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 looking for a new location for the monthly dances. Among the group’s criteria during the search were: a neutral location so that all the local studios would feel comfortable attending, a central location, a great wood dance floor with lots of space, lots of parking, and to feel safe walking to cars late at night. The Simon Family JCC checked all the boxes. In fact, Orr says they “loved the extra security at the JCC.”

Orr says it has been a pleasure working with Benita Watts on scheduling at the JCC. Barring any scheduling conflicts, the group hopes to use the JCC as a permanent location for monthly dances.

The dances usually take place on the fourth Saturday of each month. At the upcoming event, a waltz lesson will start the evening off at 7 pm. The cost is $10 for USA dance members, $15 dollars for guests, and $5 for students with an ID. The atmosphere is friendly and all levels are welcome. Dance hosts are present, so people should feel comfortable attending with or without a partner.

The music includes swing, salsa, tango, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, the occasional country Two Step, and a few others. Dancing has great health benefits – including improving mood and memory and always some fun.

Water and snacks are also provided.

For more information, go to tidewaterusadance.com.

Moving through life, everyone inevitably experiences the loss of people who have been integral along their journey — family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and members of the community. While those losses might be difficult, the memories that are carried can be a source of comfort, connection, and joy.

Jewish Family Service invites seniors to join Dr. Louise B. Lubin for Decades of Memories: Honoring the Loss of Our Peers and Friends. This special program, made possible through The Beth Sholom Village Foundation Grant, will offer an opportunity to talk about loss, share memories, and explore ways to remain connected and engaged.

A licensed clinical psychologist with more than 40 years of experience, Dr. Lubin will discuss the importance of acknowledging loss while finding healthy and meaningful ways to move forward. Participants will also have an opportunity to write down a favorite positive memory of someone they have lost—a simple way to honor a relationship and celebrate the impact that person had on their lives.

The program will touch briefly on Jewish perspectives on mourning and remembrance, while welcoming seniors of all backgrounds and faiths.
Most importantly, it will be a chance to come together, reflect and remember that even as lives change, connections to one another continue to matter.

To learn more, contact Julie Kievit at 757-321-2318 or jkievit@jfshamptonroads.org.

Hunter Thomas is the director of Arts + Ideas at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. He can be reached at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965-6137. Drew Lusher is the Public Programs and Community Partnerships manager at the Chrysler Museum of Art. He can be reached at
DLusher@Chrysler.org or 757-333-6242.

Rabbi Michael Panitz of Temple Israel will join Father Noah Van Niel, Rector of Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, for Civic Salon: Faith, a conversation exploring whether faith communities can serve as models for strong civic communities.

Using Baroque artwork as a starting point, the discussion will examine how norms, narratives, and rituals shape the ways people live and work together. The program will also explore connections between civic and religious traditions.

Part of the Civic Salon Series, the program brings together local leaders for conversations focused on civic ideals and cultural expression. By pairing art and ideas with the voices shaping the community, the series aims to create space for inquiry, reflection, and dialogue about shared civic life.

The program is free for Chrysler Museum members and $8 for non-members. Registration is required.

Hunter Thomas is the director of Arts + Ideas at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, He can be reached at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965-6137. Drew Lusher is the Public Programs and Community Partnerships manager at the Chrysler Museum of Art. He can be reached at DLusher@Chrysler.org or 757-333-6242.

For information about Jewish Museum & Cultural Center’s Rummage sale, go to jewishmuseumportsmouth.com. The sale is open to everyone.

For more information and to register, visit JewishVA.org/Oct7.

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 help create a space grounded not only in remembrance, but also in hope.

“One of the most meaningful ways our ODU campus and local Jewish communities can support Jewish and Israeli students is simply by showing up for them in these moments,” says Amy K. Milligan, PhD, Old Dominion University Batten Endowed Associate Professor of Jewish Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies director, Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding. “Our students are doing the difficult work of standing in front of their peers and community to be voices against antisemitism and in support of Israel.”

The memorial is open to everyone, both on and off campus, and no registration is required.

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 licensed clinical psychologist with more than 40 years of experience, will share compassionate guidance on coping with the loss of friends and peers, finding renewed purpose and connection, and supporting emotional well-being through the aging process. She will also offer reflections on Jewish perspectives on mourning that are welcoming to people of all backgrounds.

For more information, contact Julie Kievit at 757-321- 2318 or jkievit@jfshamptonroads.org.

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 lot of fun. In addition to having lunch, catching up with old friends, welcoming the newest BeARs, everyone will leave with books and supplies for the year ahead.

And this year, the BeAR family is growing.

Diamond Springs Elementary in Virginia Beach is joining the program. Now comes the fun part. . . some fabulous new mentors are needed to fill those seats.

Being a BeAR takes just one hour, one day a week during the school day. No teaching experience required. No pop quizzes. No homework. BeAR provides everything mentors need. Mentors are just requested to bring themselves and a willingness to show up for a second grader each week.
Yes, there will be reading. But there will also be talking, laughing, silly stories, big and small victories, and probably a few conversations that have absolutely nothing to do with the book to be read. That’s part of the magic.

BeAR has never been only about helping children become better readers. It’s about making sure a child knows there is someone who is genuinely excited to see them every single week.

Diamond Springs needs BeARs. Want to be one?

For more information, contact Robin Ford at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater at 757-321-2304 or email rford@ujft.org.

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 environment where participants can connect, socialize, and enjoy activities together.

The program is guided by Marcia Brodie, a certified Independent Positive Approach to Care™ Trainer, whose expertise helps caregivers better understand Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment while focusing on strengths, communication, and creating positive experiences for everyone involved.

To register or for more information, contact Julie Kievit at 757-321-2318 or jkievit@jfshamptonroads.org.