Mayor Cooper lights the Metro Menorah

For the past 18 years Chabad of Nashville has been lighting the Metro Menorah at Riverfront Park and then at Public Square with a sitting Nashville Mayor, starting with Mayor Purcell, then Mayor Dean, followed by Mayor Megan Barry, Mayor David Briley, and this year with Mayor John Cooper. 

Rabbi Ilan Feldman coming to Nashville

Chabad of Nashville, home of Judaism done joyfully, will be hosting a weekend with scholar in residence Rabbi Ilan Feldman, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Jacob in Atlanta, a renown public speaker, and author. Rabbi Feldman will share some of his transformational wisdom, on the weekend of January 28-29. He will address the Nashville community three times over the weekend, on a wide range of topics all relevant to our lives. 

Let’s Talk About an Uncomfortable Topic

There are many conversations that people are comfortable to talk about. There are those conversations that people shy away from. Today, let’s have a conversation about an uncomfortable topic: dying. 

Nashville Joins Together to Shine a Light on Antisemitism

Local High School Students Create Positive Response to Antisemitism

Combatting Antisemitism with Bipartisan Efforts

In August 2017, many of us watched in horror as people with tiki torches chanting, “Jews will not replace us,” marched through Charlottesville, VA at the Unite the Right Rally.  In October 2017, the group Integrity First for America (IFA) filed a lawsuit against the organizers of the rally, specifically Jason Kessler and Richard Spencer. We learned about these efforts during a JCRC virtual program with IFA Executive Director, Amy Spitalnick, last year. On November 23, 2021, following a month-long trial in the Western District of Virginia, a jury decided that the defendants had engaged in a conspiracy to commit violence and intimidation that was illegal. The verdict held the defendants liable for the violent hate that deprived minorities and their supporters of their civil rights and led to the murder of Heather Heyer. 

Mission Possible 2022 Takes Flight!

Mission Possible, one of the signature programs of The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, is ready for takeoff on zoom at 11:00 am on Sunday, February 6th. The mission is designed to introduce Nashville Jewish community members to the service providers and recipients of Federation funding. For participants who register in advance, you will receive a gift bag with specially curated treats and trinkets from the countries will be visiting online.  The typical bus tour of Jewish Nashville went virtual during the COVID19 pandemic, providing the opportunity to focus on the overseas programs and services of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and programs funded directly by the Federation. JAFI and the JDC are the two largest Israel and Overseas partners of The Jewish Federation. 

Ethiopian National Project is Making an Impact from Israel to Nashville

You can make a lot of money in the stock market.  Should I be investing?

An Unexpected Spy Visits Nashville for Women’s Event

Federation’s Inclusion Workshop to Focus on Ability and Belonging

Notes from Noam January 2022

By Noam Harari, Community Shlicha

Gordon JCC’s Camp Davis Welcomes a New Leadership Team

Update on Community Wide Efforts for Afghan Allies

Be a Part of The Federation 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.

IS THE FIRST NIGHT CANDLE LONELY?

It was late at night. The latkes were long gone.  The kids were asleep.  I went and sat down to do some studying and saw my little flame still going strong.  (Yes, the large glasses of oil tend to outlast the candles).  

Nashville’s Jewish Community to Help Provide Aid to Afghan Allies

The United States is currently seeing tens of thousands of Afghans pour into the country as Humanitarian Parolees. After spending weeks or months on military bases while awaiting processing, they are now in need of assistance, and Nashville’s Jewish community is coordinating efforts to do just that. Through the combined efforts of the organized Jewish community and the Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), funds are being raised to help resettle Afghan people in Nashville and to help them become acculturated in the United States. Eric Stillman, CEO of The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee says, “The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is proud to partner with our congregations, agencies, and Jewish community organizations to participate in helping to resettle about 300 Afghan allies coming to Nashville from the approximately 50,000 Afghans allies who are coming to the US.  Our Federation together with Jewish Family Service is leading a Jewish community volunteer effort to maximize our efficiency.” According to Pam Kelner, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of Middle Tennessee, there is greater strength in a collective effort rather than individual organizations working alone. “This is a coordinated Jewish community response, and we are working with an established resettlement agency to make a bigger impact.” Kelner also says, “Many of the newly arrived Afghans assisted the United States government for a long time, and it is important to recognize their status as our allies, rather than refugees.” 

Federation CEO Eric Still On Newschannel 5

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.”