Becca Stern
40 Faces of the J
When my family first moved to Charlotte, we didn't have family nearby or a network of friends. We were searching for a place where we could build connections and truly feel like we belonged. The moment we walked onto the Shalom Park campus, we found exactly the kind of community we had been hoping for.
At the Levine JCC, everyone smiles when you walk through the doors. The staff and members welcome you as if you're coming home, and before long, you feel like family. There is something here for every age and every stage of life. I found my own outlet through JDANCE and JFORCE, where I could relieve stress, challenge myself, and express myself through movement. My children found their passions too, falling in love with basketball, soccer, and flag football while learning foundational skills and building confidence that stayed with them throughout elementary school.
One of my earliest memories at the J changed my life in a way I never expected. I joined a swimming group that was training for a triathlon and had the privilege of sharing a lane with Karen Spielger. When the program ended, I told Karen how sad I was that we wouldn't get to spend time together anymore. She simply smiled and said, "Becca, we're friends. We can keep hanging out." Sixteen years later, we've celebrated countless holidays, milestones, and life events together. That's what makes the J so special. It doesn't just create programs. It creates friendships that become family.
To me, community means home. It means safety. My kids wander the halls like they own the place because they know they belong here. We come to the J to reconnect, whether it's through a workout, a swim, Camp Mindy, youth sports, or simply running into familiar faces in the hallway. Conversations naturally last a little longer, laughter comes easily, and people aren't just recognized, they're genuinely known. There is a comfort here that is hard to describe until you've experienced it.
One tradition that perfectly captures the spirit of the J is the Kids Triathlon. Watching children raise money to support rehabilitation programs for other kids and then challenge themselves during the race is incredibly inspiring. They cheer one another on with genuine excitement, and when each medal is placed around their neck, you can see that they understand their effort has meaning. More importantly, they experience what it feels like to belong to something bigger than themselves.
As I think about the future, I hope the Levine JCC continues to be a beacon of safety, hope, and peace. I want it to remain a place where people gather with pride, where our Jewish community continues to thrive, and where everyone feels welcome.
If I had to describe the Levine JCC in one phrase, I would say it's a place where our differences become smaller. It's a place that meets you exactly where you are and reminds you that you are already enough.
