Eitan Snyder, Community Engagement Associate, Jewish Federation & Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, provides the weekly message:
There is a line in Pirkei Avot (the wisdom of our rabbis and ancestors) that reads אל תפרוש מן הציבור, Al Tifrosh Min Hatzibur, meaning "Do not separate yourself from the community". It's a line that I personally find a little confusing. Why is a line about inclusion written as a negative commandment ("do not separate yourself") instead of as a positive commandment ("include yourself in the community")? The implication I see in this passage being written as a negative commandment is that we already belong to the community. The rabbis are not telling us to join a new community, but more simply, to be part of the community to which we already belong.
Community is the driving force behind the Federation's work when welcoming our newcomers. Community volunteers welcome newcomers into their homes for Shabbat dinner, and Federation hosts receptions for our newcomers to get to know each other. Our Newcomer Coordinators, Anna Stern and Hayley Levy-Kupin, match newcomers with our amazing cohort of Newcomer Ambassadors. These volunteers build relationships and help deepen our newcomers' connection to our dynamic Nashville Jewish community to the point where they don't feel like newcomers anymore.

If you would like to attend or host a future Shabbat dinner, or learn more about becoming involved, email eitan@jewishnashville.org or call 615-354-1664.
Follow our Nashville Women's Journey to Israel travelers on Instagram as they explore Israel. Jewish Federation Marketing Director, Jessica Cohen Banish, will be conducting an Instagram Takeover to chronicle the journey. Follow along as our travelers tour the Holy Land and meet new friends along the way. Click HERE for the Jewish Federation Instagram page.
Mark March 30th on your calendar, as the annual Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) Social Justice Seder returns in-person, featuring Michael W. Twitty! Michael W. Twitty is a is an African-American Jewish writer, culinary historian, and educator, and was included in the 2022 Time Magazine Next 100 list. More info on the JCRC Seder coming soon!
Early voting in Davidson and Williamson Counties has begun. For the Davidson County schedule for early voting, click HERE; for Williamson County, click HERE.
Tzedakah is the cornerstone of our Jewish community. Sometimes we give; sometimes we need to receive. It's okay to ask for help. We are here with confidential resources to lend a hand. Reach out for assistance HERE.

To receive Jewish Nashville obituary notices, email us HERE.