Trip highlights JDC’s work post October 7
My most recent visit to Israel started with Havdalah services in Hostage Square. The weight of October 7 – the loss, the trauma, the sadness – hangs in the air and seeps into your pores. The realization of the challenges Israelis deal with all day, every day, is...
Five years of Konikoff Center for Learning building bridges
The Konikoff Center for Learning supports Jewish education in a variety of ways in Tidewater. With a goal of nurturing inter-denominational relationships between individuals and synagogues, David Konikoff drives the direction of the Center by sponsoring programming...
Purim party: A time-traveling celebration
The Sandler Family Campus was unrecognizable on Saturday, March 1, as partygoers stepped into Mordechai’s Time Machine for an unforgettable Purim celebration. Immersive décor transported guests across time and space — from a 1920s speakeasy to a garden of Eden. Every...
Celebrations and observances abound in Jewish Tidewater
Dinners and luncheons with a famed Israeli chef, Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day), and Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) were among myriad gatherings that took place throughout Jewish Tidewater just prior to this issue going to press. All were well...
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JTA News
American Jewish Committee donates $25K to Gaza church damaged by Israeli strike
The donation marks a rare gift from a mainstream U.S. Jewish group toward Gaza Palestinians while Israel is at war in the enclave.
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The post American Jewish Committee donates $25K to Gaza church damaged by Israeli strike appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Jews prefer Mamdani to other NYC mayoral candidates but worry about their safety under him, poll finds
The poll by commissioned by a group that campaigned against Mamdani in the primary.
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The post Jews prefer Mamdani to other NYC mayoral candidates but worry about their safety under him, poll finds appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Novelist David Grossman says Israel is committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza, joining a rising chorus
Genocide scholars and two Israeli human rights groups have also recently made the charge for the first time.
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The post Novelist David Grossman says Israel is committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza, joining a rising chorus appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
New Trump policy letting federal employees proselytize at work references tefillin
In the federal government’s announcement, they cited a woman keeping tefillin on her desk
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The post New Trump policy letting federal employees proselytize at work references tefillin appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Latest News
Tidewater BBYO goes to International Convention
Partaking in BBYO’s International Convention 2025 was truly an experience I will never forget. The annual gathering took place this year over President’s Day Weekend in Denver, Col.From listening to the incredible speakers to dancing and singing with my friends at the...
Inspired and energized: Bringing Prizmah Conference insights back to Strelitz International Academy
Carin Simon, Strelitz International Academy’s director of development, and Ally St. Pierre, SIA’s admissions manager, recently attended the 2025 Prizmah Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. This gathering brought together Jewish day school leaders from across the...
Purim in Tidewater
The holiday of Purim begins this year on Thursday, March 13.Plenty of opportunities exist in Tidewater to participate in Purim festivities to commemorate Haman’s failed plot to destroy the Jews of Persia.The reading of the Megillah, Purim Carnivals, Purim Parties, and...
John Feigenbaum at the center of the U.S. coin industry
From a tidy and unassuming office on the second floor of his office building in Virginia Beach, John Feigenbaum, a local Jewish community member, sits on a raised chair before his elevated computer screen and sets the pricing used by coin dealers throughout the United...
‘Unfathomably horrific’ to ‘major step towards a real peace’: US Jewish groups respond to Trump’s Gaza comments
(JTA) — Reactions from partisan American Jewish groups to President Donald Trump’s proposals for Gaza — that “all” Palestinians leave and the United States “take over” the territory — began flowing in just as soon as their leaders picked their jaws up off the floor on...
Thank you to our supporters who recently donated to Jewish News!
Jewish News appreciates all who support the newspaper with generous contributions – whether in honor of or in memory of friends and loved ones or as a Friend of Jewish News. Friends of Jewish News Terri and Steve BudmanMr. Walter FenskaMr. and Mrs. Donald FriedmanDr....
A special connection to a returned hostage and work with Israel seniors highlighted
I know you join me in the joy we all feel for the return of Israeli hostages.Each one of the hostages is special to many people, especially their families who have long waited for their return. It also turns out we have a special connection to one of the hostages,...
Tidewater dough boys
Baking is a science that requires the precise chemistry of all ingredients. One misstep and a decadent dessert devolves into a tragic mess, a puffy souffle deflates into a cavernous hollow, or a delicate confection becomes a misshapen blob. ❦ David Leon, Joel Nied,...
Other News
See something wrong? Report it!
Report an antisemitic incident at Federation.JewishVA.org/IncidentReportingIn an emergency, always call 9-1-1 first.If online reporting is not practical, contact local law enforcement and/or the relevant suspicious activity reporting authority.Also contact Mike...
“I Wish the World Knew . . .”Inspiring a greater understanding of neurodiversity through art and self-expression
When asked about neurodiversity, the odds are most people wouldn’t be able to answer. Social media, television, and film often misrepresent neurodiversity, either exaggerating its effects or minimizing its impact.Neurodiversity describes the unique ways people’s...
Outdoor Pool at the Simon Family JCC opens Memorial Day
Get ready for summer when the Simon Family JCC’s outdoor pool opens on Saturday, May 24.Weekday aquatics exercise classes will move outside during the summer season, weather permitting, and many other events return to enjoy with friends and family. Among the special...
Excitement is building for Camp JCC Summer 2025
Stepping outside this time of year, one might initially squint because of the bright sun or the pollen, which means that bright summer days are ahead. One might even figuratively squint at the realization that the end of the school year is near. While those eyes are...
What’s Happening
Celebrate Israel’s 77th Independence Day with Tidewater
Sunday, May 4, 12 - 3 pm Sandler Family Campus Get ready for a joyful afternoon of culture,...
BeARing down on another great year
BeAR Appreciation Luncheon • Friday, May 9, 11 am – 1 pm As the 2024-2025 school year draws to a...
Joey Newcomb: Live in concert. An evening of joy and unity
Wednesday, March 26, 5:30 pm Sandler Family Campus The Norfolk Kollel and Konikoff Center for...
Liel Leibovitz brings the Talmud to Tidewater with wisdom and wit
Thursday, April 3, 7:30 pm • Sandler Family Campus United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
Herschel Blum
NORFOLK – Herschel Blum passed away on March 29, 2025, just weeks short of his 98th birthday. A private graveside service was held at Forest Lawn...
Robert (Bob) Brotman
VIRGINIA BEACH – Born December 18, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, Bob was a fun-loving man who brought happiness to all those fortunate enough to have...
Bernard “Bernie” Chovitz
SILVER SPRING, Md. - Bernard Chovitz passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025.Bernie is survived by daughter Phyllis Chovitz (Danny Gainsburg),...
Reatha Fay Kantor
VIRGINIA BEACH - Our beloved matriarch, Reatha Mirman Kantor (affectionately known as “Re”) passed away on April 25, 2025, at the age of 89.Reatha...