Jewish Advocacy Days: A Date w/ the State

January 31 – February 3 will be Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day(s), where the Jewish community of Tidewater comes together to hear from leaders across the Commonwealth. The Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater extend the opportunity to participate to our entire community.

On Wednesday, February 2nd, our new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, as well as additional policy makers, have been invited to speak to the statewide Jewish community. There will be opportunities for your voice heard with those creating policy on issues important to the statewide Jewish community. All the events will be online this year, streamed following sign-up and links emailed directly to you. 

For any questions, reach out to Elka Mednick, Assistant Director, Jewish Community Relations Council: EMednick@UJFT.org   

Early Bird Pricing: Full Festival Pass for VA Festival of Jewish Film, Feb. 24 - 28

The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg and the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, is currently planning for 4 in-person film screenings between February 24th - 28th. They will span Cinema Cafe Kemps River, the Susan S. Goode Fine & Performing Arts Center at VWU, and the Naro Cinema in Norfolk. However, there is an ADDED film that will screen virtually as a part of the festival, with a window of watch between Jan. 30 and Feb. 1st. Ed Asner stars in Tiger Within, a tender story about the unlikely friendship between a teen runaway and a Holocaust survivor. Yes, you can watch from the comfort of home! 

If you buy the Full Festival pass, you will receive the link to stream Tiger Within, as well as entrance to ALL 4 films in Feb. (Tickets for those films range from $12 - $25 per person.) 

Visit JewishVA.org/FilmFest to watch all the film trailers, as well as purchase tickets. Or click the button below. 

Few Spots Left for Upcoming Melton Classes

AS YOU'VE LIKELY read in recent Tidewater Together newsletters, we have 2 Melton adult learning classes, kicking off Jan. 25th and Jan 31st, respectively. BOTH are nearly full, with only a few spots left in each. If you're on the fence, it's time to click or call and reserve your space for these wonderful opportunities to learn, discuss, and share with our esteemed teachers.

On Jan. 25th, Rabbi Michael Panitz's course, "Jewish Mysticism: Tracing the History of Kabbalah" begins. He'll review the history of Kabbalah, from the mystical beginnings right through Madonna, naturally. This course has the option of in-person (Tuesdays at noon at the Simon Family JCC) or from the comfort of your home, online. 

Dr. Amy Milligan's "Biblical Women: Emerging from the Margins Through Midrash" will delve into the female personalities from the bible—some well known, others less than—and what influenced their decisions and character. This 10-week online course starts Jan. 31, and will take place from the comfort of your home at 6:45 PM every Monday. (Classes are recorded for later viewing, helpful if schedule conflicts arise.)

BONUS: The UJFT is subsidizing a portion of tuition for participants, use offer code "UJFT2022". 

Register for either (or both!) courses at the button below; you can also reach out to SLautman@UJFT.org for questions or more information.