Pearlman’s work will be on exhibit in the Leon Family Gallery on the second floor of the Sandler Family Campus through August. Join the artist for an opening reception in the gallery on Thursday, June 25. The exhibition is supported in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. Thanks to the generosity of the artist, 100% of proceeds from art sales will benefit Arts + Ideas programming at the UJFT. For more information or to RSVP for the reception, visit JewishVA.org/Gallery or contact Hunter Thomas, UJFT director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965-6137.

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 the Water: Kayaking, reflection and Jewish learning. The evening is designed to nourish the body, mind, and spirit through nature and community connection.

Torah in the great outdoors
A long-standing Jewish tradition speaks of finding spiritual clarity and divine connection within the natural world. From the patriarchs meditating in the open fields to the prophets seeking wisdom in the wilderness, Jewish tradition teaches that stepping outside can help look inward.
As kayaks are launched into Norfolk’s scenic waterways, the rhythmic dip of the paddles will set the pace for mindfulness and shared exploration. Surrounded by the peaceful beauty, the group will engage in an interactive session of Jewish learning and reflection. Whether a seasoned scholar or just curious about exploring Jewish values through a fresh lens, this event offers an open, accessible space for everyone.

The evening

• 6:30 pm: Arrival and check-in. Participants will receive a safety briefing and gear fitting.
• 7 pm SHARP: Launch kayaks onto the water. Arrive on time to not miss the fleet departure!
• 8:13 pm: The Golden Hour. Pause on the water to watch the sunset, anchoring the learning in a moment of quiet gratitude.
• 9 pm: Return to shore.

Keep the conversation flowing: The Sunset Afterparty
The connection does not have to end when the boats are pulled out of the water. The group will head to The Bird (located at 4314 Colley Ave in Norfolk) for an optional afterparty. Known for its cozy neighborhood feel and atmosphere, it is a great spot for the NextGen community to unwind.
Relax, grab a refreshing beverage or a late-night bite, and continue the conversations sparked on the water. Event NextGen participants will receive 10% off their orders at the venue for the night.

Registration
Pre-Registration is required. Availability is limited, so lock in a kayak now at JewishVa.org/NextGen to be a part of this evening of community, Torah, and natural beauty.

For pricing, registration links, and launching location details, visit JewishVa.org/NextGen or contact Hannah Yasmsky at Hyasemsky@ujft.org.

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 adults (ages 22-45) and families.

Part I: The Mitzvah Hub (12 – 2 pm)
Start the day by putting love into action through hands-on community service projects.
Kick the day off with a high-energy, high-impact time at The Mitzvah Hub, where participants will put love into action through community service projects: Custom-pour scented candles, craft hopeful bracelets and cards for local kids in need, and pack essential gear and snack kits to support local heroes and shelters.

The energy then shifts to the pool for Poolside & Pavilion Recreation.

Part II: Poolside & Pavilion Recreation (2 – 4 pm)
Once the mitzvah projects are complete, cool off with open swim time, grab a sweet tropical treat from the Kona Ice Truck, and dive into giant lawn games led by Jewish Tidewater’s energetic Shinshinim. Plus, a brand-new volleyball net is finally being brought out for epic pick-up games on the grass. This is a chance to vibe with old friends, make new connections, and celebrate the Jewish holiday of love in the absolute best way possible.

To attend the biggest NextGen party of the summer, register at JewishVA.org/NextGen.

As the school year winds down, many educators are already looking ahead, reflecting on what to maintain and what to change for the next year. In today’s classrooms, that reflection often includes navigating difficult conversations, addressing bias, and ensuring that every student feels safe and respected.

 The 2026 Tidewater Inclusive Educators’ Conference is designed with those realities in mind. Hosted by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council and Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, this two-day experience brings together educators from across the region for focused, practical learning.

 Educators are often called to respond to bias in real time—whether it arises in classroom comments, student interactions, or broader questions of identity and belonging—and this conference centers on what they need most: clarity, confidence, and practical strategies. 

 Participants will explore how to address antisemitism and identity-based bullying, facilitate meaningful conversations, and build stronger engagement across diverse classrooms. Just as importantly, the conference helps educators turn difficult moments into opportunities for learning, equipping them to approach sensitive topics with intention, guide students through tension, and foster environments that are both inclusive and accountable. The focus remains on immediately applicable skills that shape not only individual student experiences, but the broader culture of schools.

 A central element of the conference is its focus on connecting historical understanding to present-day student experiences. On the second day of the conference, participants will take part in a guided visit to the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond, using this experience as a professional tool to deepen context and support more meaningful classroom discussions. By grounding contemporary challenges in historical reality, educators are better equipped to foster empathy, critical thinking, and informed dialogue among their students.

 For educators, this is an opportunity to strengthen practice alongside peers who understand the realities of today’s classrooms and to leave with tools that can make an immediate difference. Professional development that is both relevant and practical, can be difficult to find; this conference is intentionally designed to meet that need.

 Educators should consider registering today. If not an educator, consider sharing the conference with a teacher, administrator, or counselor. Encouraging participation helps extend the conference’s impact, reaching classrooms and students across the community.

 The registration fee (early bird fee of $25 through June 15) of $40 includes all materials, meals, transportation, and 13.5 Continuing Education hours. Scholarships are also available. 

The conference is made possible by a grant from Tidewater Jewish Foundation.

For more information or to register, visit InclusiveVA.org/tiec2026. 

In his book, Ancestral Allyship, Rabbi Mike Moskowitz draws on the weekly Torah portion to explore allyship as a spiritual practice.

 At its most basic, allyship is defined as the state or condition of being an ally; supportive association with another person or group. It is most often used in recent years to describe support or association with members of a marginalized group to which one does not belong.

 Rabbi Moskowitz grew up in a family affiliated with the Conservative movement, holds three ordinations from two prominent Orthodox yeshivas, and most recently served a New York congregation unaffiliated with any movement.

 That synagogue, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, describes itself as the world’s largest synagogue committed to serving members of the LGBTQ+ community. Borrowing language from that community’s experience, he describes his religious journey as, “I was assigned secular at birth, came out and identified as ultra-orthodox, and now I’m some version of religious non-conforming.” 

 Moskowitz served the congregation for seven years as Scholar-in-Residence for Trans and Queer Jewish Studies, during which he published more than 130 articles and five books. A longtime advocate of teaching that all people are created b’tzelem Elohim – in the image of God – Moskowitz began speaking out publicly about LGBTQ+ issues in 2015. Until then, he had published blog posts with the Jewish LGBTQ+ organization, Keshet, under a pseudonym, and worked quietly with Orthodox families raising gay children. It just so happened at the same time he began speaking out publicly about his views, a family member came out as transgender.

 In a 2022 interview with Tablet Magazine, Moskowitz said, “I was 37 years old at the time, and I had the same sensation I experienced at 17 when I became Torah observant, which is if I know this to be true, do I have enough faith to follow through with what I know is right and deal with the precarity and the consequences?”

 He describes that moment as a turning point, one that led him to speak publicly and more directly about allyship. He now uses his knowledge of Jewish law, halacha, to guide others to do the same. For the Torah portion, Behaalotecha (Numbers 8:1-14), Moskowitz writes in Ancestral Allyship about Aaron feeling disappointed that he is not called upon to contribute to the tabernacle. He writes that, “knowing that we each have a special offering to share with the world encourages us to be open to the inspirational truths that are found in others.” 

 Comparing that to the act of allyship, he writes, “Celebrating pride is acknowledging that we each have love to give. By assisting the world in embracing the love of others, we are acting as a partner in the ongoing creation of a more connected and involved society that knows better than to hate what is different.”

Rabbi Moskowitz is speaking for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s second annual recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The event is presented by UJFT’s Arts + Ideas and Konikoff Center for Learning and funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission. It is held in coordination with the Jewish Book Council, Hampton Roads Pride, and the LGBT Life Center of Hampton Roads.

For information, contact Hunter Thomas, director of Arts + Ideas at UJFT, at HThomas@UJFT.org.

Jewish Family Service of Tidewater will hold its 67th Biennial Meeting at a luncheon that will welcome new board members, install Steve Brown as incoming board president, and recognize Stephanie Peck for her dedicated service as outgoing president. The program will also honor individuals whose contributions have strengthened JFS and the broader community, celebrating the organization’s continued growth and impact.

Over the past year, JFS has continued its core mission of serving the community through vital programs and services. In 2025 alone, JFS provided 362 medical transports for seniors, delivered 7,458 meals to homebound individuals, and assisted 346 Jewish individuals with food and financial support. In addition, 984 holiday gifts were delivered to seniors, and 1,333 adults received court-appointed guardianship services.

These numbers represent more than statistics—they reflect thousands of lives touched. From countless counseling hours to hundreds of neighbors leaving the food pantry with their arms full, to Jewish children receiving Hanukkah gifts, JFS remains deeply committed to meeting the needs of the community with compassion and care.

The Biennial Meeting offers an opportunity to reflect on this impact, celebrate those who make the work possible, and look ahead to the future.

To RSVP, contact Julie Kievit, Jewish community relations manager, at jkievit@jfshamptonroads.org or 757-321-2318.

The Simon Family JCC invites seniors to celebrate National Senior Health & Fitness Day – a free event that promotes “Stay Active at Any Age!” with fun activities for health and community connection.

Participants can enjoy mini health fairs, exercise demonstrations, informative health presentations, free screenings, and fitness classes tailored to all ability levels. Door prizes, tasty treats, and social opportunities add to the excitement.

Staying active enhances strength, flexibility, balance, and overall well-being, supporting independence in older adults. Discover resources designed for healthy aging.

Join fellow community members for an uplifting morning of movement and wellness. No registration required. Open to JCC members and guests.

For additional information, contact Nicole Slade, JCC member service manager, at NSlade@UJFT.org or 757-321-2338.

A dynamic and thought-provoking Visiting Scholar weekend planned and presented by Congregation Beth El, will feature Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, one of the most widely read and influential voices in contemporary Jewish life.

An award-winning author of 12 books, Rabbi Salkin is best known for his nationally recognized column Martini Judaism, published by the Religion News Service, which has earned multiple “Best Religion Column of the Year” honors and inspired an award-winning podcast. A sought-after speaker and media commentator, he has appeared on CNN and the BBC, with essays featured in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Tablet, and Forward.

Over the course of the weekend, Rabbi Salkin will lead a series of lectures exploring the future of American Judaism, the meaning of Jewish prayer, and the hidden Jewish wisdom in contemporary culture.

The weekend begins on Friday, May 29, at 6:30 pm with a Shabbat evening service, followed by dinner and Rabbi Salkin’s presentation, “How Do We Reboot American Judaism?” In the wake of October 7 and its aftermath, he will explore how American Judaism is evolving and what its future might look like. Dinner costs $18 for adults, $8 for children ages 6–13, and $45 per family, with advance RSVP required.

At Shabbat morning services on Saturday, May 30, at 9:30 am, Rabbi Salkin will deliver the sermon. The service will be followed by a complimentary Kiddush lunch and his presentation, “Why Are We Reading This?” In this session, he will address the challenges many modern Jews face with prayer, unpacking some of the most complex and controversial passages in the liturgy and revealing their deeper meanings in ways that are both accessible and inspiring.

The weekend concludes on Sunday, May 31, at 10:30 am with a brunch and Rabbi Salkin’s presentation, “Fixing the Broken Hallelujah.” This talk explores the life and legacy of the late singer songwriter Leonard Cohen, highlighting the profound Jewish themes and spiritual insights embedded in his work. Brunch costs $18 for adults, $8 for children ages 6–13, and $45 per family, with advance RSVP required.

This special Visiting Scholar weekend offers a unique opportunity to engage with one of today’s most compelling Jewish thinkers in an intimate and welcoming community setting.

All events will take place at Congregation Beth El in Norfolk.

For more information and to RSVP, visit: www.bethelnorfolk.com or contact the Beth El office at Ada@bethelnorfolk.com or 757-625-7821.

Step out of the sanctuary and onto the porch. Join NextGen 757 for a high-energy journey through Ghent to prep for Shavuot.

NextGen 757 joins TIDE by B’nai Israel to bring bite-sized learning, sweet treats, and great company. Free to attend and open to the Tidewater Jewish community, ages 22-45ish.

RSVP required at JewishVA.org/Hop