News from Middle Tennessee's Jewish Community |
Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024
On Erev Rosh Hashana, we opened our pulpit to listen to the emerging Jewish voices of the next generation. As they spoke, we listened, and we learned. We learned of the continued importance of inclusion and embrace of newcomers within the Jewish tent. We were reminded of the need not only for inclusion within our synagogue, but also, of the care and concern for those in need already within the walls of our congregation. And we were encouraged to remember the centrality and the significance of the security and survival of the Jewish homeland, the State of Israel, despite its conflicts and complications.
There is a story Noa Tishby tells about the moment she knew she had to write a book about Israel. A well-known Hollywood actress, upon learning Noa is Israeli, approached her to ask if her parents were upset she no longer wears a hijab. In fact, the incident was the culmination of many similar situations in which she found herself being asked to voice her opinions and explain about Israel. “Every time I was confronted or questioned about Israel, I was asked if there was a book that explains what the country is, how it came to be, in simple terms,” she says, “That book didn’t exist, so I decided to write it myself.” The result is Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth. She describes it as a “step one,” a jumping off point to begin to understand the complexities of the country and the challenges it faces.
On my most recent trip to NYC I found myself daily indulging in a big way in Italian food and vegan ice cream…in ways that seemed comparable to Robert DeNiro preparing for his 60lb weight gain role in Raging Bull. While tripping out on the endless selection of fine NYC restaurants would seem somewhat normal while on vacation in the Big Apple, knowing myself, I realized a big portion of my diving into eating was due to unchecked emotions about my upcoming hip replacement surgery. I’ve never had major surgery, and never thought I would. Wrapping my head around it all seemed to be eating away at my nerves while I was eating my way through lemon pasta and Italian bread dipped in olive oil to cope.
The FBI is launching a nationwide effort to enlist the help of local communities in its efforts to educate and combat hate crimes. Hate crimes are part of the Civil Rights Division of the FBI and are its highest priority. Rich Bauer is the Supervisory Special Agent for the Nashville area. He says it is important to identify and report these crimes because they are so damaging to communities. “People look to the FBI to lead these investigations because they deal with threats of violence,” he says, “A hate crime is anything that physically threatens someone and must be motivated by bias against protected classes.” The FBI defines a hate crime as a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.” Currently, Bauer says they are seeing an uptick in hate crimes against faith-based groups, Asian-Pacific Islanders and the Black community.
7:30pm to 9pm at Congregation Micah, outside on the back patio, bring your own chairs!
A recent report by the Anti-Defamation League shows that this year, hate crimes rose to the highest level in 12 years. The number reflects the rising number of assaults on Black and Asian Americans and coupled with the rise to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan, has US officials and law enforcement worried. That is in addition to the recent Pew study of American Jews’ finding that over half of those surveyed experienced antisemitic slurs, comments, or threats. And as high-level agency officials, lawmakers, and domestic terrorism experts grapple with next steps, those on the ground are left trying to figure out a way to both deal with the threats and to build bridges of understanding. In Nashville, a unique partnership is hoping to do the latter. The Jewish-Christian Studies Initiative is a partnership between The Temple and Belmont University’s Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership and seeks to engage college students in experiential learning about the power of interfaith understanding. The initiative is being led by Rabbi Mark Schiftan of The Temple, and Dr. Jon Roebuck of the Curb Center, and includes lectures and Bible study, and culminates in a two-week trip to Washington, DC to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The overall goal, says Rabbi Schiftan, is to explore common experiences. “We want to figure out the lessons that derive from hate and hateful acts and how we can develop tolerance, acceptance and make restitution.” Dr. Roebuck says the formative college years are an opportunity to reach young people. “How wonderful for students in their 20s to have exposure to these experiences and ideas and have time to make some positive change in the world.”
Dear Esther, The adult son of my close friend recently overdosed. It was such a surprise as no one knew he had relapsed. I feel bad for not seeing what was happening. What could I have done differently? How did I miss this? I find myself worrying about all my friends in recovery now. What do I need to look for and what can I do if I suspect a friend has relapsed?
On August 9th, Akiva students began the 2021-2022 school year - Akiva's 68th academic year. Students were all smiles as they reunited with old friends, met some new friends, and explored their classrooms and school. Students, parents, and faculty are looking forward to a year of learning, growth, and success.
