On April 17th, we were able to welcome Bruce and Rae Hirsch as they celebrated their ninth grandchild to be recognized on Jewish Federation’s Tree of Life installation, joining the hundreds of other members of our community that have recognized family members over the decades since the display went up in 1987. Community members and guests of the JCC pass by it on a regular basis as it stands in a prominent place in the Main Hall of the Gordon Jewish Community Center.
Bruce and Rae have long been supporters of Jewish Federation and our partner agencies, including the Temple and Jewish Family Services. According to Bruce, adding to the Tree of Life became a way to leave a legacy. “Years ago, we just thought we wanted to have our place in this community,” he says. They both very much believe in the importance of having a vibrant and diverse Jewish community that gets stronger through the generations. Rae says, “This is a good way to teach our children to give to and support their Jewish community.”
Rae has long been an active supporter and volunteer with Jewish Family Service. And the Hirsches have even included their grandchildren in their philanthropy by participating in the holiday gift programs. Rae says, “For Hanukah we take our grandchildren, and we shop at Target and places like that and buy presents. Then we bring them here and JFS gives them out to people who can’t afford it.”
We are honored to have them as supporters and donors that truly add so much to Jewish Nashville.
Currently, the Tree of Life has 150 spaces to continue to recognize and celebrate our community. Feel free to reach out if you would also like to add your family branch to our tree as we continue to grow! Contact Jason Sparks, jason@jewishnashville.org.
The Jewish Observer is published by The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville and made possible by funds raised in the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. Become a supporter today.
