This was another tough year for the global Jewish community – the continued war in Gaza, the escalation of antisemitic acts and outright discrimination, a slew of misinformation about Israel, the killings of two Israeli Embassy employees, and raised security alert levels for Jewish synagogues, schools, and other organizations – which all created much unease for Jewish life.
Still, it was another busy year for the world-wide Jewish community, as well as for Jewish Tidewater. 2025 was also a year filled with good times – celebrations, weddings, graduations, art exhibits, Israeli festivals, baking events, presentations, holiday parties, and busy congregational lives.
It was also a year of activism – connecting with elected officials, helping those in need, mentoring children, and building for seniors.
While this review of 2025 includes global, national, and statewide news, it primarily concentrates on the news of Jewish Tidewater, of which there is plenty to report – the proof of which can be seen in the very packed Jewish News issues.
Since this is only a sampling, to learn and read more, go to JewishNewsVa.org, click on the e-edition icon and peruse the year’s papers and articles.
JANUARY
The Jewish community springs into action to assist those suffering from the devastating Los Angeles-area fires.
For Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day or Date with the State, 50 members of Jewish Tidewater travel to Richmond to meet with legislators, staff members, and hear from the governor. Issues addressed include support for funding the Combatting Hate Crimes Grant Program, increasing the penalty to a felony for placing a swastika on certain property, and maintaining funding for the Virginia Israel Advisory Board.
The premiere of the final What We Carry film featuring Col. Eddie Shames takes place on International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Sandler Family Campus.
Ohef Sholom Temple celebrates Cantor Jen Reuben’s birthday with Taste of the Town.
Inna Vdovychenko, a member of JDC’s Ukraine Crisis Team visits Tidewater to update the community on the devasting situation in her beloved Odessa. She is joined by Eliza Prince, JDC’s senior development officer and Annie Sandler, JDC board president.
Aviva Pembroke, an independent senior living facility, which is a partnership of Beth Sholom Village and Pembroke Square Associates, officially opens.
FEBRUARY
The 32nd Annual Virginia Festival of Film features seven films presented at six different venues throughout Tidewater.
In honor of the memories of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, two young Israeli boys who were murdered by Hamas while held captive in Gaza (their bodies were returned Feb. 20), buildings across the globe are illuminated with orange lights. The boys had red hair. Locally, The Sandler Family Campus, the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, Summer House apartments, Wells Fargo Building, and The Main participate.
Local folk musician Bob Zentz is bestowed a Music Lifetime Achievement Award from Veer Magazine.
A memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directs Pentagon platforms to purge anything related to DEI. Among the information removed on the website of a U.S. Airforce unit is a story about Kitty Saks, a local Holocaust survivor.
MARCH
Steve Kocen receives a 61st Annual VCIC Tidewater Humanitarian Award.
David Elcott, author of The Future of Liberal Democracy, visits Tidewater as part of the Konikoff Center for Learning.
A Purim Party at the Sandler Family Campus is a ‘Time-Travelling Celebration’.
Operation Hamantaschen bakes up a sweet gathering at the Sandler Family Campus.
US Senator Mark Warner meets with members of Jewish Tidewater to talk about Israel and rising antisemitism.
APRIL
The Daffodil Project brings blooms in Tidewater via the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center.
The community’s Yom Hashoah observance takes place at Ohef Sholom Temple.
Tidewater teens attend BBYO Spring Cultural Convention.
New Federal spending cuts affect aid for Holocaust survivors, kosher Meal on Wheels deliveries, and the JFS Food Pantry.
MAY
Israeli chef Moshe Basson, founder of Jerusalem’s acclaimed Eucalyptus restaurant, visits Tidewater, treating many to his delicious dishes, while also promoting The Eucalyptus Cookbook.
Israel’s 77th Independence Day is celebrated at the Sandler Family Campus.
Jewish American Heritage Month is observed throughout Tidewater with a variety of events at myriad locations.
JFS 21st Annual Run, Roll, Stroll takes place at the Sandler Family Campus under rainy and gray skies but still rates the morning a success.
World Zionist Congress election concludes with record US turnout. Reform slate wins the most votes.
Nadiv holds its first Poker Night at the Sandler Family Campus to raise money to support scholarships for Camp JCC.
Shabbat service and Ark dedication takes place at Aviva. Cantor Elihu Flax begins serving as part-time chaplain.
Sarah Kosovsky named the 2025 Stein Family Scholarship recipient. She will attend University of Virginia.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares secures a court victory compelling AJP Education Foundation, also known as American Muslims for Palestine – to comply with the Attorney General’s Civil Investigative Demand.
Tidewater’s outstanding Jewish educators are honored at a Konikoff Center of Learning event. Educators honored include Rabbi Michael Panitz, Dr. Amy Milligan, and Alene Jo Kaufman.
After two Israeli Embassy employees are killed outside the Capitol Jewish Museum, 40+ Jewish groups call for $1 billion in federal funding to secure religious institutions.
JUNE
UJFT holds the 2025 Biennial Meeting and Installation of officers. Mona Flax is installed as president and awards are presented, including the first Tzedek Award to Linda Spindel.
The Maccabeats perform a Unity Concert at the Sandler Family Campus.
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s 2025 Annual Campaign closes after crossing over the milestone mark of $5 million.
FBI, DHS issue warning of ‘elevated threat’ to Jewish and Israeli communities.
Mah Jonng Monday begins at the J. Amy Levy and Stephanie Calliott teach nearly 80 women the fundamentals of Mah Jongg. Play follows for new and seasoned players.
UJFT joins more than 100 Jewish communities to urge Congress to adopt a 6-point security plan. Betty Ann Levin, UJFT’s executive vice president/CEO, Robin Mancoll, UJFT’s chief program officer and senior director, Jewish Community Relations Council, and Mike Goldsmith, regional security advisor, Secure Community Network, represent Tidewater on Capitol Hill.
JULY
Rabbi Jacob Herber arrives at Congregation Beth El to serve as the congregation’s rabbi.
Tzofim Friendship Caravan returns to the Sandler Family Campus to celebrate Israeli culture and community.
JFS marks the 30th Anniversary of the PAM program and honors Dorothy Salomonsky for 30 years of service.
Naomi Limor Sedek marks five years as president and CEO of Tidewater Jewish Foundation.
AUGUST
Shinshinim Danielle Hartman and Emily Patyuk say goodbye to Tidewater. Noga Yaniv and Yarden Lahan arrive as Tidewater’s new Shinshinim.
Team VB attends JCC Maccabi-Access Games in Tucson, Arizona, bringing home medals and positive memories.
End of Summer Shabbat takes place at Sandler Family Campus.
SEPTEMBER
Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH), also known as Kempsville Conservative Synagogue, moves to the Sandler Family Campus from its long-time location on Indian Lakes Boulevard. The move marks a milestone in KBH’s more than 45-year journey.
37th Annual SIA Golf Tournament raises $145,000.
Super Sunday is reimagined to a virtual model.
Christian Broadcasting Network, CBN Israel, and Regent University partner with JewBelong for Antisemitism Awareness Campaign, placing billboards in Tidewater.
U.S. Postal Service announces stamp to honor Holocaust survivor and humanitarian Elie Wiesel. It is the 18th stamp in the Distinguished Americans series. It will be used for two-ounce mail.
OCTOBER
Ceremonies in Tidewater and around the world mark October 7 – the second anniversary of the Hamas massacre.
An Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement goes into effect October 10, 2025. All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages are released by October 13, 2025; hundreds of Palestinian prisoners one also freed.
Yaakov Katz, former Jerusalem Post editor-in-chief and author of While Israel Slept, visits Tidewater.
Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival begins.
NOVEMBER
Lion-Tikva-Chai Luncheon 2025 celebrates women donors. Rabbi Shira, senior rabbi at the Aspen Jewish Congregation (after serving for many years at the historic 6th & I Synagogue in Washington, DC), discusses her debut book.
Congregation Beth El celebrates its 175th anniversary with an evening of music, food, drinks and highlights of the past 175 years.
JFS leads efforts to provide food for complete Thanksgiving dinners for 300 families in need.
Rabbi Gershon Litt receives Birthright Israel Award, the 2025 Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize.
DECEMBER
Legacy 2025: Hampton Roads Jewish Artists of the Past, an exhibit of local artists who are no longer living, opens in the Leon Gallery at the Sandler Family Campus.
MAJ John W. Spencer, USA (Ret.), a leading voice on the Israel-Hamas conflict, confronting misinformation, speaks to an attentive and overflowing audience at the Sandler Family Campus, among other stops while in Tidewater.
