Jewish OBSERVER



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By BARBARA DAB
On October 7, 2023, the world was forever changed. On October 13, 2025, the world watched, waited, and hoped for another change. This time it would be one that would return hostages home to their loved ones, end more than two years of war, and create a path to peace in the Middle East.
Some of those long-awaited things happened. Twenty living hostages were returned home, and a ceasefire, albeit a fragile one, took hold. But there are still families waiting for the return of the bodies of their loved ones who were killed or died in captivity. Still there are outbursts of violence in Gaza and Israel. And still there is debate over how to achieve a lasting peace.
Ziv Shemesh is the community emissary from Israel. She says the current situation is fraught. “On the one hand, it is finally October 8th, as we say in Israel,” she says, “But in another sense, it is still October 6th because there has been no change in leadership on either side. So, the situation is not really over. The violence is not over, and lessons have not been learned.”
Amidst reports of peace talks and negotiations, The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville presented its second October 7 commemorative event. Judy Alperin, Federation CEO says she was

hoping to have something to celebrate that evening, but that wasn’t the case. “We ended up having to wait a little longer, but it was good to be in community as we all collectively held our breath.”
The evening began with an art exhibit by Israeli artist Erez Kaganowitz.
The exhibit, titled Humans of October 7, focuses on Israeli society through the eyes of real people. He says his goal is to fight back at the misconceptions that fuel antisemitism. “Since the October 7th horrific attack, the incitement on the streets and social media fueled antisemitism and misconceptions about Israel and the Jewish people at large. I feel it’s imperative to fight back against these

misconceptions and rising antisemitism by showing the human side of Israel.”
A highlight of the event was a presentation from David Lubin, the father of Rose Lubin z”l, an IDF soldier who was killed in November 2023. He shared her story of fighting to save people on October 7 and talked about his life since her passing. He said he understands that while he grieves her short life, he understands there is a purpose to her death. “I was telling the story of the blessing of our children and how we don’t have control over things. I really believe that God needed her. She lived this incredible life, did amazing things, this was her time to be taken.”

Lubin also said in the aftermath of her death, his family decided to turn away from hate. “We realized that what took Rose from us was hate. The hate of who she was, what she stood for, the Jewish people. For everything good there’s hate out there that wants to destroy it. And if we turn to it, and if I turn to it, I would only give it strength.” His message is to choose love, to choose gratitude, and to choose faith in the Jewish people.
In addition to Lubin, there were comments by Tennessee state representatives Scott Cepicky (R-District 64). He shared insights from a recent trip to Israel and pledged support for the Jewish people and the state of Israel. “I have a voice for you. I will speak to my dying breath in defense of Israel.”
Also present was Tennessee state representative Caleb Hemmer (D-District 59). Hemmer said he stands in solidarity with the Jewish people and the people of Israel and remembered with respect everyone affected by the attacks. He referenced the notion that, “Israel is the only country that has to defend itself for defending itself.”
Other speakers included actress, activist, and co-founder of the October 7th Coalition, Patricia Heaton. She talked about her commitment through faith to stand against the hate and to support the Jewish people. She said Lubin’s shar-

By JUDY ALPERIN
I
n today’s climate of rising antisemitism and targeted hate crimes, the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville bears both a moral and strategic responsibility to protect our community. Jewish spaces—from synagogues and schools to cultural centers and public events—must be safeguarded physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
For several years, our community’s security needs were addressed by a dedicated team of volunteers, headed by Federation past president Steve Hirsch. These community members spent countless hours working with local law enforcement, private security, and professional staff to build relationships that help ensure everyone can participate and enjoy all aspects of Jewish life in Nashville.
At the end of September, top leadership from the Secure Community Network (SCN) visited Nashville. For CEO Michael Masters, it was a return visit, having previously engaged with our community early in his tenure. During their time here, they met with representatives from synagogues, agencies, the security committee, law enforcement at all levels, and key community leaders including the Jewish Federation’s Board
of Directors. Their mission: to emphasize the critical importance of securing Jewish life in Nashville and advocate for hiring a Community Security Director.
One of the most impactful steps we can take is hiring a Community Security Director through SCN, the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America.
Antisemitic hate crimes have reached historic levels nationwide:
- In 2024, the FBI reported 11,679 hate crime incidents, with 23.5% motivated by religious bias—most targeting Jews.
- The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recorded 9,354 antisemitic incidents—a 344% increase over five years.
- Since October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. surged by 361%, with 33% of American Jews reporting personal experiences in 2024.
In Tennessee:
- 81 antisemitic incidents were documented in 2024, including vandalism, harassment, and one assault.
Nashville has also faced targeted incidents, including white supremacist propaganda and threats against Jewish businesses and leaders. We are fortunate
that our local and state partners take this situation seriously and have enacted laws to strengthen the ability for law enforcement to respond to these threats.
Jewish Federations nationwide have embraced their role as central coordinators of community safety. From Los Angeles to Pittsburgh, Federations have:
- Secured millions in federal and state grants for security upgrades.
- Installed emergency response systems and conducted thousands of security trainings.
- Partnered with SCN for expert assessments, threat monitoring, and crisis response.
- Developed and strengthened relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement to improve response and community understanding.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville must adopt this model to ensure every Jewish institution and individual feels safe and supported.
A Community Security Director is more than a security expert—they are a strategic partner embedded in the community. In addition to their work conducting site assessments for synagogues, schools, agencies, and gathering places, training staff and volunteers in threat awareness and emergency proto-
cols, coordinating with law enforcement at all levels and serving as a crisis liaison and leading response efforts when needed, they can utilize SCN’s intelligence network for real-time threat monitoring and national briefings.
SCN’s partnerships with the FBI, DHS, and Fusion Centers ensure the CSD has access to the latest intelligence and can act swiftly.
This role promotes empowerment, coordination, preparedness, and resilience—not fear.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville has both the opportunity and obligation to lead on security. Enhancing our security efforts will require a financial investment that must be sustained, as we see no signs of threats receding. Our community has been approved for a generous LiveSecure grant from Jewish Federations of North America to assist us in the launch of this initiative. To provide a runway for fundraising, both annual operating and an endowment to sustain the program in perpetuity, the LiveSecure grant will support the program’s cost 100% in the first year, 50% in the second and third years.
Let us ensure that every Jewish person in Nashville can gather, celebrate, and live Jewishly without fear. •
On Wednesday, October 1, while many in the community were preparing for the solemn conclusion of the High Holy Days and the arrival of Yom Kippur, a troubling piece of news began circulating. Nashville Metro Councilmember Ginny Welsch (District 16), co-sponsored by Councilmember Sean Parker, had filed Resolution RS2025-1547, titled “A resolution denouncing all acts of the United States Government and the State of Israel that contribute to a continuation of the genocide of the Palestinian people.”
The language of the resolution was inflammatory, and its timing—filed on the eve of Yom Kippur and scheduled for discussion just days before the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel—sparked deep concern and pain across Nashville’s Jewish community.
Rapid Response from the Jewish Community
Within hours, the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, in coordination with Capitol Strategy Group, its government relations partners, began organizing a comprehensive response. Metro Councilmembers Sheri Weiner and Jacob Kupin began working behind the scenes with their colleagues.
At a Yom Kippur break-fast the following evening, Professor Shaul Kelner of Vanderbilt University’s Jewish Studies and Sociology departments approached Federation leadership, expressing outrage at both the resolution’s content and its timing. Once the holiday concluded, Federation convened a coalition of community members to attend and speak at the upcoming Metro Rules Committee meeting and later the Metro Council

meeting scheduled for October 9. At the same time, the Federation urged community members to contact their district and at-large councilmembers directly, resulting in tens of thousands of emails.
Community Presence at City Hall
Initially, it appeared that council member Welsch might withdraw the resolution amid widespread opposition and the concurrent announcement of a new Gaza peace proposal. However, when the Rules Committee convened on October 9, it became clear that Welsch had decided to proceed.
The Jewish community arrived prepared, organized, and in full attendance—filling available speaker and spectator seats. Despite the Rules Committee alternating between speakers from each side, the Nashville Jewish community was represented powerfully and respectfully.
Among the speakers were Professor Shaul Kelner, who emphasized the hurtful timing of the resolution; Steve Hirsch, Federation Board Member and Past President, who articulated how the proposal deepened division rather than promoting peace; and community members
Alyssa Rosenheck and David Zilberman, who spoke with clarity, compassion, and reasoned arguments that stood in sharp


contrast to the rhetoric presented by those supporting the resolution.
As a strategic approach, Federation urged speakers to advocate for “indefinite deferral,” a procedural move to prevent the resolution from resurfacing. The Rules Committee voted 6–0 (with one abstention) in favor of indefinite deferral.
Special thanks are due to council members Jason Spain, Tom Druffel, John Rutherford, Erin Evans, and Chair Tom Cash, and especially council member Kyonzté Toombs, Chair of the Minority Caucus, who reminded colleagues that these issues had been discussed collaboratively the previous year and that this new resolution served only to divide the community.
Ironically, Welsch attempted to explain away the unfortunate filing date, claiming she had intended to submit the resolution earlier—on Rosh Hashanah—


but had missed the deadline. Standing Together
When the full Metro Council met later, some believed the matter was settled. Yet supporters of the resolution again used the public comment session to promote their views. In response, members of the Jewish community—including Melissa Alvarez, Ayelt Berger, and Alex Cohn, along with allies Pastor Lyndon Allen and Daryl Hedding—rose to speak thoughtfully and respectfully.
While Federation supporters modeled decorum and dignity, several pro-resolution attendees repeatedly challenged the Council’s procedural rulings. Later in the meeting, when Welsch formally
As we enter this month of gratitude, we are filled with appreciation for the incredible generosity of our community. Hundreds of individuals and families have already made their gifts to the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville’s 2025 Annual Campaign, helping us reach over $1.8 million toward our $3 million goal—and we’re still heading into our busiest months of the year! Even more inspiring, our community’s average annual gift has increased by more than 26%.
Your generosity is making a real and measurable difference. Because of you, Federation has been able to strengthen every part of Jewish life in Nashville
and beyond. From supporting our partner agencies and emerging organizations, to funding our state advocacy efforts, bringing outstanding programming to our community, and sustaining our sister communities overseas, your gifts ensure that Jewish Nashville remains vibrant, secure, and connected to the global Jewish family.
We are also proud that the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville continues to earn the highest marks for financial stewardship and transparency—with a 4-Star Ranking from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid—so you can trust that every
The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville announces the opening of the nominations period for the 2026 slate of the Board of Directors. Any member of the Federation is invited to nominate someone, or themselves, by contacting past president and chair of the Nominating Committee, Steve Hirsch. Emails should be directed to Steve Hirsch at shirsch5273@comcast. net or Federation CEO Judy Alperin at judy@jewishnashville.org.
Publisher Judy Alperin, CEO Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville
Editor Barbara Dab
Editorial Associate Emma Canter
Advertising Manager Carrie Mills
Layout and Production Tim Gregory
Editorial Board Frank Boehm (chair), Teena Cohen, Scott Rosenberg
Telephone 615/356-3242 E-mail barbaradab@jewishnashville.org
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The Jewish Observer welcomes the submission of information, news items, feature stories and photos about events relevant to the Jewish community of Greater Nashville. Letters to the editor must be no longer than 250 words, and op-eds must be no longer than 750 words. 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.
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dollar you give is used wisely and with the greatest possible impact.
As we prepare to close out the 2025 Annual Campaign, we are finalizing the Honor Roll of Donors that will appear in our upcoming Annual Report. If you would like your name included, please make your pledge or gift by Tuesday, December 2, 2025—which also happens to be Giving Tuesday. Even if you plan to fulfill your gift later in December, we kindly ask that you submit your pledge by that date so we can ensure your inclusion. And of course, if you prefer to remain anonymous, we will respect your wishes completely.
To record your pledge or for any questions, please reach out to Jason Sparks, Chief Development Officer, at jason@jewishnashville.org.
Together, we are ensuring that Jewish life in Nashville remains strong today and for generations to come. Thank you for your partnership, your passion, and your commitment to our shared future. •
With gratitude, Jacob Kleinrock and Arlene Averbuch 2025 Annual Campaign Chairs Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville
By BARBARA DAB
As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude for my treasured Jewish Nashville community. These last several years have challenged us all like never before. When I began my tenure as editor of this publication, I never dreamed I would soon face the daunting task of documenting and informing you all about a tornado that tore through parts of our city, a global pandemic that threatened all our lives, the impact of landmark Supreme Court decisions, and of course the horrific nightmare that began on October 7, 2023. But then again, that is the job of local journalism. As the only source for news about our Jewish community, this holy task falls to our small but mighty team of professionals. We are humbled by the responsibility and inspired by each
Continued from page 2 withdrew her resolution, she again used the opportunity to make a political statement—promptly and firmly curtailed by Jason Spain.
Gratitude and Reflection
The events of early October were a profound demonstration of the strength, unity, and resilience of Nashville’s Jewish community—and the importance of building relationships with elected officials and allies across the city.
and every one of you who live here, who read the Observer, who stop us at synagogue or at the grocery store, and who write us letters and comments.
I am personally grateful to be part of this newspaper’s 91-year legacy and the opportunity to be its current steward. Thanks to you, we continue to be the voice of Jewish Nashville. Thanks to you, we continue to tell our story for the generations to come.
Inside this month’s newspaper you will find our annual fundraiser envelopes. I encourage you to donate. Although we offer The Observer as a community service, it comes with rising costs. I ask you to join with generations of others who have stepped up to keep the flow of information alive, and to be part of this legacy.
Wishing you all a joyous Thanksgiving filled with love, fun, and of course, kosher turkey! •
“I cannot express how proud I am of how our community came together in this moment,” said Jason Sparks, Chief Development Officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville. Federation CEO Judy Alperin says she was pleased with the swift response by the entire Jewish community, headed by Federation, and its allies, “We were organized, strategic, and unified—and we were joined by allies across races, religions, and political parties. We are not alone. Nashville showed once again that decency and dialogue can prevail.” •


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“Always the right move. ”
Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville at www.jewishnashville.org
By MICHAL BECKER
Three years ago, when we started planning our Leadership615 program, we were focusing on how to provide the participants with the knowledge and tools to understand and connect with our community. We were focusing on what we can give our fellows, so they can eventually be great leaders in this community.
As we are entering our third year of the program, I now know that Leadership615 is much more. The fellows build connection with our community and with each other, and through their insights and experiences, they in turn, enrich us. Leadership615 offers Jewish Nashville the chance to learn about the inspiring individuals who make up our community. Through shared learning, discussion, and action, these experiences help lay the founda-
tion for a vibrant and flourishing future.
This year’s Leadership615 cohort consists of a wonderful, interesting, and smart group of people who deeply care about our community and want to take an active part in shaping its future. I am so excited to start with process with them. Our new fellows are:
Abby Blechman
Alaina Stochaj-Oman
Alex Anhalt
Alex Cohn
Ayelet Berger
Becky Warren
Jenn Booker
Jennifer Kay
Jennifer Richardson
Joelle Peikes
Jono Gluck
Josh Rosenblatt
Julia Eisen
Lindsey Rosen
Michael Lavian •

… because your memories matter 479 Myatt Drive, Madison, TN 37115-3024 615-712-9521 • rdschultz@schultzmonument.com






By JESSICA COHEN BANISH
Tikkun2Gether is a unique opportunity this winter for adults ages 34–50 to experience Israel through hands-on volunteering and deep cultural connection in the wake of October 7th.
From January 28 – February 5, 2026, participants will spend eight transformative days making a difference across Israel, engaging in learning, reflection, and relationship-building. The itinerary includes time in Hadera-Eiron, Nashville’s Partnership2Gether (P2G) sister region.
“This trip is about renewal and connection,” said Rabbi Lindsay Danziger, mission Chair and P2G Chair. “We’ll help rebuild and restore through meaningful hands-on volunteering and create and strengthen personal relationships in our Partnership region.”
“The opportunity to volunteer in Israel is what first sparked my interest,” shared Joel Abramson, who is already a
registered participant. “I’m also looking forward to spending time in HaderaEiron and celebrating resilience and hope together as one global Jewish family.”


This Birthright Israel Volunteer trip is proudly hosted by Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, in collaboration with Partnership2Gether (P2G). The highly subsidized cost of $1,250 includes round-trip flights from Nashville, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, daily group breakfast, select lunches and dinners, and group programming.
The program is open to individuals who identify as Jewish and live in or are from Nashville. Previous participation in most Birthright Israel programs does not affect eligibility.
The last day to register is November 21.

For more information visit IsraelOutdoors. com/Nashville or contact Jessica Cohen Banish at jessica@jewishnashville.org. •




























SCAN TO VIEW OU R FE ATURED PROPERTI ES


FO R SALE BY TH E PARG H TE AM











By SHANNON SMALL
Vanderbilt Hillel is serving up a nostalgic journey into Nashville’s Jewish past with a special event, “A Taste of Deli History,” on Sunday, February 22 at 5:30 p.m. This fundraiser will celebrate the rich legacy of three beloved kosher-style Jewish delis that once shaped the culinary and cultural landscape of Nashville: Zager’s, Schwartz’s, and Goldie’s
Long before national chains and food delivery apps, these delis were more than just places to grab a sandwich—they were cornerstones of the Jewish community, serving up pastrami on rye, matzo

ball soup, and memories that linger far beyond the final bite.
The event will feature historic photos, vintage memorabilia, and personal stories that bring these iconic delis back to life. Guests will have a chance to walk through displays honoring each deli and the families who ran them, learning how these businesses not only fed a community, but also helped shape its identity.
As Sherrie Schwartz Kinsler, granddaughter of Schwartz’s Deli founders, recalls, “Before children would go to youth groups/Hebrew school, they would stop by Schwartz’s, get a pickle wrapped in that white parchment-type paper, and head on their way. It was the cool thing
to do.”
In addition to honoring the past, the event invites the community to participate in preserving it. Attendees— and anyone with ties to these delis—are encouraged to submit their favorite deli memories or food stories for inclusion in a commemorative family booklet. Submissions can be made at tinyurl.com/ vandydeliquotes.
“A Taste of Deli History” will be a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and relish a shared heritage.
For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, contact Shannon Small, Development Director at shannon.small@vanderbilt.edu. •
By RABBI MARK SCHIFTAN AND DR. FRANK BOEHM
M
ark: Golda Meir, the first and only female Prime Minister of Israel, was well known for her many qualities, among them her acerbic and humorous quips about the human condition. Often, in the presence of those (mostly men) whom she considered as displaying a purposefully false humility, she felt it her duty to unmask their hidden attempts at what was really an expression of veiled arrogance. To each of their attempts at such hollow humility, she would respond:
“Don’t be so humble. You’re not that great!”
The Bible reminds us of the true and sacred value of humility: It is the consistent reminder that we do not control the universe, nor are we to view ourselves as its Master. The prophet Micah implores us to “act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
To be clear, humility and humble are related words, yet they differ in usage and purpose. The word humble is the adjective we use to describe a person: He is a humble man. Humility is the noun we
use to describe a quality which a person might possess: She showed a tremendous sense of humility. Either describes the admirable strength of tempering one’s tendency towards excessive pride or arrogance, from which they might believe themselves to be superior to other human beings. Or perhaps, therefore, they may even be inclined to worship themselves, instead of their Creator.
The primary purpose of prayer is the reminder to be humble, to possess and demonstrate a strong and clear sense of humility, that we do not possess all the answers nor do we exercise complete control over our lives. It is a confession of our vulnerabilities and our limitations. It may make us more reflective, and therefore, perhaps, ever more grateful.
Frank, to be honest, many people hold their physicians in high esteem, and rightly so. But the criticism of some doctors is that they think and act as if they are God and therefore, lack humility. Have you heard of this, and if so, do you think it holds true for some of your colleagues? And if so, why?


Frank: Mark, while I have heard of the belief that some doctors consider themselves God, in all my years of training and working with doctors, I have never encountered any to feel as if they were God. There is, however, a popular joke about a man standing in a long line waiting to get through the pearly gate and into heaven when he sees a man with long white hair and beard, wearing a white coat and a stethoscope around his neck walking right past the long line and through the pearly gates. The man turns to someone next to him and asked who is that? He is told “Oh that’s God, every now and then he likes to play Doctor”. Which brings me back to the issue we are discussing of the true meaning of displaying humility and being humble. I firmly believe that humility is a true sign of intelligence. The foundation of knowledge is curiosity and therefore to be humble is to acknowledge that one does not have all the answers and realizes that it is necessary to seek answers to troubling questions. The doctors I have worked with during my 50 years of medical practice demonstrated humility and were humble human beings. They knew they were smart and may have demonstrated an element of arrogance, however, they also understood that their knowledge was incomplete and there was
much they did not know and much they still needed to learn. To me that is a sign of an intelligent individual. The Golda Meir quote you mentioned earlier, “Don’t be so humble. You are not so great” is not a statement that I believe is correct. It is being humble that makes someone great because it is this quality that brings forth an understanding of one’s deficiencies and a curiosity and desire to educate oneself on that deficiency. The more humility one displays, the more intelligence that individual demonstrates. Being humble is not a negative trait, but rather a positive aspect of the character of a person.
The other quote you mention by the prophet Micah which tells us to “walk humbly with your God,” is quite consistent with my belief that it is humility that helps us understand what is expected of us. The God in all of us demands that we act in honest, helpful, and loving ways and it is humility that forces us to answer the questions of how best to achieve these goals. Being humble, knowing that we do not possess all the answers, stimulates a desire to find those answers and thereby walk humbly with our God.
Mark: Frank, you offer a very interesting proposition, that only those who possess a certain level of intelligence can demonstrate a true sense of humility, because they know, full well, that despite their acquisition of tremendous amounts of highly specialized knowledge, they come to realize how very little of that vast amount of material they can really come to acquire, let alone retain. In truth, as you argue, they are humbled because, despite their expertise, they have an acute awareness of their inability to know everything there is to know about any subject, or every subject. That, you argue, makes the smartest among us also the humblest among us.
I disagree. Humility has little to do with the level of one’s intelligence. But it has everything to do with one’s sense of relevance, their sense of their limited time and temporary place in this creation. They are made humble by the questions they continually contemplate: What is the purpose of my existence? Does my life make a difference in the lives of others? What kind of person am I? Am I kind? Am I compassionate? Have I lived a good life, aware and grateful of all I have been afforded?
Continued on page 8
By BARBARA DAB
Vanderbilt’s chancellor Daniel Diermeier received the White Rose Award, honoring non-Jewish individuals who stand with the Jewish community. The award comes from the White Rose Society, which was founded in 1942 by students at the University of Munich who took a stand against the rise of the Nazis and their injustices toward Jews. This award is particularly personal for Diermeier as he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Munich.
The chancellor was introduced by Darren Reisberg, senior counselor to the chancellor. The award was presented by Linda Selig, founder of the White Rose Society. Vanderbilt Chabad Rabbi Shlomo Rothstein and Nechama Rothstein gave blessings to the chancellor. •


By PAM KELNER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE
“Gauge a country’s (community’s) prosperity by its treatment of the aged.” –Rabbi Nachman of Breslav
If we were to apply this measure to the Nashville Jewish community, I’d say we’re doing quite well.

On the Thursday before Rosh Hashana, I had the privilege of joining Stephanie Kirshner from NCJW Nashville to deliver Rosh Hashana gift bags to seniors at the JCC’s TGIT program. The Rosh Hashana Senior Friends program—a more than 20-year partnership between NCJW and JFS—beautifully reflects the spirit of care and connection that defines our community. NCJW members assemble thoughtful bags filled with holiday goodies (including challah from Ricki’s in Memphis!), while JFS provides the list of seniors living in private homes and senior facilities. Volunteers then deliver

the bags in person, reminding our older adults that they are remembered and cherished during the High Holidays.
What made this particular TGIT gathering even more special was the collaboration across our Jewish institutions. In addition to NCJW and JFS, Judy Alperin and Jason Sparks from the Jewish Federation also joined to share New Year’s greetings—and Jason even blew the shofar, much to everyone’s delight. TGIT, a weekly lunch and entertainment program run by the JCC and expertly coordinated by Carrie Mills, is a shining example of community in action. Each week, JFS
Clinical Director Toni Jacobsen, LCSW, attends to check in with participants, ensuring our seniors know they have a trusted advocate and friend.
As I looked around the room that day—filled with laughter, conversation, and the sweet sound of the shofar—I couldn’t help but feel proud. Proud of a community that shows up for one another, honors its elders, and lives out the values that make Jewish Nashville so special. In Rabbi Nachman’s measure, I’d say we are truly prosperous. •

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Thanksgiving is a time when families look forward to gourmet feasts, comforting aromas, and the joy of gathering around the table. In that spirit, Chabad of Nashville will host a special PreThanksgiving Cooking Demonstration featuring celebrated kosher chef, author, and culinary educator Elizabeth Kurtz on Sunday, November 23, at 5:00 p.m.
The event promises an evening of inspiration, flavor, and hands-on learning as Kurtz—best known for her acclaimed cookbook CELEBRATE: Food, Family, Shabbat, brings her passion for delicious, meaningful food to the Nashville Jewish community. Guests will enjoy a full tasting dinner while watching the chef prepare a selection of dishes perfect for Shabbat, holidays, and festive gatherings.
A Celebration of Food, Family, and Tradition
Kurtz is a beloved figure in the kosher culinary world. Her cookbook CELEBRATE features more than 200 recipes that are as approachable as they are elegant. The book begins with step-by-step instructions for making the perfect challah, including wholewheat and gluten-free variations—and continues through the full course of a meal: creative Kiddush appetizers like Skewered Gefilte Fish with Ratatouille and vegetarian chopped liver; first courses such as Honey Garlic Meatballs and Salmon Croquettes with Dill Tartar Sauce; and vibrant salads including Asian Spinach Salad with Sliced Steak and Wasabi Crunch or Roasted Beet and Asparagus Salad.
Her poultry, meat, and side dishes are equally inspired—think Acorn Squash Stuffed with Jeweled Israeli Couscous and Szechwan Sugar Snap Peas, all leading up to indulgent desserts like Shaved Chocolate Pound Cake. Every recipe is accompanied by a full-color photo and clear, accessible instructions that help even beginner cooks create professional-looking results.
But CELEBRATE is much more than a cookbook. It includes practical tools such as a “Troubleshooting Cookie Chart,” a detailed kosher meat-cut guide, and a “Master Cholent Recipe” with barbecue, Moroccan, marrow, and Passover variations—resources that make it as educational as it is beautiful.
A Chef with Passion and Purpose Kurtz is widely known for her belief that food is a bridge between people, cultures, and faith. She says, “I’m all

about teaching your taste buds to appreciate the balance of flavors—the richness, the freshness, the subtle spice, that turn a meal into a celebration. Meals should bring families together and make us grateful for what we have.”
Beyond her work as an author, she is a frequent guest on cooking shows, leads workshops across the country, and writes for numerous outlets including the Jerusalem Post and Aish.com. Whether she’s developing new recipes or teaching students to perfect a classic dish, her warmth, humor, and down-to-earth teaching style have inspired thousands of home cooks.
A Warm Nashville Evening Participants at Chabad’s PreThanksgiving event will have the opportunity not only to watch Elizabeth Kurtz in action but also to taste the dishes she prepares and learn the techniques behind them. The evening will showcase how kosher cooking can be creative, flavorful, and modern, while remaining rooted in Jewish values and tradition.
“Elizabeth’s approach to cooking captures exactly what we try to share at Chabad,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel of Chabad of Nashville. “It’s about bringing people together through joy, gratitude, and connection. Food is one of the best ways to do that.”
An Evening with Elizabeth Kurtz is chaired by Jeanous Aroas, Jessica Bloom, Emily Baum, and Rina Frackett. Seating is limited, and advance registration is required.
This event is open to everyone, ages 10 and up. To RSVP for this delicious and inspiring event, visit chabadnashville.com by November 17, 2025, or call 615-646-5750 for more information. •
Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville at www.jewishnashville.org
Visit The Jewish Observer’s website www.jewishobservernashville.org

…so that it’s not just a fairy tale.
By LORETTA SAFF

We’ve been hanging out for quite a while now as I’ve been mapping your route to Happily Ever After. But I have to ask, are you actually taking notes, or barely giving it a quick read before turning the page?
To let me find out, please sharpen your pencils and don’t complain about not liking surprises. This month’s column is a POP QUIZ. Read the questions carefully, and then consider your answers. Check at the end for the scoring. (No worries, the only grade you’ll get is the one you give yourself.)
1. How are you feeling about leaving your job?
(Hint: My earlier column, Have a Real Plan, Stan, had some solid advice — even if your name is Brenda or Bob.)
a) I’ve got this — do I have to take the rest of the quiz?
b) Leaving? I’m planning to work until they won’t accept any of my passwords anymore.
c) I’m terrified.
d) None of your business — next question, please.
2. What is a Curiosity List — and why should you make one?
a) A fancy name for “things that sound interesting until I forget why I included them.”
b) A list of ‘curios’ in Bubbie’s living room.
c) Hmm..., I guess I’m not that curious. Should I be?
d) I have no clue, but it sounds like homework.
3. How can you improve your outlook for the decades ahead?
Continued from page 6
Most of us are humble because life humbles us. We demonstrate humility because we know, full well, life’s lack of guarantees or certainties. We are humbled because of the daily reminders of our vulnerabilities and our harsh realities, our disappointments and regrets, our realizations, and confirmations of living in an often harsh and hostile world, one in which nothing can or should be taken for granted.
While I understand your argument and your point of view, I tend to think differently. I think it is often the people who live humbly, simply, and gratefully — those who while having less, appreciate their blessings even more; those who, with less education or lower intelligence, still have much to teach others about human decency, human dignity and human humility. Sometimes those
a) Work harder, earn more, and never nap
b) Win the lottery — obviously.
c) Turn off the news and watch videos of golden retrievers.
d) Eat more gelato and call it self-care.
4. Why is exercise important on the road to Happily Ever After?
a) Because I don’t want to have to wear those old-person orthotic shoes.
b) Cute outfits. Enough said.
c) To feel less guilty so I can eat more muffins
d) Dunno – been wondering that myself
5. What do the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne teach us, and why do they matter?
a) Probably because I’ll have to sing them at this year’s New Year’s Eve party
b) They’re a polite excuse for not kissing my date at midnight.
c) Something about forgetting old friends… or was it remembering them? I forgot.
d) “Auld Lang WHAT?” Sign? Is that spelled right?
6. I’ve mentioned doing something for the “greater good.” What does that mean to you?
a) I was never very good in math, but “greater than good” sounds like “better.”
b) Can’t right now - too busy doing things for Me, Myself and I.
c) I tried it once. Turns out, this “greater good” stuff takes effort.
d) Still none of your business, but thanks for asking.
Congratulations! You’ve survived the quiz, and hopefully I’ve tricked you into actually thinking ahead. As you go forward, stay curious and for extra credit do one thing this week that makes the Future You smile big at the Present You!
Remember: Happily Ever After isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. Start now to realize the joy you can bring with you.
Happy November, Loretta loretta@coachingwithloretta.com
Scoring: Seriously? You’re looking for the answers?
You and I both know that you know your own answers. •
with limited means, those with less education, those with fewer opportunities, come to model the quality of humility far more than those whose great intelligence blinds them to the value of walking humbly with their God, or with anyone else. Frank: I do not believe that “the smartest among us is the humblest among us”, but rather believe that at all levels of intelligence, one can be extremely humble if they realize that there remains much to learn. Even though you say you disagree with my interpretation of humility, everything you describe in defining a humble individual is from my point of view a real sign of intelligence. It all depends on how broadly one defines intelligence. I define it quite broadly. So, I believe we totally agree. •
Rabbi Mark Schiftan can be reached at mschiftan@aol.com
Dr. Frank Boehm can be reached at frank.boehm@vumc.org








By BARBARA DAB
One of Greater Nashville’s most recent newcomers is Major General David Gardner, the first Jewish commander at Fort Campbell. Gardner was introduced to the Jewish community at a reception at the home of Bernie and Maria Pargh. Bernie Pargh says, “We were thrilled to be able to introduce him to the leadership of the Jewish community.”
The event was organized with the assistance of Alice Rolli whose husband Michael Rolli attended West Point with Gardner. Of those days in the middle 1990s, Rolli says, “We were both Jewish cadets, which means we bonded at Friday services which was a way, that first year, to get out of the barracks and to get away from the stress of everyday life at West Point by breaking bread and relaxing with other Jewish cadets.”
Rolli says at that time there were 11 Jewish students in his class of 1994. And while the student body was in his words, “eclectic,” he was not surprised to see Gardner rise to the rank of General. “A lot of my friends who stayed in the Army and became generals I never expected to get that far. Dave was very sharp and very military savvy from the start.”
Although the two lost touch after those early days, Rolli says Gardner appeared to be a natural leader. “He embodied a lot of the characteristics I would admire in a senior leaders in the United States Army.
Also in attendance the reception at the Pargh home was David Fox, a longtime member of The Temple. Fox says his son, Julius, is a junior at Auburn University and a cadet in the Army ROTC. The two have discussed Julius’ future occupation in the Army. During the event, David approached Gardner for some meaningful insights. “He did a fabulous job speaking to a lot of new people. When I asked him what he thought about my son’s interest in specializing in the infantry, he said that had been his specialty. He also explained the effect of new technologies on the roles of people in that field.”
During the reception, Bernie Pargh was presented with a certificate from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, designating him a Colonel Aide de Camp. Pargh was moved by the honor, and said he was inspired by the memory of his own father. “My father was a fighter pilot in the United States Navy in World War II. There were very few Jewish fighter pilots. We should be proud of what he [Gardner] has attained.”
To learn more about General Gardner, we went directly to the source. In an email Q&A with The Observer, he talked about his background, inspiration, and his Jewish values.
Tell is a little about your inspiration for joining the military and a bit about your path to where you are now.
My parents were the Vietnam gen-


eration, and my grandparents were the WWII generation, so military service was common, even if only for a short time. As a kid, I often found myself in the library and was attracted to books that had lots of pictures, mostly military history. Then one day when I was nine years old, I found a book titled, “A Day in the Life of a Cadet,” and I was hooked. What started as a dream to attend West Point, turned into loving what I do serving as a Soldier, and I’ve been fortunate to serve ever since. I love what I do every day.
How do your Jewish values and experiences influence you in terms of leadership style and overall philosophy?
Judaism instills a sense of history, which is very consistent with our esprit de corps as Soldiers; we are mindful of those that have come before us and have sacrificed. It instilled in me a strong sense of right and wrong and the notion, as the West Point Cadet Prayer reminds us, of choosing the harder right over the easier wrong. And it instilled in me that one’s actions matter. Keeping the Commandments means that we are judged by our actions, which is exactly how those we lead judge us: not by what we say but by what we do.
Have you experienced any antisemitism either in life in general and/or in your military career?

While I have always been aware of antisemitism, one of the great things about the military is that it strives for meritocracy. Yes, we bring people together of various backgrounds, but we are united in purpose to defend the Constitution and are hopefully acculturated upon entering in service to stand for the Army values. We are ideally evaluated in the military by our performance and our potential.
How does it feel to know you are the first Jew in this level of command at Fort Campbell?
First and foremost, I am incredibly honored to serve in the 101st Airborne and even more so to serve as it’s Commanding General. This Division has an incredible history, and I pinch myself every day to see if this is a dream. In terms of my Jewish identity, I am proud to demonstrate that we, like many others, serve this great Country, and that the next generation can enjoy an incredibly rewarding life in the Army, and that their families can as well.
Do you have any lessons learned from your experiences being a minority in the military, or anywhere else for that matter?
I’ve learned that success comes through hard work, demonstrated competence, reputation, and fortune or a divine hand, since so many around you are just as talented. I think that one can’t



help at times to feel different, but the vast majority of time the identity of being a Soldier is what unites us.
What are your hobbies or things you like to do in your spare time (assuming you have any!)?
We really enjoy spending time as a family above anything else. As my children have gotten older and moved out of the house, my wife and I really enjoy remaining in close contact with them even if we’re far away. I enjoy history, exercise and can’t help but enjoy living in Bourbon country!
Anything else you’d like to add about anything?
I would just like to close by saying again that our 101st Airborne Division has an incredible history, including liberating victims of the Holocaust. The Soldiers of this Division continue to serve around the world and at our Southern border defending the citizens of the greatest Country in the world. •
Continued from page 1 ing his daughter’s story changed her life. “It gives me something to aspire to in the way I conduct myself.”
On October 12th, the local Run for Their Lives group held the last of their weekly walks to keep focus on the hostages. The group, which is soon to be the subject of a feature documentary, was headed by Danielle Demaso and Tonya Bennett and includes people of divers faiths and backgrounds. They have walked for 91 weeks. Demaso says the final walk felt peaceful, hopeful, and full of love, “This last walk felt different; for the first time in months, there was real hope as hostages were finally being released. The energy was upbeat, yet everyone was careful not to get too excited. No one wanted to jinx the hope by setting up a celebration too soon. The friendships and sense of family we’ve built through these walks are something we will always treasure. We would all do it again, every single step.” Tonya says, “There are still hos-
tages being held in Gaza whose families are desperately awaiting the return of their loved ones. We continue to stand with the hostage families. There is still so much work to be done, and we will continue to stand up against antisemitism and terror.”
In the days since the ceasefire was announced, there is cautious optimism in the Jewish community. Alperin says it is time to rebuild and heal from the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, and to continue the fight to combat antisemitism. “Over these last two years, our Federation has worked tirelessly to support Israel and Israelis, students in local schools and campuses, and to combat antisemitism and antizionism in our community.” She says the community is also grateful for the support of our partners, neighbors, and allies in the broader community as well.
Despite the challenges, Israelis are hopeful for the future. Shemesh says, “There is still pain on both sides of the conflict. And it is important to learn from our past. But we can start healing and we can start rebuilding.” •





At the Gordon JCC, fitness is not only about improving strength and endurance; it is also about creating meaningful connections. That spirit is reflected in George’s Dynamic Conditioning Class, a popular program that has grown into a close-knit community.
What began as a high-energy workout session has evolved into something far more personal. Members describe the class as a little family that is supportive, welcoming and united. During a recent social gathering outside of the Gordon JCC, held at the home of a class member, participants invited their partners, shared food and conversation, and continued enjoying each other’s company
even after a storm caused a power outage. They simply lit candles and kept the evening going, a true example of the group’s camaraderie.
The bond within this class is so strong that members have even created custom bumper stickers and merchandise to represent their shared experience. At the heart of it all is George, an instructor whose dedication and positive spirit keep members returning week after week.
People interested in joining George’s Dynamic Conditioning Class or learning more about fitness programs at the Gordon JCC can visit the website to view the current fitness schedule. •



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TGIT – November
November 6
Sheldon Kahan
Back by popular demand! Sheldon Kaha, one of our favorite performers, returns to entertain us with oldies but goodies and get us on our feet!
Lunch: Salmon, Side salad, Roasted veggies, fruit, Birthday cake and ice cream.
November 13
Michelle Alexis Tishler
Back by popular demand, this talent and engaging singer and delightful performer, Michelle Alexis Tishler will be sure to keep us entertained and smiling.
Lunch: Pizza, Salad, sides, fruit and dessert.
November 20
Andrea Czspruiz
Physical therapist, Andrea Czspruiz is back to keep us in informed and health. Learn how to move safely while building muscle strength and flexibility.
Lunch: Deli Sandwiches, tuna salad, egg salad, Coleslaw, fruit, dessert.
November 27
Thanksgiving – No TGIT •
Please support the businesses that advertise in the Observer and help support our community in all ways!
Make sure to let them know... you saw their ad here!
Publisher Judy Alperin, CEO Jewish Federation
Editor Barbara Dab
Editorial Associate Emma Canter
Advertising Manager ......................... Carrie Mills
Graphic Design/Production
Tim Gregory
Abe’s Garden
Adventure Science Center
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Religious School
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CBIZ
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CRC
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Cura for Care
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Electronic Express
Elite Caregiving Services
Emergist
Equinox Power Cleaning
Escape Day Spa
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To All Our Readers, Please Show Your Appreciation By Patronizing These Businesses.
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.
“120
Chabad of Nashville is launching a new four-week course, 120 & Beyond: The Jewish Path to a Healthy Life, exploring how Jewish wisdom and modern science together can help people live longer, healthier, and more purposeful lives.
The series begins Tuesday, October 28, at 7:00 PM via Zoom and continues for four consecutive Tuesdays. It will be taught by Dr. Michael Zemel, Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Nutrition at the University of Tennessee and Chief Scientific Officer of NuSirt Biopharma and Kinexum.
Each session blends cutting-edge medical research with timeless Jewish insights, offering practical strategies for extending one’s healthspan—the years of life lived in good health.
“Judaism teaches that the body is a vessel for the soul,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel of Chabad of Nashville. “This course empowers everyone, at any age, to care for the body as part of their spiritual mission.”
Participants will gain actionable tools for disease prevention, longevity, and well-being rooted in both science and spirituality.
For details or to register, visit chabadnashville.com/tolive or email Rabbi@chabadnashville.com
Chabad of Nashville’s six-week series unlocks Jewish wisdom for living a life of purpose and connection
What gives life real meaning? Is it something we find in extraordinary moments—or is it hidden in the rhythm of our everyday lives? This November, Chabad of Nashville invites the community to explore these timeless questions through a fascinating new course, “The Kabbalah of Meaning.”
Beginning Wednesday, November 5, at 7:30 PM, the six-week course, taught by Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel, offers a rare opportunity to uncover the secrets of Jewish mysticism and apply them to modern life. Classes will be offered both in person and via Zoom, making it easy for anyone to participate.
“Some questions we answer once in a lifetime,” says Rabbi Tiechtel. “But questions of meaning are worth revisiting again and again. This course helps us discover the depth and purpose hidden in every part of life.”
Developed by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), the world’s largest adult-education network in Jewish thought, The Kabbalah of Meaning draws from classic mystical teachings to reveal how every experience, our work, relationships, spirituality, and daily routines, forms part of a larger, purposeful design.
Each session blends ancient wisdom with modern insight, offering participants practical tools to live with clarity, balance, and joy. “Life moves fast,” Rabbi Tiechtel adds. “This class gives us the space to slow down, reconnect, and see how it all fits together.”
Open to people of all backgrounds, the course is part of a global learning initiative offered in over 1,600 communities worldwide and may be eligible for continuing education credits for professionals such as doctors, psychologists, social workers, and therapists.
Regsiter for the Kabbalah of Meaning at chabadnashville.com
Start your Sunday morning with meaning, inspiration, and community.
Join Rabbi Levi Tiechtel every Sunday at 10:30 AM for a refreshing dose of Jewish wisdom drawn from the weekly Torah portion, timeless lessons that uplift,
challenge, and empower.
From ancient truths to modern-day relevance, discover how the Parsha speaks to you, right now.
No RSVP, no pressure, just inspiration.
Zoom in from wherever you are.
Email chabadnashville@gmail.com for the link.
Presented by Chabad of Nashville:
Because your week deserves a deeper start.
There’s nothing like welcoming Shabbat surrounded by friends, joy, and delicious food—and that’s exactly what TGIS (Thank G-d It’s Shabbat) is all about!
Join us for a warm, all-inclusive Shabbat experience filled with traditional dishes, uplifting singing, a heartwarming Chassidic story, and the kind of community connection that makes Friday night feel truly special.
Mark your calendar for two beautiful evenings: Friday, November 14, Shabbat Chayei Sarah, and Friday, November 28, Shabbat Vayeitze, at 6:30 PM, at Chabad of Nashville.
Whether you come with friends or on your own, you’ll leave feeling full—in every sense of the word. There’s no cost to attend, but we’d love to know you’re coming!
Kindly RSVP by emailing: chabadnashville@gmail.com
There is a seat waiting for you at our Shabbat table!
Take a moment for yourself each Shabbat to nourish your soul, your mind, and your spirit.
Torah & Tea is a weekly women’s-only Torah study group that gathers every Shabbat afternoon following the sit-down lunch at Congregation Beit Tefilah Chabad, at 1:00 PM
Led by Rebbetzin Esther Tiechtel, these classes blend timeless Jewish wisdom with a fresh, engaging style, sprinkled with warmth, wit, and heartfelt connection. Together, we’ll explore meaningful topics that speak to the modern Jewish woman, drawn from the most enduring source of all: the Torah.
Join a beautiful circle of Nashville women for:
– Inspiring Torah study
– Warm camaraderie
– Hot tea & delicious refreshments
Come as you are, and leave uplifted.
No RSVP necessary—just bring an open heart.
Kick off your Sunday with good friends, great food, and soul-stirring wisdom! Sunday, November 16 • 10:00 AM • Chabad of Nashville
Settle in to a generous spread of fresh bagels, silky lox, cream cheese, and hot, freshly brewed coffee—then feed your mind with an uplifting, down-to-earth learning session from the Holy Book of Tanya and the timeless Gates of Trust
What to expect
• Warm community vibe: Meet new faces, bring a friend, and linger over seconds (and thirds).
• Accessible learning: No background needed, Tanya’s big ideas about purpose, joy, and the inner self are presented in bite-size, practical takeaways.
• Real-life tools: Explore “Gates of Trust” (bitachon) for calm, confidence, and clarity in everyday life.
• Mind • Body • Soul: Come hungry, leave inspired.
Who’s it for?
Everyone! Whether you’re curious, seasoned, or somewhere in between, this is a relaxed, welcoming morning you’ll actually look forward to.
RSVP
Help us set the table! Please email rabbi@chabadnashville.com to reserve your spot Come for the bagels, stay for the wisdom, BLT at Chabad of Nashville is the tastiest way to nourish your mind, body, and soul
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; 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!
Continued on page 15
Continued from page 14
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.
Jewish Medical Ethics: Tuesdays, November 4, 11, 18 at Noon on Zoom
Rabbi Dorff is a visiting professor of law at UCLA School of Law, a distinguished professor of Jewish theology at the American Jewish University, an author, and a bioethicist. Dorff is recognized as an expert in the philosophy of Conservative Judaism and Jewish bioethics.
Session 1: Fundamental assumptions of Jewish medical ethics in contrast to the secular medical ethics used in the U.S.
Session 2: Beginning of Life issues (including genetic testing and how it relates to the BRCA gene)
Session 3: End of Life issues
Micah Minis: Saturday, November 8 at 9:30 AM
Micah’s clergy leads this fun and engaging song session specifically geared for kids under 7.
Micah Reads: Monday, November 17 at 7 PM
Education Director Julie Greenberg leads the discussion on Strangers in Budapest by Jessica Keener.
Women’s Circle: Friday, November 21 at 12 PM
Rabbi Laurie invites you to join our conversation group, Women’s Circle. All are welcome. Bring a friend.
College Shabbat: Friday, November 28 at 6 PM
The kids are back in town! It’s Thanksgiving time, and we’re sending a call out for all former JLAB students to come back and visit with us for Shabbat.
Shacharit - 6:25/6:30 am
Mincha/Maariv - 10 minutes before sunset
Sunday morning Shacharit - 8:00 am
Friday Night - 10 minutes before sunset
Shacharit for Shabbat - 9:00 am
Kiddush Lunch - 11:15 am
Mincha/Maariv - 10 minutes before sunset
For weekly classes and special programs, subscribe to our newsletters at www. sherithisrael.com
Exploring the Prayerbook
Every Friday from 5:00-5:40 PM before Shabbat Services
Start Shabbat with a little study each week. We will explore the prayers of our
Shabbat Service and discuss, and discover how these ancient Jewish texts still speak to us today.
Join us in person or via zoom at https://www.templenashville.org/virtualprogramming.html
First Fridays with Alyssa
Join us on November 7th for Nosh & Conversation with our Temple President, Alyssa at 5:00pm prior to Shabbat Services
Shabbat Schedule for November at The Temple
Our Shabbat Services will be held in person at The Temple. You can also watch via zoom from https://www.templenashville.org/virtual-programming.html
Friday, November 7th -6:00 PM – Tikkun Olam Shabbat Service
Friday, November 14th- 6:00 PM – Family Shabbat Service with Birthday Blessings
Friday, November 21st -6:00 PM – Shabbat Service
Friday, November 28th-6:00 PM – Blue Jean Shabbat Service
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 https://www. templenashville.org/virtual-programming.html
Golden Lunch Bunch
Our Golden Lunch Bunch will meet at Temple from 11:30-1:00pm on November 4th – Samuel Ngyuyen- Classical Chello
November 18th- Wannabeatles-60s tribute band and Friendsgiving Celebration
RSVP to Jewish Family Service at 615-354-1686 or via email at helpinghands@ jfsnashville.org
Women’s Torah Study
November 6th, 13th, 20th
10:30 AM
Ongoing weekly women’s Torah study led by Patty Marks. Available in person at The Temple and via zoom through https://www.templenashville.org/virtualprogramming.html
Lunch with the Rabbi
November 6th, 13th, 20th
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 issues from a Jewish perspective. RSVP on templenashville.org/virtual-programming. html or by calling the Temple at 615-352-7620 Available in person and via zoom at https://www.templenashville.org/virtual-programming.html
Monday Mah Jongg
Join us for MAH JONGG Mondays at The Temple!
November 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
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.
Silent No More: Soviet Jewish Lessons on Standing Proud
Thursday, November 6th at 7:00pm
Professor Shaul Kelner of Vanderbilt University is the author of the National Jewish Book Award-winning, A Cold War Exodus: How American Activist Mobilized to Free Soviet Jews
For more information, go to templenashville.org
Temple Together Mah Jongg Class
Join Temple Together, the group for people 35ish to 50ish for a 4 week Mah Jongg Class taught by Jamie Brook
Wednesdays November 5th, 12th, 19th and December 3rd
6:30-8:30pm
$18 total for all 4 sessions
It is helpful to attend all 4 classes!
Questions: sheri@templenashville.org
Payment Link: https://www.templenashville.org/form/MahJongClass
Accessory Swap
Sunday, November 9
2:00-4:00pm at The Temple
Please bring gently used handbags, accessories and jewelry. Any items that don’t get swapped will be donated to Dress for Success. Light Snacks will be served.
Hike and Havdalah-Presented by The Temple’s Worship and Music Committee
November 15th
Starting at the Edwin Warner Park Nature Center on HWY. 100
Meet at 2:45pm for a family friendly walk on a paved trail followed by Havdalah at 4:30pm
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@ The Temple
Continued from page 15
Tot Shabbat - Gratitude
Saturday, November 15th at 4:00pm
For families with children up to age 5
Tot Shabbat offers families the chance to celebrate Shabbat with their young children in a creative way!
Thanksgiving Concert
Together in Gratitude, Together in Song: An interfaith Thanksgiving Concert
Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 4:00pm at The Temple
We are thrilled to gather together for a free concert of choral and liturgical music showcasing the shared ideologies of thanksgiving and gratitude. Please join us for this exciting and unique musical experience. A festive reception will be held at the conclusion of the concert.
Boulevard Bolt- Thanksgiving Day 2025
November 27 ~ Race Begins at 8:00 am
Imagine a world where Baptists, Jews, and Episcopalians pause from carving the Thanksgiving turkey and join hands to serve the homeless. No imagination is necessary - that’s actually what happens each Thanksgiving Day in Nashville as three congregations work together to put on the Boulevard Bolt, a 5-mile race on Belle Meade Boulevard. There is an amazing spirit and sense of cooperation among the volunteers from Immanuel Baptist Church, St. George’s Episcopal Church, and The Temple who make the Bolt happen each year.
Online registration is open. In-person race packet/t-shirt pickup will take place at The Temple. Please refer to www.boulevardbolt.org website as the race approaches for more detailed information on location and times.
For more information go to www.boulevardbolt.org. To volunteer to help with this year’s effort, call The Temple at 615-352-7620.
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
11/1 – Gwen Gordetsky Bat Mitzvah – 9:30 a.m.
11/2 – Bagels & Bailey’s - 9:30 a.m.
Join our Engagement and Program Director, Marc Jacobs for Bagels and Bailey’s, on Sunday, November 2nd, at 10:30 a.m. RSVP by emailing mjacobs@westendsyn.org.
11/2 – Open Game Lounge - 10:30 a.m.
Start your Sunday with some fun and games. Canasta, Mah Jongg, Cards... so many options to choose from. Please RSVP to Marc Jacobs, mjacobs@westendsyn.org, with your game preference.
11/5 – The Sandi Goldstein Learn & Lunch Program for ages 60+ – 11:00 a.m.
Reservations required, catered lunch following the presentation.
Speaker: Jean Roseman
Lunch catered by Goldie Shepard at 12:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00 RSVP 615-269-4592 ext. 11 or office@westendsyn.org.
11/7 – Potluck Shabbat – 6:00 p.m.
Join us for Shabbat dinner in the Sukkah following Kabbalat Shabbat services (6:00-7:00 p.m.). Bring a dairy or pareve dish to share. RSVP to spaz@westendsyn.org.
11/8 – Kid-ish Club – 10:30 a.m.
Inviting all 2nd – 7th graders for Kid’ish Club Shabbat morning from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Kiddush lunch to follow.
11/9 – “Holy Grounds” - 9:00 a.m.
All are welcome to join our Engagement and Program Director, Marc Jacobs at “Holy Grounds” our new onsite coffee lounge, after Beit Miriam drop off (around 9:00 a.m.). RSVP by emailing mjacobs@westendsyn.org, or just drop by.
11/9
Start your Sunday with some fun and games. Canasta, Mah Jongg, Cards... so many options to choose from. Please RSVP to Marc Jacobs, mjacobs@westendsyn.org, with your game preference.
11/9 – Music & Me (Partnering with Akiva School)-for Families with Young Children 3 and under - Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
Inviting all parents and children 3 and under for a morning of music and movement with singer /song writer, Brett Fromson, on Sunday, November 9th, from 10:3011:30 a.m. RSVP by emailing spaz@westendsyn.org.
11/11 – Author Exploration Book Club –11:00 a.m.
Each month we will choose a new author and give participants the opportunity to share their reviews with the group. This month we will be discussing works by Y.S. Agnon. If you are interested in joining, please RSVP to Susan Pankowsky, spankowsky@westendsyn.org, for additional information.
11/11-Beer Tasting with Trent Rosenbloom – 6:45 p.m.
Join West End Synagogue as we explore more delicious beer with Trent Rosenbloom. RSVP on Shulcloud.
11/12 Women’s Torah (on zoom) - 10:00 a.m.
Rabbi Joshua leads our Women’s study group.
11/13 – Men’s Torah Group (in person) –12:00 p.m.
Join us for our Torah class for men followed by a pizza lunch. We are currently reading the Book of Nehemiah.
11/14-16 – Ein Gedi Sub-Regional Convention
West End Synagogue is hosting the Ein Gedi Sub-Region of USY for a weekend of Prayer, Connection, and Fun. The convention is open to 6th-12th Grades. If you have an interested teen or would like more information, please contact office@westendsyn.org.
11/16 – “Holy Grounds” – 9:00 a.m.
All are welcome to join our Engagement and Program Director, Marc Jacobs at “Holy Grounds” our new onsite coffee lounge, after Beit Miriam drop off (around 9:00 a.m.). RSVP by emailing mjacobs@westendsyn.org, or just drop by.
11/16 – Open Game Lounge - 10:30 a.m.
Start your Sunday with some fun and games. Canasta, Mah Jongg, Cards... so many options to choose from. Please RSVP to Marc Jacobs, mjacobs@westendsyn.org, with your game preference.
11/19 – The Sandi Goldstein Learn & Lunch Program for ages 60+ – 11:00 a.m.
Reservations required, catered lunch following the presentation. Speaker: Rabba Daniella Pressner Lunch catered by Goldie Shepard at 12:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00 RSVP 615-269-4592 ext. 11 or office@westendsyn.org.
11/21 – It’s Shabbat with Brett Fromson–5:30 p.m.
Families with young children are invited to join us for Shabbos schmoozing, candle lighting, Kiddush blessing, HaMotzi, and Shabbat songs on Friday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Email spaz@westendsyn.org to RSVP.
11/23 – “Holy Grounds” - 9:00 a.m.
All are welcome to join our Engagement and Program Director, Marc Jacobs at “Holy Grounds” our new onsite coffee lounge, after Beit Miriam drop off (around 9:00 a.m.). RSVP by emailing mjacobs@westendsyn.org, or just drop by.
11/23 – Open Game Lounge - 10:30 a.m.
Start your Sunday with some fun and games. Canasta, Mah Jongg, Cards... so many options to choose from. Please RSVP to Marc Jacobs, mjacobs@westendsyn.org, with your game preference.
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.
Continued on page 17
Continued from page 16
Thursday minyan is followed by breakfast. Talmud Class with Rabbi Joshua Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m.
Torah Study with Breakfast
Begins immediately after minyan on Thursdays, typically around 7:40 a.m.
Bring together both long-term members of the Nashville Jewish Community and people new to Nashville who are ages 50+ for monthly fun social, educational and service programs. Our next 3 events will be the Pizza Party before the Nashville Jewish Film Festival presentation on November 1st, going to see the Diary of Anne Frank play at the Franklin Special School District Performing Arts Center in early December, and .our annual Hanukkah Party on December 21st.
For more information, contact Joyce Levin at joylevin8@gmail.com or Gil Fox at gsfox3@comcast.net.
In conjunction with Belmont University hosting “Some Were Neighbors: Choice, Human Behavior, and The Holocaust”, a traveling exhibit on loan from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), Nashville’s Holocaust Memorial is offering guided tours highlighting issues raised by the exhibit.

The exhibit is open now and runs through December 8th. According to the event website (https://www. belmont.edu/faith-leadership/ curb-special-exhibit.html), “this exhibit explores the vast difference in the ways ordinary people displayed great courage or willful complicity in the face of devastating violence during the rise of Hitler’s Germany. Neighbors made choices. Some acted with bold courage, while others stood idle as friends, neighbors, and colleagues were victimized.”
Docent-led tours of the Memorial are available on the following dates and times:
Thursday, November 13, 1:00 pm
Saturday, November 15, 1:00 pm
Monday, November 24, 10:00 am Monday, December 1, 10:00 am Saturday, December 6, 1:00 pm Tuesday, December 9, 10:00 am
For security reasons RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Additional dates can be arranged with two days’ notice. Saturday and Sunday tours are offered in the afternoons only. Email nashvilleholocaustmemorial@gmail.com to schedule a tour or join one of those listed above.
As mentioned in the October Jewish Observer, the Memorial continues to work with MTSU History Professor Ashley Valanzola and students in her “Holocaust Justice and Memory” class to update its self-guided video tour. To cap the project, half the students will present the new tour, while the other half will plan and promote the tour and a reception at the JCC. The public is invited on Sunday, December 7th at 11:00 am. Email the Memorial at the above address to make a reservation.
Group of Jewish widowers and widows who have lost his/her spouse recently or in the distant past. This is not a dating service or a meet/meat group but a group of adult individuals who are interested in doing things with a group of people who have been through a similar loss as opposed to doing things by him/herself. We meet for lunch on the 2nd Monday of each month at various restaurants. For more information, contact Gil Fox at gsfox3@comcast.net. •
Talmud for Young Professionals
In-person on Friday at 9:00 a.m.
Mincha (on Zoom)
Join us for daily Mincha at 6:00 p.m., Sunday-Thursday.
Kabbalat Shabbat (in person)
You are invited to join us every Friday for Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:00 p.m.
Shabbat Morning services (In person and on Zoom)
Please join us every Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. Great davening, insightful learning of the Torah portion followed by a yummy (and nutritious!) kiddush lunch following services! •



TThe Gordon Jewish Community Center recently concluded its annual Under One Roof Sukkot community art exhibit, held October 6–12. This year’s theme, Kavod: Respect Makes a World of Difference, focused on the importance of dignity, kindness, and honoring others— values at the heart of Jewish tradition and community life.
Curated by Carrie Mills, Older Adults Program Manager and J Galleries Curator, the exhibit featured original artwork from more than 30 Nashville organizations. Each group contributed a collaborative art panel displayed inside the sukkah, transforming it into a vibrant temporary gallery filled with messages of unity and connection. Participating organizations included Abe’s Garden, Gilda’s Club, Akiva School, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Metro Arts, Girl Scout Troop 126, the Sexual Assault Center, PENCIL, Friends Life, OZ Arts Nashville, and West End Synagogue, among others.

A community reception on October 8 brought together artists, families, and partner organizations for an evening of storytelling and reflection. Attendees described the program as heartfelt and impactful, noting how it brought people together across backgrounds and generations.
As part of Membership Appreciation Month, the Gordon JCC also hosted Yoga Under the Sukkah, offering members and their guests free yoga sessions that blended movement, mindfulness, and art in a meaningful setting.
Although the sukkah exhibit has concluded, the artwork will remain on display in the Gordon JCC hallways throughout the year for community members and visitors to enjoy until next year’s Under One Roof event.
Through shared creativity and connection, Under One Roof once again reflected the Gordon JCC’s mission to strengthen community and celebrate Jewish life, culture, and values. •

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By CARRIE MILLS
Ifind myself talking to Siri a lot lately. That should tell you everything you need to know about my state of relationships.

I’m getting so used to being by myself that talking to my phone is beginning to feel normal. I mean, I have to admit it, she does seem to have a lot of answers, and she doesn’t snap at me, well, at least not yet.
I think it actually would feel a lot more real if the designers of Siri gave her a little bit more ‘tude.
Sometimes I have to say her name ten times before she answers. That feels a lot more like home to me to be honest. What kind of creeps me out the most though if I let myself think about it, is, is she quietly listening to everything I say? I mean, the phone is apparently on all the time, and it does have a camera too. Is my phone secretly listening and taking photos that are

GREEN HILLS
being stored somewhere in the universe. It doesn’t take much to get paranoid in this techno crazy world if one let’s oneself go down that matrix hole. However, if that were the case, I think whoever is on the other end would find my life somewhat boring. Or annoying, possibly amusing. Depending on whose listening or watching.
The annoying part would most likely be hearing me walking around singing the same song over and over again that got stuck in my head, for days on end. Boring would be watching me eat the same exact meals for months or sometimes years on end. I tend to be an exemplary example of a creature of habit.
It seems all I really care about is knowing the temperature outside, or what time it is, what time is sunset, as I always seem to be running late and may I add, hate having to drive in the dark now that I’ve reached a certain age.
I mean, seriously, where does the time go? Or rather, “Who knows where the time goes?” Now, that’s a beautiful song which I will now probably walk around singing for days since it’s just popped into my head. I suggest listening to the Judy Collins version.
I could pretty much sum up my apparently very simple life right now by the questions I ask Siri.
My everyday life according to Siri goes something like this:
“Good morning, Carrie. It’s 68 degrees out and it’s 8:15 am right now. Would you like me to set the timer for something? Do you need directions? Sunset is at 5:45 pm.”
No deeply profound conversations. No hugs and kisses. No fun and games. Just me and Siri getting it on with the day.
I don’t know, maybe I should go back on the dating apps. Give it one more try, opt for some human interaction. Wait, let me ask Siri… •
The Janet Levine March Gallery will feature the work of Cole Slivka. If you are a knitter, or fan of knitting, prepared to be wowed. Slivka’s art is a form of archaeology, unearthing and reviving vintage knitting traditions from the 1930s and earlier. Raised in the North Dakota Badlands by creative parents—a musician father and a mother who sewed—she began knitting and playing guitar at eight, blending tactile craft with artistic expression.
Self-taught and obsessive, Slivka hunts for rare patterns and antique yarns, often untouched for nearly a century. Her work honors these materials by recreating garments that bring history back to life, especially gowns from the 1930s, which she views as rare treasures both in design and fabric.
Beyond aesthetics, Slivka’s practice is about preservation and storytelling through fabric. Outside knitting, she explores music, painting, and writing, all informing her artistic vision. Ultimately, she aims to establish a vintage knitting museum, merging craft with cultural memory ensuring that the designers of yesterday are honored for their mighty contributions to fashion.
The JLMG2 Gallery will feature the clock work of Martin Welch and the needlework of Anna Saterstrom.
“When I was growing up, all the women in my house were using needles. I’ve always had a fascination with the needle, the magic power of the needle. The needle is used to repair damage. It’s a claim to forgiveness. It is never aggressive; it’s not a pin.”
This quote from sculptor Louise Bourgeois reflects the near vanishing connection between needles and needle workers that has been reemerging in recent years. The Slow Stitch movement invites us to reconnect through needlework with one another and with ourselves, one stitch at a time.
Slow stitch needlework is about process rather than product. Stitching by hand connects us with intention to our sense of touch and repetitive movement. There are no rules, training or precise techniques to restrain the imagination or creative impulse. Designs often evolve during the process and may incorporate materials other than fiber, such as print, pigment, beads or found objects.
Saterstrom has always been surrounded by needlework. Her mother and all the women in her family were, and still are, continually making something. She was surrounded by endless examples of needlework by grandmothers, great grandmothers, numerous aunts, and today by the work of her daughter, sister and granddaughter! Her own work often includes the work of predecessors, known and unknown and incorporates their hours of stitching and creativity into her own. Her dolls, toys and stitchwork are a wonderment to behold.
Welch returns with his imaginative, recycled, fantastical clocks. He is a professional woodworker for the past 35 years while continuing to make art in various media and currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Sig Held Gallery will feature the Don Olea. Although a native of San Diego, California, Don and his wife have lived in Gallatin, TN for the past 25 years. He has more than 30 years of professional experience as an award-winning illustrator, photographer, digital and watercolor painter.
Olea has been an artist all his life, starting with simple pencil drawings as a child, then charcoals and pen and ink. His grandfather gave him his first camera when he was a sophomore in high school in 1979 and that began his love of capturing the world around him on film. As the computer age ushered in a new era of graphic designers and digital photography, Olea gravitated toward


commercial art and advertising design as well as newspaper and magazine design. Working as a commercial artist he was able to take advantage of both his drawing and photography skills.
Olea spent over 10 years years as a photographer and graphic designer for sister publications: Billboard Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and Amusement Business Magazine in Nashville and Los Angeles. The music, entertainment, and sports industries have always been among his favorite subjects to paint or draw. However, to expand his subject matter, he turned his attention to depicting historical military art.
Olea has been inspired through his watercolor and digital paintings, to honor and tell the story of those who came before him serving with honor and distinction. Men such as his grandfather, Virgil Clark, who was a SSGT with the 2nd Marines, 1939-45 and his brother, Bernie, who was a SGT with the 502nd/101st Airborne, 1941-45. As an Airborne Infantry veteran who, coincidentally, also served with the 502nd in Berlin, 1984-86, Olea’s creative work is a labor of love. His realism style serves the historical military art genre well and helps to tell their story to fellow veterans, family members and enthusiasts.

As a proud veteran and artist, Don Olea will not let the flame of patriotism vanquish.
The Senior Lounge will continue featuring the work of the Tennessee Watercolor Society.
The House gallery will feature the Under One Roof collaborative exhibit. The Exhibition Dates are November 5th – 31st.
The Artist reception will be held on November 12th from 6-8 pm and feature music by DJ Joseph Harris, Henna by Seemi, and Jewelry by Chandler Dezigns.
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. •





















What is your next milestone event going to be? An incredibly special birthday worth sharing with close friends? A significant anniversary for your successful family business? A Bínai Mitzvot for your talented twins? A fund-raiser for a cause thatís near to your heart? If you arenít sure how to start to plan for a large gathering, consider asking Jane R. Snyder to lend a hand. She has organized events both large (million-dollar charity gala) and family-sized (90th birthday party). If you are simply overwhelmed by guests lists, invitations, entertainment, menus or even writing the perfect toast, Jane can provide all the help you need. To help you get organized and make sure your celebration is a memorable one, contact her at: 615-557-6277 or calljane@comcast.net Jane knows that a well thought out plan guarantees that you get to enjoy the celebration as much as your cherished guests will do!
The Fall Season of 2025 will mark the 14-year anniversary that RED Spirits & Wine has been partnering with the Observer in our service to the Greater Nashville community. We have enjoyed the opportunity and appreciate the support of our guests throughout the years. We look forward to many more seasons of bringing the best variety of distilled spirits, beer, and wine in Bellevue. As many of the major holidays are approaching, we hope that we can continue to earn the favor of our patrons by providing a combination of service, selection, convenience, and value that reflects the top tier of our industry. We wish everyone a healthy, safe, and joyous remainder of 2024 and hope to see our many friends and neighbors soon at RED! Shalom.
In the old days family businesses were called Mom & Pop. In the modern world, for this mother and son team, it might be called a Mom & Pup. Carrie and Garrett Mills are a mother and son portraiture and fashion photography team. Designer and artist, Carrie Mills has been called a “Renaissance woman”. She studied fashion design at Parson School of Design and spent almost twenty years in the fashion business as a designer. She is currently the curator and art director at the Gordon JCC. Her son, Garrett, a George Washington University graduate and self-taught fashion photographer works for the Creative Director at J Crew handling social media content for the Creative Director and behind the scenes photography for the fashion house. Together, Continued on page 23

Carrie and Garrett have created a unique photography style of their own. They have been working for several years with fashion agencies and their work has been featured on Vogue Italia website and in multiple editorial pieces.
For more information, contact Carrie Mills 615-210-5044 or Garrett Mills 615593-4331. •
Experience a new level of personalized service at Belle Meade Jewelry & Repair. Our transition to a Private Jewelers office allows us to better meet your needs with tailored, one-on-one consultations. Elevate your existing pieces or curate new ones with our skilled design team. Automatic, battery or pocket watches welcome. Pricing may vary by make and model. Schedule time with our third generation jeweler to receive an estimate today.
Belle Meade Jewelry’s journey started in 1941 when Sol and Lester Berry opened Berry’s Loan Co. on historic Deaderick Street in the heart of downtown Nashville, TN. From there, each generation grew the business even further… until grandson Scott Isaacs decided to start his own legacy in 2006, and thus BMJ was born. Here at Belle Meade Jewelry our goal is to melt tradition and innovation into the perfect blend. Each piece created or rebuilt here is a true reflection of refined beauty and timeless sophistication, as unique as the gems that adorn it.
Belle Meade Jewelry & Repair | Scott Isaacs, Jeweler
Shopping local also means shopping for the best local tree service you can find.
Here’s what Druid Tree Service has to say about their Fall services. “We’ve all been waiting for it. The daily high has dropped below 90°, and your backyard patio is finally going to get the dinner party it deserves. Underneath a beautiful canopy of fall foliage, nestled between azaleas and boxwoods, you and your guests will spend the evening enjoying the cool breeze and each other’s company.

Unfortunately, the winds of summer afternoon thunderstorms have taken a toll on your trees. Your backyard looks more like the set to a spooky movie rather than a potential cover of Better Homes and Gardens. You can’t possibly serve your neighbors that pumpkin inspired cocktail amongst a sea of deadwood and heat-stressed plants. At Druid Tree Service, this is our specialty. No, not the cocktails. Our business is preserving the health and beauty of your trees by applying natural fertilizers like beneficial fungi, bacteria and tree growth hormones to the trees and their soil, and clearing dangerous and unsightly deadwood from your gorgeous trees. Our services will make your backyard more vibrant and inviting than ever before. Your guests will admire Continued on page 24














the exquisite layering of a properly pruned Japanese Maple. Our dedicated and experienced team excels at hand pruning small topiary form trees, yews and boxwoods, as well as maintaining and illuminating the natural beauty of mature trees.
Don’t let your trees be the scariest Halloween decoration in your yard this fall. Give us a call at (615) 373-4342 or email us at office@druidtree.com. We look forward to talking with you about your trees.”
For over five decades, Sperry’s has been a cornerstone of Tennessee dining where timeless tradition meets local flavor. Established in 1974, this family-owned steakhouse has become synonymous with exceptional service, warm hospitality, and classic Southern sophistication.
Nestled in the heart of Cool Springs, Sperry’s offers a dining experience that feels both refined and welcoming. Guests enjoy hand-cut aged steaks, fresh seafood, and the signature Sperry’s Salad Bar. A beloved staple that has stood the test of time. From the glow of the cozy English pub-style décor to the impeccable attention to detail from every team member, every visit feels like coming home.
This season, Sperry’s invites you to celebrate the holidays locally by hosting your private party in their elegant Cool Springs location. With private dining options for groups of 6 to 72 guests, full A/V capabilities, and customized menu planning, Sperry’s is the perfect setting for festive gatherings, corporate dinners, or intimate celebrations.
And for those looking to share the gift of great taste, Sperry’s gift cards are available both in-store and online at www.sperrys.com. They make a thoughtful local gift that always delights.
Please support the businesses that advertise in the Observer and help support our community in all ways!
Make sure to let them know... you saw their ad here!
Support local. Dine local. Celebrate local.
Because few places capture the heart of Tennessee dining quite like Sperry’s.
650 Frazier Drive, Franklin, TN 37067
615-695-4654 | events@sperrys.com
Since 1981, Sprintz has been Middle Tennessee’s go-to destination for beautiful home furnishings. Family-owned and proudly local, our two spacious showrooms in Nashville and Cool Springs offer the largest selection of furniture, rugs, and accessories in the state. We carry top 100 brands, many exclusive to our area, in every style, shape, color, and material you can imagine. And yes, our prices beat even the biggest furniture chains.
Whether you’re furnishing a whole home or just looking for the perfect finishing touch, our showrooms are full of inspiration. Think one-of-a-kind pieces, handpicked accessories, and stunning rugs displayed in ways that spark ideas and bring rooms to life.
Need a little help pulling it all together? Our talented interior designers are here to help, in-store or in your home, to make your vision a reality.
And when it’s time to upgrade your sleep, we’ve got you covered there too. We stock the best mattress brands including Sealy Posturepedic, Stearns & Foster, and Tempur-Pedic. Our experienced Sleep Specialists (with over 60 years of combined expertise!) will help you find your perfect match for a great night’s rest.
With a massive warehouse full of in-stock items, we make it easy to get what you need, when you need it – no long waits, just fast delivery and great service.
At Sprintz, you’ll always find something you love. •
Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville at www.jewishnashville.org






Cole Berkley Dretler
Tovah Jackson
Greta Slowey
Sarah Katherine Johnson

Cole Berkley Dretler will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, November 1, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. He was born on December 9, 2012, in New York City. His parents are Julie and Adam Dretler. His grandparents are Jan and Steve Riven of Nashville and Bobbie and John Dretler of Westport, Conn..
A seventh grader at Ensworth, Cole enjoys football, lacrosse and golf.
For Cole’s mitzvah project, he is combining his love of sports with his desire to help others by collecting new and gently used sports equipment to benefit children in need through the Dream Street organization.
Harry Kearns
Harry Kearns will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, November 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Micah. He is the child of Sara Kantrow and Daniel Kearns, the brother of Mack Kearns and Baker Kearns, and the grandson of Lee and Gretchen Kantrow of Baton Rouge, La., and Barbara Kearns of Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

A seventh grader at Montgomery Bell Academy, Harry enjoyed participating in the theater program at his previous school - Harding Academy. He is looking forward to joining the crew team at MBA, trying squash and continuing in Boy Scouts. Some of his favorite subjects are geography and art.
For his Mitzvah project, Harry has decided to raise money for his beloved summer camp, Henry S. Jacobs in Utica, Miss. This past summer was his fifth summer at camp and he would like to help other children have the opportunity to attend camp without financial hardship.
Tovah Jackson will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, November 8, at an evening Havdallah Service at Congregation Micah. She is the child of Julie Fortune and Tony Jackson, the sister of Rex and Axl, foster sister to Demoze Talbot, and the granddaughter of Marjean Coddon and Henry Johs, Marc Fortune and Jackie Byrom, and Horazine Jackson. She is a seventh grader at Harding Academy.
Anna Adeline Wolf


Greta Slowey will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, November 15, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. She was born on November 15, 2012, in Nashville. Her parents are Rachel and John Slowey. Her grandparents are Roger Small of Talkeetna, Alaska; Suzanne Harrison of Nashville; and Barbara and Mike Slowey of Franklin, Tenn.

Anna Adeline Wolf will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, November 8, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. She was born on July 2, 2012, in Nashville. Her parents are Sarah and Matthew Wolf. Her grandparents are Carole and Robert Nadler, Teri and AG Kasselberg and Lynn and Ken Wolf, all of Nashville.
A seventh grader at University School of Nashville, Anna enjoys volleyball, soccer and art.
For Anna’s mitzvah project, she volunteered at the Nashville Food Project preparing meals to help nourish Nashvillians.
Rocky Fair
Rocky Fair will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, November 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Micah. He is the child of Stefanie and Ron Fair, the brother of Ellington, Ella and London; the grandson of Barry and Sheila Ridel of Brentwood, and Benjamin and Shirley Fair (z”l).

A seventh grader at Brentwood Middle School, Rocky has a passion for acting, singing, entertaining, communicating and playing golf.

A seventh grader at Harpeth Hall, Greta enjoys reading, theater and making jewelry.
Rory Shai Freiberg
Sarah Katherine Johnson will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, November 29, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. Sarah was born on November 27, 2012, in Nashville. Her parents are Carol Martin and Charles Johnson. Her grandmother is Bonnie Spear of Nashville. A seventh grader at Coopertown Middle School, Sarah loves horses and her puppies.
For Greta’s mitzvah project, she has organized a book drive and is reading books and doing a craft with preschool students to inspire a love of reading.
Michael and Cindee Gold

Rory Shai Freiberg will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, November 22, at 11 a.m. at The Temple. He was born on November 14, 2012, in Nashville. His parents are Dara and Craig Freiberg. His grandparents are Robin Bluestone of Evanston, Ill.; Arni Miller of Deerfield, Ill.; Ellen Freiberg of Chattanooga; and Allen Freiberg of blessed memory.
A seventh grader at University School of Nashville, Rory is an avid soccer player as striker on three different teams and also enjoys playing basketball and participating in cross country and track. When he is not on the field, he is currently very focused on fantasy football. Rory loves traveling with his family and is hoping to go to England very soon to enjoy some Premier League soccer games in person.
For Rory’s mitzvah project, he is collecting Wish List items for the Nashville Humane Association. Rory loves animals and wants the animals in the shelter to have as good of a life as animals in homes with owners.


Michael and Cindee Gold joyfully announce the birth of their granddaughter Adelaide Shoshana named for their Mothers Anne and Sandee. Parents Ilissa and Gus are thrilled!
Linda Buchman Bernstein
Condolences to the family of Linda Buchman Bernstein, who died on September 29. A devoted mother and grandmother, she was born in Nashville. She was the eldest of three siblings and lived a life filled with love and kindness. Linda cherished her family, Active in the Jewish community, Linda’s faith and generosity touched many lives, leaving a lasting legacy.
Linda is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Bernstein; her son, Asher Bernstein and his wife, Kara Bernstein; her grandchildren, Jacob and Dylan; and her brother, Eddie Buchman. She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Libby Buchman, and her brother, Bruce Buchman. Donations in Linda’s memory may be made to Tampa Jewish Family Services or the Florida Holocaust Museum.
William (Bill) Stephen Schreibman
Condolences to the family of William (Bill) Stephen Schreibman who died on September 30. Survivors include his wife, Hilda Schreibman of Houston, Texas; sister, Janet Schreibman (James “Jim” Brittan Gilmore); nephews, Brittan Gilmore, Philip Schreibman (Rene), and Mark Schreibman; great-nieces, Alaiya and Sadie Pearl; and great nephews, Asher and Mayer Schreibman..
Tributes in Bill’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, the ALS Foundation, or Congregation Micah.
Anabel Stein Cassell
Condolences to the family of Anabel Stein Cassell, who died on October 16. Anabel is survived by her children, Ann (Andy) Neuman, David (Mary Ann Sward) Cassell, Nancy (Bob) Krangle, and Matt Cassell; grandchildren, Naomi Neuman, Jonah Neuman, Sam Cassell, Mitchell Cassell and Ben Cassell. Anabel was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Norman M. Cassell. •
CATHY WERTHAN, CPA CBIZ 1221 Broadway, Suite 1925 Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 245-4070 • CBIZ.com

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
MARTIN SIR, ATTORNEY
Family Law / Personal Injury / Probate 3200 West End Avenue, Suite 500 Nashville, Tennessee 37203 615-256-5661 (phone) 615-256-5115 (fax) www.martinsirlaw.com

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

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
DR. BRADLEY KROCK D.C.
Discover relief with Dr. Krock, DCExpert chiropractic care for pain, wellness, and injury recovery. Book your appointment today! 615-723-0201 www.krockchiropractic.com
STEVEN R. HECKLIN, DMD
DAVID M. SMILEY, DMD
ABBY DILUZIO, DMD Cosmetic and Family Dentistry www.drhecklin.com 5606 Brookwood Place 615-356-7500

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
DR. MICHELE SONSINO Optique Franklin 436 Main Street, Franklin 615-591-4191
DR. JAMES W. KIRKCONNELL Bellevue Eyecare Center 7640 Hwy 70 S, Ste 102 Nashville 615-662-7588 www.bec2

Specialists in Orthodontics
Dr. Jonathan Gluck DDS, MSD
Dr. Joel Gluck DDS, MS 2002 Richard Jones Road A-200 615.269.5903 drgluck.com
GHERTNER & COMPANY
Homeowner Association and Condominium Management Full Service and Financial Management Property Management since 1968 615-255-8531 www.ghertner.com
IRA HELDERMAN, PhD, LPC Psychotherapy for Individuals, Adolescents, Couples and Families nashvillepsychotherapyandcounseling. com Please contact: 615-473-4815 or ira.p.helderman@vanderbilt.edu


FRANKLIN PARGH
615-351-7333
franklin.pargh@compass.com
LANA PARGH 615-504-2685
lana.pargh@compass.com www.pargh.com Instagram: @theparghteam
JESSICA AVERBUCH Broker/ Owner Zeitlin Sotheby’s International Realty 615-294-9880 jessica.averbuch@zeitlin.com
KAROL FARAGALLI 615-289-3359 karolfaragalli@gmail.com
LORNA M. GRAFF Broker, GRI, CRS, ABR 615-351-5343 lorna.graff@zeitlin.com www.lornagraff.com
SETH HOFFMAN Associate Broker 615-351-2150 seth@sethhoffmannashvillehomes.com
NAN SPELLER Broker, GRI, ABR 615-973-1117 nanspeller2014@gmail.com
Nashville: 615.383.0183 Franklin: 615.794.0833 zeitlin.com

JACOB KUPIN, REALTOR HAYLEY LEVY KUPIN, REALTOR 615-281-9035
Jacob@TheKupinGroup.com
Hayley@TheKupinGroup.com www.TheKupinGroup.com We’ve got your back! GREG ANSEL, REALTOR® Phone/Text: 615-815-6405 Email: GregAnsel@kw.com
“Let’s Get Moving!”

Jackie Roth Karr, REALTOR® ABR, CRS
JackieKarr@gmail.com
JackieKarr.com Mobile: 615-330-9779 Office: 615-463-3333

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

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

