The Charlotte Jewish News- October 2025- Page 2 Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte

By Jessica Goldfarb

As part of Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’ s mission to deepen our community’ s connection with Israel, The Charlotte Jewish News will periodically highlight positive stories from Israel featuring advancements in science, medicine, culture, and more.

Even amid challenging times, stories of progress and compassion continue to emerge from Israel. These are stories that remind us of the country’ s enduring creativity, resilience, and commitment to improving lives. From new welfare initiatives to environmental innovation and extraordinary archaeological discovery, these recent developments highlight the best of Israeli ingenuity and heart. Caring for All Living Beings In early September, Israel’ s Ministry of Environmental Protection announced a new initiative to support organizations that care for animals— offering grants to help shelters, veterinary clinics, and education programs expand their services. The funding will go toward critical needs such as medical treatment, spaying and neutering, food supplies, and the construction and maintenance of humane facilities.

The call for proposals is part of a larger effort to strengthen Israel’ s approach to animal welfare by ensuring that local governments and nonprofits have the resources they need to care for abandoned and injured animals. It also encourages educational programming that promotes compassion, responsibility, and respect for animals among Israel’ s younger generations. By investing in this work, the Ministry aims to build a culture of empathy and public engagement that benefits both animals and the communities who care for them.

Shabbat Candle Lighting Times( 28226 Zip Code. For other locations, visit www. charlottejewishnews. org.)

THE CHARLOTTE JEWISH NEWS

Published by Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte

5007 Providence Road, Suite 101 Charlotte, NC 28226( 704) 944-6711 www. charlottejewishnews. org charlottejewishnews @ shalomcharlotte. org

The Charlotte Jewish News strives to be the leading source for news and features of special interest to the local Jewish community, to highlight the voices and stories that reflect the diversity of Jewish life in Charlotte, and to communicate the mission, activities, and accomplishments of Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte and its partners.

The CJN does not assume responsibility for the quality of kashrut of any product or service advertised. Publishing of a paid political advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate, political party or position by this newspaper, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, or any of its employees. Articles submitted by individual agencies bearing their logo are reflective of the opinion of that agency.

Published monthly except July

By Jessica Goldfarb

Exploring the meaning, history, and relevance of Hebrew words that continue to inspire Jewish life and community in Charlotte and beyond.

In Hebrew, there are several common words and phrases that carry profound meaning for Judaism, for Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte. Whether you are familiar with these words and phrases or have never heard them, their significance within the context of our community is worth exploring further.

The word tikvah( הָוְקִּת) translates to hope, yet its meaning reaches far beyond simple optimism. Derived from the root הוק( kavah), meaning to bind together or to wait expectantly, tikvah evokes a cord or thread that connects present struggle to future redemption. It is not passive hope; it is strength born of endurance and trust in what lies ahead.

Throughout Jewish history, tikvah has been a sustaining force. In moments of exile, persecution, and uncertainty, our ancestors held fast to a vision of renewal and return. This kind of hope was not naïve or detached. It was active, resilient, and rooted in faith and perseverance. To have tikvah was to believe that the story was not over and to live each day as if redemption were already within reach.

The word finds one of its most powerful expressions in Israel’ s national anthem, Hatikvah, meaning“ The Hope.” The song captures the centuries-old longing of the Jewish people for freedom and home, carrying forward a spirit that continues to inspire and unite us today.

Here in Charlotte, tikvah continues to take on new life. Local congregations carry this value, each fostering community, compassion, and renewal in its own way. Of course, they are far from the only places where hope flourishes. Tikvah is reflected throughout our Jewish community. It lives through the people and institutions that give it form.

That spirit was especially visible during Federation’ s recent October 7 Commemoration, when our community gathered in remembrance and resilience. Even in grief, we found hope: hope in our unity, in our shared purpose, and in our ongoing commitment to stand with Israel and with one another. The gathering served as a reminder that tikvah is not the absence of pain but the will to move forward

Restoring a National Treasure

One of Israel’ s most ambitious environmental projects reached a major milestone this summer with progress on the“ Reverse Carrier” system— a massive engineering feat designed to replenish the Kinneret( Sea of Galilee) with desalinated water from the Mediterranean.

Traditionally, Israel’ s national water carrier moved water out of the Kinneret to serve homes, farms, and cities across the country. Now, with climate change and years of low rainfall threatening the lake’ s health, engineers have literally reversed the flow. Desalinated water from coastal plants is being pumped back into the Kinneret to keep water levels stable and safeguard this vital freshwater reservoir.

The project, the first of its kind in the world, ensures that the Kinneret, a site of deep spiritual and historical importance, remains a sustainable source of water and life for generations to come. It also underscores Israel’ s leadership in water technology and environmental innovation, offering a model for other countries facing similar challenges. A Window into the Past In August, archaeologists uncovered a remarkable discovery in a cave near Ein Gedi: a fourline Aramaic inscription, four well-preserved Roman swords, and a coin believed to date back nearly 1,900 years. The find, announced by the Israel Antiquities Authority, offers new insight into life during the Roman period and the Jewish revolts that shaped the region’ s history.

Experts believe the inscription, which reads“ Abba, son of Naburya, has perished,” may date to the second century CE and could be linked to the era of the Bar Kokhba revolt. The swords, thought to have been hidden in the cave for safekeeping, are among the best-preserved examples ever found in Israel.

These discoveries illuminate a vivid chapter of Jewish resilience and identity, connecting modern Israel to the lives and struggles of those who lived nearly two millennia ago. Progress Rooted in Purpose Together, these developments reflect Israel’ s ongoing commitment to practical solutions and meaningful progress. From investing in animal welfare and sustainable water management to uncovering pieces of its ancient story, Israel continues to balance innovation with preservation. In each effort, there’ s a quiet reminder that the work of building, protecting, and understanding never stops, even during uncertain times.

despite it.

Through the work of Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, that same hope continues to strengthen Jewish life, inspire connection, and sustain our shared future. Each act of giving, every program built, and every partnership formed is a reflection of tikvah— the belief that together, we can create a community rooted in care, resilience, and promise.