JFS Tributes- July 2026
JFS Acknowledgements- July 2026
The Charlotte Jewish News- September 2026- Page 32
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Our Youth
By Howard Olshansky
Each September, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month serves as a powerful reminder that hope, compassion, and early intervention can save lives. While raising awareness about suicide is essential, prevention must remain at the center of the conversation. By recognizing warning signs, reducing stigma, and increasing access to mental health resources, communities can make a meaningful difference long before someone reaches a crisis.
Suicide is a complex public health issue that affects individuals of every age, background, and community. Behind every statistic is a person; a family member, friend, coworker, classmate, or neighbor whose struggles may not always be visible.
Today, one of the most alarming trends is the growing number of children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, social isolation, and suicidal thoughts. Suicide has become one of the leading causes of death among young people in the United States, underscoring the urgent need to prioritize prevention from an early age.
Children and teens face unique pressures that previous generations may not have experienced to the same degree. Social media, cyberbullying, academic expectations, family stress, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have all contributed to increasing mental health challenges. While these factors alone do not cause suicide, they can compound emotional distress for young people who may not yet have developed healthy coping skills or know how to ask for help.
Prevention also means investing in protective factors that strengthen resilience. Positive relationships with caring adults, supportive families, strong peer connections, safe schools, access to quality behavioral health services, and opportunities to build confidence and purpose all reduce the risk of suicide. Schools that incorporate social-emotional learning, communities that expand youth mental health services, and organizations that provide family support are helping create environments where children and adolescents can flourish.
To this end, within our Jewish community, as part of a Child and Youth Mental Health Plan,
JFS has implemented a new role to provide mental health support within our Jewish institutions serving children and youth. Funded by three generous donors, Hal and Holly Levinson, David and Cindy Crane and one anonymous couple, the Child / Youth Mental Health Liaison is a therapist who will work within our Jewish institutional partners to provide mental health support to our children and youth, and parents and staff.
Hired this past spring, Jacob Tabak provided support to the Levine Jewish Community Center camp and the Preschool on Sardis( JPS) over the summer. Jacob will continue working with both organizations along with Charlotte Jewish Preschool( CJP), Charlotte Jewish Day School( CJDS), both Shalom Park temples’ religious schools and Hebrew High. As we embark on Suicide Awareness Prevention Month, the Child / Youth Mental Health Liaison represents our community’ s ability to identify early signs of needed mental health support for our children and youth as well as provide parents and staff with the necessary
JFS Tributes- July 2026
For a Speedy Recovery of Michael Diamond Stan Greenspon Jeffrey Lyons Stan Greenspon
Happy Anniversary Fred and Laura Hirsch Stan Greenspon
In Honor of Ira Slomka Marty and Elaine Schefflin
In Memory of Sarah Chillot Stan Greenspon Joel Cohen support to assist in navigating their emotional health.
As we observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, let us remember that prevention is everyone’ s responsibility. Whether by checking in with a child who seems withdrawn, supporting a teenager facing emotional challenges, advocating for expanded access to mental healthcare, or simply extending kindness to those around us, each of us has the ability to make a positive impact.
Every conversation matters. Every act of compassion matters. Every effort to reduce stigma matters. By making prevention a daily commitment rather than a once-a-year campaign, we can build communities where children, youth, and adults feel seen, supported, and valued.
And together, we can continue to foster hope, strengthen resilience, and ensure that more individuals find the help they need before a crisis occurs. Prevention is not just possible; it is the key to saving lives and building healthier futures for generations to come.
Elise Menaker M. E. Hessberg Robert and Mary Rothkopf Michael Littauer Paul and Lynn Edelstein Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte Linda Osborne-Stokes Rose Atkinson Doug and Paula Gentile Marcia Stern Paul and Lynn Edelstein Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte Georgia Syribeys Stan Greenspon
JFS Acknowledgements- July 2026
Volunteers: Brian Ablitz, Russ Ackerman, Jessica Alfandary, Marcia Arnholt, Mike Arnholt, Daniel Benjamin, Andrew Bernstein, 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 Lee Diamond, June and Paul Hirschmann, Johnson and Wales, Judy Kaufmann, Penny Krieger, Tamara Norman
Mitzvah Basket: Sandy Grant in Memory of M. E. Hessberg
Special Thanks: Shalom Green and their volunteers for supplying the JFS Food pantry with fresh produce for our clients.
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.