GUIDE TO JEWISH LIVING IN TIDEWATER

environment, which fosters individuality, creativity, respect for others, and a love for Hashem. Toras Chaim is dedicated to the belief that Jewish children and their families can join together to create a nurturing environment that fosters a love for Hashem, His Torah, and Jewish heritage. This school is firmly committed to help each child achieve academic excellence, enthusiasm for learning, and the reinforcement of their Middos. Toras Chaim attempts to balance academics, emotional development, and social skills. The school’s academic program guides students toward learning how to ask the right questions, think analytically, and apply their knowledge to life. Students not only learn the subjects, they live their subjects. Whether celebrating a Jewish holiday or building an ecosystem, at Toras Chaim, learning comes alive.

Contact the school to learn why Toras Chaim is the ‘school with a smile.’

Virginia Wesleyan University

5817 Wesleyan Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Eric Michael Mazur, PhD, Gloria & David Furman Professor of Judaic Studies, Religion, Law, & Politics Fellow, Robert Nusbaum Center (formerly the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom) emazur@vwu.edu, 757-455-3250

The Jewish studies minor at Virginia Wesleyan University provides students with the opportunity to enhance their chosen major with a course of study that includes traditional classes, independent study, and internships. Directed by Eric Mazur, Gloria & David Furman Professor of Judaic Studies, students enrolled in the minor enjoy the flexibility to develop their own course of study in a supportive intellectual environment.

Virginia Wesleyan University—a small liberal arts university on a 300-acre campus that is just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay—inspires students to build meaningful lives through engagement in Coastal Virginia’s dynamic metropolitan region, the nation, and the world. The University has been named the #1 college in Virginia for LGBTQ+ students and has been recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges. An inclusive community dedicated to scholarship and service grounded in the liberal arts and sciencess.

William And Mary Hillel

Shenkman Jewish Center

PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187

Director: Rabbi Gershon Litt, rabbilitt@wmhillel.org

757-559-1836

William and Mary Hillel is open to all Jewish students and is the Jewish organization at William and Mary. Hillel offers social, religious, cultural, and Israel-related events led by student leadership and professional staff. The Shenkman Jewish Center is the new home for W&M Hillel offering kosher meals, programs, and services.

Tidewater Jewish Foundation

Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus

5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, VA 23462, 757-965-6111 foundation.jewishva.org

President and CEO: Naomi Limor Sedek

Vice President and CFO: Randy Parrish

The vision at Tidewater Jewish Foundation (TJF) is to build and guide exponentially more resources to empower Jewish life in Tidewater and beyond. The agency works tirelessly to bring this vision to life by securing endowments that ensure the future of the

Jewish community. As philanthropic advisors, it is dedicated to connecting philanthropists with the causes they are most passionate about. With TJF’s help, anyone can become a philanthropist and align their giving with the issues that matter most to them.

A variety of endowments are housed at TJF that support different aspects of Jewish life. From synagogue life to summer camp experiences, building relationships with Israel, and Jewish educational opportunities, TJF maximizes the impact of legacy gifts, always keeping donor interests at the forefront.

Since TJF’s founding in 1984, it has distributed more than $200 million in grants to Jewish and secular charitable organizations. What began as a single endowment fund has now grown to more than $125 million in assets, managing nearly 1,000 active charitable funds on behalf of individual donor advisors, the Federation, and various local affiliate agencies and synagogues. TJF works closely with donors and their professional advisors to implement tax-advantaged charitable giving strategies, often involving multi-generational philanthropy.

One of TJF’s most successful initiatives is the LIFE & LEGACY program, which it brought to Tidewater. Through this program, TJF has helped secure the future of the Tidewater Jewish community with an estimated $21 million in future endowed commitments. LIFE & LEGACY has transformed the philanthropic culture in the community, underscoring TJF’s belief that everyone, regardless of age, wealth, or affiliation, can make a lasting financial impact for future generations. This program is a partnership with local synagogues and Jewish agencies and is funded by TJF, with ongoing training and support from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

The organization also has strong relationships with area congregations, agencies, and organizations. TJF continues to secure legacy gifts in partnership with its affiliated organizations through LIFE & LEGACY and the Jewish Future Pledge. The Jewish Future Pledge encourages community members to commit at least 50% of their charitable dollars in their estate to Jewish causes or to support the state of Israel.

In addition to these programs, TJF offers various other initiatives designed to allow donors to develop and grow their giving though different life stages, such as the B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy Program, Feldman Family Medical & Health Professions Student Scholarship, One Happy Camper Program, Simon Family Passport to Israel, and Stein Family Scholarship.

TJF also provides services like donor-advised funds, fund matching for charitable life insurance, charitable bequests, charitable trusts, reserved life estates, and charitable IRA distributions and designations.

Tidewater Jewish Foundation believes that anyone can dedicate their life to giving. Get in touch with one of its philanthropic advisors to learn how they can help bring personal legacy dreams to reality.

Services And Organizations

AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (AIPAC)

AIPAC Southeast Regional Director: Alisha Tischler

786-390-4416, atischler@aipac.org

The mission of AIPAC—the American Israel Public Affairs Committee—is to strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of the United States and Israel. The national organization engages with and educates decision about the bonds that unite the two countries, and how it is in America’s best interest to strengthen those bonds and help ensure that the Jewish state remains safe, strong, and secure.

AIPAC’s mission is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring, and mutually beneficial relationship with its ally, Israel. For more than 60 years, AIPAC has worked to make a difference, building a better tomorrow for the United States and Israel.