The Charlotte Jewish News- December 2025- Page 10
Proud to Stand, Proud to Belong
By Brian Sher
I was born and raised in Washington State, where life moved at an easy pace and the outdoors taught me a great deal about strength, patience, and perspective. When my family and I moved to Charlotte four years ago, we were searching for connection and a place where our Jewish identity could truly thrive. What we found was far more than that. We found a community.
From the start, Charlotte’ s Jewish life welcomed us in. Between JFGC programs, the synagogues, countless events, school sports, summer camp and
Sher Family
By Jon Schuller
For more than a century, movie villains have stolen our attention as easily as they steal cars, diamonds and hearts. From 1903’ s the friendships formed along the way, our family at once felt at home. My children, Sophia( 8) and Simon( 6), attend the Charlotte Jewish Day School, where every day reinforces the values and traditions I grew up with: curiosity, kindness, and pride in being Jewish. Watching them sing Hebrew songs, sharing what they’ ve learned in their Judaica studies, and eagerly insisting on Saturday night Havdalah at home brings me a joy I cannot adequately describe.
Faith and community have always grounded me. Most mornings, I’ m at the gym following school drop-offs. It’ s a small, yet
“ The Great Train Robbery” to today’ s streaming thrillers, audiences have long been fascinated by one question: What makes a criminal tick?
Early crime films often stopped at the heist. We saw how the bad guys worked yet not how they lived. It wasn’ t until“ White Heat”( 1949) and“ The Asphalt Jungle”( 1950) that directors began probing deeper— into family ties, psychology and the messy humanity behind the menace. Then came“ The Godfather” in 1972, which redefined the genre and nearly romanticized the idea of crime as a“ family business.”
By 1990, Martin Scorsese’ s“ Goodfellas” took that story to a new level of realism. Based on Nicholas Pileggi’ s nonfiction book“ Wiseguy,” the film follows Henry Hill( Ray Liotta), an ambitious kid from Brooklyn who climbs the ranks of the Lucchese crime family. His world collides with that of the beautiful Karen( Lorraine Bracco), a young Jewish woman drawn into the thrill and chaos of his life. Through her eyes, we see how allure and danger intertwine— and how easy it is to lose oneself in both.
Scorsese stripped away the glamour to show the daily grind of organized crime: the greed, the fear and the illusion of control. Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Paul Sorvino embody characters who feel startlingly real. Some even had personal ties to the mob world they portrayed, lending the film a texture that made“ Goodfellas” feel less like fiction and more like a documentary.
The film earned six Academy
Award nominations, with Pesci winning best supporting actor, and it inspired everything from“ The Sopranos” to a generation of filmmakers chasing that same gritty authenticity. At its core,“ Goodfellas” isn’ t about gangsters. It’ s about addiction— to money, to power, to adrenaline and to the illusion of being, quite simply, invincible. Untouchable. We all learn that crime pays, but only for a while.
Scorsese didn’ t set out to glorify the mob; he exposed the corrosion beneath the surface luster. 35 years later,“ Goodfellas” still stands as one of America’ s most unflinching portraits of power, loyalty and the price of wanting more. And for all these reasons, in my book, it remains an iconic American film.
If there’ s a movie that moved
important ritual that sets the tone for my day. One that helps me stay centered for my kids, my work running my own electrical contracting business, and my circle of friends.
But this past year, after October 7, being Jewish took on a new kind of weight and urgency. Like so many of us, I felt shaken, helpless, and deeply connected to Israel in ways I hadn’ t before. I needed to do something, to channel that ache into action. And so, I ordered a substantial number of“ Freedom Tags” – metal necklaces inscribed with the words:“ My Heart is Captive in Gaza” and“ Bring Them Home Now.”
At first, it was meant as a small gesture, but it soon became something much more meaningful. I began handing them out to those who wanted to continue the message of freedom and remembrance. I distributed them at services, events, around town, and even at the gym. Each“ tag” carried the message: We will not forget. And we will never stop caring until every one of the hostages returns home to their loved ones.
They soon became real conversation starters creating moments of connection, strength, and shared purpose. The clink of metal against my chest throughout the day served as a constant reminder of the hostages and of the unity that grew from the simple act of wearing one. I had never worn jewelry before, but this tag became part of me; a visible symbol of solidarity and faith. Soon, I plan to replace it with a Star of David, carrying forward the same spirit of identity, honor, and remembrance.
Additionally, the Sunday hostage walks through South Charlotte became sacred ground. Week after week, our community came together – families, friends, teens, small children, and even grandparents – walking side by side, holding Israeli flags, signs, and photos of the hostages. I often found myself near the front, leading or simply walking quietly, surrounded by people who shared the same mix of sorrow and hope that hung heavily in my heart.
On my personal social media account, I’ ve tried to keep this same energy alive – sharing regular updates, encouraging dialogue, and engaging in honest, sometimes difficult conversations with people across the country and even abroad. Advocacy doesn’ t only happen in rallies or meetings; it happens every day in how we speak, teach, show up, and even post.
When the remaining living hostages were released, I felt overwhelmed, grateful, relieved, and grief all at once. Because while some were fortunate to return home, countless others were not. My kids saw my emotions, and I let them. To me, it’ s important they see what pride and compassion look like in real time. It’ s how we teach the next generation that being Jewish is not just heritage; it’ s a responsibility, a source of strength, and a story still unfolding.
Today, I feel more connected than ever, to Israel, to Charlotte, and to this extraordinary community that continues to show up for one another. Through Federation events, Shabbat dinners, school celebrations, and even those early-morning gym conversations, I’ ve seen how much power there is in simply standing together.
I’ m proud to be a Jew. I’ m proud to be part of this community. And I’ m proud to raise two children who know – deeply and confidently – exactly who they are, what they stand for, and where they belong.
The Final Cut: He’ s Way Too Nice To Be A Gangster
you, surprised you or deserves a second look, send your recommendation to Elizabeth Breyer Johnson at elizabeth. johnson @ jewishcharlotte. org and she might feature it in an upcoming column.