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...
How did the most adult book in the Bible turn into a kids holiday?
The story of Purim is decidedly not family-friendly, yet it offers little ones unique access into a holiday where everything is upside-down. (JTA) One of the main advantages for Jewish kids in a Christian world is that — thanks to Purim — they get two “Halloweens.”...
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JTA News
Relief, gratitude and anger surge among Detroit-area Jews following Temple Israel attack
"I’m just glad that we were up to the task," one synagogue member told JTA.
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The post Relief, gratitude and anger surge among Detroit-area Jews following Temple Israel attack appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Suspect in Michigan synagogue attack identified as Ayman Ghazali, an immigrant from Lebanon
Members of Ghazali's family were recently killed "in an Israeli attack on their home," the mayor of Ghazali's town said.
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The post Suspect in Michigan synagogue attack identified as Ayman Ghazali, an immigrant from Lebanon appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
A gunman rammed a Michigan synagogue. Its security preparations may have saved lives.
“Everybody flees danger, and our team went straight toward it," said Rabbi Jen Lader of Temple Israel.
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The post A gunman rammed a Michigan synagogue. Its security preparations may have saved lives. appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Security funding that Jewish groups call crucial is being held up by DHS shutdown
The shutdown has halted security grant reviews even as threats continue — including a car attack on Temple Israel in suburban Detroit.
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The post Security funding that Jewish groups call crucial is being held up by DHS shutdown appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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Latest News
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...
Feldman Family Scholarship honors two recipients for 2025
When Dr. William and Mary Feldman created the Feldman Family Medical and Health Professional Scholarship Fund through Tidewater Jewish Foundation, their goal was to unite two lifelong passions, Judaism and medicine, by supporting Jewish students pursuing healthcare...
Glenn Saucier retires from role at Sandler Family Campus
After serving as the facility director of the Sandler Family Campus for more than 18 years, Glenn Saucier will retire on Dec. 31, 2025.The Sandler Family Campus houses the offices of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, Jewish Family Service,...
Other News
Learning and creating with Mizrach class and workshop
The recent Mizrach class and hands-on glass workshop offered by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning provided a journey from learning to creating. The experience began with a class led by Rabbi Ari Oliszewski, who explored...
A heart-healthy President’s Day at Camp
While school was out on Monday, Feb. 16, campers spent Presidents’ Day getting active and inspired at Camp JCC’s School Days Out program. To celebrate American Heart Month, the day’s theme was all about heart health. Campers began the morning by...
Sandler Family Campus hires new facilities director
Joseph Alex Frissora joined the Sandler Family Campus late last year as Facilities Director, working with Glenn Saucier until his retirement in December. Prior to joining the Sandler Family Campus, Frissora spent 14 years with the United States Coast Guard, where, in...
America’s Black-Jewish story gets an update on new PBS series featuring Henry Louis Gates, Michael Twitty and more
(JTA) — Passover may still be months away, but PBS is seating a diverse set of Jews down for a seder this month — casting the communal storytelling meal as an ideal entry point for exploring the complicated history of Black-Jewish relations in the United States....
What’s Happening
Conversational Hebrew with the Shinshinim, Session 3: Around Town
Mondays, March 9 - April 13, 5:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus Planning a trip to Israel or just want...
Dream Doctors bring humanity in action to Tidewater
Tuesday, March 24, 7:30 pm Sandler Family Campus Israel’s renowned Dream Doctors...
Golda Day with the Shinshinim
Tuesday, March 17, 6 pm Sandler Family Campus Children and families are invited to join Shinshinim...
Partners in Jewish Life: Discussing the new antisemitism
Tuesday, March 17, 6 –7:15 pm, Sandler Family Campus The upcoming evening of Partners in Jewish...
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...