Building Community
History of Shalom Park
In the early 1980’s, conversations were held among members of the Charlotte Jewish community regarding the need for a common gathering place that could be the center of Jewish life for the community. There was a strong desire to create a viable community hub where children could get to know each other, share experiences and build relationships. There was also a need to provide a central location where the children could receive Jewish education, attend worship services, enjoy Jewish culture and have a place where they felt at home.
These discussions led to the creation of the Joint Venture Agreement, which was established at Shalom Park’s inception, and is a key element behind the success of the collaborative effort. It was critical that a workable operating framework be established that maintained individual institution autonomy and also provided oversight for the entire entity.
The structure that was established created the Foundation of Shalom Park. The Foundation owns all the assets of the Park with the exception of the two Temple properties, and functions as a non-programming partner, landlord, property manager and administrator for the Park.
Early 1980's
As plans moved into action in the early days, the structure that was established created the Foundation of Shalom Park. The Foundation owns all the assets of the Park with the exception of the two Temple properties, and functions as a non-programming partner, landlord, property manager and administrator for the Park.
1986
In May of 1986, Shalom Park opened the first phase of approximately 85,000 square feet, which included the Sandra and Leon Levine Jewish Community Center and the Blumenthal Jewish Education Building.
1992
In 1992, both synagogues, Temple Beth El (reform) and Temple Israel (conservative) came onto the property.
Late 1990's & 2009
Between the late 1990’s and 2009, a renovation and endowment project of over $43 million increased the space to 225,000 square feet, which included a new fitness center, a second gym, a renovated indoor pool, renovated offices, an expanded library, soccer fields, tennis facilities, aquatic facilities, a day camp, a parking deck, and the Sam Lerner Center for Cultural Arts.
Today
Today, the 54 acre campus of Shalom Park provides a welcoming environment, not only for the local Jewish community, but for the entire Charlotte metro area as well, with an array of educational, religious, recreational, entertainment, cultural, and community service offerings. With no equivalent concept found anywhere in the nation, Shalom Park stands as a preeminent example of community-based organization cooperation.
Founding & Evolution
More than 40 years ago, the then leaders of Charlotte’s small but influential Jewish community came together to dramatically reshape the future of Jewish life in Charlotte.
The leaders’ vision, passion, dedication and generosity became the catalyst for the creation of Shalom Park, a 54-acre campus which serves today as the center of Jewish life in greater Charlotte. From the earliest days of planning to its current iteration, Shalom Park’s greatest accomplishment is not its physical manifestations, but instead, with all the attendant compromises, the creation and perpetuation of community. Decades after its inception, the collection of schools, synagogues, community center, library, camps, and services that comprise Shalom Park proudly embody the vision and collective success foreseen by its founding families so many years ago.
In November, 2011, The Foundation of Shalom Park (or the Foundation) and the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte hosted the Shalom Park Leadership Initiative, a panel discussion and community forum developed to provide Shalom Park agency leaders and interested community members with perspectives on the founding and evolution of the campus. As part of that effort, a number of individuals were interviewed and the interviews put on video. Excerpts from those interviews, as well as archival videos, were included in the Leadership Initiative event.
Video Library
Here you’ll find videos from the November event, as well as current and archival interviews collected in preparation for it. It is our intention that this material to be used as a resource for agency leaders and community members. Understanding the history and vision of Shalom Park, through the eyes of those who created it decades ago, will help insure a vibrant, healthy and dynamic campus and community for generations to come.
The Idea
Community
Evolution
Your Role
Q&A Closing
The Idea - Interviews
Community - Interviews
Evolution - Interviews
Your Role - Interviews
Campus Institutions
Foundation of Shalom Park Board of Directors
The Foundation of Shalom Park (FSP) believes that a board of directors that is informed, knowledgeable, prepared and passionate about the mission of FSP are essential to the success of the organization.
FSP’s Board of Directors have higher ethical imperatives than just ensuring the health of the organization’s bottom-line. Most important, they are entrusted with advancing the mission of the organization and serving as representatives of the community. This means policy setting, determining strategic direction and acting as advocates. They are always ready to tell the story of Shalom Park.
Executive Committee is comprised of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
The Board of Directors is comprised of two lay leader representatives from each of the following agencies and Temples – Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, Sandra and Leon Levine Jewish Community Center, Temple Beth El, and Temple Israel. Additionally, the Board includes one lay leader representative from the Charlotte Jewish Day School, Charlotte Jewish Preschool, Jewish Family Services, and six at-large representatives.
Foundation of Shalom Park Committees
Finance Committee
A central concern of the Board of Directors is ensuring that the Foundation of Shalom Park has the resources necessary to pursue its mission. And it is their fiduciary obligation to see that resources are properly used and reported.
A subcommittee of FSP Board of Directors is the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is comprised of FSP appointees and representatives from all Park agencies – Charlotte Jewish Day School, Charlotte Jewish Preschool, Jewish Family Services, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte and the Sandra and Leon Levine Jewish Community Center, Temple Beth El, and Temple Israel.
Each committee member is required to have a working knowledge of finance, the annual budget process, non-profit laws and regulations, real estate and facility management operations and expense and capital concepts. The Treasurer of the Foudnation Board functions as the chairperson of the Finance Committee. He or she sets the agenda, oversees the meeting, makes a quarterly report and presents the annual budget recommendation, on behalf of the Finance Committee, to the Foundation of Shalom Park Board of Directors.
Architectural and Aesthetics Committee
The purpose of the Foundation of Shalom Park Architectural and Aesthetics Committee is to establish and ensure compliance with building and grounds architectural standards. It also has a prime goal of ensuring that a specific aesthetics, quality and cohesion is maintained.
The Architectural and Aesthetics (A&A) Committee is a subcommittee of the FSP Board of Directors. The committee is comprised of Foundation appointees and the chairperson is appointed by the Foundation of Shalom Park Board of Directors. Each committee member is required to have a working knowledge of real estate and facility management operations, architectural, construction engineering and interior design concepts.
The committee meets as required, but no more than one time per month. The Executive Director of the Foundation sets the agenda and ensures that all Shalom Park agencies who desire to present a building modification, change or upgrade or a new installation to the A&A Committee is appropriately prepared. Upon review of the agency presentation the A&A Committee will approve, disapprove or recommend modifications to the presented project. Typically a report to the Foundation of Shalom Park Board of Directors is not made unless a significant project is presented to the Committee and has major implications to Shalom Park operations and or finances.
Safety and Security Committee
The Foundation of Shalom Park Security Committee (“the Committee”) is established to provide strategic oversight, coordination, and guidance on all matters related to the safety and security of Shalom Park. Given the campus’s role as a multi-agency, multi-tenant communal environment serving children, families, and the broader Jewish community, the Committee ensures a unified, proactive, and layered security approach.
The Committee supports the mission of the Foundation of Shalom Park by safeguarding people, facilities, and programs through collaboration, expert guidance, and continuous improvement of security practices.
The Security Committee is chaired by the Foundation of Shalom Park Director of Safety and Security and is comprised of:
- Executive Directors / CEOs of all Shalom Park agencies and Temples
- The President of the Foundation of Shalom Park Board of Directors
- Public Safety Partners - Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Charlotte- Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD)
- Five community lay leaders with relevant professional expertise in security, law enforcement, or related fields.
Guiding Principles
- Layered Security Approach – integrating people, processes, and technology
- Collaboration – across agencies, community stakeholders, and law enforcement
- Preparedness – proactive planning, training, and continuous improvement
- Transparency with Discipline – clear communication while protecting sensitive information
- Community Engagement – reinforcing that security is everyone’s responsibility