UJCVP Shabbat Message: It Doesn't Happen by Accident

As a young child, I remember staring up at the ornamental light bulb suspended above the ark in the synagogue. Known as the Ner Tamid, often translated as "Eternal Light," I remember looking at the light with awe and amazement. Did it really stay lit all the time? Who lit it for the first ti…

Newport News City Council Refrains from Israel Ceasefire Resolution

“Newport News City Council should be spending their limited, precious time discussing important local issues,” shared Eric Maurer, CEO of the UJCVP. “This is a foreign policy issue on which the City of Newport News has no official business taking a position on. And it will risk…

More than 250 Convene in Richmond for Jewish Advocacy Day

This whirlwind day of policy talk instantly created closeness within the lobbying teams as they worked together to figure out how to best communicate messages. Feelings of pride in being Jewish permeated throughout, as many people from across Virginia took the day off of work to unite to…

From Virginia to Israel: A Volunteer's Journey of Resilience and Connection

Below is a reflection shared by Virginia Peninsula communy member Rachel Smith on her transformative volunteer experience in Israel:  

In the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.”

I recently had the privilege …

UJCVP Shabbat Message: The Power of a Voice

This weekend we honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and remembered the power of his voice against racism and for civil rights.  

Martin Luther King Jr. was a voice from the mountaintop that changed the world. He understood that words have immeasurable power and could transport…