Gabe Friedman, Ron Kampeas, Ben Sales (JTA) —In phases, Hamas released Israeli hostages into Egypt, a sign that the four-day ceasefire brokered between Israel and the terror group that runs Gaza would hold. In the first release, 10 Thai nationals and one Filipino national were also released in a surprise additional deal that Egyptian officials [...]
November 28, 2023
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A view from Israel: A new (emergency) normal
Liz Dovrat I recently joined a Zoom meeting run by the dean of the humanities and social sciences faculty at my college, Tel Hai in Kiryat Shmona. The dean commenced the meeting by praising the multitudes of faculty and student initiatives started during the immediate aftermath of October 7th to support the victims of the [...]
November 28, 2023
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Abbey Pachter’s “A Monarch in Winter” launches to rave reviews
Terri Denison A Monarch in Winter, Abbey Pachter’s “Biography of a Butterfly” was celebrated at a book launch earlier this month. The book details the life of a male monarch butterfly, which Pachter rescued from freezing when it was a caterpillar. Over the span of a few months, Pachter, who holds a PhD in professional [...]
November 28, 2023
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Norfolk’s Grand Illumination Parade includes Hanukkah
Amy Milligan I cried in Norfolk’s Grand Illumination parade on Saturday evening, Nov. 18 when 14 of us chose Jewish joy and marched with a giant Hanukkah balloon– despite some of us feeling afraid. It wasn’t lost on us that we were the only group that had multiple uniformed police officers as escorts. We drove [...]
November 28, 2023
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Hanukkah 2023 in Jewish Tidewater
With the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle taking place on Thursday, December 7, ample opportunities exist to celebrate the festival of lights with community in Tidewater. Be sure to confirm or RSVP to the events if requested. Happy Hanukkah! Chabad of Tidewater Chabad’s Annual Chanukah Extravaganza Menorah Lighting Music, latkes, donuts, crafts, and free [...]
November 28, 2023
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A decade of the Shabbat Project
Craig Schranz Tidewater celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Shabbat Project, Nov. 3 – 4, with an abundance of opportunities for unity and inspiration. The Shabbat Project was conceived by Warren Goldstein, chief rabbi of South Africa, who envisioned Jews across the globe celebrating one Shabbat together. Today, the effort has spread to 1,500 cities [...]
November 9, 2023
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Shehecheyanu, Sarajevo
Simon Fink The last time I wrote for the Jewish News, I shared my experience as one the U.S.’s young adult delegation to March of the Living. I’ve similarly just returned from a JDC trip to Bosnia and Croatia as part of its young adult program, Entwine. It was meant to visit Jewish communities, meet [...]
November 9, 2023
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Tidewater to Israel: Supplies for soldiers and families
Stephanie Peck Eighteen pallets filled with toiletries, clothes, tactical gear, and first aid supplies were sent to Israel from Virginia Beach last month for soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces and families displaced by the war in Israel. These items were donated and assembled at the Sandler Family Campus on Monday, Oct. 16, as part [...]
November 28, 2023
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