Vanderbilt Hillel students are taking their engagement with the local Jewish community to new heights, forging meaningful connections through two key initiatives aimed at fostering stronger ties between Vanderbilt Hillel and the broader Nashville Jewish community.
During the month of February, a group of dedicated students participated in a heartfelt “Thank-a-thon,” calling donors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville to express their gratitude for contributions to the Federation’s annual campaign. The students explained how the generous donations directly support programs at Vanderbilt Hillel, such as Passover Seders, Israel programs, senior student initiatives, and leadership development opportunities. By sharing these details, the students helped donors understand the tangible impact of their support on both individual students and the broader campus Jewish experience.
“I loved participating in the annual thank-a-thon because it was fun to talk to donors,” said Abby Hafner, class of 2027, “I am so thankful for all their donations and for making all my programming dreams come true. The donors were all so appreciative of the calls.”
And Emma Lenson, class of 2025, said, “I enjoyed explaining to donors the real impact they have on Jewish life at Vanderbilt.”
In addition to the Thank-a-thon, Vanderbilt Hillel students also participated in the second Sunday night dinner of the year, a program that invites students to visit local Jewish community members in their homes to share a meal and engage in meaningful conversation. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between Vanderbilt Hillel and the wider Nashville Jewish community, allowing students to connect with older generations and build relationships outside of the campus setting.
“I really enjoyed joining a local Nashville family for dinner on Sunday night with two of my good friends from Hillel. We had a great conversation while enjoying a home cooked meal and got to know the family and their kids,” said Amanda Malnik, class of 2027
The Sunday night dinners provide an informal setting where students and community members can engage in discussions about Jewish life, current events, and shared experiences. For many students, it is a rare opportunity to connect with local Jewish families in a way that fosters personal and spiritual growth.
The combined efforts of the Thank-a-thon and Sunday night dinners highlight the strong partnership between Vanderbilt Hillel and the local Jewish community. These initiatives not only give students a chance to express gratitude to donors but also offer a unique way to build lasting bonds with the broader Jewish community.
As the academic year progresses, Vanderbilt Hillel looks forward to continuing to engage students in more opportunities that connect them with the local Nashville Jewish community. In March, Vanderbilt Hillel is partnering with National Council of Jewish Women-Nashville Chapter (NCJW) in the “Shabbat and Challah Baking for a Cause” programs in which students and NCJW members will celebrate Shabbat together and bake challot to sell. The proceeds will go toward addressing food insecurity in the local community.
With these programs, students are learning the importance of giving back, building relationships, and strengthening their sense of Jewish identity both on and off-campus.
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.
