What’s Happening

Friday, November 15, 8:30–9:30 am Strelitz International Academy Kindergarten–5th Grade Hear about the school’s new International Baccalaureate® candidacy program, meet middle school alumni, learn about its K-5 affordability program, and explore the primary years...

Wednesday, November 13, 7 pm B’nai Israel Congregation Women of all ages are invited to Tidewater’s fifth annual Great Big Challah Bake, a partnership between B’nai Israel Congregation and the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. The event will be just one of...

Sunday, November 17, 9:30 am–1 pm Sandler Family Campus Super Sunday, as always, is being planned by a group of up and coming visionary leaders. Now called Rishon: Emerging Leaders, the group has spent the last few months learning about the Jewish community and...

Naomi Nachman hosts the Vaad of Tidewater’s Chopped Competition Sunday, November 3, 5 pm, Sheraton Waterside On the precipice of Naomi Nachman’s visit to Norfolk, I had the opportunity to speak with her about her extensive travels, love of food, and what to expect at...

Wednesday, November 6, 7:30 pm Sandler Family Campus I first heard Inbal Arieli speak in January during the International Lion of Judah conference in Florida. She was one of an interesting group of panelists who shared their stories—all ground-breaking women in...

Temple Israel’s unique hour-long Second Saturday programs are excellent and uplifting experiences For nearly seven years, synagogue past president and former local TV interviewer Joel Rubin has led a once a month interactive conversation on a Jewish related topic....

Friday, November 15—Saturday, November 16 A global, grassroots movement that brings Jews from across the world together around the shared heritage of Shabbat, The Shabbat Project was introduced in South Africa in 2013 to astonishing effect. In the days that followed,...

 Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival The Cast—Amy Blumenfeld Monday, November 18, 7:30 pm Simon Family JCC, free The Face Tells the Secret—Jane Bernstein Monday, December 16, 12 pm Beth Sholom Village, $12 includes lunch Two outstanding novels have been...

Saturday, November 16, 6:30 pm The 19th oldest Reform congregation in the nation, Ohef Sholom Temple is celebrating its 175th Anniversary in style with a Gala at the temple. The evening includes cocktails, dinner, wine, open bar all night long, dancing, a piano bar,...

Thursday, September 15–Sunday, February 19, 2017 Meet the Artist /NEON Festival lecture: Thursday, September 15, 6:30 pm A new installation at the Chrysler Museum of Art invites visitors into the whimsical world of Norfolk-born artist Brian Bress. Opening to the...

Tuesday, September 20, 7:30 pm Sandler Center for the Performing Arts The 6th annual Israel Today forum kicks off with former U.S. peace negotiator, adviser and ambassador, Dennis Ross. Ross will speak about the U.S.-Israel Relationship from Truman to Obama and the...

Sunday, September 11, 11:30 am to 3 pm Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club  Sisters of Iota Gamma Phi are planning a reunion to “connect with sisters from years past.” To RSVP, send a check for $35 to: Pearl Taylor, P.O. Box 56556, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. A check secures...

Saturday, August 20, 7:30 pm Culturally, what has happened in 50 years? Fifty years ago, people were listening to the Beatles, and still do, but the Beatles no longer perform. F Troop no longer mans its outpost in TV-country, and McHale’s Navy no longer patrols the...

UJFT’s YAD and the Simon Family JCC’s End of Summer Shabbat Dinner and Pool Party Friday, August 26, 5 pm The End of Summer Shabbat dinner is the first of the 2017 Campaign year, and to kick it off, several new and exciting activities are on tap, along with popular...

Kickoff event with Ambassador Dennis Ross in collaboration with Virginia Beach Forum Tuesday, September 20, 7:30 pm sandler Center for the Performing Arts The Simon Family JCC’s Cultural Arts department and the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish...

Sunday, September 11, 7 pm,  United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula  Robert Gillette will speak about his young adult book, Escape to Virginia, in the first event of the Jewish Book Council’s 2016–2017 season. Escape to Virginia tells the true story of how...

Wednesday, September 14, 7 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus  A national leader in basic and clinical Neuropathy, Dr. Aaron Vinik will speak on diabetes and aging at Hadassah’s next meeting. Vinik has defined the heterogenic of neuropathy and has pioneered the use...

September 15, 9–11 am, Sandler Family Campus, free The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater will host the next Hampton Roads Diversity and Inclusion Consortium quarterly meeting. The HRDIC provides organizations with opportunities to share ideas, resources, and...

Sunday, September 11, 11:30 am–2:30 pm A reunion for area Iota Gamma Phi Sorority sisters is slated to take place in September. The high school sorority was active for 70 years in Tidewater and the reunion is for anyone who was a member at any time. “Sisters” from...

Wednesday, August 3, 6 pm, Simon Family JCC Ten 17-year-old Israeli Scouts and two leaders will visit the Simon Family JCC in early August. Each Friendship Caravan of Scouts, or Tzofim, consists of five males and five females. The Scouts are all accomplished...

Leon Family Art Gallery at the Simon Family JCC July 20–August 20 A white billowy hood crowns a woman’s face peeking out of the darkness. Ceremonial robes drape the human form. The composition is swallowed in sorrow. Monochromatic tones transition from deep blacks to...

Friday, June 17–Sunday, June 19, Kempsville Conservative Synagogue When Kempsville Conservative Synagogue/Kehillat Bet Hamidrash began planning A Taste of Challah Days Around the World, no one imagined where it would lead the congregation. Planning a Shabbat...

Sunday, June 5, 11 am–4 pm During the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th century, the Monzon family from Monzon, Spain, was one of many Jewish families expelled from their homes. This displaced family wandered around Europe seeking a new home in Russia where they lived...