America at 250 Spotlight:Tidewater Jewish Hero Dorothy Salomonsky
Dorothy Salomonsky never expected that an effort to help a few vulnerable community members would grow into one of Virginia’s leading public guardianship programs. But more than 30 years after helping launch the JFS Personal Affairs Management (PAM) program at Jewish...
Jewish Tidewater’s Graduates
Graduations are a time to recognize achievements, formally bid farewell to schools, prepare for the next steps along life’s journey, and of course, celebrate! Jewish Tidewater has much to applaud with its graduates – the awards, impressive degrees, and outstanding...
A new judge for Virginia Beach: The Honorable Aaron Kass
The Honorable Aaron F. Kass was sworn in on Friday, March 27 as a Judge of the Virginia Beach General District Court. “Outside of being Melissa’s husband, and Jonah, Micah, and Alexa’s father, there is no greater privilege than this role,” Judge Kass said at his...
400 Jewish leaders push to advance bipartisan Jewish Security Act
Amid rising threats to the American Jewish community, Jewish Federations of North America brought more than 400 Jewish leaders from 82 different communities across the country to Capitol Hill to hold over 200 meetings with key Congressional leadership late last month....
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JTA News
NC Democrats reject Gaza genocide resolution following campaign by Jewish caucus
“Now we feel like we have a home again,” one local Jewish Democratic leader said following the vote.
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The post NC Democrats reject Gaza genocide resolution following campaign by Jewish caucus appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Scott Wiener, ‘lefty Jew’ who said Israel committed genocide, advances in California race to replace Pelosi
A pro-Israel challenger against Rep. Ro Khanna fell far short as Israel roils Golden State House races.
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The post Scott Wiener, ‘lefty Jew’ who said Israel committed genocide, advances in California race to replace Pelosi appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Staunch Israel critic and Gaza trauma surgeon Adam Hamawy wins NJ-12 primary
Hamawy's victory makes him the latest in a string of vocally pro-Palestinian candidates to win the Democratic nomination for Congress.
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The post Staunch Israel critic and Gaza trauma surgeon Adam Hamawy wins NJ-12 primary appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Finalists announced for lucrative Jewish literary award
The winner of the 2026 Sami Rohr Prize will be named this month.
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The post Finalists announced for lucrative Jewish literary award appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Latest News
Beth Sholom Village: Inaugural grant recipients support seniors across Tidewater
What does it mean to age with dignity? Sometimes, it means having transportation to the grocery store or a doctor’s appointment. Sometimes, it means sharing a meal with friends, participating in a wellness program, or simply feeling connected to a community. Often,...
The responsibility and reward of service
Reflections on leadership, legacy, and the future of Jewish Tidewater Two years have flown by. My term as chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation is nearing its end. I have served with some of the most dedicated board members and staff anyone can ever be privileged to...
HRACRE honors Skip Sacks with 2026 F. Craig Read Service Award
Earlier this year, Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Astate presented Skip Sacks with the 2026 F. Craig Read Service Award in recognition of “his exceptional service and long-standing commitment to the organization and the commercial real estate...
W&M Hillel: Success in Engagement
William & Mary has had a Hillel on campus for more than 60 years. Yet, 10 years ago there were only about 20 - 30 Jewish students attending programs annually. Meetings were held mainly in classrooms, and Entenmann’s and Krispy Kreme donuts was the fanciest kosher...
Nadiv Poker Night returns for second successful year
Ninety-seven poker players filed onto the Sandler Family Campus to compete in Nadiv’s Texas Hold ’Em tournament for the chance to win various prizes, including a $500 Amazon gift card on Tuesday, May 12. The event raised more than $25,000 with most of those...
Tidewater BBYO makes its mark at Eastern Regional Spring Cultural Convention
Twenty Tidewater BBYO teens (11 AZA and nine BBG), along with City Director Courtney Krutoy and Simcha BBG Advisor Anya Dippold, attended Eastern Region’s Spring Cultural Convention, April 17-19 in Charlotte, North Carolina. More than 200 teens attended the convention...
SIA creates new initiatives to support their military families
Strelitz International Academy supports a large population of military families, including those serving in the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, NATO, the IDF, as well as other branches. Understanding the unique challenges military children face including frequent relocations,...
Toras Chaim brings internationally acclaimed child safety program to students, staff, and families
As summer approaches and children prepare for camps, day trips, and new environments, Toras Chaim Day School is making sure its students head into the season with something more than sunscreen and a packed lunch.This spring, the school brought in Debbie Fox and the...
Other News
TJF: Community projects intersect
Tidewater Jewish Foundation is often a convener, bringing together organizations, ideas, and opportunities to strengthen the community. Sometimes, projects such as the Maria A. Mansbach Memorial Student Motivation Program and the Elie Wiesel Writing Competition...
Books for local schools are appreciated
Ghillian Porter-Smith, media specialist/librarian at Norfolk’s Larchmont Elementary School, wrote last month to express appreciation for books the school received from United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. “Thank you very much for the generous gift of books!”...
Summer at the Academy features wide range of camp options
Norfolk Academy’s Summer at the Academy camps offer six weeks of excitement for students of all ages.Starting this year on June 22 and running through the end of July, summer camps offer a perfect mix of adventure, learning, and lasting memories. From exciting outdoor...
B’nai Israel Congregation’s community continues to grow
A lively BBQ on B’nai Israel Congregation’s patio took place on Sunday, May 3 for families who have joined the Norfolk Jewish community over the past two to three years. Rabbi Shlomo and Liba Eisenberg, whose leadership of the shul began in July 2023, hosted the...
What’s Happening
Tools for today’s classrooms: The 2026 Tidewater Inclusive Educators’ Conference
Tuesday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 22 As the school year winds down, many educators are already...
Rabbi Mike Moskowitz finds allyship in Torah
Wednesday, June 10, 7 pm, Sandler Family Campus In his book, Ancestral Allyship, Rabbi Mike...
JFS plans 67th Biennial Meeting
Monday, June 22, 12 pm • Fred Huette Garden, 1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk Jewish Family Service...
JCC hosts National Senior Health & Fitness Day
Wednesday, May 27, 9 am – 12 pm • Sandler Family Campus The Simon Family JCC invites seniors to...
Obituaries
May the Source of Peace
send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
Irving Alperin
Virginia Beach – Irving Alperin, age 95, passed away on April 30, 2026. He was born on June 12, 1930. Irving retired from US Department...
Leslie Herbert Friedman
Norfolk – Leslie (Les) Friedman died at the age of 89 on May 15, 2026. He was born on April 26, 1937, and was a lifelong resident of...
Erica Unger
Virginia Beach – We are deeply saddened to share that Erica Unger passed away on April 11, 2026, just three days before her 95th birthday.Born in...
Lawrence Kirstein
Norfolk – Lawrence Harold “Larry” Kirstein, 76, of Norfolk, Virginia, died Jan. 15, 2026.Mr. Kirstein is survived by his sisters and brother-in-law,...