Yom Ha’Atzmaut – Sunday, April 26, 12 – 3 pm Sandler Family Campus

As Israel continues to face a difficult moment, the bond between the nation and Jewish communities around the world
feels especially powerful. Marking Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, is both a celebration and a meaningful show of solidarity—an opportunity to remember the sacrifices that led to the establishment of the State of Israel, honor those who safeguard it today, and renew a commitment to its future.

 Jewish Tidewater kicks off its Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrations with the third annual Israeli Chef’s Table Experience on Wednesday, April 22. This signature event highlights Israel’s rich culinary culture while creating space for community. Guests will enjoy a kosher three-course menu crafted by this year’s chefs-in-residence, Ben and Zikki Siman-Tov, the rising culinary stars behind New York City’s Buba Bureka and authors of the acclaimed cookbook Eat Small Plates. Their cooking reflects the spirit of modern Israel—deeply rooted in tradition while shaped by diverse regional influences. Throughout the evening, the chefs will share personal stories that highlight the deep ties between food, culture, and heritage, creating an experience that celebrates the flavors and spirit of Israel around the table.

 “Small plates, for us, are not necessarily about the size. It’s about the concept of sharing with others and creating on a table, dishes that are meant to be eaten all together, and the joy of people combining different flavors and textures and building their own bites,” says Ben Siman-Tov. His philosophy — that food is interactive, communal, and celebratory — is at the core of Eat Small Plates and the way the two chefs cultivate gatherings.

 The annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Celebration takes place on Sunday, April 26. This community-wide festival honors Israel’s 78th Independence Day and celebrates the enduring connection between Israel and Tidewater. Families, friends, and all synagogues from across the region will participate in an afternoon of Israeli culture, music, food, and interactive activities for all ages. 

 A new menu for the celebration will feature authentic Israeli cuisine and barbecue, bringing the flavors of Israel to life. The event will also include an ESEK Israeli marketplace. An organization committed to supporting Israeli small businesses and highlighting the stories behind their products, ESEK will bring to Tidewater more than 20 curated collections, including the NOVA Collection, showcasing creations by survivors of the Nova Music Festival, as well as offerings from IDF reservists working to sustain their businesses while serving their country. The diverse array of crafted items will include artisanal chocolates, olive oils, jewelry, and Judaica, allowing for great shopping. 

 Together, these events reflect the many ways Israel’s culture, creativity, and spirit continue to inspire Jewish communities around the world. From the flavors of Israeli cuisine to the music, traditions, and stories that define the country’s vibrant society, Yom Ha’Atzmaut brings the community together to celebrate Israel’s independence, as well as the resilience and unity of the Jewish people.

To purchase tickets or a table for the Israeli Chef’s Table, go to JewishVA.org/YH.

To learn more about the Yom Ha’Atzmaut volunteer opportunities, events, and registration, visit JewishVA.org/YH or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.

Looking for a Passover seder to attend this year? Check out these options and make a decision soon to secure a spot, as Passover begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 1.

B’nai Israel Congregation

Anyone who would like home hospitality for a Passover Seder can contact the congregation’s office: office@bnaiisrael.org.

Chabad of Tidewater

Community Seder

April 1 and April 2, 8:30 PM

RSVP at chabadoftidewater.com/sederrsvp

JCC Model Passover Seder

March 25, Wednesday, 12 – 2 pm

Active Adults are invited for an interactive Passover experience filled with storytelling and traditions led by Cantor Jennifer Rueben of Ohef Sholom Temple. Open to people of all faiths. Lunch and seder: $10. Sandler Family Campus. Register by March 23
at jewishva.org/seder. Contact Sarah Cooper for more information at SCooper@ujft.org.

Ohef Sholom Temple

Congregational Second Night Seder

Thursday, April 2, 6 pm

Join Ohef Sholom Temple’s family for a meaningful and joyful Second Night Seder led by Rabbi Roz and Cantor Jen. Together, share the story of the Exodus through song, tradition, and community, while enjoying a beautifully prepared holiday meal.

Plan to arrive by 5:45 pm, as the Seder will begin promptly at 6 pm.

Register at: https://mailchimp/ohefsholom/secondseder.

Temple Emanuel

Passover Community Seder

Thursday, April 2, 6 – 8:30 pm

Join Temple Emanuel as Rabbi Ari leads a meaningful, music-filled Passover seder. 

$45 for members ages 13+, $60 for non-members; $30 for children ages 5-12; Free for those under age 5. Subsidized tickets are available. Register by March 23 at TEVB.org.   

Jewish Virginia Beach 

Community Passover Seder 

Wednesday, April 1, 6:45 pm

A welcoming and meaningful Passover Seder with traditional dinner and insights for Jews of all backgrounds. 

Everyone is welcome. No membership or prior knowledge needed. Cost is flexible – no one will be turned away due to financial limitations. Those who need assistance can contact Rabbi Meir at Rabbi@jewishvb.org. Security will be present for everyone’s safety. Registration required at: JewishVB.org.

A magical afternoon is planned for Temple Israel’s Annual Gala, an event that includes a deluxe luncheon and entertainment from Philadelphia magician Mike Miller.

 Miller, a past president of the Society of American Magicians, says the show will delight all ages, from five to 105, and will feature significant audience participation. He has performed at Atlantic City casinos, including Caesar’s, Showboat, and Tropicana, and before sports organizations such as the Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers.

 To see Miller in action, go to www.mikemillersmagic.com.

 Linda and Jonathan Longman, members of Temple Israel, attended Miller’s show at Massanutten Resort in Virginia last summer.

 “He was an excellent magician!” the Longmans say. “So wonderfully unusual were some of his tricks that we could not begin to conjure a way in which he could do many of these feats of magic. It was a truly memorable show that kept us entertained and feeling a sense of wonderment well after it was over.”

 Norman Soroko, Temple Israel’s president, says, “The past five spring galas under my watch have been most successful. I’m confident that this year’s event will be an even bigger hit.”

 Tickets are $54 each. Sponsorships are also available: 

• Houdini – $7,500 (with 12 free tickets)

• Elphaba and Glinda – $5,000 (10 tickets)

• Penn and Teller – $2,500 (8 tickets)

• Harry Potter – $1,000 (6 tickets)

• Merlin – $750 (5 tickets)

• Wizard – $500 (4 tickets)

• Sorcerer – $250 (2 tickets)

Don’t let this opportunity disappear. To purchase tickets, make sponsorships, or for any questions, contact Temple Israel’s office at 757-489-4550 or templeisraelva1954@gmail.com. 

The countdown to Spring Break is officially on, with Camp JCC ready to transform a week away from the classroom into a memorable adventure. Designed specifically for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, the program offers a safe, inclusive, and vibrant environment where kids can truly be kids. Every day is curated with exciting themes to ensure that no two days feel the same. Campers can look forward to a jam-packed schedule that includes free swim sessions in the indoor pool, Gaga matches, and creative arts and crafts projects. 

 Spring Break serves as the ultimate “sneak peek” for the upcoming summer season. Many beloved summer counselors will be on-site, giving campers a chance to reconnect with their favorite counselors and get excited for the sunshine ahead. Each day features unique highlights, such as the “Camp Takeover,” where campers will dive into tie-dye and host mini color run competitions. Campers will also embrace the outdoors with guided nature hikes around the pond and building-wide scavenger hunts.

 Understanding that every family has different needs during the break, enrollment flexibility is offered. Parents can choose to register for individual days or dive into the full experience with a 5-day package. For those who need a bit more time, an extended care option is available, 8 am – 6 pm. 

 Register: www.campjcc.org.

To learn more about Camp JCC, Kids Night Out, School Days Out, children’s classes, and more, contact Kate-Lynn Cipolla, Camp JCC director, at klcipolla@ujft.org or 757-321-2306.

Congregation Beth El recently launched a partnership with the 92nd Street Y (92NY) in New York City, one of the world’s most respected cultural and intellectual institutions. Through this collaboration, Beth El will host monthly livestream events featuring nationally renowned speakers, thinkers, authors, and musicians, bringing world-class programming to Tidewater’s Jewish community.

 The partnership allows Congregation Beth El to offer access to high-caliber conversations and musical performances that would otherwise require travel to major metropolitan areas. Each month, Beth El opens its doors for a communal viewing experience, complete with light refreshments, creating opportunities for participants to gather, connect, and engage with ideas shaping contemporary life.

 Programs in the series explore topics such as democracy, literature, history, culture, and current affairs. Speakers come from leading roles in journalism, academia, public policy, and the arts. The series reflects Beth El’s ongoing commitment to lifelong learning, Jewish values, and thoughtful engagement with the wider world.

 In April, Beth El will livestream a 92NY conversation between The New Yorker correspondent Nicholas Lemann and New York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor. Lemann will discuss his memoir, Returning: A Search for Home Across Three Centuries, which reflects on his experience growing up Jewish in New Orleans.

 Lemann, a son of German Jews who grew up in a world of privilege, had an unconventional Jewish upbringing. Aware of the contradictions of being Jewish in the South, Lemann chafed at its strict racial hierarchy and his relatives’ eagerness to be accepted in a subtle but distinctly antisemitic environment. The memoir follows Lemann’s path as he rejects assimilated society, embraces Judaism, and chooses to raise his children in a Jewish world. 

 “We are thrilled to bring the energy and excellence of 92NY programming to Norfolk,” says Beth Berman, Beth El’s coordinator for the series. “This partnership creates a wonderful opportunity for our congregation and the wider community to come together around meaningful ideas, music, and shared conversation.”

Congregation Beth El is located at 422 Shirley Avenue in Norfolk. Admission is $5. RSVPs are encouraged. Details are available at www.bethelnorfolk.com.

A groundbreaking exhibition showcasing works by two pioneering female artists, Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina, is on view through May 31 at Chrysler Museum of Art.  

 Organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA), this exhibition brings artists Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina in direct dialogue for the first time. Both artists were Eastern European Jewish immigrants who worked in mid-century New York and developed distinct visual languages and identities within a male-dominated American art world. While Nevelson is known primarily as a sculptor and Slobodkina as a painter, both explored cubism, surrealism, and constructivism, with assemblage as an essential unifying theme throughout their careers.  

 Featuring 77 works, including sculptural assemblages, abstract paintings, collages, and garments they designed and wore, Architects of Being reveals the parallel journeys of women who helped transform American abstraction.

 Programming for Architects of Being invites visitors to explore the exhibition’s central theme: how identity is constructed and expressed. By examining material choices, personal style, and visual composition, these programs provide audiences with a deeper understanding of the artists’ evolving voices, creative processes, and the social and historical contexts that shaped their work.

For information about exhibitions, programs, and events, visit chrysler.org or follow the Chrysler Museum on social media @chryslermuseum.

The Chrysler Museum of Art is located at 1 Memorial Place in Norfolk. 

Louise Nevelson (American, b. Russia (now Ukraine), 1899–1988), Dawn’s Presence, 1972–1975, painted wood, Chrysler Museum of Art, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler Jr. 77.1241

This year’s Yom HaShoah commemoration, presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission, features Dr. Milton Zweig as the keynote speaker.

 Yom HaShoah is a day of commemoration for the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, as well as a remembrance of those who survived, including those who made Hampton Roads their home.

 The child of Holocaust survivors, Dr. Zweig will share his family’s story of resilience and survival. His parents and grandparents faced incredible challenges and loss during Kristallnacht and while fleeing Germany. After more than 50 years of preserving the stories of this dark period in history, his mission to ensure that the voices of those who can no longer speak are not forgotten, remains steadfast. Zweig leads the Zweig Foundation, which is dedicated to Holocaust and genocide education.

 In addition to Zweig’s inspiring presentation, the evening will include recognition of the student winners of the Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition, as well as the Excellence in Education Awards, honoring teachers for their dedication to furthering Holocaust education.

 As the number of Holocaust survivors decreases, the Holocaust Commission is committed to including second- and third-generation survivors in Tidewater. The community is encouraged to attend to help remember, reflect, and honor the lives and legacies of those impacted by the Holocaust, as well as reaffirm a shared responsibility to stand against hatred and intolerance.

 Congregation Beth El is located at 422 Shirley Avenue in Norfolk. 

 Because the well-being of the community is always a top priorty, advance registration is requested from all attendees. For information and to RSVP, go to JewishVA.org/YomHashoah2026.

Active threat situations are unpredictable and can unfold quickly—often ending within three to five minutes. Recognizing warning signs and knowing how to respond can save lives.

In collaboration with Jewish Community Relations Council, a local pastors’ group, and Secure Community Network, the first of what is envisioned as many interdenominational training sessions will take place next month at First Presbyterian Church in Ghent. 

Mike Goldsmith, Secure Community Network’s Regional Security Advisor for Tidewater, will present an introduction to Countering Active Threat Training (CATT)—a foundational course designed for faith-based institutions and houses of worship, and open to every member of the community.

This one-hour course requires no prior security background and covers the basics of situational awareness and practical, real-world guidance to help protect yourself, your family, and your community. 

Participants will learn how to recognize suspicious or potentially dangerous behavior, how to respond if a situation becomes life-threatening in everyday settings such as a church, synagogue, grocery store, or restaurant, and how to react to different threat scenarios.

Sunday, March 22 • 3:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church, 820 Colonial Ave, Norfolk
Register at TinyURL.com/HOW26

A new initiative dedicated in memory of Shirley Farfel Berman a”h, Lev Sara Bikur Cholim is being created to extend a loving hand to individuals in the community—and beyond—who are in Norfolk for medical care. 

This evening is an opportunity to learn about the program, hear from guest speaker Elise Wolf, as well as a tribute to Shirley Berman.

 Lev Sara Bikur Cholim’s mission is to provide comfort, support, and practical assistance during challenging times, offering the following services: 

• Shabbos kits – Complete kits including grape juice for Kiddush and Havdalah, challah, tea lights, hospital candles, and reading material. 

• Stocked pantry and freezer at B’nai Israel – prepared and portioned lunches, dinners, and snacks for weekday and Shabbos. 

• Hospitality for visiting families – warm accommodations and support for family members visiting loved ones receiving care. 

• Visitation – thoughtful volunteers offering visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and homebound individuals.

 Lev Sara Bikur Cholim is building its volunteer network. Volunteers are needed for cooking, driving, and visitation. Those who would like to be part of this effort are encouraged to reach out at levsarabikkurcholim@gmail.com.

Berman was the beloved mother of Stuart, Bruce, and Douglas Berman, and Paula Berman Lefkowitz. She is remembered for a life quietly devoted to others, spending much of her time volunteering as a compassionate and supportive advocate and companion for cancer patients and the elderly. 

To attend the event and learn more, go to www.bnaiiIsrael.org/event/levsarabikurcholim.

 Check out the new website at JewishVA.org/BBYO.