Welcoming the Stranger

Faith-based organizations are often among the first responders to help refugees fleeing their home during war and political upheaval, and the current crisis in Afghanistan is no exception.  Perhaps it is because of the over 30 references in the Torah, also referred to as the Old Testament in Christian tradition, to “welcoming the stranger.”  We Jews know only too well the pain, fear, and confusion of fleeing our homeland in search of a new more peaceful, secure, and hopeful future for ourselves and our children.  The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) which helped welcome, support and acculturate many of our ancestors, now has a religiously diverse staff and network working to resettle refuges of all faiths from around the globe.

Nashville Jewish Film Festivals Continues in November

The 2021 Nashville Jewish Film Festival began on October 14 and is continuing until November 11, so you still have time to watch entertaining, interesting, and informative films in the comfort of your own home. 

Akiva Welcomes New Students in Annual Sunflower Ceremony

The Jewish Middle Schools Continues to Impress with Innovative Curriculum

Nashville Rep’s Return of Ragtime Shines Light on Antisemitism and Racism

JFS Navigating Life’s Transitions, Together

Noa Tishby in Nashville

Revere Montessori Preschool’s New Playscape Makes the Outdoors Come Alive

A trickling stream, a birdwatching wall, and a stage filled with musical instruments are but a few of the dreamy features of the Revere Montessori Preschool’s new outdoor playscape. Created to take advantage of the existing playground and surrounding topography, the outdoor space beckons both children and teachers to go out and explore. Esther Tiechtel, the school’s Director, says attention was paid to even the smallest detail to encourage learning. “The goal was to create a natural setting that would help with gross motor skills and imaginative play. A concrete artist created a creek that winds downhill to watch the water flow, there are tiny blue stones that look like sea glass, everything was considered.”

Akiva and Jewish Middle School Receive COVID Funds from Jewish Federation

The ongoing COVID19 pandemic means big changes for local Jewish day schools, and The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s Human Services Relief Matching Fund is there to help. Resources from the fund are providing Akiva School and Jewish Middle School adapt to create safer, healthier learning environments for their students. Eric Stillman, CEO of The Jewish Federation, says, “Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee earned a matching gift from the Jewish Federations of North America’s Human Service Relief Matching Fund specifically to assist local Jewish organizations faced with extra costs because of the pandemic. When Akiva School and Jewish Middle School learned of the opportunity to apply for funding through our Federation, both schools were able to identify specifically those additional expenses which they are facing this academic year as a result of COVID.  We are proud to partner with Akiva and JMS to help the schools provide a safe and meaningful learning environment for their students.”

Mezuzah Hanging Puts Finishing Touch on Moishe House

The Boston Marathon Did Not Disappoint

Bluegrass Band Nefesh Mountain Explores Jewish and American Heritage

Local Lawyers Work to Bring Afghan Refugees to U.S.

The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan last summer came fast and furiously. Many Afghans fled or were evacuated immediately, leaving on overcrowded planes, buses, and trains. But hundreds of thousands remain in the country, including those who worked in cooperation with the United States Army, workers for Non-Governmental Organizations, and others targeted by the Taliban as enemies. According to Ross Margulies, associate with the Nashville office of Foley Hoag, LLP, the situation is dire. And Margulies and other attorneys around the country have banded together to help. “When this first happened, I felt overwhelmed and powerless. This is a horrible situation,” he says, “But as time went on, I realized that as an attorney, there is something I can do.”

Dear Esther November 2021

Dear Esther,

October 2021

Jewish children's programming at Chabad of Nashville for Shabbat 5782 is off to a sweet start. Jewish storyteller, Jenny Nissenson, brings the weekly Parsha and Jewish Holidays to life through puppetry and song with Esther Tiechtel, in an engaging Shabbat service for young audiences. Teens are invited to take on leading roles in the Shabbat Kids programs. 

Chabad Expands the Bellevue Eruv District

The Eruv for the Bellevue area in West Nashville includes a large section of the Jewish community, and is in close proximity to the JCC, Akiva School and much of Jewish life in the area and includes affordable housing for families of all income levels. For more information contact Chabad of Nashville at 615-646-5750 

5782; Shofar So Good

Thou Shalt not Hate

At the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, we launched a tool to help community members report local incidents of antisemitism, primarily designed for use by parents and students experiencing issues of antisemitism in school settings. This form, created through the efforts of JCRC members and concerned parents, is available on the Jewish Federation website:  Israel & Antisemitism | Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee (jewishnashville.org) 

Faith and the Next Generation

On Erev Rosh Hashana, we opened our pulpit to listen to the emerging Jewish voices of the next generation. As they spoke, we listened, and we learned. We learned of the continued importance of inclusion and embrace of newcomers within the Jewish tent. We were reminded of the need not only for inclusion within our synagogue, but also, of the care and concern for those in need already within the walls of our congregation. And we were encouraged to remember the centrality and the significance of the security and survival of the Jewish homeland, the State of Israel, despite its conflicts and complications. 

The Inside Story of the Iron Dome