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.” 

In Our Own Backyard

The Secret of Chabad

One day, my phone rang. 

Tennessee Holocaust Commission Holds Successful Virtual Day of Remembrance

By Alyssa Trachtman

Temple Outreach

The Temple Announces Ambitious Outreach Plans to Deliver Synagogue Programs and Services to Emerging Jewish Population Centers and Communities.

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.”

Sinai and Strawberries

By Theresa Lepore

Congregation Sherith New Members

Congregation Sherith Israel Welcomes 21 New Members

RJMP Photo Spread

Children of all ages attend the Revere jewish Montessori Preschool. Starting at 12 months children learn to use their fine motor skills, then go on to build, to write and read In English and Hebrew, to count, to plant, to sing, and to dance, and to become wholesome healthy people, being educated with the method of Maria Montessori. To register your child at the Revere Jewish Montessori Preschool call 615-646-5750." Space is limited, call.

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…

Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience Opens in New Orleans

Sharing stories, exploring family history, listening to real life recordings of those who changed the country; that is the goal of the newly opened Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. Located in a historic building in downtown New Orleans, exhibits will explore the many ways Jews in the American South impacted and were impacted by the communities in which they lived. The MSJE covers 13 states and over 300 years of history from Colonial America through the Civil Rights Movement. “We are excited to announce an opening date after a pause as a result of the pandemic,” said museum chair Jay Tanenbaum, in a press release. “Jews in the south formed bonds of deep friendship and community-building with their non-Jewish neighbors. These stories show how people of different backgrounds come together to create the American experience. This can be a bridge to a better understanding and future for all of us.”

Congregation Micah Announces New Partnership with London’s Ark Synagogue

By Rabbi Laurie Rice

Changing the Conversation Around Mental Health

The Covid19 pandemic has both triggered and highlighted the need to change the conversation around mental health issues. According to a recent survey of adults by the Centers for Disease Control, more than one-third of those responding reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, over 10 percent reported having started or increased substance use, more than one quarter reported stress-related symptoms, and over 10 percent reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days. All of these numbers are nearly double the rates expected before the start of the Covid19 Pandemic. These increases are tied to risks of suicide, substance abuse, loneliness, food insecurity, just to name a few. Locally the need for mental health services has risen and social workers at Jewish Family Service say that while they are working to respond to the need, there is still stigma around asking for help. Toni Jacobsen, Clinical Director for JFS, says, “It’s important to change the way we talk about mental health. People are not at fault for needing help. They need compassion and understanding about the trauma that happened to them.” 

Kvetch in the City

Recently, my friend and I were talking about trying to downsize our lives and how hard it is to get rid of tchotckies. Inanimate objects from which we derive so much joy. 

June Galleries

June in the Galleries: Exhibits Feature the Work of The Tennessee Watercolor Society and Lolly Swicegood

Gordon JCC June 2021 Capital Campaign Update

By Leslie Sax, Gordon JCC Executive Director

Gordon JCC Annual Meeting

Gordon JCC Annual Meeting Set for June 6th in Person

Food Fest Nourishes the Soul and the Spirit

The 2021 annual Jewish Food Fest brought the community together for an afternoon of Jewish-style soul food, good times and lots of ruach!

Dear Esther June 2021

Dear Carrie,