New Jewish Community High School to Open Fall 2022

When Carson Pounds starts high school next Fall, he will grab his backpack and head off to a brand-new Jewish Community High School on the grounds of The Temple. The still unnamed school is the result of a collaboration between Rabbi Mark Schiftan of The Temple, and Rabbi Saul Strosberg of Sherith Israel. At first glance, it may seem an unusual partnership between the Reform and Orthodox ideologies. But both Rabbis say the shared vision is a natural outcome as each is passionate about providing local students with high quality education, tailored to the needs of the individual. Rabbi Schiftan says the school is also something he is proud to leave as a legacy following his retirement next summer. “It is one of the final things I want to accomplish. We are the oldest Reform congregation and partnering with a Jewish high school fulfills our mission of building bridges in the community.” The school will be housed, at least in the early years, at The Temple. Rabbi Strosberg says the location and the partnership is ideal for the community. “The Temple is extremely driven in its mission to serve the world. The congregation is focused on Jewish nurturing and lifting up families,” he says, “Plus, The Temple is a nice place. People respect the place, and it is a great location.” Bridget Pounds says her son, currently an eighth grader at Jewish Middle School, is excited to be part of the inaugural class of the new school. “I am very excited. I believe it is an honor for Carson to be one of the very first students involved in building what we hope becomes a full high school program and lasts for many years to come.” 

FBI Invites Jewish Federation onto Community Engagement Council

As part of an ongoing effort to engage and educate communities across the country, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is expanding its Community Engagement Councils (CEC) and The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is now a part of that effort. Adam Bronstone, Director of Planning and Israel Partnerships for The Federation, will represent the local Jewish community on the council. “I am excited about the experience,” he says, “But most important, is the fact that they wanted to include us and to deepen the relationship with us.” The Council meets regularly and includes representatives from across the state. Doug Korneski, FBI Special Agent in Charge in the Memphis Field Office, says, “The Council helps improve the lines of communication between the FBI and the community. It is an opportunity to share what is going on in law enforcement and what we are concerned about.” 

Seth Ferguson

Jewish Family Service Working to Make Mental Health Matter

A recent report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found over 100,000 people died from drug overdoses between May 2020 and April 2021. The finding highlights not only the growing opioid crisis, but also a crisis in mental health. And while the Biden administration is getting involved in the fight against opioid addiction, locally the Jewish Family Service of Middle Tennessee is working on the mental health front. According to Toni Jacobsen, Clinical Director of JFS, the COVID19 pandemic has served to bring conversations around mental health to the forefront. “Mental Health is often overlooked because it’s not something that can be easily seen, tested or measured.” She says it is important for people to recognize the many facets of mental health. “Mental health doesn’t always refer to an illness or someone with a diagnosis. Tending to our mental health might mean paying attention to the way we feel and manage our emotions in a healthy way.” And, through a yearlong initiative called Mental Health Matters JFS is presenting programs and offering resources designed to both destigmatize and educate about mental health. Pam Kelner, Executive Director of JFS, says the program aligns with one of the agency’s overarching goals, “We want to reduce stigma around mental health conversations and be inclusive while increasing awareness about the topic.” 

Weismark named WES Social Action Volunteer of the Year

World Renowned Scholar Rabbi Manis Friedman Coming to Nashville

Save the Date

Stand Against Antisemitism 

Shine a Light

At the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee launched a local antisemitism reporting form in an ongoing effort to assist families and community members in addressing and responding to incidents of antisemitism, specifically those that occur in school settings.* We have already received eight reports representing three different school districts, with incidents at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. These reports have a consistent theme in which the Jewish student is confronted by a classmate with some form of Nazi imagery, Heil Hitler salute, swastikas drawn on desks, and other Nazi related threats and harassment. 

Rabbi Garmi Visits Chabad of Nashville

Chabad of Nashville Hosts Chopstix Shabbat on December 24th

Where will you find kosher Chinese on the eve of December 24 in Nashville?   Chabad of Nashville will be hosting Chopstix Shabbat, a Chinese themed Shabbat celebration.  

Chabad of Nashville to present the 100k Challenge

Chabad of Nashville will be hosting a very exciting year-end fundraising campaign, “We. Belong. Together. –100/100 Challenge” which will kick off Tuesday, December 7th, at 12:00 PM, and will continue until Thursday, December 9, at 2:00 PM.  If $100,000 is raised in 50 hours, it will be matched by $100,000 from several generous matchers in Nashville.    "Tzedakah (charity) is equal to all the other commandments combined." This meaningful fundraising campaign will provide the Nashville community with 50 hours of tremendous opportunity to support the influential and far-reaching work of Chabad of Nashville and the Revere Jewish Montessori Preschool. 

A Just Community at JMS

Inspired by his time on a kibbutz, psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg pioneered the field of cognitive development theory and moral education. Combining democratic and collectivist values, Kohlberg established a Center for Moral Education at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and promoted a “Just Community” approach to education. This approach is two-fold: direct-participatory democracy and a unified commitment to building community. At the Jewish Middle School, the idea that students can work in both a democratic and ethical manner is present in all aspects of student life.  

Campaign 2022 Update

Greetings from the Federation 2022 Annual Campaign! 

Dear Esther December 2021

DEAR ESTHER, 

Jewish Federation: Be a Part of the Team

Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee seeks an engaging, dynamic, sociable and motivated professional for a part-time position as the Engagement Associate. The Associate will focus on increasing the organization’s engagement with Newcomers and under-engaged people in the Jewish community, to execute engagement programs, and work with community members on creating opportunities for people in the community to connect with each other.

AKIVA PARENTS INSPIRED BY MATCHING GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Gordon JCC Announces Lineup for 2021-2022 Nashville Jewish Book Series

Board of Rabbis & Cantors Book Read Coming Soon

Kvetch in the City December 2021

On Generosity

Among the many different challenges facing contemporary American Judaism, I believe that our biggest threat is related to what we know as Jewish literacy. It is true that antisemitism is on the rise and that assimilation is growing as well. Although we live probably in the best of times to be Jewish and to explore, embrace and expand on our Jewish practice and knowledge, we also live in a world that competes for our relentless attention and, as a consequence of that, we sometimes fail at finding the time to bump up our personal learning.