JFS Tributes- April 2026
JFS Acknowledgements- April 2026
The Charlotte Jewish News- August 2026- Page 32
National Wellness Month: Mental Health and Caregiving
By Howard Olshansky
National Wellness Month in August is an important opportunity to educate communities, create a culture of openness around health and well-being, and encourage meaningful conversations. It is of vital importance to recognize the critical nature of caring for yourself in a holistic way.
Herein, I want to focus on one of the most important and often
forgotten aspects of focusing on our well-being: Mental Health. Mental health affects every aspect of our lives, influencing how we think, feel, relate to others, and cope with everyday challenges. By increasing awareness, communities can foster understanding, improve access to care, and ensure that no one struggles alone.
Mental health is an essential component of one’ s overall health. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders affect millions of Americans each year. Yet despite the prevalence of these challenges, many individuals delay seeking help because of fear, misunderstanding, or shame. National awareness campaigns play a vital role in changing this reality by encouraging open dialogue, emphasizing that mental health conditions are treatable and that recovery is possible.
Awareness efforts also highlight the importance of early intervention. Recognizing warning signs – such as persistent sadness, changes in sleep patterns, withdrawal from social activities, increased irritability, or difficulty concentrating – can lead to timely support and improved outcomes. When individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and health care providers are educated about mental health, they are better equipped to identify concerns and connect people with appropriate resources.
In recent years, mental health awareness has become increasingly important as many individuals continue to experience stress related to economic uncertainty, social isolation, caregiving responsibilities, and other life challenges. Employers, community organizations, and health care systems are responding by expanding mental health services, promoting employee wellness programs, and integrating behavioral health into primary care settings. These efforts help normalize seeking support and reinforce the message that mental
JFS Tributes- April 2026
Get Well Soon Denise Levine Leonard and Karen Fox
Happy Anniversary Anita and Marvin Shapiro Paul and Lynn Edelstein
Happy Birthday Elaine Schefflin Stuart and Eleanor Bantit Paul and Lynn Edelstein Lee and Diggie Pesakoff Larry and Dale Polsky Hal Levinson Alan Kronovet and Cary Bernstein Merridith Glazer Fran Friedman
In Appreciation of Amy Fine Rachel Green and Amanda-Goldson
In Honor of Eric and Lori Sklut David and Ellen Framm Betsy Joseph David and Janet Lefkowitz In Memory of Maddi Gould Faw Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte – Adam Kolett
Diane Fishman Michael and Jennifer Koss
Gene Gordon Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte – Adam Kolett Gary Silverstein
Richard Koss Jill Blumenthal
Ruth Melnicoff Elaine Millen
Melvin Segal Paul and Lynn Edelstein Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte – Adam Kolett
Harold Shapiro Paul and Lynn Edelstein Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte – Adam Kolett
Stanley Star Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte – Adam Kolett
Mazel Tov On the marriage of Rachel Green and Amanda Goldson Staff of Jewish Family Services
Amanda Levine Margi Goldstein
Howard Olshansky, on graduation from OHEL Belonging Fellowship Dan and Nancy Coblenz
On Bayla Rosen’ s Bat Mitzvah M. E. Hessberg
On the marriage of Jordan Van Glish and Hannah Gilman Paul and Lynn Edelstein
Volunteers: Brian Ablitz, 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, Richard Goldsmith, Joann Goldstein, Leon Golynsky, Daryl Greenberg, Gail Halverson, June Hirschmann, Rebecca Hockfield, Bob Jacobson, Jennifer Koss, Etti Krausse, Stephanie Kreitman, Glenn Kunkes, Marcia Lampert, Eric Lerner, Adina Loewensteiner, 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, Russ Ackerman, Alexis Berman, Fred Kraus, Kim Levy, Bayla Rosen, Harry Sparks.
Live Laugh Give Volunteers: Andrew Bernstein, Anne Brackis, Andrea Cronson, George Cronson, Peg Epstein, Liz Erenberg, Lex Fall, Fayne Fischer, Kenaz Flores, Rachel Friedman, Rob Friedman, Alexander Gluck, Tamar Goldblatt, Noah Goldman, Eliana Good, Chase Greenberg, Lane Henkin, Rebecca Hockfield, Bob Jacobson, Emily Jones, Eva Kantor, Julia Kaplan, Judy Kaufmann, Ruth King, Stephanie Kreitman, Brian Kreitman, Courtney Lawrence, Kevin Levine, Nick Lindley, Abby Meyer, Steve Meyer, health care is just as important as physical health care.
Mental health awareness is particularly relevant when considering the contributions of caregivers. August is also recognized as National Caregiver Recognition Month, a time dedicated to honoring the millions of family members, friends and professionals who provide care to individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, mental health conditions, or age-related needs.
Caregivers play an invaluable role in supporting the health and independence of those they serve, often sacrificing their own personal time, careers, and well-being in the process. The connection between mental health awareness and caregiver recognition is significant. Caregiving can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. Many in this role experience high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout due to the ongoing responsibilities. Long hours, financial pressures, disrupted sleep, and limited opportunities for self-care can negatively affect a caregiver’ s mental health.
National Caregiver Recognition Month serves as a reminder that supporting caregivers means supporting their mental health as well. Communities and organizations can help by offering respite services, caregiver support groups, counseling resources, educational programs, and flexible workplace policies. Family members can also make a difference by sharing caregiving responsibilities and encouraging caregivers to prioritize their own health needs.
Simple strategies such as maintaining social connections, engaging in regular physical activity, practicing stress-management techniques, seeking professional support when needed, and taking scheduled breaks can help reduce the risk of burnout. Caregivers should be encouraged to recognize that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Ultimately, National Wellness Month initiatives remind us that it is important to take care of our whole selves – body and mind alike. By increasing understanding, reducing stigma, and recognizing the essential role of caregivers, we can create stronger, healthier and more compassionate communities.
JFS Acknowledgements- April 2026
Lakia Murphy, Noah Pliss, Michael Reichman, Sara Scheibner, Merril Schenkel, Cindy Siesel, Karen Silver, Louis Sinkoe, Celia Solomon, Claire Sumpter, Marci Willenzik, Rick Willenzik, Meredith Baumstein, Blair Goldsmith, Rachel Peterson, Andrew Rosen, Alyssa Wilen.
Live Laugh Give Committee Members: Annie Brackis, Meredith Baumstein, Andrew Bernstein, Andrea Cronson, Rachel Friedman, Blair Goldsmith, Tamar Goldblatt, Kevin Levine, Rachel Peterson, Andrew Rosen, Karen Silver, Louis SInkoe, Alyssa Wilen
Hadassah Meal Preppies: Denise Abadi, Lee Diamond, June and Paul Hirschmann, Judy Kaufmann, Penny Krieger, Gina Bonfiglio, Betsy Olinger, Andrea Schewitz
Mitzvah Baskets: The Kraus Family and Bayla Rosen in honor of Baylas Bat Mitzvah, The Spiegler Family in Honor of Sabrinas Bat Mitzvah, The Neumann Family in honor of Maya Lutwick’ s Bat Mitzvah
Food Drives: The Loewensteiner Family in Honor of Nate’ s birthday
Food Pantry Donations: To our generous community: Thank you for continuing to donate to the food pantry. We continue to collect donations every other Wednesday at the portico entrance to the Blumenthal Center for Jewish Education Building on Shalom Park. Also please look for our donation box in the new security entrance in front of The Levine JCC.