Each May, Jewish American Heritage Month invites communities across the nation to pause, reflect, and celebrate the many ways Jewish Americans have shaped, and continue to shape, the nation’s cultural, civic, and artistic life. Established by presidential proclamation in 2006, JAHM recognizes more than 370 years of Jewish presence in what is now the United States.
This year’s JAHM programming in Tidewater, presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and community partners, brings together film, history, art, sports, music, and family‑friendly events, inviting participants of all backgrounds to engage thoughtfully with the Jewish American story.
Moses Ezekiel: Portrait of a Lost Artist
Monday, May 4, 1 pm, Sandler Family Campus
The month opens with a focused exploration of Moses Jacob Ezekiel, one of the most complex figures in American Jewish art history. UJFT will present the documentary Moses Ezekiel: Portrait of a Lost Artist, which examines Ezekiel’s international acclaim alongside his support of the Confederacy and the legacy of the memorials he created.
Guided walk‑and‑talk tours
Tuesday, May 5, and Tuesday, May 12, 10 am, Norfolk Botanical Garden
The conversation about Ezekiel continues with guided walk‑and‑talk tours at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, where participants will explore the Moses Ezekiel Statuary Vista Garden and view Carrara marble sculptures he created in Rome between 1879 and 1884.
Jewish American Heritage Month Night at the Tides game
Wednesday, May 6, Harbor Park, 6:35 pm, Harbor Park
JAHM also creates space for celebration and shared experience when the community is invited to Harbor Park for a Norfolk Tides game, honoring Jewish contributions to America’s favorite pastime. Tidewater native and award‑winning Jewish country artist Troy Breslow will sing the National Anthem. Tickets are $19.99.
Architects of Being
Tuesday, May 12 and Sunday May 17, 2 pm, Chrysler Museum
Visual art is highlighted through a continued partnership between UJFT and the Chrysler Museum of Art, with guided tours focusing on the exhibition Architects of Being, which features the work of Jewish‑American immigrants Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina.
Jason Schachter McKinney
• Thursday, May 28, 6 pm, Jewish Museum and Cultural Center
• Friday, May 29, 10:30 am, Central Library, Virginia Beach
• Friday, May 29, 6:30 pm, Ohef Sholom Temple
• Saturday, May 30, 10 am, KBH
• Sunday, May 31,10 am, Second Presbyterian Church, Norfolk
• Sunday, May 31, 11 am, Moses Myers House
A defining focus of this year’s JAHM programming is the residency of musician and author Jason Schachter McKinney.
McKinney will perform at UJFT’s Konikoff Center for Learning’s third‑annual Celebration of Lifelong Learning at the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center in Portsmouth, bringing together learners from preschool age through nonagenarians for an evening of music, reflection, and shared learning.
Families are invited to a story time at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library in Virginia Beach featuring Jason Belongs, his autobiographical children’s book that explores identity, belonging, and what it means to be both Black and Jewish.
His residency continues through participation in Shabbat services at Ohef Sholom Temple and at Kehillat Beit Hamidrash (Kempsville Conservative Synagogue), in partnership with Temple Israel and Temple Emanuel. McKinney will also take part in a conversation about faith and music and an interfaith service at Second Presbyterian Church in Norfolk alongside Pastor Craig Wansink and Rabbi Michael Panitz. That conversation will be followed by services at 11am, which are open to all.
Later that day, Rabbi Panitz will conclude the month at the historic Myers House by exploring the life of Moses Myers, one of Norfolk’s first permanent Jewish residents, and what his story reveals about early American Jewish ideas of citizenship and belonging.
Advance registration or tickets are required for all events. For more information, visit JewishVA.org/JAHM, or contact UJFT’s programs department at Programs@UJFT.org.