The Charlotte Jewish News- Janurary 2026- Page 2
Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
From the Editor’ s Desk: The Beautiful, Messy Work of Learning
If there is one moment that stayed with me in 2025, it unfolded in front of a cozy fire, across the floor of our den, on an ordinary fall afternoon. My daughter, Lucy, who is six, decided she was ready to take on a Lego hibiscus bouquet, an advanced set intended for someone aged 18. Lucy, well-versed in sets for kids far older than she is, declared she could manage this one with characteristic aplomb. She approached it with the all-in determination children seem to be born knowing, right up until she didn’ t.
Within an hour, she had collapsed onto her back, kicking and screaming in protest as hot, angry tears streamed down her cheeks. Overwhelmed by frustration, she looked at me almost accusingly. As she wailed, she pointed furiously at the box and
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Published by Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
Editor Elizabeth Breyer Johnson
Sr. Communications Specalist Jessica Goldfarb
Social Media Manager Shelby Robinson
Director of Marketing Dylan Vander Velde
5007 Providence Road, Suite 101 Charlotte, NC 28226( 704) 944-6765 www. charlottejewishnews. org charlottejewishnews @ shalomcharlotte. org
The Charlotte Jewish News strives to be the leading source for news and features of special interest to the local Jewish community, to highlight the voices and stories that reflect the diversity of Jewish life in Charlotte, and to communicate the mission, activities, and accomplishments of Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte and its partners.
The CJN does not assume responsibility for the quality of kashrut of any product or service advertised. Publishing of a paid political advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate, political party or position by this newspaper, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, or any of its employees. Articles submitted by individual agencies bearing their logo are reflective of the opinion of that agency.
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said,“ I’ m not 18. I’ m only six. Why did you buy this?” It wasn’ t the petals or the stems that catalyzed her meltdown. Instead, it was the sudden weight of her own expectation.
In that moment, every instinct told me to swoop in, fix it, make it easier. Yet learning, real learning, rarely asks for that. More often, it asks for presence. For someone to stand beside you while you remember what you already know. And so, I wrapped my arms around her, rubbed her back, and told her quietly that life can be hard, but we can do hard things. And she’ s braver and stronger than she realizes. When she finally quieted, we took a deep breath together and agreed to pause for the day.
Later that week, a dear friend( also a fellow Lego enthusiast) quietly spotted two tiny mistakes, fixed them, and stepped back without ceremony. Once those slight adjustments opened the way, Lucy took it from there. She finished the bouquet with a palpable excitement you could feel in the room. The purple Lego creation now sits like a trophy on a shelf in her bedroom, a small monument to the truth we often forget. That learning can be messy, emotional, nonlinear, and propelled by bravery children are not praised for nearly enough.
Watching her wobble, regroup, and rise later mirrors how I think about learning across our Jewish community. Whether I’ m building an issue of The Charlotte Jewish News, collaborating with the incredible teams across our campus agencies, or partnering with the extraordinary clergy and educators who guide our children, I’ m reminded daily that growth doesn’ t happen in a straight line. It emerges in the tension between“ I can do this” and“ I’ m not sure I can.” And often, it happens when someone quietly makes space, then steps aside.
Years ago, when I was leading corporate communications for a global firm, a mentor looked at me during a whirlwind week at the Paris Air Show. I confessed the day had been unusually intense and was weighing heavily on me. He smiled and said,“ Elizabeth, always remember, idle hands make for devil’ s play.” I often think of Uncle Les’ s words, especially during seasons when my calendar is spilling over. My father says I perform best when my plate is full and as it turns out, fathers know best. Some people grow in stillness. But I grow in motion, in responsibility, and in the quiet confidence that someone believes I can carry it.
This month’ s issue is rooted in this very idea: Jewish learning in all its forms across ages, across homes and classrooms, across every corner of our community. These are not abstract themes. They touch every one of us. They appear during bedtime questions, at Shabbat blessings, in Hebrew school carpool lines, in moments of egregious frustration, and in the quiet courage of teachers who bring light into their classrooms when the world feels heavy. And they also emerge in the countless ways we step back so others can step forward.
As we enter 2026, my hope for our community is this: May we continue learning, may we model resilience, may we be the adults who notice the tiny mistakes, offer a gentle correction, and then watch our children discover they can do far more than they ever imagined.
Wishing you a New Year filled with marvelous connections, relentless curiosity, and the most satisfying kind of learning. The very kind that stays with you long after the moment has passed.
My very best,
Elizabeth Breyer Johnson, Editor, Charlotte Jewish News
From Generation to Generation: The Act of Legacy Giving
By Jessica Goldfarb
An important question many are asking now is what kind of Jewish community will we leave for future generations? Throughout history, members of the Jewish community have stepped up to care for one another, support Jewish life, and pass on traditions. Today, this responsibility continues not only through annual donations and volunteerism, but also through legacy giving.
Legacy gifts to Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte( JFGC) play a vital role in maintaining a strong, responsive community for years to come. Generous donations help keep our community safe, offer Jewish education to children, support the fight against antisemitism, and enable us to respond to emergencies locally as well as around the world. These gifts also ensure that Jewish experiences remain accessible, from youth programs and cultural events to Israel advocacy and leadership development.
What makes legacy giving unique is that it provides funding not just for the present, but for the future. At its core, legacy giving is an expression of L’ dor v’ dor— from generation to generation. Jewish life has always been sustained by the commitments from those who came before us, and legacy gifts continue that chain of responsibility.
Legacy dollars often support permanent endowment funds. This income provides consistent, long-term support, so that essential programs continue even during economic downturns or unforeseen crises. They make it possible for JFGC to plan strategically, invest in new initiatives, and remain resilient, year after year. Legacy gifts become part of a much larger story. They reflect the belief that Jewish life should not only endure, but grow, and that each generation has a role in securing that outcome. It’ s a quiet but powerful way to say: Jewish life matters, and I want to ensure it continues.
In the greater Charlotte area, many people begin this process through Create Your Jewish Legacy( CJL), an initiative of Foundation for the Charlotte Jewish Community( FCJC). CJL works with JFGC and other local Jewish organizations to help individuals and families include Jewish causes in their estate plans. The
process is personal, thoughtful, and guided by what matters most to the donor. Some people choose to include a charitable bequest in their will, while others make a commitment through a retirement account, life insurance policy, or other form of planned gift. Each approach reflects a different path, yet all share the same purpose: strengthening the foundation that future generations will depend on.
Legacy giving is not about recognition. It’ s about responsibility. It’ s about honoring the community that helped shape you and ensuring it’ s there for someone else tomorrow. For Jewish Charlotte, legacy gifts are more than dollars. They are a quiet act of faith in the future, and they are already shaping what comes next.