When I was a teenager, my father and I had a major disagreement that left us both hurt and stubbornly silent. For weeks, we tiptoed around each other, each waiting for the other to speak first. We weren’t a family that unpacked our problems, we just hoped they would fade with time. It was a different era, one where silence often stood in for resolution. Then came Yom Kippur. I still remember standing beside him in synagogue as the haunting melody of Kol Nidre filled the sanctuary. Without a word, he reached over and took my hand — his way of saying, “I’m sorry.” I squeezed back to say, “Me too.” In that moment, the weight between us lifted, and we were unburdened.
Yom Kippur is so much more than fasting, it’s about repairing what is broken, within ourselves and between each other. It’s about releasing the burdens we’ve been carrying, so we can move forward lighter and freer. But for many in our community, life’s challenges can make it difficult to focus on that renewal.
That’s why Jewish Family Service is here. To help people find the stability, tools, and hope they need to start again:
Counseling & Support Groups: Whether it’s healing family rifts, working through grief, or navigating personal struggles, our licensed social workers provide a safe, compassionate space for reflection, growth, and goal setting.
Senior Services: For older adults and their families, our staff help coordinate resources including one on one volunteers, offer guidance, and provide consistent support, ensuring no one enters the new year feeling alone.
This Yom Kippur, may we all have the courage to forgive, the humility to ask for forgiveness, and the compassion to support others in their journey.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please reach out at (615) 356-4234 or info@jfsnashville.org.
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