By Elizabeth Johnson
Long before she found herself at the center of some of Charlotte’ s most innovative Jewish engagement efforts, Illana Plotkin understood what it felt like to be an outsider. Growing up, she was often the only Jewish student in her class. The welcoming environment she later discovered through Jewish youth programming left a lasting impression and helped shape her belief that meaningful community does not happen by accident; it is intentionally created. Today, that perspective continues to guide her work as a leader, volunteer, organizer and relationship-builder across Charlotte’ s prolific Jewish community.
You are one of the architects behind the launch of JSocial, a new initiative designed to bring Jewish adults in their 30s and 40s together through thoughtfully curated experiences. What gap did you see in our community that inspired this effort? This demographic( of which I am a member) is incredibly busy. We are balancing careers, children, households, demanding calendars and more. While many of us are eager to participate in social events, the realities of timing, family commitments, and childcare can make participation difficult. The Levine JCC often features interesting and dynamic programming of great interest to me, but at times, it takes place during the workday or in the evening when I am tending to the needs of my two daughters. All these factors helped me to identify a meaningful gap: elevated, engaging and genuinely fun events for those in“ this stage of life,” designed with the convenience to meet us where we are. Together, these experiences revealed an opportunity and one that ultimately became JSocial.
The inaugural event is a private pool party, and future gatherings will happen quarterly. What was your vision for the kind of atmosphere and experiences you wanted JSocial to create? It’ s impossible to frame this as a single vision because the evolution of JSocial has intentionally been shaped by the feedback and shared decision-making of a dedicated group. What we’ ve developed together is a vision for welcoming, inclusive experiences that feel modern, low-pressure, and fun for all“ J” members but geared toward those in their 30s and 40s. From the beginning, we were strategic about how we filled the committee bench. The committee had to represent a variety of individuals within our demographic – single, married, with and without kids as well as varied religious and cultural experiences. The diversity of the group enabled us to move beyond assumptions. Our inaugural event, a private pool party on Aug. 29, is a wonderful example of this holistic approach as it was influenced by all our conversations. At the end of the day, we envision a relaxed social gathering complete with appetizers, drinks, music, and poolside fun.
We are also offering thoughtful options like preordered dinner and childcare through the J’ s Parents Night Out program. As we look ahead to quarterly events, the goal remains the same: to create experiences that are appealing, and easy to say“ yes” to, even amid busy schedules.
Many people associate Jewish engagement with formal programs or synagogue life. How can casual, joyful gatherings, whether around a pool, a meal, or a shared experience, become meaningful entry points into our Jewish community? Casual gatherings can be very effective entry points into Jewish life. They create approachable opportunities for people to experience our community without feeling intimidation or obligation. They also help break down stereotypes. I’ m reminded of this when I think back to the first Hanukkah party we hosted after moving to Charlotte. It was a simple gathering at our home with families from our neighborhood in Beverly Woods. We lit the menorah, played dreidel, and shared latkes and jelly doughnuts. For many of these families from different faith backgrounds, it was their children’ s first hands-on experience with Jewish traditions. What stood out to me was how quickly a simple celebration turned into genuine curiosity and in the end, connection. By the close of the evening, several families were already asking if we could do it again next year. Such moments are powerful reminders that meaningful Jewish engagement doesn’ t always begin with a formal program. Sometimes it starts with an invitation to experience something new in a shared environment.
JSocial is about more than a calendar of events; it is about building relationships. Looking ahead, what would success look like one year from now? I’ d love for people to leave an event with a strong sense of anticipation for the next one. When attendees start bringing friends, making new ones, and building relationships that extend beyond the event itself, that’ s a sign we’ re doing something right. Also, if we can help people unwind and de-stress, especially in this day and age of our full lives, I’ d consider that a great success!
For someone who may be new to Charlotte, newly connected to Jewish life, or simply looking to expand their circle, what do you hope they find when they walk into a JSocial event? I hope they find a builtin community. If you show up, we’ ll show up. We have a dynamic group of committee members who are excited to meet
The Charlotte Jewish News- August 2026- Page 5 Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
Charting the Future: Voices from the Bernstein Leadership Group
Illana Plotkin and her husband, Matthew Delgado, with their two daughters new people, make introductions, and help create connections. Walking into a situation where you don’ t know anyone can be daunting, and we are committed to making that first step easier.
What would you say to someone in their 30s or 40s who has been curious about getting involved but has not yet taken the first step? I’ d start by asking,“ What are you interested in?” There’ s a reasonable chance there’ s already a Jewish group, program, or event centered around something you enjoy. And if there isn’ t, The Levine JCC staff are very receptive and responsive to new ideas. Typically, the most challenging part is taking that first step, but once you do, you’ ll find a welcoming community.
You are also serving as chair of the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival marketing committee. What draws you to the creative side of Jewish communal life and the process of bringing people together around an idea? I have long been motivated by a simple impulse: to bring people together. Throughout my life, that instinct has shaped the experiences I create and the communities I seek to build. I started organizing gatherings in high school, and it really came to life in college when I created an annual event at my parents’ Florida ranch. In preparation, we would order printed T-shirts, cook together, play games, dance, and sleep by the bonfire beneath the stars. For ten years, friends would travel from all over to this tiny town in Monticello, Florida because it was an event they looked forward to and carried with them. That same draw is what connects me to the creative side of Jewish communal life and more specifically, my role on the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival marketing committee. I’ m energized by the challenge of turning an idea into an experience that sparks curiosity, creates connection, leaves a lasting impression and quite simply, is something people are genuinely excited to be part of.
As a member of the current BLG cohort, how has the program influenced your understanding of leadership and your desire to become more involved in Charlotte’ s Jewish community? I’ ve learned that effective leadership starts with listening. While helping plan the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival, I surveyed my BLG peers to better understand what experiences and accommodations would encourage them to attend. Feedback included dinner, drinks, and a babysitting option. By incorporating that feedback, the J staff successfully attracted one of the youngest audiences in the history of its film series for screenings of“ Bad Shabbos” and“ Tatami.” Those efforts to remove barriers to participation revealed a broader opportunity and one that ultimately led to my role as chair of the JSocial committee.
Anything else you want to add we may have missed? One of my favorite community-building experiences was the movie club I started during COVID-19 to stay connected with friends when isolated at home. Book clubs can feel like a huge commitment, but I believed everyone could find time to watch a movie on Netflix. We began by meeting over Zoom before transitioning to in-person gatherings as the pandemic eased. Today, we remain close, a testament to the idea that when you build community around something you genuinely enjoy and that fits your lifestyle, relationships often become the most meaningful part of the experience.
Bernstein Leadership Group