Annie Sandler: Buenos Aires is electric, close-knit, and full of wonder
“Electrifying,” is how Annie Sandler, JDC president, enthusiastically describes Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina. One of her first trips as president of JDC, the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization, was to travel to this South...
A Leap of Faith: meeting previously unknown family members who survived the Holocaust
My father, Gustave Hershkovitz, was born April 24, 1931, in Colojvad, Transylvania, the younger of Rozalia Lazar and Fred Hershkovitz, my grandparents, two children. His was a very religious family and he fondly remembered going to synagogue with his beloved...
Six films. Ten days. Unforgettable stories.
February 15 - 25 The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film returns for its 33rd year with a fresh slate of films that spans history, suspense, and true‑life heroism—from the Yom Kippur War saga The Stronghold to the international sports thriller Tatami, the October 7th...
Man charged with setting fire to Mississippi synagogue targeted it due to its ‘Jewish ties,’ FBI
(JTA) — The suspect arrested for allegedly setting fire to a Mississippi synagogue on Saturday, Jan. 10 confessed to the FBI that he had targeted the congregation due to its “Jewish ties.” Stephen Spencer Pittman was charged on Monday, Jan. 12 with maliciously...
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JTA News
Map of Israeli targets goes up in Tehran as tensions simmer ahead of Netanyahu’s White House visit
Trump's envoys met with Iran's foreign minister on Friday; both sides praised the talks.
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With Mamdani, progressive Jews are now agreeing instead of protesting at mayor’s interfaith breakfast
Progressive groups at the event, ranging from liberal Zionist to anti-Zionist, are playing an increasingly central role in New York City politics.
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The post With Mamdani, progressive Jews are now agreeing instead of protesting at mayor’s interfaith breakfast appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
From far corners of the Jewish world, the women of Chabad gather in freezing Brooklyn
The annual gathering of female Chabad emissaries provided a respite for women typically on the front lines of Jewish life in far-flung communities.
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The post From far corners of the Jewish world, the women of Chabad gather in freezing Brooklyn appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Marshall Weinberg, 95: The JTA president who didn’t know what a blog was — but knew right from wrong
The stockbroker and philanthropist shared a mentor and decades-long friendship with Warren Buffett.
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The post Marshall Weinberg, 95: The JTA president who didn’t know what a blog was — but knew right from wrong appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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Latest News
2025 Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism
I was honored to represent the City of Virginia Beach at the 2025 Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, convened by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, December 2 - 4 in New Orleans. The summit brought together local and national elected officials to better understand the...
German historian to share stories of discoveries with local connection
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 7 pm, Sandler Family Campus For International Holocaust Remembrance Day, German historian Thomas Kemper will visit Tidewater to speak about his discoveries while investigating the history and fate of the Gonsenhauser and Bachenheimer families during...
Amy Milligan named a Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Awardee
The Jewish Education Project, an organization with the mission to inspire and empower educators to create transformative Jewish experiences, last month announced its annual Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award recipients—individuals across the United...
Retirement for Beth Dorsk: Her day is her own
A Virginia Beach native, Beth Koonan Dorsk retired as a hospice nurse in 2025. She agreed to share with Jewish News some of her reasons for retiring and how it’s working out. Jewish News: Where were you educated? Beth Koonan Dorsk: Flagler Medical Assistant...
Israel in focus: MAJ. John W. Spencer shared his views on modern conflict
An informative program, Israel in Focus: Hamas’ War – Truth and Consequences, featuring internationally respected scholar and military analyst MAJ. John W. Spencer, USA (Ret.), took place on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Sandler Family Campus. Presented as part of the 15th...
A Sisterhood and Chocolate Retreat in Costa Rica
What do you do when a childhood friend asks if you want to go on an adventure with other cool Jewish women? And chocolate is involved? You say, “YES, I AM IN!” That is what I did, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. My dear...
The theology of a simple basket
A visit to the Simon Family JCC inspires. During the Thanksgiving holiday, I visited the Simon Family Jewish Community Center of Tidewater (the JCC), a place I had visited before, but never truly experienced as it was meant to be lived. My earlier encounter had been...
Inspired at JFNA’s General Assembly
I have recently returned from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) annual General Assembly (GA) in Washington, D.C., where Tidewater had a strong delegation of both lay leaders and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater professional staff. We joined more than...
Other News
Steven Spielberg wins Grammy, becoming 9th Jew in elite EGOT ranks
(JTA) — The legendary director Steven Spielberg has become the ninth Jew to secure “EGOT” status after winning a Grammy for producing a documentary about the music of John Williams. Spielberg was awarded the Grammy for producing Music by John Williams, which won...
Jody’s Popcorn opens new retail store
A small factory retail store recently opened at Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn’s Norfolk manufacturing facility – making in-person purchasing of the artisan popcorn again doable for Tidewater residents. While it’s always possible to purchase the popcorn from the...
Beth El travels to North Carolina Museum of Art
An enriching day trip for Beth El congregants and friends took place last month when the group travelled to the North Carolina Museum of Art to experience the exhibit, The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt. The exhibition, which was widely acclaimed in New York,...
Emergency Security Grant strengthens protection for Tidewater’s youngest members
Thanks to an emergency security matching grant from The Tepper Foundation, which is distributed through Jewish Federations of North America, and with the addition of contributions from community members, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is able to make...
What’s Happening
Camp JCC presents Kids Night Out: Neon Eras
Saturday, Feb. 21, 5 – 9 pm Sandler Family Campus As the community gathers for the Big Saturday...
Israeli actor Michael Aloni, star of The Stronghold, to speak at Virginia Festival of Jewish Film
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2:30 pm, Virginia Wesleyan University Michael Aloni, the Israeli actor and...
Virginia Arts Festival presents Joshua Bell and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Saturday, March 7, 7:30 pm, CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News Sunday, March 8, 3...
Sababa Beach Camp plans a Bowling Experience
Saturday, February 21, 7 – 9 Campers who have attended Sababa Beachaway, possible new Sababa...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
Marvin Joel Merkle
Norfolk – Marvin Joel Merkle, 79, passed away peacefully, Thursday, January 22, 2026. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, the son of the...
Toby Flex Pekarsky
Virginia Beach – Toby Flex Pekarsky, age 85, passed away on January 11, 2026. She was born in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Fred and Belle...
Gerald Martin Sandler
Norfolk – Gerald “Jerry” Martin Sandler, 88, of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on January 20, 2026. He was born...
Samuel Leon Shapiro
Washington, D.C. – Samuel Leon Shapiro, a long-time Norfolk resident, died on January 17, 2026, in Washington, D.C. at the age of 86. He will...