What’s Happening

Thursday, March 9, 7–8 pm, Blocker Hall Auditorium, Virginia Wesleyan University The overruling of Roe v. Wade last year brought many Jews across the nation to speak about Jewish perspectives related to reproductive and religious freedom, as well as the scripture that...

Thursday, March 16, 7 pm, Zoom Old Dominion University’s Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater present David Weinfeld, PhD in conversation about his book, An American Friendship: Horace Kallen, Alain Locke,...

Five films are slated to hit big screens in Tidewater in celebration of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s and Simon Family JCC’s Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma and Howard Laderberg. The five films span continents, time periods, and...

Sundays, beginning February 26, 10:30–11:30 am Ohef Sholom Temple, Free   February 26: Creating Jewish Space March 26: Living Beyond the Day-to-Day April 23: Birth of a Nation   This four-class series offered as a partnership between United Jewish Federation...

The Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, formerly known as Chevra T’helim, is a hidden treasure tucked in the heart of downtown Portsmouth, Va. Once an Orthodox Schul exemplifying Eastern European Jewish Orthodoxy, the Jewish Museum now offers many educational and...

Friday, March 17–Sunday, March 19, Congregation Beth El Rabbi Mike Uram will join Congregation Beth El next month for its annual “Mickey” Kramer Scholar-In-Residence Weekend. Rabbi Uram is the chief Jewish education officer of Jewish Federations of North America...

Michael Roizen: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 12 pm, online, free Michelle Segar: Wednesday, March 15, 12 pm, Sandler Family Campus, $12 (includes lunch)   To assist people in achieving their health goals in 2023, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Lee and Bernard...

Wednesday, March 21, 12 pm Chrysler Museum of Art   Woman on Fire, a New York Times bestseller, is a gripping tale of a young ambitious journalist embroiled in an international art scandal centered around a Nazi-looted masterpiece. The situation forces the...

Renowned Israel Journalist Gil Hoffman to speak at Temple Israel Sunday, February 12, 4 pm   After the fifth election in four years, Israeli politics is even more balagan than usual. There are 12 parties in the Knesset. Six are members of Benjamin “Bibi”...

Sundays, beginning February 26, 10:30–11:30 am Ohef Sholom Temple, Free   February 26: Creating Jewish Space  March 26: Living Beyond the Day-to-Day April 23: Birth of a Nation This four-class series offered as a partnership between United Jewish Federation of...

Sunday, March 5, 4 pm, Sandler Family Campus It’s nearly time for the annual Operation Hamantaschen at the Simon Family JCC. Come in costume, reserve a timeslot for your family and friends to make hamantaschen together, and enjoy Purim games and crafts while waiting...

Ann Zuckerman Memorial Scholar in Residence Weekend B’nai Israel to host Rabbi Bentzion Shafier Friday, March 3–Saturday, March 4 Now in its fourth year, the B’nai Israel Congregation Ann Zuckerman Memorial Scholar in Residence Weekend will feature Rabbi Bentzion...

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...