Wow. Jewish Nashville is amazing. We did it. On December 31st, 2024, at 11:59pm, we hit the highest campaign goal we have had in years, over $2.47 million, zooming past our goal of $2.35 million and taking in over 1,250 gifts, more than we have had since 2018. It really was a team effort and would never have happened without the extra efforts of the Board of Directors of Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, some key community members that joined in to help, and all the professional staff at Federation. And of course, the most important element that made it happen was everyone who generously contributed to our Annual Campaign.
As Nashville has grown so rapidly over the last decade, I think what we all saw with the 2024 annual campaign was the beginning of Jewish Nashville catching up philanthropically. And we have a long way to go until we get to where we would like to be. Across the country, there has been a surge in interest in Jewish life and connections. And we have seen that as well in Nashville. Many of the agencies and organizations we support saw growth far beyond what they expected. People who have lived here for several years suddenly found a reason to find a synagogue or religious school for their children. We have been helping groups like East Side Tribe and Franklin Jewish Social scale up and find their voices in our greater community. We have been providing a home and purpose for younger people with our NowGen program and by supporting organizations like Hillel and Moshe House. And of course, there is the amazing work that the team at Jewish Family Service does to make sure that nobody is left behind. Participation at Vanderbilt’s Hillel is at an all-time high and we continue to see more interest in our preschool programs and day schools.
And the beautiful thing about federated giving is that we were able to be there to meet people wherever they showed up; regardless of level of observance, age, demographics, or political persuasion, we were able to help steward those community members when they needed it (and sometimes when they didn’t realize they needed it). And all of you who contributed to our campaign or volunteered were a part of that. It is the highest level of kindness to give to the community and trust that your gift would be put to good use by someone who needed it. And not only does your gift help our community, but you can also rest assured that it is being used efficiently; Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville has a 4-star rating with Charity Navigator and a Platinum Transparency Rating with Candid.
The power of communal giving has become more important than ever. There were countless times that Jewish Federation rose as the voice of our community thisyear.. When we were faced with white supremacists in the streets, behind the scenes we were meeting with the mayor’s office, Metro Council, our state leaders, and Metro Police to build strategies to handle the current situations and plan for the future. We were able to partner with our colleagues at the Anti-Defamation League, and the Secure Communities Network to get ahead of any threats that were coming our way. Our Jewish Community Relations Committee team was relentless in responding to situations impacting students at public and private schools and in the fall. Several of us had a great series of meetings with Metro Nashville Public Schools that helped their senior leadership better understand how they can create an improved experience for, and attract more, Jewish students. Your generosity helped us be prepared to do what was needed at a moment’s notice and be prepared for the future.
And it wasn’t just the crisis situations that we faced. Federation was there for lovely community-wide celebrations for Yom Ha’atzmaut, or the JCRC Community Seder. Or the somber remembrance of October 7th at The Temple. Or the incredibly successful Women’s Philanthropy Event in November featuring guest speaker Eve Barlow. It was incredible seeing all the folks across the community that came out to the Bridgestone Arena to celebrate Jewish Heritage Night with the Nashville Predators. And to cap off the year, Mayor O’Connell hosted the community to light the city’s menorah to celebrate Hanukkah.
Before I came to work for Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, I knew I loved this community. I have had so many touchpoints over the years myself, whether it was being a part of Nashville Limudim program over 15 years ago, being an Athens AZA BBYO advisor, serving on the Personnel Committee of my shul, blowing shofar on the High Holy Days, being on the board of Akiva, or helping my friends create a Kosher Hot Chicken Festival. At the time, I had no idea how much Federation had to do with many of these moments – the truth it is woven through the life I have experienced here in this community, enhancing and sustaining my life whether I knew it or not. So, after 20 years, I really thought that I understood what was going on. But the reality is that my time at Federation has not only made me more grateful for this Jewish Nashville, but it has also introduced me to so many of the wonderful people who support this community that I never knew before. And it has made me both love it more, and has given me a deeper level of respect and gratitude for this community.
A community member who has lived here her whole life told me the other day that she had lived through many important historical moments in her life, and she believed we were in one of those moments right now. And it was critical that we, as a people and community, rise to meet the challenges of this moment. And I couldn’t agree more. What we saw last year was the start of meeting this moment, but we have a lot more to get to where we need to be. I have confidence that we have the right people at the right time here at Federation, and that this community can work together to meet this moment.
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.
