A bit of whimsy and kitsch to celebrate Hanukkah
Move over Purim. . . Hanukkah is staking its own claim on fun as a Jewish holiday that embraces a bit of silliness and play. From a banana shaped menorah – a Banorah – to Dinokkah the Hanukkah inflatable lighted dinosaur – which stands at six feet tall and...
Lion–Tikva–Chai Luncheon 2025 celebrates Women donors
The annual United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s 2026 Lion–Tikva–Chai Luncheon is an opportunity to thank and celebrate the leading donors and volunteers of the Federation’s Women’s Division. This year’s lunch welcomed more than 70 women and featured an amazing...
From blind spots to awareness: Key takeaways from October 7 with Yaakov Katz
Former editor of the Jerusalem Post and senior fellow at the Jewish People’s Policy Institute, Yaakov Katz returned to Tidewater on Thursday, October 23 to discuss Israel’s Blind Spot – Understanding Hamas. The evening’s conversation was based on Katz’s recent...
Community supports hungry people in Tidewater
While many people are making plans for gathering with family and friends for Thanksgiving, not everyone is anticipating the holiday with excitement. Others are anxious, concerned about the increasing cost of food and cuts to programs that help feed their...
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Back in the day, Yiddish-speaking Jews had themselves a merry ‘nitl’ Christmas
A new book argues that Europe’s Jews “celebrated” Christmas in their own often playful way.
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The post Back in the day, Yiddish-speaking Jews had themselves a merry ‘nitl’ Christmas appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
At least 11 killed in shooting attack on Chabad Hanukkah event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach
The dead included a rabbi serving the popular beach community.
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The post At least 11 killed in shooting attack on Chabad Hanukkah event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Top ADL civil rights lay leader quits, accusing group of being ‘useful idiot’ for Trump
Joe Berman resigned in March and is making his resignation letter public for the first time now.
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The post Top ADL civil rights lay leader quits, accusing group of being ‘useful idiot’ for Trump appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Nashville Jewish community center sues Goyim Defense League over alleged campaign of intimidation
The lawsuit says the neo-Nazi group sent a member disguised as an Orthodox Jew to infiltrate the center for a livestreamed "stunt."
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The post Nashville Jewish community center sues Goyim Defense League over alleged campaign of intimidation appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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Latest News
The will to build, together
As we complete another incredibly successful year at Tidewater Jewish Foundation, I am heartened by the faith, trust, and confidence that is placed in us to safeguard personal heritage ideals.This past year, we grew our assets under management by 17%; 2% better than...
ADL says bots can be tricked into antisemitism — if you feed them a really elaborate prompt
(JTA) — A new study by the Anti-Defamation League found that open-source artificial intelligence models can be “easily” manipulated into generating antisemitic and dangerous content.But in order to test the 17 open-source models in its study, the researchers had to...
AG Miyares: Resolution reached for Jewish children allegedly subjected to antisemitic harassment
The Nysmith School for Gifted Children entered into a settlement agreement with a Jewish family who alleged their children were wrongfully expelled after they complained to the school about their 11-year-old daughter being harassed based on her Jewish religion and...
Rabbi Gershon Litt receives Birthright Israel award
Birthright Israel and Birthright Israel Foundation named Rabbi Gershon Litt the recipient of the 2025 Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize. The prestigious annual award recognizes an exceptional Jewish communal professional who has made a profound and lasting impact on the Jewish...
Fall fun and community spirit shine at the 3rd Annual SIA Fall Festival
At Strelitz International Academy, the fall season is filled with excitement and meaning as students celebrate the holidays from Rosh Hashanah through Simchat Torah. The spirit of the holidays continues to shine at SIA as the community eagerly anticipates the SIA Fall...
JFS, Nadiv team up to create Thanksgiving meal baskets
The Cardo at the Sandler Family Camps was a whir of activity during the afternoon of Sunday, November 9. Roughly 40 volunteers – adults and children alike – busily prepared Thanksgiving meal kits for 350 families in need this holiday season. Jewish Family...
From darkness to light: The unforgettable Jai Mitzvah in Buenos Aires
After experiencing vibrant and deeply moving Chaguim at Temple Emanuel, Pati, Lia, Ben, and I traveled to Buenos Aires, my hometown, to celebrate two very special occasions with our family there — my niece Martina’s Bat Mitzvah and my mother’s 75th birthday. We...
Be a hero in minutes. Simon Family JCC Annual Blood Drive
November 24, 2025, 11:00 AM–3:45 PM: Join the Simon Family JCC and Red Cross in the Jaffe Gymnasium, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, for a lifesaving blood drive. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and one donation can save up to...
Other News
A lesson in Tikkun Olam at Jewish Family Service
When you hear the phrase Tikkun Olam—healing the world—you might picture simple acts of kindness: delivering meals, visiting the sick, or donating clothes. That’s what I imagined too when I joined the Jewish Family Service board in 2020. But I quickly realized I had...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year….to tip!
Year-end is a good time to remember those people in our lives, besides family and friends, who play a part in our daily activities. According to the Emily Post Institute, which has been weighing in on proper etiquette for five generations, during the holidays it’s...
One of this year’s Hanukkah kids’ books offers a new sort of fairytale,z
Written and illustrated by “Bub,” Eight Fairy Nights is crafted to nurture a meaningful and fun Hanukkah experience.The story captures the magic of Hanukkah and illuminates the importance of “standing up for what we believe.”The book engages children intellectually...
Faith is not a supporting character
When I wrote my first piece about Nobody Wants This in Jewish News (December 2024), I analyzed its first season through the lens of the Argentine film Transmitzvah. In that essay, I highlighted how the film treated Judaism with humanity — characters who make mistakes,...
What’s Happening
Temple Emanuel’s Wild West Casino Night is coming to town
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 7 - 11 pm, Temple Emanuel Giddy up and mark calendars for another fun...
Teach the Shoah comes to Temple Israel
Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7 Temple Israel “When we are gone, who will tell our...
Warm Winter fun with Camp JCC
December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026 Sandler Family Campus Although the chill is here and summer...
Moral Courage Award Recipient, MAJ John W. Spencer, USA (Ret.) speaks hard truths in difficult times with Jay Klebanoff
Israel in Focus: Hamas’ War – Truth and Consequences Modern Warfare and the Fight for Truth in the...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
Dr. Jay T. Lazier
NORFOLK - Jay T. Lazier passed away after a six-month illness on November 28, 2025.He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., to his loving parents, Joseph and...
Helen Nash, kosher cookbook author and NYC philanthropist
(JTA) — Helen Nash, a New-York based kosher cookbook author and philanthropist who pioneered modern kosher cooking starting in the 1980s, died on...
Martin Marin
VIRGINIA BEACH - Marty Marin passed away on October 14, 2025.Marty is survived by his wife Lora Marin, son Jeffrey Marin, and daughter Sheryl Ryan....
Tom Stoppard, playwright whose last work explored his family’s buried Holocaust history
(JTA) — Tom Stoppard had already won four Tony Awards during his prolific career as a playwright when he penned what would be his final staged work,...