Judy & Stan August
40 Faces of the J
Like so many families, we first came to the Levine JCC looking for Jewish connection. We had moved to Charlotte and were building a new life here, and almost immediately, the J helped us find our place. We made friends, our children made friends, and before long, our family was spending countless hours participating in programs and becoming part of the community.
Over the years, the Levine JCC has played a central role in the lives of our entire family, from our children and grandchildren to the two of us. At every stage of life, the J has provided opportunities for us to connect, contribute, grow and flourish.
When our children were young, our family participated in everything from sports leagues and camps to teen programs and job opportunities. Our own involvement grew, too. We volunteered as coaches and committee chairs, served on the Board of Directors, and Judy had the privilege of serving as J President.
One of the most meaningful chapters of our involvement began during Judy’s presidency, when three members, Wilma Asrael, Gwen Orland and Barbara Ziegler, brought forward an opportunity to participate in an international effort to create 1.5 million painted ceramic butterflies in memory of the 1.5 million children murdered in the Holocaust.
With the support and encouragement of the Levine JCC, that idea became something much bigger. Together, we helped develop the Butterfly Project into a comprehensive educational experience, including workshops that teach students about the Holocaust while encouraging remembrance, reflection and action. Eighteen years later, the program continues to have a tremendous impact, reaching approximately 6,000 students each year throughout the greater Charlotte community.
That experience represents something we have always valued about the J. Throughout the years, the staff has been open to our ideas and willing to partner with us to turn those ideas into something meaningful. Along the way, we have formed wonderful friendships with staff, volunteers, members and participants.
Today, our connection to the J looks a little different, but it remains just as important. We enjoy socializing and sweating together in group exercise classes, and there is nothing better than watching our grandchildren participate in sports, theater and camps. No matter what the day entails, simply walking into the J brings us joy because we know we will see familiar and friendly faces.
We are deeply grateful to the visionaries who created Shalom Park and the Levine JCC. Their vision made an extraordinary difference in our family's life in Charlotte, and that is why we feel such a strong commitment to helping ensure the J continues to thrive.
As we look toward the next 40 years, we hope the Levine JCC will continue responding to the multigenerational needs of Charlotte’s Jewish community, welcoming and incorporating the ideas of its members, creating an inclusive environment, and bringing people together to create genuine community.
For us, that is what the Levine JCC has always been: a vibrant and friendly community where our family found connection, purpose and a place to belong.
