Charlotte Jewish Day School

April 2024

As a means of bettering our greater Charlotte Jewish community, the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte allocates funds from the Annual Campaign to local Jewish organizations that embody Jewish values and overall better our community. In recognition of their work, Federation wishes to bring attention to these organizations and the good that they do.

With a steadfast commitment to fostering Jewish values, nurturing lifelong learners, and cultivating a deep connection to Israel and the global Jewish community, the Charlotte Jewish Day School (CJDS) stands as a beacon of excellence in Jewish identity and education, values that the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte (JFGC) has at its core principles.

CJDS started small, back in 1988. At one point occupying trailers atop the hill that is now the Shalom Park parking garage, they have since expanded into state of the art classrooms complete with access to amenities like 3D printers, a podcast room, and a hydroponic garden.

At CJDS, the vision extends far beyond academic achievement. Aligned with the mission of JFGC, the school’s curriculum and extracurricular activities aim to instill a deep sense of Jewish pride and responsibility among its students, empowering them to embrace Jewish values in education and in life. CJDS places a strong emphasis on reinforcing Jewish identity and strengthening connections to Israel, which is now more important than ever in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

“Knowledge and education are critical to be able to decipher all of the static and the background noise today,” said Gale Osborne, advancement director at CJDS. “We have to give them a solid foundation of how to think and how to understand what the truth is. That is the gift we give them.”

The Charlotte Jewish Day School stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Jewish education and identity. CJDS empowers generations of students to embrace their heritage, pursue knowledge with passion, and make meaningful contributions to the Jewish community and the world at large. With each graduate, CJDS strengthens the fabric of our Jewish community, ensuring a bright and promising future for generations to come.