United Jewish Federation of Tidewater: UJFT

06/02/2026

We know groceries are expensive for everyone right now, and we are incredibly grateful for all of the food donations our community has already provided. Your kindness and support truly help us make a difference for local families. ❤️

With summer almost here and more families needing assistance while children are home from school, we are starting to run low on a few items. We are especially in need of:
🥫 Canned fruit
🍲 Soup (please no tomato soup)
🧂 Condiments (ketchup, bbq sauce, mayo, salad dressing, etc.)

If you are able to donate any of these items, we would greatly appreciate it. Every donation, big or small, helps support our community. Thank you for continuing to show up for our neighbors in need!

05/29/2026

TONIGHT! Friday , May 29 at 6:30 PM
Celebrate Jewish America Heritage month at Ohef Sholom Temple with a special Shabbat service featuring guest speaker Jason Schachter McKinney — singer, actor, composer, author of Jason Belongs, and Music Director and Cantorial Soloist at Temple Emmanuel in Winston-Salem, NC.

Join us THIS Friday, May 29 at 6:30 PM for a special Shabbat service featuring guest speaker Jason Schachter McKinney — singer, actor, composer, author of Jason Belongs, and Music Director and Cantorial Soloist at Temple Emmanuel in Winston-Salem, NC.
Through music, storytelling, and reflection, Jason will explore Jewish diversity, identity, and belonging, including an original composition woven into the worship experience.
Presented in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month in partnership with the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

https://mailchi.mp/ohefsholom/specialshabbatserrvice

05/28/2026

As a Black, Jewish artist, Jason McKinney's remarkable career has taken him from the White House and Lincoln Center to his current role as Music Director and Cantorial Soloist at Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem, NC. His unique voice and powerful story inspire audiences around the world.

>Where: Jewish Museum & Cultural Center
>Why you'll love it: The space is renowned for its amazing acoustics, perfect for experiencing Jason's breathtaking voice the way it was meant to be heard.
>TONIGHT at 6pm! Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness talent of this caliber in such an intimate, acoustically stunning setting.

🔗 Preregistration is required, sign up now at JewishVA.org/LLL

05/27/2026

Thank you to all of the tournament sponsors and prize donors who made the 2nd annual NADIV poker tournament a great success!

05/26/2026

From a small local effort to a program serving over 1,200 people, Dorothy Salomonsky’s decades of work show how truly seeing others can transform lives.

Read and listen to Dorothy’s story at JewishVA.org/spotlight-dorothy

Nominations are still being accepted for UJFT’s outstanding Jewish Americans. Submit your entry at Dorothy’s page.

05/25/2026

We are excited to partner with The Chrysler Museum of Art for this fascinating look into the Myers House in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month.

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, UJFT joins remember the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation's freedom. We honor the Jewish veterans, in particular, and are grateful for their courage and commitment to the values we hold dear. May their memory be a blessing.

On Memorial Day, remember the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation's freedom. We honor the Jewish veterans, in particular, and are grateful for their courage and commitment to the values we hold dear. May their memory be a blessing.

05/19/2026

Yesterday’s horrific shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, which left three people dead, is another painful reminder that the threat facing religious communities in America is real, urgent, and growing.

No one should ever fear for their safety while gathering in prayer, community, or worship.

As the Muslim community mourns this devastating loss, our hearts are with them. This tragedy also underscores how vital the Nonprofit Security Grant Program is. Even in these early reports, we are reminded that trained security personnel can make the difference in preventing even greater loss.

We have seen too many attacks on houses of worship - across faiths, across communities. The need is clear: to meet this moment, Congress must fully fund security at the $1 billion level and ensure those resources can be deployed where they are needed most.

Ensuring that every community can gather safely is, and must remain, a shared priority.