Nearly 200 members of Tidewater’s Jewish community gathered at the Simon Family JCC for the first-ever Community Impact Day on the last Sunday of November. Partnering with 18 local non-profits and seven Jewish camps, participants raised more than $700 while fostering connections that will strengthen the community.
The event’s success was a result of strong partnerships. “I am so delighted by the incredible participation in our first-ever Community Impact Day,” says Alyson Morrissey, director of lifelong learning at Ohef Sholom Temple, and the initiator of the concept. “We are truly blessed here in Tidewater to have such strong partnerships within the Jewish community and beyond.”
Religious schools from Congregation Beth El, Ohef Sholom Temple, and Temple Emanuel met at the JCC for the day so students could participate. “I loved having all the Sunday Schools and community members unite for one special day,” says Carin Simon, Strelitz International Academy’s director of advancement. “Community Impact Day was such an innovative approach to the one Jewish value that unites us all – Tzedakah.”
The day featured a Mitzvah Mall – an interactive experience where families and children learned about non-profits and chose where to donate. “What a wonderful way to gather the youngest of our community together to learn about the magic of mitzvah and to see how they can make a difference in the lives of others,” says Kelly Burroughs, CEO of Jewish Family Service of Tidewater.
Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads engaged attendees in hands-on activities. “This incredible opportunity allowed us to connect with a younger audience,” says Kathleen Peterson, Habitat for Humanity’s executive director. “By donating or signing a stud that will become part of a Habitat home, they saw they could truly make a difference.”
The camp fair was another highlight. “It was incredible to see so many camps represented in one space, showing the breadth of options for our community,” says Dave Flagler, UJFT’s director of camp and teen engagement. He noted that families discovered programs they hadn’t known about. “We’re all here to support one another,” Flagler adds, highlighting the event’s spirit of collaboration, which included six Jewish overnight camps.
For many, the event stood out because of its intentionality. “I was blown away by the thoughtfulness of the kids,” says Brooke Rush, Jewish Family Service’s director of marketing. “It was clear the message of the day was getting through. One boy even said he wanted to make sure his money helped homeless people, which was so lovely.”
The collaborative atmosphere resonated with community members. “I am loving this so much,” says Bernie Mayer. “It reminds me of my childhood (in Cincinnati) at the JCC, with kids running around getting stamps on their cards and everyone here helping each other.”
With such a strong turnout and enthusiastic feedback, Community Impact Day is set to become a new annual tradition. As Ellen Hundley, a planning committee member, says, “It was a win-win for everyone—attendees, non-profits, and the entire Tidewater Jewish community.”
From young participants filling their mitzvah passports to families building new connections, Community Impact Day embodied the power of collective action. The event serves as a reminder of what is possible when people come together to learn, give, and grow.
For more information about community partnerships, learning opportunities, and family programming at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@UJFT.org.
