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Federation Features
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Jewish Federation Participates in MNPD’s Faith-Based Police Initiative

May 2

The hostage crisis at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas earlier this year shined a light on the vulnerabilities that still exist for houses of worship. For Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake, it was a wakeup call that more needed to be done to secure synagogues, churches, mosques, and other faith-based locations. The result was the creation of a Faith-based Liaison, a position within the Police Department that works to bridge what he saw to be a gap in the community. Dr. Anita Herron is the new Faith-based Liaison. She says the most important part of the job is education. “The plan is to help teach local police what is needed to accommodate each faith group,” she says. To facilitate that education members of MNPD’s leadership meets each month with a different faith group. Recently, close to 60 members of the department met at the Gordon Jewish Community Center to listen and learn from Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s leaders. The gathering was attended by Police Department leaders at the Community Coordinator level and above, including Chief Drake. Long term, Dr. Herron says the hope is to build awareness among the entire department, “It will trickle down to the patrolmen. There are 600 square miles in Nashville, and we want to be transparent about what they see, and what our citizens see.” 

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Never Again

March 29

Shortly after the end of World War II, Holocaust survivors began using the term, “Never Again” as a rallying cry to bring world attention to the unprecedented horror they had witnessed, and against all odds, survived. The phrase continues to be used both particularly by the Jews to demand that the world never again be silent to attempts of genocide against the Jewish people, and universally to demand the end of such barbarism against any group. Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and author who came to be associated with the phrase, used it in the universal sense.  “Never again becomes more than a slogan: It’s a prayer, a promise, a vow…never again the glorification of base, ugly, dark violence.” 

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Nashville’s Jewish Community Aids Newly Arrived Afghan Allies

March 29

Nashville’s Jewish community, in partnership with The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, and Jewish Family Service of Middle Tennessee, is bringing together dozens of volunteers to aid and support Afghan ally families arriving in Middle Tennessee. According to Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), more than 50,000 people have been forced to flee from Afghanistan, with several hundred arriving in Nashville. To help with needs ranging from housing and other basic necessities, to obtaining a driver’s license, finding a job, and enrolling children in school, three teams of volunteers participated in extensive trainings offered by NICE. Volunteers learned about Afghan culture, as well as learning how best to help people navigate the various relief systems, and how to deal with people who suffer from trauma. Coordinating the efforts for The Jewish Federation is Michal Becker, Engagement Director for The Federation. “This has been a tremendous effort by so many people,” she says, “The volunteers are so excited to be able to get to know the families and to help them in such important ways.”  

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Federation Update on Crisis in Ukraine

March 29

To address the need for volunteers during the crisis, JFNA is creating an online hub. Through a centralized application process, volunteers from North America will be placed with Jewish and Israeli partner organizations working on the ground. JFNA is recruiting qualified applicants through the Russian-speaking Jewish (RSJ) network to volunteer for two to four weeks, beginning in April, to help refugees on the Ukrainian borders and at “olim hotels.” In particular, JFNA is seeking those with a mental health background. Volunteers will receive insurance coverage, local accommodations, meals, local transport, and a modest end-of-service bonus. The application form can be found at: https://www.tfaforms.com/4972390 

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The Path to Freedom

February 22

Nashville is becoming home to several hundred Afghan allies, as part of a national effort to resettle thousands of evacuees from Afghanistan. In a Jewish community wide effort, we have funded and are committed to help settle and acculturate three families. Working with the sponsorship organization Nashville International Center for Empowerment, NICE, a cadre of volunteers have been trained and are ready to welcome our new Nashville neighbors. The families arriving from Afghanistan will join an expansive, diverse, and multifaceted immigrant community. In anticipation, we have been working with local Afghan immigrant groups to learn about their culture and have already engaged in cooking projects to create meals for emergency needs and to assist families as they arrive. 

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Jewish Community World’s Fair to Provide Fun and Connection

February 22

Although the past two years have presented many challenges, Nashville’s Jewish community continues to both grow in numbers and to expand its reach. On Sunday, April 3rd, The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is hosting a Jewish Community World’s Fair. The special event is designed to showcase the partner agencies, organizations, and local groups that make up Nashville’s unique local Jewish community. Jewish Federation CEO Eric Stillman says, “The Jewish Community World’s Fair will be fun for the entire family, and it will be a great way to introduce how our local Jewish community agencies, congregations, and organizations are connected to our partners around the Jewish world at the same time.” 

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