Approximately 1200 people from all walks of life in Nashville joined together last month to send the message that antisemitism, hate, and intimidation are not welcome in the city. The event was planned in the wake of a spate of demonstrations, marches, and disruptions nationalist groups that had set themselves up in town for several weeks.
During one particularly tense Metro Council meeting, where members of the group attempted to disrupt the public comment portion and were promptly ejected from the meeting, Federation CEO Rabbi Dan Horwitz called on the Council to do more to help Metro Police enforce existing ordinances that could help curtail these types of demonstrations. “We have been warning our local and state elected officials to act, and thus far insufficient action has been taken to enforce our current laws,” said Horwitz, “We very much appreciate the efforts of law enforcement to disrupt these activities to the extent possible, and we now call on our elected officials to use the full force and effect of our local and state laws.”
The Nashville Together event was immediately organized and despite the punishing heat and threat of thunderstorms, attendees made signs, sang, hugged, and listened as speakers ranging from Mayor Freddie O’Connell to local rabbis, Jeff Yarbro (TN-21), Metro Council Member Sheri Weiner, Pastor Stephen Handy, Poet Sarah Anderson, and Federation president Dr. Leslie Kirby. Even Preds mascot Gnash made an appearance.
Kirby kicked off the gathering by reminding the crowd of the recent intimidation and harassment tactics by various hate groups. “These groups hate us just because we are Jewish, but their hate extends to a number of other groups as well - anyone they define as ‘other.’ They deliberately manufacture hate and fear to further their own despicable aims.”
She also expressed the community’s frustration that more isn’t being done at the legislative level. “And in the face of this, we have elected officials who have thus far not stepped up to do everything they can do to keep us safe. So yes, we are outraged.”
But Kirby also stressed the need to maintain hope in the face of hate, and called for solidarity with the entire Nashville community. “Our goal here today is a straightforward one … to come together - as Nashvillians, as Tennesseans, as human beings – and say an emphatic NO to hate and YES to hope.”
Also taking the podium was Metro Council Member Sheri Weiner who has been a strong voice in expressing outrage and calling for stronger leadership in denouncing hate. She shared a personal story of growing up in Memphis and being a victim of antisemitic bullying at a young age. “A nine-year-old girl walked to school on a fall day not really paying attention to what was beside or behind her. And then, she wondered what she felt. As she looked down and saw a red spot on her arm, she felt it a second time. And then she heard them. ‘Go home, Jew girl.’ As more rocks were thrown by the neighborhood kids and their parents from their front porch, she ran back home. This was 1964 in Memphis. The little girl was me.” She also recounted the experiences of childhood friends, one a person of color and one an immigrant, who had also been bullied for being different. And closer to home, her own grandson’s religious school was recently canceled due to a bomb threat.
Weiner called the Metro Council a “mosaic,” compiled of people of all colors, nationalities, identities, and from all walks of life. But she said the council is united in calling out hate against anyone. “When one of us is marginalized or targeted, we stand up, we speak out. We act.” She also urged the city to build stronger coalitions and to press for stronger tools to help in that effort. “Why not reignite our community engagement across ethnicities, religions, political stripes? We cannot sequester into our individual corners and expect that any good comes from that…Why not Identify gaps in our management of expressions of hatred whether those gaps are in our state and local laws, in the interpretation of those laws or are in the tools at our disposal to keep our Nashvillians and visitors safe. And, yes, it’s complicated.”
Weiner’s comments moved many in the crowd. Irwin Venick, a local attorney who also is involved in several interfaith groups, said, “Most memorable moments included Sherri Weiner sharing her antisemitic confrontation when she was growing up in Memphis. Many of us had similar experiences during our lifetime. We need to share those experiences with those who we know to demonstrate that antisemitism is deeply ingrained and needs to be called out whenever it appears.”
Offering words of love and hope was Pastor Stephen Handy of McKendree United Methodist Church. He called the rally a “gathering of co-conspirators and co-laborers of justice,” and said all of Nashville is a family that must stand together in the face of those who seek to devalue and divide. “We choose to celebrate the gifts and graces of our unity. We choose the hope of democracy. We choose the love of our neighbor. We choose solidarity of our souls. We choose to hold hands of hospitality. We choose to sit together at tables of grace and generosity. We choose to lead by loving each other and by showing constant compassion.”
Attendees to the rally were moved by the show of support from those outside the Jewish community. Judy Saks, a member of West End Synagogue which earlier in the week was the target of one of the antisemitic demonstrations, said, “What was so heartening to me was the number of non-Jewish Nashvillians who came to support our community. The women next to me were Catholics. Another from a Baptist church. I felt surrounded and supported by Nashville neighbors who believe hate has no home here.”
Ellen Levitt, an active member of the local Jewish community, echoed that sentiment and expressed her relief that members of the outside hate groups were made to leave. “Our community was absolutely united in our message that people of all faiths and beliefs are welcome to live openly and free in our city. It was especially gratifying to watch the Nazis leave the event once it was clear that their efforts to disrupt our show of unity were unsuccessful.”
Horwitz wrapped up the event, sharing his family’s history of surviving the Holocaust. He recounted reconnecting with a woman in Nashville whose grandfather helped his grandmother survive and sending the message that Judaism and Jewish values call for unity in the face of hatred and speaking out for justice. “We combat baseless hatred by beaming love and joy. By speaking up and showing up for each other. By recognizing our innate humanity, even when we vehemently disagree with one another. By championing the fact that the loving actions of a single person can change the world. By raising our voices to demand more from our elected leaders, insisting that they pass and enforce laws to combat this hatred. By celebrating life and cherishing sacred moments. By doing all we can to leave this world better than we found it.”
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