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.

Register at JewishVA.org/Shabbaton.

Led by Rabbi Michael Panitz, this 10-week seminar brings to life the stories of Jewish men and women whose lives, experiences, and contributions helped shape the nation. Through their own words, participants will discover both familiar figures and largely forgotten individuals whose impact is still felt today. JewishVA.org/words

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 scenarios, and cultural discussions, participants will strengthen their vocabulary, pronunciation, and everyday communication skills while gaining insight into contemporary Israeli life and culture. This engaging class is ideal for beginners and intermediate learners of all ages who want to improve their Hebrew in a fun, supportive, and welcoming environment.

For more information about Conversational Hebrew classes and the Shinshinim program, visit JewishVA.org/Shinshinim or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.

Jewish Family Service of Tidewater is partnering with JScreen to bring important genetic testing and education to Tidewater’s Jewish community. The event is an opportunity to learn more about genetic testing, understand inherited health risks, and take a proactive step toward protecting one’s health and the health of future generations.

JScreen is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing genetic diseases and hereditary cancers through genetic testing and education. JScreen began through Emory University’s Department of Human Genetics, with a focus on making genetic screening more accessible to the Jewish community. While its services are now available to people of all backgrounds, JScreen provides important screening for genetic conditions that are more common among people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.

Because of shared ancestry, people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have a higher likelihood of carrying certain genetic mutations than the general population. For example, one in three to one in four Ashkenazi Jews carries a gene mutation associated with serious recessive conditions such as Tay-Sachs or Canavan disease. Most carriers have no symptoms, which means testing is often the only way to know. Genetic testing is also important when it comes to hereditary cancer. Ashkenazi Jewish populations have a higher prevalence of certain BRCA gene mutations, which are associated with an increased risk for hereditary breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this is an especially meaningful time to learn more about hereditary cancer risks and the role genetic testing can play in early awareness and proactive health management.

The event will focus on two primary types of testing. Hereditary Cancer Testing screens for BRCA1, BRCA2, and more than 60 other genes associated with inherited cancer risks. Reproductive Carrier Screening tests for Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, and more than 260 other conditions that could potentially be passed on to children.

Registration for the event is required. Those who preregister for JScreen testing kits are encouraged to arrive early, beginning at 4 pm to pick up the kit and work with JScreen representatives to complete the steps for processing samples. Preregistering for a testing kit ensures a kit will be available and gives participants priority for having their sample processed that evening.

The program will include an educational presentation and panel discussion about genetic testing, inherited health risks, and the importance of screening at different stages of life.

Those who decide they want to pursue testing after attending the program may register for a JScreen testing kit that evening. Kits will be available for participants who register on-site, either before or after the main program; however, same-evening processing cannot be guaranteed for those registering at the event. JScreen representatives will be available throughout the evening to answer questions and assist with the testing process.

Testing is simple and can be completed at the event or at home. Those who prefer to complete the test at home can mail their sample using the provided prepaid mailer.

The event is not only for people who are planning to start a family. Genetic testing can be valuable for many reasons throughout life. People can learn about their hereditary cancer risk, understand whether they carry a genetic condition, or simply have more information about genetic health. Knowing risks can help with informed conversations with healthcare providers and proactive decisions about one’s health and family’s future.

The cost for the testing kit at this community event is $18. Laboratory processing will be billed through the participant’s insurance, depending on individual coverage. For those whose insurance does not cover the testing or who choose to self-pay, the total out-of-pocket cost will be no more than $249. Participants will receive information about their anticipated cost before moving forward with testing. JFS will also have limited financial assistance available for those who want to pursue genetic testing but may be unable to afford the expense. JFS is committed to helping ensure that cost does not prevent members of the community from accessing important healthcare screenings.

The registration link will be available in the next issue of Jewish News, on the JFS website, and on the JFS Facebook page.

A thriving Jewish community is one that cares for its members at every stage of life. By bringing JScreen to Tidewater, JFS is helping make important genetic health information and testing more accessible. This partnership reflects JFS’s commitment to education, prevention, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health.

For more information about this event, financial assistance for testing, or other JFS programs and services, contact Julie Kievit, Jewish Community Relations manager at Jewish Family Service, at jkievit@jfshamptonroads.org or 757-321-2318.

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 parents can decorate holiday-themed cookies and create festive crafts.

  Whether creating something to keep or to gift to someone special, this is a great opportunity to spend time together, enjoy the holiday spirit, and get to know how the Shinshinim celebrate the Jewish New Year in Israel. 

For more information about this event or the Shinshinim program, visit JewishVA.org/Shinshinim or contact Nofar Trem at NTrem@UJFT.org.

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 designed to prepare everyone for the Jewish traditions and festivities ahead.  

This family-friendly event offers a welcoming space for all ages, while guests aged 21 and older can sample a variety of local craft beers.  

Register at www.jewishva.org/NextGen. For more information, email Hannah Yasemsky, NextGen Engagement coordinator, at Hyasemsky@ujft.org.