Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
The Charlotte Jewish News- August 2025- Page 3
Securing Jewish Futures: Charlotte Delegation Takes a Stand in Washington, D. C.
By Jessica Goldfarb, JFGC Communications Specialist
When Jewish leaders from across the country were called to Washington, D. C. for a Jewish Federations of North America Emergency Leadership Fly- In, our Charlotte community showed up. From June 26 to 28, a delegation from Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, including members of the Jewish Community Relations Council( JCRC) and other community leaders, joined more than 400 advocates in a coordinated effort to push for immediate federal action to confront the growing threat of antisemitism. Their presence on Capitol Hill sent a clear message:“ Our safety is not optional. Our security is non-negotiable.”
During two days of concentrated advocacy, the Charlotte delegation met with key members of North Carolina’ s congressional delegation, including Congresswoman Virginia Foxx,
Members of the Charlotte delegation in Washington with Rep. Pat Harrington
Congressmen Mark Harris, Tim Moore, and Pat Harrigan, and Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis. These high-level meetings focused on advocating for a six-point strategy to strengthen national and local protections for Jewish institutions and individuals. The plan calls for increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, support to offset the growing costs of securing Jewish schools, synagogues, camps, and events, and additional resources for the FBI, Homeland Security, and local law enforcement agencies. Delegates also pressed for greater accountability for online hate and stronger enforcement of existing hate crime laws.
This national mobilization reflects the core mission of the JCRC: to serve as the voice of Jewish Charlotte in public affairs, advance understanding
Back to School, Back to the Facts: Why Education Matters More Than Ever
By Jessica Goldfarb, JFGC Communications Specialist
As students across greater Charlotte sharpen their pencils and get ready for back-toschool, their return is a moment of renewed focus, not only on academics, but also on values, conversations, and the culture we shape inside and outside the classroom. Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte and its Jewish Community Relations Council( JCRC) are reinforcing a critical message: education is one of the most powerful tools available to combat antisemitism and misinformation.
Antisemitism has been on the rise in recent years, with an exponential increase in the wake of the October 7 attacks. In response, Federation’ s JCRC, through its Outshine Hate initiative, has prioritized education and advocacy as essential strategies in the fight against antisemitism. These efforts aim to equip students, parents, educators, and the greater community with accurate information and the confidence to address difficult topics in real-time. Federation’ s“ Know the Facts” social media series, for example, provides accessible content that clarifies complex issues, challenges harmful assumptions, and points to reliable sources for further learning.
Educators gathered for an antisemitism workshop in partnership with the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center.
As part of its advocacy efforts, the JCRC is also calling for greater transparency around content moderation policies on social media platforms. Antisemitic slogans like“ from the river to the sea,” often presented without explanation, are widespread on social media, distorting historical context and promoting harmful ideologies. The goal is not to limit free speech, but to question the inconsistency: why are Jewish cultural posts, such as challah baking videos, sometimes flagged as hate speech, while antisemitic content is pushed to the top of feeds? Clarity and consistency in platform guidelines are essential to combating online antisemitism effectively.
Whether on social media, in classrooms, workplaces, or in conversations among friends, building media literacy is essential. Misinformation and disinformation are highly damaging, especially when accepted without question or widely shared. This means we need to fact check claims, seek out a range of perspectives, and understand the affiliations and motivations behind different news sources. Educational materials like those developed by Federation can help ground conversations in fact and context.
Just as important as the information are the conversations that follow. Talking about antisemitism and Israel can be difficult,
( Continued on page 5) through education and relationship-building, and promote a just and secure society for all. Through the JCRC, Federation plays a leading role in ensuring that local and national leaders understand and address the evolving challenges facing Jewish communities.
This work is far from over. Keeping the pressure up, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte will partner with the Greensboro Jewish Federation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh
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Andrew is an awardwinning agent ready to assist in your real estate journey. Named in the Top 1 % of All Real Estate Agents in 2021 by Real Trends. In addition, Andrew is an involved member and leader in our Charlotte Jewish community. for a joint Advocacy Mission to Washington, D. C., on Sept. 2 and 3. This upcoming visit offers another opportunity for community members to engage directly with lawmakers, elevate Jewish priorities, and demonstrate the power of collective action across North Carolina.
Jewish security cannot be taken for granted. With continued advocacy, education, and partnership, Federation is helping ensure that the Jewish future is safe, strong, and heard.
Andrew Rosen andrew. rosen @ compass. com M: 704.604.4756 | O: 704.234.7880
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