The Observer Vol. 89 No. 7 – July 2024

Jewish OBSERVER

Building Bridges: The Importance of Christian-Jewish Connections and Understanding

By BARBARA DAB

Like many teens and young adults, David Peters made his first visit to Israel as a college student when he participated in a summer training program. He met his now wife during that trip and fell in love with the country. “That trip transformed my life,” he says, “I fell in love and wanted to find any way possible to go back.”

Peters has since returned to Israel four times, including on Passages, a Christian program similar to the Jewish Birthright, that aims to create connections to Israel for Christian youth and teach about Christianity and the history, culture, and religion of the Jewish people. Elysia Martin is director of alumni engagement for Passages. She says the

program was created by a Jewish woman and a Christian man to foster understanding about both the biblical land and the modern State of Israel. “They felt there was a need for college students to visit their faith’s birthplace and to learn more about the Jewish community.”

Peters’ experience on Passages helped him confront biases during a formative time in his life. “I think it’s truly needed in our world today. It forces you to critically think. It helps you grow spiritually.”

The connection between Christians and Jews, and between Christians and Israel, has a long history. According to Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of New Testament Studies Emerita, and Mary Jane Werthan, Professor of Jewish Studies, Emerita, at Vanderbilt University, “Jesus

and his original followers were all Jews. They did not see, and other Jews did not see, belief in Jesus as lord as antithetical to Jewish identity.” In fact, she says the separation between Jews and gentiles evolved over several centuries. “While some official church teaching sought to marginalize and ultimately, expel, Jews from Christian lands, some Christians in those same lands worked to help, or to hide, their Jewish neighbors. Similarly, while some Jews condemned Christianity as a form of idolatry, others saw it as the means of bringing knowledge of the God of Israel to the gentile world.”

Levine says Christian support for Jews differed based on geography and across time. “For some Christians over the past several centuries, support for

Continued on page 17

Jewish Federation joins in Nashville Pride Festival

More photos on page 13

Nashville businessman David Peters pictured with his Israeli partner Hanan Elkayam in Israel.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, Jewish Family Service, and The Temple joined with thousands to march and celebrate in this year’s Nashville Pride parade and festival.

Community Relations Committee

Unity and Resolve Amidst Crisis: A Call to Nashville’s Jewish Community

By DEBORAH OLESHANSKY

When we gathered as a community to mourn and support each other in the aftermath of the barbaric attack of October 7, most of us could not have imagined that over 260 days later, there would still be over 100 hostages in captivity, with growing fear that only a small portion of those are still alive, and that the violence would have continued and even expanded to affect wider areas of Israel and Gaza. The death toll and humanitarian crisis that has unfolded is horrific, and painful to witness. Many in the Nashville community have personal connections and family members who are suffering in Israel and Gaza, and many more feel passionately and desperate about what is happening but torn on what to do.

Some cities have attempted to address local concerns about the war by passing variations of resolutions, some of which have included inflammatory language and questionable data. Sadly, these resolutions, no matter how well-meaning, are often divisive and are overall not an effective tool in addressing a complicated, complex international situation. Nashville Metro Council considered proposing such a resolution, but it was quickly withdrawn as it became clear that the language, carefully considered with the intention of being balanced, did more to inflame the strongly held perspectives and emotions at play, and would have only created more local turmoil and dissent.

While the proposed resolution itself was seen as problematic by some, the

more worrisome fallout was what happened within the Jewish community after the proposal was made public. Once we at the Jewish Federation became aware of the proposed resolution, Observer editor, Barbara Dab, worked quickly to share relevant information with the community and arranged interviews with several Metro Council members to contextualize and provide insight and background on the process.

As soon as the information was shared, the truly concerning situation began in which some Jewish community members began attacking others, using vile and dangerous language, completely violating a sense of trust among members of our community.

The Jewish community of greater Nashville is diverse in opinion and background, and we at the Jewish Federation do our best to respect those different voices and opinion, understanding that in almost all cases, there will not be complete consensus on anything. In fact, that is one of the strengths of our tradition in which we are encouraged to argue and debate.

What is not OK is to use dangerous language to diminish, disrespect or attack others personally. It is that type of internal strife and division that will cause

us harm. We cannot allow ourselves to turn on one another, or on our elected officials, over differences of perspective. It is not easy to stay open in what Nicholas Kristof’s has described as a “toxic public debate.” In a recent essay he offers an attempt to address the situation using a set of morally complicated principle including:

“We can identify as pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian, but priority should go to being anti-massacre, anti-starvation and anti-rape. Each side justifies its own brutality by pointing to the earlier cruelty by the other side…Let’s focus instead on saving lives in the coming months and years.

War nurtures dehumanization that produces more war. Too many Palestinians dehumanize Jews and too many Jews dehumanize Palestinians. When we dehumanize others, we lose our own humanity.”

Regardless of how upcoming Metro Council actions unfold, it is critical that we in the Jewish community not turn on one another. Overall, there is far more that unites us than divides us, and staying unified, even if we disagree, is critical to our safety and wellbeing. Our community is being targeted by too many groups and individuals who mean us harm, and who want to undermine our sense of security through harassment and intimidation, hoping we will give up and give into their desire that we no longer live our lives in fullness and pride of our heritage. We must stay unified in our resolve to oppose these outside groups.

We have been informed that extremist groups are planning antisemitic activity here in Nashville this summer. Jewish Federation and JCRC work diligently, deliberately, strategically, and consistently to do everything in our power to keep our community safe and secure. Many Jewish communities declined participating in local Pride month activities because of these security concerns. We can and should be proud of our community who will be represented at Pride weekend by Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, Jewish Family Service and The Temple. Our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community will not be diminished by threats or intimidation. We will stand proudly and resolutely at the events throughout the weekend. We will not cower, and we will not retreat from our principles, our values and most importantly, from our commitment to be welcoming and inclusive of all members of our Jewish community.

JCRC Activity in June:

Presentations about the Jewish community and modern antisemitism were shared with several community groups, including the Nashville Public Library. Jewish families were invited to work with a national group addressing antisemitism in local schools.

Coordination of program with Vanderbilt Chancellor Diermeier. The recording can be viewed on YouTube: Ongoing communication with Metro Council and other elected officials to address issues of concern to the Jewish community •

Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier on Principled Neutrality, Campus Activism, and Community Engagement

By BARBARA DAB

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anderbilt

chancellor Daniel Diermeier sat down with Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville CEO Rabbi Dan Horwitz to discuss his philosophy of principled neutrality and campus activism.

Diermeier began by outlining the professional trajectory that led him to Vanderbilt in July 2020. “Timing is everything in life,” he quipped, before explaining what attracted him to the school. “I wanted to be at a university where there was a real possibility for, hopefully, positive impact. And I felt the fundamentals that Vanderbilt had, and the city of Nashville had, were just phenomenal.”

Using the metaphor of a band, Diermeier said what makes Nashville unique is the blending of different skills and talents. “People from different backgrounds play different instruments, have different talents, come together and create something they couldn’t do on their own.”

Horwitz asked Diermeier to explain the concepts of principled neutrality and how it is applied at Vanderbilt. “Everything we do is grounded in a sense of purpose,” said Diermeier. He said Vanderbilt’s purpose is to create a setting for “transformative education and pathbreaking research.” He said that in order

to accomplish those goals, it is important to have the freedom to pursue ideas wherever they lead, even if those ideas run counter to conventional thought.

Diermeier outlined the three pillars that support those goals. First is what he calls “open forum,” a traditional commitment to free speech and open discourse. In practice, this allows for speakers on campus who can present a diversity of ideas and opinions and provides for criticism and debate.

The second pillar is “principled neutrality,” or what Diermeier says other

campuses call “institutional neutrality.” He says in some ways, this idea runs counter to open forum. “Principled neutrality is about what the university’s position should be. And the core belief is that if the university doesn’t have a duty to speak on something, it should remain silent.”

Practically speaking, he said that means on issues not core to the university’s functioning, the university will remain silent. “Why? Because we want to create as broad as possible an environment for students to explore things on

their own, and for faculty to engage their research,” he said.

He called the third pillar a “Vanderbilt special,” which is a commitment to civil discourse. “It means we treat each other with respect, we use arguments and reasons. We want to be fact-based in our discussions. And we never want to forget we are members of the same community with the same purpose and grounded in the same value.” All students sign onto this commitment when they first arrive on campus.

Diermeier outlined how principled neutrality functions in practice using the example of the Boycott, Divest, Sanction movement sweeping colleges across the country. BDS calls for a boycott of businesses that have anything to do with Israel, or to call for the university’s endowment to divest of any businesses with interests in Israel. “Whenever we have that, we go back to our values,” he said, “Institutional neutrality tells us that any calls for boycott, divestment, or sanction is inconsistent with institutional neutrality.”

The concept of institutional or principled neutrality is not the norm on college campuses. Diermeier said Vanderbilt is one of three or four universities nationwide that subscribe to it. He cited Harvard as another campus that is

Continued on page 16

Vanderbilt chancellor Daniel Diermeier discussed his views in a community-wide discussion last month

Editor’s Note…

Connecting and Learning: Highlights from the AJPA Conference in Nashville

By ZOE BELL

Although coming to Nashville marked my first solo trip, I never really felt like I was on my own for the three days that the Observer’s team met for the annual AJPA conference in downtown Nashville.

I met Leslie Kirby and her family at Nashville International Airport, and she drove me to the hotel after a hearty lunch of hot chicken — painfully spicy, but worth the hype. We were an hour or two early for the 3 p.m. start of the conference, so I checked into the hotel and relaxed for a bit before changing into business casual.

experience covering national protests: pro-Palestine and pro-Israel.

By this point, I was well aware that I was the youngest person in the room and the least qualified. I was the sole intern in a room of full-time reporters, editors, PR agents and executives, as I discovered by scanning the list of attendees.

Instead of the imposter syndrome that would normally take over — I was just two weeks out of college — I knew I had something to offer that no one else in that room could: the student perspective. Here we were talking about college campuses, and I had the inside scoop.

By BARBARA DAB

Happy Summer Everyone,

I hope you are all enjoying some fun times with family and friends and staying cool. Perhaps you are out of town, hanging at the Gordon JCC pool, or sitting on the edge of your seat at a summer blockbuster movie.

Here at The Observer, our staff has been taking turns with PTO, but still keeping the presses running. As you have undoubtedly heard, The Observer took home four Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism at this year’s American Jewish Press Association conference, held right here in Music City. The winning journalists this year

STAFF

Publisher Jewish Federation

Editor Barbara Dab

Advertising Manager Carrie Mills

Layout and Production Tim Gregory

Editorial Board Frank Boehm (chair), Teena Cohen, Laura Thompson, Scott Rosenberg, Liz Feinberg

Telephone 615/356-3242 Fax 615/352-0056 E-mail barbaradab@jewishnashville.org

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were Carrie Mills, for her Kvetch in the City column, Observer intern Zoe Bell, and me! You can read more about Zoe’s experiences in this issue.

I know I say it often, but it bears repeating; I am honored and humbled to serve our community through the pages of this newspaper. We have many stories to tell, and a diversity of voices and The Observer is our place to share all of it.

And in case you didn’t know, The Observer is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year! Be watching for some surprises and commemorations in the coming months.

In the meantime, whatever you’re up to this summer, be safe, be happy, be joyous.

Shalom, Barbara

Corrections Policy

The Jewish Observer is committed to making corrections and clarifications promptly. To request a correction or clarification, call Editor Barbara Dab at (615) 354-1653 or email her at barbaradab@jewishnashville.org

Editorial Submissions Policy and Deadlines

The Jewish Observer welcomes the submission of information, news items, feature stories and photos about events relevant to the Jewish community of Greater Nashville. We prefer e-mailed submissions, which should be sent as Word documents to Editor Barbara Dab at barbaradab@jewishnashville.org. Photos must be high resolution (at least 300 dpi) and should be attached as jpegs to the e-mail with the related news item or story. For material that cannot be e-mailed, submissions should be sent to Barbara Dab, The Jewish Observer, 801 Percy Warner Blvd., Suite 102, Nashville TN 37205. Photos and copy sent by regular mail will not be returned unless prior arrangement is made. Publication is at the discretion of The Observer, which reserves the right to edit submissions.

To ensure publication, submissions must arrive by the 15th of the month prior to the intended month of publication.

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Finally, it was the moment I’d been waiting for: meeting my boss! I recognized Barbara at one of the tables right away by her signature glasses and huge smile. I got checked in for the conference, a little jittery with excitement. “Hi, Barbara,” I said, grinning.

“ZOE!!!!!!!” she exclaimed. “It’s so nice to meet you in person!”

We’d been working together for a year and a half, since October 2022, so this meeting had been long awaited. I met more friendly faces: Emma Canter and Carrie Mills. It was surreal to match faces to names I’d only seen written in emails.

The conference was very informative and interactive at the same time. We kicked off Day 1 by playing First Amendment trivia with Ken Paulson, the director of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University. It was a team effort, so the JFed Nashville table — Barbara, Emma, Carrie, Leslie and I — had to compete against several other tables for the grand prize: an original newspaper from the 1800s.

Thanks to Leslie’s expertise in all things U.S. Constitution, we ended up taking first place after a three-way tie!

Next, we heard from a panel of education experts who discussed antisemitism and student protests on college campuses. At one point, we split into small groups to discuss “hot topics,” and I chose coverage of Oct. 7 in the news, as this subject matter is something I want to report on accurately and to the best of my ability. The others at the table were mid-career PR agents, editors, etc., so I was pleasantly surprised that they cared what I, an intern, had to say. They listened intently as I described my

I shared how demonstrations had been largely peaceful, and how students at my school hadn’t set up encampments on our campus, but rather joined forces with George Washington University on their campus. I talked about my college newspaper’s guidelines for protest coverage: ethics and objectivity.

The collaborative sessions allowed me to learn from others from different Jewish publications who were doing almost the exact same work as I was. They got it. One of the many highlights of the trip was meeting two young reporters from the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle. Just like us, they had a staff of two and we became fast friends with them.

Another session detailed how to spruce up content, especially yearly recurring stories such as holidays. I was joined by Sasha Heller, the web editor for the Atlanta Jewish Times. He’d worked in journalism for 14 years. Sasha immediately opened a copy of his magazine to a Passover spread, explaining that he had gathered short snippets from community members about how they celebrate the holiday rather than rewriting previous years’ Passover stories. That keeps content fresh. We agreed that it’s important to approach stories using a unique angle: what’s special or different about this year’s event? Pride parades in 2024 might look different in the wake of Oct. 7, for instance.

It was refreshing to be able to compare our Jewish community coverage across publications. Atlanta may be 250 miles from Nashville, and magazines differ from newspapers, but we really are very similar. It helped to be able to consult someone who’s been in the industry for so long and it was nice to have that one-on-one conversation.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner

On the day we’d all been waiting for, it was raining cats and dogs. That didn’t stop us from donning our cowboy boots and cocktail dresses.

Accepting my Simon Rockower Award at the banquet June 3 felt like a movie. Barbara had gotten an email notifying her that the Observer had won three Rockowers, and listed the three recipients: Barbara, Carrie and me. We had earned first place, second place and honorable mention, but we didn’t know which of us had won which.

Because I had been listed third in that email, I assumed I was the honorable mention. Imagine the surprise when I received a first-place award! I was surrounded by friends and coworkers who erupted in applause upon hearing my name. Even more impressive, Barbara took home two

The

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Federation leaders and staff attend the Simon Rockower Awards Banquet. Pictured l. to r.: Federation CEO Rabbi Dan Horwitz, Federation marketing associate Joelye Davis, Observer advertising manager Carrie Mills, Federation Chief Communications Officer and Observer editor Barbara Dab, Observer intern Zoe Bell, Federation president Leslie Kirby, Federation communications associate Emma Canter, Federation board secretary Christie Wiemers.

The Observer’s Simon Rockower Award winners pictured l. to r.: Carrie Mills, Zoe Bell, Barbara Dab, editor

In a Historic Move, Belmont University

Opens its Doors to Non-Christian Faculty

By BARBARA DAB

Belmont University’s broadened criteria for faculty hiring represents a historic shift in its long-standing mission as a Christian university. The policy now allows for hiring of people regardless of faith, which effectively opens it up to Jews, Muslims, other non-Christians, and those who are of no faith. The move also reflects the school’s new focus as “Christ-centered.” According to university president Greg Jones, “This deepens our own sense of mission. It’s been a very big process and an important step.”

The road to this point in time is a long one, dating back nearly two decades, according to Rabbi Mark Schiftan, rabbi emeritus of The Temple. When then-president Bob Fisher and his wife wrote a book about the insights of hospice patients, Schiftan was moved to invite them to speak during a study session on Yom Kippur. “It was a full house that came to see them. But there were some undercurrents in the congregation because of Belmont’s history of not being open to engaging Jewish faculty,” he says, “But I thought this was a bridge we could build. And from Bob Fisher’s end, he knew the significance of being invited to speak to the largest congregation on the holiest day of the Jewish year.”

From those beginnings, Schiftan’s idea of bridge-building began. In fact, the two institutions are literal neigh-

bors in the Belle Meade/Edgehill section of town. Schiftan’s enduring friendship with Dr. Jon Roebuck, executive director of The Reverend Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership, helped set this plan into motion. The two study together often and were partners in creating Belmont’s Initiative for Jewish Engagement. Roebuck says this latest development feels like a natural next step between the Jewish community and Belmont. “It’s time to write a new narrative,” says Roebuck, “If we want to be known as a Christ-centered university, we have to be hospitable to all.”

Roebuck says the move to broaden the hiring criteria was intentional, which is why it appears to have taken so long. “Some things are not going to happen on their own. Or if they do, they’re going to happen over years at a time. So, you do have to be intentional about how you create your culture and your identity.” He agrees it is important to cultivate lasting relationships. “I think Greg Jones, and even before him, Bob Fisher, were very excited and intentional, to use that word again, about creating important relationships.”

The timing of this development is not lost on those working to implement it. The months since Oct. 7 have highlighted the challenges facing college campuses today. Jones, who is president of Belmont, says the hiring of Schiftan as campus liaison for Jewish students was a good begin-

ning. “After that, being able to broaden our faculty beyond what we were doing in medicine and law is very encouraging, and an important step for us that deepens our own sense of our mission of Belmont as a Christ-centered university that also is a university that simultaneously embodies hospitality and welcoming.”

As might be expected, this new approach to faculty hiring is not without some pushback. Jones says, “The faculty senate, which is our representative body, is very supportive. I think across the entire faculty, you have some who would say we went too far and others who would say we didn’t go far enough.”

Nevertheless, as with any organization, there is not a unified opinion on most topics. Sarah Gardial is the dean of the Belmont business school. She says the faculty is very diverse even across the Christian spectrum and has dealt with diversity issues prior to the new hiring initiative. “It’s very clear to me that I have more conservative and more liberal, more evangelical and more mainstream, denominational and non-denominational. There is this lovely mix. We do not see the world with one vision, with one perspective.”

the 17 years since have provided a great opportunity to work at being inclusive of people from varying backgrounds.

Dr. David Gregory is the provost of Belmont and vice president for academic excellence. He said it was important to create space for faculty to weigh in on the decision because he says the university had this one time to get it right. “We really tried to have an open and honest dialogue. We were trying to be very open and clear. We wanted a real clear definition for our campus and the community that we are a welcoming campus, that we want to love one another.”

Gregory says for Belmont, encouraging civil discourse is seen as a way to combat hate. “If you look at the situation in Israel and other parts of the world, there’s a lot of rhetoric out there, there’s a lot of hate, and we don’t want to have any part of that. We want to encourage understanding.”

The emphasis on community extends beyond the immediate neighborhood. Arlene Averbuch is a member of the advisory board of the Initiative for Jewish Engagement. She says the move toward greater diversity among the faculty will have long-term benefits. “It will be a learning experience for the Christian students for sure. And there will be more of an acceptance of others. I think what’s missing today is understanding and to know history.”

Gardial reiterates the need for ongoing work to determine what it means to be Christ-centered. “We have people that don’t blink at this decision. They’re fine, they welcome it, I’ve heard from them, it’s not rocking their world in any way. We have some in the middle who say, ‘This is not what we’re used to at Belmont, so I’m going to be curious and open-minded and take a wait and see.’” She adds that there are also those on the other end who are uncomfortable: “Their discomfort is based around the concern that this will fundamentally change who we are.”

Of course, Belmont has weathered some significant changes over the years. “Having gone from the relationship with Tennessee Baptist Convention, which ended in 2007, to this big tent has given us a lot of practice at being inclusive. Even within the confines of people who would categorize themselves as Christian, the variation is tremendous.” She says

AJPA Conference

Continued from page 3

Rockowers for her reporting.

We spent the night beaming with pride and posing for photos with other members of JFed. Everyone congratulated us profusely. I couldn’t be prouder of the small, but mighty team that makes the Observer possible.

Those three days alone made me so grateful for the reporting work I’ve done here for the past year and a half, none of

Schiftan agrees that it is important for people to learn the history of others. Over the past couple of years, he has been involved, along with Roebuck, on bringing interfaith clergy on a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the National Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History, all part of a broader effort to continue building bridges beyond Belmont’s campus. “It’s been an opportunity for dialogue. For where we agree, where we’re different personally and professionally. Our hope is that this is a full welcome for faculty. And we really want to make an impact that this arena for civil dialogue in terms of religious differences, that we are a center for it.” •

which would have been possible without Barbara’s edits and guidance. From tapas with the team to being decked out in cowboy cocktail attire at the banquet to walking back to the hotel with our new Kansas City buddies that night, I thoroughly felt right at home. I have since (reluctantly) flown back to the East Coast, but I will long remember my first solo trip. Thank you, Jewish Nashville, for showing me such kindness and Southern hospitality! •

zoe@jewishnashville.org

Senior Move Management Services

“Always the right move ”

Opinion

The Meaning of Community: Belonging and Identity in Challenging Times

By MICHAL BECKER, CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER, JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER NASHVILLE

Ayear and so ago, I bought a Chanukah shirt for my daughter, Naomi, 8. Unlike many Chanukah shirts, this one didn’t really have any Chanukah elements on it — it was a blue shirt with a gigantic Star of David on the front. Naomi loved that shirt and wore it all year long. She wore it when she went to school, to a friend’s house, or to parties. She walked around with this big Star of David.

Last November, only six weeks after Oct. 7, she wanted to put on this shirt to go out for breakfast with her auntie. This time, worrying about her safety, I decided to ask her not to wear it. I started that difficult conversation by asking her why she loved the shirt so much. Her answer was, “Because this is who I am.”

I never thought I would find myself in a situation where I would ask my child to hide who she is.

Heartbroken, I shared this experience with good non-Jewish friends of ours. To my surprise, their first reaction was: “Isn’t this beautiful, that she knows who she is? Where she belongs?”

She belongs.

A

When we think of the notion of community we think about it in a tangible form. We look at the number of people who go to service, go to programs, participate in activities, mark lifecycle events, and celebrate the holidays. However, the feeling of belonging goes much deeper than that.

A community is where you feel belong, where you feel a connection. Something that you feel is also yours; you are part of it. It is what helps you know who you are. Community is not created by Jewish institutions. It is not a “product” that you buy by donating to the Jewish Federation or paying membership fees to your congregation. The community is you. It is the relationships you create, it is your involvement with other people, it is the connection you make by showing up, by caring, and by giving of your time and money. The Jewish institutions are here to be the project managers and the executors. The community is all about the people.

However, the truth is, in today’s environment, creating a community is not as easy as it sounds. Many people seek to see the organized Jewish community as providing a sense of unity, a sense of responsibility for all Jews, and a centralized Jewish voice. We assume that others

think like us, and act accordingly. What happens with those who don’t? Where do they go? What does this mean for the future of our community?

It is hard to remember, especially these days, that our community is not about all of us feeling and thinking the same. It is also not about unifying ourselves. It is not about speaking in one voice, because the truth is, we do not share the same voice. The community is about us feeling that we belong.

The way to make people feel a sense of belonging is by making people feel welcome, respected, and included, despite their differences. These differences can be cultural, social, and political. The latter has been the most challenging one. So many in our community have reached out to me in the past eight months, expressing how they are afraid to share what they think about the war in Israel. They just want to talk. Have a conversation. Raise questions and share their feelings and their confusion. It does not mean that they do not love Israel, or do not care about the Jewish community. On the contrary, they are craving their space within the community. A space to feel included. To belong.

We too often forget that argument

is at the core of our Jewish identity. Doubting and raising questions is what makes us so unique. This is who we are. We should embrace it, not feel threatened by it.

Let’s make our community a place where people can share what they think, and respect what others think. Let’s make it a place that mends so many of the tensions that we are experiencing right now, and probably will only get worse. Let’s prevent it from becoming worse. Let’s remember that at the end of the day, we are all Jewish and we want to be part of the Jewish community. The community can be as diverse as our opinions. Let’s talk. Let’s disagree. And agree that it is okay.

Once we do that, more people will feel safe to be who they are. To express what they think, and to develop their patience toward people who don’t think like them. It is not as hard as it sounds, if we don’t expect the community to be exactly as we are.

Naomi, my daughter, is only 8 (almost 9!), but she knows that. She knows she has the right to be who she is, to hold her own opinions, even if they are different than others. She asks questions, she argues. She knows she is Jewish. She belongs. •

Rabbi and a Doctor Discuss: A God We Can Believe in

This is the first of several upcoming columns by the authors on the subject of God.

By RABBI MARK SCHIFTAN AND DR. FRANK BOEHM

Frank: It was 1967 and I was an Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident at Yale New Haven Hospital, and I was helping take care of a patient who was having considerable problems with her pregnancy. At one of my visits with this patient, she asked if I would pray with her and I, of course, agreed. Then, however, she paused and asked a second question. “Doctor, do you believe in God?”

I was 27 years old at the time and quite frankly was not sure of my answer. I had been raised in an observant Jewish home by parents who enjoyed and practiced their Judaism and did believe in

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God, however I had not formed any definitive answer to this important question.

Despite my uncertainty, I told my patient that I did believe in God, and we bowed our heads in prayer. As I left the patient’s room, I realized that I had not been completely honest and that I needed to ponder this question so that the next time I was asked whether I believed in God, I could answer with complete honesty and certainty.

Mark: Frank, it is interesting that this is the story you chose to open our discussion on the concept of God and the resulting possibility of a belief in that same Master of the Universe.

It has often been said that “There are no atheists in foxholes.” And while that may be true, I have also come to acknowledge that neither are there any — or many — atheists in hospital beds, nor in the hearts and minds of those who gather at their loved one’s bedside.

There are moments when — despite our uncertainty — we still want very much to believe in something, perhaps Someone, who is greater than we are, with a power more magnified than ours is, and who may have the ability to intervene in each of our lives, or the lives of our loved ones, to perform miracles that defy logic or any rational explanation.

And even if God works through us, even if it is the hands of doctors that cure us or save us from harm, or death, are these skills any less than God-given, however we might define that gift? That, too, might be viewed as an intervention of the Divine.

So, let us begin with the question asked by your patient: “Doctor, do you believe in God?”

Frank: Over the next few months after that prayer session with my patient, I began a journey to help me find an

answer. Certain facts began to play a significant role in achieving that answer. It is estimated that there are two trillion galaxies in the observable universe and that a typical galaxy contains 100 billion stars. The galaxy we live in, the Milky Way Galaxy, contains 400 billion stars and has a radius of 52,850 lightyears. In other words, the universe around us is, to say the least, incredibly enormous.

How could all this wonder of the universe be in existence without a creating initial event? It seemed reasonable to assume that whether one believed in a creator called God lighting a match to create the universe or whether it was some other initial event, a Divine presence had to exist to cause such an enormous, vast, and magnificent universe to exist. Now that I had answered the question of whether I believed in a Divine presence that I could call God, I also needed to understand if God also played a role in the formation of life.

Earth with all its contents and living forms is clearly an incredibly complicated structure and humans have for an exceedingly long time attempted to explain how it came into being. Two explanations, over the years, have risen to popular thinking. The first is that a Divine presence created the Earth and all within it over a six-day process and how this unfolded is told in the very beginning of the first book of the Hebrew Bible. I call this the “poof theory.” God said “poof” and all that is contained on Earth suddenly appeared with no other explanation offered.

The second explanation for the existence of God is one that I call the “evolving theory.” This explanation involves a Divinity which billions of years ago initiated the process of evolution. When the process of evolution began, everything changed and every future species of

complex life from trees to grass and snails to humans owes its existence to that process. This process of how life began is, in my way of thinking, more powerful, complicated, complex, and awesome than the “poof theory” and was the theory that began to help me understand and believe in the presence of God.

A spiritual being that could provide the building blocks and process for such an incredible event as the evolution of all living things including humankind would be consistent with the power and glory of what we call God. This now was the essence of my belief.

Mark: Frank, I think you have laid out a beautiful beginning for our attempt to take a deep dive into the belief in and nature of God. You have done so in a way that makes sense and meaning for us, and hopefully for others, in our desire and our search to create and sustain a truly inspiring and compelling relationship with our Creator.

As has been said, “The Architect of the universe would not build a staircase that leads to nowhere.” Clearly, to glance in awe of the universe, the complexity of the galaxies and their stars and their planets, the cycle of each day and the order of every season…is truly breathtaking, extraordinary and beyond our comprehension to fully grasp and understand.

As a wise rabbi once said, “God performs miracles every day. But man takes his little hand, covers his tiny eyes, and often sees none of them.”

For me, this enormous creative force is one of the ways I see God and affirm God’s existence. •

Rabbi Mark Schiftan can be reached at mschiftan@aol.com

Dr. Frank Boehm can be reached at frank.boehm@vumc.org

25 Million Reasons

By NORMA SHIRK, LIFE & LEGACY COMMUNITY COORDINATOR

What could you do with $25 million? A gift like that could underwrite your favorite community event, or provide support to individuals experiencing trauma and hardship, or it could ensure that a Jewish education remains available from preschool to high school in our community.

Few people can write a check for $25 million, but working together, our community has done better than that. Over the past seven years, 418 individuals have promised to leave a LIFE & LEGACY™

gift to one or more of the 14 participating organizations in Nashville. Their promises exceed $25 million. About 74% of these donors have already formalized their gifts by updating their wills or completing a beneficiary form for a life insurance policy or a 401(k) plan, designating their chosen organizations as beneficiaries. Over $1.6 million has already been received by the participating organizations. A list of the LIFE & LEGACY donors appears in this edition of the Observer. The individuals leaving an after-lifetime gift want to ensure that the Nashville Jewish community remains

vibrant and thriving for many years to come. A thriving community is important as the local Jewish population has almost doubled in size since 2017 when Nashville began participating in the LIFE & LEGACY™ program.

As Nashville enters our eighth year in the program, the volunteers for each participating organization will continue having conversations with potential donors about the benefits of this program. Donors participate for a variety of personal reasons, but the common thread is that they want to ensure the future of the Nashville Jewish community.

The LIFE & LEGACY™ program

was created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to support Jewish organizations across North America through partnerships with local Jewish Federations and Foundations to promote after-lifetime giving. After-lifetime giving allows donors to use their money during their lifetime while confirming they will leave a gift to the organizations of their choice. Information about the LIFE & LEGACY™ program is available on the website of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville. The website also includes downloadable forms for individuals who would like to participate in the program. •

Keep it going; keep it vibrant’: Owner of Sova Food gives back to Jewish Nashville

By ZOE BELL

Life & Legacy is an endowment program designed to ensure the sustainability of local Jewish communities through after-lifetime giving. The Harold Grinspoon Foundation partnered with the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville to bring the program to Nashville in 2017. We will spotlight a donor, or the family of a donor, in this section.

Kevin Alexandroni and his siblings were born in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, which he said is “one of the most sophisticated hospitals in Israel.” He left Israel for New York in 1996, then moved to Nashville in 1999, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots: Alexandroni and his wife, Theresa, will leave a legacy gift to Nashville’s chapter of Hadassah.

The Alexandronis have also promised legacy gifts to various other local Jewish organizations — the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, the Gordon Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, Congregation Sherith Israel and Vanderbilt Chabad — through the Federation’s Life & Legacy program.

Alexandroni said he has become well acquainted with the Jewish community, especially as the owner of Sova Food, one of the few kosher catering companies in Nashville. He and Theresa registered to become donors with L&L in March 2019.

“Parts of the community have done things for us to help us; it’s always a strong community [in] Nashville,” Alexandroni said about why he is choosing to leave a legacy gift.

Nashville chapter of Hadassah

Hadassah is a nonprofit women’s organization that advances health care and medicine, connects to Israel and Zionism and advocates for change, according to its website. Founded in 1912, Hadassah continues community work in both the United States and Israel.

“My grandmother was a lifetime member of Hadassah; my mother’s a lifelong member of Hadassah,” Alexandroni said. “It was important to me to help preserve that organization because all the women in my family were always involved in that. I’ve seen the work that Hadassah does in Israel.”

Deana Goldstein, the L&L committee chairperson for Hadassah’s Nashville chapter, said Hadassah’s mission is to raise money for programs in Israel, including hospitals, medical research, emergency

clinics, summer camps and youth villages that began as support systems for displaced Jewish children pre-World War II.

“Hadassah has hospitals in Israel that are open to everybody — Jews, Arabs; there’s no discrimination,” she said, adding that the organization provided emergency medical aid to Ukrainians at the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Goldstein said that L&L gifts to the Nashville chapter can help send some of its 700 members to conventions, especially younger members.

“What I like to tell people about Life & Legacy is the great thing is, it costs you nothing because the gift isn’t made until you die,” Goldstein said. “And the person that makes the gift can designate where that money goes, so it can stay here in Nashville and help support the chapter here.”

Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville

The Alexandronis are also choosing to give to the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, citing its strong leadership.

“[JFed] had some amazing leaders — Naomi Sedek and Harriet Schiftan were amazing women who ran the organization,” Alexandroni said. “[They were] people that really put an effort into doing good and [taking] care of the community and they spread the wealth around and [helped] everybody and made good decisions.”

Rabbi Dan Horwitz, the CEO of JFed Nashville, said he is grateful for the Alexandronis’ ongoing support.

“As an organization dedicated to growing Jewish philanthropy, it’s a privilege to work with folks who think not only about how they want to impact the world as they walk in it, but also how they want their legacies to be felt after they’ve gone,” Horwitz said. “Kevin and Theresa have nourished our community in many ways — quite literally through Sova [Food]’s kosher catering business division — and knowing that they’ll continue to support our community in perpetuity is both humbling and admirable.”

Jewish Family Service

Alexandroni uses his catering business as a way to give back to the community in times of need, according to Pam Kelner, the executive director of Jewish Family Service, who said she has known him for two decades.

Immediately after the Oct. 7 attack, a group of Orthodox Israelis flew to Nashville by charter plane. Kelner said

JFS was responsible for coordinating necessities for these families, including kosher meals, one day in advance of their arrival.

“Not only did [Alexandroni] step up at the last minute to provide an absolutely delicious meal, he also provided a 50 percent in-kind donation,” Kelner said. “This is the true essence and spirit of Kevin, which we are all so fortunate to be the beneficiaries of. He puts his heart into all he does.”

Kelner said the Alexandronis were among the first to sign a letter of intent with JFS, promising a gift through L&L.

“I love what the mission of the organization is; I love what they do,” Alexandroni said. “I love helping families of all walks of life.”

Adoption is important to the Alexandronis for a reason closer to home.

“I distinctly remember the conversation we had about the ‘why,’” Kelner said. “They both care deeply about the

broad range of social services that JFS provides, but adoption in particular. [One of] Kevin’s sibling[s] had adopted and this was something that they are passionate about. That, to me, is the beauty of L&L, having meaningful conversations with donors like Kevin and Theresa about their core values and how they can ensure that through legacy giving.”

The Alexandronis are joining more than 400 community members who have promised a legacy gift to ensure the longevity of Jewish Nashville, according to Norma Shirk, the L&L community coordinator.

“L&L has been a wonderful endowment program for Nashville’s Jewish community,” Shirk said. “This program has highlighted the diversity of interests that are important to the Jewish residents of the Greater Nashville area.”

Alexandroni said his goal is to “try to keep it going and keep it vibrant” by supporting the various activities because Jewish Nashville is “such a small community.” He said the registration process to become a legacy donor was simple — the paperwork took about 20 minutes. Although he may not be able to see the impact of his after-life gifts, Alexandroni is glad to help out any way he can and encourages others to do the same.

“At least you know that when you go, you make a little bit of difference,” he said. •

Sign up to be a legacy donor at https://www.jewishnashville.org/life-andlegacy. For more info, contact Norma Shirk at 615-354-1678 or norma@ jewishnashville.org.

Kevin and Theresa Alexandroni are Life & Legacy members, helping to ensure the future of Nashville’s Jewish community.

Bringing Torah to Life: NowGen’s Commitment to Community Service

By EITAN SNYDER

One of the more famous quotations from Pirkei Avot (Wisdom of our Ancestors) says הרות ןיא ,חמק

םא (if there is no flour, there is no Torah). Commentaries on this text usually talk about the balance between secular and sacred professions, but I understand this text more broadly to mean that Torah study becomes more meaningful when we apply its lessons in the real world and truly live our values instead of just professing them.

For this reason, I have always wanted to have a community service element to

our NowGen group for Jews in their 20s and 30s. I have seen time and time again that there is a cohort in this demographic who feel most connected to their Judaism when they are acting on their Jewish values and being of service to others, but for the last two and half years that I have been operating NowGen, the service element has sometimes been overshadowed by social, Jewish life, and Israel activities. This is why I was excited to be selected for the second cohort of The Catalyst, a partnership between the

Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and Repair the World offering grant funding and training for engagement professionals working with the 20s and 30s demographic towards developing a more robust and meaningful community service element into their communities. My hope was that this program would be a good accountability mechanism for NowGen to bring this community service element of its work to the forefront. Through this program, the NowGen Days of Service series was born. NowGen Community Service Co-Chair Saba Getaneh and I organized three service days volunteering with Hope on the Row and Room in the Inn, two nonprofit organizations focusing on serving Nashville’s homeless population. We successfully engaged 22 Jewish participants in serving hundreds of people in these three events. Through these programs, we have made great connections with nonprofits across Nashville and are identifying lay leaders who can take the lead on organizing future service events for this demographic. These participants also received more information about the many volunteer opportunities available with Jewish Family Service to serve Jews in need here in Nashville. •

Eitan Snyder pictured with his Catalyst cohort

NowGen Day of Service

Eitan Snyder pictured with partiipants in NowGen Day of Service on Juneteenth

NowGen Day of Service

Songwriters’ Shabbat provides community, prayer through music every July

By ZOE BELL

AJewish live music-sharing Facebook group sparked the idea for The Temple’s annual Songwriters’ Shabbat service.

Inspired by Harmony in Unison, where Cantor Tracy Fishbein had performed some of her songs, she brought the concept home, crediting congregant Stacy Beyer, who co-founded the Facebook group of nearly 12,000 members.

“I noticed that a lot of our own Nashville community members — including members of The Temple — were sharing their own music with people, and part of that was, I think, Stacy’s influence,” Fishbein said in a phone interview. “And Stacy was really good about calming people and kind of helping them into presenting on the platform. That’s what she did with me; that’s how I got involved.”

Beyer spoke to fellow congregants at The Temple about Harmony in Unison: how the project began and how healing it was for herself and the community. The first Harmony in Unison service was in 2017, and it continued for nearly three years, Beyer said.

“I mean, the response was overwhelmingly positive, and people were so very, very proud to hear music of the synagogue written by their own temple members,” Fishbein said. “We knew that this was something that we had to continue. We had to do it again.”

Fishbein came up with the name “Songwriters’ Shabbat” and the rest is history. The service has been held every July since 2018, where songwriters of all ages perform original Jewish music for congregants of The Temple.

This year, the annual Songwriters’ Shabbat service is July 19 with live performances by members of the congregation and local Jewish musicians.

“It’s a special service for our community, and one that really helps members of our community to shine, which is just such a delight for me and for the clergy and the members and the leadership of our congregation,” Fishbein said. “That’s really why we continue to do it.”

The performing songwriters range in age from their 20s to their 80s, with an array of differing musical abilities. Much of the music is folk and rock, and songs specifically written for Songwriters’ Shabbat fall under genres including pop, rock, classical and even musical theater.

“It expresses the individuality of every songwriter and the diversity of our congregation,” she said of the “wonderful blend” of musical genres.

Altogether, local composers have written nearly 50 pieces of original Jewish music for Songwriters’ Shabbat. Fishbein said she expects this number to rise in the next few months in preparation for this year’s service.

“We have people who have never written Jewish music, who maybe have written secular music, but have never touched Jewish music before, who are all of a sudden writing Jewish music,” Fishbein said. “We have people who weren’t songwriters at all; just wanted to try their hand at this and are now incredible songwriters. And we also have people who have come out of this experience, kind of finding that their way through the liturgy, or to understand the liturgy or connect with it, was through the music.”

Fishbein said recent converts to Judaism who may not be as familiar with

Organizing Your Family Ancestry Information

By ROY HILLER NJGS

So, you’ve gathered up a bunch of documents and other family ancestry information, but what do you do now? Before embarking on performing research on your ancestry, it is important to organize the information you’ve already compiled. A convenient way to do so is by entering the information you’ve gathered into a family tree database system either online or by using a software app on your computer. Here are a few of the many resources available to consider for doing so:

• LegacyFamilyTree.com offers a software download that is available for free online

• FamilySearch.org offers family tree building with a free account as well as extensive research resources. It also has an integrated phone app that syncs with database.

• Geni.com offers an online family tree with some size limitations and connects with other trees. However, others can access and make changes.

• Family Tree Maker Software is a desktop application that also links to Ancestry and FamilySearch accounts

Hebrew can use these songs to help them better “understand and internalize these words of prayer.”

“Not only is the music wonderful, but the fact that our people are taking the prayers of their shabbat service and crafting them into something that is meaningful to them and very much a piece of who they are, that’s really special,” Fishbein said.

Eitan Snyder, a Nashville musician and composer since the age of 15, is one of the performers at this July’s service who first performed at Songwriters’ Shabbat in July 2023.

“Creating new Jewish music is important because it’s a meaningful way to create in dialogue with the past,” Snyder said. “It’s a meaningful way to take something ancient and traditional and bring it into our contemporary times and be part of the chain of the Jewish people.”

Part of Fishbein’s job as cantor is to coach the songwriters through the composition process: helping with Hebrew pronunciation — as writing in Hebrew can be “intimidating” for some — walking them through the liturgy and crafting the song. Fishbein describes it as a partnership of sorts: “We will work together.”

Before the pandemic, professional instrumentalists performed for the Songwriters’ Shabbat service, but now, musicians typically come in with their own guitar or play the piano themselves.

“It’s very much like a songwriters’

night in that way, where it’s very organic, and the person just comes up and they play the piece that they’ve written,” Fishbein said. “And we can and do provide accompaniment if people want to.”

Fishbein said she will sing pieces if the songwriter does not feel comfortable performing. Most of the time, the composers are willing to perform their songs.

Snyder, who performs vocals and piano, said that last year’s audience created a positive listening environment and that some congregants joined him in singing along.

“Just to see Jewish music flourishing right here at The Temple is a gift,” Fishbein said.

Songwriters’ Shabbat is not limited to the composers and congregants of The Temple.

“This is really open to our entire community,” Fishbein said. “And, of course, it’s our shabbat as a temple, but everyone from our community is warmly invited and welcome. We would love to have as many people as possible here to experience what is really such a special shabbat for our community.”

For more information about how to get involved, contact Cantor Tracy Fishbein at cantorfishbein@templenashville.org. Come to The Temple July 19 at 6pm for this year’s Songwriters’ Shabbat service. •

zoe@jewishnashville.org

as well as other sites for conducting research

• MyHeritage.com is an Israeli feebased platform that has online and mobile app access and syncing.

Whichever system you choose, I recommend you check to ensure you are able to download the family tree database you create in the standard genealogy “Gedcom” format. This format allows you to share your tree among the different platforms.

Once you have your information in a database, you are ready to embark on your genealogy journey. You might start with the preeminent site to use for Jewish genealogy — JewishGen.org, an affiliate of the Museum of Jewish Heritage. You can upload your family tree and conduct research on the site with a free basic account and, believe me, there is a lot there to see. The Jewish Genealogical Society of Nashville is planning on having a presentation on the site at a future meeting.

Watch the Observer for future articles on resources, how-tos, and success stories in Jewish genealogy. •

Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville at www.jewishnashville.org

Thank you!

The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee Legacy Society Members:

Anonymous (31)

Anonymous (41)

Stephen and Robin Abelman

Richard and Patricia Abelson

Mark S. Freedman and Leslie J.

Klein

Dara Freiberg

Donald A. and Joyce E.

Friedman

Eitan and Nili Friedman

Ken Adler

Kevin and Theresa Alexandroni

Barry Allen

Heidi Allen

Peter Allingham

Judy Allington-Baum

Allington-Baum

Denise Alper

Phyllis Alper, Estate of

K.N. and Felicia Anchor

Avishay Aroas

Harvey Asher

Lawrence A. Averbuch

Richard Barnett

Carla Baron

The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, on behalf of the 14 participating organizations in the LIFE & LEGACY™ program, recognizes our community members who have chosen to leave a legacy to secure the future of our community. As we celebrate the end of Year 7 of the program, our community has secured over 841 letters of intent with an estimated value of $25 million.  Thank you for your support!

We

thank you.

The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee thanks it Legacy Society members. Your legacy ensures that future generations will benefit from a strong Jewish community Thank you for helping to create a meaningful Jewish future.

of Greater Nashville

Key: Blue means donor has formalized gift as of June 1, 2024 z”l – zichron L’Vracha – May their memory be for a blessing

Howard and Joy Baum

Gil Ben Ami

Adele Berkon

Minnie Berlin, Estate of

Tommy Bernard

Brian and Didi Biesman

Merle Born

Jeremy and Jamie Brook

Louis H. Brooks, Estate of Starlet Burney

Kathryn F. Calhoon

Marjean Coddon and Henry

Johs

Lynne Cohen

Marcia Cohen

Mark A. and Robin Cohen

Richard and Teena Cohen

Sandy Cohen

Terri Z. Cohen

Victoria Cohen-Crumpton

Erin Coleman

Micah Coleman

Pamela Compton

Lanie and Bill (z”l) Cook

Lauren Cooper

Renette and Abe Corenswet (z”l)

Mary Cornelius and Elaine

Taubin

John M. and Barbara Dab

Karen Daniel

Norman and Melissa Davis

Michael Doochin

Ben and Tish Doochin

Karen A. Dotter

Adam and Julie Dretler

Michael and Mindy

Drongowski

Ari Dubin and Abigail Wolf

Jerry A. Dubin and Rabbi

Debbie Israel

Chris Ehresman and Beth Davis

Steven (z”l) and Gay Eisen

Dan and Jill Eisenstein

Jason Elbaz

William E Engel

Richard Eskind

Billy and Jamie Eskind

Kevin and Andrea Falik

Jesse and Anna Feld

Stan Schklar and Marco

Fernandez

Suriva Fischer

James and Royce Fishel

Brad and Lori Fishel

Nancy Gail Flexer

Richard and Lisa B. Forberg

Julie Fortune and Tony Jackson

Gilbert III and Joyce (z”l)

Fox

Gil Fox (z”l)

Marilyn G. Foyer

Gary and Carol Fradkin

Joe Freedman

Robert Friedman

Lawrence B. Fuldauer

Ron and Faith Haber

Galbraith

Elliott Garrett

Linda Geringer

Frank and Barbara Ghertner

Harris A. Gilbert

Natalie Glazer

Mark Glazer and Cindy Stone

Bruce Howard Gold

Michael and Cindee S. Gold

Charles R. Goldberg

Mark Goldfarb

Dr. Fred and Martha U. Goldner (z”l)

Dan and Amy Goldstein

Deana Goldstein

Kimberly Goldstein

Bernie Goldstein (z”l)

Lenn E. and Roberta Goodman

Frank and Gwen Gordon

Joel C. Gordon (z”l)

Robert Gordon

Lorna Graff

Ralph Greenbaum

Julie Greenberg

Illene B. Gross

Daniel Grossman

Michael Gryll

Reta Guttman (z”l)

Rinah Hamberger

Jim Handler

Grant Hansell

Shayna Hansen

Brianna Harper

Spencer Harper

John and Heidi Hassenfeld

Rachel Hauber

Ron and Lynn Heady

Steve and Sandra Hecklin

David Heller

Eugene (z”l) and Reva Heller

Richard and Toni Heller

Greg Hersh

Bruce and Rae Hirsch

Steven and Ellen Hirsch

Gary Hirschberg and Hannah Bloom-Hirschberg

Doug and Melanie Hirt

Kenneth and Mindy Hirt

Adam and Ilana Horn

Rabbi Daniel and Eliezah

Hoffman

Anita Howards

Aryeh Hurwitz

Larry and Carol Hyatt

Seth and Sharone Hyatt

Raymond and Nancy Jacobs

Gail Gordon Jacobs

Shoshana Jaffa

Marsha Jaffa

Mary Loventhal Jones

Frances Kaminitz, Estate of

Rabbi Kenneth A. Kanter

Aron and Batia Karabel

Jeffrey & Brenda Karp

Jackie Karr

Marion A. Katz (z”l)

Dr. Steve Kaufman

Saul and Pam Kelner

Paula Kholos

Judy Kilgore

Lloyd King

Terry Klein King

Leslie Kirby and Craig Smith

Howard Kirschner

Robert and Devora Kitchener

Ruth Klar

Marvin and Evelyn Koch

Laurence B. Koch (z”l)

Martin A and Sherri G.

Kooperman

Alan Koufer

Keith and Meryl Kraft

Lee and Glenda Kraft

Rabbi Joshua Kullock

Adam and Valerie Landa

Jeremy and Diana Landa

Roslyn B. Landa

Brian and Kim Lapidus

Stephen and Leslye K. Lapidus

Joseph A. Lattke

Michael and Arielle

Lebovitz

Paul and Ruth Lebovitz

Matt Leff

Aaron and Celia Lerch

Daniel and Kristine Levin

Lawrence and Carolyn Levine

Michael and Sherrie Levine

Mark Edward Levitch, Estate of

Michael J. and Ellen G. Levitt

Ruth Levitt

Bennett Lieberman

George Lieberman

Phil Lieberman and Yedida

Eisenstat

Jan Abby Liff

Martin and Ann Light

Mitchell Light

Alex and Bobbie Limor

Miri Limor

Menachem and Lea Limor (z”l)

Yuri Livshitz

Sheldon and Diana Lutz

James Mackler

Josh and Rena MalkovskyBerger

Brian and Victoria Marger

Dru Markle-Bloom

James A. and Patrice G. Marks

Andrew May

Jack May

Martin and Barbara Mayden

Marisa Mayhan

Monica McCready

Sara Melamed

Warren Melamed

Robert and Bonnie Miller

Scott Miller

Steve Morris

Irene Nagrotsky, Estate of Evan Nahmias

Norma Neaderthal, Estate of Jacob R. and April Nemer

Robert and Martha L. Nemer

Harvey J. and Barbara H. Olsher

Scott and Anna-Gene O’Neal

LaQuita Martin and Richard Orland

Laurel Orley

Andy Pargh

Bernard and Maria Pargh

Franklin Pargh

Frank (z”l) and Elaine (z”l)

Parker

Moises and Sharon Paz

Joe Perlen

Arthur and Lisa Perlen

Maxine Perlen

Dr. Stewart and Suzy Perlman

Ralph Pilsk, Estate of Jessica Pinsly

Jonathan Poster and Leora Horn

Stephen J. and Ellen Vinocur Potash

Peter S. (z”l) and Ruth G. Pressman

David and Edria Ragosin

Marsha Raimi

Sylvia Rapoport

Virginia W. Rapoport (z”l)

Steven and Esther Remer

Rabbi Flip and Rabbi Laurie Rice

Thomas and Audrey Rice

Dudley and Peggy Richter

Evan Rittenberg

Stephen S. Riven

Bruce C. Robins

Van Robins

Russ and Leslie Robinson

Michael and Ellen Rosen

Betty Lee Rosen, Estate of

Scott Rosenberg

Trent Rosenbloom and Ellie Weiss

Rodney and Lynne L. Rosenblum

Mark and Carla Rosenthal

Jon and Iris Rotker

Howard C. Rubin

Marilyn Rubin

Eileen Ruchman

Ben and Marissa Russ

Freya M. Sachs

Eugene and Ruthi Sacks

Larry Sacks

Kenneth and Marla Sanderson

Michael Sanderson

Andy and Laura Saul

Laura P. Saul

Leslie Sax

Mark and Goldie Shepard

Mike and Lisa Shmerling

Phillip and Laura Shmerling

Richard and Molly Schneider

Andrew and Rachel Schulman

James and Suzanne Schulman

Barbara W. Schwartz, Estate of

Charlotte Seloff

Faye Serkin (z”l)

Joan Shayne

Martin H. Singer

Brian and Shannon Small

Doug and Bonnie Small

Elise Small

Robert Smith

Russell and Judith Smith

Larry and Barbara Speller

Nan E. Speller

Shirley Speyer

Avi and Rachel Spielman

Dr. Richard and Dr. Adele Stein

David Steine, Jr.

Sarah K. Sten

Lee T. and Marcia Stewart

Eric Stillman

Hope S. Stringer

Rabbi Saul Strosberg and Rabba Daniella Pressner

Elaine Taubin

Andrea Thaler

Ted Thaler

Rabbi Yitzchok and Esther Tiechtel

Alyssa Trachtman

Michelle Trachtman

Sy Trachtman (z”l)

Cynthia Trainer

Debra Turriciano

Jacob and Kelly Unger

Adam and Katie Wayne

Howard L. and Karen Weil

Rami and Janet Weismark

Chaim Weitman

Daniel Weitz

Melissa Werthan

Moshe and Libby Werthan

Rachel Whitney

Titus and Christie Wiemers

Richard and Beth Wise

Stuart and Debbie Wiston

Larry and Sally (z”l) Wolfe

Yoseph Yaffe

Uzi and Yaara Yemin

Greg and Erin Zagnoev

Rebekah Zeitlin

Shirley Zeitlin

Bernard Zelenka

Raymond and Etta Zimmerman

David M. Zolensky

Holocaust Survivor Shares His Story of Faith and Survival

T here were 350 people in attendance at the “Miracle of Survival” event featuring 101-year old Holocaust survivor Joe Alexander. The evening was hosted by Chabad of Nashville and was attended by people from all backgrounds and faiths who came together to hear from one of the few remaining survivors a story of faith, courage and resilience. •

Kehilla High School Welcomes Dr. Sarah Roth as New Upper School Dean

By ELLY EBIN

Kehilla High School is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Sarah Roth as the new Upper School Dean for the 2024-2025 academic year. Established in 2022, Kehilla High School is entering its third year with a strong foundation in both rigorous general studies and Jewish education, reflecting the high standards of Nashville’s Jewish education system.

Dr. Roth’s career began in higher education as a college professor, but her passion for high school education quickly became evident. With extensive experience both in the classroom and in administrative roles, she has shown a deep commitment to enhancing student learning and supporting teachers. Most recently, Dr. Roth served as the Director of Upper Schools in Columbia, Missouri. Now, she is excited to relocate to Nashville with her family. “We are struck by how nice the city is and are so excited about the Jewish schools and their focus on providing a strong foundation of Jewish identity and ecumenical thinking,” she shared.

Kehilla High School prides itself on Jewish values and educational best practices, aiming to deliver an exceptional academic experience. The school’s mission emphasizes Judaic studies, critical thinking, community, and perseverance. Dr. Roth is eager to build on Kehilla’s current success, hoping to further develop the school’s focus on college preparedness and structured programs in Jewish studies, Hebrew language, and ethics. Kehilla is especially proud of its tightknit student community, where strong bonds and mutual support enrich the educational environment and foster a

sense of belonging.

“The core of Kehilla’s mission has always been a philosophy of productive citizenship,” Dr. Roth said. “High school offers students the chance to develop lasting ethical and behavioral principles. These principles, through self-reflection and awareness, help students become positive contributors to their communities.”

With Dr. Roth’s leadership and vision, Kehilla is poised to continue its tradition of academic excellence, while fostering a strong sense of Jewish identity and community. The Kehilla community enthusiastically anticipates the positive impact Dr. Roth will have on both students and faculty, confident that her expertise and dedication will help shape the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and compassionate citizens. •

Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville at www.jewishnashville.org

Akiva Breaks Ground On Outdoor Amphitheater

By ELLY EBIN

Excitement and anticipation fill the air on the Akiva campus as shovels hit dirt this month to pave the way for the addition of a brand-new outdoor amphitheater. Made possible through a combination of grant funding and generous support from private donors, this project marks a significant step forward in enriching educational experiences for Akiva families.

The new amphitheater, slated to be completed before the start of the 2024-25 school year, will serve as a dynamic space for students to engage in a variety of activities, from theatrical performances to outdoor learning.

Rabba Daniella Pressner, Akiva’s head of school, emphasized the significance of the amphitheater as a space that will foster a deeper connection to education and values. Pressner noted, “Our children love learning from and with

each other. This will be a space where their learning can take center stage and can be shared with their families and the greater community, all with the backdrop of our beautiful campus.”

The design of the amphitheater reflects Akiva’s commitment to arts integration, with elements inspired by traditional amphitheater architecture, and a design that creates an environment conducive to learning and reflection.

As construction progresses, there is still an opportunity for individuals to participate in this project through a unique seat-naming opportunity. Contributions from the seat-naming campaign will go towards the establishment of the Akiva Arts Endowment, which will annually allocate funds to sustain diverse and enriching arts programming.

Follow the amphitheater progress on Akiva’s social media or visit www.akivanashville.net for more information on how to participate in supporting this project. •

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Holocaust survivor Joe Alexander, 101, tells his story of survival.

Holocaust survivor Joe Alexander with actress Patricia Heaton and Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel.

Dr. Sarah Roth, with her husband Jake, and kids Nora (15), Declan (12), and Milly (9).

Akiva School broke ground on an outdoor amphitheater, to be completed soon.

At Our Congregations…

Nashville’s congregations

Here are the websites for all five Nashville Jewish congregations, with information on services, upcoming events and more:

Congregation Beit Tefilah Chabad, www.chabadnashville.com

Congregation Micah, www.congregationmicah.org

Congregation Sherith Israel, www.sherithisrael.com

The Temple – Congregation Ohabai Sholom, www.templenashville.org West End Synagogue, www.westendsyn.org

The Observer provides congregational listings of events and services as a complimentary service to the community. If your congregation is not listed, it is because we did not receive the information in time to meet our publication deadline. Please give your rabbi, executive director, or synagogue volunteer a gentle nudge.

@ Chabad /Congregation Beit Tefilah

In G-d We Trust July 4, Kosher BBQ

Chabad of Nashville will host the “In G-d We Trust - July 4 Kosher BBQ” on Thursday, July 4, at 6:00 PM, and invites the Nashville community to join the celebration of the Independence of the United States of America.

We celebrate the opportunity that Untied States has afforded Jewish life, in allowing the freedom of religion and living life as proud Jews in our country, and in our city of Nashville, Tennessee.

The Rebbe, Rabbi Schneerson of blessed memory, on several occasions, likewise referred to the uniqueness of America in providing a place where Judaism could thrive.

“The United States has been host to the headquarters of our movement since 1940,” he wrote to President Gerald Ford in 1975. “Under the conducive conditions of religious freedom in this great country, whose motto is ‘In G d We Trust,’ our 200-yearold movement, which I have been privileged to head and lead for the past 25 years, has been able to flourish with renewed dedication and vitality, and to make a lasting contribution, particularly in the area of education and youth activity, so vital in the present day and age.”

The Kosher BBQ will include a buffet dinner of grilled chicken, meat, corn, beans, salads and more. RSVP at chabadnashville.com

Meet in Person for Prayer and Cholent

Chabad of Nashville is a happening place on Shabbat mornings. Join community and friends for Shabbat morning services, replete with joyful prayer, kavanah, simcha and great energy.

Join Chabad on Shabbat mornings at 10:00 AM for prayer and Torah reading, inspiring learning and a weekly sermon, followed by a hot cholent, freshly baked Challah, a gourmet buffet lunch, and a weekly farbrengen with some friendly L’Chaim.

Chabad to host two TGIS celebration in July

Start your Shabbat off right with good friends, great conversation, and excellent kosher cuisine, all seasoned with the perfect amount of spirit and joy. TGIS is a Club Med Shabbat: An all-inclusive Shabbat experience. Enjoy a Friday night Shabbat dinner replete with traditional dishes. Blended with spirited singing, a Chasidic tale, and a chance to meet some wonderful new people. TGIS will be held on Friday evening, July 12 and 26, at 6:30 PM at Chabad of Nashville.

There is no cost to attend the TGIS Shabbat experience, however we kindly request that you RSVP by letting us know you will be attending at chabadnashville@ gmail.com

Chabad to Host tribute to the Rebbe

On Saturday, July 6, Chabad of Nashville will host a tribute lunch in honor of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson of blessed memory, in commemoration of his 30th anniversary of passing.

For more than 40 years, the Rebbe led the Jewish people towards a spiritual renaissance out of the ashes of the Holocaust and the specter of assimilation. The Rebbe revolutionized the way we think of ourselves as people. He taught us to think of the Jewish people as a single whole, as a community, in which every individual is irreplaceable, and to embrace every Jew with the same concern and devotion.

Over thirty years after the Rebbe’s passing, his presence is felt stronger than ever. His teachings continue to inspire and guide us, and his insights remain as fresh and relevant as if it were given today. Each of us is a beneficiary of the Rebbe’s inspiration in one way or another, and our lives are affected by his visionary leadership.

On the anniversary of his passing, let’s honor his life’s mission to bring goodness and kindness into this world.

We invite you to join us for Shabbat lunch, on July 6, at 12:30 PM, as we celebrate the Rebbe’s life and vision. The event will include a beautiful sit-down lunch replete with Shabbat delicacies, L’Chaim, Chasidic melodies and words of inspiration, with stories and insights about the Rebbe and his inspiration and impact on our lives.

Shabbat morning services are at 10:00 and will be followed at 12:30 by a Kiddush lunch and Farbengen in honor of this occasion.

Registration is open at the Chabad Hebrew School

The Bertram and Beatrice King Chabad Hebrew School (CHS) has opened registration for the coming school year. Directed by Mrs. Esther Tiechtel, CHS has earned a 26-year reputation of being an innovative program in which students excel in their Hebrew reading, Jewish knowledge, and pride for their heritage.

Located at the Genesis Campus for Jewish Life, CHS meets weekly and caters to students ages 5 through 13. The new academic year will begin in August 2024, with a special program introducing this year’s theme, “Living Jewishly as a Community of One.”

“The Bertram and Beatrice King Chabad Hebrew School emphasizes exploring the Jewish heritage is a creative and fun way, putting the FUN in FUNdamentals, with special focus on not only accumulating knowledge, but applying those lessons to our everyday life,” said Esther Tiechtel. She adds that through, “art, drama, songs, contests, and interactive activities, Judaism become real and alive to the students.”

CHS prides itself on developing a community among its students, staff and parents. The Hebrew School’s most important message is embedded in the culture and relationships it fosters, taking the time to build a community that attends to the needs of individual children, embracing them in an environment where their classmates become their good friends. The school is connected to congregation Beit Tefilah Chabad, sharing a feeling of warmth and hospitality, establishing values and morals that are at the core of our Jewish heritage.

During classes on Jewish values and holidays, children engage their minds of through peer discussions and hands-on experiences, and are challenged to analyze, evaluate, and compare texts, ideas, and ethical dilemmas. The cohesive, whole-school curriculum focuses on developing Emunah- Faith as the cornerstone in our lives Children learn through stories of our heroes and heroines, illustrating how they used faith and connection to keep them grounded and strong.

CHS creates confident Jewish learners by giving them the tools to read Hebrew and participate in the davening/prayer services. The Alef Champ Program is famous for instilling a love as well as fluency in Hebrew reading. This year, students will enjoy centers on Hebrew writing and language as well as interactive vocabulary

For more information and to request registration forms, contact Chabad at 615646-5750, or email rabbi@chabadnashville.com

Congregation Micah - an inclusive, innovative synagogue exploring and celebrating Jewish life - is committed to building community and repairing the world! We offer creative and diverse ways to live a Jewish life in Tennessee and beyond, using the rich beliefs and practices of Progressive Judaism as our foundation. Visit our 30+ acre campus or access our virtual programs from our website, www.congregationmicah.org. Like us on socials: Facebook, and Instagram @MicahNashville; sign up for our e-blasts; learn and pray with us in-person, or livestream our service on our website, YouTube, or Facebook. In our tent, there is room for everyone!

Weekly Events

Sanctuary Shabbat Services: Fridays at 6 PM

At Micah, we approach God in many ways: the inspiration of words, the beauty of sacred space, the authenticity of our intentions, and through the power of music and song. Join us in-person or virtually for services this month that will be as diverse as they are engaging, as moving as they are participatory. Come early and schmooze with us starting at 5:30 PM! Light refreshments are served.

Saturday Morning Torah Study: 9 AM on Zoom

Deep conversations about the text with thoughtful and caring people led by the clergy.

Mah Jongg: Tuesdays from 12:30 PM- 3:30 PM

Join our players for an afternoon of fun in the social hall! For more information, contact Paula: pgkwn@comcast.net.

Schmooze & Views: Thursdays from 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM

At Micah, we keep politics off the pulpit but not out of the building. Share your views in a round-table discussion on current events facilitated by Rabbi Flip and Dr. Bob Smith.

Continued from page 14

July Events

Micah Reads: Monday, June 3, at 7 PM In-Person

Education Director Julie Greenberg leads the discussion on “Thistlefoot” by Genna Rose Nethercott on July 1.

@ Sherith Israel

Join us this for a lecture series later this summer, at Sherith Israel, given by Dr. Lenn Goodman on the occasion of the recent publication of The Guide to the Perplexed: A New Translation.

Four Sundays in August

Breakfast at 9 AM. Lecture at 9:30 AM

1. The Rambam’s Life & times; Main Themes of the Guide to the Perplexed 2. Biblical Poetry and How we humans can Think about God 3. Prophecy and Revelation – How does God reach out to finite human minds? 4. Human Suffering and Limitations; God’s Connection to the World we Know; Rambam Today

To register for the lecture series and for book ordering information, please email office@sherithisrael.com.

@ The Temple

All programming can be accessed via thetemplehub.org unless noted to be in person only Pirkei Avot: Jewish Wisdom for Today’s World

Every Friday from 5:00-5:40 PM

Get ready for Shabbat with a little text study! Each week we will study a piece of wisdom from Pirkei Avot, The Ethics of our Ancestors, an ancient Jewish text still relevant in our own times.

Available in person at The Temple and via zoom. Zoom Room: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81973096738

Shabbat Schedule for July/August

Our Shabbat Services will be held in person at The Temple. You can also watch via zoom from thetemplehub.org.

Friday, July 5th ~ 6:00 PM –RED, WHITE & BLUE JEAN SHABBAT

Friday, July 12th~ 6:00 PM

Friday, July 19th~6:00 PM- SONG WRITERS SHABBAT & BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS

Friday, July 26th ~ 6:00 PM –BLUE JEAN SHABBAT

Song Writers Shabbat

July 19th at 6:00pm

For the eighth year in a row, The Temple is excited for Songwriter’s Shabbat on Friday, July 19th at 6:00pm - a fun Shabbat service featuring music written by our own Temple members! This service has become a beloved tradition in our Temple community and we look forward to a night of beautiful music and pride in our Temple family.

You can also watch via zoom from thetemplehub.org.

Golden Lunch Bunch

Will meet at Temple from 11:30-1:00pm on July 2nd: Russ Davis

July 16th: Game Day

RSVP to Jamie Maresca at 615-354-1686 or via email at helpinghands@ jfsnashville.org

Chevrah Torah Study

9:30AM on Saturdays

Join us for our weekly Torah study on the portion of the week, led by the clergy. You can join us in person at The Temple or via zoom from thetemplehub.org

Women’s Torah Study

July11th, 18th, 25th

10:30 AM

Ongoing weekly women’s Torah study led by Patty Marks. Available in person at The Temple and via zoom through thetemplehub.org

Lunch with the Rabbi

July11th, 18th, 25th

Lunch at 11:30AM

Program12:00-1:00 PM

$15 per person for lunch

Engage with Rabbi Danziger and guests in a discussion of current and important

At Our Congregations…

issues from a Jewish perspective. RSVP on thetemplehub.org or by calling the Temple at 615-352-7620

Available in person and via zoom. Zoom Room: thetemplehub.org

Monday Mah Jongg with Canasta Join Us for MAH JONGG Mondays at The Temple!

July 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

1:00pm

Drop in for Mah Jongg. We’ll have coffee and water. Bring your friends, a card, and a set and have some fun. Mah Jongg cards and sets are available for purchase in The Temple Gift Shop.

@ West End

For links to the following online services or programs, please email office@westendsyn.org or visit our website calendar for more information https://westendsyn.shulcloud.com/calendar

7/12 – Shabbat Potluck – 6:00 p.m.

Bring a pareve or dairy dish to share with friends. RSVP information to come.

7/14 – Music and Me

Families with young children under 3 are invited to join for a musical program plus schmooze time from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

7/26 – It’s Shabbat 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Friday night Shabbat Celebration & Oneg for Families with Young Children. RSVP to spaz@westendsyn.org.

Learning Opportunities

Talmud on Tuesdays

Guest Rabbi Ari Bursztein leads a lively Talmudic discussion at 7:30 a.m. in person and on Zoom every Tuesday, immediately after morning minyan. Come and join us!

Religious Services

Shacharit (in person)

Our minyanaires are always looking for more people to strengthen the only egalitarian minyan in town! Sunday services are at 9:00 a.m. and Monday-Friday at 7:00 a.m. Thursday minyan is followed by breakfast.

Mincha (on Zoom)

Join us for daily Mincha at 6:00 p.m., Sunday-Thursday.

Kabbalat Shabbat

You are invited to join us every Friday for Kabbalat Shabbat in person at 6:00 p.m.

Shabbat Morning services

You are invited to join us every Saturday morning in person or by Zoom at 9:30 a.m. Great davening, insightful learning of the Torah portion and a yummy (and nutritious!) kiddush lunch following services! •

Community Listings

East Side Tribe

East Side Tribe is a grassroots social and spiritual community fueled by Jewish values and rooted in East Nashville. For more information or to RSVP, please visit eastsidetribe.org.

Join us for a double-header Kabbalat Shabbat and Monthly Potluck in East Nashville on Friday, July 19, at 6 p.m. We’ll have a 30-minute, soul-filled Shabbat prayer service, followed by a community dinner. •

Continued from page 2

beginning to utilize the principle. “We wish it had gone a little farther, but, boy, do we love the movement,” he said, and mentioned that others are exploring it as well.

Other topics explored during the hour-long conversation included how the university deals with hate speech and differentiates it from free speech and the faculty’s role in principled neutrality.

Diermeier cited the 1967 Calvin Report which first detailed the concept and why it is a key in fostering deeper, more meaningful higher education. “The Calvin

Report said that the reason why you want to have a position of neutrality on political issues is because otherwise you create a chilling effect where people are afraid of running afoul of the party line.” In other words, faculty and students can take positions, but institutions cannot.

In addressing the immediate aftermath of Oct. 7, Diermeier said he believes the overall responses were appropriate. He referenced the many vigils, meditation walks, discussions inside and outside the classroom as evidence of an overall adherence to the university’s values. “It doesn’t mean that everybody agreed. It

doesn’t mean we didn’t have passionate discussions. But I was extremely proud of our students,” he said.

Diermeier then outlined the events in March when 27 students pushed their way into Kirkland Hall, which was undergoing renovations. In the ensuing rush, a security guard was injured as students attempted to force their way into Diermeier’s office. Staff prevented the forced entry and students sat outside the office. After discussions with Metro police, the three students who had pushed the security guard were arrested and charged with assault. There were also a few students expelled and some suspended following the incident.

In an opinion column in the Wall Street Journal, Diermeier defended the university’s actions. “I laid out what we did and why we did it. And there was very much an emphasis on values and the need to enforce them. You set your values and then you have to live by them.” He added that the response to the column was very strong, though he said some faculty members were not happy.

In the wake of that incident, students began setting up tents, resulting in what Diermeier said was the country’s first such campus encampment. Without any precedent for handling the situation, he said the administration talked to students and set guidelines for behavior. In the following weeks, the encampment remained civil and as the end of the school year neared, and the space was needed for commencement, the students were asked to leave and they did. The spring semester also saw a visit by the Israeli Ambassador and the former prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, and a celebration on the first night of Passover.

The chancellor took questions from the audience, most focusing on various aspects of principled neutrality. Diermeier returned to the central notion that once an institution determines its values and communicates them out, it is imperative to enforce them. Not only that, but those values provide a backstop of sorts that helps with decision-making.

In closing, Diermeier looked toward the future and his recently renewed contract which keeps him at Vanderbilt until 2035. “One thing that this whole thing has done for us is that what we stand for is clearer and people know about it more. The second thing I should say is that I’m very excited about Nashville. I’m excited about the vitality of the city and the community. We want to play an important role there…We want to be a great partner for the community…I could not be more optimistic about the city, the region, the state, and we’re going to lean in on that.”

Gordon JCC Adult Program Happenings:

TGIT – July 2024

July 4th – No TGITHappy Independence Day!

July 11th – No TGIT –Summer Vacation!

July 18th – Come meet the Jewish Federation Israeli teen delegation.

They will tell us about themselves and their lives in Israel and their experience here in Nashville.

July 25th

Back from too long a hiatus is musician Nermin Begovic to entertain us with his uplifting personality and extraordinary accordion playing.

Lunch: Chicken, salad, sides, dessert.

LET’S TALK RETIREMENT!

(…because it’s not just about the money!)

By LORETTA SAFF

A RETIREMENT TOOLBOX

Tape Measure – to measure the ideas that pop into your head.

Drill – to drill down to basics when you are starting something new. Screwdriver – to tighten/untighten as you experiment with what’s new. Hammer – to hammer down final decisions.

Ihear that a lot of you are “Do It Yourself-ers” (DIY). You think that once the Retirement door is open you will just sail right through. But just like navigating to any place you haven’t been, it’s probably a good idea to put the proper information into your GPS so you don’t make a wrong turn.

With that in mind, I recommend we take a good look at what you need in your toolbox. Sure, you have the basics I’ve already mentioned. Now, with my next few columns, I can offer some tools for you to add.

Tool #1 is THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. These questions are necessary to consider before as well as when you are planning your Retirement.

Question 1. “WHAT DO YOU WANT?”

I’m pretty sure you have been asking other people this question at various times in your life in various voices. For example,

1. - when your boss gives you confusing instructions

2. - when the baby’s been crying for the last two hours

3. - when finding any man searching in the refrigerator

4. - when trying to choose a birthday gift for the impossible one

This is one of the first questions I ask all clients, and these are a few of the answers I often hear:

I don’t know.

I want to lose 15 pounds.

I want to have enough money.

I just want to be happy.

It’s important that you start asking yourself, “What do I want?” And don’t settle for the ‘I just want to be happy’ answer. Take it further and really think about what makes you happy.

Now put that on the top shelf in your toolbox.

Question 2. “WHO ARE YOU NOW?”

Look in the mirror and ask yourself this question. (The ‘now’ is underlined because it refers to NOW.)

You’ve probably spent years in the workaday world trying hard to reach the top – wherever that is. Get the promotion, make more money, own a big house. It’s hard to find enough time for the job much less for family and the things you like to do. Is this what you signed up for?

Just because this is Question 2, don’t think it is less important than your answers to the first one. The questions are related and deal with your beliefs and values.

Of course, when I first ask this question to clients, there are a few who get nervous and try to dodge. I may hear answers like:

Really, that’s what you’re asking me?

Hello! I’m the smart, attractive, successful person

sitting in front of you.

What kind of question is that?

You are more than your job or your money. What do you value – Time for yourself? Retaining your status? Helping others? Every so often, consider who you are now. It will help guide you to specific joy and certainly help you in the future. It, too, deserves a prominent place in your toolbox.

And one more Question 3. “WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?”

The answers that the word ‘passionate’ brings out are sometimes comical:

I’m passionate about chocolate.

I’m passionate about being rich.

I’m passionate about cute outfits for pickleball.

To get beyond what looks like an impasse, sometimes I ask “What do you do that makes you lose track of time?”

This can help you with the answer.

Be kind to yourself – so what if you enjoy puzzles or model trains or even the history channel! The important point is that you are honest and open as you consider the question. Again, put this with the other two questions, and you DIYers will be making progress toward your retirement.

Those add up to Tool #1 for your Retirement Toolbox! Use those three questions and you will be thinking about your future now. Don’t be like Scarlet in Gone With the Wind and sigh and say, “I’ll think about it tomorrow.”

Or, call me, and we can talk. After all,

Life’s a puzzle, and Sometimes you might just need a little help

Putting the pieces together.

Loretta www.coachingwithloretta.com •

Building Bridges

Continued from page 1

Jews, seen in terms of kindness and charity, was prompted in large measure in the hope that such benevolence would encourage the Jews to convert to Christianity.” She adds that while some supportive Christians are concerned about social justice and abhor bigotry, others bear the regret of the antisemitic acts of their ancestors.

Rabbi Mark Schiftan, rabbi emeritus of The Temple, says in modern times, this regret is focused on the remains of the Holocaust. “Some mainstream Christians today are not necessarily anti-Zionist, but they are not driven by the belief in a safe and secure homeland for the Jews. They are driven by the need to reassess their culpability, indirectly or directly, about the felled Jews of Europe.”

Martin agrees and adds that young Christians today are simply not being educated enough about the Holocaust and how Israel was created. She recently returned from a trip to Eastern Europe where she visited concentration camps and saw first-hand the remains of that tragic time. “What’s missing from the rhetoric is contextualization of what’s going on [today]. People don’t understand the history of Jews in Israel and what Jewish life was like before Israel.” She adds that it is important for Christians to understand the history of Christian antisemitism and to combat misinformation in places like social media with education.

Levine agrees that educating Christians about Judaism is key to building meaningful relationships and combatting misinformation. She cites Nostra Aetate, a document from Vatican II and published in October 1965, as an example. “Nostra Aetate made an enormous difference in proclaiming that Jews at all times and places cannot be considered particularly responsible for the death of Jesus.” But she says it is not certain this teaching will make its way into the Catholic seminaries or the pulpit. “It is better to have the denominations make official statements condemning antisemitism than to have them remain silent; it is better to have their clergy trained to understand the Jewish contexts of Jesus and Paul, trained to understand how we Jews view our own Scriptures, trained to understand how words that are not intended to promote antisemitism may well do so.”

For some Christians, the terror attacks of Oct. 7 provided a stark reminder of their relationship to the Jews, and to their own core values. Actress Patricia Heaton, who is a practicing Catholic, says she believes true Christianity is a personal relationship with God and so is Judaism. “What distinguishes Judaism and, as a result, Christianity, from every other historical religion is God reached down to the Jewish people to have a real personal relationship with them.”

Heaton, along with Elizabeth Dorros, was so moved by what happened on Oct. 7 that they formed an organization, called O7C, focused on providing support for Israel and the Jews. Heaton says,

“O7C is the embodiment of our personal-ness with our faith, and we have that in common. That’s what sets us aside; it’s not just transactional. We realize that in this world, what is important is our relationships.” Dorros, who is Christian, agrees that support of Jews and Israel is a core value for what she calls “Biblebelieving Christians.”

The goal of building relationships is also part of the mission of Passages and in the wake of Oct. 7, Martin says there is even greater urgency. “Since Oct. 7, we have had a shift toward the need for allies for the Jewish people and how alone Jewish students are on campuses.” She says the organization is focusing on mobilizing Christians in places where Jews do not feel supported.

For Jews, there can be some skepticism around Christians who say they are supportive but carry the agenda of conversion. Peters says, “There are Christians who do have that agenda, but for me, that isn’t the case. I grew up in a family who is wholehearted in their support of the Jews.”

In fact, Peters applied for, and participated in, a program with Passages, similar to Shark Tank which led him to his current business, called Ten Boom Coffee Roasters. He is growing his company and partners with a Jewish coffee roaster in Israel to expand his business here in the United States. Peters says his friend and partner, Hanan Elkayam, fought for three days after Oct. 7, and Peters himself visited K’far Aza in January. “I just stood there and envisioned him fighting there, and it just breaks your heart.”

Everyone interviewed for this story spoke of the importance of building relationships as the key to continuing support. Levine agrees and has some additional directives, starting with regular communication with what she calls a “sense of generosity.” “If we hear one of our Christian friends say something that strikes us as antisemitic, our task should be to call in rather than call out or cancel.”

Levine also says it is important to remember that support for Jews does not mean unconditional support for the actions of the state of Israel. “For example, one can support the right of Israel to exist and not support settlement expansion over the 1967 borders.” She cites the number of Christians and Jews who are calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, the delivery of supplies to Gaza, and the release of the hostages. “Still others, especially from Arab-Christian churches and from our Muslim friends here in Nashville, are wondering why they have heard little to nothing from Jews about the deaths of people in their communities from Israeli bombing.”

In addition, Levine says it is important to listen to those with whom we disagree, and to keep an open mind and heart. “Similarly, we do well to learn about how people understand their own history and theology, and we should do so with the sort of grace that we would expect people to show to us.” •

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Lifecycles

Simchas

Andrew Press

Congratulations to Andrew Press for being honored as the top academic student in the graduating class of Montclair (NJ) High School. He is the son of Eva Saks Press and Ken Press and the grandson of Judy Saks. Andrew will attend Washington University in St. Louis.

Obituaries

Lester Hersch

Condolences to the family of Lester Hersch, 105, of Boca Raton, Fla., formerly of Nashville, who died on June 20. He was born in Newark, N.J., but loved his adopted home of Nashville. He was very involved in community leadership in both cities where he resided, and was the oldest living past president of West End Synagogue. He had been a businessman in Nashville from 1948 to 1974 before relocating.

Lester was predeceased by his wife, Mildred. He is survived by daughters, Lauren (Alvin) Fox of Brentwood, Jayne Rotman of Hallandale Beach,Fla.; grandchildren, Lisa (Steve) Freedman of Atlanta, Michael Fox of Stratford, Conn., Stephanie (Bryan) Staff of Albany, N.Y., Seth (Violetta) Rotman of Miami Fla.; and great-grandchildren, Alexa and Julia Freedman, Ella Fox, Brody Staff, Aleksander and Amaya Rotman.

The family requests donations be made to the Mildred Hersch Fund c/o West End Synagogue.

Carole Isabel Korn

Condolences to the family of Carole Isabel Korn who died on June 1. She was the wife of Jerome Korn; mother of

Stephen Korn (Stephanie) and Douglas Korn (Eve); grandmother of Sarah, Sydney, Sutton, Remy, and Jesse.

Tributes may be made in Carole’s memory to Congregation Micah.

H. Michael Kahn

Condolences to the family of H. Michael Kahn who died on May 16. Michael Kahn (Usher Mayrim ben Moshe), a native of New Haven, Conn., and a longtime resident of Greenwich Village, died in New York City at the age of 70. He was a doctor of Chinese Medicine, a devout Jew, and a generous and caring soul. He was the brother of Richard Kahn (Zlata Todorova).

Acknowledgement cards may be sent to:109 Robin Springs Road, Nashville, TN 37220.

Judith Richter

Condolences to the family of Judith Richter who died on June 11. She was the wife of Paul Richter (z”l); mother of Tara (Adam) Mittelberg, David(Carla) Richter and Tzvi(Roni) Richter; grandmother of Adiel Levin, Hadas Richter, Moriah Richter, Sinai Richter, Benjamin Richter, Jared Mittelberg, Hailey Mittelberg and Max Mittelberg; great-grandmother of Aviv Levin.

Tributes may be made in Judith’s memory to Congregation Micah.

John Holmes Wolfarth

Condolences to the family of John Holmes Wolfarth who died on May 29. He was the husband of Virginia Wolfarth; stepfather Julie Greenberg (Clay); father of Jay Wolfarth (Maureen); grandfather of Lily and Jake Greenberg, and Melody and Gabriel Wolfarth.

Tributes may be made in John’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association and Congregation Micah. •

Visit The Jewish Observer’s website www.jewishobservernashville.org

Kvetch in the City

By CARRIE MILLS

My favorite time of day is getting into bed.

I’m not sure if it’s my age, or that fact that I literally have like five jobs, or more…I’ve lost count. Or, that the world is so heavy and exhausting psychologically.

The other reason I love climbing under my down comforter and drifting off is that I love to dream. (I’m not talking about my usual daydreams like winning the lottery and living in a Park Ave. doorman building and meeting a great guy to travel and laugh with.) I mean…night dreams. The kind that come up out of seemingly nowhere and startle me awake.

So, it’s not surprising that several years ago, I joined a Jungian dream group. The sessions were led by a certified Jungian dream analyst whom I happened upon at a University School evening program on Introduction to Dreams. Yes, one can actually be certified to teach and analyze dreams.

The group had met just a few times when Covid hit, sending us scurrying into our homes to hide, never to meet again in person. However, with the miracle-like creation of Zoom, we were able to reconvene again online, this time adding a few other wacky, creative individuals from all over the country joining our group.

The dream sessions would last for about eight weeks, meeting once a week with anywhere from four to six of us in the group. I stayed in the group for years. I’m loyal that way. Besides, I’ve always been curious and perhaps somewhat fascinated by the whole dream analysis process since my twenties when I first discovered the writings of Carl Jung.

As I have come to learn about myself, I will leave no stone unturned in trying to understand my inner self and others. The human psyche is like no other terrain. The things you find

going on inside well… I’d sum it up with that familiar saying, “You can’t make this s*%#t up.” The human soul, mind, being is at once fantastical and horrid at the same time. And that is precisely what the Jungian journey is all about. Fearlessly finding the willingness, and ability, to absorb it all and integrate. Without integration, we are all fragmented and broken. The way I’ve come to understand it, our dreams are our psyches’ way of helping us heal and become whole if we choose that route. And the more conscious we become, well, let’s just say, that’s a good thing.

Unfortunately, most human beings are too busy scurrying to pay bills, changing diapers, or getting drunk to bother to understand themselves. Let’s face it, it’s a lot of work to look at one’s mess and clean it up when there is so much other fun stuff to do. Unfortunately, fun only lasts only so long before one steps in one’s own, let’s just keep calling it, mess.

So, for several years, upon awakening, I’d reach for my dream journal and write down the most crazy, fantastical, scary scenarios my unconscious would conjure up for me to dive into. For some reason, the unconscious mind chooses to speak symbolically, and so, the whole dreamscape becomes like a Salvador Daliesque scenario. Maybe it’s the mystery of it all along with the Sherlock Holmes detective-like quality necessary for deciphering the meaning of a dream that has always intrigued me about the process. Either way, it’s always been right up my alley. And doing it in a group was fun. Until, like most things human, the whole thing fell apart. The instructor’s life took her in other mundane directions and without her at the helm, the group did not hold.

Apparently, neither did I. It didn’t take long before, upon awakening, instead of reaching for my dream journal, I found myself reaching for my phone and scrolling through the insanity of social media. Somehow, my once healthy habit of keeping the phone in the other room on silence at bedtime slipped away and the phone ended up on my night table. That’s the thing about healthy habits: once you break them, all hell tends to break loose.

My once upon a time fairy tale journey of inner healing through group Jungian dream analysis somehow turned into a living nightmare of waking up, reaching for my phone, and scrolling mindlessly on the internet where the entire world appears to be jockeying for a position in my sensitive, delicate brain. A little electronic device containing a world-gone-mad and I keep pressing open.

In the end, all this time-wasting brain-frying internet scrolling has only served to remind me that real awakening happens when I go to sleep. So, I’m back to trying to get back to… phone off, dreams on.

Either way, I still contend, my favorite time of day is getting into bed. (Oh... and about those daydreams...they still hold!) •

Learn more about the Jewish Federastion of Greater Nashville at www.jewishnashville.org

ACCOUNTANTS

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY

CATHY WERTHAN, CPA

401 Commerce Street, Suite 1250 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 245-4070 • marcumllp.com

APPLIANCES

ELECTRONIC EXPRESS is a leader in top quality, brand-name electronics and appliances at exceptionally low prices. Stocking the latest items, Electronic Express takes pride in providing customers with products at prices to fit any budget. From televisions, appliances, smart devices and cameras to security systems, furniture and mattresses, Electronic Express has everything to take your home to the next level. Electronic Express offers special financing, delivery and installation options. We make it happen! Visit us at any of our 18 locations or online at www. electronicexpress.com

ATTORNEY

MARTIN SIR, ATTORNEY

Family Law / Personal Injury / Probate Fifth Third Center 424 Church Street, Ste. 2250 Nashville, Tennessee 37219 (615) 256-5661 www.martinsirlaw.com

CARE GIVER

Custom senior care for active, healthy lifestyles. Affordable/no minimums. Meals, meds, transp., outings, dementia care & assist with hospital discharge. Professional trusted care partners. Locally owned. Call Moises for Free Assessment: 615-678-9223 www.curaforcare.com

In-Home Care & Engagement | Respite

Dementia Day & Early-Stage Programs

Independent & Assisted Living Memory Support | Caregiver Resources 615.434.2160 | services@abesgarden.org

AROSA

(formerly Family Staffing Solutions, Inc.)

Integrated Care Management and Home Care Provider

2000 Glen Echo Road, Suite 104 Nashville, TN 37215

615-595-8929

143 Uptown Square Murfreesboro, TN 37129 615-848-6774

768 N. Main Street Shelbyville, TN 37160 931-680-2771

Elite Caregiving Services

Compassionate Care In Your Home We offer aftercare from surgical procedures, part-time assistance, and 24 hour elderly care. 615-881-6528 Hannah@EliteCaregivingServices.com EliteCaregivingServices.com

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

DR. BRADLEY KROCK D.C.  Discover relief with Dr. Krock, DCExpert chiropractic care for pain, wellness, and injury recovery. Book your appointment today!   615-771-7720 www.krockchiropractic.com

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELING

MICHELLE ROSEN, M.ED. Comprehensive College Planning Support 615-497-5198 nashvillecollegecounselor.com

CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

Proudly serving your community in kitchen, bath, and turn-key remodeling. Find us at www.DesignsByHermitage.com or call 615-988-5988

DENTIST

STEVEN R. HECKLIN, DMD

DAVID M. SMILEY, DMD ABBY DILUZIO, DMD Cosmetic and Family Dentistry www.drhecklin.com 5606 Brookwood Place 615-356-7500

INSURANCE

BILTMORE INSURANCE SERVICES

Greg Zagnoev, Agent 615-746-RISK (7475) Home, Auto, Business, and Life

JAMES A. ROTHBERG

ADAM ROTHBERG

James A. Rothberg & Associates Office:  615-997-1833 Fax: 615-665-1300 2000 Glen Echo, Suite 208 Nashville, TN 37215 Email: jrothberg@jarinsurance.com info@jarinsurance.com

ROBINS INSURANCE

Bruce Robins, CPCU, CIC, ARM; Van Robins, CIC Auto, Home, Life, Health, Business Insurance 11 Music Circle S Ph. 615-665-9200 • www.robinsins.com

ZANDER INSURANCE GROUP, INC. Jeffrey J. Zander, CIC Auto, Home, Life, Health, Business, Long Term Care, Identity Theft Protection 6213 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209 615-356-1700 www.zanderins.com

M JAFFA HEALTH INSURANCE Marsha Ross Jaffa, CIC, LUTCF 615-482-3860 Medicare, Health, Dental, and Life

OPTOMETRIST

DR. MICHELE SONSINO Optique Franklin 436 Main Street, Franklin 615-591-4191

DR. JAMES W. KIRKCONNELL Bellevue Eye Center 7640 Hwy 70 S, Ste 102 Nashville 615-662-7588 www.bec2020.com

ORTHODONTISTS

GLUCK ORTHODONTICS Specialists in Orthodontics Dr. Joel Gluck DDS, MS Dr. Jonathan Gluck DDS, MSD 2002 Richard Jones Road A-200 615.269.5903 drgluck.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

GHERTNER & COMPANY Homeowner Association and Condominium Management Full Service and Financial Management Property Management since 1968 615-255-8531 www.ghertner.com

PSYCHOTHERAPY

& COUNSELING

IRA HELDERMAN, PhD, LPC Psychotherapy for Individuals, Adolescents, Couples and Families nashvillepsychotherapyandcounseling. com Please contact: 615-473-4815 or ira.p.helderman@vanderbilt.edu

REAL ESTATE

FRANKLIN PARGH 615-351-7333

franklin.pargh@compass.com

LANA PARGH 615-504-2685

lana.pargh@compass.com www.pargh.com

Instagram: @theparghteam

JACOB KUPIN, REALTOR

HAYLEY LEVY KUPIN, REALTOR 615-281-9035

Jacob@TheKupinGroup.com Hayley@TheKupinGroup.com www.TheKupinGroup.com We’ve got your back!

www.zeitlin.com

Residential & Relocation Specialists

JESSICA AVERBUCH Broker/ Owner Zeitlin Sotheby’s International Realty c: 615.294.9880 o: 615.383.0183 jessica.averbuch@zeitlin.com

LORNA M. GRAFF Broker, GRI, CRS, ABR 615-794-0833 (bus.) 615-351-5343 (cell) lorna.graff@zeitlin.com www.lornagraff.com

NAN SPELLER Broker, GRI, ABR 615-383-0183 (bus.) 615-973-1117 (cell) nanspeller2014@gmail.com

JENNIE ZAGNOEV Affiliate Broker 615-383-0183 (bus.) 615-838-2048 (cell) jennie.zagnoev@zeitlin.com

Jackie Roth Karr, REALTOR® www.JackieKarr.com Jackie.Karr@corcorangroup.com Mobile: 615.330.9779  Office:  615.250.7880

SPORTING GOODS

TEAM NASHVILLE Your Running/Walking Swimming Headquarters 3205 West End Ave. Nashville, TN 37203 615-383-0098

TRAVEL SERVICES

Expedia Cruise Ship Centers A Full Service Travel Agency Alan Cooper: Office: 615-454-6439 www.expediacruises.com/AlanCooper 7081 B Hwy 70 S / Kroger Shopping Ctr.

TREE SERVICES

Preserving the Natural Beauty of Trees and Shrubs. Specializing in the care of shade and ornamental trees and shrubs for residential and commercial properties. Serving Nashville since 1978. 615-373-4342 www.druidtree.com

Seniors and Post Hospital Care

July in the Gordon JCC Galleries: Work of the Tennessee Art League, Jodi Buc, and the Fashion Camp Young Designers exhibit

The Janet Levine March Gallery will feature the work of Tennessee Art League (TAL). A small group of distinguished local artists founded the TAL in June 1954 to provide members with opportunities to exhibit their work, attend lectures and demonstrations by accredited artists, and meet with fellow artists.

TAL is the only arts organization in Middle Tennessee which is open to anyone who has an interest in the visual arts and desires to exhibit their artwork. They welcome all artists from the emerging to the highly professional, providing opportunities for artists to display work in sponsored exhibits and to network with other artists.

Their July exhibit at the J Galleries, “Redefining Normal,” invites artists and viewers alike to challenge the status quo and envision new possibilities for understanding and supporting mental health. Through the power of art, the group show seeks to redefine norms, break down barriers, and create a more inclusive and compassionate society. This 2D and 3D body of work by TAL members challenges conventional mental health perceptions, offers other perspectives, and explores possibilities for healing and resilience outside of traditional practices.

The JLMG2 Gallery will feature the work of Jodi Buc. Self-taught, Buc

finds her creative expression and joy through the mediums of drawing and painting. Born in Miami, Buc relocated

to Nashville in 1983. Originally a dancer, she has been a creative all her life. This is her second exhibit at the J Galleries.

The Sig Held Gallery will feature the annual Fashion Camp young designers’ exhibit.

The Senior Lounge will feature the work of Robbie Lasky.

The House gallery will feature the

Under One Roof collaborative exhibit. The Exhibition Dates are July 1st -31st.

The Artist reception will be held on July 17th from 6-8 pm and feature music by DJ Joseph Harris and Henna by Seemi. The exhibitions are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the GJCC at 615.354-1699, Curator Carrie Mills at carrie@nashvillejcc.org, or go to www.nashvillejcc.org. •

Fashion Camp Designers Walk the Runway

Carrie Mills once again led young designers through another summer of Camp Davis’ popular Fashion Camp. Participants took their designs from concept to the final walk on the runway as friends and family cheered them on. Pictured below are some of the fashions, shown by the designers themselves. •

Finding a Safe Place, by T. LaBonne

Fashion Drawing

Healing Heart, by LeAndra Crystal

Untitled #5, by Jodi Buc

Beit Miriam: 2024-2025

Question: How big is the smallest sukkah? How long does it take to make matzah? Answer: Visit Beit Miriam at West End Synagogue to find out! Depending on the season, you might see our Pre-K-7th grade students constructing their own life size sukkot or making challot for Shabbat and Hamantashen for Purim. You might hear our teens grappling with issues of rising anti-Semitism and Israel post October 7th , learning what important Jewish thinkers thought about events in their time, learning Hebrew, writing their own Chanukah play, or making their culinary favorites from Jewish cultures around the globe. Additionally, you will find 5th graders learning to read Torah, b’nai mitzvah students cooking for Room In The Inn and debating whether Judaism is a nationality, religion or ethnicity, and 6th graders making their own tallitot. You will see students receiving individual and customized Hebrew training to ensure that we meet students where they are.

Beit Miriam educates children from 3 years old through eleventh grade focusing on learning and living Jewishly.

We are proud of our dynamic faculty and our classes cover a breadth of Jewish literacy including Jewish History, Customs, Holiday Celebrations, Israel, Torah, Talmud, and Hebrew. Students come together as a kehilla (community) for interactive learning through music and art. This wide and diverse programming is an example of the innovative and interactive educational activities that are at the core of Beit Miriam.

• All students attend on Sundays from 9:00 AM to noon.

• Second through seventh graders attend midweek-Hebrew on Wednesday afternoons from 4:15-6:30 PM and participate in our once a month “camp based” Shabbat services led by our students.

Our school also offers opportunities for parent education and teen involvement in synagogue life. Contact Sharon Paz, Director at 615.269.4592 x 17 or spaz@westendsyn. org for more information.

Nashville’s Jewish Day Schools

Nashville’s Jewish Day Schools are dedicated to cultivating a profound passion for learning that nurtures the holistic development of our students—encompassing their social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual growth.

From Kindergarten through 12th grade, Akiva, JMS, and Kehilla are grounded in the mission of fostering curiosity, moral integrity, determination, effective communication, collaborative spirit, and creative thinking.

Our schools place a special emphasis on Jewish Studies, providing a rich and meaningful exploration of Jewish heritage, traditions, and values.

With a curriculum that is both thoughtful and demanding, our schools create a joyful atmosphere where each student is loved and nurtured.

At Akiva, we pursue excellence, foster critical inquiry, and inspire informed Jewish living. Our students are known for their unmatched curiosity, their deep sense of self, and their commitment to our Nashville community.

Continued

BEIT MIRIAM HEBREW SCHOOL

ADVERTORIALS

Inspired by Jewish values, the mission of Jewish Middle School’s inclusive community is to guide our students to become engaged learners and passionate leaders so that they may ultimately contribute to a purpose greater than themselves.

Kehilla High School believes in nurturing curiosity, creativity, and a sense of responsibility in all our students. Our goal is to shape graduates who not only possess knowledge but also embrace humility, openness, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the world.

For more information, or to book a tour, please visit our websites at: www. akivanashville.net, www.jmsnashville.org, wwww.nashvillejhs.org.

Elly Ebin

Director of Communications | Jewish Middle School of Nashville www.jmsnashville.org

eebin@jmsnashville.org | 615-335-2227

Congregation Micah’s Religious School

Congregation Micah’s Religious School, JLAB, is home to joyous, progressive Jewish education, bringing the best of formal and informal study to our students of all ages. Our weekly family service fills our sanctuary with music, prayer and the ever-present, unfolding Jewish story.

We are a diverse and creative community that celebrates our common bonds of Jewish identity - intellectually, spiritually, and culturally. We explore the many disciplines of Jewish tradition - Hebrew, history, ethics, Israel, mitzvot and more - with Torah as our touchstone.

In addition to weekly worship and study, students meet Jewish authors, artists, musicians, chefs and social justice leaders. Parents remain students, as well, with regular opportunities to study and socialize.

Our inclusion specialist works with faculty and families to ensure that all students are honored and able to access the full richness of Jewish tradition before, during and beyond our brit mitzvah process.

Micah’s expansive campus includes a natural playscape, sculpture and memorial gardens, and colorful student-made art installations. This beautiful setting invites students to discover the wonders of creation in both meditative and active ways.

Our middle and high school youth groups extend Jewish life through travel to New York, Washington D.C., Montgomery, and Israel, as well as through local retreats, performances, and social action projects. Many teens serve as madrichim in our classrooms, and CHAI Society, our flagship high school program, empowers students to become confident leaders who enter the larger world doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with their God.

Continued on page 24

Battle Ground Academy

An educational leader in the area for 135 years, BGA offers the most transformative, comprehensive educational experience in Franklin, throughout Williamson County, and across the greater Nashville area. We provide academic challenge, ignite intellectual vigor, and develop integrity, honesty, and character in our students.

As an accredited independent school, we have the flexibility to adjust our curriculum to meet each BGA student where they are — academically and personally — and welcome them into a community of challenge, support, acceptance, and warmth.

Students in our pre-K and Lower School actively participate in their learning, create meaningful connections between their school and their world, and find joy as they grow, play, and create in our learning community.

In Middle School, students build on this foundation with advanced courses in math, science, humanities, and the arts, as we emphasize critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills.

Our Upper School prepares students for college and beyond with a comprehensive curriculum that includes AP courses and diverse electives, including concentrations in Entrepreneurial Leadership, STEM, Global Leadership, and Fine Arts.

Admissions Process: Applications for Fall 2025 open in August, and first-round admission consideration deadlines are November 15 (Pre-K), December 15 (kindergarten), and January 15 (first grade and up). Learn more at battlegroundacademy.org/ admissions.

Pre-K Expansion: This fall, BGA’s Early Learning Center will open its doors to Pre-K4 and Pre-K5 students. In Fall 2025, the center will also begin offering Pre-K3. Due to demand, interested families are encouraged to inquire now at battlegroundacademy.org/admissions.

Montgomery Bell Academy

Montgomery Bell Academy is the oldest independent school for boys in Tennessee. Founded in 1867, MBA is home to 850 boys in grades 7-12. MBA offers young men an exemplary college preparatory experience in an inclusive community, assisting them to be “gentlemen, scholars, and athletes” and young men of wisdom and moral integrity who will make significant contributions to society.

At MBA, students are taught the value of leadership and character; are equipped with the fundamental tools to succeed in the classroom and beyond; develop an appreciation for the effort required to achieve excellence; and form friendships that last a lifetime.

Montgomery Bell Academy is a place where a boy’s academic, extracurricular, and emotional needs are the priority. Faculty and staff at MBA are committed to providing the best education for young men, and to know, care for, and understand our students.

Admission to MBA is competitive and successful candidates are those who have demonstrated a serious approach to their studies. Candidates ascribe to MBA’s ideal of becoming a Gentleman, Scholar, and Athlete. Additionally, we want students who will seek the abundant opportunities that MBA provides. The best way to experience MBA is to come see it in person. We hope you will visit us, take a tour of the campus, and see first-hand this vibrant and caring community.

Are You Ready to Ease Out of Summer into Fall?

If clutter is slowing you down, expert professional help is available. Don’t know what to do with kids’ clothes that are now too small? Wondering how to safely store outdoor furniture or pool toys until next year? Is your home or office just overflowing with too much stuff?

Laura of Goodlettsville said, “I had no idea where to begin, but after one afternoon I couldn’t believe the difference. Jane is a real whiz. I still can’t figure out how she managed to accomplish so much so quickly. She dove right in and nailed exactly what I needed!”

From Nashville to Franklin in Belle Meade and Brentwood, Jane R. Snyder has helped busy clients declutter, organize, or even empty drawers, closets, file cabinets,

garages, and storage lockers. If you don’t know where to begin—or you are simply overwhelmed—she can create a plan to get your job done. Are you getting ready to downsize? Planning a milestone event? Need someone to troubleshoot a vendor issue or serve as your patient/healthcare advocate? If your children and grandkids live too far away to lend a hand, call Jane.

All new clients receive a 20% discount on their first 10 hours with a four-hour minimum. Jane offers a FREE one-hour consultation to discuss your projects. For more information or to book an appointment, you can contact her at: calljane@comcast.net or 615-557-6277. Whatever you need, Jane has probably done it before!

Camp Davis Clubhouse (formerly Planet Kid)

Camp Davis Clubhouse (formerly Planet Kid) offers children a fun and welcoming environment to work on homework, participate in art projects, run around in the gym and playground, or simply relax and enjoy the time with their friends. It is the ultimate after-school club for all children enrolled in grades K-5! Transportation is available from Gower and Harpeth Valley. We now offer a fun and exciting BRICKMASTERS Lego club and will be adding additional after school clubs at a later date. Learn more and register at nashvillejcc.org/clubhouse or contact Assistant Director of Camp Davis and Children’s Services at max@nashvillejcc.org

Gordon JCC Early Childhood Learning Center: Explore, Imagine, Create.

Choosing your child’s first preschool experience may be one of the most important decisions you make. Discover the many enriching programs offered through the Gordon JCC’s Early Childhood Learning Community for ages 6 weeks through pre-K.

Our Jewish early childhood program experience includes a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to curriculum and play. Swimming lessons are included once per week for our 3-year-old program through pre-K. Our curriculum includes a project-based approach based on the interests of the children. In addition, we incorporate a monthly Jewish theme such as Tikkun Olam (repair of the world) into our lesson plans to help children grow into caring, thoughtful, and loving human beings who will carry these values throughout their lives.

We are part of the JCC Association of North America’s Sheva Center, adopting its seven core elements in our program: Children as Constructivist Learners; Early

Gordon jcc early childhood learning center

CAMP DAVIS

CLUBHOUSE CLUBHOUSE

the ultimate after-school club forall childrenenrolledingrades K-5!

work on homework participate in artprojects run around in the gym andplayground relax andenjoy thetimewith friends join lego BRICKMASTERSclub!

transportationavailable from Gower, HarpethValley, andAkiva register hereorat nashvillejcc.org/clubhouse

Childhood Directors as Visionaries; Early Childhood Educators as Professionals; Families as Engaged Partners; Environments as Inspiration for Inquiry; Discover: CATCH as Sh’mirat HaGuf (taking care of our bodies); and Israel as a Source and Resource.

We are fully licensed by Tennessee’s Department of Human Services, adhere to all DHS regulations, policies, and procedures, and hold a 3-star rating from the Tennessee ECERS and ITERS programs.

For more information, please contact ECLC Assistant Director Michele Dills at michele@nashvillejcc.org or visit nashvillejcc.org/preschool

Get Ready for a Legendary Smile This School Year with Gluck Orthodontics!

As the new school year approaches, it’s the perfect time to focus on your child’s dental health and confidence. At Gluck Orthodontics, we are dedicated to creating beautiful, healthy smiles that last a lifetime. Located conveniently in Green Hills in Nashville, our practice offers state-of-the-art orthodontic care in a friendly and welcoming environment. We’re also proud to offer before-school hours starting at 7 AM!

Dr. Jonathan Gluck, Dr. Joel Gluck, and our experienced team specialize in a wide range of orthodontic treatments, including traditional braces, clear aligners, and innovative solutions tailored to each patient’s unique needs. We understand that every smile is different, and we take pride in providing personalized care that ensures the best possible results.

Why choose Gluck Orthodontics for your back-to-school orthodontic needs? Our practice combines advanced technology, like digital impressions and 3D x-rays, with compassionate care to make your orthodontic journey smooth and enjoyable. We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate busy school and extracurricular activities, making it easy to fit orthodontic visits into your family’s routine.

At Gluck Orthodontics, we believe that a confident smile can make all the difference in a student’s life. A beautiful smile boosts self-esteem, enhances social interactions, and contributes to overall well-being. This school year, give your child the gift of confidence with a perfect smile from Gluck Orthodontics.

Join the Gluck Orthodontics family today and experience the highest standard of orthodontic care. Visit our website at www.gluckorthodontics.com or call us at (615) 269-5903 to schedule a complimentary consultation. Let’s make this school year the best one yet with a smile that shines bright!

Druid Tree Service: Forest Canopy Benefits Health and Beauty

While planning the year ahead, sending kids back to school, and getting ready for the upcoming fall season, spending time outside during the summer months is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

By breathing in a bit of your natural surroundings, you may feel a sense of calming and comfort. This effect has been studied and scientific research reveals that negative ions, found in falling water vapor from the canopy, balance out our positive ions produced from everyday stress. While reducing stress, your trees will additionally lessen the effects of the sun’s heat and lower the air temperature, producing an oasis around your home.

At Druid Tree Service, Inc., we’re specialists in preserving the natural beauty of trees and shrubs. From specialty hand pruning of boxwoods, yews, and topiary forms, to preserving the health and safety of mature trees, our arborist and professional team offer expert care for all size landscapes.

Our consulting arborist, Cabot Cameron, identifies concerns, makes recommendations for pest and fertility issues, and offers preventative treatment programs for all types of tree disease and pests. We use “pollinator safe” pest control in order to maintain a healthier ecosystem. Similarly, we correct soil issues using regenerative composting and natural bio-active fertilizers to reverse soil compaction, correct pH, and remedy fertility problems. We are concerned with the preservation of ash trees prevalent in our neighborhoods. The Emerald Ash Borer is devastating ash trees throughout Nashville, and we have been preserving these trees for our clients.

We welcome your calls or emails and look forward to talking with you about your trees and shrubs. We can be reached at 615-373- 4342 or office@druidtree.com.

Dr. Bradley Krock, DC

Ensure your child’s health and well-being with chiropractic care from Dr. Krock. Our specialized treatments help alleviate back and shoulder strain from heavy backpacks, promoting better posture and overall wellness for school success.

Dr. Bradley Krock, DC, is a distinguished chiropractor based in Franklin, TN, renowned for his specialized expertise in treating headaches and his dedication to family

care chiropractic. With a strong passion for overall wellness, Dr. Krock has built a reputable practice focused on providing comprehensive, personalized care to patients of all ages.

Dr. Krock’s journey into chiropractic care was driven by his personal experiences with chronic headaches, which ignited his passion for understanding and alleviating this common ailment. Through advanced chiropractic techniques and a deep understanding of the musculoskeletal system, he has successfully helped numerous patients find relief from debilitating headaches. His approach combines precise spinal adjustments with holistic therapies, ensuring not just symptom relief but long-term health improvements.

In addition to his headache specialty, Dr. Krock is dedicated to promoting family health. He believes that chiropractic care is essential for all family members, from infants to seniors. His family care chiropractic services address a wide range of issues, including posture problems, sports injuries, and everyday aches and pains. Dr. Krock takes pride in creating a welcoming and supportive environment where families can achieve optimal health together.

Dr. Krock’s passion for wellness extends beyond the clinic. He is an active advocate for healthy living in the Franklin community, regularly participating in wellness workshops and educational seminars. His commitment to ongoing education ensures that he stays at the forefront of chiropractic advancements, providing his patients with the best possible care.

With Dr. Krock, patients receive more than just chiropractic treatment—they gain a partner in their journey to improved health and well-being.

The Pargh Team

As we embrace the excitement and anticipation of a new school year for our children, we reflect on the role your home plays in shaping your family’s educational journey. At The Pargh Team, we understand that finding a home is often intertwined with its proximity to your preferred schools. With our expansive knowledge of the intricate landscape of school options in the Greater Nashville area, we are here to help guide you in selecting the right home and location for your family.

The Pargh Team is proud to be RealTrends Verified, among the top 1.5% of real estate professionals in the United States, ranked #7 in Tennessee, and #5 in Nashville among medium teams by sales volume for 2023. This prestigious recognition demonstrates our dedication to client satisfaction and surpassing expectations.

Your home is more than just a place where you live—it’s a sanctuary where your family grows and thrives. As your trusted and knowledgeable real estate partners, The Pargh Team ensures that your new home nurtures the unique tastes, journeys, and needs of every member of your family.

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2024-25 school year! •

$99 New Patient Special

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Dr. Bradley Krock D.C., M.S. www.krockchiropractic.com

E-mail: drkrock@elitewellnesscenters.com

Meet Dr. Krock

→ Chiropractic → Decompression → Rehab Exercises → Laser Therapy

Dr. Krock, graduated with his Bachelors and Master's Degree from Mississippi State University then went on to Logan University in St. Louis to obtain his Doctorate of Chiropractic. He specializes in addressing headaches, neck pain, extremity dysfunction and lower back pain. He employs personalized chiropractic care, combining his expertise with a compassionate approach focused on patient-centric healing. Dr. Krock's dedication lies in tailoring solutions to alleviate discomfort and improve the overall well-being of his patients, ensuring they receive individualized care for their specific needs.

to your family, friends and the entire community in the September Obser ver

Ad Deadline - August 15 Visit The Jewish Observer’s website www.jewishobservernashville.org