The Charlotte
JEWISH
NEWS
Vol. 47, No. 9 Heshvan-Kislev 5786 November 2025
Federation Helps More Families Discover the Magic of Jewish Camp
By Jessica Goldfarb
Across the country and right here in Charlotte, Jewish summer camp has become one of the most meaningful ways for children to connect with their heritage and community. It’ s where children form lifelong friendships, discover their independence, and experience the joy of Jewish living in a setting filled with learning and laughter. Recognizing how deeply these experiences shape young lives, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte( JFGC) has made expanding access to Jewish summer camp a communal priority.
What makes Jewish camp unique is how Jewish life is woven naturally into each day: counselors model values in every activity, Hebrew words and songs become part of the soundtrack, Shabbat is celebrated together, and service projects introduce tikkun olam in hands-on ways. It’ s an unplugged environment with trusted role models where kids try new things, grow as leaders, and feel proud of who they are. According to a 2022 study by the Foundation for Jewish Camp( FJC), 92 % of families said attending summer camp made their child feel more connected to their Jewish identity— evidence of how powerfully these experiences shape values, relationships, and long-term engagement in Jewish life.
As Jewish Charlotte’ s community convener, Federation is leading the effort to ensure that more local families will experience the power of Jewish summer camp.
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In partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp, the national organization that runs the One Happy Camper program, Federation is bringing this program to Charlotte. One Happy Camper helps local Jewish families send their children to Jewish overnight camp for the first time, opening the door to experiences that build confidence, curiosity, and a deep sense of belonging. The initiative is designed to help families say“ yes” to Jewish camp and, through local recruitment, build awareness and interest among families who previously weren’ t considering it.
Bringing this initiative to life requires both collaboration and community investment. To expand access and make Jewish camp more affordable for local families, The Leon Levine Foundation has provided a seed grant to launch One Happy Camper in Charlotte. The initiative will enhance recruitment and marketing
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By Jessica Goldfarb
The 2025 Annual Campaign has officially closed, raising an incredible $ 7,026,777: a record-breaking achievement for Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte and a powerful reflection of what our community can accomplish together. This success goes far beyond the numbers. It represents lives touched, needs met, and the continued strength of Jewish life in Charlotte, in Israel, and around the world.
This year also marks the launch of a new allocations structure designed to enhance transparency and impact. For the first time, Federation’ s allocations process is being guided by two committees, one local and one overseas, composed of lay leaders and community members who bring diverse perspectives to the table. The local committee oversees funding for beneficiary agencies across greater Charlotte and North Carolina, while the overseas committee focuses on allocations to partners in Israel and around the world. By dividing the process in this way,
efforts to help more children experience the joy and impact of Jewish camp, while also offering first-time incentive grants to new families and ongoing affordability support for those who qualify.
The Leon Levine Foundation’ s investment in One Happy Camper reflects its deep belief in strengthening families and building vibrant communities. Its partnership with Federation has long supported programs that connect people to Jewish life through learning, engagement, and shared experience. By helping to bring this initiative to Charlotte, The Leon Levine Foundation is advancing Federation’ s mission to foster Jewish identity, empower the next generation, and ensure that every family feels part of a thriving and connected community.
What better way to explore what Jewish camp has to offer than by experiencing it firsthand? At Federation’ s upcoming Jewish Summer Camp Fair, families can meet the people who make camp so special, learn about exciting Summer 2026 programs( yes, One Happy Camper will be available for summer 2026!), and find out how opportunities like the One Happy Camper program can make those experiences possible.
2025 Annual Campaign: A Record Year of Impact
While parents chat with staff, kids can enjoy fun camp-style activities, games, and crafts, giving them a preview of the magic of summer camp right here in Charlotte.
Grab pizza from the Vita da Pizza food truck starting at 5:00 PM before the fair begins at 6:00 PM, November 12, in the Sam Lerner Center for Cultural Arts. Register online at www. jewishcharlotte. org. For more information on the upcoming Camp Fair or the One Happy Camper program, contact Megan Harkavy at megan. harkavy @ jewishcharlotte. org.
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Federation ensures greater intentionality, accountability, and stewardship of every campaign dollar.
Each dollar raised helps sustain vital programs and services across every stage of Jewish life. Through Federation initiatives like the Center for Jewish Education and PJ Library, children and families connect to Jewish values in joyful and accessible ways. Programs such as Board Game Café create meaningful spaces for connection, while community-wide learning experiences and speaker events deepen understanding about Israel and Jewish identity. Through the Bernstein Leadership Group( BLG), emerging leaders gain the tools and knowledge to strengthen our community’ s future. Federation’ s Jewish Community Relations Council( JCRC) continues to advocate for our community’ s needs at the local, state, and national levels, building bridges through interfaith collaboration and civic engagement.
The impact of Annual Campaign dollars is realized every day through more than 70 beneficiary agencies and initiatives that touch countless lives. Locally, agencies like Jewish Family Services( JFS) provide counseling, senior outreach, food pantry support, and crisis response. This includes use of the Community Tzedakah Fund, which offers emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and medical costs. Early childhood and Jewish education thrive through schools like Charlotte Jewish Preschool, Jewish Preschool on Sardis, and Charlotte Jewish Day School, which together nurture a strong foundation of Jewish learning and identity from preschool through middle school. Teens and college students find belonging and leadership opportunities through BBYO and North Carolina Hillel, building the next generation of engaged Jewish leaders.
These examples represent only a glimpse of the collective impact made possible by your generosity: each agency, in its own way, helps to ensure that no one in our community is left
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