What a night it was at the Back in Time Bash! The event brought together more than 60 Jewish teens from across Nashville. Many came dressed in costumes representing different decades, and everyone enjoyed an unforgettable evening filled with music, laughter, and meaningful connection. The event was conceived as both a celebration and an introduction to Jewish teen programs and the Bash delivered on all fronts—from high-energy entertainment to heartfelt moments of inspiration.
Held at the Madeline Pargh Arts Center, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as teens gathered to connect with old friends and make new ones. As a delightful surprise, an old-fashioned ice-cream truck rolled in, complete with an ice cream man serving up nostalgic sweet treats that brought smiles to every teen's face. DJ Tommy kept the crowd moving with a playlist that had everyone on the dance floor, while a photo booth snapped countless memories, capturing the spirit of the evening and the spark of new friendships.
The highlight of the night came when community leaders Libby and Moshe Werthan, leaning into the theme, took the stage dressed as a greaser and a 1950s-style teen, complete with a poodle skirt and leather jacket. They shared their personal journey of giving back to the Jewish community. Their stories of dedication—both locally in Nashville and abroad in Israel—left a lasting impression on the audience. Through their words, the Werthans illustrated how acts of kindness, philanthropy, and active community involvement can help shape a meaningful Jewish life.
More than just a party, the event served a larger purpose: to introduce teens to impactful programs like B’nai Tzedek, Federation's youth philanthropy initiative, and BBYO, a global Jewish teen movement intended to build the identity of Jewish teens and offer leadership development programs. These organizations empower teens to connect with their Jewish identity, develop leadership skills, and make a difference in their communities.
The Back in Time Bash was an amazing way to show teens that being involved in Jewish life can be fun, meaningful, and something they can shape for themselves. The goal of the event was to have the teens leave feeling inspired, energized, and ready to take the next step—whether that’s joining BBYO, starting a B’nai Tzedek fund, or just getting more involved in the community. “This event made me realize how meaningful it is to connect with other Jewish teens,” said partygoer Snow Mannes. “I’m planning to attend all the future events and even join BBYO next year.”
As the night wound down and the last song played, one thing was clear: Nashville’s Jewish teen community is vibrant, passionate, and ready to make its mark. The Back in Time Bash may be over, but the connections, memories, and momentum it created are just getting started.
Special thanks go to the community partners who helped make the evening possible: B’nai Tzedek, BBYO, Congregation Sherith Israel, Congregation Micah, The Temple, West End Synagogue, Kehilla High, and Jewish Middle School of Nashville (JMS). Their collaboration and support helped turn this vision into a reality.
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