The Charlotte Jewish News- November 2026- Page 42
We Inherit, What We Build
By Zack Tabachnikoff
Gratitude is often discussed at a surface level. We ask ourselves what we are thankful for and are quick to remind ourselves not to take the people, opportunities, and communities around us for granted. But I think it can ask something more of us. It is not only about recognizing what we have received, but asking what responsibility comes with it.
Having worked with hundreds of Jewish teens through my role at BBYO in Charlotte, I’ ve had the privilege of watching young people grapple with that very question, often without realizing it. They have inherited a Jewish community that generations before them worked tirelessly to build. Parents, grandparents, rabbis, educators and community leaders invested their time and resources to give today’ s adolescents something invaluable: the privilege and opportunity to experience Jewish life alongside their peers.
So how do we help young people truly appreciate such an incredible gift? The answer is simple: We empower them. At BBYO, we do not just ask teens to participate in the Jewish community. We give them countless opportunities to build it themselves. They plan programs, recruit members, lead chapters, and raise funds. Each and every day, they make consequential decisions about the experiences they want their Jewish community to offer.
Amitai is one of those teen leaders here in Charlotte. Last year, he served as president of his chapter. This year, as regional shliach, he is helping to elevate Judaic programming across more than 20 chapters serving 500 teens in four states. What impresses me most about him is not simply how he fulfills his own responsibilities, but how he equips other teen leaders to bring Judaism into their programming and leverage Jewish holidays to deepen the experiences their chapters already offer. In doing so, Amitai is not only leading today, but he is also helping prepare those leaders who will follow him.
I see the same spirit during our Charlotte BBYO Community events, when all four local chapters come together. The collaboration begins long before the event itself, through planning meetings, group chats and countless FaceTime calls. They willingly step in to offer their support. They learn and grow from one another’ s strengths. Collectively, they welcome new members, recruit friends and work toward a common purpose, even while representing four different chapters.
Amitai( in white and second from left) joins fellow BBYO teens from across North Carolina at a leadership training institute.
Something powerful happens when a young person realizes someone else is counting on them. Community stops being something that is simply provided and becomes a living entity they have an obligation to advance. Perhaps that is one of the most enduring ways we can teach stewardship. When we entrust young people with real ownership, we indirectly tell them,“ This community belongs to you.”
Every generation inherits something built by the one before it. Then it is up to each to decide what it will contribute to those who come next. I am especially grateful for the Jewish teens in Charlotte who are already answering this transformative calling. They remind me that gratitude is not only about recognizing what we have been given, but perhaps more importantly, deciding what we will give in return.
To learn more about BBYO, contact Zachary Tabachnikoff at ztabachnikoff @ bbyo. org.
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Anonymous *( 7) Janet S. Abel Bette Andrews Judy and Stan August Gail and John Baron Linda and Ira Bass Sharri and Peter Benjamin Benjamin and
Elizabeth Benson Doug and Tara Benson Susan and Joe Berland Adam Bernstein and
Tammy Seigel Andrew Bernstein Bobbi and Don( OBM)
Bernstein Mark( OBM) and
Louise( OBM) Bernstein Susan P. Bessey Lee and Jeffrey Bierer Jill Blumenthal Lee and Alan Blumenthal Philip Blumenthal Gary and Susan Bogarad Marian( OBM) and
Walter( OBM) Brawer Barry H. Brodsky Sera and Marvin Callif Susan E. Cernyak-Spatz
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Bob Cooper Andrea and George Cronson Marcy and Fred Dumas Barry and Mary Ellen
Ezarsky Larry Farber Henry( OBM) and
Margaret( OBM) Federlin Dorlisa and Peter Flur Donna Foster
Rachel and
Jonathan Friedman Caren and Charles Gale Jena Coen Gartner Y’ honatan E. Gimbel Rick Glaser and Ellen Reich Nancy Glass( OBM) Allen( OBM) and
Ethel( OBM) Gordon Alan and Merle Gottheim Fay( OBM) and
Dan( OBM) Green Karen and Barry Greenblatt Keith E. Greenspon Roslyn Greenspon Bill and Gloria Grifenhagen Diedre and Clay Grubb Ted( OBM) and
M. E. Hessberg Vicki J. Hopkins Andrew and Christy Horwitz Jake and Betsy House Jonathan M. Howard Donald and Susan Jacobs Alyson Kalik Morton and Mary Kaplan Andrew( OBM) and
Susan Karp Barbara and
Alan( OBM) Katz Joan Kirschner Robert P. and
Moira Quinn Klein Lorrie and Barry Klemons and Family Marcia B. Lampert Anita Strauss-LaRowe and
Bruce LaRowe David A. Lash Jack( OBM) and Carole Lash Gladys Lavitan( OBM) Robin Leavitt Janet and David Lefkowitz Eric and Susan Lerner Harry and Gloria Lerner Donna( OBM) and
Norman Levin and Family
Ross C. Levin Leon( OBM) and
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Gwendolyn Lindner Marshall( OBM) and
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Jill( OBM) Newman Larry and Carole Nicholson Michael and Judith Norman Eva Nove Gwen and Paul Orland Richard J. Osborne Cyndee Patterson Harriet and Mark Perlin Diggie and Lee Pesakoff Stephen and Laura Philipson Milton and Gene Ruth Poler Larry and Dale Polsky Steven and Melissa Raphael Wendy( OBM) and Sandy Rose Estelle( OBM) and
Murray( OBM) Rosen Leon Rutman Neil( OBM) and Caren Sacks Neil( OBM) and Carol Sandler
Mike( OBM) and
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Jacqueline Szabo Beverly Tirsun Patty Torcellini Fred and Katie Valfer David and Debra Van Glish Amy and Mark Vitner Liz Wahls Janice and Ronald Weiner Alexander Weinstein Susan and Robert Weiss Mort Wise Eric and Joanna Wisotsky Robert and Sandra Wolf Kim( OBM) and Sue Worrel Michael and Nancy Yaffe Robert( OBM) and
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