2022/23 Update on The Belmont University Initiative for Jewish Engagement

The Belmont University Initiative for Jewish Engagement program continues to develop relationships between Nashville’s Jewish and Christian communities. The initiative, now heading into its second year, is offering a full slate of lectures, workshops, book groups, and hands on travel experiences. According to Rabbi Mark Schiftan, who has been a leader in the effort, “When it comes to fostering a deeper understanding of Jewish tradition in the Christian community, there has been a vacuum, and Belmont wants to fill that space with ongoing engagement. This is my passion, and I can think of no higher academic offering from our Jewish community.”

Promoting Pluralism

The Ken Burns documentary, The U.S. and the Holocaust, debuted at the end of September, and the Gordon JCC hosted a preview on September 14. As with all of Mr. Burns’ work, the documentary is meticulously researched, and contextualized within the bigger story of our nation’s complicated history related to immigration, racism, and discrimination. It begins with historic records and video of notable American public and private sector leaders and the shocking lengths they were willing to go to bar certain immigrant and refugee populations from tarnishing the white protestant ideal they hoped to protect, including open and blatant antisemitic views. These views were ultimately at the heart of decisions to maintain quotas, and the refusal to allow greater numbers of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany be afforded safety in the United States.

Newcomer Highlight

PROTECTING ASSETS IN MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

It is often said that the best defense is a good offense. No one wants to plan for divorce, and yet, the best way to protect your assets through a divorce is to begin preparing today. Whether you have been blessed with a large inheritance passed down for generations or are in the initial stages of accumulating a few personal items, there is no better time to plan than now.

Local College Student Spends Summer “Doing Good” in Poland

Most college students spend their summers working in entry level jobs or internships, hanging out at the beach or pool, or getting ahead by taking some classes. None of those things interested Eli Kirith. The rising sophomore at American University wanted to do something different, so he did the unexpected, he took his mom’s idea and ran with it. “I wanted to feel useful and productive doing something good to help people,” he says. His mom, Leslie Kirby who is the President of The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, recently returned from a Federation sponsored mission trip to Poland filled with stories about the refugees feeling war-torn Ukraine. Many of the refugees are Jewish, but most are not. When Eli heard her stories his first response was, “Can we go?” And so, they hatched a plan.

JCRC Correction

Correction: In the August issue of The Observer, the JCRC column titled Am I Still a Citizen? was mistakenly labeled as an Opinion. In fact, the column written by Deborah Oleshansky, JCRC Director of the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, represents the views of the entire JCRC and its leadership.

September Updates for JCRC

The recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, shifting access to reproductive health care to the control of state legislatures, has already caused fear, confusion, and heartache. JCRC has and will continue to provide educational programs to help us all understand and respond to the difficult situations that result from our state trigger law.

Nashville Jewish Community Welcomes New Shaliach: Omer Shabat

Disability and Inclusion Highlights

Nashville’s Jewish Community Bids Farewell to Noam Harari

Federation Staff Helps Educate Metro’s High School Teachers

Newcomers

Safe Investments in this Crazy Market

What a terrible first half of the year in the stock market. The S&P 500 closed out the first six months of the year down nearly 21%—the steepest first-half loss seen in more than 50 years. Some of the contributing factors include skyrocketing inflation, supply chain issues, the Federal Reserve increasing interest rates and the Ukraine war. While many investors are wondering what to do, the old adage remains, “buy low, sell high,” this is an opportunity to be buying!

Reflections from Partnership2Gether Trip to Israel by Local Teens

As previously reported, three Nashville area Jewish teens participated in The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Southeastern Consortium Hadera-Eiron Partnership2Gether trip to Israel. This was the first time the annual trip included teens from Nashville who spent a memorable two weeks touring and learning with their counterparts in Israel. Our local participants were: Noah Spigel, Benjamin Yazdian, and Jonah Hirt. Each one was asked to answer questions about their experiences, and to share their reflections. Below are their answers in their own words:

Local Teens Share Reflections from Partnership2Gether Trip to Israel

Kvetch in the City August 2022

The Observer Wins 2022 Simon Rockower Award

Jewish Federation Hires Financial Resources Development Director

Federation to Send Second Delegation on Mission to Poland

The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee announces a second delegation of community members will make a journey to Poland. The group will leave on August 24th and, once again in partnership with the Warsaw and Krakow Jewish Community Centers, provide continuing humanitarian support and relief for Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion. The group will return on August 29th.  

Am I still a citizen?

On June 24, 2022, the National Council for Jewish Women (NCJW) issued the following statement: