JFS Tributes- August 2026
JFS Acknowledgements- August 2026
The Mental Health Impact of Bullying
By Howard Olshansky
October is Bullying Prevention Month, which puts focus on an issue that can have lasting effects on children and adolescents. Bullying is more than an unpleasant part of growing up. Repeated teasing, threats, exclusion, humiliation or physical aggression can significantly affect a young person’ s emotional well-being, self-esteem, relationships and sense of safety.
When bullying occurs, school and social environments that should provide acceptance and support can instead become sources of fear and anxiety.
Young people may begin to believe something is wrong with them or that they do not belong, contributing over time to sadness, anxiety, loneliness and difficulty trusting others.
The mental health impact can extend well beyond the immediate experience. A child who is regularly bullied may become reluctant to attend school, participate in activities or interact with peers. Some withdraw from family and friends because they feel embarrassed or believe adults will not understand. Others may experience changes in sleep, appetite, concentration or
academic performance. In more serious situations, persistent bullying can contribute to depression, self-harm or suicidal thoughts. These warning signs should always be taken seriously.
Cyberbullying adds another dimension. Unlike bullying that occurs primarily at school or in other physical settings, it can follow a young person home through a smartphone, computer or social media account. Hurtful comments, embarrassing photographs, rumors, threats or exclusion from online groups can spread rapidly and reach large audiences. That constant connectivity can make cyberbullying particularly difficult
The Charlotte Jewish News- October 2026- Page 33
to escape. Preventing bullying requires involvement from everyone. Parents, caregivers, educators, youth organizations and young people themselves all play a role. Children need to know that bullying is not their fault and that asking for help is a sign of strength. Adults should create opportunities for young people to speak openly about what they are experiencing and respond with compassion and consistency. Monitoring a child’ s social media can also offer insight into possible cyberbullying.
Young people who witness bullying can play a vital role in stopping it. Speaking up, including someone who is being excluded, reporting harmful behavior and refusing to participate in online harassment can counter the isolation that often compounds the harm.
Bullying Prevention Month is ultimately about more than stopping harmful behavior. It is about protecting the mental health and emotional well-being of our children. Every young person deserves to feel safe, valued and accepted. By recognizing the signs, taking concerns seriously, promoting healthy relationships and making it easier for youth to seek help, we can create communities where children are supported rather than isolated and kindness, inclusion and respect become the standard.
JFS Tributes- August 2026
Happy Birthday Michelle Goodman Paul and Lynn Edelstein
Judy Marco Paul and Lynn Edelstein
Marvin Shapiro Paul and Lynn Edelstein
In Memory of Joel Cohen Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte Vera Mendel
Jacob Felton Michael and Carol Phillips
Stuart Hennes Paul and Lynn Edelstein Kerry and Charles McCarville Elise Menaker Donna Scudder XCELR8 and Mojo Cycling Groups
Paul Rose Paul and Lynn Edelstein
Cheryl Schuler Paul and Lynn Edelstein
JFS Acknowledgements- August 2026
Volunteers: Brian Ablitz, Russ Ackerman, Jessica Alfandary, Marcia Arnholt, Mike Arnholt, Daniel Benjamin, Andrew Bernstein, Michael Broudy, Dan Coblenz, Jonathan Collman, Judy Conley, Andrea Cronson, Erica Davison, Julie Dermack, Joni Deutsch, Sheryl Effren, Rachel Friedman, Meredith Gartner, Marty Goldfarb, Blair Goldsmith, Joann Goldstein, Leon Golynsky, Gail Halverson, June Hirschmann, Rebecca Hockfield, Bob Jacobson, Pete Katz, Jennifer Koss, Stephanie Kreitman, Glenn Kunkes, Marcia Lampert, Eric Lerner, Adina Loewensteiner, Susie and Dan Meier, Terry Meyers, Frada Mozenter, Wendy Petricoff, Barbara Rein, Nina Rose, Cindy Siesel, Stuart Singer, Louis Sinkoe, Lisa Somerson, Lauren
Stark, Philip Stark, Lorin Stiefel, Nancy Wielunski, Amanda Zaidman
Hadassah Meal Preppies Jane Diamond, Lee Diamond, June and Paul Hirschmann, Judy Kaufmann, Penny Krieger
Food Pantry Donations: Thank you to our generous community for continuing to donate to the food pantry. We collect donations every other Wednesday at the Blumenthal Center for Jewish Education Building Portico at Shalom Park. Also, please look for our donation table in the new security entrance of The Levine JCC.
Special Thanks: Shalom Green and their volunteers for supplying the JFS Food pantry with fresh produce for our clients.