Lynn Edelstein
40 Faces of the J
My connection to the Levine JCC goes back to the very beginning of Shalom Park.
My first husband, Sam Lerner, helped play a role in bringing the Jewish community together on the property that would eventually become the JCC campus. His vision was to create a place where Jewish families across Charlotte could gather, connect, and build community.
Over the years, that vision has grown into what we see today at the Levine JCC.
One of the ways I’ve been able to contribute to that spirit of community is through a program called Chai Hopes, which focuses on simple acts of kindness that can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Many years ago, an oncologist friend encouraged us to begin making chemo hats for cancer patients. Losing their hair can be an incredibly difficult part of treatment, and something as simple as a handmade hat can help someone feel cared for during a very hard time. What started as a small idea has grown into something much bigger - today we’ve distributed more than 30,000 chemo hats to oncology offices throughout the community.
Another project began after a visit to the children’s hospital with my grandchildren. Seeing so many children facing serious illness stayed with me, and I knew I wanted to do something to bring them comfort.
Since then, we’ve created over 20,000 blankets that have been donated to local hospitals, including Levine Children’s Hospital, Hemby Children’s Hospital, and Shriners Hospital.
For me, that’s what compassion looks like; finding simple ways to show people that someone cares.
The J is a special place because it truly offers something for everyone. I often sit in the lobby and watch people come and go, young families, older members, people coming for fitness, programs, or simply to connect with friends. There is such a strong sense of kindness and belonging here.
All four of my children were born in Charlotte, and today their families are all members of the J as well. Seeing my children and grandchildren be part of this community has been incredibly meaningful to me.
As we celebrate 40 years of the Levine JCC, my hope is that the J continues to be a place where people come together, to support one another, give back, and build community for generations to come.
There are not many places in a community that bring people together in this way.
The J truly does.
