The Goldner Family: Creating Community and Building a Welcoming Legacy

There was never an empty seat at the Goldner family’s table. A drawer full of notes and articles with ideas for Shabbat dinners, Passover seders, and discussion topics for holidays, serves as evidence of a Jewish life focused on community. “It was a big part of their value system that everyone’s involvement was crucial,” says their daughter Cynthia Goldner.  

Indeed, Martha and Fred Goldner were, according to Cynthia, “joined at the hip,” and together they built and left a lasting legacy. “Mom was from a very, very, small Jewish community on the Canadian border of Maine. She was an underdog cheerleader of small-town Jewish thriving,” says Goldner. “It was critical, how do they do it, how can you nurture it, the importance of it.” As an adult in Nashville, Cynthia says her mother would seek out and welcome newcomers to town and provide whatever support she could that would help them feel at home.  

“Dad was a native Nashvillian, and the Nashville Jewish community has been small. So being an active part holds significance as both their individuality and the community as a whole,” says Goldner, “Each individual helps sustain the strength of the community, and they would participate in all of it.” 

To ensure the community continues to thrive, Martha and Fred became members of the Life & Legacy Society of The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville. Their legacy gift benefits The Jewish Federation, Akiva School, and The Temple. Erin Zagnoev, director of administration and advancement at The Temple, says the Goldners’ dedication goes back to the original capital campaign for the current building. “I think that’s indicative of who they were, always thinking of other people, always thinking of the future.” 

Zagnoev says one of the lessons of legacy giving is that it can teach future generations about priorities. “It would be such a great way to show our kids what was important to us,” she says. And she says the Goldners were also living examples of their priorities. “Their family lived it. This place, this community, this temple, Nashville was so important to the Goldners and they had that spirit about them.” 

Thoughtfulness of others came naturally to both Goldners, who Zagnoev says were always leaving things behind. She relays one incident when Martha could not attend a women’s retreat. “She brought spirit sticks for Rabbi Mackler to take, and so she still had a presence. That’s just how she was. She had a generous spirit.” 

Zagnoev says her favorite thing about the Goldners was being with them on Friday night as they made sure to point out the newcomers to her. “They were the ones who always wanted to make sure I met the newest person in the room. They had such an appreciation for people who were newer to our community and making sure they felt as connected as they did.” And true to form, they were usually the last ones to leave the oneg. 

Zagnoev says Fred was “a true gentle giant,” and a passionate lay leader with vision for the future. “Fred was a past president and so he really knew and always came and supported the board. And their gift shows they had foresight into what long term needs are.” 

And true to the Goldners’ spirit of generosity, Cynthia Goldner says much of what her parents did went on quietly, out of the public eye. “I don’t think they were really big on making sure everybody knew what they were doing. They were behind the scenes involved making things happen.” 

For information about becoming a Life & Legacy member, visit www.jewishnashville.org/life-and-legacy.