On Wednesday, October 1, while many in the community were preparing for the solemn conclusion of the High Holy Days and the arrival of Yom Kippur, a troubling piece of news began circulating. Nashville Metro Councilmember Ginny Welsch (District 16), co-sponsored by Councilmember Sean Parker, had filed Resolution RS2025-1547, titled “A resolution denouncing all acts of the United States Government and the State of Israel that contribute to a continuation of the genocide of the Palestinian people.”
The language of the resolution was inflammatory, and its timing—filed on the eve of Yom Kippur and scheduled for discussion just days before the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel—sparked deep concern and pain across Nashville’s Jewish community.
Rapid Response from the Jewish Community
Within hours, the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, in coordination with Capitol Strategy Group, its government relations partners, began organizing a comprehensive response. Metro Councilmembers Sheri Weiner and Jacob Kupin began working behind the scenes with their colleagues.
At a Yom Kippur break-fast the following evening, Professor Shaul Kelner of Vanderbilt University’s Jewish Studies and Sociology departments approached Federation leadership, expressing outrage at both the resolution’s content and its timing. Once the holiday concluded, Federation convened a coalition of community members to attend and speak at the upcoming Metro Rules Committee meeting and later the Metro Council meeting scheduled for October 9. At the same time, the Federation urged community members to contact their district and at-large councilmembers directly, resulting in tens of thousands of emails.
Community Presence at City Hall
Initially, it appeared that council member Welsch might withdraw the resolution amid widespread opposition and the concurrent announcement of a new Gaza peace proposal. However, when the Rules Committee convened on October 9, it became clear that Welsch had decided to proceed.
The Jewish community arrived prepared, organized, and in full attendance—filling available speaker and spectator seats. Despite the Rules Committee alternating between speakers from each side, the Nashville Jewish community was represented powerfully and respectfully.
Among the speakers were Professor Shaul Kelner, who emphasized the hurtful timing of the resolution; Steve Hirsch, Federation Board Member and Past President, who articulated how the proposal deepened division rather than promoting peace; and community members Alyssa Rosenheck and David Zilberman, who spoke with clarity, compassion, and reasoned arguments that stood in sharp contrast to the rhetoric presented by those supporting the resolution.
As a strategic approach, Federation urged speakers to advocate for “indefinite deferral,” a procedural move to prevent the resolution from resurfacing. The Rules Committee voted 6–0 (with one abstention) in favor of indefinite deferral.
Special thanks are due to council members Jason Spain, Tom Druffel, John Rutherford, Erin Evans, and Chair Tom Cash, and especially council member Kyonzté Toombs, Chair of the Minority Caucus, who reminded colleagues that these issues had been discussed collaboratively the previous year and that this new resolution served only to divide the community.
Ironically, Welsch attempted to explain away the unfortunate filing date, claiming she had intended to submit the resolution earlier—on Rosh Hashanah—but had missed the deadline.
Standing Together
When the full Metro Council met later, some believed the matter was settled. Yet supporters of the resolution again used the public comment session to promote their views. In response, members of the Jewish community—including Melissa Alvarez, Ayelt Berger, and Alex Cohn, along with allies Pastor Lyndon Allen and Daryl Hedding—rose to speak thoughtfully and respectfully.
While Federation supporters modeled decorum and dignity, several pro-resolution attendees repeatedly challenged the Council’s procedural rulings. Later in the meeting, when Welsch formally withdrew her resolution, she again used the opportunity to make a political statement—promptly and firmly curtailed by Jason Spain.
Gratitude and Reflection
The events of early October were a profound demonstration of the strength, unity, and resilience of Nashville’s Jewish community—and the importance of building relationships with elected officials and allies across the city.
“I cannot express how proud I am of how our community came together in this moment,” said Jason Sparks, Chief Development Officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville.” Federation CEO Judy Alperin says she was pleased with the swift response by the entire Jewish community, headed by Federation, and its allies, “We were organized, strategic, and unified—and we were joined by allies across races, religions, and political parties. We are not alone. Nashville showed once again that decency and dialogue can prevail.”
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