to Americans living in Israel. The initiative, which began Wednesday, August 3 has unprecedented funding and local strategic support. The effort by...
Mazel Tov
Dear Readers, Fortunately, there is always a reason to exclaim, “Mazel Tov!” With our 2nd Annual Mitzvah Day just around the corner and our Federation’s Campaign kickoff primed for success, it is fruitful to remember that we do not need to look very far or too hard to...
Is lunar eclipse at Sukkot an ominous sign?
by Edmon J. Rodman LOS ANGELES (JTA)—As we usher in Sukkot, will there be a blood moon rising? John Hagee, the San Antonio pastor who wrote the book Four Blood Moons: Something is About to Change, would have us believe so. Hagee predicts that because of a cycle of...
High Holidays
Dear Readers, In this, the first of our two special High Holiday sections, we devote lots of pages to recapping the events of the worldwide Jewish community of 5774. What a year it was…from the death of Ariel Sharon to the discovery of art confiscated from Jews in...
Operation Protective Edge Updates from Israel
In order to provide Jewish News readers with additional sources of information than may be found in U.S. media, we’ve gathered the following links to a variety of news updates, opinions, analyses, and live blogs from Israel. The views expressed on these sites are not...
Presbyterian Divestment from Israel discussed with local pastor
by Robin Mancoll, director, Community Relations Council, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Earlier this summer, the Presbyterian Church USA (PC USA) voted by a very narrow margin (310-303) at its General Assembly in Detroit to divest from three companies who do...
First stage of Jewish News Archival Project now online
Thanks to the generosity of contributors, the Jewish News Archival Project is making great progress. In fact, readers can check out the results to date. Small Town Papers is converting old Jewish News issues to a readable format, easily accessed on the newspaper’s...
Guide to Jewish Living in Tidewater
Tidewater’s Jewish Community Calendar tends to be busy most months of the year. The reason? The myriad of welcoming organizations, synagogues and schools that are brimming with events. We’re fortunate, and most of us probably don’t realize it. I received a call a few...