Dear Readers, When it comes to Passover, it appears I’m like most Jews world-wide because it’s my favorite Jewish holiday. As a child, I looked forward to my grandparents traveling from Philadelphia to be at our seder lead by my local grandfather. Now, I look forward to setting an expanded table for family and friends, [...]
March 16, 2023
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A Passover Message from Betty Ann Levin
Dear Friends, Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) celebrates freedom as we recall the Exodus from Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. Family and friends at a seder, springtime, renewal, and freedom are just a few of the images that come to mind when we think about this most celebrated festival on the Jewish calendar. For us [...]
March 16, 2023
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Congresswoman Jen Kiggans supports Israel in floor speech
In her third floor speech since becoming a Congresswoman representing Virginia’s Second District, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans spoke about the importance of supporting Israel. The speech took place on Friday, March 10. The speech follows: Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Our relationship with Israel is a mutually beneficial [...]
March 16, 2023
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Not in God’s name
The recent terrorist murder in Israel of two Jewish boys from Har Bracha in the Arab village of Huwara fills the Jewish world with sadness. Yet, it is the extrajudicial response by religious settlers to the killings which resulted in widespread civilian destruction in Huwara that has made news across the globe. It is the [...]
March 16, 2023
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Aviva Pembroke: Project and campaign update
Anyone who has traveled by the Pembroke Square area in the last few weeks might have seen exciting developments taking place on the corner by Target. Aviva Pembroke, the premier senior community that is being created in partnership by Beth Sholom Village and Pembroke Square Associates, is coming out of the ground. The official groundbreaking [...]
March 16, 2023
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Shinshinim experience Jewish Advocacy Day as Israelis
We joined the Tidewater delegation for Jewish Advocacy Day in Richmond on Wednesday, Feb. 8. In the morning, we all met to ride the bus to Richmond at the Simon Family JCC—you could feel the excitement. After six months of working with the community, meeting people, and being involved in community events, we feel this [...]
March 16, 2023
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NADIV visits JMCC, gives locally and internationally
NADIV, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s young men’s Giving Circle, recently completed this year’s giving process at the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center in Portsmouth. On a Sunday evening in February the members were hosted for a dinner, learned about the mission of the museum, and explored through a values-based discussion how they wished to [...]
March 16, 2023
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Caught on Camera
Luca Calliott proves that one can never begin reading the Jewish News too early.
February 23, 2023
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Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day 2023: The day in Richmond is over, but action is still needed.
Almost 50 early morning risers boarded a bus to Richmond for Virginia’s annual Jewish Advocacy Day on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the delegation joined nearly 200 citizen activists from the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, Jewish Community Federation of [...]
February 23, 2023
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Holocaust Commission educates and remembers with the publication of To Life: The Past Is Present
International Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed this year by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission with the publication of To Life: The Past Is Present, Holocaust Stories of Hampton Roads Survivors, Liberators, and Rescuers. This collection of stories is the updated version of To Life: Stories of Courage and Survival published in 2002. At [...]
February 23, 2023
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Dear Readers: Mazel Tov!
Dear Readers, Longevity unwittingly turned into the theme for this issue’s Mazel Tov section. Doing so makes perfect sense, and frankly, I wonder why we’ve never done it before. After all, when celebrating at weddings we hope the marriages will be “forever” and when a baby is born, a good, healthy, long life is anticipated [...]
March 16, 2023
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