The Jewish Observer
News from Middle Tennessee's Jewish Community | Wednesday, July 2, 2025
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Reflections from Partnership2Gether Trip to Israel by Local Teens

September 2

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:

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Can you Supply Missing Data on the Jewish Merchants of Franklin, TN?

August 2

The Williamson County Historical Society based in Franklin, TN, is asking you, readers of The Jewish Observer and the Greater Nashville Jewish community, to fill in missing details for an upcoming in-depth publication by author Ruth Lebovitz and County Historian, Rick Warwick. “The History of the Jewish Merchants of Franklin, TN mid-19th century to mid-20th century,” is a compilation of stories including more than two dozen merchants and their stores.  

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Galleries August 2022

August 2

August in the Gordon JCC Galleries: Aaron Grayum, John Cranshaw, and Aaron Vucsko. 

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Writers of the Lost Ark August 2022

August 2

Writers of the Lost Ark will be holding a public showcase on Wednesday, August 3 at 7PM on Zoom. The event will feature songs, stories, prose, and poems about peace and renewal in preparation for the High Holy Days. Please look for the link on www.thetemplehub.org, and join us for this very special evening of creativity. In the meantime, enjoy this poem by WOTLA writer Ruth Thomas inspired by the upcoming showcase theme. 

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LET’S TALK RETIREMENT! August 2022

August 2

Ok, let’s see by a show of hands, how many of you know someone who has retired and after a while found that it just didn’t live up to expectations? Now, how many of you have watched that person(s) spiral down to being glued to the tv all day and often complaining of feeling useless, bored, and even depressed?   

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Introducing Mari-Lynn Wilson, The Gordon JCC’s New Aquatics Director

August 2

The Gordon JCC is excited to introduce Mari-Lynn Wilson as our new Aquatics Director! Mari-Lynn graduated from MTSU with a degree in Exercise Science and is currently pursuing her Masters in Exercise Science: Wellness and Nutrition from Liberty University. When she’s not at work, you can often find her and her son on a trail somewhere hiking or camping. She also enjoys rock climbing and teaching fitness classes/training in her spare time. Her certifications include being an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, IBBFA Level 3 Barre Instructor, 200-hour Certified Yoga teacher, Pound Fitness Instructor, and she holds certificates in several Silver Sneakers formats.  

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Horror. Pain. Grief. Outrage.

August 2

The horrific murder of 19 beautiful children and 2 innocent adults rocked our nation and the entire world, a short while ago in Uvalde, Texas. Senseless other shootings have happened since then. Our hearts are heavy, and our eyes are filled with tears. We cry for the Uvalde community and pray for the comfort and healing of all the families, of this and other recent shootings. 

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