The Nashville Section of National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for all women, children and families in Middle Tennessee. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW brings together a diverse group of Jewish women who truly care and feel passionately about making our community a better place to live and thrive, regardless of religion, race and socioeconomic status. While we are nonpartisan, and have members from across the aisle, the ramifications of political outcomes in Washington, and locally here in Tennessee, often require us to speak out on behalf of the women and children in our communities.
Earlier this summer, Congress passed a federal budget that negatively impacts the health care, reproductive care, and nutrition assistance that will be available to those who need it the most. As Jewish women, this law does not represent our values. At NCJW, we know that budgets tell us in dollars and cents who we care about and who we leave behind. In this case, the “One Big Beautiful” budget leaves behind the most vulnerable in Middle Tennessee and disrupts the social safety net that generations of advocates, many of them Jewish, fought to build.
In May, just days before the vote, NCJW, Inc. hosted members from around the country in Washington D.C. to visit their Senators to discuss the legislation. "This was a powerful opportunity for members to speak up about the impact locally should the bill pass. Sen. Blackburn's aides seemed more interested than Hagerty's aides,” said La Quita Martin, NCJW State Policy Advocate for TN. “But in the end, both senators voted for the bill which will leave the Tennessee General Assembly to find additional taxpayer money to support Tennesseans.”
The budget law could create significant challenges for women and children in Tennessee by reducing access to essential programs, imposing stricter requirements for receiving assistance, and potentially exacerbating existing disparities. Specifically, NCJW Nashville is monitoring the cuts related to TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, which will negatively impact vulnerable populations who rely on the program for health care, including those with disabilities, low-income pregnant women, the elderly, and children. Specifically, the residents of Renewal House recovering from drug addiction and their children, members of Gilda’s Club undergoing treatment for cancer and their caregivers, and recipients of Jewish Family Service Kosher Food Boxes are among those most likely to feel the brunt of the cuts. Families will also lose approximately 20% of benefits from Tennessee’s SNAP program.
NCJW Nashville also feels passionately about protecting reproductive freedom. Cuts to organizations that provide reproductive care will also restrict access to cancer screenings, STI testing and prenatal services- especially in communities where no other providers exist.
While we are distressed by these changes, we will not ultimately be deterred. We care about our community and the women and children who will be affected by this law. NCJW Nashville members feel passionately about Tikkun Olam- repairing the world through Jewish values- and we will continue in our work to improve the lives of those in Middle Tennessee through volunteering with our projects and advocating at the state and local level. To learn more about the Nashville Section of National Council of Jewish Women, please contact us at nashvillencjw@gmail.com. Members are encouraged to join the 2025 Opening Meeting on Wednesday, September 10 at 7PM at a private home in Green Hills. Registration is available at www.ncjwnashville.org/events.
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