During our Jewish Federation Women’s Philanthropy program on Sunday, November 17, guest speaker Eve Barlow was asked about her thoughts on how to best combat antisemitism. In her answer she echoed what several other guest speakers, including author Dara Horn, have recommended to us at prior programs. Antisemitism is as old as Jewish tradition and has been something we and our ancestors have faced over the entirety of our peoplehood. Our best approach to address the challenge is to stay committed to building and strengthening Jewish community, take care of each other, celebrate our Jewish holidays with joy, and stand loud and proud in our culture, traditions and way of life.
Jewish Community Night with the Predators is one such example of the ways Federation partners to provide opportunities to celebrate and promote Jewish life. Building on the success of this event last year, we will again celebrate our heritage at the Predators game on December 10. Last year, the game was during the week of Chanukah. This year the game is before the actual holiday, but we won’t let that stop us from an early celebration with brisket sliders and potato latkes. To attend the Chanukah themed party before the game, you will need a ticket to enter the arena. To purchase tickets and rsvp for the party: https://www.jewishnashville.or...
Organizing opportunities for all of us to come together in celebration and support is the work that we do every day at the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville. The Federation serves to build and secure Jewish community and care for those in need with dignity, for Jews in Nashville, Israel and around the world. We convene the Jewish community to address issues of mutual concern, and since much of antisemitism stems from ignorance, JCRC is also the vehicle through which we reach out to the greater community to introduce and educate about Jewish life, traditions, and practices.
In addition to providing this education, JCRC also advocates on behalf of the Jewish community. Here was some of our work in November:
- Participated in Hate Crimes Working Group, convened by Sen. Mark Pody to propose state level legislation to address antisemitism and other hate crimes in our state.
- Continued our ongoing relationship and cooperation with Nashville Metro Council. As was detailed in the November Observer, four bills aimed at curbing hate groups from promoting their vicious agenda in our city were recently passed by the council. Many of these bills came from conversation and meetings between Jewish Federation, JCRC and local leaders.
- JCRC represented the Jewish Federation at a Vanderbilt University program with Dan Senor, author of Start Up Nation and The Genius of Israel.
- Worked with parents and families experiencing antisemitic incidents at both public and private schools. This is an ongoing effort and JCRC continues to connect with families and schools to provide training, resources and support. To submit a report of antisemitic incident: https://www.jewishnashville.or...
If you are reading this and already have already pledged your support for the work of the Jewish Federation and JCRC, thank you. If you have not had a chance to do so, please consider making a pledge to the 2024 Annual Campaign before the end of December.
Visit jewishnashville.org or contact FRD Director, Jason Sparks, jason@jewishnashville.org
The Jewish Observer is published by The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville and made possible by funds raised in the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. Become a supporter today.