GUIDE TO JEWISH LIVING IN TIDEWATER COMMUNITY RESOURCES UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION OF TIDEWATER/SIMON FAMILY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-965-6100, JewishVA.org facebook.com/UJFTidewater vimeo.com/UJFT

Linkedin.com/company/ujft/ info@UJFT.org

Executive Vice President/CEO: Betty Ann Levin, BALevin@UJFT.org

United Jewish Federation of Tidewater nurtures a dynamic, committed, inclusive, and caring Jewish community that is guided by its values and mission to support and preserve Jewish life.

Nearly 1,200 generous community members donate each year to the UJFT Community Campaign. Hundreds more directly support other programs and services provided by UJFT and Simon Family JCC, including emergency campaigns and campaigns in support of arts and education.

Funds from the Community Campaign are distributed to trusted Jewish agencies and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally, through a prioritization and allocation process. This model of communal giving assists Jewish agencies and organizations in Tidewater, in Israel, and in Jewish communities around the globe. Additional emergency campaigns meet needs directly related to specific crises — both immediate and projected. UJFT cares for those in need, aids Jews in danger, enhances Jewish life, bolsters security, fights antisemitism, promotes Israel, and builds (infrastructure and society) for future generations.

Gifts of support to the UJFT Community Campaign provide funding for local and overseas service delivery partners who provide healthcare, social services, Jewish cultural and educational programs, and initiatives that improve human relations. As a result, UJFT, part of a network of Federations across North America under the auspices of the (national) Jewish Federations of North America, impacts Jewish lives around the world.

The Simon Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus serves the Jewish and broader Tidewater communities— providing programs and activities for all ages—from infants to senior adults. The Simon Family JCC offers a variety of health and wellness, cultural, and event-based activities and classes. It is a division of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Everyone is welcome, regardless of faith.

Community Campaign

Chief Development Officer: Amy Zelenka 757-965-6139, AZelenka@UJFT.org

UJFT runs a highly-organized community fundraising campaign each year to help meet the needs of Jews locally and in Jewish communities around the world. More than 100 local Jewish volunteers help raise funds for the Campaign in partnership with a small staff of development professionals.

Campaigners strive to engage all community members in discussions about Jewish values and concerns. In addition, the Federation seeks to provide opportunities to show donors how their support impacts beneficiaries at home and abroad, through events and missions. The Community Campaign runs from July 1 through December 31 each year.

Super Sunday — held each September — is a community Phone-a-Thon designed to “kick-off” campaign season and bring together volunteer callers, eager to engage in meaningful “Jewish conversations” with community members during a half-day of outreach, fundraising, and community-building.

At the end of each campaign year, UJFT’s board of directors reviews and approves the allocation of funds raised during the campaign, to local Jewish agencies and organizations, pursuant to the recommendations of the UJFT Finance Committee. Additional funds are earmarked for distribution to UJFT’s overseas service delivery partners – the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC); the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI); and World ORT. The allocation of overseas funds is based on recommendations from the UJFT Israel and Overseas committee.

Donations to the Community Campaign are welcome at any time and can be made securely online at JewishVA.org/Donation.

MEN’S DIVISION

JewishVA.org/mens-division

Chief Development Officer: Amy Zelenka 757-965-6139, AZelenka@UJFT.org

UJFT’s Men’s Division is dedicated to engaging the community in support of the Federation’s Community Campaign. The Men’s Division is comprised of more than 40 volunteers who serve the Tidewater Jewish community by soliciting gifts of support. These volunteers help ensure funding is available for Jewish education, health, and social welfare, the fight against antisemitism, enhanced security, emergency services, and crisis relief.

WOMEN’S DIVISION

JewishVA.org/womens-division facebook.com/JewishWomen757

Chief Development Officer: Amy Zelenka 757-965-6139, AZelenka@UJFT.org

UJFT’s Women’s Division is the women’s fundraising arm of the Federation’s Community Campaign, providing women in the local Jewish community with opportunities for empowerment, volunteerism, and philanthropy at all levels. At the helm of the Women’s Division is the Women’s Cabinet, which meets regularly to learn what’s happening in the Tidewater Jewish community and the Jewish world. They then put that knowledge to use, informing donors as they engage in conversations around philanthropic giving. Members of the Women’s Cabinet serve as ambassadors and role models for women of all ages in the community, taking the lead in volunteer fundraising for the Women’s Division of the UJFT Community Campaign and engaging other women in the Jewish community through events and activities throughout the year.

ARTS + IDEAS

Director: Hunter Thomas 757-965-6137, HThomas@UJFT.org

Leon Family Gallery

Exhibits at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus feature artists from around the globe and from around Tidewater. Artists may depict subjects of interest to Jews and Israelis, local (Tidewater) themes, and more.

Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival

The annual Lee & Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival is a celebration of Jewish authors, books, and ideas which seeks to enrich Jewish culture by presenting themes that engage, educate, and inspire all people. Events typically take place annually in November with additional opportunities for engagement throughout the year.

Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, Presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg

Screened at various locations throughout Tidewater, the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg, offers a range of cinema experiences, from compelling documentaries to poignant comedies that engage and spark conversations.

As one of the longest-running Jewish film festivals in the country, the Festival engages diverse Tidewater communities, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, by presenting world-class films inspired by Jewish or Israeli stories, history, heritage, and values— and can be appreciated by people from all backgrounds.

Yom Ha’Atzmaut: Celebrating Israel’s Independence

Simon Family JCC and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater offer something for everyone each year for Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. These programs are open to the entire Tidewater community and celebrate Israel through education, authentic food, activities, and experiences.

BE A READER (BeAR)

JewishVA.org/BeAR BeAR

Coordinator: Robin Ford

757-321-2304, RFord@UJFT.org

The Be A Reader (BeAR) literacy program of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater was created more than 23 years ago as a community-wide effort to help at-risk, struggling readers acquire the skills and love for learning that lead to personal happiness and future success.

BeAR works with Title I elementary schools across the region and pairs a volunteer mentor with a student for an hour each week to read, work on spelling and vocabulary, and provide students with a sense of stability.

Since there is no shortage of children that require assistance, the program’s capacity is solely dependent on its number of volunteers. Volunteers are always needed to join the BeAR community to help children learn to read. Whether through volunteering, giving supplies, or donating, helping to make a difference in a child’s life offers its own rewards.

Camp Jcc

Director of Camp and Teen Engagement: Dave Flagler

757-452-3182, DFlagler@UJFT.org

Campjcc.org

Camp JCC provides children with an expansive and enriching day camp experience. This dynamic program allows every child to explore their interests and try new activities within a safe camp atmosphere. The programs are designed for rising kindergarteners through rising eighth graders. CIT opportunities are offered for 9th and 10th graders.

Summer camp runs mid-June through early August, with “Last Blast” camp sessions offered in the weeks between the end of regular camp and the start of public schools.

Camp JCC is more than just a summer program, with year-round opportunities for youth, including School Days Out, Winter and Spring Camps, middle school programming, and Kids Night Out, which takes place monthly, beginning in October.

Children And Family Programs

Camp JCC Program Manager: Sarah Cooper

757-321-2306, SCooper@UJFT.org

Children’s programs include soccer, self-defense, Israel Club, and yoga classes. School Days Out care is offered for Strelitz and Virginia Beach Public Schools for children K-5. Kids Night Out takes place 6 – 10 pm on the third Saturday of every month, November to May, for children ages 4 to 12 years.

Hal Sacks Jewish News Archives

JewishNewsVA.org

Editor: Terri Denison 757-965-6132, news@UJFT.org

Research, laugh, remember, and browse through the Hal Sacks Jewish News Archives, an online site to access past issues of the Jewish News since 1947.

The Holocaust Commission

HolocaustCommission.org facebook.com/holcommission

Director: Elka Mednick

757-965-6112, EMednick@UJFT.org

The Holocaust Commission works to contemporize the lessons of the Holocaust, assisting teachers, students, and all community members to understand the uniqueness and apply those lessons to the world today. The Commission offers programs, resources, and community events related to Holocaust education and remembrance.