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

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Listen to this article https://charlottejewishnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Shalom-Park-Freedom-School.mp3 By Amy Lefkof March 2024 After 12 summers, the Shalom Park Freedom School (SPFS) project has come to an end. Shalom Park Freedom School (SPFS) expanded our sense of community and helped Charlotte’s Jewish Community engage in acts of tikkun olam. When SPFS opened its doors in the summer of 2011, it was the first Jewish-sponsored Freedom School in the nation. It was the brainchild of Judy Schindler, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Beth El, following her guest re ..read more

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn By Jessica Goldfarb, JFGC Communications Specialist In January, the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte (JFGC) hosted a Solidarity Mission to Israel, uniting members of our community in an effort to bear witness to and share the stories of those affected by the October 7 attacks. The trip offered a unique blend of personal encounters and expert briefings, deepening participants’ understanding of Israel’s current situation. The mission’s itinerary was thoughtfully planned to include visits to areas directly impacted by the conflict, such as kibbutzim and towns a ..read more