Rosh Hashanah asks us to imagine who we might become. There is no better place to watch that imagining happen in real time than in a classroom — ours, in Nashville, filled with children who are, quite literally, becoming who they will be. Jewish tradition does not treat education as a nice-to-have. ...
A few weeks ago, right here in Nashville, an author's book launch was canceled. Not because the book was inaccurate, not because the venue changed its mind, but because pressure and intimidation made it feel unsafe to hold. Alyssa Rosenheck wrote “White. Blonde. Jew.” — ...
Right about now, duffel bags are coming home smelling like campfire smoke and lake water. Friendship bracelets are stacked up wrists. And somewhere in the chaos of unpacking trunks and doing laundry, a lot of our kids are already counting down the days until they can go back. If you've ever ...
When I joined the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville last June, I came with deep roots in Jewish communal life and a profound belief in what a Federation can be when it is firing on all cylinders. Not just as a fundraising organization, but as a connector, convener, funder, and innovator for the ...
In moments of challenge, we often learn what matters most. Today, as antisemitism rises in worrying and visible ways, we are called not only to stand against hate—but to stand firmly, proudly, and joyfully in who we are. Jewish identity is not defined by those who would diminish it. It is defined ...
Strong Jewish communities are not built by accident. They are built through thoughtful process, shared responsibility, and a deep belief that when we bring diverse voices to the table, we make better decisions for everyone. At its best, a Jewish Federation is not simply an organization that raises ...
The retelling of the Passover story brings familiar lessons and inspiration from generation to generation. At its core is a theme central to so many of our holidays and stories—one that serves as a timely reminder in 2026. From the moment we understood ourselves to be the people of ...
The last time I visited Israel was the summer of 2023. At the time, I was working for Hadassah and had the privilege of traveling to Israel regularly. When I boarded my plane home at the end of that summer, I simply assumed I would be back soon—Israel had become a place woven into the fabric of my ...
As we enter 2026, the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville’s Annual Campaign stands as a beacon of resilience and hope in a world where challenges to Jewish life are mounting. The recent arson attack that devastated Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi—a mere few hours from our own ...
I’ve come to a surprising realization: I’ve been a Northeastern imposter all my life. It turns out I was destined for the South—right here in Nashville, Tennessee. When people ask how I’m adjusting, my answer is simple: I fell hard, and I fell fast. I ...