Menu

 

The Tidewater Federation supports numerous family-friendly programs, events, and opportunities. Our aim is to provide a diverse Jewish cultural experience to the community. On this page, you'll find both ongoing programs + upcoming events and how you can join them.

 

 

 

 

Encouraging New and Young Readers

PJ Library is a Jewish family engagement program implemented throughout North America as a part of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. With the support of philanthropists and local Jewish organizations, we are able to mail free, high-quality Jewish children’s literature and music to families with children from birth through age 12 across the continent. PJ Library in Tidewater at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater partners in these efforts and also offers high-quality programming in the Tidewater region with the goal of connecting Jewish families. 

 

Families raising kids from birth through 9 years old with Judaism as part of their lives are welcome to sign up. PJ Library welcomes all Jewish families, whatever your background, knowledge, or family make-up, or observance may be.

PJ Our Way is the next chapter of PJ Library for kids ages 9-12. It is available free of charge to families throughout the US and Canada raising Jewish children. Every month, kids can come to this site to choose the book they want to receive. Kids can also submit reviews and videos about the books.

 

PJ LIBRARY

 

Sign up to receive a FREE Jewish book each month. From birth through age 8. 

 

 

PJ OUR WAY

 

Sign up to choose a FREE Jewish book each month. From ages 9-12. 

 

 

 

Are you looking for your Jewish Military community? Look no further!

Contact Jackie Dratch, your PJ Library Military Parent Connector in Tidewater to stay up to date on family-friendly meet ups and events! We have a wonderful community of families from various services of the US Military who get together for meet ups, shabbat dinners, holidays, and more.

Contact Jackie directly at PJTidewater@gmail.com

Sign up here to receive info on our next event.

Did you know you can receive a FREE JCC Membership as a Jewish military family? Stop at the JCC front desk or call 757-321-2338 for more information.

This program is made possible through JWB Passport, an initiative of JWB Jewish Chaplains Council, a signature program of the JCCA.

 

 

 

 

PJ Library FAQs
What does PJ stand for?

Pajamas! PJ Library supports reading anytime of the day, but we know that many families sit down to read books at bedtime, in their pajamas. PJ Library books can be enjoyed any time you want a good story.

  
Who is eligible to register?

A family must have children from birth to 8 years old with one Jewish parent in the household and reside in the Tidewater area.

  
What’s the cost?

The PJ Library® is free due to our generous local donors: United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC and The Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

  
What's the catch?

Only one — you need to read the books and listen to the music with your children. That's all!

  
My child is about to turn 9. Can I sign them up for PJ Library?

Kids across the United States can continue their PJ experience by signing up for PJ Our Way, the next chapter of PJ Library for kids ages 9-12. Kids are eligible to enroll when they turn 8.5 through the day before their 13th birthday. Each month kids go to the PJ Our Way website to choose which book they would like to receive from a selection of age-appropriate books with Jewish themes. Learn more about PJ Our Way at PJOurWay.org

  
My child has special needs and would do better with books aimed for child of a different age. What should I do?

We're happy to make an accommodation for any child with any special learning needs. Please contact our Program Professional, Nofar Trem. We welcome your child's enrollment in any age group you deem appropriate.

  
How do I enroll a new sibling?

Easy! Just submit their information through our enrollment form.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING PJ LIBRARY EVENTS

 

 

 

 

HOLIDAY RESOURCES

 

Consider this section your "Jewish Holiday Cheat Sheet"! Whether it's a place to turn when your child asks a question about a particular holiday, or, you've volunteered to help in a child's class and need a refresher. Each of these, below, have links to pages with resources, tips, videos, book passages, fast facts, and more to help you make sense of the Jewish holidays we celebrate.

 


Shabbat

 

 

 

 


Shavuot

 

 

 

 


Shemini Atzeret

 

 

 

 


Tu B'Shevat

 

 

 

 


Rosh Hashanah

 

 

 

 


Simchat Torah

 

 

 

 


Purim

 

 

 

 


Yom Kippur

 

 

 

 


Hanukkah

 

 

 

 


Passover

 

 

 

 


Sukkot

 

 

 

 


Havdalah

 

 

 

 

 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PJ LIBRARY OR TO SIGN UP FOR FREE BOOKS

Contact Sarah Cooper, Camp JCC Program Manager, at SCooper@SimonFamilyJCC.org or (757) 321-2306

 

 

 

 

 

 

From science to art class, soccer to basketball, and everything in between there is never a shortage of classes for children at the Simon Family JCC.

 

Patrons with a family membership qualify for class discounts. See the dropdown descriptions for details.

Soccer Shots Details (Ages 3-5)

Soccer season can be year-round with Soccer Shots! Learn soccer fundamentals while building character development like teamwork, respect, and determination! For inclement weather and temps below 40 degrees, practice will be indoors in the gym.

March 19 - May 14, 2025
Wednesdays, 3:30pm OR 4:30pm
$115 member • $145 guest
No class 4/16

REGISTRATION CLOSED • CLASSES FULL

If you have any difficulty registering, please do not hesitate to contact us at 757-321-2338 or LEllard@UJFT.org.  We are happy to assist you!

 

 

Kids Yoga Details (Ages 5-11)

Yoga and mindfulness have been shown to improve both physical and mental health in school-age children. Yoga improves balance, strength, endurance, and aerobic capacity in children. Yoga and mindfulness offer psychological benefits for children as well.

March 26 - May 21, 2025
Wednesdays at 3:30
$115 member • $145 guest
No class on 4/16

Full Details & Registration

If you have any difficulty registering, please do not hesitate to contact us at 757-321-2338 or LEllard@UJFT.org.  We are happy to assist you!

 

 

Girls on the Run (Grades 3-5)

Girls on the Run is an organization that is inspiring young ladies everywhere to adopt a can-do attitude, recognize their self-worth and develop life-long healthy-living skills all while training to complete a 5K. The challenge of running helps these girls to realize they are capable of achieving greatness even in the face of difficulty.

Begins March 18
Tuesdays + Thursdays, 3:30pm

Program fee based on family income and household size.

Register today at JewishVA.org/GOTR

Kids Night Out (ages 4-12)

Need a date night?

Kids Night Out is a fun night for everyone! Kids will enjoy a night full of games, crafts, snacks, and swimming. Saturday Nights, from 5-9 PM.

For JCC Members | Children aged 4 to 12
$25 per child / $15 for siblings (max $55/household)

Potential JCC Members | Children aged 4 to 12
$30 per child / $20 for siblings (max $70/household)

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2024-25 Dates

  • April 26

Register at JewishVA.org/KNO

If you have any difficulty registering, please do not hesitate to contact us at 757-321-2338 or LEllard@UJFT.org.  We are happy to assist you!

 

 

Homework Club

The Homework Club is a special add-on opportunity for children before classes / sports. Those that attend SIA will be picked up , brought to the Zone at the JCC, where they will be given a snack and have the opportunity to do homework or have some down time before practice. Then they will be escorted to the gym. Geared to grades K-2 and their 3-5 siblings.

Next Session to be announced

 

 

Mad Science - Fantastic Forces (Grades 1-3)

Kids will learn all about the science of flight and the forces that are involved. They will discover the scientific principals of this magic and see how everything can be explained.

New Dates Coming Soon
Mondays, 3:30pm or 4:30pm
$115 member • $145 guest

If you have any difficulty registering, please do not hesitate to contact us at 757-321-2338 or LEllard@UJFT.org.  We are happy to assist you!

Israel Club Details

Israel Connection Club Comes to You!   Explore Today!

Through fun and engaging discussions, games and crafts, we will enhance our knowledge of all-things-Israel, together, in a really fun environment surrounded by new friends!

The class is lead by our visiting ShinShinim, who are Israeli born citizens. They are excited to meet you and bring Israel to life for everyone! 

Dates Coming Soon

Reserve your Date

 

 

Go to Sports & Leagues page

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING KIDS EVENTS

 

 

 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KIDS CLASSES AT THE JCC

Contact Sarah Cooper, Camp JCC Program Manager, at SCooper@SimonFamilyJCC.org or (757) 321-2306

 

 

 

There is no better place to make new friends, create memories, and become the brightest version of yourself than at camp! At Camp JCC we engage children through experiences that help build, support, and reinforce a positive personal identity and strong peer relationships. Throughout the week, our activities invoke curiosity and help campers develop patience, creativity, and responsibility.

 

 

 

 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CAMP JCC

Contact Dave Flagler, Director of Camp and Teen Engagement, at DFlagler@UJFT.org or (757) 432-3182.