Henry Greene, President, JHFNC

JHFNC President, Henry Greene's letter to the community from September 2008.

I am honored to serve as President of the JHFNC, North Carolina’s sole statewide Jewish historical and cultural organization. It is a privilege to work with a talented group of experts and an experienced board of directors. These individuals lead busy lives, and their commitment to the JHFNC is further proof of the importance and value of our work.

As we begin our B’nai Mitzvah Year (we became the JHFNC in 1996), we have much to be proud of and much to thank you, our supporters for, as it is your generosity that has fostered what we are today.

We are proud to introduce our new Website and our vision to "Honor History, Celebrate Culture, and Connect Communities." These goals encompass a depth and breadth that serves us all in different ways-- whether young or old, parents or grandparents, newcomers or multi-generational North Carolina families. The JHFNC helps to foster a connectedness between generations, between denominations, between the coast and the mountains, and between Jews and non-Jews in our increasingly multicultural community.

You’ve likely heard about “Down Home” for years, and may well have wondered if it is ever going to become a reality. The answer is a resounding YES! We’re very proud to announce that the Down Home film will debut October 12, 2008, in a gala premiere reception at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh. A second gala is scheduled at the Carolina Theater in Greensboro on October 19, followed by special events in Charlotte, Wilmington, and Asheville.

The Down Home museum exhibit is planned to debut at the Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte in April 2010, and will then travel to major historical museums throughout the state for several years. The Down Home book, being published by UNC Press, and the educational videos and teacher’s guides will also debut at the museum exhibit premiere.

So, we’re on our way! Finally, every school child will have a chance to learn about the wonderful contributions Jews have made to North Carolina, community groups will have even more opportunity to learn in a welcoming and comfortable way about what being Jewish is all about, and we will all come together to celebrate Jewish life in North Carolina-- with pride and satisfaction.

Making history isn’t free. We're proud to announce that we’ve now received over $1 million in gifts and pledges to create Down Home. We have just $250,000 left to raise to complete this important project. We're almost there. Please send your gift in support of Down Home today. Thank you so much.

Sincerely,
Henry A. Greene, President