From Celebration to Action: Driving Our $3MM Campaign Goal Together

It was amazing seeing #JewishNashville come together in August for our Federation Campaign Celebration featuring Alison Lebovitz.  It was a powerful moment where the community joined together to demonstrate the impact of the Federation’s Annual Campaign and to show the importance of communal giving, all while celebrating the diversity of our mishpachah (or family).  I was particularly struck by Alison’s commentary about being a Jew in the South.  It truly is a unique experience unlike anywhere else in the country.   
 
I was reminded about this again when a group of community members convened at the JCC to talk to NewsChannel 5’s investigative journalist Phil Williams as part of his Peabody Award-winning investigation into hate groups and antisemitism, “Confronting Hate.”  Remembering all that our community has endured over the decades—from Judge Dan Eisenstein recalling bomb threats and the 1958 bombing of the Nashville JCC, to Fabian Bedne sharing the loss of his brother during Argentina’s fascist regime in the 1970s, to Felicia Anchor and Delilah Cohn reflecting on life as children of Holocaust survivors, to parents describing the impact of white supremacist rallies through Nashville’s streets—made me realize how many unique perspectives shape Jewish life here. What matters most, though, is that we share this journey together, united even as we bring our own experiences to the table. 

And just a week after that, our whole community was together again to participate in the return of our updated and retooled “Phone-a-thon” event. It was powerful to see the leaders of our partner agencies, like Jesse Feld of the JCC, Pam Kelner of JFS, Rabbi Saul of Congregation Sherith Israel, Rabba Daniella Pressner of Akiva School and more all working together with us to help support this community.  People from across the generations were asking our community members for help, writing thank you notes and sharing fellowship together for a common cause.  And as a result, we were able to raise over $70,000!  It truly filled my cup and was a beautiful moment to witness. 
 
As we enter the final quarter of our fiscal year and Annual Campaign, we’re focused on reaching our $3MM goal—a 20% increase over last year. Many generous community members have already helped us achieve record results, but the last three months are critical, as nearly half of our campaign typically comes in between October and December. 

There will be many changes in the philanthropic space thanks to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law earlier this year.To help our community understand the bill’s impact on charitable giving, Norma Shirk, our Foundation’s Life and Legacy Coordinator, has worked with the Foundation’s Professional Advisory Council to create a special presentation scheduled for November 5th  . 
 
And speaking of Life and Legacy, one thing I was forced to confront years ago was the sudden death of my brother.  At just 36 years old, he had no end-of-life planning in place, and that wasn’t an experience I would wish on anyone as the executor of his estate.  But the truly tragic thing I have witnessed here in my time at Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, is that his situation was not unique.  For every member of our community who passes with a plan in place to fund our Life and Legacy program partners, there are generally six people who pass with no plan in place to fund the institutions they cared about, and that is always heartbreaking.  Worse yet, it puts their family members in the difficult position of having to make decisions that they would normally not have to make.  While it isn’t a topic that most people want to even think about, it is one of the greatest gifts that you can give your family and community – the gift of planning your affairs in the event of your passing.  And at least from the standpoint of Life and Legacy, it is so easy to set those plans up.   

Already millions of dollars have been directed to synagogues and agencies that we support – it has been a blessing that will continue for many years.  If you haven’t made the time to make these decisions, start this New Year off by addressing that.  And if you aren’t sure if someone in your family has a plan in place, ask them.  It’s so much better to know than to find out later that their wishes haven’t been honored.  As always, , we are here to assist, and you can help the community and your family while leaving a legacy that honors their life. 
 
I wish all of you a sweet and happy New Year, and look forward to closing our 2025 Annual Campaign together thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community!