What’s Happening

Wednesday, October 26, 7:30 pm Sandler Family Campus   The best way to begin to understand Israel is to first understand the nation’s map. Since declaring independence in 1948, the tiny nation’s borders have often changed. Sometimes, Israel has gained territory;...

Class begins Thursday, October 27, 12 pm What is the history behind the narrative of the Jewish religion’s core story? One way to better understand Judaism’s history—as well as its “story”—is to explore the international framework in which its people emerged. The...

Leon Family Gallery Through early November Reception with the artist: Thursday, October 13, 4 pm   Shony Rivnay is an interdisciplinary Israeli-American artist based in Tel Aviv. His work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the world —Germany, Japan, South...

Friday, October 28, 6:30 pm Forty years ago, Edith Harrison, a long-time Ohef Sholom Temple member and founder of the Virginia Opera, asked a young Charles (Chuck) Woodward who was working for the Opera at the time, if he would “fill in” for OST’s organist who was...

Starts Thursday, October 6, Noon Monthly current affairs discussions with Lahav Harkov, the Jerusalem Post’s senior contributing editor, will take place on the first Thursday of each month, October through March. Grab lunch as Harkov leads an online briefing and...

Tuesday, November 15, 7 pm Wells Theater Wiesenthal: Nazi Hunter…a one-man show written and performed by Tom Dugan, in partnership with the Virginia Stage Company, will be presented as a fundraiser for the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of...

Tuesday, Sept. 13, 7–8 pm Ohef Sholom Temple, Free   Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle is the most monumental operatic experience ever created. Comprised of four epic operas, the Ring Cycle tells the story of Norse gods, heroes, and a magical ring of power. Since its...

Sundays, 9 am–12 pm   Each Sunday that Hebrew and Religious School takes place at Ohef Sholom Temple, families and community members are invited to enjoy some nibbles and nosh. Need to get some work done? Bring your laptop. Looking to make new friends? Come...

10-week online course begins Wednesday, October 12 Wendy Juren Auerbach has served on the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater for nearly 30 years, touching almost every program through volunteering and co-chairing various committees and...

Next month, Jewish families around the world will begin to put up sukkot (plural form of sukkah). These temporary huts have an open roof often covered in branches and an open side to welcome guests during the Jewish festival holiday of Sukkot. The open booth is a...

Friday, October 28, 6:30 pm Known in Tidewater as a choral conductor and keyboard player, Charles (Chuck) Woodward serves two historic congregations in Norfolk: Ohef Sholom Temple, where in 2022 he celebrates his 40th anniversary as music director; and St. Paul’s...

Thursdays, October 27–November 17; 12–1:30 pm  $60 for all four sessions; Simon Family JCC Where did the Jewish people come from? For many centuries, the answer to that question could come only from the sacred books of our tradition. But over the past 225 years, we...

Sunday, May 19, 11 am–4 pm, Sandler Family Campus This year’s Israel Fest will offer even more ways to experience and celebrate the State of Israel…without leaving Tidewater. Families can visit Tidewater’s own Jerusalem Biblical Zoo and compete in a scavenger hunt;...

Wednesday, April 10, 7:30 pm, Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus Former editor-in-chief of Parade Magazine, Janice Kaplan will visit Tidewater to discuss her latest book, How Luck Happens: Using the Science of Luck to Transform Work, Love, and Life. The book, written...

Wednesday, March 15, 11:30 am, Simon Family JCC Israeli fitness expert and former trainer on the Biggest Loser Israel, Nadav Meirson will lead light exercise and a lunch discussion. The session is open to all seniors. Meirson is an entrepreneur leading several...

Always the backbone of B’nai Israel Congregation, the B’nai Israel Sisterhood was responsible for a wealth of programs, classes, and fundraisers. They gave the synagogue an aura of energy, fun, and inspiration. Realizing the need for a reinvigorated Sisterhood, B’nai...

Wednesday, May 1, 6:45 pm, Temple Israel A commemorative program celebrating the power of the human spirit and the enduring faith of those who witnessed and survived the Holocaust, this year’s event features guest speaker, Dr. Roger Loria. A survivor from Belgium,...

Thursday, May 23 Celebrate LAG B’OMER and join The Simon Family JCC, YAD, and Chabad for a delicious family cookout, beer, rockin’ music, and a bonfire. Open to the community. For more information and tickets, contact Jasmine Amitay at JAmitay@ujft.org.

Simon Family JCC, CRC, and community partner’s present Train Like Israel’s Biggest Losers with Nadav Meirson Workout: Wednesday, May 15, 8:30 am Simon Family JCC Pushing fitness levels to new heights, Nadav Meirson, the trainer from the hit reality series The Biggest...

Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, BBYO, and OSTY present Cause An Effect A series for Jewish high school students (grades 9-12) and their parents Thursday, May 9, 6–9 pm The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) most recent “Audit of...

Thursdays, 10:30 am, Simon Family JCC Group discussion of local, regional, national, and world news, as well as emerging topics in a cordial atmosphere. Free and open to the community. Contact David Rabinowitz at 757-424-3027.

Friday, April 12, 7 pm Home of Hal and Elaine in Virginia Beach’s Great Neck Meadows area A “congregation without walls,” Tidewater Chavurah’s events are held in members’ homes or at other locations. Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill will lead the monthly Shabbat service with...

From Remembrance to Independence Yom Hazikaron to Yom Ha’Atzmaut Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 pm Ohef Sholom Temple Honoring the transition that takes place in Israel as Yom Hazikaron, a somber day of reflection ends at sundown, giving way to Yom Ha’atzmaut’s celebration,...

Wednesday, April 10, 7:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus On happy occasions we wish each other “Mazel tov!” and when we want something good to happen we hope that we have a little “mazel,” or luck. But good luck doesn’t just drop from the sky. People have more control over...

Saturday, April 6, Bnai Israel Toras Chaim’s Shabbos lunch features an opportunity to see projects and artwork made by students, hear divrei Torah given by students, and view pictures of what is taking place in the local Torah day school. Shabbos Parshas Tazria and...

Sunday, June 2, 2 pm, KBH Kempsville Conservative Synagogue, Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH) just turned 40. The small, but mighty congregation has so much to celebrate. The congregation will officially acknowledge this milestone with an event to be held at the...

First program: Thursday, May 9, 6–9 pm A series for Jewish high school students, Cause An Effect offers students and their parents resources and tools to strategically respond to acts of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel rhetoric currently seen on campuses. The program is...

Saturday, October 19 Hilton Hotel Oceanfront, Virginia Beach Does “We’re the boys of chapter 370, we’ve got plenty of…” sound familiar? If it does, you’re in for a fabulous treat! For many Jewish males who grew up in Tidewater during the early 1960’s through the early...

Tuesday, April 2, 10:45 am–1:15 pm Congregation Beth El Dine, shop, and celebrate Park Place School community partners who are changing children’s lives. Auction and art items for sale starting at 10:45 am. Lunch begins promptly at 11:30 am and will conclude promptly...