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ne of the oldest and most recognized commissions of its kind in the United States, the Tennessee Holocaust Commission was formed in 1984 to educate about and commemorate the Holocaust. We provide seminars, educational resources, workshops, traveling exhibits and commemorations to school systems and communities statewide. The THC creates awareness of the Holocaust to fight prejudice and to encourage tolerance and understanding among all people. Our current programs include: • Educator programs; • Teacher workshops and fellowships; • Customized classroom resources; • Holocaust loaned literature; • Educational outreach; • Trips to U.S. Holocaust Museum; • Trips to primary Holocaust sites in Europe; • Belz-Lipman Holocaust Educator of the Year Award; • Adult workshops; • Speakers bureau; • Annual Days of Remembrance commemorations; • “Living On” multimedia exhibition featuring Tennessee survivors and liberators; and • Traveling exhibits.
Vanderbilt Hillel Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life at Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt Hillel Executive Board President: Cynthia Morin Executive Director: Ari Dubin
2421 Vanderbilt Place Nashville, TN 37235 Direct Line: (615) 322-5042 Main Line: (615) 322-8376 Fax: (615) 322-7286 ari.dubin@vanderbilt.edu www.vanderbilt.edu/hillel/
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anderbilt Hillel is the center for Jewish life on campus. Our students, staff, and the entire community are dedicated to providing a strong, supportive environment for Jewish students and maintaining a strong Jewish presence on the Vanderbilt University campus. Hillel actively seeks to engage uninvolved Jewish students on their own terms: to provide them with opportunities to do Jewish activities that are meaningful and appealing to them. Students are empowered to take responsibility for their Jewish identity, whether they wish to participate in a community service project, express themselves artistically, participate in a social event, engage in informal Jewish learning or attend religious services. Any Jewish student may participate in Hillel. The Vanderbilt Jewish community contains a diverse spectrum of Jews, and we strive to provide a home away from home for every student. With the founding of the 10,000square-foot Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life, the establishment of a Jewish Studies program, the creation of a kosher, vegetarian cafe, and the hiring of program staff, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of Jews attending this school. Since 2008, Vanderbilt’s Jewish student population has topped 1,000 students, approximately 15 percent of the undergraduate population. This is a far cry from the 3 percent levels seen just a few years ago. In addition to a wide range of social and cultural programs, Hillel offers students a variety
of religious activities, including: Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox services on Friday night; Kosher Shabbat dinner; High Holiday services and meals; and Passover Seders. Many of our programs are free and open to the community. For further information, please contact Vanderbilt Hillel.
West End Synagogue Men’s Club President: Steve Potash 3810 West End Ave. Nashville, TN 37205 (615) 269-4592 Fax: (615) 269-4695 office@westendsyn.org
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he WES Men’s Club was reestablished in 1990 and is affiliated with the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, a branch of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Men’s Club plays a vital role in synagogue life, providing social, cultural, and spiritual activities. Through your donations, Men’s Club provides scholarships and other funding for Camp Ramah Darom, and we support various synagogue programs. West End Men’s Club encourages the attendance and participation of non-Jewish spouses in our community and for them to participate fully in all of its events, including the annual retreat at Ramah Darom. WEMC also seeks to support the integration of interfaith families in West End Synagogue. This year is full of enriching events and opportunities, including Room in the Inn, building the congregational Sukkah, Yellow Candle Program observing Yom HaShoah, Passover Wine Sale, Bagels for Brotherhood and a Sounds baseball game.
The Annual Worldwide Wrap encourages people to learn how to lay tefillin and learn the morning minyan. Last year’s participation in the program exceeded 100 participants. We have an annual retreat with Anshei Darom Southeast Region Federation of Men’s Clubs at Camp Ramah Darom. This is a weekend of fun, fellowship, and spirituality. We have a great year planned! Come be a part of Men’s Club. New members to WES are invited to receive a one-year complimentary membership in Men’s Club.
West End Synagogue Sisterhood Co-Presidents: Sarah Bengelsdorf and Renee Stein, sisterhood@ westendsyn.org 3810 West End Ave. Nashville, TN 37205 (615) 269-4592 Fax: (615) 269-4695 office@westendsyn.org
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ES Sisterhood women are involved in activities that enrich our congregation, support religious education and enhance our youth programs. Members span a wide range of interests, ages, and backgrounds. The Sisterhood was founded in 1903 and affiliated with the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) in 1948. New female synagogue members receive a one-year free membership in Sisterhood. WES Sisterhood helps support our religious school financially and through actions and deeds. Annually, Sisterhood helps fund enhanced school programming and hosts a first day of school brunch for religious school parents. Sisterhood prepares several Shabbat Kiddushes and Friday night Continued on page 38
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