The Power of Showing Up
By Elizabeth Johnson An unprecedented number of elected officials and civic leaders gathered at Shalom Park for this year’ s Elected Officials Recognition Breakfast, marking the largest turnout in the event’ s history and signaling the growing ties between Jewish Charlotte and the region’ s civic leadership.
Hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council( JCRC) of Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte( JFGC), the event brought together representatives from Charlotte City Council, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education and the North Carolina General Assembly, along with law enforcement leaders and members of the Jewish community at the Sam Lerner Center for Cultural Arts. For a Jewish population that now numbers roughly 32,000 across Mecklenburg and neighboring counties, the breadth of civic representation carried particular significance.
“ When elected officials make the choice to show up, listen and engage thoughtfully with the Jewish community, it sends a profound message: We are seen, we are heard, we matter and we belong here,” said Douglas Greene, director of Jewish Community Relations at JFGC.
The dynamic program addressed some of the most pressing issues facing Jewish life today.
Representatives from the Anti-Defamation League offered an overview of antisemitism in North Carolina, while local leaders highlighted Outshine Hate, the community’ s antisemitism response initiative launched in 2022. Over the next three years, the initiative aims to train 300 educators and reach 50 schools across five new districts. Attendees also heard an update on security partnerships, while outgoing Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles was honored for her long-standing partnership with the Jewish community.
“ Jewish Charlotte is an integral part of the fabric of this region, and that means we have a responsibility not only to advocate for our own community, but
The Charlotte Jewish News- September 2026- Page 3 Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
North Carolina Rep. Aisha O. Dew poses for a photograph with a fellow attendee at the event
to help strengthen the broader community we call home,” said Adam Kolett, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte.
“ Bringing civic leaders together gives us an opportunity to share our priorities and concerns, but just as importantly, to listen, learn and build the relationships that make all of us stronger.”
Looking ahead, JFGC announced plans for an April 2027 leadership delegation to Israel, developed in partnership with itrek. The trip will bring a select group of elected officials and civic leaders from across greater Charlotte to Israel, deepening dialogue and providing firsthand understanding of the country, its people and its complexities.
For Greene, the historic turnout demonstrated the value of sustained civic engagement.“ In my role, I’ ve had the privilege of building strong relationships with civic leaders over time,” he said.“ And that matters when a
crisis arises because we are not starting from scratch. There is already earned confidence, mutual respect and an established line of communication. That’ s powerful.” The morning offered a compelling portrait of civic partnership at its best. Trust between a community and its leaders is cultivated over time through consistent outreach, enduring collaboration, shared understanding and a genuine commitment to stand alongside one another.
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North Carolina Senator Woodson Bradley photographed with Douglas Greene, director of Jewish Community Relations at JFGC
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