Through Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s (TJF) Community Impact Grant, four Conservative/Masorti synagogues, all members of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), partnered to host a unique series of events titled “Come Together.” The planned series would feature five distinctive programs, each embodying the spirit of community collaboration and cultural enrichment.
The series kicked off in August 2023, with Kehillat Beth Hamidrash (KBH) hosting a TuB’av event to celebrate the holiday of love. The gathering was marked by generosity, as attendees donated to the Jewish Family Service Food Pantry. The program featured activities and foods symbolizing love and was instrumental in enhancing communal bonds and intergenerational connections.
The following program in November was a Music of Israel event hosted by Temple Israel, joining the cultural and spiritual aspects of the community through melodies that resonated with the Jewish heritage.
Despite inclement weather, a Chanukah Celebration at Temple Emanuel drew nearly a hundred attendees. The evening was filled with joy, from Chanukah cookie production to dreidel painting and sufganyot filling, fostering a sense of community and togetherness.
Congregation Beth El joined the fun by hosting a Tu B’shevat event, “Let it Grow,” in January, celebrating “The New Year for Trees,” where attendees learned new ways to care for our trees and the earth.
The fifth and final event is still in the planning stages, so keep your eyes open for another exciting collaborative community event!
These programs, supported by the TJF’s Community Impact Grant, celebrate Jewish culture and traditions and strengthen the connection within the Tidewater Jewish community, individually and across organizations.