What’s Happening

January 22–February 26 Uncover the magic of Jewish books through an immersive tour of its central titles and influential authors. Attend classes in person at the Chabad House on Sunday mornings, or at the Sandler Family Campus on Thursday evenings. in partnership with...

Tuesday, January 17, 12 pm, online, free In August 1942, Polish-Jewish doctor and educator Janusz Korczak walked with the children of the Warsaw Ghetto to the Umschlagplatz, the train platform for deportations to the camps. While members of the Polish Resistance...

Thursdays, 12 pm Sandler Family Campus and online 10-week course begins Thursday, January 19, 2023 More than 100 years ago, Solomon Schechter, a Jewish studies professor from Cambridge University in England, launched an expedition exploring the genizah (a storage...

Wednesday, February 8 Join the Jewish Community Relations Council and Jewish community members from across the commonwealth for Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day at Virginia’s capitol. Advocate on issues important to the Jewish community in meetings with members of the...

Thursday, January 5, 12 pm, online Earlier this month, Lahav Harkov joined the Jewish Community Relations Council for the monthly midday current affairs briefing. This time, the topic was an update on the coalition building taking place in the Knesset in Israel....

Tuesday, December 20, 6–9 pm Ohef Sholom Temple Enjoy drinks, dreidel tournaments, interfaith trivia, raffle baskets, live bands, and more! Ugly sweaters are encouraged for this evening of adult Hanukkah fun. Co-sponsored by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s...

On display through December Workshop: Monday December 12, 12 pm Sandler Family Campus “What if we believed ‘In-the-beginning’ was the beginning—until one day we asked a different question, and the sacred words sat up and told a different story? What then? What would...

Jessica Nordell: Thursday, December 8, 7:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus   Several years ago, a Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities’ board member said that he hoped our organization would one day work ourselves out of business. The notion stuck with me—that...

Sunday, December 11 1–4 pm Simon Family JCC PJ Library in Tidewater will present Sunday Fun Day Festival of Lights, a special Hanukkah extravaganza, one week before the start of the holiday. The afternoon will include a Hanukkah Glow in the Dark party and obstacle...

Tuesday, December 6, 12 pm Watch from Home—Virtual Is  finding true love a calling or a curse? In Lynda Cohen Loigman’s The Matchmaker’s Gift, Sara Glikman knows her gift as a child in 1910: she is a seeker of soulmates and a maker of matches. But among the...

Registration for Camp JCC summer 2022 is off to a robust start. Enrollment is significantly higher compared to this point last year, with many of the families who have registered new to camp. With early excitement brewing in the community, Camp JCC anticipates being...

Four fascinating films with topics as diverse as a Hasidic rabbi in a dance competition, Christian and Jewish students traversing the city of Rome in search of the truth, a revisiting of a conversation with Israel’s founding father, and a newly restored classic film...

Sunday, March 13, 7:30 pm, streaming on screens, $36 Few acts speak to Jewish audiences more than the Maccabeats, and on Sunday, March 13, Temple Israel will present this amazing a capella group. The performance will be available to view from the comfort and safety of...

A power line-up of events is planned for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Society of Professionals’ (SOP) 2022 Spring season. Speakers will share best practices for promoting businesses, as well as insider information on the most up-to-the-minute business...

Since 1997, Virginia Arts Festival has brought world class performing artists each spring to venues and stages in Tidewater. The Festival plans to mark this milestone with a season suitably spectacular. Anchoring the celebration are some grand performances: the return...

Tuesdays and Thursdays “It is tough—but rewarding. I am learning to focus, have patience, and to train my brain. I am also getting stronger and having fun!” says Spirit Fighting Arts self-defense student C.J. Fenley about his experience with the new classes offered at...

Tuesday, February 8, 4 pm Simon Family JCC and/or remotely Tidewater teens and pre-teens will not have to travel far to see Israel. In collaboration with Lost Tribe ESports, local teens will be able to learn about fun sites in Israel through games and challenges....

July 31–August 4 The Simon Family JCC Athletics Department is searching for Jewish teen athletes to travel as a group this summer to the JCC Maccabi Games in San Diego, California. Tom Edwards, the Simon Family JCC’s athletics director, is organizing players...

Tidewater Together with Isaac and Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik All events online Friday, February 4: Shabbat sermon Ohef Sholom Temple, 6:30 pm, Free, ohefsholom.org Saturday, February 5: Shabbat sermon Congregation Beth El, 9:45 am; Free, bethelnorfolk.com...

Sunday, January 9, 3–4:30 pm Tu B’Shevat is considered the New Year of the Trees, marking the start of spring in Israel—when trees begin to bloom after a long, cold winter. In celebration of Tu B’Shevat, PJ Library in Tidewater is going to the Norfolk Botanical...

Friday, January 14 and Saturday, January 15 As B’nai Israel celebrates 75 years, the congregation is ‘on the hunt’ for beautiful memories. Help B’nai Israel personalize its dedicatory book with flashbacks throughout the years. Share photos or memories such as a...

Shabbos: Friday, January 14–Saturday, January 15 Services begin at 8:45 am followed by a Gala Kiddush at noon To celebrate the congregation’s 75th anniversary, B’nai Israel is planning an awe-inspiring and memorable Shabbos featuring world renowned singer and Chazzan...

Sunday, December 5, 4–5:30 pm Congregation Beth El World-renowned a cappella singing sensations Six13 will perform at a community-wide, family-friendly, high-energy celebration at Congregation Beth El to mark the congregation’s 71st anniversary. The in-person event...

Friday, January 14 and Saturday, January 15 A commemorative and celebratory Shabbos Shira is planned for B’nai Israel Congregation’s 75th anniversary. This special Shabbos, featuring renowned singer and chazzan, Simcha Leiner, will be filled with memories, joy, and...