Stephen Schlussel
40 Faces of the J
There is something special about the JCC that manages to keep a family connected for nearly three decades, spanning from my daughter's first summer at Camp Mindy in 1997 to my granddaughter's time at JTEAM, and now to my own four-year milestone as a driver. The "J" has become a second home for my family. Transitioning from a parent on the sidelines to a grandparent, and finally to a member of the staff, has given me a unique perspective on why JTEAM is so highly regarded in Charlotte. Reaching four years in this role while still maintaining that first-day excitement is the ultimate retirement goal. I am incredibly proud that I am not just driving a bus, but continuing a meaningful family legacy.
When my family moved to Charlotte, we didn't know a single soul here. We joined the JCC to connect with the Jewish community, and because we knew our daughter Aimee would be attending CJDS. Between the JCC and other Jewish organizations, we met so many families and built the kind of support system that made Charlotte feel like home.
One constant through it all has been Mitch Ormand. He was Aimee's very first counselor, and years later, he was the director of afterschool when my granddaughter Isis came through JTEAM. Having that same familiar face across two generations put my mind at ease in a way I can't quite explain. Isis learned to play chess at JTEAM and made friends she still talks about today.
My own connection to JTEAM came through Gale at CJDS, a friend I'd already known through Temple Israel and Chabad. When her original plan for a bus driver fell through, she connected me with Mitch, and that's how I started driving.
After 30 years in the Charlotte Jewish community, I already knew many of the families whose kids and grandkids ride my bus now. Before a recent surgery, some of my riders even made me cards. But what I love most is my fellow staff. We cover each other's shifts without a second thought. That kind of support is what makes JTEAM feel like family.
