North Carolina Jewish Clergy Association officially launches

Clergy and community leaders from across North Carolina gathered online Tuesday afternoon to launch the the North Carolina Jewish Clergy Association.

The organization of rabbis and cantors will promote the interests of Judaism and Jewish people in North Carolina.

“We are establishing the NCJCA so that the more than 80 Jewish clergy in North Carolina today can join together to support the Jewish community statewide and globally and to support each other in learning and life," said co-chair Rabbi Judy Schindler in a news release.

The steering committee has seven clergy members with more than 125 years of service in North Carolina. It includes Schindler of Charlotte (co-chair), Rabbi Eric Solomon of Raleigh (co-chair), Rabbi Mark Cohn of Winston-Salem, Rabbi Lucy Dinner of Raleigh, Rabbi Andy Koren of Greensboro, Cantor Shira Lissek of Charlotte, and Rabbi Batsheva Meiri of Asheville.

"This is a foundational moment for the growing North Carolina Jewish community." Soloman said. "By bringing NC Jewish clergy from across denominations closer together, we will be able to more effectively support and unify our people from Wilmington to Asheville."

Gov. Roy Cooper, U.S. rep. Kathy Manning and North Carolina leader shared words of congratulations at Tuesday’s event.