As we enter the busiest month of our Campaign year, we pause to reflect on the extraordinary generosity of our donors—and the profound impact that generosity is having on Jewish life in Nashville, in Israel, and around the world.
This year, we’ve asked our community to stretch—to increase their giving by 20%—in order to meet our $3 million goal. And the response has been nothing short of inspiring. Many have met that ask. Some have gone further. Several key donors have increased their gifts to $100,000 or more, in some cases doubling their previous commitments. Others are accelerating their 2026 giving to take advantage of current tax laws before changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect next year.
We’ve seen donors open Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) through our Foundation, enabling them to give Jewishly to causes ranging from Nashville Public Radio to Second Harvest Food Bank. And perhaps most moving of all, we’ve welcomed back donors who haven’t given in years—returning to support the community they love.
And the truth is: we need this now more than ever.
We are living through an unprecedented moment, facing a surge in antisemitism and growing threats to our security. The Federation has been working tirelessly to meet these challenges—coordinating with lawmakers, law enforcement, and government partners to ensure our community’s voice is heard and our safety prioritized.
But our work is not only about protection. It’s about possibility.
Programs like One Happy Camper are giving children life-changing Jewish summer experiences. The Mark Goldfarb Fund for Emerging Leaders is shaping the next generation of community leadership through our Leadership 615 initiative. And every gift—from $18 to six figures—builds the foundation for a vibrant, inclusive Jewish future.
“This campaign is about more than dollars—it’s about dignity, resilience, and belonging,” said Jason Sparks, Chief Development Officer. “Every gift is a statement that Jewish life in Nashville matters—and that we’re building it together.”
If you haven’t yet made your pledge or gift to the 2025 Annual Campaign, we invite you to join the hundreds of community members who already have. And if you wish to be recognized in our annual Honor Roll—or prefer to remain anonymous—please let us know as soon as possible, as our publication deadline approaches.
Together, we are writing the next chapter of Jewish Nashville. And it begins with you.
The Jewish Observer is published by The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville and made possible by funds raised in the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. Become a supporter today.
