Now more than ever, personalized advice matters
By Elizabeth Breyer Johnson
In a community that thrives on connection, continuity, and the steady hands of those who show up repeatedly, few people embody that spirit more fully than Rachel Reifkind. A leader within Women’ s Philanthropy, a mother of three, and the current President of the Board of the Charlotte Jewish Preschool( CJP), she brings a unique blend of heart, history, and forward-thinking leadership to every role she takes on.
From boardrooms to classrooms to campaign meetings, her fingerprints are everywhere, shaping the present while honoring the legacy of the women, who paved the way before her. In this conversation, she reflects on what it means to raise Jewish children, steward a growing community, and continue a family tradition of leadership that spans three generations.
You carry three generations of Women’ s Philanthropy on your shoulders. What does it feel like to step into a legacy your mother helped build( alongside your sister, Karen Spiegler) and how has it shaped the way you lead today? My mom always modeled what it means to lead with purpose. Whether she was dedicating her time with UJA, volunteering at our schools or stepping into leadership roles at our synagogue, she instructed my sisters and me that community isn’ t something you simply belong to, it’ s something you help build. I’ ll never forget how proudly she wore her Lion of Judah pin, a quiet but powerful symbol of her commitment to Jewish women’ s leadership and giving. Her example continues to guide me. Since moving to Charlotte and beginning a family of my own, I’ ve felt deeply committed to contributing to our vibrant Jewish community and helping shape a meaningful future for the next generation. For example, like my mother, I’ m deeply proud to be a Lion of Judah and to serve as a committee chair, especially alongside my sister, Karen Spiegler.
You have three young children and a full slate of commitments. What does“ Jewish life in motion” look like in real time, in your home, at preschool, and across your volunteer roles? At home, I’ m the grateful audience for nightly“ Shabbat concerts” led by my 5-year-old, Alex, with spirited accompaniment from my 2-yearold, Gabby. Before bed, we always say the Shema together, a ritual my parents shared with me, and one of the great joys I now get to pass down to my own children. At CJP, I see that same delight and sense of belonging reflected every day. I still remember when Alex came home from the ones class confidently counting to three in Hebrew, or the excitement children bring to Friday Shabbat celebrations and Passover Seder programs. And next year, our youngest daughter, Shayna, will have the opportunity to experience the very same magic as her two siblings. The Jewish learning there is natural, joyful, and deeply aligned with the values we nurture at home. In my role leading the CJP Board of Directors, I feel a profound responsibility to ensure the school remains a place where young children and their families build a solid foundation of Jewish learning, values, and community that will sustain them for years to come.
As President of the Board of CJP, what are you most proud of and what energizes you about the direction the school is heading? Leading the Board of a school known not only for its outstanding curriculum but also for its remarkable sense of community is amazing. CJP is a place where families feel at home, where children grow with confidence, and where parents often meet some of their closest friends. Right now, I’ m especially energized by the launch of our new Outdoor Learning Village Campaign. Since my first year on the Board, I’ ve heard parents say the one thing that could make CJP even better is an improved outdoor space. I’ m thrilled we’ re finally bringing this vision to life: creating a safer, more engaging playground and expanding it to include an outdoor classroom so more children can learn and play outside together. What makes this project even more meaningful is its reach. The Outdoor Learning Village will benefit not only CJP students but the entire Shalom Park campus as it will be used by other agencies and remain open to families during non-school hours. To me, that reflects a true investment in the future of our children and in the incredible strength of our community.
When you think about the values you want your children to carry into their own Jewish adulthood, what rises to the top— and how do you model those values day-to-day? I always come back to the Jewish value of giving and the vital role of tzedakah. It’ s something woven into me by my parents and grandparents, and it’ s a value I hope to pass on to my own children. My hope is that when they see the volunteer work Ian and I do in the community, it resonates with them. And even though they’ re still little, they carry that awareness into their own weekly tzedakah at school.
For younger women considering stepping into leadership roles, what’ s your message? Especially as someone who is
The Charlotte Jewish News- Janurary 2026- Page 23
A Mother in Motion: Championing Jewish Life Across Generations
Now more than ever, personalized advice matters
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balancing motherhood, career, and community work. There’ s no time like the present. If you wait until you feel“ ready,” you may be waiting forever, especially while balancing motherhood, a career, and community commitments. There’ s rarely a perfect moment to step into leadership, but there are moments when you recognize that your voice and perspective are needed. That’ s when you say yes. And just as importantly, remember that it’ s perfectly acceptable to say“ no.” Finding leadership opportunities that align with your values and with your family’ s rhythms is what creates a sustainable, meaningful balance.
And on a lighter note: when life gets chaotic including school schedules, community meetings, carpools, what’ s the one thing that keeps you grounded or helps you laugh through the madness? Not any one thing, really but first and always, my children. I know it sounds cliché, yet every stage somehow becomes“ our favorite age.” Yes, corralling three little ones can be loud, chaotic, and occasionally overwhelming. But it also means three times the laughter, affection, and unexpected moments of joy.
A close second is my close circle of mom friends, most of whom I met through the Char-
The Reifkind Family
lotte Jewish community— at Federation events, CJP or PJ Library. We’ re all moving through the same stages and phases together, and there’ s real comfort in that. We learn from one another, lean on one another, and, when needed, vent to one another. It’ s a kind of community that makes parenting feel both shared and supported.
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