Nashville’s Jewish community has fostered a long-standing relationship with the people, places, and culture of Israel. Through programs such as Partnership2Gether, which bring people together through personal experiences and educational collaborations, the Shlichut (Israel emissaries) program, and mission trips, the Federation has been able to support connections to Israel and partnership regions for many years.
Following surveys conducted by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and Jewish Federations of North America, Nashville’s Federation has decided to create a new Israel and Overseas Department, which will be a two-year pilot program with clear expectations for measurable impact.
The process began with reviewing new Impact Index data, then Federation President Aron Karabel convened a task force to take a deep dive into what these numbers were saying about Israel connection, identity, and engagement across Jewish Nashville.
“Rather than making assumptions or rushing to conclusions, we chose a different path: we invited community leaders to join us as thought partners,” said Judy Alperin, CEO of the Federation.
The task force included Karabel, Rabbi Lindsey Danziger, P2G Chair; board members Fred Zimmerman and Bill Berk; community leader Penny Woody; and staff partners Judy Alperin and Michal Eskenazi Becker, chief impact officer.
“Our goal has been to use the Federation's resources most effectively to provide Israel and overseas programming to best serve the many cohorts of the Jewish community,” Berk said. “In addressing these issues, we recognize the community is not monolithic, and thus we wish to serve as many as we can with what we have.”
The Impact Index shows Nashville’s Jewish community has doubled in size over the last ten years and includes people of all backgrounds. There are more interfaith couples, as well as many who are not affiliated with a congregation, and the community has diversified geographically across the Metro Nashville region.
The creation of this department reflects both respect for the Federation’s legacy and its commitment to growth. Rather than replacing what has worked, the pilot program is designed to build on the current foundation by expanding opportunities for connection while making programming, in Nashville and beyond, more accessible and meaningful across different community demographics.
Helping lead the new department is Jessica Cohen Banish, who currently works part-time coordinating Partnership2Gether. Alperin said Banish is a longtime Jewish community professional whose leadership and work have already made a significant impact in our community.
“I am incredibly excited to have the space to address a lot of the needs that our community has, that relate to Israel and overseas,” Banish said. “There's a lot to be done and I feel like this position will be able to create new initiatives, engage and educate more people, and bring content, missions, and opportunities for our community members to connect with Israel and overseas in new and expanded ways.”
When speaking more broadly about overseas programming, Banish discussed goals for exploring what it means to live Jewishly across the globe.
“I look forward to creating spaces where people can experience how our broader global community lives Jewishly,” Banish said. “Through cultural immersion we deepen our understanding of what it's like to be Jewish for people in different areas of the world, helping break down misconceptions, bringing us closer together as a people.”
Alperin echoed the impact of mission trips, "When you are living and experiencing something with people 24/7, away from the distractions of life and work, and having a shared experience; you create a bond with the others in your group and that experience lasts a lifetime. It can be a tremendous force for personal growth, discovery and opportunity.”
Collaboration will be key, ensuring that Israel and overseas programming is woven throughout the broader Jewish communal landscape in Nashville.
“I hope that as we start to measure the success of this, that what we hear is people saying that they're more familiar with and feel more connected to Israel, and they are also more familiar with all of the opportunities that the Federation can bring to them to help enhance their relationship to Israel,” Alperin said. “I hope that the agencies and the synagogues all see us as an even stronger partner in providing that resource to help enhance Israeli programming everywhere.”
Eskenazi Becker spearheaded the Impact Index effort and led the follow up analysis of the resulting data. As manager of the Federation's grants programs, she says this analysis serves as a key component in helping community partners set realistic goals and measurable metrics. She says it is important for the community to understand that the events and programs that people have come to enjoy aren’t going anywhere.
“We're investing in them more. We're investing in someone who is going to do it full-time,” Eskenazi Becker said. “They're going to be accessible here every year, so it’s really the continuity that’s good for the programs.”
Banish will be working alongside a full-time Israel and Overseas associate.
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