The Charlotte
JEWISH
NEWS
Vol. 48, No. 10 Cheshvan- Kislev 5787 November 2026
Federation Celebrates Record-Breaking Annual Campaign
By Jessica Goldfarb
Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte is celebrating a record-breaking 2026 Annual Campaign, raising $ 7.2 million in support of Jewish life in greater Charlotte, Israel, and around the world. This achievement is a testament to the generosity of our community and the commitment of donors who recognize the importance of investing in Jewish life, both today and for the future.
The impact of the Annual Campaign reaches into nearly every corner of Jewish life. Campaign dollars support local Jewish schools and partner agencies, create opportunities for children and families to connect with their heritage, and invest in programs that develop the next generation of Jewish leaders. They also help Federation strengthen community security, combat antisemitism through education and advocacy, and deepen our community’ s
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Elina Mazo, senior director of development and engagement at Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, enthusiastically cheers on volunteers at a past annual fundraising event.
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By Jessica Goldfarb
For Jewish communities around the world, Israel is more than a place on a map. It is part of our shared history, heritage, and identity, connecting Jewish people across generations and continents. Yet that connection looks different to everyone. For some, it is deeply personal, rooted in family, faith, or time spent in Israel. For others, it is a relationship they are still exploring.
Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte believes that every member of our community should have opportunities to discover and strengthen their own connection to Israel. That belief is at the heart of the new Israel Center, an initiative designed to bring Israel closer to Jewish Charlotte through education, cultural experiences, and meaningful relationships.
Maintaining strong relationships between Israel and Jewish communities in the diaspora is about more than preserving a connection to Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
“ A successful campaign is about more than reaching a financial goal.” says Sam Bernstein, Chief Development and Marketing Officer.“ It is a reflection of the people who believe in the importance of a strong Jewish community and are willing to help make it possible.” Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte extends its sincere gratitude to every donor, volunteer, and community partner who contributed to this record-breaking year, with special thanks to Campaign Chairs Kara Culp and Lisa Strause for their leadership and dedication.
As we celebrate this achievement, we are also looking ahead. The needs of our community do not end when a Campaign closes, and neither does Federation’ s
shared history. Jewish life extends across borders, and the experiences and perspectives of Jewish communities around the world contribute to a larger, interconnected Jewish people. By commitment to meeting them. New challenges will arise, new opportunities will emerge, and the work of strengthening Jewish life will continue.
That work will carry forward into the 2027 Annual Campaign, officially kicking off with the Super Event on January 28 at Temple Israel. The event will bring our community together to celebrate what we have accomplished and look toward what we can achieve in the year ahead.
The record-setting success of the 2026 Annual Campaign gives us much to celebrate and an even stronger foundation on which to build. One Campaign may be complete, but the work it makes possible continues every day.
Beyond the Headlines: Building a Deeper Connection to Israel
A young music fan takes in the live entertainment at a recent Shalom Park event.
learning from one another, we strengthen our shared identity and build relationships that endure across generations. As new
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