Bitcoins, breweries, social action, and more.
Last month marked the end of year two for Nadiv, the new giving circle for young professional men in the Tidewater Jewish community.
Twelve months of lunch meetings with engaging speakers concluded with a shopping spree at Lidl in Virginia Beach on July 18. That’s when the group bought nearly $500 in groceries for the Jewish Family Service (JFS) food pantry. It also donated about $400 additional funds so JFS can purchase more food at a later date.
“The Lidl trip was a fantastic way to cap off the year for Nadiv,” says Jesse Gordon, an attorney in Virginia Beach and member of Nadiv who coordinated the food donation. “It’s great to give back to the Jewish community and also see the impact firsthand.”
Nadiv (which means “generosity” in Hebrew) is a giving circle combined with monthly Lunch and Learns that feature top-notch speakers on business and current events. The 14 members each contributed $54 and decided as a group where to allocate the funds.
A sample of this past year’s meetings include:
• A Mr. Shawarma-catered lunch in the middle of Scope for a conversation with Ardon Weiner, the 20-something owner of the Norfolk Admirals.
• A special tour of a new bitcoin mining facility on Greenwich Road. The tour included walking through racks and racks of computers blasting hot air from floor to ceiling.
• A sneak preview of the new Farmhouse Brewery under construction on Kempsville Road near Tallwood High School.
• Coordination of the giant “human Israeli flag” at the 2018 Israel Fest.
As Nadiv moves into year three, the group continues to grow and serve as a welcoming space for young men who want to give back to the Jewish community and network for their businesses.
The next meeting is Wednesday, August 15 at noon at the Sandler Family Campus. Aaron Rouse, a former Virginia Tech and NFL football player who is running for Virginia Beach City Council, will be the guest speaker.
To join Nadiv, contact Jasmine Amitay, director of the Young Adult Division of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, at jamitay@ujft.org.
— Danny Rubin