The Nashville Jewish community is mourning the loss of Annette Schaffer Eskind, 97, who died on July 13. Annette was a giant in our community both individually, and with her husband Irwin, z”l.
Annette was a civic leader, social worker, and public-school advocate.. From 1956 through 1980, She was a caseworker at Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Nashville, becoming case work supervisor from 1980 through 1990. She found this work very rewarding, especially with the placement of immigrant eastern European and Russian Jewish families into the Nashville community.
“Annette was casework supervisor when I began my employment at Jewish Family Service in December 1982,” said Teri Sogol. “She was an incredible mentor and role model providing guidance and support. It quickly became very clear to me how important the work of the agency was to her. She had a no-nonsense way about her. But I thrived and grew under her supervision. After her retirement from Jewish Family Service in 1990 she stayed on for a while as a consultant, and for many more years after that, as my friend. She touched so many lives and I feel blessed that mine was one of them.”
On a larger scale, Annette served on the national Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS), of which she served as national vice president. Another favorite endeavor she pursued while at the Jewish Family Services was that of adoption. She was instrumental in facilitating local adoptions for which numerous children benefited and many families are forever grateful.
Current JFS executive director Pam Kelner noted, “As you read through the history of Jewish Family Service, one name appears more than any other: Annette Eskind,”
A quote from Sara Cohen, in her 1956 annual address as JFS president, captures Annette’s impact. Reflecting on Annette’s first year as a part-time caseworker, Cohen said, “During her one year of service, she demonstrated that Jewish Social Service had shifted from relying primarily on volunteers and providing relief, to a program rendering welfare services through professionally trained caseworkers.”
Over her 34 years as a caseworker and then case work supervisor, Annette transformed Jewish Family Service from a volunteer-based charity into a professional social service agency launching programs in adoption, counseling, family life education, and more.
“We are forever grateful to Annette for setting us on this path” Kelner said. “All of us at JFS strive every day to honor her powerful legacy. Her spirit, dignity and professionalism will always live on at JFS.”
A native of Boston, Annette graduated from Arcadia University in Jenkintown, Pa., and earned a graduate degree at Boston University’s School of Social Work. While she was working towards her master’s degree, her brother Joseph introduced her to his fellow resident and her future husband of 55 years, Dr. Irwin B. Eskind. Upon completion of his residency, fellowship and military duty at West Point, the couple moved to Nashville in 1956, and he began his tenure as a busy private-practice internist with patients at multiple hospitals within the city.
In Nashville, over the years, Annette became actively involved in the broader community, becoming a member of the first Metropolitan Nashville Board of Education, the Tennessee Holocaust Commission and Vanderbilt University. Her family established the Annette and Irwin Eskind Biomedical Library and Learning Center and the Annette Schaffer Eskind Chair at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, as well as a chair in autism spectrum disorder research within the School of Medicine. Annette and Irwin were instrumental in the development of the Vanderbilt Eskind Diabetes Clinic within the medical center.
In addition, Annette served on numerous boards, including Nashville Board of Parks and Recreation, the advisory board of Alive Hospice, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the National Council of Jewish Women, Vanderbilt University’s mental health advisory committee, the Nashville League of Women Voters, the W.O. Smith Music School, and the Bill Wilkerson Speech and Hearing Center. Annette also served on the Kennedy Center’s board for research on human development.
Among many awards recognizing her service, she received the Human Relations Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award from the United Way, YWCA Academy Award for women of achievement, the E. Bronson Ingram award for involvement with the Pencil Foundation, Boston University’s School of Social Work alumni award, and the Jack C. Massey Leadership Award of Mental Health America of the MidSouth.
Annette Eskind was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Dorothy Schaffer, and her two brothers, Dr. Joseph Schaffer (Edith) and Stanley Schaffer, all of Boston. Her husband, Irwin Eskind, M.D., died in 2005. She is survived by her two sons, Steven Eskind, M.D. (Laurie) and Jeffrey Eskind, M.D. (Donna). Annette had five grandchildren: Michael Eskind (Kristin), Julie Galbierz (Andrew), David Eskind, M.D. (Megan), Matthew Eskind (Caroline, M.D.) and Sara Eskind. Fondly known as “Nana”, Annette had nine great grandchildren. Nieces and nephews include Jonathan Schaffer (Elaine Shaver), Ellen Eskind Lehman and William Eskind.
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The family has received numerous text messages from Annette’s friends who have reflected upon her life. Each has described her as being one of signature grace and elegance. She displayed steadfast devotion and a profound sense of dignity in facing personal successes as well as losses. Her generosity and caring for her family, her friends and her community serve as a benchmark for all. The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to Jackie Reed and Tony Cook for their heartfelt care for Annette.
Donations may be made to Jewish Family Service of Nashville or the Metropolitan Nashville Public Education Foundation.
