Charlotte Jewish News, February 2025
By Howard Olshansky, JFS Executive Director
A recent study conducted by the Tulane University Grant Center for the American Jewish Experience, in collaboration with Rosov Consulting, highlights that a significant portion of the American Jewish population faces economic hardship. The study, titled “On the Edge: Voices of Economic Vulnerability in U.S. Jewish Communities,” was commissioned by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study gathered data from a survey of 1,958 respondents, in-depth interviews with 175 participants, and conversations with 38 human service professionals. The Network for Jewish Human Service Agencies, the national membership organization for Jewish Family Service organizations, played a key role in recruiting participants for the study.
The findings challenge the myth that poverty isn’t a Jewish issue. Like households across the United States, Jewish households with children, individuals with disabilities or chronic health issues, and single parents are more likely to experience financial vulnerabilities.
Others within the Jewish community also face economic challenges. Orthodox households, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Russian-speaking Jews are particularly vulnerable.
The study defines economic vulnerability as financial insecurity or instability. According to the findings, situational vulnerability affects 61% of respondents who are currently or recently struggling. This vulnerability is often triggered by unexpected life events such as job loss, health crises, or family dissolution. Other contributing factors include divorce, incarceration, substance abuse, and caregiving responsibilities. In fact, 74% of respondents reported experiencing one or more of these events.
At JFS, these findings come as no surprise. While we lack specific data about poverty in the Charlotte Jewish community, we know that many local families are struggling. Rising housing costs in the Charlotte area, coupled with national inflation and increasing day-to-day expenses, are taking a toll on vulnerable populations—especially single parents and those more likely to be unemployed.
One group JFS sees frequently is older adults. Many seniors living on fixed incomes are just barely getting by. The numbers tell the story: the average monthly Social Security income in North Carolina is approximately $1,800. Meanwhile, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Charlotte is $1,400, not including utilities. Add food, healthcare costs, transportation, and other essentials, and expenses far exceed income.
This issue has worsened over the past few years as rents in Charlotte have risen. Seniors receiving case management services at JFS called their case managers in a panic after receiving notices that their rents were increasing by $200-$400. Without additional support, many faced eviction and homelessness. Thanks to philanthropic support, JFS created a fund to help supplement rent increases for Jewish seniors at risk of losing their homes.
However, seniors are not the only members of our community who are struggling to make ends meet. Many working families, particularly those with a single income, are also under financial strain. According to the Charlotte Business Journal, the annual salary required to live comfortably in Charlotte is $101,388, with $50,700 needed just for basic expenses. This equates to $24.38 per hour for one individual to cover essentials. By comparison, the average salary for a teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is $46,715—or $22.60 per hour.
At JFS, we see many individuals struggling with basic finances and facing additional challenges that impact their ability to manage. These may include mental health issues, a child with a disability, or an aging parent in need of care. Services like the JFS food pantry and case management are critical in connecting clients with the resources they need. For instance, using the food pantry might allow a senior to purchase medications instead of groceries, or help a family pay their utility bill. Case management services may assist with budgeting or connect clients to caregiving support, transportation resources, credit counseling programs, or government-funded housing and utility assistance programs.
Most importantly, the face of poverty doesn’t always look the way we expect. It’s not confined to one specific area of Charlotte. While lower-income neighborhoods certainly face greater challenges, financial hardship can affect individuals and families in any zip code. If you’ve donated food to the JFS Food Pantry or made a financial contribution, you have been helping someone in need, wherever they may live.
