A message from Leslie Kirby and Fred Zimmerman and an announcement about security funding.

April 27, 2023

6 Iyar 5783

President of the Board, Dr. Leslie Kirby, and Presidential Appointee of the Board, Fred Zimmerman, send a message from the Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly in Israel.

Hello from Israel! We’ve had an amazing week being here for separate missions, then meeting up when the General Assembly started this past Sunday.

It has been a GA like no other. Many of you have likely seen reports of the protests and disruptions in the news, which is true. But there have also been amazing impactful moments that remind us of the power of Federations and the vital work we do. We were able to mourn alongside Israelis on Yom HaZikaron (Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror) and experienced great pride as we celebrated the 75th Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel's birthday). We’re still in Israel for another week to join in the 25th-anniversary celebration of Nashville's Israel partnership region, Hadera Eiron.

Be on the lookout for more about our journeys on the Federation’s Facebook and Instagram pages and in the June edition of The Nashville Jewish Observer. In the meantime, we will leave you with the tagline of this year’s GA: One Past. One Future. One People. Am Yisrael Chai!

Leslie Kirby and Fred Zimmerman

Tennessee Legislative Victories Help Keep Jewish Institutions Secure

Jewish Federations of Greater Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Memphis, worked together in a joint statewide effort to request an increase in grant funding from Tennessee Homeland Security to help keep the Jewish community safe. We are thrilled to announce that our funding was increased from $500,000 last fiscal year to $750,000 for this next year to help protect houses of worship and Jewish institutions from antisemitism.

In addition, legislation was also passed that broadens the offenses of desecration of a house of worship by changing the culpable mental state from intentional to “knowingly or recklessly."

We are grateful to our Tennessee lawmakers for supporting the Jewish community in the fight against antisemitism and hate crimes and especially thank Representative Elaine Davis and Senator Richard Briggs for sponsoring the amendment for funding.

Israel at 75 Event Series

Join us in Celebrating Israel's 75th birthday with Israel at 75 series.

May 12 at 6 PM - Israel at 75 Shabbat

The Federation partners with Congregation Micah for a special Shabbat service and celebration. The event is open to the public.

May 21 at 2 PM - Community Sing

Every Jewish community member is invited to participate in this music project designed to bring us all together in song to create a music video. People of all ages are welcome. RSVP here.

June 21 at 7 PM - Aveva Concert

Ethiopian-Isreali singer-songwriter, Aveva Dese will perform live in concert. Location TBA.

For more information on events, check out the featured events page.

B'nai Tzedek Kickoff Event

May 7th at 12 PM

At a private home located off West End Ave.

Teens (13-18) are invited to join the B'nai Tzedek Kickoff Event. This event is a great opportunity for Jewish teens to connect, learn about B'nai Tzedek, and hear about ways to give back to the Jewish community. There will be games and lunch and ice cream will be provided. Dietary laws observed.

Contact Leeron Stark Resnick to RSVP and receive the location address.

People Love Dead Jews with Author Dara Horn

May 16 at 7:30 PM

Join author Dara Horn for a lively discussion about her book People Love Dead Jews and how Jewish history is exploited to flatter the living. This event will be held at The Temple.

Event is open to the public.

Community Book Read

People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn

Join us for a community read of People Love Dead Jews, in preparation for author Dara Horn’s visit. Sign up for one of the dates listed below to join a conversation with discussion leaders.

Sunday, May 7th at 10 am, Moxy Hotel (by Vanderbilt) with Greg Averbuch leading the discussion. Bagel brunch will be served.

Tuesday, May 9th at 7 pm at the home of Allison Cutler (address will be disclosed after registration)

Wednesday, May 10th at 7 pm with Ron Galbraith at Congregation Micah for wine and appetizers.

The first 50 people to register will be provided with a copy of People Love Dead Jews and will have access to a private pre-reception on May 16^th with Dara Horn at 6:30 pm.

Community Sing 2023!

Sunday, May 21 at 2 PM

Gordon JCC Pargh Auditorium

Join us in celebrating the 75th Yom HaAtzmaut, the anniversary of Israel's Independence! We will create a music video for the Matisyahu song, "One Day". Persons of all ages are welcome.

Thanks to Genesis Diamonds, the first 75 people to register will receive a Community Sing logo t-shirt at the event. Register here.

How Israeli Healthcare is Changing the World

May 3rd at 12:30 PM Gordon JCC

Join us for an incredible luncheon to learn about the Sheba Tel-Hashomar, the largest and most comprehensive medical center in the Middle East, ranked a World’s Top Hospital by Newsweek for the last 5 years.

The luncheon will feature Professor Yitshak Kreiss,

Director General of Sheba Medical Center, Dr. Yoel Har-Even, Director of Sheba Global, Prof. Eyal Zimlichman, Chief Transformation & Innovation Officer of Sheba Medical Center, Founder, and Director of ARC Innovation.

The luncheon is at no cost to you. Register here.

FEDERATION CALENDAR OF EVENTS & PROGRAMS

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