Local Social Group for Single Jews Over 45 Continues To Bring Friends Together

The Charlotte Jewish News, March, 2025

By Susan Jensen

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) conducted a comprehensive survey to assess changes in Jewish engagement following the events of October 7, 2023. The study revealed that 43% of American Jews have sought to engage more deeply in Jewish life since that date. Among those who were previously less involved, nearly 30% are now actively looking for ways to connect with their Jewish identity and community. This trend is especially strong among those 55 and older, young adults aged 18 to 24, and families with children. The reasons for this renewed interest include a desire for community, support in the face of rising antisemitism, and a strengthened connection to Israel.

Jewish Social Singles of the Carolinas for ages 45+ is a meetup group for single Jews over the age of 45 formed three years ago by two members of Temple Solel.

Meetup.com is a platform where people can join (for free) and peruse an extensive menu of social groups available in their area. Jewish community life traditionally tends to be oriented toward families and couples. This group was formed because so many older Jewish singles experience some degree of social isolation, especially after undergoing the loss of a spouse or a divorce.

Jewish Social Singles of the Carolinas, now 150 members strong, has seen many new members join since October 7, 2023. The group meets at least monthly to enjoy fun things like attending the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival together and casual coffee and board game get-togethers. Summertime open-air concerts are especially well-attended events, as are dinners at new ethnic restaurants, karaoke nights, and pub trivia nights.

Member Nadine Petrucick was seeking new social connections after years of being wrapped up in caregiving for her husband and then her mother. She was leery of attending meetups consisting of a large group of strangers, who might have views on Israel that didn’t align with hers. Jewish Social Singles offered small, intimate gatherings of people her age from her Jewish background. Nadine says, “Making new friends helped me get over the disorientation and grief of losing my husband and mother back-to-back. Some of my new friends and I chat almost every day.”

Susan Jensen is a resident of Sun City Carolina Lakes (Fort Mill, S.C.) where most of her neighbors are married and not Jewish. “After the events of October 7, 2023, I began to withdraw from some social groups because of the antisemitism being openly expressed.”

Joining Jewish Social Singles introduced her to new friends with whom she has a lot in common, including friends younger and older than she. “There is a diversity of age and life experience in Jewish Social Singles that’s hard to find in most social groups,” says Susan. “I’m now dear friends with Josh Levy, a fellow physiatrist almost twenty years younger than I am, and I have new friends around my own age (67) and older. This group has been a great source of quality new friends.”

Some romances have blossomed within this low-pressure, friendly group. The original leaders of this meetup group met their life partners in the group and have now passed leadership on to new co-organizers. It’s a “grassroots group,” covering a large area, whose members take turns hosting events in places ranging from Concord, to Uptown Charlotte, Ballantyne, N.C., and Fort Mill, S.C. The group hopes to keep expanding deeper into the Carolinas. Membership is free (the group leaders pay the Meetup fee for the group). If you’d like to join, you can go to: https://www. meetup.com/jewish-social-singles-of-the-carolinas or contact us at jewishsocialsingles@gmail. com.