NextGen757

09/17/2026

Jewish students deserve a campus community where they can connect, belong and experience Jewish joy.

We’re proud to see local educator Amy Milligan and Old Dominion University’s Hillel ODU Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding creating meaningful space for Jewish students right here in Tidewater from friendship and conversation to support during challenging moments.

Annual allocations from the UJFT Community Campaign, made possible by YOUR gifts, help support Hillels on college campuses throughout the Commonwealth, strengthening opportunities for Jewish students to build community, explore their identities and feel proud to be Jewish.

Amy Milligan, director of the ODU Hillel, runs an Am Yisrael Chai Café for students to gather and gab about campus life, something perhaps more significant post-Oct. 7.

09/15/2026

As the new year begins, I want to wish everyone a Shanah Tovah and express how deeply grateful I am for the opportunity to help connect and shape our NextGen community. Reflecting on this past year, I feel incredibly fortunate for the Jewish spaces we’ve built and the friendships we've made along the way. While juggling work, life, and family can feel like an uphill battle by Friday afternoon, the new year offers a fresh opportunity to invest in our collective strength. Building a strong and supportive community is all about the simple, powerful act of showing up for one another—whether that means sharing a Shabbat dinner, celebrating a Jewish holiday, or gathering to deepen our bonds and community connection. This year, let's commit to showing up, deepening our roots in Tidewater, and building a future anchored in unity and meaningful Jewish connection.
I am looking forward to celebrating Sukkot with you under the Sukkah at our local synagogues here in Tidewater!
Visit www.jewishva.org/nextgen to register!
Reach out to me with any questions :)

09/10/2026

Get those calendars out, folks, and save the date! On Monday, September 28, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, we are bringing the community together for a festive Happy Hour in the Sukkah right on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus. Come step inside the sukkah to enjoy delicious appetizers, refreshing drinks, and lively lawn games while discovering what Kehillat Bet Hamidrash Synagogue (KBH) is all about!
Come out and mingle with fellow NextGen young adults, chat with KBH members, and build meaningful Jewish connections under the Sukkah!

09/09/2026

We are so excited to share our next "Pop-Up Night in the Sukkah," on Sunday, September 27 from 6pm-9:00pm brought to you in partnership with Temple Israel and the UJFT's NextGen community!
Come out and gather in the sukkah for a harvest dinner then settle in for a cinema screening of "Ushpizin".
Bring your favorite blanket, cushion or pillow :)

Spaces under the stars are waiting for you—we can't wait to share this beautiful evening together! 🌟🍿

Register at: jewishva.org/sukkahcinema

09/08/2026

Hey everyone! 🌟I hope you all saw my recent email detailing all the incredible Sukkot festivities we have lined up with our local synagogues! Missed the email? Drop me a message with your email address so I can get you added to our list. 😊
To help you plan, I’ll be sharing one unique "Pop-Up Night in the Sukkah" every day right here so you can easily save the dates!
We are starting the holiday with an amazing twist on tradition. Come out and enjoy a beautifully prepared Oktoberfest themed Shabbat dinner under the Sukkah at B'nai Israel on September 25 beginning at 7:30PM. Registration is required. you can register at jewishVA.org/Fest
Stay tuned to see tomorrow's share of "Pop Up Nights in the Sukkah"...if you just can't wait and want to see the whole Sukkot lineup, visit jewishVA.org/NextGen
I hope to see you there!

09/08/2026

The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater: UJFT's NextGen Community spent a beautiful evening learning about the fascinating world of beekeeping with Nate Brauner from Bee Haven Apiary. We even had an added bonus of tasting samples of the honey flavors that his bees worked tirelessly to make.

Through Nate's passion, we gained a newfound awe and love for these tiny creatures. Two fun facts that stayed with me that I wanted to share are:
1) The true warriors of the hive are the female worker bees. They protect their colony fiercely, willingly making the ultimate sacrifice to defend their family from danger.
2.) Bees really do understand the concept of generational Love: A bee's lifespan is only about 3½ weeks. They fly up to 30 miles per trip gathering nectar or pollen ( or both), working tirelessly until they literally die of exhaustion. They do this knowing they won't survive the winter, just to ensure the next generation has enough honey to live. (I know, tearjerker)
While their short lives sound heartbreaking, there is a profound beauty in their devotion to one another. Bees choose life, survival, and community. They dedicate every single day to leaving their hive better than they found it. 💛

We have so much to learn from the wisdom of the bees. Their way of life is a living example of Tikun Olam- our shared Jewish responsibility to repair, heal, and protect our planet. Even more, they embody L’Dor Vador (from generation to generation). Just as the bees work selflessly to sweeten the future for the next generation, we are called to sustain our world and leave a beautiful legacy for those who come after us.
Nate Brauner, you truly live this mitzvah every day through your dedication to educating the public and protecting our essential pollinators. We are so grateful for your vital work! Thank you to everyone who joined us to appreciate the sweetness of the creation as we head into the New Year. 🍯✨

Remember, to send the bees love, because every little thing just wants to be loved.

09/07/2026

Thank you Jackie for leading such an incredible, beautiful event! Dancing together under the stars under a full moon (mostly) was magic. Thank you to every single woman who showed up and brought her energy!
This night was a powerful reminder of how much we need sisterhood events that celebrate the pure joy of womanhood. For centuries, dance has been a vital outlet for healing, self-expression, and spirituality. Being able to connect so deeply with Mizrahi heritage through movement allowed all of us to tap into something truly sacred.
To learn together, laugh together, and share the collective joy of being women created an unforgettable bond. We stepped into a culture rich with history and walked away feeling inspired, unified, and deeply renewed. Here’s to more sisterhood, more dancing, and more joy! 🌟🥂

03/02/2026

March Madness is almost here, and NADIV’s annual bracket challenge is officially open!

Buy your brackets now at JewishVA.org/madness and get ready for the tournament tipoff on Sunday, March 15. No basketball expertise needed. Just fill out your bracket, follow the games, and see how far your picks go!

The top three brackets win prizes, so take your shot and Play with a Purpose—all proceeds support children’s education through PJ Library of Tidewater.

03/02/2026

We are counting down to Miriam Anzovin's visit to Tidewater next week. Her storytelling magic awaits!

02/11/2026

Photos from our New Community Member Brunch on Sunday! We had a great time making friends, enjoying some nosh, and welcoming new young adults to the Tidewater Jewish community 🤩

Want to meet more of our amazing NextGen757 community members? Stay tuned for information about our March event!