Jewish Pride and Unity: Stronger together

National and international headlines continue to report far too many stories about antisemitic incidents and attacks.  Locally we have been relatively fortunate so far, but we are not immune from these concerns.  The inherent danger of this Jew hating monster cannot be underestimated as it can rear itself suddenly and without warning.  Current statistics reveal a disturbing climb in the problem, but the hatred itself is as old as time.  The Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee has been active in providing education, resources, and programming to create productive response to the growing problem.  We are now joined in the work to address the current crisis by the Task Force on Israel and Domestic Antisemitism chaired by Leslie Kirby. 

August 2021 Notes from Noam…

By Noam Harari, Community Shlicha

Music City Mazel Showcases Local Jewish Talent

Dear Esther August 2021

Dear Esther,  

A Sneak Peek at Nashville’s New Hub for Young Jewish Adults

Tucked onto a leafy avenue in the trendy East Nashville neighborhood, sits the newest addition to Nashville’s Jewish community. Moishe House provides home-based Jewish experiences specifically aimed at young adults looking for community in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Moishe House Nashville, which is home to Becca Groner, Shea Northfield and Rose Capin, recently held a housewarming party and kicked its programming with a Feminist Book Club Brunch. There will be a formal Mezuzah hanging ceremony in the fall, but for now, check out this sneak peek into life in MoHo Nashville. 

What Does It Mean to Be Jewish in Nashville and Middle Tennessee?

Eric Stillman is CEO of The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee

How Much Do I Need to Save to Have One Million Dollars at Retirement?

Jewish Federation Sends Support to Miami Jewish Community

In the wake of the catastrophic condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee provided $1,000 in aid to the Miami’s Jewish community to assist victims and families of victims. The donation was distributed from The Federation’s Disaster Relief Fund and went directly to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Eric Stillman, CEO of The Jewish Federation, says the Fund was created specifically to address these types of events and that the donation reflects the greater mission of The Federation. “The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee responded immediately to the tragic situation in south Florida with an emergency disaster donation to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation because we care for Jews in need, just as other Federations provided emergency assistance to the Nashville Jewish community when tornadoes struck here in early March 2020.” The Surfside neighborhood is described as a tight knit one and is home to close to 5,000 Jews. It includes several kosher restaurants, synagogues and a kosher grocery store. To date, approximately 100 people are confirmed dead, many of them Jewish, and recovery efforts are continuing.  

Jewish Federation CEO Eric Stillman Selected for Leadership Nashville

Eric Stillman, CEO of The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, is joining the 2021/22 Leadership Nashville class. Stillman joins 43 other executives who represent a diverse cross section of Nashville’s civic life. Now in its 44th year, Leadership Nashville seeks to provide local leaders with a three dimensional view of the city and its growth potential. Through a series classes and hands-on visits participants gain unique insights into areas impacting Nashville, such as government, criminal justice, education, social services, the arts and more. Stillman says, “I feel honored to have been selected for the Leadership Nashville class of 2021-2022. I know my participation will deepen my knowledge of the broader general community in Nashville.” 

Domestic and Local Antisemitism Leads to Creation of New Task Force

The recent crisis in Israel, combined with the spike in domestic antisemitic activity, sparked concerns among local clergy and lay leaders who are urging Nashville’s organized Jewish community to create both a centralized process for reporting incidents and a unified response to address them. The Task Force on Israel and Domestic Antisemitism, created by The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, aims to build on the work of the Jewish Community Relations Security, and Planning Committees with a multi-faceted approach to outreach and streamlining avenues for community engagement. The Task Force includes a diverse group of individuals from throughout the local Jewish community, many of whom have not already been involved in The Federation. Leslie Kirby, Task Force Chair, says they are working on two specific fronts, “We are working hard to provide educational resources, working with the educators at the local synagogues as well as Akiva to meet needs around Israel and antisemitism education; and we are working to address communal needs, providing resources and programming for adults.” 

Jewish Federation Announces 2021/22 Grants

The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is distributing about $2 million to organizations, congregations and agencies throughout the local Jewish community here in Nashville and Middle Tennessee, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The grants are the single largest infusion of funds that support services and programs locally each year and represent approximately 85% of the total funds raised by The Jewish Federation annual campaign. Jewish Federation CEO Eric Stillman says, “We are pleased to be able to provide assistance to every single agency and congregation in our community. And this year we once again were impressed by the applications for Innovation Grants.” And according to Grants Committee Co-Chair Gary Fradkin, the recent Pew Study report provided insights in how best to engage and support the community. “We looked at the implications of the study results and knew we had to continue to support creative programming and involve untraditional populations, particularly young people who are not yet involved in a big way,” he says. 

Jewish Federation Elects Andrew May New President at 2021 Annual Meeting

Kvetch in the City July 2021

I would be remiss to even think of writing this month’s reflections, I mean kvetches, without first sending a loving virtual hug to Dear Esther for so generously dedicating her valuable Observer realty to indulge my musings last month. I so appreciate her insight, clarity, knowing she has my back, and of course, her shout out to all available men, the extroverts at least, to look my way.

Understanding the Progressive Movement and Israel

The recent surge of antisemitic attacks, anti-Israel rhetoric, and violence in Israel and Gaza leaves many Jews feeling vulnerable, uncertain, and even in fear for personal safety.  Synagogues have been vandalized and for the first time in their lives, some American Jews are afraid to wear Jewish symbols in public.  This topic came up theoretically during our program with Bari Weiss, and at that time she was encouraging Jews to be front and center, countering antisemitism with loud and proud Jewish pride and visibility.   

Dear Esther

The First Event in Forever

By Marisa Rubin

A Line in the Sand: Use of Nazi Star Sparks Outrage, Prompts Reflection

The most recent Pew Study of American Jews reports that the vast majority, more than 75%,  believe that remembering the Holocaust is essential to being Jewish. Additionally, more than half of those surveyed report experiencing antisemitism in the last year, either by seeing some sort of anti-Jewish graffiti, being harassed online, being personally attacked or some other sort of discrimination. It is the intersection of those two experiences that sparked an outpouring of shock and anger after a Nashville hat vendor used a yellow Star of David with the words, “Not Vaccinated,” in the middle to protest what she believes is government overreach in fighting the COVID19 pandemic. The incident centers around a social media post by HatWRKS shop owner Gigi Gaskins who says she was selling the patches as a means of expressing solidarity with the Jewish victims in Nazi Germany who were marked for deportation to concentration camps and forced to wear the yellow star. “I did not make it up,” she says, “I saw videos of protests in Israel and other countries using the star to protest the vaccines, so there is precedent there. I am on the side of those who experienced the atrocities.” 

Staff Promotions at Jewish Federation to Refocus Development Team

The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is promoting two of its long time staffers to leadership positions, both within the Financial Resource Development team. The changes reflect both the professional growth of the two staff members, and a more finely tuned approach to the organization’s development strategy. In making the announcement, Jewish Federation CEO Eric Stillman says, “As rising professionals within our Federation, Carolyn Hyatt and Shannnon Small have been promoted with increased responsibilities in recognition of their important contributions toward Financial Resource Development.”

Pulling together in the face of danger

Last month, the Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and Congregation Micah sponsored a program with writer Bari Weiss to discuss antisemitism across America. Professor Shaul Kelner, of Vanderbilt University, was a masterful moderator of the event, navigating the panel of Rabbis from four locations across the country. His personal background and expertise were evident in his thoughtful and insightful comments and questions, and Ms. Weiss was incredibly engaging and energetic as she shared her perspective on the vexing problem of antisemitism. After the program, Ms. Weiss provided us an extensive reading list for further and future consideration.  

Notes from Noam…