News from Middle Tennessee's Jewish Community |
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
By Michael Whitney, Barbara Moss, and Harry Perret
Shortly after the end of World War II, Holocaust survivors began using the term, “Never Again” as a rallying cry to bring world attention to the unprecedented horror they had witnessed, and against all odds, survived. The phrase continues to be used both particularly by the Jews to demand that the world never again be silent to attempts of genocide against the Jewish people, and universally to demand the end of such barbarism against any group. Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and author who came to be associated with the phrase, used it in the universal sense. “Never again becomes more than a slogan: It’s a prayer, a promise, a vow…never again the glorification of base, ugly, dark violence.”
Nashville’s Jewish community, in partnership with The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, and Jewish Family Service of Middle Tennessee, is bringing together dozens of volunteers to aid and support Afghan ally families arriving in Middle Tennessee. According to Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), more than 50,000 people have been forced to flee from Afghanistan, with several hundred arriving in Nashville. To help with needs ranging from housing and other basic necessities, to obtaining a driver’s license, finding a job, and enrolling children in school, three teams of volunteers participated in extensive trainings offered by NICE. Volunteers learned about Afghan culture, as well as learning how best to help people navigate the various relief systems, and how to deal with people who suffer from trauma. Coordinating the efforts for The Jewish Federation is Michal Becker, Engagement Director for The Federation. “This has been a tremendous effort by so many people,” she says, “The volunteers are so excited to be able to get to know the families and to help them in such important ways.”
To address the need for volunteers during the crisis, JFNA is creating an online hub. Through a centralized application process, volunteers from North America will be placed with Jewish and Israeli partner organizations working on the ground. JFNA is recruiting qualified applicants through the Russian-speaking Jewish (RSJ) network to volunteer for two to four weeks, beginning in April, to help refugees on the Ukrainian borders and at “olim hotels.” In particular, JFNA is seeking those with a mental health background. Volunteers will receive insurance coverage, local accommodations, meals, local transport, and a modest end-of-service bonus. The application form can be found at: https://www.tfaforms.com/4972390
Nashville is becoming home to several hundred Afghan allies, as part of a national effort to resettle thousands of evacuees from Afghanistan. In a Jewish community wide effort, we have funded and are committed to help settle and acculturate three families. Working with the sponsorship organization Nashville International Center for Empowerment, NICE, a cadre of volunteers have been trained and are ready to welcome our new Nashville neighbors. The families arriving from Afghanistan will join an expansive, diverse, and multifaceted immigrant community. In anticipation, we have been working with local Afghan immigrant groups to learn about their culture and have already engaged in cooking projects to create meals for emergency needs and to assist families as they arrive.
Although the past two years have presented many challenges, Nashville’s Jewish community continues to both grow in numbers and to expand its reach. On Sunday, April 3rd, The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is hosting a Jewish Community World’s Fair. The special event is designed to showcase the partner agencies, organizations, and local groups that make up Nashville’s unique local Jewish community. Jewish Federation CEO Eric Stillman says, “The Jewish Community World’s Fair will be fun for the entire family, and it will be a great way to introduce how our local Jewish community agencies, congregations, and organizations are connected to our partners around the Jewish world at the same time.”
Liz and Gabe Rutan-Ram always planned to build their family through adoption. The Knoxville couple, who is Jewish, say they also decided to work through the foster care system rather than use private channels, and now their dream is being deferred by what they say is a discriminatory state law. The law known as House Bill 836, was signed by Governor Bill Lee in January of 2020. The law allows taxpayer funded child welfare organizations to deny services, like adoptions, to prospective families who, “violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions.” The law has been condemned by human rights groups as targeting LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, or any other prospective parents with whom an agency has objection. And now, according to Pam Kelner, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of Middle Tennessee, this law is hitting home for the Jewish community. “These organizations are basically, ‘anti-other.’ If you don’t follow their specific religious beliefs, they won’t serve you. And this type of discrimination has been going on a long time, but when the agency is funded by taxpayers, it crosses the line.”
“Despite vows of ‘Never Again,’ antisemitism still rears its head.” Those are the words of Leslie Kirby, Vice President of The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and Chair of the Task Force on Israel and Domestic Antisemitism. She made them on January 27th, which is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz. This year, The Jewish Federation used the day as a call to action. At a virtual event, “Shine a Light on Antisemitism – No Hate in our State,” local leaders from Nashville’s academic, business, and political communities called on their constituents to take a pledge to stand against antisemitism in all its forms and in every place it occurs.
On January 27th, The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and MIddle Tennessee hosted, "No Hate in Our State: Shine a Light on Antisemitism." The virtual event, in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, featured comments by Governor Bill Lee, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator Bill Hagerty, Congressman Jim Cooper, Metro Nashville Schools Superintendent Adrienne Battle, and other leaders in the academic and business world. To view the event, click the link. Also visit Take the Pledge to take the Pledge to Shine a Light on Antisemitism.
