By Samantha Fultz

As the High Holidays approach, many of us begin thinking about renewal. We reflect on the year behind us, the year ahead, and the relationships that shape our lives. At Temple Israel, we’ ve been asking ourselves a similar question: How do we create a community where every person truly feels they belong?

Over the past two years, I’ ve had the opportunity to get to know so many members of our Temple Israel family. I’ ve listened to their stories, learned about their traditions, and discovered the many ways they connect to Jewish life. I’ ve come to realize that a strong congregation isn’ t built through services or programs alone. It’ s built through relationships. And at Temple Israel, we are intentionally creating opportunities for people of every age and every stage of life to feel welcomed, known, celebrated, and connected.

That spirit begins with our newly formed Engagement & Outreach Committee, a dedicated group of volunteers whose mission is to ensure that every person feels seen. Throughout the year, they celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, welcome new babies, deliver gifts to new members, offer support during times of illness and loss, and create memorable touchpoints that remind people they are part of a caring community.

Among the committee’ s many efforts to foster connection is our new Buddy Program. Every new member or family will be paired with an established Temple Israel member in a similar stage of life, not simply to answer questions, but to build genuine relationships. Whether it’ s sharing a

cup of coffee, sitting together at Shabbat services, or going out for dinner, these simple acts of care help transform a synagogue into a place where new faces quickly become familiar friends.

Building meaningful relationships doesn’ t stop there. Our growing Chavurah Circle program offers even more opportunities for people to connect. These groups bring people together through shared interests, life stages, and a simple desire to connect. On any given week, you might hear the lively kibbitzing around a Canasta table or the clacking of Mahjong tiles filling our building with laughter and conversation.

Outside, our Roots & Ruach

group has lovingly transformed our courtyard into an even more beautiful gathering space, creating a destination where members can connect, reflect, and enjoy nature together. Other groups share Shabbat dinners, explore Charlotte’ s restaurants and breweries, discuss books and films, cook together, or simply enjoy each other’ s company. These gatherings help transform shared interests into lasting friendships and thus, a deeper sense of belonging.

That commitment to belonging extends to our youngest members as well. Under the leadership of Naomi Fabes and Caleb Seidler, Temple Israel is reimagining what Jewish life looks like

after B’ nai Mitzvah. Through the launch of our new USY chapter, QUSY, innovative Hebrew High experiences like Southern Jewish Life, immersive travel opportunities, leadership development, and regional programming, our teens will discover that Jewish engagement doesn’ t end with becoming a bar or bat mitzvah. It evolves into lifelong friendships, leadership, and a deeper connection to their Jewish identity.

Just as we’ re investing in the next generation, we’ re also finding new ways to strengthen connections throughout our broader community. Through expanded partnerships across Shalom Park and new opportunities like our quarterly Shabbat dinner series,

including Gratitude Shabbat and Bring a Friend Shabbat, we’ re creating welcoming entry points for people to experience Temple Israel in authentic ways.

Whether someone is exploring Jewish life for the first time, reconnecting with their roots, or joining us as an ally, we want every interaction to feel warm, authentic, and inviting. The first step into Jewish community doesn’ t always begin inside the sanctuary. It can begin with a shared meal, a conversation, or even, a new friendship.

As we prepare to welcome another High Holiday season, I find myself thinking less about programs and calendars and more about people: the new member who now greets others by name, the volunteer who found a new purpose, the teen who discovered a place to lead, and the friendships formed over coffee, around card tables, in our courtyard, and at the Shabbat table.

At Temple Israel, we’ re building more than programs. We’ re building relationships that carry people through every stage of life. Whether you’ ve been part of our community for generations or are considering walking through our doors for the very first time, we hope you’ ll find what so many of us already have: a place where you are welcomed, valued, and truly belong.