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Hampton Roads churches, temples spend Christmas giving to those in need

Posted at 9:48 PM, Dec 26, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-26 21:48:59-05

Several churches and temples spent their Christmas giving hot meals and warm beds to those in need.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, the holiday season is always a time of giving.

Members of a Virginia Beach temple wanted to give back to those less fortunate

“There is no greater religious commitment than to reach out to those who need us, especially when its holiday time, going to give them holiday cheer, let them know they are loved, accepted, that we are all god's children,” says Rabbi Israel Zoberman.

Beth Chavarim synagogue, along with their sister church New Jerusalem Ministries, hosted 70 people in need this week, giving them delicious food and of course, a visit from Santa Claus, bearing gifts.

“This is the season for Christmas for us, Hanukkah for them, but it’s all about helping our community and sharing together,” says New Jerusalem Ministries pastor Dr. Veronica Coleman.

On Christmas Day, the spirit of cooperation between religions just kept on going.

The Judeo-Christian Outreach Center fed 150 people with the help of some local churches.

The big miracle though, was the fact that the dinner even happened.

Two months ago, a fire ripped through the JCOC and because the community stepped up, they were able to get back to work quickly, feeding the homeless.

“The outpouring to get our freezer and cooler online, but the outpouring of donations, not only food but financial, is amazing,” says Michael Robertson with the JCOC.