B’nai Tzedek Update

Leeron Stark Resnick, the newest member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville Team

Thanks for the Warm Welcome.

I am excited to settle into my role as Donor Relations Associate at the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville. I am the newest team member, and I am excited to bring new ideas and strategies to the Federation’s fundraising efforts.

As a first-generation Israeli American, the Jewish community has been a critical part of my life for as long as I can remember, and it is a joy to be joining the Federation. Additionally, as a mother of two young boys, 10 and 7, it is increasingly important to me to ensure that the next generation grows stronger with each day that passes, particularly given the hate and antisemitism that seems all too common these days.

One of the initiatives I am thrilled to coordinate is B’nai Tzedek, a teen-led program focused on educating Nashville’s Jewish youth on how best to give back to their Jewish community and inspire them to build Jewish philanthropy into their lives. By refreshing the B’nai Tzedek program, I hope to grow the number of participants as they become B’nai Mitzvah and, in so doing, grow our Jewish philanthropic community.

Leeron Stark Resnick presents information about the Jewish Federation’s B’nai Tzedek program.

Personally, as a Bat Mitzvah, I was not aware of the many Jewish organizations that benefited from Federation funding. It was only later as an adult and parent that my family engaged with programs such as Birthright Israel and PJ Library and realized the significant value that these organizations bring to our families and to our communities. The overarching goal of the B’nai Tzedek program is to help the next generation understand the importance of giving back to their Jewish community so that they will continue doing so as adults.

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with some of our community’s soon to be Bar and Bat Mitzvah students and their families about this wonderful opportunity to learn about and participate in philanthropy and to identify ways to give back to Jewish Community through leadership and volunteer opportunities; locally, nationally, and internationally. The program has a teen-led Board that organizes annual events and brings the fund holders together to decide what Jewish organization their annual gift will support.

Becoming a B’nai Tzedek fund holder requires a minimum of $500, however, thanks to a generous match provide by the Hassenfeld/Feldman Fund at the Jewish Federation, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah contribution is $125. After opening a B’nai Tzedek Fund the money will remain in the fund until the fund holder reaches the age of 33. At that time the fund holder can choose to

either close out their fund at which point remaining balance will go into The Federation's Unrestricted Fund. Alternatively, if their fund has reached $5000 there is the option to become a Donor Advised Fund, meaning the B’nai Tzedek can designate what organization will receive those funds. Money raised in the fund is not a donation to the Federation's Annual Campaign.

As the school year comes to an end and planning for Bar and Bat Mitzvah is underway for many, I truly hope you consider becoming a B’nai Tzedek. To learn more about the B’nai Tzedek program please read through the digital brochure at https://issuu.com/jfednashville/docs/bnai-tzedek-brochure-edit_23_cropo and visit https://form.jotform.com/230524419233045 to sign up and open your B’nai Tzedek Fund today.

I look forward to meeting and establishing a strong relationship with our current donors as well as our future donors in our growing Nashville Jewish community. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about the B’nai Tzedek program, please contact me at leeron@jewishnashville.org.