The Charlotte Jewish News- September 2025- Page 3
Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
Annual Campaign Update
By Jessica Goldfarb, JFGC Communications Specialist
With the impending close of Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’ s 2025 Annual Campain, we are filled with immense gratitude for the generosity and trust of our community. Thanks to your support, we’ ve raised an incredible $ 6.9 million( at time of writing) in total annual giving— strengthening our network of agencies, bolstering security, and ensuring that Jewish life in greater Charlotte and around the world continues to thrive.
Your contributions do more than fund programs. They power Jewish Charlotte.
The Annual Campaign fuels the core operations that keep our community strong. It powers the programs, events, and educational opportunities that bring us together— like Shabbat Shaboom and PJ Library events for families, and Unpacking Israel: Masterclass Series for deeper learning. It underwrites advocacy efforts like those that helped secure the passage of the Shalom Act, expanding protections for Jewish students across North Carolina. It also supports meaningful moments of connection, like community-wide celebrations for Yom Ha’ atzmaut that bring hundreds together to celebrate Israeli culture and identity.
Behind the scenes, Federation weaves all of this into a broader network of care— a system of support that reaches across age, background, and need.
This network includes the more than 70 beneficiary agencies and programs we support each year, both locally and in Israel. Whether it’ s early childhood education through the Charlotte Jewish Preschool or Jewish Preschool on Sardis, Jewish identity-building for teens through BBYO, mental health counseling and emergency assistance through Jewish Family Services, or rebuilding efforts in Israel, your gift sustains a safety net and a source of strength for the entire community.
In addition to core campaign support, many in our community have chosen to give toward specific priorities. Outshine Hate is advancing the fight against antisemitism through education, advocacy, and coalition building. LiveSecure is helping strengthen the safety of Jewish institutions across Charlotte. The Sue Worrel Israel Center Endowment Fund is powering the new iCenter for Israel Education and Engagement, which will deepen our community’ s connection to Israel through innovative programming and engagement.
As the campaign period draws to a close, our work is far from over. Once the campaign ends, the allocations process will begin. Volunteer committees made up of committed lay leaders will carefully assess community needs and make strategic decisions about how to distribute funds to our partner agencies and programs, both here in Charlotte and in Israel.
It’ s never too late to make a difference! If you haven’ t made your pledge yet, there is still a short window of time to be part of the work that sustains and strengthens our community every single day.
When we give together, we do more than meet needs. We build the future of Jewish life in Charlotte and beyond.
2025 Annual Campaign
So, What Is NextGen Anyway?
By Jessica Goldfarb, JFGC Communications Specialist
Is your mother nagging you to meet a nice Jewish boy? Or girl? Or honestly just anyone who knows what kugel is? We can’ t promise soulmates— but we can promise good people, good bagels, and a good excuse to finally leave your apartment on a Thursday night.
You might not expect to find that kind of community in a Southern city like Charlotte, but you’ d be surprised! Charlotte is growing, and with it, its Jewish community has skyrocketed from a population of 21,100 in 2020 to 32,900 today. That’ s a 55 % increase in just five years!
At the center of much of that growth is Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte. Federation is the behind-the-scenes engine that helps fund, connect, and support Jewish life in Charlotte— from cultural events to Israel engagement to fighting antisemitism and helping people in crisis. Specific to Jewish young adults is NextGen, Federation’ s way of bringing Jewish 20, 30, and mid 40-somethings into the community. Think happy hours, cultural events, Charlotte FC games, and conversations that go beyond small talk. It’ s where people show up as they are, Jewish by birth or by choice, practicing or not, just curious or fully in.
But let’ s be honest, your schedule is full and there are about 15 streaming platforms competing for your attention. So why take the time to get involved in the Jewish community at all?
Here’ s why:
• Because Jewish identity is more than religion; it’ s culture, heritage, humor, and history.
• Because community doesn’ t happen by accident.
• Because making new friends as an adult is hard, unless someone else plans the gathering for you.
• Because you’ re part of something bigger than yourself— and that actually feels kind of amazing once you realize it.
Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte isn’ t just for high level donors or people who go to synagogue every week. It’ s for you. It’ s for all of us figuring out what being Jewish means now, in a world that’ s in constant flux.
So, if you’ re looking for your people, come to an event. Follow us(@ jewishcharlotte). DM us. Bring your friends, or show up solo and leave with new ones. Jewish life in Charlotte is what we make it. Whether you’ re showing up for the conversation, the community, or just the snacks, there’ s a place for you here.
Up next for NextGen: an evening with Eve Barlow
Federation’ s NextGen is inviting the whole community to an event with special guest, Eve Barlow, Sept. 18 at 7 p. m. in the Sam Lerner Center for Cultural Arts at Shalom Park.
Known for using her platform to speak out against antisemitism and misinformation online, Eve Barlow brings sharp insight into how young Jews can find their voice, push back against hate, and show up proudly both online and in real life. Register online at www. jewishcharlotte. org.
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Power of Words: Shalom Beyond Hello & Goodbye
( Continued from page 3)
among our highest values. It’ s what we wish one another, what we pray for, and what we are commanded to pursue. However, achieving shalom isn’ t passive. It requires intentional action: building trust, strengthening community, and repairing what’ s broken in the world around us.
That work takes many forms. It happens at gatherings and cultural programs, where relationships are built, stories are shared, and a sense of belonging is reinforced. It happens at advocacy missions, where individuals come together to raise their voices and strengthen our collective future. It also happens in the quieter, often behind-the-scenes work of ensuring our institutions are safe and secure.
Jewish tradition doesn’ t call us to wait for peace. It calls us to make it. Shalom is not just something we hope for, it’ s something we build. Through our actions, our relationships, and our shared responsibility, we help bring shalom closer to reality.