Super Sunday, reimagined Sunday, September 14
For decades, Super Sunday has been a flagship event in the lifecycle of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s community campaign. It’s been a day of community mobilization – bringing volunteers together in a room buzzing with energy, armed with phones, stacks of...
Five years in: A reflection on resilience, readiness, and relationship
When I began my journey with the Tidewater Jewish Foundation in July 2020, I walked into a world unlike anything we had known. It was the height of the pandemic.Introductions were made over Zoom and relationship-building required more persistence, patience, and heart...
ShinShinim say goodbye to Tidewater
Over the past year, we have had the privilege of creating a second home in Tidewater, through the open arms, hearts, and doors of the amazing people we have met. We eagerly seized the incredible opportunity to engage with everyone we could, knowing that we would learn...
JDC’s president reports on global initiatives
It’s now been 18 months of “on the ground” visits since I began my presidency of JDC. One of my personal goals when I took office was to visit the global communities we serve, especially those I had not previously visited. In my first year I visited Israel three...
Special Section
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JTA News
Mass. man sentenced to 26 months in prison for threatening local synagogues, Israeli consulate
John Reardon called the Israeli Consulate in Boston 98 times to make threatening statements including "wipe the Jews."
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The post Mass. man sentenced to 26 months in prison for threatening local synagogues, Israeli consulate appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Renowned trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk banned from teaching at Omega Institute over ‘antisemitic comments’
The bestselling author of "The Body Keeps the Score" faced backlash after comparing Israelis to Nazis during a workshop.
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The post Renowned trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk banned from teaching at Omega Institute over ‘antisemitic comments’ appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
New US Postal Service stamp honors Holocaust survivor and humanitarian Elie Wiesel
Wiesel is the 18th person to be featured in the USPS’ Distinguished Americans Series.
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The post New US Postal Service stamp honors Holocaust survivor and humanitarian Elie Wiesel appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Mourning on yahrzeit for 6 murdered hostages as Hamas reportedly accepts a deal it rejected
The family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, murdered in captivity a year ago, is asking for action in his honor.
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The post Mourning on yahrzeit for 6 murdered hostages as Hamas reportedly accepts a deal it rejected appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Latest News
Combating antisemitism on Virginia’s college campuses
Hamas’s attack on the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023, caused a massive surge in anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiments across the United States, and notably, on college campuses. Virginia’s university and college campuses were not immune to protests and...
KBH to move to Sandler Family Campus
Virginia Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH), also known as Kempsville Conservative Synagogue, is entering a transformative new chapter as it prepares to relocate its synagogue from Indian Lakes Boulevard to the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish...
Seniors Club installs 2025–2026 board, celebrates culture and community at July meeting
The Simon Family Jewish Community Center’s Fleischmann Lounge was filled with warmth and excitement as members of the Seniors Club gathered for their July meeting, which included the formal installation of the club’s 2025–2026 Executive Board.The new officers are:...
Nadiv visits Camp JCC, celebrates record fundraising total
The men of Nadiv visited Camp JCC on Friday, July 25 to spend the afternoon with campers and see firsthand the impact of the group’s fundraising efforts.Nadiv, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s young men’s fundraising group, donated more than $25,000 to assist...
Girls’ Night Out – Round 2 is another big success
Women’s Philanthropy proved again that when you mix limoncello with purpose and a passionate group of women, magic happens.Held last month in the Sandler Family Campus’ Fleishman/Moss Lounge, Girls’ Night Out – Round 2 brought together a vibrant group of women for an...
Tidewater’s new Shinshinim set to arrive
Tidewater is entering its fourth year of collaboration with the Jewish Agency for Israel to host Shinshinim (Israeli Emissaries) on their mission to share Israeli culture, knowledge, and experiences with community members of all ages. Shinshin is an acronym for Shenat...
Families of Lifeguards at the Simon Family JCC
The summer of 2025 is a special year for the swimming pool at the Simon Family JCC, with a record number of 40 guards, enabling the pool to remain open throughout the summer without closures due to staff shortages. But what is truly unique about the summer of 2025 is...
JCRC shares Jewish Holiday Calendar and letter to promote inclusion
As summer transitions into fall, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater annually takes deliberate steps to ensure Jewish students, families, and professionals are recognized and respected in their schools, workplaces, and...
Other News
Safety Tips
In these trying times, advice from a security professional can go a long way to assuring personal and community safety in public, as well as, in private spaces. Mike Goldsmith, SCN regional security advisor, will offer a couple of easy-to-follow tips here, and in the...
A rabbi walked into a convention of Lutherans — and rebuked their ‘one-sided’ debate on Israel
(JTA) — Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, arrived at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly with decades of experience building ties between the Lutheran and Jewish communities.But on Wednesday, July 30, as...
On Monday my son was sworn into the IDF. I spent that afternoon protesting the Israeli government.
(JTA) — On Monday, July 28, my son was inducted into the IDF. He started thinking about joining as a hayal boded, a “lone soldier” (someone who makes aliyah alone with the intention of serving) while in high school. After his friend was murdered by Hamas terrorists at...
NEA board rejects members’ proposal to sever ties with ADL
(JTA) — The board of directors for the National Education Association, the United States’ largest teachers union, rejected a proposal by its delegates to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League.The rejection on Friday, July 18, came after the delegates’ proposal...
What’s Happening
A bissel of community Yiddish
A bit of Yiddish has managed to slip into everyday language. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear...
Books come to life at the JCC Book Club
Looking to add something fun and thought-provoking each month? The JCC Book Club, led by the...
Explore the many meanings of “God is One”
Thursdays, September 11- November 20 11 am, Sandler Family Campus The fundamental lesson...
BeAR gears up for 26th year with books and big dreams
Surrounded by stacks of colorful books, the BeAR team is deep into preparations for the 2025–2026...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
Robert Sanford Cohen
Virginia Beach – Robert Sanford Cohen, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and respected attorney, passed away peacefully at...
Jonas Michael Goldman
Virginia Beach – Jonas Michael Goldman, born on April 26, 1989, in Norfolk, Va., passed away on July 13, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Va., at the age of...
Elaine Dobken Lichty
VIRGINIA BEACH - Elaine Dobken Lichty passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, at 89 years old. She was born in New Jersey on October 29, 1935.Elaine...
Barbara Friedman Schechter
NORFOLK - A resident of Harbor’s Edge in Norfolk, Barbara passed away April 29, 2025, surrounded by family.Born with a congenital heart condition...