What’s Happening

Israel Fest Sunday, April 30, 11 am–4 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus Israeli Kitchen Encounters: A Culinary Adventure with Puzzle Israel Tuesday, May 2, 7:30 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus Israeli chefs Guy Marom and Nir Margalith will tantalize...

Saturday, April 22, 6 pm, Hilton Norfolk The Main Joyce Strelitz, of blessed memory, and the Virginia Opera are forever linked. A long-time member of the Opera's leadership, Strelitz served as chair of the state-wide board of directors and also, for many years, guided...

Sunday, April 30, 11 am–4 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus On May 14, 1948, Israel’s future first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, publically read Israel’s Declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel, marking the ending of the British Mandate. The...

Sunday, March 19, 6:30 pm Congregation Beth El In the beginning of Escape to Virginia From Nazi Germany to Thalhimer’s Farm, author Bob Gillette writes, “Hope and courage are the right hand and left hand of the human spirit that keeps suffering people going. They keep...

The Be A Reader (BEAR) program is one of three finalists for Classic Air’s One Hour Cares $5,000 giveaway. The recipient will be chosen at the end of March in a lottery-type drawing, with the more “likes” received at OneHourCares.com increasing the chances to win....

Tuesdays, March 28 and May 2, 7 pm Ohef Sholom Temple’s recent Listening Campaign “indicated that congregants are interested in sharpening their communicative fluency in Hebrew, and that they would like to do so in a fun and relaxed setting,” says Dr. David Metzger,...

Sunday, April 2, 5:30 pm, Temple Israel Shabbos Night Fever is this year’s theme for Temple Israel’s annual spring fundraiser. Guests are encouraged to dress in disco wear—leisure suits, bell bottoms, platform shoes, and, for the more adventurous, full John Travolta...

Four-week session begins Wednesday, March 29, 12:30 pm, Simon Family JCC Classes: Wednesdays, March 29, April 5, April 26, May 3 Dr. Alan Morinis, founder and dean of The Mussar Institute, was the guest scholar for last month’s Milton “Mickey” Kramer...

Sunday, March 19, 2 pm Kehillat Bet Hamidrash/Kempsville Conservative Synagogue’s 17th annual art exhibition and auction will feature auctioneer Rick Brandwein of Marlin Fine Auctions and Creative Events. He plans to bring a variety of media to meet varied pocketbooks...

Wednesday, March 15, 12 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus Sharing her journey of recovery from a ruptured aneurysm at age 28 through the restorative power of food and cooking, Jessica Fechtor, author of the award-winning memoir, Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals...

Thursday, March 30 The Westin, Virginia Beach Town Center Since 1963, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) has annually honored individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to heal divisions within their community and to advance a...

Saturday, March 25, 8 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus One of Israel’s singing treasures, Gitit Shoval will share her vocal and storytelling talents through her concert, “From Gershwin to Dylan: the Genius of Jewish Songwriters,” a tribute to Jewish composers, as...

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7 pm The Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, along with community partners including all area synagogues, agencies and many organizations, kicks off its 2012-2013 Israel Today Series with Dr. Amos Guiora, an...

Side dishes for a Thanksgiving dinner are available this year from the Cardo Café’s caterers. Menu items, which are all pareve, include: Mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato casserole, corn pudding, stuffing and dressing, relish, gravy and dinner rolls. For...

The Jewish Museum & Cultural Center continues its new series to discuss the many differences in religious cultures, yet similarities. The series takes place on the second Sunday of each month. Each event is open to the public and suitable for all ages. Donation of...

Storyteller helps little apple trees discover their roots Sunday, Nov. 18, 1pm Famed storyteller Peninnah Schram will be a featured speaker at the Lee and Bernard Jaffe* Family Jewish Book Festival. Schram is a storyteller, teacher, author, recording artist, and a...

Monday, Nov. 12, 11 am The Tidewater Jewish Foundation will hold a Veterans Day memorial event honoring Jewish War Veterans who have served the United States of America. Cultural myths about Jews and a perceived avoidance of military service persist. This Tidewater...

Community Shabbaton — Friday, Oct. 26–Sunday, Oct. 27 Over the past two years, a good new spirit has gathered strength in the local Jewish community, a spirit of collegiality and partnership, encompassing the synagogues in town and the United Jewish Federation of...

Thursday, Oct. 25 Want to eat some pizza and help a worthy cause at the same time? Jewish Family Service of Tidewater is hosting an all day “Pizza with a purpose night” at California Pizza Kitchen, at both the Virginia Beach and Norfolk restaurants. Participants must...

Sunday, Nov. 18, 4 pm Colonel Keith Gibson will discuss Moses J. Ezekiel as part of The Jewish Museum & Cultural Center’s Lecture Series 2012–2013, A Minority in the Midst of Conflict: Jewish Experiences During The Civil War. Few sculptors of the 19th century were...

Thursday, Oct. 25, 7 pm As Election Day nears, the candidates vying for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District seat will address the Tidewater Jewish community and answer audience questions. The Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater...

Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Nov. 4 Promoting understanding and building relationships between the Jewish community and other faith communities, is the mission of the outreach committee of the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater....

Thursday, Nov. 8, 12:30 pm Join the Community Relations Council for a Learn@Lunch program with David Cohen, the senior associate for Israel and Middle East Affairs at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia as he talks about current events relating to Israel and...

Saturday, Nov. 3, 8 pm Some of Hampton Roads’ best local comedians will be featured at B’nai Israel’s 2nd Annual Comedy Night: Mike Easmeil, Jim Seward, Vince Pilato, Dwayne Murphy, Jr., Tim “The Big 44” Loulies and Sid Bridge. The evening will feature clean comedy...

Begins Sunday, Nov. 11, 2 pm The Jewish Museum & Cultural Center is presenting an exciting new series to discuss the differences in religious cultures, yet how many rituals are derived from the same ideas. The series takes place on the second Sunday of each month...

Pizza with a Purpose: Thursday, Oct. 25 It’s hard to imagine spending a holiday alone, but sadly, many adults right here in Tidewater do just that. As the holidays approach, JFS staff and volunteers reach out to these people with helping hearts, as part of the JFS...

Sunday, Nov. 4, 2:30pm The Virginia Opera performs Hansel and Gretel at the Simon Family JCC. Children are sure to enjoy one of the most beloved works in the operatic repertoire, based on the favorite Brothers Grimm fairy tale. This musical spectacle features favorite...

The 2012–2013 Nexus Interfaith Dialogue Series Monday, Oct. 15, 7:30 pm The annual series will explore the relationship between religion and art by looking at five modes of artistic expression from the perspective of two different religious traditions. The series...

Fri. Oct. 26 Beth El Shabbat Services and Dinner, 5:30 pm Sat. Oct. 27 Temple Israel Shabbat Morning Services, 9:30 am Sat. Oct. 27 B’nai Israel Motzei Shabbat Social, 9 pm Sun. Oct. 28 Ohef Sholom Brunch, 11 am David Elcott, a professor at New York University, will...

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 10:30 am Nutrition for older Americans is the focus of this program sponsored by Jewish Family Service of Tidewater at Gomley Chesed Congregation. Beth Gerstein, MS, RD, CNSC will review nutritional choices for older Americans, as well as engage in...

Sunday, Oct. 14 To kick off its new tennis program, the Simon Family JCC will host a Pro-Am Tennis Tournament. Darryl Cummings will provide his brand of tennis, offering a one-day tournament, featuring well-known players. Cummings, a former 20-year NCAA tennis coach...

Are you at risk for breast cancer? I did not think I was when I was diagnosed over six years ago. Early detection is the reason I am healthy and cancer free today. The Simon Family JCC has a team participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®. This event...