AKIVA AND JMS STUDENTS RECEIVE AWARDS AT CHEEKWOOD

In partnership with the Consulate General of Japan and the Japan American Society of Tennessee, Cheekwood Estate and Gardens hosted its 8th annual Otsukimi, a Japanese festival honoring the autumn moon. As part of the celebration of Japanese art and culture, Cheekwood hosted a haiku contest, spotlighting the traditional Japanese three-line poem. Haiku is written in a 5/7/5 syllable count, and often paints a vivid and expressive picture of nature. Students from across Middle Tennessee entered the contest, submitting their most creative and artistic works.

Reflections by Our Poland Mission Delegates

"Seeing is Believing" by Ned Jacobson

Dear Esther

Dear friends,

Retirement Tips

Welcome Back to Part TWO of my 10 Great Tips for a Successful Retirement. In the last issue of The Observer, I offered Part ONE, and I trust many of you have been practicing and are probably feeling steps ahead of those who didn’t read last month’s column! But, as a welcome to the newbies and as any good two-part episode on your favorite Netflix show does, let me review.

People of the Books

The Glass Plates of Lublin: Found Photographs of a Lost Jewish World.

Health and Wellness - WALTER

I want to share my experience of cooking with Walter. I received an email from a mother in South Florida who wondered if I could spend some time teaching online cooking skills to her 14-year-old son. We spent some time emailing back and forth, discussing her son, his incredible spirit and enthusiastic interest in cooking. Andrea proudly said, “The kid shines in the kitchen, in fact together we just made his little sister a double chocolate fudge birthday cake!”

Kvetch In the City October

Remember when you’d return to school, and teachers would have you write a page about your summer vacation? Although a month overdue, I thought it might be cathartic to put my summer vacation in writing. I’m still trying to make sense of it since it turned out to be the kind of vacation in which I needed a vacation from my vacation when I returned home. Have you ever had one of those?

Revere Jewish Montessori Preschool

Chabad Hebrew School

Hadassah Happenings

On Nov. 3, Hadassah is sponsoring the closing film of the Nashville Jewish Film Festival at 7pm at the Belcourt Theater. The film is a sexy, German romcom titled, "Love & Mazel Tov." Join Hadassah members for dinner at 5:30pm before the film. Film Tickets are $10, and dinner is a separate charge. Please rsvp to Mindy Drongowski (615-613-4946) at mandmski@comcast.net

Hadassah Nashville Holds Fundraiser October 30 to Support Ukraine

The Nashville Chapter of Hadassah is planning an evening of food and song on Sunday, October 30 at West End Synagogue and invites all to attend. After a wine, hors d’oeuvres and dessert reception beginning at 5 pm, internationally known artist, Batsheva, will perform her program entitled, ”The Secret Jewish Soul of Leonard Cohen.” Originally from Toronto, and now based in Nashville, Batsheva has a robust following due to her ability to sing in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino. To sample her superb voice, place your phone camera over the QR code in the ad.

The Film Three Minutes

Three Minutes: A Lengthening Explores Precious Moments Before the Holocaust

Under One Roof Returns October 9-17 at the Gordon JCC

A 31 Day Benefit-of-the-Doubt Challenge

David and Tamar Sheinberg were engaged during Chanukah of 2019, with plans to marry on March 30th, 2020. But their plans were upended right after Purim that year when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, and the Israeli government started implementing limits on crowds. Taking no chances, the couple quickly moved to hold the wedding as soon as possible while they still could. They asked their friends to stay home and held a small but beautiful celebration for family only. As they sat down to enjoy the wedding feast, the celebration came to a halt when David’s brother-in-law ran into the hall to tell everyone that the police were outside and were about to come and shut the wedding down.

Nashville Jewish Book Series

Announcing the Inaugural Jewish Art & Music Festival in Nashville, TN

                                                                           “NASH JAM FEST”

Vanderbilt Hillel on Observer Podcast

Vanderbilt Hillel celebrates its 20th Building Anniversary on October 13, 2022. To commemorate this date, Hillel will host a special small group dinner on October 13 for those who have been deeply involved with Hillel and its mission of engaging the next generation of Jewish leaders. Hillel will also celebrate its anniversary on Friday, October 7th from 2:30-5:30 p.m. with its alumni during Vanderbilt University’s Reunion weekend. There will be a special photo slideshow with pictures commemorating Jewish involvement at Vanderbilt University that will include historical photos from Vanderbilt University’s photo archive. Alumni will also enjoy special “Throwback” stations with vintage materials and flyers from the last 20 years of Hillel’s programming. The last 20th Building Anniversary event will be with the local community at the annual Taste of Hillel Fundraiser on Sunday, February 26th.

2022 NJFF being hosted by Nashville Institutions

Over the years the Nashville community has joined the Nashville Jewish Film Festival to support the 15 film festival by hosting screenings. We have grown from a handful of groups to a full schedule of hosts, and we are proud to list and thank them for their financial support of the 22nd Annual NJFF.

JCC POOL

Summer at the Gordon JCC came to a close on Labor Day with the closing of the Outdoor Pool for the season. We hope everyone had a wonderful summer enjoying our newly updated space, thanks to the generous donors to the Our Community. Our Future. Capital Campaign. We look forward to many more summers in this wonderful space!                          

Open Letter to Nashville’s Jewish Community…

Being part of the Nashville broader community and the Nashville Jewish community for the past 45 years has been insightful and rewarding. Often, we hear that Nashville has a very unique Jewish community, as it is very welcoming and open to new voices and ideas. We have certainly found that to be the case as we have chosen to participate in various aspects of this community over time.