Jewish Federation Provides Emergency Aid to Haiti Earthquake Victims

The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, through our overseas partner the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), provided aid to victims of the recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti. The quake killed more than 1,300 people and injured thousands more. The JDC activated its emergency response team, along with its longstanding network of local partners, to deliver emergency aid. This is part of JDC’s longstanding commitment to Haiti, with its disaster response to the 2010 earthquake, and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.  According to Federation CEO Eric Stillman, “The emergency funding from our local Federation continues the tradition of providing aid in the case of a natural disaster such as this to help repair the world.”

Jewish Federation Introduces the use of New Inclusion Badge

As part of its ongoing commitment to make Nashville’s Jewish community more open and inclusive of people with disabilities, The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is providing local congregations and agencies with a visual aid in the form of a graphic badge. The badge will be added to websites, flyers, and buildings to let people know accommodations can be made to aid in their participation in services, programs and other events. The use of the badge is also designed to educate and raise awareness in the community about grants and services that are available. Eric Stillman, CEO of The Jewish Federation, says, “The badge will hopefully give people the comfort level to know that the organization or agency using it is open and willing to find ways to accommodate various disability needs.”

The Israel Conundrum

By Dr. Frank Boehm

September 2021 Kvetch in the City

I recently happened upon an article that busted the myth that we only use 10% of our brains.

Title - Life Insurance confuses me. How do I know if I need it?

By Mike Levine

Jewish Federation’ Professional Advisory Council's New Direction

By Shannon Small

Jewish Pride and Unity: Stronger together

National and international headlines continue to report far too many stories about antisemitic incidents and attacks.  Locally we have been relatively fortunate so far, but we are not immune from these concerns.  The inherent danger of this Jew hating monster cannot be underestimated as it can rear itself suddenly and without warning.  Current statistics reveal a disturbing climb in the problem, but the hatred itself is as old as time.  The Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee has been active in providing education, resources, and programming to create productive response to the growing problem.  We are now joined in the work to address the current crisis by the Task Force on Israel and Domestic Antisemitism chaired by Leslie Kirby. 

August 2021 Notes from Noam…

By Noam Harari, Community Shlicha

Music City Mazel Showcases Local Jewish Talent

Dear Esther August 2021

Dear Esther,  

A Sneak Peek at Nashville’s New Hub for Young Jewish Adults

Tucked onto a leafy avenue in the trendy East Nashville neighborhood, sits the newest addition to Nashville’s Jewish community. Moishe House provides home-based Jewish experiences specifically aimed at young adults looking for community in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Moishe House Nashville, which is home to Becca Groner, Shea Northfield and Rose Capin, recently held a housewarming party and kicked its programming with a Feminist Book Club Brunch. There will be a formal Mezuzah hanging ceremony in the fall, but for now, check out this sneak peek into life in MoHo Nashville. 

What Does It Mean to Be Jewish in Nashville and Middle Tennessee?

Eric Stillman is CEO of The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee

How Much Do I Need to Save to Have One Million Dollars at Retirement?

Jewish Federation Sends Support to Miami Jewish Community

In the wake of the catastrophic condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee provided $1,000 in aid to the Miami’s Jewish community to assist victims and families of victims. The donation was distributed from The Federation’s Disaster Relief Fund and went directly to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Eric Stillman, CEO of The Jewish Federation, says the Fund was created specifically to address these types of events and that the donation reflects the greater mission of The Federation. “The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee responded immediately to the tragic situation in south Florida with an emergency disaster donation to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation because we care for Jews in need, just as other Federations provided emergency assistance to the Nashville Jewish community when tornadoes struck here in early March 2020.” The Surfside neighborhood is described as a tight knit one and is home to close to 5,000 Jews. It includes several kosher restaurants, synagogues and a kosher grocery store. To date, approximately 100 people are confirmed dead, many of them Jewish, and recovery efforts are continuing.  

Jewish Federation CEO Eric Stillman Selected for Leadership Nashville

Eric Stillman, CEO of The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, is joining the 2021/22 Leadership Nashville class. Stillman joins 43 other executives who represent a diverse cross section of Nashville’s civic life. Now in its 44th year, Leadership Nashville seeks to provide local leaders with a three dimensional view of the city and its growth potential. Through a series classes and hands-on visits participants gain unique insights into areas impacting Nashville, such as government, criminal justice, education, social services, the arts and more. Stillman says, “I feel honored to have been selected for the Leadership Nashville class of 2021-2022. I know my participation will deepen my knowledge of the broader general community in Nashville.” 

Domestic and Local Antisemitism Leads to Creation of New Task Force

The recent crisis in Israel, combined with the spike in domestic antisemitic activity, sparked concerns among local clergy and lay leaders who are urging Nashville’s organized Jewish community to create both a centralized process for reporting incidents and a unified response to address them. The Task Force on Israel and Domestic Antisemitism, created by The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, aims to build on the work of the Jewish Community Relations Security, and Planning Committees with a multi-faceted approach to outreach and streamlining avenues for community engagement. The Task Force includes a diverse group of individuals from throughout the local Jewish community, many of whom have not already been involved in The Federation. Leslie Kirby, Task Force Chair, says they are working on two specific fronts, “We are working hard to provide educational resources, working with the educators at the local synagogues as well as Akiva to meet needs around Israel and antisemitism education; and we are working to address communal needs, providing resources and programming for adults.” 

Jewish Federation Announces 2021/22 Grants

The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is distributing about $2 million to organizations, congregations and agencies throughout the local Jewish community here in Nashville and Middle Tennessee, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The grants are the single largest infusion of funds that support services and programs locally each year and represent approximately 85% of the total funds raised by The Jewish Federation annual campaign. Jewish Federation CEO Eric Stillman says, “We are pleased to be able to provide assistance to every single agency and congregation in our community. And this year we once again were impressed by the applications for Innovation Grants.” And according to Grants Committee Co-Chair Gary Fradkin, the recent Pew Study report provided insights in how best to engage and support the community. “We looked at the implications of the study results and knew we had to continue to support creative programming and involve untraditional populations, particularly young people who are not yet involved in a big way,” he says. 

Jewish Federation Elects Andrew May New President at 2021 Annual Meeting

Kvetch in the City July 2021

I would be remiss to even think of writing this month’s reflections, I mean kvetches, without first sending a loving virtual hug to Dear Esther for so generously dedicating her valuable Observer realty to indulge my musings last month. I so appreciate her insight, clarity, knowing she has my back, and of course, her shout out to all available men, the extroverts at least, to look my way.

Understanding the Progressive Movement and Israel

The recent surge of antisemitic attacks, anti-Israel rhetoric, and violence in Israel and Gaza leaves many Jews feeling vulnerable, uncertain, and even in fear for personal safety.  Synagogues have been vandalized and for the first time in their lives, some American Jews are afraid to wear Jewish symbols in public.  This topic came up theoretically during our program with Bari Weiss, and at that time she was encouraging Jews to be front and center, countering antisemitism with loud and proud Jewish pride and visibility.