Facebook Twitter LinkedIn By Jessica Goldfarb, JFGC Communications Specialist As the holidays of Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut approach, their significance has taken on a new and profound meaning this year. Against the backdrop of a world that is grappling with a resurgence of antisemitism and challenges from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the observance of these holidays serves as a chance to bear witness in solidarity with Israel. According to the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) January report, incidents of antisemitism have surged by a staggering 360% since October 7. In t ..read more

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn By Luke Tress, Jackie Hajdenberg Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’s statement on campus protests nationally and closer to home can be found at the end of this post along with links to Jewish Federations of North America and North Carolina Hillel statements and calls to action. (New York Jewish Week) May 1, 2024 — Police stormed the Columbia University building occupied by pro-Palestinian students on Tuesday night, arresting dozens, as the school’s Jewish center was placed on lockdown with students inside. The scenes at Hamilton Hall saw protesters lying pron ..read more

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn By Jacob Gurvis (JTA), April 19, 2024 — As Jews around the world read the haggadah at their seder tables every year, they encounter a passage instructing them to see themselves as if they personally left Egypt. This year, some of them will also have on their seder tables a symbol of the perseverance of women traumatized in captivity. In light of testimony that Israeli women have suffered rape and sexual assault at the hands of Hamas, Rabbanit Leah Sarna is encouraging seder participants to connect with the Israelite women of long ago by putting a mirror on their t ..read more

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn By Ron Kampeas WASHINGTON (JTA), April 15, 2024 —  Republicans and Democrats in Congress are uniting to pass a bill that would create a national coordinator of the fight against antisemitism — though it faces competition from another Republican-backed bill that seeks to define antisemitism.  The bipartisan Countering Antisemitism Act, introduced last week, is meant to advance President Joe Biden’s national strategy to fight antisemitism, rolled out nearly a year ago. The plan focused on action across the executive branch, demanding reforms in federal age ..read more

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn By Noah Goldman, JFGC Israel & Global Jewry Associate The conflict between Israel and Hamas has now extended for six months—a duration not anticipated nor chosen by those involved, yet one with no clear end in sight. This prolonged period of hostility is notable for its length and intensity, distinguishing itself as one of the most severe confrontations in the history of Israeli-Arab conflicts. The catalyst for this war was the devastating attacks and massacres carried out by Hamas on October 7, targeting several kibbutzim in the Gaza Envelope. These acts of v ..read more

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn By Asaf Elia-Shalev (JTA) — Organizations and individuals around the world have donated at least $1.4 billion toward Israel’s recovery from the attack of Oct. 7, according to a new report published by Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.  The donations, coupled with widespread pro-Israel activism in the Diaspora and the arrival in Israel of tens of thousands of volunteers, represent “an unprecedented effort by Jewish communities around the world to support Israel,” the ministry said in the report. (When accounting for inflation, the total donated is more th ..read more

https://charlottejewishnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Beyond-the-Runway.mp3 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn By Shira Firestone April 2024 The inaugural Beyond the Pink Runway Breast Cancer Fundraiser, held on March 2, at Queens University of Charlotte’s Sandra Levine Theatre, was a resounding testament to the strength, resilience, and beauty of young women battling breast cancer. This landmark event benefited the Sandra Levine Young Women’s Breast Cancer Program at Atrium Health Levine Cancer, which has been a beacon of hope and support for young women since its inception in 2017. The eveni ..read more

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Listen to this article https://charlottejewishnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Security-Funding-Post.mp3 By Ron Kampeas WASHINGTON (JTA), March 28, 2024 — Seven major Jewish organizations that lobbied for federal security grants for synagogues and other institutions have decried $30.5 million in cuts to the program. The cut from last year’s $305 million budgeted for the nonprofit security grant program, run through the Department of Homeland Security, comes as reports of antisemitic attacks and threats have risen during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. “These fund ..read more

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn By Shira Firestone In the greater Charlotte area, an already pressing issue of food insecurity has further escalated, affecting the lives of many within our Jewish community. Exacerbated by recent inflation and the ongoing effects of the pandemic, this persistent issue has forced an increasing number of our neighbors to face difficult decisions between meeting essential needs. At the forefront of confronting this escalating challenge is the Jewish Family Services of Greater Charlotte (JFS) Food Pantry, which provides much more than meals — it offers dignity, suppo ..read more

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn (JTA) March 13, 2024 — Israel’s military announced the death of an American-Israeli soldier who had been missing since Oct. 7, ending months of uncertainty during which his parents emerged as two of the most visible advocates for the more than 100 people still being held hostage by Hamas. Itay Chen, 19, from Netanya, was killed and his body abducted following a battle with terrorists during the Hamas onslaught, the Israel Defense Forces announced Tuesday, basing its conclusion on new intelligence information. Chen was a sergeant with the 7th Armored Brigade’s 75th ..read more