As we enter 2026, the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville’s Annual Campaign stands as a beacon of resilience and hope in a world where challenges to Jewish life are mounting. The recent arson attack that devastated Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi—a mere few hours from our own community—reminds us that rising antisemitism is not a distant threat. It is here, in our region, and it demands a strong, united response.
Security and safety have become urgent priorities. Our synagogues, schools, and community spaces require enhanced protection to ensure that Jewish life can flourish without fear. Yet even as we confront these sobering realities, we celebrate the vibrancy and richness of Jewish life that thrives because of the generosity of our donors.
Each year, nearly $2 million is invested through the Annual Campaign and the Jewish Foundation of Greater Nashville. These funds do more than safeguard our community—they fuel programs that nurture Jewish identity, education, and culture here in Nashville, strengthen Israel, and sustain Jewish communities around the globe. From supporting Jewish preschool education to aiding vulnerable populations in Israel and beyond, your contributions create a ripple effect of goodness that transcends borders.
What makes Nashville extraordinary is the outsized impact we achieve compared to other intermediate Jewish communities. This is possible because of the powerful partnership between Annual Campaign donors and Jewish Foundation fund holders. Together, you amplify our ability to respond to crises, innovate for the future, and ensure that Jewish life remains strong and secure for generations to come.
I’ve always believed that many hands make the load light. If each of us steps up to say “Hineni”—here I am—and takes responsibility not only for our individual tzedakah but also for encouraging our neighbors and friends, our campaign will be strengthened. When you step up as a volunteer working on the Jewish campaign, remember: you are never asking for yourself. Rather, you are one Jew asking another Jew—or ally—to help a third. Volunteering as an ambassador of the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign is truly holy work.
In a time when hate seeks to divide us, your support builds bridges—of safety, of learning, of belonging. The 2026 Annual Campaign is not just about meeting a financial goal; it is about affirming who we are and what we stand for. It is about saying, loudly and proudly, that Jewish life matters—here and everywhere.
Coming up, our community is fortunate to host Col. Miri Eisin on Tuesday, February 10th. I have known Miri since the early days of my career when she served as the IDF spokesperson during the disengagement from Gaza in 2005. Since then, she has become one of the foremost experts on the geopolitics of the region. I hope to see many community members that evening at an event made possible through national partners—the Jewish Federations of North America, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, and the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. The Annual Campaign—and our place within the JFNA system—makes such programs possible.
Join us. Give generously. Stand with us against hate and for hope. Together, we will continue to make Nashville a model of strength, compassion, and Jewish continuity.
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.
