The Sandra and Leon Levine Jewish Community Center is proud to announce the launch of the Marcia and Ken Stern Endowment for Senior Adult Programming, a new fund dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults through meaningful learning, connection, and community. 

The endowment will support Levine JCC programs that benefit senior adults socially, intellectually, and purposefully, including the Oasis Enrichment Program. Through this fund, the JCC will continue to bring seniors together to learn, socialize, and give back to the community while also creating new opportunities that respond to the evolving needs of older adults in the Charlotte area. 

Marcia and Ken Stern have long been dedicated members of the Charlotte Jewish community. As longtime members of the Levine JCC and Temple Israel, their involvement has touched many areas of community life on Shalom Park. 

Marcia was a Loan Underwriter at NationsBank/Bank of America and devoted much of her professional and volunteer life to strengthening programs that bring people together. She served as the Director of Senior Adult Programming at the Levine JCC, where she helped develop meaningful opportunities for older adults to stay engaged and connected. Over the years, she was also deeply involved with Camp SOAR (Special Olympics Athletic Retreat), developed summer camps for children with special needs, and served as an active lay leader with Shalom Park Freedom School. She served many years on the screening committee of the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival and was co-President of the Temple Israel Sisterhood, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to service and community engagement. 

Ken spent 37 years as a research lead at IBM and now works as Director of User Experience for Key Lime Interactive. His leadership and volunteerism within the Jewish community has also been significant. Ken served on the Temple Israel Board as Education Chair, participated in the first cohort of the Jewish Federation’s leadership development program, and chaired the program’s second cohort. He was also involved with B’nai B’rith on the local, state, and district levels, and spent more than 10 years as a Boy Scout Assistant Scoutmaster, mentoring young people and helping develop future leaders. 

In 2023, Marcia became an active participant in the Oasis Enrichment Program at the Levine JCC. Oasis, a program of the JCC’s Adult Life Department, is a daytime enrichment program where independent adults ages 60 and older gather for physical, intellectual, and social engagement. Participants enjoy educational programming, shared meals, and special activities designed to support well-being and connection. 

The mission of Oasis is to enrich and prolong the quality of life for adults 60 and older throughout the greater Charlotte area, regardless of religious affiliation. It is also the only enrichment program in the region that offers transportation on a case-by-case basis, helping ensure accessibility for participants who might otherwise be unable to attend. 

Marcia’s experience in Oasis reinforced the importance of programs that foster connection, engagement, and purpose later in life. Inspired by the impact the program had on her and others, Marcia and Ken chose to establish this endowment to ensure that senior adult programming at the Levine JCC continues to thrive for years to come. 

“Marcia and Ken have devoted so much of their lives to strengthening this community,” said Annie Keith, CEO of the Levine JCC. “This endowment reflects their deep belief that every stage of life should be filled with learning, connection, and purpose. Their generosity will help ensure that older adults in our community continue to find friendship, enrichment, and belonging at the Levine JCC.” 

Through the Marcia and Ken Stern Endowment for Senior Adult Programming, the Sterns’ generosity will help sustain and grow opportunities for older adults to learn, connect, and thrive for generations to come. Their gift ensures that the Levine JCC will continue to be a place where seniors find friendship, purpose, and a vibrant community at every stage of life. 

Interested in supporting senior programming at the Levine JCC? 
Learn more about the impact of the Marcia and Ken Stern Endowment or explore ways to create your own legacy gift by contacting [email protected].