The Charlotte
JEWISH
NEWS
Vol. 48, No. 1 Tevet- Shevat 5786 January 2026
Honoring the Generosity That Strengthens Our Community
By Jessica Goldfarb
Dec. 11 was an evening filled with appreciation and purpose as Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte( JFGC) gathered major donors at Temple Beth El to celebrate the impact of their generosity. The event welcomed two compelling voices in Jewish communal life: Sarah Hurwitz, former White House speechwriter and author of“ As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us” and Julie Platt, Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Trustees for Jewish Federations of North America.
From the opening moments, the tone of the night was one of gratitude and pride. Guests arrived for a cocktail reception before gathering for dinner and program, surrounded by fellow supporters whose commitment helps sustain Jewish life and
Laura and Stephen Philipson
NONPROFIT ORG U. S. POSTAGE PAID CHARLOTTE NC PERMIT # 1208 CHARLOTTE, NC strengthen the community’ s ability to respond when needs arise.
Julie Platt offered remarks that celebrated the unique role Federations play nationally, while shining a spotlight on JFGC’ s impact. She noted that Charlotte is frequently lifted up in national Federation work as a model for others, describing a community that consistently“ punches above its weight.” Her message was direct and heartfelt: the work Federations do is only possible because of the leadership and partnership of those who give. JFGC CEO, Adam Kolett, echoed those sentiments, thanking supporters for what their giving makes possible and turning the community’ s attention forward. He emphasized the importance of carrying that strength into the coming year, including the launch and priorities of the 2026 Annual Campaign.
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After dinner, the highlight of the night was a candid, thoughtful conversation between Julie and Sarah, moderated by Julie. Sarah shared the story of her reintroduction to Judaism at age 36, sparked by encountering inflammatory stereotypes about Jews. Instead of turning away, she enrolled in an Introduction to Judaism class, where she discovered what she described as the beauty of Jewish tradition, the power of community, and the depth of wisdom within Jewish teaching.
Sarah spoke about a pattern she has noticed in broader culture: Jews are often treated and labeled as“ uncool” for practicing Jewish traditions, whether that means celebrating Chanukah or participating in traditions like Shiva that openly address difficult subjects such as death. Rather than shying away from that label, Sarah explained that she chose to embrace it. If the depth, honesty, and meaning she discovered in Judaism were considered“ uncool,” then she would embrace that identity and encouraged others to do the same— living Jewishly and unapologetically, even when it invites misunderstanding or criticism.
She extended that message to
Opening Night Takes Center Stage: Charlotte Jewish Film Festival Launches Its 22nd Season
By Michelle Rusgo The Charlotte Jewish Film Festival( CJFF) returns this January, marking 22 years of showcasing stories that illuminate Jewish life, culture, and history. The celebration kicks off Saturday, Jan. 24, with“ YidLife Crisis: Swedishkayt Live!” at the historic Carolina Theatre in uptown Charlotte, setting the tone for an evening of laughter, music, and connection.
Fueled by their shared love of Jewish comedy, creators Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman
her relationship with Zionism, acknowledging the social pressure she felt in spaces where Zionism is widely treated as inherently wrong, and where embracing a connection to the Jewish ancestral homeland can come with assumptions about whether someone is considered“ one of the good Jews.” Sarah’ s reflections returned to a consistent theme: Jewish identity and our connection to Israel are not something to shrink or soften for acceptance. Jewish life holds meaning, learning, belonging, and strength, and there is a community ready to stand alongside
Sarah Hurwitz and Julie Platt
launched“ YidLife Crisis,” a trailblazing Yiddish web series blending sharp humor with the complexities of modern Jewish identity. Their newest film follows the duo as they immerse themselves in a Swedish community where Yiddish is now a government-recognized minority language, offering a hilarious yet thoughtful look at cultural preservation in unexpected places.
The Charlotte premiere promises an unforgettable Opening Night. After the screening, those who choose to live that identity openly.
As the evening concluded, guests left with both inspiration and gratitude, along with a copy of Sarah’ s book for each couple to take home. Above all, the Major Donor Dinner served as a reminder that the Annual Campaign is powered by people— people who step up, give generously, and help JFGC do what it does every day: strengthening Jewish life, protecting the community, and building a future shaped by pride, resilience, and responsibility.
Batalion and Elman will take the stage for their signature live“ shtik,” weaving together comedy, storytelling, and music. Their dynamic presence will transform the event from a simple film screening into a vibrant,
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