Nashville’s Jewish community continues to grow at a rapid pace, with much of that growth coming from the young adult demographic. Michal Eskenazi Becker, Chief Impact Officer, says, “Based on our latest data, the majority of our community age group is either young adults or empty nesters.” To help provide connection for both newcomers and long-term residents, the Jewish Federation of Greater is providing approximately $50,000 in grants to support young adult programming. These programs include the Federation’s NowGen as well as Congregation Micah’s Micahnections, and Moishe House.
Congregation Micah’ Cantor Josh Goldberg is a recent transplant and looking for connections for himself. “As the young clergy on the block, I was looking to meet other people my age who are interested in what we do.” He started small with a Sukkot brunch and then tried other types of events.
The goal was to build and enrich relationships but not compete with other young adult groups in town. “I want to offer a spiritual or religious Jewish experience, to celebrate being Jewish together.” So, to accommodate the work schedule of the participants, he began offering late night Shabbat services. “That became our most successful program. The first time we had about 30 people, and then the next one we had about 75 people.”
Goldberg enlists participation from many in Nashville’s music and arts community and includes a pre-service nosh, followed by a dinner after services. He says this type of program resonates with younger people who often have a different approach to engagement and philanthropy. “There’s more of a transactional attitude. But I don’t try to pressure anyone to do anything. I just want them to come and be part of it.” The program comes with a suggested donation, and Goldberg says most people donate. But he is grateful for the Federation’s support. “It helps make the program more affordable and allows participants to pay what they can.”
Another young adult program supported by the Federation is Moishe House. Located on a leafy street in East Nashville, Moishe House has three young adult residents who, in exchange for a housing stipend, plan and execute programming for young people ages 22-35. Often these programs are in the house, with the residents providing a welcoming space for meals, conversation, laughter, and connections. Ruthie Perlman, one of the residents, says, “Moishe House Nashville provides a space for community gathering for the Jewish young adult population, centering around social events, Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and simply being Jewish together.”
The five events per month cover a wide array of interests, with a little something for everyone. There is usually a Shabbat dinner or larger holiday celebration, game nights, trivia nights, hikes, going to events around Nashville, volunteer projects, and more. Perlman says, “Our intention is to meet the needs and desires of our community and facilitate connections and growth within it.” She says thanks to the Federation grant, Moishe House is there to meet the needs of this young population. “This financial support allows us to host these events, as well as subsidize residents’ rent in order to create a homey space for community gatherings.”
The Federation’s own NowGen program serves as a hub for all the community’s young adults in their 20s and 30s. Most of the events are social, but there are also Shabbat dinners, Hanukkah celebrations, and educational programs. Emma Canter, communications and engagement associate, says NowGen is often the first stop for young people after college, and the goal is to be just the beginning for young aspiring Jewish leaders. “NowGen is a welcoming and inclusive way to get involved in the Jewish community and many of our participants go on to be leaders here in Nashville and in other communities around the country.”
All the young adult programs supported by the Federation share the same goal: to build connection with a new generation, and to inspire future leadership and philanthropy. Becker says, “The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville is proud to provide the resources to engage with our young adult and, by this, to enable their future connection to the greater Jewish Nashville.”
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