CJN May 2026_online | Página 22

The Charlotte Jewish News- May 2026- Page 22

The Quiet Questions of May

By Rabbi Chanoch Oppenheim
May is a month where many stories converge. Across campuses, graduates step forward in caps and gowns, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Mother’ s Day calls for gratitude to the women who shaped us in ways both visible and unseen. Jewish American Heritage Month invites reflection on identity and belonging. And Mental Health Awareness Month quietly asks us to look inward and consider how we truly feel inside.
Each of these moments seems to represent something different, but beneath them all lies a single, unifying question: What are we carrying forward?
Although graduation is often framed as an ending, the event is actually called a commencement, a beginning. A diploma is not just an acknowledgment of what has been completed; it is an invitation to become. Now that I have completed one chapter of life, who and where will I be in the next chapter?
Mother’ s Day reminds us that who we are was shaped long before we made conscious choices. Through spoken and unspoken words, presence, sacrifice, and care, mothers pass something on. But not mere habits or preferences; ways of seeing the world and responding to challenges and vicissitudes. We might not always realize it – and some people tragically never realize it – but we are always carrying something that was given to us.
Jewish American Heritage Month widens that lens and invites us to see our personal stories as part of something larger. To be Jewish in America today is, in some ways, similar to how Jews have lived for thousands of years because we are living at the intersection of past and present and do our best to pass on the legacy. Jewish identity should never be static; it is something we receive, study, and are proud of because it gives us instructions for a wonderful life.
And then there is the quieter, often less visible dimension of our inner lives – our emotional well-being. Mental Health Awareness Month calls attention to the fact that growth is not only about achievement; it’ s about living and maintaining a life of meaning and emotional well-being.
We can be proud of our latest professional accomplishment, but if I don’ t regularly ask myself how I am holding the various compartments of my life together, then I am remiss. Each of us needs to ask: Do I have peace of mind? What support do I have when life becomes overwhelming? What gives me a sense of grounding and direction?
And all of this finds a powerful echo in the upcoming holiday of Shavuot, the moment when the Jewish people stood at Sinai and received the Torah. It is often described as a historical or religious event, but it is also something more universal. It’ s a moment of receiving direction, not just information. Not just laws, but a framework for living.
The journey to Sinai began with leaving Egypt and breaking free from something confining. But leaving was only the first step because freedom on its own is not a destination; it’ s only a vehicle to get you to where you want to go. The culmination and even the raison d’ être of leaving Egypt was our encounter at Sinai because it gave us purpose – to lead a generous, faithful, and extraordinary life; to serve as a light and model for the rest of the world.
In that sense, Shavuot mirrors the journeys we all experience. There are moments in life when we step away from what was – graduating, changing paths, outgrowing old patterns – and the question then is, what comes next? What do we choose to take in; what do we choose to leave behind? What begins to shape us from here? Where do I want to be in 10 or twenty years?
Graduates step forward with opportunities, and mothers are an integral part of how we use – or misuse – those opportunities. Our heritage needs to be reflected in our community in a way that honors our history while seeking to know how we can transmit it to the next generation. But ultimately, we can’ t be successful with any of the above if our inner selves are plagued with
fear, resentment, and guilt.
Finally, Shavuot reminds us that what we receive matters and shapes not only who we are but who we are becoming.
Here’ s a suggestion for two crucial questions to ask yourself this May: What have I received to date, and what am I carrying forward?
The Charlotte Torah Center is an organization that serves as a community resource for traditional Jewish education at all levels for people of all backgrounds. Through group classes, one-on-one study, special seminars, and explanatory learning worship services, students are exposed to the wealth of knowledge accumulated over centuries. The Center fosters lifelong study, appreciation for Judaism, and pride in one’ s heritage.

Caring for the Mind: Mental Health Awareness Through a Jewish Lens

By Mara Cobe
Each May, communities across the country observe Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to talk openly about emotional well-being and the importance of seeking support.
For the Jewish community, these conversations are deeply connected to Jewish values, history, and tradition.
Mental health challenges affect millions of Americans each year. Anxiety, depression, trauma
, and stress can affect people of every age and background.
Yet stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help. Jewish teachings offer a powerful reminder that caring for emotional and spiritual well-being is an essential part of caring for life itself.
Several core Jewish values speak directly to mental health. The concept of b’ tzelem Elohim, that every person is created in the image of God, affirms
the inherent dignity of every individual. The principle of pikuach nefesh, the preservation of life, places protecting human well-being above almost all other commandments.
Another teaching, nosei b’ ol im chaveiro, calls on us to share in the burdens of others, reminding us that no one should face hardship alone. Together, these values reinforce an important message: seeking help is not a sign of weakness; it is a way of honoring the sacredness of life.
Jewish history also has connections to the development of modern psychotherapy. Many pioneers of early psychological theory were Jewish thinkers working in central Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Sigmund Freud, widely considered the founder of psychoanalysis, introduced groundbreaking ideas about understanding the human mind and emotional experiences.
Another influential figure was Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor who developed logotherapy, a form of therapy centered on the human search for meaning. Frankl’ s experiences during the Holocaust led him to believe that purpose and meaning are key sources of resilience, even in the face of profound suffering.
Mental health professionals have also noted that Jewish communities may experience stress and trauma in unique
ways. The American Psychiatric Association points to the lasting impact of historical persecution, including the Holocaust, as well as modern concerns about antisemitism and safety in Jewish spaces. These experiences can influence how individuals and families process stress and trauma across generations.
At the same time, Jewish culture offers powerful sources of resilience. Strong community connections, shared traditions, and spiritual practices often help individuals navigate difficult moments. The weekly rhythm of Shabbat, for example, encourages rest, reflection, and reconnection with family and community – practices that modern psychology increasingly recognizes as important for emotional well-being.
Across Jewish communities today, conversations about mental health are becoming more open and supportive. Synagogues, schools, and community organizations are hosting programs focused on emotional wellness, trauma awareness, and stress management. These efforts help reduce stigma and remind individuals that they are not alone in their struggles.
In the Charlotte and Fort Mill areas, organizations such as Jewish Family Services( JFS) and local congregations provide counseling resources and support programs to help individuals and families facing difficult
times.
Temple Solel partners with Grace Presbyterian to offer a biweekly support group for widows and widowers. These services reflect the community’ s commitment to compassion and mutual care.
Ultimately, caring for mental health is part of the broader Jewish commitment to tikkun olam, repairing the world. By supporting one another, speaking openly about emotional well-being, and encouraging those who are struggling to seek help, we strengthen not only individuals but the entire community.
Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that caring for the mind is as important as caring for the body. Through Jewish wisdom, compassion, and community connection, we can continue building a culture where seeking help is welcomed and every person feels supported.
Temple Solel is a small, inclusive Reform congregation in Fort Mill, SC. For more information, visit templesolelsc. org, email info @ templesolelsc. org, or call( 803) 610-1707.