Community Involvement
Community as in the world around me and Involvement as in I try to make it better...
Congregation Beth El
Description: Congregation Beth El is centrally located in Norfolk, Virginia. Our synagogue is in the observant Ghent area of downtown. We have a Conservative membership, and Beth El is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Our synagogue has an outstanding youth education system and a variety of family activities. Please explore our website to learn more about our friendly synagogue and wonderful community.
Current Position(s): Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Webmaster
Web Address: www.bethelnorfolk.com
Active Since: 1999
Beth El Men’s Club
Description: As a division of Congregation Beth El (see above), the Beth El Men's Club provides social activities for the male members of Beth El and their families through a variety of events, such as bingo, sunday brunches, baseball games and other sporting events, Mother's Day brunches, and more. Men's Club also fundraises several times throughout the year in order contribute to Jewish education (first and foremost) and other synagogue/community needs.
Current Position(s): Immediate Past President, Board of Directors
Web Address: www.bethelnorfolk.com/mensclub.htm
Active Since: 2000
UJF Young Adults Division
Description: The Young Adults Division (YAD) program is a community effort undertaken by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater designed to promote the social, cultural, educational, and leadership opportunities for young Jewish adults ages 21-45 living in the Tidewater area. Our events include but are not limited to happy hours, coffee talks, guest speakers, educational workshops, Shabbat dinners, mitzvah days, and more.
Current Position(s): Board of Directors Chairman, Super Sunday Committee Chair
Web Address: www.jewishva.com/content_display.html?ArticleID=161790
Active Since: 2004
Jewish Family Service
Description: Jewish Family Service (JFS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people meet life’s challenges through the provision of programs and services especially designed to make a difference in the quality of people’s lives. Jewish Family Service does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, or religion. Basically, JFS helps people of all ages who might otherwise not receive help at a price (or free of charge) they can afford. General operations can be categorized as: Older Adult Services, Personal Affairs Management, Recreational Therapy, Individual and Family Counseling, Healing Services, Jewish Family Life Education, Services for the Developmentally Disabled, Home Health Care, and Emergency Food/Shelter/Financial Aid .
Current Position(s): Board of Directors, Marketing Committee, Ethics Committee, Home Health Committee
Web Address: www.jfshamptonroads.org
Active Since: 2006
Ghent Dog Park Association
Description: The mission of the Ghent Dog Park Association is to improve the existing, city-sanctioned dog parks in Ghent, starting with the Stockley Gardens Dog Park. For the safety and enjoyment of both humans and dogs, this project includes installing an attractive fence, in a style that is reflective of our historical neighborhood architecture, and beautifying the landscape through the addition of trees and other plantings, as well as improving the sidewalk and enhancing the night-time lighting situation.
Current Position(s): Vice-President, Board of Directors, Webmaster
Web Address: www.ghentdogpark.com
Active Since: 2004
United Jewish Federation
Description: According to Jewish tradition, one of the highest forms of tzedakah or charity is giving to a central campaign or community fund or kupah. Throughout Jewish history, in small towns and large cities, within both Israel and the Diaspora, it was the custom of Jewish communities to create an address for centralized giving. This guaranteed the privacy and dignity of the poor as well as the successful maintenance of communal "agencies." Today, the kupah (literally translated as community fund) is the annual campaign of the United Jewish Federation (UJF). UJF strengthens our Jewish community. We foster a sense of pride in our Jewish heritage, here at home, and with our family around the world. We make a difference by helping support and enrich lives through our commitment to Judaism. Though our hometowns and languages may be different, we are bound together by the richness of our shared history and tradition. We are one people. We are the JEWISH people, and the United Jewish Federation is here to keep all of us connected and support those of us in need.
Current Position(s): Board of Directors, Overseas Committee, Leadership Committee, Development Committee
Web Address: www.jewishva.com
Active Since: 2000
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
Description: American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) works to ensure that the U.S.-Israel relationship is strong, so both countries can work together to meet mutual challenges effectively. Today, AIPAC has 100,000 members across all 50 states who are at the forefront of the most vexing issues facing Israel today. The New York Times has called AIPAC “the most important organization affecting America's relationship with Israel,” while Fortune magazine has consistently ranked AIPAC among America's most powerful interest groups. Through more than 2,000 meetings with members of Congress—at home and in Washington—AIPAC activists help pass more than 100 pro-Israel legislative initiatives a year. Through information, education and experience, AIPAC professionals and members throughout the United States continue to work together to ensure that the U.S.-Israel relationship is strong and remains vibrant long into the future.
Current Position(s): (Active) Member
Web Address: www.aipac.org
Active Since: 2000
Ghent Neighborhood League
Description: The Ghent Neighborhood League (GNL) is an organization dedicated to representing the concerns of the residents of the Ghent community in Norfolk, VA. As a neighborhood league, the GNL presents community concerns to the City of Norfolk and provides recommended solutions that are best for the common good.
Current Position(s): (Active) Member
Web Address: www.ghentneighborhoodleague.org
Active Since: 2004
Lost Boys of Hampton Roads
Description: The "Lost Boys" are young adults who (as children) escaped the genocidal wars in Sudan and made it all the way to our very own Hampton Roads. The purpose of the Lost Boys of Hampton Roads Outreach is to help ease the many difficulties that may arise during their transition to life in America. We endeavor to help them achieve the education and political resources necessary to rebuild their own lives and also the lives of those left in Sudan.
Current Position(s): Volunteer
Web Address: www.lostboyshr.com
Active Since: 2006
NEST (Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team)
Description: The Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (NEST) is a network of about 30 churches, synagogues, and civic groups (like the JCC) in Norfolk that take turns providing food and shelter to homeless people. The member organizations sign up to host one week at a time between November and April every year.
Current Position(s): Volunteer
Web Address: http://www.norfolk.gov/HumanServices/hart.asp
Active Since: 2001