The retelling of the Passover story brings familiar lessons and inspiration from generation to generation. At its core is a theme central to so many of our holidays and stories—one that serves as a timely reminder in 2026. From the moment we understood ourselves to be the people of Israel, Am Yisrael, there have been those committed to our destruction or to controlling or minimizing our existence.
During the time of Pharaoh, we lost our voice. We lost our freedom. We lost our ability to determine our destiny, at least for a time.
Faith, resilience, and the bonds of peoplehood and community sustained us. Ultimately, they led to our redemption and to a new chapter that brought us to the Promised Land.
Today, we find ourselves in perilous times that echo periods of the past. And yet, the Jewish people live. We continue to build vibrant, warm, and welcoming places to gather, to learn, to celebrate, to mourn, and to enrich our lives. Across the United States, Jewish community centers, synagogues, legacy organizations, and innovative new groups offer myriad opportunities to connect with Jewish life.
Unfortunately, the budgets of these critical institutions are increasingly strained as growing portions must be devoted to safety and security. The fact is we simply cannot do it alone, nor should we. Protecting citizens is the primary responsibility of government. Yet the Jewish community is forced to spend more than $765 million each year simply to protect itself. There is more that government can and should do to ensure that every vulnerable Jewish institution has the resources necessary to remain safe.
Our Jewish Federation, through the JCRC and in collaboration with community partners and the three other Tennessee Jewish Federations—Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Memphis—recently lobbied our state legislators to support the reinsertion of houses of worship security grant funding into the state budget. For the past four years, Tennessee has allocated $1.25 million to assist with these critical security needs.
There is more to be done at the Federal level as well. At the end of May, Federation representatives will travel to Washington, DC, to advocate for an increase in the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which was reduced from $350 million in 2024 to $275 million in 2025.
I want to express my gratitude to the leadership of the Jewish Federation, who recently voted to enter into a partnership with the Secure Community Network to bring a Regional Security Advisor to greater Nashville. John Curatolo began his work on March 9.
John’s arrival came during a week that offered a stark reminder of why this work matters. A lone attacker intent on causing harm attempted to carry out a violent assault at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by driving an explosive-laden truck through the synagogue’s doors before opening fire. While deeply disturbing, the attack was sadly not surprising. It was another clear reminder that those who seek to harm the Jewish community do exist, and it is our responsibility to pursue the highest level of preparedness through investments in our community’s safety and security.
With the addition of a Regional Security Advisor, we now have an experienced professional who will work with every Jewish institution, organization, and community leader to identify gaps and strengthen our collective preparedness.
The Jewish Federation does many things to enhance the quality of Jewish life here in Nashville, in Israel, and around the world. But none of it is possible without first safeguarding our community.
Please help us keep our Jewish Federation strong and able to work proactively and responsively to address today’s most important challenges. Each of us can help by contributing to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign. And if you are able, please consider giving a little more this year.
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