What’s Happening

Sandler Family Campus What’s up now and next HIPSTORY November Tel Aviv based artist Amit Shimoni’s Hipstory exhibition is a cross-section of world leaders with pop culture art, including such historic figures as David Ben Gurion, Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, and...

Adam’s Animals by Rabbi Barry Schwartz Sunday, Nov. 12, 10:30 am, Congregation Beth El Adam’s Animals features Adam, who has a big job. God has asked him to name all the animals from A to Z. Some animals are happy with their names, others less so. A beautifully...

Sunday, Nov. 12, 1–5 pm Simon Family JCC The Simon Family JCC’s Jewish Life and Learning Department is offering an opportunity to join in a global movement with a taste of Limmud, bringing together local Jews of all persuasions to create and celebrate Jewish learning...

Ali Katz, author, Hot Mess to Mindful Mom Presented as part of the Lee and Bernard Jaffe* Family Jewish Book Festival, in partnership with Jewish Family Service Wednesday, Nov. 15, 11 am, Simon Family JCC There have been a few times in my life that I experienced what...

Award-winning author wraps up book festival Sunday, Nov. 19, 10:30 am, Ohef Sholom Temple Catching up with author Neville Frankel is like chatting with a favorite professor. He’s knowledgeable and kind and excited to share both his research tactics and his excitement...

The Simon Family Passport to Israel Fund, providing grants for trips for teens to Israel, is now accepting applications. The program’s purpose is to provide funds to enable and encourage Jewish students (ages 13–18*) to participate in an Israel trip experience. The...

Monday Oct. 30, 7:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus While being a Pro Football Hall of Famer comes with many perks, Bruce Smith had a different kind of opportunity when he traveled to Israel with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in June. Born and raised in Norfolk,...

Sandler Family Campus What’s up now and next Erez Kaganovitz: Humans of Tel Aviv October As the human behind the Humans of Tel Aviv, photographer Erez Kaganovitz showcases the bright and inclusive culture of Israel. Kaganovitz wants his photographs to show a different...

Tuesday, November 14, 7:30 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus Dr. Rachel Fish, Ivy League educator, documentarian, and activist, will discuss her latest book, which she co-edited with Ilan Troen, Essential Israel: Essays for the 21st Century, next month in...

Sunday, Nov. 19, 10:30 am, Ohef Sholom Temple Neville Frankel, author, On the Sickle’s Edge I’ve been speaking to many diverse groups lately about the writing of my recent novel, On the Sickle’s Edge. As I refined my talk, a most wonderful speech coach—let’s call her...

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 11 am, Simon Family JCC Ali Katz is a mindfulness guru. Her mission is to inspire people across the globe to leave stress and guilt behind and to embrace a life full of balance, presence, and joy. Katz began her journey when she realized that as a...

Thursday, Oct. 26, 7 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus In 2013, on the Thursday evening before the first Shabbos Project in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2,500 women gathered to share in the joy and tradition of making challah. The Shabbos Project’s goal is to unite...

Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 am–12 pm Noam Katz, minister for Public Diplomacy for the Embassy of Israel will speak as a part of the World Affairs Council’s Great Decisions lecture series at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach. Katz oversees the public diplomacy...

Date with the State: Wednesday, Feb. 5 bus departs Sandler Family Campus at 8:45 am CRC Briefing on Date with the State: Thursday, Jan. 30, 6 pm Mix civic responsibility, democracy, political action, Jewish values, and history, add a healthy dose of elbow rubbing with...

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 7 pm Regular audience members of the Community Relations Council’s Israel Today Forum say they often get the “news before the ‘news’” by listening to the speaker series’ featured guests. Whether that’s learning about Israel’s underpublicized...

Sunday, Jan. 12, 5:30 pm The community is invited to “B’nai Israel Congregation’s Hakaras HaTov: An Evening Of Gratitude.” Six individuals who have gone “above and beyond” in the service of B’nai Israel will be honored: Gershon Aronoff, Nancy Berman, Harold...

Thursday, Jan. 9, 12 pm Join Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg for Lunch and Learn with the topic, “Fall Out from the Pew Study on American Judaism: What We Learn, What We Can Do.” Bring a lunch, an open mind, a sense of humor, and any interested friends. RSVPs to...

Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 7 10:30 am – noon Ten week course taught by Rabbi Panitz at the Simon Family JCC. Call 321-2328 or email mbrunnruberg@simonfamilyj.org for more information, pricing, and to register.

Sunday, Jan. 12, 1–4 pm Start the New Year with more than 60 group exercise classes, great cardio and weight training equipment, heated pools, personal training, free towel service, babysitting and day lockers, and so much more at the Simon Family JCC. Learn about it...

Sunday, Jan. 5, 3 pm A reception for Don Hurwitz’s exhibit, “Postcards from the Old Country” will take place in the Leon Family Gallery on the second floor of the Sandler Family Campus. Hurwitz’s photographs are from Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Lithuania. A portion of...

December 25, 7 am–3 pm An annual Beth Sholom Village tradition, Switch Day allows employees to celebrate the Christmas holiday with their families. Switch Day family members and volunteers help out in many ways. From playing Bingo with residents to serving food,...

Saturday, Jan. 4, 6 pm Bring the family and enjoy dinner and fun as the Sabbath departs. Explore the many hands-on exhibits and sights at the Children’s Museum, while it is closed to the general public. The Portsmouth Children’s Museum is located at 221 High Street....

Sunday, Jan. 12, 8:30 am–2 pm A partnership of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Community Relations Council and the Business and Legal Society, the Simon Family JCC, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation will offer the Federal Bureau of Investigation...

Sponsored by Jewish Family Service Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 am–3 pm, Simon Family JCC Anyone who is Ashkenazi or has Ashkenazi heritage is recommended for genetic screening. In addition, it is recommended that those with an Ashkenazi partner get screened, because it is...

Thursday, Jan. 9, 12 pm Join Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg for Lunch and Learn with the topic, “Fall Out from the Pew Study on American Judaism: What We Learn, What We Can Do.” Bring a lunch, an open mind, a sense of humor, and any interested friends. RSVPs to...

Sunday, Dec. 8, reception at 5 pm; dinner at 5:30 pm Since its inception 12 years ago, Toras Chaim has held an annual celebratory gala dinner and this year is no exception. With a dinner, theme of “Bringing Wisdom to the Stars,” the evening’s keynote speaker will be...

Thursday, Dec. 12, 7 pm Life as a diplomat in Israel’s Foreign Ministry can be a constant challenge. Most of a diplomat’s time is spent representing Israel as a positive, thriving, welcoming country, and always, always combating religious stereotypes, myths and biases...

Wednesday, Jan. 22 A variety of venues and film genres and a visit from two of the films’ directors are just some of what’s planned for the 2014 Simon Family JCC’s Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma* and Howard Laderberg. One director, Jonathan...

Sunday, Nov. 17, 5:30 pm All women in the community are invited. Featuring a lavish dairy buffet, artwork exhibition and dramatic presentations. B’nai Israel social hall. Cost is $18 ($12 for students). 757-627-2462.