What’s Happening

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...

Monday, March 13, 7:30–8:30 pm Boyd Dining Center, Virginia Wesleyan College Rabbi David N. Saperstein is the immediate past United States Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. Saperstein was a principal advisor to the President and Secretary of...

Sunday, March 12 11:30 am–2 pm, Ohef Sholom Temple Ohef Sholom Temple Youth (OSTY) will hold its annual Purim Carnival at the temple. This year’s carnival will feature games, a dunk tank, pie-the-Cantor and other festivities. The Men’s Club will sell lunch and the...

Sunday, March 12, Temple Israel Megillah reading: 9:15–10:30 am Carnival: 10:30 am–12:30 pm Two Norfolk congregations are joining together for a morning of Purim. Congregation Beth El and Temple Israel will host a multi-generational Megillah reading and a Purim...

Sunday, March 12, 11:30 am–3 pm Temple Emanuel’s Purim celebration includes a one-of-akind Megillah & Movie at 11:30 am, as well as a Carnival for the entire family from 12:30 until 3 pm. The Megillah Movie will showcase students from the Temple Emanuel Religious...

Last call for tickets to the hottest party in town! Saturday, March 18, 8 pm, ages 22–45 Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus Hundreds of young adults are expected to attend this year’s Alice in Wonderland themed Purim party hosted by the Young Adult Division (YAD) of...

Thursday, March 2, 6:30 pm Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill, rabbi of Tidewater Chavurah, will begin a 10-week class on prayer book and biblical Hebrew. The first half will focus on learning the Hebrew alphabet and vowels, and the second part will be for the beginners and for...

From Nazi Germany to Thalhimer’s Farm with author Robert H. Gillette March 19, 6:30 pm, Congregation Beth El Escape to Virginia follows the true story of two Jewish teenagers growing up in Nazi Germany who end up living on a farm outside of Richmond, Va. Eva Jacobson...

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...

The national 2012 political races are in full swing. Pundits, media analysts and observers from all parties are paying close attention to campaigns in Virginia, considered a swing state. Particular scrutiny is being applied to the race for the open Senate seat being...

Jim Schuyler speaks on: Phoebe Yates Levy Pember: A Woman of Valor Sunday, Sept. 30, 4 pm name not often recognized, Phoebe Pember was a Jewish woman whose portrait is featured on a U.S. postage stamp. Why such a distinguished honor? Why has she been referred to as a...

He graduated with honors from Johns Hopkins University and planned to apply to medical school. Sound like a future doctor? Not so for Dan Ahdoot, whose New York City charm, likeability, and wit have earned him a reputation as one of the hottest young comics on the...

Friday, Oct. 26—Sunday, Oct. 28 David Elcott, a professor at New York University, will speak on Rebuilding Community: The Search for new models of leadership, during the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Shabbaton next month. As Scholar in Residence at Beth...

Sept. 23–Sept. 29 The Simon Family JCC will recognize senior adult members during the week of Active Aging with the theme: Many journeys, many destinations, by hosting a drop in event on Thursday, Sept. 27, when any senior over the age of 60 entering the JCC from 9 am...

Monday, Sept. 24 When some Beth Sholom Terrace residents inquired about a book club this spring, Allison Whiteman, Beth Sholom Village activities director, reached out to the Simon Family JCC’s Senior Book Club and brought members to its June meeting. The monthly...

Sunday, Sept. 16, 9 am-1 pm United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Young Adult Division and Ohef Sholom Temple’s Young Adult Community are joining as one Jewish community on the eve of Rosh Hashanah to celebrate the birthday of the world. The groups will work side by...