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Ballroom dancing at the JCC

Ballroom dancing at the JCC

Next dance: Saturday, October 24, 7 - 10 pm, Simon Family JCC For anyone who has ever thought it would be cool to learn how to dance but didn’t know where to start, a new opportunity is taking place at the Simon Family JCC.Robin Orr, Tidewater USA Dance treasurer, was...

JMCC Rummage Sale

JMCC Rummage Sale

October 18, 8 am - 2 pm • Jewish Museum & Cultural Center Portsmouth For information about Jewish Museum & Cultural Center’s Rummage sale, go to jewishmuseumportsmouth.com. The sale is open to everyone.

A Community Commemoration of October 7

A Community Commemoration of October 7

Join Tidewater’s Jewish community to commemorate the lives lost on October 7, 2023, and honor the strength and resilience of the Israeli people.Community members will create a visual tribute by planting 1,200 Israeli flags on the grounds of the Reba and Sam Sandler...

ODU Hillel plans memorial event for October 7

ODU Hillel plans memorial event for October 7

Wednesday, October 7, 12:30 -1:30 pmWebb Center, Old Dominion University This year’s October 7 Memorial at Old Dominion University centers on the voices of students. They will read, share personal reflections, remember those whose lives were changed by October 7, and...

Senior Speaker Series features

Senior Speaker Series features

Monday, October 19, 11 AM- 12:30 PM • Sandler Family Campus Dr. Louise B. Lubin Join Jewish Family Service for its Senior Speaker Series featuring Dr. Louise B. Lubin, Ph.D., presenting Decades of Memories: Honoring the Loss of Our Peers and Friends.Dr. Lubin, a...

A new BeAR year and a new school Annual kickoff

A new BeAR year and a new school Annual kickoff

Thursday, October 8, 12 pm • Sandler Family Campus Sharpen the pencils, stack the books, and get ready: BeAR is heading back to school.The Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project’s annual kickoff of the school year is part reunion, part training, part eating, and a whole...

JFS Dementia Cafe

JFS Dementia Cafe

Monday, October 12, 1 –3 pm • Sandler Family Campus Jewish Family Service invites caregivers and individuals living with dementia to join its monthly Dementia Café. Held on the second Monday of every month, the Dementia Café provides a welcoming, supportive...

Tidewater Community Shabbaton

Tidewater Community Shabbaton

For one weekend, the diverse Jewish Tidewater becomes one. The Community Shabbaton is a chance to step away from the busyness of everyday life and experience the joy of Shabbat alongside neighbors from across the community. Participants of all ages, backgrounds, and...

NextGen 757 Pop-Up Shabbat

There is nothing quite like sitting around a vibrant Shabbat table to remind of the power of the Jewish people. When showing up for each other at the table, the local community remains strong, connected, and thriving.Pop-Up Shabbat is supported by the Richard Glasser...

Conversational Hebrew with the Shinshinim

October 19-May 24, Mondays, 5 pm • Sandler Family Campus Join the Tidewater Shinshinim for weekly conversational Hebrew classes designed to help participants build confidence in speaking and understanding modern Hebrew. Through interactive activities, games, real-life...

Rosh Hashanah Craft and Cookie Workshop

Monday, September 14, 5 - 6 pm - Sandler Family Campus Start the new year with Tidewater’s new Shinshinim, Liel Aisikowitz and Evyatar Olswang, along with PJ Library in Tidewater. Families are invited to a Rosh Hashanah Cookie and Craft Workshop, where children and...

Jewish Trivia Night

Tuesday, September 1, 7 – 9 pm, Smartmouth Brewery United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community gathers to kick off a month of holiday celebrations. Connect with friends, meet new people, and engage in friendly competition during a special trivia game...

Rosh Hashanah Buzz

Sunday, September 6, 5 – 7 pm Sandler Family Campus Get ready to celebrate a sweet New Year and prepare for Rosh Hashanah with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community (ages 22–45ish). The event will honor Tikkun Olam—the Jewish value of repairing the...

In their own words: American Jewish history through autobiography

Tuesdays, Sept. 22 – Dec. 1, 11 am - 12:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus American history is filled with Jewish stories that helped shape the nation, yet many remain largely unknown. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, this 10-week course invites students to...

One community. One Shabbat. One unforgettable weekend.

What if the Jewish community of Tidewater spent Shabbat together?  That is what is happening when PJ Library in Tidewater and the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, in partnership with Congregation Beth El, Temple Israel,...

Jewish leadership program empowers middle schoolers

For many families, formal Jewish education ends after the bar or bat mitzvah party’s festivities are over. But that doesn’t mean that seventh and eighth grade students aren’t itching to make a difference and make their voices heard. Or that their parents aren’t...

After school fall classes cover various interests

Camp JCC is preparing for an incredible lineup of after school classes for the fall, including a few returning fan favorites alongside some new additions. Programs are tailored for children 3 to 10 years old.  Soccer Shots returns for future soccer stars, while...

Middle School Game Night

Saturday, October 10, 5 -7 pm Sandler Family Campus, Free Middle school students are invited to Game Night, an evening filled with games, laughter, friendship, and fun. Dinner will be provided.   Whether challenging friends to classic favorites such as...

Virginia Symphony opens with Rosh Hashanah in mind

Thursday, September 10, 7:30 pm, CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts Sunday September 13, 2:30 pm, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will open its 2026/27 Season with Mahler’s Titan Symphony. Music Director Eric Jacobsen, the Macon...

Matisyahu to perform in Virginia Beach

Sunday, August 16, 6:30 pm New Realm Brewing Co. Matisyahu, the Grammy-nominated musician known for blending reggae, hip-hop, rock, and Jewish themes, will perform at New Realm Brewing Co. in Virginia Beach on Sunday, August 16. Through his music and personal journey,...

Helping educators build classrooms where every student belongs

Tuesday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 22 As educators prepare for the coming school year, one goal remains essential: creating classrooms where every student feels safe, respected, and able to learn. The 2026 Tidewater Inclusive Educators’ Conference offers a powerful...

A journey of science, spirit, and the arts

My journey with the arts began in 1958, born out of a weekly compromise. Every Saturday, my childhood was split between the spiritual tradition of the temple and the creative freedom of the art studio. This early dual education shaped my perspective, and by the age of...

Sunset on the Water: Kayaking, reflection, and Jewish learning

Sunday, June 28, 6:30–9 pm, Norfolk’s waterways | Optional afterparty: 9–10 pm Trade the usual Sunday evening for an unforgettable experience on the water with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community (ages 22–45) for this next adventure: Sunset on...

Love and Light: A Tu B’Av community celebration

Sunday, July 26, 12 – 4 pm • Sandler Family Campus United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s NextGen community teams up with PJ Library to celebrate Tu B’Av, the Jewish holiday of love, through meaningful action, music, and poolside fun tailored specifically for young...

For the first time, a kosher restaurant has won a Michelin star

(JTA) — As golden confetti rained down around him Thursday, May 28, Israeli chef Raz Shabtai broke down in tears and was embraced by his cheering staff.Moments earlier, a livestreamed Michelin ceremony had announced that his Miami restaurant, Mutra, had become the...